[{"UniqueID":134993,"EventID":"S1F-00749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive has made in enhancing lifelong learning opportunities for all.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive has made in enhancing lifelong learning opportunities for all.","AnswerText":"Today we announced the way forward for the Careers Service, to help people into lifelong learning and employment. We have committed funding for 42,800 additional places in further and higher education. We have scrapped tuition fees for eligible Scottish students. We have launched learndirect scotland and Individual Learning Accounts. We are helping all Scots learn today for tomorrow's jobs.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134994,"EventID":"S1F-00760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister, further to the answer to question S1W-10109 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 12 October 2000, what progress has been made with the two market-led pilots on sellers' surveys.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, further to the answer to question S1W-10109 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 12 October 2000, what progress has been made with the two market-led pilots on sellers' surveys.","AnswerText":"We have been monitoring the progress of the two sellers survey market pilots - Surveys Online and Clyde Properties. Both of these initiatives have explored innovative approaches towards identifying new methods and working practices within the house purchase system in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134995,"EventID":"S1F-00784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive is taking to improve services for the most deprived neighbourhoods.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive is taking to improve services for the most deprived neighbourhoods.","AnswerText":"Across the Executive a wide range of policies have been developed and put in place to address social exclusion and improve the quality of life in deprived areas. Earlier this week, we announced the distribution of the £90 million Better Neighbourhood Services Fund specifically targeted at improving services in deprived neighbourhoods. Pathfinders for the fund will involve the community in determining the services to be improved and will deliver agreed outcomes to make real improvements for local people.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134996,"EventID":"S1F-00798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how much of the #10 million aid package for the textile industry announced by the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce at the Department of Trade and Industry on 6 June","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how much of the #10 million aid package for the textile industry announced by the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce at the Department of Trade and Industry on 6 June 2000 has been allocated in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The DTI package has not been allocated according to geographical area.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134997,"EventID":"S1F-00805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive is making in removing barriers to employment.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive is making in removing barriers to employment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to employment opportunity for all. Employment in Scotland is at record levels - the highest level since 1960. The recent Social Justice Annual Report showed key employment indicators improving.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134998,"EventID":"S1F-00823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to address the backlog of repairs and maintenance of school buildings.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to address the backlog of repairs and maintenance of school buildings.","AnswerText":"Jack McConnell recently announced an additional £17.2 million in the current financial year to assist authorities in dealing with immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems in schools. In addition, by 2003-04 capital allocations for local authority investment in infrastructure will have increased by nearly 40% compared with current levels. We are also providing revenue support for school Public/Private Partnership schemes with a capital value of £530 million and, under the New Deal for Schools, we are making an additional £115.7 million available over five years from 1997. We hope to be able to announce decisions on the allocation of a further £5 million to support early development of potential school PPP projects in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":134999,"EventID":"S1F-00835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to make Scotland more attractive as a venue for major sporting events.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to make Scotland more attractive as a venue for major sporting events.","AnswerText":"Our bid for the Ryder Cup has been based on a partnership between the Executive its agencies and the private sector. We shall build on that experience in developing our wider strategy for major events in the course of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135000,"EventID":"S1F-00839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Executive will make available in full its report An Exploration of Regional Climate Change Scenarios for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Executive will make available in full its report An Exploration of Regional Climate Change Scenarios for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I welcome this opportunity to inform Parliament that the full report of this important study for Scotland will be published tomorrow.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135001,"EventID":"S1F-00854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to support entrepreneurs.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to support entrepreneurs.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises that we need to support our entrepreneurs. They are crucial to our economic success. We need to raise the rate of new firm formation in Scotland, enhance business survival and improve growth. We must become a country where starting up and running a successful business is an ambition of most and an achievement for many.

The way forward is set by the publication of A Smart Successful Scotland - the first comprehensive statement by the Executive setting out the direction and priorities for the Enterprise Networks. Encouraging entrepreneurship is one of the strategy's three key challenges, and we will continue to work with the networks to drive forward improvements in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135002,"EventID":"S1F-00874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what new initiatives the Scottish Executive plans to ensure that people are prepared for work.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what new initiatives the Scottish Executive plans to ensure that people are prepared for work.","AnswerText":"On Monday we announced an extra £2.5 million to boost the delivery of information technology skills. This money will kick start the delivery of IT qualifications within our national adult training programme and fund a further 1,350 IT training places for unemployed people.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135003,"EventID":"S1F-00878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what the current position is regarding the Executive's proposed drug court pilot scheme and its likely impact on the demand for treatment services.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the current position is regarding the Executive's proposed drug court pilot scheme and its likely impact on the demand for treatment services.","AnswerText":"Iain Gray, in his answer to question S1W-13514 on 21 February, announced the establishment of a working group for piloting a drug court in Glasgow. It is too early to comment on the implications for treatment services but we have provided an extra £10 million for treatment and £21 million for rehabilitation services across Scotland over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135004,"EventID":"S1F-00905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what action it plans to take, in the light of the recent UNISON survey, to reduce the volume of student nurses leaving the nursing profession.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action it plans to take, in the light of the recent UNISON survey, to reduce the volume of student nurses leaving the nursing profession.","AnswerText":"Around 75% of student nurses complete their training courses successfully.

In conjunction with the higher education institutions, which provide nurse education, the Scottish Executive has been and is continuing to take positive steps to reduce the drop-out rate from courses.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135005,"EventID":"S1F-00910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what conditions were inserted into the trunk road management and maintenance contracts to protect the pension rights of employees transferring under the Transfer of Undertaki","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what conditions were inserted into the trunk road management and maintenance contracts to protect the pension rights of employees transferring under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations.","AnswerText":"The new contracts do not contain any conditions relating to pensions to be paid to employees transferring under TUPE.

TUPE does not cover occupational pensions.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135006,"EventID":"S1F-00924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to reassure farmers and their representative bodies that the foot and mouth disease outbreak is under control.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to reassure farmers and their representative bodies that the foot and mouth disease outbreak is under control.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive fully recognises the seriousness of this disease. The veterinary assessment in Scotland is that all the cases to date are linked. The slaughter and eradication process is working well with cases dealt with promptly as they arise. It is not possible to predict at this stage how many cases will finally emerge. The Executive has daily dialogue on the outbreak with Scottish farming representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135007,"EventID":"S1F-00927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to encourage more people to take up engineering apprenticeships.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to encourage more people to take up engineering apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"There are now over 5,000 Modern Apprentices training in engineering, a threefold increase since 1997. We are working with the Enterprise Network and the engineering sector to build on this success by promoting the benefits of modern apprenticeships to engineering employers and potential apprentices. We are also abolishing the upper age limit for Modern Apprenticeships to give lifelong learning opportunities for people to train in jobs at apprenticeship level.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135008,"EventID":"S1F-00931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister, further to the answer to question S1W-14238 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 16 March 2001, what increase in funding there has been for Scottish Opera between the previously projected","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, further to the answer to question S1W-14238 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 16 March 2001, what increase in funding there has been for Scottish Opera between the previously projected allocations for the years 2000-01 to 2003-04 and the amounts now allocated.","AnswerText":"Scottish Opera will receive an additional £1.9 million this year and £1 million in each of the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135009,"EventID":"S1F-00936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in widening access to further education.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in widening access to further education.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to be able to say that on Monday 19 March, Wendy Alexander, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning announced a £19.5 million package of new support measures for further education students. The new measures will improve levels of support for thousands of further education students from autumn 2001, particularly those from low income families and will for the first time create a level playing field for students on FE and HE courses.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135010,"EventID":"S1F-00971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what further steps will be taken to encourage more young people to stay on at school and enter higher education.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what further steps will be taken to encourage more young people to stay on at school and enter higher education.","AnswerText":"We are taking major steps to widen access for young people to higher education, particularly those from low income families: by investing £22 million over the next three years in more pilots of Education Maintenance Allowances in schools; a new student support package which will be worth more than an extra £50 million when fully implemented, and £18 million over the next three years through the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, specifically for widening access.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135011,"EventID":"S1F-00983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Executive will announce its additional financial allocation arising from the UK 2001 Budget.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Executive will announce its additional financial allocation arising from the UK 2001 Budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Budget benefited from a £200 million addition as a result of the 2001 Budget. We will allocate the funding to meet our priorities of social justice and announce specific allocations in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135012,"EventID":"S1F-00992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate supply of Gaelic medium teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate supply of Gaelic medium teachers.","AnswerText":"The supply of Gaelic medium teachers continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. The Executive asked SHEFC to pursue ways to increase the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers for introduction in academic session 2001-2002. SHEFC have responded by allocating 10 funded places to Strathclyde University for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education specifically to support primary Gaelic-medium provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135013,"EventID":"S1F-01014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive's economic development policies are being adapted to take account of the economic downturn within the electronics sector.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive's economic development policies are being adapted to take account of the economic downturn within the electronics sector.","AnswerText":"We know that the electronics industry globally is undergoing massive change, and we are determined to move Scottish manufacturing up the value chain to focus more on research, design and development activities. We are therefore accelerating our move into these areas, linked to our universities and support for indigenous high technology growth companies, as a route to secure jobs in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135014,"EventID":"S1F-01072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to enhance Scotland's research and development base.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to enhance Scotland's research and development base.","AnswerText":"The Executive's detailed plans to enhance Scotland's research base are set out in Working together for Scotland, The Framework for Economic Development, A Smart, Successful Scotland and the Report of the Knowledge Economy Cross-cutting Initiative. The first comprehensive Science Strategy for Scotland will be published later this year.

As announced in November 2000, over the three-year period from April 2001 the Executive will increase funding for higher education institutions in Scotland by 14%. This will help address three key challenges:

maintaining and enhancing the excellence of our research base;

maximising the economic benefits of publicly funded science; and

making it much easier for companies to access and use our research base in order to increase levels of research and development spending in Scottish companies, which currently lag well behind UK and international benchmarks.

Further, we have committed £18 million over the next three years to the Proof of Concept Fund, administered by Scottish Enterprise.

In addition, research matters will be a major element of the planned Higher Education Review. That work will be informed both by advice from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and by the outputs of the Inquiry currently being undertaken by the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135015,"EventID":"S1F-01090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to reduce dependency on ben'odia'epines.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to reduce dependency on ben'odia'epines.","AnswerText":"The risks of dependency and withdrawal, following long-term use of benzodiazepines, are well known to the medical profession. Medical practitioners have been given comprehensive guidance on how to prescribe these drugs safely and effectively

People who may have developed dependency problems can obtain help from a wide range of medical, psychiatric and community services. Where benzodiazepines are used in conjunction with illegal drugs, these services will benefit significantly from the additional £100 million which the Executive has allocated to counter drug misuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135016,"EventID":"S1F-01103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether a ban will be placed on rearing genetically modified fish in sea cages in light of the Royal Society's recommendation in its report published on 21 May 2001 and, if s","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether a ban will be placed on rearing genetically modified fish in sea cages in light of the Royal Society's recommendation in its report published on 21 May 2001 and, if so, how soon such a ban would be implemented.","AnswerText":"The rearing of genetically modified fish in marine pens would require consent under the GM Deliberate Release Regulations.

If the regulators were not satisfied that marine pens could be deployed without posing a threat to the environment, they would reject an application which proposed their use. There has, in any case, never been an application to release GM fish in Europe.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135017,"EventID":"S1F-01109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the tourism industry is overcoming the adverse effects of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the tourism industry is overcoming the adverse effects of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Tourism businesses have already received substantial aid from the £13.5 million package of emergency relief announced on 28 March, and the additional £5 million made available to Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway on 10 May.

Executive officials are now discussing with interested parties strategies for addressing the medium and longer-term effects on tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135018,"EventID":"S1F-01116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive is making in ensuring that fewer people in Scotland are excluded from the financial and banking systems.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Executive is making in ensuring that fewer people in Scotland are excluded from the financial and banking systems.","AnswerText":"We are progressing a far-reaching package of measures to tackle financial exclusion - 13% of Scots currently have no financial products. We launched an Action Plan for the credit union movement in March, backed by £1.5 million and announced a pilot telephone debtline. Working with local authorities and the banks, we are promoting basic bank accounts and insurance products.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135019,"EventID":"S1F-01121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether the waiting time targets for the NHS have been achieved and what the reasons are for any instances where these targets have not been met.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the waiting time targets for the NHS have been achieved and what the reasons are for any instances where these targets have not been met.","AnswerText":"On 31 March 2001, the national waiting time guarantee of 12 months for inpatient and day case treatment was met across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135020,"EventID":"S1F-01188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive will ensure that the message of its new initiative on drug driving reaches all sections of society.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive will ensure that the message of its new initiative on drug driving reaches all sections of society.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Road Safety Campaign, which is funded by the Scottish Executive, has produced a new leaflet which provides advice about police powers in relation to drug driving and the penalties faced by offenders. The leaflet is being distributed by police forces throughout Scotland via licensed premises and local drug action groups.

In addition, the Executive announced on Monday an extra £180,000 for the campaign to develop a cinema or television advert on drugs and driving. The advert will be targeted at young drivers in the light of Scottish Executive research which found that nearly 10% of drivers aged 17 to 39 have driven under the influence of drugs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135021,"EventID":"S1F-01193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister to what extent the pattern of land ownership is expected to change should the proposals contained in its draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill be implemented.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister to what extent the pattern of land ownership is expected to change should the proposals contained in its draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill be implemented.","AnswerText":"The community right to buy proposals in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will give community bodies significant new opportunities to own and manage rural land for community purposes. They will be able to register an interest in land in which they can demonstrate a connection and will be able to buy that land when it comes on the market. Crofting communities will be able to buy their croft land at any time.

While there will be no dramatic change in the pattern of land ownership, these provisions will gradually lead to greater community ownership of land, a process which is already under way in many parts of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135022,"EventID":"S1F-01196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress has been made towards achieving the aim of electoral reform for local government.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress has been made towards achieving the aim of electoral reform for local government.","AnswerText":"The Executive's commitment to electoral reform, made in its Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government, is underlined by its detailed and continuing considerations of the recommendations made in the Renewing Local Democracy Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135023,"EventID":"S1F-01203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what further details on NHS waiting times will become available as a result of the decision to refocus from waiting lists to waiting times.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what further details on NHS waiting times will become available as a result of the decision to refocus from waiting lists to waiting times.","AnswerText":"Already, more information about waiting times and activity is available than ever before on the Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) website. As my colleague the Minister for Health recently announced, the Health Department has commissioned ISD, Scotland to put in new improved methods which will provide further information on waiting at local and national level across the NHS. We will begin to see this coming on stream next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135024,"EventID":"S1F-01219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive's draft budget for 2003-04 will require any use of its tax-varying power.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive's draft budget for 2003-04 will require any use of its tax-varying power.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135025,"EventID":"S1F-01319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in improving and expanding public transport at a local level. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in improving and expanding public transport at a local level. ","AnswerText":"Sarah Boyack announced the biggest single investment in public transport across Scotland on Monday awarding over £75 million to 26 projects. This follows an extra £100 million spent in three previous rounds of the Public Transport Fund and demonstrates the Executive's commitment to making a difference to public transport for the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135026,"EventID":"S1F-01322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Executive has made of UK research into the incidence of BSE in sheep.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Executive has made of UK research into the incidence of BSE in sheep.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is advised by Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee on the UK's research and surveillance programme for possible BSE in sheep. That research is on-going and is likely to be expanded in an effort to understand the many uncertainties which surround this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135027,"EventID":"S1F-01333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what submissions the Scottish Executive has made to the Inquiry by Dr Iain Anderson and the Scientific Review led by the Royal Society, both established by Her Majesty's Gov","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what submissions the Scottish Executive has made to the Inquiry by Dr Iain Anderson and the Scientific Review led by the Royal Society, both established by Her Majesty's Government in response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak with a remit to cover Great Britain. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is contributing to both inquiries but no formal submission has yet been made. The Royal Society is making a fact-finding trip to Dumfries and Galloway this week and will meet my officials and other partners involved in disease control and eradication.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135028,"EventID":"S1F-01341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive proposes to take in light of The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement and whether any legislation will be introduced on the basis of the ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive proposes to take in light of The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement and whether any legislation will be introduced on the basis of the statement.","AnswerText":"We have completed an extensive consultation on the proposals contained in The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement. Following that consultation, I am convinced that there is clear support for our policies from a wide spread of relevant interests. The Executive now intends to come forward with legislative proposals at an early opportunity and a draft Bill will be published as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135029,"EventID":"S1F-01345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken by the Scottish Executive to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change and, in particular, from flooding.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken by the Scottish Executive to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change and, in particular, from flooding.","AnswerText":"The Executive has published a significant amount of research into the likely effects of climate change in Scotland. Most recently, research into Potential Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change in Scotland was published last month. This research will inform our consideration of a strategic level response to assist local decision makers to implement adaptation strategies to protect their communities.

On the specific risk of flooding, the Executive encourages local authorities to address flood risk of non-agricultural land, and has ensured that councils have the necessary powers and resources required. Additionally, with the launch of Floodline this morning, the Executive has provided for Scottish Environment Protection Agency's flood warnings and information on the risk of flooding to be more readily available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135030,"EventID":"S1F-01350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether he has any plans to reshuffle the Cabinet.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether he has any plans to reshuffle the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"This will be a matter for the new First Minister once he or she takes up office.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135031,"EventID":"S1F-01351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what issues were discussed at the last meeting of the Cabinet. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues were discussed at the last meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"The Cabinet met on 6 November when it discussed issues of importance to the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135032,"EventID":"S1F-01355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what evidence the Scottish Executive has of any increase in the number of racial attacks since 11 September 2001. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what evidence the Scottish Executive has of any increase in the number of racial attacks since 11 September 2001. ","AnswerText":"The police have reported a number of incidents across Scotland linked to the 11 September atrocities. But it is too early to say whether there is an increasing trend in racist incidents. I have made absolutely clear that racist attacks have no place in today's Scotland and will not be tolerated.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135033,"EventID":"S1F-01356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what measures are being taken to support manufacturing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what measures are being taken to support manufacturing industry.","AnswerText":"Good progress has been made - and continues to be made - on a wide range of initiatives to support manufacturing as set out in Created in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135034,"EventID":"S1F-01357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to introduce additional live vaccines for human immunisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Executive has to introduce additional live vaccines for human immunisation. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135035,"EventID":"S1F-01363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in restoring animal exports to Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in restoring animal exports to Europe.","AnswerText":"Thanks to strenuous efforts by Ross Finnie, I am delighted he was able to announce on Tuesday that lamb and venison exports from most of Scotland can recommence soon. Agreement to resume pigmeat and beef exports was secured last month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135036,"EventID":"S1F-01376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive has confidence in the ability of BEAR Scotland Ltd to fulfil its obligations in maintaining and keeping clear roads in the north of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive has confidence in the ability of BEAR Scotland Ltd to fulfil its obligations in maintaining and keeping clear roads in the north of Scotland.","AnswerText":"All the private sector companies responsible for trunk road maintenance need to demonstrate that their arrangements meet the detailed and exacting requirements set out in their contracts.

Contractors' performance is reviewed and monitored continuously by the Performance Audit Group who report to the Scottish Executive. If the contractors fail to perform there are a range of sanctions that the Scottish Executive could take.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135037,"EventID":"S1F-01383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what developments the Scottish Executive is initiating in respect of dental services.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what developments the Scottish Executive is initiating in respect of dental services.","AnswerText":"A number of the recommendations, outlined in the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland which was published in August 2000, have been implemented and work continues to address the others.

I am pleased to say that this morning the Health Minister announced that an additional £3.8 million was being made available to improve NHS dental surgeries.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135038,"EventID":"S1F-01392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in establishing biomass projects under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in establishing biomass projects under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","AnswerText":"Under the Renewables Obligation Scotland, our objective is that renewable energy sources in Scotland will increase their share of the electricity market from around 12% now to 18% by 2010. We expect a range of renewable energy technologies to contribute to this increase, including wind, hydro, and biomass and, in the longer term, wave power.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135039,"EventID":"S1F-01445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive will reconsider its policies on genetically modified (GM) crops.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive will reconsider its policies on genetically modified (GM) crops.","AnswerText":"Our policy is clear. Firstly, there should be no commercial production of GM crops until the possible effects on the environment of growing them are thoroughly investigated. Secondly, the Scottish Executive is absolutely committed to the involvement of local communities in this issue and we are consulting how best that will be done.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135040,"EventID":"S1F-01454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what the estimated cost of absences from work due to illness was in the last financial year for which figures are available. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the estimated cost of absences from work due to illness was in the last financial year for which figures are available. ","AnswerText":"About 10 million working days are lost in Scotland each year due to illness, which is equivalent to just over 2% of all working days. We estimate that the direct costs to the economy are around £800 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135041,"EventID":"S1F-01501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to validate existing learning provider claims for Individual Learning Accounts payments to enable these providers to meet their wage bills prior to","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to validate existing learning provider claims for Individual Learning Accounts payments to enable these providers to meet their wage bills prior to the end of 2001.","AnswerText":"All current claims are being validated to safeguard public funds. Almost 300 learning providers will be paid before the end of this month. The remainder will be paid as soon as possible thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135042,"EventID":"S1F-01510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what work has been undertaken to assess the social and economic implications for Scotland of the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what work has been undertaken to assess the social and economic implications for Scotland of the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has carried out two annual surveys on Euro Use by Businesses in Scotland. These reports are available on the Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135055,"EventID":"S1F-01773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister whether the report of the review of licensing laws will take into account the Scottish Executive's strategy for tackling binge drinking.","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the report of the review of licensing laws will take into account the Scottish Executive's strategy for tackling binge drinking.","AnswerText":"Sheriff Principal Nicholson's Committee are reviewing the licensing laws. They will consider health and public issues, and I have no doubt they will take account of the Executive's Action Plan on Alcohol problems.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135077,"EventID":"S1F-02268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister why the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park have been drawn so as to exclude all parts of Perth and Kinross. ","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister why the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park have been drawn so as to exclude all parts of Perth and Kinross. ","AnswerText":"The case for including the Highland Perthshire area was carefully considered. The area has much to offer in terms of high natural heritage value, recreational opportunities and wildlife. However, we felt that to include so extensive an area would reduce the clear focus and coherent identity of the park.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135802,"EventID":"S1O-02729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its national HIV/AIDS strategy document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its national HIV/AIDS strategy document.","AnswerText":"The report is being published today and is available in the Parliament Reference Centre and, shortly, on the Executive's website.

I am grateful to the review group for their thorough consideration of this important subject. It is clear that, despite considerable success in responding to the challenge of HIV over the past decade and more, the momentum of prevention activity must be maintained. The report provides an invaluable framework within which concerted action by the Scottish Executive, NHS Scotland, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other interests can be revitalised and strengthened.

To assist the implementation process, the Scottish Executive is increasing funding to health boards from £6.1 million to £7.1 million in the current financial year and to £8.1 million in subsequent years for prevention work. This substantial increase reflects the commitment given in Our National Health that more resources would be made available to tackle infections like HIV and hepatitis C.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135803,"EventID":"S1O-02731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with Her Majesty's Government relating to alternative models for securing investment in council housing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with Her Majesty's Government relating to alternative models for securing investment in council housing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive maintains regular contact with Her Majesty's Government on this and other housing issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135804,"EventID":"S1O-02734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the introduction of paternity leave would have on Scotland's economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the introduction of paternity leave would have on Scotland's economy.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is a reserved area. The Department of Trade and Industry issued a Green Paper, Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice, on 7 December 2000. The paper includes an option to introduce paid paternity leave. The consultation runs until 7 March 2001.

The Green Paper sets out the estimated cost to the state and to employers within Great Britain if paid paternity leave is introduced. There are no separate estimated costs for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135805,"EventID":"S1O-02738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the murder rate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the murder rate.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to making Scotland a place where people are safer and feel safer. To that end we are working in partnership with the law enforcement agencies, with communities and with all who are concerned with the protection of the public. A recent example is the financial support we have given for the campaign launched in October 2000 by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland targeting violent crime.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135806,"EventID":"S1O-02739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist to encourage organisations in receipt of public funding to pay debts on time.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist to encourage organisations in receipt of public funding to pay debts on time.","AnswerText":"The Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998 provides a statutory right to interest on any debts which are not settled in 30 days or the agreed contractual period. The Act applies to both the public and private sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135807,"EventID":"S1O-02740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met officials of the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met officials of the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive last met with officials of the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers on 10 May 2000 and discussed issues relating to Caledonian MacBrayne's operations and the proposed future tendering of the CalMac network.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135808,"EventID":"S1O-02743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to bring forward legislation to require sprinklers to be installed in all new and refurbished homes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to bring forward legislation to require sprinklers to be installed in all new and refurbished homes.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135809,"EventID":"S1O-02747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the fabric of schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the fabric of schools.","AnswerText":"I recently announced an additional £17.2 million in the current financial year to assist authorities in dealing with immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems in schools. In addition, by 2003-04 capital allocations for local authority investment in infrastructure will have increased by nearly 40% compared with current levels. We are also providing revenue support for school Public/Private Partnership schemes with a capital value of £530 million. I hope to be able to announce decisions on the allocation of a further £5 million to support early development of potential school PPP projects in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135810,"EventID":"S1O-02748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding disciplinary action against the Permanent Secretary, Muir Russell, in relation to any adverse i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding disciplinary action against the Permanent Secretary, Muir Russell, in relation to any adverse impact of his actions on the Holyrood Project.","AnswerText":"No. We see no need to make any representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135811,"EventID":"S1O-02750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that every pupil in primary education has access to music tuition.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that every pupil in primary education has access to music tuition.","AnswerText":"The 5-14 curriculum guidelines on Expressive Arts advise that all pupils in primary and the first two years of secondary school should learn to sing and play instruments within a timetabled class music lesson. In addition, most local councils also provide opportunities for specialist instrumental tuition.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135812,"EventID":"S1O-02751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1990,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":64,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in the development of its strategy to address problems arising from timber traffic.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in the development of its strategy to address problems arising from timber traffic.","AnswerText":"I hope to visit areas affected shortly to see problems at first hand and thereafter to work with local authorities, forestry and freight interests and road safety experts to examine practical ways of responding to this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135813,"EventID":"S1O-02755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide relief for voluntary organisations from water charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide relief for voluntary organisations from water charges.","AnswerText":"The water authorities are responsible for administering reliefs to voluntary organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135814,"EventID":"S1O-02756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent steps it has taken to reduce waiting times for first appointments with neurological consultants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent steps it has taken to reduce waiting times for first appointments with neurological consultants.","AnswerText":"Reducing waiting times across all health specialties and at all stages of the patient's journey is a key priority for the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Health Plan Our National Health reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that the patient's journey from GP practice to hospital treatment is better, faster and more responsive.

Provisional figures for 30 September 2000 show that between 1999 and 2000 the median waiting time across Scotland as a whole for a first outpatient appointment with a neurological consultant reduced from 80 days to 63 days.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135815,"EventID":"S1O-02766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will apply to the implementation of the recommendations of the McCrone Committee report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will apply to the implementation of the recommendations of the McCrone Committee report.","AnswerText":"The budget for 2001-02 will be laid before the Parliament in the next week or so. The budget will contain funding for teachers' pay. A draft budget for 2002-03 will be presented to Parliament later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135816,"EventID":"S1O-02767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to citi'ens' juries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to citi'ens' juries.","AnswerText":"The Executive has invited area-based SIPs to participate in the roll-out of the People's Jury initiative following the successful pilots and publication of guidance. The Executive will provide support for each area-based SIP which wishes to hold a People's Jury.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135817,"EventID":"S1O-02768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the decision not to allow area aid payment for new lupins in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the decision not to allow area aid payment for new lupins in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The EU legislation covering the Arable Area Payments Scheme requires that payments only be made on crops which are suited agriculturally and climatically for growing in the areas concerned. Existing evidence and scientific views suggest that sweet lupins are not suitable for growing in Scotland.However, my officials are beginning a round of further consultation and analysis with scientific advisers and members of the industry to evaluate the viability of newer varieties. Based upon the outcome of these discussions, the position on inclusion of sweet lupins in the scheme in Scotland will be reviewed in advance of the 2002 AAPS Scheme year.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135818,"EventID":"S1O-02770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to ScotRail on when the Inverness rail sleeper service will be re-instated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to ScotRail on when the Inverness rail sleeper service will be re-instated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular discussion on a wide range of operational issues with ScotRail. I understand that ScotRail will consider the possible reinstatement of sleeper services north of Edinburgh once it has received details of Railtrack's relevant rail recovery plan, due today.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135819,"EventID":"S1O-02778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of the recent Scottish health plan are for the delivery of healthcare in Argyll and Bute.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of the recent Scottish health plan are for the delivery of healthcare in Argyll and Bute.","AnswerText":"Our National Health - a plan for action, a plan for change reaffirms the Scottish Executive's commitment to facilitating continuous improvement in a modern, patient-centred NHSScotland. It signals a shift in the development of policy to the delivery of change. As such, the plan has far-reaching implications for the delivery of healthcare throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135820,"EventID":"S1O-02784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage individuals to train as physiotherapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage individuals to train as physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"Applications to Higher Education Institutions in Scotland for pre-registration physiotherapy courses remain buoyant and are not a cause for concern.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135821,"EventID":"S1O-02785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the inclusion of red meat as part of a healthy diet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the inclusion of red meat as part of a healthy diet.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diet Action Plan, Eating for Health, provides the framework for improving Scotland's diet. The plan acknowledges the valuable contribution which meat can make to health, provided it is lean, eaten in appropriate amounts and forms part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Implementation of the plan includes close liaison between the Scottish Executive, Food Standards Agency and Quality Meat Scotland in the latter's work to reduce further the fat content of red meat and to develop healthy meat products.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135822,"EventID":"S1O-02789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to meet representatives of Glasgow City Council and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to help resolve their current dispute.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to meet representatives of Glasgow City Council and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to help resolve their current dispute.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135823,"EventID":"S1O-02794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the Chancellor of the Exchequer's pre-budget statement will have for the promotion of rail freight in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the Chancellor of the Exchequer's pre-budget statement will have for the promotion of rail freight in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Rail freight is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive of course has responsibility for freight grants in Scotland, and is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including rail freight.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135824,"EventID":"S1O-02795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures to ensure that every child in early years education has access to music and the arts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures to ensure that every child in early years education has access to music and the arts.","AnswerText":"Guidance is already in place which outlines opportunities for experiencing music and arts in the three to five age group, appropriate in various early education settings. These early experiences are built on by the 5-14 Expressive Arts guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135825,"EventID":"S1O-02796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in the building of the M74 extension.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in the building of the M74 extension.","AnswerText":"I have had three very useful meetings with council leaders from Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils since I announced on 28 September that the Executive would fund the strategic link between Fullarton Road and west of the Kingston Bridge.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135826,"EventID":"S1O-02798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will restore primary destination status to Dunfermline to ensure new and improved signage to the city.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will restore primary destination status to Dunfermline to ensure new and improved signage to the city.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to review Dunfermline's status for trunk road signing purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135827,"EventID":"S1O-02805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #9 million aid allocated to assist the salmon farming industry because of the infectious salmon anaemia outbreak remains unspent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #9 million aid allocated to assist the salmon farming industry because of the infectious salmon anaemia outbreak remains unspent.","AnswerText":"To date, HIE has assisted 18 companies with a total of £2.9 million. A number of other applications are currently under consideration which, if approved, could take the total assistance to some £4.3 million. This assistance has provided valuable reassurance for the industry at a difficult time and the scheme will therefore remain open for applications until spring 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135828,"EventID":"S1O-02807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is currently in hand to audit the environmental impact of its policies and programmes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is currently in hand to audit the environmental impact of its policies and programmes.","AnswerText":"In Programme for Government, the Scottish Executive committed itself to implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment of its plans and programmes. Consultants have been commissioned to produce proposals on how this commitment might be delivered.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135829,"EventID":"S1O-02819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in processing North Lanarkshire Council's bid for Public/Private Partnership funding to rebuild Airdrie Academy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in processing North Lanarkshire Council's bid for Public/Private Partnership funding to rebuild Airdrie Academy.","AnswerText":"Authorities were invited last September to submit bids for a share of resources totalling £5 million which we are making available to support the costs involved in the early stages of the development of potential school Public/Private Partnership projects. North Lanarkshire Council submitted a bid under these arrangements and I hope to announce decisions on all of the bids in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135830,"EventID":"S1O-02823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether league tables are the best way to present information on hospital care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether league tables are the best way to present information on hospital care.","AnswerText":"Our National Health - a plan for action, a plan for change commits the Scottish Executive to introducing a transparent new accountability review process and we will ensure that the Scottish public has the information it needs to form a view on the performance of the NHS. League tables are unlikely to be the best way of presenting this information.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135831,"EventID":"S1O-02829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for national training organisations in Scotland, in particular their funding, rests with it or Her Majesty's Government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for national training organisations in Scotland, in particular their funding, rests with it or Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"National Training Organisations (NTOs) are employer-led sectoral bodies which operate across the UK as the bridge between employers and those involved in the policy and provision of education, training and developing employability. At government level, policy responsibility is shared between the devolved administrations and the UK Government, reflecting the devolved responsibilities for education and training. NTOs attract funding from employers, government departments and other public sector and commercial sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135832,"EventID":"S1O-02833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to review Scotland's licensing laws.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to review Scotland's licensing laws.","AnswerText":"In his statement on 7 December, the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care announced plans for a comprehensive review of Scotland's licensing laws (Official Report, 7 December 2000; Volume 9, C789).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135833,"EventID":"S1O-02834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has had to date from interested parties in relation to Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has had to date from interested parties in relation to Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"My colleagues and I are very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive feedback that has been received following the publication of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135834,"EventID":"S1O-02837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take, both specifically following the announcement of 40 job losses at Murray Allan in Innerleithen and more generally, to meet the need for inves","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take, both specifically following the announcement of 40 job losses at Murray Allan in Innerleithen and more generally, to meet the need for investment in job creation, skills training, transport and telecommunications infrastructure in the Borders.","AnswerText":"Assistance will be provided to those affected through dedicated local action teams in accordance with the principles outlined in the Scottish Executive PACE framework. I understand that the company has pledged to co-operate fully with the PACE team. The economic needs of the Borders are being addressed by the New Ways strategy, which has made a number of significant achievements since its launch in March 1999. The Borders Economic Development Forum is leading the way in turning this good start into more jobs, more growth and more prosperity for the people of the Scottish Borders. Scottish Enterprise Borders has been allocated an additional £2.312 million in 2000-01 for its local action plan, the third year of additional funding, in recognition of the particular needs of the region. I intend to visit the Borders on 14 February to hear at first hand about the issues facing the area and the work under way to build on the successes already achieved.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135835,"EventID":"S1O-02840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage and support disadvantaged young people entering further and higher education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage and support disadvantaged young people entering further and higher education.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access further and higher education.

In higher education, our proposals for improving student support will particularly benefit those from the lowest income backgrounds. We have yet to announce details of improvements in the system of support for further education students, but they too will have a similar focus.

The Scottish Further Education Funding Council provides a funding premium to colleges for students from socially disadvantaged areas. Similarly, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has been asked to devise a mechanism to provide additional support to institutions which reflects the extent to which they provide for students from under-represented groups.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135836,"EventID":"S1O-02845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle problems associated with mental health and social exclusion among young people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle problems associated with mental health and social exclusion among young people.","AnswerText":"The social inclusion agenda of the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland has been carried forward and advanced in Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change which sets out a range of measures to reduce stigma where it arises through a national campaign and enhanced local care agency activity.

Individual needs should never be a reason to exclude anyone from care or society. That is the premise on which Our National Health, the Framework and our overall approach is based.

Copies of the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland (Bib. no. 7392) and Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change (Bib. no. 10298) are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135837,"EventID":"S1O-02846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the appeal by the Convenor of Culture and Leisure at Glasgow City Council for an additional #2 million aid for Glasgow's museums.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the appeal by the Convenor of Culture and Leisure at Glasgow City Council for an additional #2 million aid for Glasgow's museums.","AnswerText":"No such appeal has been received. I met representatives of the council on 19 January as the first step of our commitment in the National Cultural Strategy to work with the council to examine the circumstances of their museum service.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135838,"EventID":"S1O-02850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it has a continuing responsibility for the standard of houses previously sold by government bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it has a continuing responsibility for the standard of houses previously sold by government bodies.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the repair and maintenance of houses sold by government bodies rests with those who bought them.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135839,"EventID":"S1O-02852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people enrolled on nurse training courses in the current academic year and how this figure compares with the previous academic year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people enrolled on nurse training courses in the current academic year and how this figure compares with the previous academic year.","AnswerText":"During the financial year 1999-2000 a total of 2,939 students commenced pre-registration courses to become a nurse or midwife, which is an increase of 93 over the previous year. Figures for 2000-01 are not yet available but are likely to show a further increase.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135840,"EventID":"S1O-02855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it intends to make available for the management and protection of special areas of conservation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it intends to make available for the management and protection of special areas of conservation.","AnswerText":"Following the recent spending review, the Scottish Executive has increased the resources for SNH from £42.3 million for the financial year 2000-01 to £48.5 million for 2001-02, an increase of 14.7%. Ministers expect SNH, in their current budgeting round, to allocate substantially increased resources to the management of protected areas.

In addition, the Rural Stewardship Scheme will support environmentally friendly farming practices to maintain and enhance important habitats. Preference will be given to applications from farmers and crofters who manage protected nature conservation sites. Provision for agri-environment schemes is £21.5 million for 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135841,"EventID":"S1O-02857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2595 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, whether it is yet able to give a date for the recommencement of the BCG vaccination progr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2595 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, whether it is yet able to give a date for the recommencement of the BCG vaccination programme in schools.","AnswerText":"No. Discussions are currently taking place at a UK-level to establish the most effective way of ensuring regular supply of BCG vaccine in the UK in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135842,"EventID":"S1O-02861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the introduction of speed wardens to enforce speed restrictions in residential areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the introduction of speed wardens to enforce speed restrictions in residential areas.","AnswerText":"Policy and legislation on speed limits, including speeding offences and penalties, is reserved. The introduction of speed wardens to enforce speed restrictions in residential areas would require primary legislation to decriminalise speeding offences. That is a matter for the consideration of the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135843,"EventID":"S1O-02862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the awards for the four motorway and trunk road maintenance contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the awards for the four motorway and trunk road maintenance contracts.","AnswerText":"I made an announcement on 23 January regarding the outcome of the four tender competitions in response to question S1W-12726 from Des McNulty.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135844,"EventID":"S1O-02863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils are still awaiting the results of examinations from the Scottish Qualifications Authority's 1999-2000 exam programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils are still awaiting the results of examinations from the Scottish Qualifications Authority's 1999-2000 exam programme.","AnswerText":"Every case of incomplete, inaccurate or missing results raised with the Scottish Qualifications Authority has been thoroughly investigated and a result issued to the candidate concerned. I have made clear to the SQA the importance of getting these candidates their final certificates - not just results - and that process is underway.

Following my announcement on 21 December that an independent Appeals Review would be established, 4,000 appeal cases are currently being re-examined. We will complete this review as quickly as possible to end the uncertainty and get fair and accurate results to all the young people affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135845,"EventID":"S1O-02864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the level of availability of the BCG vaccination for schoolchildren is sufficient.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the level of availability of the BCG vaccination for schoolchildren is sufficient.","AnswerText":"The routine schools programme was restarted in the London area on 19 July 2000 following some limited improvement in the supply of BCG vaccine. The programme will recommence in schools elsewhere in the UK when a secure supply of sufficient vaccine is assured.

Discussions are currently taking place at UK-level to establish the most effective way of ensuring a reliable supply of vaccine for the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135846,"EventID":"S1O-02870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the financial deficit of Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust is projected to increase to #10 million in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the financial deficit of Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust is projected to increase to #10 million in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The Trust is forecasting that it will keep to its financial plans and return a reduced overspend of £8 million this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135847,"EventID":"S1O-02872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering establishing a national youth strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering establishing a national youth strategy.","AnswerText":"Yes. We are considering how best to give young people and youth issues a stronger profile at national and local level.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135848,"EventID":"S1O-02873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect those who might be targeted by animal rights groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect those who might be targeted by animal rights groups.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the police, who will investigate any alleged incidents involving violence or intimidation by animal rights protesters.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135849,"EventID":"S1O-02877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how learndirect scotland will contribute to the achievement of social justice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how learndirect scotland will contribute to the achievement of social justice.","AnswerText":"Learning is critical to employability and to fulfilling potential. learndirect scotland is simplifying access to lifelong learning by giving people information and advice on all kinds of learning opportunities.

We have set learndirect scotland challenging targets for March 2002, including: engaging at least 23,000 learners from socially deprived areas and branding at least 100 learning centres within such areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135850,"EventID":"S1O-02878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that discipline in schools is improved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that discipline in schools is improved.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1O-2893 today.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135851,"EventID":"S1O-02882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for smaller areas of deprivation which fall outwith Social Inclusion Partnership status.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for smaller areas of deprivation which fall outwith Social Inclusion Partnership status.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a wide range of programmes and initiatives aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation wherever it occurs across Scotland. The Social Justice annual report sets out our achievements to date and the First Minister recently set out details in Working Together for Scotland how we will continue to work to improve the lives of all the people in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135852,"EventID":"S1O-02884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to mark appropriately, possibly through Historic Scotland, the historic site of the Battle of Bannockburn in the light of the findings of Dr Fiona Watson","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to mark appropriately, possibly through Historic Scotland, the historic site of the Battle of Bannockburn in the light of the findings of Dr Fiona Watson of Stirling University.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans at present. Dr Watson's report on the historic site of the Battle of Bannockburn was commissioned by Stirling Council. I understand that Dr Watson has not yet submitted her final report to the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135853,"EventID":"S1O-02889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to use the estimated annual #15 million saving through the trunk road maintenance contracts to negotiate with the Bank of America for an early re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to use the estimated annual #15 million saving through the trunk road maintenance contracts to negotiate with the Bank of America for an early return of the Skye Bridge to public ownership.","AnswerText":"The Skye Bridge is already owned by Scottish Ministers. The Executive has frozen the tolls at 1999 levels and reviewed the impact of the 1998 concessions for regular users, meeting its commitment in the Programme for Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135854,"EventID":"S1O-02894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the funding arrangements are for Veterinary Investigative Centres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the funding arrangements are for Veterinary Investigative Centres.","AnswerText":"The eight Veterinary Disease Surveillance Centres, operated by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) throughout Scotland, and SAC's Central Diagnostic Laboratory at Penicuik, are supported through grant-in-aid from the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department. SAC also receives substantial external income in respect of commercial diagnostic services provided through the centres. The Veterinary Investigative Centre at Lasswade is operated by the Veterinary Laboratory Agency, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135855,"EventID":"S1O-02896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and what matters were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"Nicol Stephen, when Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, met the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 13 July 2000 to discuss shipbuilding matters. I have recently had meetings with Patricia Hewitt, Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to discuss digital issues and with Helen Liddell when Minister of State at DTI to discuss energy matters. I plan to see The Secretary of State shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135856,"EventID":"S1O-02899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Water Industry Commissioner issues any guidance or makes any recommendations to the water authorities on appropriate skill levels and knowledge of staff such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Water Industry Commissioner issues any guidance or makes any recommendations to the water authorities on appropriate skill levels and knowledge of staff such as chartered engineers.","AnswerText":"The Water industry Commissioner does not issue guidance or make recommendations to the water authorities on appropriate skill levels and knowledge of staff such as chartered engineers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135857,"EventID":"S1O-02907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund extended opening of community sports facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund extended opening of community sports facilities.","AnswerText":"The provision of leisure facilities, including community sports facilities, is a matter for individual local authorities in accordance with the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135858,"EventID":"S1O-02913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make it its policy to minimise the number and scale of areas designated in structure plans for opencast coal mining.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make it its policy to minimise the number and scale of areas designated in structure plans for opencast coal mining.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to revise existing policies. Structure plans are only expected to show broad search areas where opencasting may be acceptable. Local plans should define these areas in more detail. Planning authorities must still assess individual proposals on their merits, taking account of the robust framework in National Planning Policy Guideline 16: Opencast Coal and Related Minerals and rejecting any proposals that are contrary to it.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135859,"EventID":"S1O-02914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to deal with any bullying and harassment experienced by health board staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to deal with any bullying and harassment experienced by health board staff.","AnswerText":"Disciplinary action is a matter for the NHS employer. However, all NHS Scotland employers are required to adopt the values and principles of the Dignity at Work: Eliminating Bullying and Harassment in the Workforce guidance, which I launched last month at the Scottish Partnership Conference. The guidance applies to all NHS Scotland staff and has been developed through the Scottish Partnership Forum, which represents all NHS Scotland staff group. The performance of NHS Scotland in complying with this guidance will be assessed through the new Staff Governance Standard announced in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135860,"EventID":"S1O-02917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will promote Scotland's distinctive attractions to encourage tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will promote Scotland's distinctive attractions to encourage tourism.","AnswerText":"The Executive's New Strategy for Scottish Tourism contains many new actions designed to grow tourism throughout Scotland. Visitscotland is the lead agency in promoting Scotland's attractions and encouraging tourism. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the recent Management Review of visitscotland will help to strengthen the Scottish tourism industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135861,"EventID":"S1O-02919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the whole of Scotland has access to GP services of the highest quality.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the whole of Scotland has access to GP services of the highest quality.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is determined to improve access to primary care services. Section 4 of Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change sets out our commitment to ensure that patients in every part of Scotland can get access to an appropriate member of the primary care team in no more than 48 hours.

The development of Personal Medical Services (PMS) will allow Trusts and primary care teams to agree local contracts to meet the specific needs of the local population and deliver clear improvements in quality. PMS will also enable PCTs to employ salaried GPs to fill gaps in current service provision and enhance existing services, particularly in deprived and remote and rural areas.

The development of NHS 4, which will provide the public of Scotland with 24-hour access to advice and information, will ensure that patients are provided with direct access to the appropriate health or care service in one phone call. NHS 24 will build links with GPs and their out-of-hours services, as well as other NHS services, to ensure that a fully integrated system is put in place.

Section 8 of the Scottish Health Plan also gives details of our intention to ensure a greater focus on quality by simplifying and streamlining the current GP contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135862,"EventID":"S1O-02925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to impose statutory duties relating to flood defence and flood warning.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to impose statutory duties relating to flood defence and flood warning.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to impose statutory duties relating to flood prevention or flood warning beyond those introduced by the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135863,"EventID":"S1O-02930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified since 1 July 1999 any areas where the environmental management of its departments and buildings could be improved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified since 1 July 1999 any areas where the environmental management of its departments and buildings could be improved.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive reviews on a continuous basis the environmental performance of its buildings with a view to making improvements where possible. The Executive is currently reviewing its Statement, made in 1998, which sets out environmental objectives for the management of our buildings. Since 1999 we have introduced a range of environmental management improvements.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135864,"EventID":"S1O-02941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to help health boards meet the costs of implementing European working time regulations with particular reference to junior doctors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to help health boards meet the costs of implementing European working time regulations with particular reference to junior doctors.","AnswerText":"The agreement reached last year between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers provides for up to nine years (with a further three years at member state's discretion) to implement the Working Time Directive for doctors in training. The Executive will work with health boards, trusts and doctors' representatives to implement the Directive. The necessary changes to working practices and the cost of implementation will be addressed as part of this work. The Executive is committed to substantial increases in NHS expenditure over the next three years.

It will be for local NHS bodies to manage the increased resources available to them to meet the health needs in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135865,"EventID":"S1O-02950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much responsibility its Health Department and the Minister for Health and Community Care have in relation to NHS Trusts' control of their budgets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much responsibility its Health Department and the Minister for Health and Community Care have in relation to NHS Trusts' control of their budgets.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have responsibility for setting the financial targets that Trusts must meet, and for allocating resources to NHSScotland.

Under section 15 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, the Chief Executive of a Trust, as the Accountable Officer, is answerable to Parliament for ensuring that the public funds for which they are responsible are properly managed and safeguarded.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135866,"EventID":"S1O-02952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Scottish Executive will take to help with the erection of a suitable and lasting national memorial to the pipers of the Highland regiments who fought i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Scottish Executive will take to help with the erection of a suitable and lasting national memorial to the pipers of the Highland regiments who fought in the First World War.","AnswerText":"The National War Museum of Scotland which was recently opened at Edinburgh Castle is a tribute to all soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the conflict of all wars. The special role of the piper is acknowledged in several displays of the National War Museum and a set of pipes dating from the First World War believed to be from a Highland regiment is included on display.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135867,"EventID":"S1O-02956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage tourism to islands by reviewing the regulations for the provision of signs for island visitor attractions on the mainland trunk road network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage tourism to islands by reviewing the regulations for the provision of signs for island visitor attractions on the mainland trunk road network.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to review the Scottish Executive's Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135868,"EventID":"S1O-02961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is planning to combat sexual violence outwith domestic settings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is planning to combat sexual violence outwith domestic settings.","AnswerText":"We have put in place a wide range of criminal justice responses to tackle sexual violence including strengthening the sex offenders legislation, and providing resources to put more police on our streets. A White Paper in the spring will outline further proposals for legislation on serious and violent sexual offenders.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135869,"EventID":"S1O-02964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to local authorities in dealing with nuisance caused by seagulls.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to local authorities in dealing with nuisance caused by seagulls.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have full powers to deal with such problems at their own discretion. Licences are issued by the Scottish Executive to cover situations where the lethal control of seagulls becomes necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135870,"EventID":"S1O-02967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish a national strategy for flood prevention.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish a national strategy for flood prevention.","AnswerText":"The Executive is responsible for flood prevention policy in Scotland and we have no plans at present to establish a specific national strategy for flood prevention. However, given that the risk of flooding in Scotland is predicted to increase as a consequence of climate change, the need to adapt to this change will be reviewed as part of the Executive's plans to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135871,"EventID":"S1O-02968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there is an increase in the availability of affordable rented accommodation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there is an increase in the availability of affordable rented accommodation.","AnswerText":"Last month we announced an increase in our target for the number of affordable houses to be built in the three years to March 2002. We will now fund the construction of 20,000 new and improved homes in rural and urban areas across Scotland. We are well on track to meet this new commitment.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135872,"EventID":"S1O-02969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the views of pregnant women on maternity services are taken account of.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the views of pregnant women on maternity services are taken account of.","AnswerText":"On 2 February I announced the publication of A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland. This was published following extensive consultation with women and professionals.

The Executive expects local health boards and NHS Trusts to consult widely when developing strategies for maternity service locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135873,"EventID":"S1O-02974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its measures to ensure that this year's school examination diet is successful are progressing as planned.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its measures to ensure that this year's school examination diet is successful are progressing as planned.","AnswerText":"here are now monthly reports from SQA and monthly meetings of the Ministerial Review Group chaired by the Deputy Minister for Education. Meetings between the Executive and the SQA take place regularly at both ministerial and official level.

On the basis of information from these sources I made my first report to Parliament on SQA's progress towards Diet 2001. This was announced in response to S1W-12934 on 31 January 2001 and has been placed in SPICe (bib. no. 11055).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135874,"EventID":"S1O-02975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future of the New Community Schools initiative will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future of the New Community Schools initiative will be.","AnswerText":"I hope that the pilot New Community Schools programme will in due course act as a catalyst for wider change. I am presently considering how this will be managed, and I expect to make an announcement soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135875,"EventID":"S1O-02976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether membership of the European Union has brought any benefit to Scottish businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether membership of the European Union has brought any benefit to Scottish businesses.","AnswerText":"Scottish businesses obtain significant benefits from the UK's membership of the EU. The EU is the destination of 63% of Scottish manufacturing exports, with France our most significant overseas trading partner. In the last five years Scotland has attracted £724 million of planned investment from continental Europe. Membership of the EU is considered crucial in attracting inward investment from not only within Europe but also the rest of the world. Scotland received £368 million in Structural Funds in 1994-99, making a significant contribution to Scotland's economic regeneration.

The Single European Market provides a stable framework in which Scottish firms can operate. The removal of trade barriers reduces business costs as well as increasing competition, stimulating efficiency and encouraging the creation of jobs and wealth.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135876,"EventID":"S1O-02978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage women drug users to access counselling and rehabilitation services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage women drug users to access counselling and rehabilitation services.","AnswerText":"Last week I announced a £100 million package on drugs. Within this total, substantial sums will be spent on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community education. Services for children and parents in drug misusing families will be one of the priority areas for support from the resources channelled through the Children's Change Fund.

Action at local level to encourage women drug users to access counselling and rehabilitation services is for Drug Action Teams.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135877,"EventID":"S1O-02979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has to help those who are victims of drug misuse and their families.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has to help those who are victims of drug misuse and their families.","AnswerText":"The victims of drug misuse can range from individuals who misuse drugs, to their families and the wider community. Earlier this month I announced details of how the Executive's £100 million package of additional expenditure on drug misuse over the next three years will be targeted.

We have a priority to develop services targeted at families of people who misuse, as well as to increase the numbers of specialist staff available to provide treatment, care and support for individuals and families. Guidelines are currently being drawn up for local authorities and other agencies which work with drug misusing parents. These guidelines are aimed at minimising the effects on children in such family circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135878,"EventID":"S1O-02981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the work undertaken by the Aberlour Trust and others to rehabilitate young people with behavioural difficulties is continued after","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the work undertaken by the Aberlour Trust and others to rehabilitate young people with behavioural difficulties is continued after the age of 16. ","AnswerText":"Projects managed by Aberlour Trust or other voluntary organisations are normally operated in conjunction with the relevant local authority. The extension or coverage of such projects are therefore matters for local decision and there is nothing to prevent them continuing after 16.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135879,"EventID":"S1O-02984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority snow ploughs travelling on trunk roads are permitted to use snow clearing equipment where the trunk road contractor has not cleared the road.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority snow ploughs travelling on trunk roads are permitted to use snow clearing equipment where the trunk road contractor has not cleared the road.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for trunk road snow clearing lies with the new Operating Companies and the Scottish Executive. The use of snow clearing equipment on trunk roads by the local authorities would be acceptable only if agreed in advance by the new companies or the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135880,"EventID":"S1O-02992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in reviewing the age of criminal responsibility and the Children's Hearing System in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in reviewing the age of criminal responsibility and the Children's Hearing System in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission are looking at the issue of the age of criminal responsibility as it affects both the criminal justice and children's hearing systems. The Commission will be reporting to the Scottish Ministers towards the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135881,"EventID":"S1O-02997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to regulate property management factors in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to regulate property management factors in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Housing Bill will provide for the regulation of factoring services provided by local authorities and Registered Social Landlords. The Housing Improvement Task Force, set up to consider how the quality of housing stock can be improved, will also consider the powers available to compel owners to invest in their property and the arrangements in place for the management of flatted blocks in private ownership.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135882,"EventID":"S1O-02998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the latest additional funding package of #100 million to tackle drug misuse over the next three years will be spent on (a) treatment and aftercare, (b)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the latest additional funding package of #100 million to tackle drug misuse over the next three years will be spent on (a) treatment and aftercare, (b) prevention and (c) enforcement measures.","AnswerText":"Approximately 56% of the additional drugs funding will be spent on treatment and aftercare, 12% on prevention, and around 31% will span both categories. The remaining 1% will be spent on enforcement measures to reduce the level of drugs getting into prisons.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135883,"EventID":"S1O-02999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish an independent body to deal with complaints against solicitors as recommended in the January 1999 report of the Scottish Consumer Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish an independent body to deal with complaints against solicitors as recommended in the January 1999 report of the Scottish Consumer Council.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135884,"EventID":"S1O-03001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the remit of the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the remit of the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3002 today.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135885,"EventID":"S1O-03004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the New Housing Partnership budget for 2000-01 has been spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the New Housing Partnership budget for 2000-01 has been spent.","AnswerText":"The New Housing Partnerships budget for 2000-01 amounts to £114.5 million. In addition, £25.3 million has been carried forward from last year. This reflects slippage in councils' expenditure on approved projects, largely resulting from their commitment to full consultation with tenants. On the basis of indications from councils, it is expected that approximately £70 million will be spent in this financial year. The arrangements for carry forward of resources into next year will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135886,"EventID":"S1O-03006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in establishing a task force to develop a national physical activity strategy as promised in Towards a Healthier Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in establishing a task force to develop a national physical activity strategy as promised in Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"Plans for the launch of the Physical Activity Task Force are now at an advanced stage and I expect to send invitations to potential task force members in the very near future. Meanwhile, we are making arrangements for an initial meeting to take place at the end of March.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135887,"EventID":"S1O-03015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of section 57(2) of the Scotland Act on devolved matters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of section 57(2) of the Scotland Act on devolved matters.","AnswerText":"We are in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135888,"EventID":"S1O-03025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to secure the future of Aberdeen's tourist information centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to secure the future of Aberdeen's tourist information centre.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board and its funding partners to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135889,"EventID":"S1O-03027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implementation of the recommendations contained in The same as you? A review of services for people with learning disabilities is proceeding according to sche","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implementation of the recommendations contained in The same as you? A review of services for people with learning disabilities is proceeding according to schedule.","AnswerText":"Yes. We have invited bids to operate new Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities; we have announced a Change Fund of £36 million over three years; we are considering proposals from the National Autistic Society and the Scottish Society for Scotland to take forward establishment of a national service network for those with an autistic spectrum disorder, and the first Partnership in Practice agreements are to be submitted to the Executive by June this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135890,"EventID":"S1O-03036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to ensure that every person in Scotland has equal access to medical services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to ensure that every person in Scotland has equal access to medical services.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published on 14 December 2000, sets out a wide range of measures to improve access to NHS services and to improve greater equity of access across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135891,"EventID":"S1O-03038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists on the importance of early years education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists on the importance of early years education.","AnswerText":"A wide range of international research evidence shows that high quality pre-school provision can benefit children not only in their early school learning but also in later life, contributing significantly to wider social and economic gains.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135892,"EventID":"S1O-03040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to progress the aims of the Better Government for Older People programme in the light of the report from the Scottish pilot projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to progress the aims of the Better Government for Older People programme in the light of the report from the Scottish pilot projects.","AnswerText":"The work of the Better Government for Older people pilots has been of great value. The Executive's response to the BGOP recommendations in All our futures in Scotland will help to inform future policy development. And we will continue to work with older people, the UK Government, local authorities and others to ensure older people's voices are heard, their needs met and contributions valued. This will assist in delivering more responsive, integrated and high quality public services and in creating a better society for older people in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135893,"EventID":"S1O-03043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government regarding the potential impact on employment in Scotland of a defence diversification policy and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government regarding the potential impact on employment in Scotland of a defence diversification policy and budget which provides increased assistance to companies diversifying as a result of Ministry of Defence savings in Scotland or other changes in the defence industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with HM Government on a wide range of issues, including Ministry of Defence activities in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is currently working with the Defence Diversification Agency to achieve the shared aim of encouraging the widest exploitation of defence derived technology within Scottish industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135894,"EventID":"S1O-03048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will help to fund the establishment of football supporters' trusts and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will help to fund the establishment of football supporters' trusts and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive wishes to see responsible supporters' groups have the opportunity to contribute to the development of their clubs but we have no plans to help fund the establishment of football supporters' trusts.

If a sufficient number of supporters wish to establish a trust, the shared costs of doing so will be very modest. The Executive's main priority at present is to encourage and assist the development of football academies to develop our talented young footballers.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135895,"EventID":"S1O-03049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional financial aid available to the catching and processing sectors in the light of the current situation in the fishing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional financial aid available to the catching and processing sectors in the light of the current situation in the fishing industry.","AnswerText":"We announced last October the availability of record levels of support for the fisheries sector under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). We also announced this morning a £27 million package of support for the industry. That includes up to £25 million for decommissioning during the coming financial year, to bring whitefish capacity more closely into line with available fishing opportunities and help put the remainder of the fleet on a sounder financial footing for the future; additional resources to support conservation measures and £1 million to implement the report of the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135896,"EventID":"S1O-03052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8534 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 July 2000, whether any cases in the last six months have been abandoned because of a breach of statutor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8534 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 July 2000, whether any cases in the last six months have been abandoned because of a breach of statutory time limits and, if so, how many.","AnswerText":"Between 1 August 2000 and 31 January 2001, 1,113 cases are recorded as having been marked no proceedings by Procurators Fiscal on the ground that they had been reported to the fiscal after the expiry of the relevant statutory time bar.

No cases are recorded as having been marked \"no further proceedings\" on the ground that there had been a breach of a statutory time limit, but it is almost certainly the case that the imminent expiry of a time limit has contributed to decisions to discontinue proceedings in which there have been other problems (for example, lack of success in serving a summary complaint).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135897,"EventID":"S1O-03056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or plans to have with Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive concerning the Glasgow Crossrail scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or plans to have with Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive concerning the Glasgow Crossrail scheme.","AnswerText":"No approach has been made to the Scottish Executive by Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive regarding this project.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135898,"EventID":"S1O-03059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider giving compensation to those whose main activity is the haulage of livestock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider giving compensation to those whose main activity is the haulage of livestock.","AnswerText":"I recognise and sympathise with your concerns about the livelihoods of hauliers. Their situation will have eased with the introduction on Saturday 3 March of a scheme of licensed movements of pigs, cattle and sheep outside infected areas direct to slaughter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135899,"EventID":"S1O-03065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures are being taken to support vulnerable people living independently in the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures are being taken to support vulnerable people living independently in the community.","AnswerText":"We are providing the guidance and resources to implement a wide range of measures which will assist vulnerable people.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135900,"EventID":"S1O-03066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is regarding the current fare structure of Caledonian MacBrayne.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is regarding the current fare structure of Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"I expect to receive shortly a report from CalMac on the conclusions of a review of its current fares structure. I shall take decisions in the light of those conclusions.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135901,"EventID":"S1O-03068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address the fact that children from low income families are more likely to die in road accidents than children from more affluent familie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address the fact that children from low income families are more likely to die in road accidents than children from more affluent families.","AnswerText":"On 26 February I re-launched the Children's Traffic Club in Scotland. The club offers free road safety training to all children in Scotland aged three and four. The club's format and materials have been revised to encourage greater use by lower income families.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135902,"EventID":"S1O-03069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to support fishermen during the period of the cod recovery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to support fishermen during the period of the cod recovery plan.","AnswerText":"The full range of cod recovery measures has yet to be agreed: the closed areas in the North Sea and off the west coast represent initial, emergency measures to help protect cod stocks. The aim of recovery measures is of course to help ensure sustainable and viable fisheries in the longer term, in the interests of fishermen and fishing communities.

We announced last October the availability of record levels of support for the fisheries sector under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). We also announced this morning a £27 million package of support for the industry, including up to £25 million for decommissioning during the coming financial year, to bring whitefish capacity more closely into line with available fishing opportunities and help put the remainder of the fleet on a sounder financial footing for the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135903,"EventID":"S1O-03070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":47,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue advice and guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue advice and guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts is being prepared at present. Once it is complete we propose to arrange a seminar for interested parties at which the guidance can be disseminated and discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135904,"EventID":"S1O-03073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the proposals affecting it in the Scottish Affairs Committee Report, Poverty in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the proposals affecting it in the Scottish Affairs Committee Report, Poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There was no formal requirement for the Scottish Executive to respond to the Scottish Affairs Committee's Report on Poverty in Scotland. However, as part of our ongoing co-operation and dialogue with the UK Government, I wrote to the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Dr John Reid, on 21 November 2000, indicating where the Scottish Executive stands on those recommendations with a devolved dimension.

A copy of my letter was included as an annex in the UK Government's formal response, which was published on 13 December 2000, and is available on the House of Commons website. A copy of the Government's response (HC-55) and the report itself (HC59-I) is also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135905,"EventID":"S1O-03074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been treated by the NHS to date in 2000-01 compared to 1996-97.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been treated by the NHS to date in 2000-01 compared to 1996-97.","AnswerText":"People are treated in a variety of settings by the NHS, for example as inpatients to hospital, through outpatient clinics (consultant and nurse led), by their GP and by community health visitor or other community health teams contacts. Although information on some of these forms of treatment is gathered centrally, a number of contacts with the NHS are not recorded centrally, for example visits to nurse-led clinics.

Centrally-collected information about contacts with the NHS (for example number of inpatient and day case discharges) is available on the ISD Online website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135906,"EventID":"S1O-03076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households will benefit from the transitional water and sewerage charges relief scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households will benefit from the transitional water and sewerage charges relief scheme.","AnswerText":"I estimate that more than 180,000 households will benefit from the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135907,"EventID":"S1O-03085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is proposing to issue any guidelines to NHS Trusts on their consultation procedures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is proposing to issue any guidelines to NHS Trusts on their consultation procedures.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change has as amongst its core aims involving people and communities in the design and delivery of health services. The plan therefore commits the Executive to a number of initiatives aimed at improving the way in which the NHS consults on service developments. These include reviewing the statutory guidance on formal consultation to ensure that it meets the needs of modern healthcare systems, and takes into account the changes to NHS planning announced elsewhere in that plan. We will also provide guidance, training and support to local NHS leaders to enable them to involve the public effectively in the management of changes to local services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135908,"EventID":"S1O-03090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the feasibility of a programme of vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the feasibility of a programme of vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to vaccinate against Foot and Mouth Disease although supplies of vaccines are of course available.

The EU does not permit the use of FMD vaccine by member states. Their policy like that of the UK Government and the Scottish Executive is to eradicate the disease through a compulsory slaughter and compensation policy. There is a provision for member states to make a special case for vaccine use where this is considered beneficial on the basis of veterinary advice.

The use of vaccines is by no means straightforward. Problems can arise where disease is masked and therefore spread. There are also adverse trade implications because other member states and many third countries demand FMD freedom to permit trade in most animals and animal products.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135909,"EventID":"S1O-03092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government or the Economic and Social Research Council (ERSC) regarding Scotland's share of the ERSC budget. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government or the Economic and Social Research Council (ERSC) regarding Scotland's share of the ERSC budget. ","AnswerText":"No. We are content that all the Research Councils, which are reserved bodies, abide by the general principle that funding decisions are made on the grounds of quality, not location.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135910,"EventID":"S1O-03093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes in response to new evidence from the National Radiological Protection Board that there may be a connection between overhead power lines and certai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes in response to new evidence from the National Radiological Protection Board that there may be a connection between overhead power lines and certain cancers.","AnswerText":"The Executive welcomes this new study.

The NRPB, which provides expert advice on these matters, considers that this new report provides no additional scientific evidence to require a change in exposure guidelines.

That said, the Executive fully supports the report's recommendation that the current uncertainty indicates a need for further research. Current research includes a number of Government-funded studies in this country and support for the multi-national Electromagnetic Fields Project set up and co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation. The UK Government will also work with the NRPB to begin new research into the factors that lead to certain households having higher levels of EMFs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135911,"EventID":"S1O-03099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to respond to the report of the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kennedy McFarlane.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to respond to the report of the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kennedy McFarlane.","AnswerText":"Dumfries and Galloway Child Protection Committee commissioned the report into Kennedy's tragic death and primary action on its recommendations is for the local agencies concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135912,"EventID":"S1O-03103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to assist the tourism industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to assist the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"We are carefully monitoring the implementation of our tourism strategy published in February 2000. We have recently announced a review of the strategy in line with a commitment made at the time of publication. In addition, we are carefully monitoring the impact of foot and mouth disease on the tourism industry across Scotland, liasing closely with UK and Scottish Executive colleagues and with visitscotland, the British Tourist Authority and the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135913,"EventID":"S1O-03112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that Scottish libraries continue to provide valuable information resources to Scottish communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that Scottish libraries continue to provide valuable information resources to Scottish communities.","AnswerText":"£23 million is available through the New Opportunities Fund to link all public libraries to the Internet and to support the development of information and communities technology facilities in community learning centres and the establishment of community learning grids.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135914,"EventID":"S1O-03113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of non-departmental public bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"As I made clear in my statement which was issued on 18 January 2001, a further statement on the review will be made in May.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135915,"EventID":"S1O-03114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information detailing which health boards have issued digital hearing aids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information detailing which health boards have issued digital hearing aids.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for this information to be collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135916,"EventID":"S1O-03120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in meeting the concerns of the Scottish fish catching and processing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in meeting the concerns of the Scottish fish catching and processing industry.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March a £27 million package of planned investment in the industry, including £25 million for a decommissioning scheme and £1 million to implement recommendations in the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135917,"EventID":"S1O-03122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of its consultation on allowing all nicotine replacement therapy products to be prescribed on the NHS by GPs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of its consultation on allowing all nicotine replacement therapy products to be prescribed on the NHS by GPs.","AnswerText":"I was pleased to announce yesterday that as from next month nicotine replacement therapy will be available on prescription from the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135918,"EventID":"S1O-03123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the financial consequences of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the financial consequences of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"I announced last week that I have asked the Enterprise Networks, visitscotland, the Scottish Agricultural College and other interested organisations to work with my officials to assess the impact of the Foot and Mouth outbreak across local areas, sectors and over time. I will chair this group which will have its first meeting this afternoon. The priority is to assess the immediate implications and I look forward to seeing an initial assessment in the very near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135919,"EventID":"S1O-03129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a compulsory register for nanny agencies and take action to regulate them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a compulsory register for nanny agencies and take action to regulate them.","AnswerText":"During the Regulation of Care Bill Stage 1 debate on 7 March, Susan Deacon announced our proposals for the regulation of services which directly employ or select the carer to work in the family home.

Regulation of nanny agencies, when they act as employment agencies, is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). DTI is introducing more stringent regulation for employment agencies which will include strict requirements to check people placed to work with children.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135920,"EventID":"S1O-03134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are making adequate progress in developing services for people with learning disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are making adequate progress in developing services for people with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"The same as you?, our review of services for people with learning disabilities, was well received when published last year.

Local authorities are acting on many of the report's recommendations, using existing resources. I understand they are making progress with, for example:

joint working

alternatives to traditional day opportunities

employment opportunities

advocacy schemes

In addition, resources of £36 million over three years are available from 1 April 2001 to support implementation of the review.

Local authorities and their partners are required to submit their first Partnership in Practice agreements to the Executive by June this year. They will be closely monitored.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135921,"EventID":"S1O-03137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has raised with Her Majesty's Government the recent report by Sir Richard Doll published by the National Radiological Protection Board regarding electromagneti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has raised with Her Majesty's Government the recent report by Sir Richard Doll published by the National Radiological Protection Board regarding electromagnetic fields and the risk of cancer.","AnswerText":"The study was carried out by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation on behalf of the NRPB Board. The Executive continues to be in close contact with other UK Health Departments to consider the findings of the report.

The Executive fully supports the report's recommendation that the current uncertainty indicates a need for further research. The UK Government is funding its own studies and providing support for the multinational Electromagnetic Fields Project set up and co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation. The UK Government will also work with the NRPB to begin new research into the factors that lead to certain households having higher levels of EMFs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135922,"EventID":"S1O-03138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Historic Scotland will consider a grant application to repair Cramond Weir now that the question of the weir's ownership has been resolved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Historic Scotland will consider a grant application to repair Cramond Weir now that the question of the weir's ownership has been resolved.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to answer. His response is as follows:

It is open to anyone who is in a position to undertake repairs to the weir and to maintain the structure thereafter to seek financial assistance from Historic Scotland towards the cost of the repair. Any such application will be considered alongside other bids for financial assistance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135923,"EventID":"S1O-03140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is currently taking to contain and eradicate foot and mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is currently taking to contain and eradicate foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"A comprehensive cull of sheep within Infected Areas will get under way very soon. Similar radical action is being taken with the limited number of dangerous contacts in other parts of the country. Controls on the movement of cattle, sheep and pigs remain in place. These are being relaxed depending upon the level of assessed risk in different parts of the country.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135924,"EventID":"S1O-03142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last reviewed emergency plans for dealing with potential accidents involving nuclear submarines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last reviewed emergency plans for dealing with potential accidents involving nuclear submarines.","AnswerText":"The Ministry of Defence, emergency services, local authorities and health boards review procedures for dealing with emergencies which may arise at submarine bases at least annually. The procedures are also reviewed in the light of issues raised by actual incidents and by the regular exercises which are held within the UK and elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135925,"EventID":"S1O-03145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee's 3rd Report 2001, Report on Inquiry into Special Educational Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee's 3rd Report 2001, Report on Inquiry into Special Educational Needs.","AnswerText":"Ministers hope to respond by 6 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135926,"EventID":"S1O-03146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the health service in the Forth Valley Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the health service in the Forth Valley Health Board area.","AnswerText":"Susan Deacon met with the Chairmen and Chief Executives of Forth Valley Health Board and Forth Valley Acute Hospitals Trust on 5 September 2000. Scottish Executive officials maintain regular contact with the board and the Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135927,"EventID":"S1O-03147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it plans to make to the joint operation between Scottish police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that led to capture of an internet child sex pornogr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it plans to make to the joint operation between Scottish police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that led to capture of an internet child sex pornographer and whether it will make increased police numbers available to deal with such international child protection issues.","AnswerText":"Effective co-operation between law enforcement agencies is an important element in the fight against crime. Record levels of funding mean that, by next year, the number of police officers in Scotland should be the highest ever. This will better enable the police to tackle all forms of crime, including Internet child pornography, although the deployment of police officers remains a matter for Chief Constables.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135928,"EventID":"S1O-03157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of its consultation on planning controls over mobile telecommunication masts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of its consultation on planning controls over mobile telecommunication masts.","AnswerText":"The Executive intends to introduce new planning controls by mid – 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135929,"EventID":"S1O-03160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figures are on the take-up of Individual Learning Accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figures are on the take-up of Individual Learning Accounts.","AnswerText":"As at 28 February 2001, 56,800 Individual Learning Accounts have been opened in Scotland. By then, account holders had registered for a total of 13,545 learning episodes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135930,"EventID":"S1O-03168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":47,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to examine the issue of the parking costs faced by community nurses and health visitors in the course of their work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to examine the issue of the parking costs faced by community nurses and health visitors in the course of their work.","AnswerText":"Provision already exists for local authorities to issue parking passes for use by community nurses and health visitors making visits.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135931,"EventID":"S1O-03177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in providing pre-school education for three- and four-year-olds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in providing pre-school education for three- and four-year-olds.","AnswerText":"We have already achieved our target of a free, quality part-time pre-school education place for every 4 year old whose parents want it.

By the end of the school year we expect participation to rise to approximately 80% of eligible 3 year olds and to complete full provision by April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135932,"EventID":"S1O-03179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to give tenant farmers the right to purchase their farm holdings when they become available on the open market.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to give tenant farmers the right to purchase their farm holdings when they become available on the open market.","AnswerText":"No. I explained the Executive’s position on this matter in my reply to Mike Watson on 19 November 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135933,"EventID":"S1O-03181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3070 by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2001, when the guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts is expected to be complete","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3070 by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2001, when the guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts is expected to be completed.","AnswerText":"We shall address the need for and structure of guidance in the course of a seminar in the Spring. The seminar will assess issues relating to supporters’ trusts and the wider relationship between football clubs and their communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135934,"EventID":"S1O-03184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Fife Council and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Fife Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive regularly meets representatives of councils, including Fife Council, to discuss matters of mutual interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135935,"EventID":"S1O-03202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is with regard to pay levels for academic staff in higher education institutions and when this was last reviewed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is with regard to pay levels for academic staff in higher education institutions and when this was last reviewed.","AnswerText":"Pay is a matter for employers and the representatives of employees in the higher education sector.In my guidance letter of 23 November to SHEFC, I emphasised the need for the sector to improve human resource policies and management, recognising that staff are our key resource, and I also expect that the sector will take account of the need to recruit, motivate and retain staff, as well as affordability, in reaching decisions on pay.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135936,"EventID":"S1O-03205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance has been issued to hoteliers and others involved in the tourist industry about the conduct of their guests when visiting rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance has been issued to hoteliers and others involved in the tourist industry about the conduct of their guests when visiting rural areas.","AnswerText":"The “Come Back Code” which we launched on 23 March sets out guidelines on how the public should behave in the countryside in order to minimise the risk of spreading foot-and-mouth disease. The code is widely available on websites and in tourist information offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135937,"EventID":"S1O-03211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the decision by Strathclyde Passenger Transport not to proceed with a Glasgow north/south rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the decision by Strathclyde Passenger Transport not to proceed with a Glasgow north/south rail link.","AnswerText":"I understand that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive have not as yet made any final recommendations to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority on any of the options and that no decision has yet been taken.

Any decision on whether to proceed with a Glasgow north-south rail link would be a matter for Strathclyde Passenger Transport.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135938,"EventID":"S1O-03212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland will receive support to compensate for the voluntary closure of Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park to prevent ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland will receive support to compensate for the voluntary closure of Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland will receive support to compensate for the voluntary closure of Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135939,"EventID":"S1O-03216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons have been learned from this year's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons have been learned from this year's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Our top priority is to contain and eradicate this disease. Then I feel that it is essential that an in-depth review of this devastating outbreak and the lessons to be learned from it, needs to be undertaken. Meantime, consultations are underway with a view to banning the use of pigs’ swill and possibly tightening movement controls on cattle and sheep.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135940,"EventID":"S1O-03220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the proposals contained within the European Commission's Green Paper on Fisheries Reform.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the proposals contained within the European Commission's Green Paper on Fisheries Reform.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the European Commission’s Green Paper on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy as a good basis for taking the review forward. The document appears to address many of the concerns of the Scottish fishing industry and is a reflection of the Executive's hard work to date.

The Executive will make a formal response to the Green Paper once we have fully consulted stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135941,"EventID":"S1O-03227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been in the last 12 months in respect of kerb-crawling in the area covered by the \"E\" division of Strathclyde Police.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been in the last 12 months in respect of kerb-crawling in the area covered by the \"E\" division of Strathclyde Police.","AnswerText":"Statistics kept by the Crown Office are not broken down by Police Division and the information requested is, accordingly, not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135942,"EventID":"S1O-03228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients benefit from free prescriptions in Scotland and what measures are in place to help patients who require repeat prescriptions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients benefit from free prescriptions in Scotland and what measures are in place to help patients who require repeat prescriptions.","AnswerText":"Around 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge and pre-payment certificates are available to help non-exempt patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135943,"EventID":"S1O-03230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3052 by Neil Davidson on 8 March 2001, what further details it can give of the 1,113 cases marked no proceedings on a time expiry b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3052 by Neil Davidson on 8 March 2001, what further details it can give of the 1,113 cases marked no proceedings on a time expiry basis and what steps are being taken to address the situation.","AnswerText":"In almost every case the problem stems from the late reporting of the case to the Procurator Fiscal. The overwhelming majority of them are reported by agencies other than the police and the Executive has very limited powers in relation to those agencies. However, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has been pointing out the problems of late reporting to those agencies for several years and encouraging them to aim at meeting the same targets as the police - that is, to report the offence within four to eight weeks of its commission. That advice is about to be reiterated in the latest edition of written guidance to be issued to all. The relevant time limit is, in most cases, six months. Where there is a genuine problem in meeting the time bar, reporting agencies are encouraged to consult the Procurator Fiscal before expiry of the time bar - in some circumstances the time bar has an element of flexibility if action is taken before it passes. In the last analysis, however, if the case is not reported to the Procurator Fiscal within the statutory time limit it cannot be prosecuted.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135944,"EventID":"S1O-03236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the decision to refuse compensation to patients with haemophilia who contracted hepatitis C through contaminated blood products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the decision to refuse compensation to patients with haemophilia who contracted hepatitis C through contaminated blood products.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135945,"EventID":"S1O-03242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the proposals for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the proposals for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer to the statement I made this morning providing an update on the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135946,"EventID":"S1O-03246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will be in a position to say whether compensation will be paid, and, if so, at what level, to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in respect of loss of incom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will be in a position to say whether compensation will be paid, and, if so, at what level, to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in respect of loss of income caused by voluntary closure due to foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer that given to question S1W-14552 on 28 March 2001. ","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135947,"EventID":"S1O-03250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further steps it is taking to support rural businesses in the wake of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further steps it is taking to support rural businesses in the wake of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14552 on 28 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135948,"EventID":"S1O-03257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14126 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 27 March 2001, whether it will provide details of visitscotland's recovery plan for the tourism in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14126 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 27 March 2001, whether it will provide details of visitscotland's recovery plan for the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"Visitscotland announced on 4 April its proposals for immediate assistance for the industry. These take the form of marketing and information campaigns at both the Scotland and local levels, together with help for individual businesses that are members of Area Tourist Boards and the visitscotland Quality Assurance schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135949,"EventID":"S1O-03259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are currently being taken to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are currently being taken to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"My statement this morning explained how eradication of this disease is being tackled.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135950,"EventID":"S1O-03260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to alleviate pensioner poverty in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to alleviate pensioner poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In our Social Justice Strategy, we have set long term targets of ensuring older people are financially secure and that increased numbers enjoy independent and healthy lives.

The first Social Justice Annual Report, which was published on 13 November 2000, sets out what is being done to support our social justice targets and milestones for older people. This includes a community care package of £300 million over 3 years, the installation of central heating for 70,000 pensioners and free off-peak bus travel.

In addition we are working closely with the UK Government which is working through the tax and benefits system to improve the incomes of poorer pensioners.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135951,"EventID":"S1O-03261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in relation to discussions with Glasgow City Council about the refurbishment of Kerelaw secure unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in relation to discussions with Glasgow City Council about the refurbishment of Kerelaw secure unit.","AnswerText":"Jack McConnell discussed this matter with Council representatives as part of a recent visit to the unit. The Council have commissioned a study of Public Private Partnership as a funding option. We await sight of the study and will then consider the matter further with the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135952,"EventID":"S1O-03266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the meeting between the First Minister and Scotland Environment Link on the decision not to appoint a dedicated Minister for the Environment has taken place and, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the meeting between the First Minister and Scotland Environment Link on the decision not to appoint a dedicated Minister for the Environment has taken place and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"I hope that this meeting will take place soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135953,"EventID":"S1O-03267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of take-up was achieved in its flu vaccination campaign and what impact the campaign had on NHS performance levels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of take-up was achieved in its flu vaccination campaign and what impact the campaign had on NHS performance levels.","AnswerText":"Due to the efforts of GPs and NHS staff, the Scotland- wide target of 60% uptake for 2000-01 has been exceeded with 63.5% of the total number of patients aged 65 and over in reporting practices receiving the vaccine.

This has been part of the range of measures allowing the NHS to cope with demands over the winter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135954,"EventID":"S1O-03270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and when it will implement the #100 million at home care package for older people announced on 5 October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and when it will implement the #100 million at home care package for older people announced on 5 October 2000.","AnswerText":"The additional resources are being made available progressively to 2003-04. We are issuing guidance on implementation of the various elements to local authorities and health boards; we are also entering into partnership agreements with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135955,"EventID":"S1O-03272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards meeting its priorities on education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards meeting its priorities on education.","AnswerText":"We have made major progress in delivering our priorities in education as set out in the Working together for Scotland document. We have also achieved a stable agreement to improve teachers' pay and modernise their conditions, while we have established an improvement framework with national priorities which will drive improving standards in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135956,"EventID":"S1O-03275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the concerns of the Cawley family over the handling of the prosecution case in relation to the murder of Christopher Cawley in Sep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the concerns of the Cawley family over the handling of the prosecution case in relation to the murder of Christopher Cawley in September 2000.","AnswerText":"A number of MSPs have written to me in connection with this matter. I have replied advising them that I have asked the Deputy Crown Agent to meet the Cawley family to discuss their concerns.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135957,"EventID":"S1O-03278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government regarding legislation to protect children in Scotland being abused as a result of use of the Internet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government regarding legislation to protect children in Scotland being abused as a result of use of the Internet.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with The United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including the regulation of the Internet.

The Executive fully recognises the need for the utmost vigilance in this area. On 21 March Mr Jack McConnell announced the setting up of an action group to review existing support and guidance on Internet safety for children. The Executive is also committed to working with other relevant agencies on this issue, including those of the UK Government, and to legislate if necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135958,"EventID":"S1O-03281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to ensure that colleges of further education are subject to the same ombudsman scrutiny as other public sector organisations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to ensure that colleges of further education are subject to the same ombudsman scrutiny as other public sector organisations.","AnswerText":"With regard to complaints by students, all colleges are required to have in place published procedures through which complaints may be pursued. Once a college's own complaints procedure has been exhausted, it is open to a complainant who remains dissatisfied to refer the matter to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

We have no plans at present to introduce an ombudsman for colleges of further education.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135959,"EventID":"S1O-03282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for the assessment and treatment of Meares-Irlen syndrome in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for the assessment and treatment of Meares-Irlen syndrome in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local health boards and NHS Trusts.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135960,"EventID":"S1O-03284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new plans it has to combat drug dealers following the anti-drugs march on 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new plans it has to combat drug dealers following the anti-drugs march on 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive's drugs strategy includes the creation of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in June 2000, which has seized over £17 million worth of drugs and made over 116 arrests to date. The Executive is also supporting the proposed UK Proceeds of Crime Bill, which will increase powers to seize the assets of drug dealers and others.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135961,"EventID":"S1O-03290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Scottish Agricultural College.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Scottish Agricultural College.","AnswerText":"My department has regular discussions with the Scottish Agricultural College over its programmes of research, education and veterinary and advisory services supported by grant-in-aid which are therefore the subject of frequent review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135962,"EventID":"S1O-03292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to tackle the level of racial abuse and number of assaults experienced by refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow in particular where the abu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to tackle the level of racial abuse and number of assaults experienced by refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow in particular where the abuse or attack is perpetrated by children and young people.","AnswerText":"Policing issues related to asylum seekers in Glasgow are operational matters for the Chief Constable. Strathclyde has a force policing strategy which requires divisions receiving asylum seekers to appoint asylum liaison officers to develop links with asylum seekers and monitor racial incidents. Among the measures introduced are additional police patrols in areas of particular concern; Community Safety and Community Officers working closely with schools to help address tensions between local children and asylum seekers; and joint initiatives involving the police, the local authority and the voluntary sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135963,"EventID":"S1O-03294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take following the publication of the 4th Report, 2001 of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee Report on the Inquiry into Fuel Prices in Remo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take following the publication of the 4th Report, 2001 of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee Report on the Inquiry into Fuel Prices in Remoter Rural Areas and in particular whether it has arranged to meet the Petrol Retailers Association and the Scottish Motor Trade Association to discuss how to address the lower turnover or throughput of small petrol stations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the committee's constructive and balanced contribution to what is a very important issue for rural Scotland.

As the report notes, the Executive already offers rates and capital support for eligible rural petrol stations. The Executive is nevertheless happy to meet with the Petrol Retailers Association and the Scottish Motor Trade Association to discuss the issues in greater detail.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135964,"EventID":"S1O-03300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further measures it will introduce to assist the restructuring and recovery of businesses related to both agriculture and tourism in rural areas which have been seve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further measures it will introduce to assist the restructuring and recovery of businesses related to both agriculture and tourism in rural areas which have been severely disadvantaged by the impact of foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"We have already introduced a range of measures to offer both immediate hardship relief and assist business recovery. In addition, the Executive has already begun the task of identifying strategies to help all sectors affected, including the farming and tourism industries, recover from the effects of this disease. The Executive has also established a Steering Group of local farmers in Dumfries and Galloway to advise on recovery issues. This work is being overseen and co-ordinated by a sub-group of the Ministerial Committee on Rural Development, which I chair.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135965,"EventID":"S1O-03301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra police officers have been recruited to Scottish police forces since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra police officers have been recruited to Scottish police forces since May 1999.","AnswerText":"There are 365 more police officers now than in May 1999. In total, there are now 15,149 officers in Scottish forces. At 99 above the previous record, that is the highest number there has ever been.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135966,"EventID":"S1O-03302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the Economic Recovery Plan submitted to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council and partner organisations on 18 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the Economic Recovery Plan submitted to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council and partner organisations on 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive is giving urgent consideration to the Dumfries and Galloway Economic Recovery Plan which was presented to the First Minister on 18 April. The Executive will wish to ensure that the action taken in Dumfries and Galloway is consistent with the wider plans for the recovery of the Scottish economy from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135967,"EventID":"S1O-03303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why overall waiting times for inpatient and outpatient treatment are longer now than in 1999, as highlighted in figures published by the Information and Statistics Divisi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why overall waiting times for inpatient and outpatient treatment are longer now than in 1999, as highlighted in figures published by the Information and Statistics Division on 28 February 2001.","AnswerText":"Waiting in the NHS occur for a number of reasons. Figures referred to show only small shifts against a background of steadily increasing activity.

Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, sets out a programme of investment and reform, including a range of measures which aim to reduce waiting throughout the patients journey of care.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135968,"EventID":"S1O-03304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any delay in the central heating initiative due to start on 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any delay in the central heating initiative due to start on 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"No. Local authorities have already begun the process of installing central heating systems under the Executive-funded £350 million programme. Scottish Homes is making arrangements for the delivery of the programme in qualifying housing association properties. The Executive is also in the process of appointing an agent to manage the delivery of the Central Heating Programme to owner occupiers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135969,"EventID":"S1O-03305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies are in place to reduce growth in domestic waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies are in place to reduce growth in domestic waste.","AnswerText":"The National Waste Strategy: Scotland has waste minimisation as one of its key objectives. The strategy includes a target to reduce municipal waste arisings by 1% per annum.

The Waste Minimisation Act 1998 gives local authorities powers to make arrangements to minimise the generation of waste in their areas. The Area Waste Plans currently being prepared across Scotland will include proposals for the implementation of waste minimisation plans.

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998 require manufacturers of packaging to keep its weight and volume to a minimum and to allow reuse and recycling to minimise its impact on the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135970,"EventID":"S1O-03307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution it is making to the reform of European Union institutions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution it is making to the reform of European Union institutions.","AnswerText":"The Executive is contributing through its input to the formulation of the UK position on this issue and also by direct submissions of its own, along with participation in initiatives with other regional governments with legislative powers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135971,"EventID":"S1O-03308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of central government funding are available for any proposed new hospital in Angus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of central government funding are available for any proposed new hospital in Angus.","AnswerText":"The Health Department will assess any Business Case received from NHS Tayside for the provision of a new local hospital in Angus.

All available funding routes should be fully explored at the capital planning stage.

But - as the Deputy Minister for Health & Community Care has said already to the Parliament on 1 February 2001 - if public funds are needed for a capital development in Angus, that money will be found.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135972,"EventID":"S1O-03313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent in real terms on education, including schools, universities and colleges in 1992 and 1997 and is projected to be spent in 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent in real terms on education, including schools, universities and colleges in 1992 and 1997 and is projected to be spent in 2002.","AnswerText":"Spending on education, at 2001-02 prices, was, and is projected to be, as follows:

£ million

1992-93

1997-98

2002-03

3,610

3,956

4,925

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135973,"EventID":"S1O-03328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2911 by Susan Deacon on 8 February 2001, whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland's advice on beta interferon is currently ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2911 by Susan Deacon on 8 February 2001, whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland's advice on beta interferon is currently expected to be available in September.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland will report on beta interferons following the publication of the NICE guidance which is expected in September 2001.

The Board is working closely with NICE to ensure that its Comment follows the NICE Guidance promptly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135974,"EventID":"S1O-03329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports voluntary and charitable organisations receiving assistance towards their water bills.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports voluntary and charitable organisations receiving assistance towards their water bills.","AnswerText":"The Executive’s views on this issue were fully set out in the Members Debate on 4 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135975,"EventID":"S1O-03333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice last met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice last met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"I periodically meet with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to discuss matters affecting the Service. My last such meeting was on Monday 30 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135976,"EventID":"S1O-03334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving the teaching of modern languages in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving the teaching of modern languages in schools.","AnswerText":"Representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers’ Association attended a conciliation hearing on 1 May 2001 which was chaired by the Director of ACAS for Scotland.

As a result, the dispute about staff attendance patterns has been referred for resolution to an Independent Arbiter appointed by ACAS. The hearing will be arranged at an early date and will produce an outcome this month that is binding on both sides.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135977,"EventID":"S1O-03337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the publication of the final boundaries of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the publication of the final boundaries of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.","AnswerText":"We are presently considering the SNH consultation report and we hope to bring forward a draft Designation Order, including proposals for the National Park boundaries, for consultation very shortly. After consideration of the responses to that consultation we propose to bring forward our consultation report and Designation Order for Parliamentary approval in late Autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135978,"EventID":"S1O-03342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent crime statistics showing a decrease in non-sexual crimes of violence, what future plans there are to develop campaigns such as Safer Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent crime statistics showing a decrease in non-sexual crimes of violence, what future plans there are to develop campaigns such as Safer Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive committed substantial funding to the ‘Safer Scotland’ Campaign, which involved all eight police forces and the British Transport Police from October to December 2000. Over that period there was a considerable reduction in the number of certain types of violent crime compared with the figures for the corresponding period in the previous year which in turn had an impact on the decrease in non- sexual crimes of violence recorded for the whole year. The next phase of the ‘Safer Scotland’ Campaign, which from May will tackle drugs, will also be supported by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135979,"EventID":"S1O-03343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in recent years with respect to the provision of funding for braces for children's teeth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in recent years with respect to the provision of funding for braces for children's teeth.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135980,"EventID":"S1O-03344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that continuing funding is provided by national and local government to voluntary organisations to enable them to fulfil their potential in providi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that continuing funding is provided by national and local government to voluntary organisations to enable them to fulfil their potential in providing services to the community.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's direct support for the voluntary sector now stands at record levels: £35 million in 2000-01, an increase of over 30% on the previous year. In addition, £265 million of support was provided indirectly through public bodies such as Scottish Homes, Health Boards and Local Enterprise Companies. On 30 April we launched a public consultation on the Executive’s direct funding for the sector and on the basis of the responses we receive will be looking at ways in which we can improve upon present funding practice.

Local authority support for voluntary and community groups is a matter for each individual council to determine. However, we encourage councils actively to support the vital work of the voluntary sector in their local communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135981,"EventID":"S1O-03345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the phased introduction of school sports co-ordinators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the phased introduction of school sports co-ordinators.","AnswerText":"As of the end of March 2001, sportscotland had offered lottery awards to 23 local authorities and 11 individual secondary schools covering 294 posts.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135982,"EventID":"S1O-03348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to support young people in making the transition from education to employment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to support young people in making the transition from education to employment.","AnswerText":"There is a wide range of such measures. Free guidance, information and referral services are available to young people through the Careers Service Companies. The Executive also supports a wide range of activities in schools designed to develop links between education and the world of work. The enterprise network provides work-based training for modern apprenticeships and other vocational qualifications. As part of implementing the Beattie report on inclusiveness, the Executive is supporting 16 multi-agency projects across Scotland to support the learning and support needs of the most disadvantaged young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135983,"EventID":"S1O-03350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Prison Officers' Association Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Prison Officers' Association Scotland.","AnswerText":"Representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers’ Association attended a conciliation hearing on 1 May 2001 which was chaired by the Director of ACAS for Scotland.

As a result, the dispute about staff attendance patterns has been referred for resolution to an Independent Arbiter appointed by ACAS. The hearing will be arranged at an early date and will produce an outcome this month that is binding on both sides.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135984,"EventID":"S1O-03351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to third party rights in local planning decisions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to third party rights in local planning decisions.","AnswerText":"Representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers’ Association attended a conciliation hearing on 1 May 2001 which was chaired by the Director of ACAS for Scotland.

As a result, the dispute about staff attendance patterns has been referred for resolution to an Independent Arbiter appointed by ACAS. The hearing will be arranged at an early date and will produce an outcome this month that is binding on both sides.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135985,"EventID":"S1O-03363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial implications the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have for the Scottish consolidated fund and whether there will be any implications for any existing s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial implications the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have for the Scottish consolidated fund and whether there will be any implications for any existing spending plans.","AnswerText":"Representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers’ Association attended a conciliation hearing on 1 May 2001 which was chaired by the Director of ACAS for Scotland.

As a result, the dispute about staff attendance patterns has been referred for resolution to an Independent Arbiter appointed by ACAS. The hearing will be arranged at an early date and will produce an outcome this month that is binding on both sides.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135986,"EventID":"S1O-03378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its position on support to pensioners with partial or old central heating systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its position on support to pensioners with partial or old central heating systems.","AnswerText":"We have no present plans to review the position. Providing support in the way proposed would divert resources away from those who currently have no central heating at all.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135987,"EventID":"S1O-03388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to investigate changing the name of visitscotland back to the Scottish Tourist Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to investigate changing the name of visitscotland back to the Scottish Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135988,"EventID":"S1O-03389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the modernising government fund has benefited Aberdeen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the modernising government fund has benefited Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"Aberdeen City Council has received £2 million from the Modernising Government Fund - the maximum grant payable under the scheme.

The funding will help support the AccordLink project, and in particular the Accord Card, which will provide citizens with a smartcard (a citizens' service card) which simplifies access to council services. The aim is to reduce administration and improve the responsiveness and convenience of these services for the consumer.

The Accord Card has already been successfully piloted in two Aberdeen schools, delivering:

cashless catering, i.e. children do not have to carry money;

anonymity of free school meals provision, i.e. removing any stigma attached to free meals;

healthy eating reward "points" for children who choose healthy meals;

access to library, sports and leisure facilities;

Two further significant developments from the project during this year will be the issue of the card to all school pupils and, subject to commercial agreement, the facility of paying for all Aberdeen City bus journeys with the card.

This is a pioneering project and the aim is to ensure that other councils in Scotland benefit from Aberdeen's experience and the support they have received.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135989,"EventID":"S1O-03390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the implementation of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the implementation of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"A significant programme of work is ongoing to implement Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.

Actions taken to date include:

Maternity Services Framework - published 2 February 2001

Appointment of Chairs to NHS Boards under way

Nursing Strategy - published 2 March 2001

Review of PH Nursing function- published 12 March 2001

£18.5 million investment in major expansion of PMS services across Scotland to support the employment of up to 50 GPs and 50 more nurses, particularly in deprived and rural areas

Health board allocations, linked to new Accountability and Performance Management process being developed

Continued implementation of new Arbuthnott funding formula to provide a better, fairer share of NHS resources across Scotland.

Six national guidelines for NHS Scotland published in January 2001, produced by NHS staff for NHS staff, on key areas such as bullying and harassment and family friendly employment practices.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135990,"EventID":"S1O-03391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people completed higher or further education courses in 1997 and how many started such courses in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people completed higher or further education courses in 1997 and how many started such courses in 2000.","AnswerText":"There were 52,175 graduates and diplomates from higher education courses in Scotland in 1996-97. Information is not available on the numbers completing further education courses in Scotland.

The latest year for which data on entrants is available is 1999-2000. In that year there were 133,061 entrants to higher education courses in Scotland. 353,136 were classed as being in their first year of a further education course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135991,"EventID":"S1O-03393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress had been made in attracting jobs to Campbeltown to replace the 160 jobs at the Jaeger factory.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress had been made in attracting jobs to Campbeltown to replace the 160 jobs at the Jaeger factory.","AnswerText":"We are making good progress on resolving a number of issues connected with a particular job-creating project. I remain hopeful that an announcement can be made very soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135992,"EventID":"S1O-03400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to examine any implications for Scotland of Chancellor Schroeder's recent proposals regar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to examine any implications for Scotland of Chancellor Schroeder's recent proposals regarding changes in the governance of the European Union.","AnswerText":"We maintain extremely close contact with the UK Government on all EU issues of significance to Scotland, including the current debate on the future of Europe. These arrangements are underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding and over-arching Concordat on the co-ordination of EU policy issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135993,"EventID":"S1O-03402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to make students over 19 eligible for free dental treatment and eye tests.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to make students over 19 eligible for free dental treatment and eye tests.","AnswerText":"Students in full-time education aged 18 and under are entitled to free NHS dental treatment and NHS sight tests. Apart from the existing circumstances set out below, there are no current plans to raise the age threshold for free dental treatment and sight tests.

Those students aged 19 and over who are on low incomes may be entitled to full or partial remission of NHS charges under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Help under the scheme is income-related and based on an assessment of each claimant's ability to pay in light of their financial circumstances.

A number of students are eligible for free NHS sight tests on other grounds, for example those who are diagnosed diabetics or glaucoma sufferers or wear glasses with at least one complex lens.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135994,"EventID":"S1O-03403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration is given to the environmental impact of disposable nappies in the development of local waste strategies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration is given to the environmental impact of disposable nappies in the development of local waste strategies.","AnswerText":"The development of local area waste plans by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency involves consideration of the environmental impact of various management options (landfill, recycling, recovery) for municipal waste in order to identify the best practicable environmental option. This process includes an assessment of the proportions of different materials (e.g. plastics, glass, metals and paper) in the waste stream, but it does not involve a specific assessment of individual items such as disposable nappies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135995,"EventID":"S1O-03408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the forestry industry in the light of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the forestry industry in the light of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"We have been anxious to avoid disruption to supplies of timber for the processing industry, and so we have made provision for the fast-tracking of felling permissions where necessary.

In addition, if forest businesses can show adverse effects of foot-and-mouth disease, they can apply to the relevant authorities for any of the means of hardship relief put in place by the Scottish Executive and complemented by the UK Government. These include rates relief, advice from the LECs and sympathetic treatment for deferment of income tax, VAT and National Insurance Contributions by Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

The Scottish Executive has established a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Impact Assessment Group to assess the nature and scale of the outbreak's impact across all areas and sectors. The Forestry Commission and the industry are feeding information into this group which is informing the work of the Ministerial Group on foot-and-mouth disease, set up to co-ordinate the Executive's response. The group is currently considering ways of assisting long-term recovery.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135996,"EventID":"S1O-03409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which groups are being prioritised in the implementation of its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which groups are being prioritised in the implementation of its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"The Central Heating Programme is targeted at 40,000 pensioners in the private sector and 101,000 tenants in the public sector.

In the private sector priority will be given to those over 75 years of age, the elderly living alone and the disabled and the long-term ill.

Local authorities and housing associations will also be expected to build priority groups into the programme for their tenants. However, as their part of the programme affects other vulnerable groups, such as families with young children, priority should not just be restricted to those same groups for the private sector. Priority will be for each public sector landlord to determine and should be structured in accordance with the varying needs of their tenants.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135997,"EventID":"S1O-03411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Regional Selective Assistance funding has been provided to companies in the Scottish Borders since October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Regional Selective Assistance funding has been provided to companies in the Scottish Borders since October 2000.","AnswerText":"In the period 1 October 2000 to 30 April 2001, 10 companies were offered Regional Selective Assistance totalling £4.0 million.This included four companies who were offered Invest for Growth (which is a streamlined version of RSA) amounting to £248,000. The projects attracting these offers involved planned capital investment of £21.5 million by firms in the Scottish Borders and the planned creation and safeguarding there of some 940 jobs.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135998,"EventID":"S1O-03425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in tackling truancy and indiscipline in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in tackling truancy and indiscipline in schools.","AnswerText":"The Discipline Task Group is looking at current initiatives and will make recommendations in June on how present policies can be improved, and what else we can do to combat disruptive behaviour in schools.

Earlier this month I announced jointly with the Ministry of Defence the launch of a Scottish pilot under the Skill Force Initiative, which is aimed at reducing truancy and exclusion in schools.

I announced in February that the Scottish Executive will continue to offer financial support to secure the operation of the Childline Anti-Bullying Helpline and I am also considering future funding of the Anti-bullying Network. I expect to make an announcement on this shortly","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":135999,"EventID":"S1O-03427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work it is undertaking with local authorities to ensure that the national athletics teams have adequate year-round training facilities in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work it is undertaking with local authorities to ensure that the national athletics teams have adequate year-round training facilities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"sportscotland has ongoing dialogue with local authorities and with the Scottish Athletics Federation about the provision of adequate national facilities for athletics.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136000,"EventID":"S1O-03431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of ambulance control rooms to be concluded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of ambulance control rooms to be concluded.","AnswerText":"An Outline Business Case covering the Scottish Ambulance Service's recommendations has been received and is being considered by officials in the Health Department. It is anticipated that a decision on whether the service may proceed to develop a Full Business Case will be taken before the end of July.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136001,"EventID":"S1O-03438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest position is regarding toxin testing of scallops.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest position is regarding toxin testing of scallops.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for sampling and monitoring scallops for toxins transferred to the Food Standards Agency in April 2000. From April this year the agency began publishing results for whole animal tests as well as the roe. However, in common with previous years, action continues to be assessed on the basis of the test result from the gonad, though where toxin levels in the whole animal test exceed EU action levels, fishermen are being advised not to market whole animals from affected areas. On the proposals to move to a tiered system, the FSA advise me that a Scottish consultation letter is expected to be issued in the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136002,"EventID":"S1O-03442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a system of direct funding for area tourist boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a system of direct funding for area tourist boards.","AnswerText":"This matter is kept under constant review, although we have no plans at present to implement a direct system of funding. However, I endorsed the recommendation in last years management review of the STB that we should move toward a \"de facto network\" involving the Area Tourist Boards and visitscotland. As part of the recently announced eight point plan for Scottish tourism, visitscotland will engage with all Area Tourist Boards to begin implementation of the action plan to establish the integrated visitscotland local area network. I anticipate that these reforms will bring the benefits of a more integrated network, while maintaining the benefits of local authority involvement and funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136003,"EventID":"S1O-03453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it intends to provide to pensioners in local authority houses in the Lothians which have old or partial central heating systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it intends to provide to pensioners in local authority houses in the Lothians which have old or partial central heating systems.","AnswerText":"Local authorities receive capital allocations from the Scottish Executive to enable them to repair and improve their own stock, including work in respect of old or partial central heating systems. The Scottish Executive Central Heating Programme is additional to this existing resource and is targeted at those properties which have no form of central heating.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136004,"EventID":"S1O-03458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether New Deal participants are finding real and sustained employment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether New Deal participants are finding real and sustained employment.","AnswerText":"The latest figures show that 29,000 young and adult unemployed people in Scotland have now left New Deal for sustained employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136005,"EventID":"S1O-03459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether updated information on the use of anti-social behaviour orders is now available and what procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether updated information on the use of anti-social behaviour orders is now available and what procedures are in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of such orders.","AnswerText":"The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland has been commissioned by the Executive to undertake an annual exercise to determine the use being made of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). In the period from 1 April 1999, when ASBOs came into force, to 1 December 1999 some 15 ASBOs had been applied for, nine of which had been granted and two breached.

Figures for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 are due to be published by the institute shortly. A copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136006,"EventID":"S1O-03461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are being allocated to assist local authority education departments to prepare suitable curriculum material to raise awareness of the experiences of refuge","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are being allocated to assist local authority education departments to prepare suitable curriculum material to raise awareness of the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers and to tackle any increase in racist incidents perpetrated by young people.","AnswerText":"A Staff Development for Effective Teaching (SDET) project to provide Anti-Racism Support Materials and Seminars is currently in progress. In addition, Learning and Teaching Scotland are developing a national statement on Education for Citizenship.

There are no plans to allocate specific resources to education authorities to prepare curriculum material on the matters you raise. Local authorities receive general financial support for the education of all children through the annual local government finance settlement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136007,"EventID":"S1O-03465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the needs of people with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the needs of people with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The day to day treatment of people with ADD and ADHD is a matter for health boards in conjunction with education and social work authorities. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is currently developing a clinical guideline on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic disorders in Children and Young People, which is due to be published in the near future. The guideline will be disseminated to a range of interests including NHS Trusts and health boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136008,"EventID":"S1O-03466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the #5 million funding from Scottish Enterprise to Dumfries and Galloway announced on 10 May 2001 to assist with economic restructuring will be used to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the #5 million funding from Scottish Enterprise to Dumfries and Galloway announced on 10 May 2001 to assist with economic restructuring will be used to provide interest-free loans for local businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and what conditions will apply to such loans.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise announced earlier this week additional funding for a number of new initiatives to assist businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Dumfries and Galloway area. This includes interest free loans for local businesses. Initially, some £1.6 million has been allocated to support such loans. Terms and conditions which apply to these loans are available directly from Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136009,"EventID":"S1O-03472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the funding made available to assist businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is disbursed to those businesses immediately.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the funding made available to assist businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is disbursed to those businesses immediately.","AnswerText":"The distribution of resources to assist businesses directly is a matter for the relevant local authority and the Enterprise Networks. Guidance has been issued to all councils on the measures they can take to help businesses with their rates including immediate deferral of payments. Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, who have been allocated substantial additional resources to assist businesses recovery, launched a number of new initiatives earlier this week which are available to business now.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136010,"EventID":"S1O-03473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the good practice guidance on the administration of medication in schools will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the good practice guidance on the administration of medication in schools will be published.","AnswerText":"Draft guidance was issued to interested parties, including education authorities, NHS boards, Trusts and voluntary organisations for comment in September 2000. It is expected that amended guidance will be available by the beginning of the new school year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136011,"EventID":"S1O-03474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the powers of local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the powers of local authorities.","AnswerText":"Yes. We are committed to introducing a power of community initiative for local authorities - a measure designed to facilitate community leadership, partnership working and innovation in Scottish local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136012,"EventID":"S1O-03480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its departmental expenditure limits for this financial year will supplemented by funds from Annually Managed Expenditure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its departmental expenditure limits for this financial year will supplemented by funds from Annually Managed Expenditure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) cannot supplement Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). The total Scottish Executive budget - Total Managed Expenditure (TME) - comprises DEL, AME plus some non-voted elements e.g. judges salaries and non-domestic rates. The AME budget consists of expenditure items which cannot be reasonably given firm, multi-year limits such as capital charges and pension contributions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136013,"EventID":"S1O-03488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the development of football academies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the development of football academies.","AnswerText":"Through the Football Partnership we helped to draw up detailed proposals for the development of academies, and through sportscotland we have put in place a funding package using lottery and RPBD (Reduction in Pools Betting Duty) monies. The academy programme is open to applications from Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League clubs and the first awards have been made to Kilmarnock and Glasgow Rangers Football Clubs.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136014,"EventID":"S1O-03490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the tourism industry in Kintyre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the tourism industry in Kintyre.","AnswerText":"The Executive's New Strategy for Scottish Tourism contains many new actions designed to grow tourism throughout Scotland. The strategy actions will be reviewed over the course of the next few months. The Kintyre area will also benefit from the additional £5 million given to visitscotland as part of the emergency relief package following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136015,"EventID":"S1O-03494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with mental health problems receive a consistent standard of care, support and treatment throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with mental health problems receive a consistent standard of care, support and treatment throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our National Health is about setting national standards to be delivered locally. For mental health services the national framework is well established and understood. Implementation is key as is judgement of the quality of the services provided.

Progress is assessed through the existing and planned performance management arrangements and the visiting programmes of the Scottish Health Advisory Service, the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group whose reports are published routinely, and others including the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland. The aim is to raise and maintain standards across all care groups in all parts of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136016,"EventID":"S1O-03499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide direct assistance to visitor attractions suffering from a downturn in tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide direct assistance to visitor attractions suffering from a downturn in tourism.","AnswerText":"Assistance has already been provided by way of the emergency relief package announced on 28 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136017,"EventID":"S1O-03500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Greengairs is included in the current Small Area Health Statistics Unit study into possible health effects of landfill sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Greengairs is included in the current Small Area Health Statistics Unit study into possible health effects of landfill sites.","AnswerText":"The Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) Study is a statistical study looking at overall health outcomes in populations living near landfill sites in Great Britain. It will not report on individual sites. SEPA have provided data to SAHSU on all known landfill sites in Scotland, including Greengairs.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136018,"EventID":"S1O-03501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sufficient placements are available in academic session 2001-02 and, in particular, during their second year of probation in 2002-03, for students","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sufficient placements are available in academic session 2001-02 and, in particular, during their second year of probation in 2002-03, for students graduating from teacher training courses this year, given that students graduating in 2002 will be guaranteed a placement for their one probation year.","AnswerText":"Following the 21st Century Teaching Profession agreement reached in January 2001, arrangements are now in hand to establish an Induction Implementation Group to take forward the many logistical, development and administrative issues surrounding the implementation of the new teachers' probation arrangements. This group will consider the transitional arrangements for those people who are currently provisionally registered as well as those who are placed on the provisional register this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136019,"EventID":"S1O-03509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued with regard to the quality of school meals","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued with regard to the quality of school meals","AnswerText":"Local authorities are responsible for school meal provision and content. To assist them with this, Model Nutritional Guidelines for Catering Specifications for the Public Sector in Scotland, were published in 1996.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136020,"EventID":"S1O-03511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all Scots have equal access to the national health service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all Scots have equal access to the national health service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Plan re-iterates our commitment to the founding principle of the NHS - that access to care should be based on need, not on ability to pay.

But inequalities in access can occur for many reasons, such as social exclusion and variations in service provision. The Scottish Health Plan provides a comprehensive programme for tackling the root causes of inequalities in health and introducing national priorities and standards which the NHS is expected to meet.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136021,"EventID":"S1O-03520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish figures from this year's Census on the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish figures from this year's Census on the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General for Scotland plans to publish detailed Census results, including counts of Gaelic speakers, by the end of March 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136022,"EventID":"S1O-03523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage more families to consider adoption given the slight fall in the number of adoption applications identified in Adoption Applications in Scotland 2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage more families to consider adoption given the slight fall in the number of adoption applications identified in Adoption Applications in Scotland 2000.","AnswerText":"The reduction in adoption applications has been a statistical trend now for around 10 years. To tackle this and other concerns, I established an Adoption Policy Review earlier this year and it started work earlier this month. It will aim to modernise the system, strengthen adoption as a choice for young people in the care system and improve recruitment and selection procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136023,"EventID":"S1O-03524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive at what time and on what date it was informed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the first cases of foot-and-mouth disease in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive at what time and on what date it was informed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the first cases of foot-and-mouth disease in England.","AnswerText":"A member of the State Veterinary Service informed the Scottish Executive of the first confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in England at approximately 9pm on the evening of 20 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136024,"EventID":"S1O-03525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle regional variations in access to epilepsy diagnosis and services across Scotland as highlighted in the report by Epilepsy Action Scotland, Pat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle regional variations in access to epilepsy diagnosis and services across Scotland as highlighted in the report by Epilepsy Action Scotland, Patterns of Epilepsy Service in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change promises that the Scottish Executive and the NHS will work closely with patient support groups to ensure that the needs of those with chronic enduring conditions such as epilepsy are met. I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to consider the best means of implementing this commitment.

Epilepsy Action Scotland has already signalled its willingness to help in the development of managed clinical networks, which will certainly play a part in the process of ensuring greater equity of services in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136025,"EventID":"S1O-03526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle the use of illegal drugs in the north east of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle the use of illegal drugs in the north east of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Local action on drug misuse is a matter for DATs and their constituent agencies.

The Executive has allocated substantial funding to the north east of Scotland over the next three years to deal with the problems. National targets have been set to monitor performance. I have arranged for the member to receive details of the funding available in the North East.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136026,"EventID":"S1O-03527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the way in which procurator fiscals' offices communicate with prosecution witnesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the way in which procurator fiscals' offices communicate with prosecution witnesses.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is piloting its Victim Liaison arrangements in Aberdeen and Hamilton. The VLO will operate in every region by next spring. The full roll out of the service will take account of what is learned from the pilots.

In addition, consideration is being given to communication with vulnerable prosecution witnesses, i.e. witnesses who may not be victims, such as children.

We recognise that citation to give evidence as a prosecution witness is a significant disruption for members of the public, and are examining arrangements for citation and reviewing targets. We attach importance to giving prosecution witness good, early information. This includes information about the availability of the volunteer Witness Service in sheriff courts as the service is rolled out nationally.

We are working with the Justice Department and others to pilot its system, using the ISCJIS platform, to provide victims who elect to receive it with automated case progress information, from the point where the case is referred to the procurator fiscal to the outcome of court proceedings. We will contribute to the Justice Department consultation on procedures for victims.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136027,"EventID":"S1O-03528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all possible action is being taken to prevent imported meat products infected with the foot-and-mouth virus entering the food chain.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all possible action is being taken to prevent imported meat products infected with the foot-and-mouth virus entering the food chain.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15399 on 10 May 2001.

We have now introduced amendments to our import controls which will facilitate the seizure of products where there is suspicion that they do not meet our import requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136028,"EventID":"S1O-03530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions in the past month Ayr hospital has been unable to accept GP referred admissions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions in the past month Ayr hospital has been unable to accept GP referred admissions.","AnswerText":"This is essentially an operational matter for Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

All NHS hospitals will face peaks in demand at certain points of the year.

I understand that a recent outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea has put additional pressure on services. However, I am reassured that at all times the Trust has been able to provide emergency medical provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136029,"EventID":"S1O-03531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its consideration of a priority dispatch system for the Scottish Ambulance Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its consideration of a priority dispatch system for the Scottish Ambulance Service.","AnswerText":"Health Department officials are currently discussing the costs and benefits of priority-based ambulance dispatch with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Once these discussions are complete, the Executive will decide whether the Ambulance Service should go ahead to prepare a full business case.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136030,"EventID":"S1O-03533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to meet its commitment to cut class si'es to 30 or less in primaries 1, 2 and 3 before 31 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to meet its commitment to cut class si'es to 30 or less in primaries 1, 2 and 3 before 31 August 2001.","AnswerText":"A further £20.1 million in 2001-02 has been made available through the Excellence Fund to assist education authorities reduce primary 1, 2 and 3 classes to 30 or less by 1 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136031,"EventID":"S1O-03534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to examine any implications for Scotland of the French Prime Minister's recent proposals ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to examine any implications for Scotland of the French Prime Minister's recent proposals regarding reform of the European Union.","AnswerText":"There is no need for us to seek a ministerial meeting on this specific subject. We maintain extremely close contact with the UK Government on all EU issues of significance to Scotland. These arrangements are underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding and over-arching Concordat on the co-ordination of EU policy issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136032,"EventID":"S1O-03537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further discussions have been held with Motorola and what percentage of employees being made redundant from the Bathgate plant have secured other employment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further discussions have been held with Motorola and what percentage of employees being made redundant from the Bathgate plant have secured other employment.","AnswerText":"The Motorola task force, comprising representatives from Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, the Employment Service, West Lothian Council, the Careers Service and the Benefits Agency have been in regular contact with the company with a view to supporting those workers who are losing their jobs.

200 employees, approximately 6.5% of the workforce, have been granted early release in order to take up new employment. A further 50 employees, 1.6% of the workforce, are currently on job-specific training and are guaranteed employment when the training ends.

The figures do not take into account those employees who have a job offer but have not yet left Motorola. We hope to have a more complete picture when the tracking scheme for employees comes into effect.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136033,"EventID":"S1O-03538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland was last convened, what was discussed, when it will next meet and what will be on the agenda.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland was last convened, what was discussed, when it will next meet and what will be on the agenda.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland last met on 19 March 2001. The main issues discussed were the Health Spending Programme, the consultation on sustainable development indicators and responses to the Renewables Obligation Scotland consultation.

A summary of this meeting is available on the Ministerial Group page of the Sustainable Scotland website at www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk.

The group's next meeting is planned for 31 July and the main items on the agenda will be:

strategic environmental assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136034,"EventID":"S1O-03539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the arrangements between general practitioners and pharmacists regarding repeat prescriptions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the arrangements between general practitioners and pharmacists regarding repeat prescriptions.","AnswerText":"Yes. Our National Health commits the Executive to improving the provision of repeat medication and we will be considering options for taking this forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136035,"EventID":"S1O-03541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential properties owned by Scottish Homes there currently are in the Central Scotland electoral region and which body or bodies will assume ownership of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential properties owned by Scottish Homes there currently are in the Central Scotland electoral region and which body or bodies will assume ownership of these properties should the Housing (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2 be enacted.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes currently own approximately 1,000 rented properties in the Central Scotland electoral region. Following enactment of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, any remaining properties will continue to be owned by Scottish Homes, operating as a residuary body, until such time as they are transferred to other social landlords.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136036,"EventID":"S1O-03544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Lothian and Borders Police to discuss Internet pornography.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Lothian and Borders Police to discuss Internet pornography.","AnswerText":"The Executive, Crown Office and police forces are acutely aware of the scope that the Internet provides for the sexual exploitation of children. There are ongoing discussions between the Executive and ACPOS, including officers from Lothian and Borders Police, about work in this area and the Crown Office and ACPOS are developing a joint strategy on the investigation and prosecution of sexual exploitation of children on the Internet.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136037,"EventID":"S1O-03546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any improvement in the proportion of groups such as mature persons, women and people from low socio-economic backgrounds entering higher education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any improvement in the proportion of groups such as mature persons, women and people from low socio-economic backgrounds entering higher education.","AnswerText":"The proportion of women and mature students continues to grow with women students accounting for 54% and mature students for 45% of all HE students in Scotland.

For 1998-99, 18% of young full-time undergraduate entrants in higher education and further education in Scotland were from low participation areas, compared with 17% the previous year. This compares very favourably with the UK average of 13%.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136038,"EventID":"S1O-03550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by local authorities in developing authority-wide improvement plans for education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by local authorities in developing authority-wide improvement plans for education.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the school improvement framework established in the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000, local authorities must publish their improvement plans by December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136039,"EventID":"S1O-03551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that food served in schools is safe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that food served in schools is safe.","AnswerText":"Direct responsibility for the safety of food served in schools rests with the environmental health departments of each local authority. They ensure that the relevant caterers meet the standards required of all food businesses; this includes ensuring food is fit for human consumption, has been provided by a reputable supplier and has been prepared and served in a safe manner.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136040,"EventID":"S1O-03557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that cancer screening programmes are accurate and effective in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that cancer screening programmes are accurate and effective in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.","AnswerText":"The effectiveness of available technology for ovarian cancer screening is being assessed as part of ongoing clinical trials.

The UK National Screening Committee is due to re-evaluate the available evidence in 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136041,"EventID":"S1O-03558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that streets are restored to a high standard after utilities works.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that streets are restored to a high standard after utilities works.","AnswerText":"Utility companies that dig up the road are required, by statute, to reinstate the excavation to a specified standard. That standard is set out in the document Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in the Highway, which was published by HMSO in 1992.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136042,"EventID":"S1O-03559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in implementing its plans to modernise the workings of the Scottish Executive and increase its accountability.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in implementing its plans to modernise the workings of the Scottish Executive and increase its accountability.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to modernising government for Scotland. The modernisation programme is designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Executive. It focuses on key developments in leadership, business planning, performance management, diversity and attracting and developing talent.

A key element of the programme is a new objective based Pay and Performance Management System. The system will ensure there are clear links between personal objectives and the Executive's higher level objectives. Every individual will be accountable for achieving their objectives. The new system will complement the Executive's business planning process which is closely aligned with the budget process. Work is also going on to streamline Executive wide processes using IT, such as correspondence handling and records management.

The Scottish Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the use of all the resources that are allocated to them.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136043,"EventID":"S1O-03563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving education in Scotland's schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving education in Scotland's schools.","AnswerText":"Our latest Programme for Government sets out the significant progress we have made in improving education in Scotland's schools. In addition, we have achieved an agreement which will improve teachers' pay and modernise their conditions, and established an improvement framework with national priorities to maintain the drive to raise standards in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136044,"EventID":"S1O-03565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be made available for the proposed Cairngorms National Park and whether any such funding will be utilised in a way that encourages the pursuit ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be made available for the proposed Cairngorms National Park and whether any such funding will be utilised in a way that encourages the pursuit of sport and recreation.","AnswerText":"The statutory consultation being conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage on the proposal for a Cairngorms National Park is required to address the matter of funding. That report is due on 13 July. Scottish Ministers will wish to take note of these findings in determining the funding levels through the usual processes of the public expenditure round.

The National Park authority will determine exactly how they use their funding, but this must be consistent with the purpose of furthering their aims, one of which is \"to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public\".","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136045,"EventID":"S1O-03567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives of the Scottish Advisory Group for Outdoor Education to discuss the establishment of a teaching qualification in outdoor education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives of the Scottish Advisory Group for Outdoor Education to discuss the establishment of a teaching qualification in outdoor education.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education was involved in proposals developed in early 2000 for a teaching qualification on outdoor education. Decisions on those proposals were deferred pending the outcome of the discussions on the McCrone report. I intend to reconsider the proposals alongside the review of initial teacher education.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136046,"EventID":"S1O-03574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to promote and encourage recruitment into the teaching profession.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to promote and encourage recruitment into the teaching profession.","AnswerText":"The agreement, A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, reached in February this year paves the way for a far reaching framework of modernisation which puts teachers at the heart of education.

Today I was pleased to launch the first ever national recruitment campaign in Scotland. The first stage of this two-stage campaign is aimed at raising the profile and standing of teachers in our communities. The second phase will be aimed at encouraging talented people to choose teaching as a profession. The campaign is unique both in its national coverage and also in the strength of support it has received from parents, teacher organisations, employers and all those in the profession. It will undoubtedly increase the numbers of Scotland's brightest and best entering the teaching profession and I am grateful to all those who have worked with us in putting the first steps in place.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136047,"EventID":"S1O-03575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to improve children's safety.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to improve children's safety.","AnswerText":"Ministers are acting to improve children's safety through a number of initiatives. In March I announced a multidisciplinary review of child protection, which will focus on improving systems right across Scotland. Most recently, on Monday 4 June 2001 we issued the policy position paper Protecting Children: the Next Steps towards Securing their Safety, setting out our plans to introduce an index of adults unsuitable to work with children.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136048,"EventID":"S1O-03580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it plans to have with the Irish Government and what issues will be discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it plans to have with the Irish Government and what issues will be discussed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers enjoy regular contact with counterparts in the Irish Government, on a range of issues. The First Minister and other Scottish Ministers will meet the Taoiseach on 20 June, when he visits Scotland as the guest of the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and will discuss a range of issues of common interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136049,"EventID":"S1O-03582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and improve the efficiency of the Procurator Fiscal Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and improve the efficiency of the Procurator Fiscal Service.","AnswerText":"Detailed arrangements are already in place to monitor efficiency by reference to a number of departmental performance targets and monitoring information informs departmental management planning. These are reported publicly in our departmental annual report. Improved arrangements for monitoring performance will be developed alongside the introduction of the new computer system.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136050,"EventID":"S1O-03586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the draft European Transport Regulation may have on the competitive tendering position of the Glasgow Underground and whether it will make representations to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the draft European Transport Regulation may have on the competitive tendering position of the Glasgow Underground and whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government on this matter.","AnswerText":"In autumn 2000 the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on action by member states concerning public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway. This contains a number of key objectives, including the aim to update current regulations \"to promote the best deal for the public by introducing controlled competition for public transport operation and opening up the markets between member states.\" As drafted, Glasgow Underground, along with light rail operations throughout Europe, would be covered by this Regulation and would need to be put to competitive tender at regular intervals.

The draft Regulation is currently being discussed by member states and will be considered at the EU Transport Council in June, which I will attend. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including EC Regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136051,"EventID":"S1O-03587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the detailed spending plans for the additional money made available as a result of the 2001 UK budget.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the detailed spending plans for the additional money made available as a result of the 2001 UK budget.","AnswerText":"I will do so after the Finance Committee has reported on phase 1 of the budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136052,"EventID":"S1O-03590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase efficiency within courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase efficiency within courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Court Service is working to improve the efficiency of the courts by investing in the training and development of court staff and the introduction of information technology. The national roll-out to all courts of the Case Management System, which will enable the electronic registration and handling of civil business, was completed at the beginning of June 2001.

The SCS collaborates with the Justice Department and others in the review of court rules and procedures and is working closely with Crown Office to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the programming of criminal business.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136053,"EventID":"S1O-03592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been refunded to date in registration fees to private care home owners under the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been refunded to date in registration fees to private care home owners under the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1998.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have been asked to provide details by 29 June of the total amount of registration fees to be refunded for their area as a result of the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1998. Only Highland Council so far has submitted details, and refunds totalling £12,632 have been approved by the Executive for payment by them.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136054,"EventID":"S1O-03597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times currently are for a tonsillectomy at both the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley and Vale of Leven Hospital and what the target waiting time","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times currently are for a tonsillectomy at both the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley and Vale of Leven Hospital and what the target waiting times are for the end of 2001.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 31 December 2000 show that the median waiting times for tonsillectomies at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Vale of Leven Hospital were 56 days and 161 days respectively.

The current national waiting times guarantee for inpatient/day case treatment is 12 months. As stated in Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change, this will be reduced to 9 months by 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136055,"EventID":"S1O-03599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what difficulties the 20-day standstill rule following the movement of cattle and sheep could cause farmers, especially those in peripheral areas, and whether it has any ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what difficulties the 20-day standstill rule following the movement of cattle and sheep could cause farmers, especially those in peripheral areas, and whether it has any plans to modify the rule in the light of any difficulties experienced.","AnswerText":"No decisions have yet been taken on the 20-day standstill rule. The consultation period on the proposal has just ended and the responses, along with comments from meetings with key industry sectors, are being carefully considered.

I am of course well aware of the far-reaching implications that such a standstill would have for Scottish farming. I am also aware, however, that we must do all we can to prevent any repetition of the rapid and unchecked spread of foot-and-mouth disease which has had such devastating effects on almost everyone in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136056,"EventID":"S1O-03601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering holding a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conviction for rape of Adam Carruthers of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering holding a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conviction for rape of Adam Carruthers of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.","AnswerText":"I understand that Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary are currently considering misconduct proceedings against Mr Carruthers. It would be inappropriate to comment further pending the outcome of that consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136057,"EventID":"S1O-03607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the extent of bullying of NHS staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the extent of bullying of NHS staff.","AnswerText":"New Dignity at Work guidance was issued to the service in January, which made clear that bullying in the NHS is not acceptable. Data on the number of incidents of aggression and harassment are due to be collected for the first time over the summer. The data should be available by the end of the year and will be published.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136058,"EventID":"S1O-03616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to invest in modern replacement or additional vessels for the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet this financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to invest in modern replacement or additional vessels for the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet this financial year.","AnswerText":"We are in discussions with the European Commission on our proposals for the tendering of CalMac's present routes to bring them into line with European state aid rules, including the arrangements governing investment in new vessels. Accordingly, discussion about new vessels would be premature.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136059,"EventID":"S1O-03618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to encourage older people back into the labour market.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to encourage older people back into the labour market.","AnswerText":"New Deal 50 plus provides financial incentives for older people and has helped find work for over 4,000 people in Scotland since April 2000.

The new Careers Scotland will offer all Scots, including older people, a one-stop shop careers guidance service.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136060,"EventID":"S1O-03619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what date the backlog of outstanding school repairs will be cleared at current levels of expenditure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what date the backlog of outstanding school repairs will be cleared at current levels of expenditure.","AnswerText":"We are currently discussing with local authority representatives school building needs in order to clarify the level of need for improvement, and establish strategic priorities for future funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136061,"EventID":"S1O-03624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote arts programmes for young people and children with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote arts programmes for young people and children with disabilities.","AnswerText":"Arts programmes are available in all schools to all children. The Executive also provides resources to SENSE Scotland who, as part of their work with the disabled, provide a number of arts programmes for children. The Scottish Arts Council runs various lottery and voted fund schemes that give priority access to arts development projects for young people with disabilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136062,"EventID":"S1O-03628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effects the proposals contained in the Treaty of Nice will have on Scotland's economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effects the proposals contained in the Treaty of Nice will have on Scotland's economy.","AnswerText":"The Treaty of Nice contains provisions designed to ensure that enlargement of the European Union can take place as soon as possible. The main changes are to the institutions of the European Union, which will have no direct short-term impact on the Scottish economy. In the longer term, enlargement, and more efficient EU institutions, present many opportunities to increase the number of jobs and GDP in Scotland and to enhance peace, stability and prosperity across Europe.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136063,"EventID":"S1O-03629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the programme is for future review of local government constituencies and how it will ensure that the wider implications of such review are taken into account.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the programme is for future review of local government constituencies and how it will ensure that the wider implications of such review are taken into account.","AnswerText":"The next statutory review of local authority electoral wards is scheduled to take place between 2006 and 2010. Any implications arising from that review will be considered at that time.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136064,"EventID":"S1O-03633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in attracting new jobs to Kintyre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in attracting new jobs to Kintyre.","AnswerText":"Progress has been good, and I was particularly pleased to confirm on 19 June that the UK's first wind turbine factory is to be built at Machrihanish, creating 124 direct and 44 indirect planned jobs. Meanwhile, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise are continuing to pursue the development of an advance build call centre with the potential to create up to 200 jobs in the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136065,"EventID":"S1O-03638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the target of having a nursery place available for all three-year-olds whose parents want one will be met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the target of having a nursery place available for all three-year-olds whose parents want one will be met.","AnswerText":"By the end of the 2000-01 school year we expect participation of eligible three-year-olds to rise to approximately 80% and we expect to meet the target in full by April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136066,"EventID":"S1O-03640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scotland Office regarding amending the Scotland Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scotland Office regarding amending the Scotland Act 1998.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have regular discussions with Scotland Office Ministers on the operation of the Scotland Act, for example in relation to the exercise of Order-making powers under the Act.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136067,"EventID":"S1O-03641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support the roles and functions of community hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support the roles and functions of community hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Executive believes that community hospitals have an important role to play in the spectrum of care provision to local communities.

We are working closely with the Scottish Association of Community Hospitals to ensure that that role is supported and developed effectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136068,"EventID":"S1O-03642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle youth crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle youth crime.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03671.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136069,"EventID":"S1O-03643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland currently has a structural fiscal deficit with the rest of the United Kingdom.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland currently has a structural fiscal deficit with the rest of the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"Latest published figures in Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1998-99 suggest that Scotland had a deficit of £4.9 billion, excluding North Sea revenues, in 1998-99. In the same year, the UK Government's fiscal position, excluding North Sea revenues, was broadly in balance.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136070,"EventID":"S1O-03645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue new guidance to protect children from the dangers of the internet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue new guidance to protect children from the dangers of the internet.","AnswerText":"On 21 March this year I announced the setting up of an action group to review existing guidance, to propose any necessary revisions and to make recommendations about any further guidance the group might consider necessary. The group expects to report to ministers by October.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136071,"EventID":"S1O-03649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met officials from Argyll and Bute Council and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met officials from Argyll and Bute Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"I met the Leader and Chief Executive of Argyll & Bute Council on 2 April 2001 to discuss local government issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136072,"EventID":"S1O-03653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a resumption of livestock auction sales this autumn.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a resumption of livestock auction sales this autumn.","AnswerText":"Whether or not to allow the customary autumn sales to proceed on the normal lines is an important but difficult decision. The options are being evaluated at present. Ross Finnie will let the industry know the outcome as soon as he can.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136073,"EventID":"S1O-03654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in discussions with the European Commission over the sheep export trade.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in discussions with the European Commission over the sheep export trade.","AnswerText":"The importance of exports to the Scottish livestock industry and especially to sheep producers in the remoter areas is recognised fully by the Executive. Mr Finnie will be discussing with other UK Agriculture Ministers how best to put a case to the European Union aimed at reopening the export market. Experience suggests that demanding conditions are likely to be set by the EU.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136074,"EventID":"S1O-03657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the independent committee which is to review alcohol licensing legislation, as announced on 7 December 2000, will begin work and what its timetable will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the independent committee which is to review alcohol licensing legislation, as announced on 7 December 2000, will begin work and what its timetable will be.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson QC has accepted my invitation to chair this committee.

Sheriff Principal Nicholson will bring his wealth of experience and expertise to the post. This committee is crucial to modernising our liquor licensing arrangements. The current law has served us well over 25 years. We now need to look at the issues again in the light of social changes; at how we encourage healthy patterns of drinking, and at how we discourage the links between drinking and violence.

I expect to make an announcement about the wider membership of the committee early in July. It is hoped the committee will be able to hold its first meeting in August and to complete its work within 18 months.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136075,"EventID":"S1O-03658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a report of the negotiations and consultations between Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish Executive in preparation for the 2000 Inter-governmental Conference ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a report of the negotiations and consultations between Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish Executive in preparation for the 2000 Inter-governmental Conference in Nice will be in the public domain.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to produce such a report.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136076,"EventID":"S1O-03659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economy of Dumfries and Galloway following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economy of Dumfries and Galloway following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Dumfries and Galloway Economic Forum is leading a group of local organisations to assess the scale and nature of the impact in the Dumfries and Galloway area. Their work is feeding into the Economic Impact Assessment Group which Ross Finnie set up in March 2001 to inform the Executive's response in providing immediate hardship relief and planning for longer-term recovery.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136077,"EventID":"S1O-03664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors led to the recently announced increase in core funding for ChildLine Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors led to the recently announced increase in core funding for ChildLine Scotland.","AnswerText":"The extra funding was to support ChildLine in their valuable work in providing a free confidential telephone counselling service for children in trouble or danger. It took account of the significant increase in the volume of calls to ChildLine.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136078,"EventID":"S1O-03668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the marketing of Badenoch and Strathspey as \"Monarch Country\" and whether it will urge visitscotland to investigate the feasibility of purchasing brie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the marketing of Badenoch and Strathspey as \"Monarch Country\" and whether it will urge visitscotland to investigate the feasibility of purchasing brief television advert slots at the end of episodes of \"Monarch of the Glen\" which are shown in other countries.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136079,"EventID":"S1O-03671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress has been made in implementing measures to tackle youth crime since the publication of the report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime and the Execut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress has been made in implementing measures to tackle youth crime since the publication of the report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime and the Executive's response to the report last year.","AnswerText":"Our aim is to reduce offending by young people, particularly the small group who commit a disproportionate number of offences. Local authorities will provide a national network of effective community-based programmes. These will help tackle offending behaviour and make communities and individuals safer.

Later in the year I will launch for consultation a national strategy on youth crime.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136080,"EventID":"S1O-03676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit in cutting the burden of red tape on Scottish business.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit in cutting the burden of red tape on Scottish business.","AnswerText":"The IRIS Unit has discussed over 100 regulations with other departments, encouraged the use of the Enforcement Concordat and in February the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning announced enhancements to the Executive's improving regulation strategy, such as the introduction of Review Regulatory Impact Assessments. The unit has also pursued over 170 enquiries from businesses and many of the concerns, such as on licensing and planning, have been addressed by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136081,"EventID":"S1O-03685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether current provision for the treatment of anorexia nervosa within the NHS is uniformly accessible and appropriate to demand.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether current provision for the treatment of anorexia nervosa within the NHS is uniformly accessible and appropriate to demand.","AnswerText":"Our National Health confirmed continued support for further development of extended mental health services. Expanded guidance for agencies will be published shortly on the best local approaches to joint, seamless care and support for those with or surviving an eating disorder to help address deficiencies where they arise.

This Health Plan initiative has been advanced by the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group and has involved practitioners, commissioners and users of services and their carers. The support group has already published its planned focus for the coming year which includes specific consideration and review of the agency response to the coming guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136082,"EventID":"S1O-03690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet and whether it has any plans for future meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet and whether it has any plans for future meetings.","AnswerText":"There has been no formal meeting between the Executive and Scottish Ballet's present Artistic Director and there are no current plans for such.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136083,"EventID":"S1O-03692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any circumstances in which NHS patients can be treated abroad and, if so, what these are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any circumstances in which NHS patients can be treated abroad and, if so, what these are.","AnswerText":"There are long-standing Europe-wide negotiated arrangements for elective health care delivered in another member state. These follow established E112 procedures that include prior agreement, not least involving the clinicians in the referring and receiving facilitates. The same procedures apply for overseas patients referred under these arrangements for care in this country.

Emergency health care is also provided on a reciprocal basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136084,"EventID":"S1O-03700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from the Highways Agency about a start date for construction of the M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill extension.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from the Highways Agency about a start date for construction of the M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill extension.","AnswerText":"The Highways Agency have provided the Scottish Executive with an outline programme. Subject to the continuing availability of funding and successful completion of statutory procedures, they expect construction to start in 2004-05.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136085,"EventID":"S1O-03702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the arrangements for the review of Scotland's cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the arrangements for the review of Scotland's cities.","AnswerText":"The Sounding Board, which I chair, and the Academic Panel have now been established to inform the work of the review, which is due to report in the new year.

The review will be open and participative. Peter Peacock and I will be visiting each of the cities over the next few months to hear local views on the challenges and opportunities facing them.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136086,"EventID":"S1O-03705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning planning applications in Glasgow Kelvin constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning planning applications in Glasgow Kelvin constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received nine representations concerning a proposed residential development at Park Quadrant in Glasgow Kelvin constituency.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136087,"EventID":"S1O-03707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to promote the use of school grounds as an education resource available to both school pupils and the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to promote the use of school grounds as an education resource available to both school pupils and the community.","AnswerText":"Yes. Scottish ministers encourage the fullest possible use of all local resources. While decisions on the use of school grounds are matters for the education authorities and individual schools, I fully support the principle that school facilities generally should be accessible for community purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136088,"EventID":"S1O-03710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that primary health care services receive the resources they need.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that primary health care services receive the resources they need.","AnswerText":"On 21 August, a three-year £30 million additional investment programme for primary care was announced. This will add to NHS Boards' existing and planned spend on primary care and it complements our investment of over £100 million in primary care over the next three years for NHS 24, Personal Medical Services, Public Health Practitioners, IM&T developments and GP practice premises and health centre developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136089,"EventID":"S1O-03712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to the provision of nursery education for three-year-olds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to the provision of nursery education for three-year-olds.","AnswerText":"The proportion of eligible three-year-olds receiving pre-school education currently stands at 80%. The target of a nursery place for all three-year-olds whose parents want it is expected to be met by April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136090,"EventID":"S1O-03716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has in relation to the provision of rehabilitation facilities for drug users.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has in relation to the provision of rehabilitation facilities for drug users.","AnswerText":"Our strategic objectives for rehabilitation are to provide integrated care, treatment and rehabilitation pathways for individuals, and to expand and create key services such as day and residential services and home care.

We have increased resources to local authorities for drug rehabilitation substantially. With effect from 1 April this year we increased provision by £6.8 million a year for this purpose.

Decisions at local level on spending the additional money are being taken with the involvement and agreement of the relevant Drug Action Teams, taking into account other local spending decisions. This is to ensure an integrated approach to the provision of all drug services across the Drug Action Team area, and to provide best value.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136091,"EventID":"S1O-03717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland was last convened; what was discussed; when it will next meet, and what will be on the agenda.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland was last convened; what was discussed; when it will next meet, and what will be on the agenda.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland last met on 31 July. Summaries of its discussions are placed on the Sustainable Scotland website: http://www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk/. The group will meet again on 12 September to discuss its work programme for the coming year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136092,"EventID":"S1O-03722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how patient care can be safeguarded in Aberdeen in the light of the reported financial difficulties of Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how patient care can be safeguarded in Aberdeen in the light of the reported financial difficulties of Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"The NHS in Grampian is responsible for ensuring that health services in the area are managed effectively and are sustainable financially. The Health Department is working closely with the NHS in Grampian to ensure that the Acute Trust meets its targets under the action plan it has agreed with the health board and Primary Care Trust. NHS leaders have given an assurance that this will be achieved. The department will continue to monitor progress in Grampian.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136093,"EventID":"S1O-03727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of initial teacher education since the publication of the first stage report on 9 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of initial teacher education since the publication of the first stage report on 9 July 2001.","AnswerText":"Copies of the Report of the First Stage of the Review of Initial Teacher Education were widely circulated to stakeholders, along with a short consultation paper seeking responses by 21 September 2001. Once responses have been received and considered we will put together an action plan which will target the key areas for implementation.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136094,"EventID":"S1O-03728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to address the cost of travel on lifeline air services between the Scottish mainland and the Northern Isles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to address the cost of travel on lifeline air services between the Scottish mainland and the Northern Isles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to the maintenance of affordable links to island communities. Our subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd results in lower costs to airlines than if the full economic costs were applied.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136095,"EventID":"S1O-03730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3640 by Mr Tom McCabe on 28 June 2001, on what date it last discussed the operation of the Scotland Act 1998 with Her Majesty's Gov","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3640 by Mr Tom McCabe on 28 June 2001, on what date it last discussed the operation of the Scotland Act 1998 with Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular discussions with the UK Government about a wide range of matters, including the operation of the Scotland Act 1998. In accordance with the principles underpinning the Memorandum of Understanding, such discussions are normally conducted on a confidential basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136096,"EventID":"S1O-03734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in analysing the 3,500 representations received during its consultation on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in analysing the 3,500 representations received during its consultation on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Good progress is being made. The issues raised are being considered, prior to decisions on what changes should be made to the draft Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136097,"EventID":"S1O-03737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Scottish Borders Council and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Scottish Borders Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"There have been a number of recent meetings between Scottish Borders Council and officials of the Scottish Executive and associated agencies at which various routine business matters have been discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136098,"EventID":"S1O-03741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support the Angus economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support the Angus economy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise Tayside are pursuing a wide range of activities to support the Angus economy, acting in partnership with Angus Council and other organisations and agencies. These activities include providing assistance to help the growth of local businesses, carrying out environmental improvement works to enhance the attractiveness of Angus as a visitor destination and business location, providing sites and premises for businesses, promoting and providing learning opportunities and skills training for people in Angus, and also providing careers counselling, assistance and re-training for people who have been made redundant.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136099,"EventID":"S1O-03743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current formula used to fund further education colleges has any adverse effect on those colleges with a limited pool of potential students.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current formula used to fund further education colleges has any adverse effect on those colleges with a limited pool of potential students.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Further Education Funding Council supports widening access but it does not set college growth targets, or consequent funding allocations, beyond what individual colleges indicate they can realistically achieve.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136100,"EventID":"S1O-03747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to allowing Glasgow City Council to retain all business rates collected in the city.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to allowing Glasgow City Council to retain all business rates collected in the city.","AnswerText":"Income from business rates is one element of central government support for local authorities, which is distributed according to councils' relative needs. Allowing Glasgow City Council to retain all the business rates it collected would result in a corresponding reduction in the grant paid to the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136101,"EventID":"S1O-03752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing the child care needs of lone parents seeking to attend college or university.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing the child care needs of lone parents seeking to attend college or university.","AnswerText":"From this year, lone parents in full-time higher education will be able to claim a grant of £1,000 per year to help them meet their formal child care costs. This is the first ever child care grant for students in higher education in Scotland and is expected to benefit 3,500 lone parent students each year. These students will continue to be eligible to receive the existing Dependants' Grant and the new School Meals Grant, also being introduced this year.

In addition, as part of the new package of student support introduced for full-time higher education students this year, new mature students will be able to access a discretionary grant of up to £2,000 from the Mature Students' Bursary Fund through their college or university. Priority for payments from the fund will be given to students who have formal child care needs, particularly those who are lone parents.

£7.5 million has also been allocated over the next three years to widen child care provision in Scottish further education colleges to meet locally-identified needs, particularly those of lone parents. This is expected to help between 3,000 and 5,000 full- and part-time students annually and to ensure that further education is genuinely accessible to all. This funding is in addition to the existing £3 million per annum support for the study-related child care costs of FE students.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136102,"EventID":"S1O-03756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Finance and Local Government last met CoSLA, what issues were discussed and when he next plans to meet CoSLA.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Finance and Local Government last met CoSLA, what issues were discussed and when he next plans to meet CoSLA.","AnswerText":"I met representatives of CoSLA on 3 May to sign the local government Partnership Framework.

I am meeting CoSLA on 26 September to discuss local government finance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136103,"EventID":"S1O-03758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to tackle coronary heart disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to tackle coronary heart disease.","AnswerText":"The Coronary Heart Disease/Stroke Task Force's report, received by the Scottish Executive recently, covers a wide range of work, from primary prevention to cardiac rehabilitation. The Executive is now carrying out a comprehensive consultation exercise to help us draw up our first coronary heart disease/stroke strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136104,"EventID":"S1O-03761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the site-specific risk assessment, the appropriate assessment and all information that pertains to its recent decision to grant consent to the releas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the site-specific risk assessment, the appropriate assessment and all information that pertains to its recent decision to grant consent to the release of genetically-modified oilseed rape at Roskill Farm, Munlochy, Ross-shire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive routinely places information relevant to applications for GM releases on the public register. Site-specific risk assessments for the crop being grown this winter at Munlochy are on the register and individual assessments of various aspects of the release by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Health and Safety Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have also been made public.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136105,"EventID":"S1O-03763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the effectiveness and value for money of VisitScotland's Ossian website.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the effectiveness and value for money of VisitScotland's Ossian website.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to undertake such a review. Potential visitors expect to obtain information via the world-wide web. The VisitScotland website contains details of around 18,000 businesses. In the first six months of this year, it received over 3 million user sessions.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136106,"EventID":"S1O-03769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it envisages any changes in the financial assistance available to small businesses following its recent impact study of the effect of the foot-and-mouth disease o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it envisages any changes in the financial assistance available to small businesses following its recent impact study of the effect of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has already announced a number of measures and has made available significant resources to help alleviate the immediate hardship and distress being experienced by individuals and businesses as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. These include an additional £5 million for the Enterprise Networks to ensure that advice and support is made available to affected businesses and individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136107,"EventID":"S1O-03777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the date set by the Water Commissioner for the achievement of efficiency targets by the water authorities should be delayed pending the possible creation of a sin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the date set by the Water Commissioner for the achievement of efficiency targets by the water authorities should be delayed pending the possible creation of a single water authority.","AnswerText":"No. Efficiency savings are essential to ensure that future charge rises for the customer are minimised. The delivery of these efficiencies will be required irrespective of whether Scottish Water is created.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136108,"EventID":"S1O-03785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to compensate farmers whose cattle went over 30 months of age during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and were consequently prevented from entering t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to compensate farmers whose cattle went over 30 months of age during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and were consequently prevented from entering the food chain.","AnswerText":"I appreciate the impact which the necessary foot-and-mouth disease restrictions have had on farming business and that, despite the efforts made to avoid feeding cattle being retained until they were over 30 months, this has been unavoidable in some instances. I have no provision to compensate such cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136109,"EventID":"S1O-03788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements it is seeking in reviewing compulsory purchase powers and what its position is in relation to proposals for the establishment of a centrally-funded agen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements it is seeking in reviewing compulsory purchase powers and what its position is in relation to proposals for the establishment of a centrally-funded agency to support authorities in the exercise of compulsory purchase powers.","AnswerText":"We have been participating in the review of the law and practice of compulsory purchase, compensation and related matters, aimed at making the whole process fairer, more efficient and more effective, which is led by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

In due course we propose to consult on proposals for change in Scotland. These will take into account the recommendations of the review, the UK Government's response to it and the research findings and recommendations recently published by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136110,"EventID":"S1O-03789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take in relation to any delays in seeing a consultant being experienced by hip replacement patients in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take in relation to any delays in seeing a consultant being experienced by hip replacement patients in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive set out our commitment to work with NHSScotland to reduce waiting times through increased investment and improved working practices and to ensure that this is a priority for local NHS boards.

NHS Greater Glasgow is currently working to identify additional resources to develop further and improve Orthopaedic Services across the city.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136111,"EventID":"S1O-03792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Scottish Prison Service is accountable","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Scottish Prison Service is accountable","AnswerText":"As an agency of the Scottish Executive it is responsible to me.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136112,"EventID":"S1O-03797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are made available to assist community groups who are seeking to respond to planning applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are made available to assist community groups who are seeking to respond to planning applications.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have general powers to assist community councils with funding and administrative support, although there is no statutory obligation on them to do so. Information is not held centrally on the extent to which that support is provided. The charity Planning Aid for Scotland also offers advice and support on planning issues to individuals, community councils, tenants' associations, and voluntary groups.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136113,"EventID":"S1O-03798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received about strategic planning arrangements in Fife.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received about strategic planning arrangements in Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received 15 written representations about strategic planning arrangements in Fife, including letters from three MSPs, one MP and four community councils.

All these letters are available for viewing in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136114,"EventID":"S1O-03799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the research projects to be funded from the #19 million funding awarded to the Scottish Crop Research Institute on 10 September 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the research projects to be funded from the #19 million funding awarded to the Scottish Crop Research Institute on 10 September 2001.","AnswerText":"The £1.9 million pounds awarded to the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) will fund the following eight new projects:

Ecological management and biotechnology;

Computational Biology, and

Functional analysis of novel genes from potato and barley.

Development and application of metabolic profiling technologies to enhance the understanding of metabolic and developmental processes in plants.

Enhancing food quality and nutritional value through multidisciplinary approaches which exploit genetic and molecular diversity.

Sequence diversity and horizontal genomics (targeted gene discovery).

Molecular plant diversity and germplasm resources.

Parallel gene expression technologies supporting the discovery of plant and pathogen genes important to agriculture and biotechnology.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136115,"EventID":"S1O-03803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further funding will be made available to local authorities to ensure that the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines on attention deficit and hyperk","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further funding will be made available to local authorities to ensure that the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines on attention deficit and hyperkinetic disorders in children and young people are fully implemented.","AnswerText":"Local authorities, health boards, education departments and social work services are already expected to provide services for children and young people with attention deficit and hyperkinetic disorders from the funding made available to them by the Executive. The Executive has no plans to provide further funding specifically dedicated to the implementation of the SIGN guideline, which is a matter for health boards in consultation with other authorities as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136116,"EventID":"S1O-03808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of secondary schools exceeded their targets for attainment in school examinations in the most recent period for which information is available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of secondary schools exceeded their targets for attainment in school examinations in the most recent period for which information is available.","AnswerText":"Targets under the Raising Standards: Setting Targets initiative were set for 2001. The percentages of schools who had already exceeded these targets, as at 1999, the most recent year for which information is available, was as follows:

Level of Targets set for 2001

% of schools who exceeded the targets set, as at 1999*

Standard Grade English (1-6)

41

Standard Grade Maths (1-6)

38

5+ Standard Grades (1-2)

23

5+ Standard Grades (1-4)

23

5+ Standard Grades (1-6)

23

3+ Higher Grades (A-C)

17

5+ Higher Grades (A-C)

16

*Figures expressed as a three-year average for 1997-99 and are the latest available. Figures relate to publicly funded secondary schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136117,"EventID":"S1O-03811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its contractual arrangements with Premier Prison Service with regard to the running of HM Prison Kilmarnock in light of HM Chief Inspector of Priso","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its contractual arrangements with Premier Prison Service with regard to the running of HM Prison Kilmarnock in light of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland's Report for 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The Executive sees no need to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136118,"EventID":"S1O-03814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to tackle abuse against health workers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to tackle abuse against health workers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Plan makes it clear that we are committed to providing a safe working environment for NHS staff. Each trust is already required to implement policies based on risk assessment, aimed at reducing violent incidents in the workplace. To assist NHS employers, Dignity at Work: Eliminating Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace guidance was published in February this year and work has begun on further guidance covering \"Health at Work\" which will include personal safety and management of violence and aggression.

To help GPs, regulations were introduced in July last year, which enable boards and Trusts to work with GPs to ensure that treatment to a potentially violent patient is provided at appropriate premises. Guidance is now currently being developed for GPs about how to deal with violent patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136119,"EventID":"S1O-03818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in enabling initial teacher training to be undertaken by distance learning.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in enabling initial teacher training to be undertaken by distance learning.","AnswerText":"All teacher education courses must be accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and approved by Scottish ministers. In order to be given approval courses must comply with the Guidelines for Courses of Teacher Education in Scotland.

The guidelines do not prohibit distance learning courses. However, such a course would need to be developed and proposed by a higher education institution. No proposals have been received.

However, I am interested to open up discussion on general issues of accessibility to teacher education with relevant partners and have asked my officials to take this forward. I hope to be able to provide information on our progress in this area in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136120,"EventID":"S1O-03822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the welfare of children in families affected by alcohol abuse is being addressed following the publication of Getting our Priorities Right.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the welfare of children in families affected by alcohol abuse is being addressed following the publication of Getting our Priorities Right.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently developing a national Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse. The needs of children and young people affected by alcohol misuse will be addressed in the plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136121,"EventID":"S1O-03826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of visually impaired people voting in local elections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of visually impaired people voting in local elections.","AnswerText":"The Representation of the People Act 2000 made changes to parliamentary elections rules in relation to assistance with voting for people with disabilities. Similar measures will be introduced for local government elections later this year and will make it easier for visually impaired people to cast their votes.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136122,"EventID":"S1O-03827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposals for development of the Fort William waterfront.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposals for development of the Fort William waterfront.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believe the proposals have the potential to benefit not only Fort William but also communities throughout Lochaber, both in terms of job creation and the local economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136123,"EventID":"S1O-03832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the EC Regulations currently under consideration by the European Parliament on the award of public service contracts in passenger transport and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the EC Regulations currently under consideration by the European Parliament on the award of public service contracts in passenger transport and what representations it has made or plans to make to the European Parliament regarding these regulations.","AnswerText":"I have been working closely with the Department of Transport and the Local Regions, which has the lead on this draft regulation. The Scottish Executive's position has been incorporated into the briefing which that department has prepared for UK members of the European Parliament. The draft regulation has a long way to go through the EU process and the Executive will ensure that Scotland's interests are reflected through the UK stance throughout these negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136124,"EventID":"S1O-03834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Waardenburg Syndrome have been identified in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Waardenburg Syndrome have been identified in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136125,"EventID":"S1O-03835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is available to local authorities who are seeking to use Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) for school improvement projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is available to local authorities who are seeking to use Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) for school improvement projects.","AnswerText":"I have invited local authorities to submit bids for PPP financial support by 14 December 2001. While I expect the level of support to be similar to that available in 1998, I will circulate further details to authorities following discussions with council leaders on 31 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136126,"EventID":"S1O-03836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with local authority representatives in relation to the provision of care in the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with local authority representatives in relation to the provision of care in the community.","AnswerText":"We are involved in an on-going dialogue with Scottish local authorities on many different aspects of community care provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136127,"EventID":"S1O-03838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Private Finance Initiative and Public/Private Partnership projects offer Best Value to Scotland's citi'ens.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Private Finance Initiative and Public/Private Partnership projects offer Best Value to Scotland's citi'ens.","AnswerText":"Our policy is that Private Finance Initiative (PFI) should only be used where it represents best value for money. To test for value for money, bids received are compared to a Public Sector Comparator (PSC) which represents an estimate of the whole life cost of procuring of the specified services by conventional means. A study by Arthur Anderson on behalf of HM Treasury showed that average estimated saving against the PSC of the projects examined was 17%.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136128,"EventID":"S1O-03839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the availability of dental treatment services in Grampian.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the availability of dental treatment services in Grampian.","AnswerText":"Steps taken include:

the availability of Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants to encourage practitioners to set up or expand NHS practices in areas such as Grampian of unmet patient demand or high oral health need;

approval of five posts to employ dentists directly salaried by the NHS;

approval of a pilot NHS emergency dental services scheme for unregistered patients;

the introduction in April of last year of a scheme to reward financially the commitment of dentists to the NHS;

the early years enhanced capitation fee scheme to encourage dentists to register and provide preventive advice and treatment on the NHS to 0 to 2 and 3 to 5-year-olds.

Problems of access to NHS dentistry within Scotland is one of the areas being looked at by the Implementation Support Group for the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136129,"EventID":"S1O-03841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the accountability of its Inquiry Reporters Unit to the Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the accountability of its Inquiry Reporters Unit to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to alter the existing accountability of the Inquiry Reporters unit to the Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136130,"EventID":"S1O-03844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve clinical governance in the health service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve clinical governance in the health service.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer is currently consulting on a proposal to integrate Scotland's clinical effectiveness organisations into a single new organisation and, by so doing, provide NHSScotland with clinical governance at a national level.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136131,"EventID":"S1O-03846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve services on the east coast mainline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve services on the east coast mainline.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is considering proposals for an extension to GNER's franchise for services on the East Coast Main Line. The proposals are likely to feature improved services and rolling stock. As indicated in my reply to question S1W-17937 on 13 September 2001, I have given gave the SRA statutory Advice on the extension of the franchise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136132,"EventID":"S1O-03847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the NHS is taking to consult service users on the design and layout of patient facilities in new build hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the NHS is taking to consult service users on the design and layout of patient facilities in new build hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with the NHS to ensure that patients and the public are involved effectively in decisions regarding the design and delivery of services. The nature and degree of involvement or consultation will vary according to circumstances and the nature of the service change being proposed.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136133,"EventID":"S1O-03850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving educational provision for looked-after children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving educational provision for looked-after children.","AnswerText":"We have set a target that all our young people leaving local authority care will have achieved at least English and Maths Standard Grades. We are measuring attainment against this and gathering information about how local authorities are addressing the Learning with Care report's recommendations. We expect to receive this information by 31 October 2001. This will help us plan a package of measures aimed at improving educational provision for looked after children.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136134,"EventID":"S1O-03855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on NHS patient waiting lists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on NHS patient waiting lists.","AnswerText":"83,487 people were waiting for hospital in-patient or day case treatment on 30 June 2001 - over 3,000 fewer than on the same date last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136135,"EventID":"S1O-03856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is currently available for repairs to, and replacement of, school buildings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is currently available for repairs to, and replacement of, school buildings.","AnswerText":"Such financial support is available from different allocations including :

The New Deal for Schools, where £115.7 million was available from 1997 to 2002 and the allocation in the current year is £26.7 million.

Capital allocations for general local authority investment in infrastructure which will have increased by nearly 40%  from 2000-01 to 2003-04.

The additional £17.2 million made available in the 2000-01 financial year to deal with immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems in schools.

Revenue support for school Public/Private Partnership (PPP) projects with a capital value of £530 million which are either completed or under construction, and financial support totalling £5 million to 21 authorities to support the early development of further potential school PPP projects.

The establishment of the School Buildings Improvement Fund under which £12 million has been allocated to authorities in the current financial year for repairs to school buildings, with priority expected to be given to improvements for this winter.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136136,"EventID":"S1O-03861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS staff and their representatives regarding NHS pay modernisation and what progress has been made on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS staff and their representatives regarding NHS pay modernisation and what progress has been made on this matter.","AnswerText":"NHS staff and their representatives are fully represented on the Scottish Pay Reference and Implementation Group, which is considering options for implementation of NHS pay modernisation in Scotland in the light of progress on UK negotiations. A series of pay roadshows for staff has also been held across NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136137,"EventID":"S1O-03875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in its discussions with CoSLA on the procedures for the closure of rural schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in its discussions with CoSLA on the procedures for the closure of rural schools.","AnswerText":"CoSLA has been giving consideration to preparing a code of practice on school closures in response to a recommendation by the Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee. This has been a matter for CoSLA, and the Executive has not been engaged in discussions with them on it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136138,"EventID":"S1O-03876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the impact of the Child Strategy Statement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the impact of the Child Strategy Statement.","AnswerText":"The Child Strategy Statement urges all parts of the Scottish Executive to take children's interests into account when developing and implementing policy, noting the importance of ensuring that overlapping areas of policy affecting children are properly co-ordinated. This will be particularly emphasised in a report on integrated children's services in Scotland, written by a team of secondees to the Executive from local government, the health service and the voluntary sector, which will be published soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136139,"EventID":"S1O-03884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the professional standards of teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the professional standards of teachers.","AnswerText":"As part of the drive for continuous improvement, the consultation on the Standard for Full Registration was launched last week, in partnership with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

When introduced from August 2002, the Standard for Full Registration will serve two main purposes. It will provide:

In addition, we are working with our partners to develop a national framework for teachers' continuing professional development. The CPD framework, which will be in place from August 2003, will enable teachers to maintain and enhance their professional skills throughout the life of their teaching career and will underpin the new contractual obligation on all teachers to undertake 35 hours professional development each year, in addition to current working hours.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136140,"EventID":"S1O-03888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being made available for farm tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being made available for farm tourism.","AnswerText":"We announced in August, as part of the foot-and-mouth disease recovery package, that £300,000 would be spent on developing environmentally based tourism opportunities for the farming sector. Initial work has been undertaken. The project will focus on Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136141,"EventID":"S1O-03889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Motorola task force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Motorola task force.","AnswerText":"The task force aim is to ensure that 95% of former Motorola employees will find new employment within one year. At the end of September, of the 2,330 employees who have left the plant, 954 people have found new jobs, 168 have gone into further or higher education, 35 are self-employed and five have retired. Over 1,600 individuals are benefiting from training.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136142,"EventID":"S1O-03894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision to close its Environment and Rural Affairs Department office in Stirling given the current situation in the agriculture industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision to close its Environment and Rural Affairs Department office in Stirling given the current situation in the agriculture industry.","AnswerText":"No. As I have previously indicated, the decision to close the Stirling Office was taken after careful consideration of a number of options. I reviewed the decision in the light of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and other difficulties facing the industry, and concluded that this was still the best option.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136143,"EventID":"S1O-03896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give in its review of the cities to the development of rural areas surrounding cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give in its review of the cities to the development of rural areas surrounding cities.","AnswerText":"The formal remit for the review is explicit in the need to look at the prospects for Scotland's five cities \"taking account of interactions between the cities, their surrounding areas and the rest of Scotland\". This includes rural areas. CoSLA has a seat on the external Sounding Board and the Review Team will be seeking the views of neighbouring authorities as work progresses.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136144,"EventID":"S1O-03897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in ensuring that the international ferry link between Rosyth and continental Europe will be operational by next year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in ensuring that the international ferry link between Rosyth and continental Europe will be operational by next year.","AnswerText":"Superfast Ferries and Forth Ports who wish to develop the link have submitted applications for Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) to fund the project. Consideration of these applications has been given top priority but the European Commission has still to respond to a UK request - made in spring of this year - seeking the Commission's agreement to extend the existing inland waterways FFG scheme to cover shipping.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136145,"EventID":"S1O-03898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Freedom of Information Bill will include provisions to improve access to police road traffic accident reports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Freedom of Information Bill will include provisions to improve access to police road traffic accident reports.","AnswerText":"The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will, if enacted, establish a general legal right of access to information held by Scottish public authorities. The Bill also includes necessary safeguards to protect sensitive information.

Police road traffic accident reports often contain sensitive information, most notably those on accidents involving fatalities, and placing this information in the public domain may cause significant distress to, for example, victims' families. As the Bill would provide a right of access open to all, with applicants not needing to demonstrate any specific interest in the information requested, it will not normally be appropriate for police road traffic accident reports to be disclosed to the wider public under Freedom of Information. It is envisaged that public authorities will consider requests for disclosure of police road traffic accident reports under the exemption at section 34 of the Bill and, in accordance with section 2, consider whether there is a public interest in disclosure.

Police road traffic accident reports may of course continue to be made available in private to those with a legitimate interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136146,"EventID":"S1O-03901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of any breaches by it of European environmental law currently being investigated by the European Commission and what action it is taking b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of any breaches by it of European environmental law currently being investigated by the European Commission and what action it is taking both in respect of any such breaches and to prevent any in future.","AnswerText":"

All member states of the European Union are currently the subject of investigations by the European Commission regarding breaches of European environmental law. The United Kingdom has a good record on such matters.

There is one breach of European environmental law concerning Scotland where the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a formal judgement against the UK's implementation of the EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC).

In this case, which is a result of the UK's implementation of the directive in the early 1990s, the UK had taken the view that the directive applied to surface freshwaters and groundwaters only where necessary to protect drinking water sources. In the course of proceedings culminating in the ECJ judgement, the UK admitted this was incorrect and that the Directive applied to the protection of all freshwaters on the surface and underground.

The Scottish Executive now plans to consult on new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones later this year, working closely with stakeholders at all stages of the process. This will lead to designations where appropriate.

In addition there are two environmental infraction cases concerning Scotland where a notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities that the cases have been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) by the European Commission. The first concerns an alleged breach of the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC); and the second concerns three Waste Management Directives (the Waste Framework (75/442/EEC), Hazardous Waste (91/689/EEC), and Packaging Waste (91/62/EEC) Directives).

Regarding the Bathing Water case, the Scottish Executive is committed to bringing Scotland's 60 designated bathing beaches up to European standards. This commitment was made in the knowledge that it would involve an enormous programme of work to redress years of underinvestment in our water infrastructure. The Executive is in the middle of a programme of investment of around £3.5 billion over seven years, about half of which will be spent on waste water issues. This will bring substantial improvement to the Scottish coastline.

As this investment programme progresses it is bringing into focus other causes of bathing water failure. These point to the need to tackle diffuse pollution. The Scottish Executive is working with farmers and others to identify and combat non-sewage causes of pollution of bathing waters.

The Waste Management case relates to the requirement to prepare waste plans. The Executive has accepted that the plans relevant to this case - prepared by the former District and Islands Councils - were not adequate. Nevertheless, the Executive believes that the National Waste Strategy for Scotland, supplemented with further detailed data on waste in Scotland which are to be published shortly by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, will meet the directives' requirements.

The Executive is committed to the promotion of sustainable development and the protection and improvement of Scotland's environment, and it is determined to implement its European environmental obligations properly.

The Executive believes its involvement with Europe needs to be about more than just legislation, and it is committed to putting Scotland at the heart of the European movement for sustainable development. As part of this it is organising two seminars on the environment as part of Scotland Week in Brussels on 11 and 12 October.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136147,"EventID":"S1O-03905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the development of light railways and tram systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the development of light railways and tram systems.","AnswerText":"We would welcome proposals from local authorities and other bodies for light rail systems as part of the delivery of an integrated transport policy. Such projects may qualify for support under the Public Transport Fund and Integrated Transport Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136148,"EventID":"S1O-03912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting its target for flu vaccinations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting its target for flu vaccinations.","AnswerText":"I announced details of the Executive's comprehensive £10.5 million flu immunisation programme for the coming winter.

Following last winter's successful campaign, we have set a new more ambitious uptake target of 65% for people aged 65 and over, supported by enhanced measures to encourage eligible groups to come forward for the flu jab.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136149,"EventID":"S1O-03915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that all answers to parliamentary questions and letters from MSPs are detailed, informed and transparent and that the minimum constraints on providing info","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that all answers to parliamentary questions and letters from MSPs are detailed, informed and transparent and that the minimum constraints on providing information are imposed.","AnswerText":"In answering parliamentary questions and letters from MSPs, ministers have regard to the Scottish Ministerial Code, which provides that ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament, and to the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136150,"EventID":"S1O-03916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of small- and medium-si'ed business failures in the first three quarters of this year has risen in comparison with the same period in 2000. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of small- and medium-si'ed business failures in the first three quarters of this year has risen in comparison with the same period in 2000. ","AnswerText":"Official statistics on insolvencies for the third quarter of 2001 are not yet available.

In the first half of 2001, DTI data show that there were 307 company liquidations and 1,459 individual sequestrations in Scotland. In the first half of 2000, the respective figures were 289 and 1,502.

It should be noted that not all individual sequestrations are associated with business failures.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136151,"EventID":"S1O-03917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any correspondence from individuals seeking access to police road traffic accident reports under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any correspondence from individuals seeking access to police road traffic accident reports under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. ","AnswerText":"No, but the Scottish Executive has received correspondence about whether police road traffic accident reports would be accessible under the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136152,"EventID":"S1O-03918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to modify the definition of a \"vulnerable witness\" in relation to adolescent and adult complainants in cases involving sexual assault. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to modify the definition of a \"vulnerable witness\" in relation to adolescent and adult complainants in cases involving sexual assault. ","AnswerText":"The Executive intends to issue a Consultation Paper on protection of vulnerable witnesses early in 2002. This will look at the issue you raise. We will decide whether changes to the law are needed following the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136153,"EventID":"S1O-03919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the hydroelectric power production of British Alcan at Kinlochleven and Fort William will qualify for the incentives to be introduced as from 1 January 2002 under","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the hydroelectric power production of British Alcan at Kinlochleven and Fort William will qualify for the incentives to be introduced as from 1 January 2002 under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Draft Order 2001.","AnswerText":"No final decisions on the detail of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) have yet been taken. A statutory consultation exercise has just ended, and as part of this, my officials are meeting with representatives from British Alcan to discuss that company's views about support for renewable energy.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136154,"EventID":"S1O-03923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with DAKS Simpson in Larkhall and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire following the announcement that the factory is to cease manufacturing in spr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with DAKS Simpson in Larkhall and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire following the announcement that the factory is to cease manufacturing in spring 2002.","AnswerText":"My officials have been in regular dialogue with both DAKS Simpson and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire. Wendy Alexander also met GMB and STUC representatives on Monday 22 October 2001 to discuss this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136155,"EventID":"S1O-03928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Area Waste Plan for the north east to be finalised. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Area Waste Plan for the north east to be finalised. ","AnswerText":"The North East Area Waste Plan is currently expected to be published for two months public consultation in March 2002 prior to finalisation.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136156,"EventID":"S1O-03930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is undertaking into any link between increased levels of skin cancer and the use of sun tanning parlours. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is undertaking into any link between increased levels of skin cancer and the use of sun tanning parlours. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Melanoma Group monitors the incidence of and outcomes for skin cancers in Scotland.

Published research evidence suggests that excessive use of artificial sun tanning apparatus is associated with increased risk of melanoma.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136157,"EventID":"S1O-03931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3669 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 28 June 2001, whether there is now a target rate of growth for the Scottish economy and whether it ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3669 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 28 June 2001, whether there is now a target rate of growth for the Scottish economy and whether it expects the long-term trend rate of growth to rise, fall or stay the same in the coming five years. ","AnswerText":"The Executive does not have a target rate for economic growth in Scotland and does not make economic forecasts.

What is important is that the Executive is addressing the underlying conditions for growth and prosperity in the modern economy. We are set upon raising Scotland's global profile, improving our connectivity, exploiting our research strengths and aligning our skills to the knowledge base. We are also taking action in relation to Scotland's education and its infrastructure. All are critical to our longer-term economic performance and it is right to seek to improve such conditions at all times.

We are currently designing specific targets for the key elements on the enterprise side that will bring better productivity and growth.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136158,"EventID":"S1O-03933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with the Scottish Prison Service regarding its contract with Premier Prison Services to run Her Majesty's Prison, Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with the Scottish Prison Service regarding its contract with Premier Prison Services to run Her Majesty's Prison, Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service, which is part of the Scottish Executive has meetings, as necessary, to manage the contract with Premier Prison Services to run HMP Kilmarnock.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136159,"EventID":"S1O-03935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to simplify the system of student financial support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to simplify the system of student financial support.","AnswerText":"We have introduced a number of measures which have simplified the system of student financial support. We have aligned the levels of support in both sectors so that students in comparable circumstances will receive the same rate of maintenance support, which will be subject to a contribution from their parents or spouse above the same income threshold.

The process of applying for student support for students in higher education has also been simplified. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland has established an electronic link with the General Register Office which removes the need for most applicants to submit original birth certificates. A system of sample checking income details has reduced the volume of supporting documentation that students and their families have to provide. The agency is also developing a system which will eventually allow student support applications to be made via the internet and to be processed almost automatically. In addition, we are integrating the two existing systems of support for pre-registration nursing students.

The student support system in higher education will also become more simple over the next few years as new students increasingly fall within the new arrangements introduced this year and the various pre-existing schemes fall out of use.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136160,"EventID":"S1O-03939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to measures to support prospective adopters through the initial stages of the adoption process. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to measures to support prospective adopters through the initial stages of the adoption process. ","AnswerText":"Adoption can often be a complex process both for the child and the prospective adopter. To tackle this and other concerns, I established an adoption Policy Review earlier this year with the aim of modernising the system. The remit includes the recruitment, selection and assessment of prospective adopters. The first stage of the review is due to report to me by the end of November 2001.

Draft National Care Standards for adoption services are currently available. Standards 24 to 37 cover the service adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents can expect. They include requirements for prompt and comprehensive responses and decisions, and for provision of specialist support from experienced social workers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136161,"EventID":"S1O-03941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking any action to reduce the stigma of suffering from mental health illnesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking any action to reduce the stigma of suffering from mental health illnesses.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change commits the Executive to looking for ways to address the stigma which can attach to poor mental health and to investing £4 million over three years in a campaign to promote positive mental health and well-being. On 8 October 2001 I announced that we would set up a National Advisory Group, supported by a programme co-ordinator, to oversee a programme of both short and longer term actions to this end. An early focus will be on measures to address stigma.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136162,"EventID":"S1O-03944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it assesses the distinct educational needs of children in remote and rural areas to ensure that an appropriate quality of services is provided.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it assesses the distinct educational needs of children in remote and rural areas to ensure that an appropriate quality of services is provided.","AnswerText":"The Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000 requires that local authorities provide education directed to achieving the fullest potential of the child or young person. The distribution of resources from the Executive to support local authorities takes account of rurality and deprivation indicators. It will therefore be the responsibility of local authorities to assess the educational needs of all children and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education will ensure they are doing this through their inspection programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136163,"EventID":"S1O-03949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to address the current shortage of Gaelic-medium teachers following the recently announced #1 million extra investment in Gaelic broadcasting and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to address the current shortage of Gaelic-medium teachers following the recently announced #1 million extra investment in Gaelic broadcasting and teaching.","AnswerText":"The Executive is supporting the development of an initial teacher education course specifically for Gaelic-medium primary teaching and is funding an extra 10 student places at Strathclyde University in session 2001-02 to support primary Gaelic-medium provision.

As a result of these measures, it is forecast that a total of 24 students able to teach in primary Gaelic-medium will qualify from teacher education institutions at the end of academic session 2001-02. This is double the number of students who qualified last year and will boost Gaelic medium teacher numbers considerably.

In addition, the current campaign to recruit more teachers includes TV advertising to coincide with Gaelic programming, advertisements in the Gaelic press and key pages of the supporting website will soon appear in the Gaelic language.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136164,"EventID":"S1O-03953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any timetable for implementation is being prepared in response to the Race Equality Advisory Forum report, Making it Real: A Race Equality Strategy for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any timetable for implementation is being prepared in response to the Race Equality Advisory Forum report, Making it Real: A Race Equality Strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will publish its response to the Race Equality Advisory Forum (REAF) report by the end of January 2002. This response will detail work in hand, and plans for further action based on the report's recommendations.

However, responsibility for implementation of the recommendations goes wider than just the Executive. We will therefore be working with other organisations over the coming year to take forward the agenda mapped out by REAF.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136165,"EventID":"S1O-03957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what education research supports increasing significantly the number of composite classes of Primary 1, 2 and 3 children in order to achieve reduction of all class si'es","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what education research supports increasing significantly the number of composite classes of Primary 1, 2 and 3 children in order to achieve reduction of all class si'es to 30.","AnswerText":"Results from the school census indicate that between 1998 and 2000 the number of composite classes involving P1 to P3 classes declined from 2,374 to 2,329.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136166,"EventID":"S1O-03959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering taking any steps to reduce the number of persons being imprisoned for non-payment of fines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering taking any steps to reduce the number of persons being imprisoned for non-payment of fines.","AnswerText":"Following a discussion in the Criminal Justice Forum, we have been discussing with a number of interests how the enforcement of fines might be improved, with a view to reducing the use of imprisonment as a last resort.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136167,"EventID":"S1O-03962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its policies and practices will deliver a world class prison service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its policies and practices will deliver a world class prison service.","AnswerText":"At the end of last year the Scottish Prison Service launched a new, five-year vision and committed itself to the pursuit of correctional excellence. This vision sets out the service's aspiration to be recognised as the leader in prison correctional work which helps reduce recidivism, contributes to the Scottish Executive aim of making Scotland's communities safer. and thereby offers value for money to the taxpayer. In order to fulfil this aim, the Scottish Prison Service is developing strategies, including the use of the Business Excellence Model, for ensuring that it delivers the highest standards of service; provides effective prisoner opportunities which help reduce recidivism; develops staff who are recognised for their professionalism and for the difficult job they do on behalf of society; demonstrates real value for money to the taxpayer, and, critically, that the prison estate is fit for its purpose.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136168,"EventID":"S1O-03969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to maintain the safety and reliability of the trunk road network in the Highlands this coming winter. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to maintain the safety and reliability of the trunk road network in the Highlands this coming winter. ","AnswerText":"Winter Maintenance Plans for the trunk road network have been drawn up by the Operating Company (BEAR Scotland Ltd) and approved by the Scottish Executive. Following a successful Winter Maintenance Conference held on 25 September 2001, the Executive will be holding detailed discussions with Highland Council, BEAR and the police to help ensure that winter maintenance planning for the trunk and local road networks is co-ordinated.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136169,"EventID":"S1O-03971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote more effective public participation in the planning process and make the process more responsive to local concerns. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote more effective public participation in the planning process and make the process more responsive to local concerns. ","AnswerText":"The Executive will issue a consultation paper later this month seeking views on a range of proposals aimed at securing more effective public involvement in planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136170,"EventID":"S1O-03973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since the publication of A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland in the recruitment and retention of midwives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since the publication of A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland in the recruitment and retention of midwives.","AnswerText":"The Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland launched on 2 February 2001 sets out guiding principles and actions to underpin the development of local maternity strategies.

NHS Boards have been auditing their current maternity strategies against the framework and are developing the necessary action plans including one-to-one midwife care in labour and childbirth and other workforce issues.

The nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention convention to be held on 19 November will bring together key players from Scotland and overseas to address long-term recruitment and retention issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136171,"EventID":"S1O-03976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities to help reduce the number of injuries resulting from the use of fireworks during this year's Guy Fawkes celebrations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities to help reduce the number of injuries resulting from the use of fireworks during this year's Guy Fawkes celebrations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03987.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136172,"EventID":"S1O-03977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any finance from European structural funds is being used in order to help the Scottish economy to remain resilient in light of the current international situatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any finance from European structural funds is being used in order to help the Scottish economy to remain resilient in light of the current international situation.","AnswerText":"European structural funds programmes are designed to increase the economic sustainability and social strength of member states. The funds raise employability, support business development and help our communities. Funding can only can be offered where actions to support specific parts of the economy fit with the strategies for the programmes that have been agreed at local level.

Since the strategies for programmes cover economic development and raising skill levels across the workforce at the local level, finance from European structural funds is helping the Scottish economy to remain resilient in the light of the current international situation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136173,"EventID":"S1O-03981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards meeting its targets on moving freight from road to rail.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards meeting its targets on moving freight from road to rail.","AnswerText":"We continue to be fully committed to encouraging the transfer of freight from road to rail and waterborne modes of transport.

We have already made awards of Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) that will remove over 13.4 million lorry miles from Scotland's roads each year including 11.5 million for rail projects.

I expect to make further awards of FFG in the coming months that will achieve our target of making awards of FFG, by March 2002, that will remove 18 million lorry miles from Scotland's roads each year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136174,"EventID":"S1O-03985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in meeting the recommendations of Audit Scotland's report A Clean Bill of Health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in meeting the recommendations of Audit Scotland's report A Clean Bill of Health.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland is making steady progress in improving the quality and effectiveness of cleaning services. Audit Scotland will be revisiting this issue in due course and I look forward to the report. I expect hospitals to work with the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland to implement a new standard for domestic services which will ensure the clean environment that patients need.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136175,"EventID":"S1O-03986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to pursue the key developments of the Scottish rail network in light of Railtrack plc going into administration. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to pursue the key developments of the Scottish rail network in light of Railtrack plc going into administration. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is working closely with the UK Government and the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that the new railway structure fully takes into account Scotland's interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136176,"EventID":"S1O-03987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what precautions it has taken in order to limit the number of injuries caused by fireworks. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what precautions it has taken in order to limit the number of injuries caused by fireworks. ","AnswerText":"The sale, supply and safety of fireworks are consumer protection matters and as such are reserved. The Department of Trade and Industry runs annual firework safety campaigns and issues firework safety packs to trading standards departments, environmental health departments, fire brigades and police forces. Fire brigades undertake local work in schools and the wider community and the Scottish Executive supplements this by funding regular publicity on fire safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136177,"EventID":"S1O-03988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Ministerial Group on Sustainable Development is making in helping to implement the plans outlined in Working together for Scotland: A Programme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Ministerial Group on Sustainable Development is making in helping to implement the plans outlined in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland has played a key role in ensuring that the plans outlined in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government are implemented in a way which takes sustainable development into account. Policy areas examined by the group include planning, health, transport and European funds. On 9 October I announced the group's four point action plan further to embed sustainable development in the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136178,"EventID":"S1O-03990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways European funding contributes towards achieving social justice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways European funding contributes towards achieving social justice.","AnswerText":"European structural funds, worth around £1 billion to 2006, complement a range of Scottish Executive policies aimed at meeting the social justice agenda. The funds are designed to improve the social and economic cohesion of member states, through economic and social development and enhancing employment opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136179,"EventID":"S1O-03992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Child Support Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Child Support Group.","AnswerText":"The Child Health Support Group has been working hard to drive forward improvements in child health since the Minister for Health and Community Care announced its formation on 26 June last year.

The group's work has included the publication, in May of this year, of a Template for Children's Health Services in Unified NHS Board Areas. It is also midway through a series of supportive visits to all health care systems in Scotland and on 27 February next year the group will be holding a conference which will bring together all those with an interest in children's health and children's health services in order to pass on the lessons learned.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136180,"EventID":"S1O-03993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of public consultation will be on the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority plans for the development of the Partick Interchange. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of public consultation will be on the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority plans for the development of the Partick Interchange. ","AnswerText":"Consultation on individual Public Transport Fund Bids is a matter for the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA) as the promoting authority for this project.

I understand that to date SPTA has consulted with industry partners, the statutory rail bodies, local authority officers, emergency services and rail user groups in the area.

In addition a presentation of the full outline of the proposals was held for these organisations plus Glasgow City Council Planning officials on 3 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136181,"EventID":"S1O-03995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be any delay in the establishment of Disclosure Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be any delay in the establishment of Disclosure Scotland.","AnswerText":"Disclosure Scotland is being established within the Scottish Criminal Record Office for purposes of issuing criminal record certificates under Part V of the Police Act 1997. It had been intended that certificates would be available from January 2002 but we have deferred the start date until April 2002 so as to align it with the start date for England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136182,"EventID":"S1O-03997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust regarding negotiations with medical secretaries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust regarding negotiations with medical secretaries.","AnswerText":"This is a matter which has been taken forward by the Trust and which I understand has now been resolved successfully.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136183,"EventID":"S1O-03998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it will issue to the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils following the publication of the report of the South of Scotland University Stee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it will issue to the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils following the publication of the report of the South of Scotland University Steering Group Higher Education in the South of Scotland. ","AnswerText":"I intend to include guidance on stimulating uptake of higher education and continuing professional development in the rural south in my letters of guidance to the Funding Councils for 2002-03. I have already asked the Chief Executive of the Funding Councils to establish a group bringing together representatives of relevant higher and further education institutes, local authorities and local enterprise bodies, as recommended in the steering group's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136184,"EventID":"S1O-03999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the current state of the Scottish scallop industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the current state of the Scottish scallop industry.","AnswerText":"The current state of the Scottish scallop industry is good. Output has been at record levels this year. However, the decision last week of the European Commission's Standing Veterinary Committee to agree to the operation of a tiered testing system will require the industry to adapt to the new regime. The Executive and the Food Standards Agency will be consulting the industry and other interested parties within the next few weeks on possible options about how it is introduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136185,"EventID":"S1O-04003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to appoint a minister at cabinet level whose sole portfolio is tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to appoint a minister at cabinet level whose sole portfolio is tourism.","AnswerText":"I have Cabinet level responsibility for tourism and both Alasdair Morrison and I are working extremely hard with VisitScotland to support the industry at this difficult time.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136186,"EventID":"S1O-04004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to improve animal welfare. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to improve animal welfare. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive attaches a high priority to animal welfare and seeks to ensure in various ways that the welfare of farm animals is protected. Proposals to implement EU Directives on the welfare of laying hens and also of pigs are currently under consideration. Legislation will be brought forward when these considerations are complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136187,"EventID":"S1O-04006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to monitor the administration of Individual Learning Accounts in Scotland following the decision by the Department for Education and Skills to su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to monitor the administration of Individual Learning Accounts in Scotland following the decision by the Department for Education and Skills to suspend them in England.","AnswerText":"We are continuing to operate the financial monitoring and administrative management systems set up when Individual Learning Accounts were first established. In light of the DfES decision, we have reviewed current arrangements and introduced an additional layer of checks.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136188,"EventID":"S1O-04010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had into any recent discussions involving EU environment ministers. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had into any recent discussions involving EU environment ministers. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is fully involved in preparations for Environment Councils and international meetings involving EU environment ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136189,"EventID":"S1O-04016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to close any gap in attainment levels between pupils from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to close any gap in attainment levels between pupils from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerText":"Raising attainment for all pupils and closing the gap between the poorest and best performers are central to the National Priorities for education. I will shortly be issuing guidance to education authorities which sets out a clear, evidence-based improvement framework for monitoring the delivery of National Priorities at all levels. Schools and authorities will be supported in that delivery by our drive to provide better integrated children's services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136190,"EventID":"S1O-04018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to mitigate any job losses in the south of Scotland following the proposed creation of Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to mitigate any job losses in the south of Scotland following the proposed creation of Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"The implementation of efficiency measures by the water authorities, necessary to minimise future charge rises will mean a reduction in the number of people employed by the water authorities. I expect these reductions to be managed carefully with consideration being given to the location of operational centres.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136191,"EventID":"S1O-04019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to amend the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to allow the practice of co-option of student representatives to council committees which cover the e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to amend the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to allow the practice of co-option of student representatives to council committees which cover the education functions of local authorities.","AnswerText":"We do not believe that this legislation disallows student representatives being co-opted to council committees and therefore we have no plans to amend it.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136192,"EventID":"S1O-04020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to ensure that budgets allocated to all health board areas reflect its policies. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to ensure that budgets allocated to all health board areas reflect its policies. ","AnswerText":"The Performance Assessment Framework will form the mandatory core framework for assessing the performance of NHSScotland. This assessment will encompass a wide range of activities undertaken by NHS boards including the implementation of relevant national priorities set out in Our National Health.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136193,"EventID":"S1O-04025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assist local authorities in making communities safer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assist local authorities in making communities safer.","AnswerText":"As recently as 31 October, I announced details of a new community safety award programme which will give all council-led Community Safety Partnerships a share of £12 million over the next three years for local community safety initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136194,"EventID":"S1O-04026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the number of female prisoners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the number of female prisoners.","AnswerText":"In view of the Executive's concerns over the problem of women's offending, we set up a Ministerial Group, which I chair, to tackle this specific issue. The group is looking at a range of measures to encourage the appropriate use of alternatives to custody for female offenders. The group is due to complete its work in December and will report shortly after.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136195,"EventID":"S1O-04028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to implement the recommendations made in Sensing Progress.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to implement the recommendations made in Sensing Progress.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has taken several steps to implement the recommendations made in Sensing Progress including the establishment of a short-life working group of representatives of local authorities, health services and people with a visual impairment, to review, and change as necessary, the efficiency of arrangements for certification and registration - this was set up and reported in May 2001.

In addition, the Sensing Progress recommendations set out some clear action points for local authorities, and the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services, in his annual report, will record what progress has been made.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136196,"EventID":"S1O-04029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in publishing area waste strategies. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in publishing area waste strategies. ","AnswerText":"Two draft area waste plans (Forth Valley and Argyll & Bute) have been published for consultation. Options or issues papers seeking public views on the range of solutions being considered have been published for five other areas (Fife, Glasgow & Clyde Valley, Highland, Tayside and Lothian & Borders).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136197,"EventID":"S1O-04030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in recognising the importance of children's play.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in recognising the importance of children's play.","AnswerText":"Our Programme for Government sets the objective of providing children with a stimulating environment for playing, developing and learning.

The pre-school education curriculum is founded on the concept of learning through play. Physical development and movement is a key aspect of children's development and learning. 97% of four-year-olds and 80% of three-year-olds, now receiving grant funded pre-school education, are benefiting from learning through play.

We are providing funding to a range of organisations committed to the development of play and, through the Special Educational Needs Innovation Grant Programme, to projects developing integrated play and learning for children with special needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136198,"EventID":"S1O-04031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be made available from the Public Transport Fund for the implementation of the Glasgow CrossRail scheme and the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be made available from the Public Transport Fund for the implementation of the Glasgow CrossRail scheme and the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","AnswerText":"Neither of these projects has yet been the subject of a Public Transport Fund bid.

The Scottish Executive, in partnership with BAA plc, Scottish Enterprise, the Strategic Rail Authority and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, is commissioning a study into direct rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136199,"EventID":"S1O-04033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The last key meeting was on 24 October when Iain Gray and I met with members of the Prisons Board at a reception at Edinburgh Castle which recognised exceptional work across a range of areas carried out by Scottish Prison Service (SPS) staff. SPS officials have regular meetings with officials from other parts of the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136200,"EventID":"S1O-04034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving the position of victims in the legal system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving the position of victims in the legal system.","AnswerText":"The Executive is making good progress in implementing the Scottish Strategy for Victims and the Action Plans which support it. We are improving the support and information available to victims and will be providing them with more opportunities to participate. For example, yesterday we announced the launch of a consultation paper on the procedures for a victims' statements scheme. Such a scheme would provide victims with the chance to set out the impact which a crime has had an on them and would be an important step in providing victims with more opportunities to participate in the criminal justice process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136201,"EventID":"S1O-04042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is tackling the level of diabetes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is tackling the level of diabetes.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland is spending more than £300 million a year in tackling diabetes. This involves national and local initiatives to improve prevention, detection and treatment.

The Executive will shortly launch the first national Diabetes Framework to ensure better and more consistent services are delivered across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136202,"EventID":"S1O-04043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what success it has had with its campaign to attract mature entrants into teaching.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what success it has had with its campaign to attract mature entrants into teaching.","AnswerText":"The recent Teacher Recruitment Advertising Campaign has the twin objectives of improving public perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession.

The campaign was not specifically aimed at mature entrants to the profession. Nevertheless 70% of callers responding to the recent run of adverts and requesting further information on teaching and entry requirements were in the 25-44 age group.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136203,"EventID":"S1O-04047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to audit the quality of training or education provided to holders of Individual Learning Accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to audit the quality of training or education provided to holders of Individual Learning Accounts.","AnswerText":"All learning providers participating in the Individual Learning Accounts scheme are required to meet or to be working towards appropriate quality standards such as the Scottish Quality Management System.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136204,"EventID":"S1O-04050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving school discipline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving school discipline.","AnswerText":"The recent report of the Discipline Task Group, Better Behaviour - Better Learning, contains 36 recommendations aimed at improving discipline within schools. Every teacher in Scotland now has a summary of the report, and later this month I shall be publishing an Action Plan for implementation of the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136205,"EventID":"S1O-04051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve recruitment and retention in the social work profession following the recent action team report on children's services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve recruitment and retention in the social work profession following the recent action team report on children's services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware of some difficulties in recruiting and retaining social work staff in parts of Scotland. The Executive will be working closely with the newly created Scottish Social Services Council and other organisations in the coming months to develop our national and local strategies to address this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136206,"EventID":"S1O-04052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the staff at DAKS Simpson in Larkhall following the announcement that the factory is to cease manufacturing in spring 2002. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the staff at DAKS Simpson in Larkhall following the announcement that the factory is to cease manufacturing in spring 2002. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3923 by Alasdair Morrison on 25 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136207,"EventID":"S1O-04053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assist local authorities with measures to reduce and manage flood risks. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assist local authorities with measures to reduce and manage flood risks. ","AnswerText":"The Executive actively encourages local authorities to reduce and manage the flood risk to non-agricultural land.

We have issued planning guidance on flood risk and have ensured that councils have the necessary powers and resources to address local flooding concerns. Additionally, the Executive has published research on flood risk and provided for Scottish Environment Protection Agency's flood warnings and information on the risk of flooding to be more readily available.

Research into Potential Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change in Scotland was published last month. This research will inform our consideration of a strategic level response to assist local decision makers to implement adaptation strategies to protect their communities from flooding.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136208,"EventID":"S1O-04056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is having into the negotiations to phase out EU tobacco subsidies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is having into the negotiations to phase out EU tobacco subsidies.","AnswerText":"The Executive agrees fully with the UK Government on this matter. We strongly disapprove of the Common Agricultural Policy support scheme for tobacco. We argue that the Community should progressively disengage from support for tobacco production, on grounds of health and cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136209,"EventID":"S1O-04057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing the recommendations made in the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing the recommendations made in the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A number of the recommendations, outlined in the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland, have been implemented and work continues to address the others.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136210,"EventID":"S1O-04059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the UK rail modernisation fund will be allocated to railway investment projects in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the UK rail modernisation fund will be allocated to railway investment projects in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Rail Modernisation Fund is administered by the Strategic Rail Authority on a UK basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136211,"EventID":"S1O-04061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation on the Review of Strategic Planning and the timetable for the implementation of any recommendations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation on the Review of Strategic Planning and the timetable for the implementation of any recommendations.","AnswerText":"The consultation period on the Review of Strategic Planning closed on 31 October. We have received over 250 responses and an independent consultant has been appointed to analyse these responses. He will report at the end of January next year and his report will be published. A seminar will be held in January to provide initial feedback to consultees. I intend to announce conclusions in the spring.

The timetable for any changes to the arrangements for strategic planning will depend on the conclusions reached and, in particular, on whether primary or secondary legislation is required to implement the outcome of the review.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136212,"EventID":"S1O-04062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to write off debt in the event that the three water authorities merge into the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to write off debt in the event that the three water authorities merge into the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for writing off water authority debt.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136213,"EventID":"S1O-04066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow local authorities to introduce speed restriction measures in built-up areas. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow local authorities to introduce speed restriction measures in built-up areas. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities have power to set speed limits on local roads in built-up areas and elsewhere. In particular, local authorities have power to set 20 mph speed limits where they are considered appropriate. Other speed limits below 30 mph require the consent of the Scottish ministers. Scottish ministers have power to set speed limits on trunk roads in built-up areas and elsewhere.

Local authorities also have power to construct road humps and traffic calming measures to control the speed of traffic on local roads.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136214,"EventID":"S1O-04068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3935 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 25 October 2001, whether the system of additional support to students currently arranged through ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3935 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 25 October 2001, whether the system of additional support to students currently arranged through access and hardship funds can be simplified and brought within the new arrangements for student financial support.","AnswerText":"Hardship funds, formerly known as access funds, are an integral part of the new support arrangements for further and higher education students. These funds are administered by individual colleges and universities under guidance provided by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136215,"EventID":"S1O-04069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for delay in appointing a new Lord President to the Court of Session and a new Lord Justice General.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for delay in appointing a new Lord President to the Court of Session and a new Lord Justice General.","AnswerText":"On Tuesday 13 November, the appointment was announced of the Rt Hon Lord Cullen who succeeds Lord Rodger as Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General. The Prime Minister made the final recommendation to Her Majesty the Queen after consulting the First Minister who nominated Lord Cullen. Scottish ministers warmly welcome the appointment of Lord Cullen and that of Lord Gill who succeeds Lord Cullen in the office of Lord Justice Clerk. Consultations about these appointments could not begin until after the announcement of Lord Rodger's appointment as a Lord of Appeal and that did not happen until 11 September.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136216,"EventID":"S1O-04081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the recommendations in the report Early Endowment by the Scottish Council Foundation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the recommendations in the report Early Endowment by the Scottish Council Foundation.","AnswerText":"We are examining the recommendations in this report, supported by two of our Social Inclusion Partnerships, which relate to services for pregnant women and infants.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136217,"EventID":"S1O-04083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-consider its decision that the local Procurator Fiscal carry out a re-investigation into the death of Neil Gillies on 24 December 1999, and instruct t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-consider its decision that the local Procurator Fiscal carry out a re-investigation into the death of Neil Gillies on 24 December 1999, and instruct that the investigation be carried out by a Procurator Fiscal from another area. ","AnswerText":"Decisions as to the investigation of deaths are taken independently by the Lord Advocate. It is for the Lord Advocate to determine which of his officials carries out an investigation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136218,"EventID":"S1O-04093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has full confidence in the board of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has full confidence in the board of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust. ","AnswerText":"I am keen that lessons are learned from a number of staffing, investment and operational problems experienced by the Trust since it was established in April 1999. On 7 November, I asked the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board to carry out a review of the North Glasgow Trust's performance over that period. The review will be used to inform long-term plans for the development of acute services in Greater Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136219,"EventID":"S1O-04094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the range of powers that the Scottish ministers have in relation to the rail industry. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the range of powers that the Scottish ministers have in relation to the rail industry. ","AnswerText":"I receive representations from a wide range of interests about this and other issues relating to the rail industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136220,"EventID":"S1O-04095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from organisations or residents of Fife regarding its consultation document Review of Strategic Planning. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from organisations or residents of Fife regarding its consultation document Review of Strategic Planning. ","AnswerText":"Yes. We have received just over 150 responses from Fife on the proposals in the consultation paper Review of Strategic Planning.

All letters are available for viewing in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136221,"EventID":"S1O-04099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has regarding the export of Scottish agricultural produce.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has regarding the export of Scottish agricultural produce.","AnswerText":"A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, which I published in June, outlined the need to improve the identification of markets at home and abroad for Scottish agricultural produce. In the awarding of grants for the processing and marketing of agricultural products, priority is given to businesses that seek to increase exports. The Scottish Executive will continue to support all sectors of the agri-food industry in developing plans to improve exports.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136222,"EventID":"S1O-04104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in raising levels of adult literacy. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in raising levels of adult literacy. ","AnswerText":"I published the Adult Literacy Team's report in July. It provides a comprehensive strategy for raising levels of adult literacy and numeracy in Scotland.

Funding of £22.5 million between now and 2004 will enable an initial 80,000 people to be helped.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136223,"EventID":"S1O-04105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its pilot programme of Drug Courts. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its pilot programme of Drug Courts. ","AnswerText":"The Glasgow Drug Court sat for the first time on Monday 12 November. This opens the way for a second stage pilot and so I was pleased to announce on Monday that a Drug Court will be established in Fife. The plans are for it to be in operation by summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136224,"EventID":"S1O-04107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards of urban design. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards of urban design. ","AnswerText":"I shall be launching the Executive's policy statement Designing Places tomorrow.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136225,"EventID":"S1O-04110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with taking forward Criminal Justice Accommodation Services: A Review and Consultation Paper. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with taking forward Criminal Justice Accommodation Services: A Review and Consultation Paper. ","AnswerText":"Forty-nine responses were made to the consultation exercise which ended on 30 September, including a number received after this date. These are being analysed at present and I hope to announce the outcome of the review early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136226,"EventID":"S1O-04111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals to grant local authorities a power of well-being will differ from granting local authorities a power of general competence. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals to grant local authorities a power of well-being will differ from granting local authorities a power of general competence. ","AnswerText":"We believe the term well-being better describes the power we envisage which will be a general power to assist councils in promoting the well-being of their area.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136227,"EventID":"S1O-04112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill.","AnswerText":"We intend to introduce a Criminal Justice Bill in early 2002. It will introduce new arrangements for the treatment of serious violent and sexual offenders, as set out in our White Paper of June. It will also introduce other measures, which will be outlined in a further White Paper to be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136228,"EventID":"S1O-04126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with Dr Andrew Walker of the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics in the University of Glasgow, in light of his report on hospital-acqui","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with Dr Andrew Walker of the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics in the University of Glasgow, in light of his report on hospital-acquired infections, and what the outcome of any such discussions was.","AnswerText":"Health Department officials met Dr Walker on 12 October to discuss his study and explain the Scottish Executive's policy on Healthcare Associated Infection.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136229,"EventID":"S1O-04127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive payments in respect of the costs of repair of the Erskine Bridge from those parties considered responsible for damaging the bridge. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive payments in respect of the costs of repair of the Erskine Bridge from those parties considered responsible for damaging the bridge. ","AnswerText":"This matter is still working its way through the court process. Following the serving of the summons, defences have been lodged and the pleadings are now being adjusted. As there is still some way to go in procedural terms, it is impossible to predict how long this matter will take.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136230,"EventID":"S1O-04129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to produce guidelines limiting the number of cases, particularly child protection cases, allocated to individual social workers. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to produce guidelines limiting the number of cases, particularly child protection cases, allocated to individual social workers. ","AnswerText":"The protection of children is the responsibility of a range of services including social work, education and health. The Scottish Executive is currently leading a multi-disciplinary review to promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children, and to improve the services for children who experience abuse or neglect. The review team will report and make recommendations to improve professional working and the regulatory framework in which professionals operate. It is premature to judge whether the recommendations are likely to include the production of guidelines on the allocation of cases to social workers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136231,"EventID":"S1O-04130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3917 by Iain Gray on 25 October 2001, what steps it will take to meet the requirements of those who seek access to police road traf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3917 by Iain Gray on 25 October 2001, what steps it will take to meet the requirements of those who seek access to police road traffic accident reports.","AnswerText":"Police Road Traffic Accident Reports often contain sensitive information, most notably those involving fatal accidents. Such reports, if made available generally to the public, can cause great distress to victims' families and others. Therefore, it is not appropriate that Police Road Traffic Accident Reports are made available generally to the public.

However, the Crown Office recognises the importance of making such reports available in private to those with a legitimate interest, for example victim's families, and this practice will continue. Of course, this will be subject to consideration of prejudice to any proceedings, either in contemplation or pending.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136232,"EventID":"S1O-04134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the possibility of a national top-up to the Sheep Annual Premium.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the possibility of a national top-up to the Sheep Annual Premium.","AnswerText":"I initiated contacts with other UK ministers about a top-up payment for 2001 in the early days of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The matter remains under review. The final Sheep Annual Premium rate for this year will not be known until January.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136233,"EventID":"S1O-04137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce the number of children abused and neglected in Scotland and improve services offered to those children. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce the number of children abused and neglected in Scotland and improve services offered to those children. ","AnswerText":"Jack McConnell announced a multi-disciplinary Child Protection Review in March 2001 to promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children and to improve services. The review is due to report next summer. The Action Plan on Better Integrated Children's Services which was published on 30 October sets out a range of ways in which local authorities, the NHS, the voluntary sector and others can provide better, more integrated services for vulnerable children.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136234,"EventID":"S1O-04139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve the services available on the NHS to people with diabetes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve the services available on the NHS to people with diabetes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to developing long-term solutions to tackle the growing problem of diabetes in Scotland. We will publish the Scottish Diabetes Framework by the end of this year. Two key components of the Framework - clinical guidelines and clinical standards - were published on World Diabetes Day on 14 November.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136235,"EventID":"S1O-04140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current position is on the relocation of jobs in non-departmental public bodies from Edinburgh and Glasgow to other locations in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current position is on the relocation of jobs in non-departmental public bodies from Edinburgh and Glasgow to other locations in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-19681 on 19 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136236,"EventID":"S1O-04143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote and support cultural tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote and support cultural tourism.","AnswerText":"Cultural tourism was identified in A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism as a product group that demonstrated good potential for growth. We will publish a new Framework for Action early in the New Year. This will include the new strategy for marketing Scotland that was announced at the industry conference earlier this week.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136237,"EventID":"S1O-04144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes owned by elderly people in Dundee have been fitted with central heating under the central heating initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes owned by elderly people in Dundee have been fitted with central heating under the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"Fifty-seven homes in Dundee have already had central heating installed, or are having it installed at present. In addition, more than 500 homes are in the process of being surveyed and Eaga plan to install central heating in all of these which are eligible by the end of March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136238,"EventID":"S1O-04145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its spending is in the current financial year on tackling alcohol misuse and what its estimate is of the numbers suffering from severe or chronic misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its spending is in the current financial year on tackling alcohol misuse and what its estimate is of the numbers suffering from severe or chronic misuse.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made £1.845 million available through central budgets in this financial year to support local and national action to tackle alcohol problems. Funding for services addressing alcohol problems is also provided within resources allocated to NHS boards and local authorities but is not specifically identified. The Health Education Board for Scotland alcohol specific budget for this year is a further £490,000.

There is no standard definition of severe or chronic misuse. The Scottish Health Survey identifies heavy drinking. In the 1998 survey, 15% of men aged 16-74 drank more than 35 units per week and 6% of women aged 16-74 drank more than 21 units.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136239,"EventID":"S1O-04146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with its plans to recruit and retain additional nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with its plans to recruit and retain additional nurses.","AnswerText":"We are committed to recruiting more nurses to NHSScotland. Over the next five years 10,000 more nurses and midwives will qualify in Scotland, 1,500 more than previously planned.

The Nursing and Midwifery Convention held on 19 November 2001 provided an important springboard for a renewed national effort to secure the nurses needed for NHSScotland - both now and in the future. The Executive has made available £1.5 million of immediate investment specifically dedicated to ideas generated by this convention.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136240,"EventID":"S1O-04147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the New Strategy for Golf Tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the New Strategy for Golf Tourism.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland have prepared an update paper on progress with implementing the golf tourism strategy. The paper, which gives information on golf development, service delivery, promotion and research and monitoring is available on the tourism industry website, www.scotexchange.net.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136241,"EventID":"S1O-04152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the development of a form of diligence to replace poindings and warrant sales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the development of a form of diligence to replace poindings and warrant sales.","AnswerText":"The working group set up to identify a humane and workable replacement to poinding and warrant sale reported to the Deputy First Minister on 6 July. The Deputy First Minister put the group's recommendations out for consultation shortly afterwards. Every MSP was sent a copy of the group's report and the accompanying consultation questions. The consultation period ended on 17 October. The Executive is currently analysing the responses received; and will make a statement on the way forward in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136242,"EventID":"S1O-04153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its next steps will be to assist tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its next steps will be to assist tourism.","AnswerText":"We are currently reviewing our strategy for the tourism industry and will publish a Framework for Action early in the New Year. We will also review how the Area Tourist Boards can best deliver support for the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136243,"EventID":"S1O-04157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it plans to take following the publication of its report, Estimating the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it plans to take following the publication of its report, Estimating the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"This report provides, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of misuse of the drugs which cause the most harm in Scotland.

The findings will help the Executive to target resources more effectively in future on the areas most in need. Regional figures will help Drug Action Teams and statutory agencies to provide services for drug users, which are being backed by record levels of investment from the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136244,"EventID":"S1O-04158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to support additional places in women's refuges. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to support additional places in women's refuges. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is providing £10 million for a capital Refuge Development Programme to increase and improve refuge provision. Revenue funding is the responsibility of the local authorities and bids under the programme were required to indicate sources of such funding. Twenty-four local authorities have submitted bids and all have complied with this requirement. We have the full support of CoSLA for this programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136245,"EventID":"S1O-04161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures it intends to take to reform the public appointments system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures it intends to take to reform the public appointments system.","AnswerText":"The Executive has put in place a modern, fair and open public appointments system. The key requirement is that ministers are able to appoint individuals with the necessary ability and experience to run our public bodies. A number of additional measures to enhance the public appointments system and attract candidates from a wider cross section of Scottish society were set out in Public Bodies: Proposals for Change which was published by the Executive in June. Most important was the announcement of plans to establish a Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments who will oversee all ministerial appointments and be required to report to the Scottish Parliament annually on the operation of the public appointments system.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136246,"EventID":"S1O-04164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, and with whom, on a railway link to Edinburgh Airport and what the outcome was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, and with whom, on a railway link to Edinburgh Airport and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, along with British Airports Authority, Scottish Enterprise, the Strategic Rail Authority and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, has just commissioned a study into rail links at Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports. The study is expected to take eight months to complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136247,"EventID":"S1O-04166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent plans are for the reintroduction of the Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry service. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent plans are for the reintroduction of the Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry service. ","AnswerText":"Since July 2000 the Scotland Office, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive have been working closely together to examine the feasibility of re-introducing the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service. Ministers from the Scotland Office, the Scottish Executive, and the Northern Ireland Executive met on 26 November to discuss recent research into the potential costs and benefits of reinstating the ferry service. The proposal to reinstate the ferry service is still under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136248,"EventID":"S1O-04167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on funding for theatres and what the reasons are for the time taken to reach a decision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on funding for theatres and what the reasons are for the time taken to reach a decision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council's submission on Scottish theatre seeks significant additional funding. It also raises a number of detailed issues relating to the theatre sector which we are examining with care. That consideration is proceeding and we hope to make a statement soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136249,"EventID":"S1O-04169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish a public inquiry into the handling by the Crown Office of the recent Ayrshire sex abuse case following the abandonment of the trial.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish a public inquiry into the handling by the Crown Office of the recent Ayrshire sex abuse case following the abandonment of the trial.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136250,"EventID":"S1O-04173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of recent difficulties facing the electronics industry in the Scottish Borders, it will address the state of the area's economy as a matter of urgency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of recent difficulties facing the electronics industry in the Scottish Borders, it will address the state of the area's economy as a matter of urgency. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise Borders have been awarded an additional £6.096 million for the period 1999-2002 to support economic development in the area and the Scottish Executive is continuing to work closely with local agencies to secure sustainable economic development. Since the Scottish Borders was included on the Assisted Areas map in July 2000, £4.1 million in Regional Selective Assistance have been offered to companies in the area, involving the planned creation and safeguarding of some 900 jobs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136251,"EventID":"S1O-04178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards the introduction of a small business rates relief scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards the introduction of a small business rates relief scheme.","AnswerText":"We are carefully considering the views received in response to the consultation paper we published earlier in the year. We will make an announcement on the way forward as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136252,"EventID":"S1O-04194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the Action Plan for a Sustainable Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the Action Plan for a Sustainable Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is on course to deliver the Action Plan by January 2002 as previously announced.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136253,"EventID":"S1O-04207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards achieving its objectives in tackling drug misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards achieving its objectives in tackling drug misuse.","AnswerText":"I refer to my response to Hugh Henry's question S1W-20252 on 23 November, about the publication of our first Annual Report, which sets out the progress being made by the Executive in implementing the national drugs strategy. Examples of progress include the establishment of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, which has seized more than £25 million worth of illegal drugs to date, and the provision of drug education in 97% of Scottish schools.

Copies of the report have been made available to the Parliament Reference Centre, and it has also been published on the Scottish Executive's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136254,"EventID":"S1O-04212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to implement local agreements on the 35-hour working week for teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to implement local agreements on the 35-hour working week for teachers.","AnswerText":"All local authorities and Scottish schools have reached agreement on how to implement the 35 hour working week. This is the first stage of a four-stage process scheduled to end in August 2006 which will be taken forward by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. The Scottish Executive will support and encourage the work needed at every level.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136255,"EventID":"S1O-04213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs last met representatives of the Scottish School Boards Association.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs last met representatives of the Scottish School Boards Association.","AnswerText":"Jack McConnell last met representatives of the Scottish School Board Association on Wednesday 4 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136256,"EventID":"S1O-04220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education has in monitoring the educational performance of pupils in schools that are part of Public/Private Partnership projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education has in monitoring the educational performance of pupils in schools that are part of Public/Private Partnership projects.","AnswerText":"The provision of education in schools which are part of Public/Private Partnership projects is the responsibility of the education authority for the area concerned. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education has a role in monitoring educational performance in all schools regardless of who provides the facilities in which teaching and learning takes place.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136257,"EventID":"S1O-04222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Part V of the Police Act 1997 will come into force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Part V of the Police Act 1997 will come into force.","AnswerText":"We are planning to bring the provisions in Part V which deal with the making of regulations, registration and the code of practice into force shortly so that the registration process can start in February 2002. Thereafter, other provisions will be brought into force so that criminal record certificates and enhanced criminal record certificates will start to become available from April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136258,"EventID":"S1O-04228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether incidence of breathing-related illness is higher than the national average in the communities of Ballingry and Lochore in Fife.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether incidence of breathing-related illness is higher than the national average in the communities of Ballingry and Lochore in Fife.","AnswerText":"Information about the incidence of breathing related illness specific to the communities of Ballingry and Lochore is not held centrally.

However, lung disease represents one of the major elements of the care provided by NHSScotland. Smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable disease in Scotland, including lung disease. The Executive has introduced a comprehensive range of measures to reduce smoking levels.

In addition, the Chief Scientist Office, the Health Department body responsible for sponsoring research, is investing £3.5 million in 36 projects related to lung disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136259,"EventID":"S1O-04235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland towards the establishment of specific issue-based working groups, as detailed in P","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland towards the establishment of specific issue-based working groups, as detailed in Preventing Violence Against Women: Action Across the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"Three issue-based working groups have recently been established by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. These are: a working group to review all current legislation relating to domestic abuse, a working group to review current recommendations on levels of refuge provision in Scotland and a working group to prepare a prevention strategy. The Prevention Strategy Working Group met for the first time on 20 November, the other two groups will meet later this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136260,"EventID":"S1O-04237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the revision of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme so that it targets aid more effectively to peripheral areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the revision of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme so that it targets aid more effectively to peripheral areas.","AnswerText":"I announced improvements to the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme for 2002 last week. These have been welcomed by the Scottish industry. The measures help farmers in all parts of Scotland's Less Favoured Areas, including those in our remote communities. They also represent an important step towards a longer-term support scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136261,"EventID":"S1O-04238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote healthy lifestyles to improve the future health of young people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote healthy lifestyles to improve the future health of young people.","AnswerText":"The public health strategy set out in the White Paper, Towards a Healthier Scotland, identifies the promotion of healthy lifestyles as one of its three key action levels. It outlines a range of measures to address smoking, drug misuse, alcohol misuse, physical activity and diet, including measures particularly relevant to young people. In addition, the £100 million Health Improvement Fund is being used on a national and local basis throughout Scotland in order to drive forward improvements in public health.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136262,"EventID":"S1O-04239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision on the request by the Scottish Arts Council for an extra #4 million to support the funding of theatre in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision on the request by the Scottish Arts Council for an extra #4 million to support the funding of theatre in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council's submission on Scottish theatre seeks significant additional funding. It also raises a number of detailed issues relating to the theatre sector which we are examining with care. That consideration is proceeding and we hope to make a statement soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136263,"EventID":"S1O-04240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address any inequalities in funding for the provision of health, local government and policing in the Grampian region compared with allocations for other ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address any inequalities in funding for the provision of health, local government and policing in the Grampian region compared with allocations for other regions.","AnswerText":"Local government and health funding are distributed using the Grant Aided Expenditure methodology, and the Arbuthnott formula respectively. These methods take account of a wide range of factors and are accepted as an objective method of distributing resources. The distribution of police funding is under review by a group comprising representatives of the Scottish Executive, COSLA and ACPOS, which has yet to report its findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136264,"EventID":"S1O-04241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote eco-tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote eco-tourism.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland intends to take a product-based approach to marketing Scotland. Eco-tourism, which has considerable potential for growth, will be part of a portfolio of outdoor activities. The agency is also developing a Wildlife Tourism Strategy, which it will launch next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136265,"EventID":"S1O-04243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage local authorities to utilise the provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 to designate Home Zones.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage local authorities to utilise the provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 to designate Home Zones.","AnswerText":"We have just begun consultation on draft regulations which set down procedures for local authorities to follow when designating roads as Home Zones. I expect these regulations to be brought into force in April next year. We will also issue best practice guidance to support local authorities when designating a Home Zone.

We have made available nearly £15 million to local authorities over the period to 2004 for capital expenditure on Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects. These resources can be utilised for home zones if authorities so choose.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136266,"EventID":"S1O-04245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 220,000 Individual Learning Accounts referred to by the First Minister on 25 October 2001 were recorded as active on 25 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 220,000 Individual Learning Accounts referred to by the First Minister on 25 October 2001 were recorded as active on 25 November 2001.","AnswerText":"Of the 245,420 Individual Learning Accounts open at 19 November, almost 110,000 were active.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136267,"EventID":"S1O-04247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in reducing the incidence of road accidents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in reducing the incidence of road accidents.","AnswerText":"Significant progress has been made. Figures relating to injury road accidents and casualties in Scotland in 2000 were published on 22 November in Road Accidents Scotland 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17733). The figures show that the number of injury road accidents in Scotland in 2000 was 2% lower than in 1999 and 26% lower than the average for 1981-85.

The number of people killed and seriously injured in 2000 was 56% lower than the average for the early 1980s, compared with the target for a one-third reduction in all casualties by 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136268,"EventID":"S1O-04251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce delay and disruption to traffic caused by road works carried out by utility companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce delay and disruption to traffic caused by road works carried out by utility companies.","AnswerText":"A consultation paper Reducing Disruption from Utilities Road Works was issued by the Executive on 23 November 2001 to local authorities, utility companies and other interested parties. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in SPICe.

In parallel with this, the Executive intends to carry out research into the impact of road works by utility companies on road users.

Once the responses have been analysed and the research completed, we will be in a better position to assess the scale of any delay and disruption caused, and to decide on the best way forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136269,"EventID":"S1O-04253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to accommodate additional demand in the NHS over the winter period.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to accommodate additional demand in the NHS over the winter period.","AnswerText":"It is very important to make sure that the additional pressures that winter brings to health and social care services do not disrupt care for patients and clients. The NHS and its planning partners have prepared plans which build upon the experience of previous winters, and this is supported by significant extra investment which will increase capacity.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136270,"EventID":"S1O-04255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to improve information and communications technology in the classroom.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to improve information and communications technology in the classroom.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers have, through the Excellence Fund and the National Grid for Learning, made investment in information and communications technology for our schools a priority. We are now seeing a significant increase in the number of modern computers in every school and almost all secondary schools are connected to the internet.

The next stage is the provision of broadband access. This will allow far greater use of online sound and video, making use of the internet in schools more interactive and more exciting.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136271,"EventID":"S1O-04259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress its Don't Let the Bug Bite flu campaign is making.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress its Don't Let the Bug Bite flu campaign is making.","AnswerText":"The latest available figures confirm that, at 31 October, 49.2% of people aged 65 and over had been vaccinated against flu.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136272,"EventID":"S1O-04262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the practices and performance of the Student Loans Company Ltd. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the practices and performance of the Student Loans Company Ltd. ","AnswerText":"The company's performance against agreed targets as set out in its annual report gives no grounds for concern.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136273,"EventID":"S1O-04265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public buildings commissioned under Private Finance Initiative schemes will be measured against the criteria set out in its Policy on Architecture published in Oc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public buildings commissioned under Private Finance Initiative schemes will be measured against the criteria set out in its Policy on Architecture published in October.","AnswerText":"It is the Executive's aim to act as an exemplar client in its procurement of buildings, whether through Private Finance Initiative or traditional means, and we recognise that good building design is a key to obtaining value for money. The Policy on Architecture commits the Executive to ensuring that design quality is taken into account in the guidance, training and advice made available to Executive clients for construction projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136274,"EventID":"S1O-04267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support tourism in the north east, in light of the decision by a tour operator to cease flights from Aberdeen airport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support tourism in the north east, in light of the decision by a tour operator to cease flights from Aberdeen airport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will continue to encourage the development of air services to and from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish Economy. This is a matter that we discuss regularly with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136275,"EventID":"S1O-04268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any difference in growth between the genetically modified (GM) oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape with which it is being compared at the G","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any difference in growth between the genetically modified (GM) oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape with which it is being compared at the GM field trial at Roskil farm on the Black Isle.","AnswerText":"The farm scale evaluation programme is concerned with effects on biodiversity. The relative rate of growth of the GM and conventional crops is not one of the key indicators of the programme.

However, scientists overseeing these trials across the UK note any major differences between the crops over the entire cropping cycle and will consider these as part of their final analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136276,"EventID":"S1O-04270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning last met her counterpart in the National Assembly for Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning last met her counterpart in the National Assembly for Wales.","AnswerText":"I last met the Welsh First Minister, who is my counterpart for industry matters in the National Assembly for Wales, on the 25 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136277,"EventID":"S1O-04273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it next intends to meet representatives of Fife Health Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it next intends to meet representatives of Fife Health Board.","AnswerText":"My and myself intend to meet with representatives of all NHS Boards in Scotland in January. In addition, the Chief Executive and officials of the Health Department maintain frequent contact with representatives of Fife NHS Board, with the next meeting scheduled for January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136278,"EventID":"S1O-04274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priorities it has set in respect of recruiting and training nurse specialists in the NHS in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priorities it has set in respect of recruiting and training nurse specialists in the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A specialist nurse is defined as a person who has successfully completed a post qualification course of study in a specific clinical field and who applies higher levels of judgement, discretion and decision-making in clinical care in order to improve the quality of patient care, meeting the needs of patients within the specialty and in the specific area of practice.

In practice many specialist nurse roles have developed in order to improve the quality of health promotion and care to patients with particular diseases such as, for example, specialist nurses for diabetic patients, and for patients requiring palliative care, pain control, infection control or those with breast cancer.

Recruitment and training of specialist nurses is primarily a matter for individual NHS Trusts to determine in light of the clinical needs and service developments of their area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136279,"EventID":"S1O-04278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) council-owned and (b) private houses occupied by pensioners have had heating installed under its free central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) council-owned and (b) private houses occupied by pensioners have had heating installed under its free central heating programme.","AnswerText":"Eaga have installed 300 systems and surveyed another 1,100 houses. They will have central heating shortly and by 31 March a total of 3,500 owners and private renters will have benefited from the programme. We do not yet have figures for the number of council houses but most authorities tell us they are currently on target to improve a total of 5,000 across Scotland by 31 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136280,"EventID":"S1O-04284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is planning to take in order to improve the financial resources available to Glasgow City Council for tackling poverty and deprivation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is planning to take in order to improve the financial resources available to Glasgow City Council for tackling poverty and deprivation.","AnswerText":"Over this three-year settlement period (2001-02 to 2003-04) we are allocating record levels of grant to Glasgow City Council: £895 million, £958 million and £1,004 million respectively. We are increasing Glasgow's capital allocation by 38% to £40 million by 2003-04. In addition, we have allocated £27 million from the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund and ministers are currently reviewing Glasgow's proposals for spending the first year's allocation. Over the same period, Glasgow will also receive approximately £71 million for the 13 Social Inclusion Partnerships within its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136281,"EventID":"S1O-04288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing a western peripheral route around Aberdeen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing a western peripheral route around Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"Considerable progress has been made on the Modern Transport System proposals for the North East, of which the proposal for a Western Peripheral route is a part. Among other developments, the Executive is funding the development and extension of the Transport Model for Scotland to include the North east.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136282,"EventID":"S1O-04291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards the implementation of the proposed Modern Transport System for the north east of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards the implementation of the proposed Modern Transport System for the north east of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Considerable progress has been made on the Modern Transport System proposals, which have been developed by the local authorities and other partners to the regional transport partnership (NESTRANS). The Executive is working with the partners on a number of proposals, and is funding the development and extension of the Transport Model for Scotland to include the North East.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136283,"EventID":"S1O-04299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is holding talks with drug manufacturers in order to find a strategy that would enable beta interferon to be obtained for patients in Scotland on the NHS and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is holding talks with drug manufacturers in order to find a strategy that would enable beta interferon to be obtained for patients in Scotland on the NHS and what progress has been made in any such talks.","AnswerText":"Along with the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales, the Executive is taking part in discussions with the drug manufacturers to consider a range of options under which drugs for multiple sclerosis might be available on the NHS. One option is a \"risk sharing\" scheme, and until these discussions, which are at an early stage, are concluded detailed information cannot be provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136284,"EventID":"S1O-04304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consult crofters and farmers about the implementation of a new Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consult crofters and farmers about the implementation of a new Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive consulted widely on support for farming in Scotland's less favoured areas when the scheme was initially introduced. It has also been working closely with the Industry Working Group in amending the scheme for 2002. Any future changes will be made in the light of advice from the Industry Working Group and will be based on the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, on which there was a wide consultation. A decision on whether it is necessary to consult more widely on any new scheme will be taken in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136285,"EventID":"S1O-04305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are being taken to tackle drink-driving during the festive season.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are being taken to tackle drink-driving during the festive season.","AnswerText":"The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is conducting an enforcement campaign, focussing on drink-driving, from 10 December to 7 January. The Scottish Road Safety Campaign has arranged complementary publicity. Research, commissioned by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign and published by the Executive on 10 December, found that young male drivers are the key risk group. Publicity during the festive safety campaign is therefore being targeted at this group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136286,"EventID":"S1O-04307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education and Young People will next meet representatives of the Scottish School Board Association.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education and Young People will next meet representatives of the Scottish School Board Association.","AnswerText":"I have no current plans to meet representatives of the Scottish School Board Association but I will try for a suitable opportunity in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136287,"EventID":"S1O-04314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place on addressing the issue of the sex industry in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place on addressing the issue of the sex industry in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Other than the meeting between Mr McAveety and Iain Gray in May on prostitution in the Glasgow Green area, I am not aware of any other discussions that have taken place within the Executive on the sex industry in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136288,"EventID":"S1O-04316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken in order to make health boards more open and accountable.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken in order to make health boards more open and accountable.","AnswerText":"The 15 new NHS Boards, established on 30 September 2001, have brought together and simplified the governance and accountability arrangements of 43 separate health boards and Trusts. The new boards provide - in each local area - a single, identifiable forum for the strategic leadership and direction of all NHS services.

NHS Boards are built on partnership between the NHS and local communities. They meet in public and bring all stakeholders in the local NHS around a single table. Members of NHS Boards now include clinicians, staff, \"lay\" members and councillors from each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.

Clearer, shared accountability to the Scottish Executive and Parliament will be underpinned by a new Performance Assessment Framework, which will provide a consistent, comprehensive and systematic approach to measuring performance right across NHSScotland. The results of the annual assessment of each NHS Board will be made public.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136289,"EventID":"S1O-04317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being offered to Scottish football clubs aiming to establish football academies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being offered to Scottish football clubs aiming to establish football academies.","AnswerText":"The Executive fully supports the development of football academies in Scotland. To assist this, sportscotland has established a Scottish Football Academy strand within the Sports Facilities Programme of the Lottery Sports Fund. A budget of £6 million has been allocated for the period to 31 March 2003 and each eligible project can attract up to £1 million. sportscotland also provides advice and guidance to potential applicants.

In addition to this the newly established Scottish Football Partnership has also committed over £1.5 million to supporting the development of football academies. Each eligible project can attract funding of up to £300,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136290,"EventID":"S1O-04327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the First Minister what plans it has to assess the impact on its policy on fuel poverty resulting from the proposal by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to remove price controls from th","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans it has to assess the impact on its policy on fuel poverty resulting from the proposal by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to remove price controls from the electricity market.","AnswerText":"The effect on the number of fuel poor households will be monitored. I understand that the recent announcement by Ofgem is intended to introduce greater competition in the provision of domestic electricity in Scotland. As such it is welcomed. Our policy of taking households out of fuel poverty, as far as reasonable and practicable, remains unchanged.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136291,"EventID":"S1O-04328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable housing in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable housing in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing in rural areas and in the three years since 1999 will have invested £136 million in rural housing through Scottish Homes, now Communities Scotland. This investment has allowed over 4,100 new homes to be started in rural communities across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136292,"EventID":"S1O-04331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a programme of eyesight screening for all schoolchildren when they start their primary and secondary education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a programme of eyesight screening for all schoolchildren when they start their primary and secondary education.","AnswerText":"Programmes of screening school age children for eye problems are jointly determined by local NHS Boards and local authorities. NHS sight tests are available free to people under 16 or under 19 in full-time education. The UK National Screening Committee indicates that there is little evidence to support a universal vision screening programme for school age children and the Executive has no plans to introduce one.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136293,"EventID":"S1O-04334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that additional monies made available for human resources development within universities are used to enhance the job security of contra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that additional monies made available for human resources development within universities are used to enhance the job security of contract research staff.","AnswerText":"It is for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) to decide how these resources will be most effectively used. The recent guidance letter in which this additional funding was announced also specifically highlighted the need for SHEFC to continue to build on its work in promoting good practice in relation to contract research staff, including the collection of annual statistics on this group.

In considering how it will use these resources, I am sure the council will bear the guidance provided to it in mind.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136294,"EventID":"S1O-04342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its recent Action Plan on nurse recruitment and retention includes specific measures to retain nurse specialists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its recent Action Plan on nurse recruitment and retention includes specific measures to retain nurse specialists.","AnswerText":"While there are no specific measures in the Action Plan, this is an area that will be explored within the Facing the Future implementation group which I am chairing. The group will meet for the first time in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136295,"EventID":"S1O-04345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the level of public transport services in rural communities. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the level of public transport services in rural communities. ","AnswerText":"Through our Rural Transport Fund we have supported over 400 improved local services, 100 Rural Community Transport projects and 33 rural petrol stations.

We also support air and ferry services through record levels of investment in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136296,"EventID":"S1O-04350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the monitoring by the Performance Audit Group of BEAR (Scotland) Ltd's trunk road maintenance contract has found any shortcomings in their winter road maintenance","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the monitoring by the Performance Audit Group of BEAR (Scotland) Ltd's trunk road maintenance contract has found any shortcomings in their winter road maintenance performance on the Highland trunk road network during the last six weeks.","AnswerText":"The monitoring carried out to date has not found evidence that BEAR Scotland Ltd has failed to meet its contractual obligations with regard to winter maintenance in the Highlands.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136297,"EventID":"S1O-04352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further assistance it plans to make available to Angus Council to help it meet the costs of the replacement bridge over the South Esk at Montrose.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further assistance it plans to make available to Angus Council to help it meet the costs of the replacement bridge over the South Esk at Montrose.","AnswerText":"The Executive announced on 23 November that Angus Council would receive £2.8 million, included in its capital allocations, to enable work to start on the Montrose Bridge replacement project. We will continue to work with Angus Council on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136298,"EventID":"S1O-04353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish School Board Association.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish School Board Association.","AnswerText":"The then Minister for Education, Mr Jack McConnell, met with representatives of the Scottish School Board Association (SSBA) on 4 July 2001. He requested that officials should hold a follow-up meeting, which took place on 5 December 2001. I met Ann Hill, Chief Executive of the SSBA, at the launch of the Discipline Task Group action plan on 12 December 2001. There are no formal plans for a further meeting, but ministers and officials meet representatives of the SSBA regularly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136299,"EventID":"S1O-04359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on waiting lists for heart by-pass surgery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on waiting lists for heart by-pass surgery.","AnswerText":"On 30 September 2001, the number of patients waiting for Adult Cardiac Surgery, which includes patients waiting for heart bypass operations, was 620.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136300,"EventID":"S1O-04360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations have been made for the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000 concerning the recycling of refrigerators and free'ers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations have been made for the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000 concerning the recycling of refrigerators and free'ers.","AnswerText":"The new requirement that ozone-depleting substances in the foam insulation of fridges have to be recovered during disposal is proving a complicated problem for the UK and other EC countries. The Executive has been working closely with other Government Departments to prepare technical standards for both storage and treatment of fridges. We are now working with local authorities to assess the costs involved. Last week I announced that I would make additional funding available to authorities for this financial year to assist with the cost of storage.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136301,"EventID":"S1O-04362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that bus companies provide routes and timetables that reflect the expectations of existing and potential passengers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that bus companies provide routes and timetables that reflect the expectations of existing and potential passengers.","AnswerText":"Local transport authorities are required to secure the provision of public passenger transport services which are not provided on a commercial basis.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 provides for statutory consultation procedures with local bus users when Quality Partnerships, Quality Contracts, ticketing schemes and the provision of information are being developed by local transport authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136302,"EventID":"S1O-04365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently being prescribed anti-depressants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently being prescribed anti-depressants.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136303,"EventID":"S1O-04366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals for land reform will benefit rural communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals for land reform will benefit rural communities.","AnswerText":"The access provisions of the Bill will not only provide the public with greater confidence to visit the Scottish countryside, but result in more opportunity for them to do so by the creation of new paths. There is growing interest in outdoor recreation on the part of both Scots themselves and visitors from elsewhere. The legislation will help encourage greater participation in outdoor pursuits, creating opportunities for rural communities and bringing benefits to rural economies.

The community right to buy will benefit rural communities by providing greater opportunities for them to determine their own future. It will enable them to register an interest in, and subsequently purchase, land with which they can demonstrate a connection. This will provide rural communities with a right to buy when the land which is subject to the registered interest comes to be sold. If the community decides to proceed, it will have six months to raise the necessary funding to make ownership of the land a reality. This will give rural communities much more time to organise funding than at present, where they may have only a few weeks to do so.

The crofting community right to buy will enable crofting communities to acquire the land on which they live and work, and by doing so give them control over the land and the ability to develop their communities. More than that, it decisively changes the balance of power between the community and the landowner, and will ensure that landowners pay proper regard to the needs of these communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136304,"EventID":"S1O-04368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is undertaking to reduce traffic congestion in Aberdeen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is undertaking to reduce traffic congestion in Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"NESTRANS, the regional transport partnership, has developed its "Modern Transport System" a strategy which involves measures to help ease traffic flow in and around the city and to provide a better system of public transport. One such measure is the new Park & Ride service from Kingswells, which opened in September, and is now used by around 2,500 people every week. The Scottish Executive will work with the partnership and its constituent local authorities to identify the other measures necessary to deliver the road traffic reduction targets outlined in their transport strategies.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136305,"EventID":"S1O-04370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses in assessing requests from local authorities for additional funding to prevent the closure of rural schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses in assessing requests from local authorities for additional funding to prevent the closure of rural schools.","AnswerText":"Funding for local authorities is not provided on this basis. Local authorities are responsible for funding the schools in their areas from the general resources available to them and determine their own priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136306,"EventID":"S1O-04372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve adult numeracy and literacy standards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve adult numeracy and literacy standards.","AnswerText":"I am providing £22.5 million over three years to raise levels of adult literacy and numeracy in Scotland, and expect 80,000 people to benefit during this period. The initiative will be supported by the new agency, Communities Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136307,"EventID":"S1O-04379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in combating domestic abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in combating domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"A National Group to Address Domestic Abuse was established in April and continues to take forward the implementation of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. Three issue-based working groups have been set up: to review legislation relating to domestic abuse; to review recommendations on refuge provision, and to develop a prevention strategy.

Significant resources have been committed to this implementation including a total of £12 million for a Refuge Development Programme and £6 million over four years for the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund.

On 6 December we launched a new phase of our awareness raising campaign. Targeted at 16 to 25-year-olds, its aim is to reach new audiences through the use of different media, such as beermats, outdoor posters, convenience advertising and a website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136308,"EventID":"S1O-04381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the merger of the two leading cancer charities, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign, will have on cancer care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the merger of the two leading cancer charities, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign, will have on cancer care.","AnswerText":"No immediate effect on cancer care is anticipated. However, the Scottish Executive welcomes the potential opportunities offered for the future from the amalgamation of these two highly respected and well recognised organisations and hopes that the new merged charity will continue to support the work of the National Cancer Research Institute.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136339,"EventID":"S1O-04469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of the Scottish Arts Council and what issues will be discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of the Scottish Arts Council and what issues will be discussed.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in regular contact with the council and its representatives with whom they meet frequently. A wide range of issues relating to the arts in Scotland is discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136340,"EventID":"S1O-04475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information on the number of speakers of the 60 ethnic community languages spoken in Scotland as a first language.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information on the number of speakers of the 60 ethnic community languages spoken in Scotland as a first language.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently considering ways in which it might be able to access more detailed information about the prevalence of ethnic community languages in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136341,"EventID":"S1O-04480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote good practice in integrating asylum seekers and refugee children into schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote good practice in integrating asylum seekers and refugee children into schools.","AnswerText":"We are aware that a great deal of good practice exists in our schools in integrating asylum seeker and refugee children into the school community. Last week Nicol Stephen launched a newsletter, Welcoming Newcomers, which aims to share best practice and promote race equality in all our schools. This will be distributed to all schools and equal opportunity interest groups.

On Monday Iain Gray chaired the first meeting of the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum. This new forum will be used to drive Executive policy on the devolved matters which affect people who have been granted asylum, such as housing, health, and education. The forum will help to develop action plans, based on best practice, to bring together refugees and existing communities, with the provision of more accessible and co-ordinated services.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136342,"EventID":"S1O-04481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring new subordinate legislation forward in relation to the operation of Individual Learning Accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring new subordinate legislation forward in relation to the operation of Individual Learning Accounts.","AnswerText":"We intend that the new regulations will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible. We will, however, first wish to consider carefully what changes may need to be made to any scheme, and incorporated in those regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136343,"EventID":"S1O-04489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the bid to host the European Football Championships in 2008.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the bid to host the European Football Championships in 2008.","AnswerText":"The First Minister explained in his statement to Parliament on 23 January that, having considered carefully the practicalities, costs and benefits of staging Euro 2008, the Executive supports a potential joint bid with the Republic of Ireland. Executive officials are presently in consultation with the Irish Government and the SFA.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136344,"EventID":"S1O-04491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the issues identified in the report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, Standards and Quality in Primary and Secondary Sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the issues identified in the report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, Standards and Quality in Primary and Secondary Schools 1998-2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4488 on 24 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136345,"EventID":"S1O-04493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1889,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":28,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to promote an interest in genealogy in Scotland and abroad.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to promote an interest in genealogy in Scotland and abroad.","AnswerText":"Yes. Earlier today, I launched a new tourism and genealogy website- ancestralscotland.com. This website, which has been developed by VisitScotland, will encourage users from around the world to both research their ancestry and to visit those parts of Scotland where their ancestors lived.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136346,"EventID":"S1O-04495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution is being made to the development of citi'enship and global values in education by the teaching of Modern Studies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution is being made to the development of citi'enship and global values in education by the teaching of Modern Studies.","AnswerText":"Modern Studies is one of a range of subjects which contribute to the development of citizenship and global values. Along with the development of a good school ethos, Modern Studies can make a valuable contribution to pupils' learning in relation to these issues. Citizenship and global values are further explored in the Scottish Executive document An International Outlook which was distributed to schools in October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136446,"EventID":"S1O-04896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to ensure that Glasgow's local authority tenants are empowered to run housing services in their communities should there be a yes vote in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to ensure that Glasgow's local authority tenants are empowered to run housing services in their communities should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.","AnswerText":"If tenants vote \"yes\" in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot, local Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) tenants will be in control through their Local Housing Organisations (LHO) and will have a real say in all decisions affecting housing matters in their area. The committees of each LHO will comprise a majority of GHA tenants and will be responsible for the day to day management of their area's housing stock and delivering housing services on the ground.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136447,"EventID":"S1O-04899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what was discussed at the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on 7 March 2002 and what the outcomes were. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what was discussed at the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on 7 March 2002 and what the outcomes were. ","AnswerText":"The meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on the European Union on 7 March considered preparations for the Barcelona European Council and arrangements for the European Convention which will discuss the Future of Europe.

The meeting provided a further opportunity to feed a Scottish devolved perspective into the UK's objectives and priorities for the Barcelona Council. The meeting also agreed a set of mechanisms to ensure the full involvement of the devolved administrations in the development of the UK's position as the convention moves forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136448,"EventID":"S1O-04909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the contractual status of HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the contractual status of HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"No. Scottish Prison Service see no need to do so as the contract is working well.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136449,"EventID":"S1O-04910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent correspondence it has had from the Dundee Young Women's Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent correspondence it has had from the Dundee Young Women's Centre.","AnswerText":"The Executive has recently received five letters from or on behalf of the Dundee Young Women's Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136450,"EventID":"S1O-04912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its proposals are for future shipments of livestock to and from the Northern Isles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its proposals are for future shipments of livestock to and from the Northern Isles.","AnswerText":"Livestock shipping in the Northern Isles is a commercial matter for ferry operators, subsidised by the Executive through the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme. The new operator, NorthLink, plans to carry livestock in cassettes on their freight vessel. We are currently considering how the TRS scheme might apply to this new system. We are also considering possible contingency arrangements in case sufficient cassettes, for whatever reason, are not ready in time for this year's peak carrying season. Officials are seeking to keep the livestock industry informed of developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136451,"EventID":"S1O-04919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken as part of its child health strategy to tackle respiratory conditions amongst children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken as part of its child health strategy to tackle respiratory conditions amongst children.","AnswerText":"Our Child Health Support Group Template for Child Health Services provides a framework for Unified NHS Boards and Trusts to plan, commission and monitor services for children, and defines the essential components of a local child health service. This includes reference to respiratory medicine and provision of specialist nursing services. A number of clinical guidelines have also been produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) on the management of asthma. These include guidance on Hospital In-patient Management of Acute Asthma Attacks, Primary Care Management of Asthma and Self Management Plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136452,"EventID":"S1O-04927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to assist the Arbroath fish processing industry. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to assist the Arbroath fish processing industry. ","AnswerText":"We have budgeted for more than £25 million in aid for fish processing and marketing under our 2000-06 FIFG programmes. In addition to this, some £18 million has been made available to processors throughout Scotland to assist capital investments in facilities and plant and equipment.

One fish processor in Arbroath has so far applied for and been awarded £36,000 assistance and a further two applications requesting £14,000 assistance are presently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136453,"EventID":"S1O-04935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting the target of creating a network of learning centres around the country.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting the target of creating a network of learning centres around the country.","AnswerText":"Scottish University for Industry Ltd was charged by the Executive to develop a national network of 300 learndirect scotland branded learning centres by 31 March 2002. It has achieved its target a month ahead of schedule and there are now 301 branded learning centres located across the length and breadth of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136454,"EventID":"S1O-04936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that adequate resources are in place to provide suitable support and counselling services to prevent recurrent homelessness of people ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that adequate resources are in place to provide suitable support and counselling services to prevent recurrent homelessness of people who have been re-housed.","AnswerText":"I have made available an additional £11 million in the next two years to begin delivery of the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force. Local authorities and others will also be expected to deploy existing resources more efficiently and effectively. In addition, resources available through Supporting People will fund a range of housing support services for people at risk of homelessness. The case for further resources will be considered as part of the forthcoming spending review.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136455,"EventID":"S1O-04937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support local authorities to help with the cost of disposing of old fridges and free'ers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support local authorities to help with the cost of disposing of old fridges and free'ers.","AnswerText":"I announced a package of additional grant assistance for local authorities on 7 March, in response to question S1W-23475 on 7 March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136456,"EventID":"S1O-04938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce how the #2 million which is still available for agricultural recovery following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce how the #2 million which is still available for agricultural recovery following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be spent.","AnswerText":"As I announced recently at the AGM of NFU Scotland, we are committed to using the £2 million to assist the livestock sector. We are exploring how this money might be used to best effect and will take account of any views expressed by the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136457,"EventID":"S1O-04943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce instances of cryptosporidiosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce instances of cryptosporidiosis.","AnswerText":"Cryptosporidiosis can be passed on by person to person contact, direct contact with animals, or in water, if treatment is inadequate or compromised.

In addition to the issue of general advice on hygiene matters, the Executive issued the Cryptosporidium Direction to Scottish water authorities in February 2000. The Direction requires water authorities to implement the recommendations of the UK Group of Experts on Cryptosporidium in Water, which include monitoring for the presence of the parasite in water.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136556,"EventID":"S1O-05252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1862,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":37,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the theft of osprey eggs in Perthshire, when it will introduce legislation to strengthen the laws on wildlife crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the theft of osprey eggs in Perthshire, when it will introduce legislation to strengthen the laws on wildlife crime.","AnswerText":"As the First Minister announced this morning, we will bring forward a draft Nature Conservation Bill by March 2003. That draft bill - including important measures dealing with wildlife crime - will then be available to be taken forward and introduced by the incoming administration, following next year's elections.

I was appalled by the recent thefts, and by other recent incidents including the apparent poisoning of a sea eagle. Such acts are utterly unacceptable. That is why I am delighted that the Deputy First Minister was also able to announce this morning that we will accelerate our proposals on custodial sentences and a new power of arrest ahead of the main bill.

These important initiatives, which will significantly strengthen the hand of the police and the courts in dealing with wildlife crime, will be introduced in the form of amendments to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136557,"EventID":"S1O-05258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of recent press articles, its position on not reviewing local authority boundaries in the foreseeable future has changed. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of recent press articles, its position on not reviewing local authority boundaries in the foreseeable future has changed. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans for a review of local authority boundaries.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136558,"EventID":"S1O-05260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken with women about equality issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken with women about equality issues.","AnswerText":"We are committed to equality for women. The Scottish Executive's Equality Strategy sets out how we are delivering on that commitment and improving consultation is fundamental to that strategy. Equality for women is at the heart of the Executive's priorities on health, education, transport, crime and jobs. Our consultation exercises play a key role in identifying equality issues and making sure that the voices of women are heard in the policy-making process.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136559,"EventID":"S1O-05262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any responsibilities in respect of the location of police force headquarters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any responsibilities in respect of the location of police force headquarters.","AnswerText":"Section 2(4) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 stipulates that a police authority may, subject to the consent of the Scottish ministers, provide and maintain such land and buildings and other structures as may be required for the purposes of a police force.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136561,"EventID":"S1O-05279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"I met with Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board on 20 May and had a productive discussion on tourism issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136562,"EventID":"S1O-05281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what decision it has reached on which first-round funding bids to improve school buildings have been successful.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what decision it has reached on which first-round funding bids to improve school buildings have been successful.","AnswerText":"These bids are under consideration and we shall announce our decisions shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136563,"EventID":"S1O-05294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review its policy on hospital-acquired infection in the light of the outbreak of winter vomiting at Raigmore Hospital. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review its policy on hospital-acquired infection in the light of the outbreak of winter vomiting at Raigmore Hospital. ","AnswerText":"We have introduced a series of measures to help the NHS deal with hospital-acquired infection. An appropriate time to review these will be the hospital-acquired infection convention at end June.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136629,"EventID":"S1O-05504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the reports of the inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the reports of the inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the Convenor of the Rural Development Committee on 16 July to make the Committee aware of the publication of the first of the official GB Inquiries into foot-and-mouth disease and explaining that the Scottish Executive would respond collectively to the conclusions and recommendations from the Royal Society, Royal Society of Edinburgh and Dr Iain Anderson's Lessons to be Learned reports. I plan to let the committee have the Executive's detailed response to the three reports this autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136630,"EventID":"S1O-05508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to develop the inshore fishing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to develop the inshore fishing industry.","AnswerText":"I hope we can improve management of our inshore fisheries through the review of the Common Fisheries Policy and dialogue in the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136631,"EventID":"S1O-05509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Performance Audit Group on the performance of Amey Highways Ltd.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Performance Audit Group on the performance of Amey Highways Ltd.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the generally positive findings of the detailed report by the Performance Audit Group on the performance of the trunk road Operating Companies, including Amey Highways. The report makes it clear that shortfalls are being addressed and either have already been resolved or are being actively progressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136633,"EventID":"S1O-05512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the management of fishing of deepwater species. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the management of fishing of deepwater species. ","AnswerText":"I remain unhappy with the Council agreement on deep-water species. I promised the Scottish Fishermen's Federation a letter to the Commission. That letter has now issued from Elliot Morley's office asking the Commission to take into account the neglected views of the industry. We now expect the regulation to be adopted formally at a forthcoming Council, and will be consulting the industry shortly on management arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136635,"EventID":"S1O-05525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1862,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":37,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether preparations for the introduction of off-peak concessionary travel for older people are on schedule.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether preparations for the introduction of off-peak concessionary travel for older people are on schedule.","AnswerText":"Yes. All local authorities are committed to provide, as a minimum, free local off-peak concessionary bus travel from 30 September 2002.

I launched the first strand of the Executive's publicity campaign on Tuesday of this week to ensure that elderly and disabled people who are eligible for concessionary travel are aware that these enhancements will soon be in place.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136638,"EventID":"S1O-05538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a review of NHS dental fees.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a review of NHS dental fees.","AnswerText":"No. NHS dental fees are reviewed annually by the independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136639,"EventID":"S1O-05542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in cutting NHS waiting lists. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in cutting NHS waiting lists. ","AnswerText":"I have already announced that reducing waiting times is our key priority because waiting times are important to the public and less waiting can improve the quality of clinical care.

We have already set a maximum six month waiting time for in-patient and day case treatment by 2005 and specific targets for cancer and heart disease. Earlier today we announced a maximum wait of six months for a first out-patient appointment by 2006. The National Waiting Times Unit is working with NHSScotland to help ensure that these targets are delivered.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136641,"EventID":"S1O-05555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a strategy to reduce the number of drug abusers who are currently reliant upon methadone.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a strategy to reduce the number of drug abusers who are currently reliant upon methadone.","AnswerText":"There is a wealth of national and international research evidence to support prescribing of methadone as a substitute for illegal opiate-based drugs. The duration and dosage of methadone prescriptions are matters for individual patients and their health professionals to determine. Guidance on substitute prescribing is included in our Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Managemen.

The Executive's Effective Interventions Unit has also produced and disseminated a report Moving On, which provides information to service providers on effective ways to help recovering drug misusers into education, training and employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":136642,"EventID":"S1O-05556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits Eco-schools will bring.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits Eco-schools will bring.","AnswerText":"The Eco-schools programme will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to learn about sustainable development, to put it into practice in their local environment and to share their ideas and experiences with other young people around the world.

As the First Minister explained in answer to Rhona Brankin's question on 4 September, I will shortly submit a report on the development of the Eco-schools programme in Scotland to the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":148937,"EventID":"S1W-12174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which recruitment agencies the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body uses.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which recruitment agencies the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body uses.","AnswerText":"The principal recruitment agency used by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to fill temporary vacancies is Pertemps. The SPCB also uses Kelly Services and Office Personnel but to a much lesser extent.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":148938,"EventID":"S1W-12175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body follows any guidelines when contracting recruitment agencies and what factors, other than cost, are considered in such de","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body follows any guidelines when contracting recruitment agencies and what factors, other than cost, are considered in such decisions.","AnswerText":"When contracting for recruitment agency services the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body follows the guidelines set out in the Scottish Parliament Procurement Policy Manual.

Factors other than cost taken into consideration when reaching contract award decisions include capability, technical ability and financial viability. In the evaluation for recruitment agency contracts, the following criteria were used:

Organisation

Length of time established

 

Number of employees & organisation structure

 

Membership of relevant associations etc.

Administration

How performance of placements are monitored

 

Type of management information available & quality procedures

 

Support & guidance available to the placement and the Scottish Parliament

Placements

Previous experience of placements similar to our requirements

 

How many suitably qualified candidates they currently have

 

How they envisage resourcing the service required

 

Contingency arrangements e.g. cover for sickness

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":148996,"EventID":"S1W-12234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its social inclusion policy, it will make representations to all banks in Scotland to seek changes in the rules on verification framework and regardin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its social inclusion policy, it will make representations to all banks in Scotland to seek changes in the rules on verification framework and regarding the production of original bank books, building society accounts and other documents, in particular in relation to older people.","AnswerText":"Regulation of financial services is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive is working with the Scottish financial institutions to encourage the promotion of more inclusive products and practices.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":148997,"EventID":"S1W-12235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to seek a change in the rules for Crisis Loans so that an applicant need not apply in person in remote a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to seek a change in the rules for Crisis Loans so that an applicant need not apply in person in remote areas of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Benefits, including the provision of Crisis Loans, are a matter reserved to the UK Government. It is therefore for the DSS to decide how they should best be administered. The Scottish Executive will continue its regular dialogue with UK Ministers on how the Scottish Executive and the UK Government can best work together to tackle such issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":148998,"EventID":"S1W-12237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1990,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":64,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the clear-up rate of recorded crimes was (a) in each category of crime and (b) in total for (i) each police force and (ii) Scotland in 1979, 1987 and in each year si","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the clear-up rate of recorded crimes was (a) in each category of crime and (b) in total for (i) each police force and (ii) Scotland in 1979, 1987 and in each year since 1992.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table.

Crimes cleared up by the police as a percentage of those recorded

Police force area

1979

1987

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Central

Total crimes

38

48

54

53

54

59

59

57

57

55

Non-sexual crimes of violence

86

87

92

91

93

93

93

94

92

91

Crimes of indecency

Net Grant Earning Expenditure (£000)

Force

1979-80

1987-88

1991-92

1992-93

1993-94

Central

5,600

15,459

21,973

23,738

25,467

D&G

3,465

9,377

13,570

14,544

16,108

Fife

7,320

18,728

26,258

28,691

30,343

Grampian

10,684

28,865

40,419

44,245

46,011

L&B

24,945

61,996

88,032

97,213

100,516

Northern

7,530

18,406

26,086

28,005

29,131

Strathclyde

78,182

177,442

234,895

252,153

267,669

Tayside

11,587

28,169

36,974

40,307

43,511

Total

149,313

358,442

488,207

528,896

558,756

 

Number of Police Officers as at the 31 March Each Year

 

1979

1987

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Central

509

552

645

653

658

656

657

686

703

719

721

D&G

311

334

385

385

386

391

390

412

439

437

451

Fife

671

740

790

790

791

789

790

831

855

Number of crimes recorded by police force area

Police force area

1979

1987

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Central

Total crimes

13,844

19,971

22,125

20,786

18,985

17,672

16,552

15,661

17,066

17,627

Non-sexual crimes of violence

267

653

947

748

682

761

822

629

620

652

Crimes of indecency

171

277

239

257

243

188

Persons with a charge proved by police force area and main crime

Police Force Area

1979

1987

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Central

Total crimes

2,433

3,735

3,300

3,072

2,975

2,971

2,673

2,477

2,020

2,179

Non-sexual crimes of violence

140

128

182

144

160

152

166

136

138

143

Crime of indecency

38

59

45

37

 scotland and the Local Enterprise Companies will continue marketing initiatives to maintain this early momentum.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149012,"EventID":"S1W-12253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by Peter Peacock on 2 November 2000 that announcements would be made before Christmas on how the discussion of a small business rates relief sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by Peter Peacock on 2 November 2000 that announcements would be made before Christmas on how the discussion of a small business rates relief scheme would be taken forward (Official Report, col. 1320) and to the statement by Angus MacKay on 7 December 2000 that an announcement would be made later that month about the point reached in consideration of such a scheme (Official Report, col. 694), why no such announcements were made.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering a range of measures, including the issue of rates relief, which taken together will be of real benefit to small businesses. An announcement will be made soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149013,"EventID":"S1W-12254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many 18 to 24-year-olds left the New Deal between 1 January and 31 December 1999, and of those (i) how many have then gone into sustained, unsubsidised employment and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many 18 to 24-year-olds left the New Deal between 1 January and 31 December 1999, and of those (i) how many have then gone into sustained, unsubsidised employment and (ii) how many have an unknown destination, broken down by parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

21,325 18 to 24-year-olds left the New Deal between 1 January and 31 December 1999. Detailed information, broken down by parliamentary constituency, of those leaving New Deal between 1 January and 31 December 1999 who have (i) gone into sustained unsubsidised employment and (ii) have gone into unknown destinations can be found in tables held by the Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. No. 10610).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149014,"EventID":"S1W-12255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether statistics collected on the participation in and the outcomes from the New Deal are broken down by (a) ethnic origin and (b) gender.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether statistics collected on the participation in and the outcomes from the New Deal are broken down by (a) ethnic origin and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

Detailed statistics on the participation in, and the outcomes from the New Deal, are published by ethnic origin and gender in the DfEE monthly news release figures at a GB level.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149015,"EventID":"S1W-12256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what number and value of funding bids was made to the Scottish Office and to it in each year since 1995-96 for the repair of school buildings in (i) Scotland and (ii) eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what number and value of funding bids was made to the Scottish Office and to it in each year since 1995-96 for the repair of school buildings in (i) Scotland and (ii) each education authority area.","AnswerText":"Repairs to school buildings may be funded by local authorities from either their revenue or capital expenditure resources. The arrangements for the annual local government finance settlement for revenue expenditure and the annual single allocations of consent to local authorities to incur capital expenditure do not require authorities to make bids for specific areas of expenditure such as expenditure on repairs to school buildings.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149016,"EventID":"S1W-12257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) total budget and (b) amount of any budget deficit was for each higher education institution in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) total budget and (b) amount of any budget deficit was for each higher education institution in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is responsible for monitoring the financial health of the higher education institutions it funds in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149017,"EventID":"S1W-12258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) NHS Trusts and (b) health boards fall within which parliamentary constituencies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) NHS Trusts and (b) health boards fall within which parliamentary constituencies.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the health board area in which each parliamentary constituency is located, and the NHS Trusts which provide services from locations within the health board area:

Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies

showing their corresponding Health Board Areas and local NHS Trusts

Parliamentary Constituency

Health Board

Area1

NHS Trusts within Health Board Area2

Aberdeen Central

Grampian

Grampian University; Grampian Primary Care

Aberdeen North

Grampian

Grampian University; Grampian Primary Care

Aberdeen South

Grampian

Grampian University; Grampian Primary Care

Airdrie & Shotts

Lanarkshire

Lanarkshire Acute; Lanarkshire Primary Care

Angus

Tayside

Tayside University; Tayside Primary Care

Argyll & Bute

Argyll & Clyde

Argyll & Clyde Acute; Lomond & Argyll Primary Care;

Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Primary Care

Ayr

Ayrshire & Arran

Ayrshire & Arran Acute; Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care

Banff & Buchan

Grampian

Grampian University; Grampian Primary Care

Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross

Highland

Highland Acute; Highland Primary Care

Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley

Table 1: 1999-2000

1999-2000

Trust

Total Income

Surplus/ (Deficit)

£000

£000

Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

139,227

(3,521)

Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Primary Care NHS Trust

149,159

(1,518)

Lomond and Argyll Primary Care NHS Trust

81,653

188

Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals Trust

142,525

588

Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care NHS Trust

172,474

373

Borders General Hospital NHS Trust

38,813

185

Borders Primary Care NHS Trust

58,146

44

Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

50,292

473

Dumfries and Galloway Primary Care NHS Trust

89,088

155

Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

100,815

Details of cancellations of planned admissions to hospitals are collected centrally and published annually in Scottish Health Statistics, which is available in SPICe. The latest edition of Scottish Health Statistics is Bib. no. 6937.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149020,"EventID":"S1W-12261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds were available in each NHS Trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year from 1992 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds were available in each NHS Trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year from 1992 to date.","AnswerText":"Information on bed numbers, by NHS Trust, has been collected centrally since 1996-97. Prior to that date, it was collected only by health board area. Details of bed numbers are published annually in Scottish Health Statistics which is available in SPICe. The latest edition is Bib. no. 6937.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149021,"EventID":"S1W-12262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to provide schoolchildren with greater opportunities to participate in creative activities outwith school hours.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to provide schoolchildren with greater opportunities to participate in creative activities outwith school hours.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports and encourages such opportunities.

Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, published in August 2000, promotes creativity in the arts and other cultural activity, especially by children and young people. A key priority is to recognise and celebrate schools as centres of creativity.

The Executive is providing £27 million to 2002 under the Excellence Fund Core Programme for study support, some of which will have a creative element.

The New Opportunities Fund has made available over £23 million for out of school hours learning activity and over £25 million for out of school care. The learning activity includes creative ventures in the arts to help raise the self-esteem and confidence of pupils. Many out of school clubs provide good opportunities for participation in creative activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149022,"EventID":"S1W-12263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will finalise the distribution of any Excellence Fund Core Programme and Special Programme monies for 2000-2001 that have not yet been allocated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will finalise the distribution of any Excellence Fund Core Programme and Special Programme monies for 2000-2001 that have not yet been allocated.","AnswerText":"£13.45 million remained unallocated in the Excellence Fund for financial year 2000-01, the majority of which was originally planned for initiatives linked to the new system of pay and conditions for teachers. All of this money will now be used to help with the introduction of that new system over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149023,"EventID":"S1W-12264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities exercised their discretionary powers to establish a cash incentive scheme funded through their own resources to enable tenants to purchase a home","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities exercised their discretionary powers to establish a cash incentive scheme funded through their own resources to enable tenants to purchase a home on the open market in each of the last four financial years and in the current financial year to date.","AnswerText":"Over the last five financial years, the following local authorities notified the Scottish Executive, or previously the Scottish Office, that they were operating cash incentive schemes.
 

1996/97

1997/98

1998/99

1999/2000

2000/01

West Lothian Council

√

√

√

√

√

Aberdeenshire Council

√

√

√

√

 

Highland Council

√

√

√

Argyll & Bute Council

√

√

√

√

√

Western Isles Council

√

√

   
","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149024,"EventID":"S1W-12265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the event of any large-scale stock transfers, local authority housing rent arrears which exist at the time of the transfer will remain the responsibility of l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the event of any large-scale stock transfers, local authority housing rent arrears which exist at the time of the transfer will remain the responsibility of local authorities or transfer to the relevant housing association.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for dealing with rent arrears will be a matter for negotiation between the relevant council and acquiring landlord, and will be set out in the contract of sale.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149025,"EventID":"S1W-12266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the rate of inflation will be in 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the rate of inflation will be in 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not forecast inflation. For reference, the latest HM Treasury forecast for inflation, covering the period to 2003, was published in Building Long-Term Prosperity for All: Pre-Budget Report (November 2000).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149026,"EventID":"S1W-12267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish any new non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, to specify these.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish any new non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, to specify these.","AnswerText":"As part of our drive to modernise government structures, the Executive is carrying out a radical review of all Scottish Public Bodies. We will consider what role public bodies should play in the devolved Scotland and how they should operate and be accountable to Ministers and Parliament. We will be considering the scope for reduction in the number of public bodies through abolition and merger, and the circumstances in which new ones should be created.

I shall make a statement on the way ahead following the review around the end of May.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149027,"EventID":"S1W-12268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to abolish any non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, which ones.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to abolish any non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, which ones.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149028,"EventID":"S1W-12269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to merge any non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, which ones.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to merge any non-departmental public bodies in 2001 and, if so, which ones.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149029,"EventID":"S1W-12270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources are available for investment in research infrastructure in Scottish higher education institutions in the current year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources are available for investment in research infrastructure in Scottish higher education institutions in the current year.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to building a modern knowledge economy in Scotland, underpinned by world-class scientists, and world-class research equipment and facilities. The new knowledge produced by scientists and researchers in Scotland brings social and economic benefits to the people of Scotland in terms of new technology, new products, new services and new jobs.

The Executive has, therefore, increased the grant to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) by £3 million in the current financial year, specifically for capital for research infrastructure. I welcome the Funding Council's early decision on the allocation of these resources and specifically its announcement that £2.5 million is to be invested in Biomedical Research Laboratories at Aberdeen University.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149030,"EventID":"S1W-12271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken by each health board to fill nursing vacancies was in each year from 1990 to the current year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken by each health board to fill nursing vacancies was in each year from 1990 to the current year.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally, but can be obtained from individual health boards and Trusts. The names and addresses of all health boards and Trusts are available on the Scottish Health on the Web website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149031,"EventID":"S1W-12272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which of the works package contracts let in relation to the Holyrood Project have been completed; whether each ongoing contract is proceeding according to the agreed times","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which of the works package contracts let in relation to the Holyrood Project have been completed; whether each ongoing contract is proceeding according to the agreed timescale, and what the original and revised date of completion is in each case where any contract has been subject to delay.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has provided a list of works package contracts, which have been completed to date, as follows:

1. Retention West Basement

2. Excavation West

3. Well Probing

4. Well Drilling

5. Piling West Basement

6. Substructure West Basement

Ongoing contracts are proceeding according to timescales set out in the Construction Manager's strategic construction programme which continues to have a target completion date of 31 December 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149032,"EventID":"S1W-12273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what capital contracts have been let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project, indicating in each case the successful tenderer and the timescale for each works package.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what capital contracts have been let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project, indicating in each case the successful tenderer and the timescale for each works package.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

Works Package

Contractor

Estimated contract duration

Retention West Basement

Amec Civil Engineering Ltd

4 months

Excavation West

Barr Ltd

3 months

Well Probing

Wimtec Environmental Ltd

11 months

Piling West Basement

Amec Civil Engineering Ltd

3 months

Substructure West Basement

O'Rourke Civil Engineering Ltd

5 months

Tower Cranes

Select Plant Hire Ltd

20 months

Asbestos/Pigeon Dropping Removal

Chamic Industrial Services Ltd

5 months

Well Drilling

Richies Ltd

5 months

QH Scaffolding

Lyndon Scaffolding PLC

19 months

MSP Frame

O'Rourke Civil Engineering Ltd

10 months

Electrical Enabling Works

James Scott Ltd

10 months

Lifts Whole Site

Otis Limited

24 months

QH Demolition/Reconstruction

Ballast Construction Scotland Ltd

17 months

Substructure East Basement

O'Rourke Civil Engineering Limited

7 months

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149033,"EventID":"S1W-12274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what capital contracts are currently out to tender, in relation to the Holyrood Project, indicating in each case the timescale for return of tenders, award of contracts, c","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what capital contracts are currently out to tender, in relation to the Holyrood Project, indicating in each case the timescale for return of tenders, award of contracts, commencement on site and completion of works.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has provided a list of contracts which are currently out to tender, including those where tenders have been returned but the contract award has still to be made, as follows.

1. MSP Building Cladding.

2. Queensberry House New Windows/Doors.

3. MSP Building Roofing.

4. Queensberry House External Render.

5. MSP Building Carpentry & Joinery.

6. Mechanical & Plumbing, West.

7. Electrical West.

8. Broadcasting & Allied Systems.

Under Construction Management arrangements, individual works package contracts proceed according to timescales set out in the strategic construction programme. The programme is updated and rescheduled on an ongoing basis to obtain best value for money and to achieve the target completion date which remains as 31 December 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149034,"EventID":"S1W-12275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total value is of all works packages let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project, and what proportion of the construction and construction contingency budget ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total value is of all works packages let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project, and what proportion of the construction and construction contingency budget of #119 million has been (a) spent and (b) committed to date.","AnswerText":"The total value of all works packages let to date is £21.8 million. Some 13% of the construction and contingency budget of £119 million has been spent to date and around 20% of that total figure is committed. To date, none of the contingency element of the budget has been spent or committed.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149035,"EventID":"S1W-12276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what works packages have still to go out to tender in relation to the Holyrood Project and what the indicative timescale is in each case for issuing and return of tenders,","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what works packages have still to go out to tender in relation to the Holyrood Project and what the indicative timescale is in each case for issuing and return of tenders, award of contract and commencement and completion of works.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

1. Assembly Building Brick/Blockwork.

2. General Builderswork.

3. Assembly Building Foyer Frame & Glazing.

4. Assembly Building Specialist Glazing.

5. Assembly Building Cladding.

6. Assembly Building/Canongate Roofing

7. Assembly Building Timber Trusses.

8. Canongate Constituency Wall.

9. Fire Stopping (Whole Site).

10. Assembly Building/Canongate Fire Protection Steelwork.

11. Queensberry House Ceilings/Partitions/Plasterboard.

12. MSP Building Ceilings/Partitions.

13. Queensberry House Suspended Ceilings.

14. Assembly Building Ceilings/Partitions.

15. Queensberry House Raised Floors.

16. Assembly Building Raised Floors.

17. MSP Building Stone Floors/Screeds

18. Queensberry House Stone Floors/Screeds.

19. Assembly Building Stone Floors/Screeds.

20. MSP Building Floor Covering.

21. Queensberry House Timber/Vinyl Flooring.

22. Assembly Building Timber Flooring.

23. Assembly Building Carpet & Vinyl Flooring.

24. Queensberry House Carpentry & Joinery.

25. Assembly Building Carpentry & Joinery.

26. Queensberry House Metal Blast Windows/Doors.

27. Assembly Building Metal Doors/Shutters.

28. MSP Building Architectural Metalwork.

29. Queensberry House Architectural Metalwork.

30. Assembly Building Architectural Metalwork.

31. MSP Building Decoration.

32. Queensberry House Decoration.

33. Assembly Building Decoration.

34. MSP Building Toilet/Fitness/Changing Fit Out.

35. Queensberry House Toilet Fit Out.

36. Assembly Building Toilet Fit Out.

37. Furniture/Fittings/Equipment.

38. Filing Systems.

39. Catering Equipment (Whole Site).

40. Bar & Restaurant Fit Out (Whole Site).

41. Audio Visual Equipment (Whole Site).

42. Signage.

43. Cleaning Cradles.

44. Mechanical & Plumbing East.

45. Fire Alarm & Protection (Whole Site).

46. Building Maintenance System (Whole Site).

47. Commissioning (Whole Site).

48. Electrical East.

49. Structured Cabling (Whole Site).

50. Security (Whole Site).

51. Electricity Incoming (Whole Site).

52. Water Incoming (Whole Site).

53. Gas Supply (Whole Site)

54. IT/Communications (Whole Site).

55. Sewer Connections.

56. Cable/Satellite.

57. Hard Landscaping.

58. Soft Landscaping.

I am informed by the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that, while a broad time frame was included as part of the Stage D Scheme Design report, it would be misleading to give definitive programme dates relating to the award, site start and completion of the above packages. These are liable to change in line with arrangements made by the Construction Manager, who is employed to manage a dynamic programme, to the overall benefit of the project. The programmed building completion date remains as 31 December 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149036,"EventID":"S1W-12277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the value of any works package contracts let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project could be identified without prejudice to later, similar tendering exercise","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the value of any works package contracts let to date in relation to the Holyrood Project could be identified without prejudice to later, similar tendering exercises and, if so, whether the details of any such contracts can now be made available.","AnswerText":"The Holyrood Progress Group has previously indicated that it will be happy to release values of contracts awarded where they do not prejudice the future commercial interests of the Parliament or the individual contractors concerned. The Project Team is now in the process of establishing procedures to set this exercise in motion and a report will be made to MSPs as soon as the information becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149037,"EventID":"S1W-12278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which works packages still to go to tender in relation to the Holyrood project may be compromised by a decision to divulge the value of contracts let after earlier, simila","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which works packages still to go to tender in relation to the Holyrood project may be compromised by a decision to divulge the value of contracts let after earlier, similar tendering exercises.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has already stated that, in principle and with the agreement of the contractors involved, information concerning the value of contracts let should be put into the public domain. However, I understand that at this point in the programme, our negotiating position in relation to all future packages could potentially be prejudiced by releasing the details of earlier contracts. This position should ease in the very near future and wherever possible this information will be reported to MSPs as soon as is practicable.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149038,"EventID":"S1W-12279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any contracts have been let to date in relation to the Holyrood project with less detailed construction information than is desirable, as outlined in paragraph 1.3","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any contracts have been let to date in relation to the Holyrood project with less detailed construction information than is desirable, as outlined in paragraph 1.39 of the Auditor General's report The new Scottish Parliament building.","AnswerText":"No. Contracts are only let when sufficient information is available to allow construction to take place.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149039,"EventID":"S1W-12280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether all works packages issued to date, and to be issued, in relation to the Holyrood project contain or will contain penalty clauses to protect the client's interest a","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether all works packages issued to date, and to be issued, in relation to the Holyrood project contain or will contain penalty clauses to protect the client's interest against late completion or other contingencies and whether the value of penalty clauses is calculated in relation to a standard formula or to contract-specific assessments of the possible costs to the client in each case of failure by contractors to achieve completion dates.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that works package contracts stipulate that trade contractors will be liable for all damage, expense, loss or cost suffered or incurred by the client due to default by the trade contractor, including failure to achieve completion dates. It is not considered appropriate to include specific penalty clauses in works contracts for the new Parliament building since their inclusion can lead to increased tender prices.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149040,"EventID":"S1W-12281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the cost plan allowances for the substructure east and superstructure east are #5.8 million and #17 million respectively, as stated by the Holyrood Project Manager","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the cost plan allowances for the substructure east and superstructure east are #5.8 million and #17 million respectively, as stated by the Holyrood Project Manager on 3 October 2000 (Audit Committee, Official Report, col. 408); whether potential contractors are routinely made aware of the cost plan allowances for each works package, and whether the cost plan allowances for each of the 91 works packages will be revealed to MSPs.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the figures quoted are relevant cost plan allowances which are indicative estimates of contract values. In normal circumstances these figures are not put in the public domain nor provided to potential contractors in line with existing guidelines for commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149041,"EventID":"S1W-12282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the statement by the Parliament's Clerk/Chief Executive on 3 October 2000 regarding the provision of information on the costs of major works packages (Audit Co","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the statement by the Parliament's Clerk/Chief Executive on 3 October 2000 regarding the provision of information on the costs of major works packages (Audit Committee, Official Report, col. 407), what information will be made available to the Audit Committee about the value of contracts let for the major works packages in relation to the Holyrood Project, and whether such information will be given to all MSPs at the same time and on the same basis.","AnswerText":"As the Clerk indicated, the Audit Committee will be provided with information in respect of a number of imminent major works contracts as they are let, subject to the agreement of the relevant contractors. This information will indicate any variance in the final tender prices from the estimated allowances in the works package cost plan and will comment on the relevance of these outturns to the overall financial target of £195 million. The Holyrood Progress Group intends to make this information available to all MSPs.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149042,"EventID":"S1W-12283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the methods of controlling the seal population provided for by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 are sufficient.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the methods of controlling the seal population provided for by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 are sufficient.","AnswerText":"The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 provides a flexible framework for control of the seal population.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149043,"EventID":"S1W-12284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the use of non-lethal methods of control of seal populations; if so, what conclusions have been reached and, if not, whether it will now conside","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the use of non-lethal methods of control of seal populations; if so, what conclusions have been reached and, if not, whether it will now consider the issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has considered the use of non-lethal methods of seal population control. In 1998 the Executive asked the Special Committee on Seals (SCOS) of the Natural Environment Research Council to assess whether a recently developed Canadian method of contraceptive sterilisation of seals might be a feasible way to stabilise or reduce Scottish grey seal numbers.

On the basis of SCOS' advice it was concluded that there would be considerable practical and financial problems involved in attempting a successful sterilisation programme using this method in Scotland. In Scotland seal populations are more scattered and more wary of humans than in Canada and hence cannot easily be approached for effective sterilisation using this method. In order to stabilise the grey seal population at its 1997 level of 95,000 it was estimated that a total of 14,000 adult females would need to be sterilised in the first year with gradually reducing annual numbers thereafter reaching 3,000 after some seven years. In order to reduce the seal population below the 1997 level, much greater numbers of seals would need to be sterilised.

There are no current plans to introduce contraceptive measures to control the Scottish seal population but the Executive will continue to assess the potential of any future non-lethal control measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149044,"EventID":"S1W-12285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional measures are required in order to eradicate the feral mink population; if so, in which parts of Scotland and when such steps will be taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional measures are required in order to eradicate the feral mink population; if so, in which parts of Scotland and when such steps will be taken.","AnswerText":"Feral mink are widely distributed over most of mainland Scotland and many offshore islands. Their impact on ground-nesting birds is well documented and it is widely believed that mink are also associated with the decline of the water vole.

The Scottish Executive is supporting Scottish Natural Heritage's application for EU LIFE-Nature funding to assist with the first phase of a mink eradication programme for the Western Isles.

SNH continues to maintain an overview on the subject of mink predation and control as it relates to the natural heritage. In view of the extensive range which the species now occupies in Britain, total eradication of the species is not possible. Therefore, resources must be carefully targeted at key sites where long-term control is considered to be a practicable option.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149045,"EventID":"S1W-12286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Deputy Minister for Rural Development on 23 November 2000 regarding the latest scientific advice from the special committee on seal popul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Deputy Minister for Rural Development on 23 November 2000 regarding the latest scientific advice from the special committee on seal population si'es (Official Report, col. 335), whether this information has been received; if so, when and whether it will place the information in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"I understand that a copy of the latest advice from the Special Committee on Seals has now been received and I will be considering its contents very carefully. I will ensure that a copy of this advice is placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149046,"EventID":"S1W-12287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary question S1W-11696 regarding the age profiles of teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary question S1W-11696 regarding the age profiles of teachers.","AnswerText":"A report has been sent to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been made available to committee members and placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The answer to your question S1W-11696 is at Annex E of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149047,"EventID":"S1W-12288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it is undertaking of student poverty and its effects on academic performance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it is undertaking of student poverty and its effects on academic performance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not currently undertaking any analysis of the various factors which may affect academic performance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149048,"EventID":"S1W-12289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for further involvement of private sector service providers in prisons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for further involvement of private sector service providers in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have now received the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review and have asked for some additional work to be undertaken. No decisions will be made on it, including the involvement of the private sector, until this follow-up work is completed and after the opportunity for informed public debate.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149049,"EventID":"S1W-12290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken to answer written parliamentary questions was in each month of 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken to answer written parliamentary questions was in each month of 2000.","AnswerText":"Information is not available in the form requested. However, the following table provides information on the time taken to answer written parliamentary questions in the first 9 months of 2000. This information is taken from the audits of written parliamentary questions which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The next audit will cover written parliamentary questions lodged from October to December 2000 and will be published in the spring.

The monthly average of questions lodged in the period covered by the table was 708 and 55.1% were answered on time i.e. within 14 days (or within 21 days when they were lodged in a recess longer than four days). In 1999, the monthly average for the period from 1 July was around 450, and for the period from May 1999 46% were answered on time.

NUMBER OF WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS ANSWERED ON TIME/LATE, BY MONTH

WEEKS LATE

AT TIME OF THE AUDITS

On time

0 - 1

1 - 2

2 - 3

3 - 4

4 - 5

> 5

Total

answered

Not answered

Grand Total

MONTH

January

327

31

47

27

22

7

53

514

10

524

February

In the meantime, the analysis of responses to the consultation exercise on "Protecting and Promoting Scotland's Freshwater Fish and Fisheries" currently in progress, will no doubt raise a number of issues for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149051,"EventID":"S1W-12292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning or considering any legislation designed to promote salmon, other than the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning or considering any legislation designed to promote salmon, other than the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149052,"EventID":"S1W-12293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the banning of drift netting off the North East coast of England, as opposed to reducing it by t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the banning of drift netting off the North East coast of England, as opposed to reducing it by the means of the issue of fewer licences.","AnswerText":"The Executive has long recognised the impact of the North East Drift Net Fishery on salmon returning to Scottish rivers. We have in the past expressed concerns to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about this fishery and, therefore, welcome their recent announcement about plans to accelerate its phase out.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149053,"EventID":"S1W-12294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the level of by-catch in the industrial and pelagic fisheries and, if so, what conclusions have been reached.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the level of by-catch in the industrial and pelagic fisheries and, if so, what conclusions have been reached.","AnswerText":"Industrial fisheries are conducted predominantly by Denmark and Norway and are not routinely monitored by scientists from the Scottish Executive. Both Denmark and Norway provide the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) with estimates of bycatch from their industrial fleets. The following table shows estimated catches in tonnes for the principal species for the period 1995-99 reported by ICES. With the exception of herring, most of the species are caught in fisheries for Norway pout and the so-called "mixed" industrial fishery. In the case of herring, most of the catch is taken in the fishery for sprat.

Bycatch of the principal fish species taken as bycatch in small meshed fisheries conducted by Denmark and Norway in the North Sea.

1996

1997

1998

1999

Cod

366

1688

1,281

532

Haddock

5,000

7000

5,000

4,000

Whiting

5,000

6000

3,000

5,000

Saithe

0

3000

3,000

3,000

Dab

1,065

2662

6,620

4,317

Mackerel

2,019

3153

1,934

<","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149054,"EventID":"S1W-12295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a decommissioning scheme for Scottish registered fishing boats and, if so, when and with what budget.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a decommissioning scheme for Scottish registered fishing boats and, if so, when and with what budget.","AnswerText":"I have agreed to have discussions soon with industry representatives on a range of topical issues, which will include decommissioning.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149055,"EventID":"S1W-12296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take in order to ensure the continued use of Balnain House, Inverness as a centre for traditional arts and culture; whether it has allocated any fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take in order to ensure the continued use of Balnain House, Inverness as a centre for traditional arts and culture; whether it has allocated any funding for this purpose and, if not, whether it will urge the Scottish Arts Council, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, or any other body to do so.","AnswerText":"None. The closure of Balnain House was a decision for the company. The Scottish Arts Council continues to support traditional arts in the area and is working with others in the Highland Arts Partnership to develop long-term plans to ensure their sustainable future.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149056,"EventID":"S1W-12297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it foresees any difficulties arising in relation to proposed freedom of information legislation as it would apply to cross-border public authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it foresees any difficulties arising in relation to proposed freedom of information legislation as it would apply to cross-border public authorities.","AnswerText":"No. The proposed Scottish freedom of information legislation will not apply to cross-border public authorities. These bodies will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149057,"EventID":"S1W-12298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for information it has received under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for information it has received under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerText":"Details of the number of requests received under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information during the period 1 July to 31 December 1999 were provided in my answer to question S1W-5908. I have today placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre a monitoring report on the operation of the code for the calendar year 2000. This report will also be placed on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149058,"EventID":"S1W-12299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letters of 13 and 24 October regarding the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letters of 13 and 24 October regarding the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"A reply will be issued shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149059,"EventID":"S1W-12300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to issue a ministerial response to my letter of 10 November 2000 to the Lord Advocate regarding Mrs S Murdoch.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to issue a ministerial response to my letter of 10 November 2000 to the Lord Advocate regarding Mrs S Murdoch.","AnswerText":"Mr Salmond's letter to the Lord Advocate was passed to me for reply. I have now had an opportunity to look into this matter and a reply will be sent to Mr Salmond as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149060,"EventID":"S1W-12301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an amended DTZ Pieda Consulting report on the future of raspberry breeding in Scotland will be publicly available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an amended DTZ Pieda Consulting report on the future of raspberry breeding in Scotland will be publicly available.","AnswerText":"DTZ Pieda is currently considering comments made on its report and I understand that an amended version will be submitted shortly. As soon as it is received I shall make it available on the Scottish Executive's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149061,"EventID":"S1W-12302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current withdrawal of the DTZ Pieda Consulting report on the future of raspberry breeding in Scotland from its website will have implications for the consulta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current withdrawal of the DTZ Pieda Consulting report on the future of raspberry breeding in Scotland from its website will have implications for the consultation on this issue.","AnswerText":"Other than a possible short extension of the consultation period beyond the current closing date of 2 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149062,"EventID":"S1W-12303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for implementing a stocks regeneration plan for the waters fished primarily by the Scottish fleet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for implementing a stocks regeneration plan for the waters fished primarily by the Scottish fleet.","AnswerText":"Details of recovery plans for North Sea and West of Scotland cod stocks are currently being developed by the European Commission in consultation with member states and industry representatives. It is hoped that certain conservation measures can be established as early as next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149063,"EventID":"S1W-12304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make parents pay the financial cost of vandalism caused by their children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make parents pay the financial cost of vandalism caused by their children.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive's aim is to improve the operation of the current system which requires children to face up to their responsibilities and to change their behaviour to stop offending in future. In addition to their responsibilities under section 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, parents are required to attend a children's hearing and are encouraged to support their children in complying with any supervision requirement.

A supervision requirement on a child from a children's hearing may include a requirement on the child to make reparation to a victim or to the community. The Youth Crime Review seeks to extend the range of suitable programmes and measures available to children's hearings.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149064,"EventID":"S1W-12305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of EU fishing waters the Scottish fisheries 'one represents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of EU fishing waters the Scottish fisheries 'one represents.","AnswerText":"The area of the Scottish zone is 127,231 square nautical miles. The Scottish Executive does not have information on the area of EU waters.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149065,"EventID":"S1W-12306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of EU fishing quota, listed by species, is allocated to Scottish producers' organisations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of EU fishing quota, listed by species, is allocated to Scottish producers' organisations.","AnswerText":"Final allocations of this year's quotas to producers' organisations are not due to be issued until 30 March. The following table (which excludes the non-sector and under 10 metre fleet) shows information relating to last year's total allowable catches for those stocks of relevance to UK fishing (sea areas IV, VI and VII).
 

Total EU quota (tonnes)

Scottish PO's allocation (tonnes)

Percent Scottish PO

Whitefish

692,000

170,000

25

Pelagic

2,310,000

265,000

12

Total

3,002,000

436,000

15

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149066,"EventID":"S1W-12307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHSiS patients each NHS Hospital Trust has had treated privately in each of the last three years and what the cost was of such treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHSiS patients each NHS Hospital Trust has had treated privately in each of the last three years and what the cost was of such treatment.","AnswerText":"The independent healthcare sector in Scotland has some 670 beds, compared with over 36,000 beds (1998-99) in the NHSScotland. NHSScotland Boards and Trusts make limited use of these beds when necessary to address particular pressures. Boards and Trusts are required to ensure that they secure value for money from these arrangements. The amounts spent by NHSScotland in each of the last three years on referring patients for independent healthcare are set out in the table:

Year

Health Board Purchases

£000

GP Fund Holders Purchases2

£000

Total Purchases from Private Sector

£000

Total Expenditure on HCH1

£000

Purchases from Private Sector as % of HCH

1995-96

23,367 1

-

2,804,2781

0.83%

1996-97

26,748 1

-

2,857,3251

0.94%

1997-98

30,871 1

1,457 2

2,966,0421

1.09%

1998-99

32,995 1

2,213 2

3,092,6451

1.145%

1999-20003

33,198

-

3,377,5271

0.98%

Notes:

1. From the NHS (Scotland) Summarised Accounts 1995-96 to 1998-99, copies of which are available in SPICE.

2. From the ","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149067,"EventID":"S1W-12308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers have taken their own lives in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers have taken their own lives in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table. When analysing suicides it is conventional to include deaths due to 'Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted'. For the sake of clarity, the two categories have also been shown separately in the table.

Suicides and undetermined deaths - farmers and farm workers 1

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000 2

Total

24

15

20

19

14

16

Suicide

17

10

11

13

13

10

Undetermined

7

5

9

6

1

6

1 The code used for farm worker includes farmer's wife

2 Provisional

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149068,"EventID":"S1W-12309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on teaching Scottish history in schools and whether it plans to change its policy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on teaching Scottish history in schools and whether it plans to change its policy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's policy is to ensure that guidance to education authorities and schools provide ample opportunities for teaching Scottish history at every level of the school curriculum. There are no plans to change current policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149069,"EventID":"S1W-12310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each of the last five years, what the average age was of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each of the last five years, what the average age was of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers.","AnswerText":"Information is only available for 1998 and 1994.

At September 1998

Average age of primary teachers

43

Average age of secondary teachers

43

At September 1994

Average age of primary teachers

42

Average age of secondary teachers

42

As you are aware I have recently sent a report on the supply of teachers to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre for the information of all members. This information available on the average age of teachers will be inserted into the report as Annex G.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149070,"EventID":"S1W-12311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers (a) took early retirement and (b) resigned in each of the last five years, broken down by sector for each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers (a) took early retirement and (b) resigned in each of the last five years, broken down by sector for each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the latest information available on teachers taking early retirement. No information is held centrally which could identify separately those teachers who resign.

As you are aware I have recently sent a report on the supply of teachers to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre for the information of all members. These tables will be inserted into the report as Annex H.

Teachers Taking Early Retirement (headcount), from Education Authority schools, from April 1995 - April 1996, by Education Authority and sector

Total

Nursery

Primary

Secondary

Special

Scotland

294

4

152

131

7

Aberdeen City

0

0

0

0

0

Aberdeenshire

0

0

0

0

0

Angus

0

0

0

0

0

Argyll & Bute

0

0

I have been asked by the Minister to respond. Further to the answer provided to question S1W-11040 on 23 November 2000, the number of called-in listed building consent applications in each year that were approved or rejected outright are contained in the second and third column of the Annex. The number of cases which were part approved/part rejected and those which were withdrawn by the applicant are given in the fourth and fifth column.

Four called-in applications have been determined since 1 July 1999. These were at Nether Catrine House, Catrine (approved); Rockhall Hotel, Collin (rejected); The Park, The Wyndies, Garmouth (rejected) and 3-7 Blair Road, Dalry (part approved/part rejected).

The figures are based on the date of formal intimation that a case had been called in. Those in the earlier reply were calculated on a financial year basis and the date when the case was extended beyond the standard 28-day period.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149073,"EventID":"S1W-12314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11108 by Sam Galbraith on 23 November 2000, how the planning system protects the public interest in circumstances where local autho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11108 by Sam Galbraith on 23 November 2000, how the planning system protects the public interest in circumstances where local authorities propose to grant notifiable planning applications or proceed with notifiable developments which do not raise issues of national importance.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications)(Scotland) Direction 1997 requires planning authorities to notify the Scottish Ministers if they are minded to grant planning permission in respect of a number of types of development. The Scottish Ministers will normally only intervene if issues of national importance are involved.

Where responsibility for determining a planning application rests with a planning authority, planning legislation requires the authority to take into account any representations relating to the application before reaching a decision. The authority should also be able to justify any decision it reaches. Any person aggrieved by a decision of a planning authority has recourse to the courts and, if maladministration is alleged, to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149074,"EventID":"S1W-12315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out any audit of planning policy departures by planning authorities in recent years; what trends, if any, it has detected in the volume, frequency,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out any audit of planning policy departures by planning authorities in recent years; what trends, if any, it has detected in the volume, frequency, or significance of departures, in general or in the case of any specific authorities; what assessment it has made of the significance of cumulative departures, in general or in the case of any specific authorities; whether it plans to increase scrutiny of notified planning decisions and notices of intention to develop and whether it has any proposals to improve monitoring and control of development contrary to the provisions of development plans.","AnswerText":"The table shows the numbers of planning applications relating to developments representing departures from relevant development plans, by local authority area. Overall, approved departures as a proportion of applications determined are fairly constant at 13 or 14 per thousand, but there are variations between authorities. The Planning Audit Unit will pursue the reasons for such variations.

Planning authorities are required, before granting planning permission, to notify the Scottish Ministers of any such cases that they consider to represent significant departures. The number notified in each year is shown in the last row of the table.

The Executive's policy in relation to development contrary to development plans is set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 1 (Revised 2000): The Planning System.

Current scrutiny and monitoring arrangements are considered adequate and we have no plans to change them.

Development Plan Departures

Applications advertised

as potential departures

Applications approved

as departures from DP

Approved departures

per 1000 applications determined

96-97

97-98

98-99

99-00

96-97

97-98

98-99

99-00

96-97

97-98

98-99

99-00

Aberdeen City

24

22

19

20

5

6

10

7

2

3

5

Development Proposal

Date Of Decision Letter

Approve/Refuse

Wind turbines at Gartymore, Helmsdale

19/07/99

Refuse

Access to wind farm at Gartymore, Helmsdale

19/07/99

Refuse

Wind turbines at West Garty, Helmsdale

19/07/99

Refuse

Housing at Bothwell Bank Farm, Bothwell

04/08/99

Refuse

Housing at Torheads Farm, Hamilton

04/08/99

Approve

Housing at Sovereigns Gate, Bothwell

04/08/99

Refuse

Housing at Shott Farm, High Blantyre

04/08/99

Refuse

Housing at Calderglen Avenue, Blantyre

05/08/99

Approve

Ramp at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh

10/09/99

Refuse

Housing at Murdostoun Castle, N Lanarkshire

01/10/99

Refuse

Mixed development at Newbridge Industrial Estate, Edinburgh

14/12/99

Approve

Retail etc development at Saughs Road, Robroyston, Glasgow

23/12/99

The Scottish Executive has set up the Strategic Waste Fund which will operate as a specific grant scheme to allocate funds to local authorities to implement improved waste management services in line with the Area Waste Plans. The Executive has made provision for £50.4 million over the next three years to be allocated to local authorities from this grant scheme as either capital or revenue expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149078,"EventID":"S1W-12319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to increase financial incentives to farmers to invest in the production and marketing of Scottish berries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to increase financial incentives to farmers to invest in the production and marketing of Scottish berries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently provides financial assistance to Scottish Soft Fruit Growers Limited (SSFG) under the Marketing Development Scheme towards the cost of a marketing manager to assist them improve their marketing and commercial expertise. There are no plans to increase funding under this scheme.

My officials are currently in discussion with SSFG regarding their application for recognition as a Producer Organisation, which is an essential pre-requisite to their submission of an Operational Programme under the EU Fruit and Vegetable Regime. An approved Operational Programme may contain measures aimed at improving the production and marketing performance of a Producer Organisation and programme expenditure is 50% EU grant aided.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149079,"EventID":"S1W-12320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of the requirements of the Data Protection Acts on the collection and monitoring of cancer registration data.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of the requirements of the Data Protection Acts on the collection and monitoring of cancer registration data.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department is currently assessing the impact of the Data Protection Act 1998 on the Scottish cancer registration system. Guidance will be issued to the NHSScotland before 1 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149080,"EventID":"S1W-12321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many registrations the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board has made since its inception in 1995 and what the board's running costs have been in each yea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many registrations the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board has made since its inception in 1995 and what the board's running costs have been in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board came into operation on 1 March 1997 and has registered 12 practitioners since that time. There are 10 practitioners currently registered with the board.

The board's running costs are set out in its Annual Reports and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10585).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149081,"EventID":"S1W-12322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board has met in the past year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board has met in the past year.","AnswerText":"The Board met on eight occasions in the calendar year 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149082,"EventID":"S1W-12323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to disband the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to disband the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board.","AnswerText":"A policy and financial management review of the board was carried out last year in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance on the need for routine reviews of Non-Departmental Public Bodies. The report of the review is currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149083,"EventID":"S1W-12324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a co-ordinator should be appointed to ensure effective co-ordination of local and national salmon monitoring and research programmes and, if so, when such a co-or","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a co-ordinator should be appointed to ensure effective co-ordination of local and national salmon monitoring and research programmes and, if so, when such a co-ordinator will be appointed.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to make such an appointment. The Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory and Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre already fulfil this role through their work with district salmon fishery boards and fishery trusts.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149084,"EventID":"S1W-12325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the term trunk road contracts will be awarded for Ayrshire and the South West of Scotland and when the successful bidders will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the term trunk road contracts will be awarded for Ayrshire and the South West of Scotland and when the successful bidders will be announced.","AnswerText":"The result of the competition was announced in my reply to Des McNulty on 23 January (question S1W-12726). I subsequently announced my intention to award the contract in my answer to Mary Mulligan on 2 February (question S1W-13044).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149085,"EventID":"S1W-12326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the tender period closed for the term trunk road contracts in Ayrshire and the South West of Scotland and what the target date for announcement of successful bids w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the tender period closed for the term trunk road contracts in Ayrshire and the South West of Scotland and what the target date for announcement of successful bids was.","AnswerText":"Tenders for each of the trunk road management and maintenance contracts were submitted to the Scottish Executive in accordance with the instructions for tendering before noon on 30 October 2000. At that stage it was hoped that an announcement of a successful bid could have been made before the end of the year. The result of the competition was announced in my reply to Des McNulty on 23 January (question S1W-12726). I subsequently announced my intention to award the contract in my answer to Mary Mulligan on 2 February (question S1W-13044).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149086,"EventID":"S1W-12327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to intervene to prevent any liquidation of the Highland Cultural Centre at Balnain House, Inverness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to intervene to prevent any liquidation of the Highland Cultural Centre at Balnain House, Inverness.","AnswerText":"None. The company went into liquidation on 25 January this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149087,"EventID":"S1W-12328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ask Highland Council, Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council to assist Balnain House, Inverness, to remain open.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ask Highland Council, Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council to assist Balnain House, Inverness, to remain open.","AnswerText":"No. The company decided to go into liquidation on 25 January this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149088,"EventID":"S1W-12329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the intake of student midwives at Glasgow Caledonian University was not more than 20 for the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the intake of student midwives at Glasgow Caledonian University was not more than 20 for the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department contracted with Glasgow Caledonian University for a target of 30 students to the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 diploma courses in midwifery to be spread across three-year and 18-month pre-registration courses. The target was met in both years. The actual intakes were 23 three-year places and seven 18-month places in 1999-2000 and 20 three-year places and 10 (provisional for February 2001) 18-month places in 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149089,"EventID":"S1W-12330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of teaching places in midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of teaching places in midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to increase the number of student midwifery course intakes at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149090,"EventID":"S1W-12331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement of the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funding allocation for 2002-03 to 2003-04 on 28 December 2000, whether this announcement included a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement of the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funding allocation for 2002-03 to 2003-04 on 28 December 2000, whether this announcement included any SIP allocation to Castlemilk in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"We announced recently that we are providing provisional funding allocations of £105.5 million to Social Inclusion Partnerships in 2002-03 and 2003-04. This figure does not include allocations for any of the three former New Life Partnership areas - Castlemilk, Wester Hailes, and Ferguslie Park. Future funding for these areas is currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149091,"EventID":"S1W-12332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of UK GDP the Scottish assigned budget represented or is expected to represent in each of the years from 1994-95 to 2003-04 inclusive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of UK GDP the Scottish assigned budget represented or is expected to represent in each of the years from 1994-95 to 2003-04 inclusive.","AnswerText":"The sum of Scottish Departmental Expenditure Limits and Non-Domestic Rate Income, as a proportion of UK GDP, is set out in the table. Over the period, DEL + NDRI has grown by 15.5% in real terms.
 

Scottish DEL + NDRI as a proportion of UK GDP

%

UK GDP at market prices

£ million

Scottish DEL + NDRI

at market prices

£ million

1994-95

2.03

677,594

13,730

1995-96

1.95

713,980

13,920

1996-97

1.87

756,058

14,168

1997-98

1.76

805,402

14,157

1998-99

1.73

851,654

14,704

1999-2000

1.74

891,583

15,510

2000-01

1.76

936,697

16,514

2001-02

1.81

984,117

17,797

2002-03

1.83

1,033,941

18,941

2003-04

1.84

1,086,283

20,023

* Figures for 2000-01 to 2003-04 are based on projections.

Due to the conversion to resource accounting, the sum of DEL (Departmental Expenditure Limits) and NDRI (Non-Domestic Rate Income) is the most robust basis on which to make this comparison.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149092,"EventID":"S1W-12333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to health boards on the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to health boards on the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is currently developing a clinical guideline on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People, which is due to be published in the spring. The guideline will be disseminated to a range of interests including NHS Trusts and health boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149093,"EventID":"S1W-12334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated to voluntary organisations providing support to children and adults suffering from attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hy","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated to voluntary organisations providing support to children and adults suffering from attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not currently fund any specific voluntary organisation involved exclusively in supporting children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). However, the Executive's Innovation Grants Programme of £6 million over the three years from April 2000 is supporting various voluntary organisation projects, some of which will benefit children with ADD/ADHD and other social and emotional behavioural difficulties.

The Executive also administers grant schemes for voluntary organisations involved in providing support and services in the areas of health and social care. It would be open to any voluntary organisation engaged in supporting children with ADD/ADHD and their families to apply for funding under the appropriate grant scheme. I understand that no application from any such organisation has been received by the Health Department for the coming financial year. Any future application received would be carefully considered on its merits, alongside competing demands. It is impossible to say what the outcome would be.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149094,"EventID":"S1W-12335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being provided to health professionals and, in particular, GPs on the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficiency disorder and/or attention defic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being provided to health professionals and, in particular, GPs on the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is currently developing a clinical guideline on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People, which is due to be published in the spring. The guideline will be disseminated to a range of interests including general practitioners via the Primary Care Advisers at health boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149095,"EventID":"S1W-12336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it gave to the needs of children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in any reviews of provis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it gave to the needs of children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in any reviews of provisions for people with special educational needs or learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"There has been no specific consideration of provision for children and adults with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) in recent reviews. However, the Scottish Executive is providing over £5 million per year to local authorities for the development and training of classroom-based staff and trainee educational psychologists working with children with special educational needs, including those with ADD/ADHD. £1 million of this funding is directed towards Early Intervention.

In addition, the Scottish Executive Alternatives to Exclusion Grant Scheme is supporting projects which will benefit children and young people with ADD/ADHD. These projects include school support units, programmes of personal and social development, enhanced staffing for schools, vocational schemes, behaviour support systems and outreach services into schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149096,"EventID":"S1W-12337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each of the last three years, broken down by he","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each of the last three years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally in the form requested. However, information from a sample of GP records in practices across Scotland whose population is nationally representative suggests the following numbers of patients with attention deficiency disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were seen by GPs in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. It is not possible to provide information prior to 1998-1999 because the codes used to record ADD/ADHD were not in use before that period.

Year

Estimated number of patients

1998-99

1,600

1999-2000

1,800

These data refer to diagnoses known to the patients' GP. There may be other patients whose condition is managed by specialist services, such as child psychiatry, who may not see their GP for these conditions and will therefore not be included in the data.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149097,"EventID":"S1W-12338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local education authorities on the educational provision for children with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperact","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local education authorities on the educational provision for children with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"Although no specific guidance has been issued on provision for children with attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), general guidance on Special Educational Needs is contained in the Scottish Executive Manual of Good Practice for all staff and professionals involved with children and young people with special educational needs. Further advice on good practice can be found in the Scottish Executive publications Taking a Closer Look at Promoting Social Competence, Sharing Good Practice and Circular 4/96: Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs - Assessment and Recording.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149098,"EventID":"S1W-12339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11834 by Nicol Stephen on 21 December 2000, whether it will make arrangements to collect centrally information on the number of spe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11834 by Nicol Stephen on 21 December 2000, whether it will make arrangements to collect centrally information on the number of special educational needs units within state schools which have closed since 1997 to date, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149099,"EventID":"S1W-12340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its agencies will be making representations to the BBC or Broadcasting Standards Commission about the content of the BBC documentary Warning from th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its agencies will be making representations to the BBC or Broadcasting Standards Commission about the content of the BBC documentary Warning from the Wild: The Price of Salmon, broadcast on 7 January 2000.","AnswerText":"On the matters of food safety which formed the basis of the programme in question, we are advised by the Food Standards Agency. They have informed me that a formal complaint was sent to the BBC on 5 January 2001, in relation to the manner in which they had conducted themselves during the making of the programme. Following transmission the Agency intends to make a further complaint about the content of the programme itself.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149100,"EventID":"S1W-12341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence that the levels of dioxins in farmed salmon could harm human health and what ongoing research is being conducted into this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence that the levels of dioxins in farmed salmon could harm human health and what ongoing research is being conducted into this matter.","AnswerText":"On matters of food safety the Scottish Executive is advised by the Food Standards Agency. After close examination of current research, the agency advises that levels of dioxins in farmed salmon are unlikely to harm human health, where salmon is consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The independent expert Committee on Toxicity (COT) is currently conducting a review of dioxins, at the request of the Food Standards Agency, in order to establish guidance on safe tolerable exposure levels to these chemicals. The agency has asked the COT to consider any new evidence which becomes available as part of its review.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149101,"EventID":"S1W-12342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to assess the impact of escaped farmed salmon on the native population of salmon in Scottish rivers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to assess the impact of escaped farmed salmon on the native population of salmon in Scottish rivers.","AnswerText":"Details of numbers of fish identified as escaped farmed salmon that are caught in net and rod fisheries throughout Scotland are collected as part of the annual exercise to collect and collate catch statistics. Field studies have been carried out into spawning behaviour and potential effects of interbreeding.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149102,"EventID":"S1W-12343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken to determine if there is a causal link between salmon farming and the decline of wild stocks, particularly with regard to the impact of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken to determine if there is a causal link between salmon farming and the decline of wild stocks, particularly with regard to the impact of sea lice.","AnswerText":"The Fisheries Research Services are conducting a four-year investigation (2000-04) of the interactions of sea lice between farmed and wild stocks. The project will also identify management strategies designed to reduce the risks identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149103,"EventID":"S1W-12344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the salmon farming industry in promoting quality assurance schemes and disseminating best practice to maintain and enhance the industry's reputati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the salmon farming industry in promoting quality assurance schemes and disseminating best practice to maintain and enhance the industry's reputation for high quality natural produce.","AnswerText":"The Executive will continue to support the development of aquaculture within a framework which has proper regard for the environment and in particular the protection of wild fish. Maintaining the highest standards of husbandry, environmental protection and quality assurance are essential. The industry itself recognises this, and is actively co-operating with the Executive and other interests in such initiatives as the Tripartite Working Group, the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group, and the recent production of the Code of Practice to avoid and minimise the impact of Infectious Salmon Anaemia. It has also developed, working with major customers and regulators, its own quality assurance and environmental management schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149104,"EventID":"S1W-12345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether salmon feed is routinely tested for levels of dioxins and other man-made pollutants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether salmon feed is routinely tested for levels of dioxins and other man-made pollutants.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that salmon feed is not routinely tested for levels of dioxins and other man-made pollutants.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149105,"EventID":"S1W-12346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the cleanliness and bacteria levels in all NHSiS hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the cleanliness and bacteria levels in all NHSiS hospitals.","AnswerText":"Hospital cleanliness and hygiene is a priority area for action by the NHS in Scotland. "Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change", published on 14 December, makes clear that the Scottish Executive expects every NHS Trust to act on the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report 'A Clean Bill of Health' by June 2001. The Health Plan also states that every local healthcare system will be expected to deliver the service standards to be established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on cleanliness, infection control and other matters.

Comprehensive guidance on infection control in hospitals - the Scottish Infection Manual - was issued by the Scottish Executive in 1998. This guidance recommends that Infection Control Teams should be in place in every NHS Trust. Their tasks include bacteriological monitoring.

A Joint Health Department/NHS Working Group is currently preparing recommendations for ensuring compliance with guidance and the monitoring of standards relating to reporting, controlling and reducing hospital acquired infection and to hospital cleanliness.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149106,"EventID":"S1W-12347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has applied or intends to apply for a four-year extension to the dates by which the targets for the reduction of the amount of waste being landfilled set in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has applied or intends to apply for a four-year extension to the dates by which the targets for the reduction of the amount of waste being landfilled set in the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) require to be met and what justification has been or would be given for any such request.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive intends to take advantage of the provision in the Landfill Directive which allows the UK, as a member state that landfilled more than 80% of their municipal waste in 1995, to postpone the attainment of the landfill reduction target dates by up to four years. There is no need to apply to Europe to make use of the provision, although member states must inform the European Commission of their strategy for implementation of the targets by July 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149107,"EventID":"S1W-12348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the 1995 baseline landfill tonnage figure is for each local authority area and how much waste has been landfilled in each local authority area in each year since 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the 1995 baseline landfill tonnage figure is for each local authority area and how much waste has been landfilled in each local authority area in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"I plan to publish later this year a consultation paper on the Executive's proposals for allocating the 1995 baseline municipal waste figures and landfill targets between Scottish local authorities.

Information on the total amount of all waste landfilled in each local authority area is not held centrally. However, the amounts of local authority waste land filled in 1997 and 1998 can be calculated for most authorities from appendices D and E of the Scottish Waste Statistics 1997-1998, recently published by the Scottish Executive and available in SPICe (Bib. no. 10691). The tonnages are shown in the table.

1997

Total landfilled 1997

Total Landfilled 1998

Local Authority

Angus

46,501

48,610

City of Dundee

92,299

77,422

City of Edinburgh

245,196

252,329

Clackmannan

29,045

28,153

East Lothian

49,075

61,971

Falkirk

85,779

N/A

Fife

N/A

194,675

Midlothian

67,456

62,035

Perth & Kinross

On 25 October 2000 Sarah Boyack announced that £3 million was to be made available this year for distribution (using a population-based formula) between all local authorities to allow them to invest in recycling and composting. In November, authorities were invited to submit proposals for projects showing how they wished to spend the funds to increase or improve recycling and/or composting carried out in their area.

Each authority will be offered a grant to carry out the projects as proposed and in most cases I expect work will begin almost immediately, with improvements in the service available being quickly noticeable. The projects range from small scale purchases of capital equipment (e.g. waste shredders to enable composting of organic waste, recycling collection banks for cans, glass etc.), larger equipment such as vehicles for kerbside collection of paper and other recyclable materials, and revenue funding to operate recycling schemes (such as provision of home composting equipment, recycling advice and materials sorting or composting operations). The funding available to each authority and a summary of the projects to be carried out is shown in the table.

Local authority recycling and composting projects to be funded from £3million grant

COUNCIL

GRANT(£)

PROJECT

Aberdeen City

106,000

Shredder & equip. for green waste composting scheme

Aberdeenshire

188,000

2 Shredders, baling equip & skips, composters, recycling boxes & bins

Angus

75,000

Recycling collection, separation and baling equipment for cans and paper; waste analysis study

Argyll & Bute

80,000

Shredders, composting leaflets, cardboard balers, cooking oil collection, extend rural recycling activities, carry out education & survey work on Mull.

Clackmannanshire

25,000

(With Stirling) Pilot mixed recyclables collection scheme

Dumfries & Gall.

123,000

Mobile shredder for garden waste for composting

Dundee City

72,000

Local recycling centres, ","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149110,"EventID":"S1W-12351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7487 by Colin Boyd on 24 November 2000, how it assesses success or failure of CCTV schemes if figures on the number of convictions ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7487 by Colin Boyd on 24 November 2000, how it assesses success or failure of CCTV schemes if figures on the number of convictions secured as a result of CCTV evidence are unavailable.","AnswerText":"The role of CCTV in providing evidence in support of criminal proceedings is not the sole nor indeed the main criterion by which the contribution which CCTV can make to increasing public safety can be measured. Evaluations of particular schemes generally show a reduction in crime in the areas covered following the introduction of CCTV. The demand for new CCTV schemes is also an indication of the contribution which local communities consider it makes to improving safety. The CCTV Challenge Competition for funding for 2001-02 is the sixth such annual competition and the number of applications made in support of new schemes remains in line with the average number received in previous years.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149111,"EventID":"S1W-12352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications by elderly people for day care centre places have been refused in the last 12 months, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications by elderly people for day care centre places have been refused in the last 12 months, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149112,"EventID":"S1W-12353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9513 by Sarah Boyack on 21 September 2000, what progress it is making in exploring the options for banning lead solder in domestic ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9513 by Sarah Boyack on 21 September 2000, what progress it is making in exploring the options for banning lead solder in domestic plumbing systems.","AnswerText":"The Executive's press release SE3051/2000 issued on 27 November set out the actions being taken in response to the results of a survey confirming that lead solder had been used in the domestic plumbing systems in new houses in Scotland. These actions should together help to protect the public from the potential ill effects of excess lead in their domestic plumbing and to eliminate the use of lead solder. We are continuing to explore with the Health and Safety Executive and European Commission whether it would be feasible to extend the ban on lead solder. In the meantime, in December the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer's Federation again recommended to its members a voluntary ban on the use of leaded solder.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149113,"EventID":"S1W-12354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of total UK spending on the NHS spending on the NHSiS represented or is expected to represent in each year from 1994-95 to 2003-04 inclusive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of total UK spending on the NHS spending on the NHSiS represented or is expected to represent in each year from 1994-95 to 2003-04 inclusive.","AnswerText":"On a cash basis, health expenditure as a percentage of the total health expenditure is as follows:
 

Expenditure at 1999-2000 prices

£000

Scotland as percentage of UK expenditure

Funding per head3

(£)

 

Scotland

UK

 

Scotland

1994-95 outturn

4,539

43,419

10.5

796

1995-96 outturn

4,573

44,101

10.4

797

1996-97 outturn

4,587

44,146

10.4

826

1997-98 outturn

4,584

44,942

10.2

850

1998-99 outturn

4,697

46,129

10.2

896

1999-2000 estimated outturn1

4,941

49,251

10.0

966

2000-01 original plans2

5,309

53,138

10.0

1,060

2001-02 plans

Council

Scheme

Estimated Cost

Renfrewshire Council

Moredun, Paisley FPS

£750,000

Collier Street, Johnstone FPS

£693,000

East Dunbartonshire Council

River Kelvin FPS

£8,500,000

Perth & Kinross Council

Bridge of Earn FPS

£740,000

Weem Village FPS

£362,000

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149115,"EventID":"S1W-12356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority owned units of property have been sold in each of the last five years and what the total selling price was for each year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority owned units of property have been sold in each of the last five years and what the total selling price was for each year.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of local authority-owned units sold is not collected centrally. Total proceeds from local authority asset sales as reported by local authorities back to 1996-97 is shown in the table. Figures for 1995-96 have been excluded as these include notional receipts.

£000's
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

Total

495,442

327,567

335,037

303,582

Source: As reported by Local Authorities on the Statistical Return, Capital Payments and their financing ( CPR Fin 5)

(1) Figures for 1995/96 and 1996/97 include Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as reported on HRA:Certificate of Capital Payment and Receipts","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149116,"EventID":"S1W-12357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to lay before the Parliament the revised Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order and the revised Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act 1971 (Private Jurisdiction a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to lay before the Parliament the revised Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order and the revised Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act 1971 (Private Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order and what its timetable is for these Orders from laying to implementation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive have not yet fixed a date for the laying of these Orders before the Parliament. It would be premature to indicate a timetable for implementation at this stage. The Orders will be re-laid for debate by the Justice and Home Affairs Committee once the review of the Rules is completed. There is likely to be a three month lead-in time for the Orders taking effect. Related work to review the Table of Fees for solicitors in summary cause actions is being taken forward by the Lord President's Advisory Committee having regard to proposed changes in the Rules.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149117,"EventID":"S1W-12358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drivers in each of the last three years have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and how many have been convicted, broken down in each case by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drivers in each of the last three years have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and how many have been convicted, broken down in each case by police force area.","AnswerText":"The available information on the number of offences of driving while unfit through drink or drugs which were proceeded against in court is given in the table. Information is not available separately on those driving while unfit through drugs.

Offences of driving while unfit through drink or drugs proceeded against in Scottish courts, by police force area, 1997-99

Offences proceeded against

Offences proved

Police force area

1997

1998

1999

1997

1998

1999

Central

8

11

16

4

8

13

Dumfries & Galloway

5

9

7

4

6

4

Fife

28

30

38

17

24

24

Grampian

84

70

69

54

45

47

Lothian & Borders

 sub-section of HMI inspection reports.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149123,"EventID":"S1W-12364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many errors in patient care it estimates are made by staff in the NHSiS each year and how many of these prove to be fatal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many errors in patient care it estimates are made by staff in the NHSiS each year and how many of these prove to be fatal.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland has a rightly deserved reputation for the quality of its clinical care exemplified by the World Health Organisation promoting SIGN Guidelines to other countries as of \"global quality\". Inevitably errors occur in any process and local Clinical Governance arrangements exist to ensure that these are investigated and lessons implemented to ensure no re-occurrence. In addition, as part of our modernisation programme we are seeking to establish a more open culture in which errors or service failures wherever they occur are reported, analysed and lessons identified and action to prevent any repetition taken across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149124,"EventID":"S1W-12365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up a national clinical assessment authority in order to detect incompetent or dangerous health professionals in the NHSiS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up a national clinical assessment authority in order to detect incompetent or dangerous health professionals in the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for ensuring that health professionals are fit to practise rests both with their employer and with their regulatory body.

However, in Scotland we are also concerned about the issues which the National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) in England is being established to address in respect of doctors and dentists. Although we have no plans to set up a NCAA, we have a number of mechanisms in place or in preparation which serve the same purposes as this new English body, without requiring the establishment of a new body.

The report Suspensions - A New Perspective, which was published in 1999, dealt with issues of performance in career grade medical and dental staff and proposed the approach which we have decided to adopt in Scotland. Concerns about performance should be tackled by constructive intervention at an early stage, with specific advice and support from External Clinical Advisory Teams from the Royal Colleges in Scotland and the Scottish Expert Reference Group.

Two groups are currently examining how to apply the principles of this approach to general practitioners and to doctors and dentists in training.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149125,"EventID":"S1W-12366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-6883 and S1W-6884 by Angus MacKay on 1 December 2000, whether it can obtain the information regarding the number of contracts it ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-6883 and S1W-6884 by Angus MacKay on 1 December 2000, whether it can obtain the information regarding the number of contracts it or the Scottish Office had with external consultants from 1995 to 1999 and, if so, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre details of the nature of work or services provided in each case, and the amount paid.","AnswerText":"The information requested could only be collated at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149126,"EventID":"S1W-12367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to help hotels in the Highlands and Islands with any problems caused by increases in non-domestic rates and falling trade.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to help hotels in the Highlands and Islands with any problems caused by increases in non-domestic rates and falling trade.","AnswerText":"The Transitional Relief arrangements, set in place following the 2000 Revaluation of Non-Domestic Rates, give significant protection to those businesses, including hotels, facing an increase. There is also rate relief for smaller businesses. The New Strategy for Scottish Tourism, published last year, contains actions to grow tourism in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149127,"EventID":"S1W-12368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7184 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 June 2000, whether the seminar with all relevant parties in relation to the employment and training","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7184 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 June 2000, whether the seminar with all relevant parties in relation to the employment and training opportunities arising from New Housing Partnerships has been held; what outcomes have resulted from the seminar, and what further consultation, guidance or action it has issued, given or taken as a result of the seminar.","AnswerText":"The seminar was held in August 2000. Following the seminar, a Working Group has been established including representatives from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Homes, Scottish Enterprise, the Employment Service, CoSLA, the Construction Industry Training Board, the Scottish House Builders Association and Professor Alan MacGregor of Glasgow University. The group's remit is "to identify the mechanisms required to maximise both employment opportunities and inclusion benefits arising from housing investment". The group intends to report back in early summer this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149128,"EventID":"S1W-12369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be to local authorities which own and manage crematoria of complying with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Air Q","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be to local authorities which own and manage crematoria of complying with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Air Quality Division's guidance notes requiring crematoria to undergo major industrial changes involving flue gas cleaning equipment should these changes be deemed necessary to reduce background emissions of mercury.","AnswerText":"Process Guidance Note PG5/2, which relates to emissions from crematoria, is currently subject to review. Accordingly, no final decision has been taken on whether or not to require the fitting of flue gas cleaning equipment to existing crematoria for the purpose of reducing mercury emissions. Discussions on how to proceed are still taking place with the relevant stakeholders, and the cost implications for crematoria will be taken into account before any decision is taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149129,"EventID":"S1W-12370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its current procedure of providing information requested in parliamentary questions by letter and lodging a copy of the letter in the Scottish Parl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its current procedure of providing information requested in parliamentary questions by letter and lodging a copy of the letter in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre where currently the time of lodging the letter is not intimated to members and the response is not in the public domain, in order to ensure that all ministerial responses to questions are accessible and open to both parliamentary and public scrutiny.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to review its current procedure of providing information requested in certain parliamentary questions by letter and lodging a copy of the letter in the Parliament's Reference Centre. However, in consultation with the parliamentary authorities, we will give consideration to whether, and if so how, these responses might be placed in the wider domain.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149130,"EventID":"S1W-12371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) ministerial and (b) non-ministerial letters providing information requested in parliamentary questions have been lodged in the Scottish Parliament Informatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) ministerial and (b) non-ministerial letters providing information requested in parliamentary questions have been lodged in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre since the inception of the Parliament and whether there has been an increase in this practice.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149131,"EventID":"S1W-12372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to seek urgently a derogation from the ban on fishmeal in sheep and cattle feeds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to seek urgently a derogation from the ban on fishmeal in sheep and cattle feeds.","AnswerText":"The ban on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feed is one of a package of extremely important community-wide measures agreed at the December EU Agricultural Council Meeting, aimed at controlling BSE in Europe. A consultation exercise on the implementation of the ban is under way. The Scottish Executive will press to secure a derogation from the ban in the event of it being extended beyond June this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149132,"EventID":"S1W-12373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change the working title of the First Minister to \"Prime Minister\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change the working title of the First Minister to \"Prime Minister\".","AnswerText":"There are no plans to change the title of the First Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149133,"EventID":"S1W-12374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a decision to be made on the extension of rail services to Larkhall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a decision to be made on the extension of rail services to Larkhall.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-9959 on 9 October 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149134,"EventID":"S1W-12375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being provided to the workforce of DAKS Simpson in Larkhall following recent redundancies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being provided to the workforce of DAKS Simpson in Larkhall following recent redundancies.","AnswerText":"A response team comprising local public agencies has been formed under the Scottish Executive's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative. All those affected by this announcement will be offered support to help find new employment. The Scottish Executive and its agencies are in close contact with the company about its future business plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149135,"EventID":"S1W-12376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many claimants who are currently receiving funds from the Independent Living Fund also pay part of their own care costs; what this figure is as a percentage of the t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many claimants who are currently receiving funds from the Independent Living Fund also pay part of their own care costs; what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of claimants receiving funds from the fund in Scotland, and what the total amount of care costs contributed by such claimants is.","AnswerText":"The Independent Living Fund is funded by DSS and data relating to this matter is not held by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149136,"EventID":"S1W-12377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the motorway network is surfaced with porous asphalt.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the motorway network is surfaced with porous asphalt.","AnswerText":"Porous asphalt surfacing is not utilised on Scottish motorways or on the remainder of the Scottish trunk road network, primarily for serviceability reasons. Where we have opted not to use traditional hot-rolled asphalt surfacing, we use negative-texture proprietary thin surfacing systems in preference to porous asphalt because of greater durability and lower maintenance cost hence providing better value for money on both an initial and a whole life cost basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149137,"EventID":"S1W-12378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accident inquiries have been held in each of the last ten years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accident inquiries have been held in each of the last ten years.","AnswerText":"The available figures are as follows:

1990-91

112

1991-92

132

1992-93

131

1993-94

143

1994-95

127

1995-96

96

1996-97

133

1997-98

115

1998-99

141

1999-2000

80

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149138,"EventID":"S1W-12379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current establishment is of the procurator fiscal service, how many vacancies there are and in what grades.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current establishment is of the procurator fiscal service, how many vacancies there are and in what grades.","AnswerText":"The total number of legal staff in post as at 1 January 2001 is 325. There are 12 vacancies.

The total number of non-legal staff in post as at 1 January 2001 is 817. There are 25 vacancies.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149139,"EventID":"S1W-12380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs will reply to my letter of 21 November 2000 regarding third country imports of fish.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs will reply to my letter of 21 November 2000 regarding third country imports of fish.","AnswerText":"The response required input from several different sources and a reply was issued on 17 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149140,"EventID":"S1W-12381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to bring together into one network the currently separate networks of the Public Library Network, Learning Direct Scotland, the National Grid for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to bring together into one network the currently separate networks of the Public Library Network, Learning Direct Scotland, the National Grid for Learning, the Joint Academic Network and the further education colleges network.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is always seeking efficiency in procurement and will look to bring together Government customers with similar requirements. The Joint Information Systems Committee is currently working to provide connectivity to the Joint Academic Network for all Scottish Further Education Funding Council funded colleges by 1 April 2001. Existing Metropolitan Area Networks will be maintained and efforts will be made to support and encourage the development of other local networks.

The Scottish Further Education Funding Council will seek to co-operate with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to ensure maximum efficiency in collaborative higher education and further education network developments. Through the National Grid for Learning and Digital Scotland initiatives, both councils, and other agencies developing public sector networks in Scotland, including the Scottish University for Industry, libraries and schools will seek to work constructively with each other, to ensure maximum integration and best use of public funds.

The Scottish Executive is currently considering what other services would benefit from joint approaches.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149141,"EventID":"S1W-12382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the negotiating position used by the Deputy Minister for Rural Development at the recent EU ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the negotiating position used by the Deputy Minister for Rural Development at the recent EU Fisheries Council and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"No. The UK negotiating position was evolved in discussions before and during the Council meeting in order to secure the best possible deal for Scottish fishermen while ensuring a sustainable fishing industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149142,"EventID":"S1W-12384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the European Year of Languages in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the European Year of Languages in schools.","AnswerText":"I will launch the European Year of Languages in Scotland on Monday 22 January at Stirling University. A Scottish committee has been established to promote Scottish involvement in the year through education, business and cultural networks, and a series of events is already planned in school and community facilities throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149143,"EventID":"S1W-12385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12110 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2001, what direct powers it has with regard to the Dounreay site restoration plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12110 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2001, what direct powers it has with regard to the Dounreay site restoration plan.","AnswerText":"Under sections 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, the Scottish Ministers have powers with regard to existing discharge authorisations and any which might flow from the implementation of the Dounreay Site Restoration Plan.

These include powers to direct the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to refuse, grant, vary or revoke an application for authorisation; to require certain applications to be determined by the Scottish Ministers and to cause a local inquiry to be held in relation to such an application; after consultation with the Secretary of State to direct SEPA to restrict knowledge of applications on the grounds of national security, and to determine appeals against the decisions of SEPA. The Scottish Ministers' powers under the land use planning system may also be relevant to certain aspects of decommissioning.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149144,"EventID":"S1W-12386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12056 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 January 2001, what specific issues it made contributions to in the preparations for the Inter-Gover","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12056 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 January 2001, what specific issues it made contributions to in the preparations for the Inter-Governmental Conference in Nice; at what stage in each of these issues it was involved, and how often and to what extent the Scottish view prevailed over or modified any divergent United Kingdom view on each of these issues.","AnswerText":"Discussions between the Executive and the UK Government are normally conducted on a confidential basis. Scotland and the United Kingdom have every reason to be satisfied with the very successful outcome of the Nice summit.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149145,"EventID":"S1W-12387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former members of the Ukrainian 14th SS Gali'en Division and other former SS troops reside in Scotland; how many of these are deemed to be war criminals, and wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former members of the Ukrainian 14th SS Gali'en Division and other former SS troops reside in Scotland; how many of these are deemed to be war criminals, and what action it intends to take in this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold this information on residents in Scotland. The Executive does, however, take the view that war crimes are among the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. We believe that those responsible for committing atrocities during the Second World War and subsequently should be brought to justice whenever possible. That can only be done within the rule of law and on the evidence available.

Any specific allegation of war crimes against a former SS member resident in Scotland will be investigated by the police. If sufficient evidence became available it would be for the Lord Advocate to decide whether to prosecute. Any request by a foreign state for the extradition of an alleged war criminal resident in Scotland would be dealt with by Scottish Ministers under extradition legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149146,"EventID":"S1W-12388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Gill's Bay Harbour Empowerment Order will be progressed, and if so when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Gill's Bay Harbour Empowerment Order will be progressed, and if so when.","AnswerText":"Consideration is currently being given to whether a Harbour Empowerment Order is required by the promoters of this project to construct a harbour facility at Gill's Bay.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149147,"EventID":"S1W-12389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any economic assessment has been undertaken in respect of the proposed new ferry service between Gill's Bay and Orkney.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any economic assessment has been undertaken in respect of the proposed new ferry service between Gill's Bay and Orkney.","AnswerText":"Any economic assessment of the proposed new ferry service between Gill's Bay and Orkney is primarily a commercial matter for the promoters of the project. The Scottish Executive has no information about whether an economic assessment has been undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149148,"EventID":"S1W-12390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what was the total (a) net expenditure by public libraries, (b) number of professional staff, non-professional staff and management staff employed in public libraries, (c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what was the total (a) net expenditure by public libraries, (b) number of professional staff, non-professional staff and management staff employed in public libraries, (c) number of (i) book and (ii) audio-visual issues, (d) amount of money spent from (i) book and (ii) audio-visual funds and (e) number of branch libraries which were open 45 hours or more per week, in (i) 1995-96 and (ii) 1999-2000, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Net expenditure on public libraries by local authority area is shown in the table. The other information requested is not held centrally.

LIBRARIES - EXPENDITURE 1995-96 & 1999-2000

Final

Outturn

1995-96

Provisional

Outturn

1999-2000

Council

£000

Council

£000

Borders

1,547

Aberdeen City

2,913

*Central

0

Aberdeenshire

2,987

Dumfries & Galloway

1,817

Angus

1,622

*Fife

0

Argyll and Bute

1,156

*Grampian

0

Clackmannanshire

914

Highland

3,006

Dumfries and Galloway

2,146

*Lothian

0

Dundee

3,227

*Strathclyde

0

East Ayrshire

1,899

","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149149,"EventID":"S1W-12391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that future Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative contracts do not prevent access to school buildings by teachers during ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that future Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative contracts do not prevent access to school buildings by teachers during holiday periods.","AnswerText":"The details of the contracts for such schemes are matters between the education authority and the contractors concerned. In entering into a contract, it would be the responsibility of the local authority concerned to take into account the question of teacher access to the school buildings during holiday periods. I would expect them to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149150,"EventID":"S1W-12392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that future Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative contracts safeguard local authority-run activities in the evenings, at ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that future Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative contracts safeguard local authority-run activities in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays.","AnswerText":"The details of the contracts for such schemes are matters between the education authority and the contractors concerned. The parties to such a contract would take a number of factors into account where out of hours use of facilities is an issue, including the needs of the schools and the wider community.

However, I support the principle that school premises and facilities generally should be accessible for community use. I propose to raise this with CoSLA to discuss ways in which access can be improved and encouraged.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149151,"EventID":"S1W-12393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is continuing to fund health bodies which operate in reserved areas by virtue of the Scotland Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is continuing to fund health bodies which operate in reserved areas by virtue of the Scotland Act 1998.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has now concluded discussions with the Department of Health and the Scotland Office about arrangements for the funding of five bodies in the health field, which deal with reserved matters. The bodies are the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; the Human Genetics Commission; the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Authority; the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, and the National Biological Standards Board. Prior to devolution, the former Scottish Office contributed to the costs of these bodies; and financial provision has hitherto remained within the Scottish Executive budget. Arrangements have now been made to transfer to the Department of Health the Scottish share of the costs of these bodies. The sums involved are as follows:

1999-2000

£000

2000-01

£000

2001-02

£000

2002-03

£000

2003-04

£000

62

991.8

970.5

994.1

1018.7

Once the transfer has been completed, funding of these bodies will become the responsibility of the Department of Health.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149152,"EventID":"S1W-12394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was made available to its Government Modernisation Fund in 2000-01 and how much has been allocated from it to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was made available to its Government Modernisation Fund in 2000-01 and how much has been allocated from it to date.","AnswerText":"The £26 million Modernising Government Fund covers a two-year period and is part of the wider drive to modernise government.

In December the Minister for Finance and Local Government announced the allocation of all of the funding to support 36 projects across the public sector in Scotland. £13 million has been allocated for 2000-01 and £13 million for 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149153,"EventID":"S1W-12395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is funding, or has any plans to fund, any medical research into illnesses suffered by soldiers who served in the Balkans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is funding, or has any plans to fund, any medical research into illnesses suffered by soldiers who served in the Balkans.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not directly funding any research into illnesses suffered by soldiers who served in the Balkans, nor has it plans to do so.

However, the Executive in collaboration with UK Departments provides funding for the Medical Research Council, one of the agencies through which the UK Government as a whole undertakes such research.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149154,"EventID":"S1W-12396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to prevent further industrial decline and job losses in the Arbroath area following the recent job losses caused by the closure of the Alps Electric","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to prevent further industrial decline and job losses in the Arbroath area following the recent job losses caused by the closure of the Alps Electric, Swankie's and Stewart and Stevenson factories.","AnswerText":"The First Minister met with a delegation comprising Mr Andrew Welsh MSP and representatives of Angus Council and Arbroath Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday 15 January to discuss proposals for an aid package for Arbroath. These proposals are being carefully considered by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149155,"EventID":"S1W-12397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10405 by Sarah Boyack on 29 November 2000, (a) whether any funding will be available to the Borders Rail project from the Public Tr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10405 by Sarah Boyack on 29 November 2000, (a) whether any funding will be available to the Borders Rail project from the Public Transport Fund for walking and cycling projects as an integral part of the rail development, (b) whether there are budget limits to such local projects and (c) what the total budget is available for the year 2001-02 for such projects.","AnswerText":"The Public Transport Fund (PTF) is supporting cycling and walking measures both as part of wider public transport improvements but also as stand-alone projects. The award to Scottish Borders Council for the development of the railway to the Central Borders is to assist the council take the project forward through the parliamentary process. As part of any future bid by the council to the PTF, walking and cycling measures could be included as part of any wider application.

In the first three rounds of the PTF only projects which cost over £200,000 have been eligible for assistance under the PTF. In September 2000 I announced that the fund would be increased to £150 million between 2001-04 and I indicated that I propose to give more prominence to cycling and walking projects. Details will be issued to local authorities shortly about the arrangements for seeking bids to the next round of the fund. The budget for the PTF in 2001-02 is £40 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149156,"EventID":"S1W-12398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10406 by Sarah Boyack on 29 November 2000, (a) what funding sources are available for cycle projects, (b) how much funding is avail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10406 by Sarah Boyack on 29 November 2000, (a) what funding sources are available for cycle projects, (b) how much funding is available from each of these sources, (c) which bodies and individuals have made funding applications to these sources, (d) which bodies and individuals were successful and (e) how much each body or individual received, in this financial year.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the provision of cycling infrastructure rests with the local authorities. They receive a block allocation for expenditure on a number of services including transport. It is for the local authorities to allocate resources in accordance with locally determined priorities. Information about the level of spending by local authorities on cycling projects is not held centrally.

However, cycling projects are eligible for support from the Public Transport Fund which was announced in 1998 in the Scottish Transport White Paper to assist local authorities to provide key value for money developments to their public transport network. It is open to all of Scotland's local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority to bid for support from the fund.

So far, three Public Transport Fund Competitions have taken place with 53 projects receiving funding totalling over £95 million. During this time, eight bids for projects for improved cycling facilities have been received; all have been successful and received support from the fund. The projects and allocation is listed in the table.

In May 2000, I announced that local authorities had been allocated additional capital consents, totalling £5.2 million, to take forward work on implementing safer routes to school schemes. It is for individual authorities to take decisions on the specific measures to be implemented in their areas having regard to local needs and priorities. Measures could, however, include capital expenditure on cycle projects related to safer routes to school schemes.

In addition, there are occasionally funding opportunities from other sources such as the Millennium Commission which provided resources for the development of the National Cycle Network. However, these are not administered by the Scottish Executive","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149157,"EventID":"S1W-12399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what criteria will be used in prioritising those eligible under its central heating programme, (b) how many households it estimates will have central heating installe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what criteria will be used in prioritising those eligible under its central heating programme, (b) how many households it estimates will have central heating installed under the programme before winter 2001 and (c) how the allocation of the funding is to be administered, monitored and audited and how much of the funding will be required for these purposes, expressed as a figure and a percentage of the total overall budget.","AnswerText":"The Central Heating Working Group is considering the question of priority need and a report will be published shortly. No estimate of the kind described at (b) has yet been made. Funding will be administered by local authorities, Scottish Homes and a managing agent for each of the three sectors of the stock. They will be responsible for monitoring and auditing.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149158,"EventID":"S1W-12400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of the inquiry into the Chokkar case, Sir Anthony Campbell will be interviewing the former Lord Advocate, Lord Hardie, and what the reasons are for the p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of the inquiry into the Chokkar case, Sir Anthony Campbell will be interviewing the former Lord Advocate, Lord Hardie, and what the reasons are for the position in this matter.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Sir Anthony Campbell and not for the Lord Advocate or the Scottish Executive. Sir Anthony Campbell will conduct his inquiry independently of the Lord Advocate and the Scottish Executive. Lord Hardie has stated that he will co-operate with the inquiries.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149159,"EventID":"S1W-12401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department of Social Security on any impact which the current level of Invalid Care Allowance has on its National Strategy for Car","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department of Social Security on any impact which the current level of Invalid Care Allowance has on its National Strategy for Carers and, in particular, on the living standards of carers.","AnswerText":"The Strategy for Carers in Scotland is aimed at addressing the needs of carers for better information and more flexible health and social care support. Financial support to carers through the social security and benefits system remains the responsibility of the UK Government. We welcome the Government's recently announced packages of financial measures to help carers. The measures include substantial increases in the weekly Carer Premium, an increase in the earnings limit for Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) and extending eligibility for ICA to carers over the age of 65, all of which should help deliver improvements in the living standards of many Scottish carers.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149160,"EventID":"S1W-12402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11489 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 December 2000, whether enhanced criminal record certificates will be available without charge to volu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11489 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 December 2000, whether enhanced criminal record certificates will be available without charge to voluntary organisations working with other vulnerable people such as disabled and elderly people.","AnswerText":"Enhanced criminal record certificates for those working with vulnerable people aged 18 or over would become available only after regulations are made under section 115(4) of the Police Act 1997. The question of charging volunteers working with vulnerable adults for the enhanced certificates will be considered before any such regulations are drafted.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149161,"EventID":"S1W-12403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority has sufficient numbers of adequately qualified markers available to deal with the examination","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority has sufficient numbers of adequately qualified markers available to deal with the examination scripts which will be submitted for the 2001 diet of examinations.","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-12484 indicated that, following a review of remuneration, the SQA intends to increase fees for markers and other appointees in 2001 by 50%. The Executive will fund these increases in full, at a cost of approximately £3 million. SQA's progress in recruiting markers will be monitored closely by my officials and by the Ministerial Review Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149162,"EventID":"S1W-12404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Qualifications Authority's definition is of a qualified marker.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Qualifications Authority's definition is of a qualified marker.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to reply to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149163,"EventID":"S1W-12405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Qualifications Authority's definition of a qualified marker is determined.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Qualifications Authority's definition of a qualified marker is determined.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to reply to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149164,"EventID":"S1W-12406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff working days have been lost at the Scottish Qualifications Authority through stress-related illnesses in the past year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff working days have been lost at the Scottish Qualifications Authority through stress-related illnesses in the past year.","AnswerText":"This is an operational issue for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to reply to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149165,"EventID":"S1W-12407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority staff who worked through the recent problems at that organisation will not lose any time off ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority staff who worked through the recent problems at that organisation will not lose any time off in lieu leave that they have built up during that period.","AnswerText":"This is an operational issue for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to reply to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149166,"EventID":"S1W-12408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address any problems of stress and low staff morale at the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address any problems of stress and low staff morale at the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"SQA's statement of how it intends to implement the recommendations of the Deloitte and Touche report (available from the Parliament's Reference Centre, bib. no. 9778) sets out a number of actions which are intended to address the problem of low morale. These include a review of working practices and procedures, organisational restructuring and the deployment and recruitment of additional staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149167,"EventID":"S1W-12409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, or any predecessor body, has carried out any environmental studies of the Tain bombing range.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, or any predecessor body, has carried out any environmental studies of the Tain bombing range.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has not undertaken any environmental studies of the Tain bombing range, and is not aware of any studies undertaken by its predecessor bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149168,"EventID":"S1W-12410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the environmental impact of any possible use of depleted uranium shells on the Tain bombing range.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the environmental impact of any possible use of depleted uranium shells on the Tain bombing range.","AnswerText":"My officials have contacted the Ministry of Defence about this matter. They were advised that depleted uranium based ammunition has not been fired at the Tain bombing range.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149169,"EventID":"S1W-12411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued by the Scottish Ambulance Service on the criteria to be applied in deciding which categories of patients should be conveyed to accident and eme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued by the Scottish Ambulance Service on the criteria to be applied in deciding which categories of patients should be conveyed to accident and emergency departments other than the one which is geographically closest.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service does not issue such guidelines. However, it agrees protocols with health boards and NHS Trusts on the most appropriate transfer of patients into the hospital network.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149170,"EventID":"S1W-12412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list for each of the hospitals in the Tayside Health Board area for each of the past five years how many (a) beds were in use, (b) staff were based in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list for each of the hospitals in the Tayside Health Board area for each of the past five years how many (a) beds were in use, (b) staff were based in the hospital pharmacy and (c) laboratory services staff were based at the hospital.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally in the form requested. Information about staffed beds is available at hospital level. Information about staff numbers is available only at board and Trust level.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149171,"EventID":"S1W-12413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the responses it has received to its consultation on the proposals for the revision of the EU Directive on public access to environmental information can be viewed ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the responses it has received to its consultation on the proposals for the revision of the EU Directive on public access to environmental information can be viewed by the public and when the findings of this consultation exercise will be published.","AnswerText":"The responses received can be viewed at the Scottish Executive Library, Saughton House, Edinburgh and a summary of the views expressed in the consultation has been published on the Internet.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149172,"EventID":"S1W-12414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost was of publishing, promoting and distributing the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2000 and accompanying statistical report a","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost was of publishing, promoting and distributing the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2000 and accompanying statistical report and how many copies of each were printed.","AnswerText":"The total cost of designing, printing and publishing the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and Scottish Parliament Statistics was £41,454. 2,500 copies of each publication were printed.

We intend to review carefully future publications of the Annual Report and Statistics Report in view of the costs identified above.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149173,"EventID":"S1W-12415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current arrangements for the registration and ringing of birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are to be reviewed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current arrangements for the registration and ringing of birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are to be reviewed.","AnswerText":"Action is being taken on a number of fronts. A review of registration charges has already been conducted and the proposals subjected to public consultation. I expect to announce a new charging regime in the near future.

A review of Schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act is also being undertaken, in co-operation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR) and the Welsh Assembly. In addition, Executive officials are working closely with DETR to ensure that current administrative arrangements for the registration of birds are as streamlined and straightforward as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149174,"EventID":"S1W-12416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current waiting times are for first appointments with cancer consultants and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last 10 years, broken down by heal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current waiting times are for first appointments with cancer consultants and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last 10 years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting times for a first outpatient appointment is not collected centrally in the form requested.

There is no recognised specialty of "cancer consultant". Patients in whom a diagnosis of cancer is suspected are referred by their general practitioner (or on occasion by hospital clinicians) to specialist physicians or surgeons dependent on the nature of their condition, including, for example, in cardio-thoracic surgery, urology or dermatology.

Information on waiting times for a first outpatient appointment following a general practitioner referral, by specialty, are published annually in Scottish Health Statistics which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib Number 6937) and on Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd.

The Scottish Cancer Group is preparing a cancer plan for Scotland, which will be published by March 2001. The plan will include national targets for maximum waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149175,"EventID":"S1W-12417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current waiting times are for all forms of cancer and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last 10 years, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current waiting times are for all forms of cancer and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last 10 years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"Treatment for cancer can take place in either an outpatient or inpatient setting. Information is not held centrally on waiting times for treatment which starts in an outpatient setting.

Information on the time between a patient being placed on inpatient and day case waiting lists for cancer treatment and their admission to hospital is available centrally. The median waiting time for inpatient and day case cancer treatment, by health board area of residence, for the last 10 years, is given in the table. These data do not include radiotherapy treatment, which is normally provided on an outpatient basis.

The Scottish Cancer Group is preparing a cancer plan for Scotland, which will be published by March 2001. The plan will include national targets for maximum waiting times.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for Hospital Admission for Treatment of Cancer, by Health Board Area of Residence.

Authority

Project

Total Award

(£ million)

Allocation

2000-01

(£ million)

Dumfries & Galloway

Dumfries Transport Initiative1

£1.063

£0.3

Midlothian

Sheriffhall Cycle Bridge

£0.802

£0.802

East Renfrewshire

Cycling and Walking Facilities

£0.450

-

Dumfries & Galloway

Stranraer Integrated Transport Package1

£0.943

-

East Ayrshire

Cycling and Walking in Kilmarnock

£0.670

-

Health Board

1990*

1991*

1992*

1993*

1994*

 

Median Wait

(Days)

Median Wait

(Days)

Median Wait (Days)

Median Wait

(Days)

Median Wait

(Days)

Argyll and Clyde

14

13

13

13

13

Ayrshire and Arran

12

12

13

14

14

Borders

14

15

13

14

11

Dumfries and Galloway

17

17

19

In June last year, I announced the first round of equipment purchases totalling £5.8 million, to buy four linear accelerators and three simulators. The centres benefiting from this investment are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.

Additionally, as a result of separate procurement exercises, the cancer centres in Inverness and Glasgow will also receive new linear accelerators. Inverness has recently installed a simulator and have received delivery of a linear accelerator. The Glasgow centre will receive three linear accelerators. These will be sited in Gartnavel Hospital where the specialist buildings required to house them have been constructed.

26,000 Scots are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer is a priority for NHSScotland and Cancer Centres give high priority to starting treatment as soon as possible after clinical decisions on treatment options have been made. Treatment may not always include radiotherapy for which referral would normally be made by clinicians after discussion and agreement with patients. These factors will determine the number of patients who will be treated annually by this major equipment investment.

Decisions on allocating the balance of £7.4 million have still to be taken and will be informed by a future needs assessment process that is currently ongoing.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149177,"EventID":"S1W-12419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the criteria according to which entitlement to assistance under its central heating initiative will be determined.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the criteria according to which entitlement to assistance under its central heating initiative will be determined.","AnswerText":"The criteria will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149178,"EventID":"S1W-12420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken with trade unions representing the staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority over working conditions at that institution.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken with trade unions representing the staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority over working conditions at that institution.","AnswerText":"This is an operational issue for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to reply to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149179,"EventID":"S1W-12421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why question S1W-10426 lodged on 18 October 2000 has not been answered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why question S1W-10426 lodged on 18 October 2000 has not been answered.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-10426 was answered today.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149180,"EventID":"S1W-12422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many two and a half hour sessions of nursery provision are made available to three-year-olds in each local authority area, specifying in each case what flexibility e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many two and a half hour sessions of nursery provision are made available to three-year-olds in each local authority area, specifying in each case what flexibility exists in the number of sessions per week which may be taken up compared to the number of sessions available and whether place-sharing is allowed.","AnswerText":"Our aim is to have a place available, offering five sessions of around 2 1/2 hours of pre-school education per week, for all eligible children, whose parents wish it, by the end of school year 2002. Local authorities are responsible for developing places and for admissions. The Executive's policy is to offer flexibility. Whilst provision is expanding to meet demand, some local authorities may offer fewer than five sessions a week to three-year-old children. In most areas offering places with five sessions a week, parents are free to take up fewer sessions, if that better meets their needs and those of the child.

Information on local authority admissions policies is not collected centrally. The number of grant funded places for three-year-old children provided in each local authority by number of sessions per week is shown in the table.

Number of Three-Year-Old Children in Grant Funded Pre-school Education - September 2000

Local Authority

Number of 3 Year Old Children Receiving a Grant Funded Place

Number Receiving 5 Sessions per week

Number Receiving 4 Sessions per week

Number Receiving 3 Sessions per week

Number Receiving 2 Sessions per week

Number Receiving 1 Session per week

Aberdeen City

990

844

45

101

0

0

Aberdeenshire

1,202

496

185

462

59

0

Angus

502

360

28

72

39

3

Argyll and Bute

446

4

There are currently no details available on the number of low cost insurance schemes available but the Executive is in the process of establishing which local authorities provide such schemes. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations operates a scheme on behalf of housing associations and approximately 80 housing associations participate.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149185,"EventID":"S1W-12427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11248 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, how it intends to monitor the allocation of the #10 million earmarked to support car","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11248 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, how it intends to monitor the allocation of the #10 million earmarked to support carers.","AnswerText":"Under the Strategy for Carers in Scotland local authorities have been asked to spend £10 million a year from this year on supporting carers, double the funding previously earmarked. The strategy requires authorities to report to the Executive in detail on how they use their share of these resources. This is being done through local authorities' Community Care Plans and their annual updates. These plans and updates must be accompanied by a letter from local carers' organisations confirming that they have been consulted on the use of these resources and that they are satisfied with how the money is being spent.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149186,"EventID":"S1W-12428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11248 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, whether it will give a breakdown by local authority of the distri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11248 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, whether it will give a breakdown by local authority of the distribution of the #10 million earmarked to support carers.","AnswerText":"The £10 million allocated to local authorities in 2000-01 under the Strategy for Carers in Scotland for services to support carers was distributed as follows:<","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149187,"EventID":"S1W-12429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11306 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, how many households it is estimated will be eligible under the relief scheme for wat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11306 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, how many households it is estimated will be eligible under the relief scheme for water and sewerage charges for those on low incomes in each of the next three years and what the estimated administration costs are of the scheme.","AnswerText":"The number of households that will qualify for assistance under the proposed scheme will depend on the charges levied by each of the water authorities in the coming year and the level at which any cap is set. As the charge levels have yet to be set and proposals for the scheme are still out to consultation it is not presently possible to identify the actual number of households that will qualify. It is however anticipated that at least 100,000 households throughout Scotland will receive assistance under the proposed scheme.

With regard to the administration costs of the scheme my officials are presently discussing the implications for the billing process with local authorities. It is anticipated that suitable software adjustments can be made to the existing systems that will significantly reduce the requirement for on going administrative costs. This is however subject to any adjustments resulting from the consultation process. For this reason an estimate of the administrative costs is not available at this time.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149188,"EventID":"S1W-12430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11211 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, whether it will commission research into allegations regarding the surreptitious use","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11211 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 November 2000, whether it will commission research into allegations regarding the surreptitious use of drugs in nursing and residential homes.","AnswerText":"I have no such plans at present. The arrangements that are in place and those that are planned for the future are designed to ensure high quality care and protection for all care home residents. I will keep the need for research on this specific aspect under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149189,"EventID":"S1W-12431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11588 by Jackie Baillie on 29 November 2000, whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the allocation of the #10 million for ref","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11588 by Jackie Baillie on 29 November 2000, whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the allocation of the #10 million for refuge development; what criteria will be used in allocating funding, and whether there is any ceiling on the amount available for existing refuges.","AnswerText":"£2 million will be made available in the years 2001-02 and 2002-03 and £6 million will be spent in 2003-04.

Bidding guidance is currently being drawn up and will be issued shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149190,"EventID":"S1W-12432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics are available on the level of personal debt and whether any are available (a) on a geographical basis, (b) broken down by household income and (c) showing","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics are available on the level of personal debt and whether any are available (a) on a geographical basis, (b) broken down by household income and (c) showing the increases or decreases in levels of personal debt under (a) and (b) in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Official statistics on the level of debt are limited. The Bank of England provides details on consumer credit by type of lender but not broken down either by geographical area or household type. The lack of such data is an issue being considered by the DTI Taskforce on Overindebtedness with which the Executive is involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149191,"EventID":"S1W-12433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8563 by Sarah Boyack on 8 January 2001, what the accident rates were involving (i) fatalities and (ii) injuries on a per mile basis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8563 by Sarah Boyack on 8 January 2001, what the accident rates were involving (i) fatalities and (ii) injuries on a per mile basis, differentiating between the M74 four and six-lane sections.","AnswerText":"Over the last 3 years there were 0.30 fatal accidents on a per mile basis and 5.10 serious and slight injury accidents on a per mile basis over the 20 miles of the 4 lane section of the M74.

Over the last 3 years there were 0.08 fatal accidents on a per mile basis and 3.73 serious and slight injury accidents on a per mile basis over the 64 miles of the 6 lane section of the M74.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149192,"EventID":"S1W-12434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the Highlands and Islands as a venue for weddings and as a tourism destination following the publicity generated by the wedding of Madonna an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the Highlands and Islands as a venue for weddings and as a tourism destination following the publicity generated by the wedding of Madonna and what budget will be made available for this purpose.","AnswerText":"The STB and the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board (HOST) are working effectively together to take advantage of the recent positive publicity generated by Madonna's wedding. The main responsibility for marketing the area lies with HOST. I understand that HOST intends to further develop its successful website www.highland-wedding.com. HOST is also preparing proposals for a campaign entitled "Romance in the Highlands".","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149193,"EventID":"S1W-12435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist for the provision of signage on cycleways.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist for the provision of signage on cycleways.","AnswerText":"Where the cycleway forms part of the public road network, only those signs specified by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 or authorised by the Scottish Ministers may be used. Guidance on road signing, including signs for cycleways, is given in the Traffic Signs Manual, which is published by the Stationery Office. There is no legislation or associated guidance for signs on cycleways which do not form part of the public road network, such as forest cycle trails.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149194,"EventID":"S1W-12436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any guidelines on the maximum number of cycleway and road signs to be provided at any one location.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any guidelines on the maximum number of cycleway and road signs to be provided at any one location.","AnswerText":"Guidance on road signing, including signs for cycleways, is given in the Traffic Signs Manual, which is published by the Stationery Office. Its purpose is to provide traffic authorities with the codes to be followed in the use, siting and illumination of road signs. Decisions on placing signs and the numbers of signs required in any given situation are for the relevant traffic authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149195,"EventID":"S1W-12437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cycleway and road signs are located within a 100 yard radius of the roundabout on the B7076 at Kirkburn Farm, Lockerbie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cycleway and road signs are located within a 100 yard radius of the roundabout on the B7076 at Kirkburn Farm, Lockerbie.","AnswerText":"Both the roundabout and the B7076 in the vicinity of the roundabout are local roads for which Dumfries & Galloway Council are the local roads authority. Nevertheless, it is understood that the number of cycleway signs is in the order of 30 and the number of other road signs is in the order of 17.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149196,"EventID":"S1W-12438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was, including installation, of the cycleway signs within 100 yards of the roundabout on the B7076 at Kirkburn Farm, Lockerbie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was, including installation, of the cycleway signs within 100 yards of the roundabout on the B7076 at Kirkburn Farm, Lockerbie.","AnswerText":"The installation of the cycleway signs was included in a package of work awarded under a lump sum form of contract ancillary to the M6 DBFO project. Consequently it is not possible to identify the contractor's costs for individual elements of the package of work such as cycleway signs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149197,"EventID":"S1W-12439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cycleway signs there are on the cycle track adjacent to the B7076 between Gretna and Beattock Summit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cycleway signs there are on the cycle track adjacent to the B7076 between Gretna and Beattock Summit.","AnswerText":"The number of cycleway signs on the 61km of cycleway and cycletrack between Kirkpatrick Fleming and Beattock where it is adjacent to the B7076 is in the order of 307.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149198,"EventID":"S1W-12440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was, including installation, of the cycleway signs on the cycletrack adjacent to the B7076 between Gretna and Beattock Summit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was, including installation, of the cycleway signs on the cycletrack adjacent to the B7076 between Gretna and Beattock Summit.","AnswerText":"The cycletrack between Kirkpatrick Fleming and Beattock was constructed as part of a number of individual contracts during the upgrading of the A74 between Gretna and Millbank. Several of these contracts were in the form of lump sum design and build and the section between Johnstonebridge and Beattock was constructed as part of the M6 DBFO project. Consequently it is not possible to identify the contractor's costs for individual elements of the various works such as cycleway signs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149199,"EventID":"S1W-12441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has made available to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the maintenance of cycletrack and bridges within Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has made available to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the maintenance of cycletrack and bridges within Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not allocate funds to councils for the maintenance of individual road elements such as cycletracks and bridges. Any increase in the length of road to be maintained by a local authority is taken into consideration by the method by which the annual grant allocation for local roads is calculated by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149200,"EventID":"S1W-12442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the maintenance of cycletracks, particularly in relation to sweeping and the removal of debris.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the maintenance of cycletracks, particularly in relation to sweeping and the removal of debris.","AnswerText":"In December 1999 the Scottish Executive published the consultation paper 'Cycling by Design' providing design guidance for all aspects of cycling infrastructure. Sections 12.40-12.71 inclusive of that document provides general guidance on the maintenance of cycle facilities and section 12.46 in particular offers guidance in relation to sweeping of cycle paths.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149201,"EventID":"S1W-12443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a guarantee that the Rankin maternity unit will not be removed from Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a guarantee that the Rankin maternity unit will not be removed from Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","AnswerText":"The provision of maternity services in Argyll and Clyde is a matter for Argyll and Clyde Health Board and Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Any proposals for significant change or reconfiguration of maternity services must be subject to comprehensive public consultation.

The Maternity Services Framework, which was published on 2 February, establishes clear action points and recommendations to enable NHS Boards, NHS Trusts and other agencies to put in place maternity services appropriate to the needs of the population and demography of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149202,"EventID":"S1W-12444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were waiting for admission to hospital in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area in each quarter of (i) 1987 and (ii) 1992 and how many patients w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were waiting for admission to hospital in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area in each quarter of (i) 1987 and (ii) 1992 and how many patients were waiting for admission to hospital in each NHS Trust in each quarter of each year from 1995 to date.","AnswerText":"Prior to March 1988, information on inpatient and day case waiting lists was compiled to a completely different set of definitions and procedures, and is not comparable with subsequent data. Information on the number of patients awaiting admission to hospital for inpatient/day case treatment on the last day of each quarter of 1992, by health board area of treatment, and on the last day of each quarter since March 1995, by NHS Trust or Directly Managed Unit of treatment, is provided in the tables.

NHSScotland: Number of Patients1 Waiting For Admission To Hospital For In-Patient/Day Case Treatment, By Health Board Of Treatment.

Local Authority

(£000)

Aberdeen

411

Aberdeenshire

378

Angus

233

Argyll & Bute

204

Clackmannanshire

97

Dumfries & Galloway

301

Dundee City

326

East Ayrshire

244

East Dunbartonshire

166

East Lothian

177

East Renfrewshire

146

Edinburgh, City of

887

Eilean Siar

70

Falkirk

270

Fife

699

Glasgow City

1355

Highland

387

Inverclyde

181

Midlothian

134

Moray

155

North Ayrshire

283

North Lanarkshire

611

Orkney Islands

38

Perth & Kinross

274

Health Board

31 March 1992

30 June 1992

30 September 1992

31 December 1992

Argyll and Clyde

4,612

4,881

5,088

5,183

Ayrshire and Arran

6,195

6,167

6,861

6,785

Borders

616

736

777

775

Dumfries and Galloway

2,193

2,412

2,382

2,407

Fife

4,784

4,732

4,741

5,168

Forth Valley

3,140

3,390

3,695

4,251

Grampian

6,665

6,799

6,833

The first set gives expenditure per head based on weighted populations. These weightings were used to calculate a health board three-year weighted average population that was used to allocate funding to each board under S.H.A.R.E.

The second set uses population figures as provided by the General Register Office for Scotland.

The revenue expenditure of health boards should not be taken to be a measure of funding nor does it represent the total funding of NHS Scotland. The total spending on health per head of population in Scotland for 1999-2000 was £966 rising to £1,060 for 2000-01.

Table 1: 1978-79 to 1985-86

For year ending 31st March

Health Board

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

£/Pop

Weighted Population figures

Argyll & Clyde

416

429

454

472

482

488

503

506

Ayrshire/Arran

343

350

380

413

435

Good Practice Guidance on Consultation has recently been made available to all departments undertaking consultations. It recognises that consultation is an essential in modern government to ensure policy decisions are soundly based on evidence, that they take into account views and experience of those affected by them, that innovative and creative options are considered and that new arrangements are workable.

The Good Practice Guidance on Consultation derives from the Policy Unit report on Civic Participation which was published last year and is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/civicp.pdf That report identified 4 broad themes which have a bearing on extending distribution and increasing involvement in consultations:

Good Practice - to sharpen planning and execution of consultations;

Reaching 'civic' Scotland;

Reaching the wider public;

Making best use of resources.

These broad recommendations were further broken-down into 21 actions which have now been implemented through the production of the Good Practice Guidance on Consultation. The Guidance covers issues that enhance distribution such as:

equality mainstreaming;

use of sampling techniques to ensure all relevant interests are brought within the ambit of the consultation;

enhancement of the Executive website to maximise the potential of the internet as a consultative tool;

research into the methods of distribution to determine the most effective ways of reaching the public;

working closely with the Civic Forum;

as well as other key improvements such as:

extending consultations to 12 weeks; and

summaries to make key issues more accessible.

This work will continue and a dedicated team within the Executive has been established to regularly update the Good Practice Guidance on Consultations and provide advice to policy areas on effective consultation procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149208,"EventID":"S1W-12450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to making Scottish history a compulsory part of the syllabus for primary and secondary school pupils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to making Scottish history a compulsory part of the syllabus for primary and secondary school pupils.","AnswerText":"In Scotland the curriculum is not prescribed by statute and delivery is a matter for local authorities and schools. The Scottish Executive's policy is to ensure that guidance to education authorities and schools and the framework of national qualifications provide ample opportunities for teaching Scottish history at every level of the school curriculum.

The 5-14 Environmental Studies - Social Subjects Guidelines are designed to develop pupils' understanding of the past through a variety of studies which include attention to Scottish contexts. Pupils aged 14-16 who choose to study history at Standard Grade cover Scottish history in its wider British and international context over a 100-year period of social history. Pupils aged 16 and over can choose from a wide range of new National Qualifications covering Scottish history at five levels of difficulty.

There are no plans to change current policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149209,"EventID":"S1W-12451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued on the teaching of Scottish history in primary and secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued on the teaching of Scottish history in primary and secondary schools.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12450.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149210,"EventID":"S1W-12452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to expanding the teaching of Scottish history in the school curriculum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to expanding the teaching of Scottish history in the school curriculum.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12450.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149211,"EventID":"S1W-12453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to ensure that all primary and secondary school pupils are taught Scottish history.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to ensure that all primary and secondary school pupils are taught Scottish history.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12450 on.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149212,"EventID":"S1W-12454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make the route action plan study carried out on the A77 between Ayr and Stranraer in 1994 available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make the route action plan study carried out on the A77 between Ayr and Stranraer in 1994 available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The A77 Route Action Plan (RAP) study report was not commissioned for external publication.

As I explained in my letter to the member of 19 December 2000, the improvement measures recommended in the RAP will be progressed when funding opportunities become available.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149213,"EventID":"S1W-12455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to secure additional agrimonetary compensation and, if so, what amount it will seek to secure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to secure additional agrimonetary compensation and, if so, what amount it will seek to secure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues including agrimoney compensation. The Scottish Executive cannot decide unilaterally to pay compensation since agrimoney payments must be made on a UK-wide basis. That is why the subject was discussed along with other issues when I met with the other Agricultural Ministers on Monday 22 January.

The United Kingdom Government has until the end of April 2001 to apply to the EU Commission for such aid. Since the precise amounts of agrimoney compensation available to the UK has yet to be determined by the EU Commission, it is rather pre-mature to discuss how much agrimoney compensation, if any, we will apply for. We will consider the matter in more detail once we have a clearer picture of precisely how much money is at stake.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149214,"EventID":"S1W-12456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any alterations to its timetable for the proposed Land Reform Bill and whether it will set out its current timetable for the Bill from consultati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any alterations to its timetable for the proposed Land Reform Bill and whether it will set out its current timetable for the Bill from consultation to introduction through to Royal Assent.","AnswerText":"As detailed in the latest Land Reform Action Plan Progress Report, issued on 7 December 2001 and copied to all MSPs and to the Parliament's Reference Centre (question S1W-11799 refers), the draft Land Reform Bill will issue for consultation later this month. Following the 12-week consultation period, the target date for introduction to Parliament is September 2001. Thereafter, the Bill's timetable will be a matter for the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149215,"EventID":"S1W-12457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is currently provided to farmers and crofters on lower incomes and in particular to those whose net income is below that of a full-time worker in receipt ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is currently provided to farmers and crofters on lower incomes and in particular to those whose net income is below that of a full-time worker in receipt of an income based on the minimum wage.","AnswerText":"There are a wide range of agricultural support measures available to farmers and crofters regardless of income levels. In addition the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board sets a minimum hourly rate of pay for agricultural workers. The rate for an adult worker is currently 18% above the national minimum wage.

Farmers and crofters on low incomes are entitled to the normal social security assistance. Social Security is reserved to the UK Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149216,"EventID":"S1W-12458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11354 by Mr Jack McConnell on 10 January 2000, in what specific ways the guidelines for initial teacher education require instituti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11354 by Mr Jack McConnell on 10 January 2000, in what specific ways the guidelines for initial teacher education require institutions to prepare teachers to be responsive to the linguistic needs of pupils in relation to the Scots language.","AnswerText":"The guidelines for initial teacher education courses are not prescriptive. The competencies set out in the guidelines are generic to enable interpretation relevant to the particular education sector and situation the student teacher is training in. The competence to be attained by new teachers in relation to being responsive to the linguistic needs of pupils is therefore not specific to any language group.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149217,"EventID":"S1W-12459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland will benefit from the increased funding for sport announced by the Prime Minister on 11 January 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland will benefit from the increased funding for sport announced by the Prime Minister on 11 January 2001.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Prime Minister's speech on 11 January referred to the UK-wide proposals for the next round of New Opportunities Fund initiatives. These proposals involve a major investment in school and community sport in Scotland. Sam Galbraith also announced in Parliament on 9 November 2000 a substantial increase in funding for sport in Scotland as part of the outcome of the 2000 Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149218,"EventID":"S1W-12460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all school children in Scotland will be guaranteed at least two hours of sporting activity per week.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all school children in Scotland will be guaranteed at least two hours of sporting activity per week.","AnswerText":"The desirability of primary schools providing a minimum of two hours of physical education per week was identified in Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland, and the Scottish Executive is working towards that.

sportscotland works closely with education authorities in a number of programmes, targeted at primary and secondary schools, which aim to promote and increase the level and range of sporting and physical activity of school-aged children during and after school hours.

There are, however, no plans to prescribe as part of the curriculum that school children should have set levels of sporting activity per week.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149219,"EventID":"S1W-12461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the remit of school sports co-ordinators in Scottish schools compares to the remit of (a) school sports co-ordinators and (b) the proposed sports assistants in Engla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the remit of school sports co-ordinators in Scottish schools compares to the remit of (a) school sports co-ordinators and (b) the proposed sports assistants in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"School sports co-ordinators in Scotland and England cover broadly similar remits. Co-ordinators in England work with groups of schools. In Scotland, our objective is to appoint a co-ordinator in every secondary school and we have announced funding to extend the scheme to enable co-ordinators to work with local sports clubs to introduce young people to club sport while still at school. The role and remit of sports assistants is still being developed prior to the pilot being commenced but the intention is that they should complement the work of co-ordinators in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149220,"EventID":"S1W-12462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10935 and S1W-10936.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10935 and S1W-10936.","AnswerText":"Questions SIW-10935 and SIW-10936 were answered on 25 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149221,"EventID":"S1W-12463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10883, S1W-10884, S1W-10885, S1W-10886 and S1W-10887.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10883, S1W-10884, S1W-10885, S1W-10886 and S1W-10887.","AnswerText":"Parliamentary questions S1W-10883, S1W-10884, S1W-10885, S1W-10886 and S1W-10887 were all answered today, Tuesday 16 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149222,"EventID":"S1W-12464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10967, S1W-10968, S1W-10969 and S1W-10970.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer parliamentary questions S1W-10967, S1W-10968, S1W-10969 and S1W-10970.","AnswerText":"Parliamentary questions S1W-10967, S1W-10968 and S1W-10969 were answered on Thursday 18 January 2001. Parliamentary question S1W-10970 was answered on Thursday 25 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149223,"EventID":"S1W-12465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend the status of sportscotland in its review of non-departmental public bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend the status of sportscotland in its review of non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question 12267 on 25 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149224,"EventID":"S1W-12466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing sustainable alternative ways of promoting traditional and Gaelic arts and music in Inverness and the Highlands and in ensuring ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing sustainable alternative ways of promoting traditional and Gaelic arts and music in Inverness and the Highlands and in ensuring the continuance of the educational work done at Balnain House, Inverness following its closure, and what funding it is making available for this, particularly for tuition.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council is working, with other members of the Highland Arts Partnership, to develop sustainable programmes of support for the traditional arts. I have therefore asked the Director of the Arts Council to write to the member with the requested information and to make it available to the Parliament's Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149225,"EventID":"S1W-12467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12006 by Malcolm Chisholm on 4 January 2001, what the current timetable is for the establishment of the national service network fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12006 by Malcolm Chisholm on 4 January 2001, what the current timetable is for the establishment of the national service network for autistic spectrum disorder, which organisations are being consulted regarding its establishment and what the timetable is for the establishment of the Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities including the location, staffing and remit.","AnswerText":"As to the national service network for autistic spectrum disorders, I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1O-2810 on 18 January (Official Report, Vol.10 Col. 420).

The procurement process for the Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities leading to the award of grant is well under way but many of the areas relating to the location, staffing and operational aspects of the new centre are still uncertain and subject to clarification and negotiation with applicants. Due to confidentiality constraints, further details cannot be made public at this stage. The Executive expects to award the grant soon for commencement on 1 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149226,"EventID":"S1W-12468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been made available to the textile industry in the Borders since 6 June 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been made available to the textile industry in the Borders since 6 June 2000.","AnswerText":"Companies are supported by a very wide variety of programmes from the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Enterprise Networks and other public sector bodies. Scottish Enterprise Borders received an additional £2.3 million in the current year to help meet the challenges the area is facing, the third year of increased funding. The LEC estimates that this has helped it to provide some £700,000 to textile companies in the Borders since 6 June 2000. In addition, a Faraday award of £1.2 million has been awarded by the DTI to the Technitex project, a collaborative project across the UK led by Heriot Watt at Galashiels. The total value of support is dependent on the extent to which companies and other bodies involved in the industry come forward with eligible projects and proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149227,"EventID":"S1W-12469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9643 by Henry McLeish on 19 September 2000, how many textile-related projects have been developed by (a) the enterprise network and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9643 by Henry McLeish on 19 September 2000, how many textile-related projects have been developed by (a) the enterprise network and (b) the textile industry, and which of these projects are receiving or are to receive financial support, specifying the amount of support in each case. ","AnswerText":"We are determined to help the textile sector in its transition from volume manufacturing to higher added-value markets. Since the Scottish Textile Forum was established on 6 June last year, nearly £3 million of public support has been provided to the textile sector in Scotland. The Scottish Executive and its agencies have over this period provided: over £2 million towards retraining of those made redundant by textile companies; £300,000 in Regional Selective Assistance to textile companies; £10,000 to support companies attending London Fashion Week; £449,000 over two years for the cashmere club; £20,000 support for in-store promotion; £20,000 for the development of a website for the Scottish textile industry; £15,000 to support companies attending industry trend presentations; and £20,000 support for the development of a national textile action plan. The DTI has also provided £70,000 under their Engineering Technicians programme to raise skill levels in the Borders and are currently considering support for various other projects from Scottish companies. The £3 million figure does not include a £1.2 million DTI Faraday award for the UK-wide Technitex project led by Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149228,"EventID":"S1W-12470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9641 by Henry McLeish on 19 September 2000, how many times the Scottish Textiles Forum has met to date; what decisions have been ta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9641 by Henry McLeish on 19 September 2000, how many times the Scottish Textiles Forum has met to date; what decisions have been taken further to the forum's discussions, and what measures have consequently been implemented.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Textile Forum met on 12 June and 12 September, and the next meeting will be on 31 January. Minutes of these meetings are available on the Scottish Executive's website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/tra_tex.asp). Subgroups of the forum have been working on producing an action plan document for the industry. Plans are also being developed for future support of the textile industry by the Enterprise Network. Further announcements on these developments will be made in the spring.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149229,"EventID":"S1W-12471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many copies of the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2000 and accompanying statistical report have been sold to date, broken down between sale","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many copies of the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2000 and accompanying statistical report have been sold to date, broken down between sales to the public and sales to publicly funded organisations.","AnswerText":"The Corporate Body distributed 1,175 copies free of charge to MSPs, Scottish MEPs, partner libraries, embassies and consulates, councils, police and Fire Boards, Health boards and Trusts and various other bodies within civic Scotland who contributed to the Consultative Steering Group report on the Scottish Parliament. Additional copies are also available from SPICe.

We understand that the Stationery Office has to date sold 45 copies to the general public.

The Annual Report is freely available on the Scottish Parliament website and has had nearly 400 "hits" since publication on 22 December.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149230,"EventID":"S1W-12472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of its Water Quality & Standards 2002-2006: A Consultation Paper have been published; how many have been distributed, and what the total cost was of publi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of its Water Quality & Standards 2002-2006: A Consultation Paper have been published; how many have been distributed, and what the total cost was of publishing, promoting and distributing the document.","AnswerText":"The initial print run of 500 has been distributed and a further print run of 200 has been ordered to meet increased demand. The paper is also available on the Scottish Executive website and through the Stationery Office Bookshop.

It is not yet possible to quote the total cost for printing and distribution because my officials are in the process of confirming the initial invoice and securing an estimate for the second print run. I anticipate, however, that the cost should be slightly less than that quoted for the Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges consultation paper (£1601.49) due to using the same cover design.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149231,"EventID":"S1W-12473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of its Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges: A Consultation Paper have been published; how many have been distributed, and what the total cost was ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of its Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges: A Consultation Paper have been published; how many have been distributed, and what the total cost was of publishing, promoting and distributing this document.","AnswerText":"500 copies of this paper were printed, of which 480 have been distributed to date (17.01.01). Approximately 20 further copies have been issued by email. The paper is also available on the Scottish Executive website and through the Stationery Office Bookshop.

The total cost for printing and distribution, including entry on to the Scottish Executive website and lodging with the Stationery Office Bookshop was £1601.49.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149232,"EventID":"S1W-12474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer by Jackie Baillie to my supplementary question to S1O-2769 on 11 January 2001 (Official Report, col. 149), how many homelessness applications to lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer by Jackie Baillie to my supplementary question to S1O-2769 on 11 January 2001 (Official Report, col. 149), how many homelessness applications to local authorities have been made in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of applications from households to local authorities under the homeless persons legislation, for the last five years, is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre in the following two statistical bulletins: The Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland 1988-89 to 1998-99: National and Local Authority Analyses - HSG/2000/2" (table 3) and Housing Trends in Scotland: Quarter ending 31 March 2000 - HSG/2000/7 (table 20).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149233,"EventID":"S1W-12475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often and on what dates the Scottish Textiles Forum has met since June 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often and on what dates the Scottish Textiles Forum has met since June 2000.","AnswerText":"I refer Ms Grahame to the answer given to question S1W-12470.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149234,"EventID":"S1W-12476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the Better Neighbourhoods Fund announced as part of the Spending Review on 20 September 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the Better Neighbourhoods Fund announced as part of the Spending Review on 20 September 2000.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to announce that £90 million will be available to support pathfinder projects to improve the quality of services to those living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in 12 Scottish local authority areas. Each council will have the opportunity to agree with its community planning partners locally which neighbourhood should benefit and how the resources should be deployed to bring about improvement in the lives of those communities. Through involving those communities agreement will be reached on the specific services and outcomes that will result from the pathfinders, and these will become the subject of local outcome agreements along the lines that I described in the debate on the renewal of local government finance on 22 November 2000. Resources will be available over the coming three-year period, as follows:
 

(£ million)

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Total

Glasgow

6.00

9.00

12.00

27.00

West Dunbartonshire

2.00

3.00

4.00

9.00

Dundee

2.00

3.00

4.00

9.00

Inverclyde

2.00

3.00

4.00

9.00

North Ayrshire

1.50

2.25

3.00

6.75

East Ayrshire

1.50

2.25

3.00

6.75

North Lanarkshire

1.50

2.25

Scotland is participating in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment which is assessing the reading, mathematics and science performance of 15-year-olds in 2000, 2003 and 2006. Participation in the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study which will assess the attainment of nine- and 13-year-olds in mathematics and science in 2003 is under consideration, and I will report to Parliament the outcome of that consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149236,"EventID":"S1W-12478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Strategy for Victims will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Strategy for Victims will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Strategy for Victims, and the Scottish Executive Justice Department Action Plan which sets out what the Justice Department plans to do to support the strategy, is published today. A copy of each document will be placed in the Parliament's Information Centre and additional copies made available in the Document Supply Centre. (Bib. no's 10680 and 10681).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149237,"EventID":"S1W-12479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the progress of projects which have received funding from the Modernising Government Fund and, in particular, the development of a new custome","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the progress of projects which have received funding from the Modernising Government Fund and, in particular, the development of a new customer service centre in South Lanarkshire, the \"eCare Project\" and the use of telecommunication technology in public access kiosks in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"On 18 December 2000 I announced £26 million of funding to support 36 projects. The funds have still to be drawn down and at the present time it is too early to say how the projects are progressing.

All of the projects are being monitored by the Executive and the project plans, along with progress reports for each of the projects, will be published on the Executives 21st Century Government website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149238,"EventID":"S1W-12480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate waiting lists for cardiac transplant surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate waiting lists for cardiac transplant surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"The waiting list is kept under constant review. Its size is influenced by a number of factors, including referral rates and the availability of medical therapies as alternatives to transplantation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149239,"EventID":"S1W-12481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give out information, photographs or reaction","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give out information, photographs or reactions to researchers from the Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide complies with the Code of Openness in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland makes a presumption of openness and accessibility of information. In response to a recent request for advice from an NHS Trust, the Executive confirmed that the Code does not, however, require the NHS to provide information already widely available publicly or where to do so would result in an unacceptable diversion of resources from patient care.

Requests for information are considered on an individual basis and decisions on whether to provide information depend on the subject matter and content. It is not normal practice to seek ministerial approval for the handling of each such request. Under the proposed Freedom of Information Bill, requests will continue to be considered case by case.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149240,"EventID":"S1W-12482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister was aware of or sanctioned the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's Head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister was aware of or sanctioned the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's Head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give out information, photograph or reactions to researchers from the Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12481.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149241,"EventID":"S1W-12483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's Head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give out information, photographs or reaction","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reported instruction by the Scottish Executive's Head of New Media and Presentation that NHSiS staff should not give out information, photographs or reactions to researchers from the Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide would comply with the requirements of its proposed Freedom of Information Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12481.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149242,"EventID":"S1W-12484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11436 by Mr Jack McConnell on 22 November 2000, whether the Scottish Qualifications Authority has completed its review of markers' ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11436 by Mr Jack McConnell on 22 November 2000, whether the Scottish Qualifications Authority has completed its review of markers' fees and what decisions have been taken on the fees for 2001 and subsequent exam diets.","AnswerText":"The SQA has now recommended to me a 50% increase in fees for its markers, members of examining teams, moderators and other appointees for 2001. I have agreed that the Executive will fund this increase in full.

In addition, I am setting up an in-depth review of fees for 2002 and future years, involving the SQA, local authorities and further education colleges. This review will aim to produce a fee structure that is balanced and transparent, and that ensures SQA can recruit sufficient teachers and lecturers to carry out marking and other assessment tasks effectively. It will commence immediately, and will make proposals jointly to me and to the Chair of SQA in time for SQA to implement any necessary changes to their systems for the 2002 diet.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149243,"EventID":"S1W-12485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake research into the presence of radioactive fallout in areas which have been subject to depleted uranium shelling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake research into the presence of radioactive fallout in areas which have been subject to depleted uranium shelling.","AnswerText":"Monitoring of depleted uranium in the environment is already undertaken by the Radiation Protection Services of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The Scottish Executive has no plans to instigate additional monitoring.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149244,"EventID":"S1W-12486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5422 by Sarah Boyack on 13 April 2000, whether the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture will now ask for direct advance noti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5422 by Sarah Boyack on 13 April 2000, whether the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture will now ask for direct advance notification of any future target practice to be undertaken in Scotland by the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149245,"EventID":"S1W-12487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any other Scottish public body holds information on the number of rounds of depleted uranium shells which have been exploded in Scotland and the location o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any other Scottish public body holds information on the number of rounds of depleted uranium shells which have been exploded in Scotland and the location of such activities in connection with environmental monitoring responsibilities.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Ministry of Defence that 6,907 depleted uranium projectiles have been fired into the Solway Firth from the Dundrennan Range, Kirkcudbright, and 315 into Luce Bay from the West Freugh Range, near Stranraer. These projectiles are not explosive.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149246,"EventID":"S1W-12488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to Lothian and Borders police to meet any additional policing burden which will result from the Global Forum for Law En","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to Lothian and Borders police to meet any additional policing burden which will result from the Global Forum for Law Enforcement and National Security Conference in Edinburgh in June 2001 and, if so, what funding will be allocated.","AnswerText":"It is for the Chief Constable in consultation with his joint police board to determine priorities within the budget set for the force. Funding is allocated to forces in total and is not earmarked by the Executive for specific purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149247,"EventID":"S1W-12489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many flights between (a) Edinburgh and London and (b) Glasgow and London were taken by (i) ministers and (ii) staff of the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many flights between (a) Edinburgh and London and (b) Glasgow and London were taken by (i) ministers and (ii) staff of the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive since 1997 and how many of those flights were made using budget or low-cost airlines.","AnswerText":"The number of flights by ministers and officials in the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2000 which were arranged through the business travel agent were (a) 9,935 between Edinburgh and London and (b) 1,287 between Glasgow and London. These flights are recorded in the system operated by the business travel agent and were with selected carriers at preferred government rates negotiated in conjunction with UK government departments.

Budget or low cost airlines do not accept bookings through the business travel agent's system and comparable information on total numbers of flights is not available.

Flight information is available from the business travel agent's system which records each flight by the named traveller. A name search to collate and differentiate between flights by ministers and staff could be completed only at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149248,"EventID":"S1W-12490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward the commencement order in respect of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 in order to ensure that home owners do not","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward the commencement order in respect of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 in order to ensure that home owners do not continue to face demands from feudal superiors for payments for waiver of title conditions and whether it will canvass MSPs in order to establish how widespread this practice continues to be.","AnswerText":"We will bring forward the commencement order in due course. The Property Law Reform programme is a package and we will assess the appropriate date for commencement when the next Bill in the package - the Title Conditions Bill - has been enacted. We expect to consult on a draft Title Conditions Bill in the spring. Meantime, we have no plans to conduct a survey of MSPs, but would of course be happy to receive any information from them.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149249,"EventID":"S1W-12491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the Disability Rights Task Force Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the Disability Rights Task Force Report.","AnswerText":"We have published today the Scottish Executive's response to the Disability Rights Task Force Report setting out how recommendations in devolved areas will be taken forward in Scotland. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10690).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149250,"EventID":"S1W-12492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to address any current transport gridlock in Aberdeen caused by the closure of the Grandholm Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to address any current transport gridlock in Aberdeen caused by the closure of the Grandholm Bridge.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for management of traffic rests primarily with Aberdeen City Council. There is consultation with the Executive on trunk road matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149251,"EventID":"S1W-12493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the movement of emergency vehicles travelling into Aberdeen from the north is not impeded due to any current traffic gridlock cau","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the movement of emergency vehicles travelling into Aberdeen from the north is not impeded due to any current traffic gridlock caused by the closure of the Grandholm Bridge.","AnswerText":"We have consulted the emergency services and have received no reports of significant problems concerning increased response times for emergency vehicles travelling into Aberdeen from the north.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149252,"EventID":"S1W-12494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in the 12 to 13 age cohort received BCG vaccinations in 1998, 1999 and 2000 in each health board area and what percentage this figure represents of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in the 12 to 13 age cohort received BCG vaccinations in 1998, 1999 and 2000 in each health board area and what percentage this figure represents of the school population in this age cohort.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

Health Board

Numbers vaccinated

 

1998

1999

Argyll & Clyde

424

599

Ayrshire & Arran*

0

0

Borders

198

157

Dumfries & Galloway

121

192

Fife

3,872

3,340

Forth Valley

405

378

Grampian

674

566

G Glasgow

1,123

849

Highland

1,925

1,915

Lanarkshire

906

921

Lothian

231

220

Orkney

1

0

Shetland

6

35

Tayside

443

425

W Isles

14

25

Scotland

10,343

9,622

Source: Common Services Agency, Information and Statistics Division.

*This board targets pupils aged 14; hence the absence of data for the years requested.

The BCG schools programme was suspended in September 1999. The age at which BCG vaccination has been offered to schoolchildren has varied among health boards. Information about the percentages of target populations vaccinated is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149253,"EventID":"S1W-12495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current availability of the BCG vaccination is in health board areas and whether the targets of the Scottish Executive on availability are being met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current availability of the BCG vaccination is in health board areas and whether the targets of the Scottish Executive on availability are being met.","AnswerText":"BCG vaccines, as with all childhood vaccines, are distributed through a control facility in Cumbernauld to 18 holding centres (normally located in hospital pharmacy departments) across Scotland. Vaccines are then distributed to hospitals and community health providers on request.

Health boards are responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient supplies of vaccine for high-risk groups in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149254,"EventID":"S1W-12496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the incidence of tuberculosis was in each health board area in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the incidence of tuberculosis was in each health board area in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Information and Statistics Division (ISD) of the Common Services Agency has provided the table which sets out the annual numbers of tuberculosis notifications from Scottish health boards for the period 1997-99:

Health Board

1997

1998

1999

2000

Scotland

433

457

496

416*

Argyll & Clyde

43

38

36

Ayrshire & Arran

42

23

24

Borders

9

7

3

Dumfries & Galloway

6

5

6

Fife

16

16

12

Forth Valley

18

18

17

Grampian

22

25

24

It is intended that the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh trunk road scheme and the local authority Glasgow Southern Orbital proposal would be procured as a single Public/Private Partnership depending on the outcome of the recent Public Local Inquiry into the Southern Orbital.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149265,"EventID":"S1W-12507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6862 on 22 June 2000 by Sarah Boyack, whether work in relation to the Kingston Bridge Phase 1 Strengthening contract has now been c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6862 on 22 June 2000 by Sarah Boyack, whether work in relation to the Kingston Bridge Phase 1 Strengthening contract has now been completed and when existing traffic restrictions on the bridge are expected to be lifted.","AnswerText":"All major strengthening operations have been completed and the remaining minor works such as landscaping and site clearance are programmed for completion by April.

Revised traffic management arrangements are in hand, including re-opening the traffic lanes that are currently closed, and implementation is expected by the end of February.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149266,"EventID":"S1W-12508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7186 by Sarah Boyack on 12 July 2000, whether the analysis of the 1997 survey of aggregate working has led to the drawing of any me","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7186 by Sarah Boyack on 12 July 2000, whether the analysis of the 1997 survey of aggregate working has led to the drawing of any meaningful conclusions; if so, what these conclusions are, and when it expects to publish the results of the survey.","AnswerText":"Sarah Boyack wrote to you on 14 August 2000 confirming that the low level and lateness of returns, together with a number of other difficulties, made it impossible to publish any meaningful conclusions and that the 1997 survey was therefore being abandoned. The Executive is currently considering how work towards future surveys can be progressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149267,"EventID":"S1W-12509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8375 by Sarah Boyack on 13 July 2000, whether the investigation into the cost and practical implications of ending the date-stampin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8375 by Sarah Boyack on 13 July 2000, whether the investigation into the cost and practical implications of ending the date-stamping on books of discount tickets for the Skye Bridge has been concluded and, if so, whether it will announce its decision on the ending of date-stamping.","AnswerText":"In response to representations from MSPs, Highland Council and others last year, I asked officials to explore the possibility of ending date stamping of books of discount vouchers for Skye Bridge. Following discussions, the Concessionaire, Skye Bridge Limited, have made it clear that they are not willing to change the present arrangements. The discount vouchers already offer generous benefits to frequent users of the bridge, most of whom are local people, but I will discuss this matter further with the company later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149268,"EventID":"S1W-12510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8386 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 13 July 2000, whether it has now refined the precise funding mechanism that will apply to any cash in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8386 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 13 July 2000, whether it has now refined the precise funding mechanism that will apply to any cash incentives to be provided to tenants of social landlords and, if so, whether it will announce the criteria and related procedures which will apply.","AnswerText":"Section 43 of the recently published Housing (Scotland) Bill will extend the powers available to local authorities to provide cash grants to tenants. Specifically, this section, as currently drafted, will allow local authorities to prepare a scheme for designated pressured areas which would allow for grants to be paid both to its own tenants and to tenants of registered social landlords living within a designated area if they chose to do so. The Bill also gives Scottish Ministers powers to issue guidance on the form and content of these schemes and this will be prepared in due course and contain advice on eligibility criteria and the determination of grant payments.

As far as the funding mechanism is concerned, it is intended that grants to tenants under these schemes in designated pressured areas will be paid by local authorities from resources made available for housing by Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149269,"EventID":"S1W-12511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8804 by Sarah Boyack on 25 August 2000, whether the work on the viability of the proposed Public/Private Partnership (PPP) in respe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8804 by Sarah Boyack on 25 August 2000, whether the work on the viability of the proposed Public/Private Partnership (PPP) in respect of the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme has been completed; if so, whether tender documents for this PPP are expected to be issued and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149270,"EventID":"S1W-12512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9470 by Rhona Brankin on 19 September 2000, whether the public local inquiry in relation to the application for scheduled monument ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9470 by Rhona Brankin on 19 September 2000, whether the public local inquiry in relation to the application for scheduled monument consent for the conservation of Caisteal Tioram has taken place; if so, when a decision is expected and, if not, whether the arrangements for the inquiry are now finalised and when the inquiry will take place.","AnswerText":"No. The arrangements for holding a public inquiry into the application for scheduled monument consent have been postponed at the request of the applicants to await the outcome of the Executive's appeal of the County Properties judgement which is being heard by the Inner House of the Court of Session. It is not yet possible to give an indication as to when the inquiry may take place.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149271,"EventID":"S1W-12513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7986 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now responded to the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liabilit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7986 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now responded to the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability and, if so, whether its response accepted the principle of strict liability.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive contributed to the development of the United Kingdom Government's response to the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability. This was published on the Scottish Executive website on 24 August 2000, and is available at

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/UKresponse.asp

The UK response fully supported the concept of environmental liability, and the need to ensure that those who cause damage to the environment should be made to pay for putting it right.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149272,"EventID":"S1W-12514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7985 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now assessed the potential impact on the Scottish agricultural sector of the E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7985 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now assessed the potential impact on the Scottish agricultural sector of the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability and, if so, what its assessment is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with DETR on an UK-wide assessment of the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability, which will include the potential impact on the agricultural sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149273,"EventID":"S1W-12515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7987 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now sought or obtained a definition of the public interest groups who may be g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7987 by Sarah Boyack on 28 June 2000, whether it has now sought or obtained a definition of the public interest groups who may be granted rights to act under the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability.","AnswerText":"The European Commission has yet to develop a definition of the public interest groups who may be granted rights to act under the White Paper on Environmental Liability. Progress on this may be affected by the proposed reorganisation of the Environment Directorate General in the Commission. We may comment once details emerge.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149274,"EventID":"S1W-12516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7988 by Sarah Boyack on 30 August 2000, whether it has now assessed the impact on Scottish industry of an extension of industry's l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7988 by Sarah Boyack on 30 August 2000, whether it has now assessed the impact on Scottish industry of an extension of industry's liability beyond compliance with environmental legislation, as envisaged in the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability and, if so, what this assessment is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with DETR on an UK wide assessment of the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability, which will include the impact on industry's liability.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149275,"EventID":"S1W-12517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in respect of the recommendations in the report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in respect of the recommendations in the report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive accepted the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime on 9 June 2000. Immediate funding of £3.5 million was announced for distribution to local authorities in order to develop and support programmes which will challenge and change the behaviour of young offenders. A further £20 million is being made available over the next three years.

Local authorities have established Youth Crime Teams and carried out audits of local services and needs. They are now drawing up local strategies to tackle youth crime and are expected to submit preliminary reports in March.

The study into the legal implications of a review of the age of criminal responsibility is currently with the Scottish Law Commission. The feasibility study into a pilot scheme to extend the scope of the children's hearings system to 16- and 17-year-old offenders is due to report by April. We will consult shortly on a National Strategy on youth crime. This will build on the principles set out in the Youth Crime Review and take into account the representations made during the post-publication consultation exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149276,"EventID":"S1W-12518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its document It's a Criminal Waste: Stop Youth Crime Now, whether funding to local authorities has been reallocated to increase resources for criminal jus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its document It's a Criminal Waste: Stop Youth Crime Now, whether funding to local authorities has been reallocated to increase resources for criminal justice social work by #0.5 million in order to fund an extension of bail information and supervision schemes, and pilot diversion schemes, to all 16 and 17-year-olds.","AnswerText":"Local authorities were informed last September of their provisional funding allocations for 2001-02 to allow extension from 18 pilot diversion from prosecution schemes to national coverage. The 16-17 age group was identified as one of 4 priority groups for the more targeted approach to diversion. Funding decisions in respect of the extension of bail information and supervision schemes will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149277,"EventID":"S1W-12519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities currently require tenants who are exercising their right to buy to take out a particular building insurance policy as a condition of buying their","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities currently require tenants who are exercising their right to buy to take out a particular building insurance policy as a condition of buying their home and which of these authorities receive commissions from the insurance premiums generated.","AnswerText":"Conditions attached to right to buy sales relating to insurance policies are a matter for local authorities and prospective purchasers to agree. Information on these matters is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149278,"EventID":"S1W-12520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any conflict of interest exists where a local authority is factor of property in an area where there is a mixture of tenanted and owner-occupied property.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any conflict of interest exists where a local authority is factor of property in an area where there is a mixture of tenanted and owner-occupied property.","AnswerText":"Where a tenant has exercised his or her right to buy their council property, they should be allowed the full enjoyment and use of the house as owner. However, if ownership of the building is shared between the local authority and RTB owners, specific conditions may be put in place to cover arrangements for carrying out factoring services and repair and maintenance work. In general terms, such conditions may be required to ensure that all parties will pay their share of the costs towards any communal work carried out. The precise conditions of sale are a matter for agreement between the landlord and purchaser and it is for each party to satisfy themselves, in consultation with their legal advisors prior to completing the transaction, that all terms are reasonable. Any dispute over the conditions would normally be resolved by the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149279,"EventID":"S1W-12521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a review of how complaints from owner-occupiers of properties where the local authority is the factor are handled by the authority concern","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a review of how complaints from owner-occupiers of properties where the local authority is the factor are handled by the authority concerned.","AnswerText":"We currently have no plans to undertake such a review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149280,"EventID":"S1W-12522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any conflict of interest exists where a local authority uses its own operatives to carry out repairs on owner-occupied property which it factors, rather than see","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any conflict of interest exists where a local authority uses its own operatives to carry out repairs on owner-occupied property which it factors, rather than seek quotes on behalf of owners, given the factor's responsibility to act in the owner's best interest.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12520.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149281,"EventID":"S1W-12523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist local authorities in improving their planning systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist local authorities in improving their planning systems.","AnswerText":"In 1997 a Planning Audit Unit was set up within Planning Services Division of the Scottish Executive. Its initial purpose was to work with authorities to assist in securing improvements in the delivery of their development control service. As well as continuing to do this, it is now also working with authorities to improve their development planning functions.

We also seek to keep national planning policy up to date. In November 2000 we published a revision of National Planning Policy Guideline 1: The Planning System. We will shortly be publishing a revision of Planning Advice Note 40: Development Control which will provide, inter alia, best practice advice on development control services.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149282,"EventID":"S1W-12524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a right of appeal for objectors to a particular planning development which has been approved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a right of appeal for objectors to a particular planning development which has been approved.","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to introduce such a right of appeal into the planning system.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149283,"EventID":"S1W-12525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of venture capital finance to small businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of venture capital finance to small businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive keeps the financial needs of small business under continued review. I am very pleased that the change of status afforded to Scottish Equity Partners - formerly Scottish Development Finance, Scottish Enterprise's investment arm - has allowed the company to raise £80 million for a new Venture Capital Fund aimed at early stage and growth technology companies. This will provide access to equity funding for an increasing number of Scottish small businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149284,"EventID":"S1W-12526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the economic and social consequences will be of delaying the construction of the M74 Northern Extension until the completion of a public inquiry and what the cost o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the economic and social consequences will be of delaying the construction of the M74 Northern Extension until the completion of a public inquiry and what the cost of the inquiry will be.","AnswerText":"If a public inquiry is necessary then that is part of the statutory process and is not a delay. It is not possible to estimate the cost of an inquiry until the scope of any objections to the scheme are known.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149285,"EventID":"S1W-12527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the earliest date is when the construction of the M74 Northern Extension can commence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the earliest date is when the construction of the M74 Northern Extension can commence.","AnswerText":"I expect construction works for the new motorway to start in 2005 subject to completion of all of the statutory and procurement procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149286,"EventID":"S1W-12528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be on regeneration, land reclamation and investment of constructing a modified M74 Northern Extension without junctions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be on regeneration, land reclamation and investment of constructing a modified M74 Northern Extension without junctions.","AnswerText":"The scheme that will be taken forward in partnership with Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, will have four key junctions. It will create significant investment and regeneration opportunities for the whole of west central Scotland and in addition, more locally assist in making contaminated land safe.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149287,"EventID":"S1W-12529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an integrated digital network will be established in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an integrated digital network will be established in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The core telecommunications networks in Scotland provided by operators such as BT, Thus and Energis, all are engineered as Integrated Digital Networks. The fibre backbone extends from Wick in the Highlands, through central Scotland and into Galashiels in the South of Scotland. The principle challenge is to ensure that advanced digital services are extended out to individual customers - the so-called "last mile" problem. The Scottish Executive is working to promote conditions for the most rapid and comprehensive provision of such services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149288,"EventID":"S1W-12530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to the report by the Federation of Small Businesses, Barriers to Growth and Survival, and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to the report by the Federation of Small Businesses, Barriers to Growth and Survival, and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Officials in the Executive's Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department hosted a seminar on 7 December at which the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) gave a presentation on the report. This allowed the FSB representatives to discuss the findings with officials working on most of the subjects covered by the report. My officials will continue to meet regularly with the FSB.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149289,"EventID":"S1W-12531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its consultation paper Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges, what further consultation will take place and whether any further consultation will in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its consultation paper Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges, what further consultation will take place and whether any further consultation will include those not connected to the public water supply and those who have their septic tanks emptied by the local water authority.","AnswerText":"The consultation paper on Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges covers charges for those connected to the public water and sewerage network.

As far as those not connected to the public networks are concerned, we have no present plans for consultation in relation to affordability, but a consultation on revisions to the private supply regulations will be brought forward in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149290,"EventID":"S1W-12532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the #7 billion allocated to the rail modernisation fund will be included in the Scottish assigned budget as a result of the operation of the Barnett formu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the #7 billion allocated to the rail modernisation fund will be included in the Scottish assigned budget as a result of the operation of the Barnett formula and, if not, what process is in place to allow bids to be made from Scotland for assistance from this fund.","AnswerText":"The Barnett formula will not apply to the Rail Modernisation Fund which will be distributed by the Strategic Rail Authority across the rail network of Great Britain. Bids for assistance from Scotland will be considered in the same way as bids from elsewhere in GB.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149291,"EventID":"S1W-12533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the total cost of bringing Scotland's school buildings up to an acceptable standard.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the total cost of bringing Scotland's school buildings up to an acceptable standard.","AnswerText":"The overall management of their school building stock is a matter for individual education authorities. Detailed consistent information of the kind requested is not available centrally. We will be discussing with local authority representatives aspects of school building needs with a view to clarifying the level of need for improvement, and agreeing a shared approach to establishing priorities in meeting that need.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149292,"EventID":"S1W-12534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers to declare a moratorium in respect of the planning notification by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village along the west shore of Loc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers to declare a moratorium in respect of the planning notification by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village along the west shore of Loch Lubnaig in relation to (a) the fact that this area falls within the boundaries currently considered for Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park; (b) the existing designation of the shores of Loch Lubnaig as an area of Special Scientific Interest, and (c) the area's impending designation as a Special Area of Conservation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have such statutory powers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149293,"EventID":"S1W-12535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from the Stank Glen Residents' Association in relation to the proposal by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village on the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from the Stank Glen Residents' Association in relation to the proposal by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village on the shores of Loch Lubnaig; if so, what response it has made or will make, and whether, if the area were at present designated as a national park, a planning application in relation to such a development would be likely to be rejected.","AnswerText":"Representations have been received from the Stank Glen Residents' Association and the Scottish Executive Development Department will be replying shortly explaining the procedures which apply in respect of a proposed development to be undertaken by a body entitled to Crown exemption. All proposals for development have to be considered individually and these particular proposals will be a matter to be considered, in the first instance, by Stirling Council as planning authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149294,"EventID":"S1W-12536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7100 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 June 2000, what (a) the basic staff requirement for officers and (b) the number of officers in post was","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7100 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 June 2000, what (a) the basic staff requirement for officers and (b) the number of officers in post was for each prison on 31 December 2000.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The table shows (a) the staffing complement and (b) the Staff-In-Post (SIP) on 31 December 2000, for prison officers and operational first-line managers.

Establishment

Complement (a)

SIP (b)

HMP Aberdeen

126

128

HMP Barlinnie

475

487

HMP Castle Huntly

52

53

HMPI Cornton Vale

190

189

HM YOI Dumfries

127

126

HMP Edinburgh

382

384

HMP Glenochil

392

388

HMP Greenock

144

147

HMP Inverness

84

81

HMP Low Moss

131

130

HMP Noranside

51

51

HMP Perth

348

344

HMP Peterhead

196

195

HMP Polmont

275

The draft proposals include provisions on GM threshold levels in conventional seeds, time restrictions in relation to previous crops grown on the same land, isolation distances of seed crops of conventional cross-pollinating varieties, the labelling of packages of seeds and examinations for compliance with these requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149298,"EventID":"S1W-12540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11525 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 January 2001, what the total annual cost per prisoner place at Kilmarnock Prison would be if it was c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11525 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 January 2001, what the total annual cost per prisoner place at Kilmarnock Prison would be if it was calculated using the same methodology as is used to calculate annual costs per prisoner place in relation to Scottish Prison Service prisons and excluding any capital costs such as designing, construction and financing costs.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS annual cost per prisoner place is based on the net current expenditure. This excludes all capital expenditure and financing costs of the service.

The Kilmarnock prison contract won in open competition is for the provision of a complete custodial service over 25 years and the price includes all design, construction, financing and management costs and cannot therefore properly be compared with this SPS figure.

The only meaningful comparison is between the cost of the winning bid for Kilmarnock and the estimated cost of SPS providing the equivalent custodial service as specified in the contract over the whole period of the contract. This is properly done by comparing the respective net present values over the 25 year period. On this basis, the average net present value per prisoner place for HMP Kilmarnock amounts to £11,000 compared to an SPS equivalent of £21,000 or £23,000 including risks.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149299,"EventID":"S1W-12541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has received representations from a group of business people operating within the Lochaber area, comprising Ala","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has received representations from a group of business people operating within the Lochaber area, comprising Alan Kirk of McTavish's Kitchens, Stewart MacLean of Innseagan Holidays and 16 others, regarding proposals for the promotion of tourism in the area; if so, whether a meeting with the group will be arranged as a matter of urgency in order that their proposals could be implemented in relation to the 2001 season.","AnswerText":"Yes. The letter raises a number of issues relating to the tourism industry. These are being considered and a full reply will be sent as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149300,"EventID":"S1W-12542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of (a) the number of motor vehicles in Scotland and (b) the number of these which presently run on liquid petroleum gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of (a) the number of motor vehicles in Scotland and (b) the number of these which presently run on liquid petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"At 31 December 1999, the latest date for which information is available, there were 2,131,000 motor vehicles licensed in Scotland. Information on the number of motor vehicles running on liquefied petroleum gas is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149301,"EventID":"S1W-12543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning will reply to the letter dated 9 December 2000 from Mr W.H. Gray of Dunipace, Denny.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning will reply to the letter dated 9 December 2000 from Mr W.H. Gray of Dunipace, Denny.","AnswerText":"A reply was issued to Mr W. H. Gray on 18 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149302,"EventID":"S1W-12544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the major works packages referred to by the Parliament's Clerk/Chief Executive during the Audit Committee meeting on 3 October 2000 (Official Report, col. 406) ha","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the major works packages referred to by the Parliament's Clerk/Chief Executive during the Audit Committee meeting on 3 October 2000 (Official Report, col. 406) have now been awarded; if so, whether the project management team has been able to review the inflation risks with the cost consultants in the light of these tender results, and what conclusions and recommendations arose from any such review.","AnswerText":"I understand from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that some, but not all, of the works packages referred to have been awarded. Project Management are currently reviewing the impact of the inflation risk in the light of these contracts and a report will be made to MSPs shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149303,"EventID":"S1W-12545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial assistance was made available in each of the last three years for road improvements in (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial assistance was made available in each of the last three years for road improvements in (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) each Scottish parliamentary region and what percentage of the total transport budget for the relevant year each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"Central government funding for expenditure on local roads forms part of the annual local government settlement. It is for each local authority to decide how much to allocate to local roads.

Spending on motorway and trunk road schemes is recorded by individual project and by network management area, not by city or council boundaries. Similarly, data is not held centrally on roads budgets and expenditure by parliamentary region.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149304,"EventID":"S1W-12546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times Aberdeen City Council have requested meetings with the Minister for Transport since 1 January 2001, specifying the date of each such request.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times Aberdeen City Council have requested meetings with the Minister for Transport since 1 January 2001, specifying the date of each such request.","AnswerText":"I received a request from Aberdeen City Council on 15 January to attend the public meeting on traffic congestion in the Bridge of Don area planned for 18 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149305,"EventID":"S1W-12547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the communications received from Aberdeen City Council since 1 January 2001 in connection with current traffic problems in Aberdeen, specifying the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the communications received from Aberdeen City Council since 1 January 2001 in connection with current traffic problems in Aberdeen, specifying the date each such communication was sent. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received communications from Aberdeen City Council on this issue on the 3 and 15 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149306,"EventID":"S1W-12548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport intends to visit Aberdeen to observe recent traffic problems; if so, when and with whom she intends to meet while in the city.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport intends to visit Aberdeen to observe recent traffic problems; if so, when and with whom she intends to meet while in the city.","AnswerText":"I have a commitment to visit Aberdeen to meet representatives of the North East Scotland Economic Development Partnership to discuss further their proposed Modern Transport System for the city and its hinterland. That meeting will take place as soon as is mutually convenient.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149307,"EventID":"S1W-12549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many official visits the First Minister has undertaken in (a) Aberdeen and (b) the North East of Scotland parliamentary region since his appointment and when he next","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many official visits the First Minister has undertaken in (a) Aberdeen and (b) the North East of Scotland parliamentary region since his appointment and when he next intends to visit these locations.","AnswerText":"I will be visiting Aberdeen on 1 and 2 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149308,"EventID":"S1W-12550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will be involved in producing the Neighbourhood Renewal Statement for Scotland and whether this will be used to measure the effectiveness of the ways in which the Be","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will be involved in producing the Neighbourhood Renewal Statement for Scotland and whether this will be used to measure the effectiveness of the ways in which the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund is utilised in different local authority areas.","AnswerText":"The Neighbourhood Renewal Statement will be produced by the Scottish Executive in conjunction with key stakeholders. The statement will include issues relating to service delivery but separate measures will be developed to monitor and evaluate outcomes from pathfinders of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149309,"EventID":"S1W-12551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the formula to be used to distribute the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the formula to be used to distribute the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.","AnswerText":"Allocations from the Better Neighbourhoods Services Fund were announced on 15 January 2001. They were made on the basis of proportions of income support recipients in the population of local authority areas.

Glasgow City Council, which has the highest proportion and also the largest number of claimants, will receive additional resources of £6.00/9.00/12.00 million over the coming three-year period to run three pathfinder projects. Other authorities with more than 12% IS claimants will receive £2.00/3.00/4.00 million each, authorities with between 10-12% £1.50/2.25/3.00 million and those between the average and 10% £1.00/1.50/2.00 million. Each of these authorities is expected to run one pathfinder.

To ensure that the lessons learnt from the pathfinders can be rolled out across Scotland, a further three rural authorities - those with the highest proportion of IS recipients of those authorities with a high level of population dispersal - have also been selected to operate pathfinders. These three authorities will run five smaller scale pathfinders at £0.30/0.45./0.60 million each, in view of the smaller scale of deprivation in their areas. Argyll & Bute will operate two pathfinders, Dumfries & Galloway two pathfinders and Eilean Siar one pathfinder.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149310,"EventID":"S1W-12552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many listed buildings were demolished in 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many listed buildings were demolished in 1999.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

The number of listed building consent applications involving demolition, which were notified to Scottish Ministers by planning authorities during 1999, under the requirements of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997, and for which consent was granted, was 37.

Whether all the works for which consent was granted were carried out during 1999, or subsequently, is not known.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149311,"EventID":"S1W-12553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether present statutory powers for safeguarding listed buildings are adequate and enable the aims of all relevant legislation to be met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether present statutory powers for safeguarding listed buildings are adequate and enable the aims of all relevant legislation to be met.","AnswerText":"The current legislation provides a wide range of statutory powers to help safeguard listed buildings. Many of these powers are for local authorities to use in relation to buildings in their areas. Generally, these powers appear to be adequate, though, as with any other legislation, they are kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149312,"EventID":"S1W-12554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who nominates Scottish buildings for World Heritage Site status and who advises this person or body.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who nominates Scottish buildings for World Heritage Site status and who advises this person or body.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO determines whether sites should be inscribed on the World Heritage List. Sites must be nominated by national governments.

Scottish Ministers nominate Scottish sites for inscription drawing from the UK Tentative List which was published in 1999, following public consultation. For cultural sites they are advised by Historic Scotland, which is the relevant agency within the Scottish Executive.

Historic Scotland is responsible for the preparation of the detailed submission for any Scottish cultural site which is nominated. The case is then assessed by independent experts appointed by the World Heritage Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149313,"EventID":"S1W-12555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds were allocated for listed building repairs in 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds were allocated for listed building repairs in 1999.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

I have been asked by the Minister to respond. In 1999-2000, Historic Scotland allocated £11.45 million to assist owners with the cost of repairing buildings of special architectural or historic interest and for the repair of buildings which make an important contribution to the appearance or character of conservation areas classified as outstanding.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149314,"EventID":"S1W-12556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for grant aid for listed building repairs were received in 1999; how many grants were approved, and how much was spent on such grants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for grant aid for listed building repairs were received in 1999; how many grants were approved, and how much was spent on such grants.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

In 1999-2000, Historic Scotland received 57 applications from owners for grants to assist with the cost of repairing buildings of special architectural or historic interest, and for the repair of buildings making an important contribution to the appearance or character of conservation areas classified as outstanding; 113 awards of grant were made during the year; expenditure by way of grants disbursed amounted to £11,401,241. As applications can take several months to assess and process, and as grants tend to be paid out over more than one year, there is no direct correlation between applications received, grants awarded or money spent on grants in any given financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149315,"EventID":"S1W-12557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each health board area are currently diagnosed with hepatitis C and how many of these are currently receiving anti-retroviral treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each health board area are currently diagnosed with hepatitis C and how many of these are currently receiving anti-retroviral treatment.","AnswerText":"The following table, provided by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH), sets out confirmed cases of hepatitis C, by health board, to the end of 1999:

Health Board

Numbers

Argyll & Clyde

601

Ayrshire & Arran

384

Borders

52

Dumfries & Galloway

147

Fife

254

Forth Valley

410

Grampian

1,126

Greater Glasgow

3,712

Highland

198

Lanarkshire

561

Lothian

1,730

Orkney

8

Shetland

15

Tayside

786

Western Isles

3

Total

9,987

Information on the number of these cases who were receiving treatment is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149316,"EventID":"S1W-12558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Chinese medicines may be prescribed under the NHS as part of alternative therapy treatments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Chinese medicines may be prescribed under the NHS as part of alternative therapy treatments.","AnswerText":"The safety of medicines is a reserved matter. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is responsible for monitoring the safety of medicines over the whole of the UK. From time to time it may direct that a specific medicine may not be prescribed, and such a direction would apply both to the NHS and private practitioners.

It is open to a GP or hospital clinician to refer a patient for any alternative therapy, which might include the administration of medicines. The GP or hospital clinician would require to be satisfied of the value of the treatment, the competence of the practitioner and the safety of the medicine, and would remain responsible for the patient's medical care.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149317,"EventID":"S1W-12559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which alternative therapies are offered as part of NHS provision in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which alternative therapies are offered as part of NHS provision in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. We know that the therapies most commonly offered within the NHS are acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy and chiropractice, but it is open to a GP or hospital clinician to refer a patient for any alternative therapy. The GP or hospital clinician would require to be satisfied of the value of the treatment and the competence of the practitioner, and would remain responsible for the patient's medical care. Some GPs and other medical professionals themselves are also qualified to offer particular alternative therapies. Whether the costs of alternative therapies are met by the patient or the NHS would be for the health board to decide. It is also open to health boards to arrange for the provision of alternative therapies, but that would be a decision for the board based on its assessment of local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149318,"EventID":"S1W-12560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist Glasgow City Council in safeguarding the future of priceless pieces in their museums and galleries collections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist Glasgow City Council in safeguarding the future of priceless pieces in their museums and galleries collections.","AnswerText":"The National Cultural Strategy recognised the particular position of Glasgow and committed the Executive to working with Glasgow City Council to examine the circumstances of their museums and galleries. As a first step, I had a constructive and positive meeting on 19 January with Bailie Cameron, Convenor of Glasgow's Cultural and Leisure Services, to discuss the way forward. We have agreed to continue discussions to address the council's difficulties.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149319,"EventID":"S1W-12561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of Glasgow's museums and galleries can be designated as being of national importance and, if so, whether this would entitle them to receive central funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of Glasgow's museums and galleries can be designated as being of national importance and, if so, whether this would entitle them to receive central funding.","AnswerText":"The National Audit of all museums and galleries in Scotland will determine the relative importance of collections. Preparations for the audit are well advanced and I have agreed to give priority to Glasgow's museums, after our commitment to audit the industrial museums first. We have made available £3 million over the next three years for restructuring the museum sector and access to these funds will take account of the outcome of the National Audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149320,"EventID":"S1W-12562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Society for Autism regarding autistic spectrum disorders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Society for Autism regarding autistic spectrum disorders.","AnswerText":"We have had discussion with the Scottish Society for Autism about their proposal to implement recommendation 7 of The same as you report of the review of services for people with learning disabilities. The society is also a member of the Users' and Carers' Reference Group for people with learning disabilities, which continues to meet regularly and which Scottish Executive officials attend.

The society has also been awarded funding of £209,000 for several projects under the Scottish Executive's Special Educational Needs Innovation Grants Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149321,"EventID":"S1W-12563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding the development of guidelines for police authorities on dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding the development of guidelines for police authorities on dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorders.","AnswerText":"There have been no discussions between the Executive and the Home Office about this matter. It is for Chief Constables to make local arrangements for the practical care of individuals coming to its attention. Each force will have agreed a course of action or protocol with local hospitals, social services, and possibly other agencies, of which local officers should be aware.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149322,"EventID":"S1W-12564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Scottish Society for Autism in developing guidelines for police authorities on dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Scottish Society for Autism in developing guidelines for police authorities on dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorders.","AnswerText":"We are presently considering proposals jointly submitted by the Scottish Society for Autism and the National Autistic Society to take forward the establishment of a national network, as recommended in the review of services for people with learning disabilities. While it will be for the network itself to decide how best to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of people with autistic spectrum disorder, we would expect it will wish to consider existing Departmental guidance to the police on how they deal with people with learning disabilities and consult Chief Constables in the development of further good practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149323,"EventID":"S1W-12565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the concord for metadata in education and other IT data input standards are applied when public bodies seek funds from it for projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the concord for metadata in education and other IT data input standards are applied when public bodies seek funds from it for projects.","AnswerText":"The concord drafted by the UK Metatagging in Education Group (MEG) is not a data input standard. It is a series of principles underpinning the work of the group in developing and promoting guidance on the use of descriptive standards, or "metadata", for meaningfully and usefully describing educational content. The National Grid for Learning in Scotland already uses a set of metadata standards closely based on existing international standards, and adoption of these is now normal for schools material commissioned by the Executive and by Learning and Teaching Scotland. The Executive has been represented at all meetings of UK MEG, and we expect that the NGfL Scotland standards will be influential in shaping wider agreement on metadata for content intended for schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149324,"EventID":"S1W-12566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the effectiveness of methadone programmes used in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the effectiveness of methadone programmes used in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.","AnswerText":"There is already robust national and international evidence for the effectiveness of methadone programmes. In Scotland research carried out by clinicians and academic institutions consistently shows effective outcomes for individuals. These include reduced criminality, improved health, reduced illicit drug use and spread of blood-borne virus and improved personal, social and family functioning. Methadone programmes that include counselling and other forms of support for the individual are most effective.

The Executive's new drugs research programme will include an evaluation of the long-term outcomes and relative cost effectiveness of treatment with methadone. A large-scale research project into outcomes' effectiveness, funded by the Robertson Trust and supported by the Executive, is also under way.

Over the next year, the Executive's Effective Interventions Unit will be developing detailed guidance on the effective planning and delivery of methadone programmes within shared care arrangements. Initial guidance will be issued to Drug Action Teams and related agencies shortly.

The Executive has also set a national target that every Local Health Care Co-operative or Primary Care Trust is to have a locally approved shared care scheme by 2004.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149325,"EventID":"S1W-12567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Minister for Rural Affairs was renamed the Minister for Rural Development.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Minister for Rural Affairs was renamed the Minister for Rural Development.","AnswerText":"The portfolio was renamed to emphasise the Executive's commitment to the development of rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149326,"EventID":"S1W-12568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce compulsory registration for bed and breakfast establishments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce compulsory registration for bed and breakfast establishments.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149327,"EventID":"S1W-12569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the British Council regarding its proposals for eight smaller offices in Germany to replace the present structure in the light of its","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the British Council regarding its proposals for eight smaller offices in Germany to replace the present structure in the light of its policy of building relationships with the German lander.","AnswerText":"The development of Scottish Executive links with the German länder will not be affected by the structure of the network of British Council offices in Germany.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149328,"EventID":"S1W-12570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any contribution to the costs of any of the new British Council offices in Germany in the light of its policy of building relationships with the Ger","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any contribution to the costs of any of the new British Council offices in Germany in the light of its policy of building relationships with the German lander.","AnswerText":"No. The nature and funding of the British Council's office network in Germany is a matter for the council, who have assured me that programme expenditure has not been reduced and that activity will continue at current levels.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149329,"EventID":"S1W-12571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what working arrangements it is planning with the British Council to take advantage of the plans for eight regional offices in Germany to ensure that its policy of build","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what working arrangements it is planning with the British Council to take advantage of the plans for eight regional offices in Germany to ensure that its policy of building relationships with the German lander can be progressed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149330,"EventID":"S1W-12572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court proceedings were initiated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and how many and what percentage of the cases taken to court resulted in a convic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court proceedings were initiated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and how many and what percentage of the cases taken to court resulted in a conviction, broken down for each year since the establishment of the agency.","AnswerText":"The numbers of cases involving alleged contravention of environmental protection legislation referred to the Procurator Fiscal service by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are set out in the table.

The decision on whether or not to proceed with prosecution in a particular case is for the Procurator Fiscal. The numbers of cases proceeded with and convictions secured are shown in the table.
 

1/4/1996 to 31/3/1997

1/4/1997 to 31/3/1998

1/4/1998 to 31/3/1999

1/4/1999 to 31/3/2000

1/4/2000 to 26/1/2001

Cases referred to Procurators Fiscal1

37

70

73

84

51

Cases proceeded with

26

49

38

48

172

Percentage of cases proceeded with

70%

70%

52%

57%

33%2

Cases resulting in conviction

24

44

30

43

15

Percentage of cases proceeded with resulting in conviction

92%

90%

79%

90%

88%

Notes:

1. Figures may differ slightly to those published in SEPA's annual reports, depending on when legal proceedings were resolved.

2. 25 cases are currently under consideration by the Procurator Fiscal service.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149331,"EventID":"S1W-12573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sea cage fish farming operators have been taken to court by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and what percentage of these cases resulted in a convicti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sea cage fish farming operators have been taken to court by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and what percentage of these cases resulted in a conviction, broken down for each year since the establishment of the agency.","AnswerText":"Information about the number of cases taken to court by the Procurator Fiscal after referral by the agency is not held centrally. However, the agency publishes details of successful prosecutions on its website at:

http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/prosecutions/","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149332,"EventID":"S1W-12574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage the production of material in the Scots language which is suitable for use with pre-school children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage the production of material in the Scots language which is suitable for use with pre-school children.","AnswerText":"The provision of support materials for pre-school children is a matter for each centre to decide, taking account of the Curriculum Framework for Children 3 to 5 and any parental cultural preferences.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149333,"EventID":"S1W-12575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that training for nursery nurses will include the promotion and development of pupils' Scots language skills.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that training for nursery nurses will include the promotion and development of pupils' Scots language skills.","AnswerText":"Qualifications held by nursery nurses are developed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority based on occupational standards determined by the industry itself, through the relevant National Training Organisation. The Executive has no direct involvement.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149334,"EventID":"S1W-12576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any expansion of nursery provision will not lead to the diminution of the place of the Scots language in pre-school provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any expansion of nursery provision will not lead to the diminution of the place of the Scots language in pre-school provision.","AnswerText":"The Executive aims to provide a part-time pre-school education place for every three and four-year-old whose parents wish it by April 2002. Within the principles set by the Curriculum Framework for Children 3 to 5, providers are free to adjust the content of learning programmes to reflect the cultural preferences of parents. The framework makes clear that a child's home language should always be valued.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149335,"EventID":"S1W-12577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to increase the numbers of trained psychologists in the NHS across Scotland and in particular in the Dumfries and Galloway area in order to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to increase the numbers of trained psychologists in the NHS across Scotland and in particular in the Dumfries and Galloway area in order to improve waiting times for initial appointments.","AnswerText":"We have recognised the need to address issues of education, training and workforce planning for Clinical Psychologists. The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) was given responsibility for the support of the postgraduate training of clinical psychologists in April 1999. Last August the Scottish Executive allocated £100,000 to SCPMDE to provide extra training posts for Clinical Psychology. In addition, the Chief Medical Officer has appointed a Clinical Psychology Advisory Group to focus on matters such as service design and waiting times. These initiatives are at an early stage and will deal with their remits on a national basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149336,"EventID":"S1W-12578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by parliamentary constituency of the #20 million funding announced for libraries for a network of learning centres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by parliamentary constituency of the #20 million funding announced for libraries for a network of learning centres.","AnswerText":"Distribution of the £11.5 million allocated for the development of the public library network is a matter for the New Opportunities Fund. I shall ask the Director to write to the member.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149337,"EventID":"S1W-12579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review or extend the period allowed for charities to make returns to the Charity Commission in respect of street collections so as to bring t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review or extend the period allowed for charities to make returns to the Charity Commission in respect of street collections so as to bring the timescale into line with the three-month period allowed in England.","AnswerText":"Returns in respect of street collections in Scotland are made to the local authority concerned. The Scottish Charity Law Review Commission is currently looking at all aspects of the regulation of public charitable collections. It is due to report at Easter and we shall then examine its recommendations in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149338,"EventID":"S1W-12580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of Rough Sleeper Initiative grants awarded to schemes involving faith-based organisations in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99, (iii","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of Rough Sleeper Initiative grants awarded to schemes involving faith-based organisations in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99, (iii) 1999-2000 and (iv) 2001-01 showing the number of grants made and value of each grant.","AnswerText":"RSI funding is made available to local authorities for the delivery of projects and services which the authority has assessed best meet the identified needs of people sleeping rough in their area. These projects and services are delivered by a range of providers, including both statutory and non-statutory organisations, some of which are faith-based. However, as this was not a factor which determined whether or not projects received funding, the breakdown of information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149339,"EventID":"S1W-12581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what proportion of Rough Sleeper Initiative grants in 2000-01 have been allocated and spent to date and whether all available funding will be spent by the e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what proportion of Rough Sleeper Initiative grants in 2000-01 have been allocated and spent to date and whether all available funding will be spent by the end of this financial year.","AnswerText":"RSI allocations were announced in the answer to question S1W-4640 and in Wendy Alexander's statement to the Parliament of 1 June 2000.

Local authorities, with their partners are now taking forward the development of approved projects. Delays in progressing some of these are likely to result in slippage of spending into 2001-02. The extent of the slippage has not yet been assessed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149340,"EventID":"S1W-12582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what have been the costs to (a) it and (b) each local authority of implementing and operating the \"best value\" regime in each year since the system came into operation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what have been the costs to (a) it and (b) each local authority of implementing and operating the \"best value\" regime in each year since the system came into operation. ","AnswerText":"The implementation of Best Value has involved no significant public expenditure on the part of the Scottish Executive.

The Executive holds no information on the costs to local authorities of implementing Best Value. Such costs would be associated with the review of services and the development of new systems for the public reporting of council performance.

The implementation of Best Value will, however, afford local authorities opportunities to focus resources on priority services through new approaches to service delivery and more effective performance management. In its consultation paper Best Value in Local Government: Next Steps, published in June 2000, the Executive suggested that local authorities should set themselves an annual target of redistributing 2% of their overall resources through effective implementation of Best Value.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149341,"EventID":"S1W-12583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to encourage the Scottish Football Association to progress a joint bid to host the 2008 European football championships in the light of the supp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to encourage the Scottish Football Association to progress a joint bid to host the 2008 European football championships in the light of the supportive comments made by Harry Been, Secretary of the Dutch Football Association.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, together with its Agencies, is assisting the SFA with the carrying out of a feasibility study into the possible staging of the 2008 European Nations Championships in Scotland. We will also wish to consider an informed and objective assessment of the prospects of a successful SFA bid before considering any financial or other banking for a bid. The decision on whether or not to bid is a matter for the SFA.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149342,"EventID":"S1W-12584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each Water Authority paid in interest on debt in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each Water Authority paid in interest on debt in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The amounts paid in interest by each water authority are:

£millions
 

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

West of Scotland

54.248

52.379

49.239

North of Scotland

31.737

26.204

26.013

East of Scotland

36.656

40.051

44.247

The figures shown exclude any debt refinancing costs and any interest received. They are also consistent with the annual accounts for each of the water authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149343,"EventID":"S1W-12585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to stop publishing league tables of school examination results.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to stop publishing league tables of school examination results.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not publish league tables of school examination results.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149344,"EventID":"S1W-12586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the floating pontoon at Lerwick and a slipway at Stornoway have been exempted from regulations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 concerning the use of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the floating pontoon at Lerwick and a slipway at Stornoway have been exempted from regulations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 concerning the use of Tributylin or Triphenyltin coatings and, if so, whether it will explain the reasons for any exemptions.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The authorisation of processes under the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991 is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149345,"EventID":"S1W-12587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11372 by Susan Deacon on 17 January 2001, why information on the number of hospitals with mobile phone masts attached to their buil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11372 by Susan Deacon on 17 January 2001, why information on the number of hospitals with mobile phone masts attached to their buildings is not held centrally and where this information is held.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of hospitals with mobile phone masts attached to their buildings is not held centrally as this is an operational matter, with this information being held by individual Trusts.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149346,"EventID":"S1W-12588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the Youth Training Guarantee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the Youth Training Guarantee.","AnswerText":"Young people across the UK who are under 18 and not in full-time education or employment are guaranteed an offer of suitable training. The guarantee is delivered in Scotland by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as a key element of the Skillseekers programme, funded by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149347,"EventID":"S1W-12589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was first informed on 12 January 2001 that the kidneys of a calf whose mother was infected with BSE may have passed into the human food chain and, if not, whe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was first informed on 12 January 2001 that the kidneys of a calf whose mother was infected with BSE may have passed into the human food chain and, if not, when it was first informed.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Food Standards Agency notified Scottish Ministers on 12 January that offal from the offspring animal may have passed into the food chain.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149348,"EventID":"S1W-12590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will order an inquiry into the circumstances of how parts of a calf whose mother was infected by BSE may have found their way into the human food chain and, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will order an inquiry into the circumstances of how parts of a calf whose mother was infected by BSE may have found their way into the human food chain and, if so, who will be involved in this inquiry.","AnswerText":"Where possible animals identified as offspring of BSE cases are traced and removed from the human food chain. Officials of the Food Standards Agency, the Scottish Executive and the Ministry of Agriculture are jointly considering whether, in this particular case, the offspring could have been removed at an earlier stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149349,"EventID":"S1W-12591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the traceability system for cattle to permit more prompt identification of the calves of cows which are diagnosed as being BSE affected","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the traceability system for cattle to permit more prompt identification of the calves of cows which are diagnosed as being BSE affected.","AnswerText":"The traceability systems used for BSE and cattle tracing purposes are kept under review. Any lessons to be learned from this particular incident will be acted on as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149350,"EventID":"S1W-12592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in support of an investigation into the reasons for the delay in the di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in support of an investigation into the reasons for the delay in the diagnosis of a cow with BSE and the tracing of the offspring of that cow, part of which may have passed into the human food chain, and whether it will place details of the results of any such investigation by MAFF in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency, the Scottish Executive and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food are involved in investigating this incident. Any lessons learned will be acted upon.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149351,"EventID":"S1W-12593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre all memos, letters, e-mails and other communications between it and (a) the Food Standards Agency Sco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre all memos, letters, e-mails and other communications between it and (a) the Food Standards Agency Scotland and (b) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on all the circumstances of the handling of the case of the 25-month-old animal from England whose mother was infected with BSE, which was slaughtered at an abattoir in Scotland on 8 January 2001 and parts of which may have entered the food chain.","AnswerText":"The documents requested cannot be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre as their disclosure could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion between Ministers and their officials. The Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information provides an exemption in such circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149352,"EventID":"S1W-12594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priority will be given to crofters and small hill farmers in less favoured areas in the allocation of modulation funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priority will be given to crofters and small hill farmers in less favoured areas in the allocation of modulation funding.","AnswerText":"The activities into which modulated EU resources can be allocated are specified in Council Regulation (EC) 1259/99. To comply with this legal requirement, estimated amounts of modulated EU resources have been allocated in Scotland to agri-environment and forestry schemes, which apply across all our rural areas. All farmers and crofters in Scotland will have access to these schemes.

There is no similar legal constraint on the matching resources secured from the UK Exchequer. Where this money is spent on schemes included in the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme, a sum will be allocated which is proportionate to the amount modulated from farmers and crofters in that area.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149353,"EventID":"S1W-12595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether or not the creation of offences under paragraph 19 of the Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/418) was necessary given that Arti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether or not the creation of offences under paragraph 19 of the Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/418) was necessary given that Article 9 of EU Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals states \"Member States shall adopt administrative and/or penal measures to punish any infringement of Community veterinary legislation, where it is established that the marking or identification or the keeping of registers provided for in Article 4 has not been carried out in conformity with the requirements of this Directive\" and whether any infringement of the Regulations could have been dealt with by administrative measures.","AnswerText":"Article 9 of European Council Directive 92/102/EEC gives Member States the choice of measures they can adopt, either administrative or penal.

Penal measures were introduced because the implementation and registration of animals are central both for veterinary and premium control purposes. On the veterinary side, they are essential for the control of outbreaks of disease and on the premium side to ensure compliance with EU Subsidy scheme rules.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149354,"EventID":"S1W-12596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/418) are more detailed and more strict than the counterpart regulations imposed in Engla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/418) are more detailed and more strict than the counterpart regulations imposed in England and Wales and, if so, whether it will give details as to why this is and, in particular, why the Scottish Regulations contain provisions regarding the powers of inspectors (paragraph 180) which are not in the Regulations for England and Wales. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Regulations implement European Council Directive 92/102/EEC and this is reflected in corresponding legislation in the rest of GB.

While there are some minor differences, the Scottish SI is no stricter in its application than the counterpart legislation in the rest of GB. The differences are mainly in drafting including: the implementation date; record keeping for subsidy purposes; movement of sheep off holding to a tattooist, and powers of inspectors and penalties.

Specifically on record keeping, the veterinary legislation requires records to be kept for six years whereas the premium legislation stipulates a minimum of four years. Since the same flock data is used for both purposes, the Scottish SI specifies six years - to avoid the need to keep separate records.

The powers for inspectors and penalties in England are given in detail under the Animal Health Act 1981 and therefore not contained in the English SI. Since the Scottish SI is made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, the powers for inspectors and penalties require to be included in the Scottish SI. There are similar powers and penalties under the Animal Health Act 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149355,"EventID":"S1W-12597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Argyll and Bute Council's proposal to construct a car park in The Avenue in Inveraray has not been called in for determination by the Scottish Ministers, given that ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Argyll and Bute Council's proposal to construct a car park in The Avenue in Inveraray has not been called in for determination by the Scottish Ministers, given that the case has been referred to the Commission of Local Administration in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Office Development Department Circular 4/1997 lays down the criteria which require local authorities to notify planning applications to the Scottish Ministers. Reference of a case to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland is not included and, therefore, is not a planning reason for call-in.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149356,"EventID":"S1W-12598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-11654, S1W-11655, S1W-11656 and S1W-11657, lodged on 4 December 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-11654, S1W-11655, S1W-11656 and S1W-11657, lodged on 4 December 2000.","AnswerText":"These questions will be answered as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149357,"EventID":"S1W-12599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was, for each of the last three years, of dealing with criminal record checks for those who work in the voluntary sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was, for each of the last three years, of dealing with criminal record checks for those who work in the voluntary sector.","AnswerText":"Under arrangements first introduced in 1989, criminal record checks for employment-related purposes are available mainly to employers in the statutory sector who are appointing people to positions which would give them substantial access to children in health, social work and education. Statutory sector employers may check volunteers under these arrangements but such checks are not separately identified.

A limited scheme was introduced in 1998 allowing criminal record checks to be carried out by the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) on behalf of approved voluntary child care organisations. The cost to SCRO of these checks in each of the last three years is estimated approximately as follows:

1 July 1998 to 31 December 1998

£2,250

1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999

£7,000

1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000

£9,750

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149358,"EventID":"S1W-12600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will establish a central body to help the voluntary sector make the best use of criminal record checks on volunteers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will establish a central body to help the voluntary sector make the best use of criminal record checks on volunteers.","AnswerText":"Part V of the Police Act 1997 makes provision for criminal record checks to be carried out at the request of individuals. The first stage of implementation of Part V is planned for the summer. We are, therefore, aiming to have the central body established before then so that it is ready to assist the voluntary sector when Part V is implemented.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149359,"EventID":"S1W-12601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure information concerning levels of short and long-term teacher absenteeism is publicly available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure information concerning levels of short and long-term teacher absenteeism is publicly available.","AnswerText":"The management of teacher absence is a matter for local authorities as employers. However teacher absence rates are one of a series of performance measures on which local authorities report to Audit Scotland and that information will be published in due course. We have no plans to collect information on short or long-term absence amongst teachers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149360,"EventID":"S1W-12602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances are leading to the closure of the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances are leading to the closure of the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso.","AnswerText":"On 17 January, the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) announced plans to close its Veterinary Disease Surveillance Centre in Thurso on 31 July 2001. In recent years, demand for consultancy services provided from the Thurso Centre to local veterinary practices and farmers has significantly reduced and the small amount of diagnostic material arising from this is now mainly referred to SAC's Central Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition, some research work currently managed through the Thurso Centre will be coming to an end shortly. The centre therefore now provides SAC with very little commercial income, and its residual functions relate primarily to the provision of data for the UK-wide animal disease surveillance programme.

The decision to close the Thurso Centre was not taken lightly, and SAC appraised all the options very carefully, including the cost implications of keeping the centre open. However, closure of the Thurso Centre represents the most sensible and pragmatic outcome in the circumstances and will make more efficient use of the resources available for veterinary diagnosis and disease surveillance throughout Scotland.

Veterinary practices and their farmer clients in the areas presently covered by the Thurso Centre will continue to have access to the full range of SAC's analytical, consultancy and animal health schemes through the Veterinary Centres in Inverness (for the North of Scotland and Orkney) and Aberdeen (for Shetland). Staff at these centres will be available to handle enquiries, and samples for investigation or analysis will be conveyed there either by post or by road and/or ferry using refrigerated vans. Under the new arrangements, SAC expects the level of service provided to existing clients to be at least as good as at present, and SERAD is satisfied that the necessary level of animal disease surveillance will be maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149361,"EventID":"S1W-12603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funds available in order to keep the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso open.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funds available in order to keep the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso open.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12602.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149362,"EventID":"S1W-12604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that continuation of the work previously undertaken by the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso is secure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that continuation of the work previously undertaken by the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso is secure.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12602.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149363,"EventID":"S1W-12605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school students in each local authority area currently have a record of needs and what proportion of the total school roll in each area this represents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school students in each local authority area currently have a record of needs and what proportion of the total school roll in each area this represents.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149364,"EventID":"S1W-12606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements the use of the materials Looking after Children in Scotland: Good Parenting, Good Outlook have made to contemporary practice in this area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements the use of the materials Looking after Children in Scotland: Good Parenting, Good Outlook have made to contemporary practice in this area.","AnswerText":"These materials are designed to achieve better outcomes for children through more systematic planning and measurement of their needs. Their use can strengthen working partnerships between key people in a child's life as they cover the critical aspects of education, health and personal and social development. They should also help to clarify the allocation of professional responsibilities.

All local authorities in Scotland have agreed to use the materials. An audit of progress on implementation is underway and a report is expected by April this year.

We are currently considering how best to measure the impact of the materials in terms of improvements to professional practice and to the lives of looked-after children.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149365,"EventID":"S1W-12607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each of the last three years, how many lung cancer patients in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area have survived (i) six months and (ii) 12 months beyond dia","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each of the last three years, how many lung cancer patients in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area have survived (i) six months and (ii) 12 months beyond diagnosis.","AnswerText":"The tables show the numbers of people in Scotland diagnosed with lung cancer in each of the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the numbers alive after (i) six months and (ii) 12 months after diagnosis for (a) Scotland and (b) each health board in Scotland.

Pupils Of Publicly Funded Schools With A Record Of Needs: 1999-2000

Source: September 1999 School Census

Local Authority

Number of pupils with a Record of Needs

As a % of total number of pupils

SCOTLAND

15,257

2.0

Aberdeen City

652

2.4

Aberdeenshire

680

1.9

Angus

270

1.6

Argyll & Bute

180

1.3

Clackmannanshire

153

2.1

Dumfries & Galloway

444

2.0

Dundee City

555

2.7

East Ayrshire

417

2.2

East Dunbartonshire

170

0.9

East Lothian

109

0.8

East Renfrewshire

212

Year of diagnosis 1995

Health Board

Number of people diagnosed with lung cancer

People alive 6 months after diagnosis

People alive 12 months after diagnosis

Argyll & Clyde

440

167

93

Ayrshire & Arran

330

114

67

Borders

81

28

16

Dumfries & Galloway

138

45

30

Fife

303

106

59

Forth Valley

228

79

48

Grampian

385

184

110

Greater Glasgow

1142

400

218

Highland

The Scottish Executive has invested £13.2 million modernisation funding to provide new and replacement linear accelerator equipment for radiotherapy. In June last year, I announced the first round of equipment purchases totalling £5.8 million, to buy four linear accelerators and three simulators. Decisions on allocating the balance of £7.4m have still to be taken and will be informed by a future needs assessment process that is currently ongoing.

In August 2000 I also announced a further £16 million for new MRI scanners and other imaging equipment to speed up diagnosis and treatment of cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149367,"EventID":"S1W-12609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2106,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make provision for continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in any new investment it makes in lung cancer treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make provision for continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in any new investment it makes in lung cancer treatment.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action; a plan for change published on 14 December 2000 clearly sets out the Executive's overall aims for a better integrated and responsive NHSScotland which puts patients first. The plan sets out a significant programme of work to be undertaken by NHSScotland and the Executive, including the publication of a comprehensive Scottish Cancer Plan by March 2001.

The Executive's linear accelerator modernisation programme, with the accompanying investment of £13.2m will mean that clinicians working across the cancer networks will be better able to aim towards bringing the benefits of new and emerging treatments to their patients.

It is precisely because we are aware of issues such as CHART that we have pledged to bring forward the Scottish Cancer Plan. This plan will look ahead over the next 5 - 10 years and will consider how best to meet the challenges posed by cancer, including prevention, early detection, treatment and care for people with cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149368,"EventID":"S1W-12610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the pupil/teacher ratio in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools is in each local authority area and whether it holds any similar information in relation to indepen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the pupil/teacher ratio in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools is in each local authority area and whether it holds any similar information in relation to independent schools.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the pupil/teacher ratios calculated from the September 1999 School Census.

I have recently sent a report on the supply of teachers to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751) for the information of all members. A table giving this information on pupil teacher ratios was inserted into the report on 8 February 2001 as Annex J.

PUPIL/TEACHER RATIOS BY LOCAL AUTHORITY, SCHOOL TYPE AND SECTOR TYPE: 1999-2000

Source: September 1999 School Census

Authority

Publicly funded

Independent

Primary

Secondary

Primary

Secondary

SCOTLAND

19.1

12.9

13.4

8.7

Aberdeen City

18.9

12.6

11.5

9.0

Aberdeenshire

18.4

13.1

-

-

Angus

18.2

12.7

5.8

-

Argyll & Bute

17.0

This information can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149371,"EventID":"S1W-12613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is achieving its aim of providing \"an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland which will","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is achieving its aim of providing \"an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland which will both improve the environment and contribute to the Government's goal of sustainable development\", with particular regard to the Scottish salmon farming industry.","AnswerText":"The salmon farming industry is relatively new and wishes to expand, and to use a range of chemicals. To do so it is seeking consents to discharge into the water environment. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency must reconcile these demands with its duties to protect the environment and to observe the requirements of EU legislation, such as the Dangerous Substances Directive (76/464/EEC). The Scottish Executive believes that the agency is carrying out this task effectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149372,"EventID":"S1W-12614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has adequate resources to undertake its regulatory and monitoring functions relating to salmon farming in such a way t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has adequate resources to undertake its regulatory and monitoring functions relating to salmon farming in such a way that the agency's main aim of providing \"an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland which will both improve the environment and contribute to the Government's goal of sustainable development\" is achieved in relation to this particular area.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Scottish Executive has given careful consideration to the resources which the Scottish Environment Protection Agency requires to carry out its regulatory and monitoring functions. As a result of this consideration, in the Spending Review announced in September 2000, the agency was awarded additional funding of £16.5 million for the three years 2001-02 to 2003-04. The agency's total resources over this period, including income from charges, will be about £123 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149373,"EventID":"S1W-12615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-11971, S1W-11972 and S1W-11973 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2000, what consideration it has given to the possibility that the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-11971, S1W-11972 and S1W-11973 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2000, what consideration it has given to the possibility that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) may have misinterpreted the law and consequently misled Scottish salmon farmers with regard to SEPA's powers and farmers' legal rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has recently become aware that certain offices of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have until recently been issuing standard letters dating from before an amendment to section 34(2) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. These letters suggest that a failure on the applicants' part to agree a period longer than four months to consider their application would result in a deemed refusal, whereas the amended legislation would merely give the applicants the option to treat it as such.

The agency has issued guidance to staff to prevent the issue of any more of these standard letters.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149374,"EventID":"S1W-12616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated or will investigate whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has misinterpreted the Control of Pollution Act 1974 section 34 (2), m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated or will investigate whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has misinterpreted the Control of Pollution Act 1974 section 34 (2), misdirected itself in relation to its power to refuse discharge consents and consequently misled Scottish salmon farmers and, if such misinterpretation has taken place, what action it will take.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12615.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149375,"EventID":"S1W-12617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer Capecitabine in tablet form for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer on the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer Capecitabine in tablet form for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer on the NHS.","AnswerText":"On 19 October 2000, The Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products, part of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, recommended that Capecitabine be granted a marketing authorisation for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. This recommendation has to be approved by the European Commission before the product can be marketed.

The UK took part in an international clinical trial of Capecitabine used in combination with another drug, for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This trial has now concluded and the results will inform decisions about Capecitabine's use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149376,"EventID":"S1W-12618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether pensioner households in Glasgow will benefit from the central heating and insulation investment project planned by it during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether pensioner households in Glasgow will benefit from the central heating and insulation investment project planned by it during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149377,"EventID":"S1W-12619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the accessibility and structure of the Visitscotland website; if not, why adequate steps were not taken during the development of the websit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the accessibility and structure of the Visitscotland website; if not, why adequate steps were not taken during the development of the website to ensure that it was easily located by Internet search engines and how much it will cost to correct any problems in this regard.","AnswerText":"I am satisfied with the progress that the Scottish Tourist Board is making in developing the visitscotland.com website. The action that the board is taking includes investing in improving accessibility through search engines. A new look site, which will include improved search and navigational techniques, is at the advanced stages of specification.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149378,"EventID":"S1W-12620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the original registration procedure for the Ossian project was adequate; if so, why more companies did not register and what action it is taking to ensure that r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the original registration procedure for the Ossian project was adequate; if so, why more companies did not register and what action it is taking to ensure that registration will increase in the future.","AnswerText":"The registration procedure is an operational matter for the Scottish Tourist Board. I will ask the Chairman to write to you. The website now contains details of more than 17,400 businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149379,"EventID":"S1W-12621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the independent consultants currently working with Visitscotland are reviewing the Ossian project and what action it intends to take over the performance to date","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the independent consultants currently working with Visitscotland are reviewing the Ossian project and what action it intends to take over the performance to date of the Ossian project.","AnswerText":"The project is not at present being reviewed by independent consultants. Continuous improvements are being achieved in the performance of the website, which attracted over 3 million user sessions last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149380,"EventID":"S1W-12622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a slimming down of Visitscotland's management structure would be sufficient to deal with any problems which exist in relation to the performance of Visitscotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a slimming down of Visitscotland's management structure would be sufficient to deal with any problems which exist in relation to the performance of Visitscotland and reverse the drop in overseas visitors to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The implementation of the recommendations contained in the recent Management Review of the Scottish Tourist Board is only one of the actions that are being taken to further support our tourism industry. The Executive's Tourism Strategy contains many new actions designed to grow tourism throughout Scotland. We are also providing increased levels of financial support through the STB.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149381,"EventID":"S1W-12623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which information returns on cattle that are required from farmers by its Rural Affairs Department duplicate information returns which farmers already provide to the catt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which information returns on cattle that are required from farmers by its Rural Affairs Department duplicate information returns which farmers already provide to the cattle movement scheme computer system at Workington.","AnswerText":"Action to reduce repeat requests for cattle information has already been implemented and wherever possible requests for duplicate information are avoided when pre-printed information is supplied or is available. Further measures to eliminate the remaining requests for duplicate information however, could not be introduced until the central computer system was extended to include details of all cattle in GB. As a result of a major data capture exercise last autumn the database is now over 98% complete. We are now considering how we can make more effective use of this data. This includes reducing the paper burden on farmers on a wider scale - further streamlining of subsidy claim procedures; electronic cattle registration and movement reporting, and eliminating the capture of some census information from farmers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149382,"EventID":"S1W-12624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to attract nurses back to work after they become parents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to attract nurses back to work after they become parents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is keen to encourage former nurses back to work. Our National Health, A plan for action, a plan for change requires all NHS employers to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers, I launched guidance on family friendly policies on 26 January. These policies include guidance on flexible working, childcare, breastfeeding and career breaks. The guidance applies to all NHS Scotland staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149383,"EventID":"S1W-12625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision the NHSiS makes for nurses with young families.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision the NHSiS makes for nurses with young families.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change requires all NHS employers to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers, I launched guidance on family-friendly policies on 26 January 2001. These policies include guidance on flexible working, childcare, breastfeeding and career breaks. The guidance applies to all NHS Scotland staff and has been developed through the Scottish Partnership Forum, which represents all NHS Scotland staff group.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149384,"EventID":"S1W-12626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards offer creche facilities for nursing staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards offer creche facilities for nursing staff.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. You will wish to know that the family friendly policies guidance I launched on 26 January contains guidance on the options available for childcare which health boards and NHS Trusts are expected to follow.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149385,"EventID":"S1W-12627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new, affordable houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase have been constructed with assistance from Scottish Homes in each local authority area since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new, affordable houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase have been constructed with assistance from Scottish Homes in each local authority area since 1996.","AnswerText":"The number of new, affordable houses for rent and purchase that have been constructed with assistance from Scottish Homes in each local authority area from April 1996 to March 2000 is as follows:

Local Authority

Rent

Ownership

Total

Aberdeenshire

437

316

753

Angus

453

81

534

Argyll & Bute

386

128

514

City of Aberdeen

588

348

936

City of Dundee

448

288

736

City of Edinburgh

1,747

763

2,510

City of Glasgow

3,452

3,021

6,473

Clackmannanshire

78

57

135

Dumfries & Galloway

235

161

396

Year

£ million Rent

£ million Ownership

£ million Total

1994-95

42.669

13.485

56.154

1995-96

49.990

15.910

65.900

1996-97

39.310

14.999

54.309

1997-98

30.465

8.855

39.320

1998-99

27.386

8.540

35.926

1999-2000

34.598

6.783

41.381

Total

224.418

68.572

292.990

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149387,"EventID":"S1W-12629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2729 by Susan Deacon on 11 January 2001, how much of the additional resources are earmarked for the prevention of hepatitis C and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2729 by Susan Deacon on 11 January 2001, how much of the additional resources are earmarked for the prevention of hepatitis C and which organisations will receive such funding.","AnswerText":"The additional funding, totalling £7 million, will be allocated to health boards over the next four years. It will be for each health board to consider how best the new resources should be used, taking account of local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149388,"EventID":"S1W-12630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scots would require to be known to be carrying the hepatitis C virus before the situation would be considered a serious threat to public health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scots would require to be known to be carrying the hepatitis C virus before the situation would be considered a serious threat to public health.","AnswerText":"As Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change indicates, the Scottish Executive already takes seriously the threat to public health posed by hepatitis C. The plan said that we will put more resources into tackling modern epidemics like HIV and hepatitis C and, as has already been announced, an additional £7 million is being made available over the next four years to health boards for this purpose.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149389,"EventID":"S1W-12631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2152,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12158 by Sarah Boyack on 16 January 2001, whether it will request a copy of the Rosyth traffic study and respond to it and, if so, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12158 by Sarah Boyack on 16 January 2001, whether it will request a copy of the Rosyth traffic study and respond to it and, if so, over what timescale.","AnswerText":"I understand from Fife Council that this study is still in draft. Once finalised it will be forwarded and we will respond to it as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149390,"EventID":"S1W-12632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the future delivery of ferry services in the Highlands and Islands to bring these into compliance with European Community Law.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the future delivery of ferry services in the Highlands and Islands to bring these into compliance with European Community Law.","AnswerText":"In April 2000, I announced publication of the consultation document Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services which sought views on options for putting our subsidised lifeline services out to tender in order that they can continue under European Community rules.

We received a response of over 100 replies. I have considered all of the points made carefully, taking account of the relevant EC Regulations and Guidelines on State Aid. I am announcing today a package of provisional proposals which have been submitted to the European Commission and which I believe will provide a robust framework for the continued delivery of high quality lifeline ferry services to the Highlands and Islands. The key elements are briefly summarised as follows:

- I regard all Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services which serve islands as being consistent with public service obligations (PSOs) and plan to tender these services in line with the requirements for these as set out in the European Community cabotage regulations and guidelines;

- I have made robust representations to the Commission in relation to Caledonian MacBrayne's mainland-to-mainland routes, Gourock-Dunoon and Tarbert-Portavadie. I am pleased that the Commission has indicated it might be prepared to consider such services where land based transport would not provide a viable alternative. I regard Caledonian MacBrayne's present mainland-to-mainland routes as being consistent with this criterion. I therefore propose PSOs in respect of these routes also. In the case of Gourock-Dunoon, the PSO would be in respect of a passenger only service because of its integration with other modes of transport (as indeed is the approved service at present);

- On the packages of routes to be tendered, the Executive's strong preference, based on the results of consultation, is to tender the network as a whole. Overwhelming support was expressed for this option in response to consultation and we believe this would maximise service reliability for the communities served, simplify the process for management of vessels and provide economies of scale in company management, safety and quality systems. It also avoids cherry picking of routes and facilitates integrated transport through co-ordinated timetabling of services;

- On arrangements for future ownership of vessels, I propose to establish a publicly owned vessel owning company in line with proposals set out in Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services. I believe this strikes the right balance between the need to ensure the efficient utilisation of the unique existing fleet and service reliability through this period of great change. Vessels would be leased to operators on a commercial basis and without subsidy in line with European Community rules that prohibit grants in respect of vessel replacement;

- I propose operators would be bound to the vessel owning company's existing vessels. However, I propose to allow scope for operators to bring their own vessel solutions where we have identified a need for new vessels to replace older ships or expand the range of services during a five-year contract period. This will be decided on a case by case basis at the outset of each PSO contract period. In line with the Commission's guidance, the vessel owning company's functions would focus on bare boat leasing to operators as well as ownership and maintenance of CalMac's piers and harbours. I am considering the possibility of the vessel owning company offering, on an optional basis, a management of maintenance package which might be attractive to some operators. We also propose the vessel owning company should act as an operator of last resort which would provide an important safeguard through this period of change;

- Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services made clear that the Executive would allow Caledonian MacBrayne to bid to operate th","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149391,"EventID":"S1W-12633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is, in total and broken down by component, of each of the four school Public/Private Partnership projects recently confirmed by Highland Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is, in total and broken down by component, of each of the four school Public/Private Partnership projects recently confirmed by Highland Council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not directly involved in the detailed contract and cost provisions of school PPP projects which individual local authorities may be pursuing. Any enquiries about the detailed costs of this project should be directed to The Highland Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149392,"EventID":"S1W-12634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of beef and sheep farmers in Kintyre will be worse off under the new less favoured area formula.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of beef and sheep farmers in Kintyre will be worse off under the new less favoured area formula.","AnswerText":"Estimates suggest that roughly two-thirds of beef and sheep claimants in Kintyre will receive lower LFA payments than last year and one-third will receive more. Under the safety net which I negotiated to ease the transition from headage to area-based support, all regular LFA claimants are guaranteed at least 90% of last year's assistance this spring.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149393,"EventID":"S1W-12635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9867 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, what guidelines it has made available to health boards to ensure that the services obtained","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9867 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, what guidelines it has made available to health boards to ensure that the services obtained from sources other than the NHS deliver value for money and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Boards and Trusts are under a general requirement to make best use of their resources to provide for the needs of their populations, it is not necessary to issue particular guidance in relation to services obtained from sources other than the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149394,"EventID":"S1W-12636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes are connected to the world wide web, broken down (a) by local authority area and (b) enterprise area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes are connected to the world wide web, broken down (a) by local authority area and (b) enterprise area.","AnswerText":"Figures are not currently available on how many homes are connected to the world wide web by local authority area or by enterprise area. Survey work conducted between April 1999 and March 2000 by the Office for National Statistics suggest that across Scotland as a whole 14% of households were connected to the web. In surveys conducted in Scotland by ONS between April 2000 and September 2000 this had risen to 19%.

Figures from the 1999 Scottish Household Survey on the percentage of households with access to email or the internet from home are available only for local authority groupings and are shown in the table. However, given the rapid growth of household access to the web noted above, the 1999 figures are likely to significantly understate the percentage of households now connected to the web in local authority area.

Scottish Household Survey figures 1999 also show that 19% of households in remote rural and 20% of households in accessible rural areas are connected to the web, in comparison to 15% of urban households in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen & Dundee and 12% in urban areas with a population of more than 10,000. Figures for each local authority area will be published in the Scottish Household Survey in late summer 2001.

Local Authority area(s) *

Percentage of households with access to email or the internet from home

Edinburgh

20

Glasgow

11

Fife

14

North Lanarkshire

9

South Lanarkshire

13

Highlands and Islands (Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland)

15

Grampian (City of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire)

19

Tayside (Angus, Dundee City, Perth, Kinross)

14

Central (Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling)

14

Dunbartonshire (West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire)

16

Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde)

14

Ayrshire (South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrsh","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149395,"EventID":"S1W-12637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the projects which will benefit from the #2.3 million funding for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network announced in Press Release SE3266/200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the projects which will benefit from the #2.3 million funding for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network announced in Press Release SE3266/2000, specifying how much of this funding each project will receive.","AnswerText":"On 19 December 2000 I announced an additional allocation of £2.275 million to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in respect of the current financial year. This money has now been made available to HIE as part of the Spring Budget Revision. The tables detail how these monies will be disbursed:

Total

Project

£25,000

To pilot additional flexibilities to the Scottish Executive's Training for Work programme.

£250,000

To deliver Information Communication Technology (ICT) qualifications and skills, including the European Computer Driving Licence, to unemployed and inactive clients in the Highlands & Islands.

£2,000,000

For the provision of support in respect of the following projects intended to improve regional imbalances.

Highlands & Islands Enterprise Area and Project Location

Total

Project

Western Isles Enterprise

General

£50,000

Oil Industry Training Scheme

General

£30,000

Call Centre Customer Care Training Scheme

General

£20,000

Retail Training Scheme

Scalpay

£610,000

Continued development of new factory

Drinishader

£50,000

Pier/Jetty project

Flodabay

£30,000

Pier/Jetty project

Marvaig

£50,000

Pier/Jetty project

Miavig

£70,000

Pier/Jetty project

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149396,"EventID":"S1W-12638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-10473 on 6 November 2000, what the basis is in law, in procurement guidance or in the Parliament's procedures for his response that ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-10473 on 6 November 2000, what the basis is in law, in procurement guidance or in the Parliament's procedures for his response that information about the total value of any works package contract entered into by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body in relation to the Holyrood Project would only be divulged with the consent of the relevant contractor.","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-9469 set out the basis for the Parliament's position in relation to commercial confidentiality. The Parliament's tenders are issued and received on a commercially confidential basis, respected by both client and contractor, and the legitimate commercial interests of contractors might be prejudiced by unilateral disclosure of contract information by the Parliament. The Holyrood Progress Group therefore intends for contractors to be consulted, and for agreement to be reached, before individual contract details are released.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149397,"EventID":"S1W-12639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision on new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health Plan: A plan for action, a plan for change will be made on a Scottish or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision on new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health Plan: A plan for action, a plan for change will be made on a Scottish or UK-wide basis. ","AnswerText":"Decisions on contractual arrangements for GPs are taken in close consultation with colleagues in all the other UK Health Departments.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149398,"EventID":"S1W-12640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which GP surgeries are involved in the pilot studies into new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which GP surgeries are involved in the pilot studies into new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, where the surgeries are located, how many GPs there are at each practice and what geographic area each covers.","AnswerText":"The table gives the details requested:

PMS Pilots: Scotland

Practice

Number of GPs

Area

Ballantrae Medical Practice

2 GPs, 1 Assistant

Ayrshire and Arran

The Crescent Medical Practice

4 GPs, 1 Registrar, 1 Assistant

Greater Glasgow

Northfield Medical Practice

4 GPs, 1 Retainee

Grampian

Skene Medical Centre

8 GPs, 1 Registrar, 1 Retainee, 2 Assistants

Grampian

Student Health Service, Aberdeen

4 GPs

Grampian

Maryhill Medical Practice

7 GPs, 1 Registrar

Grampian

Camphill Medical Practice

2 GPs

Grampian

Rhynie Medical Practice

1.5 GPs

Grampian

Portsoy Medical Group

2 GPs

Grampian

Spital Medical Practice

1.5 GPs

Grampian

The Milton Surgery

6 GPs, 2 Retainees

Lothian

The Edinburgh Homeless Practice

3 GPs

Lothian

Polwarth Surgery

1 GP, 2 Assistants, 1 Retainee

Lothian

Park Avenue Medical Practice

3 GPs, 1 Retainee

Tayside

Springfield Medical Practice

3 GPs, 1 Registrar","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149399,"EventID":"S1W-12641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when pilot studies into new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change are due to be wound up, what evalua","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when pilot studies into new contractual arrangements for GPs referred to in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change are due to be wound up, what evaluation process has been established to study the success of the projects, who will be involved in that process and when a report on the pilot studies is expected to be published.","AnswerText":"The first seven pilots in Scotland went live on 1 April 1998 and were initially planned to last three years (this was later extended to four years). Five of these seven pilots were included in a National Evaluation project being led by Southampton University which is due to be published towards the end of this year. In addition, it is a requirement of the legislation that all pilots are reviewed locally.

A review of six of the seven first wave pilots was recently undertaken by Scottish Ministers and the report of this review was published in January 2001. The Primary Care Act 1997 specifies that:

At least one review of the operation of each pilot scheme must be conducted by Scottish Ministers;

The review must occur within a period of three years from initial commencement of the pilot scheme; and

The Primary Care Trust and pilot must be given the opportunity to provide comments relevant to the review, but otherwise Scottish Ministers will determine the review procedures.

The review by Scottish Ministers of each pilot must consider the benefits and costs for the NHS and whether such provision of services should continue and be generalised more widely.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149400,"EventID":"S1W-12642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that no Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) will receive less funding under the new funding arrangements announced by the Minister f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that no Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) will receive less funding under the new funding arrangements announced by the Minister for Communities on 4 October 2000, in particular in areas where for geographical reasons there is more than one CVS in a local authority area.","AnswerText":"Executive funding for the national network of Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) will increase by £1.2 million in 2001-02, in addition to an extra £0.21 million this year. The increased funding recognises the strategic potential of the network in supporting the voluntary sector and communities.

The Executive has funded seven new CVS in 2000-01, and from 2001-02 will give a minimum of £60,000 to every local authority area in Scotland, including for the first time six urban areas. No individual CVS will have its Executive grant reduced. Local authority areas where there are more than one CVS will receive at least an extra £30,000, and in Highland an extra £60,000. Total Executive funding for CVS in the Highlands and Islands will be £678,000 in 2001-02 out of a scheme total of £2.6 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149401,"EventID":"S1W-12643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nurses are employed by the NHS in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nurses are employed by the NHS in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The latest information available centrally on how many whole-time equivalent nurses employed in the NHSScotland is shown in the table.

Nurses and Midwifery staff employed by NHSScotland by Health Board

Whole Time Equivalent as at 30 September 1999

Qualified Nurses

Unqualified Nurses

Total

Scotland

35,596.5

15,756.5

51,353.0

Argyll and Clyde

2,637.5

1,454.2

4,091.7

Ayrshire and Arran

2,216.3

1,053.4

3,269.7

Borders

741.4

340.4

1,081.8

Dumfries and Galloway

1,131.8

531.2

1,663.0

Fife

2,184.9

764.0

2,948.9

Forth Valley

1,776.5

1,040.5

2,817.0

Grampian

3,495.1

1,445.8

4,940.9

Greater Glasgow

7,087.0

3,344.2

10,431.2

Highland

1,522.8

Whole Time Equivalent5 of doctors working in NHSScotland by Health Board area

As at September/October 19992

Hospital / Community Services

General Practitioners4

Total

Career Grades

Training Grades3

Scotland7

3,650.5

4,011.2

3,878.8

11,540.5

Argyll and Clyde

243.2

228.0

332.0

803.2

Ayrshire and Arran

207.7

173.0

269.6

650.3

Borders

60.0

51.2

93.0

204.2

Dumfries and Galloway

102.4

73.0

132.5

307.9

Fife

182.3

150.3

243.8

576.4

Forth Valley

Qualified nursing and midwifery staff in the NHSScotland by Health Boards 1, 2 - Leavers

   

(Headcount)

 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

Argyll and Clyde

282

236

236

Ayrshire and Arran

163

138

171

Borders

73

58

68

Dumfries and Galloway

98

84

95

Fife

343

174

172

Forth Valley

199

179

157

Grampian

476

501

385

Greater Glasgow

590

733

670

Highland

154

138

138

Lanarkshire

275

230

226

Lothian

657

689

585

Orkney

20

15

13

Shetland

20

17

22

Tayside

300

388

475

Western Isles

Table 1: Career grade doctors in the NHSiS by Health Board

Reasons for leaving employment in 1996 - 1997

Retiral / Death

Transfer / Secondment

End of contract / Redundancy / Redeployment

Promotion

Leaving medicine

Unknown

Argyll & Clyde

3

6

1

-

1

11

Ayrshire & Arran

5

4

1

-

-

7

Borders

-

-

1

-

-

1

Dumfries &

Galloway

2

2

-

1

-

3

Fife

7

4

The latest information available centrally is shown in the table.

Nursing and Midwifery staff vacancies1 by Health Board Area

Whole Time Equivalent: at 31 March 2000

Total Vacancies (3)

Vacant 3 months or more

Scotland

874.1

383.2

Argyll & Clyde

90.4

45.4

Ayrshire & Arran

35.4

-

Borders (2)

9.5

6.0

Dumfries & Galloway

2.8

-

Fife (2)

58.5

1.3

Forth Valley

18.3

-

Grampian

125.2

36.9

Greater Glasgow

207.4

91.0

Highland

32.0

2.0

Lanarkshire

75.7

48.1

Lothian

165.6

127.6

Orkney

-The Scottish Executive will shortly be writing to all authorities that received funding from the third round of the Public Transport Fund seeking action plans for their projects.

I understand that the interchange is intended to retain sufficient flexibility to allow for a range of vessels to berth at Gourock Pier, including vessels catering for passengers only and those capable of carrying vehicles and passengers. That flexibility is particularly important, since Gourock would remain a foul weather refuge for Clyde ferry services irrespective of the outcome of the present consultation with the European Commission about a public service obligation for a ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149411,"EventID":"S1W-12653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the design of the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will have any impact on the type of ferry service able","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the design of the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will have any impact on the type of ferry service able to operate between Gourock and Dunoon. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12652.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149412,"EventID":"S1W-12654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will open and whether the final design and building of the centre will ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will open and whether the final design and building of the centre will be delayed until a final decision on the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service has been reached.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12652.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149413,"EventID":"S1W-12656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there were in each of the last five years on charges of culpable homicide arising from road traffic deaths.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there were in each of the last five years on charges of culpable homicide arising from road traffic deaths.","AnswerText":"he information requested is given in the table.

Persons proceeded against in all Scottish courts where the main crime was causing death by dangerous driving, 1995-1999

Crime

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Causing death by dangerous driving (1)

29

23

17

17

26

(1) Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which is classified as "culpable homicide (statutory)" in the SEJD classification of crimes and offences.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149414,"EventID":"S1W-12657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions arising from road traffic deaths there were in the High Court of Justiciary in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions arising from road traffic deaths there were in the High Court of Justiciary in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested cannot be separately identified from the data collected centrally. The table contains the available information on prosecutions, which by legal definition, involved fatal road accidents.

Persons proceeded against in the High Court where the main crime was causing death by dangerous driving or by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, 1995-1999

Crime

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Causing death by dangerous driving (1)

1

2

3

1

1

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs (2)

-

-

-

-

-

(1) Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988

(2) Section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149415,"EventID":"S1W-12658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide support to pre-five nursery and education services for asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide support to pre-five nursery and education services for asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"Where families with pre-school children are granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK, these children are entitled to receive the full benefit of up to two years of grant-funded pre-school education.

Where asylum decisions are pending, the priority is to provide integrated packages of family, childcare and education support. My officials are currently discussing with representatives of the Scottish Asylum Seekers Consortium how such integrated packages might best be developed and resourced, using various streams of Executive funding in flexible ways.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149416,"EventID":"S1W-12659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with colleges of education regarding provision and funding of English language courses for asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with colleges of education regarding provision and funding of English language courses for asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"No such direct discussions between the Executive and colleges have taken place.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149417,"EventID":"S1W-12660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether #9,726 is an adequate starting salary to recruit honours graduates to work in NHS laboratories. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether #9,726 is an adequate starting salary to recruit honours graduates to work in NHS laboratories. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-12661.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149418,"EventID":"S1W-12661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the pay levels of NHS laboratory staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the pay levels of NHS laboratory staff.","AnswerText":"In agreeing pay for 2000-01, the Scottish Executive targeted increases of 7.1% for newly qualified MLSOs and up to 26% for MLSO trainees. For 2001-02 a pay offer has recently been made for all NHS non-Pay Review Body staff of 3.7% or £380, whichever is the greater. In addition to this, further adjustments have been proposed to the MLSO pay scales. The combined effect would increase the starting salary for a newly qualified MLSO to over £15,200, a total increase of up to 16.7%. Corresponding increases would see trainees able to earn over £12,500 (an increase of up to 16.2%) and experienced MLSO 1 and MLSO 2 staff over £18,500 and £24,400 respectively, an increase of up to 7.9%.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149419,"EventID":"S1W-12662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the disparity in the starting salaries paid to graduate nurses and honours graduates in biomedical science starting work in NHS laboratories and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the disparity in the starting salaries paid to graduate nurses and honours graduates in biomedical science starting work in NHS laboratories and whether it has any plans to reduce this disparity.","AnswerText":"Salaries for nurses and biomedical scientists are determined through separate machinery. As indicated in the reply to question S1W-12660, the Scottish Executive is committed to addressing the pay of all NHS staff, including laboratory staff in the context of the agenda for pay modernisation. As stated in the reply to question S1W-12661, following significant increases last year, the recent offer made to non-Pay Review Body staff would result in an increase of up to 16.7% for qualified MLSOs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149420,"EventID":"S1W-12663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether small and medium-si'ed enterprises have sufficient representation on the board of learndirect Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether small and medium-si'ed enterprises have sufficient representation on the board of learndirect Scotland.","AnswerText":"Christine Lenihan, Chairman of Scottish UfI Ltd (learndirect scotland is the brand name for SUfI's services), is currently the Marketing Director of a small company and previously owned and managed her own small business. A number of the other SUfI Board members have previous experience of running or working with small businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149421,"EventID":"S1W-12664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it had any discussions with contractors after their submissions were made with regard to the trunk road networks contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it had any discussions with contractors after their submissions were made with regard to the trunk road networks contracts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive communicated with all of the tenderers for each of the competitions to seek clarification of the bids after tenders were lodged.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149422,"EventID":"S1W-12665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it arrived at its decision to separate the maintenance of trunk roads from the maintenance of side roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it arrived at its decision to separate the maintenance of trunk roads from the maintenance of side roads.","AnswerText":"The decision to separate the maintenance of the trunk road network from the local road network was inherited by the Scottish Executive.

The statutory provisions of the Trunk Roads Act 1936 drew the distinction between trunk roads and local roads.

Up until 1996 management and maintenance of trunk roads were undertaken by local authorities on behalf of the then Secretary of State under the terms of Agency Agreements. Thereafter contracts were let for the management and maintenance of the Central Belt (Premium) network and the management of the remaining (All Purpose) rural network following a decision taken in 1995 by Ministers in line with European Directives to seek competitive tenders on a contractual basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149423,"EventID":"S1W-12666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the formula used in the value for money appraisal of tender submissions for the trunk road network contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the formula used in the value for money appraisal of tender submissions for the trunk road network contracts.","AnswerText":"The tenders for the trunk road contracts stood to be evaluated on the basis of the "most economically advantageous bid". The pre-determined assessment procedures is set out in the "Instructions for Tendering". Specimen copies of the Instructions for Tendering have been lodged in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149424,"EventID":"S1W-12667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned an impact assessment on Direct Labour Organisation employment and the ability of local authorities to respond to emergency maintenance situat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned an impact assessment on Direct Labour Organisation employment and the ability of local authorities to respond to emergency maintenance situations on roads, following the decision to separate the maintenance of side roads from trunk roads.","AnswerText":"The decision to seek trunk road maintenance through contract was taken in 1995. No assessment has been made of the impact on Direct Labour Organisation employment in the event that they are unsuccessful in any competition for the work or on their ability to respond to emergency maintenance situations. Under EC procurement rules, such considerations relevant to the particular situation of tenderers cannot be taken into account in the procurement process.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149425,"EventID":"S1W-12668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9908 by Sarah Boyack on 29 September 2000, whether it will provide details of each planning application which was called in during ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9908 by Sarah Boyack on 29 September 2000, whether it will provide details of each planning application which was called in during the period 1996-97 to 1999-2000, specifying in each case whether the application was approved or refused.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:-

Applications Called In During The Period 1996-97 To 1999-2000.

1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997

Council

Case

Status

Aberdeenshire

Extension Etc at Ardoe House Hotel, Banchory-Devenick

Approved

Aberdeenshire

Sheltered Flats at Raemoir Road, Banchory

Approved

Aberdeenshire

Telecommunications Mast Etc, Templars Park Maryculter

Withdrawn

Argyll & Bute

Windfarm at Tayinloan, Tarbert

Refused

City of Edinburgh

Cruise Liner Terminal at Leith Docks, Edinburgh

Approved.

City of Edinburgh

Mechanised Car Park at Dewar Place/Torphichen Street, Edinburgh

Refused.

Dumfries & Galloway

Dwellinghouse at Toppinghead, Kirkpatrick Fleming

Refused

Dumfries & Galloway

Sand and Gravel Works at East Challoch, Dunragit

Refused.

Highland

Rare Breeds Park at Fort Augustus

Refused

Highland

Wind Turbines at Gartymore, Helmsdale

Refused

Highland

Wind Turbines at West Garty, Helmsdale

Refused

Highland

Dwellinghouses at Fort Augustus

Withdrawn

Midlothian

Dwellinghouse and Workshop at Windy Hollow, Roslin Glen

Refused.

Midlothian

Dwellinghouse at Pentland Road, Lothianburn

 transport safeguarding should be addressed in structure plans which are expected to have a time horizon of at least 10 years. Any local plans prepared during the currency of a structure plan would have to conform with it. There is no reason why development plan policies or allocations of land cannot be carried forward into new plans, thus allowing land to be safeguarded for as long as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149427,"EventID":"S1W-12670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5463 by Sarah Boyack on 4 April 2000, what the outcome was in relation to each planning application, notice of intention to develop","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5463 by Sarah Boyack on 4 April 2000, what the outcome was in relation to each planning application, notice of intention to develop, listed building consent application and scheduled monument consent application listed and whether it will list, for each category, all applications called in since 21 March 2000, specifying in each case what decision has been reached or, if no decision has been reached, what stage the application is at.","AnswerText":"Updated information relating to the answer to question S1W-5463 is as follows:

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(a) Awaiting public local inquiry

Argyll & Bute

Housing and country park at Kilmahew Estate, Cardross

Refused.

East Ayrshire

Conversion of castle to hotel and leisure facilities at Rowallan Castle, Kilmaurs

PLI held. Decision awaited.

East Ayrshire

Motorway Service Area at Kingswell, Fenwick (inquiry sisted at request of developer)

Withdrawn

East Ayrshire

Motorway Service Area at Harelaw, Fenwick (inquiry sisted at request of developer)

PLI awaited

Highland

House at Achnaluin, Morar

Refused.

Inverclyde

Retail, leisure, residential etc at former East Glen and Scott Lithgow Yards, Port Glasgow

Approved

Midlothian

Biotechnology Park at Gowkley Moss Farm, Milton Bridge, Penicuik

Approved

Midlothian

House at Woodcot, Gowkley Moss, Milton Bridge, Penicuik

Refused

North Lanarkshire

Residential development at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Gartcosh

Refused

North Lanarkshire

Residential development at Torrance Park, Motherwell

Refused

Perth & Kinross

Camping and caravanning development at Balado, Kinross

No PLI as yet at request of applicant

South Ayrshire

Supermarket, filling station, restaurant etc at Bridgefield, Girvan

Withdrawn

South Ayrshire

Football stadium (Ayr United) and retail development at Ayr

In addition, Scottish Enterprise are examining ways in which more sustainable funding for town centres could be provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149432,"EventID":"S1W-12675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue instructions or make representations to all relevant bodies to investigate the source and cause of the low frequency noise around Largs, known loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue instructions or make representations to all relevant bodies to investigate the source and cause of the low frequency noise around Largs, known locally as the \"Largs Hum\", and whether it has held any discussions with North Ayrshire Council on this matter.","AnswerText":"Under the Environment Protection Act 1990, each local authority must investigate complaints from residents within its area about noise to determine whether such noise amounts to a statutory nuisance. If a local authority considers there is a statutory nuisance, it can then serve an abatement notice on the noise maker and, if the noise persists, the noise maker can be prosecuted in the sheriff court.

I understand that North Ayrshire Council has made a thorough investigation of the so called "Largs Hum" and has concluded that the alleged noise does not amount to a statutory nuisance. Other local expert bodies have confirmed this conclusion. The Executive has also, as a result of this parliamentary question, made extensive enquiries about the issue but does not intend to intervene in this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149433,"EventID":"S1W-12676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the statements by Glasgow City Council in a paper to its Policy and Resources Committee on 16 January 2001 and the Convention of Scottish L","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the statements by Glasgow City Council in a paper to its Policy and Resources Committee on 16 January 2001 and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in the December 2000 issue of CoSLA Forward regarding the number of the poorest citi'ens in Glasgow and of the poorest households in Scotland who will be ineligible for assistance with water charges under its new proposals.","AnswerText":"The submission from Glasgow City Council in response to the consultation paper Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges is presently being considered as part of the consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149434,"EventID":"S1W-12677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why sportscotland has turned down the Camanach Association's development plan proposals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why sportscotland has turned down the Camanach Association's development plan proposals.","AnswerText":"In the first instance, you may find it helpful to have a statement of the situation with regard to funding for shinty and shinty events.

Shinty receives considerable funding from sportscotland, nearly £100,000 per annum in cash and kind in recent years.

In addition to the £15,000 core grant which sportscotland provides to the Camanachd Association each year, the sport of shinty has received £500,000 for Youth sport since 1991, which includes the full-time salary of the Youth Sport Development Officer for Shinty and a financial contribution to two local development officers. It is one of only nine sports which have had the benefit of a full-time Youth Sport Development Officer.

Shinty has also received over £500,000 in lottery capital grants since 1995, has benefited from over £5,000 of "in kind" staff time for the establishment of a national coaching strategy and only last year received a further £15,000 from the lottery junior groups programme. More generally, the sport also benefits from the Sportsmatch Programme and has made 24 applications, 19 of which have been successful securing awards totalling £43,200.

sportscotland is unable to provide funding for the annual Scotland v Ireland shinty/hurling match. The event is a hybrid of the two sports played in Scotland and Ireland; it is not of major international standard; and shinty has no international federation under the auspices of which recognised international competitions can take place. These factors rule out the Major Events and Talented Athletes Programmes as sources of funding. At the same time, the fact that the match is between two national teams means that it does not qualify for the Sportsmatch Programme, which provides funding for grassroots sporting activity. Shinty is not unique in this respect and national team competitions in sports such as netball and judo are also ineligible for Sportsmatch funding. The Scottish Executive and sportscotland recognise the cultural significance of shinty but sportscotland cannot bend the criteria for funding under its various programmes to treat shinty differently and more favourably than other sports.

As with other sports, sportscotland staff have put considerable time and effort into helping with the development of shinty and will continue to do so. Before it can increase its investment in any sport, sportscotland needs to be satisfied that the sport has a clear and realistic plan for development and an organisational structure which can implement that plan. After careful consideration, sportscotland concluded that the Camanachd Association would face difficulty in implementing its development plan. sportscotland has, however, offered to fund an independent review of the Camanachd Association the aim of which would be to ensure the long-term success of the sport and viability of the association itself.

The Executive hopes that the Camanachd Association accepts sportscotland's offer of an independent review as this has proved successful in the case of other sports such as athletics, swimming and curling.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149435,"EventID":"S1W-12678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects payments to be made under the 2000-01 Countryside Premium Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects payments to be made under the 2000-01 Countryside Premium Scheme.","AnswerText":"The introduction of a new IT system necessary to satisfy EU requirements has led to delays in the issuing of annual management payments. The first of these payments was issued on 4 December 2000 and payments continue to be made as claims are processed. There have been no delays in the payment of claims made in respect of capital items under this scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149436,"EventID":"S1W-12679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal costs it has incurred in relation to the tendering of the trunk road unit contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal costs it has incurred in relation to the tendering of the trunk road unit contracts.","AnswerText":"Legal costs associated with recent Court of Session proceedings were awarded against the petitioners.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149437,"EventID":"S1W-12680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of putting the trunk road unit contracts out to tender has been to date and what future costs are expected to be incurred, providing a breakdown of a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of putting the trunk road unit contracts out to tender has been to date and what future costs are expected to be incurred, providing a breakdown of all relevant costs in each case.","AnswerText":"The costs incurred to the award of the contracts are:

Assigned internal costs

£437,252

Seconded engineering staff

£342,384

Review and Audit costs

£134,613

Total

£914,249

The anticipated future annual costs relating to the supervision of the contracts are:

Assigned internal costs

£1.160 million

Seconded engineering staff

£0.476 million

Performance Audit Group

£1.533 million

Total

£3.169 million

In each case the figures are inclusive of VAT which has been or will be due to be paid.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149438,"EventID":"S1W-12681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9148 by Sarah Boyack on 14 September 2000, how local authorities will meet the costs of redundancy payments and any other costs rel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9148 by Sarah Boyack on 14 September 2000, how local authorities will meet the costs of redundancy payments and any other costs relating to the termination of employment to any local authority employees who lose their employment in the event that the trunk road unit contracts are awarded to private sector bidders if it does not make additional finance available for this purpose.","AnswerText":"Trunk road contracts lie outwith the functions of local government and are not catered for in the local government financial settlement. Local authorities have known since1996 when the previous contracts were awarded that they could fail to secure the trunk road work. Some of the management work was lost in 1999. The contracts for the Operating Companies stood to be renewed in 2001. Agency agreements had been awarded without competition and could not therefore extend indefinitely.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149439,"EventID":"S1W-12682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes it plans to make to the process and procedures used to tender trunk road unit contracts in future.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes it plans to make to the process and procedures used to tender trunk road unit contracts in future.","AnswerText":"Procedures for future tendering rounds will take into account experience gained during the present process.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149440,"EventID":"S1W-12683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the trunk road unit contracts due to come into effect on 1 April 2001 require three months notice under EU tendering regulations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the trunk road unit contracts due to come into effect on 1 April 2001 require three months notice under EU tendering regulations.","AnswerText":"The tendering requirements for the trunk road unit contracts due to come into effect on 1 April 2001 are set out in the Public Works Contract Regulations 1991 which implemented the EC Works Directive (93/37/EEC). There is no requirement for such a 3 month notice under these Regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149441,"EventID":"S1W-12684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8984 by Sarah Boyack on 25 August 2000, whether its statement that it \"will have regard to\" the Statement of Practice on Staff Tran","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8984 by Sarah Boyack on 25 August 2000, whether its statement that it \"will have regard to\" the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector means that it is following the recommendations of the statement; what requirements the tender documents for the trunk road unit contracts specified in relation to the protection of occupational pensions, and whether it will place a copy of any such requirements in SPICe, specifying the reasons for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had regard to the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector. The new maintenance term contracts require the successful bidder to fulfil any obligations arising from TUPE. Each of the winning contractors has transferred affected staff under TUPE terms.

Specimen copies of the Instructions for Tendering and Part 11 of the Contract Agreement which refers to TUPE have been lodged in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149442,"EventID":"S1W-12685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it took to establish the accuracy of comments relating to the position of staff, and the terms and conditions of such staff, currently employed by local auth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it took to establish the accuracy of comments relating to the position of staff, and the terms and conditions of such staff, currently employed by local authorities in connection with trunk roads maintenance attributed to staff of one of the private sector bidders for the trunk road unit contracts in Construction News on 9 November and, if these comments were correctly attributed, whether they would be contrary to any conditions to be included in the trunk road unit contracts and, if so, what action was taken in relation to these comments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognised at the outset that the comments made in Construction News on 9 November were inaccurate. The Executive issued letters to concerned councils to advise them that the articles were without foundation as no decision had at that time been taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149443,"EventID":"S1W-12686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to prevent local authority workers employed in connection with trunk road maintenance being made redundant in the event that private sector bids ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to prevent local authority workers employed in connection with trunk road maintenance being made redundant in the event that private sector bids for the trunk road unit contracts are successful and whether the tender documents specified that all existing staff be retained.","AnswerText":"It will be for the existing and incoming operators to decide whether there is a need for workers to be made redundant. The tender documents do not require that all existing staff be retained. Our current expectation is that the TUPE Regulations will apply.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149444,"EventID":"S1W-12687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered all of the points raised by trade unions about the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (as amended) in connect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered all of the points raised by trade unions about the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (as amended) in connection with the awarding of the trunk road unit contracts, in particular those points relating to those workers who spend most but not all of their time on trunk road work; whether private sector bidders were given information about the number of employees in respect of whom the Regulations would apply in this instance and whether employees were given an opportunity to check that any such information is correct.","AnswerText":"Employment of existing staff and workers is a matter to be resolved between the existing and new operators and staff and their Unions. During the tender period, existing employers circulated lists of staff involved. The Scottish Executive is not aware of what notice and information has been given to employees by the several operators.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149445,"EventID":"S1W-12688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standards of maintenance of trunk roads will change from 1 April 2001; if so, in what precise respects and whether it will decline to award contracts to any ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standards of maintenance of trunk roads will change from 1 April 2001; if so, in what precise respects and whether it will decline to award contracts to any private sector bidders for any trunk road unit contract unless it is satisfied that such bidders can provide, without a radio network, a service in winter emergency conditions which is fully comparable to the current service.","AnswerText":"The standards of maintenance contained within the new contracts are generally the same as specified in the existing contracts. In respect of the communications system specified in the contract, it is for the operators to examine carefully the technology they require to ensure safe communications across the unit. We are satisfied from the tender submissions that the contract specification will be met.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149446,"EventID":"S1W-12689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the continuity of winter roads maintenance will be affected in any way by the award of any trunk road unit contracts to private sector bidders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the continuity of winter roads maintenance will be affected in any way by the award of any trunk road unit contracts to private sector bidders.","AnswerText":"The award of contracts will secure the continuity of the levels of service of winter maintenance required by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149447,"EventID":"S1W-12690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the trunk road unit contract tender documents specified the number of snow blowers and snow ploughs which the successful contractors would be required to maintai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the trunk road unit contract tender documents specified the number of snow blowers and snow ploughs which the successful contractors would be required to maintain and whether, for each unit area, award of the contract to a private sector bidder will allow the number of such vehicles to be reduced.","AnswerText":"The tender documents did not specify the type and number of plant which contractors have to provide for winter maintenance. The contractors are bound to meet the specification for the level of service set out in the contract. The Executive required bidders to declare, as part of their tenders, the minimum plant which they proposed to provide, where the proposed depots would be situated and the details of proposed gritting routes so that an assessment could be made of whether the service level could be met. The contracts require the declared plant to be provided, but the provision of that plant does not absolve the companies from the requirement to meet the specification for service level and the resource level necessary to achieve the specification. Snow ploughs and blowers will be provided in each of the new units.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149448,"EventID":"S1W-12691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to revise Police (CC) Circular No. 3/1990, Investigations of Complaints of Domestic Assault. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to revise Police (CC) Circular No. 3/1990, Investigations of Complaints of Domestic Assault. ","AnswerText":"The need to produce a new police circular on domestic abuse will be considered in the context of the National Strategy to address Domestic Abuse in Scotland, which is working on the development and circulation of good practice guidelines and service standards and their adoption by public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the country.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149449,"EventID":"S1W-12692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were prosecuted through sheriff courts in (i) 1998-99 and (ii) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were prosecuted through sheriff courts in (i) 1998-99 and (ii) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149450,"EventID":"S1W-12693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were brought before sheriff courts between 1992 and 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were brought before sheriff courts between 1992 and 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149451,"EventID":"S1W-12694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prosecute all cases of domestic violence through sheriff courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prosecute all cases of domestic violence through sheriff courts.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to prosecute all cases of domestic violence in the sheriff court. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will continue to consider each case on its individual facts and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149452,"EventID":"S1W-12695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce specialised domestic violence courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce specialised domestic violence courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to implementing the Action Plan in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. This will include a review of legislation and legal processes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149453,"EventID":"S1W-12696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average length of time is from charges being brought against an offender of domestic assault to the date of verdict.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average length of time is from charges being brought against an offender of domestic assault to the date of verdict.","AnswerText":"There is no available information about the average length of time for a case of domestic assault to progress through the criminal justice system, from charge by the police to verdict.

The Procurator Fiscal Service has set a target in its Strategic Plan for 2000-03, where an accused is not in custody, to take and implement decisions in 80% of all cases within seven weeks of receipt of an offence report, and to issue a summary complaint citation for a first diet hearing to be held within nine weeks of receipt. The scheduling of diets thereafter is for the local sheriff clerk.

In custody and in solemn cases, the investigation and prosecution of offences is subject to strict statutory time limits.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149454,"EventID":"S1W-12697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that cases of domestic assault are dealt with as quickly as possible through the criminal justice system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that cases of domestic assault are dealt with as quickly as possible through the criminal justice system.","AnswerText":"Internal departmental guidance to prosecutors emphasises the effect that delay can have on a victim's resolve and instructs Procurators Fiscal to seek an early diet of trial, wherever possible.

Where an early trial diet has been requested, the court will fix as early a date as possible having regard to the availability of diets and of the witnesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149455,"EventID":"S1W-12698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault resulted in a guilty disposition between February 1998 and February 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault resulted in a guilty disposition between February 1998 and February 2000.","AnswerText":"The information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149456,"EventID":"S1W-12699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what types of evidence the police take into account when seeking corroborative evidence in cases of domestic assault.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what types of evidence the police take into account when seeking corroborative evidence in cases of domestic assault.","AnswerText":"The types of evidence the police take into account when seeking corroborative evidence in cases of domestic assault are no different from those in any other type of crime, although such evidence can be more difficult to obtain for a number of reasons. The police will take a statement from the victim and any eye witnesses, although it is less likely in such cases that there will be eye witnesses. Statements would also be sought from neighbours and from children present in the house, if appropriate. Police officers attending domestic incidents can also give evidence about what they found when they arrived at the locus, the condition of the victim, the actions of the accused and so on. In addition, physical evidence can be sought, such as photographs of injuries, medical statements about injuries and expert evidence about how injuries could have been caused. DNA, fingerprint and analysis of, for example, bloodstains can also be used, as can previous history evidence from police records.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149457,"EventID":"S1W-12700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were dropped by the Procurators Fiscal because of a lack of evidence in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of domestic assault were dropped by the Procurators Fiscal because of a lack of evidence in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149458,"EventID":"S1W-12701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charges of domestic assault there were in each year between 1990 and 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charges of domestic assault there were in each year between 1990 and 2000.","AnswerText":"There is no specific charge of "domestic assault". However, statistics on domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland are contained in the Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin (CrJ/2000/5), published in August 2000, a copy of which is available in SPICe (Bib. no. 1770). The bulletin presents statistics on incidents of domestic abuse returned by the eight Scottish police forces between 1 April and 31 December 1999. This is the first time that such data has been collated.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149459,"EventID":"S1W-12702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times on average women are assaulted before they contact the police.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times on average women are assaulted before they contact the police.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently conducting research in the area of domestic abuse. However, according to Yearnshire S (1997) "Analysis of cohort" published in Bewley S, Friend J, and Mezey G Violence Against Women, London, RCOG Press, in the context of domestic abuse it has been estimated that, on average, women are assaulted 35 times before they contact the police.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149460,"EventID":"S1W-12703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of all victims of sexual assault were children, in each year since 1993.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of all victims of sexual assault were children, in each year since 1993.","AnswerText":"The recorded crime statistics collected centrally do not include information on the victims of the crimes and therefore cannot distinguish those crimes of sexual assault where the victims were children. The only information available derives from some internal research covering crimes of child sexual abuse recorded by the police in a three-month period. This research suggests that, although recorded crimes of child sexual abuse are rare, they represent a substantial proportion of crimes of indecency recorded by the police. The available information is given in the following table:

Crimes of indecency1 recorded by the police in Scotland,

1 January - 31 March 1999

All victims

Children

Per cent of crimes against children

Rape

188

65

35

Indecent assault

320

86

27

Lewd & libidinous practices

396

315

80

Indecent exposure

215

80

37

Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16

46

47

1022

Other

67

28

42

TOTAL

1,232

621

50

Notes:

1. Offences related to prostitution are excluded.

2. By definition, sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 is child sexual abuse. The information collected for the research was extracted","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149461,"EventID":"S1W-12704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates exist on what proportion of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted at some point during their life.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates exist on what proportion of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted at some point during their life.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149462,"EventID":"S1W-12705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to enable national information sharing on domestic violence issues between it, non-governmental organisations, front-line workers and academ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to enable national information sharing on domestic violence issues between it, non-governmental organisations, front-line workers and academics.","AnswerText":"The Action Plan of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland includes a recommendation to develop links between local groups and the national group through information sharing and dissemination of good practice.

As a first step the Scottish Executive is organising a Conference on the National Strategy to take place on 13 February 2001, to which non-governmental organisations, and local and national service providers have been invited.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149463,"EventID":"S1W-12706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is currently carrying out or planning to carry out on issues surrounding domestic violence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is currently carrying out or planning to carry out on issues surrounding domestic violence.","AnswerText":"Reid-Howie Associates have been contracted to carry out an evaluation of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust's "Respect" educational package, which will be piloted in schools and youth groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow from February 2001. The report of the research will be completed by 31 July 2001.

In addition, I have asked the Central Research Unit to commission research into male victims of domestic abuse. This research is likely to commence in the summer, with the final report being available early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149464,"EventID":"S1W-12707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to complete a national survey to measure the extent of domestic violence across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to complete a national survey to measure the extent of domestic violence across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Crime Survey (SCS) collects information on the extent of domestic violence from a nationally representative sample of adults living in private households across Scotland. The Survey is carried out approximately every four years, the most recent being in 2000. Its main purpose is to provide an alternative indicator to police statistics of the volume and distribution of crime. The survey also includes a set of questions, which are completed by all respondents (male and female) aged 16-59, specifically focusing on force and threats from partners and ex-partners. Self-completion questionnaires were obtained from around 3,000 adults in the 2000 SCS. The Scottish Executive is to carry out a review of the SCS and this will consider, among other matters, whether the Survey should be run more frequently.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149465,"EventID":"S1W-12708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund programmes aimed at reducing violence against people with disabilities and against people from ethnic minorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund programmes aimed at reducing violence against people with disabilities and against people from ethnic minorities.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering the development in Scotland of the RaceActionNet Directory on Racial Harassment. The Directory is designed to provide a range of multi-disciplinary contacts up to date knowledge and new ideas for individuals and organisations committed to combating racial abuse and attacks and to support victims. Additionally, organisations may apply for funding from the Scottish Executive 'Make Our Communities Safer' Challenge Competition for such programmes. Indeed, we have received several applications in the current round of the Competition which aim to tackle racist crime. The Scottish Executive has also committed substantial funding to the 'Safer Scotland' Campaign which involved all eight Scottish police forces and the British Transport Police in a number of collaborative initiatives to reduce violence in our communities. The Campaign which started in October 2000 has resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of certain types of violent crime compared with the figures for the corresponding period in the previous year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149466,"EventID":"S1W-12709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it is planning to devote to research surrounding domestic violence issues in each of the next five years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it is planning to devote to research surrounding domestic violence issues in each of the next five years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Central Research Unit is in the process of developing its Crime and Criminal Justice Research Programme for 2001-2004. The Programme will, in due course, be presented to Ministers for approval. It is not, therefore, possible at this stage to say what research will be commissioned over the next 5 years and how much will be earmarked for research on domestic violence. Currently, the Scottish Executive is funding an evaluation of the Zero Tolerance 'Respect' pilot. The research commenced in December 2000 and will run until July 2001. There is also a proposal to commission research into domestic abuse against men in early Spring 2001, to run until December 2001. The costs of individual research studies are not normally published as this could contravene commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149467,"EventID":"S1W-12710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many treatment programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse it is currently funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many treatment programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse it is currently funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10179 on 30 October.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149468,"EventID":"S1W-12711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of serious assault of women there were in each year from 1993 to 1999 inclusive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of serious assault of women there were in each year from 1993 to 1999 inclusive.","AnswerText":"The recorded crime statistics collected centrally do not include information on the victims of the crimes and therefore cannot distinguish those crimes of assault where the victims were women. The only information available comes from the Scottish Crime Survey (SCS) which collects information through interviews with a sample of 5,000 adults resident in households across Scotland. The Survey is conducted approximately every four years.

The Survey does not distinguish between serious and petty assault because of difficulties with accurately categorising such crimes. The results of the 2000 Survey suggest that assaults against women are rare (only 1.2% of women said they had been assaulted in 1999), but that many of these victims are repeatedly assaulted. The results given below are for all assaults against women in 1992, 1995 and 2000. They are presented as rates per 10,000 women in the population in order to remove any effect that changing population rates may have on crime levels.

Rates of assault on women, 1992-1999

Year

Rate per 10,000 women

1992

234

1995

250

1999

256

Source: 1993, 1996 and 2000 Scottish Crime Surveys","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149469,"EventID":"S1W-12712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of spousal homicide there were from 1978 to 1999 inclusive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of spousal homicide there were from 1978 to 1999 inclusive.","AnswerText":"The information requested is detailed in the following table. The figures shown include all cases where the main accused was the spouse, separated/divorced spouse or cohabitee of the victim.

Homicide victims1 where main accused was the spouse of the victim

Year

Number of victims

1978

16

1979

13

1980

19

1981

16

1982

19

1983

17

1984

17

1985

15

1986

12

1987

13

1988

9

1989

23

1990

12

1991

10

1992

14

1993

17

1994

14

1995

13

1996

15

1997

A National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland will shortly be established to oversee the implementation of the National Strategy. Decisions about future research will be taken by this group.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149472,"EventID":"S1W-12715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what structures are in place to ensure that its departments co-ordinate efforts to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what structures are in place to ensure that its departments co-ordinate efforts to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.","AnswerText":"The Crime Prevention Unit of the Justice Department co-ordinates the work of Scottish Executive departments in tackling domestic abuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149473,"EventID":"S1W-12716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimated annual economic cost is of domestic violence in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimated annual economic cost is of domestic violence in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149474,"EventID":"S1W-12717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following his resignation on 1 December 2000, Mr Ron Smith, the former Chief Executive of the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following his resignation on 1 December 2000, Mr Ron Smith, the former Chief Executive of the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland, has received or is to receive any termination payment relative to the termination of his contract of employment over and above normal entitlements to salary, holiday pay and related matters accrued to that date.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Common Services Agency. However, I understand from the Common Services Agency that any payment to Mr Smith will not be over and above any normal contractual entitlement on termination of a contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149475,"EventID":"S1W-12718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any claim for compensation in respect of the termination of the contract of employment for Mr Ron Smith, the former Chief Executive of the Common Services Agency","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any claim for compensation in respect of the termination of the contract of employment for Mr Ron Smith, the former Chief Executive of the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland, has been initiated by him or on his behalf.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Common Agency. However, I understand from the Common Services Agency that no claim has been initiated.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149476,"EventID":"S1W-12719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11701 by Rhona Brankin on 8 January 2001, whether it will detail the enquiries that have been made as to whether dogs are used unde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11701 by Rhona Brankin on 8 January 2001, whether it will detail the enquiries that have been made as to whether dogs are used underground for pest control purposes on land under its ownership or control and whether it will list (a) all estates under its ownership or control and (b) the estates in respect of which enquiries have been made.","AnswerText":"In order to answer the previous question, enquiries were made of the Headquarters of The Forestry Commission, Historic Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency along with the Estate Management section of the Scottish Executive itself. The Agricultural Staff of the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department who are responsible for managing Ministers land settlement estates (99% of which is tenanted croft land) were also consulted. These bodies account for some 800,000 hectares of land owned or controlled by the Scottish Executive. No individual enquiries were made of any specific estate or croft.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149477,"EventID":"S1W-12720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11898 by Sarah Boyack on 27 December 2000, what specific measures through the Scottish passenger rail franchise it will take to ens","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11898 by Sarah Boyack on 27 December 2000, what specific measures through the Scottish passenger rail franchise it will take to ensure that the rolling stock for rural services and less profitable lines is of a high standard and of the same standard as that used on more profitable and popular lines.","AnswerText":"We intend that our directions and guidance for the renewal of the Scottish passenger rail franchise will include references to improving the overall quality and specification of rolling stock in use across the entire Scottish passenger railway network. These references will not, however, specify the type of vehicle to be used on particular routes.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149478,"EventID":"S1W-12721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the possible return of the control of the common good fund to local community councils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the possible return of the control of the common good fund to local community councils.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to change the current arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149479,"EventID":"S1W-12722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers there were in each division covering Glasgow parliamentary constituencies on (a) 1 January 1997 and (b) 1 January 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers there were in each division covering Glasgow parliamentary constituencies on (a) 1 January 1997 and (b) 1 January 2001.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149480,"EventID":"S1W-12723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Campaign for a New Victoria postcards the Minister for Health and Community Care has received to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Campaign for a New Victoria postcards the Minister for Health and Community Care has received to date.","AnswerText":"As at 31 January, the Executive has received around 550 postcards from members of the public campaigning for a new Victoria Infirmary. The Department has asked Greater Glasgow Health Board to consider these, since public consultation on the review of acute services is a matter in the first place for the board.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149481,"EventID":"S1W-12724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Grant Aided Expenditure settlement was for Argyll and Bute Council for 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Grant Aided Expenditure settlement was for Argyll and Bute Council for 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The local government finance settlements are based on Aggregate External Finance (AEF) or Scottish Executive grant. Argyll & Bute Council received AEF of £108.035 million in 1997-98, £107.728 million in 1998-99 and £110.884 million in 1999-2000.

GAE assessments are calculations of councils' relative need to spend on services. They are not resources available to councils. Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) assessments are listed in the document "Grant Aided Expenditure" which is published for each year. Copies are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. no. 8455 for 1997-98, 8140 for 1998-99 and 3274 for 1999-2000).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149482,"EventID":"S1W-12725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Grant Aided Expenditure Figure will be for Argyll and Bute Council for the next three years with level playing field support and Better Neighbourhood support als","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Grant Aided Expenditure Figure will be for Argyll and Bute Council for the next three years with level playing field support and Better Neighbourhood support also included.","AnswerText":"I refer George Lyon to my answer to question S1W-12724 concerning Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) and Aggregate External Finance (AEF). AEF (including level playing field support and Better Neighbourhoods Services Fund) for Argyll & Bute Council will be £121.354 million, £127.788 million and £132.781 million (2001-02 to 2003-04 respectively). Argyll & Bute will also receive £0.420 million in 2001-02 from the Modernising Government Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149483,"EventID":"S1W-12726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"Tenders for the competition for the four units were received by the Scottish Executive on 30 October and have subsequently been assessed. I can today announce the intention to award four new contracts worth £350 million over five years from 1 April 2001. Subject to completion of an urgent independent review of one aspect of the assessment process which has featured prominently in recent proceedings in the Court of Session, i.e. the use of tender assessment quantities, the contracts will be awarded to BEAR Scotland Limited for the North East and North West Units and to AMEY Highways Ltd for the South East and South West Units. The companies involved already have a substantial record of successful provision of trunk road maintenance in England and Scotland.

The review will be undertaken by Halcrow, in association with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. I expect it to take no more than seven days, and I am confident that that it will confirm that the processes followed in assessing quantities were both fair and reasonable. The contracts will be awarded when the review is complete, but the new companies will only take over responsibility on the roads on 1 April. The intervening period will be spent in the essential work of developing plans and systems and procuring the necessary plant, depots and staff required to carry out the work.

Under the terms of the competition, the new companies are responsible for any obligations for staff which arise under TUPE. We expect TUPE to apply.

It is customary to publish in the Official Journal of the European Community details of the outcome of public sector competitions. In the case of these competitions each bidder was required to demonstrate that their proposals for the contract would meet a quality benchmark. Each bidder satisfied that requirement and therefore an assessment of the rates and prices quoted was made against a predetermined volume of work and subjected to a number of sensitivity tests to provide an overall comparative cost for each tender. The names of each bidder for each competition are set out below, in alphabetical order, and the overall comparative costs of the tenders received for the five-year core duration of each contract are set out in numerically increasing order. The actual value of the contracts over this period will depend on the volume of work ordered within each unit.

North West Unit

Bids were received from the following contractors:

Accord

BEAR Scotland Ltd (Babtie Group Ltd, Enstone Thistle Ltd and Ringway Group Ltd)

Caledonian Roads (Local Authority Consortium)

Link Roads (Balfour Beatty and Mott MacDonald)

The assessed overall comparative costs of tenders were:

£104,975,174

£124,136,868

£168,190,613

£180,013,104

North East Unit

Bids were received from the following tenderers:

ACTim(Atkins, Carillion and Thorburn Colquhoun)

BEAR Scotland Ltd

NE Roads (Colas)

Neulink (Local Authority Consortium PPP with Mouchel)

The overall comparative costs of the tenders are:

£75,822,374

£91,371,288

£93,439,545

£100,095,522

South East Unit

Bids were received from the following tenderers:

ACTim

AMEY Highways Ltd

Lowland Roads (Local Authority Consortium)

Total Road Care (Morrison and Mouchel)

The overall comparative costs of tender are:

£56,013,419

£91,628,894

£95,167,760

£96,474,835

South West Unit

Bids were received from the following tenderers:

AMEY Highways Ltd

Clyde Solway (Local Authority Consortium)

Link Roads

Nuttall

The overall comparative costs of tender are:

£99,953,997

£150,137,513

£164,307,240

£225,283,948","AnswerDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149484,"EventID":"S1W-12727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to assess the applicability in Scotland of Bristol City Council's decision to allow Internet voting in the referendum currently taking place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to assess the applicability in Scotland of Bristol City Council's decision to allow Internet voting in the referendum currently taking place.","AnswerText":"The results of the referendum in Bristol showed that 2.68% of the total votes cast were done so by internet as opposed to 94.18% by post. Whilst there are no current plans to introduce alternative methods of voting in local government elections in Scotland, this is an area which we will keep under review within the wider agenda of modernising Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149485,"EventID":"S1W-12728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted into the potential impact of the local loop unbundling process on rural economies and what steps it is taking to make rural businesses awar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted into the potential impact of the local loop unbundling process on rural economies and what steps it is taking to make rural businesses aware of the findings of any such studies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has commissioned Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Island Enterprise to collaborate on a study to investigate the potential impact of unbundling across Scotland. We will make the results of this study available to businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149486,"EventID":"S1W-12729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11900 by Sarah Boyack on 27 December 2000, what specific systems of audit and accountability will be applicable to the Strategic Ra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11900 by Sarah Boyack on 27 December 2000, what specific systems of audit and accountability will be applicable to the Strategic Rail Authority.","AnswerText":"As a Non-Departmental Public Body, established by the Transport Act 2000, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will be subject to external audit. Accountability for funding of the SRA by the Scottish Executive for the Scottish passenger rail franchise will be included in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Accounts Direction and financial framework for the authority. The financial framework takes account of the requirements of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149487,"EventID":"S1W-12730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted into the risks of having its websites \"hacked\" and what measures it is taking to ensure that any such attacks are not successful.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted into the risks of having its websites \"hacked\" and what measures it is taking to ensure that any such attacks are not successful.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive commissioned a study in August 2000, by an external company specialising in web security, to identify what if any vulnerability existed on its website. The Scottish Executive maintains a high level of IT security vigilance and keeps countermeasures under continuous review.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149488,"EventID":"S1W-12731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ban, on safety grounds, mobile telephone masts on land it owns in the light of the decision by Kent County Council to do likewise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ban, on safety grounds, mobile telephone masts on land it owns in the light of the decision by Kent County Council to do likewise.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149489,"EventID":"S1W-12733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the City of Edinburgh Council has been asked to promote a Road Closure Order for Holyrood Road and, if so, how far such a request has been progressed by the counci","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the City of Edinburgh Council has been asked to promote a Road Closure Order for Holyrood Road and, if so, how far such a request has been progressed by the council.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that the application for the closure of Holyrood Road was submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) on 17 October 2000. I understand that the application has been discussed by the CEC Development Control Sub Committee, who have in turn referred it to the Scottish Executive Transportation Committee for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149490,"EventID":"S1W-12734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional (i) undergraduate and diploma nurse student, (ii) undergraduate physiotherapy student, (iii) undergraduate podiatry student, (iv) undergraduate occupa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional (i) undergraduate and diploma nurse student, (ii) undergraduate physiotherapy student, (iii) undergraduate podiatry student, (iv) undergraduate occupational therapy student and (v) undergraduate speech language therapy student places are expected to be created in 2001-02 as a result of the 8% increase in funding for higher education set out by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 23 November 2000.","AnswerText":"The allocation of places to particular courses or institutions is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council taking into account advice on workforce needs identified. The detailed allocation for 2001-02 academic year will be announced by SHEFC in March.

In respect of nursing, this only applies to undergraduate courses funded by SHEFC. Most pre-registration nursing courses are funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, with student places planned separately.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149491,"EventID":"S1W-12735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12097 by Colin Boyd QC on 16 January 2001, how many reports relating to the illegal smuggling of tobacco were made to Procurators F","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12097 by Colin Boyd QC on 16 January 2001, how many reports relating to the illegal smuggling of tobacco were made to Procurators Fiscal by police, Customs and Excise or any body in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Offences involving tobacco smuggling are investigated and reported by HM Customs and Excise. They are not separately recorded in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service system.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149492,"EventID":"S1W-12736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much EQUAL funding will be allocated to Scotland on an annual basis, in total and broken down by project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much EQUAL funding will be allocated to Scotland on an annual basis, in total and broken down by project.","AnswerText":"The allocated resources available to support the EQUAL Community Initiative for the years 2001 to 2006 amount to €365 million (approximately £234 million) for Great Britain as a whole. A separate Scottish allocation amounting to €31,730 million (approximately £20 million) has been agreed for the seven thematic priorities which will be administered by the Scottish Executive as Managing Authority. Scottish organisations will also have access to the asylum seekers thematic priority, which will be administered at the UK level.

It is not possible to identify the estimated annual expenditure, as expenditure will vary from year to year depending upon the nature of the activities to be supported.

The detail of financial allocations to individual projects will depend upon the Development Partnerships which come forward in the call for applications which is expected to be issued in June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149493,"EventID":"S1W-12737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology will be used to evaluate and collate details of the socio-economic backgrounds of people participating in individual learning accounts through learndire","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology will be used to evaluate and collate details of the socio-economic backgrounds of people participating in individual learning accounts through learndirect scotland and what types of courses these accounts will be used for.","AnswerText":"A range of data is being collected to enable us to assess over time the use made of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) and the key characteristics of ILA holders, including age group, gender, occupation, area of residence and type, subject and level of learning undertaken.

The data will reflect both the universal character of the scheme and its promotion, in particular, to the socially excluded and those in SMEs. Key statistics will be provided to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee during the review of the operation of the scheme in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149494,"EventID":"S1W-12738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual learning accounts have been (a) applied for and (b) granted to date and what percentage of accounts have been paid for by credit card.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual learning accounts have been (a) applied for and (b) granted to date and what percentage of accounts have been paid for by credit card.","AnswerText":"To the end of December 2000 a total of 34,361 applications from Scotland for an Individual Learning Account (ILA) have been received, of which 34,192 have been granted.

Details of the method by which ILA holders pay their individual contribution to the cost of their learning are not collected.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149495,"EventID":"S1W-12739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision to tender the contracts for the management and maintenance of the trunk road network was required by either European or British law; whether it is l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision to tender the contracts for the management and maintenance of the trunk road network was required by either European or British law; whether it is legally necessary to award the contracts as tendered or whether it is possible to review and re-tender them, and whether it would be legally competent to continue with the existing contracts or to replace them with a temporary negotiated arrangement with the existing providers, to allow for any new contracts to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.","AnswerText":"The tendering of the contracts was required by the relevant EC Directive implemented in domestic law by the 1991 Regulations. Failure to award the contracts as tendered could expose the Scottish Executive to damages claims. Only the 5 existing Managing Agent contracts under which two private sector and three local authority consortia provide management services for the rural networks outwith the central belt, can clearly be extended. Such an extension would not deliver maintenance services of itself.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149496,"EventID":"S1W-12740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses (a) there were in total and (b) were available for letting in each Glasgow parliamentary constituency as at (i) 1 January 1997 and (ii) 1 January","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses (a) there were in total and (b) were available for letting in each Glasgow parliamentary constituency as at (i) 1 January 1997 and (ii) 1 January 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not hold information on council housing stock within parliamentary constituencies. On the basis of returns from the council, the total local authority housing stock in Glasgow at 31 March 1997 was estimated to be 105,035 and at 31 March 2000 it was estimated to be 92,216.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149497,"EventID":"S1W-12741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000, broken down by health board area","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000, broken down by health board area","AnswerText":"The numbers of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma registered for each health board, for the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 (the most recent years for which completed information is available) are as follows:

Year of diagnosis

Health Board of residence

1995

1996

1997

Argyll & Clyde

28

26

23

Ayrshire & Arran

5

5

8

Borders

5

2

0

Dumfries & Galloway

2

0

1

Fife

15

10

15

Forth Valley

5

6

1

Grampian

12

20

7

Greater Glasgow

41

56

41

Highland

3

6

The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHSScotland. CSO is not currently funding any research into the treatment of and possible cures for mesothelioma but would be pleased to receive research applications which would be subject to the usual peer group and committee review.

Cancer is one of three clinical priorities for the NHSScotland and a specific research priority. The Executive's approach to cancer research in general is set out in my answer to S1W-10110.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149500,"EventID":"S1W-12744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what auditing has been carried out of the use by local authorities of section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 or former section 50 agreements; wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what auditing has been carried out of the use by local authorities of section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 or former section 50 agreements; whether any evidence has been found either of local authorities seeking benefits unrelated in nature, scale or kind to proposed developments or of developers offering unrelated benefits or inducements to obtain favourable decisions and whether any such evidence would require the development of notification procedures for the proposed use of section 75 agreements.","AnswerText":"The most recent analysis of information held by the Executive relating to section 75 agreements was published in the Report of the Targets Working Group in October 1999. A copy of the report is available in the Parliaments Reference Centre.

The Executive commissioned research into The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements in July 2000. Output from this research should be available within the next few months.

The Executive has no present evidence of inappropriate use of such agreements.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149501,"EventID":"S1W-12745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the current advice to procurators fiscal on planning enforcement was issued; whether a copy of any such advice has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the current advice to procurators fiscal on planning enforcement was issued; whether a copy of any such advice has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether any audit of practice has been carried out in relation to the enforcement of planning decisions through the courts; whether it is content that the full range of powers available in theory to planning authorities is available and working effectively in practice; when planning authorities were last asked for their views on the effectiveness of the legal system in relation to planning enforcement and what the findings of any such consultation were.","AnswerText":"Comprehensive guidance was issued to Procurators Fiscal in 1994 and updated guidance has been issued since then to take account of developments in legislation and case law. A new edition of the comprehensive guidance, consolidating developments since 1994, is at an advanced stage of preparation and is at present with key consultees for comment. This guidance contains instructions on behalf of the Lord Advocate. As such it is confidential and has not been lodged with the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Research on planning enforcement was carried out on behalf of The Scottish Office in 1996-97. This involved a survey of all planning authorities and discussions with the Crown Office and included collating details of prosecutions sought. Overall, there were few concerns about the comprehensiveness of the powers available, but this was offset by reluctance to deploy some of them in practice. One of the recommendations in the research report was that revised guidance should be issued to planning authorities on the use of enforcement powers, and this was done in March 1999. A copy of this guidance has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149502,"EventID":"S1W-12746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit (SEIRU) or its Planning Audit Unit monitor the level of successful appeals against either refusal of planning perm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit (SEIRU) or its Planning Audit Unit monitor the level of successful appeals against either refusal of planning permission or the imposition of planning conditions in each local authority area and what steps SEIRU or its Development Department have taken to assist any local authorities found to be experiencing unusually high levels of sustained appeals.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU) nor the Planning Audit Unit undertake the monitoring described. As set out in Paragraph 65 of National Planning Policy Guideline 1, it is for individual local authorities to review their performance at appeal and take action as appropriate. In recent times, SEIRU has led a number of training seminars for both councillors and officers. These have been intended to enable more effective participation by planning authorities in the appeal process. More general training is also given by providing speakers from SEIRU for conferences and seminars attended by planning staff from both the public and private sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149503,"EventID":"S1W-12747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what audit has taken place, or is proposed, to assess the effectiveness of local authorities in involving the public and relevant community and interest groups in the pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what audit has taken place, or is proposed, to assess the effectiveness of local authorities in involving the public and relevant community and interest groups in the planning process.","AnswerText":"This issue will be considered in a forthcoming consultation exercise on how to secure effective public involvement in the planning system. The consultation will take account of good practice and draw on recent research projects on Advertising Planning Proposals, Access to Planning Information and One-Stop Shops.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149504,"EventID":"S1W-12748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to audit the effectiveness of local authorities in using information and communications technology to receive planning applications and representations","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to audit the effectiveness of local authorities in using information and communications technology to receive planning applications and representations and to display relevant material on their websites as suggested in paragraph 75 of National Planning Policy Guidelines No.1 (revised 2000).","AnswerText":"I have asked officials to review the scope for further exploitation of information and communications technology (ICT) in the planning system as part of the forthcoming consultation exercise to improve public involvement. The progress made by planning authorities in using ICT in the planning system is considered during audits of individual councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149505,"EventID":"S1W-12749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to follow the advice given to local authorities in paragraph 75 of National Planning Policy Guidelines No.1 (revised 2000) itself, particularly in rel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to follow the advice given to local authorities in paragraph 75 of National Planning Policy Guidelines No.1 (revised 2000) itself, particularly in relation to notifiable applications and notices of intention to develop, its own decisions on calling in the said applications and notices, the decisions and recommendations of its Inquiry Reporters' Unit on called in or appealed planning decisions and its own decisions on structure and local plans.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently considering how best the type of information referred to could be made available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149506,"EventID":"S1W-12750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the respective roles of the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture, the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit and officials of its Deve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the respective roles of the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture, the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit and officials of its Development Department in reaching decisions on whether notified planning applications and notices of intention to develop by planning authorities should be called in for determination and whether such decisions are taken sufficiently independently of its role in creating development policy and guidance to ensure that applicants are treated fairly by the planning system.","AnswerText":"Decisions on planning cases coming before the Scottish Ministers may be taken either by Ministers or, under delegated authority, by officials. All decisions are, however, taken in the name of the Scottish Ministers. The power to take such decisions derives from the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and relevant subordinate legislation. I am satisfied that all such decisions are taken in a manner which ensures that applicants are treated fairly by the planning system.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149507,"EventID":"S1W-12751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all applications for scheduled monument consent are determined by Historic Scotland or whether it is open to Scottish Ministers to take decisions; whether decisi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all applications for scheduled monument consent are determined by Historic Scotland or whether it is open to Scottish Ministers to take decisions; whether decisions on scheduled monument applications referred to a public inquiry are delegated to its Inquiry Reporters Unit or can be taken personally by Scottish Ministers and whether Scottish Ministers have taken any such decisions personally since acquiring their powers and to provide details.","AnswerText":"The power to determine applications for scheduled monument consent rests with Scottish Ministers (previously the Secretary of State) by virtue of section 2 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. In practice Historic Scotland, which is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive, issues provisional decisions on all such applications, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, which, if accepted by the applicant, become the final decision.

Following issue of the provisional decision, an applicant can request that the application be examined through public local enquiry. Decisions on applications which have been the subject of a public local inquiry are taken by Scottish Ministers and are not delegated to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit. The Inquiry Reporters Unit is responsible only for making the arrangements for the inquiry. Since 1 July 1999 no scheduled monument consent applications have been the subject of a public local inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149508,"EventID":"S1W-12752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local authorities who operate joint structure plans on the creation of dedicated structure plan units; whether such authorities now operate su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local authorities who operate joint structure plans on the creation of dedicated structure plan units; whether such authorities now operate such units and, if not, whether any audit has been undertaken or is proposed into any differential performance between those joint structure plan authorities which do, and those who do not, operate such dedicated units.","AnswerText":"No such guidance has been issued. The Councils which make up the Ayrshire structure plan area and the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley structure plan area have set up both joint Committees and joint structure plan units. Other planning authorities that are charged with carrying out jointly their structure plan functions have not made such arrangements. The experience of these different approaches will be considered during the current review of strategic planning arrangements in Scotland.

The Scottish Executive Planning Audit Unit is examining the way councils are discharging their development planning functions. Comparisons of performance may be possible when sufficient audits have been undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149509,"EventID":"S1W-12753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted, or plans to conduct, any audit into the impact of increased public consultation and participation on the achievement by local authorities of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted, or plans to conduct, any audit into the impact of increased public consultation and participation on the achievement by local authorities of the timescales it recommends for preparing development plans and determining planning applications.","AnswerText":"I announced last November that public involvement in planning will be the subject of a consultation paper to be issued later this year.

Meanwhile the Executive's Planning Audit Unit is continuing its programme of audits of selected planning authorities' development control service and development planning functions. The Planning Audit Unit aims to identify areas of good practice and poor performance and the factors affecting performance.

The Executive continues to collect 6 monthly returns from planning authorities on their performance in processing planning applications. These data inform the work of the Planning Audit Unit. We publish extracts of this information in the annual report of the Planning Audit Unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149510,"EventID":"S1W-12754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that splitting the Transport and Environment brief into two departments does not militate against the achievement of its goal of integ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that splitting the Transport and Environment brief into two departments does not militate against the achievement of its goal of integrating land use planning and transport policies.","AnswerText":"The Executive's policy on delivering integrated transport and land use planning policies, as set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning, remains in place. I will work closely with Sarah Boyack and other ministerial colleagues in taking forward this agenda.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149511,"EventID":"S1W-12755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it reviews the planning implications in Scotland of UK-wide infrastructure initiatives and policy changes in airport, dock, rail and road services, power generation ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it reviews the planning implications in Scotland of UK-wide infrastructure initiatives and policy changes in airport, dock, rail and road services, power generation and transmission and oil and gas exploration and licensing and how it ensures local community participation and parliamentary accountability in re-formulating policy in these areas.","AnswerText":"The Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the devolved administrations, together with the supporting Concordats between the Scottish Executive and Whitehall Departments, provide for communication and consultation between the Executive and the UK Government on all issues where actions taken by one administration may have a bearing on the responsibilities of the other. This would enable the Executive to consider the planning implications for Scotland of any proposals for UK-wide infrastructure initiatives and policy changes. The implications can be brought to the attention of the Scottish Parliament as necessary and its views can be taken into account before the Executive makes its input to policy formulation. Public consultation may be conducted on a UK basis or separately in Scotland by the Executive as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149512,"EventID":"S1W-12756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why research into updating the law on compulsory purchase in Scotland due in 1999 is not yet ready and what steps it has taken since 1 July 1999 to strengthen research i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why research into updating the law on compulsory purchase in Scotland due in 1999 is not yet ready and what steps it has taken since 1 July 1999 to strengthen research into planning in Scotland and to reduce any dependency for research and policy development on the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.","AnswerText":"The compulsory purchase research has now been completed and will be published shortly.

The Scottish Office already had its own planning research programme prior to 1 July 1999 to help develop and evaluate policy decisions. Details of the planning research programme are included in the Development Department Research Programme which is published annually in March and is available on the Executive's website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/).

We liaise with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland and the National Assembly for Wales, but ultimately we have responsibility for developing our own research priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149513,"EventID":"S1W-12757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review conflict resolution in the planning process with a view to devising more streamlined and less expensive mechanisms than the current system of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review conflict resolution in the planning process with a view to devising more streamlined and less expensive mechanisms than the current system of public inquiry.","AnswerText":"Alternatives to public inquiries are already available, with the vast majority of cases dealt with by less formal hearings or by written submissions. We have no current plans to review the system.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149514,"EventID":"S1W-12758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made and what its current intentions are in relation to the objectives set out in paragraph 27 of its consultation paper, Land Use Planning Under ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made and what its current intentions are in relation to the objectives set out in paragraph 27 of its consultation paper, Land Use Planning Under a Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"A joint Scottish Executive/CoSLA Working Group was set up to consider the recommendations in the research report the General Permitted Development Order and Related Mechanisms. The Group is currently preparing a report on its conclusions.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149515,"EventID":"S1W-12759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the three options set out by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture in his speech to the Royal Town Planning Institute, Scotland in November 2000 on str","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the three options set out by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture in his speech to the Royal Town Planning Institute, Scotland in November 2000 on strategic planning rule out the option of unitary development plans in any or all areas of Scotland.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149516,"EventID":"S1W-12760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all planning applications and notices of intention to develop notified to it in circumstances where a neighbouring local authority has lodged an o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all planning applications and notices of intention to develop notified to it in circumstances where a neighbouring local authority has lodged an objection; whether it will detail for each case whether the application or notice was called in for determination, and what the final decision was in each such case.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149517,"EventID":"S1W-12761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit is subject to quinquennial review in line with Cabinet Office guidelines on executive agencies; if so, when it was","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit is subject to quinquennial review in line with Cabinet Office guidelines on executive agencies; if so, when it was last reviewed and when it is next due for review, and whether it proposes to review the unit's relationship with it as a consequence of the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights into Scots law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit is not an executive agency and is not subject to quinquennial reviews. The Unit, which is part of the Scottish Executive Development Department, publishes an annual report of its work and performance.

We keep all aspects of the planning system under review in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149518,"EventID":"S1W-12762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future review of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit will include a consideration of possible options for environmental courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future review of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit will include a consideration of possible options for environmental courts.","AnswerText":"It would be premature to speculate about the content of any future review.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149519,"EventID":"S1W-12763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11246 by Malcolm Chisholm on 9 January 2001, whether it will require local authorities to provide at the end of the financial year ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11246 by Malcolm Chisholm on 9 January 2001, whether it will require local authorities to provide at the end of the financial year a detailed statement of account showing how the resources for resolving problems of delayed discharge were spent, including details of the specific purposes for which any surpluses of funds not required to deal with problems of delayed discharge were used. ","AnswerText":"Authorities are accountable to their electorates and are required to produce audited accounts as well as a wide range of information related to the £800 million they spend on community care services. However in this particular case performance is monitored through a quarterly census.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149520,"EventID":"S1W-12764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings it has held with trade union representatives and the work force at Royal Ordnance Bishopton over its future and what the outcome was of any such mee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings it has held with trade union representatives and the work force at Royal Ordnance Bishopton over its future and what the outcome was of any such meetings.","AnswerText":"I met local and national trade union representatives on 22 January to discuss the future of Royal Ordnance Bishopton. I agreed to discuss their concerns about the possible public costs of closing the site for propellent manufacture with Scotland Office and Ministry of Defence colleagues. The Trade Unions agreed that the work of the Bishopton Working Group into possible alternative uses of the site should proceed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149521,"EventID":"S1W-12765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement by the Office of the E-envoy on 16 January 2001 that more than 40% of UK government services are now available online, how many of its servic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement by the Office of the E-envoy on 16 January 2001 that more than 40% of UK government services are now available online, how many of its services are currently available over the Internet.","AnswerText":"Current evidence suggests that, on the basis of the progress measures defined by the Office of the e-Envoy for its Electronic Service Delivery Progress Report, more than 25% of services provided by the Scottish Executive and its agencies are available online, thus meeting the target of 25% to be online by 2002. However, we do not believe that \"services\" and \"online\" in this context have universally understood definitions within the public sector in Scotland. Since the announcement of the target of 100% of government services to be available electronically by 2005 in March 2000, we have been considering how to ensure that our 21st Century Government Agenda is about improving services to the public and about increasing choice in the way services are delivered. The option to access services electronically can and should include a variety of delivery channels, including digital tv, call centres and the Internet. We are revising the collection of statistics to reflect this and will be able to provide fuller information in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149522,"EventID":"S1W-12766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the proposed alterations to the A78 trunk road at the junction with Beachway in Largs; whether the carriageway of the A78 at this junction will ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the proposed alterations to the A78 trunk road at the junction with Beachway in Largs; whether the carriageway of the A78 at this junction will be narrowed due to the extension of the pavement by around four feet; if so, whether this will result in further traffic congestion on the seafront at Largs due to Greenock-bound traffic being unable to pass vehicles attempting to turn into Beachway, whether there will be any consultation with Largs Community Council or local people before these alterations take place, and whether it will provide the results of any cost-benefit analysis carried out prior to the proposed alterations taking place.","AnswerText":"The works at the A78 junction with the Beachway, Largs are part of an Accident Investigation and Prevention scheme to improve pedestrian safety at the junction. The width of road to be crossed by pedestrians will be reduced at this location and will force drivers to take more care when negotiating the junction.

The effects of this scheme may result in slight delays on the trunk road. However, this is considered acceptable in view of the increased safety to pedestrians. There is no requirement to undertake public consultation with regard to these minor improvement works which are considered necessary to reduce the number of accidents on the A78.

The scale of the costs involved in the improvement scheme is small in comparison with the cost savings associated with improved road safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149523,"EventID":"S1W-12767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new street lighting erected along parts of the A78 trunk road provides adequate illumination and represents an improvement on the previous level of lighting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new street lighting erected along parts of the A78 trunk road provides adequate illumination and represents an improvement on the previous level of lighting.","AnswerText":"The new street lighting erected on the A78 in Largs is designed in accordance with the national guidelines and therefore provides the nationally recommended level of lighting.

The new system of lighting was not installed to improve the standard of lighting but was to replace the life expired lighting system previously installed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149524,"EventID":"S1W-12768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-10764, S1W-10767 and S1W-10768, lodged on 31 October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-10764, S1W-10767 and S1W-10768, lodged on 31 October 2000.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that question S1W-10764 was answered on 25 January. Questions S1W-10767 and S1W-10768 were answered today.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149525,"EventID":"S1W-12769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many schools (a) 10 or more pupils and (b) 15 or more pupils achieved A passes in Higher History last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many schools (a) 10 or more pupils and (b) 15 or more pupils achieved A passes in Higher History last year.","AnswerText":"Pre-appeal results for the 2000 exams show that 19 schools had 10 or more pupils achieve A passes in Higher History. Of these, 7 schools had 15 or more pupils achieve A passes.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149526,"EventID":"S1W-12770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many schools 19 or more pupils achieved A passes in Higher Geography last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many schools 19 or more pupils achieved A passes in Higher Geography last year.","AnswerText":"Pre-appeal results for the 2000 exams show that nine schools had 19 or more pupils achieve A passes in Higher Geography.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149527,"EventID":"S1W-12771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to allow the emergency contraceptive Levonelle to be made available to children over 12 years of age by school nurses without parental consent i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to allow the emergency contraceptive Levonelle to be made available to children over 12 years of age by school nurses without parental consent in any area of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Nurses can only provide medication where authorised to do so under a Patient Group Direction, issued by their NHS Trust. Whether any such Direction would extend to emergency contraception would be for health boards and NHS Trusts to consider in the light of local needs. In all their actions, health professionals will have regard to issues of confidentiality and consent. As noted in 'Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change', the Executive expects each health board to work in partnership with local authorities and voluntary organisations to ensure that young people have access to a range of sexual health support and services.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149528,"EventID":"S1W-12772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Halcrow or Pricewaterhouse Coopers had any involvement in the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads prior to 23 January 2001 and, if so, what the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Halcrow or Pricewaterhouse Coopers had any involvement in the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads prior to 23 January 2001 and, if so, what the nature was of any such involvement.","AnswerText":"Halcrow in association with PriceWaterhouseCoopers have a standing commission with the Scottish Executive to provide management and audit services in relation to the existing trunk road maintenance contracts and to assist with arrangements for replacement contracts.

In relation to the new contracts, they have provided staff on secondment to assist the Scottish Executive team with preparation of tender documents and the tender process. These staff have been working under the direct instructions of Civil Servants at the Scottish Executive's offices.

Separately from this, the consultants have undertaken a role of review and audit of the process. To protect the independence of this role, the consultants have created a Chinese wall using staff not involved in the development of the contracts or the tender process and located outwith the Scottish Executive's offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149529,"EventID":"S1W-12773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer question S1W-11835.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer question S1W-11835.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-11835 was answered today.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149530,"EventID":"S1W-12774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what translation facilities or services are in place for MSPs and staff within the Parliament complex.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what translation facilities or services are in place for MSPs and staff within the Parliament complex.","AnswerText":"Contracts are in place to provide a simultaneous interpretation of languages other than English when they are used in formal business in the chamber and committees and to assist the public information office's work in support of the Parliament. In respect of parliamentary requirements, there is also a wide range of expertise among our parliamentary staff, which is drawn on, on an ad hoc basis.

Members should make use of the allowances available to them to assist with their individual translation requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149531,"EventID":"S1W-12775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in secondary education have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder in each local authority from 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in secondary education have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder in each local authority from 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"Data is not collected in the School Census on children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Disorder. Information on numbers of pupils with special educational needs is categorised by severity of general learning difficulty.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149532,"EventID":"S1W-12776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names are of the special educational needs schools in each local authority and how many pupils were in attendance at each such school in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names are of the special educational needs schools in each local authority and how many pupils were in attendance at each such school in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the table.

Number Of Pupils Based In Scottish Special Schools

Includes some Special Units attached to mainstream schools

Pupil numbers

Local Authority

School Name

School Type

1997

1998

1999

Aberdeen City

Hazlewood School

LA

67

54

66

Aberdeen City

Aberdeen School for the Deaf

LA

36

26

18

Aberdeen City

Carden School

LA

25

20

16

Aberdeen City

Beechwood School

LA

137

130

118

Aberdeen City

Woodlands School

LA

53

48

49

Aberdeen City

Marlpool School

LA

71

72

70

Aberdeen City

The Scottish Executive provides core funding for the Scottish Drugs Forum, which considers and provides information on volatile substance abuse, through its Volatile Substance Use Working Group. Guidance on volatile substance abuse for professionals working with children and young people was recently published by the Health Education Board for Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Drugs Forum, and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The Executive also contributes towards the funding of the National Drugs Helpline which responds to calls about volatile substance abuse, as well as about the misuse of drugs, in general.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149537,"EventID":"S1W-12781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to improve the treatment and care of volatile substance abusers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to improve the treatment and care of volatile substance abusers.","AnswerText":"The treatment of drug misusers is one of the key objectives within the Executive's drugs strategy. As part of the new three year £100m drugs expenditure package, we have committed an additional £10m to provide treatment services in the community for more drug users, and £21m for rehabilitation services to equip former drug users for opportunities such as employment and education. These resources are available also for the treatment and rehabilitation of those who abuse volatile substances. Assessment of need and the targeting of resources will be determined at local level by Drug Action Teams (DATs) and constituent agencies.

According to the Scottish Drugs Forum's Directory of Specialist Helping Agencies, there are over eighty treatment services in Scotland, providing a service to people who use volatile substances. The Executive has recently set a national standard to ensure that drug misusers under 16 have access to appropriate drug treatment and care services. This will include the provision of facilities for those who misuse volatile substances. For the first time this year DAT corporate action plans will contain information on the availability of services which treat volatile substance abuse clients. The plans will be analysed by the Executive, to determine whether any further action is required.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149538,"EventID":"S1W-12782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to protect the interests of (a) smaller clubs and (b) youth development in any discussions about the future of the football transfer system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to protect the interests of (a) smaller clubs and (b) youth development in any discussions about the future of the football transfer system.","AnswerText":"The main parties to the current negotiations relating to FIFA's international transfer regulations are FIFA, UEFA and the European Commission. We have made clear that we hope an early solution acceptable to all parties can be negotiated which achieves the aims of promoting youth development and assisting smaller clubs. We are keeping in regular touch with the SFA who are monitoring closely the progress of the negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149539,"EventID":"S1W-12783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out a Scottish labour market survey similar to that being carried out by National Electrotechnical Training on behalf of the Department for Edu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out a Scottish labour market survey similar to that being carried out by National Electrotechnical Training on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.","AnswerText":"As employer-led organisations, all National Training Organisations are expected to gather labour market intelligence relating to their sector as part of their normal responsibilities. There are no current plans for the Executive to commission a labour market survey for the electrotechnical industry. It will be the role of the new Future SkillsUnit in the first instance to identify the need for such surveys.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149540,"EventID":"S1W-12784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a budget of #500,000 will become available for national training organisations in April 2001 and, if so, whether it will clarify what the targets and objectives ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a budget of #500,000 will become available for national training organisations in April 2001 and, if so, whether it will clarify what the targets and objectives will be in relation to this fund.","AnswerText":"£500,000 will be made available to National Training Organisations by the Executive in each of the financial years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 to assist with the development of the network in Scotland. The focus will be on promoting workplace learning, assessing skills needs and gathering labour market intelligence.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149541,"EventID":"S1W-12785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the cod recovery plan agreed between the EU and the Norwegian authorities and what the impact of this will be for the Scottish fishing","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the cod recovery plan agreed between the EU and the Norwegian authorities and what the impact of this will be for the Scottish fishing industry.","AnswerText":"Details of the cod recovery plan are given in the Agreed Record of Consultations between the European Community and Norway on the North Sea cod crises, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11042).

I am currently undertaking a series of meetings with the industry to discuss the potential impact of the North Sea Cod recovery programme and the outcome of last December's Fishery Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149542,"EventID":"S1W-12786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland consider complementary an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland consider complementary and alternative medicines in formulating advice, guidelines and standards.","AnswerText":"These bodies consider information on complementary and alternative medicine where appropriate in formulating advice. However, very few studies of alternative therapies meet acceptable scientific methodological standards, and most are not therefore included as evidence. Where any such studies do meet the criteria, they will be considered along with other available evidence in arriving at the final advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149543,"EventID":"S1W-12787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient training is given to all NHS security staff to ensure patient, staff and personal safety.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient training is given to all NHS security staff to ensure patient, staff and personal safety.","AnswerText":"Training for NHS security staff is a matter for local determination. However, the Occupational Health and Safety Service strategy for NHS Scotland staff, Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace requires NHS employers to risk-assess all tasks and activities and implement policies based on risk assessment aimed at reducing violent incidents in the workplace. As part of the risk assessment process I would expect NHS employers to provide such training as is necessary for staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149544,"EventID":"S1W-12788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent National Institute of Clinical Excellence ruling on Aricept will mean that Al'heimer's patients across Scotland will have access to the drug.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent National Institute of Clinical Excellence ruling on Aricept will mean that Al'heimer's patients across Scotland will have access to the drug.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland is currently working on a process to comment on all Final Appraisals from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The NICE Appraisal on donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl) will be the first to go through this process in the spring.

As an interim measure, the Scottish Executive has asked Drugs and Therapeutics Committees to review any advice they may have provided to their clinicians on the use of these treatments in Alzheimer's disease, taking into account the NICE advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149545,"EventID":"S1W-12789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists have been found to have made fraudulent NHS claims in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists have been found to have made fraudulent NHS claims in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Central records have been maintained only since 1 October 1998.

During the financial years 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999, 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 and 1 April 2000 to date, recoveries totalling more than £230,000 have been made from 50 dentists in respect of inappropriate payment claims. Further recoveries of around £120,000 are currently being pursued.

A Fraud Investigation Unit of the Common Services Agency of the NHS Scotland was established in July 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149546,"EventID":"S1W-12790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the introduction of country of origin labelling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the introduction of country of origin labelling.","AnswerText":"On matters of food safety and standards the Scottish Executive is advised by the Food Standards Agency. For foodstuffs generally the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 only require origin labelling where it is needed to avoid misleading consumers, for example where items on a label, such as a country or place name in the name of a food or use of a flag or other emblem, imply a different origin. The Agency is pressing for changes in EU rules to extend the range of foods on which origin labelling would be compulsory, including processed foods. It is also seeking changes in order to widen international standards in Codex Alimentarius; a UK discussion paper will be debated at the May meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149547,"EventID":"S1W-12791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1712 by Ross Finnie on 18 May 2000, whether it is satisfied that the concerns about the representation of the various agriculture s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1712 by Ross Finnie on 18 May 2000, whether it is satisfied that the concerns about the representation of the various agriculture sectors on the Quality Meat Scotland board have been addressed.","AnswerText":"Membership of the QMS Board has been expanded to broaden sectoral representation, a decision which I welcome.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149548,"EventID":"S1W-12792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average levy paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average levy paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission is.","AnswerText":"Levy is collected at the point of slaughter and paid by abattoir operators to the MLC. Abattoir operators deduct the farmer portion of the MLC levy from the payments they make to farmers for animals purchased. It is therefore not possible for the MLC to calculate the average levy paid by farmers as these records are not held by the Commission.

For information, the levy charged per animal is:
 

General

Promotion

CATTLE

£2.05

£2.30

Farmers portion

£1.025

£2.30

SHEEP

£0.31

£0.32

Farmers portion

£0.155

£0.32

PIGS

£0.40

£0.65

Farmers portion

£0.20

£0.65

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149549,"EventID":"S1W-12793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a standing committee or forum involving representatives from each of the major supermarket chains in Scotland to discuss matters relating to the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a standing committee or forum involving representatives from each of the major supermarket chains in Scotland to discuss matters relating to the food and agriculture sectors.","AnswerText":"I see no need for such a body as I have regular contact with the major retailers over a range of issues impacting on the food and agriculture sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149550,"EventID":"S1W-12794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of Quality Meat Scotland's performance since its establishment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of Quality Meat Scotland's performance since its establishment.","AnswerText":"I am encouraged by the progress made by QMS and look forward to the publication of its Strategic Plan. It should be noted that QMS is an industry body which is not directly accountable to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149551,"EventID":"S1W-12795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to the Meat and Livestock Commission on its proposals to increase its levies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to the Meat and Livestock Commission on its proposals to increase its levies.","AnswerText":"It is the views of the levy payers which are of paramount importance in any decision to increase levies. I understand that the MLC's consultation process is not yet complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149552,"EventID":"S1W-12796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of whether the levies paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission offer value for money and, if so, what the findings were.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of whether the levies paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission offer value for money and, if so, what the findings were.","AnswerText":"The MLC regularly monitors the impact of levy payers expenditure. The most recent independent review - Quinquennial Review - of the MLC was published in March 1999. I have arranged for a copy to be sent to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149553,"EventID":"S1W-12797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any further changes are planned in connection with the promotion of meat produce following the establishment of Quality Meat Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any further changes are planned in connection with the promotion of meat produce following the establishment of Quality Meat Scotland.","AnswerText":"QMS has been drawing up a Strategic Plan which, I understand, will be published soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149554,"EventID":"S1W-12798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place with farmers on the proposals to increase the levy paid to the Meat and Livestock Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place with farmers on the proposals to increase the levy paid to the Meat and Livestock Commission.","AnswerText":"As required by the Agriculture Act 1967, the MLC currently is consulting red meat industry interests, including farming interests, about proposals to increase beef and sheep levies.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149555,"EventID":"S1W-12799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any increases in the levy paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission will only proceed with the agreement of all parts of the UK.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any increases in the levy paid by farmers to the Meat and Livestock Commission will only proceed with the agreement of all parts of the UK.","AnswerText":"Consultations between the MLC and the industry on proposed increases in beef and sheep levies are not yet complete. If conflicting views emerge within the industry, these will have to be balanced by the Commission before a decision to proceed, or otherwise, with the increase is taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149556,"EventID":"S1W-12800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive has any plans to bring forward proposals for a CrossRail scheme to link north and south Glasgow with the airport, along","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive has any plans to bring forward proposals for a CrossRail scheme to link north and south Glasgow with the airport, along the lines of the Strathclyde CrossRail draft provisional Order in 1995.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not received any proposals from Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive for a CrossRail scheme to link north and south Glasgow with Glasgow airport.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149557,"EventID":"S1W-12801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs have been created in Glasgow as a result of moving its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department there.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs have been created in Glasgow as a result of moving its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department there.","AnswerText":"The Department of Enterprise and Lifelong Learning transferred its Edinburgh based posts to Glasgow during 1999-2000. In total, around 140 posts were transferred.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149558,"EventID":"S1W-12802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs have been created in Glasgow as a result of moving civil servants responsible for higher education there.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs have been created in Glasgow as a result of moving civil servants responsible for higher education there.","AnswerText":"The transfer of Enterprise and Lifelong Learning from Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1999-2000 means that 21.5 full-time equivalent posts in the Higher Education, Science, and Student Support Divisions are now based in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149559,"EventID":"S1W-12803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will change the formula used for the funding of social work and education in Glasgow as they have done for health in recognition that concentrations of depriv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will change the formula used for the funding of social work and education in Glasgow as they have done for health in recognition that concentrations of deprivation make the delivery of these services more expensive.","AnswerText":"The local government grant distribution formula already takes account of the impact of deprivation on the costs of service delivery, and 13 assessments within the formula - mainly those for social work and education - include deprivation adjustments. In addition a number of important social work assessments are influenced by health indicators which reflect deprivation. The Scottish Executive and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities together carried out a thorough review of the account taken of deprivation in the local government finance system this year. As a result we have redistributed an additional £12 million to help councils tackle the effects of deprivation in schools. We have also made available through the Better Neighbourhoods Services Fund an additional £90 million to help improve services within the most deprived neighbourhoods.

The National Review of Resource Allocation for NHS in Scotland (the Arbuthnott Review) has only recently resulted in an allocation of resources through a needs-based approach. For 2000-01, Aggregate External Finance (AEF) per head for Glasgow City Council is 22.4% higher than the all Scotland average, while grant per head for Greater Glasgow Health Board is 8.6% above average.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149560,"EventID":"S1W-12806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for developing new contractual arrangements for GPs, as outlined in Our National Health, a plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for developing new contractual arrangements for GPs, as outlined in Our National Health, a plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Personal Medical Services (PMS) operate under the NHS (Primary Care) Act 1997 and introduce flexibility to primary care services by meeting specific local needs through PMS pilots. Pilot GPs can be salaried either to Primary Care Trusts or within practices or pilots can be practice-based (where the GPs remain independent contractors but have a locally agreed contract). There are currently 15 PMS pilots in Scotland. Regulations state that Scottish Ministers may introduce the permanent PMS option if a review of pilot schemes has taken place and they are satisfied that it would be in the interests of any part of the health service to introduce permanency.

A review of Scotland's first round pilots has recently been completed and, from this, I have concluded that the permanent PMS option would be of benefit to the NHS in Scotland. A copy of the review is available in SPICe and SHOW. A copy has also been sent to the Health and Community Care Committee, health boards, Primary Care Trusts and representative bodies.

I am therefore pleased to announce that a Permanent Personal Medical Services (PMS) option will be available to GPs and to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) from April 2001. This will mean that, for the first time, PCTs will be able to employ salaried GPs directly on a permanent basis to help recruitment and retention in deprived and remote and rural areas. This permanent PMS option will also enable PCTs and practices to develop local contracts to meet the specific needs of their local communities.

Regulations bringing this permanent option into force will be circulated to Parliament and to representative bodies for comment in February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149561,"EventID":"S1W-12807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money is paid to the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust and how this money is paid; what system is used to allocate unemployed people to emplo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money is paid to the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust and how this money is paid; what system is used to allocate unemployed people to employers and thereafter to courses; what monitoring of the course standards takes place to ensure that personnel sponsored by the Trust meet the highest skill and health and safety standards of the electrical trade, and whether any payment to further education colleges is dependent on the successful completion of courses.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask them to write to Mr Campbell with the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149562,"EventID":"S1W-12808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges currently run courses for the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges currently run courses for the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust.","AnswerText":"The following colleges of further education currently run courses for the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust:

Angus College

Ayr College

Banff & Buchan College of Further Education

Borders College

Cardonald College

Clackmannan College of Further Education

Clydebank College

Dumfries & Galloway College

Dundee College

Falkirk College of Further & Higher Education

Glenrothes College

Inverness College

James Watt College of Further & Higher Education

Jewel & Esk Valley College

Lauder College

Lews Castle College

Moray College

Motherwell College

North Glasgow College

The North Highland College

Perth College

Reid Kerr College

Stevenson College","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149563,"EventID":"S1W-12809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to give additional financial help through bursaries or loans to nursing students in recognition of the fact that they must continue their courses throu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to give additional financial help through bursaries or loans to nursing students in recognition of the fact that they must continue their courses throughout the summer and cannot earn money then as other students can.","AnswerText":"Student nurses already receive significantly more financial support than students studying other disciplines.

We are committed to a full review of the support arrangements for nursing students to take place over the next six months.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149564,"EventID":"S1W-12810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to ensure the involvement in service design and delivery of those patient support groups at both local and national level whose expertise on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to ensure the involvement in service design and delivery of those patient support groups at both local and national level whose expertise on chronic conditions was publicly acknowledged in Our National Health, a plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: a plan for action; a plan for change commits the Scottish Executive and the NHS to take steps to work closely with patient support groups to ensure that the needs of those with chronic conditions are met effectively. This will be done through the \"Partners in Change\" programmes also announced in the plan. Detailed change programmes will be published later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149565,"EventID":"S1W-12811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to assist former nurses who are to retrain for re-entry into the nursing profession during the period when they are losing any previ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to assist former nurses who are to retrain for re-entry into the nursing profession during the period when they are losing any previous income and have to meet course fees.","AnswerText":"We have no plans for central funding of returners to practice. These costs are a matter for individual NHS Trusts to determine in the light of staffing requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149566,"EventID":"S1W-12812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities are available to patients in the Grampian Health Board area; where these facilities are located; how long they have been","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities are available to patients in the Grampian Health Board area; where these facilities are located; how long they have been in place, and how the current provision compares to the provision of MRI facilities in the periods (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-98, (iii)1998-99 and (iv)1999-2000.","AnswerText":"In August last year the Scottish Executive announced a £16 million investment in new imaging equipment to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Scotland. That sum included £5 million for the provision of MRI scanners.

I am asking the Chairman of Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust to write to you to provide the operational information you request about MRI facilities in Grampian.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149567,"EventID":"S1W-12813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child protection officers there were in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child protection officers there were in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Many agencies in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors are involved in child protection. Within these agencies, staff involved in child protection will often have wider duties and the term \"Child Protection Officer\" has no common or agreed meaning at a local level. We do however monitor and publish statistical information on child protection referrals.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149568,"EventID":"S1W-12814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it specifies to which child protection measures funding should be directed and, if not, how the use of funding is monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it specifies to which child protection measures funding should be directed and, if not, how the use of funding is monitored.","AnswerText":"Funding for child protection is part of the general budgets of the many agencies involved such as Social Work Departments, health boards and the police, who have discretion to determine their own spending priorities. Expenditure specific to child protection is not therefore separately identified or monitored.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149569,"EventID":"S1W-12815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was allocated specifically to child protection measures in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was allocated specifically to child protection measures in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12814.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149570,"EventID":"S1W-12816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the precise role of Tactica Solutions is in the design and production of its documents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the precise role of Tactica Solutions is in the design and production of its documents.","AnswerText":"Tactica Solutions provides a managed service for the design, print and production of documentation for the Scottish Executive. Their role covers the full document life cycle, including creative design and artwork, lithographic and digital print production, publication, web enablement, storage and distribution.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149571,"EventID":"S1W-12817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage documents are at when they are handed over by it to Tactica Solutions for design and production and whether it would be possible to publish the documents at t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage documents are at when they are handed over by it to Tactica Solutions for design and production and whether it would be possible to publish the documents at this stage.","AnswerText":"Documents are handed over to Tactica Solutions in a number of formats including electronic text, hand written notes, charts, maps, pictures and printed material. It is not possible to publish such material without it passing through a number of processes. Even documents that are entirely available in electronic format require further processing. Professional publications advice is provided to all Departments by the Executive's Media and Communications Group who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that Executive publications are fit for purpose and provide value for money. The services provided via Tactica Solutions to deliver finished publications include:

typesetting

insertion of Scottish Executive logo and branding

allocation of ISBN numbers

ensuring documents comply with office rules on accessibility by disabled and ethnic audiences

translation where (necessary)

conversion for the internet

bar coding for sale and library purposes

chart and graph production

illustration

design

photography

proof reading

cartography.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149572,"EventID":"S1W-12818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Tactica Solutions changes the content of any documents given to them for design and production on its behalf.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Tactica Solutions changes the content of any documents given to them for design and production on its behalf.","AnswerText":"Tactica Solutions is responsible for managing the design and production of documents but not their textual content which is determined and approved in both draft and published format by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149573,"EventID":"S1W-12819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was to it of each document which bears the phrase \"Designed and produced for the Scottish Executive by Tactica Solutions\" up to the point at which it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was to it of each document which bears the phrase \"Designed and produced for the Scottish Executive by Tactica Solutions\" up to the point at which it was handed over to Tactica Solutions for design and production.","AnswerText":"This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149574,"EventID":"S1W-12820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10967 by Angus MacKay on 18 January 2001, whether it will provide details of the companies sub-contracted by Tactica Solutions and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10967 by Angus MacKay on 18 January 2001, whether it will provide details of the companies sub-contracted by Tactica Solutions and how much each of them received from Tactica Solutions through its contract with them since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"The commercial relationships between Tactica Solutions and its sub-contractors and suppliers are private, contractual matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149575,"EventID":"S1W-12821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it does not go direct to the sub-contractors used by Tactica Solutions and what profit margin Tactica Solutions charges on work carried out by these sub-contractors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it does not go direct to the sub-contractors used by Tactica Solutions and what profit margin Tactica Solutions charges on work carried out by these sub-contractors. ","AnswerText":"The contract with Tactica Solutions is for the provision of a managed service for the design, print and publication of documents. The Scottish Executive does not have the resources or skills required to manage the sub-contractors. Tactica Solutions was awarded the business following open competition and its profit margins are an internal company matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149576,"EventID":"S1W-12822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10969 by Angus MacKay on 18 January 200, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the tenders it receive","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10969 by Angus MacKay on 18 January 200, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the tenders it received from other design and production companies for the contract to design and produce its documents and a copy of any notes of consultations it had with tenderers.","AnswerText":"It is not Scottish Executive practice to publish commercial information provided to it in confidence by suppliers tendering for Scottish Executive contracts.

The design, print and publications contract was awarded following the advertisement of the required service in the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC). As the value of the contract was above £94,000, compliance with EC Procurement Directives was necessary. 13 expressions of interest were received. Following detailed evaluation, six companies were short-listed and invited to tender.

A tender evaluation panel selected Tactica Solutions on the basis of pre-determined criteria, including value for money and technical capability to meet requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149577,"EventID":"S1W-12823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10969 by Angus Mackay on 18 January 2001, what the precise role of each sub-contractor is in the design and production process of e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10969 by Angus Mackay on 18 January 2001, what the precise role of each sub-contractor is in the design and production process of each document.","AnswerText":"The contract between Tactica Solutions and the Scottish Executive requires Tactica to provide a complete service. It is the responsibility of Tactica to determine the role of its sub-contractors to meet the variations in both the nature and volume of demands placed by the Scottish Executive. Accordingly, the information requested is not held by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149578,"EventID":"S1W-12824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the report of the Millan Committee's review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 and what action it proposes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the report of the Millan Committee's review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 and what action it proposes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has today received the Millan Committee's report of its review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. Copies of the report, entitled New Directions, have been placed in the Parliamentary Reference Centre.

The Executive warmly welcomes this report and is grateful to Mr Millan and his Committee for undertaking such a comprehensive and thorough review, which addresses the shift in emphasis in mental health care and treatment in recent years, and the greater recognition of the rights of patients and their families. The report also takes account of the MacLean Committee's recommendations in relation to offenders with mental disorder.

The Executive will now be considering the report's recommendations, consulting as appropriate on key issues. A reference group of relevant interests is being set up to assist this process. The aim is to publish a policy statement in the summer, setting out, as promised in Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change, proposals for a modern legislative framework to meet the needs of people with a mental illness who require care and support, both in hospital and the community.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149579,"EventID":"S1W-12825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the report prepared by JMN Consultants on the cost of funding various departments of higher education will be published and, if so, when, or alternatively whethe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the report prepared by JMN Consultants on the cost of funding various departments of higher education will be published and, if so, when, or alternatively whether the evidence given to the consultants regarding the cost of funding language departments and students will be published, specifying the reason for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned such a report. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council published a report it commissioned from JM Consulting on the costs of provision in higher education on its website on 19 December 2000 as part of its consultation on its Review of Teaching Funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149580,"EventID":"S1W-12826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the unit of teaching resource per full-time equivalent student has been in language departments in universities in each year from 1996 to date and what it will be f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the unit of teaching resource per full-time equivalent student has been in language departments in universities in each year from 1996 to date and what it will be for the coming academic year.","AnswerText":"The Units of Teaching Resource are determined by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and are published in their Circular series each March. The information requested is included in the Funded Subject Group: Humanities, Languages & Mass Communication and is given in the table.

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

£3,444

£3,513

£3,698

£3,777

£3,834

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149581,"EventID":"S1W-12827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any jobs are expected to be lost in Scotland in the event of a merger between the Bank of Scotland and (a) Abbey National plc or (b) Lloyds TSB; if so, how many ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any jobs are expected to be lost in Scotland in the event of a merger between the Bank of Scotland and (a) Abbey National plc or (b) Lloyds TSB; if so, how many will be lost in each case and, if it does not hold any such estimates, whether it will investigate the implications for jobs in Scotland of each of these potential mergers, and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognise that all three of these companies are important employers in Scotland. While the Executive has been noting developments there are no detailed figures available at this stage on what the possible consequences of any merger would be for employment in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149582,"EventID":"S1W-12828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from interested organisations on the level of business rates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from interested organisations on the level of business rates.","AnswerText":"The Executive has discussed business rates with representatives of the following bodies; in some cases separately or as part of meetings with business representative groups:

British Hospitality Association;

Confederation of British Industry, Scotland;

Chemical Industries Association;

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities;

Forum of Private Business;

Federation of Small Businesses, Scotland;

Institute of Directors;

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland;

Scottish Assessors' Association;

Scottish Chambers of Commerce;

Scottish Council Development and Industry;

Scottish Licensed Trade Association;

Scottish Retail Consortium;

Scottish Tourism Forum;

Scottish Valuation and Rating Council;

Scottish Wholesalers' Association.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149583,"EventID":"S1W-12829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12336 by Nicol Stephen on 22 January 2001, whether it will provide further details of the early intervention programme for children","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12336 by Nicol Stephen on 22 January 2001, whether it will provide further details of the early intervention programme for children with special educational needs, in particular how the #1 million allocated to the programme is being utilised.","AnswerText":"The Early Intervention funding is specifically for the development and training of staff working with pupils with special educational needs in the early years. Local authorities receive a pro-rata share of the £1 million based on pupil numbers.

A wide variety of training requirements are addressed including training in Early Years behaviour difficulties; training for nursery support staff; ICT for special schools; attendance at Early Years language seminars; target setting and Individualised Educational Programme courses; training in working with families of autistic children, and accreditation such as the Certificate in Dyslexia.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149584,"EventID":"S1W-12830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12336 by Nicol Stephen on 22 January 2001, which local authorities, schools and organisations have applied for assistance under the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12336 by Nicol Stephen on 22 January 2001, which local authorities, schools and organisations have applied for assistance under the Alternatives to Exclusion Grant Scheme and which applications have been granted, specifying the amount awarded in each case.","AnswerText":"The funding available through the Excellence Fund Alternatives to Exclusion programme is allocated to local authorities on a formula basis. It is for each authority to determine how best to use its allocation in line with its implementation plan for the area. The allocations over the three-year period from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2002 are shown in the table:

Education authority

Allocation

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

Scotland

£5,000,000

£8,000,000

£10,000,000

Aberdeen City

£175,032

£280,052

£350,065

Aberdeenshire

£251,052

£401,684

£502,104

Angus

£113,126

£181,001

£226,251

Argyll & Bute

£93,133

£149,013

£186,266

Clackmannanshire

£48,331

£77,330

£96,663

Dumfries & Galloway

£156,778

£250,845

£313,557

Dundee City

£137,800

£220,480

£275,600

The aim of the study, which involved 2 million individuals, was to identify over the period 1982 to 1996 serious adverse events causally related to MMR vaccination. One conclusion of the study was that "No cases of autism were associated with MMR vaccination during this 14-year follow-up." Preliminary impressions are that this is a scientifically rigorous piece of work.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149586,"EventID":"S1W-12832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child protection officers there currently are (a) in total and (b) in relation to the total population of children in Scotland, expressed as a children:child pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child protection officers there currently are (a) in total and (b) in relation to the total population of children in Scotland, expressed as a children:child protection officer ratio and where these child protection officers are located.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12813.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149587,"EventID":"S1W-12833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the current children:child protection officer ratio in Scotland compares with the equivalent ratios in the other component parts of the UK.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the current children:child protection officer ratio in Scotland compares with the equivalent ratios in the other component parts of the UK.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12813.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149588,"EventID":"S1W-12834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11310 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, whether any local authorities have to date made applications for funding for flood p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11310 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, whether any local authorities have to date made applications for funding for flood prevention schemes in future years and, if so, whether it will provide details of each proposed scheme and specify the amount of funding (a) sought and (b) awarded in each case.","AnswerText":"The non-housing programme capital allocation to local authorities provides resources for various capital work projects, including flood prevention schemes.

In addition, subject to completing the statutory process under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, supplementary allocation may be available for the construction of major flood prevention schemes (FPS). Recently, flood prevention schemes have been confirmed for Bridge of Earn, Moredun, Paisley, River Kelvin, Collier Street, Johnston and Weem Village.

Following requests by councils, supplementary allocations have been provided recently to:

Perth and Kinross Council for Bridge of Earn FPS (£0.75 million)

Renfrewshire Council for Moredun, Paisley FPS (£1 million); and

East Dunbartonshire Council for the River Kelvin FPS (£8 million).

The amounts provided fully met the councils' requests.

A further request from Renfrewshire Council for a supplementary allocation of £1 million for the Collier Street, Johnston FPS has just been received and is being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149589,"EventID":"S1W-12835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was allocated to flood protection schemes in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000 and which applicants received funding in each of these years, specif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was allocated to flood protection schemes in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000 and which applicants received funding in each of these years, specifying the amount awarded to each project in each year.","AnswerText":"The single allocation which local authorities receive in support of their non-housing capital programme includes provision for, among other things, expenditure on flood prevention. Separately, following flooding in recent years, resources for this programme have been enhanced to cater for major flood prevention schemes. In response to requests from councils who had experienced severe flooding in their areas, additional funding was issued to councils to support the development of flood prevention measures as shown in the table:

1997-98

Renfrewshire Council

£1.0 million

1998-99

Moray Council

£0.4 million

 

East Dunbartonshire Council

£0.3 million

 

Renfrewshire Council

£0.3 million

 

East Ayrshire Council

£1.2 million

1999-2000

Renfrewshire Council

£1.0 million

In addition, awards from the former Central Challenge Fund were made to East Ayrshire Council for flood prevention measures in Kilmarnock and to Perth and Kinross Council for construction of the Perth Flood Prevention Scheme:

1997-98

East Ayrshire Council

£1.47 million

 

Perth and Kinross Council

£1.82 million

1998-99

East Ayrshire Council

£0.41 million

 

Perth and Kinross Council

£4.4 million

1999-2000

Perth and Kinross Council

£7.1 million

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149590,"EventID":"S1W-12836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports of bullying and intimidation by colleagues were lodged by staff and management in the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports of bullying and intimidation by colleagues were lodged by staff and management in the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Over the last three years there have been 13 reports of bullying and intimidation formally presented to the Agency's Equal Opportunities Officer.

1998

2 cases

1999

6 cases

2000

5 cases

Since 1998 when SPS launched its Code of Conduct, incidents can be dealt with locally under informal or formal arrangements. Information on local resolution of cases is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149591,"EventID":"S1W-12837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to update any anti-workplace bullying strategies within the Scottish Prison Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to update any anti-workplace bullying strategies within the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

No. On 1 September 2000, the Scottish Prison Service launched a new strategy document entitled \"How to challenge and change unacceptable behaviour in the SPS\", together with a booklet on the standards of behaviour expected of employees.

This initiative offers staff help, advice and support when dealing with workplace harassment, discrimination, victimisation, bullying and all forms of unacceptable behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149592,"EventID":"S1W-12838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the number of stress-related illnesses suffered by prison officers and other Scottish Prison Service staff in each of the last thre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the number of stress-related illnesses suffered by prison officers and other Scottish Prison Service staff in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Stress-related illness among SPS staff from 1 September 1999 to 25 January 2001 accounted for 118 periods of absence from work. Data for earlier periods is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149593,"EventID":"S1W-12839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the incidence of depressive illness among staff in each of the last three years in the Scottish Prison Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the incidence of depressive illness among staff in each of the last three years in the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Depressive illness among SPS staff from 1 September 1999 to 25 January 2001 accounted for 62 periods of absence from work. Data for earlier periods is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149594,"EventID":"S1W-12840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has entered into a contract with the Enham Trust to take over the role of Disability Scotland and, if so, on what date the contract was formally and legally a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has entered into a contract with the Enham Trust to take over the role of Disability Scotland and, if so, on what date the contract was formally and legally agreed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not entered into a contract with the Enham Trust. The Administrator of Disability Scotland has submitted a proposal on the future of Disability Scotland and we are considering this.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149595,"EventID":"S1W-12841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was carried out with disability groups regarding the appointment of the Enham Trust as a replacement for Disability Scotland and what the start and end","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was carried out with disability groups regarding the appointment of the Enham Trust as a replacement for Disability Scotland and what the start and end dates were of any consultation period.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12840.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149596,"EventID":"S1W-12842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value of the surplus of the Scottish Transport Group pension fund currently is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value of the surplus of the Scottish Transport Group pension fund currently is.","AnswerText":"The most recent annual report of the Scottish Transport Group showed the value of the surplus at 31 March 2000 to be approximately £146 million (net of tax).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149597,"EventID":"S1W-12843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the criteria against which applications for Social Inclusion Partnership funds which have become available as the result of a capital underspend are judged diffe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the criteria against which applications for Social Inclusion Partnership funds which have become available as the result of a capital underspend are judged differ from those applied in other circumstances.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive expects all Social Inclusion Partnerships to allocate funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of grant. These are currently being revised. Once the revisions are complete a copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Other than the requirement to comply with the terms and conditions of grant, it is for partnerships to decide how to allocate resources from the Social Inclusion Partnership Fund, including those arising as a result of slippage on other projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149598,"EventID":"S1W-12844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended timescale is to allow organisations to apply for Social Inclusion Partnership funds which have become available as a result of capital underspend.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended timescale is to allow organisations to apply for Social Inclusion Partnership funds which have become available as a result of capital underspend.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12843.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149599,"EventID":"S1W-12845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued in relation to capital underspends of Social Inclusion Partnership funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued in relation to capital underspends of Social Inclusion Partnership funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12843.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149600,"EventID":"S1W-12846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether nine working days is a reasonable time to allow organisations to apply for Social Inclusion Partnerships funds which become available as a result of a capital un","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether nine working days is a reasonable time to allow organisations to apply for Social Inclusion Partnerships funds which become available as a result of a capital underspend.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12843.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149601,"EventID":"S1W-12847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the Strategy for Enterprise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the Strategy for Enterprise.","AnswerText":"The remaining commitment from Review of Enterprise Networks is to produce a Strategy for Enterprise. Consequently, today I have published A Smart, Successful Scotland - Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks which provides a clear sense of direction and identifiable priorities for the networks.

It is a comprehensive statement of what the Scottish Executive expects from the Enterprise Networks. It sets out the foundation for sustained improvement economic performance in Scotland focusing on the challenges of raising productivity, encouraging entrepreneurship, raising skill levels and connecting Scotland globally.

It is available today on the Scottish Executive website and in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149602,"EventID":"S1W-12848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any future skills shortages and labour market issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any future skills shortages and labour market issues.","AnswerText":"We plan to extend the remit of the new Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit, which we propose to rename Future Skills Scotland. We see Future Skills Scotland having a central role in identifying skills shortages to fulfil our pledge to have every Scot ready for the jobs of tomorrow. Scotland's future prosperity requires the economy to achieve greater productivity levels than those of our competitors. To achieve this we need to clearly and accurately identify and communicate current and future skills needs at national and local levels. We need to ensure that employers appreciate and support investment in skills. Too many people are without the basic and specialist skills required for current and future business needs. Future Skills Scotland will have a leading role in ensuring that these issues are addressed to provide better matching of people to jobs.

Future Skills Scotland will set quality standards for LMI, identify skills gaps and shortages, and ensure that policy makers, education and training providers, and other users have ready access to intelligence on current and emerging skills issues. The enterprise network will manage the new unit to deliver a faster and superior job matching service across Scotland. Arrangements are in place to appoint a new Director in Scottish Enterprise who will head the unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149603,"EventID":"S1W-12849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it now has to support and promote credit unions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it now has to support and promote credit unions.","AnswerText":"The Executive has been working in partnership with the credit union movement in Scotland, and other interested parties, to develop a national development strategy for credit unions, which will be produced by April this year. The strategy will identify the action required to remove the current barriers to growth and will ensure that all credit unions have access to support and development services.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149604,"EventID":"S1W-12850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public money has been expended on the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit project in addition to the transport challenge fund project allocations in 1997-98, 1998-99 an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public money has been expended on the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit project in addition to the transport challenge fund project allocations in 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's expenditure on the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit (CERT) project is limited to the Transport Challenge Fund allocation to City of Edinburgh Council and the public local enquiry costs referred to in my answer to question S1W-12851. Any further expenditure on CERT is a matter for City of Edinburgh Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149605,"EventID":"S1W-12851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated costs to it in respect of planning applications, appeals and inquiries in relation to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Tr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated costs to it in respect of planning applications, appeals and inquiries in relation to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit project, taking into account both costs directly incurred and the use of staff resources.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received two planning appeals relating to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit proposal. The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit incurred costs totalling some £8,200 in holding a public local inquiry, as requested by the parties, to consider the proposed realignment of the CERT route between Balgreen Road and Roseburn Street. This figure includes both the Reporter's costs and other administrative expenses.

No costs of significance have yet been incurred in respect of the other appeal by BAA for realignment of the CERT route, upgrading of roads and relocation of a park and ride site at Ingliston. Processing of this appeal has been suspended at the request of the appellant.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149606,"EventID":"S1W-12852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the central heating initiative working group last met, when the group is next due to meet and what progress has been made to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the central heating initiative working group last met, when the group is next due to meet and what progress has been made to date.","AnswerText":"The working group concluded its business on 18 January and has made recommendations. These are being considered and an announcement will be made shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149607,"EventID":"S1W-12853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will be able to access funds from the central heating initiative from 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will be able to access funds from the central heating initiative from 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"All tenants of local authorities without a central heating system will be able to access funds over the course of the five-year funding programme. Tenants of those local authorities considering whole-stock transfer will also receive central heating either from the Executive or the acquiring landlord and are therefore not disadvantaged.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149608,"EventID":"S1W-12854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12419 by Jackie Baillie on 25 January 2001, whether it will give an actual date for the publication of the criteria for entitlement","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12419 by Jackie Baillie on 25 January 2001, whether it will give an actual date for the publication of the criteria for entitlement to assistance under the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"I will be making an announcement shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149609,"EventID":"S1W-12855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights are for education appeals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights are for education appeals.","AnswerText":"Education legislation gives a statutory right of appeal against local authority decisions about placing requests, exclusion and certain aspects of the recording process for children with special educational needs. We have no reason to believe that this legislation is incompatible with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and there have been no successful challenges to date.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149610,"EventID":"S1W-12856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights are for rating valuation appeals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights are for rating valuation appeals.","AnswerText":"The Executive has considered the compatibility of the current arrangements in respect of valuation appeals as presently contained in the Valuation Appeal Committee (Procedures in Appeals under the Valuation Acts) (Scotland) Regulations 1995, and the Valuation Appeal Panels and Committees (Scotland) Regulations 1996, and is satisfied that they are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149611,"EventID":"S1W-12857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on research into the treatment of and possible cures for (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (ii","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on research into the treatment of and possible cures for (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) 1999-2000 and how much is expected to be spent in 2000-01 and 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Details of expenditure on all research into the treatment and possible cures for multiple sclerosis (MS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is not held centrally.

Within the Scottish Executive Health Department, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland and, as such, is the main Departmental funder of NHS-related research. CSO had no expenditure on MS and ME research projects in 1997-98, 1998-99, and will have none in 2000-01. Nearly £7,000 was spent by CSO on ME projects in 1999-2000 but there was no expenditure on MS.

With regard to projected expenditure on MS and ME in 2001-02, CSO is not currently funding, and has no plans to promote or commission, research projects on either of these conditions. However, CSO would be pleased to consider funding proposals for innovative MS and ME studies of a sufficiently high standard.

CSO is aware of 162 ongoing or recently completed ME research projects in the UK, (17 of which are or were in Scotland) and 254 ongoing or recently completed MS research projects (15 of which are or were in Scotland). The projects' details are available from the National Research Register (NRR), a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The results of these research projects will inform the future direction of research and treatment in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149612,"EventID":"S1W-12858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on treatment of those suffering from (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) 1999-2000, broken","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on treatment of those suffering from (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) 1999-2000, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149613,"EventID":"S1W-12859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally in the form requested. However, information from samples of GP records in practices across Scotland whose population is nationally representative suggest the following numbers of patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) were seen by GPs in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) to September 2000 (the latest available statistics).

Estimated number of patients seen

Year

Multiple Sclerosis

CFS/ME

 

Jan-Dec

Jan-Sep

Jan-Dec

Jan-Sep

1998

5,900

5,200

N/A

N/A

1999

6,100

5,500

5,800

4,500

2000

N/A

5,300

N/A

5,900

Notes:

Because of changes in the codes used to gather the data it is not possible to provide information on CFS/ME prior to 1999.

N/A - Information not available or not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149614,"EventID":"S1W-12860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the review of audiology services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the review of audiology services.","AnswerText":"The working group detailed in the answer to question S1W-12861 met on Thursday 1 February to consider a number of issues, including the terms of a possible remit for a wide-ranging review of audiology services. Membership of the group is likely to be expanded to reflect a wider range of health interests. We expect to receive its recommendations in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149615,"EventID":"S1W-12861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who currently serves on the working group looking at hearing services and what the group's remit is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who currently serves on the working group looking at hearing services and what the group's remit is.","AnswerText":"Current membership of the working group follows:

Dr P Craig, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Executive

Mrs C De Placido, Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Mr S Eales, Scottish Executive Health Department

Professor Stuart Gatehouse, Medical Research Council, Institute of Hearing Research

Mr F Lauder, Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Mr G McHardy, Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust

Mrs M Milligan, Scottish Healthcare Supplies, Common Services Agency.

The working group was established to look at adult hearing aid fittings and services in Scotland. The group invited a team of experts to prepare guidance for the benefit of NHSScotland. The guidance is likely to contain a set of statements and recommendations for good practice in hearing aid fittings and services and will be presented to Ministers for approval shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149616,"EventID":"S1W-12862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consulted Her Majesty's Government on 25 January 2001 prior to the Minister for Parliament's ministerial statement on long-term care and, if so, whom it consul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consulted Her Majesty's Government on 25 January 2001 prior to the Minister for Parliament's ministerial statement on long-term care and, if so, whom it consulted and on what basis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including long-term care for the elderly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149617,"EventID":"S1W-12863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it notified the media on 25 January 2001 that the Minister for Parliament would be making a ministerial statement on long term care and, if so, at what time.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it notified the media on 25 January 2001 that the Minister for Parliament would be making a ministerial statement on long term care and, if so, at what time.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149618,"EventID":"S1W-12864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of designating areas adjacent to the proposed M74 north extension as an enterprise 'one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of designating areas adjacent to the proposed M74 north extension as an enterprise 'one.","AnswerText":"The designation of Enterprise Zones is a reserved matter. The M74 project is at an early stage, as is consideration for the development of the surrounding areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149619,"EventID":"S1W-12865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Her Majesty's Government regarding a review of OSPAR 98/3 on the decommissioning of oil platforms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Her Majesty's Government regarding a review of OSPAR 98/3 on the decommissioning of oil platforms.","AnswerText":"The binding Decision 98/3 agreed by Contracting Parties at the First Ministerial meeting of the OSPAR Commission in July 1998 was reached prior to Devolution. Scottish Office Ministers were consulted about, and agreed to the UK policy position adopted for the meeting.

This Decision constitutes an international obligation of the United Kingdom and, as such, is reserved to the UK Government under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. There are no plans to make representations about a review of the Decision. The Decision, however, includes a provision for a review by the OSPAR Commission at its meeting in 2003. The Scottish Executive will be consulted about the UK policy position at that time.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149620,"EventID":"S1W-12866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has into meetings of the Oslo Paris agreement on the protection of the environment in the North Sea (OSPAR); how many meetings have taken place and how many","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has into meetings of the Oslo Paris agreement on the protection of the environment in the North Sea (OSPAR); how many meetings have taken place and how many it or the Scottish Office has attended since 1997, and in what capacity it or the Scottish Office attended these.","AnswerText":"The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) has lead responsibility for arranging UK participation at meetings of OSPAR (the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic). There were 80 meetings in the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000, of which two were ministerial meetings. In addition, there were a number of regional meetings, workshops and inter-sessional working groups. Generally the Scottish Executive is well represented at meetings with either participation within the UK delegation or at the briefing meetings convened in advance by the DETR. The Scottish Executive comments on meeting papers and contributes to the development of a common UK line before OSPAR meetings.

During the period in question the Scottish Executive was represented at 28 meetings either as members of the UK delegation or, in some instances, as Chair or Head of Delegation.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149621,"EventID":"S1W-12867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make available access by MSPs to videoconferencing facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make available access by MSPs to videoconferencing facilities.","AnswerText":"Videoconferencing "studio" facilities are available to all MSPs and staff of the Parliament. A fully equipped videoconferencing suite is located in the basement of Committee Chambers. This can be booked through the Parliament Helpdesk (85100) and more information is available on IT Services pages of the Parliament's SPEIR intranet site. Staff in IT Services are also happy to provide further support and guidance, and assist with any special arrangements.

The videoconferencing facilities have been used very effectively for several Committee meetings and by Members wishing to link up with organisations or individuals at other locations.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149622,"EventID":"S1W-12868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether clinical geneticists are required to be medically qualified and, if not, what qualifications are necessary to carry out genetic screening.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether clinical geneticists are required to be medically qualified and, if not, what qualifications are necessary to carry out genetic screening.","AnswerText":"There are four centres in the NHS in Scotland which provide genetic screening. Services are provided in each centre by a team led by a medically qualified consultant clinical geneticist. Co-workers in the team, including nurses, counsellors and scientists, assist in service delivery. However, the consultant is ultimately responsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149623,"EventID":"S1W-12869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still the case that the Health Technology Board for Scotland will appraise and evaluate new drugs, as envisaged in the Scottish Office document Designed to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still the case that the Health Technology Board for Scotland will appraise and evaluate new drugs, as envisaged in the Scottish Office document Designed to Care.","AnswerText":"The statutory remit of the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) is to provide advice to NHSScotland on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing health technologies, including medicines, devices, clinical procedures and healthcare settings. The HTBS will therefore appraise and evaluate a number of new drugs each year as part of its wider remit.

When a new drug is marketed, the local Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees (ADTCs) have the role of providing advice to prescribers and health boards about whether or not the new medicine (or new therapeutic indication) should be adopted into practice. HTBS will support the ADTCs assessment work by sharing expertise in assessment methodologies and seeking ways to promote consistency among the committees.

Additionally, in recognition of the needs and expectations of decision-makers in Scotland, from spring 2001 HTBS will provide a Scottish interpretation of all NICE guidance on appraisals, which includes many new drugs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149624,"EventID":"S1W-12870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review current financial targets for NHSiS Trusts, given that eight out of 28 had a financial deficit at 31 August 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review current financial targets for NHSiS Trusts, given that eight out of 28 had a financial deficit at 31 August 2000.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change stated that: "we will review existing financial systems to ensure that resources flow and are managed in a way that is effective, efficient and accountable. The review will provide initial propsals for change by March 2001"

This includes a review of Trust financial targets. The review will take into account the requirement to maintain high standards of financial management and control.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149625,"EventID":"S1W-12871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why more resources are being allocated to organic foods and organic farming.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why more resources are being allocated to organic foods and organic farming.","AnswerText":"Aid for the organic food and farming sectors is demand-led: these sectors are responding to increased consumer demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149626,"EventID":"S1W-12872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has made into the effect on the local food chain of depleted uranium shells fired into the Solway Firth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has made into the effect on the local food chain of depleted uranium shells fired into the Solway Firth.","AnswerText":"Environmental monitoring of depleted uranium (DU) is undertaken by the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) Radiation Protection Services. The programme includes analysis of marine environmental samples collected in the Solway Firth area, and the reports are publicly available.

In relation to the food chain we are advised by the Food Standards Agency and have been informed that, to date, they have had no indication that there are detrimental effects on the food chain. Should monitoring raise concerns, the agency would investigate the situation urgently.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149627,"EventID":"S1W-12873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients in psychiatric hospitals have the right and the opportunity to speak with a chaplain when requested.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients in psychiatric hospitals have the right and the opportunity to speak with a chaplain when requested.","AnswerText":"Yes, however, a request may be denied if any chaplain's personal safety came into question.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149628,"EventID":"S1W-12874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide any assistance to prevent the possible closure of the Community Service Volunteers in Clyde Street, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide any assistance to prevent the possible closure of the Community Service Volunteers in Clyde Street, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Executive currently provides grant of £64,890 towards the HQ funding of Community Service Volunteers. CSV's Clyde Street office is not under threat of closure but some of the projects based there may be. Officials are seeking further information from the Director of CSV ScotIand to find out if there is any way in which the Executive can properly assist.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149629,"EventID":"S1W-12875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many groups in (a) Glasgow and (b) Glasgow Kelvin have been unsuccessful in their bids for Objective 3 funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many groups in (a) Glasgow and (b) Glasgow Kelvin have been unsuccessful in their bids for Objective 3 funding.","AnswerText":"Applicants are required to indicate the local authority area within which will be found the addresses of the beneficiaries of their projects, but there is no breakdown below this level available at this stage. On this basis, there were 44 unsuccessful applications made in respect of the Glasgow City Council area. There were also 89 successful applications in respect of the Glasgow City Council area and these projects were awarded grants totalling £14,966,499.

None of these figures take account of those applications which had beneficiaries in more than one local authority area, of which there were 214 successful applications and 154 unsuccessful applications across Lowland Scotland as a whole.

In terms of the proportion of applications which were successful in securing funding, I can confirm that, of the 133 applications made in respect of the Glasgow area, 89 were awarded grants, a success rate of 66.9%. By comparison, the overall success rate of applicants to Objective 3 as a whole was only 59.6%.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149630,"EventID":"S1W-12876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a significant difference in the number of Catholic prisoners as compared with those from other religious groupings and, if so, whether it will investigat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a significant difference in the number of Catholic prisoners as compared with those from other religious groupings and, if so, whether it will investigate the reasons for any such differences.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Each prisoner's religion is among routine information collected on admission to prison. As at 29 January the breakdown of the prison population's declared religious beliefs was as follows:
  

% of total

Baptist

4

-

Buddhist

5

-

Christian - other

77

1

Church of England

65

1

Church of Scotland

2,565

45

Episcopalian

5

-

Hindu

1

-

Jehovah Witness

5

-

Muslim

48

1

No Record

91

2

No Religion

1194

21

Other

53

1

Roman Catholic

1621

28

Total

5,734

 

The Scottish Prison Service accepts all prisoners referred to it by the courts irrespecti","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149631,"EventID":"S1W-12877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its policy priorities and programme for government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its policy priorities and programme for government.","AnswerText":"The policy priorities and programme for government of the Scottish Executive are encapsulated in Working together for Scotland - a Programme for Government, published today. It sets out what the Executive has done, and what we will do in the future to build a modern, prosperous and socially just Scotland. It also reports on progress and achievements against the commitments we set out in the first programme for government, Making it work together, published in September 1999.

A copy of Working together for Scotland - a Programme for Government is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10911). Additional copies are available in the Document Supply Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149632,"EventID":"S1W-12878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prepare guidelines for health boards on policies on charging for access to medical records in order to ensure patients' ease of access to their reco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prepare guidelines for health boards on policies on charging for access to medical records in order to ensure patients' ease of access to their records.","AnswerText":"Management Executive Letter 2000(17), which was issued by the Scottish Executive Health Department on 14 April 2000, draws the attention of boards and Trusts to the coming into force of the Data Protection Act 1998. The letter is available on SHOW. Amongst other things, it announces new arrangements under the Act for enabling patients to see their health records. In particular, it notifies NHSScotland of the new charging regime for subject access requests.

More detailed guidance is now at an advanced stage of preparation and will be issued shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149633,"EventID":"S1W-12879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6799 by Sarah Boyack on 30 May 2000, whether it has completed reviewing the compliance of Scottish planning law and organisation wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6799 by Sarah Boyack on 30 May 2000, whether it has completed reviewing the compliance of Scottish planning law and organisation with the European Convention on Human Rights and, if so, whether any legislation now requires to be amended, in particular in relation to appeals and investigations, and what the timescale is for any changes to be implemented. ","AnswerText":"The Executive undertook a review of existing planning legislation and concluded that the current planning system, with its inbuilt checks and safeguards, is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights without further amendment.

However, we keep under review the need to amend existing law and procedures to comply with the Convention and shall continue to do so, particularly in consequence of any relevant developments in ECHR and domestic case law.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149634,"EventID":"S1W-12880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many course places were available to train occupational therapists in each of the last five years and how many will be available in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many course places were available to train occupational therapists in each of the last five years and how many will be available in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The allocation of places to particular courses or institutions is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council taking into account advice on workforce needs identified. The detailed allocation for 2001-02 academic year will be announced by SHEFC in March.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149635,"EventID":"S1W-12881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-12125 and S1W-12126 lodged on 19 December 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-12125 and S1W-12126 lodged on 19 December 2000.","AnswerText":"An answer was given to question S1W-12125 on 31 January and question S1W-12126 was answered today.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149636,"EventID":"S1W-12882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up a dedicated hepatitis C telephone helpline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up a dedicated hepatitis C telephone helpline.","AnswerText":"The UK Health Departments fund the National AIDS and Drugs Helplines, which already provide callers with information on hepatitis C where this is sought. The Executive proposes to review, with other UK Health Departments, whether there is a need to put a greater emphasis on hepatitis C in the services provided by these helplines.

Information about hepatitis C is also provided by the NHS Helpline in Scotland and by services provided by voluntary organisations involved in hepatitis C issues, such as Mainliners.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149637,"EventID":"S1W-12883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of any sales of body parts by hospitals and whether any such sales were part of an agreement relating to the funding of research.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of any sales of body parts by hospitals and whether any such sales were part of an agreement relating to the funding of research.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence in Scotland of sales of body parts by hospitals. In particular, there is no evidence of children's thymus glands being sold to pharmaceutical companies, as happened at Alder Hey.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149638,"EventID":"S1W-12884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide alternative employment opportunities in Lanarkshire, particularly in the event of any further closures of steelworks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide alternative employment opportunities in Lanarkshire, particularly in the event of any further closures of steelworks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its agencies support job creation and training for new employment through a variety of programmes. In the event of significant redundancies, a team of local agencies is quickly brought together under the Executive's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment framework to support all those affected find new work. I was pleased to note that in the recent restructuring announcement by Corus there were no plans to close or make significant job cuts at the company's steel works in Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149639,"EventID":"S1W-12885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding any skill shortages which could damage prospects for inward investment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding any skill shortages which could damage prospects for inward investment.","AnswerText":"The Executive has received a representation from Electronics Scotland about issues in the electronics sector with regard to recruiting skilled staff. The Executive is working with industry groups and with further and higher education to help stimulate skills growth. Locate in Scotland continues to receive feedback from inward investors who feel that availability of skills is one of Scotland's greatest attributes. We expect this is an issue that Future Skills Scotland will want to address in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149640,"EventID":"S1W-12886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's distribution of funding, broken down by university, is for 2001-02 and was for the previous two financial years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's distribution of funding, broken down by university, is for 2001-02 and was for the previous two financial years.","AnswerText":"The allocation of funding to individual institutions is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The council makes its allocation on the basis of academic years. The allocation for 2001-02 academic year has not yet been published. Information for previous years is available on the SHEFC website or from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149641,"EventID":"S1W-12887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average spend per student was last year, broken down by university, using the current Scottish Higher Education Funding Council distribution system and what tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average spend per student was last year, broken down by university, using the current Scottish Higher Education Funding Council distribution system and what that figure would be using the proposed system for distribution.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149642,"EventID":"S1W-12888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all current Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership projects in which it is involved and the annual interest payments associated with ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all current Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership projects in which it is involved and the annual interest payments associated with each.","AnswerText":"A full list of PFI/PPP projects including those for which the Scottish Executive is directly responsible, is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. The annual interest payments for those of the Executive's projects where such payments are currently being made, are matters of commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149643,"EventID":"S1W-12889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has taken with regard to the firing of depleted uranium shells into the Solway Firth near Dundrennan in Kirkcudbri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has taken with regard to the firing of depleted uranium shells into the Solway Firth near Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire.","AnswerText":"In 1999 Scottish Environment Protection Agency staff visited the Dundrennan Range and subsequently held discussions with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency about the environmental monitoring programme there.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149644,"EventID":"S1W-12890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses to assess whether an independent museum is of national importance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses to assess whether an independent museum is of national importance.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-2806 on 18 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149645,"EventID":"S1W-12891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it has received, and from whom, with regard to the award of trunk road maintenance contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it has received, and from whom, with regard to the award of trunk road maintenance contracts.","AnswerText":"The Department has received a number of representations from a wide range of respondents including bidding consortia, local councils and CoSLA, trade unions and council workers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149646,"EventID":"S1W-12892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what amount of Trans-European Network funding it estimates it will receive for its planned improvements to the A75. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what amount of Trans-European Network funding it estimates it will receive for its planned improvements to the A75. ","AnswerText":"The Route Action Plan (RAP) for the A75 identifies a 10-year investment programme. The first two improvement schemes at Cairntop and Chapleton are at an early stage of planning. We will consider whether it might be appropriate to apply for Trans-European Network (TENs) funding for these and other schemes in the RAP.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149647,"EventID":"S1W-12893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its intentions following the review of the air quality strategy objective for particles (PM10).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its intentions following the review of the air quality strategy objective for particles (PM10).","AnswerText":"The work to consider the prospect for strengthening the objective is well in hand, and should be available at the end of March. The most significant area of work will be advice from the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP) on the chronic effects of air pollution. To date the health implications of particle air pollution have tended to focus on the acute short-term effects. Evidence is now beginning to emerge which suggests that the long-term chronic effects of particle air pollution may be considerably more significant. This advice from COMEAP may, if relevant, be used to support a quantification of the benefits to health from reducing concentrations of particles. A comprehensive study of the costs of emission reduction measures is also underway, and is expected to be completed in February or March. The latest modelling work, that will show what impact the recently announced policy measures are likely to have on concentrations of particles over the next few years will also be completed in February.

Once the results are available, the Scottish Executive expects to be in a position to consult on proposals for a new objective for particles over the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149648,"EventID":"S1W-12895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Banner Business Supplies and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were used t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Banner Business Supplies and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were used to select Banner Business Supplies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a contract with Banner Business Supplies which commenced on 1 August 1999 for a period of three years plus an option of two one year extensions, subject to performance.

Banner Business Supplies provides office stationery products and desktop accessories to Scottish Executive offices across the country. Following open competition and detailed evaluation of nine tenders, Banner was selected on the basis of value for money and its delivery capability.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149649,"EventID":"S1W-12896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Security Printing and Systems and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were u","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Security Printing and Systems and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were used to select Security Printing and Systems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have a contract with Security Printing and Systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149650,"EventID":"S1W-12897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Stationery Office Holdings and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were used","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a contract with Stationery Office Holdings and, if so, how long the contract is for; what services are provided to it by them, and what criteria were used to select Stationary Office Holdings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have a contract with Stationery Office Holdings.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149651,"EventID":"S1W-12899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates it will have spent on employing Tactica Solutions from July 1999 until May 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates it will have spent on employing Tactica Solutions from July 1999 until May 2003.","AnswerText":"The current contact with Tactica Solutions expires in August 2001 with options to extend for one year plus one further year. At this point, no decision has been made as to whether to exercise the first year option and it is not possible to estimate expenditure with Tactica Solutions until May 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149652,"EventID":"S1W-12900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each Executive agency and non-departmental public body, whether or not they have a contract with or employ the services of Tactica Solutions;","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each Executive agency and non-departmental public body, whether or not they have a contract with or employ the services of Tactica Solutions; what the length is of any such contracts, and how much has been paid to Tactica Solutions to date and what services were provided by them, broken down for each body.","AnswerText":"The detailed information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149653,"EventID":"S1W-12901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scotland's population is declining and whether this represents any net \"brain drain\" in the business, commerce, industrial, educational and research sectors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scotland's population is declining and whether this represents any net \"brain drain\" in the business, commerce, industrial, educational and research sectors.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General's 1999 mid-year estimate of Scotland's population was 5,119,200. This represents a fall of 17,400 since 1995, reflecting estimated net out-migration and other adjustments of 10,895 and a natural decrease (more deaths than births) of 6,505. However, the fall in population between 1998 and 1999 is estimated to have been only 800, reflecting estimated net in-migration and other adjustments of 2,917 offset by a natural decrease of 3,717. Particular caution should be attached to the estimates for a single year's change.

The General Register Office for Scotland estimates that Scotland will experience a net loss of 1,000 people per annum between now and 2020, the majority of which are young highly skilled people. The Executive takes this issue seriously and both the newly formed Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit, now called "Future Skills Scotland", and the Enterprise Networks, plan to look into this matter over the coming year.

The Executive does not maintain specific statistical information about the movement of persons working within the fields of business, commerce, industry, academia or research.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149654,"EventID":"S1W-12902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to set up its freedom of information working group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to set up its freedom of information working group.","AnswerText":"I can announce today the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group on Freedom of Information. This fulfils a commitment made in the Executive's consultation document on freedom of information, An Open Scotland. The group's first meeting will be held in early February. The group will report to me and has been asked to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to enable the Scottish freedom of information legislation to be implemented smoothly and consistently across the Scottish public sector.

The group is to be chaired by a senior official of the Scottish Executive. It will include representatives of the Scottish Executive Departments, Agencies and NDPBs, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, CoSLA, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the NHS in Scotland and the Higher Education sector.

I have made available in the Parliament's Reference Centre details of the working group's terms of reference and membership.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149655,"EventID":"S1W-12903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to expand Gaelic-medium education in the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to expand Gaelic-medium education in the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Executive will continue to support the expansion of Gaelic-medium education through the Specific and Pre-school Grant Schemes. The Specific Grant will be £2,834,000 for 2001-02. The Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 requires Education Authorities to set out their plans for Gaelic-medium education in their annual report on improvement objectives. Guidance on the process of improvement planning under the Act is being considered. The Executive is in discussions with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on possible measures to secure an increase in the number of Gaelic-medium teachers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149656,"EventID":"S1W-12904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implementation of the central heating scheme for pensioners who are council tenants in Highland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will be subject to the re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implementation of the central heating scheme for pensioners who are council tenants in Highland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will be subject to the result of tenants' ballots on stock transfer proposals.","AnswerText":"All tenants in the social rented sector who lack central heating will receive it. If they vote for stock transfer under the New Housing Partnership initiative the new landlord will be required to install central heating. If they vote to remain with the local authority they will receive central heating under the Scottish Executive programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149657,"EventID":"S1W-12905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas in the Highlands and Islands will be designated as pilot areas when NHS 24, the NHS telephone advice service, is rolled out in 2001 and when the service will ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas in the Highlands and Islands will be designated as pilot areas when NHS 24, the NHS telephone advice service, is rolled out in 2001 and when the service will cover the whole of the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Project Director is currently developing a detailed service specification for the roll out of NHS 24. Consideration of the issue of location for the service centres has yet to begin.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149658,"EventID":"S1W-12906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the total costs involved in publishing, distributing and launching Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government and how many copies h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the total costs involved in publishing, distributing and launching Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government and how many copies have been published and distributed.","AnswerText":"We have not yet received final invoices for all the costs involved in publishing, distributing and launching Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government. We estimate the total costs to be about £37,890.

4,000 copies were printed, of which 1,401 have been distributed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149659,"EventID":"S1W-12907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mortgage repossession orders were made in each court district in each quarter of 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mortgage repossession orders were made in each court district in each quarter of 2000.","AnswerText":"The recorded figures for the number of mortgage repossession orders granted in each court district in each quarter of 2000 are shown in the following table:

Court

1q 2000

2q 2000

3q 2000

4q 2000

Total

Aberdeen

52

75

38

40

205

Airdrie

95

102

64

51

312

Alloa

10

9

13

17

49

Arbroath

17

21

17

42

97

Ayr

52

46

30

28

156

Banff

12

7

12

12

43

Campbeltown

7

3

10

0

20

not possible to give a precise answer to this question as it is difficult to define which deaths are due to chemicals or, indeed, what should be covered by the term chemicals. The table below summarises some relevant information on deaths from accidental poisoning. It excludes all deaths resulting from poisoning by drugs and medicaments.

Selected deaths from accidental poisoning, Scotland, 1990-99

Substance involved

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Ethyl or methyl alcohol

0

0

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Cleansing and polishing agents

0

2

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Disinfectants, paints and varnishes

The Unit has publicised its activities and service at conferences, seminars and meetings. A publicity "flyer" has been given a wide distribution and the Unit also has a website accessible through the Executive website, (www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/iris.asp). The IRIS Unit was also featured in the publication The Way Forward: A Framework for Economic Development in Scotland published in June 2000. The unit also continues its dialogue with a wide number of business representative organisations, such as the Federation of Small Businesses. The effectiveness of policies and efforts in this area will be felt by business in changes to the regulatory culture and the unit will continue to work to this end.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149665,"EventID":"S1W-12914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual enquiries have been submitted to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual enquiries have been submitted to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149666,"EventID":"S1W-12915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any regulation has been amended or repealed as a result of complaints to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any regulation has been amended or repealed as a result of complaints to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149667,"EventID":"S1W-12916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the 20 regulations are in relation to which the highest number of complaints have been received by the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit and how many complaints ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the 20 regulations are in relation to which the highest number of complaints have been received by the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit and how many complaints have been received about each of these regulations.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149668,"EventID":"S1W-12917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit have concerned regulations relating to (a) devolved matters and (b) reserved matters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints to the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit have concerned regulations relating to (a) devolved matters and (b) reserved matters.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149669,"EventID":"S1W-12918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it publicises and raises awareness of the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it publicises and raises awareness of the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149670,"EventID":"S1W-12919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to evaluate the effectiveness of its Improving Regulation in Scotland initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to evaluate the effectiveness of its Improving Regulation in Scotland initiative.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12913.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149671,"EventID":"S1W-12920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of school pupils went to (a) private and (b) state-funded schools in (i) 1979, (ii) 1992 and (iii) each year since 1997, broken down by local authority a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of school pupils went to (a) private and (b) state-funded schools in (i) 1979, (ii) 1992 and (iii) each year since 1997, broken down by local authority and in Scotland as a whole.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in tables which have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11120).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149672,"EventID":"S1W-12921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all flood prevention schemes that have been funded since 1 July 1999 and those applications currently under consideration.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all flood prevention schemes that have been funded since 1 July 1999 and those applications currently under consideration.","AnswerText":"Flood Prevention Schemes which have completed the statutory process, including confirmation by the Scottish Ministers, and which have been funded since 1 July 1999 are:

Moredun, Paisley Flood Prevention Scheme;

River Kelvin Flood Prevention Scheme, and

Bridge of Earn Flood Prevention Scheme.

In addition, a request for funding for Collier Street, Johnstone Flood Prevention Scheme is presently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149673,"EventID":"S1W-12922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12430 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 January 2001, what specific arrangements are planned to ensure high quality care and protection for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12430 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 January 2001, what specific arrangements are planned to ensure high quality care and protection for care home residents in the context of the surreptitious administration of drugs.","AnswerText":"The planned Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care will take responsibility for the registration and inspection of all care services, including those provided in care homes. All care services will have to meet new national care standards which will cover issues like the administration of medication.

Care homes will also be required to maintain records and documents setting out the procedures for risk assessment, for issue of medication and all essential care tasks so that staff know what is required of them. This will result in better protection and a higher quality of care for all vulnerable people in care homes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149674,"EventID":"S1W-12923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8788 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2000, whether it was aware at that time that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report which info","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8788 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2000, whether it was aware at that time that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report which informed the Borders railway feasibility study's conclusions on tourism pre-dated the feasibility study by three years and looked only at the effect a train line from Edinburgh to Galashiels could have on tourism and, if not, whether it adheres to its position that a supplementary study looking at the potential impact on tourism of the reopening of the line from Edinburgh to Carlisle is not necessary.","AnswerText":"Yes, the Scottish Executive did know that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report predated the feasibility study, was aware of the report's remit and believes that a supplementary report is unnecessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149675,"EventID":"S1W-12924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4363 by Sarah Boyack on 15 February 2000, whether it was aware at that time that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report which in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4363 by Sarah Boyack on 15 February 2000, whether it was aware at that time that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report which informed the Borders railway feasibility study's conclusions on tourism pre-dated the feasibility study by three years and looked only at the effect a train line from Edinburgh to Galashiels could have on tourism and, if not, whether it adheres to its statement that the feasibility study was the product of a detailed assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of reopening part or all of the railway line from Edinburgh to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"Yes, the Scottish Executive did know that the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report predated the feasibility study and is content that the feasibility study represents a detailed assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of reopening part or all of the railway line from Edinburgh to Carlisle.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149676,"EventID":"S1W-12925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10209 by Sarah Boyack on 28 November 2000, whether, in the absence of any publicly available documentary evidence on the impact of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10209 by Sarah Boyack on 28 November 2000, whether, in the absence of any publicly available documentary evidence on the impact of a Borders railway on tourism other than the Scottish Borders Tourist Board report dating from 1996 on the effect of a train line from Edinburgh to Galashiels on tourism in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian, it will now convert the information obtained in the consultants' interviews into a publishable form and publish this information.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149677,"EventID":"S1W-12926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff transferring from one health trust to another within the same health board area are entitled to carry with them any accrued statutory maternity rights enti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff transferring from one health trust to another within the same health board area are entitled to carry with them any accrued statutory maternity rights entitlement, or time earned towards such entitlement and other employment rights, or whether these are lost as a result of such transfers.","AnswerText":"The legal position depends on the reason for the transfer. Provided transferring staff have continuity of employment (as legally defined), then they will retain any rights (including maternity rights) which they have accrued.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149678,"EventID":"S1W-12927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are minimum standards of staffing levels in place for hospital trusts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are minimum standards of staffing levels in place for hospital trusts.","AnswerText":"Minimum levels of staffing for NHS Trusts in Scotland are not prescribed centrally. It is a matter for health boards and trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery. National recommendations on staffing levels would cut across these responsibilities and would undermine boards' and trusts' ability to provide a modern, flexible service matched to local needs. Boards' and trusts' performance is judged on the services they provide and their effect on health, which will be addressed by a new performance management framework as indicated in Our National Health; a plan for action; a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149679,"EventID":"S1W-12928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to monitor the effects on staffing levels of a reduction in junior doctors' hours.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to monitor the effects on staffing levels of a reduction in junior doctors' hours.","AnswerText":"The New Deal Implementation Support Group (ISG) is working with trusts to help them reduce junior doctors' hours and improve working conditions. We have recently expanded the group to increase the practical support which it can offer. The ISG is currently undertaking detailed work in each trust to identify local action to reduce hours. Consideration of staffing levels is integral to this work.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149680,"EventID":"S1W-12929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the recent tendering exercise for the trunk road network, whether any consideration was given to the outcome of the Fatal Accident Inquiry relating to The","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the recent tendering exercise for the trunk road network, whether any consideration was given to the outcome of the Fatal Accident Inquiry relating to The Ord on the A9.","AnswerText":"Officials preparing the contract were aware of the tragic accident on the A9 at The Ord and have taken account of this in conducting the tendering exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149681,"EventID":"S1W-12930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names are of those on the panel for the recent trunk road network tendering exercise, what connections any panel member currently has, or has had, with any of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names are of those on the panel for the recent trunk road network tendering exercise, what connections any panel member currently has, or has had, with any of the parties involved in the bidding process, and what relevant expertise each person brought to the panel.","AnswerText":"The trunk road network tendering exercise was overseen by a steering group of officials which reported to me. No member of the steering group has or had an interest in any of the bidders. The steering group brought together skills in administrative, financial, procurement and technical matters related to the contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149682,"EventID":"S1W-12931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any information is contained in the tender document for the trunk road network regarding the use and operation of trunk road lighting and traffic control signals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any information is contained in the tender document for the trunk road network regarding the use and operation of trunk road lighting and traffic control signals.","AnswerText":"Information is provided in the tender documents covering the supply of electrical energy and use and operation of trunk road lighting and traffic control signals.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149683,"EventID":"S1W-12932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the working group on needlestick injuries to report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the working group on needlestick injuries to report.","AnswerText":"I launched the working group's report Needlestick Injuries: Sharpen Your Awareness at the UNISON Scotland Conference on 6 April. The report is currently in the process of being printed and should be available shortly. The report will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the www.scotland and www.SHOW websites.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149684,"EventID":"S1W-12933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost the NHSiS to introduce the use of retractable needles where appropriate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost the NHSiS to introduce the use of retractable needles where appropriate.","AnswerText":"The NHS Scotland uses around 10 million needles a year at a cost of £1.2 million. The individual cost of needles can vary widely from 2p for a replacement needle to over £50 for specialised needles. On average a normal needle costs about 12p and retractable needles 27 to 30p. I recently launched the Needlestick Injuries: Sharpen Your Awareness report at the UNISON Scotland Conference and announced that the Scottish Executive would issue guidelines to NHS Scotland on the implementation of the report and would provide £270,000 to support the report's recommendations for the introduction of safer needles based on risk assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149685,"EventID":"S1W-12934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will make his first report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in deliverin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will make his first report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in delivering the Diet of examinations for 2001.","AnswerText":"I have today written to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee enclosing the Executive's first report on progress towards implementing the actions agreed following the publication of the Deloitte Touche report on 3 November 2000. Copies have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11055).","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149686,"EventID":"S1W-12935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is today publishing the Scottish farm income figures. The estimated figures show that Total Income from Farming (TIFF) fell by 13% in 2000 to £228 million. The fall in agricultural incomes reflects the lower prices for many agricultural commodities due to the continued strength of the pound during 2000. Average net farm income is estimated to have fallen marginally, with some variation across sectors. Detailed estimates of the outputs, inputs and income of Scottish agriculture at both the aggregate level and by farm type will be published this morning and will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149687,"EventID":"S1W-12936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reached its conclusions on the response to last year's consultation exercise on the extent of problems caused by high hedges in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reached its conclusions on the response to last year's consultation exercise on the extent of problems caused by high hedges in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In response to the consultation paper published last year, we received 90 formal responses. At the same time the Executive also received over 120 letters from members of the public, many of whom went to great lengths to describe the difficulties they were experiencing as a result of high boundary hedges. We consider that though the experience of such problems is not so widespread in Scotland as south of the border, the suffering in individual cases is just as acute.

We have accordingly decided in principle that a statutory remedy of last resort is required, involving complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues have been exhausted. No commitment can be given at this stage as to when legislation can be brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149688,"EventID":"S1W-12937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the terms of reference of the Care Development Group will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the terms of reference of the Care Development Group will be published.","AnswerText":"The terms of reference of the group were agreed yesterday by the Scottish Cabinet and are as follows:

\"With the objective of ensuring that older people in Scotland have access to high quality and responsive long-term care in the appropriate setting and on a fair and equitable basis:

to examine existing service provision and to identify gaps, deficiencies and duplication which may require to be addressed;

to bring forward proposals for the implementation of free personal care for all, along with an analysis of the costs and implications of so doing;

to provide a clear definition of what is meant by personal care;

to examine the current deployment of resources from all funding streams for the care of older people and make any recommendations for change that are thought to be necessary;

to work with the Chief Nursing Officer's Group to develop a person-centred, holistic needs assessment process;

to consider the interrelationships with UK matters, notably the tax and social security benefits system and cross border movement;

to bring forward recommendations, together with costs and possible opportunity costs, of providing sustainable changes which will meet current and projected need and likely demand; and

to report to the Minister for Health and Community Care by August 2001 with a view to the first stage of implementation beginning in April 2002.\"

The group will be chaired by the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care and full membership of the group will be announced next week.","AnswerDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149689,"EventID":"S1W-12938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any changes to external finance limits set for each water authority this year, and what budgets it proposes to allocate each water authority in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any changes to external finance limits set for each water authority this year, and what budgets it proposes to allocate each water authority in the next financial year.","AnswerText":"1. The External Finance Limits (EFL) have been revised for the current financial year. These are:

£ million

 

Original EFL1

Revised EFL

East of Scotland Water

66

74

West of Scotland Water

80.954

86.954

North of Scotland Water

55

55

Notes:

1. Figures published in Investing in You.

Extra EFL has been given to enable the water authorities to maintain current levels of investment. This investment is essential to ensure progress is made to meet the standards set by public health and environment protection water quality laws.

2. Resources for 2001-02 have yet to be approved by Parliament. The figures given are consistent with those shown in the Budget Bill which was laid on 19 January 2001.
 

£ million

  
 

Resource Budget (profit)

Capital Budget

(capital expenditure)

Net cash requirement

(borrowing)

East of Scotland Water

-42.2

126

76.8

West of Scotland Water

-85.6

192

91

North of Scotland Water

-31.4

143.5

88.5

Cost of Capital

131

  

TOTAL

For purposes of comparison, the "net cash requirement" of £256.3 million for 2001-02 is equivalent to the total EFLs for 2000-01 of £216 million. This level of borrowing in 2001-02 is not a public expenditure control, but simply the borrowing resulting from the figures set for profit and capital expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149690,"EventID":"S1W-12939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the closure of local swimming pools and to encourage swimming as a healthy form of exercise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the closure of local swimming pools and to encourage swimming as a healthy form of exercise.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the provision of local sports facilities including swimming pools are a matter for local authorities. On the Scottish Executive’s behalf, sportscotland spends around £600,000 per year on the development of swimming.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149691,"EventID":"S1W-12940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that all schoolchildren have access to a minimum of two hours of physical education per week.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that all schoolchildren have access to a minimum of two hours of physical education per week.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12460.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149692,"EventID":"S1W-12941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the physical education programme in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the physical education programme in schools.","AnswerText":"I refer Ms McGugan to the answer I gave to question S1W-12942.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149693,"EventID":"S1W-12942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sport is given some priority in the school curriculum and that there is a natural role for sport in schools given that it does not feature as one","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sport is given some priority in the school curriculum and that there is a natural role for sport in schools given that it does not feature as one of the national priorities in education. ","AnswerText":"The guidance to education authorities and schools emphasises that sport and other forms of physical education make an essential contribution to pupils' health and general wellbeing. The context and opportunity for this lies within the national priority "to teach pupils respect for self and one another and their interdependence with other members of their neighbourhood and society and to teach them the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society".

Increasing the amount of time devoted to sport could, however, only be done at the expense of other areas of the school curriculum.

There are no plans to review current arrangements for providing physical education programmes in the school curriculum. However, sportscotland is working closely with education authorities in a number of programmes to promote sporting and physical activity in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149694,"EventID":"S1W-12943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will promote and maintain a sporting culture in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will promote and maintain a sporting culture in schools.","AnswerText":"Programmes such as TOPS, Active Primary Schools and School Sport Co-ordinators which are funded through sportscotland and the Lottery Sports Fund are successfully promoting sport in schools. In addition, we have now just completed consultation on proposals for the next round of New Opportunities Fund initiatives which will include a significant investment in school sport.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149695,"EventID":"S1W-12944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include extra-curricular sport within the continuous professional development programme for teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include extra-curricular sport within the continuous professional development programme for teachers.","AnswerText":"The agreement following the McCrone Report into teachers' terms and conditions of service will, if accepted, introduce a framework for the continuing professional development of teachers. The framework would ensure that continuing professional development reflects individual need and school, local and national priorities. It would incorporate existing CPD provision and widen the range of opportunities available to teachers.

The framework would not be prescriptive but sufficiently flexible to meet the specific training needs of individual teachers and schools, including training relating to sport and physical activity where required.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149696,"EventID":"S1W-12945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will conduct a review of sportscotland in the context of the overall review of non-departmental public bodies will be measured and who will be consulted on any review","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will conduct a review of sportscotland in the context of the overall review of non-departmental public bodies will be measured and who will be consulted on any review.","AnswerText":"Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the wider review of NDPBs announced by the Minister of Finance on 18 January, sportscotland are reviewing aspects of their organisation and operations. The appointment of consultants to assist them in that process will be a matter for sportscotland. The Executive will ensure that the views of sportscotland's customers and partner organisations will be sought during this process.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149697,"EventID":"S1W-12946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a full-time officer for every local sports council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a full-time officer for every local sports council.","AnswerText":"Local sports councils are part of the local delivery of sport in Scotland and their funding is a matter for individual local authorities. sportscotland provides grant (currently £21,000 per annum) and other support to the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149698,"EventID":"S1W-12947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a national network of sports colleges and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a national network of sports colleges and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149699,"EventID":"S1W-12948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund the refurbishment of community sports facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund the refurbishment of community sports facilities.","AnswerText":"The provision of adequate leisure facilities, including sports facilities, is a matter for individual local authorities in accordance with the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982.

sportscotland's strategic plan for the distribution of lottery monies, Levelling the Playing Field, includes a Sports Facilities Programme which seeks to convert, adapt or increase the accessibility of existing sports facilities to their communities. The facilities invested in are in schools or in clubs near schools. sportscotland has made awards totalling £9.6 million under this programme contributing to a total investment in this area of almost £42 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149700,"EventID":"S1W-12949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not finance a bid for the 2008 European football championships on a similar basis to its support for the 2009 Ryder Cup bid.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not finance a bid for the 2008 European football championships on a similar basis to its support for the 2009 Ryder Cup bid.","AnswerText":"The bidding process devised by the Ryder Cup Committee for the 2009 event involves countries or regions of countries making bids to stage the event. That is why the Scottish Executive has led the bid to bring the event to Scotland. The bidding for the European Nations Football Championship, like most other major sporting events, is the responsibility of the national governing body which in the case of football in Scotland is the Scottish Football Association. We are already assisting the SFA with the feasibility studies it is carrying out to inform a decision on whether it should bid for the 2008 Championships.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149701,"EventID":"S1W-12950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup is successful, it will consider funding a bid for the 2008 European football championships on a similar basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup is successful, it will consider funding a bid for the 2008 European football championships on a similar basis.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I have given to her question S1W-12949. The key factors involved in deciding whether to assist the SFA in a bid for the 2008 Championship are the realistic prospects of a bid by the SFA being successful, Scotland's capacity to stage an event of this magnitude and the prospective economic and other benefits. There is no link with our Ryder Cup 2009 bid.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149702,"EventID":"S1W-12951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the various initiatives included in the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup will go ahead if the bid is unsuccessful.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the various initiatives included in the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup will go ahead if the bid is unsuccessful.","AnswerText":"Many of the initiatives referred to in our bid are already being implemented. Others are contingent to a greater or lesser extent on our bid being successful but the Scottish Executive and its public sector partners are strongly committed to the development of golf and golf tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149703,"EventID":"S1W-12952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure fair public access to a percentage of the ticket allocation should the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup be successful.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure fair public access to a percentage of the ticket allocation should the bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup be successful.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will not be responsible for staging the Ryder Cup but we would wish to see the general public have the opportunity to attend all or part of the event.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149704,"EventID":"S1W-12953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the decision to make ex-gratia payments to Scottish Transport Group pension members next year, how the figure of around #100 million that is to be made av","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the decision to make ex-gratia payments to Scottish Transport Group pension members next year, how the figure of around #100 million that is to be made available was determined.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-12980.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149705,"EventID":"S1W-12954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive exactly how much will be made available for ex-gratia payments to the Scottish Transport Group pension scheme members and when these payments will be made.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive exactly how much will be made available for ex-gratia payments to the Scottish Transport Group pension scheme members and when these payments will be made.","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced on 18 December that up to £100 million would be available for distribution, subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive expects to be in a position to make ex-gratia payments in the second half of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149706,"EventID":"S1W-12955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are available to help communities affected by coastal erosion such as those on Seil Island.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are available to help communities affected by coastal erosion such as those on Seil Island.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no specific funds to help communities affected by coastal erosion.

The primary responsibility for the protection of land from erosion by the sea lies with the owners concerned. However, under the Coast Protection Act 1949, local authorities may contribute towards the cost of carrying out any coast protection work which they consider necessary or expedient to protect any land in their areas from erosion and encroachment by the sea.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149707,"EventID":"S1W-12956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Development will respond to my letter of 26 October 2000 on agri-money compensation for the cereal sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Development will respond to my letter of 26 October 2000 on agri-money compensation for the cereal sector.","AnswerText":"I replied to the member on 6 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149708,"EventID":"S1W-12957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter dated 15 December 2000 from Mr R. Wilson of Bonnybridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter dated 15 December 2000 from Mr R. Wilson of Bonnybridge.","AnswerText":"Officials replied to Mr Wilson on 29 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149709,"EventID":"S1W-12958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to make information available to disabled people about opportunities to participate in sport and whether there is any central bank of such info","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to make information available to disabled people about opportunities to participate in sport and whether there is any central bank of such information.","AnswerText":"In the last two years, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), in partnership with sportscotland, has developed a number of steps to make information on sport and recreation opportunities available to those wishing to participate in sport.

These include the new SDS website, www.scottishdisabilitysport.com, which was officially launched during 2000; the SDS newsletter The Changing Times, which is published three times a year; SDS sport specific leaflets covering the sports of athletics, archery, boccia, cycling, swimming, table tennis, football and bowls; an A5 flyer promoting the work of SDS; a comprehensive resource pack, which acts as a one stop shop for disability sport issues, with funding through the Ready Willing and Able for Sport programme; SDS has an information stand and undertakes practical sessions as part of the annual Scottish Mobility Roadshow held at the SECC, Glasgow; and SDS is promoted at a local level throughout Scotland through its local branch structure.

The SDS Marketing & Communications Convenor is a voluntary post within the governing body with the responsibility of co-ordinating the above initiatives in conjunction with the Chairman and the sportscotland Co-ordinator.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149710,"EventID":"S1W-12959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Disability Access to Outdoor Recreation Group is accountable to sportscotland or any other Scottish public body; if so, who the members of the group are and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Disability Access to Outdoor Recreation Group is accountable to sportscotland or any other Scottish public body; if so, who the members of the group are and whether the minutes of the group's meetings, in particular those of the meeting on 12 December 2000, will be made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Mountain Recreation Group is a working group established by Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and is accountable to SDS. Group meetings are chaired by the SDS Mountain Recreation Co-ordinator and attended by individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds with an interest in this area of work, including representatives from sportscotland. The dissemination of the group's minutes of meetings is a matter for SDS.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149711,"EventID":"S1W-12960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Project Assessment Committee which will assess applications for assistance under the Agricultural Business Development Scheme; what particular ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Project Assessment Committee which will assess applications for assistance under the Agricultural Business Development Scheme; what particular qualifications each member holds which led to their selection, and whether any members are on the committee by virtue of their organisation being represented on it ex officio, naming each such organisation.","AnswerText":"The current members of the Project Assessment Committee (PAC) are:

Neil Black

Scottish Tourist Board

Ms Barbara Bremner

Scottish Natural Heritage

John Brown

Principal Agricultural Officer (Highland), Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD)

Frank Gaskell

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Ms Phyllis Harvey

Orkney Islands Council (representing the Islands' local authorities)

John Henderson

Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer, SERAD HQ and Chairman Panel 1 (agricultural applications)

Peter Johnstone

Principal Agricultural Officer (Grampian), SERAD

Iain Matheson

Principal Agricultural Officer (Northern & N Isles), SERAD

John Maxwell

Principal Agricultural Officer (Argyll & W Isles), SERAD

Roy McLachlan

Principal Agricultural Officer (Arran & Bute), SERAD

Ms Catriona Maclean

Highland Council (representing the Highlands' local authorities)

Henry Snedden

SERAD HQ policy branch and Chairman Panel 2 (non-agricultural applications)

Observers:

Rory Dutton

Scottish Crofters Union

Ms Beverley Wilson

National Farmers' Union of Scotland

(nominee awaited)

Scottish Landowners' Federation

Nominations for PAC membership came from the joint public sector/industry team that designed the scheme. The SERAD members reflect the Executive's overall policy and financial responsibilities for the ABDS, and their knowledge of the agricultural sector in their respective areas. The non-departmental representatives bring expertise and experience on economic and social development, tourism and environmental priorities for the Highlands and Islands - relevant criteria in assessing grant applications. Some of the public organisations concerned may also part-fund some grants. The industry representatives have chosen to be observers rather than full members of the PAC.

All members of the PAC are there in an ex-officio capacity.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149712,"EventID":"S1W-12961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic medium units are currently short of teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic medium units are currently short of teachers.","AnswerText":"No information is currently collected centrally on teacher vacancies in Gaelic-medium units. As you are aware I have sent a report on the supply of teachers to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been made available to committee members and it has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). A response to your question can be found at paragraphs 28-36 of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149713,"EventID":"S1W-12962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers Gaelic medium units will be short of in (a) August 2001 and (b) August 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers Gaelic medium units will be short of in (a) August 2001 and (b) August 2002.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12961.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149714,"EventID":"S1W-12963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new teachers capable of teaching in Gaelic medium schools are expected to qualify this year and how many existing Gaelic medium teachers are expected to retire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new teachers capable of teaching in Gaelic medium schools are expected to qualify this year and how many existing Gaelic medium teachers are expected to retire.","AnswerText":"There are 15 students who may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers this year. No information is held centrally on existing Gaelic-medium teachers who are expected to retire.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149715,"EventID":"S1W-12964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students starting a post graduate certificate in education course this year will be qualified Gaelic medium teachers on completion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students starting a post graduate certificate in education course this year will be qualified Gaelic medium teachers on completion.","AnswerText":"Teacher education institutions are currently in the process of selection of students for entry to initial teacher education courses in academic session 2001-02. It is, therefore, not known at this time how many students starting a postgraduate certificate in education course this year may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers on completion.

There are 11 students who started a postgraduate certificate in education course in academic session 2000-01 who may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers on completion of the course this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149716,"EventID":"S1W-12965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to remedy any shortage of Gaelic teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to remedy any shortage of Gaelic teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recent guidance to the Scottish Higher Education Council (SHEFC) on initial teacher education draws the council's attention to the fact that the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. SHEFC have been asked to pursue ways to increase the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers for introduction in academic session 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149717,"EventID":"S1W-12966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12289 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 January 2001, when the additional work on the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review will be undertak","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12289 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 January 2001, when the additional work on the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review will be undertaken and whether the resulting information will be published in a way which facilitates informed public debate.","AnswerText":"The additional work is in hand and, when complete, it will be considered by the Executive before being made readily available in a way which facilitates and informs public debate.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149718,"EventID":"S1W-12968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for the carry-over of Social Inclusion Partnership funds from one financial year to the next as a result of underspending.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for the carry-over of Social Inclusion Partnership funds from one financial year to the next as a result of underspending.","AnswerText":"The amount allocated annually by the Scottish Executive to Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) has to be spent in the year to which it is allocated. However Scottish Executive Departments can apply to carry forward unspent amounts from one financial year to the next, with success depending on the position across the Executive as a whole, and in 1999-2000 this flexibility was passed on to Social Inclusion Partnerships.

In 1999-2000, 18 Social Inclusion Partnerships applied to carry forward unspent amounts to the following year. Priority was given to underspends which had arisen because of delays in setting up new partnerships and allocating funds, and to those which had arisen because of slippage in capital projects. The 18 Social Inclusion Partnerships carried forward a total of £1.5 million from 1999-2000 to 2000-01.

Arrangements for the carry forward of funds which have not been spent in 2000-01 have not yet been finalised, but we will be writing to SIPs shortly to provide further details.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149719,"EventID":"S1W-12969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues on the operation of sun tanning parlours.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues on the operation of sun tanning parlours.","AnswerText":"None. The Health and Safety Executive has issued guidelines in the past and is currently considering an update.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149720,"EventID":"S1W-12970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the operation of sun tanning parlours is regulated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the operation of sun tanning parlours is regulated.","AnswerText":"They are subject to the requirements of health and safety legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149721,"EventID":"S1W-12971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have distributed all of the funding allocated to them under the Excellence Fund to their schools; what proportion of funding each of the local au","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have distributed all of the funding allocated to them under the Excellence Fund to their schools; what proportion of funding each of the local authorities which have not distributed all of their funding to schools has retained centrally; whether any such centrally retained funding can be spent for purposes other than those specified under the Excellence Fund and, if not, how it checks that such funding is spent solely for the purposes specified.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not collect information at the detailed level which would be necessary to identify the extent to which Excellence Fund resources are distributed for direct spending by schools. In terms of the grant offer letter and the claim forms which have to be submitted for each programme of the fund, authorities give undertakings that the grant has been used for the purposes for which it has been offered. The detailed distribution of funding will differ from programme to programme and authority to authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149722,"EventID":"S1W-12972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal and (b) serious injuries have occurred in the open cast and deep mine coal industry in the latest period for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal and (b) serious injuries have occurred in the open cast and deep mine coal industry in the latest period for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter. Responsibility for policy on health and safety in the coal industry lies with the Mines Inspectorate, part of the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149723,"EventID":"S1W-12973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal and (b) serious injuries have occurred in sand and gravel and hard rock quarries in the latest period for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal and (b) serious injuries have occurred in sand and gravel and hard rock quarries in the latest period for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold this information as it has no functions in relation to health and safety matters in quarries. This is a reserved matter for which the Factory Inspectorate within the Health and Safety Executive is responsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149724,"EventID":"S1W-12974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the provision of leisure and sporting activities by local authorities in areas of established rural deprivation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the provision of leisure and sporting activities by local authorities in areas of established rural deprivation.","AnswerText":"The provision of such activities is a matter for each local authority to consider but the Executive recognises the significant contribution that sport has to make to various aspects of Scottish life.

Detailed targets for taking forward the ambitions of sport in Scotland are set out within Sport 21: Nothing Left to Chance, the national strategy for sport. In particular, Sport 21 contains a target to increase the number of people who participate in sport from a number of groups including rural communities.

sportscotland, through the Lottery Sports Fund, is leading the work in taking forward this target. It has invested some £98 million, over 21%, of Lottery capital grants for new facilities in deprived areas throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149725,"EventID":"S1W-12975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish universities had a financial deficit in 1999-2000; how many are currently in deficit, and how many are expected to have a deficit in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish universities had a financial deficit in 1999-2000; how many are currently in deficit, and how many are expected to have a deficit in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"In 1999-2000, nine higher education institutions recorded an operating deficit, six of which recorded a historical cost deficit. Finalised accounts are not available for 2000-01 and 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149726,"EventID":"S1W-12976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any financial difficulties in the higher education sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any financial difficulties in the higher education sector.","AnswerText":"At almost £660 million, planned funding for 2001-02 is some 8% (5.6% in real terms) above this year's allocation and our spending plans for higher education. This is a significant investment and demonstrates our commitment to building a learning nation and our belief that a high quality, dynamic and diverse lifelong learning market will help to underpin the developing knowledge economy and secure Scotland's social, cultural and economic prosperity. By the FY2003-04 we will increase the amount available to SHEFC for distribution to the sector to almost £700 million. This results in an extra £108 million being invested in higher education over the next three financial years.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149727,"EventID":"S1W-12977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission a comprehensive land use study of the entire area of the proposed Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission a comprehensive land use study of the entire area of the proposed Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.","AnswerText":"A range of studies have been, and continue to be, conducted on aspects of land use in order to pave the way for a National Park in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Scottish Natural Heritage, for example, have previously commissioned reviews into land use and economic activity in possible National Park areas in Scotland and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Interim Committee are in the process of preparing a forest and woodland framework, through a steering group chaired by Sir Peter Hutchison. Also, once established we will expect the National Parks Authority to consider land use as part of the overall park plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149728,"EventID":"S1W-12978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-01-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money allocated to Social Inclusion Partnerships in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 was actually spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money allocated to Social Inclusion Partnerships in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 was actually spent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive allocated £53.7 million to the 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) and three New Life Urban Partnerships in 1999-2000. The grant claims are paid in arrears and claims for 1999-2000 are still being processed. We expect that expenditure by SIPs and New Life partnerships in 1999-2000 will total £49.4 million. Of the unspent amount, £1.5 million was carried forward to 2000-01.

Allocations for 2000-01 totalled £57.9 million, including the amounts carried forward from 1999-2000. Until the financial year is complete, we will not know how much of this allocation has been spent.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149729,"EventID":"S1W-12979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12402 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 January 2001, when the drafting of any regulations under section 115(4) of the Police Act 1997 will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12402 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 January 2001, when the drafting of any regulations under section 115(4) of the Police Act 1997 will begin and what consideration or consultation is under way with regard to the provision of free enhanced criminal record certificates for those working with vulnerable adults which could inform any such regulations.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13308 today.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149730,"EventID":"S1W-12980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it stated on 18 December 2000 that it would pay out up to #100 million in ex-gratia payments to the Scottish Transport Group (STG) pension scheme members when a lette","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it stated on 18 December 2000 that it would pay out up to #100 million in ex-gratia payments to the Scottish Transport Group (STG) pension scheme members when a letter dated 15 May 2000 from the Minister for Transport and the Environment showed the value of the STG pension surplus to be approximately #120 million.","AnswerText":"The most recent annual report of the Scottish Transport Group available at 15 May 2000 showed the value of the surplus at 31 March 1999 to be approximately £120 million (net of tax). While there is no legal entitlement for Scottish Transport Group pension scheme members to share in the pension schemes surplus funds, Scottish Ministers have agreed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that up to £100 million is to be made available for ex-gratia payments in Scotland, so that these payments are broadly equitable with the final settlement to National Bus Company pension scheme members south of the border.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149731,"EventID":"S1W-12981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to resolve any difficulty experienced with regard to the scheduling of cases in the Sheriff Court, Glasgow, concerning prosecution of parents ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to resolve any difficulty experienced with regard to the scheduling of cases in the Sheriff Court, Glasgow, concerning prosecution of parents whose children are absent from school without authorisation.","AnswerText":"Programming of cases in the Sheriff Court is a matter for the Sheriff Principal. However, the Scottish Executive has not been made aware of any scheduling difficulties in Glasgow Sheriff Court in regard to prosecutions of parents whose children are absent from school without authorisation. Such prosecutions are rare and where they do arise will be scheduled by the Sheriff Court as required.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149732,"EventID":"S1W-12982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions have been brought since May 2000 against parents whose children were absent from school without authorisation, how many such prosecutions were succ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions have been brought since May 2000 against parents whose children were absent from school without authorisation, how many such prosecutions were successful and what sentences have been imposed by the courts after any such convictions.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available from the information held centrally. The statistical data held by Scottish Executive Justice Department (SEJD) on the outcome of court proceedings are based on information provided by police records offices. Prosecutions for Education Act offences are now generally taken by the local authority rather than the Procurator Fiscal.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149733,"EventID":"S1W-12983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school attendance officers or other staff, whose responsibilities include following up cases of truancy and recommending prosecution or any other further action","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school attendance officers or other staff, whose responsibilities include following up cases of truancy and recommending prosecution or any other further action, were employed by each local authority as of 1 May 1997, 1 May 1999 and 1 May 2000.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected centrally.

However discipline-related issues are a top priority for me. The Discipline Task Group is looking at the role and remit of staff with responsibility for attendance.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149734,"EventID":"S1W-12984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to enable local authorities to carry out their responsibilities under the new statutory regime for contaminated land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to enable local authorities to carry out their responsibilities under the new statutory regime for contaminated land.","AnswerText":"A great deal of polluted land has been inherited from past generations when little or no consideration was given to the impact of our actions on the environment. We now face the prospect of removing this undesirable legacy.

We have allocated £5.2 million capital resources for 2000-01 and 2001-02 to help local authorities implement the new contaminated land regime which provides the best solution to bringing polluted land back into productive use. Its main objective is to provide an improved system for the identification and remediation of contaminated land where the contamination is causing unacceptable risk to human health and the wider environment. A further £9.5 million for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be allocated in due course.

The funds will help local authorities to investigate sites, take forward enforcement action and, if they are unable to identify those responsible for the contamination, carry out remediation work.

In addition £9.7 million is being made available over the five years 1999-2000 to 2003-04 as part of the Annual External Finance settlement for local authority current expenditure.

The distribution of capital allocations to local authorities is shown in the table.
 

Allocations for

2000-01

Allocations for

2001-02

 

£000

£000

Aberdeen City

17

62

Aberdeenshire

19

68

Angus

32

79

Argyll & Bute

20

72

Clackmannanshire

15

37

Dumfries & Galloway

46

112

Dundee City

41

102

East Ayrshire

54

128

East Dunbartonshire

15

Last December I announced to Parliament that detailed reviews of the Edinburgh operations of six public bodies would be undertaken to individual timetables based on lease breaks and other operational factors. In accordance with this timetable we aim to be in a position to make decisions on the location of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency by the end of March and the Health Education Board for Scotland in mid-2001.

I also announced at that time that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council would not be located in Edinburgh. Mr Chisholm announced on 6 March that the national offices of these two new bodies will - if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established - be located in Dundee. Decisions on regional offices for the Commission will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149736,"EventID":"S1W-12986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2815 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 25 January 2001, where the mobile telephone masts and aerials from which it receives income are located","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2815 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 25 January 2001, where the mobile telephone masts and aerials from which it receives income are located.","AnswerText":"

  1. Edinburgh Castle
  2. Scottish Fire Services Training School, Gullane
3. South Duntulm Common Grazing, Kilmuir Estate, Skye (2 mobile phone masts)

4. Cnoc Heilla, Bracadale Estate, Skye

5. Strathy Point Common Grazing, Armadale Estate, Sutherland

6. Luskentyre Common Grazing, Luskentyre Estate, Harris

7. Hill of Foudland, Huntly

8. Gogarbank Farm, five miles west of Edinburgh","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149739,"EventID":"S1W-12989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nominations it has submitted in relation to each Honours list issued since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nominations it has submitted in relation to each Honours list issued since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Honours are awarded by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. Details of the process by which Honours nominations are processed and considered are not disclosed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149740,"EventID":"S1W-12990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the elimination of child poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the elimination of child poverty.","AnswerText":"As reported in our Social Justice Annual Report, the proportion of children in relative income poverty has dropped from around 34% in 1996-97 to around 30% in 1998-99, after housing costs have been taken into account.

We are also transforming pre-school education, funding nursery places for around 100,000 children a year and supporting childcare. The percentage of children living in workless households fell from 19% in 1997 to 16% in 2000.

Our progress is backed up by programmes such as Sure Start Scotland and the new £70 million Children's Change Fund, which help to improve children's start in life.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149741,"EventID":"S1W-12991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are in relation to the 2002 review of the Common Fisheries Policy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are in relation to the 2002 review of the Common Fisheries Policy.","AnswerText":"The Executive wishes to see the maintenance of key features of the present arrangements, such as national quotas, based on Relative Stability, conservation boxes and access restrictions within national 6/12 mile limits. At the same time, we want to secure improvements to make the CFP a more effective instrument for conserving fish stocks; developing the regional dimension, integrating environmental considerations and reducing discards.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149742,"EventID":"S1W-12992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to farm business diversification projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to farm business diversification projects.","AnswerText":"I will announce shortly the launch of the Farm Business Development Scheme, applicable to all rural areas outwith the Highlands and Islands. This grant scheme is aimed at farmers and their immediate family members who wish to create new income-generating enterprises, or to expand existing diversified activities, either on-farm or off-farm.

Similar grant assistance for farmers and crofters in the Highlands and Islands is already available under the Agricultural Business Development Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149743,"EventID":"S1W-12993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has had from employers' organisations regarding the New Deal for Disabled People.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has had from employers' organisations regarding the New Deal for Disabled People.","AnswerText":"Employment Policy is reserved to the UK Government. The New Deal for Disabled People is delivered in Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Executive and other Scottish organisations.

The Scottish Executive has had no representations made from employers' organisations about the New Deal for Disabled People.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149744,"EventID":"S1W-12994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children live in the bottom (a) decile, (b) quarter and (c) half of households in terms of household income and what the equivalent figures were in 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children live in the bottom (a) decile, (b) quarter and (c) half of households in terms of household income and what the equivalent figures were in 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is detailed in the table.

Percentage of Children in Specified Areas of the Income Distribution, Scotland 1996-97 and 1998-99
  

Bottom Decile

Bottom Quartile

Below Median

1996-97

Before Housing Costs

16%

38%

62%

After Housing Costs

11%

34%

62%

1998-99

Before Housing Costs

14%

33%

59%

After Housing Costs

12%

31%

59%

Source: DSS Households Below Average Income.

Notes:

1 Income is net equivalised household income; equivalisation takes account of the number of individuals living in the household.

2 Deciles, quartiles and medians are based on the GB distribution of income.

3 Estimates are based on sample counts, and are therefore subject to sampling variability.

4 Caution should be exercised in drawing conclusions about changes over time due to the small sample sizes in Scotland.

5 Figures for the bottom decile should be treated with caution as the bottom decile of reported incomes cannot safely be construed as the bottom decile of living standards.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149745,"EventID":"S1W-12995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific guidance it received from its road network managers in connection with the recent tendering exercise for trunk road maintenance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific guidance it received from its road network managers in connection with the recent tendering exercise for trunk road maintenance.","AnswerText":"Road engineers employed in the Network Management and Maintenance Division of the Transport Group advised on the drafting and were responsible for the review of the specification which sets the service standards for the new contract. They were also responsible for the review of tenderers proposals to demonstrate that their inputs would be capable of meeting the specification.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149746,"EventID":"S1W-12996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12726 by Sarah Boyack on 23 January 2001, whether it will provide further details of how the comparative costs were calculated, in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12726 by Sarah Boyack on 23 January 2001, whether it will provide further details of how the comparative costs were calculated, in particular whether weightings were attached to any or all of the bids, what any such weightings were and whether it will publish the values of the bids before any adjustments were made.","AnswerText":"The tenderer's quoted rates were multiplied by the base quantities for the relevant items derived by the Scottish Executive. The sum of these products was then totalled with the tenderer's lump sums to give each tenderer's "comparative cost of tender". A series of pre-determined sensitivity tests were undertaken within a prescribed range. Weightings were applied to the total emerging from each sensitivity test - the "adjusted comparative cost of tender" - and the "comparative cost of tender" and these weighted values added to give the "overall comparative cost of tender".

The assessment procedure was described in the Instructions for Tendering for each competition. A specimen copy of the Instructions for Tendering is available in the Parliaments Reference Centre. The \"overall comparative cost of tenders\" for each bid in each competition was published in my response to question S1W-12726. Further information is commercially sensitive and the Scottish Executive has no plans for publication.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149747,"EventID":"S1W-12997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received about the possible transmission of variant Creut'feldt Jakob Disease through contaminated surgical instruments and when it first received suc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received about the possible transmission of variant Creut'feldt Jakob Disease through contaminated surgical instruments and when it first received such advice.","AnswerText":"The Executive is advised on this matter by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), which has stressed the importance of rigorous washing and decontamination in reducing risk. In November 2000, the committee endorsed the concept of a pilot scheme involving tonsillectomy to assess the practicability of using disposable instruments. The move to single use instruments is a precautionary one, and there is no evidence of any cases of vCJD having been caused by surgery.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer has advised health boards and NHS Trusts, that, until single use instruments come fully on stream, it will be for clinical judgement to be exercised in each case, balancing the unquantifiable risk there might be from vCJD against any more immediate health concerns that the surgery would be designed to address. The British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons advised their members that, where there are \"definite indications for surgery\" (e.g. malignancy, significant airway obstruction), the benefit of surgery outweighs the theoretical risk there may be from vCJD.

If tonsillectomy procedures are postponed, there will be an impact on waiting lists and waiting times for this procedure. But there may be scope for hospitals to bring forward other ear, nose and throat operations to fill the gaps caused by any tonsillectomy postponements.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149748,"EventID":"S1W-12998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health trusts have been advised to suspend routine surgery for the removal of adenoids and tonsils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health trusts have been advised to suspend routine surgery for the removal of adenoids and tonsils.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12997.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149749,"EventID":"S1W-12999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to introduce single-use instruments for surgery involving the removal of tonsils and adenoids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to introduce single-use instruments for surgery involving the removal of tonsils and adenoids.","AnswerText":"Work is ongoing with surgeons and manufacturers with a view to introducing single-use instruments as quickly as possible so that doctors and patients/parents no longer have to face the dilemma of whether or not to undertake/undergo this type of surgery.

The present best advice is that supplies of the new instruments will start to come into use from late spring, but it may be the autumn before sufficient quantities are available to guarantee a continuous supply.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149750,"EventID":"S1W-13000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when all health trusts will be fully equipped with single-use instruments for the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when all health trusts will be fully equipped with single-use instruments for the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12999.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149751,"EventID":"S1W-13001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any delays in health trusts' acquisition of single-use surgical instruments will have on waiting lists for the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any delays in health trusts' acquisition of single-use surgical instruments will have on waiting lists for the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12997.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149752,"EventID":"S1W-13002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it calculated the figure of 70,000 in its statement regarding the reduction in the number of children living in income poverty contained in news release SE2919/2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it calculated the figure of 70,000 in its statement regarding the reduction in the number of children living in income poverty contained in news release SE2919/2000.","AnswerText":"The figure referred to was calculated using the headline measure recommended by the Statistical Programme Committee of the European Union - the number of children in households where net income (after housing costs) is below 60% of the GB median.

Estimates of the number of children living in low income households were calculated for the years 1996-97 (380,000) and 1998-99 (310,000) and the 70,000 quoted represents the difference between these two estimates. The source of the data is the Scottish sample of DSS Households Below Average Income survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149753,"EventID":"S1W-13003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stipulations have been made in the tendering process and contracts for trunk road maintenance to ensure that the provision of high quality traffic information conti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stipulations have been made in the tendering process and contracts for trunk road maintenance to ensure that the provision of high quality traffic information continues.","AnswerText":"Traffic information will continue to be collected and analysed through the Scottish Executive's independent contracts for this work. The support required from the Operating Company for the National Driver Information and Control Systems and traffic counting duties are set out in the specification for the new Operating Company contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149754,"EventID":"S1W-13004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is planning to take in light of the statement in the December 2000 Scottish Tourist Forum publication, Report into the Impact of Petrol Prices on Touris","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is planning to take in light of the statement in the December 2000 Scottish Tourist Forum publication, Report into the Impact of Petrol Prices on Tourism, regarding the impact of high fuel prices on the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"The issue of fuel taxation is a reserved matter. Scottish Ministers will continue to promote the interests of Scotland on the issue of fuel taxation directly with Treasury Ministers, and through the Scotland Office.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149755,"EventID":"S1W-13005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been made in administrative costs due to the abolition of fundholding practices, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been made in administrative costs due to the abolition of fundholding practices, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The £13.5 million which was formally paid as a management allowance to GP fundholding practices has been allocated to health boards on a capitation basis to support the development of Local Healthcare Co-operatives. LHCCs play a vital role in the planning and delivery of health improvement and healthcare services at a local level.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149756,"EventID":"S1W-13006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the administrative costs of local health care co-operatives are, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the administrative costs of local health care co-operatives are, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"A total of £13.5 million, formerly paid as GP Fundholding Management Allowance was redistributed on a weighted capitation basis to support the work of LHCCs in 1999/00. These resources, uplifted for inflation, now form part of health boards' unified budgets and are not separately identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149757,"EventID":"S1W-13007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the cause of any health inequalities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the cause of any health inequalities.","AnswerText":"The Executive believes that identifying and tackling the causes of health inequalities is the key to improving the health of the people of Scotland and an important part of our work for social justice. The policy framework is set out in the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland, the first Social Justice Annual Report and Our National Health a plan for action, a plan for change. These all recognise that poverty affects life circumstances, lifestyles and experience of health and disease.

The Executive supports research on health inequalities through project grants and by providing core funding for a programme of work at the Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at Glasgow University. The aims of the programme are to investigate variations in health and the determinants of health within Scotland, and to identify effective non-health sector interventions for tackling inequalities in health. The Executive has also commissioned independent evaluations of the Starting Well, Healthy Respect and Have a Heart Paisley national health demonstration projects which will help to identify their contribution to tackling inequalities in health.

The recently established Public Health Institute of Scotland will provide a focus for work to develop the evidence base to support efforts to improve Scotland's health.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149758,"EventID":"S1W-13008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it currently takes into account in the measurement of health inequalities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it currently takes into account in the measurement of health inequalities.","AnswerText":"Inequalities in health are reflected in many different aspects of people's health. For example, the proportion of babies born with low birth weight is higher among people living in relatively deprived areas. The incidence of many diseases including lung cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory diseases is also much higher in deprived areas. Mortality rates are higher and as a result the average life expectancy of people living in deprived areas is less than that of people living in more affluent areas. There is, therefore, no single measure of health inequalities but rather a wide range of measures that must be taken into account to reflect the influence of socio-economic circumstances on health.

Tackling inequalities is a key priority for the Scottish Executive and our long-term aims for tackling poverty and injustice were set out in Social justice... a Scotland where everyone matters. Several of the milestones in the Social Justice document are important measures of health. Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change reinforces our commitment to tackling health inequalities within Scotland, and states that \"we will develop the health indicators within our Social Justice framework of targets and milestones to track progress in tackling health inequalities\".","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149759,"EventID":"S1W-13009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail its current targeted health programmes and the money allocated to each, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail its current targeted health programmes and the money allocated to each, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Our National Plan: a plan for action, a plan for change published on 14 December, provides a clear statement of the Executive's national priorities for health and NHS Scotland. The Scottish Executive distributes the bulk of the resources to health boards on the basis of a Scotland-wide formula which reflects the health care needs of their local population. It is for NHS bodies locally to decide how best to apply these allocations to meet national and local priorities. The total planned provision for health in 2000-01 is £5.4 billion, of which £4.5 billion has been allocated to health boards for Hospital and Community Health Services revenue purposes. Details of individual revenue allocations made to health boards in the current year are as follows:

Health Board

£ million

Argyll & Clyde

375.367

Ayrshire & Arran

321.810

Borders

93.816

Dumfries & Galloway

138.811

Fife

277.702

Forth Valley

229.916

Grampian

425.825

Greater Glasgow

858.824

Highland

183.491

Lanarkshire

453.952

Lothian

641.185

Orkney

19.318

Shetland

23.366

Tayside

375.246

Western Isles

35.941

TOTAL

4454.570

The remainder of the health ","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149760,"EventID":"S1W-13010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Miller Civil Engineering Ltd, as a discrete personality in law, has the authority to charge tolls on the A87 in its own right.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Miller Civil Engineering Ltd, as a discrete personality in law, has the authority to charge tolls on the A87 in its own right.","AnswerText":"Miller Civil Engineering Ltd does not charge tolls on the A87 in its own right nor does it have the authority to do so. As I made clear in my answer to question S1W-10325 on 5 December, the right to collect tolls has been assigned to Skye Bridge Limited while the operation of the bridge is carried out on SBL's behalf by the joint venture Miller Dywidag.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149761,"EventID":"S1W-13011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions will apply to the release of #1 million for Scottish Opera from the additional resources allocated to the Scottish Arts Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions will apply to the release of #1 million for Scottish Opera from the additional resources allocated to the Scottish Arts Council.","AnswerText":"Any additional funding for Scottish Opera will be to enable the company to continue to undertake a programme of high quality work throughout Scotland and build on its successful outreach and educational work. Detailed conditions of grant will be a matter for the Scottish Arts Council who will monitor the company's financial and artistic performance closely.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149762,"EventID":"S1W-13012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what powers the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture directed the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) to reserve #1 million as a special grant to Scottish Opera fro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what powers the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture directed the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) to reserve #1 million as a special grant to Scottish Opera from the additional resources given to the SAC.","AnswerText":"I made no direction. Following discussions with the Scottish Arts Council, they agreed to earmark an additional £1 million per year for Scottish Opera, subject to consideration of a revised business plan from the company.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149763,"EventID":"S1W-13013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to replace the external adjudicators of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise with ombudsmen and whether t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to replace the external adjudicators of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise with ombudsmen and whether the use of an external adjudicator is contrary to Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights in terms of whether such use constitutes hearings before an independent and impartial tribunal.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not yet made a decision on whether to replace the external adjudicators of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise with an ombudsman. The question was discussed in the Executive's consultation paper Modernising the Complaints System. The closing date for comments was 10 January 2001 and we are currently analysing the responses. The Executive aims to publish a second consultation paper in the spring, setting out detailed proposals based on these responses.

In terms of Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), whatever complaints system is put in place after the consultation, whether a continuation of the current system or otherwise, will be compliant with ECHR.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149764,"EventID":"S1W-13014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the external adjudicators of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise since the inception of each organisat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the external adjudicators of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise since the inception of each organisation and how many such complaints have been upheld.","AnswerText":"The External Adjudicators for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise took up post on 1 April 1997. Prior to that date there were no external adjudication procedures in place. The number of complaints they have received each year since then is detailed in the tables.

Scottish Enterprise
 

Complaints rec'd

Complaints upheld

1997-98

12

0

1998-99

2

0

1999-2000

2

0

2000-01*

3

1

Highlands and Islands Enterprise
 

Complaints rec'd

Complaints upheld

1997-98

6

1

1998-99

4

0

1999-2000

2

0

2000-01*

4

0

*Covers the period 01/04/2000 to 05/02/2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149765,"EventID":"S1W-13015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any measures to increase the available means of scrutiny of the Enterprise Network and, if so, what these measures will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any measures to increase the available means of scrutiny of the Enterprise Network and, if so, what these measures will be.","AnswerText":"The Enterprise Networks are subject to regular and full Policy and Financial Management Review by my department. Management Statements provide the financial, managerial and operational framework for the networks and annual Operating Plans provide the main focus for operational scrutiny. Both are published and are publicly available. The annual accounts of both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are published, laid before Parliament and are publicly available. The networks have also been subject to scrutiny by the Scottish Affairs Committee, the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the National Audit Office and now by Audit Scotland.

The Strategy for Enterprise, A Smart Successful Scotland, published on 30 January 2001 will result in a more strategic relationship between the Executive and the networks. The Executive will set the broad direction, work with the networks on policy development, monitoring and evaluation and the networks themselves will take responsibility for implementation. A new Joint Performance Team (comprising of the Executive and the Enterprise Networks with other external support) will review performance and set challenging targets for the networks. This will enable performance to be judged against the key challenges identified by the Executive of raising productivity, encouraging entrepreneurship, raising skill levels and connecting Scotland globally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149766,"EventID":"S1W-13016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many circulars and guidance notes it or the Scottish Office have sent to local authority education departments this year and in each of the past four years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many circulars and guidance notes it or the Scottish Office have sent to local authority education departments this year and in each of the past four years.","AnswerText":"Since 1997, the number of circulars issued to education authorities by the Scottish Office and Scottish Executive has been as follows:

1997

6

1998

9

1999

7

2000

5

2001

1

In addition, a range of advice has been provided by the Scottish Office and Scottish Executive, including by HM Inspectors of Schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149767,"EventID":"S1W-13017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the recent Hard Evidence report by Edinburgh Streetworkers and Shelter Scotland, it will review the working of the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Edin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the recent Hard Evidence report by Edinburgh Streetworkers and Shelter Scotland, it will review the working of the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"Projects in Edinburgh funded under the RSI include the provision of integrated housing, social work and health services at the Single Access Point; a wet hostel providing accommodation and support for rough sleepers with alcohol problems; the Cowgate day and night centre; direct access provision; supported move-on accommodation, some with intense support for drug users, and resettlement and outreach services provided through the council, the Edinburgh Streetwork Project and the Homeless Outreach Project. The council is working with its partners to tackle difficulties in developing direct access provision. The Executive is keeping in close touch with the situation and shares the desire of local partners to ensure that these difficulties are overcome as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149768,"EventID":"S1W-13019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any advice concerning the suspension of routine surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids until such a time as all such surgery can be carried out u","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any advice concerning the suspension of routine surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids until such a time as all such surgery can be carried out using single-use instruments.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-12997.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149769,"EventID":"S1W-13020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations are in place to govern the release of sewage effluent into the River Clyde by West of Scotland Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations are in place to govern the release of sewage effluent into the River Clyde by West of Scotland Water.","AnswerText":"Legislation governing the discharge of sewage effluent to controlled waters (including the River Clyde) includes the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (as amended) and the Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149770,"EventID":"S1W-13021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the residents of Biggar were refused access to the research conducted in the area by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency last year in connection with the appl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the residents of Biggar were refused access to the research conducted in the area by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency last year in connection with the application by West of Scotland Water to release effluent into the River Clyde.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency advises that at no time did it refuse access to any environmental information in connection with the proposed discharge.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149771,"EventID":"S1W-13022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the names of the special advisers to the First Minister and the Scottish Executive and set out the costs of their individual and collective emplo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the names of the special advisers to the First Minister and the Scottish Executive and set out the costs of their individual and collective employment.","AnswerText":"There are currently 11 Special Advisers employed in the Scottish Executive. They are:

Dr Colin Currie

Sam Ghibaldan

Fiona Hamilton

Bill Heaney

Tom Little

Prof. Duncan Maclennan

John McLaren

Peter MacMahon

Polly McPherson

John McTernan

Andy Rowe

As explained by my predecessor Donald Dewar in response to a previous question on 22 November 1999 (S1W-2650), individual salaries are not revealed in order to protect the privacy of the individual. However, the estimated annual salary cost for the current advisers is:

Salary

ERNIC

Pension Contribution

£602,528

£64,169

£91,313

Notes:

1. ERNIC = Employer's Related National Insurance Contributions.

2. A 16% contribution towards personal pension, which is part of the Special Advisers' contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149772,"EventID":"S1W-13023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12247 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 24 January 2001, who made the representations referred to; whether it will provide more details of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12247 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 24 January 2001, who made the representations referred to; whether it will provide more details of the nature of the representations, and why the Scottish Ministers did not to give the directions requested in the representations.","AnswerText":"The representations were made by the manufacturers of emamectin benzoate, who asked the Scottish Ministers to direct the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to determine applications for consents to discharge under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 within four months. The manufacturers also wished the Scottish Ministers to direct the agency to allocate further resources to the consenting regime and to establish and implement an effective regime for determining applications for consents to the discharge of emamectin benzoate.

The Scottish Ministers declined to give such Directions. Under the 1974 Act the determination of applications for consents to discharge emamectin benzoate is the responsibility of the agency, which is established by statute as a body separate from Government. Bearing in mind their own powers to call in applications, or to consider appeals, the Scottish Ministers did not consider it necessary or appropriate to intervene in the way proposed, in relation to SEPA's discharge of its functions, for the benefit of a particular commercial interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149773,"EventID":"S1W-13024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households had incomes below half of the average household income (a) in 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households had incomes below half of the average household income (a) in 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Table 1 details the number of households with incomes below 50% mean GB income. Table 2 details similar information for households with income below 60% median GB income - the agreed standard definition used in poverty analysis.

Table 1 Households with Income below 50% Mean Income, Scotland 1996-97 and 1998-99
  

%

Number

1996-97

Before Housing Costs

21

450,000

 

After Housing Costs

27

580,000

1998-99

Before Housing Costs

20

440,000

 

After Housing Costs

26

560,000

Table 2 Households with Income below 60% Median Income, Scotland 1996-97 and 1998-99
  

%

Number

1996-97

Before Housing Costs

21

450,000

 

After Housing Costs

27

570,000

1998-99

Before Housing Costs

18

390,000

 

After Housing Costs

24

530,000

Source: DSS Households Below Average Income.

Notes:

1 Income is net equivalised household income; equivalisation takes account of the number of individuals living in the household.

2 Thresholds are based on GB mean and median income.

3 Estimates are based on sample counts, and are therefore subject to sampling variability.

4 Caution should be exercised in drawing co","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149774,"EventID":"S1W-13025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12531 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, what the timetable is for consultation on revisions in the private water supply regul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12531 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, what the timetable is for consultation on revisions in the private water supply regulations.","AnswerText":"An initial consultation document on the revisions to private water supplies is planned for the spring.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149775,"EventID":"S1W-13026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12531 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, which organisations will be consulted on the proposed revisions to the private water ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12531 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, which organisations will be consulted on the proposed revisions to the private water supply regulations.","AnswerText":"A definitive list of consultees has not yet been finalised but it is anticipated that a wide range of organisations representing all aspects of Scottish society and business will be directly consulted in relation to the revision of the private water supply regulations. In addition, the consultation paper will be made available through the Stationary Office Bookshop, appropriate libraries and the Executive's website, thereby allowing the widest possible consultation to be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149776,"EventID":"S1W-13027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6385 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 11 May 2000, whether the working group on the administration of medicines in schools has completed its ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6385 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 11 May 2000, whether the working group on the administration of medicines in schools has completed its work; if so, what its findings were and, if not, when its report is expected.","AnswerText":"The purpose of the working group was to prepare good practice guidance on the administration of medicines in schools. Draft guidance was issued to interested parties including education authorities, health boards, Trusts and voluntary organisations. I have placed copies of the draft Guidance in SPICe. The closing date for responses was 29 December and the comments received are now being considered. Final guidance will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149777,"EventID":"S1W-13028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Highland and Islands Fire Board's decision to upgrade auxiliary fire-fighters to retained status will be reflected in its grant aided expenditure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Highland and Islands Fire Board's decision to upgrade auxiliary fire-fighters to retained status will be reflected in its grant aided expenditure.","AnswerText":"Grant aided expenditure allocations for 2001-02 to 2003-04 were announced before the board took this decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149778,"EventID":"S1W-13029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether emissions from factories producing medium density fibreboard pose any health risks; whether it is aware of the concern of the local community in Cowie, Stirlingsh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether emissions from factories producing medium density fibreboard pose any health risks; whether it is aware of the concern of the local community in Cowie, Stirlingshire, about such emissions from Nexfor on 26 January 2001, and whether it will take any steps to investigate these concerns.","AnswerText":"Factories producing medium density fibreboard in Scotland are authorised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under Part I of the Environment Protection Act 1990. When issuing an authorisation SEPA must have regard to the emission limits set down in Government Guidance for the Process for the Manufacture of Particleboard and Fibreboard, as well as the health-based air quality objectives in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000.

SEPA monitors the Nexfor plant on a routine basis for emissions of potentially hazardous chemicals and wood dust. It is aware of the concerns of the residents of Cowie regarding a wood fibre emission from the plant on the 26 January 2001. Shortly after the incident was reported to SEPA an investigation was initiated; this is ongoing.

In response to concerns raised in the past about the Nexfor plant, Forth Valley Health Board has checked the incidence of health problems in the surrounding area. Health statistics indicate that the incidence of asthma in the Cowie area is in keeping with expectations based on the national average figure.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149779,"EventID":"S1W-13030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement made during the Alcohol Misuse Debate on 7 December 2000, when it will launch the consultation process leading to the development of a nation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement made during the Alcohol Misuse Debate on 7 December 2000, when it will launch the consultation process leading to the development of a national plan for action.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is today launching an inclusive consultation process which will last until 30 June and lead to the production by the end of this year of a comprehensive plan for action on alcohol misuse. This will emphasise the partnership nature of policy development on alcohol misuse and help us to shape a shared action plan to provide a framework for action at national and local level. A copy of the consultation document is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11112).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149780,"EventID":"S1W-13031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the rules governing the central heating initiative will be published, what the results were of home energy efficiency schemes in 1999-2000, and whether it will desc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the rules governing the central heating initiative will be published, what the results were of home energy efficiency schemes in 1999-2000, and whether it will describe the benefits from both schemes.","AnswerText":"The rules governing the central heating programme will be published tomorrow.

In 1999/2000 47,000 low-income households benefited from government-funded home energy efficiency schemes. Their homes were insulated, and the householders given energy advice, resulting in a range of savings. The Warm Deal for owner occupiers resulted in average annual savings of around £90 and reductions in CO2 emissions of 1.1 tonnes per dwelling. A full report for 1999/2000 will be published shortly and made widely available.

Home insulation leads to substantially lower fuel bills which can either be taken as savings or used to provide more warmth at the same cost. It helps combat condensation damp and so threats to health, and to the condition of the housing stock, are reduced. Reductions in CO2 emissions help combat the threat of global warming.

The new programme combines home insulation and central heating and so the benefits described will be increased. The central heating programme will be central to our plans to tackle fuel poverty and help Scotland's most vulnerable households.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149781,"EventID":"S1W-13032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the incidence of cancer among residents of Cowdenbeath and Lochore is any greater than the average incidence in equivalent population groups in other parts of Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the incidence of cancer among residents of Cowdenbeath and Lochore is any greater than the average incidence in equivalent population groups in other parts of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Available data do not suggest that the overall incidence of cancer amongst residents of the Cowdenbeath and Lochore area of Fife is unusual when compared with that for Fife Health Board or Scotland as a whole. The table below sets out the observed and expected number of cases in postcode sectors best representing Cowdenbeath and Lochore areas based on rates for (a) Scotland and (b) Fife Health Board area; all ages, by sex: 1988-97.

In all comparisons the ratios of the observed to expected numbers of cases are close to one, and the associated 95% confidence intervals all include the value of one, indicating that any departure from the expectation is not statistically significant.

Incidence of all malignant neoplasms excluding non melanoma skin (ICD-9 173 / ICD-10 C44)

(a) Compared with Scotland

Observed

registrations

Expected

registrations

O / E

Males

510

513

1.00

Females

518

505

1.03

(b) Compared with Fife HB

Observed

registrations

Expected

registrations

O / E

Males

510

494

1.03

Females

518

493

1.05

Source: SOCRATES (Scottish cancer registration database); these figures prepared on 6 February 2001.

Population data supplied to ISD Scotland by GRO(S)","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149782,"EventID":"S1W-13033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an investigation into a possible link between the chemical plant sited near Cowdenbeath and the incidence of cancer amongst local residents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an investigation into a possible link between the chemical plant sited near Cowdenbeath and the incidence of cancer amongst local residents.","AnswerText":"Available data show that cancer incidence in areas around the Mossmorran petro-chemical plant is no higher than might normally be expected when compared with other health board areas and with Scotland as a whole.

Fife Council and Fife Health Board are working together with the companies involved and with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to address any concerns raised by local residents living in the surrounding areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149783,"EventID":"S1W-13034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for each local authority area, how much money was collected by each District Court in each year since 1995-96 and how much of this was (a) remitted","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for each local authority area, how much money was collected by each District Court in each year since 1995-96 and how much of this was (a) remitted to the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer and (b) retained by each local authority.","AnswerText":"The available information, from the annual statistical returns made by the district courts, is shown in the table. Only incomplete data are available in respect of 1995-96 and 1996-97. No money collected by the district courts is remitted to the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer. Monies collected by the court that are not retained by the local authority are remitted to the Exchequer.

Financial penalties collected by district courts in Scotland1, 2, 3 (£000)

Commission Area

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Value received

Value sent to Exchequer

Value received

Value sent to Exchequer

Value received

Value sent to Exchequer

Aberdeen City

790

598

730

550

789

597

Aberdeenshire

589

452

725

570

728

423

Angus

169

188

346

261

481

385

Argyll & Bute

177

116

166

Name

Length of service

Dr Jim McManus (Chairman)

1 Year*

Dr John Baird

3 Years**

Mrs Megan Casserly

2 Years***

Dr John Donnelly

1 Year

Mrs Johan Findlay

1 Year

Dr Judy Greenwood OBE

3 Years

Mrs Irene Guild

4 Years

Mr Hamish Hyslop

3Years

Sheriff Brian Lockhart

3 1/2 Years

Sheriff Principal John Maguire

I Year

Mr James Milne

4 Years

Mrs Eleanor McLaughlin

1 Year

Ms Morag Owens

2 Years

Rt Hon Lord Ross

3 1/2 Years

Hon Lord Wheatley

1 year

*Dr McManus previously served as a member of the board from 1987-94

**Dr Baird previously served on the board from 1992-94

***Mrs Casserly previously served on the board from 1990-98 and was appointed for a fresh term on 14 January 1999.

Those concerned were appointed for further periods of appointment on the board following advertisement and competition.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149785,"EventID":"S1W-13036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1990,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":64,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 26 transferred life prisoners in Scotland are categorised as (a) unrestricted in terms of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, (b) unrestricted and transferre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 26 transferred life prisoners in Scotland are categorised as (a) unrestricted in terms of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, (b) unrestricted and transferred from jurisdictions where the government is not a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights, (c) restricted in terms of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, (d) restricted and transferred from jurisdictions where the government is not a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"Five life prisoners were transferred on an unrestricted basis and seven on a restricted basis under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. 13 life prisoners were transferred on a permanent basis under section 26(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961, which preceded the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 and one life prisoner was transferred following a court-martial in Berlin, Germany. The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 and its predecessor only provides for the transfer of prisoners within the UK, therefore the answer to parts (b) and (d) is none.

In addition there are three transferred life prisoners who are at present detained as restricted patients in the State Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149786,"EventID":"S1W-13037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1990,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":64,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to remove the power of Scottish Ministers to alter the security categorisation of prisoners and invest such power in another place; if so, in what place","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to remove the power of Scottish Ministers to alter the security categorisation of prisoners and invest such power in another place; if so, in what place and whether it will introduce amendments to the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149787,"EventID":"S1W-13038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any action on the information concerning e-commerce in Scotland in chapter 9 of the report Business in the Information Age: International Benchmarkin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any action on the information concerning e-commerce in Scotland in chapter 9 of the report Business in the Information Age: International Benchmarking Study 2000 by the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerText":"Chapter 9 of Business in the Information Age demonstrates that Scotland has made significant progress in the adoption of technologies for business purposes since the previous year, both relative to other regions of the UK and in actual terms. Scotland is above average or average on most significant measures, including the connectivity indicator. This shows that 76 per cent of Scottish businesses either have a website, make frequent use of e-mail, or use electronic data interchange, and is exceeded by only 4 of the UK's 12 regions.

The Scottish Executive and the enterprise networks are committed to ensuring that Scotland improves this position. The UK Government has announced that ICT local support centres will receive an additional £30 million over the next three years to help businesses move beyond having a website or trading online to transform themselves through the effective use of information and communication technology. Scotland will receive a share of this money.

Both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have set targets for e-commerce adoption in line with those for the UK as a whole. The e-commerce strategy for Scotland detailed in the Connecting Scotland document ensures a co-ordinated approach to these activities. The strategy was drawn up by a steering group led by Scottish Enterprise and assisted by around 300 other individuals and organisations, and it focuses on creating the right environment, accelerating business uptake, accelerating supply-side development and developing skills and knowledge for the future. They aim to achieve the targets by implementing a recently enhanced range of initiatives aimed at SMEs including workshops, seminars, a consultancy package, awareness raising events, best practice awards and e-business advisors.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149788,"EventID":"S1W-13039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued or plans to issue guidance to valuation boards on whether the siting of an automated teller machine within retail premises would have any effect on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued or plans to issue guidance to valuation boards on whether the siting of an automated teller machine within retail premises would have any effect on that premise's business rates.","AnswerText":"The interpretation of the non-domestic rating regulations is a matter for the Scottish Assessors who act independently of local and central government.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149789,"EventID":"S1W-13040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the amount of recycled aggregates that will be substituted for virgin aggregates as a result of the proposed aggregates tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the amount of recycled aggregates that will be substituted for virgin aggregates as a result of the proposed aggregates tax.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no functions in relation to the proposed aggregates tax. It is expected that the tax will lead to an increased use of recycled aggregate. No figures are available predicting the increase in use of recycled aggregates or the reduction in use of virgin aggregates in Scotland as a direct result of the proposed tax. The Executive has, however, commissioned research to provide information on the extent to which recycled minerals are being used as an alternative to primary aggregate. This will provide a basis for any future setting of recycling targets or regular surveys to enable monitoring of activity. The research report has been published this week and a copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149790,"EventID":"S1W-13041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is making with the Roman Catholic Church to ensure that continuing professional development for teachers includes optional elements of specific rele","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is making with the Roman Catholic Church to ensure that continuing professional development for teachers includes optional elements of specific relevance to teachers in Catholic schools. ","AnswerText":"Consultation on a framework for teachers' continuing professional development will be as wide as possible and will take in all stakeholders, including the Catholic Education Commission.

The Catholic Education Commission will also be given a specific opportunity to highlight issues of particular relevance to Catholic teachers to the Ministerial Strategy Committee for Continuing Professional Development.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149791,"EventID":"S1W-13042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is making with the Roman Catholic Church to ensure that the Scottish Qualification for Headship includes optional elements that reflect the particul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is making with the Roman Catholic Church to ensure that the Scottish Qualification for Headship includes optional elements that reflect the particular duties that relate to headship of Catholic Schools.","AnswerText":"We recognise the Catholic Education Commission's wish for an additional Catholic dimension to the Scottish Qualification for Headship and are discussing this with the Catholic Education Commission and the Higher Education Institutes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149792,"EventID":"S1W-13043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are being made for the distribution of the new resources for tackling drug misuse announced in September 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are being made for the distribution of the new resources for tackling drug misuse announced in September 2000.","AnswerText":"The Executive announced in September 2000 a £100 million package of new expenditure on drug misuse spread over three years from 2001-02 to supplement the significant amounts already being spent tackling the problem. Since then we have consulted extensively on how the extra resources should be deployed. We have also taken account of the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee's recent report on its Inquiry into Drug Misuse and Deprived Communities. In particular we have noted the committee's views on the significant links between deprivation and drug misuse. The Executive will respond fully to the report shortly.

The Parliament endorsed Scotland's drugs strategy, Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership, in January 2000. Since then the Executive and our partners have taken a number of significant steps. These include publication in May last year of the Executive's Drugs Action Plan, and in December the launch of the first national targets for drug misuse. We published in October 2000 a review showing that current expenditure on drugs related programmes was over £140 million, with additional identifiable expenditure taking the cost of dealing with drug misuse to over £330 million.

Drug Action Teams (DATs) have a vital role in bringing together all the agencies within a locality to deliver joined-up services addressing drug misuse in line with national objectives and targets and locally identified need. DATs will therefore require to "sign off" jointly agreed plans for the new resources, in combination with existing resources, whether they are directed to health boards, local authorities, Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) or other agencies. The three-year drugs budget will allow sensible long-term planning without the uncertainties of the past. DATs and the spending agencies will be expected to ensure that the extra resources are deployed for new and expanding drug services, and not used to fund existing drugs work.

The Executive requires DATs to be accountable for plans to use both new and existing resources. Plans must focus on the outcomes to be achieved. There will be further work on the feasibility of identifying in detail all the resources being devoted locally to addressing drug misuse.

These arrangements are set out in a package of information and guidance being issued to the DATs and agencies today. This includes new guidance on priorities and joint planning and commissioning. The complete package issued to the DATs is available in SPICe and on the Drug Misuse in Scotland website. It includes a table showing the sums involved, distribution arrangements, accountability mechanisms and what we have done to reflect the problems of deprived communities. The key points about what we want to achieve, for individual elements of the package in this distribution for the three-year period, are set out below.

Treatment and rehabilitation are at the core of our efforts because without these services we will be unable to break the cycle of misuse which leads to the many other problems associated with drugs. That is why we have committed an extra £10 million for treatment services, and £21 million for rehabilitation over the next three years. We expect expenditure by health boards on treatment to increase those in contact with services for the first time by 50% to 16,500 by 2004. We are today notifying revised distribution arrangements, providing links with deprivation and need, for both new and existing treatment resources.

Most of the £21 million additional funding for rehabilitation is being distributed to councils as new money within the local government financial settlement. Each council must ensure that the additional provision it receives under the package is spent on drug rehabilitation over and above its existing spend on substance","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149793,"EventID":"S1W-13044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will announce the final outcome of the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will announce the final outcome of the tendering exercise for the maintenance of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"I confirm the award today of contracts for the maintenance of trunk roads in Scotland from 1 April 2001.

As provisionally indicated in my response to Des McNulty on 23 January 2001 (question S1W-12726), the successful bidders in the competitions held for the four Operating Company areas were BEAR Scotland Limited for the North East and North West Units and AMEY Highways Ltd for the South East and South West Units.

The competition for these contracts, worth over £350 million over five years, and part of a record level of increased funding for transport in Scotland, was run in accordance with UK and EC law. The contracts have now been awarded, following the report of an independent review, by Halcrow in association with Price Waterhouse Coopers, of the use of quantities in the tender assessment process. This report, published today, has demonstrated that the use of substitute quantities from the local authority consortia which submitted bids does not alter the identification of the winning bidder. This means that the bids from AMEY and BEAR Scotland Ltd represented the best value for money and the contracts have been awarded to these companies accordingly.

The Scottish Executive's objective is to ensure high standards in maintaining our trunk roads while securing best value for money for the taxpayer. The award of these contracts achieves that and offers a saving on existing costs of £75 million over five years.

Savings have not been at the expense of quality. Those selected to tender all had a proven record in trunk road management and maintenance. In careful scrutiny all tenders met quality standards and only then were cash bids assessed. Stringent quality requirements in the contracts should lead to standards being above those in existing contracts.

We consulted widely before inviting tenders and explained fully in advance how the tender process would work. It was conducted equitably, transparently and fairly. This has been confirmed by three Court of Session judgements and the independent audit.

In the case of all four contracts, the winning bid, as previously announced (question S1W-12726), was substantially below the comparable cost of the current contract for the equivalent work even though qualifying standards had been set higher in the new contracts.

I fully understand that this outcome will be disappointing to local authorities, but for all four contracts, the local authority contractor bid was above the comparable cost of the current arrangements for the equivalent work.

In view of the wide public concern expressed on this point, I invited each of the bidders for the four contracts to allow the figures for their bids to be published. Each of the bidders for the North West contract has agreed to the making public of this information for their competition. For the other areas, not all bidders authorised publication.

The following table, giving the information which the Executive is able to release, demonstrates very starkly the scale of the differences in the bids received.

£ million

Bid Values

Comparable

cost at historic

rates and prices

Comparable

costs from

best bids

Comparable

costs from

LA Consortium Bid

South East

68.7

52.4

See Note 1

South West

119.5

Date

No of Advisers

Salary

ERNIC

Pension Contribution

Office & Associated Costs

1 February 2001**

5

£305,008

£34,539

£48,801

£14,403

1 October 2000

4

£203,300

£22,665

£35,528

£13,263

On 1 July 1999 there was one media adviser who was paid in special adviser salary range 3 (currently £42,755 - £85,047). A specific figure is not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individual.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149796,"EventID":"S1W-13047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government were printed and what the costs were of printing and publishing the document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government were printed and what the costs were of printing and publishing the document.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12906 on 13 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149797,"EventID":"S1W-13048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what means of distribution were employed and what the target market was for Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what means of distribution were employed and what the target market was for Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government was sent on publication free of charge to 663 organisations. It has been distributed on the same basis to MSPs, members of the UK Cabinet, members of the press, and internally within the Scottish Executive. It is available to members of the public through the Stationery Office bookshop, priced £4.95. It is also available on the internet, at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/pfg-00.asp.

Working together for Scotland reports on how the Executive is achieving the targets in the original Programme for Government and sets out new commitments for the future. The organisations who received Working together for Scotland free of charge cover a wide spectrum of Scottish life. They included local authorities, health boards and NHS Trusts, many charities, large corporations, and further and higher education institutions.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149798,"EventID":"S1W-13049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its responsibilities are in relation to constitutional policy and whether any of its staff are involved in planning for possible future constitutional changes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its responsibilities are in relation to constitutional policy and whether any of its staff are involved in planning for possible future constitutional changes.","AnswerText":"Certain aspects of the constitution are reserved matters, in particular the Crown, the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the continued existence of the Court of Session as a civil court of first instance and of appeal. The Executive has no responsibility for these matters. The Executive maintains regular contacts with the other devolved administrations and the UK Government on the operation of the devolution settlement. Six staff work in the Constitutional Policy Unit on a range of issues relating to the operation of the Scotland Act and the devolution settlement, including training, advice and guidance; relations with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations; and the preparation of subordinate legislation under the Scotland Act.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149799,"EventID":"S1W-13050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities and all other public bodies to put Remploy and Blind Workshops on their list if suppliers to compete for contracts under the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities and all other public bodies to put Remploy and Blind Workshops on their list if suppliers to compete for contracts under the Best Value regime.","AnswerText":"In pursuing Best Value local authorities should consider all routes to service improvement. They are expected not to discriminate between potential means of service delivery on any grounds other than those prescribed by statute or directive.

The Scottish Executive's approach to Best Value in local government is not prescriptive about tender exercises to any great degree, but where sheltered employers such as Remploy and Blind Workshops are eligible to compete for contracts and meet the basic criteria set by the invitation to tender, we would certainly encourage local authorities and other public bodies to allow them to do so.

The Scottish Executive's own procurement guidance encourages buyers to include sheltered employers on tender lists wherever possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149800,"EventID":"S1W-13051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects are in receipt of funding from the Chief Scientist Office during 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects are in receipt of funding from the Chief Scientist Office during 2000-01.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13052.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149801,"EventID":"S1W-13052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects received funding from the Chief Scientist Office in each year from 1997-98 to 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects received funding from the Chief Scientist Office in each year from 1997-98 to 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"A list of research projects being funded before the 1997-98 financial year, but continuing to be funded in that year, has been provided to the Parliament's Reference Centre. Details of new research awards made in each of the financial years 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 are available in the CSO annual reports for those years, copies of which are in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Similar information for April to December of the current financial year is now available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149802,"EventID":"S1W-13053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria research projects must meet in order to receive funding from the Chief Scientist Office.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria research projects must meet in order to receive funding from the Chief Scientist Office.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office is largely a response mode funder of research and this role is well known and advertised throughout the healthcare and academic community. Research proposals are assessed on the basis of their scientific quality and potential relevance to the health of the people of Scotland. Projects must be able to demonstrate 'health gain' and potential to improve health care. Such assessments are made by expert peer group and committee review. Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their research idea with CSO at an early stage, so that they can develop their proposals in a way that most directly addresses Scotland's public health and health services research needs. Comprehensive information and guidance on how to apply for a CSO research grant is available on the CSO website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso/.

A strategic statement of CSO's role in supporting NHS related research is set out in its 1998 Research Strategy document, a copy of which is also on the CSO website.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149803,"EventID":"S1W-13054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take any action in relation to any general practitioners who are administering single measles vaccinations and, if so, what action will be taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take any action in relation to any general practitioners who are administering single measles vaccinations and, if so, what action will be taken.","AnswerText":"The regulation and safety of medicines is a reserved matter. The importation and supply of unlicensed single measles vaccine is controlled and restricted under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines (Standard Provisions for Licences and Certificates) Amendment Regulations 1999. Proceedings may be brought against anyone in breach of these regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149804,"EventID":"S1W-13055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the A90 north of Ellon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the A90 north of Ellon.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a number of proposed improvement schemes within the current three-year programme for the A90 trunk road north of Ellon at an estimated cost of £1,615,000.

The estimated scheme costs are as follows:

Scheme Specific Details

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Total

Hatton Bends Improvement scheme

£500,000

£515,000

£0

£1,015,000

Cortes Junction

£0

£0

£300,000

£300,000

Cruden Bay Junction

£0

£0

£100,000

£100,000

North of Ellon Roundabout to Fraserburgh Route Accident Reduction Plan

£200,000

£0

£0

£200,000

Total

£700,000

£515,000

£400,000

£1,615,000

In addition, any accident cluster sites that are identified on the trunk road network by the Scottish Executive Accident Investigation Unit will be investigated and any agreed remedial measures will be progressed subject to funding and competing priorities on the trunk road network.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149805,"EventID":"S1W-13056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ballot on the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer is scheduled to take place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ballot on the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer is scheduled to take place.","AnswerText":"The date of the ballot is a matter for Glasgow City Council in discussion with tenants and other interested parties. Current plans are that it will take place in November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149806,"EventID":"S1W-13057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all development areas as defined under the regional selective assistance scheme; what proportion of the Scottish population lives in each, and how m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all development areas as defined under the regional selective assistance scheme; what proportion of the Scottish population lives in each, and how much grant assistance has been made available to each in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The GB Assisted Areas map (defining the areas in which Regional Selective Assistance can be given) was approved by the European Commission on 26 July 2000. This map comprised of amalgamations of 1991 local authority wards rather than development areas. A list of the 656 Scottish wards included in the map was published when the map was approved and is accessible on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/_Forms/aawards.prn).

These 656 wards are of varying size and population coverage, but overall the Assisted Areas map covers 48% of the Scottish population.

Data in respect of grant assistance offered in each individual 1991 ward is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, details (including Travel to Work Area locations) of individual offers of Regional Selective Assistance over £75,000 are, after the first instalment of grant has been paid, published quarterly in Labour Market Statistics which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149807,"EventID":"S1W-13058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service jobs have been relocated to (a) Stirling, (b) Perth and Kinross, (c) Angus, (d) Fife and (e) Clackmannanshire local authority areas since July 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service jobs have been relocated to (a) Stirling, (b) Perth and Kinross, (c) Angus, (d) Fife and (e) Clackmannanshire local authority areas since July 1999 and how many are expected to be moved to each area in the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its agencies currently have around 1,490 posts in these local authority areas. One Scottish Executive post has been transferred to these areas since July 1999.

Last December I announced to Parliament that detailed reviews of the Edinburgh operations of six public bodies would be undertaken to individual timetables based on lease breaks and other operational factors. In accordance with this timetable we aim to be in a position to make decisions on the location of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency by the end of March and the Health Education Board for Scotland in mid-2001.

I also announced at that time that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council would not be located in Edinburgh. Mr Chisholm announced on 6 March that the national offices of these two new bodies will - if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established - be located in Dundee. Decisions on regional offices for the Commission will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149808,"EventID":"S1W-13059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all capital funding given to local authorities and public bodies in the Highlands and Islands Parliamentary region in (i) 1999 and (ii) 2000 for t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all capital funding given to local authorities and public bodies in the Highlands and Islands Parliamentary region in (i) 1999 and (ii) 2000 for the provision or improvement of island infrastructure including marine works, roads and coastal defences, broken down by project and by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149809,"EventID":"S1W-13060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all funding given to local authorities and public bodies in the Highlands and Islands Parliamentary region for the provision or improvement of fer","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all funding given to local authorities and public bodies in the Highlands and Islands Parliamentary region for the provision or improvement of ferry services to islands or on mainland to mainland routes in (i) 1999 and (ii) 2000, broken down by project and local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive funds ferry services and associated infrastructure provided by local authorities and other public bodies in a number of ways, including the support given to Caledonian MacBrayne, resources from the Public Transport Fund and Rural Transport Fund and funding under the Local Authority and Caledonian MacBrayne Piers and Harbours Grant Schemes. Information relating to such funding is set out in the following table. This is available on a financial, rather than calendar, year basis and the 2000-01 information relates to estimated outturn and is incomplete. A block deficit grant is awarded to Caledonian MacBrayne and it is not possible to disaggregate this by local authority area or by parliamentary boundaries. The table does not include support for ferry services offered by local authorities from their own resources.
 

£000

 

1999-2000

2000-2001

CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE:

Deficit Grant

14,975

20,300

Capital Grant for vessels:

  

MV Hebrides

7,590

3,036

MV Lochnevis

1,638

-

   

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUND

Highland Council

Corran Ferry: Replacement Vessel

265

-

   

RURAL TRANSPORT FUND

Argyll and Bute Council:

Contribution to Kilchoan/Tobermory Winter Ferry

4

Not yet available

Easdale Ferry -3 additional sailings

5

Not yet available

Highland Council

Sconser to Raasay-additional sailings

9

Not yet available

Contribution to Kilchoan/Tobermory Winter Ferry

5

Not yet available

Shetland Islands Council

Additional Community Ferry Runs Covering 9 Routes

48

Not yet available

PIERS AND HARBOURS GRANT - CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE

Kilchoan Slipway

The most significant change in the final report is the use of a single index (the Arbuthnott index) to reflect the influence of the factors that influence healthcare needs. This is based on four indicators: mortality rates among people under 65, unemployment, elderly people on income support, and households with multiple indicators of deprivation. The development of this index is set out in the final report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149813,"EventID":"S1W-13065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether unemployment rates are double-counted in the second Arbuthnott formula.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether unemployment rates are double-counted in the second Arbuthnott formula.","AnswerText":"The unemployment rate is one of the factors that are taken into account in calculating the Arbuthnott index, and this index is used to assess the influence of morbidity and life circumstances on the need for healthcare. It is not used in any other part of the formula and therefore unemployment rates are not double counted.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149814,"EventID":"S1W-13066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the change in the measure of rurality between the first and second Arbuthnott formulae.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the change in the measure of rurality between the first and second Arbuthnott formulae.","AnswerText":"The first report considered a number of indicators of the influence of remote and rural areas on the costs of delivering healthcare. During consultation, several suggestions were made for further analysis of this issue, and the additional evidence considered by the Steering Group showed that the number of road kilometres per 1,000 population is a slightly better indicator of remoteness than the indicators that were considered in the first report. This change and the reasons for it are described in the final report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149815,"EventID":"S1W-13067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will release details of the Action Programme measures which must be followed by farmers in the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will release details of the Action Programme measures which must be followed by farmers in the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.","AnswerText":"A consultation paper on proposals for the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) action programme will be released today. Arrangements have been made for copies to go directly to farmers in the Ythan NVZ.

We must tackle the problem of excess nitrate lost from agriculture. It can affect the quality of our drinking water supplies and presents a risk to the ecological balance in rivers and the sea. Many farmers recognise the need to adopt sustainable practices which do not lead to environmental problems, but under European law all farmers in areas vulnerable to nitrate pollution are required to take action to deal with this type of diffuse pollution.

The Action Programme measures we propose for the Ythan NVZ would require farmers to control the timing and rate of applications of nitrogen fertiliser and manures. These measures take into account environmental conditions within the catchment and the latest scientific and technical information.

It is important that farmers understand the rules and what they need to do to comply with them and we will provide help in the form of guidance booklets in order to assist farmers in this process.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149816,"EventID":"S1W-13068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2122,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were in prisons and young offenders institutions in each year since 1992, broken down by classification of crime; what percentage of these prisoners ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were in prisons and young offenders institutions in each year since 1992, broken down by classification of crime; what percentage of these prisoners had previous convictions, broken down by the number of previous convictions; what the average sentence was for each crime, and what average time was actually served, all broken down into (a) women, (b) men, (c) young women and (d) young men.","AnswerText":"Information on prisoners in penal establishments by crime classification is not available for years before 1997.

The available information on prisoners in penal establishments by crime classification is given for 1997 to 1999 in Tables 1-3 "Main crime/offence of remand and sentenced prisoners in custody on 30 June", a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib numbers 11181, 11182 and 11183 respectively). These tables distinguish adult prisoners from young offenders and are broken down by gender.

Information on previous convictions of prisoners in penal establishments is not held centrally.

The available information on average sentence imposed on prisoners received into custody for selected crimes and offences is given in Tables 22 and 26 of the statistical bulletins "Prison Statistics Scotland, 1997", "Prison Statistics Scotland, 1998" and "Prison Statistics Scotland, 1999" published by the Scottish Executive, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib numbers 11178, 11179 and 11180 respectively). Equivalent information on the average time served is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149817,"EventID":"S1W-13069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10021 by Susan Deacon on 5 October 2000, how many (a) analogue hearing aids, (b) digitally controlled analogue hearing aids and (c)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10021 by Susan Deacon on 5 October 2000, how many (a) analogue hearing aids, (b) digitally controlled analogue hearing aids and (c) hearing aids with both digital audio processing and digital control systems were provided by NHS Trusts in each of the last three years and what proportion of the total number of hearing aids provided by NHS Trusts in each of these years each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally but can be obtained directly from Trusts who are responsible for keeping records of the equipment they issue to patients to meet their clinical needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149818,"EventID":"S1W-13070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the (a) analogue hearing aids, (b) digitally controlled analogue hearing aids and (c) hearing aids with both digital audio processing and digital contr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the (a) analogue hearing aids, (b) digitally controlled analogue hearing aids and (c) hearing aids with both digital audio processing and digital control systems provided by NHS Trusts in each of the last three years were provided to patients aged (i) 11 or under, (ii) 12 to 18, (iii) 19 to 65 and (iv) over 65. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13069.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149819,"EventID":"S1W-13071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of traffic passes through the town of Dalry, Ayrshire on the A737 at peak times of day and whether this represents a ha'ard to pedestrians or the environment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of traffic passes through the town of Dalry, Ayrshire on the A737 at peak times of day and whether this represents a ha'ard to pedestrians or the environment.","AnswerText":"At weekday morning peak times between 7am and 8am a total average of 838 vehicles flow through Dalry. A total average of 964 vehicles pass through at weekday evening peak times between 4pm and 5pm hours.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149820,"EventID":"S1W-13072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend relevant legislation so as to place restrictions, similar to those which apply to bicycles, on the use of micro-scooters in public places.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend relevant legislation so as to place restrictions, similar to those which apply to bicycles, on the use of micro-scooters in public places.","AnswerText":"No. The use of a micro-scooter in a footway, footpath or cycle track is an offence under section 129(5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The level and manner of enforcement is an operational matter for Chief Constables.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149821,"EventID":"S1W-13073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school chemistry teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school chemistry teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I have recently sent a report on the supply of teachers to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 10751). A response to your specific question can be found at paragraphs 28-36 of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149822,"EventID":"S1W-13074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school English teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school English teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149823,"EventID":"S1W-13075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school maths teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three mont","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school maths teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149824,"EventID":"S1W-13076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school technical studies teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school technical studies teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149825,"EventID":"S1W-13077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school biology teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many have been unfilled for more than three months in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school biology teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149826,"EventID":"S1W-13078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school physics teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled secondary school physics teaching posts there currently are in each local authority area and how many of these have been unfilled for more than three months in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149827,"EventID":"S1W-13079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many allegations of sexual assault in hospitals have been recorded in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many allegations of sexual assault in hospitals have been recorded in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149828,"EventID":"S1W-13080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards achieving the target of ending mixed sex hospital wards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards achieving the target of ending mixed sex hospital wards.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149829,"EventID":"S1W-13081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) staff were employed in its press office, (b) staff left its press office and (c) vacancies occurred in its press office in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) staff were employed in its press office, (b) staff left its press office and (c) vacancies occurred in its press office in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table outlines the number of staff employed in the Scottish Executive's Media and Communications Group (of which the press office is one part) in each of the last three years. The numbers shown relate to all staff in the group, including those in support grades. A breakdown between Press Officers and other staff is shown for the latest year; this split is not available for the historical data.

Staff numbers are shown as a snapshot figure at the start of each year.

Year

1 Jan 1999

1 Jan 2000

1 Jan 2001

Total Number of Staff

41

46

57

Of which:

   

Press Officers

  

30

Support for Press Office

  

14

Publicity Officers

  

4

Internal Communications

  

2

Support for Internal Communications

  

3

Forward Planning

  

3

Support for Forward Planning

  

1

The total number of staff who left the Media and Communications Group during the last three years is illustrated in the table below.

Year

1998

1999

2000

Number who left the Scottish Executive

3

6

5

I announced on 1 December in the answer to question S1W-11704 that detailed studies of the location of six bodies would be undertaken and that, if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will not be located in Edinburgh.

In setting out the relocation policy, the then First Minister indicated in the answer to question S1W-1558 that most of the headquarters functions of the Scottish Executive Departments are located in Edinburgh (or, in the case of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, in Glasgow) and that the Executive expected this to remain the case since they typically involve frequent meetings with Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. This remains the view of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149835,"EventID":"S1W-13087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the administration costs of each non-departmental public body for which it is responsible and what percentage of the tota","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the administration costs of each non-departmental public body for which it is responsible and what percentage of the total expenditure of each such body administration costs represent.","AnswerText":"Detailed financial information relating to non-departmental public bodies is contained within the Annual Report and Accounts for individual bodies. Under current guidance NDPBs are required to publish annual reports and accounts in order to inform Parliament and the public of their expenditure and activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149836,"EventID":"S1W-13088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any reduction in the Department of Trade and Industry's budget would, as a result of the Barnett formula, result in a reduction in the equivalent budget within th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any reduction in the Department of Trade and Industry's budget would, as a result of the Barnett formula, result in a reduction in the equivalent budget within the Scottish Consolidated Fund.","AnswerText":"Any changes in the Scottish Budget are for the Executive to propose and Parliament to agree.

The operation of the Barnett formula is set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. This is available on HM Treasury's website, www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/news.html.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149837,"EventID":"S1W-13089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants in total it employed in (a) May 1999 and (b) May 2000 and how many it employs now.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants in total it employed in (a) May 1999 and (b) May 2000 and how many it employs now.","AnswerText":"The full time equivalent number of permanent staff employed in the Core Departments, Agencies and Associated Departments of the Scottish Executive are shown in the table below. The figures include the Scottish Prison Service, which accounts for around one third of all staff.

The definition of the Executive has changed over the last 3 years, following movements of responsibilities - most notably the creation of the Scottish Parliament and the Scotland Office. The figures shown below have been backdated as far as possible for comparison purposes.
 

May 1999

May 2000

February 2001

Number of Staff (FTE)

13290.8

13649.1

13708.3

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149838,"EventID":"S1W-13090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Modern Apprenticeships there were in May 1997 and how many there are on the latest available figures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Modern Apprenticeships there were in May 1997 and how many there are on the latest available figures.","AnswerText":"In May 1997 there were 5,236 Modern Apprentices in training: at January 2001 there were 16,924. In May 1997, 398 young people had completed their Modern Apprenticeship: at January 2001, 6,125 had completed their Modern Apprenticeship.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149839,"EventID":"S1W-13091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of inward investment there has been into Scotland from (a) May 1999 to May 2000 and (b) May 2000 to January 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of inward investment there has been into Scotland from (a) May 1999 to May 2000 and (b) May 2000 to January 2001.","AnswerText":"In the year April 1999 to March 2000, Locate in Scotland and its partners helped to attract to Scotland a total of 91 projects involving planned investment of £650 million and the expected creation or safeguarding of over 19,000 jobs. This represented Scotland's strongest ever performance in this highly competitive market.

Locate in Scotland does not publish aggregate results for inward investment until after the end of the year to which the figures relate. With the expectation that the current year would be very tough, the key targets for the period April 2000 to March 2001 were set as 60 projects, involving planned investment of £500 million, and the expected creation or safeguarding of 7,000 jobs. The final verified results will be published, as usual, in June.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149840,"EventID":"S1W-13092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of expenditure, by health board area, on electronic service delivery in the health service for the current financial year and of proje","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of expenditure, by health board area, on electronic service delivery in the health service for the current financial year and of projected expenditure for each of the next two years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149841,"EventID":"S1W-13093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be committed to National Training Organisations over the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be committed to National Training Organisations over the next three years.","AnswerText":"National Training Organisations attract funding from employers, government departments and other public sector and commercial sources. £1.5 million has been allocated by the Scottish Executive over the financial years 2001-2002 to 2003-2004 to assist the further development of the NTO network in Scotland, with a particular focus on promoting skills, employability and work-based learning at sectoral level.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149842,"EventID":"S1W-13094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total budget for National Training Organisations is for the financial year 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total budget for National Training Organisations is for the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerText":"National Training (NTOs) are employer-led sectoral bodies which operate across the UK as the bridge between employers and those involved in the policy and provision of education and training. They attract funding from employers, government departments and other public sector and commercial sources. £0.5 million will be allocated to NTOs by the Scottish Executive in the financial year 2001-2002 to assist the further development of the network in Scotland, with a focus on promoting skills, employability and work-based learning at sectoral level.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149843,"EventID":"S1W-13095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the buy-out price for renewable energy is set at the same figure as for England and Wales and at the same level for each of the alternative energy sources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the buy-out price for renewable energy is set at the same figure as for England and Wales and at the same level for each of the alternative energy sources.","AnswerText":"Our proposal to set the same buy-out price under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) (ROS) as for England and Wales will ensure that the UK market for renewable energy is not distorted. A lower Scottish buy-out price would make it difficult for Scottish electricity suppliers to meet our ROS targets, since renewables generators would tend to sell their Renewables Obligation Certificates to suppliers in the English market where prices would be higher. A higher Scottish buy-out price would place higher costs on all Scottish electricity consumers. The proposal to set the same buy-out price in Scotland as in England and Wales has been widely supported by respondents to our consultation on the ROS.

The policy of setting the same buy-out price for all renewable technologies will allow the market to choose which technologies it wishes to use to meet the targets, but we are aware of the need to promote the development of longer-term technologies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149844,"EventID":"S1W-13096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support or promote a trading exchange for green certificates in energy and how such a scheme would operate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support or promote a trading exchange for green certificates in energy and how such a scheme would operate.","AnswerText":"It is expected that the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland), and equivalent obligations elsewhere, will eventually result in a market for renewables obligation certificates, which will be traded separately from the renewable electricity they will represent. But it will be for renewable energy generators, electricity suppliers and others involved in the energy markets to decide what form this certificate market will take and whether there should be a trading exchange.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149845,"EventID":"S1W-13097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for biomass as a renewable energy source in each year since 1997 and what funding is planned in the future.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for biomass as a renewable energy source in each year since 1997 and what funding is planned in the future.","AnswerText":"Support for research and development in biomass, as for all renewable technologies, is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Of the three biomass projects awarded contracts as a result of the three Orders comprising the Scottish Renewables Obligation, only one has been commissioned so far. The level of financial support for that project from the Fossil Fuel Levy in Scotland is subject to commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149846,"EventID":"S1W-13098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12675 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 5 February 2001, which local expert bodies confirmed the opinion of North Ayrshire Council that the no","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12675 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 5 February 2001, which local expert bodies confirmed the opinion of North Ayrshire Council that the noise around Largs does not constitute a statutory nuisance; what methods were employed by these bodies to reach this conclusion; what specific enquiries were carried out by the Executive regarding the issue, including details of any bodies or people it consulted and any methodology, equipment and techniques used by the Executive or those it consulted, and what the conclusions of all those involved in its enquiries were.","AnswerText":"As well as consulting North Ayrshire Council, the Executive contacted Scottish Power, the Royal Navy, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Mr Leslie Mair of Glasgow Caledonian University. Technical questions about the specific methods used to investigate the alleged noise nuisance around Largs would be best addressed to the organisations and individuals concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149847,"EventID":"S1W-13099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the rail sleeper service to Fort William will be restored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the rail sleeper service to Fort William will be restored.","AnswerText":"I understand that ScotRail will make a decision on the reinstatement of sleeper services north of Edinburgh after consideration of a report recently submitted by Railtrack Midland Zone concerning a programme of necessary repairs to track between Crewe and London.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149848,"EventID":"S1W-13100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the report of the Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post Mortem.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the report of the Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post Mortem.","AnswerText":"The report of the review group was published today at 10.30am. It will be available on the group's website at http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scotorgrev.

Arrangements have been made for copies of the report to be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149849,"EventID":"S1W-13101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release of 5 February 2001, what programmes the #250 million committed to digital initiatives will be allocated to and what the timescale is for ach","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release of 5 February 2001, what programmes the #250 million committed to digital initiatives will be allocated to and what the timescale is for achieving this expenditure.","AnswerText":"The press release on 5 February 2001 noted that the Executive has already committed £250 million for digital initiatives including schools, hospitals and across the public sector.

The table below details the programmes that funds have been allocated to and the timescale for this expenditure.

Initiative

1999-2000

(£ million)

2000-01

(£ million)

2001-02

(£ million)

2002-03

(£ million)

2003-04

(£ million)

Total

(£ million)

Modernising Government Fund

-

13

13

-

-

26

Digital Champions

-

0.5

0.5

0.5

-

1.5

Community Cybercafes

-

0.6

0.5

0.5

-

1.6

National Grid

for Learning (NGfL)

29.5

35.5

28.5

-

-

93.5

NGfL for FE colleges

5

10

14

-

-

29

New Opportunity Funds1

     

25.3

Electronic Health Services

 

7

23

20

 

50

Knowledge Economy - ICT Pervasiveness

  

5

5

5

Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change requires each local NHS Board to demonstrate to the Executive and to the local communities it serves, how it is using its resources to transform the patient's experience from first contact through primary care, outpatients clinics, inpatient's stay if necessary and back to their home.

Central funding of £3 million has already been allocated to support the redesign of local services and a further £6 million will be made available over the next three years. This is in addition to £7 million of non-recurring funding provided in August 2000 to facilitate service redesign, the development of managed clinical networks and give a further impetus to modernisation and the reduction of waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149851,"EventID":"S1W-13103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the procedure for the selection of jurors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the procedure for the selection of jurors.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149852,"EventID":"S1W-13104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the rules governing those selected for jury service, in particular regarding their ability to make alternative domestic arrangements on their d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the rules governing those selected for jury service, in particular regarding their ability to make alternative domestic arrangements on their days of service.","AnswerText":"No. Anyone cited for jury service who can show good reason may be excused by the clerk of the court. The trial judge also has a similar discretion. A sympathetic view would generally be taken, if attendance would cause genuine problems of a domestic nature.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149853,"EventID":"S1W-13105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rights the Crown Estates have with regard to (a) salmon fisheries, (b) trout fisheries and (c) any other fisheries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rights the Crown Estates have with regard to (a) salmon fisheries, (b) trout fisheries and (c) any other fisheries.","AnswerText":"I am advised that the Crown Estate has around 170 let river fishings, and owns 50 coastal netting stations, six of which are let but only one of which is currently operated. It also owns, through acquisition, other salmon fishing rights within the boundaries of its five agricultural estates, of which the main ones are in Morayshire and Dumfriesshire.

As is the case with all owners of salmon fishing rights, the Crown Estate's ownership of salmon fishing rights carry with them the lesser rights of fishing for freshwater fish, which include the rights to fish for trout. On the agricultural estates, the Crown Estate also has riparian rights to trout fishing, which are a pertinent of the land.

Similarly, by virtue of riparian ownership, the Crown Estate has rights to other freshwater (i.e. coarse) fishing on its estates. It has no interest in freshwater fish farms. In relation to marine fish farms, the Crown Estate's rights stem from ownership of the relevant foreshore and/or seabed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149854,"EventID":"S1W-13106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from anglers, angling associations and others regarding the powers and stewardship of the Crown Estate Commissioners in relation to f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from anglers, angling associations and others regarding the powers and stewardship of the Crown Estate Commissioners in relation to fisheries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received no such representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149855,"EventID":"S1W-13107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what crown rights are held and operated by the Crown Estates with regard to fishing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what crown rights are held and operated by the Crown Estates with regard to fishing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13105.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149856,"EventID":"S1W-13108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Perth and Kinross Council with regard to the council's proposals to cut Gaelic-medium education as part of its planned financial s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Perth and Kinross Council with regard to the council's proposals to cut Gaelic-medium education as part of its planned financial savings.","AnswerText":"No. This is a matter for the local authority concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149857,"EventID":"S1W-13109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic-medium primary units or schools exist and what special funding it makes available for these.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic-medium primary units or schools exist and what special funding it makes available for these.","AnswerText":"There are 60 Gaelic-medium primary schools. Funding from the Specific Grant Scheme for Gaelic education is £2,634,000, increasing to £2,834,000 for the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149858,"EventID":"S1W-13110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of \"successful balanced communities\" is as referred to in paragraph 2 of the Policy Memorandum to the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of \"successful balanced communities\" is as referred to in paragraph 2 of the Policy Memorandum to the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"In that particular context, neighbourhoods with a mix of good-quality affordable housing options, in which local people want to live, work and spend their leisure time.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149859,"EventID":"S1W-13111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which consultants or other external agencies have been employed by it, under contract to it, or have otherwise worked for it in the field of education during this schola","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which consultants or other external agencies have been employed by it, under contract to it, or have otherwise worked for it in the field of education during this scholastic year.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the table. All those listed have either been employed by, under contract to, or have otherwise worked for, the Scottish Executive in the field of education during all or part of the period 1 August 2000, which has been taken as the beginning of the scholastic year, to 31 January 2001, the date which has been used as a point in time for collation of the information.

Syntegra

McAlpine Associates

Plain English

Pat Reid

Mirage TV Productions

Scottish Council for Research in Education

University of Strathclyde

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service

University of Stirling

Arthur Andersen

Barkers Advertising

Stewart Jardine Educational Consultancy

Harry Faulkner Educational Consultancy

Ron Taylor Educational Consultancy

Sandra Johnson Educational Consultancy

System 3

National Centre for Social Research

University of Edinburgh

University of Glasgow

Glasgow Caledonian University

Segal Quince Wicksteed Ltd

National Foundation for Educational Research

Social Research TNS

John Lord

MORI

BRMB

Office of National Statistics

Adolos

Canterbury Christ Church University College

Community Learning Scotland

Duncan of Jordanstone

Fyfe Information Technology

Glasgow City Council

Highland Council

Learning and Teaching Scotland

Napier University

North Ayrshire Council

North Lanarkshire Council

Northern College

Science and Plants for Schools

Scottish Community Development Centre

SJ Educational Services

Local Authority

Properties Provided for social rent

Aberdeen City

0

Aberdeenshire

19

Angus

6

Argyll & Bute

3

City of Edinburgh

101

Clackmannanshire

0

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

6

Dumfries & Galloway

5

Dundee City

0

East Ayrshire

7

East Dunbartonshire

0

East Lothian

5

East Renfrewshire

3

Falkirk

56

Fife

4

Glasgow

176

Highland

47

Inverclyde

0

Midlothian

0

Moray

10

North Ayrshire

8

North Lanarkshire

25

Orkney Islands

0

Perth & Kinross

0

Renfrewshire

0

Scottish Borders

50

Shetland Islands

Local Authority

Award

£

Grant Draw Down

£

Aberdeen City

561,610

30,093

Aberdeenshire

815,066

702,107

Angus

374,000

164,497

Argyll & Bute

354,702

41,301

City of Edinburgh

3,107,030

1,698,864

Clackmannanshire

179,702

-

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

273,151

253,195

Dumfries & Galloway

285,000

170,105

Dundee City

376,527

30,027

East Ayrshire

856,120

224,640

East Dunbartonshire

36,302

36,302

East Lothian

102,000

22,759

East Renfrewshire

77,092

77,092

Falkirk

841,250

532,149

Fife

916,842

346,341

Glasgow

5,000,796

The former Lochside Distillery building in Montrose is not a statutorily listed building. I understand that Angus Council have given consent for the building's demolition as part of a redevelopment scheme for the site.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149866,"EventID":"S1W-13118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been informed of the planning decision by Angus Council which will allow the demolition of the Lochside Distillery building in Montrose.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been informed of the planning decision by Angus Council which will allow the demolition of the Lochside Distillery building in Montrose.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149867,"EventID":"S1W-13119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that all computers within schools with access to the Internet are fully equipped with filtering or blocking software and what funding it has ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that all computers within schools with access to the Internet are fully equipped with filtering or blocking software and what funding it has made available for this purpose.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has issued an information pack "ClickThinking - Personal Safety on the Internet\" to all Scottish education authorities and schools. The pack includes policy guidelines and background information for local authorities to help them to develop strategies for safe Internet access in schools. Technical solutions are an important element of such strategies. The NGfL programme of the Excellence Fund can be used to pay for filtering and blocking software or services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149868,"EventID":"S1W-13120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into any correlation between the funding of police forces and their success in controlling levels of crime and disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into any correlation between the funding of police forces and their success in controlling levels of crime and disorder.","AnswerText":"Although it has undertaken no research on this specific aspect, the Scottish Executive believes that adequately funded police forces are an essential ingredient in any broad-based strategy which seeks to tackle crime and disorder.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149869,"EventID":"S1W-13121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to reduce and remove any unnecessary administrative burdens on the police service and ensure that police officers spend more time on operationa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to reduce and remove any unnecessary administrative burdens on the police service and ensure that police officers spend more time on operational duties.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are committed to ensuring that Scotland has an effective as well as a strong police service and a range of measures have been taken to free up the time of the police officers for front line duties. These include promoting the use of new technology, for example through initiatives such as the Integration of the Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems and the Scottish Police Information Strategy. We are also encouraging the use of support staff to take on duties that do not require the skills and powers of a police officer, and we are examining other ways. For example, we funded a pilot into delivering citations by post rather than by police officers, and are considering ways of extending this process throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149870,"EventID":"S1W-13122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the penalties available in cases where death is caused by dangerous driving.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the penalties available in cases where death is caused by dangerous driving.","AnswerText":"We receive occasional correspondence on road traffic law. This law is mostly reserved. Its implementation falls to the Lord Advocate and the courts. The Lord Advocate determines the appropriate charge and the courts the appropriate penalty. At present the maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149871,"EventID":"S1W-13123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the methodology for compiling hospital waiting lists has been amended since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the methodology for compiling hospital waiting lists has been amended since May 1999.","AnswerText":"There have been no amendments to the methodology for compiling inpatient/day case hospital waiting lists since 31 March 1988.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149872,"EventID":"S1W-13124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11597 by Jackie Baillie on 12 December 2000, who are the four MSPs who currently serve on the City of Glasgow Social Inclusion Part","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11597 by Jackie Baillie on 12 December 2000, who are the four MSPs who currently serve on the City of Glasgow Social Inclusion Partnership and on what boards they serve.","AnswerText":"The four MSPs who currently serve on Social Inclusion Partnership Boards in Glasgow are:

MSP

Social Inclusion Partnership Board

Patricia Ferguson

North Glasgow

Johann Lamont

Greater Pollok

Gordon Jackson QC

Greater Govan

Patricia McNeill

Routes Out

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149873,"EventID":"S1W-13125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the current academic year applied for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education course to teach in Gaelic medium schools and how many of these have b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the current academic year applied for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education course to teach in Gaelic medium schools and how many of these have been accepted. ","AnswerText":"In session 2000-01, 17 Gaelic speakers applied to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course (14 primary and three secondary). 12 applicants were accepted (nine primary and three secondary). One of those accepted for entry to the PGCE primary course subsequently declined the offer of a place. There are 11 students currently on a PGCE course (eight primary and three secondary) who may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149874,"EventID":"S1W-13126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its role is in relation to the promotion of renewable energy and how the #12.9 million allocated to the Scottish Renewables Obligation in 1999-2000 was spent on (a)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its role is in relation to the promotion of renewable energy and how the #12.9 million allocated to the Scottish Renewables Obligation in 1999-2000 was spent on (a) wind power, (b) wave power, (c) solar power, (d) biomass and (e) energy from waste projects, listing each project funded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has executively devolved powers to promote renewable energy in Scotland under the Electricity Act 1989, as amended by the Utilities Act 2000.

The Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) has run since 1994, and the £12.9 million allocated to it in the Scottish Executive budget for the current year is a notional sum to cover the additional costs of renewable energy produced from SRO contracted projects. It represents the best estimate of the industry regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), of the amount required to be raised in the current year under the Fossil Fuel Levy to recompense the two Scottish public electricity suppliers for the contracts they were statutorily obliged to enter into under the SRO. The information on how the Fossil Fuel Levy was disbursed to pay for individual contracts is not held by the Scottish Executive, but can be obtained from Ofgem Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149875,"EventID":"S1W-13127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of private rented households live in fuel poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of private rented households live in fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"We estimate from the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey that 47% of households in the private rented sector are in fuel poverty. Further information will be available when the results of the 2002 survey are published.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149876,"EventID":"S1W-13128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of low-income households in the private rented sector applied for Warm Deal grants in the last year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of low-income households in the private rented sector applied for Warm Deal grants in the last year","AnswerText":"There is no estimate of the number of households in the private rented sector who are eligible for the Warm Deal. In the 12 months to 30 June 2000, the first full year of the scheme, 697 grants went to households in the private sector. This represents 2.9% of all Warm Deal grants awarded during the period.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149877,"EventID":"S1W-13129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10048 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2000, how many pensioners live in private accommodation; how many private rented sector ho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10048 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2000, how many pensioners live in private accommodation; how many private rented sector houses will benefit from the central heating initiative, and what percentage of households living in private rented accommodation will still be living in fuel poverty after the initiative has been implemented.","AnswerText":"There is insufficient data to estimate how many pensioners live in private accommodation. We estimate from the results of the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey that about 8,000 pensioner households in the private rented sector will benefit from the central heating initiative. There is insufficient data to estimate the percentage of households in private rented accommodation who will continue to be in fuel poverty after the central heating initiative is implemented. Further information will be available following publication of the results of 2002 survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149878,"EventID":"S1W-13130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the practice of \"couping\" Clydesdale horses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the practice of \"couping\" Clydesdale horses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware that a working group consisting of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, veterinary expertise, Clydesdale Horse Society and the Farriers Registration Council is actively considering the issue. We are content that these agencies are best placed to address any concerns about the process.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149879,"EventID":"S1W-13131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Shiels Report on district courts was due to be published in November 2000; if so, what the reason was for the delay and when it will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Shiels Report on district courts was due to be published in November 2000; if so, what the reason was for the delay and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"As promised by the then Deputy Minister for Justice when introducing the Bail, Judicial Appointments etc (Scotland) Bill in May 2000, officials have been consulting informally on what issues to identify for review in a consultation paper. As part of this process, the Secretary of Commissions has held meetings with the District Courts Association and various groups of Justices of the Peace. Ministers will now be considering how to take the review forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149880,"EventID":"S1W-13132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which district courts Mr Sheils visited in the course of compiling his report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which district courts Mr Sheils visited in the course of compiling his report.","AnswerText":"As explained in the answer to question S1W-13131, the Secretary of Commissions met various groups of Justices of the Peace. These meetings were held, at their request, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Dumbarton and Giffnock.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149881,"EventID":"S1W-13133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for school education of asylum seekers' children aged 17 and 18.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for school education of asylum seekers' children aged 17 and 18.","AnswerText":"The school education needs of children of asylum seekers is a matter for consideration by the education authority for the area concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149882,"EventID":"S1W-13134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown, by local authority area, of the expenditure on the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) and what progress is being made towards the NGf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown, by local authority area, of the expenditure on the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) and what progress is being made towards the NGfL's targets.","AnswerText":"Support provided by the Scottish Executive to each local authority for development of the National Grid for Learning is shown in the following table:

Education Authority

Financial Allocations

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

All Scotland

£24,600,000

£31,400,000

£23,600,000

Aberdeen City

£874,672

£1,112,213

£843,545

Aberdeenshire

£1,203,124

£1,533,415

£1,157,935

Angus

£552,901

£702,540

£523,297

Argyll & Bute

£439,557

£562,434

£422,802

Clackmannanshire

£239,267

£310,544

£234,088

Dumfries & Galloway

£740,820

£943,427

£704,668

Dundee City

£687,732

£868,824

Applications Assessed as Homeless:

Scotland, 1991-92 to 1998-99

Year of application

Single1 person households

under 18

1991-92

1,700

1992-93

1,600

1993-94

1,700

1994-95

1,900

1995-96

2,000

1996-97

2,200

1997-98

2,100

1998-99

2,300

1. Figures are estimates based on around 92% of case returns received from local authorities. Estimates are made by grossing to the reported total number of applications and rounding to the nearest hundred. See the Scottish Executive publication HSG/2000/5 for more details.

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149885,"EventID":"S1W-13137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist homeless people aged 16-24 to find employment, training or further education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist homeless people aged 16-24 to find employment, training or further education.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

The New Deal for Young People provides help to all those aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for six months or more to find work and improve their prospects of remaining in sustained employment. Young homeless jobseekers may be given early entry to the New Deal.

The Executive is also assisting young homeless people through the New Futures Fund which has provided funding for 29 different homeless projects across the country. Through intensive intervention and support these projects help people overcome barriers of confidence and motivation and assist them to develop employability and work skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149886,"EventID":"S1W-13138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children lived in homes with incomes in the lowest quintile in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children lived in homes with incomes in the lowest quintile in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The following table details the percentage of children living in households with net equivalised income in the lowest quintile for the years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 both before and after housing costs.

Percentage of Children in the lowest Income Quintile1, Scotland 1996-97 - 1998-99
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

Before Housing Costs

31%

31%

28%

After Housing Costs

27%

26%

27%

Source: DSS Households Below Average Income.

Notes:

1 Income is net equivalised household income; equivalisation takes account of the number of individuals living in the household.

2 Quintiles are based on the GB distribution of income.

3 Estimates are based on sample counts, and are therefore subject to sampling variability.

4 Caution should be exercised in drawing conclusions about changes over time due to the small sample sizes in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149887,"EventID":"S1W-13140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Scottish economic growth rates to reach UK levels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Scottish economic growth rates to reach UK levels.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not forecast GDP growth rates. However, Scottish GDP growth strengthened in the most recent quarter and latest independent forecasts indicate growth in line with or above trend this year, with BSL and Cambridge Econometrics projecting that growth in Scotland will strengthen in 2001.

The Scottish Executive is firmly focused on raising the long run sustainable growth rate of the Scottish economy by meeting the new international conditions for economic success - growing business, ensuring Scotland is globally connected, lifelong learning and skills development - through the framework provided by the Enterprise Strategy, A Smart, Successful Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149888,"EventID":"S1W-13142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the number of council tax bands and council tax thresholds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the number of council tax bands and council tax thresholds.","AnswerText":"These matters fall within the remit of the current inquiry by the Local Government Committee into local government finance. We will give careful consideration to any recommendation the committee makes about them.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149889,"EventID":"S1W-13143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Health Technology Board for Scotland consults with health boards, trusts, the medical profession and patient groups regarding its decisions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Health Technology Board for Scotland consults with health boards, trusts, the medical profession and patient groups regarding its decisions.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) recognises effective communication processes are essential to its work and is developing a communication strategy to ensure it has ongoing dialogue with interested groups. It is also forming a Communications Reference Group to advise its Board.

HTBS will hold consultative seminars with health boards, Trusts and other groups in NHSScotland in spring 2001. Discussion at these seminars will identify preferred methods of disseminating HTBS advice.

HTBS is actively building a communication network with interested groups, particularly patient groups, and individuals to support its consultation processes. In addition to an open and consultative process designed to ensure there is ongoing dialogue with interested groups, HTBS is also using its website to capture suggestions and encourage feedback, and conducting question and answer sessions with the public at the end of each of its Board meetings.

All documents issued by HTBS are placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre and advice that flows from the assessments carried out by HTBS will also be available there.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149890,"EventID":"S1W-13144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, in particular section 87, to oblige rather than just empower local authorities to carry out necessary repa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, in particular section 87, to oblige rather than just empower local authorities to carry out necessary repair works on properties where the owners have failed to do so.","AnswerText":"No. It is for homeowners to maintain their dwellings and any common parts. However if by neglect, or for some other reason, the condition of a building threatens health or safety the 1982 Act enables authorities to carry out necessary works and recover the cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149891,"EventID":"S1W-13145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding to Glasgow City Council to enable it to meet its commitments under section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 relating to 312 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding to Glasgow City Council to enable it to meet its commitments under section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 relating to 312 outstanding statutory notices served on property throughout Glasgow for which it had only allocated a default budget of #55,000.","AnswerText":"Local authorities receive funding under the general services account. It is for them to allocate resources from that account to meet commitments to pay repairs grant following service of a notice under section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149892,"EventID":"S1W-13146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will be represented on the new NHS Boards referred to in Our National Health; a plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will be represented on the new NHS Boards referred to in Our National Health; a plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change makes clear our view that "in their local areas Local Authorities should have a strong voice on the new NHS Boards" (section 3, page 29).

Some health boards already have non-executive members who are also elected local authority members. We believe that the presence of local authority members on the NHS Board will be important for the future development of local services.

Further details of the role and proposed composition of NHS Boards will be set out in a detailed change programme, Rebuilding our National Health Service, which will be issued in the spring. In the meantime, we will be discussing this issue with CoSLA and other key stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149893,"EventID":"S1W-13147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that local authorities have a strong voice on the new NHS Boards referred to in Our National Health; a plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that local authorities have a strong voice on the new NHS Boards referred to in Our National Health; a plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13146 on 20 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149894,"EventID":"S1W-13148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the study by Deloitte and Touche examining the case for establishing a Highlands and Islands Transport Authority and when the study is like","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the study by Deloitte and Touche examining the case for establishing a Highlands and Islands Transport Authority and when the study is likely to be published.","AnswerText":"We expect the Deloitte and Touche study to be published during March. They have consulted 63 groups and individual stakeholders in the course of their detailed study. The Executive looks forward to discussing the way forward with interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149895,"EventID":"S1W-13149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the development of a national telephone money advice service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the development of a national telephone money advice service.","AnswerText":"A project team, led by the Executive and including Money Advice Scotland, Citizens Advice, other money advice providers, local authorities and the credit industry was set up in August 2000 to take forward work on developing a debtline service. A pilot debtline will be launched in Scotland later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149896,"EventID":"S1W-13151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to develop the effectiveness of money advice services delivered into poorer communities as recommended by the Scottish Affairs Committee in its 1st Special ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to develop the effectiveness of money advice services delivered into poorer communities as recommended by the Scottish Affairs Committee in its 1st Special Report, Response by the Government to the 1st Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, session 1999-2000, on Poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to improving the effectiveness of money advice services in Scotland’s deprived communities. We are continuing to work with the money advice sector to develop a national telephone debtline which will improve access to free quality money and debt advice throughout Scotland; and we are developing other policy options for strengthening the infrastructure of money advice provision in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149897,"EventID":"S1W-13152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council regarding the criteria to be used for the third research assessment exercise in Scottish universi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council regarding the criteria to be used for the third research assessment exercise in Scottish universities.","AnswerText":"The Research Assessment process is conducted jointly by the four UK Research Councils as part of their statutory responsibilities. Government Departments and Devolved Administrations have a responsibility for higher education and the funding councils. Neither we nor DfEE, however, become involved in the detail of the exercise. The assessment criteria have been established within a common framework agreed jointly by the UK higher education funding councils after consultation with higher education institutions, subject associations and other interested bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149898,"EventID":"S1W-13153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or proposes to take regarding any intention by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to fund only departments graded four or five in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or proposes to take regarding any intention by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to fund only departments graded four or five in the research assessment exercise.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is currently undertaking a review of its policies and methods for funding research. A consultation paper was issued on 18 December, which forms the second stage of the Council's review. The paper describes the funding methods that the Council proposes to introduce from 2002-03 and invites views (by 31 March). The Executive issued a guidance letter to SHEFC last November which asked \"the Council to provide appropriate policy advice when the consultation process is complete\". I look forward to receiving that advice in light of responses to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149899,"EventID":"S1W-13154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether research in universities is best stimulated and promoted by targeting funding at the best departments or by encouraging improvement in other departments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether research in universities is best stimulated and promoted by targeting funding at the best departments or by encouraging improvement in other departments.","AnswerText":"We look to our research base to provide a range of short, medium and long-term economic and social benefits, through research undertaken here, or through the dissemination of knowledge and technology developed elsewhere. As such it is important that we both support existing research excellence and encourage improvements in other areas which may underpin longer-term economic or social objectives.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149900,"EventID":"S1W-13155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households do not have access to natural gas, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households do not have access to natural gas, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"No information is held centrally on the number of households without access to natural gas. The results of the last Scottish House Condition Survey show that, in 1996, 1.45 million dwellings or 68.5% of the stock had mains gas. Figures are not available by local authority area or parliamentary constituency.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149901,"EventID":"S1W-13156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has made to Her Majesty's Government's discussions on the provision of adequate supplies of BCG vaccinations and when these discussions will conclude.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has made to Her Majesty's Government's discussions on the provision of adequate supplies of BCG vaccinations and when these discussions will conclude.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made clear its concern that the schools BCG programme be restarted as soon as possible and that a reliable supply of vaccine is secured towards achieving a stable position in the longer term.

I am pleased to say that we expect to be able shortly to announce the resumption of the BCG programme in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149902,"EventID":"S1W-13157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it will make available to deal with any increase in instances of tuberculosis as a result of a shortfall in the supply of the BCG vaccination.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it will make available to deal with any increase in instances of tuberculosis as a result of a shortfall in the supply of the BCG vaccination.","AnswerText":"The trends in the incidence of tuberculosis in Scotland in recent years - as set out in my answer to question S1W-13298 - do not suggest that a large increase in infections is likely.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149903,"EventID":"S1W-13158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1796 by Jackie Baillie on 25 May 2000, which Social Inclusion Partnerships returned information disaggregated by gender in their an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1796 by Jackie Baillie on 25 May 2000, which Social Inclusion Partnerships returned information disaggregated by gender in their annual submissions and, for each such partnership, in relation to which areas of policy and services gender disaggregated information is available. ","AnswerText":"The monitoring framework for Social Inclusion Partnerships includes 40 core outcome indicators. All area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships are required to monitor their progress against these indicators either annually, or at the baseline, interim and final stage of their designation period, depending on the indicator.

Data can be disaggregated by gender for 29 of these 40 core outcome indicators. A detailed breakdown of the indicators showing which can be disaggregated by gender is given in Part 1 of Monitoring Social Inclusion Partnerships: summary of compulsory indicators, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11,439).

Over 80% of the 34 area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships have been able to submit some data disaggregated by gender, although baselines are not yet complete. In particular, the majority of the indicators where data can be disaggregated by gender depend on household surveys, and we recently funded a programme of People's Panels in Social Inclusion Partnership areas to facilitate those surveys. We expect data from the partnerships' baseline surveys to be available later this year. Further details of the Social Inclusion Partnerships that have been able to submit gender disaggregated data for the indicators that are not based on surveys is given in Part 2 of the above document.

We are currently reviewing the core outcome indicators in the light of the difficulties that Social Inclusion Partnerships have had in obtaining data in some instances. This review includes looking at whether more can be done to monitor progress on equality issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149904,"EventID":"S1W-13159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available and to whom to promote golf tourism in the South of Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available and to whom to promote golf tourism in the South of Scotland","AnswerText":"Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway Tourist Boards have been awarded £50,000 by visitscotland to develop golf marketing in their areas in partnership with the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149905,"EventID":"S1W-13160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to measure the impact of any funding provided to promote golf tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to measure the impact of any funding provided to promote golf tourism.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and visitscotland have jointly commissioned a National Golf Tourism Survey. This will assess customers demands and satisfaction levels. The results are due in January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149906,"EventID":"S1W-13161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and advice is being made available to golf clubs to help them make their facilities more attractive to tourists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and advice is being made available to golf clubs to help them make their facilities more attractive to tourists.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Enterprise Fife have developed a business planning package. This will be piloted in Fife initially, with the intention of extending nationwide. By the end of the year it will have reached over 100 clubs in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149907,"EventID":"S1W-13162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the Scottish Tourist Board, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Minister for Transport on the signage from tr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the Scottish Tourist Board, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Minister for Transport on the signage from trunk roads for golf facilities available to tourists.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with the Scottish Tourist Board on a number of issues. In addition, they attend meetings of the Tourism Signposting National Working Group, a forum of representatives of the Scottish Tourist Board and Local Authorities, which meets on a regular basis to discuss signposting matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149908,"EventID":"S1W-13163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any legal impediment preventing local authorities from using videoconferencing facilities during the course of statutory meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any legal impediment preventing local authorities from using videoconferencing facilities during the course of statutory meetings.","AnswerText":"The question of whether or not it would be legitimate for local authorities to hold meetings at which some members would be present in person and others would participate by video conference if of course ultimately for the courts. However, in the Executive's view the relevant statutory provisions, in Schedule 7 to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, are drafted in terms which indicate that a meeting will be held in one place. That would appear to preclude the holding of a meeting in two places, albeit linked by video conference.

The Renewing Local Democracy Group recommended a review of legislation in this area. The recommendations of the Renewing Local Democracy Group are currently being considered by a Ministerial Working Group. Ministers are always looking for ways to improve current practices and will consider acting as and when suitable opportunities arise.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149909,"EventID":"S1W-13164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer on how many occasions committees have used the Parliament's videoconferencing facilities in the course of meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer on how many occasions committees have used the Parliament's videoconferencing facilities in the course of meetings.","AnswerText":"The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning committee used the Scottish Parliament videoconferencing facilities for the purposes of taking evidence on 14 June 2000. This was a link from Committee Chambers to Inverness where the Convenor of Highland Council and the Director of Inverness Chamber of Commerce gave evidence on the economic situation in the Highlands.

The European Committee plans to take evidence by videoconference from representatives of Fishing Industries in other member states as part of its enquiry into the Common Fisheries Policy.

Members of the former Rural Affairs (now Rural Development) Committee conducted a videoconference across 7 sites in Argyll and Bute in the course of gathering evidence for the recently published Enquiry into changing employment patterns in Rural Scotland. This was not a formal meeting of the Committee and did not use the Parliament's own facilities.

The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee also used other video conferencing facilities between Greenock and West Virginia on 31 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149910,"EventID":"S1W-13165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise of managing Future Skills Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise of managing Future Skills Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Enterprise budget for developing the Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit in the current financial year is £275,000, of which £25,000 will be contributed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. In future the Unit will be known as Future Skills Scotland. The financial implications of its operational role are still being quantified by Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149911,"EventID":"S1W-13166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, as a matter of urgency, take all steps within its power to have the definition of the mesh si'e of a towed net changed from the mesh si'e of the cod end ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, as a matter of urgency, take all steps within its power to have the definition of the mesh si'e of a towed net changed from the mesh si'e of the cod end or extension piece of net to the smallest mesh si'e found in any part of the net and, if the definition is not changed, what effect this definition will have on nephrop stocks, in particular in relation to the protection of immature stocks of nephrops.","AnswerText":"The definition suggested, which was in use prior to new regulations introduced on 1 January 2000, was found to be unenforceable because it required every single mesh in the net to be measured - an impossible task in practice.

Nephrops have previously been observed escaping through the meshes in the belly of the net. The potential effect of the current regulations on the extent of escapes has not been quantified.

The Executive is prepared to consider an approach to the Commission with a view to reviewing the European Regulations covering mesh size if evidence emerges that nephrops stocks may be at risk.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149912,"EventID":"S1W-13167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Registrar General for Scotland will publish a policy statement about marriages at Gretna.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Registrar General for Scotland will publish a policy statement about marriages at Gretna.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Registrar General is today issuing a policy statement on marriages at Gretna in the light of recent concerns. His statement outlines the legal background to the solemnisation of marriages in Scotland, summarises recent marriage trends at Gretna and sets out the main considerations taken into account by the Registrar General in carrying out his responsibilities under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977. The Registrar General hopes that his statement will be a useful source of guidance to religious bodies, who also have responsibilities under the Act. Copies of the statement have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149913,"EventID":"S1W-13168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers were employed in each police station within each police force in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99 and (d) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers were employed in each police station within each police force in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99 and (d) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149914,"EventID":"S1W-13169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were employed in residential nursing homes in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were employed in residential nursing homes in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available centrally.

A census of private nursing homes is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home. This census collects information on nursing staff only. The table shows the number of homes and the number of full or part time nursing staff in post at 31 March in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, split by local council. Information for the new local council areas is not available prior to re-organisation.

Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

Number of Nursing staff1 in Private Nursing Homes2 in Scotland3,4 as at 31 March 1997 - 2000.

by Local Council Area

31 March 1997

31 March 1998

31 March 1999

31 March 2000

No. of homes

Full time Nursing staff

Part time Nursing staff

No. of homes

Full time Nursing staff

Part time Nursing staff

No. of homes

Full time Nursing staff

Part time Nursing staff

No. of homes

Full time Nursing staff

Part time Nursing staff

Scotland

506

8,642

10,216

518

8,984

9,973

508

9,481

10,119

505

9,809

9,073

Aberdeen City

There are currently 72 chaplains appointed under the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 serving in SPS Establishments. The breakdown is as follows:

HMP Aberdeen

2

Church of Scotland

 

1

Roman Catholic

 

1

Scottish Episcopal

HMP Barlinnie

5

Church of Scotland

 

3

Roman Catholic

HMP Castle Huntly

2

Church of Scotland

 

1

Roman Catholic

HMP Cornton Vale

1

Church of Scotland

 

1

Roman Catholic

HMP Dumfries

1

Church of Scotland

 

1

Roman Catholic

HMP Edinburgh

5

Church of Scotland

 

2

Roman Catholic

 

1

Scottish Episcopal

HMP Glenochil

3

Church of Scotland

 

3

Roman Catholic

 

2

Scottish Episcopal

HMP Inverness

2

Church of Scotland

 

1

Roman Catholic

 

1

Scottish Episcopal

HMP Low Moss

1

Church of Scotland

 

2

Roman Catholic

HMP Noranside

1

Church of Scotland

Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

Number of beds and residents in Private Nursing Homes in Scotland as at 31 March 1997 - 2000.

by Local Council Area

31 March 1997

31 March 1998

No. of homes

No. of beds

No. of residents

% Occupancy

No. of homes

No. of beds

No. of residents

% Occupancy

Scotland

506

22,741

18,365

80.8

518

23,838

20,111

84.4

Aberdeen City

9

495

487

98.4

15

777

700

90.1

Aberdeenshire

23

916

733

80.0

30

1 126

965

85.7

Angus

10

491

416

84.7

11

542

480

88.6

Argyll & Bute

While the Scottish Executive is the primary funder to all the Careers Service Companies, many of the companies have endeavoured to find additional project/service specific funding from other sources such as the Enterprise Networks and some European funding.

Column 1 - Shows the total company income as reported in the companies' annual accounts for 1999-2000.

Column 2 - Shows funding identified being received from statutory organisations.

Column 3- Shows other income generated. This figure may still contain some funding from statutory organisations, because where the income generated by the company is very small we have not requested that the company provide a breakdown at this time.

Column 4 - Shows non-statutory organisation funding as a percentage of Total Company Income.

Careers Service Company

Total Company Income from Annual Accounts 1999-2000

(£000)

Total Company Income received from Statutory Organisations

(£000)

Other Income Generated

(£000)

Non Statutory Organisation Funding as % of Total Income

Argyll and Bute

572

544

28

4.9

Ayrshire*

1,682

1,627

55

3.3

Scottish Borders

499

462

37

7.4

Careers Central

2,077

1,795

282

13.6

Edinburgh and Lothians

3,960

3,542

418

10.5

Dumfries and Galloway*

774

744

30

3.9

Dunbartonshire and Lomond

1,224

1,199

25

2

Fife

1,800

1,732

68

3.8

Glasgow

3,238

3,087

Table 1

NHSiS - General Psychiatry1 average available staffed beds2, 3; by Health Board area of treatment4; years ending 31 March 1996-2000
 

Year Ending

 

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

All Health Board Areas

4,678

4,367

4,301

4,143

3,888

Argyll & Clyde

561

560

570

521

496

Ayrshire & Arran

273

273

264

248

238

Borders

84

85

82

75

67

Dumfries & Galloway

181

158

158

154

122

Fife

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149927,"EventID":"S1W-13186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients currently held in the State Hospital, Carstairs are on the transferral list for local services and how long each has been waiting for transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients currently held in the State Hospital, Carstairs are on the transferral list for local services and how long each has been waiting for transfer.","AnswerText":"There are at present 18 patients receiving care and treatment within the State Hospital who have waited more than three months since clinical agreement was reached that they no longer needed to be in the hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149928,"EventID":"S1W-13187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital chaplains are presently employed by the health service; which hospitals they serve and which church each represents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital chaplains are presently employed by the health service; which hospitals they serve and which church each represents.","AnswerText":"There are currently 519 chaplains employed in the Health Service. The breakdown by denomination is as follows:

Church of Scotland 287

Roman Catholic 160

Scottish Episcopal 71

Chaplains directly employed by Trust 1

(There are 2 vacant posts at present)

A breakdown of denomination by each hospital is not held centrally. More detailed information may be obtained from individual Trusts. The names and addresses of all Trusts are available on the Scottish Health on the Web website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149929,"EventID":"S1W-13188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12741 by Susan Deacon on 5 February 2001, when information on the number of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma in each health bo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12741 by Susan Deacon on 5 February 2001, when information on the number of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma in each health board area in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 will be available.","AnswerText":"Collection and analysis of cancer registration data is an iterative process that ensures high quality data are being used in making comparisons within Scotland and across Europe and the rest of the world.

It is anticipated that 1998 cancer registration data will be complete by the summer of this year with each successive year's data following annually thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149930,"EventID":"S1W-13189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the five recommendations in the Report of the Deferrals Working Group, presented to the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the five recommendations in the Report of the Deferrals Working Group, presented to the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 10 November 2000.","AnswerText":"I am currently consulting CoSLA on the recommendations of the Working Group (including the resource implications and the implementation timetable). This process should be completed by the end of March and I will make a full response as soon as possible after this.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149931,"EventID":"S1W-13190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to act upon the recommendations in the Report of the Deferrals Working Group and, if so, whether new arrangements will come into force at the beginnin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to act upon the recommendations in the Report of the Deferrals Working Group and, if so, whether new arrangements will come into force at the beginning of the 2001-02 school year as proposed in the report.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13189.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149932,"EventID":"S1W-13191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2873 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, whether any new measures are required to effectively protect those who are subject to th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2873 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, whether any new measures are required to effectively protect those who are subject to threats, harassment or intimidation by animal rights protestors; if so, what plans it has to introduce such measures and what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding Her Majesty's Government's plans in this area. ","AnswerText":"We believe that the law in Scotland can deal adequately with intimidating and threatening behaviour. We do not therefore see an urgent need in Scotland for the type of measures proposed by the Home Secretary.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149933,"EventID":"S1W-13192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to implement the new EC Water Framework Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to implement the new EC Water Framework Directive.","AnswerText":"The EC Water Framework Directive (2000/060/EC) came into force on the 22 December 2000. The Directive has a wide scope and requires fundamental changes in the way we manage our natural water resources in Scotland. For that reason we propose to transpose its provisions into law by means of primary legislation in this Parliament. As with all legislative commitments this will be subject to finding space in the legislative timetable. We hope to introduce the Bill in 2002.

We intend to take an open approach to the implementation of the Directive with thorough consultation at every stage. As a first step, I have published a leaflet today that outlines the main provisions of the Directive and invites comments from anyone with an interest. The next stage will be a comprehensive consultation paper that will issue later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149934,"EventID":"S1W-13193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential nursing homes (a) opened and (b) closed in each (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential nursing homes (a) opened and (b) closed in each (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years","AnswerText":"Information on the number of private nursing homes which opened or closed in each year are not available centrally.

However, a census of private nursing homes is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home. The table shows the number of homes at 31 March in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, split by local council area. Information for the new local council areas is not available prior to re-organisation.

Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

Number of Private Nursing Homes1 in Scotland2,3 at 31 March 1997 - 2000.

by Local Council Area

31-Mar 1997

31-Mar 1998

31-Mar 1999

31-Mar 2000

Scotland

506

518

508

505

Aberdeen City

9

15

20

18

Aberdeenshire

23

30

32

33

Angus

10

11

12

12

Argyll & Bute

12

11

11

9

Clackmannanshire

2

2

1

2

Dumfries & Galloway

15

16

15

14

Dundee City

18

17

15

16

East Ayrshire

21

19

16

17

East Dunbartonshire

6

5

7

7

East Lothian

13

12

10

12

Eas","AnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149935,"EventID":"S1W-13195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was allocated and spent on the roll out of broadband communications in each year since 1997 and what the allocation is for each year until 2003, showing the bud","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was allocated and spent on the roll out of broadband communications in each year since 1997 and what the allocation is for each year until 2003, showing the budget heading each amount was and is being allocated to.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on broadband has formed a part of a number of major public sector programmes in the digital field, but this expenditure generally cannot currently be disaggregated from other aspects of those programmes.

The Scottish Executive is currently reviewing future expenditure priorities for broadband across a broad range of initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149936,"EventID":"S1W-13196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many environmental health officers were employed in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many environmental health officers were employed in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149937,"EventID":"S1W-13197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for environmental health offences there were in each year since 1997 and, of these, how many related to food poisoning, broken down by local author","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for environmental health offences there were in each year since 1997 and, of these, how many related to food poisoning, broken down by local authority area in each case.","AnswerText":"Since April 2000, the role of collating food enforcement activities from local authorities passed from the Scottish Executive to the Food Standards Agency. The tables provide prosecution and conviction figures broken down by local authority.

There is no subdivision to identify offences relating food poisoning.

Figures for Prosecutions and Convictions for 1997, Broken Down by Local Authority

1997

Authority

Prosecutions

Convictions

Aberdeen City

7

4

Aberdeenshire

3

0

Angus

0

0

Argyll & Bute

0

0

East Ayrshire

0

0

North Ayrshire

2

0

South Ayrshire

1

1

Scottish Borders

0

0

Clackmannanshire

0

0

West Dunbartonshire

0

0

Dumfries & Galloway

0

0

East Dunbartonshire

3

0

Dundee City

1

1

City of Edinburgh

5

1

Falkirk

0

0

Fife

0

0

Glasgow City

1

1

Highland

1

0

Inverclyde

0

0

North Lanarkshire

3

3

South Lanarkshire

Historical financial figures for the water authorities can be found in their published annual accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament, and pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Parliament's Information Reference Centre.

West of Scotland Water Authority

£ millions
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

2001-02

Domestic

111

117.9

132.6

148.5

173

206.5

Non-domestic

123.2

120.4

124.4

121.3

125.7

128.7

Other income

8.9

9.1

8.5

8.1

9.1

9.5

Grants

0

0

0.1

0.8

0.2

0.2

TOTAL income

Borrowing

83.9

62.4

71.3

94.4

87

91

North of Scotland Water Authority

£ millions
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

2001-02

City of Edinburgh Council v Secretary of State for Scotland 1998 SLT 120 decided inter alia the effect of section 18A and how it should be applied.

The question appears to ask whether that particular part of the judgement applies in circumstances where the Scottish Ministers decide not to call in for their own determination notifiable applications or notices of intention to develop. There is no statutory provision requiring the Scottish Ministers, in making such a decision, to have regard to the development plan. Section 25 does not, therefore, apply in these circumstances, accordingly the House of Lords judgement referred to would similarly not apply.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149941,"EventID":"S1W-13201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will delay the start of the planning inquiry into the application for a landfill facility at Dry Rig, Ae Forest, Dumfriesshire until the concerns of the object","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will delay the start of the planning inquiry into the application for a landfill facility at Dry Rig, Ae Forest, Dumfriesshire until the concerns of the objectors regarding the participation of Forest Enterprise have been resolved.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive determined that it was not necessary to postpone the commencement of the public inquiry over the issue of Forest Enterprise's participation in the proceedings and the inquiry opened on 13 February as scheduled.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149942,"EventID":"S1W-13202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12411 by Susan Deacon on 25 January 2001, how many times the protocols agreed between the Scottish Ambulance Service and health boa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12411 by Susan Deacon on 25 January 2001, how many times the protocols agreed between the Scottish Ambulance Service and health boards and NHS Trusts have been amended in each of the last five years, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service and you may wish to write to Mr Adrian Lucas, Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service, National Headquarters, Tipperlinn Road, Edinburgh EH10 5UU with your request.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149943,"EventID":"S1W-13203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College will commence and what input Jordanhill College of Education is expected to make to it.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College will commence and what input Jordanhill College of Education is expected to make to it.","AnswerText":"Discussions are on going about the development of new arrangements in initial teacher education to enable more Gaelic-speaking students to train for teaching.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149944,"EventID":"S1W-13204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being given to people enquiring about the Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College and what consultation it undertook with Jordanhill Coll","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being given to people enquiring about the Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College and what consultation it undertook with Jordanhill College of Education and Lews Castle College regarding the course.","AnswerText":"The arrangements are a matter for Lews Castle College and the Jordanhill College of Strathclyde University in consultation with the General Teaching Council in the first instance. We are keeping closely in touch with developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149945,"EventID":"S1W-13205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in domestic settings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in domestic settings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans at present to require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in all dwellings. However, such detectors are being considered for possible inclusion in the package of measures to be available under the Executive's central heating programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149946,"EventID":"S1W-13207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it plans to promote European Car Free Day 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it plans to promote European Car Free Day 2001.","AnswerText":"I will be launching a Scottish Travel Awareness Campaign in May, which will aim to increase the number of journeys made by walking, cycling and public transport and to encourage more sensible use of the car. We are currently in discussion with transport operators and local authorities with an aim to developing specific initiatives, including establishing links to sustainable travel events.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149947,"EventID":"S1W-13208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale it envisages for bringing forward legislation following the end of the consultation period on its paper Consultation on proposed changes to permitted devel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale it envisages for bringing forward legislation following the end of the consultation period on its paper Consultation on proposed changes to permitted development arrangements for telecommunications development on 16 February 2001.","AnswerText":"As indicated in 'Working Together for Scotland: A Programme for Government', we will revise planning controls for mobile phone masts by mid 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149948,"EventID":"S1W-13209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake any research into the impact of farmers' markets and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake any research into the impact of farmers' markets and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Interest in farmers' markets is growing and the Rural Affairs Department, together with Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, has worked closely with the industry in supporting the formation of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets. We will continue to work with the Association to monitor the growth of these markets, but do not consider that there is a need for specific research into their impact at the present time.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149949,"EventID":"S1W-13210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty properties in (a) Highland Council area, (b) the Western Isles, (c) the Orkney Islands, (d) the Shetland Islands and (e) Scotland are targeted to be brough","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty properties in (a) Highland Council area, (b) the Western Isles, (c) the Orkney Islands, (d) the Shetland Islands and (e) Scotland are targeted to be brought back into use under the empty homes initiative; how many such homes had been brought back into use in each area by the end of 2000, and what target has been set for each of these areas under this initiative for the end of 2002.","AnswerText":"The table below provides the information requested. It lists the number of empty properties expected to be returned to use by 2002 under the Empty Homes Initiative from its inception in 1997 and shows the number of properties returned by the end of 2000. While Orkney Islands Council did not receive funding to return any empty properties it was allocated £36,000 to fund an Empty Homes Officer who is assisting the Council in its assessment of the extent of empty properties on the island and the development of an empty homes strategy.

Local Authority

Empty properties expected to be returned by end 2002

Empty properties returned as at end 2000

Highland

75

47

Western Isles

6

6

Shetland Islands

29

13

Scotland

1522

721

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149950,"EventID":"S1W-13211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many public authority homes were constructed in (a) Highland Council area, (b) the Western Isles, (c) the Orkney islands, (d) Shetland Islands and (e) Scotland in ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many public authority homes were constructed in (a) Highland Council area, (b) the Western Isles, (c) the Orkney islands, (d) Shetland Islands and (e) Scotland in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"The table presents the number of new public authority dwellings completed annually since 1990-99 (latest available information), for each of the requested local authority areas and in the whole of Scotland, as reported to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149951,"EventID":"S1W-13212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) individuals and (b) families were homeless in (i) Highland Council area, (ii) the Western Isles, (iii) the Orkney islands, (iv) the Shetland Islands and (v)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) individuals and (b) families were homeless in (i) Highland Council area, (ii) the Western Isles, (iii) the Orkney islands, (iv) the Shetland Islands and (v) Scotland in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"The available information relates to applications to Scottish local authorities under the homeless persons legislation. The following two tables give the numbers of such applications where a single person (Table 1) or a household with dependent children (Table 2), was assessed by the local authority as being homeless. It should be noted that some of the applications recorded in each year will be from single persons or households who have applied more than once during the year, although the full extent of repeat applications is not known. Information for 1999-2000 is not yet available.

Applications Assessed as Homeless:

Single Person households: 1990-91 to 1998-99

Public Authority 1 New Dwellings Completed:

1990 to 1999

Local Authority Area

Year/Quarter

Highland

Orkney

Shetland

Eilean Siar

Scotland2

1990

224

42

25

2

1,938

1991

177

8

63

21

1,732

1992

82

5

32

2

1,010

1993

134

-

16

12

958

1994

170

-

12

2

661

1995

88

-

-

2

1,161

1996

32

-

-

-

292

1997

42

Table 1

Year of application

Highland Council

Eilean Siar (Western Isles)

Orkney Isles

Shetland Isles

Scotland

1990-91

65

22

3

53

6,800

1991-92

92

20

7

48

9,500

1992-93

108

45

14

52

11,100

1993-94

126

49

12

68

13,700

1994-95

110

47

41

41

15,900

1995-96

105

63

22

76

15,100

1996-97

136

72

29

105

15,600

In 1998 there were 57 staff at an associated cost of £1,660,000

In 1999 there were 55 staff at an associated cost of £1,678,000

In 2000 there were 45.5 staff at an associated cost of £1,314,000","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149953,"EventID":"S1W-13214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has spent on consultancy fees in connection with the formulation of its proposed funding plans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has spent on consultancy fees in connection with the formulation of its proposed funding plans.","AnswerText":"As part of its Review of Teaching Funding, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council employed a consultant to perform a study into the efficient cost of teaching in higher education between February and September 2000 at a cost of £57,550.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149954,"EventID":"S1W-13215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all information regarding the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's proposed funding plans, in particular the amount of money each institution will receive,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all information regarding the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's proposed funding plans, in particular the amount of money each institution will receive, will be published.","AnswerText":"The allocation to individual institutions of formula-based grants for 2001-02 academic year, which cover the majority of the funding to be allocated, will be published by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in March. There will be some further allocations for particular grants throughout the year.

In-principle decisions on the total SHEFC budget for 2001-02 were made at the Council's November 2000 meeting and announced in \"Highlight\" on its website in December. Detailed decisions on the overall allocation of funding made by the Council at its February meeting will be published through the same medium later this month.

SHEFC is also currently undertaking a Review of Teaching Funding to inform future years' allocations. Any recommendations for change would not be implemented before 2002/3. A consultation paper was published on 19 December and a further paper was published on 9

February providing the rationale for the Council's proposals and technical descriptions of how illustrative figures were derived to inform discussion and response to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149955,"EventID":"S1W-13216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each month since the scheme's inception, (a) the total number of car parking spaces provided and (b) the average daily number of car parking s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each month since the scheme's inception, (a) the total number of car parking spaces provided and (b) the average daily number of car parking spaces occupied at the Ferrytoll park and ride facility in Fife.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally as the Ferrytoll park and ride facility is the responsibility of Fife Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149956,"EventID":"S1W-13217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the increase in water and sewerage charges was for each council tax band in each water authority area in 1997 and each subsequent year and what the cumulative incre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the increase in water and sewerage charges was for each council tax band in each water authority area in 1997 and each subsequent year and what the cumulative increase in charges in each band in each area was in each of these years, using 1997 as the base year.","AnswerText":"The figures requested are as follows:

Year on year percentage change in domestic water & sewerage charges, by council tax band

Percentage change from 1997-98 in domestic water & sewerage charges, by council tax band

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

NoSWA

A

5%

13%

12%

44%

17%

0%

13%

26%

82%

112%

B

5%

13%

12%

44%

17%

0%

13%

26%

82%

112%

C

5%

13%

Table 1

Change in Council Tax

Percent

AUTHORITY

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Increase from 1996-97

Increase from 1997-98

Increase from 1998-99

Cumulative increase from 1997-98

Increase from 1999-2000

Cumulative increase from 1997-98

Aberdeen City

10.0

11.5

3.7

15.6

6.1

22.7

Aberdeenshire

8.8

8.1

3.5

11.8

8.1

20.8

Angus

3.0

4.4

3.5

8.1

5.0

13.5

Argyll & Bute

18.7

10.0

0.0

10.0

6.5

17.1

Clackmannanshire

8.8

10.4

4.9

15.8

4.7

21.2

Dumfries & Galloway

21.0

2.4

4.8

7.3

An indicative map showing the two areas has been lodged with the Parliaments Reference Centre. However, confirmation of the detailed co-ordinates for the closed areas has to await the publication of the Commission Regulation.

A longer term plan for the area, including technical measures, will be developed over the coming months, in tandem with longer-term plans for the North Sea.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149959,"EventID":"S1W-13220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in responding to the BSE Inquiry Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in responding to the BSE Inquiry Report.","AnswerText":"A Command Paper was laid at the Westminster Parliament today setting out the Government's interim response to the BSE Inquiry Report. The interim response considers the Inquiry's findings and conclusions along with the major themes which emerge from these such as openness, the handling of risk and uncertainty, the use of scientific advice in policymaking, the structure of Government and the legislative framework. It details the action which Government has already taken to address these issues as well as the challenges which must continue to be addressed.

Many of these issues are of common interest across the UK. The Scottish Executive has been fully consulted as this response has been developed. I welcome its publication and the consultation process which will now commence. I encourage all consultees in Scotland to contribute their views on both the position UK-wide and the particular Scottish aspects which arise, to ensure that the final report is comprehensive in UK terms while also providing input on how further progress may be achieved in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149960,"EventID":"S1W-13221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to the supplementary report of the Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to the supplementary report of the Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body.","AnswerText":"I announced on 18 December that the pay recommendations of the DDRB were being accepted in full and without staging. The DDRB recommended an overall pay increase of 3.9% for salaried doctors and dentists and general medical and dental practitioners.

To encourage the retention of general medical practitioners the DDRB has also recommended a 7% increase in seniority allowances, worth in the region of £500 for a GMP with 25 years service. This is in addition to the 3.9% increase in intended average net remuneration.

The supplementary report from the DDRB which is being published today covers areas of GPs income aimed at meeting the expense of running their practices and any balancing recovery from debts owed by the profession. In its considerations of what provision to make for indirectly reimbursed practice expenses and the operation of the balancing correction the Review Body have recommended:

  • provision for indirect expenses of £23,790 for each GP;
  • a recovery of £248 per GP in accordance with normal rules, and
  • a joint review by the BMA and Health Departments of the operation of the pay system This should look at handling the cumulative overpayment that has occurred in the system (£2,684 per GP), the operation of the balancing mechanism and forecasting of expenses in time for next year's round.

We have accepted DDRB's recommendation on the level of practice expenses.

We share DDRB's concerns about the operation of the balancing mechanism, the setting of practice expenses and the management of the cumulative debt. We have agreed that the BMA and the Health Departments should put work in hand immediately to develop a review of these issues. That being the case, the balancing mechanism will be suspended pending the outcome of the review.

The average GP will benefit by a further £248 above what the DDRB have recommended. In addition, in conjunction with the other Health Departments, we will consider constructively how to manage the cumulative debt of the profession (around £100 million) for the benefit of patients and the development of practices.

The Gross Income of GPs will therefore increase to £80,300 per year, as shown in the following table, with effect from 1 April 2001:
 

April 2000 (£)

April 2001 (£)

1. Intended Average Net Income (IANI) (includes 2001 seniority increase)

54,220

56,510

2. Expenses Provision

24,510

23,790

3. IANI plus Expenses (1+2)

78,730

80,300

4. Balancing recovery

(261)

(248) Suspended

5. Intended Average Gross Income (3 +4)

78,469

80,300

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149961,"EventID":"S1W-13222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it has given this financial year to (a) Scottish Opera and (b) Balnain House, Inverness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it has given this financial year to (a) Scottish Opera and (b) Balnain House, Inverness.","AnswerText":"None. The main channel for public funding of the arts in Scotland is the Scottish Arts Council. I have therefore asked the Director of the Arts Council to write to the member with the requested information and to make it available in the Parliaments Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149962,"EventID":"S1W-13223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to sportscotland regarding levels of funding for shinty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to sportscotland regarding levels of funding for shinty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had a series of discussions with sportscotland about levels of funding for shinty.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149963,"EventID":"S1W-13224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10121 by Sarah Boyack on 20 October 2000, whether it intends to introduce measures to ensure that cycle training is available to ev","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10121 by Sarah Boyack on 20 October 2000, whether it intends to introduce measures to ensure that cycle training is available to every primary school pupil.","AnswerText":"The provision of cycle training for children is a matter for schools and for police and local authority road safety units.

The Scottish Executive has recently commissioned a survey of cycle training provision in Scottish schools and the number of children trained. This will provide baseline information on cycle training in Scottish schools and will highlight areas with low levels of training provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149964,"EventID":"S1W-13225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10121 by Sarah Boyack on 20 October 2000, whether it intends to ensure that cycle training for school pupils includes an appropriat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10121 by Sarah Boyack on 20 October 2000, whether it intends to ensure that cycle training for school pupils includes an appropriate level of supervised on-road training, with due authorisation from parents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cycle Training Scheme, overseen by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, recommends that on-road training should be provided where possible. Police and local authority Road Safety Units are responsible for carrying out risk assessment on any roads to be used for on-road training and for decisions on whether it is appropriate to conduct on-road training in any particular case. A new resource pack for Road Safety Officers to use when training volunteer trainers, developed by the campaign, will be issued to Road Safety Units in March. It will recommend that parental consent should be obtained before any cycle training for school pupils is undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149965,"EventID":"S1W-13226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the final report of the Tayside Task Force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the final report of the Tayside Task Force.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11574 on 5 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149966,"EventID":"S1W-13228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what obligations the new trunk road contractors will have to clear access along trunk roads for local authority direct labour organisation snow clearing equipment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what obligations the new trunk road contractors will have to clear access along trunk roads for local authority direct labour organisation snow clearing equipment.","AnswerText":"The new operating companies must consider and consult with the emergency services and other interested parties on the arrangements for winter maintenance operations at the boundaries of the unit with other road authorities and other operating companies. The companies shall set out their procedures in the Winter Maintenance plan. The Winter Maintenance plan must be submitted to the Scottish Executive for approval and copies provided to the emergency services and adjacent road authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149967,"EventID":"S1W-13229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised guidelines for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools came into use, how widely these have been published, and who it consulted regarding the new section","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised guidelines for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools came into use, how widely these have been published, and who it consulted regarding the new section on school libraries.","AnswerText":"Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (HMI) inspection guidelines are reviewed annually. The most recent version has been in use since August 2000. Summaries of HMI inspection guidelines, referred to as National Briefing Documents, are available on the HMI website, and are issued to schools together with the notification of inspection. Detailed inspection guidelines for Inspectors include guidance on how library provision will be evaluated. This guidance draws on comments made by school librarians during inspection, and on the national document Taking a Closer Look at The School Library Resource Centre published in 1999 by the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum. HMI hold regular liaison meetings with key interested bodies to discuss inspection related matters, and allow issues of concern to be raised.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149968,"EventID":"S1W-13230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific data relating to hospital-acquired infections is held by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific data relating to hospital-acquired infections is held by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health holds data about cases of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including MRSA bacteraemias (blood borne infections), and of other bacteraemias detected in laboratory specimens examined in Scottish public health and hospital laboratories. Infections in these groups may have been acquired while the infected person was in hospital or may have been present on admission. It is not at present possible to distinguish and count separately those infections acquired in hospital.

A sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection has been developing plans for a national surveillance system for HAI, including MRSA, in Scotland. The group is expected to provide recommendations to the department shortly. The sub-group recognises the priority that needs to be attached to infections caused by MRSA. Once their report is received, I will be considering what further steps are needed to introduce surveillance of HAI across Scotland. On present plans, systematic collection throughout Scotland of information on selected infections attributable to MRSA would begin in autumn 2001. Monitoring data would become available approximately a year later.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149969,"EventID":"S1W-13231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring takes place of hospital-acquired infections which occur after patients have been discharged from hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring takes place of hospital-acquired infections which occur after patients have been discharged from hospital.","AnswerText":"There are currently no Scotland-wide arrangements in place for monitoring hospital acquired infection (HAI), including those which become apparent after patients have been discharged from hospital. A Scotland-wide surveillance system for HAI is under active consideration by a sub-group of the Advisory Group on Infection and I will shortly be considering the further steps necessary to introduce such a system.

There are recognised difficulties in monitoring HAI which becomes apparent after discharge, and there is currently no UK or world-wide consensus on an appropriate approach. Experts from Scotland are taking part in UK-wide discussions about developing methods of post-discharge surveillance of HAIs. The sub-group which is considering HAI surveillance has identified the issue of post-discharge surveillance as a priority and studies to evaluate alternative methods are being developed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149970,"EventID":"S1W-13232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements there are for NHSiS Trusts to publish data on the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements there are for NHSiS Trusts to publish data on the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections.","AnswerText":"At present there are no requirements on NHS Trusts to publish such data, although it is open to them to do so. A Scotland-wide surveillance system for hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is under active consideration by a sub-group of the Advisory Group on Infection and I will shortly be considering the further steps necessary to introduce such a system.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is also currently considering the inclusion of a measure of the incidence of HAI in NHS hospitals in the new NHS performance assessment framework outlined in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149971,"EventID":"S1W-13233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to (a) define hospital-acquired infections (HAI), (b) distinguish between types of HAI and (c) decide which types of HAI to monitor, and what meth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to (a) define hospital-acquired infections (HAI), (b) distinguish between types of HAI and (c) decide which types of HAI to monitor, and what methods are used to monitor rates of HAI.","AnswerText":"These matters are under consideration by a sub-group of the Advisory Group on Infection, which was asked by the Scottish Executive to develop proposals for a national system of surveillance for hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in Scotland. During the course of its work, the group has considered a wide range of issues including definitions of HAIs and approaches to monitoring their incidence. I will shortly be considering the further steps necessary to introduce a Scotland-wide surveillance system for HAIs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149972,"EventID":"S1W-13234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs have been incurred by health authorities due to clinical negligence claims arising from hospital-acquired infections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs have been incurred by health authorities due to clinical negligence claims arising from hospital-acquired infections.","AnswerText":"General hospital-acquired infection (HAI) would not have been noted as a contributory factor in clinical negligence claims prior to April 2000. However records of clinical negligence claims where MRSA - which may have been acquired in hospital - was stated as a contributory factor are available prior to April 2000.

No clinical negligence payments have been recorded in respect of incidents in which MRSA is mentioned as a contributory factor. At present there are seven MRSA-related clinical negligence claims under consideration. No claims specifying HAI as a contributory factor have been lodged since April 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149973,"EventID":"S1W-13235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data is held centrally on the number of compensation claims received by the NHSiS citing hospital-aquired infection as a main or contributory factor.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data is held centrally on the number of compensation claims received by the NHSiS citing hospital-aquired infection as a main or contributory factor.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13234.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149974,"EventID":"S1W-13236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any correlation between rates of hospital-acquired infection and the level of resources invested in infection control and, if so, what data exists to su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any correlation between rates of hospital-acquired infection and the level of resources invested in infection control and, if so, what data exists to support this.","AnswerText":"There is insufficient data at Scottish level to demonstrate either correlation or lack of correlation between rates of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and resources applied to infection control by NHS Trusts.

Preventing and controlling HAI is an important issue for the NHS in Scotland and is a key part of the responsibilities of every NHS Trust. The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published in December last year, makes clear that every local healthcare system will be expected to deliver the service standards to be established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on infection control, cleanliness, and other matters. A joint Health Department/ NHS working group is currently reviewing existing guidance and preparing relevant standards. These standards will be applied to NHS Trusts once the work is complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149975,"EventID":"S1W-13237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has done on the health problems faced by rough sleepers in Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has done on the health problems faced by rough sleepers in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The NHS in Lothian and various Edinburgh-based voluntary organisations have conducted a number of exploratory research projects and analyses of the health needs of the homeless population.

This year, the Lothian RSI partnership received around £1 million to improve health care services for rough sleepers. This will provide additional health workers, not just in Edinburgh but also in East and West Lothian; enhanced services, upgraded medical equipment and it will fund two research projects.

Lothian has also taken advantage of new Personal Medical Services arrangements for GPs. The Edinburgh Homeless Practice has three salaried GPs and a dedicated primary care team for homeless people. Independent research carried out on The Edinburgh Homeless Practice recently, as part of its Personal Medical Services pilot, praised the service provided to homeless people, and the approach taken by staff.

Our National Health, the Health Plan for Scotland, recognises the need for the NHS to respond effectively to the needs of homeless people and rough sleepers as a key element in tackling health inequalities. The Executive is continuing to act to ensure that the health needs of rough sleepers are addressed effectively. This will include issuing guidance to health boards and Trusts on addressing the health and health care needs of homeless people.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149976,"EventID":"S1W-13238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rough sleepers there are in Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rough sleepers there are in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"In May 1997 a streetcount of people sleeping rough in Edinburgh found 42 individuals. However streetcounts are generally regarded as unreliable as they depend on the number and local knowledge of those counting, the time of year and the areas covered by the count.

I am aware that the Edinburgh Streetwork Project has recently published a report which indicates 87 individuals known to be sleeping outdoors in 2000 - a reduction from 125 individuals identified in 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149977,"EventID":"S1W-13239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities are available for rough sleepers in Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities are available for rough sleepers in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"Information on the full range of facilities and services available to rough sleepers can be obtained from the City of Edinburgh Council.

Projects in Edinburgh funded under the Rough Sleepers Initiative include the provision of integrated housing, social work and health services at the Single Access Point; a wet hostel providing accommodation and support for rough sleepers with alcohol problems; the Cowgate day and night centre; direct access provision; supported move-on accommodation, some with intense support for drug users; and resettlement and outreach.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149978,"EventID":"S1W-13240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are sufficient hostel places available for homeless people in Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are sufficient hostel places available for homeless people in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"In June 2000, through the Rough Sleepers Initiative, the Executive allocated £1.32 million to the City of Edinburgh Council, to provide additional interim and permanent direct access accommodation in Edinburgh. This allocation was in recognition that there were insufficient hostel places in the city. Temporary winter shelter arrangements have been in operation in the city pending the development of the interim direct access accommodation.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149979,"EventID":"S1W-13241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has done of the efficacy of the Rough Sleepers Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has done of the efficacy of the Rough Sleepers Initiative.","AnswerText":"An interim evaluation of the RSI was published in June 1999. During 2001 we shall be carrying out local rough sleepers prevalence studies alongside an assessment of services and accommodation available to people who are sleeping rough. This will enable an assessment to be made of the extent to which services are meeting needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149980,"EventID":"S1W-13242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties will be incurred by Motorola if it fails to fulfil any agreements it has with the Scottish Executive regarding the former Hyundai plant near Dunfermline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties will be incurred by Motorola if it fails to fulfil any agreements it has with the Scottish Executive regarding the former Hyundai plant near Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13243.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149981,"EventID":"S1W-13243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives were offered to Motorola, and of what value, when it purchased the former Hyundai plant near Dunfermline in April 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives were offered to Motorola, and of what value, when it purchased the former Hyundai plant near Dunfermline in April 2000.","AnswerText":"As was indicated when the project was announced, an appropriate package of financial assistance was offered to Motorola with regard to implementing its proposed project at Dunfermline.

As the assistance is drawn down, in line with the implementation of the project, the amounts paid will be reported in accordance with the usual procedures of Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Executive.

As with all such packages of assistance, actual drawdown of grant is dependent on the company meeting milestones based on investment expenditure and number of jobs created or safeguarded. In addition, all grant payments are subject to appropriate clawback conditions.

Under the terms of the financial assistance being offered for the project, Motorola is required to inform Scottish Enterprise of progress with, and any major changes to, the proposed project.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149982,"EventID":"S1W-13244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the NHSiS budget for the current year and the previous two years came from cash raised from sales of former hospital sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the NHSiS budget for the current year and the previous two years came from cash raised from sales of former hospital sites.","AnswerText":"Health Boards and NHS Trusts raised £26.8m and £24.2m from the disposal of fixed assets in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 respectively. Income from the sale of fixed assets totalling £14.6m is anticipated in 2000-01.

These resources are reinvested in patient care in the NHSScotland and augment the resources made available for capital investment.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149983,"EventID":"S1W-13245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve and extend the provision of advice, information and advocacy services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve and extend the provision of advice, information and advocacy services.","AnswerText":"I have set up a working group, involving a wide range of interested organisations, to develop proposals for a community legal service to provide a user-friendly network of high-quality legal information, advice and assistance on legal problems right across Scotland. That group will report to me in October.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149984,"EventID":"S1W-13246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4313 by Susan Deacon on 24 February 2000, when it plans to review progress on the implementation of the recommendations contained i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4313 by Susan Deacon on 24 February 2000, when it plans to review progress on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services published in February 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department is currently conducting an exercise to determine the extent to which Health Boards have implemented the recommendations contained in the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149985,"EventID":"S1W-13247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7571 by Susan Deacon on 16 June 2000, what progress has been made in ensuring equity of access to infertility services and treatmen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7571 by Susan Deacon on 16 June 2000, what progress has been made in ensuring equity of access to infertility services and treatment across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13246.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149986,"EventID":"S1W-13248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the implications for rural communities of any impact which the proposed changes to EC Directiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the implications for rural communities of any impact which the proposed changes to EC Directive 97/67/EC on the common rules for the development of the internal market for postal services will have on the economic viability and future role and functions of post offices in remote and rural areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including moves to promote liberalisation of European postal markets. The Executive is committed to the maintenance of the universal service throughout Scotland at an uniform tariff and recognises the importance of the availability of postal services in rural areas. The Executive welcomed the UK Government's announcement last year that the current size of the rural Post Office network will be maintained until 2006 except where closures are unavoidable.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149987,"EventID":"S1W-13249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to letters from Tayside Health Council dated 4 July 2000, 20 July 2000, 24 August 2000, 1 September 2000, 4 Oc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to letters from Tayside Health Council dated 4 July 2000, 20 July 2000, 24 August 2000, 1 September 2000, 4 October 2000, 31 October 2000 and 23 January 2001.","AnswerText":"Following a number of personal discussions with representatives of Tayside Health Council, a written response has now been sent to both Mrs Barclay and Mrs Woore.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149988,"EventID":"S1W-13250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients had their operations cancelled for non-medical reasons on the day of admission in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients had their operations cancelled for non-medical reasons on the day of admission in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of operations cancelled by NHSScotland is not available centrally. Details of cancellations of planned admissions to hospitals are collected centrally and published annually in Scottish Health Statistics, which is available on the Internet and in the Parliaments Reference Centre. The latest edition is Bib. no. 6937.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149989,"EventID":"S1W-13251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bed days are lost each year due to delays in discharging people who are fit to leave hospital and what the cost of these bed days was to the NHSiS in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bed days are lost each year due to delays in discharging people who are fit to leave hospital and what the cost of these bed days was to the NHSiS in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The September 2000 national census showed 1,944 NHS beds occupied by patients who had waited more than six weeks from the date they were assessed as clinically ready for discharge (six weeks is the common period for discharge planning agreement timescales across Scotland). This suggests approximately 700,000 bed days incurred in a recent typical year. This figure is an estimate only and should be treated with caution; due to the absence of national trend-based information, no account can be taken of seasonal fluctuation. It is not possible to calculate accurately the associated cost which is, of course, off-set by the costs that would be incurred following discharge in each case.

Full details of the September 2000 census are available at the following web site:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/scottish_health_statistics/subject/ready_for_discharge/sept00.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149990,"EventID":"S1W-13252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were cancelled before the day of admission in each of the last five years and how many of these were cancelled because the patient's medical conditio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were cancelled before the day of admission in each of the last five years and how many of these were cancelled because the patient's medical condition stopped the operation going ahead.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13250.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149991,"EventID":"S1W-13253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHSiS Trusts have information systems in place to provide real time information for hospital staff on current and planned use of key resources to help plan patient ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHSiS Trusts have information systems in place to provide real time information for hospital staff on current and planned use of key resources to help plan patient admissions effectively.","AnswerText":"All NHS Trusts have systems in place to manage the use of key resources and plan patient admissions.

However, the use of real-time systems for these purposes is at an early stage. It is important for the development of such systems to be consistent with other systems within each Trust. The Health Department is working with NHS Trusts to take such developments forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149992,"EventID":"S1W-13254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to incorporate in-patient planning and bed management within a wider plan to develop network systems and an electronic patient record.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to incorporate in-patient planning and bed management within a wider plan to develop network systems and an electronic patient record.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland Information Management and Technology Strategy is currently being revised.

Telecommunications networks will increasingly be used on a local and national basis to support in-patient planning and bed management. An example is the Wardwatcher system which links Intensive Care Units across Scotland to a central database of ICU beds. The Scottish Executive supports - and funds where appropriate - the development of such systems.

Electronic Patient Records are being developed to hold patient specific demographic and clinical information relating to a single episode of care, and is therefore not relevant to in-patient planning or bed management.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149993,"EventID":"S1W-13255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended bed occupancy level is for hospitals and what the average bed occupancy level currently is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended bed occupancy level is for hospitals and what the average bed occupancy level currently is.","AnswerText":"There is no recommended bed occupancy level for NHSScotland. It is for health boards, working with NHS Trusts and other partners, to determine the number of hospital beds required to meet assessed need in their respective areas, taking account of local circumstances.

Detailed information on bed occupancy rates, by specialty, is published in Scottish Health Statistics. The latest edition, which was published on 14 February, is available on the Internet at

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/SHS2000/M4.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149994,"EventID":"S1W-13256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any relationship between a high hospital bed occupancy level and the risk of cancelling elective admissions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any relationship between a high hospital bed occupancy level and the risk of cancelling elective admissions.","AnswerText":"Bed occupancy and the cancellation of elective admissions are both influenced by factors which are not necessarily related. For example, there are a number of reasons why elective admissions may be cancelled, such as the illness of key members of staff.

It is for health boards, working with NHS Trusts and other partners, to determine the number of hospital beds required to meet assessed need in their respective areas, taking account of local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149995,"EventID":"S1W-13257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is expected to be collected in water and sewerage charges in 2001-02, broken down between domestic and non-domestic charges and by each water authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is expected to be collected in water and sewerage charges in 2001-02, broken down between domestic and non-domestic charges and by each water authority.","AnswerText":"Income to be collected by each Water Authority for 2001-02 is expected to be as follows:

£ millions
 

West of Scotland Water Authority

East of Scotland Water Authority

North of Scotland Water Authority

Non-domestic

128.7

73.8

84.2

Domestic

206.5

152.9

134.7

Other 1

9.5

22.8

12.7

TOTAL

249.5

1 "Other" income related to sundry activities such as charges levied for the emptying of septic tanks, sales of assets etc.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149996,"EventID":"S1W-13258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make an announcement on the future funding of the New Life for Urban Scotland partnerships in Castlemilk.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make an announcement on the future funding of the New Life for Urban Scotland partnerships in Castlemilk.","AnswerText":"When these partnerships reached the end of their 10-year life in 1998-99, continuation arrangements were put in place with special funding from the Executive for three years through to March 2002. We have concluded that after that date the Glasgow Alliance and the Capital City Partnership should be asked to take over responsibility for carrying forward the regeneration of Castlemilk and Wester Hailes. They will be asked to do this from additional resources which are being provided to support their strategies for delivering the social justice milestones and targets.

In each of the two years 2002-03 and 2003-04 we shall be making available £2.712 million to the Glasgow Alliance and £2.118 million to the Capital City Partnership. They will be expected to spend at least 80% of this budget in the first year, and at least 60% in the second year, in Castlemilk and Wester Hailes; decisions about the use of these resources will be taken in consultation with the local community.

For 2001-02 - the last year in the current three-year period - Castlemilk will receive £2.26 million, including £100,000 for support costs, and Wester Hailes £1.765 million, including £50,000 for support costs and £50,000 for environmental work. We shall also be allocating an additional £200,000 each to the Glasgow Alliance and the Capital City Partnership in 2001-02 to support their work in delivering the social justice milestones and targets.

The new arrangements from 1 April 2002, supported by additional resources from the Executive, will enable the achievements of the partnerships in Castlemilk and Wester Hailes to be consolidated and sustained, within a framework which recognises the need to integrate this work with the city-wide strategies for the delivery of the social justice milestones and targets which have been developed and are being delivered by the Glasgow Alliance and the Capital City Partnership.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149997,"EventID":"S1W-13259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the invitation recently sent to private contractors concerning the secondment of road and engineering staff to its Road Network Management and Mai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the invitation recently sent to private contractors concerning the secondment of road and engineering staff to its Road Network Management and Maintenance Division to local authorities.","AnswerText":"Secondments of road and engineering staff are secured on the basis of competition between competent providers, judged on the basis of quality and price. There is no reason why local authorities should not be invited to put forward bids for seconded staff and the Scottish Executive will explore this if further vacancies occur for road and engineering secondees. This is in line with the new Scottish Executive/COSLA partnership which makes provision for local authority secondments.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149998,"EventID":"S1W-13260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Motorola is obliged to inform it of any changes in plans for the former Hyundai site near Dunfermline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Motorola is obliged to inform it of any changes in plans for the former Hyundai site near Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13243.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":149999,"EventID":"S1W-13261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to intervene to prevent the demolition of the William Chalmers Burns Memorial Hall in Kilsyth, in view of his historical significance as the first Briti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to intervene to prevent the demolition of the William Chalmers Burns Memorial Hall in Kilsyth, in view of his historical significance as the first British missionary to China.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

I understand that a building warrant has been granted for the demolition of the Burns Memorial Hall, Kilsyth. The hall, which is owned by North Lanarkshire Council, is not a listed building and lies outside the town's conservation area. Historic Scotland has no locus to intervene but officials from Historic Scotland are in informal contact with council officials about the future of the building.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150000,"EventID":"S1W-13262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding of an additional 22,000 respite weeks announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 5 October 2000 will be additional to the #10 million ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding of an additional 22,000 respite weeks announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 5 October 2000 will be additional to the #10 million allocated in 2000-01 for carers' services including respite following the report Strategy for Carers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150001,"EventID":"S1W-13263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls from carers have been received by the NHS Helpline since the launch of its service for carers in April 2000 and whether this level of calls represents val","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls from carers have been received by the NHS Helpline since the launch of its service for carers in April 2000 and whether this level of calls represents value for money.","AnswerText":"Between 1 April and 31 December last year a total of 1,231 calls were received by the NHS Helpline on carer-related issues. Information is one of the main needs of carers. Our decision to extend the NHS Helpline to contain social care information, and particularly information for carers, is potentially helping over 100 carers a month. Carers can now obtain advice and support through a single and easily accessible gateway, one that was previously unavailable to them, and that is to be welcomed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150002,"EventID":"S1W-13264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether carers' needs are taken into account in the statutory performance indicator on assessment under which figures are required by the Accounts Commission from local a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether carers' needs are taken into account in the statutory performance indicator on assessment under which figures are required by the Accounts Commission from local authorities and when the first figures in relation to this performance indicator will be published.","AnswerText":"The Executive is discussing with Audit Scotland how information on local authorities' support for carers should be reflected in their statutory performance indicators. Local authorities have not previously recorded this information separately, and they plan to start doing so as a result of the work of the Social Work Information Review which reported in 2000. Comprehensive figures are likely to be collected from April 2002, following a pilot survey starting later this year. Audit Scotland's existing performance indicators already include information on people being assessed for, and receiving, respite services which gives an indication of the numbers of carers benefiting from short break services.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150003,"EventID":"S1W-13265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on its commitment to promoting carer-friendly employment policies with the business sector, as outlined in Strategy for Carers in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on its commitment to promoting carer-friendly employment policies with the business sector, as outlined in Strategy for Carers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The promotion of carer-friendly employment policies is a reserved matter. The Department for Education and Employment, and other UK Departments, are already taking action to promote carer-friendly employment policies amongst the UK business sector through, for example, the Work-Life Balance Campaign. Officials in the Scottish Executive will shortly meet UK Government officials to discuss the position in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150004,"EventID":"S1W-13266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has in place to ensure that the rights of carers and families are upheld when those they care for are being discharged from hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has in place to ensure that the rights of carers and families are upheld when those they care for are being discharged from hospital.","AnswerText":"The NHS in Scotland is required to provide patients being discharged with prescribed standards of information about treatment and follow-up arrangements. Guidance to NHS Trusts on these standards also allows this information to be given to relatives, carers and GPs, where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150005,"EventID":"S1W-13267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to learn from other countries' sea fisheries conservation and recovery plans, in particular from those of Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Canada, and whether ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to learn from other countries' sea fisheries conservation and recovery plans, in particular from those of Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Canada, and whether it has adopted, or has any plans to adopt, any such schemes.","AnswerText":"The Executive does study the sea fisheries and conservation recovery plans of other countries. Our scientists have frequent contacts with scientists from other countries, including those mentioned, and regularly investigate good practice in fisheries management.

The Executive has been involved in the Canadian responsible fishing initiative, attending conferences at ministerial level in March 2000 and at official level in November 2000. I also plan to attend a conference on "sustainable utilisation of marine living resources" to be held in the Faroe Islands in June this year.

The appropriate level of adoption for any such schemes, adapted for European conditions, would be at EU level as part of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150006,"EventID":"S1W-13268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when figures for hospital-acquired infections in private and NHS hospitals caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when figures for hospital-acquired infections in private and NHS hospitals caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus will be available.","AnswerText":"Effective surveillance of hospital-acquired infection (HAI), of which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one cause, is a key part of the Executive’s approach to tackling this important priority within the NHS. A sub-group of the Health Department’s Advisory Group on Infection has been developing plans for a national surveillance system for HAI, including MRSA, in Scotland. The group has been asked to provide recommendations to the department and is expected to do so shortly. The group recognises the priority that needs to be attached to infections caused by MRSA. Once their report is received, I will be considering what further steps are needed to introduce surveillance of HAI across Scotland, and in what timescale.

The application of HAI monitoring to the private health care sector is currently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150007,"EventID":"S1W-13269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13246 on 23 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150008,"EventID":"S1W-13270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the eligibility criteria for access to infertility services will apply equally to all those requiring the service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the eligibility criteria for access to infertility services will apply equally to all those requiring the service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13246 on 23 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150009,"EventID":"S1W-13271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists regarding making assistance available towards course fees for continuing professional d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists regarding making assistance available towards course fees for continuing professional development.","AnswerText":"Continuing Professional Development for all staff in the NHS in Scotland is the responsibility of the employer.

A Project Development Group has been established in partnership and under the banner of Learning Together, focusing on Continuing Development for all staff and is looking at ways in which training budgets in the NHSScotland can be used more effectively to meet the training and professional development needs of all staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150010,"EventID":"S1W-13272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest average waiting times are to see a podiatrist, broken down by each NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest average waiting times are to see a podiatrist, broken down by each NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"The treatment of patients by a podiatrist is generally undertaken in a primary care setting by the Community Chiropody Service or sessions at NHS hospitals, clinics or other NHS facilities staffed by Professions Allied to Medicine. Information on waiting times for services provided by the Community Chiropody Service or by Professions Allied to Medicine is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150011,"EventID":"S1W-13274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what comparisons were made with other roads, in terms of the number and seriousness of ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what comparisons were made with other roads, in terms of the number and seriousness of accidents, before the alterations currently being made to the A78 at the junction with Beachway in Largs were given the go-ahead.","AnswerText":"The accident record on this section of trunk road was compared with the accident record over the complete trunk road network. Where localised sites are shown to have accidents arising from a common cause, accident reduction measures are implemented to address the particular problems identified.

The decision to progress accident reduction schemes is based on the first year rate of return. The schemes with the highest rate of return are progressed first.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150012,"EventID":"S1W-13275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what analysis has been undertaken to ascertain the degree of delays on the A78 that the a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what analysis has been undertaken to ascertain the degree of delays on the A78 that the alterations currently being made at the A78 at the junction with Beachway in Largs will cause.","AnswerText":"The works are minor in nature and relate to safety issues. No analysis of delays has been carried out. The effectiveness of the works will be closely monitored over the next few months and if there are unacceptable delays to trunk road traffic adjustments to the works will be considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150013,"EventID":"S1W-13276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what consultation was undertaken, and with whom, before the re-location of a bus stop on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, what consultation was undertaken, and with whom, before the re-location of a bus stop on the A78 in Largs near to its junction with Beachway and in what ways this change will improve pedestrian safety.","AnswerText":"The Police and Strathclyde Passenger Transport were consulted on the re-location of the bus stop. The new location will encourage pedestrians to cross to the bus stop away from the junction where vehicle turning movements can conflict with pedestrian movements.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150014,"EventID":"S1W-13277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether the alterations currently being made at the A78's junction with Beachway in Largs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether the alterations currently being made at the A78's junction with Beachway in Largs have ever been described by it, or by North Ayrshire Council in any submissions to the Executive on this matter, as traffic calming measures.","AnswerText":"No. These works are described as Accident Investigation and Prevention measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150015,"EventID":"S1W-13278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any detailed cost-benefit analysis specific to the alterations currently being ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12766 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any detailed cost-benefit analysis specific to the alterations currently being made at the junction of the A78 and Beachway in Largs was carried out prior to the alterations taking place.","AnswerText":"In all Accident Investigation and Prevention schemes it is standard practice to measure savings in terms of predicted reductions in injury accidents in the first year. These savings are then compared against the estimated cost of implementing the works.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150016,"EventID":"S1W-13279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways the objectives of traffic calming initiatives and road safety initiatives differ.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways the objectives of traffic calming initiatives and road safety initiatives differ.","AnswerText":"Traffic calming is generally provided over the whole length of a route through a town or village to improve safety and minimise the effect of through traffic on the environment. Traffic calming schemes often involve a diverse range of measures including signing, changes to the road alignment and road texture and measures to control traffic speeds.

Accident Investigation and Prevention measures are implemented to address particular safety issues at specific locations on the road network.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150017,"EventID":"S1W-13280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any analysis was carried out in relation to the effectiveness of existing street ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any analysis was carried out in relation to the effectiveness of existing street lighting along the A78 through Largs prior to that street lighting being replaced.","AnswerText":"Street lighting on all trunk roads is inspected annually as part of a lighting maintenance programme. During the annual inspection the street lighting in Largs was considered to be life expired and required replacement.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150018,"EventID":"S1W-13281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether particular local conditions can mean that additional or stronger lighting than th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether particular local conditions can mean that additional or stronger lighting than the nationally recommended level of lighting is required.","AnswerText":"Road lighting is designed in accordance with national guidelines laid down in the Design of Road Lighting for All Purpose Trunk Roads and BS5489, the British Standard Code for Road Lighting. These documents require that lighting schemes should be designed to cater for local needs including safety and environmental considerations. This may require the installation of additional or lesser lighting units depending on the local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150019,"EventID":"S1W-13282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any street lights along the A78 through Largs were relocated during the recent re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any street lights along the A78 through Largs were relocated during the recent replacement programme and, if so, whether any residents who might be affected by any such relocations were consulted prior to the work being carried out.","AnswerText":"The new lighting columns were relocated to the centre of the footway in Main Street, Largs. Other columns along the A78 were generally located in similar locations to the previous columns. However, there may have been some which had to be relocated to avoid street furniture, junctions etc. There is no requirement to undertake consultation with local residents.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150020,"EventID":"S1W-13283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether it has any plans to erect street lighting on the south side of the A78 through La","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether it has any plans to erect street lighting on the south side of the A78 through Largs on the stretch of Main Street between Largs railway station and Bath Street.","AnswerText":"There is an ongoing lighting replacement programme in Largs which will be progressed as and when funding permits.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150021,"EventID":"S1W-13284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the powers under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 have been used in each year since the Act came into force to require that improvements be made to unsatisfa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the powers under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 have been used in each year since the Act came into force to require that improvements be made to unsatisfactory accesses to trunk roads.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not recorded by the Scottish Executive or its agents.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150022,"EventID":"S1W-13285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Road Network Management and Maintenance Division is producing new guidelines on the assessment of development proposals affecting trunk roads; when any such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Road Network Management and Maintenance Division is producing new guidelines on the assessment of development proposals affecting trunk roads; when any such guidelines will be put to the Parliament for consideration, and, if there is no such date set, whether it will set a deadline for the completion of this work and the guidelines being put to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, Road Network Management and Maintenance Division are in the process of preparing new guidelines on the assessment of development proposals that affect trunk roads. No specific timescale for the completion of these new guidelines has been set. However, once the guidelines are completed they will be published in draft form for consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150023,"EventID":"S1W-13286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times permission for new accesses to trunk roads for new or proposed developments has been refused in recent years and whether it can quantify the impact of its","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times permission for new accesses to trunk roads for new or proposed developments has been refused in recent years and whether it can quantify the impact of its policy on new accesses to trunk roads on the rural economy.","AnswerText":"During 1999 and 2000, officials within the Scottish Executive Road Network Management and Maintenance Division gave advice to Scottish planning authorities on 1250 planning applications some of which would have included requests for new accesses onto trunk roads. The determination of these planning applications then rests with the relevant local planning authority.

Generally, proposals for new accesses to trunk roads are assessed by the Executive and relevant local planning authority, on a case by case basis. The benefits and costs of trunk road access are carefully assessed, (with particular regard to the likely impact on accidents and traffic flows), alongside those of the alternative options available to meet the developers' needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150024,"EventID":"S1W-13287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the candidate who fills the vacant post of general practitioner for Helmsdale is based in Helmsdale after appointment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the candidate who fills the vacant post of general practitioner for Helmsdale is based in Helmsdale after appointment.","AnswerText":"The arrangements to fill the vacancy following the resignation of the General Practitioner at Helmsdale are matters for the Scottish Medical Practices Committee and Highland Primary Care NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150025,"EventID":"S1W-13288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules exist to govern the advertising of vacancies for general practitioners in rural areas in relation to (a) the number of adverts to be placed, (b) the duration ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules exist to govern the advertising of vacancies for general practitioners in rural areas in relation to (a) the number of adverts to be placed, (b) the duration of the advertising campaign and (c) the publications in which adverts should appear; whether any such guidelines were followed in relation to the advertising of the vacancy in Helmsdale and, if there are no such guidelines, whether it will instruct Highland Primary Health Care NHS Trust to re-advertise this post.","AnswerText":"The rules which govern the advertising of vacancies for general practitioners are set out in the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995. The Regulations require the notice of vacancy to include details of the practice and the closing date for applications. They also require the health board or Primary Care Trust to bring the vacancy to the attention of prospective applicants outside the area. These requirements were followed by Highland Primary Care NHS Trust in relation to the vacancy at Helmsdale.

The number of adverts to be placed, the duration of the exercise and the publications in which adverts appear are not laid down in Regulations and are matters for decision locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150026,"EventID":"S1W-13289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) nursing home and (b) residential home places have been lost in each of the last three years, both nationally and broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) nursing home and (b) residential home places have been lost in each of the last three years, both nationally and broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Information on places lost in private nursing homes and residential care homes is not available centrally.

However, a census of bed complement is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home and registered residential care home. Table 1 shows the number of places available in Residential Care Homes.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150027,"EventID":"S1W-13290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes and (c) local authority residential homes have been closed in each of the last three years, both nationa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes and (c) local authority residential homes have been closed in each of the last three years, both nationally and by local authority.","AnswerText":"Information on closures of private nursing homes and residential care homes is not available centrally.

However, a census is carried out annually for each private nursing home and registered residential care home. Table 1 shows the number of residential care homes in each of the three years.

Table 1: Residential care homes - places (Older People Only)

Local Authority

1998

1999

2000

Aberdeen City

686

691

675

Aberdeenshire

620

675

655

Angus

606

593

535

Argyll & Bute

701

612

557

Clackmannanshire

83

83

83

Dumfries & Galloway

650

716

818

Dundee City

628

507

481

East Ayrshire

368

479

432

East Dunbartonshire

187

138

118

East Lothian

332

324

268

East Renfrewshire

201

206

200

Edinburgh, City of

1,403

1,361

1,289

Eileanan Siar

192

195

201

Falkirk

313

284

284

Fife

1,008

958

The Executive made provision of £4 million this financial year for major flood prevention and coast protection schemes. I have already announced that this will increase to £8.5, £9 and £10 million over the next three years.

The funds available to local authorities through the single non-housing capital allocation include for flood prevention. The Minister for Finance and Local Government has announced a single allocation of £321/£325/£360 million over the next three years. However, allocation of these resources for flood prevention measures and other services is entirely a matter for the local authorities, taking account of local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150030,"EventID":"S1W-13293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract for running the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay has recently been out to tender; if so, why; which companies were invited to tender, and which co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract for running the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay has recently been out to tender; if so, why; which companies were invited to tender, and which companies lodged tenders.","AnswerText":"The current contract for the provision of nursery services at Victoria Quay expires on 28 February 2001. Advertisements were placed in Nursery World and Government Opportunities on 9 June 2000 calling for expressions of interest in tendering for the requirement. 11 expressions of interest were received. 11 Invitations to Tender were issued and six completed tenders were received.

Following detailed evaluation the new contract has been awarded to Kinderquest. It would be inappropriate to disclose which companies tendered but were not successful in winning the contract. Debriefs were offered to the unsuccessful tenderers.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150031,"EventID":"S1W-13294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children attended the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay in each month since January 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children attended the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay in each month since January 1997.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not require the contractor to provide monthly attendance details. We do however hold information on occupancy rates. This information is retained centrally for only six months. The occupancy rates are as follows:

August 2000 - 74.4%

September 2000 - 75.5%

October 2000 - 78.0%

November 2000 - 80.8%

December 2000 - 80.8%

January 2001 - 80.8%

The February 2001 figures are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150032,"EventID":"S1W-13295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current (a) hourly, (b) daily and (c) weekly charges are for use of the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay and what these costs have been in each year since 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current (a) hourly, (b) daily and (c) weekly charges are for use of the nursery facilities at Victoria Quay and what these costs have been in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"It is not the Scottish Executive practice to publish commercial information provided to it in confidence by suppliers tendering for Scottish Executive contracts. The contractor may choose to disclose this information.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150033,"EventID":"S1W-13296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the membership of the Care Development Group will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the membership of the Care Development Group will be announced.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to be able to announce today the membership of the Care Development Group.

Chair

Malcolm Chisholm, Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care

Members

Professor David Bell, Department of Economics, University of Stirling

Dr Roger Gibbins, Chief Executive Highland Health Board

Professor Alan Gilloran, Dean of Social Sciences and Health Care, Queen Margaret University

Dr Sandra Grant, OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Health Advisory Service

Jim Jackson, Director, Alzheimer's Scotland

Alexis Jay, Director of Social Work and Housing Services, West Dunbartonshire Council

David Kelly, Director of Community Services, West Lothian Council

Professor Mary Marshall, Director, Dementia Services Development Centre

Dr Ken O'Neill, Lead General Practitioner, South West Glasgow Local Health Care Co-operative

Professor Alison Petch, Director, Nuffield Centre for Community Care Studies, University of Glasgow

Sue Plummer, Director of Nursing, Borders Primary Care NHS Trust

In undertaking their work the group will call on a wide range of expertise and advice to assist them. This will include, for example, liaising with those involved in organising the assessment of need and the delivery of care to people in their own homes, in residential or nursing homes and in hospital; with those involved in setting and monitoring standards for care, and with carers themselves. On the structural and technical issues involved, the group will seek such demographic, economic and financial advice as necessary from the acknowledged experts in these areas. The group will also be liaising closely with the Chief Nursing Officer on the follow up to her group's work which will aim to develop a process to capture all care needs in a single assessment.

It is also vitally important that older people themselves are fully involved in this process and the Care Development Group will seek the views of the full range of groups representing older people and their carers across the country.

In addition, the Scottish Executive will commission research into the views of older people and carers about the availability and quality of current service provision and about their expectations of services in the future, in order to inform the group's work.

The group's full terms of reference were announced on 31 January in response to question S1W-12937.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150034,"EventID":"S1W-13297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the case of St Kilda for gaining world cultural heritage status.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the case of St Kilda for gaining world cultural heritage status.","AnswerText":"Nominations for World Heritage Sites are made to UNESCO by individual States; proposals for Scottish sites are drawn up and submitted by the Scottish Executive. We are considering the possibility of seeking to add cultural criteria to the case which is currently being made to extend the present St Kilda World Heritage Site to encompass a larger maritime area.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150035,"EventID":"S1W-13298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of tuberculosis were recorded in the (a) adult and (b) child population in each of the last 20 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of tuberculosis were recorded in the (a) adult and (b) child population in each of the last 20 years.","AnswerText":"The information is set out in the table:

Tuberculosis notifications: numbers and percentage of population, by age

Table 1: Residential care homes - numbers of (Older People Only)

 

1998

1999

2000

Local Authority Area

Local Authority

Private

Voluntary

All

Local Authority

Private

Voluntary

All

Local Authority

Private

Voluntary

All

Aberdeen City

10

2

9

21

10

2

9

21

9

3

9

21

Aberdeenshire

14

8

7

29

12

10

7

29

13

10

6

29

Angus

6

19

2

27

6

19

2

27

4

19

2

25

Argyll & Bute

7

22

4

33

7

20

Notifications

Percentage of Population

Year

Children1

Adults2

Children1

Adults2

1979

110

1,113

0.010

0.028

1980

91

1,047

0.008

0.026

1981

95

877

0.009

0.021

1982

74

828

0.007

0.020

1983

56

773

0.005

0.019

1984

58

680

0.006

0.016

1985

40

667

0.004

0.016

1986

65

691

0.007

0.017

1987

36

524

0.004

0.013

1988

34

494

0.004

0.012

The same as you?, the Scottish Executive carried out the following research which includes reference to types of abuse:

If you don't ask you don't get, a survey of people with learning disabilities and their families about social and healthcare services. A copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 2300)

Changing Public attitudes to People with Learning disabilities in Scotland, a report on public attitudes towards people with a learning disability, comprising a review of literature, an opinion poll, a round table discussion and a policy paper. These papers are available on the Internet at: www.scotland.gov.uk/ldsr/progress.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150041,"EventID":"S1W-13304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many primary teaching vacancies have been unfilled for (a) over one month and (b) over three months in each local authority in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many primary teaching vacancies have been unfilled for (a) over one month and (b) over three months in each local authority in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13073 on 19 February 2001.

The Supply of Teachers report is now also on the Scottish Executive website www.scotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150042,"EventID":"S1W-13305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why 52 licenses were issued to kill robins in the 1990s.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why 52 licenses were issued to kill robins in the 1990s.","AnswerText":"Licences were issued on public health grounds to kill or take robins in food preparation premises and major food outlets. Such licences are issued only where all non-lethal methods of removal have failed, there is a clear hazard to food preparations and a threat to public health has been demonstrated.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150043,"EventID":"S1W-13306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dementia sufferers there currently are in the Highlands of Scotland; how many it estimates there will be by 2006; whether there is an ongoing shortage in the re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dementia sufferers there currently are in the Highlands of Scotland; how many it estimates there will be by 2006; whether there is an ongoing shortage in the region of nursing homes which are able to provide appropriate nursing care for such sufferers, and what action it intends to take in relation to any such shortage.","AnswerText":"Patients diagnosed with dementia will be treated in a variety of NHS locations depending on the severity of the condition. Many will be seen in general practice while others will be admitted to hospital or nursing home care. At present, it is not possible to estimate the current number of suffers in Highland Health Board area, or the number in 2006.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150044,"EventID":"S1W-13307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards a definition of \"positions working regularly with vulnerable adults\" in relation to extending the categories entitled to free crimina","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards a definition of \"positions working regularly with vulnerable adults\" in relation to extending the categories entitled to free criminal record checks for the purposes of Part V of the Police Act 1997.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13308 today.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150045,"EventID":"S1W-13308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies have been or are being consulted with regard to establishing a definition of \"positions working regularly with vulnerable adults\" in relation to extending","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies have been or are being consulted with regard to establishing a definition of \"positions working regularly with vulnerable adults\" in relation to extending the categories entitled to free criminal record checks for the purposes of Part V of the Police Act 1997.","AnswerText":"A draft definition of "vulnerable adult" will shortly be the subject of consultation with relevant organisations in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. In the meantime, we have decided that Part V criminal record checks on volunteers working with vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector may be carried out without cost to the volunteer or to the voluntary organisation concerned. This will put volunteers working with vulnerable adults on a par with those working with children.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150046,"EventID":"S1W-13309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the costs of criminal records checks for people \"working regularly with vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector\" once a definition has been agreed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the costs of criminal records checks for people \"working regularly with vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector\" once a definition has been agreed.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13308.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150047,"EventID":"S1W-13310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12112 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2001, whether the assignation to Skye Bridge Limited (SBL) of the right to collect tolls on the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12112 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2001, whether the assignation to Skye Bridge Limited (SBL) of the right to collect tolls on the Skye Bridge and the operation of the bridge by Miller Dywidag on SBL's behalf means that Miller Civil Engineering is authorised to charge tolls on the A87.","AnswerText":"Miller Civil Engineering Ltd does not have the authority to charge tolls on the A87 in its own right. As I made clear in my answers to S1W-10325 on 5 December and S1W-12112 on 18 January, the right to collect tolls has been assigned to Skye Bridge Limited while the operation of the bridge is carried out on SBL's behalf by the joint venture Miller Dywidag.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150048,"EventID":"S1W-13311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Stagecoach-Bluebird regarding the reduction in the level of bus services serving Kemnay, Portlethen, Johnshaven and Ballater in Ab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Stagecoach-Bluebird regarding the reduction in the level of bus services serving Kemnay, Portlethen, Johnshaven and Ballater in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"The provision of local bus services is a matter for the commercial judgement of bus operators. However, local authorities have the power to subsidise local bus services if they cannot be run on a commercial basis and if the services meet an identifiable social need. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, which received Royal Assent on 25 January, includes provisions to enable local authorities to play a key role in determining local bus service provision and to enhance service frequency through subsidy. The requirement for local authorities to consider whether, by making such subsidies, competition might be inhibited has been replaced by a general requirement to have regard to the interests of the public and bus operators.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150049,"EventID":"S1W-13312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whom commercial bus operators are required to consult before making changes to their bus service operations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whom commercial bus operators are required to consult before making changes to their bus service operations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive fully recognises the importance of stability of bus service provision, and of proper consultation when changes are being proposed. I plan to bring regulations forward to require local bus operators to consult local authorities 14 days before submitting registration details to the Traffic Commissioner. I also plan to increase the registration period from 42 to 56 days for all new services, variations, cancellations and public holidays, and to introduce a requirement to give 30 days notice to the public of variations and cancellations.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, which received Royal Assent on 25 January 2001, contains powers to require bus operators to operate new or varied services for a minimum of 90 days. The Act also includes statutory consultation requirements as regards Quality Partnership, Quality Contract and joint ticketing schemes, and the provision of information about local bus services.

This represents a formidable package of additional powers which should encourage local authorities and bus operators, taking account of the views of bus users, to work together to ensure the stability of, and improvements to, local bus services.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150050,"EventID":"S1W-13313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10021 by Susan Deacon on 5 October 2000, how many digital hearing aids were provided by the NHSiS in each health board area in each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10021 by Susan Deacon on 5 October 2000, how many digital hearing aids were provided by the NHSiS in each health board area in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13069 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150051,"EventID":"S1W-13314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland received a proposal from the Camanachd Association to set up a working party to discuss an increase in its core funding; whether this proposal has ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland received a proposal from the Camanachd Association to set up a working party to discuss an increase in its core funding; whether this proposal has been rejected and what the reasons were for any such decision; whether sportscotland has requested that an independent review of shinty be conducted, what the reasons are for any such request and what such a review will cost, and whether it will consider redirecting the cost of any such review towards increasing the core grant of the Camanachd Association.","AnswerText":"As explained in my response to question S1W-12677 on 14 February, sportscotland has offered to fund an independent review of the Camanachd Association. The Association's response was to reject the offer and instead propose that an independently chaired working party be set up to look at the differences between it and sportscotland. sportscotland rejected this approach because of concerns that a working party would focus on the issue of the Camanachd Association's core funding, an issue on which a decision has already been taken.

An independent review of the Camanachd Association would be wide ranging and its aim would be to ensure the long term success of shinty and the viability of the Association. The cost of a review would be approximately £10,000. sportscotland would not consider redirecting the one off costs of a review to the Camanachd Association's core grant as there is presently no basis on which to increase the Camanachd Association's core funding.

sportscotland's offer of an independent review remains on the table. The way forward for the Camanachd Association and the sport of shinty is to accept the offer.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150052,"EventID":"S1W-13315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each of the 100 contracts awarded since 1994 under the Scottish Renewables Obligation, specifying the nature, location and cost of each scheme and th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each of the 100 contracts awarded since 1994 under the Scottish Renewables Obligation, specifying the nature, location and cost of each scheme and the type of energy involved.","AnswerText":"109 contracts have been awarded under the Scottish Renewables Obligation since 1994. These are listed in the table. We do not hold any information regarding the cost of each scheme.

Energy Type

Location/Local Authority

Size (MW)

Biomass

Westfield (Fife)

9.8

Biomass

Burnside Farm, Brodick, Arran (North Ayrshire)

2

Biomass

Morayhill Energy Plant (Highland)

12.9

Energy from Waste

Baldovie (Dundee City)

8.3

Energy from Waste

Westfield (Fife)

14.7

Energy from Waste

(Glasgow City)

15

Energy from Waste

Dargavel (Dumfries & Galloway)

7.2

Hydro

Russell Burn, Applecross (Highland)

0.53

Hydro

Loch Poll, Assynt (Highland)

0.23

Hydro

Sheildaig, Gairloch (Highland)

2.1

Hydro

Inverbroom, Ullapool (Highland)

3.17

Hydro

Cuileig (Highland)

3

Hydro

Treatment and rehabilitation funding forms an important part of the £100 million package which the Executive has made available for tackling drug misuse. We are determined to break the cycle of misuse which leads to the many other problems associated with drugs. That is why we have committed an extra £10 million for treatment services and £21 million for rehabilitation over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150055,"EventID":"S1W-13318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to improve GP awareness of the dangers of long-term addiction to valium and other ben'odia'epines and to ensure that GPs adhere to guidelin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to improve GP awareness of the dangers of long-term addiction to valium and other ben'odia'epines and to ensure that GPs adhere to guidelines relating to the prescription of such drugs.","AnswerText":"The dangers of long-term addiction to benzodiazepines are well recognised and information about the prescribing of these medicines is available to GPs from a number of sources. Importantly, the British National Formulary (BNF), issued free to doctors and pharmacists, provides key information for health professionals on how to use medicines safely and effectively. In addition, in 1988, the Committee on Safety of Medicines issued guidelines to doctors on the use of benzodiazepines. These guidelines remain extant.

General practitioners take responsibility for their own learning needs as part of the process of lifelong learning and maintenance of clinical skills. The Scottish Executive supports this through payment of an annual Post Graduate Education Allowance to GPs. In addition we would expect all GPs to keep up-to-date with current practice and clinical guidelines in all relevant clinical areas as part of their continuing professional development.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150056,"EventID":"S1W-13319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who committed suicide in each of the last three years had an addiction to valium or other ben'odia'epines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who committed suicide in each of the last three years had an addiction to valium or other ben'odia'epines.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people with an addiction to valium or other benzodiazepines who have committed suicide in each of the three years is not held centrally. However, the number of suicides where a benzodiazepine was recorded as being present at the time of death is as follows:

1997 32

1998 38

1999 26

These figures, it should be noted, include deaths where it is undetermined whether the injury was purposely or accidentally inflicted. This is normal practice when collecting information on suicides. Also, in many instances other drugs were recorded, for example, methadone and heroin.

Of the above deaths the following numbers were known to be dependent drug misusers, though the drug of abuse may not have been a benzodiazepine:

1997 9

1998 11

1999 10","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150057,"EventID":"S1W-13320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out into the long-term use of ben'odia'epines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out into the long-term use of ben'odia'epines.","AnswerText":"No comprehensive record of all research into the long-term use of benzodiazepines is held centrally. Within the Scottish Executive Health Department, however, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research to improve both the health of the people in Scotland and the services provided by the NHS. The Executive is aware of eight ongoing benzodiazepine research projects in the UK. Details of these projects are available from the National Research Register (NRR), a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150058,"EventID":"S1W-13321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the recommendations contained in the report of the HIV Health Promotion Strategy Review Group, what new guidance it plans to issue regarding the provision of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the recommendations contained in the report of the HIV Health Promotion Strategy Review Group, what new guidance it plans to issue regarding the provision of needles and syringes to injecting drug users.","AnswerText":"The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises the UK health and justice departments, will be considering the significance of injecting paraphernalia for the transmission of bloodborne viruses at its next meeting on 31 May. The Executive will consider what further guidance to health boards might be appropriate in the light of the Advisory Council's conclusions.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150059,"EventID":"S1W-13322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how tenants will be represented in the Glasgow Housing Association in the event of housing stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how tenants will be represented in the Glasgow Housing Association in the event of housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"The constitution of the Glasgow Housing Association states that the association shall have a committee of up to 24 members and that up to nine of its committee members shall be tenant committee members.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150060,"EventID":"S1W-13323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided in total by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies, both expressed as a percentage of the over 65s population.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided in total by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies, both expressed as a percentage of the over 65s population.","AnswerText":"Figures for elderly day care places expressed as a percentage of the 65+ population are presented in the table, split by local authority, private and voluntary sectors. Figures for elderly day care in Scotland are available and can be found in the publication Scottish Community Care Statistics 1999 (Table 1.8, page 9) and also on the Scottish Executive website.

Day Care places for Older People in Scotland, as a percentage of the 65+ population 1998

Sector

Number of places

Proportion of over 65 population

Local Authority

5,599

0.71%

Private

214

0.03%

Voluntary

1,924

0.25%

Scotland

7,737

0.99%

Source: SEHD Community Care Statistics - D1-B Return Population Estimates, Scotland - prepared by GRO.

It is for local authorities to decide whether day care centres should be available for older people in their areas. There is no common definition of statutory agencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150061,"EventID":"S1W-13324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies and how these figures compare with any figures it holds for (i) Englan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies and how these figures compare with any figures it holds for (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"

  1. Figures for elderly day care places provided by the voluntary sector in Scotland are available and can be found in the publication Scottish Community Care Statistics 1999 (Table 1.8, page 9) and also on the Scottish Executive website. Figures for local authority and private day care centres are also provided.
  2. It is for local authorities to decide whether day care centres should be available for older people in their areas.
(i), (ii), (iii) The Scottish Executive does not hold figures for England, Wales or Northern Ireland.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150062,"EventID":"S1W-13325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current daily cost is of a local authority elderly day care centre place, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current daily cost is of a local authority elderly day care centre place, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150063,"EventID":"S1W-13326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly day care places are currently provided by (a) voluntary and (b) statutory agencies, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"
  1. Figures for elderly day care places provided by the voluntary sector in Scotland are available and can be found in the publication Scottish Community Care Statistics 1999 (Table 1.8, page 9) and also on the Scottish Executive website. Figures for local authority and private day care centres are also provided.
It is for local authorities to decide whether day care centres should be available for older people in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150064,"EventID":"S1W-13327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are removed each month from NHS Trust waiting lists having declined an appointment at a private facility, broken down by NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are removed each month from NHS Trust waiting lists having declined an appointment at a private facility, broken down by NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"None. Current guidance on the completion of waiting list returns makes it clear that if an NHS patient declines an appointment for treatment at any private facility, then they should remain on the NHS Trust's inpatient/day case waiting list until they are admitted to hospital for treatment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150065,"EventID":"S1W-13328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are removed each month from NHS Trust waiting lists having declined an appointment at a private facility outwith their local health board area, broken ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are removed each month from NHS Trust waiting lists having declined an appointment at a private facility outwith their local health board area, broken down by NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13327.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150066,"EventID":"S1W-13329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients are offered appointments at facilities outwith their local health board area each month.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients are offered appointments at facilities outwith their local health board area each month.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally available.

Many patients will routinely be treated outwith their local health board area if, for example, they require specialist services which are not provided locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150067,"EventID":"S1W-13330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients are offered appointments at private facilities outwith their local health board area each month.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients are offered appointments at private facilities outwith their local health board area each month.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150068,"EventID":"S1W-13331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reimbursement of travel costs NHS patients receive when they are required to travel outwith their local authority health board area to take up an appointment at a p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reimbursement of travel costs NHS patients receive when they are required to travel outwith their local authority health board area to take up an appointment at a private facility.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the relevant health board which has discretion to reimburse the travelling expenses incurred by patients referred to NHS or private hospitals outwith their health board area of residence.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150069,"EventID":"S1W-13332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13296 by Susan Deacon on 13 February 200, whether it will consider adding organisations representing disabled people to the members","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13296 by Susan Deacon on 13 February 200, whether it will consider adding organisations representing disabled people to the membership of the Care Development Group.","AnswerText":"The members of the group represents a good cross-section of disciplines and will call on a wide range of expertise and advice to assist them. It will be for the group to decide how to engage with all the relevant interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150070,"EventID":"S1W-13333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the recommendations of Chapter 9 of the Sutherland Report regarding personal care of younger disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the recommendations of Chapter 9 of the Sutherland Report regarding personal care of younger disabled people.","AnswerText":"We have noted the brief analysis of the needs of younger disabled people in the Sutherland Report and agree with the Commission's recommendation that further work is required to understand fully the complex issues involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150071,"EventID":"S1W-13334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any protesters were strip searched at any police station following the protest at Faslane on 12 February 2001 and, if so, what the sex and ages were of the protes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any protesters were strip searched at any police station following the protest at Faslane on 12 February 2001 and, if so, what the sex and ages were of the protestors searched in this way.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for Strathclyde Police.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150072,"EventID":"S1W-13335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Millennium Commission funding has been allocated to each (a) parliamentary region and (b) parliamentary constituency and what percentage of the total monies all","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Millennium Commission funding has been allocated to each (a) parliamentary region and (b) parliamentary constituency and what percentage of the total monies allocated by the Commission in Scotland each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"I attach the information requested, as supplied by the Millennium Commission.

Constituency/Region

TOTAL

Percentage of total allocation in Scotland

Airdrie and Shotts

£8,842.00

0.00%

Coatbridge and Chryston

£49,154.44

0.02%

Cumbernauld & Kilsyth

£46,069.52

0.02%

East Kilbride

£24,548.00

0.01%

Falkirk East

£29,920.00

0.01%

Falkirk West

£17,116.00

0.01%

Hamilton North and Bellshill

£47,041.65

0.02%

Hamilton South

£28,305.00

0.01%

Kilmarnock and Louden

£32,995.00

0.02%

Motherwell and Wishaw

£8,699.00

0.00%

Total for Central Scotland region

£292,690.61

0.14%

Glasgow Anniesland

£445,026.00

0.21%

Glasgow Ballieston

£1,267,427.49

0.61%

Glasgow Cathcart

£25,476,114.00

12.30%

Glasgow Govan

£35,671,650.32

17.23%

Glasgow Kelvin

£653,214.84

0.32%

Glasgow Maryhill

£32,739,804.00

15.81%

Accidents for which winter weather conditions were reported as an attributable factor are not identified as such in the STATS 19 returns. However, some information is available about the weather and the road surface condition, using code-lists which are shown on page 128 of Road Accidents Scotland 1998, copies of which are available in SPICe (Bib. no. 11551).

The information requested is given in the table entitled \"Injury road accidents occurring on the trunk road network, and the associated numbers of fatalities and seriously-injured casualties: 1995 to 1999 (provisional)\", a copy of which has been placed in SPICe (Bib. no. 11548).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150075,"EventID":"S1W-13338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the accident statistics for the trunk road network for 2000 will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the accident statistics for the trunk road network for 2000 will be available.","AnswerText":"Statistics of injury road accidents on the trunk road network are included in the annual Road Accidents Scotland statistical volume, which is generally published by the end of October each year. On present plans, statistics for the year 2000 should be published by around the end of October 2001, in Road Accidents Scotland 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150076,"EventID":"S1W-13339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6842 by Sarah Boyack on 30 May 2000, in relation to how many of the road traffic accidents which took place on the A71 in each of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6842 by Sarah Boyack on 30 May 2000, in relation to how many of the road traffic accidents which took place on the A71 in each of the last five years were winter weather conditions reported as an attributable factor, broken down by local authority area and specifying in each case the number of fatalities and serious injuries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150077,"EventID":"S1W-13340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will investigate the possible introduction of vending machines supplying Fair Trade tea and coffee throughout the parliam","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will investigate the possible introduction of vending machines supplying Fair Trade tea and coffee throughout the parliamentary estate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has investigated the possibility of vending machines supplying Fair Trade tea and coffee within the Scottish Parliament. Our vending machine providers are unable to supply Fair Trade beverages at present, although they will keep this under review. It should be noted that vending machines only account for 5% of coffee and tea purchased in the Parliament and of the other 95% it is estimated that 60-65% is Fair Trade.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150078,"EventID":"S1W-13341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland, in its capacity as administrator of the Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme, received an application from Badaguish, the Speyside Trust (Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland, in its capacity as administrator of the Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme, received an application from Badaguish, the Speyside Trust (Scottish charity registration number SCO16172) for the purpose of a covered sports facility; what the outcome in relation to any such application was; what the reasons were for this outcome, and whether any decision in relation to any such application will be reviewed.","AnswerText":"It is not sportscotland's practice to disclose to third parties whether or not it has received an application from any particular person or group.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150079,"EventID":"S1W-13342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how \"local community\" is defined in relation to rejection by sportscotland of applications for assistance from the Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme on grounds tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how \"local community\" is defined in relation to rejection by sportscotland of applications for assistance from the Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme on grounds that the project does not demonstrate benefit to the sports life of the local community and, in particular, whether this phrase is interpreted with reference to geography alone or also takes account of community of interest.","AnswerText":"The "local community", as applied to the Local Facilities Strand of the Sports Facilities Programme, is determined through sportscotland's supply/demand model and is the appropriate catchment for a particular facility type. This varies from facility to facility and is affected by location, geography and transportation.

Other strands of the programme take account of "communities of interest". For example, the National and Regional strands focus on discrete sporting groups, including disabled persons.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150080,"EventID":"S1W-13343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many examination appeals were submitted by 10 January 2001 from each local authority area for review under the procedure announced by the Minister for Education, Euro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many examination appeals were submitted by 10 January 2001 from each local authority area for review under the procedure announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 13 December 2000 and whether any cases put forward after this date have been excluded from the appeals review process solely because of their late submission.","AnswerText":"Following my announcement on 13 December, the Executive wrote to all Education Authorities, Further Education colleges and heads of other centres on 18 December inviting them to submit requests for review by 10 January. By 19 January, the Appeals Review team had received 3,974 returns.

In order to ensure that no appeals were excluded solely because of their late submission, the Appeals Review team accepted requests for review as late as 29 January when subject teams began their work. In a few very exceptional cases, requests have been accepted beyond this date. However, at this stage in the process it is no longer possible for the team to accept more new cases.

As at 21 February, 4,216 cases were included in the appeals review process, and a breakdown of these cases by Education Authority is shown in the table.

Appeals Review 2000

Numbers of cases by education authority

ABERDEEN CITY

86

ABERDEENSHIRE

210

ANGUS

100

ARGYLL & BUTE

81

CLACKMANNAN

14

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

238

DUNDEE CITY

94

EAST AYRSHIRE

136

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE

117

EAST LOTHIAN

67

EAST RENFREWSHIRE

100

CITY OF EDINBURGH

276

EILEAN SIAR

47

FALKIRK

77

FIFE

271

GLASGOW CITY

253

HIGHLAND

139

INVERCLYDE

69

MIDLOTHIAN

68

MORAY

67

NORTH AYRSHIRE

96

NORTH LANARKSHIRE

184

ORKNEY ISLANDS

19<","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150081,"EventID":"S1W-13344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight will be given to the views of local residents and communities in determining whether approval for proposed GM crop trial sites should be granted and whether a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight will be given to the views of local residents and communities in determining whether approval for proposed GM crop trial sites should be granted and whether approval will be refused where there is substantial opposition.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is required to operate within European and UK Legislation on the deliberate release of genetically modified crops. Under Directive 90/220/EEC consent can only be refused where scientific evidence is available to suggest that the release would cause harm to human health or the environment. The legislation does not permit an application to be rejected solely in response to local opposition. A decision on that basis would be illegal.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150082,"EventID":"S1W-13345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the formal notification period required in relation to proposed GM crop trial sites from 15 days to a longer period of 30 or 45 days, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the formal notification period required in relation to proposed GM crop trial sites from 15 days to a longer period of 30 or 45 days, and, if so, how long it will make the notification period.","AnswerText":"The current statutory notification period is determined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Scottish Executive is aware however of the limited opportunity which this allows for public consideration and comment. Accordingly, assurances have been sought and gained from the biotechnology companies which will provide a longer notification period for this spring's farm evaluations. The exact period of notification has not yet been determined.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150083,"EventID":"S1W-13346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not given local authorities the power to consider proposals to plant GM crop trials under the planning process and introduced a requirement for change of use ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not given local authorities the power to consider proposals to plant GM crop trials under the planning process and introduced a requirement for change of use permission to be sought in relation to any proposal to plant GM crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive considers that the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Deliberate Release Regulations 1992 (as amended) are the appropriate body of law under which to regulate such trials.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150084,"EventID":"S1W-13347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the public are only required to be notified of proposed GM crop trial sites rather than having a statutory right to be consulted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the public are only required to be notified of proposed GM crop trial sites rather than having a statutory right to be consulted.","AnswerText":"Neither the governing European Directive 90/220/EEC nor the Environmental Protection Act 1990 require or provide a basis for consultation on any aspect of a proposed release.

The recently adopted package of revisions to EU 90/220/EEC makes increased provision for public consultation. In the coming months the Scottish Executive will be seeking the views of stakeholders as to how the implementation of the revised Directive should be taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150085,"EventID":"S1W-13348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use in deciding whether to grant approval to proposed GM crop trial sites; in particular, how it will decide whether such trials pose a threat to (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use in deciding whether to grant approval to proposed GM crop trial sites; in particular, how it will decide whether such trials pose a threat to (a) the environment and (b) public safety and whether it will make details of any such criteria public in advance of the formal notification of any proposed sites in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Statute requires that decisions on whether to approve the growing of a particular GM crop on specific sites are based solely on scientific evidence. This has been made absolutely clear in all pronouncements made since the farm scale evaluation programme started last year.

The decision to approve the sites for this year's programme was taken on advice from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Health and Safety Executive and the Food Standards Agency that this crop does not pose a threat to human health or the environment. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment also advised that no new evidence had emerged for it to amend its recommendation that these crops could be grown in safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150086,"EventID":"S1W-13349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it does not select as well as approve the sites of proposed GM crop trials; who the members are of the Scientific Steering Committee which selects the proposed sites ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it does not select as well as approve the sites of proposed GM crop trials; who the members are of the Scientific Steering Committee which selects the proposed sites and what representation Scotland has on this committee.","AnswerText":"The initial identification of individual sites to participate in these trials takes place independently of government and is the responsibility of the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops, a body representing the interests of the industry including the National Farmers Union within its membership. The proposed sites must meet the criteria set out by the impartial Scientific Steering Committee which oversees the UK farm-scale evaluation programme. They are selected to represent a variety of conditions, such as climate, ecology and soil type as well as farm type and are intended to provide a representative sample of UK agriculture.

The Scientific Steering Committee members are:

Chairman:

Professor Christopher Pollock, Research Director of the Institute of Environmental and Grassland Research.

Members:

Dr Nicholas Aebisher, Deputy Director of Research for the Game Conservancy Trust

Dr Alastair Burn, English Nature;

Professor Mick Crawley, Imperial College;

Dr David Gibbons, Head of Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds;

Mr Jim Orson, Director Morley Research Centre;

Dr Nick Sotherton, Director of Research for the Game Conservancy Trust;

The Scottish Executive is represented on this committee by officials from the Rural Affairs Department who attend meetings and act as assessors.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150087,"EventID":"S1W-13350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role (a) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; (b) the Institute of Arable Crops Research and (c) the Scottish Crop Research Institute will play in relation to propo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role (a) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; (b) the Institute of Arable Crops Research and (c) the Scottish Crop Research Institute will play in relation to proposed GM crop trials. ","AnswerText":"A consortium of independent scientists from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Institute of Arable Crops Research and the Scottish Crop Research Institute form the Government-approved research consortium which carries out the ecological research to inform the farm-scale evaluation programme. Their approach is to compare key indicators of biodiversity between the GM and non GM cropping systems.

The scientific validity of the research programme is being overseen by a Scientific Steering Committee of independent experts in agriculture and ecology.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150088,"EventID":"S1W-13351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing recommendation 13 of the report of the Red Tape Review Panel regarding changes to EU regulations; whether it has raised these ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing recommendation 13 of the report of the Red Tape Review Panel regarding changes to EU regulations; whether it has raised these issues with the European Union and, if so, who they have been raised with and when.","AnswerText":"Recommendation 13 of the Red Tape Review is currently in progress, with two of the specific aspects of this recommendation already completed. Those which remain, specifically regarding oilseeds Regulations and proportionality of penalties, require longer-term action and European Union co-ordination. My department has been pressing the EU on these issues since the publication of the Red Tape Report, and I am pleased to inform that a Commission Working Group has now been established to look at simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy. The UK, along with other member states, are now providing ideas to this group for consideration, and these suggestions will include the complexity of oilseed Regulations and the proportionality of penalties.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150089,"EventID":"S1W-13352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current penalty provisions in relation to the integrated administration and control system are disproportionately harsh; in particular, whether producers shou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current penalty provisions in relation to the integrated administration and control system are disproportionately harsh; in particular, whether producers should be penalised for mistakes from which they do not benefit and what progress is being made in addressing any such concerns.","AnswerText":"The Regulations governing the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) are extremely tight and leave little room for discretion when applying penalties. There are, however, certain circumstances under which "obvious" errors can be accepted, and Area Aid Applications can be amended after the submission date of 15 May. Officials have been pressing the EU on the extension of the obvious error concept, and also on the proportionality of sanctions. My department, along with other UK Departments and other member states, are now providing ideas for consideration by a Commission Working Group established to look at simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150090,"EventID":"S1W-13353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existing oilseeds regulations require simplification and, if so, what progress is being made in this respect.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existing oilseeds regulations require simplification and, if so, what progress is being made in this respect.","AnswerText":"Under the Agenda 2000 proposals, my officials participated in a number of discussions on the eligibility of oilseeds to receive aid under the Arable Area Payments Scheme. This was because we recognised that the quality control criteria was an area where a simplification of the rules would benefit producers. The European Commission rejected this, as they were anxious to foster their policy of quality improvement in order to reduce the need to import oilseeds from outwith the Community. Currently, however, my officials are taking part in a general exercise on ways of improving the administration of the CAP. We will thus again be asking the Commission to look carefully at this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150091,"EventID":"S1W-13354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the meeting of the Project Assessment Committee to consider, subject to parliamentary approval of the relevant statutory instrument, applications for assistance under","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the meeting of the Project Assessment Committee to consider, subject to parliamentary approval of the relevant statutory instrument, applications for assistance under the Agricultural Business Development Scheme scheduled for 2 February was cancelled and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of any written explanation of this decision issued to applicants or others.","AnswerText":"The decision to postpone the Project Assessment Committee (PAC) meeting scheduled for 2 February was taken following the tabling of a motion to annul these regulations further to concerns being expressed by the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development Committee about the scheme's governing regulations.

A news release announcing this decision was issued on 31 January and an explanatory letter was sent to PAC members on the same day. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11550).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150092,"EventID":"S1W-13355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, why the terms and conditions of grant in relation to Social Inclusion Partnership f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, why the terms and conditions of grant in relation to Social Inclusion Partnership funding are currently under revision.","AnswerText":"The terms and conditions of grant are currently being revised to reflect changes to the payment procedures which will take effect from April 2001. Currently, 40% of grant is paid in the year in which expenditure is incurred, and 60% is paid a year in arrears. From April 2001, all grant will be paid quarterly in arrears, in the year in which expenditure is incurred and there will be further changes to the way in which support cost grant is paid.

We are also taking the opportunity to increase the clarity of the terms and conditions of grant, and the new terms and conditions will include guidance on the issues that grant recipients should address when setting local funding agreements with projects. I expect to issue the new terms and conditions of grant to grant recipients before the end of this financial year and a copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The existing terms and conditions of grant set out the requirements that all grant recipients must meet in their use of Social Inclusion Partnership funds. However each grant recipient also has in place local arrangements setting out the conditions agreed between the grant recipient and projects that the partnership decides to fund. These arrangements are agreed locally.

A copy of the current terms and conditions of grant for the Social Inclusion Partnership Fund, produced by the Scottish Executive Development Department in 1999, has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11476).","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150093,"EventID":"S1W-13356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, what the current terms and conditions of grant are in relation to Social Inclusion ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, what the current terms and conditions of grant are in relation to Social Inclusion Partnership funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13355.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150094,"EventID":"S1W-13357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, when it expects to publish the new terms and conditions of grant in relation to Soc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, when it expects to publish the new terms and conditions of grant in relation to Social Inclusion Partnership funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13355.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150095,"EventID":"S1W-13358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, whether the terms and conditions on which Social Inclusion Partnership funding is a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12843 by Ms Margaret Curran on 8 February 2001, whether the terms and conditions on which Social Inclusion Partnership funding is allocated to particular projects are set locally or by the Executive.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13355.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150096,"EventID":"S1W-13359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the full costs involved in publishing, launching and distributing A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the full costs involved in publishing, launching and distributing A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The full cost of the publishing and distribution of the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland is £126,015. This includes the distribution of relevant information to professionals including GPs, midwives and health visitors and to pregnant women themselves through for example GP surgeries and ante-natal clinics. Effective communication and dissemination of the Framework is essential to foster effective implementation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150097,"EventID":"S1W-13360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated additional policing costs will result from the delayed visit by the Irish Prime Minister to the unveiling of a memorial plaque at Carfin Grotto.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated additional policing costs will result from the delayed visit by the Irish Prime Minister to the unveiling of a memorial plaque at Carfin Grotto.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold information on the cost of policing individual events. These involve operational decisions which are matters for Chief Constables.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150098,"EventID":"S1W-13361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12469 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 February 2001, who received payments under the Engineering Technicians programme; what the level o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12469 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 February 2001, who received payments under the Engineering Technicians programme; what the level of payment was in each case and when each payment was made.","AnswerText":"No payments have so far been made to KLITRA, the training body offered funding by DTI under this scheme. KLITRA is currently setting up this training programme which is due to begin in May. Payments will be made retrospectively against claims for setting up the programme and for each person trained.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150099,"EventID":"S1W-13362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12469 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 February 2001, whether it will detail the projects which have received funding from the #2 million","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12469 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 February 2001, whether it will detail the projects which have received funding from the #2 million towards retraining; what the allocation was to each project and when each payment was made.","AnswerText":"The £2 million is based on estimates provided by Local Enterprise Companies of the costs of helping redundant textile employees find new employment in the last six months of 2000. Support was tailored to suit local and individual needs and included customised training, employment grants, job shops, jobs fairs and a range of advice on employment, benefits, interviewing skills, CV preparation and financial matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150100,"EventID":"S1W-13363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-12075 and S1W-12842 by Sarah Boyack on 18 December 2000 and 8 February 2001 respectively, why there is a difference of #46 million","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-12075 and S1W-12842 by Sarah Boyack on 18 December 2000 and 8 February 2001 respectively, why there is a difference of #46 million between the value of the surplus of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and the amount which is expected to be distributed to members; what these remaining funds will be used for; who will hold these funds and whether any part of these funds will accrue to the Scottish Executive, Her Majesty's Government or any other public body.","AnswerText":"The treatment of the surplus represents unfinished pre-devolution business. The UK Government's long established position has been that the surplus should go to the UK Exchequer, and the Scottish Assigned Budget Settlement has been progressed on that basis.

There is no legal entitlement on the part of Scottish Transport Group pension scheme members to share in the surplus. Scottish Ministers have, however, agreed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that ex-gratia payments should be made to STG pension scheme members which would be broadly equivalent to the final settlement for National Bus Company pension scheme members south of the border. An appropriate amount has accordingly been earmarked for distribution.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150101,"EventID":"S1W-13364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2888 by Sarah Boyack on 1 February 2001, why the steps to be taken to identify members who will be entitled to receive payments fro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2888 by Sarah Boyack on 1 February 2001, why the steps to be taken to identify members who will be entitled to receive payments from the surplus of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes have not been started already; whether there is any reason why these steps cannot be taken at present; whether it has raised this issue with the schemes' trustees; whether the membership records available are known to be missing details of some members who may be eligible, and whether the records contain up-to-date address information.","AnswerText":"Once the Scottish Transport Group is wound-up the Scottish Executive will be able to access the records held by the Trustees to the pension schemes. We expect these records will require some updating particularly as regards current addresses. In advance of wind-up, however, we have taken the following steps towards such updating: we have set up a dedicated phone line with voicemail advising callers to write to us for a pro-forma to register their interest and a letter providing background to the announcement; we have spoken and/or written to the main trade unions advising them of the position and have provided them with material to pass to their members who are making enquiries; we have written to the Confederation of Passenger Transport to explain the position and asked them to provide our information to all their Scottish bus company members, again supplying pro-formas for pension scheme members to send to us to help verify records; we have written to CalMac in similar vein (some of their employees will have been in STG pension schemes); and we propose to set up a departmental web page from which access to the latest information and pro-forma will be available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150102,"EventID":"S1W-13365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the basis on which the Central Legal Office of the NHS in Scotland charges health boards and NHS Trusts in respect of the legal services which it ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the basis on which the Central Legal Office of the NHS in Scotland charges health boards and NHS Trusts in respect of the legal services which it provides to them.","AnswerText":"The Central Legal Office derives its income solely from NHS authorities on a cost recovery basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150103,"EventID":"S1W-13366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount of fees paid to the Central Legal Office of the NHS in Scotland by NHS Trusts and health boards for legal services was in each of the last three fin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount of fees paid to the Central Legal Office of the NHS in Scotland by NHS Trusts and health boards for legal services was in each of the last three financial years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the table:

Year

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

NHS Boards

£806,439.38

£752,052.15

£596,693.35

NHS Trusts

£1,557,442.30

£1,925,399.70

£2,124,099.00

Total

£2,363,881.68

£2,677,451.85

£2,720,792.35

","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150104,"EventID":"S1W-13367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have attended formal and informal meetings of the EU Council of Ministers since 1 July 1999, specifying the date and subject of each of these meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have attended formal and informal meetings of the EU Council of Ministers since 1 July 1999, specifying the date and subject of each of these meetings.","AnswerText":"The information is given in the table:

Scottish Minister's Attendance at Council

1 July 1999 - 8 March 2001

Year

Date

Council

Minister

1999

24-25 Sep

Informal meeting of Ministers of Education

Sam Galbraith

 

26 Oct

Fisheries Council

(Luxembourg)

John Home Robertson

 

22 Nov

Fisheries Council

(Brussels)

John Home Robertson

 

13 Dec

Environment Council

(Brussels)

Sarah Boyack

 

14 Dec

Agriculture Council

(Brussels)

Ross Finnie

 

16 Dec

Fisheries Council

(Brussels)

John Home Robertson

2000

17-18 March

Informal Council for Ministers of Lifelong Learning

(Portugal)

Nicol Stephen

 

20 March

Agriculture Council

(Brussels)

Ross Finnie

 

8 June

Education Council

(Luxembourg)

Nicol Stephen

 

16 June

Fisheries Council

(Luxembourg)

John Home Robertson

 

22 June

Environment Council

(Brussels)

Sarah Boyack

 

17 Nov

Fisheries Council

(Brussels)

Rhona Brankin

 

20 Nov

Agriculture Council

(Brussels)

Ross Finnie

 

30 Nov

Justice and Home Affairs Council

(Brussels)

Jim Wallace

 

14-15 Dec

Fisheries Council

(Brussels)

Rhona Brankin

2001

12 February

Education and Youth Council (Brussels)

Nicol Stephen

 Details of these meetings are set out in the tables:

FORMAL EU COUNCIL MEETINGS

DATE

COUNCIL

12.7.99

ECOFIN

16.7.99

BUDGET

19-20.7.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

19.7.99

AGRICULTURE

29.7.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

13.9.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

27.9.99

AGRICULTURE

4.10.99

JUSTICE & HOME AFFAIRS

6.10.99

TRANSPORT

8.10.99

ECOFIN

11-12.10.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

12.10.99

ENVIRONMENT

22.10.99

LABOUR & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

26.10.99

FISHERIES

28.10.99

INTERNAL MARKET

29.10.99

JUSTICE & HOME AFFAIRS

8.11.99

ECOFIN

8.11.99

CONSUMERS

9.11.99

INDUSTRY

11.11.99

DEVELOPMENT

12.11.99

LABOUR & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

15-16.11.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

15.11.99

AGRICULTURE

18.11.99

HEALTH

22.11.99

FISHERIES

23.11.99

CULTURE

23.11.99

YOUTH

25-26.11.99

BUDGET

26.11.99

EDUCATION

29.11.99

ECOFIN

29.11.99

LABOUR & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

30.11.99

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

29.11.99 - 3.12.99

GENERAL AFFAIRS

2.12.99

JUSTICE & HOME AFFAIRS

2.12.99

ENERG","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150106,"EventID":"S1W-13369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many UK delegations to either formal or informal EU Council of Ministers meetings have been led by Scottish Executive ministers since 1 July 1999, specifying the date","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many UK delegations to either formal or informal EU Council of Ministers meetings have been led by Scottish Executive ministers since 1 July 1999, specifying the date and subject of each of these meetings.","AnswerText":"Two. A Scottish Executive Minister led at the Education Council on 8 June 2000 and at the Education Council Meeting on 12 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150107,"EventID":"S1W-13370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many technical committees and working parties of the EU Council of Ministers have been attended by Scottish Executive officials since 1 July 1999, specifying the dat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many technical committees and working parties of the EU Council of Ministers have been attended by Scottish Executive officials since 1 July 1999, specifying the date and subject of each of these meetings.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the table. No distinction is made in our records between "working groups", "technical committees" and "working parties": all are classed as working groups.

Attendance At Council Working Group Meetings By Scottish Executive Officials

1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000

Year

Date

Working Group

1999

1 July

Internal Fisheries Group

 

5 July

Committee on Civil Law

 

8 July

Environment WG

 

8 July

Education Committee

 

9 July

Environment

 

9 July

Education Committee

 

14 July

Committee on Civil Law

 

15 July

Internal Fisheries Group

 

22 July

Environment

 

22 July

External Fisheries Group

 

9 Sept

EC Education Committee Meeting

 

9 Sept

Internal Fisheries Group Meeting

 

16-17 Sept

EC Education Committee Meeting

 

23-24 Sept

Environment

 

28 Sept

Fisheries Research

 

29-30 Sept

Internal/External Fisheries Group Meeting

 

12 Oct

External Fisheries

 

11-13 Oct

Civil Law Committee (Rome II)

 

18-19 Oct

Council WG of Vet Experts, regarding ISA - Brussels

Meetings between Scottish Executive Ministers and EU Commissioners

1 July 1999 - end February 2001

Date

Minister

Commisioner

11 Oct 1999

Jack McConnell

Donald Dewar

Commissioner Barnier

Subject

Scotland Week : Introductory meeting

11 Oct 1999

Donald Dewar

Commissioner Bolkestein

Subject

Scotland Week : Introductory meeting

12 Oct 1999

Donald Dewar

Jack McConnell

Commissioner Kinnock

Subject

Renewing Democracy

12 Oct 1999

Donald Dewar

Ross Finnie

Commissioner Fischler

Commissioner Byrne

Subject

Scotland Week : Introductory meeting

13 Oct 1999

Sarah Boyack

Commissioner Wallstrom

Subject

Scottish, and EU, Environmental Policy

1 July 1999 - end February 2001

14 Oct 1999

Henry McLeish

Commissioner Liikanen

Subject

Scotland Week : Introductory meeting

28 Feb 2000

Sarah Boyack

Commissioner Wallstrom

Subject

Environmental issues : Informal

22 Mar 2000

Jack McConnell

Commissioner Schreyer

Subject

Structural Funds : Funding and Audit issues

23 Mar 2000

Jack McConnell

Commissioner Barnier

Subject

Structural Funds : Highlands and Islands funding

7 Apr 2000

The receipt would be used to repay part of the council's outstanding housing debt;

The cost of the premature repayment of debt (i.e. the breakage costs) would be met with resources provided by the Scottish Executive;

The cost of servicing the remaining (i.e. residual) debt would also be met by resources provided by the Scottish Executive.

The mechanisms for delivering on this commitment will be discussed with councils as part of the process of appraising applications for approval to transfer.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150116,"EventID":"S1W-13379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the (a) interest and (b) principal on Glasgow City Council's housing debt it will service, in both cash terms and as a percentage of the outstanding debt, sho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the (a) interest and (b) principal on Glasgow City Council's housing debt it will service, in both cash terms and as a percentage of the outstanding debt, should the debt remain with the council following the housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13381.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150117,"EventID":"S1W-13380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the time period is for the refurbishment of all transferred council housing in Glasgow should the tenants vote for stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the time period is for the refurbishment of all transferred council housing in Glasgow should the tenants vote for stock transfer.","AnswerText":"The proposed time period for the refurbishment will be set out in the business plan to be produced by the Glasgow Housing Association. That business plan is currently being prepared.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150118,"EventID":"S1W-13381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, if Glasgow City Council's housing debt will remain on the books of the council following stock transfer, over what time period it will expect the debt to be cleared.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, if Glasgow City Council's housing debt will remain on the books of the council following stock transfer, over what time period it will expect the debt to be cleared.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer to question S1W-13378. Until an application to transfer has been received from the council it is not possible to say what level of debt may remain outstanding, nor how long it might take to repay such debt.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150119,"EventID":"S1W-13382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to diversify the economy to reduce the dependence of exports on a few key sectors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to diversify the economy to reduce the dependence of exports on a few key sectors.","AnswerText":"The current Export Development Strategy for Scotland recognised the need to widen the base of exporting industries in Scotland. Within this objective, a number of priority sectors were identified and in all these, initiatives to help grow international business have been undertaken.

The Scottish Executive is committed to building on this, creating the necessary environment for Scottish business to succeed in the global economy. We will publish a Global Connections Strategy later this year, to further develop the vision set out in A Smart, Successful Scotland, of how the Executive and the Enterprise Networks can work in partnership to support further growth in global markets.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150120,"EventID":"S1W-13383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much timber was produced by Ae Forest District in the year 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much timber was produced by Ae Forest District in the year 2000.","AnswerText":"About 230,000 cubic metres of timber were harvested from Ae Forest District last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150121,"EventID":"S1W-13384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors there were in the year 2000 to the forests in Ae Forest District.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors there were in the year 2000 to the forests in Ae Forest District.","AnswerText":"There were over 300,000 visitors to Ae Forest District last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150122,"EventID":"S1W-13385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12634 by Ross Finnie on 2 February 2001, what percentage of beef and sheep farmers who were eligible for the previous Hill Livestoc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12634 by Ross Finnie on 2 February 2001, what percentage of beef and sheep farmers who were eligible for the previous Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance will be worse off under the new less favoured area formula, broken down by Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department local office areas.","AnswerText":"It will not be possible to provide this information until all this year's area-based LFA claims have been processed and analysed.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150123,"EventID":"S1W-13386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees left the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last two years due to (a) finding another job, (b) sickness or other health reasons and (c) retirement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees left the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last two years due to (a) finding another job, (b) sickness or other health reasons and (c) retirement.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. The information available is as follows:

1999

  1. various reasons or unspecified: 64
  2. sickness or other health reasons: 22
  3. retirement: 76

2000

  1. various reasons or unspecified: 68
  2. sickness or other health reasons: 14

retirement: 171","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150124,"EventID":"S1W-13387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recruit new staff to the Scottish Prison Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recruit new staff to the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The need for recruitment to the SPS is kept under constant review and takes place according to business needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150125,"EventID":"S1W-13388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which minister has responsibility for data protection issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which minister has responsibility for data protection issues.","AnswerText":"Data protection is a reserved matter. When data protection issues arise they are considered by the Minister responsible for the policy area in which they occur.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150126,"EventID":"S1W-13389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to identify any changes to the civil and criminal legal frameworks which are required to encourage the development of e-commerce in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to identify any changes to the civil and criminal legal frameworks which are required to encourage the development of e-commerce in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working to identify those changes to Scottish law, both civil and criminal, that may be necessary to encourage e-commerce in Scotland. This work involves consideration by the Law Society of Scotland.

The Executive's aim is to bring forward Orders under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 between 2001 and 2005. Priority legislative changes will be made later this year. This will include consultation of interested bodies. As well as assisting e-commerce generally, this will enable us to meet the e-Government Strategy target of making all government services available electronically by 2005.

Some related changes have already taken place. The Scottish Executive takes part in international negotiations about the use of electronic commerce and in particular the way in which arrangements for jurisdiction and procedure of the courts can reflect the increased use of electronic media for concluding agreements and entering into obligations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150127,"EventID":"S1W-13390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to hold another Scotland Week in Brussels or elsewhere.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to hold another Scotland Week in Brussels or elsewhere.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently considering - with its partners in Scotland House - how it might build on the success of the Scotland Week which was held in Brussels in October 1999, and I hope to announce our intentions before the Easter recess.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150128,"EventID":"S1W-13391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will be contributing to the Tartan Day celebrations in the United States.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will be contributing to the Tartan Day celebrations in the United States.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is planning to support events in Washington, Chicago and New York with a view to strengthening our links with the USA and promoting Scotland. A detailed programme is being developed in co-operation with the Scottish Parliament, organisations funded by the Executive that are active in the USA (for example Locate in Scotland and Visitscotland) and American organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150129,"EventID":"S1W-13392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been in Scotland under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been in Scotland under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The statistical information necessary to answer this question is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150130,"EventID":"S1W-13393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken any steps to monitor the effectiveness of the provisions of the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 and, if so, what the outcome has been.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken any steps to monitor the effectiveness of the provisions of the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 and, if so, what the outcome has been.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with roads authorities and utility companies on a number of issues. In addition, they attend meetings of the Road Authorities and Utility Companies (Scotland), a forum of representatives of the Scottish Joint Utilities Group and the road authorities. The forum discusses a variety of subjects, including the effectiveness of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150131,"EventID":"S1W-13394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for amending the codes of practice in place under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for amending the codes of practice in place under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.","AnswerText":"Codes of Practice are kept under regular review and may be amended following consultation, as and when deemed necessary. This could be following the introduction of new or revised legislation or following on from representations received from roads authorities or utility companies.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150132,"EventID":"S1W-13395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the codes of practice in place under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the codes of practice in place under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.","AnswerText":"As with other areas of roads legislation, the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and associated Codes of Practice are kept under regular review.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150133,"EventID":"S1W-13396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by the European Commission in connection with plans to cut beef production.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by the European Commission in connection with plans to cut beef production.","AnswerText":"The Commission's plans could have a far-reaching impact on the Scottish beef industry. I attended the EU Agriculture Council on 19 February to ensure that the European Commission was made aware of my views on the various proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150134,"EventID":"S1W-13397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact new European Commission proposals to cut beef production would have on Scotland if implemented, both in economic terms and more generally on rural communitie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact new European Commission proposals to cut beef production would have on Scotland if implemented, both in economic terms and more generally on rural communities.","AnswerText":"This is a very complex set of proposals, the impact of which would be extremely difficult to quantify in a purely Scottish context. I attended the Agriculture Council on 19 February to ensure that those elements of the package which might most adversely affect Scotland were resisted vigorously.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150135,"EventID":"S1W-13398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or will make to the European Commission's proposals to cut beef production.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or will make to the European Commission's proposals to cut beef production.","AnswerText":"At the EU Agriculture Council on 19 February, I joined UK Agriculture Ministers in pressing for Europe's current beef over-supply to be tackled effectively but in a way which would not adversely affect those producing quality beef using extensive systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150136,"EventID":"S1W-13399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to increase the number of clinical placements available for physiotherapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to increase the number of clinical placements available for physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"The provision of clinical placements is a matter for the relevant higher education institution in conjunction with NHS Trusts, and supported by the Scottish Executive.

Any clinical area which provides a suitable learning experience for physiotherapists and is approved by their regulatory body as such, is available for clinical placement.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150137,"EventID":"S1W-13400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning to increase the number of university places for physiotherapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning to increase the number of university places for physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has advised the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on the number of additional funded places for students undertaking pre-registration courses in the Professions Allied to Medicine. Physiotherapy was identified as an area of particular need. The council is currently considering this advice, and will make its funding announcements for 2001-02 in March.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150138,"EventID":"S1W-13401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been submitted by police forces in each of the last four years for assistance towards the establishment of air support; what the response was i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been submitted by police forces in each of the last four years for assistance towards the establishment of air support; what the response was in each case and whether it will provide details of the funding sought by and the nature of each application.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the provision of air support are operational matters for Chief Constables and police authorities and it is for them to take decisions on the costs and benefits of specific investment proposals in light of the resources available. Since 1997-98 there have been no formal applications for funding for the provision of air support. At that time an ACPOS Working Group concluded that if air cover was to be provided for Scottish police forces, the preferred approach would involve a national arrangement. This has been considered since by the Scottish Executive, police authorities and ACPOS without a final conclusion being reached. Earlier in the current financial year, Tayside Police wrote to the Scottish Executive Justice Department with an outline business case for setting up an air support unit in conjunction with Fife Constabulary. The response indicated that in the light of previous work on air support the department was unwilling to provide central funding for local provision, although that did not of course rule out the use of local funding where a case might be justified on the basis of local circumstances. This is the approach that has been adopted by Strathclyde which has leased a helicopter.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150139,"EventID":"S1W-13402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which police forces have access to air support; where any such support units are based and what funding it provides for such services in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which police forces have access to air support; where any such support units are based and what funding it provides for such services in each case.","AnswerText":"Strathclyde Police currently have access to air support through an air support unit based at the city heliport in Glasgow. Funding for the police is provided annually through the GAE process and resources are not allocated to specific operational areas or policing tasks.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150140,"EventID":"S1W-13403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current training capacity is of the Police Training College, Tulliallan, expressed as a number of places, and what the capacity was in each of the last five year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current training capacity is of the Police Training College, Tulliallan, expressed as a number of places, and what the capacity was in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police College offers workplace and open and distance learning as well as residential training involving the use of special facilities so that there is no single measure of its training capacity. However its ability to offer residential training is constrained by the number of bed places it can provide. The number of bed places available on a daily basis over the past five years is as follows:

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

432

316

425

425

733

The figure for 1997-98 was affected by a move from dormitory accommodation to study bedrooms. The figure for 2000-01 reflects the sharing of bedrooms by probationers. This is intended to be a short-term measure for dealing with exceptionally high levels of recruitment by police forces.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150141,"EventID":"S1W-13404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the loss to the economy through the smuggling of fuel into Scotland and whether it has made any assessment of the extent of such smuggling in orde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the loss to the economy through the smuggling of fuel into Scotland and whether it has made any assessment of the extent of such smuggling in order to arrive at such an estimate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to the smuggling of fuel.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150142,"EventID":"S1W-13405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the smuggling of fuel there were in each year since 1997 and what sentences were imposed in relation to any convictions in such cases.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the smuggling of fuel there were in each year since 1997 and what sentences were imposed in relation to any convictions in such cases.","AnswerText":"Cases of smuggling are not broken down for recording purposes according to the nature of the contraband and the information is consequently not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150143,"EventID":"S1W-13407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the sources of funding from the European Union which are available for telecommunications infrastructure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the sources of funding from the European Union which are available for telecommunications infrastructure.","AnswerText":"European Structural Funding for telecommunications infrastructure is available mainly in the Highlands & Islands under the Special Transitional Programme. For 2000 to 2006, around £5.7 million is available for direct support for broadband network extension and a further £2.5 million to stimulate demand through encouraging business and community use. This European Funding together with local national funding will require to draw in additional private funding toward the total cost of activities.

Under Objective 2 Programmes, limited support is available for SMEs to connect to existing infrastructure only where such infrastructure provision is made available by other bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150144,"EventID":"S1W-13408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Union grants for the telecommunications network have been accessed since May 1997 and whether it will detail the amount of each grant and the purpose of eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Union grants for the telecommunications network have been accessed since May 1997 and whether it will detail the amount of each grant and the purpose of each project.","AnswerText":"Since May 1997, European Structural Fund grants have been accessed towards funding the following projects.

Highlands & Islands Mobile Telecommunications Network

Total Costs: £15,040,000

ERDF Award: £3,800,000

To complete the GSM digital mobile telephony infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands and involves substantial investment in radio transmission sites and associated equipment.

Highlands & Islands Digital Telecommunications Upgrade

Total Costs: £4,870,000

ERDF Award: £1,704,500

To allow upgrading of all remaining UXD5 fixed network telephone exchanges (197) and all remaining analogue transmission lines in the Highlands and Islands to full digital operation. This completes the fixed digital network telecommunication infrastructure.

Trunk Telecommunications Upgrade to Islands & Argyll

Total Costs: £9,817,460

ERDF Award: £2,774,000

To enable Scottish Telecom to upgrade the trunk telecommunications network to provide a high capacity supply to peripheral parts of the Highlands and Islands. Entails the installation of enhanced microwave and fibre trunk links between Inverness and remote parts of the mainland and new microwave links to the island groups.

Crichton IT Link

Total Costs: £1,575,166

ERDF Award: £350,317

To provide a high bandwidth communications link using fibre optic technology between the Crichton Campus in Dumfries and suppliers network in Glasgow allowing users access to a range, level and quality of communications services not previously available in Dumfries and Galloway.

Building a 21 st Century Economy

Total Costs: £2,400,400

ERDF Award: £350,400

To link SMEs in Govan to high speed telecommunications infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150145,"EventID":"S1W-13409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify a minimum megabyte capacity for telecommunications infrastructure in new residential buildings and, if so, what this capacity will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify a minimum megabyte capacity for telecommunications infrastructure in new residential buildings and, if so, what this capacity will be.","AnswerText":"Building regulations are the main mechanism for specifying standards for new buildings. There is no requirement within the building regulations for telecommunications provision and we have no plans, at present, to introduce any minimum standard.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150146,"EventID":"S1W-13410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that planning regulations address the telecommunications needs of the 21st century.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that planning regulations address the telecommunications needs of the 21st century.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises the importance of the telecommunications sector to Scotland. As an example, the recent consultation package on "Planning and Radio Telecommunications", prompted by concerns about mobile phone masts, was drawn up in consultation with the telecommunications industry, among others. The revised planning controls for mobile phone masts should be in place by the middle of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150147,"EventID":"S1W-13411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the planning system to make it a requirement that fibre optic telecommunications are installed in new industrial parks and housing estates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the planning system to make it a requirement that fibre optic telecommunications are installed in new industrial parks and housing estates.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans. The proposed review of National Planning Policy Guideline 2 on Business and Industry will consider the planning implications for business and industry development of advances in information and communications technology.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150148,"EventID":"S1W-13412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for research and development in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for research and development in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The allocations are:

1995-96: £102 million

1996-97: £104 million

1997-98: £109 million

1998-99: £120 million

1999-2000: £129 million

2000-01: £136 million

It should be noted that these figures: relate to the budget in each academic year; exclude smaller non-formula initiatives during the period; and relate to funding for research infrastructure, as SHEFC does not provide funding for "development".","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150149,"EventID":"S1W-13413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its better regulation strategy and review of small business rate relief as detailed in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its better regulation strategy and review of small business rate relief as detailed in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the importance to business, and in particular small business, of tackling red tape and business rates. We therefore committed ourselves to action in these two areas in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government. I am pleased that tomorrow I can announce the details of the Executive's better regulation strategy. The Minister for Finance and Local Government will also announce a package of measures on rate relief.

The better regulation strategy demonstrates the Executive's commitment to improving the regulatory environment and helping Scottish businesses to thrive. New initiatives include a requirement to review regularly all regulations which have a significant impact on business and for which the Executive is responsible, and working in partnership with business organisations to improve business forms. I will also tomorrow publish the details through the Executive's website.

We are restricting the non-domestic rate poundage to 47.0p for 2001-02, a reduction in real terms.

To provide further help for small businesses, we are introducing a 2p discount for business premises with a rateable value of £10,000 or less. That is double the discount for this year.

Tomorrow we will issue a consultation paper outlining a range of proposals for additional rates relief for small businesses, including farm enterprises and village shops. Copies will be placed in the Parliament's Information Centre and responses are invited by 18 May.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150150,"EventID":"S1W-13414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been made of the impact of digital technology on rural communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been made of the impact of digital technology on rural communities.","AnswerText":"The Executive is aware of the potential benefit of digital technology to rural areas. The Arkleton trust (Research) Ltd produced a report for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1995 evaluating the Highlands and Islands Telecommunications Initiative (HITI). The report showed that the initiative had exceeded its job creation targets. Presently HIE attribute over 3,000 jobs in the call centre sector in the region to the publicly supported infrastructure projects of the past decade, including the HITI.

The Executive is aware that local loop unbundling may have an impact on rural areas and has asked Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to collaborate on a study to consider the likely extent of local loop unbundling in Scotland and to suggest measures to maximise its impact.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150151,"EventID":"S1W-13415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to ensure that rural communities are able to benefit from digital services such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to ensure that rural communities are able to benefit from digital services such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently considering how the procurement of public sector broadband services might stimulate the wider supply of high bandwidth services by the industry to businesses and the community.

However, the Executive recognises that Public/Private Partnerships may be needed to overcome the scale of demand delivery in the more remote parts of Scotland, and welcomes the current activities of the Highlands & Islands Partnership to secure European support for infrastructure development in such areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150152,"EventID":"S1W-13416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected percentage of people living in rural areas who will have access to digital technology is for each of the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected percentage of people living in rural areas who will have access to digital technology is for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not hold information in the form requested. The "UK online: the broadband future" report, published this month by the Office of the e-Envoy maps out planned ADSL roll-out, areas served by cable operators and regions with broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA) licensees and, on this basis, estimates that some 15% to 20% of the UK population would be left unserved by higher bandwidth and broadband services by 2003. The report states that this figure probably overestimates coverage since the BFWA licensees are unlikely to offer services throughout the regions where they have licences.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150153,"EventID":"S1W-13417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charities and voluntary organisations will be affected by the decision to withdraw water rates relief and how much additional income this measure will generate f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charities and voluntary organisations will be affected by the decision to withdraw water rates relief and how much additional income this measure will generate for each water authority in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"I understand that just over 15,000 organisations in the above categories are affected by withdrawal of reliefs.

Total revenue forgone as a result of existing reliefs to these bodies is as set out in the table. The withdrawal of reliefs is being phased in over a five-year period. For some groups, withdrawal began in April 2000, and for the remainder will begin in April 2001.

Authority

£000

East of Scotland

7,299

North of Scotland

5,404

West of Scotland

6,259

TOTAL

18,962

These figures also take no account of the possibility that many organisations will take advantage of water metering, where this will reduce their costs. It is therefore likely that additional income to the authorities will accordingly be reduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150154,"EventID":"S1W-13418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place with the charity and voluntary sectors in connection with the decision to withdraw water rates relief.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place with the charity and voluntary sectors in connection with the decision to withdraw water rates relief.","AnswerText":"Extensive consultations with these sectors have taken place over a number of years.

During July and August 1998, the East of Scotland Water Authority undertook a consultation exercise covering proposals for a new approach to charging non-domestic customers. This involved the issue of a booklet to a wide range of customers and representative bodies, including the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). They also arranged a series of public meetings throughout the ESWA area.

The North of Scotland Water Authority undertook a similar exercise during the same period, taking the form of a series of public meetings and circulation of a booklet to representative bodies, again including the SCVO. In February 1999, they sent almost 1,000 letters to customers who would be impacted by the withdrawal of relief.

Additionally, the then Customers Council conducted its own research at this time.

In January 1999, the West of Scotland Water Authority wrote to almost 2,000 customers who would be affected by the withdrawal of reliefs from water charges.

The water authorities met jointly with the SCVO on 20 January 1999, when they detailed the reasons, timescales involved and approximate financial impacts of this decision.

A Minister from the former Scottish Office met the SCVO in April 1999 to discuss this issue, as did Sarah Boyack in July 1999. Separately, there has also been correspondence between Ministers, officials and the SCVO.

Most recently, in June of last year, the water authorities jointly consulted on a review of the policy of granting reliefs from water and wastewater charges to certain organisations. This involved the sending of individual letters and questionnaires to over 11,000 organisations as well as the representative bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150155,"EventID":"S1W-13419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in encouraging the integration of children's services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in encouraging the integration of children's services.","AnswerText":"We are today issuing to local authorities, the health service, the voluntary sector and others a consultation paper Changing Children's Services Fund, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. This sets out our proposals for the fund, which will encourage better, more innovative and more integrated services for children. Funding of £4 million will be available in 2001-02 for drug-related projects only, while £33 million will be available in 2002-03 and £44.5 million in 2003-04. Resources are being committed from the education, health and social justice budgets. This reflects the cross-cutting nature of this fund. It will encourage local authorities, the health service, the voluntary sector and others to work together for Scotland's children.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150156,"EventID":"S1W-13420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided by it or the Scottish Office in each year from 1997-98 to the current year for initiatives relating to workplace training in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided by it or the Scottish Office in each year from 1997-98 to the current year for initiatives relating to workplace training in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A number of workplace training initiatives are undertaken by the enterprise network, funded from within the block grant-in-aid provided by the Scottish Executive to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The details of the level of funding Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise allocate to these initiatives is being provided by these organisations to Mr MacAskill in response to his earlier questions. In addition, the Executive is also investing over £0.5 million this year in the new Scottish Union Learning Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150157,"EventID":"S1W-13421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote workplace training in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote workplace training in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive works closely with the enterprise network, employer-led National Training Organisations and trade unions to promote training opportunities that are closely related to the needs of the workplace. Record numbers of Modern Apprentices are now in training because we have promoted the benefits of the programme to employers and young people. We have also established a Scottish Union Learning Fund to support trade union projects to promote workplace learning.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150158,"EventID":"S1W-13422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are in relation to workplace training in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are in relation to workplace training in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive places high priority on workplace training. A Smart Successful Scotland sets out our priority for meeting the demand for high quality in-work training, helping to ensure that every Scot is ready for tomorrow's jobs.

Priority is given to all 16 to 17-year-olds and to 18 to 24-year-olds who are pursuing a Modern Apprenticeship. From April 2001 the Training for Work programme will focus on tackling basic skills deficiencies, increasing employability through information and communication technology skills training and addressing local labour market needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150159,"EventID":"S1W-13423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the present, speci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the present, specifying the recipient organisation in each case.","AnswerText":"Information on Executive spending is not generally attributable to specific neighbourhoods, but the available information is as follows:

Identifiable Scottish Office/Scottish Executive spending in Craigmillar
 

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01 (plans)

 

£ million

Social Inclusion Partnership Fund

£1.659

£1.645

£1.312

£1.833

CCTV

-

-

£0.040

-

Community Safety

-

-

-

£0.015

New Housing Partnerships Fund

£0.110

£2.445

£3.305

£8.976

The recipient organisations were as follows:

City of Edinburgh Council (SIP resources)

Thistle Foundation Estate (CCTV 1999-2000)

Magdalene Youth Project (community safety 2000-01)

City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Homes (NHP resources)","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150160,"EventID":"S1W-13424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much grant has been given to each of Scotland's industrial museums in financial years (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much grant has been given to each of Scotland's industrial museums in financial years (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The grants made by The Scottish Executive to industrial museums are set out in the following table:

Museum

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Scottish Maritime Museum

£55,000

Help with running costs

£15,000

Help with consultancy

£20,000 Help with running costs

Scottish Mining Museum

 

£85,000 Help with running costs

5,000 Help with consultancy

£90,000 Help with running costs

£45,000 Help with running costs

Scottish Fisheries Museum

  

£30,000 Help with running costs

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150161,"EventID":"S1W-13425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to identify legislation which will require amendment as a consequence of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to identify legislation which will require amendment as a consequence of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13389.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150162,"EventID":"S1W-13426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to manage the process of amending legislation as a consequence of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to manage the process of amending legislation as a consequence of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13389.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150163,"EventID":"S1W-13427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what system is in place to monitor the release of long-term care patients from the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what system is in place to monitor the release of long-term care patients from the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert.","AnswerText":"A Project Board, comprising senior managers from Forth Valley Health Board, Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust and Falkirk Council, is co-ordinating arrangements to discharge patients from the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert as part of the reprovision and retraction of services currently provided at the hospital. Officials from the Scottish Executive meet with the Project Board quarterly to review progress.

No patient should be discharged from the hospital unless and until suitable alternative services and accommodation are in place. Under care management, social work professionals locally keep under review the provision of services for people with significant needs living in the community, including former patients of the hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150164,"EventID":"S1W-13428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many patients have been released from long-term care at the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert; (b) what the average cost was of care packages to support ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many patients have been released from long-term care at the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert; (b) what the average cost was of care packages to support such patients; (c) what the initial and final destinations were of patients released into the community, and (d) what the number and percentage of patients were whose initial destination was (i) a long stay facility operated by a primary health care trust, (ii) a private sector residential nursing home and (iii) home, in each of the last five years and broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150165,"EventID":"S1W-13429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to health boards on the reception of patients released from long-term care at the Royal Scottish National Hospital at Larbert.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to health boards on the reception of patients released from long-term care at the Royal Scottish National Hospital at Larbert.","AnswerText":"Existing guidance on assessment and care management of people needing social care applies to former patients of the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert. More generally, The same as you?, our review of learning disability services, aims to change markedly the quality of life of people with learning disabilities living in the community, including those formerly living in hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150166,"EventID":"S1W-13430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial resources it has allocated to each health board to provide for care support packages for the long-term care of patients released from the Royal Scottish N","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial resources it has allocated to each health board to provide for care support packages for the long-term care of patients released from the Royal Scottish National Hospital at Larbert.","AnswerText":"In addition to the normal financial allocations made to the NHS and local authorities, the Executive has allocated £16.735 million to Forth Valley Health Board to help the health board and its planning partners meet non-recurrent costs associated with the reprovision and retraction of services currently provided at the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert.

The Executive has also earmarked nearly £3 million for the provision of a new facility for those with learning difficulties in Forth Valley who require NHS continuing care.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150167,"EventID":"S1W-13431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the mental health frameworks in place in each health board area and the extent to which managers have regard to the framework in their area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the mental health frameworks in place in each health board area and the extent to which managers have regard to the framework in their area.","AnswerText":"The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland sets a template by which the visiting Mental Health and Well Being Support Group assess and advise both locally and to the Scottish Executive on local agency progress. Senior managers of the health boards, NHS Trusts and the local authorities are involved in this process. The outcome reports of the visiting group are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the web at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/mhwbsg. Mental health services will also be included in the new comprehensive performance management framework for NHSScotland as announced in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150168,"EventID":"S1W-13432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the visit reports of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Group for each health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the visit reports of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Group for each health board.","AnswerText":"The outcome reports from the visits of the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Future reports will also be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The reports and wider information on the work of the support group are available on website www.show.scot.nhs.uk/mhwbsg.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150169,"EventID":"S1W-13433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been in hospital awaiting a community care place in each health board area, broken down for each month since the establishment of the National Data ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been in hospital awaiting a community care place in each health board area, broken down for each month since the establishment of the National Data Recording for Delayed Discharge, and how many of these have been mental health patients.","AnswerText":"The information as specified is not available centrally. Information on patients ready for discharge is currently available only for the national census carried out on 30 September 2000. Full details of the September 2000 census are available on website:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/scottish_health_statistics/subject/ready_for_discharge/sept00.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150170,"EventID":"S1W-13434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Scottish Enterprise staff have (a) expertise in rural development issues and (b) responsibilities including the implementation of Scottish Enterprise's commitment t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Scottish Enterprise staff have (a) expertise in rural development issues and (b) responsibilities including the implementation of Scottish Enterprise's commitment to rural communities.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask the Chairman of that organisation to write to Ms McGugan.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150171,"EventID":"S1W-13435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the study into supporting and developing rural communities following the disbandment of the Rural Forum will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the study into supporting and developing rural communities following the disbandment of the Rural Forum will be published.","AnswerText":"The Executive, together with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Homes and CoSLA, has commissioned EKOS Limited to investigate the mechanisms which exist or are required to support rural communities. I understand that the final report is expected to be received by the commissioning bodies in March, and they will make a decision on publication thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150172,"EventID":"S1W-13436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) of producing the adverts promoting pig meat in respect of which complaints have been upheld by the Advertisin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) of producing the adverts promoting pig meat in respect of which complaints have been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority and whether any minister has been in touch with the MLC in connection with this initiative.","AnswerText":"The cost of producing the adverts was £115,542 and the media costs to place the adverts were £735,000. This was part of a £4.6 million three-stage pig meat advertising campaign run by the MLC.

This MLC Pig Meat advertising campaign was not run in Scotland. The Scottish Executive was not involved in the campaign, did not contribute to it and no Scottish Minister had been in contact with the MLC about this initiative. A separate £600,000 MLC-funded Scottish campaign promoting pork as a "lean and healthy" product was run by Quality Meat Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150173,"EventID":"S1W-13437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8554 by Sarah Boyack on 19 July 2000, in relation to how many of the accidents which took place on the A725 in each of the last fiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8554 by Sarah Boyack on 19 July 2000, in relation to how many of the accidents which took place on the A725 in each of the last five years were winter weather conditions reported as an attributable factor, broken down by local authority area and specifying in each case the number of fatalities and serious injuries.","AnswerText":"The number of fatal and serious injury accidents on the A725 in each of the last five years where winter weather conditions were an attributable factor is as follows:

South Lanarkshire

Year

Fatal

Serious

Total

1995

0

0

0

1996

0

1

1

1997

0

0

0

1998

0

0

0

1999

0

0

0

Total

0

1

1

There were no fatal or serious injury accidents in North Lanarkshire where winter weather conditions were an attributable factor.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150174,"EventID":"S1W-13438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place and on what dates between its Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) and the European Commission on the Commission's proposals for changes to th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place and on what dates between its Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) and the European Commission on the Commission's proposals for changes to the suckler cow and beef special premium schemes; when SERAD first became aware of any of these proposals, and whether it has opposed the introduction of any of them.","AnswerText":"The Commission Proposals to the Council of Europe were published on 13 February. An official from the Scottish Executive was present when they were discussed at the Council's Special Committee of Agriculture on 26 February and 12 March. I attended the Agriculture Council on 19 February and an official attended a Council Working Group on Wednesday 28 February. On each occasion, our strong opposition was expressed to elements of the proposals that could adversely affect Scotland's beef industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150175,"EventID":"S1W-13439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it stated that the Minister for Rural Development attended a meeting of the Council of Ministers on 20 October 1999 when that meeting did not take place and what the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it stated that the Minister for Rural Development attended a meeting of the Council of Ministers on 20 October 1999 when that meeting did not take place and what the explanation is for this discrepancy.","AnswerText":"An Agriculture Council was scheduled for that week and it was thought that Mr Finnie would attend. The meeting was cancelled but because of an administrative oversight the information which had been entered on the department's database was not amended. Steps have now been taken to prevent similar errors occuring in the future. Information on ministerial attendance at EU meetings provided to the Parliament's Reference Centre has been amended.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150176,"EventID":"S1W-13440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to represent farming interests at future meetings of the Agriculture Council and the Council of Ministers and, if so, on what dates it will attend meeti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to represent farming interests at future meetings of the Agriculture Council and the Council of Ministers and, if so, on what dates it will attend meetings and what position it will take in respect of the proposals for changes to the suckler cow and beef special premium schemes and their effect on the farming industry.","AnswerText":"I attended the Agriculture Council on 19 February where I made clear my opposition to the proposals that affected the Suckler Cow and Beef Special Premium Schemes. You can be assured that there will be a Scottish Executive presence at any forthcoming meetings when proposals that affect the Scottish beef industry are discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150177,"EventID":"S1W-13441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have been born in each of the last three years with problems resulting from their mothers being prescribed ben'odiaepines during pregnancy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have been born in each of the last three years with problems resulting from their mothers being prescribed ben'odiaepines during pregnancy.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150178,"EventID":"S1W-13442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training and support it intends to give to GPs with regard to the prescription of methadone and other substitute drugs in order to address the variations in prescrib","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training and support it intends to give to GPs with regard to the prescription of methadone and other substitute drugs in order to address the variations in prescribing practice reported in the Effective Interventions Unit's recent Consultation Workshop Report.","AnswerText":"The UK guidelines on drug misuse, "Drug Misuse and Dependence Guidelines on Clinical Management", provide clear guidance on the prescription of methadone and other substitute drugs. Implementation of that guidance will help to address the variations in prescribing practice reported in the Effective Interventions Unit's (EIU) recent consultation workshop report.

In addition, we are working closely with Royal College of General Practitioners and others to look at what further training requires to be given to GPs to help them implement this guidance.

The EIU will also be looking at the training and support needs of GPs and primary care teams as part of its detailed work, now under way, on effective shared care arrangements for drug users. There will be a focus on the development of local training strategies to meet local needs. The EIU will be consulting widely with practitioners over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150179,"EventID":"S1W-13443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, below senior civil service grade, resigned or transferred to other departments within the civil se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, below senior civil service grade, resigned or transferred to other departments within the civil service in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) the first two months of 2001, broken down by (i) grade and (ii) number of years of service and what reasons were given for such departures.","AnswerText":"The numbers of legal staff below senior civil service level who resigned or transferred to other departments are shown in the table. The leavers represent a turnover of between 2% and 4% for this group of staff. It is not our policy to divulge personal details of members of staff.

Year

Resignation

Transfer

Range of Length of Service

1997

1 Procurator Fiscal 6 Deputes

1 Depute

8 months to 5 years

1998

2 Procurators Fiscal 4 Deputes

Nil

1 year to 17 years

1999

10 Deputes

1 Depute

2 years to18 years

2000

6 Deputes

1Principal Depute 2 Deputes

3 months to 10 years

2001

1 Depute

Nil

4 years

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150180,"EventID":"S1W-13444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total complement of legal staff in the Crown Office (CO) and Procurator Fiscal Service (PFS), below senior civil service grade, was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total complement of legal staff in the Crown Office (CO) and Procurator Fiscal Service (PFS), below senior civil service grade, was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) the first two months of 2001, categorised by (i) grade and (ii) number of years of service in the CO or PFS.","AnswerText":"There is no fixed complement of staff, however the legal staff below senior civil service level in post (full-time equivalent figures) at 1 February for each of the last five years is shown in the table.

Date

Deputes

Principal Deputes

Senior and Senior Principal Deputes

Procurators Fiscal

Total

01/02/97

207.8

n/a*

12

21

240.8

01/02/98

151.6

60

11

21

243.6

01/02/99

153.9

63.9

10

19

246.8

01/02/00

178.1

67.5

10

19

274.6

01/02/01

189.7

72.9

12

20

294.6

* Grade introduced in April 1997. At that time 60 deputes were appointed to the new level.

The number of years service per staff from 1997 to 2000 is not readily available. The current breakdown is shown in the answer to question S1W-13448.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150181,"EventID":"S1W-13445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff employed in the Crown Office (CO) and Procurator Fiscal Service (PFS), excluding Crown Counsel but including senior civil service grades, have been s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff employed in the Crown Office (CO) and Procurator Fiscal Service (PFS), excluding Crown Counsel but including senior civil service grades, have been seconded to work on the Lockerbie trial in each year since 1997 and how many are currently seconded, categorised in each case by (a) grade and (b) years of experience in the CO or PFS.","AnswerText":"The numbers, grades and years of experience of staff seconded to the case during the relevant years are as shown in the table. The details for 2001 also show the details for those currently seconded, who since 1999 have constituted the core group of seconded legal staff. The additional staff seconded in 1999 and 2000 served for varying periods of time, but generally for shorter periods in 2000 than in 1999.

Grade of Seconded Staff

Number of Staff

Years of Experience

1997

Senior Civil Service

1

19

Principal Depute

2

9 and 12

1998

Senior Civil Service

1

20

Principal Depute

2

13 and 10

Depute

1

4

1999

Senior Civil Service

2

21 and 22

Principal Depute

3

11, 14 and 20

Depute

7

1, 3 (x 4), 5 and 10

2000

Senior Civil Service

3

12, 22 and 23

Principal Depute

5

4, 6, 11, 15 and 21

Depute

4

2 and 4 (x3)

2001

Senior Civil Service

2

13 and 23

Principal Depute

Region

Year

No of

Range of contracts

Grampian, Highlands and Islands

1997

3

1 month to 9 months

 

1998

3

7 months to 9 months

 

1999

5

5 months to 8 months

 

2000

9

2 months to 12 months

 

2001

6.7

2 months

Tayside, Central and Fife

1997

7

1 month to 8 months

 

1998

9

2 months to 11 months

 

1999

9.5

2 months to 7 months

 

2000

8.6

1 month to 8 months

 

2001

10.6

3 weeks to 2 months

Lothian and Borders

1997

6

6 months to 10 months

 

1998

8

1 month to 6 months

 

1999

8

3 months to 9 months

 

2000

8

1 month to 12 months

 

2001

7.9

2 months

Glasgow

Length of service

Crown Office

PF Service

Total

Less than one year

Nil

38

38

1-2 years

Nil

36

36

2-3 years

2

18

20

3-4 years

Nil

5

5

4-5 years

8

18

26

6-8 years

6

22

28

8-10 years

6

19

25

Over 10 years

21

126

147

The mode and mean salaries are as follows:

Salary type

Depute

Principal Depute

Average

£28,936

£41,494

Mode

£22,750

£34,700

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150185,"EventID":"S1W-13449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office or Procurator Fiscal Service will publish a list of the categories under which cases are marked and recorded as \"no proceedings\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office or Procurator Fiscal Service will publish a list of the categories under which cases are marked and recorded as \"no proceedings\".","AnswerText":"The statement made by Lord Mackay of Drumadoon to the Scottish Grand Committee and reported at 1996 SLT (News) 51 remains accurate. For statistical purposes, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service computer system recognises the following categories:

Insufficient admissible evidence

Triviality

Civil remedy more appropriate

Mitigating circumstances

Delay: Police/other reporting agency

Delay: Procurator Fiscal

Lack of court resources

PF staff shortage

Time-barred

Not a crime

No jurisdiction

Age of offence

Other specified reasons","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150186,"EventID":"S1W-13450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the functions and terms of reference are of the Quality and Practice Review Unit of the Crown Office/Procurator Fiscal Service; what arrangements have been made to e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the functions and terms of reference are of the Quality and Practice Review Unit of the Crown Office/Procurator Fiscal Service; what arrangements have been made to ensure its independence and impartiality, and to whom it is accountable.","AnswerText":"The functions and remit of the Quality and Practice Review Unit are described in the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service Annual Report 1999-2000, which was circulated to all members of the Scottish Parliament. The Quality and Practice Review Unit was established to enable the Department to complete a rolling programme of Reviews of individual Offices or Crown Office Units (Office Reviews) and cross Departmental Reviews of particular topics or areas of work (Thematic Reviews). The overall purpose of the Quality and Practice Review Unit is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of work of the Department and to promote and maintain public confidence in its work.

The Remit of the Quality and Practice Review Unit is to report to the Crown Agent on the quality of professional practice in the Department including decisions in cases, outcomes, and processes and other aspects of performance; to identify and promote good practice; to assist with the development of performance indicators; and where approved by the Crown Agent, to work with other agencies to improve the quality of service and the efficiency and effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system.

The Quality and Practice Review Unit is directly accountable to the Crown Agent and acts independently of the management regime within the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service. The Quality and Practice Review Unit has the authority of the Lord Advocate and Crown Agent to access all papers, files and computer records and to interview any member of Staff of the Department and Crown Counsel in connection with their work, subject to the limits of the Remit (general or specific) for that Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150187,"EventID":"S1W-13451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff are currently employed in non-operational legal work in the Quality and Practice Review Unit, categorised by (a) grade and (b) number of years of ser","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal staff are currently employed in non-operational legal work in the Quality and Practice Review Unit, categorised by (a) grade and (b) number of years of service in the Crown Office or Procurator Fiscal Service.","AnswerText":"Legal staff currently employed in the Quality and Practice Review Unit comprise:

Head of Unit, who is a member of the Senior Civil Service, and two Principal Deputes. All have more than 10 years service.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150188,"EventID":"S1W-13452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been employed by local enterprise companies or other public bodies in connection with initiatives which provide or facilitate the provision of workpl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been employed by local enterprise companies or other public bodies in connection with initiatives which provide or facilitate the provision of workplace training in each year since 1997 and whether it holds any estimate of the number of people working on such initiatives in the private sector.","AnswerText":"The question of local enterprise companies is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask them to write to Mr MacAskill with the information requested. No such data is held for other public bodies. According to the labour force survey, in 1999 there were around 5,000 people employed as trainers in private sector organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150189,"EventID":"S1W-13453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each (a) local enterprise company and (b) local authority has spent on initiatives promoting or facilitating the provision of workplace training in each year sin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each (a) local enterprise company and (b) local authority has spent on initiatives promoting or facilitating the provision of workplace training in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The data by local enterprise company is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask them to write to Mr MacAskill with the information requested. No such data for local authorities is held by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150190,"EventID":"S1W-13454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value was of skillseekers' training allowances paid in each year from 1997-98 to present, broken down by (i) local enterprise company area and (ii) skill a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value was of skillseekers' training allowances paid in each year from 1997-98 to present, broken down by (i) local enterprise company area and (ii) skill area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask them to write to Mr MacAskill with the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150191,"EventID":"S1W-13455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have met with the Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL) since July 1999 to discuss developments in digital technologies and communications; who at","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have met with the Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL) since July 1999 to discuss developments in digital technologies and communications; who attended any such meetings; what matters were discussed, and specifically whether the establishment of an OFTEL office in Scotland to oversee and monitor such developments was discussed.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications regulation is reserved. The Scottish Executive holds discussions with UK Departments and other organisations, including OFTEL, as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150192,"EventID":"S1W-13456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on telecommunications infrastructure in each year since 1997; what the projected expenditure is for each year to 2003, and whether it will itemise t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on telecommunications infrastructure in each year since 1997; what the projected expenditure is for each year to 2003, and whether it will itemise this expenditure, giving timescales for when this money was or will be spent.","AnswerText":"Investment in telecommunications infrastructure is largely a matter for the private sector. However, European funds have been allocated for this purpose in the Highlands & Islands and a broad range of public sector organisations, including the Executive, invest in infrastructure where this is necessary for their own use.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150193,"EventID":"S1W-13457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the current capacity and capability of international telecommunication connections to Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the current capacity and capability of international telecommunication connections to Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scotland's international telecoms connectivity is via Telehouse in London's Docklands which is the focus of most of the UK's international telecoms connectivity.

Research carried out for Scottish Enterprise last year on Scotland's telecoms infrastructure advised that Scotland is served by a number of suppliers and that capacity on their backbone networks is not currently an issue.

Scottish Enterprise is conducting further research into the wholesale market and international connectivity. The report is expected to be complete later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150194,"EventID":"S1W-13458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the findings of the PriceWaterhouseCoopers review of the Scottish Tourist Board and what the timescale is for this work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the findings of the PriceWaterhouseCoopers review of the Scottish Tourist Board and what the timescale is for this work.","AnswerText":"Implementation of the findings of the Management Review is primarily for visitscotland. I will ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150195,"EventID":"S1W-13459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all investigations, projects or working groups currently under way which are concerned with GP provision in rural areas, including the timescale fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all investigations, projects or working groups currently under way which are concerned with GP provision in rural areas, including the timescale for any such research and whether or not reports arising from the research have been or will be published.","AnswerText":"The following investigations, projects and working groups are currently under way:

Access to primary care

A research project is currently being undertaken by the Scottish Consumer Council on behalf of the Executive. The research focuses on the difficulties which patients in Scotland may face in accessing primary care. It does not have an exclusive focus on remote areas, although this is one of the dimensions being examined. A final report is due this month.

Remote and Rural GP Out of Hours Schemes

A total of eight projects have been supported by the primary care development fund to improve access to GP services out of hours in remote and rural areas.

Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative

The Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative is funded by the Executive to support the development of innovative approaches to providing health care in remote and rural areas. A number of the projects it is currently sponsoring relate to the provision of primary care services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150196,"EventID":"S1W-13460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new standard grade course in technological studies will proceed in the coming academic year and, if this matter is still under consideration, when a decision ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new standard grade course in technological studies will proceed in the coming academic year and, if this matter is still under consideration, when a decision will be announced.","AnswerText":"SQA has developed new General and Credit Standard Grade courses in technological studies which will be available from session 2001-02. The Foundation level course will be discontinued and pupils directed into courses more appropriate for their needs. A letter was issued on 2 May to presenting centres informing them of these arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150197,"EventID":"S1W-13461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has undertaken into the effects of an ageing workforce on the economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has undertaken into the effects of an ageing workforce on the economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's recently published strategy for the Enterprise Network, entitled A Smart Successful Scotland, (Parliament Reference Centre, Bib. no. 10982) made clear that demographic change and its impact on the Scottish Economy is a matter which needs further study.

The Scottish Executive has recently announced the establishment of a unit in Scottish Enterprise to be called "Future Skills Scotland". The effects of an ageing workforce is an area in which Future Skills Scotland will have an interest in due course.

Scottish Enterprise is also concerned with this issue and has recently published a research paper on the subject in the Fraser of Allander Quarterly Economic Commentary (Volume 26, Number 1, January 2001). A copy of this paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11552).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150198,"EventID":"S1W-13462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has undertaken into the effect on labour markets in rural areas of an ageing workforce.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has undertaken into the effect on labour markets in rural areas of an ageing workforce.","AnswerText":"No formal studies have been undertaken in this area, but the Scottish Executive's recently published strategy for the Enterprise Network, entitled A Smart Successful Scotland, (Parliament Reference Centre Bib reference number 10982) made clear that demographic change and its impact on the Scottish economy is a matter which needs further study.

The economic and social status of rural Scotland is routinely monitored. Over the period 1991-99 the rural population grew by 1.4% despite the stability of the overall Scottish population. Recent research has shown that, despite the perception that most rural migrants are of retirement age, a significant proportion of rural migrants are of working age, employed and with young children.

I would also refer the Member to the answer given to S1W-13461.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150199,"EventID":"S1W-13463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available to businesses to help them prepare for a general increase in age of the workforce.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available to businesses to help them prepare for a general increase in age of the workforce.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise are at present actively examining the problem of population ageing together with business groups such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The CBI and the FSB have already been involved in the Foresight exercise in Scotland through the Ageing Population Panel which is co-ordinated by Scottish Enterprise. Over the next few months, Scottish Enterprise will be contacting these bodies to begin a more formalised dialogue on this subject. The outcome from these discussions is as yet unknown, but Scottish Enterprise will be encouraging these bodies to raise awareness with their members so that Scottish employers are encouraged to recruit older workers.

Scottish Enterprise also hope to run a conference this summer to raise awareness of the issues surrounding population ageing with members of these organisations and other external partners.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150200,"EventID":"S1W-13464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what figures it holds for Gross Domestic Product on a regional basis in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what figures it holds for Gross Domestic Product on a regional basis in 2000.","AnswerText":"Figures are not available for Gross Domestic Product on a regional basis for 2000. The latest figures held are for 1996. Figures for 1998 are scheduled for release by the Office for National Statistics in April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150201,"EventID":"S1W-13465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average earnings were per adult in each region in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average earnings were per adult in each region in 2000.","AnswerText":"Reliable figures on average gross weekly earnings of full time employees on adult rates are only available for 24 of the 32 unitary authorities in Scotland. These figures are shown in the following table. The data relate to April 2000.

Unitary Authority

Average gross weekly earnings (£)

Aberdeen City

445.4

Aberdeenshire

371.2

Angus

342.1

Argyll & Bute

378.8

Scottish Borders

326.3

Dumfries & Galloway

330.4

Dundee City

362.2

East Ayrshire

365.1

East Lothian

361.9

Edinburgh City

404.6

Falkirk

379.2

Fife

344.8

Glasgow City

391.8

Highland

351.7

Inverclyde

356.9

Midlothian

375.6

North Ayrshire

346.7

North Lanarkshire

373.1

Perth & Kinross

The Statistical Programme Committee of the European Union recommend using a range of different thresholds for the analysis of low income based on various percentages of mean (50%, 60%) and median (50%, 60%, 70%) equivalised income. The 60% median threshold has been recommended for use as the headline indicator. Data for these thresholds are set out in the Social Justice Annual Report.

The table illustrates the level of the low income threshold for various types of households in 1998-99 for 60% median GB net equivalised income. Equivalisation adjusts income according to household size and composition to reflect the extent to which households of different sizes require a different level of income to achieve the same standard of living. The actual level of the low income threshold is therefore different depending on the household composition.

Low Income Threshold (60% median GB Net Income), 1998-99 (£ annual)

Couple

Before Housing Costs

After Housing Costs

No children

8,447

7,248

1 child age 5

10,220

8,760

2 children 5, 11

12,358

10,689

2 children age 11

12,671

11,054

3 children 5,11,16

15,382

13,401

Single

  

No children

5,162

4,015

1 child age 5

6,935

5,527

2 children 5, 11

9,073

7,404

2 children age 11

9,386

7,769

3 children 5,11,16

12,097

10,168

Source: DSS Households Below Average Income.

Notes:

1. Estimates are based on sample counts, and are therefore subject to sampling variability.

2. Income is net of: income tax payments, national insurance contributions, domestic rates/council tax, contributions to occupational pension schemes, all maintenance and child support payments, and parental contributions to students living away from home.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150203,"EventID":"S1W-13467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations in the Stirling district will lose their relief from water and sewerage charges in the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations in the Stirling district will lose their relief from water and sewerage charges in the next five years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the East of Scotland Water Authority. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150204,"EventID":"S1W-13468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issued concerning the composition of the interim management committee of the Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and whether any guidance will be issued re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issued concerning the composition of the interim management committee of the Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and whether any guidance will be issued regarding appointments to the board of the GHA in the event of housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"Guidance was issued in the framework document Better Homes, Stronger Communities, published jointly by the Executive and Glasgow City Council in April 2000. Appointments to the board of the GHA in the event of housing stock transfer will be made in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of that organisation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150205,"EventID":"S1W-13469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Project Team will consider relocating the proposed parking bays to ensure that disabled people do not have to cross a road to gain entry to the buildi","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Project Team will consider relocating the proposed parking bays to ensure that disabled people do not have to cross a road to gain entry to the building.","AnswerText":"The Convenor of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that the six disabled parking bays incorporated in the landscaping proposals are intended to improve access to surrounding areas and tourist attractions as well as to the Parliament. Security considerations require the Parliament building to have a protective zone that prevents vehicles parking closer than 25 metres around the building's perimeter. After consultation with the project's access consultants, the pedestrian crossing over the "traffic calmed" Horse Wynd was relocated to provide a direct route to the Parliament's public entrance from the parking bays.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150206,"EventID":"S1W-13470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its summary of the National Nutritional Audit of Elderly Individuals in Care dated August 2000, when it was presented with the original findings by the Cl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its summary of the National Nutritional Audit of Elderly Individuals in Care dated August 2000, when it was presented with the original findings by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group.","AnswerText":"A draft of the report of the National Nutritional Audit was received by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) on 27 April 2000 and, in line with normal procedures for submission of a final report for a CRAG-funded project, was circulated for peer review during the first week of May.

The final draft of the report was received by CRAG in August following feedback to the authors from the peer reviewers. The report was published on 18 December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150207,"EventID":"S1W-13471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-3125 and S1W-9076 by Susan Deacon on 22 December 1999 and 8 January 2001 respectively, whether, in the light of the report publis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-3125 and S1W-9076 by Susan Deacon on 22 December 1999 and 8 January 2001 respectively, whether, in the light of the report published on 15 February 2001 in the journal Thorax, it will initiate an inquiry to investigate any age discrimination in NHSiS treatment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150208,"EventID":"S1W-13472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were (a) murdered and (b) injured in each of the last five years in incidents involving offensive weapons with a blade or which are sharply pointed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were (a) murdered and (b) injured in each of the last five years in incidents involving offensive weapons with a blade or which are sharply pointed.","AnswerText":"The number of victims of homicide where a sharp instrument was the main method of killing was 66 in 1999, 44 in 1998, 35 in 1997 and 58 in 1996. Figures are not yet available for 2000. Further detail on these and other homicides can be found in the statistical bulletin, Homicide in Scotland 1998, and the statistics release, Homicide in Scotland 1999, both of which are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Figures on the type of weapons used in assaults are not collected centrally, apart from those which involve firearms.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150209,"EventID":"S1W-13473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under the Knives Act 1997 in each year since it came into force; how many convictions resulted from such prosecutions, and how many ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under the Knives Act 1997 in each year since it came into force; how many convictions resulted from such prosecutions, and how many convicted offenders were (a) fined and (b) imprisoned.","AnswerText":"Figures on the number of prosecutions and convictions for offences under this Act cannot, from the information held centrally, be separately identified from those for other trading offences in the Scottish Executive Justice Department classification of crimes and offences.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150210,"EventID":"S1W-13474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 in each of the last five years; how many convictions resulted from such prosecut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 in each of the last five years; how many convictions resulted from such prosecutions, and how many convicted offenders were (a) fined and (b) imprisoned.","AnswerText":"Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 was repealed on 1 April 1996 and replaced by section 47 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995. The available information is given in the table.

Persons proceeded against in Scottish courts where the main crime was under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 or section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

Statute and outcome

Year

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953

Persons proceeded against

1,399

1,288

305

43

7

Persons with a charge proved

1,001

911

224

35

7

Of which received:

Custodial sentence

200

176

45

5

2

Fine

465

385

66

6

3

Other sentence

336

350

113

24

2

Section 47 (1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

Persons proceeded against

-

297

1,266

1,420

1,443

Persons with a charge proved

Persons proceeded against in Scottish Courts where the main offence was under section 1 of the Carrying of Knives etc. Act 1993 or sections 49(1) and 49A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (S) Act 1995

Year

Statue and outcome

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Section 1 of the Carrying of Knives(S) Act 1993

Persons proceeded against

956

979

249

15

3

Persons with a charge proved

780

784

214

13

3

Of which received:

Custodial sentence

251

231

54

4

1

Fine

270

277

69

3

2

Other sentence

259

276

91

6

-

Section 49(1) and 49 A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (S) Act 1995

Persons proceeded against

-

381

1,062

2001-02 Allocations

Authority

Allocation £ million

Aberdeen City

5.293

Aberdeenshire

4.495

Angus

1.536

Argyll and Bute

1.607

Clackmannanshire

1.597

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

1.701

Dumfries and Galloway

4.251

Dundee City

8.436

East Ayrshire

3.489

East Dunbartonshire

2.388

East Lothian

2.510

East Renfrewshire

0.964

City of Edinburgh

14.916

Falkirk

5.369

Fife

7.007

Glasgow City

43.750

Highland

7.230

Inverclyde

3.965

Midlothian

2.122

Moray

1.848

North Ayrshire

2.953

North Lanarkshire

12.330

Orkn","AnswerDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150214,"EventID":"S1W-13478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any review of MSPs' salaries is planned.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any review of MSPs' salaries is planned.","AnswerText":"No review is currently planned.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150215,"EventID":"S1W-13479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions have been reached regarding the future of its Scotland Against Drugs campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions have been reached regarding the future of its Scotland Against Drugs campaign.","AnswerText":"SAD was launched in May 1996 as a cross-party campaign and re-focused in 1998. The current remit and funding of Scotland Against Drugs (SAD) ends on 31 March. The Executive has consulted party leaders and the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse.

The Executive has concluded that SAD has made a significant contribution to attracting business support for anti-drugs initiatives, and has widened community involvement in fighting drug misuse and its consequences locally. The Executive has therefore agreed to provide funding for SAD of £1.5 million per annum for three years from 1 April 2001, from the £100 million package of new expenditure on drug misuse announced in September 2000. Support for the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund of £500,000 per annum will continue within the overall core funding, which will also provide for increases in SAD's Schools, Business and Community Programmes.

Sir Tom Farmer and Professor Sandy Cameron have agreed to continue as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of SAD. An announcement will be made in March on membership of a new SAD Board of Management and the terms of SAD's Action Plan, which will contain demanding new targets.

Following on from my recent announcement on the distribution of the £100 million package of new expenditure on drug misuse, this decision on SAD builds in new breadth to our efforts to harness communities and business in beating drug misuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150216,"EventID":"S1W-13480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12954 by Sarah Boyack on 14 February 2001, whether it will arrange for immediate interim payments to be made to members of the Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12954 by Sarah Boyack on 14 February 2001, whether it will arrange for immediate interim payments to be made to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.","AnswerText":"No payments can be made to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes before the Scottish Transport Group is wound up.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150217,"EventID":"S1W-13481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the availability of sweets in the form of cigarettes encourages children and young people to take up smoking; if so, what plans it has to address this problem, an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the availability of sweets in the form of cigarettes encourages children and young people to take up smoking; if so, what plans it has to address this problem, and whether it has any power to restrict the import of such items into Scotland or otherwise limit the availability on health grounds.","AnswerText":"There is some evidence to suggest that children who have used sweets in the form of cigarettes are more likely to smoke. The Scottish Executive is concerned about anything which encourages children to smoke, but has no power to ban or otherwise restrict the sale of these products in Scotland. However, we will continue to do all we can to ensure that children are given the facts about the dangers of taking up smoking and to encourage adults to set a good example.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150218,"EventID":"S1W-13482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it made representations to the European Commission prior their proposals for changes to the suckler cow and beef special premium schemes being announced and, if ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it made representations to the European Commission prior their proposals for changes to the suckler cow and beef special premium schemes being announced and, if so, whether it will detail such representations.","AnswerText":"The European Commission drew up its proposals about possible changes to the Suckler Cow and Beef Special Premium Schemes without consultation. Representations were made to the European Commission at the earliest opportunity following the publication of the Commission proposed regulation. I attended the Agriculture Council on 19 February and officials from my Department attended SCA on 19 February and a Council Working Group on 28 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150219,"EventID":"S1W-13483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds any information on how the amount of assistance received in each of the last seven years by (a) the fish processing sector and (b) the fish catching sect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds any information on how the amount of assistance received in each of the last seven years by (a) the fish processing sector and (b) the fish catching sector in each European Union country, including the UK as a whole, from (i) the European Union and (ii) national governments compared with the assistance received from these sources by the Scottish catching and processing sectors in each of these years.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not hold the full range of data suggested. Information is available relating to assistance paid from the share of EU structural funds for fisheries available to Scotland, and associated national public funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150220,"EventID":"S1W-13484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12882 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 February 2001, when the review on whether there is a need to put a greater emphasis on hepatitis C ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12882 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 February 2001, when the review on whether there is a need to put a greater emphasis on hepatitis C in the services provided by the National AIDS and Drugs helplines will be completed.","AnswerText":"No date has been fixed. The report of consultants appointed to evaluate the performance of the contractor currently providing these helpline services should be available by the end of March. The report will inform decisions on the future direction of the helplines.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150221,"EventID":"S1W-13485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6438 by Henry McLeish on 12 May 2000, whether it will provide an updated breakdown, by unit of delivery, of people who have moved i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6438 by Henry McLeish on 12 May 2000, whether it will provide an updated breakdown, by unit of delivery, of people who have moved into unsubsidised employment since the New Deal was introduced.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

The Unit of Delivery table details the number of young people who have moved into unsubsidised employment (both sustained and unsustained) since it was introduced (figures to end-November 2000).

Unit of Delivery

Entered Unsubsidised Employment

Tayside

2,380

Ayrshire

2,600

Borders

446

Dumfries & Galloway

715

Dunbarton

1,196

Edinburgh, East & Midlothian

2,078

Fife

2,092

Forth Valley

1,557

Glasgow

4,400

Grampian

1,135

Moray, Strathspey & Badenoch

322

Lanarkshire

4,064

Renfrewshire

1,746

West Lothian

836

Argyll & The Islands

306

Caithness and Sutherland

159

Inverness & Nairn

279

Lochaber

63

Western Isles

119

Unit of Delivery

Entered Unsubsidised Employment

Orkney

46

Ross & Cromarty

226

Shetland

43

Skye & Lochalsh

53

TOTAL

26,861

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150222,"EventID":"S1W-13486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5973 by Henry McLeish on 18 April 2000, whether it will provide an update, up to 31 January 2001, on expenditure to date on each Ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5973 by Henry McLeish on 18 April 2000, whether it will provide an update, up to 31 January 2001, on expenditure to date on each New Deal Programme, other than the New Deal for Young People, and the number of people who have taken part in each of these schemes.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

The expenditure on each New Deal programme in Scotland to January 2001 was:

  1. New Deal for Lone Parents: £7 million
  2. New Deal for Disabled People: £1 million
  3. New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People: £1 million
  4. New Deal 25 plus: £23 million

(e) New Deal 50 plus: £1 million

These figures do not take account of a proportion of the total costs due to time lags in claims from New Deal service providers and subsequent reimbursement.

In addition, there are central running and marketing costs for each programme which have not been included in these figures.

The number of people in Scotland who have taken part in each New Deal at the end of December 2000 are:

  1. New Deal for Lone Parents: 19,600 (to end November 2000)

    2. Figure refers to numbers attending an initial interview.

  2. New Deal for Disabled People: 2,300

    3. This figure only includes the personal adviser service based in Lanarkshire.

  3. New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People: 800

    4. This figure refers to those attending an initial interview.

  4. New Deal for 25+: 34,500
  5. New Deal for 50+: 3,100

The figures for ND50+ relate to the number of Employment Credit Starts. At present, caseload figures are not published.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150223,"EventID":"S1W-13487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have entered the New Deal for Young People since its inception and how many, having completed the programme, have gone back to claiming benefits.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have entered the New Deal for Young People since its inception and how many, having completed the programme, have gone back to claiming benefits.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

There have been 65,011 starts on New Deal for Young People since the launch of the programme.

6,349 clients leaving the New Deal for Young People from Follow Through have returned to claiming benefits (data to end-December 2000).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150224,"EventID":"S1W-13488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, as at 31 January 2001, have obtained employment through the New Deal for Young People and have been taken on by employers not receiving a New Deal Subsid","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, as at 31 January 2001, have obtained employment through the New Deal for Young People and have been taken on by employers not receiving a New Deal Subsidy.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

This information is published and can be found in the monthly New Deal news release www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00065-00.asp (table A5).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150225,"EventID":"S1W-13489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5969 by Henry McLeish on 18 April 2000, whether it can now provide information, up to 31 January 2001, on the number of companies w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5969 by Henry McLeish on 18 April 2000, whether it can now provide information, up to 31 January 2001, on the number of companies which have taken on young people under the employment option of the New Deal for Young People and what percentage of trading businesses this figure represents.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

In Scotland, the number of employers signed up to the New Deal at the end of December 2000 is 12,600; this represents approximately 8% of businesses registered for VAT and/or PAYE.

Data on the number of companies which have taken on New Deal for Young People clients is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150226,"EventID":"S1W-13490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have moved into unsubsidised employment directly from the Gateway stage since the scheme's inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have moved into unsubsidised employment directly from the Gateway stage since the scheme's inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

The table details the number of 18-24 New Deal clients who have moved into unsubsidised employment directly from the Gateway stage since the programme began, broken down by Unit of Delivery.

Unit of Delivery

Entered Unsubsidised Employment

Tayside

1,162

Ayrshire

1,311

Borders

220

Dumfries & Galloway

346

Dunbarton

672

Edinburgh, East & Midlothian

1,155

Fife

1,061

Forth Valley

867

Glasgow

2,148

Grampian

691

Moray, Strathspey & Badenoch

168

Lanarkshire

2,195

Renfrewshire

856

West Lothian

447

Argyll & The Islands

167

Caithness and Sutherland

87

Inverness & Nairn

142

Lochaber

48

Western Isles

52

Unit of Delivery

Entered Unsubsidised Employment

Orkney

27

Ross & Cromarty

128

Shetland

24

Skye & Lochalsh

39

Total

14,013

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150227,"EventID":"S1W-13491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have participated in the New Deal for Young People more than once since its inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have participated in the New Deal for Young People more than once since its inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

The table details the number of people who have participated in the New Deal for Young People more than once since its inception, broken down by unit of delivery.

Unit of Delivery

 

Tayside

887

Ayrshire

889

Borders

141

Dumfries & Galloway

238

Dunbarton

371

Edinburgh, East & Midlothian

512

Fife

716

Forth Valley

475

Glasgow

1,594

Grampian

252

Moray, Strathspey & Badenoch

55

Lanarkshire

1,166

Renfrewshire

426

West Lothian

201

Argyll & The Islands

53

Caithness and Sutherland

50

Inverness & Nairn

63

Lochaber

12

Western Isles

28

Unit of Delivery

 

Orkney

12

Ross & Cromarty

52

Shetland

13

Skye & Lochalsh

7

TOTAL

8,213

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150228,"EventID":"S1W-13492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have (a) participated in, and (b) gone into unsubsidised employment from the New Deal for Young People's (i) employment, (ii) full-time education and trai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have (a) participated in, and (b) gone into unsubsidised employment from the New Deal for Young People's (i) employment, (ii) full-time education and training, (iii) voluntary option and (iv) environmental task force options, up to 31 January 2001.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

This information is published and can be found in the monthly New Deal news release www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00065-00.asp(tables A0 and A3).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150229,"EventID":"S1W-13493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-11262 lodged on 15 November 2000 and why it has not yet been answered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-11262 lodged on 15 November 2000 and why it has not yet been answered.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-11262 was answered on 1 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150230,"EventID":"S1W-13494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, prior to coming to a decision on the issue of grant aided funding. it will ask the Special Educational Needs Forum to consider the future funding of the seven g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, prior to coming to a decision on the issue of grant aided funding. it will ask the Special Educational Needs Forum to consider the future funding of the seven grant aided schools for children with severe low incidence disabilities.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are considering the future funding arrangements for the seven grant-aided schools. In the meantime, we have given a commitment to continue the current grant aid arrangements until March 2003. I have met representatives from the seven schools and I hope to complete a programme of visits to all the schools shortly. An announcement on future funding arrangements beyond March 2003 will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150231,"EventID":"S1W-13495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many humans have been killed by animals in each of the last 20 years, which animals were involved in each case and whether the strict liability on owners placed by th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many humans have been killed by animals in each of the last 20 years, which animals were involved in each case and whether the strict liability on owners placed by the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987 has reduced the number of any such deaths.","AnswerText":"The available information is presented in the table. There has been no significant variation in the numbers of such deaths recorded over the last 20 years.The situation envisaged is clearly hypothetical and it is not possible to quantify possible penalties and/or compensation at this time.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150237,"EventID":"S1W-13503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the proposed closure of Lews Castle School in Stornoway and whether it has received any p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the proposed closure of Lews Castle School in Stornoway and whether it has received any petitions from local people on this matter.","AnswerText":"No. The proposed closure of Lews Castle School is a matter for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. A copy of a petition was received in November 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150238,"EventID":"S1W-13504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-5858 and S1W-9994 by Mr Jack McConnell on 28 April 2000 and 4 October 2000 respectively, whether it is now in a position to publi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-5858 and S1W-9994 by Mr Jack McConnell on 28 April 2000 and 4 October 2000 respectively, whether it is now in a position to publish the Notes on Sections to the Scotland Act 1998 and make them available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150239,"EventID":"S1W-13505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the first half year statistics of NHSiS waiting times and lists for 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the first half year statistics of NHSiS waiting times and lists for 2000-01.","AnswerText":"An extensive range of information on NHSScotland acute activity, waiting lists and waiting times for the year 2000 was published on 28 February 2001 and is available on the Internet at:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/acute_activity/index.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150240,"EventID":"S1W-13506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the NHSiS waiting times and lists for first outpatient appointments in the year 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the NHSiS waiting times and lists for first outpatient appointments in the year 2000.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital inpatients and day cases.

Waiting times for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant following referral by a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner, for each quarter in the year 2000, were published on 28 February 2001, and are available on the Internet at

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/acute_activity/index.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150241,"EventID":"S1W-13507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition is of \"NHS deferred waiting lists\" as used by the Information Statistics Division in its document Scottish Health Statistics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition is of \"NHS deferred waiting lists\" as used by the Information Statistics Division in its document Scottish Health Statistics.","AnswerText":"In accordance with established guidance applicable to the collection of data on waiting, which has been in place since 1989, patients are placed on deferred admission waiting lists where: there are personal, social or medical constraints at the time of deciding to admit which prevent them from accepting a normal hospital admission date if offered, for example because of their business or holiday commitments; or they do not attend for an arranged hospital admission date and give no advance warning; or hospital admission for treatment has been arranged for them, but they were sent home at the time of admission, or shortly afterwards, because they were assessed as being clinically unsuitable for treatment at that time, or their admission is being arranged, on a "one-off" basis, to give carers respite from their caring responsibilities.

The all-Scotland deferred admission waiting list is routinely in excess of 20,000. On 31 December 2000 it was 25,522.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150242,"EventID":"S1W-13508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the NHSiS spend was as a percentage of Scottish Gross Domestic Product for the years 1995 to 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the NHSiS spend was as a percentage of Scottish Gross Domestic Product for the years 1995 to 2000.","AnswerText":"The following table shows expenditure on the NHS in Scotland as a percentage of GDP for the period 1995 to 1999 - the latest year for which Scottish GDP data are available.

Deaths caused by animals, Scotland, 1980-991

Poisoning by venomous animals

Other injury caused by animals

- of which dog bite

ICD9 code 2

E905

E906

E906.0

1980

2

1981

2

1982

2

1983

1

1986

2

1987

1

1988

1

1989

1

2

1

1990

2

1991

1

1992

NHS Spend in Scotland as a % of Scottish GDP

1995

6.4

1996

6.4

1997

6.5

1998

6.4

1999

6.7

2000

Not Available

Notes:

1. NHS Spend in Scotland for each year reported above relates to the financial year. For example, the figure reported for 1995 relates to the financial accounting period from April 1 1995 to March 31 1996.

2. International comparisons of ratios of public expenditure to GDP use data on GDP at market prices. No data on GDP at market prices are available for Scotland but, to enable broad comparisons with ratios that have been calculated for other countries, estimates based on GDP at market prices have been derived. The methodology used is consistent with Government Expenditure & Revenue in Scotland. This method implicitly assumes that the Scottish share of UK GDP at market prices (including North Sea oil output) is the same as the share of GDP at factor cost. Given the assumptions involved, the estimates should be treated with caution.

3. Estimates for years after 1999 are not available. As the Scottish Executive does not produce forecasts of GDP growth, it is not possible to publish projections of ratios of public expenditure to GDP for the period after 1999.

Over the period 1995 to 1999, expenditure on the NHS in Scotland as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product is estimated to have risen from 6.4% to 6.7%. This demonstrates the Scottish Executive's commitment to substantial increases in health spending over the duration of this Parliament.

As further tangible evidence of this, the health budget is increasing from £4.9 billion in 1999-2000 to £6.7 billion in 2003-04. This represents a major investment in the NHS in Scotland by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150243,"EventID":"S1W-13509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority staff are currently employed in community care services for the elderly.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority staff are currently employed in community care services for the elderly.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of staff in local authority social work departments by client group is given in table 4 of the statistical bulletin Staff of Scottish Local Authority Social Work Departments, 1999, published by the Scottish Executive in January 2001 and also available on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150244,"EventID":"S1W-13510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority run nursing homes there are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority run nursing homes there are.","AnswerText":"There are no local authority-run nursing homes. However, many private nursing homes have patients who receive local authority funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150245,"EventID":"S1W-13511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount of resources transfer from health boards to local authorities was in 1998, 1999 and 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount of resources transfer from health boards to local authorities was in 1998, 1999 and 2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested for 1997-98 is given on page 21 of NHS (Scotland) Summarised Accounts 1997-98, published by The Stationery Office in 1999, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11584).

The information requested for 1998-99 is given on page 21 of NHS (Scotland) Summarised Accounts 1998-99, published by The Stationery Office in 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11585).

The NHS (Scotland) Summarised Accounts 1999-2000 are not yet published. However, using the figures reported in the annual accounts of the health boards in Scotland, the total for 1999-2000 is £147,301,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150246,"EventID":"S1W-13512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6120 by Susan Deacon on 5 May 2000, when the Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 will come before the Parliament f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6120 by Susan Deacon on 5 May 2000, when the Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 will come before the Parliament for consideration.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the Dairy Product (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations have completed their three-month mandatory notification period with the Commission and now have the necessary clearance in respect of technical standards.

Some revisions are currently being considered by the Executive's Solicitors and it is anticipated that the Regulations will be laid before the Scottish Parliament as soon as these have been addressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150247,"EventID":"S1W-13513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are being made available to health bodies for 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are being made available to health bodies for 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerText":"Health boards received an average increase in Unified Budget for 2001-02 of 6.5%. The average increase in the Unified Budget for 2002-03 is 6.9%, with a minimum increase of 6.5%. The average increase for 2003-04 is 7.8%, with a minimum increase of 7.4%.

The indicative Family Health Service allocations are as follows:
 

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Health Board

£m

£m

£m

Argyll & Clyde

45.288

47.455

49.469

Ayrshire & Arran

37.763

39.572

41.247

Borders

11.073

11.605

12.102

Dumfries & Galloway

14.928

15.634

16.305

Fife

31.987

33.524

34.947

Forth Valley

26.002

27.256

28.409

Grampian

50.432

52.863

55.122

Greater Glasgow

102.959

107.865

112.390

Highland

24.969

26.148

27.282

Lanarkshire

53.298

55.845

58.209

Lothian

77.233

80.970

84.405

Orkney

2.526

2.650

2.767

Shetland

2.437

2.554

2.667

Tayside

40.880

42.856

A 12 week consultation period will follow, with the closing date for responses being Friday, 18 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150250,"EventID":"S1W-13516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the Minister for Environment, Culture and Sport will make a ministerial state","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the Minister for Environment, Culture and Sport will make a ministerial statement giving the reason for the decision to allocate an additional #1 million to Scottish Opera from the budget of the Scottish Arts Council.","AnswerText":"I explained in my letter of 6 February to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre, that payment of an additional £1 million earmarked for Scottish Opera will depend on the company's updated budget plan currently under consideration by the Scottish Arts Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150251,"EventID":"S1W-13517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any corr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any correspondence between it, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Arts Council regarding the need for #1 million of additional funding for Scottish Opera in the current or next financial year.","AnswerText":"No, the background to the future funding of Scottish Opera was set out in Sam Galbraith's answer to question S1W-14238 on 16 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150252,"EventID":"S1W-13518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has received, or sought, regarding the issue of structural underfunding of Scottish Opera.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has received, or sought, regarding the issue of structural underfunding of Scottish Opera.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council will address this issue in its consideration of Scottish Opera's budget plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150253,"EventID":"S1W-13519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the first supplementary answer to question S1O-2995 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the answer was in accordance with the statement in paragr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the first supplementary answer to question S1O-2995 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the answer was in accordance with the statement in paragraph 3.1 of the Scottish Ministerial Code that the Executive will be accountable, open and responsive.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150254,"EventID":"S1W-13520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of patients in Scottish hospitals in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 were accommodated in mixed sex wards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of patients in Scottish hospitals in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 were accommodated in mixed sex wards.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested. However, the results of a survey carried out in 1999 for the Working Group of NHS staff and patient representatives considering Mixed Sex Accommodation has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. A review of the progress to date is currently being conducted.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150255,"EventID":"S1W-13521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards have eliminated mixed sex wards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards have eliminated mixed sex wards.","AnswerText":"A review of progress towards the elimination of mixed sex wards by April 2002 is currently being conducted. Additional funding of £4.8 million has been allocated to the NHS in Scotland to assist them in achieving this objective.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150256,"EventID":"S1W-13522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will define the term \"mixed sex ward\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will define the term \"mixed sex ward\".","AnswerText":"Guidance on the definition of the term \"mixed sex ward\" is contained in the 1999 report of a Working Group of NHS staff and patient representatives. Following further consultation with the Mental Welfare Commission, SHAS and user groups further amplification of this guidance was issued in August 2000 with the letter notifying NHS Boards and Trusts of their allocation from the £4.8 million of funding made available to ensure that mixed sex accommodation is eliminated by April 2002. Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150257,"EventID":"S1W-13523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made for census enumerators to receive visual impairment and deafblind awareness training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made for census enumerators to receive visual impairment and deafblind awareness training.","AnswerText":"Special arrangements to assist those who are visually impaired or have hearing difficulties to complete a census form have been made through the Registrar General's Community Liaison Initiative for the census, which was introduced last year. The twin aims of the initiative are to raise awareness of the census among those groups in the population thought to have been undercounted in the 1991 census, and to establish contact with a range of voluntary organisations in order that their assistance could be enlisted to help people who, for one reason or another, might be apprehensive about the census, or who might have difficulty in completing a census form.

Initial contact was made by the General Register Office for Scotland at national level with organisations which included those representing people with particular disabilities, such as the Scottish Council on Deafness and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). From these initial contacts a database of local contacts was established enabling the 22 Census Area Managers throughout Scotland to develop locally a link with these groups so that, in the event of someone needing help, frontline skilled assistance would be available from the representative organisations. These organisations were provided with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Census Area Managers.

The aim is for the local voluntary groups to let census managers know of individual people who may require assistance to complete a census form so that census field staff can tap in to this assistance, often provided by someone familiar to the householder. Citizens Advice Bureaux may also be able to provide help.

Census Enumerators will receive instructions and training on dealing with the public generally as well as with people who may have difficulty completing their form. The Enumerators are instructed to provide assistance where this is unavailable from the professional sources mentioned, or from relatives, friends, neighbours, home helps etc.

The census questions and the information leaflet, which is delivered along with the census form, are available in Braille and in large print to standards agreed with RNIB. There is also a census telephone helpline and a textphone for the deaf. Both numbers are shown on the Census form, as well as on the Braille and the large print leaflets. Videos used by Census Area Managers in community liaison meetings include subtitles for use by those who have hearing difficulties. Two audiotapes have been produced for circulation by the Scottish Talking Newspaper group. The first gives a general overview of the census and the questions being asked, while the second covers the help available to persons with a sight impairment. Census managers are also able to seek the services of British Sign Language interpreters where necessary.

The census form has been designed so that many of the questions can be answered by ticking a box and the information can be captured using modern digital scanning technology. This will deliver major cost savings compared with traditional clerical processing. The precision required in this process coupled with the sheer volume of the operation means that it is not practical to offer the actual forms in large print or in Braille. If, however, someone cannot complete a census form, they can contact the Census Helplines and arrangements will be put in place for help to be provided to complete the form through the Community Liaison Initiative or by census staff. Alternatively, those needing assistance can tell the enumerator who will notify the field managers of the kind of assistance required.

The census form is not available for completion by email because of concerns about confidentiality, duplication and authentication, and the low value for money of setting up electronic completion facilities in tandem with those for completion of the paper forms.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150258,"EventID":"S1W-13524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was carried out regarding the accessibility of the census forms to visually impaired and deafblind people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was carried out regarding the accessibility of the census forms to visually impaired and deafblind people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given in question S1W-13523.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150259,"EventID":"S1W-13525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made for census forms and accompanying information to be made available to blind, partially sighted and deafblind people in accessible formats, wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made for census forms and accompanying information to be made available to blind, partially sighted and deafblind people in accessible formats, with particular reference to (a) Braille, (b) large print, (c) disc and (d) audio tape.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13523.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150260,"EventID":"S1W-13526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether census returns from blind, partially sighted and deafblind people will be accepted if they are returned in alternative formats, with particular reference to (a) l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether census returns from blind, partially sighted and deafblind people will be accepted if they are returned in alternative formats, with particular reference to (a) large print, (b) Braille, (c) disc, (d) audio tape and (e) e-mail.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13523.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150261,"EventID":"S1W-13527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to provide one-to-one assistance with the completion of the census forms to visually impaired and deafblind people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to provide one-to-one assistance with the completion of the census forms to visually impaired and deafblind people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13523.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150262,"EventID":"S1W-13528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any allocations of grants to education authorities to support the development of public private partnership projects for school buildings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any allocations of grants to education authorities to support the development of public private partnership projects for school buildings.","AnswerText":"Following consideration of applications from some authorities, I am able to announce the following allocations which will enable the authorities to take forward work on feasibility studies into possible further school Public private partnership projects:

Aberdeenshire Council

£242,000

Angus Council

£136,000

Argyll and Bute Council

£200,000

Dumfries and Galloway Council

£466,000

Dundee City Council

£305,000

East Ayrshire Council

£320,000

East Dunbartonshire Council

£125,000

East Lothian Council

£412,000

East Renfrewshire Council

£255,000

Fife Council

£295,000

Glasgow City Council

£150,000

Highland Council

£411,000

Inverclyde Council

£150,000

Midlothian Council

£140,000

North Ayrshire Council

£ 30,000

North Lanarkshire Council

£443,000

Renfrewshire Council

£245,000

South Lanarkshire Council

£245,000

Stirling Council

£130,000

West Dunbartonshire Council

£125,000

West Lothian Council

£138,000

We have written today to all authorities informing them of the decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150263,"EventID":"S1W-13529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the recent local government finance settlement to have on the sport and cultural services provided by local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the recent local government finance settlement to have on the sport and cultural services provided by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The settlement provides local authorities with an additional £1.2 billion in Scottish Executive support over the next three years and with the stability of firm three-year grant figures. This should enable them to improve the range and quality of local services, including sport and cultural facilities, although it is for each authority to determine its service priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150264,"EventID":"S1W-13530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it intends to give to professional football clubs to help establish football academies in each financial year from 2001-02 to 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it intends to give to professional football clubs to help establish football academies in each financial year from 2001-02 to 2003-04.","AnswerText":"Over the period 2001-03, up to £4,000,000 will be made available through sportscotland and about £1,000,000 will be made available from Reduction in Pools Betting Duty monies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150265,"EventID":"S1W-13531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which professional football clubs will receive financial assistance to establish football academies in the next three financial years, specifying the amount each club wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which professional football clubs will receive financial assistance to establish football academies in the next three financial years, specifying the amount each club will receive in each year.","AnswerText":"Awards of financial assistance will be determined by assessment of applications received. It is not possible, therefore, to say which clubs will benefit and to what extent. I do expect, however, to be able to announce shortly the first sportscotland awards for football academies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150266,"EventID":"S1W-13532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are applied in deciding whether to provide financial assistance to professional football clubs for the establishment of football academies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are applied in deciding whether to provide financial assistance to professional football clubs for the establishment of football academies.","AnswerText":"The criteria applied to the funding available through sportscotland are the Policies and Procedures of the Scottish Lottery Fund Football Academy Strand. These criteria are based on the proposals drawn up and endorsed by the Scottish Football Partnership established by the Scottish Executive. Criteria for other sources of funding have yet to be established.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150267,"EventID":"S1W-13533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many neurologist posts there are in the NHSiS and how many of these are currently vacant, broken down by health board area in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many neurologist posts there are in the NHSiS and how many of these are currently vacant, broken down by health board area in each case.","AnswerText":"The latest information on the number of neurology staff in post by health board area is shown in the following table. The total number of consultants in this specialty has increased from 32 in 1997. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

As at 30 September 1999, there was a total of two vacant consultant posts in this specialty, one in Forth Valley Health Board and one in Greater Glasgow Health Board. These posts were both vacant for less than six months, reflecting normal turnover. Only consultant and staff grade vacancies are recorded.

Neurology Staff in Post2 Employed in NHSScotland by Health Board and Grade

Headcount as at 30 September 1999
 

Total

Consultant

Associate Specialist

Specialist Registrar

SHO

Para 94 Appt.

Scotland3

60

37

1

12

6

5

Ayrshire & Arran

1

1

-

-

-

-

Dumfries & Galloway

1

1

-

-

-

-

Fife

3

3

-

-

-

-

Forth Valley

2

1

-

-

-

1

Grampian

7

5

-

1

-

1

Greater Glasgow

31

17

1

7

3

3

Lanarkshire

2

2

A report compiled following completion of the consultation process has today been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre and will shortly be available on the Scottish Executive web site.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150269,"EventID":"S1W-13535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will extend the choice of courses available to clients on the full-time education and training element of the New Deal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will extend the choice of courses available to clients on the full-time education and training element of the New Deal.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

The New Deal is very much about designing flexible, local provision to meet the needs of unemployed young people and prevailing labour market conditions. Each year local partnerships review closely the provision on offer and adjust this to suit local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150270,"EventID":"S1W-13536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the gateway element of the New Deal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the gateway element of the New Deal.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

Statistics are monitored monthly with a view to improve or develop performance. However, I understand there are no plans to undertake a formal evaluation of the Gateway.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150271,"EventID":"S1W-13537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it is taking to reduce the number of early leavers from the full-time education and training element of the New Deal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it is taking to reduce the number of early leavers from the full-time education and training element of the New Deal.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

Improvements are being considered to the New Deal options including the full-time education and training option. In addition through the Innovation Fund there is funding for specific projects addressing the issue of early leavers.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150272,"EventID":"S1W-13538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the technical report produced in the 1990s on asbestos in New St Andrew's House.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the technical report produced in the 1990s on asbestos in New St Andrew's House.","AnswerText":"The lease on New St Andrew's House was held by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the responsibility for the maintenance of the building rested with UK agencies (firstly the Property Services Agency (PSA) and latterly Property Holdings). The PSA commissioned a technical report entitled New St Andrew's House Preliminary Study: Asbestos Removal and Office Refurbishment (March 1989) and Property Holdings commissioned the final report entitled New St Andrew's House Feasibility Study (October 1990).

We have arranged with Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE, successor body to the PSA and Property Holdings) to place copies of both reports in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150273,"EventID":"S1W-13539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include an element of training on special educational needs as part of the core training requirements of new undergraduate teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include an element of training on special educational needs as part of the core training requirements of new undergraduate teachers.","AnswerText":"Components within the core of courses of initial teacher education already consist, where appropriate, of inter-related units in special educational needs. Guidelines for initial teacher education in Scotland require teacher education institutions to prepare teachers to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150274,"EventID":"S1W-13540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the management of Holyrood Park has to give notice of road closures in the park and what the reasons are for this position.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the management of Holyrood Park has to give notice of road closures in the park and what the reasons are for this position.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

Holyrood Park is a Royal Park managed on behalf of the Scottish Ministers by Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland normally aim to provide one week's notice of forthcoming road closures to local radio stations, emergency services, the City of Edinburgh Council and motorists' organisations. Occasionally, roads are closed at short notice for emergencies.

The roads within the park are classed as Crown roads and are not formally part of the local public road network. The Holyrood Park Regulations grant powers of closure to the Royal Parks Constabulary.

Because the Parliament development will close the east end of Holyrood Road, with traffic being diverted through the park, Historic Scotland and the City Council are currently discussing an agreement which will govern future road closures in the park.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150275,"EventID":"S1W-13541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects the roadworks related to the construction of the Holyrood Parliament building to cost.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects the roadworks related to the construction of the Holyrood Parliament building to cost.","AnswerText":"The road works related to the construction of the Holyrood Parliament fall into two categories. The first involves the upgrading of the roads in Holyrood Park around the Parliament site to carry the traffic which will be displaced by the closure of the eastern end of Holyrood Road. This work, which is now underway, is being funded through Historic Scotland, the managers of Holyrood Park, at an estimated cost of £1.420 million inclusive of fees and VAT.

The second area of road works involves traffic calming measures to Horse Wynd and Reid's Close. This work is being funded by the Scottish Executive through the City of Edinburgh Council, who are responsible for the roads outwith the park and is at detailed design stage. There will be further discussions with the council about the cost of these works.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150276,"EventID":"S1W-13542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the system regarding summary warrants in such a way that the party proceeded against knows when the warrant will come to court and has an opp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the system regarding summary warrants in such a way that the party proceeded against knows when the warrant will come to court and has an opportunity to defend him or herself.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to change the procedure for the granting of a summary warrant.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150277,"EventID":"S1W-13543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that no beef over 30 months old is entering the food chain and, if so, what the grounds are for this position.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that no beef over 30 months old is entering the food chain and, if so, what the grounds are for this position.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that beef from over thirty month old animals may enter the food chain if it is from specialist herds registered under the Beef Assurance Scheme or from animals born, reared and slaughtered in one of 14 non-EU countries that are designated as low BSE risk.

The over thirty month (OTM) rule, which keeps meat from cattle aged over 30 months at slaughter out of the food chain, is strictly enforced in licensed abattoirs by officials of the Meat Hygiene Service. The agency is keeping this under close scrutiny and high levels of compliance with the OTM rule have been found by the agency and local authorities who report on the position in unlicensed plants.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150278,"EventID":"S1W-13544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers meat hygiene inspectors and Food Standards Agency officials have to demand documentation proving the age of beef carcasses, imported or otherwise, from meat c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers meat hygiene inspectors and Food Standards Agency officials have to demand documentation proving the age of beef carcasses, imported or otherwise, from meat cutting plants.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 (as amended) provide powers for enforcement officers to ensure that meat intended for human consumption, imported or otherwise, has been derived either from cattle from a low-risk BSE country, or from cattle no more than thirty months old at slaughter, unless specifically exempted under the Beef Assurance Scheme. In addition, all meat from premises licensed under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 must be accompanied by the appropriate health mark indicating that the meat has been subject to official veterinary controls and is therefore fit for human consumption.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150279,"EventID":"S1W-13545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the labelling procedures and the traceability of beef imported into Scotland and, if so, what the grounds are for this position.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the labelling procedures and the traceability of beef imported into Scotland and, if so, what the grounds are for this position.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advise that although recent EU legislation provides for some elements of compulsory beef labelling, the agency continues to attach great importance to clear and unambiguous country of origin labelling for all meat and meat products and is pressing the Commission and others on this.

Effective systems are in plan to provide assurance about the source of meat being imported into the UK. In terms of traceability, all beef entering the UK from other member states will have been subject to a veterinary inspection there and health marked in accordance with EU legislation.

Under EU trade agreements with individual third countries meat can only be exported into the EU from specific Commission-approved plants. Each consignment of meat imported to the UK is therefore subject to a document inspection at designated Border Inspection Points (BIPs) to ensure that the meat is properly health marked and comes from an approved plant. Daily enforcement of these standards is provided by the veterinary services of that state and overseen by the Commission.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150280,"EventID":"S1W-13546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will call in the planning application relating to Scottish Coal's plans for opencast mining at Broken Cross Muir, Lanarkshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will call in the planning application relating to Scottish Coal's plans for opencast mining at Broken Cross Muir, Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"No. On 14 February South Lanarkshire Council indicated their intention to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the satisfactory conclusion of a legally binding agreement under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. There are no planning reasons which would require the Scottish Ministers to intervene.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150281,"EventID":"S1W-13547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to transfer the responsibility for meat inspections from the Meat Hygiene Service to slaughterhouse operators utilising their own employees and what cons","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to transfer the responsibility for meat inspections from the Meat Hygiene Service to slaughterhouse operators utilising their own employees and what consequences any such change will have for jobs and food safety.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that there are no plans to transfer responsibility for meat inspection from the Meat Hygiene Service to slaughterhouse operators.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150282,"EventID":"S1W-13548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12720 by Sarah Boyack on 6 February 2001, whether its guidance and directions for the renewal of Scottish passenger rail franchise ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12720 by Sarah Boyack on 6 February 2001, whether its guidance and directions for the renewal of Scottish passenger rail franchise will include reference to a requirement for the service quality and speed of rolling stock on rural and less profitable lines to be of the same standard as those on more popular and profitable lines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will indicate in broad terms in its Directions and Guidance the level of service it will expect from the new Scottish passenger rail franchise. It will be for those who wish to be considered as the operator of the franchise to propose the type of rolling stock most appropriate for different routes. The Strategic Rail Authority will then appraise such proposals on behalf of the Scottish Executive against value for money and affordability criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150283,"EventID":"S1W-13549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges in Glasgow are funding and running English lessons for asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges in Glasgow are funding and running English lessons for asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"Five further education colleges in Glasgow are funding provision for asylum seekers on English courses in the current academic year, either on dedicated courses or as in-fill students within mainstream English language courses. The five are: Anniesland College, Cardonald College, Central College of Commerce, Glasgow College of Food Technology and Langside College.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150284,"EventID":"S1W-13550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what figures are available on the number of patients contracting infections while in hospital and the number dying as a result of such infections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what figures are available on the number of patients contracting infections while in hospital and the number dying as a result of such infections.","AnswerText":"A broad estimate of the incidence and impact of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Scotland, prepared by the Health Department in 1999, suggested that there might be approximately 69,000 cases annually in Scottish hospitals.

Information about deaths resulting from HAI is not available, as HAI is not a notifiable cause of death.

More information about the incidence of HAI is expected to become available from the planned national surveillance system, once it is introduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150285,"EventID":"S1W-13551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recognising Citi'ens Advice Bureaux as official training providers and ensuring they are recompensed for the training and qualifications provided","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recognising Citi'ens Advice Bureaux as official training providers and ensuring they are recompensed for the training and qualifications provided for volunteers in addition to any New Deal arrangements.","AnswerText":"The enterprise networks are responsible for procurement and contracting for the national training programmes. The Scottish Executive does not recognise training providers directly.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150286,"EventID":"S1W-13552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is given to local authorities regarding the use of poindings and warrant sales as a means of increasing the collection rates of council tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is given to local authorities regarding the use of poindings and warrant sales as a means of increasing the collection rates of council tax.","AnswerText":"The joint "It Pays to Pay" Working Group on council tax collection, which we established, is preparing protocol guidance for local authorities which will promote uniformity of practice. The protocol will set down appropriate procedures to be adopted between local authorities and agents employed by them when recovering debt and instructing enforcement action. In addition, CoSLA is preparing best practice guidance for issue to local authorities.

Poindings and warrant sales are, of course, to be abolished not later than 31 December 2002. The working group set up by the Deputy First Minister to identify a replacement for poinding and warrant sale is making good progress and is due to report to the Deputy First Minister in June. Any replacement which is brought into effect will be the subject of appropriate guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150287,"EventID":"S1W-13553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its report of the Youth Summit held last June and what further action will be taken as a result of any such report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its report of the Youth Summit held last June and what further action will be taken as a result of any such report.","AnswerText":"The Executive plans to publish the report of the Youth Summit shortly, together with an indication of our proposed follow-up action.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150288,"EventID":"S1W-13554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides hospital trusts with a model specification for hospital cleaning contracts and whether it monitors standards of hospital cleaning in any way.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides hospital trusts with a model specification for hospital cleaning contracts and whether it monitors standards of hospital cleaning in any way.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not provide model cleaning contract specifications to NHS Trusts. Responsibility for ensuring adequate cleaning in NHS hospitals in Scotland lies with the management of NHS Trusts.

Audit Scotland published its report on hospital cleaning entitled A Clean Bill of Health? in April 2000. The report made a number of recommendations for action by NHS Trusts. The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published in December last year, makes clear that the Scottish Executive expects every NHS Trust to act on the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report by June 2001.

A joint Scottish Executive Health Department/NHS working group is currently preparing standards on hospital cleanliness and other matters for use throughout NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150289,"EventID":"S1W-13555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of treatment or therapies for the improvement of the physical and life skills of adults with developmental dyspraxia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of treatment or therapies for the improvement of the physical and life skills of adults with developmental dyspraxia.","AnswerText":"Health boards are expected to respond to the health needs of people with developmental dyspraxia in their areas, based on their assessment of local needs. Services should be provided which reflect the individual needs of the patient.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150290,"EventID":"S1W-13556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults diagnosed with developmental dyspraxia are currently (a) awaiting treatment and (b) undergoing treatment in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults diagnosed with developmental dyspraxia are currently (a) awaiting treatment and (b) undergoing treatment in each health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150291,"EventID":"S1W-13557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities exist in each health board area for the diagnosis of developmental dyspraxia and how many adults have been assessed as suffering from developmental dyspra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities exist in each health board area for the diagnosis of developmental dyspraxia and how many adults have been assessed as suffering from developmental dyspraxia in each health board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150292,"EventID":"S1W-13558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require local authorities to change local tax collecting arrangements so that council tenants pay their rent and council tax together.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require local authorities to change local tax collecting arrangements so that council tenants pay their rent and council tax together.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans at present. However, we will consider carefully any recommendations from the "It Pays to Pay" Working Group, which we have established to look at options for improving council tax collection. The group includes representatives from local authorities and consumer organisations and other relevant interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150293,"EventID":"S1W-13559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at next month's Promoting Electronic Government Conference in Birmingham.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at next month's Promoting Electronic Government Conference in Birmingham.","AnswerText":"The Executive plans to send an official to the Promoting Electronic Government Conference in Birmingham next month, which has been organised by DETR in partnership with others, and is primarily aimed at English local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150294,"EventID":"S1W-13560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will be represented at next month's Promoting Electronic Government Conference in Birmingham.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will be represented at next month's Promoting Electronic Government Conference in Birmingham.","AnswerText":"Promoting Electronic Government (PEG) is a two-year Invest To Save project sponsored through the Department of the Environment and the Region's (DETR) Local Government Directorate. It aims to provide local authorities in England and Wales with support in building a body of good practice data.

The majority of the representation at the conference will be from local authorities in England and Wales. To date some 140 delegates have registered from 60 local authorities. The conference organiser will supply the Executive with the details of all local authorities represented when the information is known.

Scottish local authorities who have expressed an interest in attending are City of Edinburgh, Fife, Angus and South Ayrshire. The Executive has also been invited to send along an official observer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150295,"EventID":"S1W-13561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12577 by Susan Deacon on 1 February 2001, how many clinical psychology training posts were provided from the #100,000 allocated to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12577 by Susan Deacon on 1 February 2001, how many clinical psychology training posts were provided from the #100,000 allocated to the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.","AnswerText":"The additional funding for clinical psychology training secured eight posts so that the output from the training programmes in Scotland over the next three years will be 32 clinical psychologists per year. Without the additional funding the output would have fallen back to the previous figure of 24 per year. Supported by the clinical psychology committee of the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE), work is under way to define the number and type of psychologists required to provide psychological services in NHSScotland in the most effective way.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150296,"EventID":"S1W-13562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12728 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, on what date the study into the potential impact of local loop unbundling across Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12728 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, on what date the study into the potential impact of local loop unbundling across Scotland will be available and whether there will be a charge to businesses for copies of the results.","AnswerText":"A draft report is scheduled for delivery by early summer. This will then need to be evaluated by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Executive. A summary report will be made available on the Scottish Enterprise website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150297,"EventID":"S1W-13563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12619 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, how much it will cost the Scottish Tourist Board to improve accessibility through","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12619 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, how much it will cost the Scottish Tourist Board to improve accessibility through search engines to the visitscotland.com website.","AnswerText":"I will ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150298,"EventID":"S1W-13564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12619 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, how much has been spent so far on developing the new look visitscotland.com websi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12619 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, how much has been spent so far on developing the new look visitscotland.com website and what the total cost of the website will be on completion.","AnswerText":"I will ask the interim Chief Executive to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150299,"EventID":"S1W-13565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to address any difficulties in the teaching of the Scots language caused by scarcity of qualified teachers and materials and small number of pupils and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to address any difficulties in the teaching of the Scots language caused by scarcity of qualified teachers and materials and small number of pupils and whether it will introduce a pilot project on Scots language teaching similar to the approach to Latin teaching currently being tested in North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The Scots language is not taught as a course, as the subject of Latin is, but is an element of more general language work aimed at giving children experience of and teaching them about Scots language and literature.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150300,"EventID":"S1W-13566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why a Scots language version of the Scottish Parliament website has not been made available.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why a Scots language version of the Scottish Parliament website has not been made available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament's website publishes information in English in line with Standing Orders, Rule 7.1 which states, "The Parliament shall normally conduct its business in English......".

There are no plans to create a full version of the website in any other language, though summary information is presented in Gaelic, and public information resources in several other languages will be available on the website in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150301,"EventID":"S1W-13567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism exists for liaison between the Scottish Arts Council and local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism exists for liaison between the Scottish Arts Council and local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has three funding programmes specifically designed to support local authority arts provision and policies. It liaises with individual local authorities both directly and collectively via the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) on a range of issues related to funding programmes, development projects and the exchange of information.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150302,"EventID":"S1W-13568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities make an administration charge for the issuing of concessionary fare cards and what the level of any such charge is in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities make an administration charge for the issuing of concessionary fare cards and what the level of any such charge is in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The details, from the latest information we have available, are as follows:

Local Authority

Concession Card Charge

Aberdeen City Council

£5 per annum

Aberdeenshire Council

Moray Council

(Joint Scheme)

£5 per annum

Angus Council

£2.50 for 5 year travel card

City of Edinburgh Council

East Lothian Council

Midlothian Council

(Joint Scheme)

Free of Charge - 5 year travel card

Free of Charge - 4 year travel card

Free of Charge - 4 year travel card

Clackmannanshire Council

Falkirk Council

Stirling Council

(Joint Scheme)

Free of Charge

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

£4 per annum

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Annual Travel Card - £10 (free travel)

or

5 Year Travel Card - £2 (10p flat fare)

Dundee City Council

£1 for 3 year travel card

Fife Council

Free of charge - 5 year travel card

Highland Council

£3 for 5 year travel card

Orkney Islands Council

Free of charge

Perth and Kinross Council

£2.50 for 5 year travel card

Scottish Borders Council

£3 per annum

Shetland Islands Council

Free of Charge - unlimited

SPTA*

Free of Charge

West Lothian Council

Free of Charge

* The scheme operated by the SPTA covers the whole of the following local authority areas:

Argyll and Bute North Ayrshire

East Ayrshire North Lanarkshire

East Dunbartonshire Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire South Ayrshire

City of Glasgow South Lanarkshire

Inverclyde West Dunbartonshire","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150303,"EventID":"S1W-13569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed plans for a national concessionary fare scheme will lead to the abolition of administration charges for concessionary fare cards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed plans for a national concessionary fare scheme will lead to the abolition of administration charges for concessionary fare cards.","AnswerText":"I have opened discussions with CoSLA on implementing the enhancement to existing concessionary travel schemes to provide free off-peak bus travel by October 2002. As part of those discussions I am also seeking to make progress on a number of other associated issues, including the potential for abolition of charges on concessionary travel cards, which apply in some local authorities but not in others.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150304,"EventID":"S1W-13570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12622 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the increased levels of financial support for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12622 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 1 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the increased levels of financial support for the tourism industry being provided through the Scottish Tourist Board, in particular by how much such support is being increased.","AnswerText":"Financial support for STB/Visitscotland in 2000-01 is £25.9 million, which is a £6.6 million increase on the previous financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150305,"EventID":"S1W-13571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government in relation to the potential impact on the local economy of any decline in Ministry of Defence o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government in relation to the potential impact on the local economy of any decline in Ministry of Defence orders placed with the Defence Diversification Agency at Rosyth and what the outcome of any such representations has been to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with HM Government on a wide range of issues, including Ministry of Defence activities in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is currently working with the Defence Diversification Agency to achieve the shared aim of encouraging the widest exploitation of defence derived technology within Scottish industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150306,"EventID":"S1W-13572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list Scotland's tourist information centres, indicating the area tourist board each is affiliated to.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list Scotland's tourist information centres, indicating the area tourist board each is affiliated to.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

Area Tourist Board

TICs Operated

Aberdeen & Grampian

Aberdeen, Alford, Ballater, Banchory, Banff, Braemar, Crathie, Dufftown, Elgin, Forres, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Stonehaven, Tomintoul.

Angus & Dundee

Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Dundee, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose.

Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond. Stirling & Trossachs

Aberfoyle, Alva, Ardgartan, Balloch, Bo'ness, Callander, Campbeltown, Craignure, Drymen, Dumbarton, Dunblane, Dunoon, Falkirk, Helensburgh, Inveraray, Islay, Killin, Lochgilphead, Oban, Rothesay, Stirling(Dumbarton Road), Stirling(M9/M80 Junction 9), Stirling (Royal Burgh of Stirling), Tarbert (Loch Fyne), Tarbet (Loch Lomond), Tobermory, Tyndrum.

Ayrshire & Arran

Ayr, Brodick, Girvan, Irvine, Largs, Millport.

Dumfries & Galloway

Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Gatehouse of Fleet, Gretna Green, Kirkcudbright, Moffat, Newton Stewart, Stranraer

Edinburgh & Lothians

Dunbar, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport, Linlithgow, Livingston (due to open at Easter), Newtongrange, North Berwick, Old Craighall (nr. Musselburgh), Penicuik.

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Abington, Biggar, Glasgow, Glasgow Airport, Hamilton, Lanark, Paisley.

Highlands of Scotland

Aviemore, Ballachulish, Bettyhill, Broadford, Daviot Wood, Dornoch, Durness, Dunvegan, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Gairloch, Glenshiel, Grantown-on-Spey, Helmsdale, Inverness, John o' Groats, Kilchoan, Kingussie, Kyle of Lochalsh, Lairg, Lochcarron, Lochinver, Mallaig, Nairn, North Kessock, Portree, Ralia, Spean Bridge, Strathpeffer, Strontian, Thurso, Uig, Ullapool, Wick.

Kingdom of Fife

Anstruther, Crail, Dunfermline, Forth Bridges, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews.

Orkney

Kirkwall, Stromness.

Perthshire

Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld, Kinross, Perth, Perth (Inveralmond), Pitlochry.

Scottish Borders

Coldstream, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, Melrose, Peebles, Selkirk.

Shetland

Lerwick

Western Isles

Area Tourist Board

Local Authority

2000-01 (£)

Per Capita (£)

Aberdeen & Grampian

Aberdeen City

150,000

0.71

Aberdeenshire

300,000

1.32

Moray

165,000

1.94

Angus & Dundee

Angus

158,000

1.44

Dundee City

246,000

1.70

Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & Trossachs

Argyll & Bute

170,000

1.89

Clackmannanshire

28,800

0.59

Falkirk

57,000

0.39

Stirling

235,400

2.78

West Dunbartonshire

57,700

0.61

Ayrshire & Arran

East Ayrshire

80,000

0.66

North Ayrshire

158,300

1.14

South Ayrshire

Area Tourist Board

Value (£ million)

Aberdeen & Grampian

204

Angus and Dundee

57

Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & Trossachs

290

Ayrshire & Arran

138

Dumfries & Galloway

106

Edinburgh & Lothians

533

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

429

Highlands of Scotland

396

Kingdom of Fife

113

Perthshire

122

Scottish Borders

48

Orkney, Shetland & Western Isles

39

Not Specified

9

Sources: International Passenger Survey, UK Tourism Survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150311,"EventID":"S1W-13577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent merger between Tactica Solutions and Astron will give rise to any changes to its current contract with Tactica Solutions and whether it will detail an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent merger between Tactica Solutions and Astron will give rise to any changes to its current contract with Tactica Solutions and whether it will detail any such anticipated changes.","AnswerText":"The recent merger of Tactica Solutions and Astron does not change the contractual arrangements for the provision of the service to the Scottish Executive for design, print and publication requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150312,"EventID":"S1W-13578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its documents will continue to bear the text \"designed and produced for the Scottish Executive by Tactica Solutions\" or whether this text will be altered as a re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its documents will continue to bear the text \"designed and produced for the Scottish Executive by Tactica Solutions\" or whether this text will be altered as a result of the recent merger between Tactica Solutions and Astron.","AnswerText":"Tactica Solutions Ltd. and Astron recently merged to form Astron Document Services Limited. The text on Scottish Executive publications on which work started after 12 February 2001 will reflect the change of name.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150313,"EventID":"S1W-13579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action arising from his responsibilities for external affairs the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs has taken in relation to the cancellation of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action arising from his responsibilities for external affairs the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs has taken in relation to the cancellation of the Taoiseach's visit to Carfin, Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive was not involved in making arrangements for the Taoiseach's visit to Carfin, Lanarkshire. Following the cancellation, the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland jointly invited the Taoiseach to Scotland later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150314,"EventID":"S1W-13580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13221 by Susan Deacon on 9 February 2001, what gross salary will be offered to salaried GPs in rural Scotland under the initiative ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13221 by Susan Deacon on 9 February 2001, what gross salary will be offered to salaried GPs in rural Scotland under the initiative launched on 19 February 2001 and what criteria will be used to determine the salary levels of such GPs.","AnswerText":"Personal Medical Services contracts are designed to meet local needs and the local services which will be provided to meet those needs. The level of GP remuneration will be determined locally, on the basis of the local services to be provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150315,"EventID":"S1W-13581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all of the facilities in Scotland licensed for the disposal of clinical waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all of the facilities in Scotland licensed for the disposal of clinical waste.","AnswerText":"The licensing of facilities for the disposal of clinical and other wastes is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is held on the agency's public register.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150316,"EventID":"S1W-13582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether current regulations place any restrictions on the cremation of human organs or body parts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether current regulations place any restrictions on the cremation of human organs or body parts.","AnswerText":"It is not for the Executive to interpret the statute. But, as The Independent Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post Mortem, chaired by Professor Sheila McLean, noted in its recently published report, it appears there is nothing in the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935 to support the view that body parts may not be cremated. The report also urges the British Cremation Authority to deal with the reported problem of some crematoria appearing unwilling to cremate individual organs. I have asked officials to consider whether there is a need to amend the Regulations in order to remove any lack of clarity on this point.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150317,"EventID":"S1W-13583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e is of (a) a primary and (b) a secondary school class.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e is of (a) a primary and (b) a secondary school class.","AnswerText":"The latest information from the 1999 school census shows that the average class size in publicly funded primary schools was 24.6. This figure covers both single stage and composite classes. A composite class includes children from more than one stage - for example P1 and P2.

Most secondary school pupils are members of different class groupings for different subjects. Information about average class size is therefore generally regarded as less helpful than information about the average pupil: teacher ratio (PTR).

Collection of information about average class sizes in secondary schools is time consuming for schools and was discontinued in 1997. Information about secondary PTRs is provided in the answer to S1W-13585.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150318,"EventID":"S1W-13584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e is of (a) a primary one, (b) a primary two, (c) a primary three and (d) a primary four class.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e is of (a) a primary one, (b) a primary two, (c) a primary three and (d) a primary four class.","AnswerText":"The table below sets out the latest available average class size in (a) primary one, (b) primary two, (c) primary three and (d) primary four from the 1999 school census. The figures relate to single stage classes in publicly funded schools.

Primary 1

24

Primary 2

25.4

Primary 3

26.4

Primary 4

27.0

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150319,"EventID":"S1W-13585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers were employed per (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in each year for which figures are available and how many are expected to be employed in a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers were employed per (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in each year for which figures are available and how many are expected to be employed in any future years for which projections are available.","AnswerText":"Historical figures for pupil:teacher ratios are published regularly in Statistical Bulletins. The following table sets out the pupil:teacher ratio for publicly funded primary and secondary schools for selected years since 1980 together with the fraction of a teacher per pupil derived from them. Projections on a similar basis from 2000 up to 2015 are also given. These projections take into account the additional teachers planned following the recent agreement on teachers pay and conditions.

Year (September)

Number of teachers (FTE) per primary pupil

Number of teachers (FTE) per secondary pupil

Number of pupils per primary teacher(FTE)

Number of pupils per secondary teacher (FTE)

1980

0.049

0.070

20.3

14.4

1985

0.049

0.074

20.4

13.5

1990

0.051

0.082

19.5

12.2

1995

0.051

0.078

19.5

12.9

1996

0.051

0.077

19.6

13.0

1997

0.050

0.076

19.9

13.2

1998

0.052

0.077

19.4

13.0

1999

0.052

0.078

19.1

12.9

2000

0.053

0.078

18.9

12.9

2001

0.053

0.078

18.8

12.9

2002

0.055

0.078

18.3

12.8

Table 1: Departmental Estimate of Capital Spending by the Private Sector (Signed Deals)

 

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

 

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

FE/HE

10.1

   

Health

100

100

50

9

Water & Sewerage

294.3

72.7

5.8

7.5

Scottish Executive, NDPBs & Nationalised Industries

404.4

172.7

55.8

16.5

Local Authorities

135.3

116

22.2

3.6

Scotland

539.7

288.7

78

20.1

Table 2: Estimated Capital Value of Projects at preferred Bidder
 

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

 

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

Water & Sewerage

7.8

34.1

  

Scottish Executive, NDPBs & Nationalised Industries

7.8

34.1

0

The withdrawal of relief to customer groups is a matter for the water authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150322,"EventID":"S1W-13588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the recently announced additional #20 million funding to Lothian and Borders Police it contributed, broken down by local authority area, when the first alloca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the recently announced additional #20 million funding to Lothian and Borders Police it contributed, broken down by local authority area, when the first allocation from its contribution will be made to the force and over what time period it will be paid.","AnswerText":"It is not clear as to which announcement Mr MacAskill is referring. On 20 February we announced the allocation of £25 million of capital consent to police forces for 2001-02, of which £5.1 million was allocated to Lothian and Borders. I would be happy to provide further information to Mr MacAskill if he would like to write to me.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150323,"EventID":"S1W-13589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why NHS waiting times in Glasgow are on average longer than elsewhere in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why NHS waiting times in Glasgow are on average longer than elsewhere in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A variety of factors affect waiting times. There is no evidence that inpatient and day case waiting times in Glasgow are poorer than those for Scotland as a whole. Across Scotland, almost 50% of patients wait less than a month for treatment, and over 80% of patients who go on to the waiting list are treated within three months.

The Scottish Executive's commitment to reducing waiting at every stage of the patient's journey and to ensuring that journey is as swift and responsive as possible is reaffirmed in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. The NHS in Glasgow shares this commitment and is moving this agenda forward for the benefit of patients in its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150324,"EventID":"S1W-13590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether waiting times at the Glasgow Western Infirmary are three times as long as elsewhere in Scotland and, if so, what the reasons are for this position.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether waiting times at the Glasgow Western Infirmary are three times as long as elsewhere in Scotland and, if so, what the reasons are for this position.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year to 30 September 2000 show that the median waiting time for inpatient/day case treatment at Glasgow Western Infirmary was 28 days. This is a better performance than the corresponding all-Scotland median waiting time of 32 days. Over the same period, the median waiting time at Glasgow Western Infirmary for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant following referral was 47 days. The corresponding all-Scotland figure was 46 days.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150325,"EventID":"S1W-13591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many UK regulatory bodies have offices dispersed to Scotland, what these bodies are and how many staff are employed in their offices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many UK regulatory bodies have offices dispersed to Scotland, what these bodies are and how many staff are employed in their offices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no general function in relation to the location of UK regulatory bodies in Scotland or the number of staff employed within their offices. The Executive does not hold records regarding the location of regulatory bodies sponsored by UK Government Departments.

One exception is in the case of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (employing 57 staff in Aberdeen). Food safety and standards are devolved matters and legislation for Scotland is determined by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150326,"EventID":"S1W-13592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the arrangements on entitlement to concessionary travel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the arrangements on entitlement to concessionary travel.","AnswerText":"Yes. I intend to amend existing legislation to equalise eligibility for travel concessions for men in Scotland at the pension age for women.","AnswerDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150327,"EventID":"S1W-13593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with Scottish Gas on the impact on the Executive's fuel poverty strategy of Scottish Gas's decision to free'e electricity prices in Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with Scottish Gas on the impact on the Executive's fuel poverty strategy of Scottish Gas's decision to free'e electricity prices in Scotland while cutting them by 3.7% in England and Wales and to increase gas prices in Scotland by 4.7% while not increasing them in England.","AnswerText":"Although responsibility for policy on energy pricing is a reserved matter, the Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Scottish Gas on a range of issues, including concerns about fuel poverty in Scotland. The current rise of 4.7% in the price of gas must be seen in the context of a fall in gas prices over the last five years of around 20% in real terms. The effect of the rise on domestic consumers will be to cause a marginal increase in fuel poverty, but this will be mitigated by a number of programmes across Government aimed at helping low-income households.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150328,"EventID":"S1W-13594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the closure of the Millennium Cellular Services call centre at Rosemount Business Park, Royston, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the closure of the Millennium Cellular Services call centre at Rosemount Business Park, Royston, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive regrets the closure of Millennium Cellular Services. Our sympathies are with those who have lost their jobs. We understand that the decision to close in no way reflects on the quality or productivity of the workforce.

Following the closure the Executive has been in contact with Scottish Enterprise and the local economic development agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150329,"EventID":"S1W-13595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Millennium Cellular Services received any assistance from it in the current financial year or in 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Millennium Cellular Services received any assistance from it in the current financial year or in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"Millennium Cellular Services have received no financial assistance from the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150330,"EventID":"S1W-13596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much untreated sewage has entered the River Clyde in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much untreated sewage has entered the River Clyde in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"No untreated sewage is discharged into the River Clyde down to the Erskine Bridge except through combined sewer overflows (CSOs) which discharge dilute screened sewage at times of high rainfall. It is not possible to accurately quantify the volume of these intermittent discharges.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150331,"EventID":"S1W-13597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the River Clyde will cease to be used as a repository for (a) sewage and (b) rubbish.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the River Clyde will cease to be used as a repository for (a) sewage and (b) rubbish.","AnswerText":"The water quality of the River Clyde has been improving year on year since the 1970s. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) continuously monitors river water quality and sets discharge limits into watercourses. There is a multi-million pound programme of improvements to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sewage treatment works throughout the Clyde and its tributaries, and SEPA is confident of continued improvements in water quality.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150332,"EventID":"S1W-13598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on extending compulsory treatment of patients with mental health problems in the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on extending compulsory treatment of patients with mental health problems in the community.","AnswerText":"The Millan Committee, in its report New Directions, which was published on 25 January, recommends the introduction of a community order, where a patient meets the criteria for compulsory measures. The Executive is considering the report and proposes to publish a policy statement in the summer, setting out, as promised in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, proposals for a modern legislative framework to meet the needs of people with a mental illness who require care and support, both in hospital and the community.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150333,"EventID":"S1W-13599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will eliminate postcode prescribing of the three Al'heimer's disease drugs, Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl following the National Institute for Clinical Excellenc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will eliminate postcode prescribing of the three Al'heimer's disease drugs, Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl following the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's cessation of the practice in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland is currently working on a process to comment on all final appraisals from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Treatments for Alzheimer's disease will be the first topic to go through the process and their comment is expected in the next few weeks.

As an interim measure, the Scottish Executive has asked local Drug and Therapeutics Committees to re-examine their advice to their own clinicians about the use of their drugs, taking into account the NICE guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150334,"EventID":"S1W-13600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allocate additional resources to health boards to ensure that drugs effective in the treatment of Al'heimer's can be prescribed without impacting on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allocate additional resources to health boards to ensure that drugs effective in the treatment of Al'heimer's can be prescribed without impacting on other services.","AnswerText":"Health boards' unified budgets include provision for the cost of prescribed drugs and are set to allow for the introduction of new drugs and the greater use of existing therapies. It is for health boards to agree with Primary Care Trusts the amount to be set aside for prescribing and the contingency arrangements for any unexpected expenditure fluctuations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150335,"EventID":"S1W-13601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that workers who lost their jobs at the Millennium Cellular Services in Glasgow receive outstan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that workers who lost their jobs at the Millennium Cellular Services in Glasgow receive outstanding wages and redundancy payments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including closures and redundancy policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150336,"EventID":"S1W-13602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a Tenement Law Bill and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a Tenement Law Bill and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission published its Report on the Law of the Tenement (Scot Law Com No 162) in 1998. Following the publication of the subsequent Report on Real Burdens (Scot Law Com No 181) in October 2000, the Executive asked the Commission to update its recommendations on the law of the tenement to take account of its subsequent work on real burdens and title conditions. This is because the management of tenements is governed by rules and conditions set out as rights and real burdens in the relevant title deeds. The modernisation and simplification of the law on real burdens will rationalise the application and enforcement of burdens on all property, including tenements. Reforming the law relating to real burdens and title conditions first will mean that reform of the law of the tenement should be more straightforward. A Tenement (Scotland) Bill will therefore be introduced after enactment of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill when an opportunity arises in the legislative programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150337,"EventID":"S1W-13603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now plans to publish specific proposals regarding the #100 million ex-gratia payment to former employees of the Scottish Bus Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now plans to publish specific proposals regarding the #100 million ex-gratia payment to former employees of the Scottish Bus Group.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are considering the basis for distribution and following the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group we will be bringing forward proposals on distribution for the approval of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150338,"EventID":"S1W-13604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take in the light of the 2nd Report 2001 of the Rural Development Committee Impact of the Closure of the Islay Creamery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take in the light of the 2nd Report 2001 of the Rural Development Committee Impact of the Closure of the Islay Creamery.","AnswerText":"The report raises a number of detailed issues relating to factors affecting rural and island communities across Scotland. The Executive is giving the report's findings and recommendations careful consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150339,"EventID":"S1W-13605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any initiatives or introduce any policy measures in the light of Recommendation C of the 2nd Report 2001 of the Rural Development Committee regarding","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take any initiatives or introduce any policy measures in the light of Recommendation C of the 2nd Report 2001 of the Rural Development Committee regarding subsidy of road and ferry transport costs for businesses operating in Scotland's most remote island communities.","AnswerText":"We are committed to providing support for transport to and within remote communities in the Highlands and Islands. In relation to lifeline ferry services, revenue support to Caledonian MacBrayne to support services to the Western Isles and on the Clyde is at a record £19.9 million in the current year. We are also paying £11 million in Block Subsidy to P&O Scottish Ferries in respect of its services to the Northern Isles. In relation to roads, last year's Spending Review provided an additional £70 million over the next three years to tackle the backlog of repairs to local roads and bridge maintenance, as part of the single allocations to local authorities. £444 million is already committed to strengthening the trunk road network in 2000-02, and this will rise to £512 million for the period 2002-04. A significant proportion of this investment in both local and trunk roads will flow into the Highlands and Islands.

More generally, an extra £60 million is being made available over the next three years to enhance transport in the Highlands and Islands following the Spending Review. This figure includes additional provision for Caledonian MacBrayne, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, lifeline air services, grants for piers and harbours and the Rural Transport Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150340,"EventID":"S1W-13606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12329 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, how the contracted number of midwifery students at Glasgow Caledonian University was calc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12329 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, how the contracted number of midwifery students at Glasgow Caledonian University was calculated.","AnswerText":"The annual Student Nurse Intake Planning exercise takes into account the overall supply and demand of nurses and midwives in Scotland through a workforce planning survey and modelling exercise. This informs the total number of places for nursing and midwifery students in contracted higher education institutions in Scotland.

The total is then divided between the seven institutions, following discussions between the Scottish Executive and the institutions themselves. Year-on-year changes in each institution's intake are usually minimised in the interests of continuity, but the allocations may also take account of factors such as the capacity of each institution and its local NHS partners to provide the education, local NHS demand for qualified nurses and midwives, and local application rates.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150341,"EventID":"S1W-13607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12330 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, whether it has any plans to increase the number of student midwifery course intakes at Gl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12330 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, whether it has any plans to increase the number of student midwifery course intakes at Glasgow Caledonian University after 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The annual Student Nurse Intake Planning (SNIP) exercise assesses the level of student intake required to provide the nursing and midwifery workforce which employers expect to need in five years' time. The SNIP2001 exercise is currently under way and will affect the pre-registration nursing and midwifery diploma course intakes for 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150342,"EventID":"S1W-13608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make arrangements for a reduction from 40 mph to 30 mph in the speed limit on the section of the A830 in the Corpach area which includes the road crossin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make arrangements for a reduction from 40 mph to 30 mph in the speed limit on the section of the A830 in the Corpach area which includes the road crossing point used by children attending the Banavie Primary School; what assessment it has made of the risks to children using the crossing of the speed limit remaining at 40 mph, and what representations it has received on behalf of the constituents of Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, including from the Clerk to the Banavie Primary School Board, that the current speed restrictions on this road are too high given the volume of traffic including fish and timber lorries, tourists and local traffic.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to introduce a 30mph speed limit within the vicinity of the Banavie Primary School. The accident history, traffic flows and pedestrian movements in the Corpach area together with the existence of a School Crossing Patroller and associated signage were all considered in the assessment process. The risk to children is considered to be low.

Scottish Executive is aware of representations made by the Kilmallie Community Council concerning this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150343,"EventID":"S1W-13609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the introduction of grant aid to encourage householders to upgrade their septic tank systems to EU standards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the introduction of grant aid to encourage householders to upgrade their septic tank systems to EU standards.","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to introduce grants for upgrading septic tanks.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150344,"EventID":"S1W-13610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the introduction of grant aid for alternative sewerage schemes in rural areas where septic tank systems are the only current option.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the introduction of grant aid for alternative sewerage schemes in rural areas where septic tank systems are the only current option.","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to introduce grants for alternative sewerage schemes in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150345,"EventID":"S1W-13611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10953 by Sarah Boyack on 5 February 2000, when the allocation will be made from the Rural Transport Fund in respect of each of its ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10953 by Sarah Boyack on 5 February 2000, when the allocation will be made from the Rural Transport Fund in respect of each of its three component parts and what amount will be allocated to the Rural Community Transport Scheme in 2001 and 2002.","AnswerText":"I announced details of the allocations from the increased Rural Transport Fund on 20 March. The allocations are broken down as follows:
 

2001-02

£ million

2002-03

£ million

2003-04

£ million

Rural Public Passenger Transport

4.300

4.700

5.100

Rural Community Transport

0.800

0.900

1.000

Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme

0.400

0.400

0.400

Total

5.500

6.000

6.500

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150346,"EventID":"S1W-13612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12738 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, why 269 of the applications submitted to the end of December 2000 for Individual Le","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12738 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, why 269 of the applications submitted to the end of December 2000 for Individual Learning Accounts were rejected and whether detailed explanations of the reasons for rejection can be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The total of Individual Learning Account applications rejected, to the end of December 2000, was 169 (0.4% of applications submitted). The most common reasons for rejection were failure to complete all mandatory sections of the application form (44%), ineligibility through not being resident in Scotland or not being a UK or EU national (34%) and the supply of inconsistent information (15%). Applicants are informed of the reasons for an application being rejected. In the majority of cases applicants will be able to reapply, providing the correct information.

Detailed explanations of the reasons for each individual rejection are not collated centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150347,"EventID":"S1W-13613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budget of Scottish Enterprise and each local enterprise company in each year since it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budget of Scottish Enterprise and each local enterprise company in each year since its introduction in July 1999.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the Chairman to respond to the member direct. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150348,"EventID":"S1W-13614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making on compiling and publishing unemployment statistics on a more localised basis than the travel to work areas currently used.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making on compiling and publishing unemployment statistics on a more localised basis than the travel to work areas currently used.","AnswerText":"Currently, only claimant count unemployment figures are published below large unitary authority areas. Numbers of claimant unemployed in 1991 wards, or postcode sectors are already published monthly via the NOMIS database. This is available via the Parliament's Reference Centre, and the staff are happy to help get required figures.

The Scottish Executive has plans to publish a claimant rate for local areas over the next year. In addition, the Scottish Executive will fund a neighbourhood statistics project. Over the years 2001-02 to 2003-04, the Executive will spend £7 million to develop statistics covering many aspects of society and the economy at a very local level. Planned here are many labour market statistics, including the internationally standard ILO measure of unemployment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150349,"EventID":"S1W-13615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs intends to visit Lockerbie Primary School and Lockerbie Academy when he is next in Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs intends to visit Lockerbie Primary School and Lockerbie Academy when he is next in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"I cannot, at this stage, give any commitment to visiting schools in Lockerbie, but I am considering the possibility of including them in a future programme of visits.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150350,"EventID":"S1W-13616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1786 by Sarah Boyack on 17 May 2000, why the Scottish Ministers did not lay before the Parliament in December 2000 their proposals ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1786 by Sarah Boyack on 17 May 2000, why the Scottish Ministers did not lay before the Parliament in December 2000 their proposals for the setting of a national road traffic reduction target as required by the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998.","AnswerText":"My previous answer was based on an expectation that research commissioned to inform the road traffic reduction report would have been completed. However, the research proved more complex than anticipated at that time and the final report is not yet ready. Once received, its conclusions will need to be analysed and a decision taken on whether further work is required.

The road traffic reduction report will now form an integral part of Scotland's Transport Delivery Plan which is expected to be published later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150351,"EventID":"S1W-13617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to establish abattoirs in rural locations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to establish abattoirs in rural locations.","AnswerText":"Those areas of rural Scotland producing prime stock are generally well served by abattoirs. For any areas which may be less well served, my department would be happy to consider viable proposals from commercial concerns for establishing such facilities under its capital and non-capital grant schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150352,"EventID":"S1W-13618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of meat processing facilities so that livestock and carcasses do not have to be transported outwith Scotland for process","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of meat processing facilities so that livestock and carcasses do not have to be transported outwith Scotland for processing.","AnswerText":"I agree that it would be desirable if more of our livestock were slaughtered and processed within Scotland and my department will consider as a priority any viable proposals to do so under its capital and non-capital grant schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150353,"EventID":"S1W-13619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what asbestos-related guidelines were in place in 1990 when the Scottish Office evacuated New St Andrews' House on the grounds of the presence of asbestos.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what asbestos-related guidelines were in place in 1990 when the Scottish Office evacuated New St Andrews' House on the grounds of the presence of asbestos.","AnswerText":"The guidelines on asbestos current in 1990 were contained in the Department of the Environment Booklet (Asbestos Materials in Buildings) issued in Scotland under Scottish Development Department Circular No 32 in 1986.

The asbestos present in New St Andrew's House was stable at the time staff moved to Victoria Quay in 1995. The projected cost of the removal of asbestos from New St Andrew's House was a factor in the decision to give up three central Edinburgh buildings (New St Andrew's House, Brandon Street/Perth Street and Jeffrey Street) with staff moving to a new building at Victoria Quay.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150354,"EventID":"S1W-13620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many warrant sales have been carried out on individuals in domestic residences by each local authority in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many warrant sales have been carried out on individuals in domestic residences by each local authority in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Warrant sales are normally conducted in auction houses. They can only be carried out in domestic premises where the occupier thereof and, if he is not the occupier, the debtor gives consent in writing. No records are kept centrally of the number of occasions such consent is given.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150355,"EventID":"S1W-13622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many poinding applications have been made by or on behalf of each local authority, in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many poinding applications have been made by or on behalf of each local authority, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Poindings proceed on the authority of the extracted warrant. No applications for poinding are therefore made. The table sets out the number of poindings effected under the summary warrant procedure for Council Tax arrears and Community Tax arrears for the years 1995 to 1999 in Scotland which are the latest available. The data collected does not specify the numbers of poindings effected by each local authority.
 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Council Tax:

Poindings effected

5,115

6,850

12,046

10,260

10,029

Community Charge:

Poindings effected

2,193

946

916

747

587

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150356,"EventID":"S1W-13623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether details of the environmental monitoring programme undertaken by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the impact of testing depleted uranium shells in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether details of the environmental monitoring programme undertaken by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the impact of testing depleted uranium shells in the Solway Firth have been made available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and whether such details have been, or will be, made publicly available.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150357,"EventID":"S1W-13624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what ongoing involvement the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has in relation to the environmental monitoring programme conducted by the Defence Evaluation and Rese","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what ongoing involvement the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has in relation to the environmental monitoring programme conducted by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the impact of depleted uranium shells in the Solway Firth.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150358,"EventID":"S1W-13625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for collating baseline data on the health of the marine environment and radioactivity levels in the Solway Firth and how often this data is updated and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for collating baseline data on the health of the marine environment and radioactivity levels in the Solway Firth and how often this data is updated and reviewed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department commissions Fisheries Research Services (FRS) to conduct routine and specific monitoring around the Scottish coast. One of the 18 Scottish stations in the National Monitoring Programme (NMP) is located off the Kirkcudbright coast. Within the NMP, measurements of water column chemistry, sediment chemistry and biology and of contaminant levels in fish are made annually, and the results for the period 1999 to 2001 are scheduled to be published in 2002. The results of similar measurements taken in a scoping exercise are contained in a report available through the FRS website (http://www.marlab.ac.uk/NMPR/SNMP/SNMP.htm). Arrangements are being made for copies of the report to be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

In addition the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) undertakes a programme of environmental monitoring for radioactivity linked to authorised liquid and gaseous discharges of radioactive waste to the environment. Extensive monitoring under this programme is carried out in the Solway Firth. The data is updated and reviewed annually, and published in the joint SEPA/Food Standards Agency publication Radioactivity in Food and the Environment. Copies of the latest report are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150359,"EventID":"S1W-13626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) measles, mumps and rubella, (b) mumps and rubella, (c) single antigen measles, (d) single antigen rubella and (e) single antigen mumps vaccines were adminis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) measles, mumps and rubella, (b) mumps and rubella, (c) single antigen measles, (d) single antigen rubella and (e) single antigen mumps vaccines were administered in each health board area in each year since 1979.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in entirety in the form requested. What is available is set out in the following tables. Neither a mumps and rubella combined vaccination nor single antigen mumps vaccine has been offered by the NHS in Scotland. In response to a measles outbreak in Scotland, there was a schools-based campaign providing measles and rubella combined vaccination in 1994-95 and it was estimated that 90.4% of the target population were vaccinated at that time.

No information has been collected centrally on single vaccinations that may have been provided by general practitioners privately, using imported vaccines.

Information is available by health board only in regard to MMR from 1995.

Table 1 (Numbers of children receiving MMR by 24 months of age in Scotland from 1989 to 2000 and by health board from 1995 to 2000):

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

Scotland

191,027

116,206

80,073

67,185

68,868

59,222

 
 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Scotland

58,612

55,634

55,781

54,813

54,100

53,620

Health Board

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Argyll & Clyde

Initial results from the Borders Multi-Agency Service for Children with Autism provide evidence that autism can be detected earlier in life through earlier screening. This service involved health visitors screening children before the age of two years and resulted in a 50% increase in the number of cases of autistic spectrum disorder detected.

Over the last decade, broadening the diagnostic criteria to encompass "autistic spectrum disorders" has become more common in Scotland.

General practitioners take responsibility for their own learning needs as part of the process of lifelong learning and maintenance of clinical skills. We would expect all GPs to keep up to date with current thinking and practice in all clinical areas, including autism, as part of their continuing professional development.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150361,"EventID":"S1W-13628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information has been collated on the current economic circumstances of the farmers who will be affected by the Knapdale Forest European Beaver re-introduction trial.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information has been collated on the current economic circumstances of the farmers who will be affected by the Knapdale Forest European Beaver re-introduction trial.","AnswerText":"I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage has not collated information on the current economic circumstances of the farmers adjacent to the area at Knapdale they propose for a trial re-introduction of the European Beaver.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150362,"EventID":"S1W-13629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken any research into the success or otherwise of beaver re-introduction schemes in other European Union countries such as Austria, Germany or Swit'","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken any research into the success or otherwise of beaver re-introduction schemes in other European Union countries such as Austria, Germany or Swit'erland and, if so, whether any of the research is relevant to the Knapdale environment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not carried out research into beaver re-introductions in other EU countries. I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage can provide details of all relevant research including work to consider specific aspects of the impact of beavers on their environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150363,"EventID":"S1W-13630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage will be able to provide financial compensation to farmers for damage to their income or land resulting from the reintroduction of beaver","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage will be able to provide financial compensation to farmers for damage to their income or land resulting from the reintroduction of beavers to the Knapdale Forest and, if so, what criteria will have to be met to trigger such payments.","AnswerText":"The trial re-introduction of beavers proposed by Scottish Natural Heritage is planned for Forest Enterprise land, on part of Knapdale Forest in Mid Argyll. I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage believes that farmers are unlikely to be adversely affected by the trial. Scottish Natural Heritage intend, however, to offer financial compensation and positive management agreements where economic damage is proved.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150364,"EventID":"S1W-13631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding arrangements are in place for Argyll College in the financial year 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding arrangements are in place for Argyll College in the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Funding for the development of further education in Argyll in financial year 2001-02 will be directed through Lews Castle College, in its capacity as the chosen partner college of Argyll College, as part of the grant-in-aid allocated by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150365,"EventID":"S1W-13632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice has been given by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the Ministry of Defence on the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcud","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice has been given by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the Ministry of Defence on the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150366,"EventID":"S1W-13633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has any legal obligations and powers in relation to the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcud","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has any legal obligations and powers in relation to the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire.","AnswerText":"The Ministry of Defence has crown immunity from regulation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) therefore has no legal obligation or powers to regulate any activity in relation to the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150367,"EventID":"S1W-13634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what scientific recommendations the cod recovery plan was based.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what scientific recommendations the cod recovery plan was based.","AnswerText":"The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), the scientific body which advises European Community fisheries managers, identified the need to establish cod recovery plans in their most recent advice. Two cod recovery plans have been established, in the North Sea and in waters to the West of Scotland. These initial measures are aimed at protecting spawning cod congregations. Further technical measures are currently being developed by the European Community in consultation with the fishing industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150368,"EventID":"S1W-13635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 21 February 2001 by Jack Straw of #10.6 million of additional funding to encourage regional police forces to apply the National Intell","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 21 February 2001 by Jack Straw of #10.6 million of additional funding to encourage regional police forces to apply the National Intelligence Model guidelines, what discussions it has had with police forces to ensure that they take advantage of the funding available.","AnswerText":"The announcement by the Home Secretary applies only to forces in England and Wales. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) has endorsed the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and an implementation team is considering the introduction of the model across the eight Scottish police forces and the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency. The decision to implement the NIM, which is connected to a new Scottish Intelligence Database, is an operational matter for chief constables. Last month, we announced an investment package of £8 million to take forward development work including that on a Scottish Intelligence Database.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150369,"EventID":"S1W-13636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be monitoring the progress of Camden Council's online transaction service for business rates, council tax and parking fines to assess the utility of a sim","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be monitoring the progress of Camden Council's online transaction service for business rates, council tax and parking fines to assess the utility of a similar system for local authorities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Through the Central Local Government 21st Century Forum, the Scottish Executive is encouraging local authorities to deliver electronically all services for which this is feasible by 2005. To promote progress towards this target, the Scottish Executive monitors developments like the Camden scheme both north and south of the border.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150370,"EventID":"S1W-13637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what exploratory work has been or will be carried out on the upgrading of the M8 through the introduction of additional lanes; who is carrying out any such work, and wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what exploratory work has been or will be carried out on the upgrading of the M8 through the introduction of additional lanes; who is carrying out any such work, and what the estimated costs of this exploratory work are, broken down by financial year.","AnswerText":"There are no proposals to upgrade the M8 through the introduction of additional lanes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150371,"EventID":"S1W-13638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist people with mental health problems gain employment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist people with mental health problems gain employment.","AnswerText":"Employment is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The New Deal is delivered in Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Executive and other Scottish organisations. The New Deal for Disabled People, which will be extended nationally from July 2001, will offer new opportunities for people with mental health problems.

The Scottish Executive is committed to taking forward action in response to the Beattie Committee to improve the skills and employability of young people with additional support needs (including young people with mental health problems).

The Executive is also funding a project run by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health to examine ways in which people with mental health problems can be helped to return to and remain in employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150372,"EventID":"S1W-13639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it applies current legislation on the control of seagulls in urban environments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it applies current legislation on the control of seagulls in urban environments.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to take appropriate measures to control seagulls should this become necessary. Councils have full discretionary powers to do so. Licences are issued by the Scottish Executive to cover situations where lethal control is the only satisfactory solution available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150373,"EventID":"S1W-13640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place a statutory duty on local authorities to control seagulls in urban environments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place a statutory duty on local authorities to control seagulls in urban environments.","AnswerText":"Local authorities already have full discretionary powers to control seagulls where necessary. The Executive has no plans to impose a statutory duty on councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150374,"EventID":"S1W-13641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the early detection of dyslexia and other similar conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the early detection of dyslexia and other similar conditions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is providing over £5 million per year to local authorities for the development and training of classroom-based staff and trainee educational psychologists working with children with special educational needs, including dyslexia and other similar conditions. £1 million of this funding is directed towards early intervention, which addresses a wide variety of training requirements including accreditation such as the Certificate in Dyslexia.

The Scottish Executive Education Department has worked jointly with the Scottish Dyslexia Trust to train teachers in dyslexia awareness and early identification. The Executive is currently funding the Trust to run a national seminar and to produce a report to highlight good practice and innovative approaches for teaching dyslexic pupils. This report will be issued to all education authorities in Scotland.

In addition, the 3-5 Curriculum guidelines for pre-school education cover the key aspects of children's development and learning. Differences in children's progress, and any need for extra support, are noted through observation and careful assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150375,"EventID":"S1W-13642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making regarding the development of a science strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making regarding the development of a science strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland's first integrated Science Strategy will be published soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150376,"EventID":"S1W-13643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consults with tourist businesses which are not members of their area tourist board and, if so, how.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consults with tourist businesses which are not members of their area tourist board and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"Yes. We consult with businesses through their representative organisations, either by correspondence or through meetings.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150377,"EventID":"S1W-13644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further steps it will be taking to assist local authorities develop Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) to rebuild and repair school buildings and, in particular, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further steps it will be taking to assist local authorities develop Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) to rebuild and repair school buildings and, in particular, whether assistance will be available to them to bridge revenue gaps in PPP repayments.","AnswerText":"I have recently announced the allocation of £5 million amongst a number of authorities to take forward work on feasibility studies into possible further school Public/Private Partnership projects. We are currently giving consideration to the possibility of appropriate financial support for a stage beyond that where suitable projects have been identified. We shall make an announcement when that consideration has been completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150378,"EventID":"S1W-13645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reverse depopulation in the Western Isles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reverse depopulation in the Western Isles.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to tackling the causes of population decline through initiatives targeted at rural communities across Scotland. In the Western Isles, the Executive supports economic development through Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Western Isles Enterprise. The range of specific measures taken by the Executive in the Western Isles include: support for the latest IT infrastructure; support for new businesses; and improving rural transport with substantial spending on infrastructure projects such as the Eriskay causeway. Wider programmes, such as Iomairt aig an Oir (the Initiative at the Edge) and grants for community land purchase, are also boosting the local economy and creating jobs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150379,"EventID":"S1W-13646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase inward investment in the Western Isles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase inward investment in the Western Isles.","AnswerText":"Locate in Scotland promotes the whole of Scotland as a location for inward investment. However, in recognition of the particular difficulties which rural areas face in attracting inward investment, Locate in Scotland established its Rural Inward Investment Team in the latter half of 1998. The Rural Investment team works closely with Scottish Enterprise the Local Enterprise Companies and Highlands & Islands Enterprise in order to highlight to investors the many benefits that rural Scotland has to offer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150380,"EventID":"S1W-13647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract both overseas and domestic tourists to the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract both overseas and domestic tourists to the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The New Strategy for Scottish Tourism, which we published last February, includes actions that we believe will grow tourism in the Highlands and Islands. We have also increased the budget of visitscotland to a record level, which will enable it to increase its marketing effort both within the UK and overseas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150381,"EventID":"S1W-13648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote Internet working from home in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote Internet working from home in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"Internet working from home is already technically possible in the Highlands and Islands, as it is across the whole of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150382,"EventID":"S1W-13649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to diversify the economy of the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to diversify the economy of the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13664.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150383,"EventID":"S1W-13650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the trunk roads budget will be spent in the Highlands and Islands in each of the next three financial years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the trunk roads budget will be spent in the Highlands and Islands in each of the next three financial years.","AnswerText":"Our initial estimate is that around 15% of the overall trunk road budget will be spent in the North-West Unit, which covers most of the Highland Council area. The percentage will vary from year to year depending on whether new construction is underway.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150384,"EventID":"S1W-13651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many kilometres of trunk roads there are in the Highlands and Islands and what this represents as a percentage of the overall trunk road network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many kilometres of trunk roads there are in the Highlands and Islands and what this represents as a percentage of the overall trunk road network.","AnswerText":"There are no trunk roads in the three Islands Council areas. In the area of Highland Council there are 978 kilometres of trunk road which represents 28% of the overall trunk road network in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150385,"EventID":"S1W-13652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set up mobile dialysis units in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set up mobile dialysis units in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the health boards and NHS Trusts which serve the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150386,"EventID":"S1W-13653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what potential it sees for precious mineral extraction in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what potential it sees for precious mineral extraction in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"A variety of precious minerals is found in the Highlands and Islands. It is for those involved in minerals prospecting and extraction to establish whether there are reserves which at some future date could be worked economically.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150387,"EventID":"S1W-13654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne and other ferry operators about extending ferry services within the islands and between the islands and the mainlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne and other ferry operators about extending ferry services within the islands and between the islands and the mainland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Caledonian MacBrayne and other ferry operators at both official and ministerial level on a wide range of ferry issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150388,"EventID":"S1W-13655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the anticipated 19.9% reduction in the population of Eilean Siar between 1998 and 2016, as detailed in the Registrar General for Scotland's Annual Report for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the anticipated 19.9% reduction in the population of Eilean Siar between 1998 and 2016, as detailed in the Registrar General for Scotland's Annual Report for 1999, will have on the long-term economic, cultural and social viability of the islands.","AnswerText":"The latest, 1998-based population projections produced by The Registrar General for Scotland, indicate that the population of the Western Isles will decline by 14.2% (3,960 people) over the period 1998 to 2016. Population projections provide an indication of future changes in population if assumptions about future levels of fertility, mortality and migration, based on past trends, are realised. These projections do not take into account potential economic or social changes which might impact on population decline or growth. As indicated in the answer given to question S1W-13645, the Scottish Executive is committed to addressing the causes of population decline in the Western Isles, together with local agencies and authorities, through a wide range of measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150389,"EventID":"S1W-13656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health measures it will take to reduce the mortality rate in Eilean Siar to the Scottish average.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health measures it will take to reduce the mortality rate in Eilean Siar to the Scottish average.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is dedicated to improving the health of all Scots and, in particular, to tackling health inequalities. Our National Health: A plan for action; a plan for change, published on 14 December 2000, sets out fully the policy framework which provides the focus for our work to tackle the root causes of ill health. Implementation of these policies at local level will lead to improvements in health with consequent improvements in mortality rates throughout the country.

The Scottish Executive has recognised the greater need for expenditure on health care in Eilean Siar in implementing the recommendations of Fair Shares for All (the Arbuthnott Report). This means that Western Isles Health Board will receive in 2001-02 an increase of 9% in its allocation for hospital and community health services, compared with an average increase of 6.5%.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150390,"EventID":"S1W-13657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to improve access to primary health care services in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to improve access to primary health care services in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is determined to improve access to primary care services across Scotland, and just some of its current initiatives are set out below:

  • Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change sets out our commitment to ensure that patients in every part of Scotland can get access to an appropriate member of the primary care team in no more than 48 hours.

  • The development of Personal Medical Services will enable PCTs to employ salaried GPs to fill gaps in current service provision and enhance existing services, particularly in remote and rural areas. In addition, I announced on 19 February an additional £18.5 million over the next three years for PMS development, and Highland Health Board have been given a notional allocation of £228,078 to help provide greater access to its primary care services.

  • The development of NHS 24, which will provide the public of Scotland with 24-hour access to advice and information, will ensure that patients are provided with direct access to the appropriate health or care service in one phone call. NHS 24 will build links with GPs and their out-of-hours services, as well as other NHS services, to ensure that a fully integrated system is put in place.

We have set up a Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative with funding of £8 million over a three-year period. The initiative is looking at new and innovative ways of providing services in the less populated parts of Scotland and improving access to services will be a central theme in its work. Our National Health makes clear that health boards will be expected to start rolling out successful projects in their areas by April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150391,"EventID":"S1W-13658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional private sector investment it will encourage in installing fibre optic cables in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional private sector investment it will encourage in installing fibre optic cables in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is considering with the UK Government how best to extend broadband access as widely as possible, including the role of public sector procurement of broadband services in stimulating wider supply by the industry.

The Executive recognises that in remoter parts of Scotland, including parts of the Highland & Islands, a different approach may be needed. In this context we welcome the work of the Highlands & Islands Partnership under the special Transitional Programme which is considering the need for Public/Private Partnerships to encourage investment in remoter areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150392,"EventID":"S1W-13659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken into the catching and marketing of fish species of the northern waters which are as yet unharvested.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken into the catching and marketing of fish species of the northern waters which are as yet unharvested.","AnswerText":"The bulk of research effort is directed towards commercially exploited species. However, exploratory surveys are undertaken annually and all species caught, including those not currently harvested, are routinely recorded.

Market research is undertaken on emerging fisheries. For example the Seafish Industry Authority is currently engaged in an economic feasibility study of deep waters species for the Scottish Fish Processors Action Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150393,"EventID":"S1W-13660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas it has identified in the Highlands and Islands as priority areas in addressing social exclusion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas it has identified in the Highlands and Islands as priority areas in addressing social exclusion.","AnswerText":"There are 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) in Scotland tackling social exclusion in priority areas and client groups. These include the Highlands & Islands SIP, which addresses social exclusion in young people across a number of priority areas and the Argyll & Bute SIP which addresses social exclusion on an area-based approach across a number of priority areas.

The priority areas were selected by the SIPs. The Highlands & Islands SIP identified: Ormlie (Thurso); Westford/Milnafua (Alness); Merkinch (Inverness); Upper Fort William; Kinlochleven; Acharacle and the Initiative at the Edge Areas of North Sutherland; Ardnamurchan; Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney Islands; and Uig & Bernera, the Bays of Harris, Lochboisdale and Eriskay within the Western Isles. The Argyll & Bute SIP identified: Ardenslate, Ballochgoy, Dalintober, Kirkmichael and Soroba.

As well as the Highlands and Islands SIP and the Argyll & Bute SIP, we are also providing funding to the Lochaber Working for Communities Pathfinder which covers Acharacle, Mallaig, Kilchoan, Kinlochleven, Lochaline, Duror, Fort William and Invergarry and the Western Isles Working for Communities Pathfinder and we announced recently that Eilean Siar would receive £1.35 million over three years to develop better neighbourhood services, in areas to be selected by the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150394,"EventID":"S1W-13661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to eliminate social exclusion in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to eliminate social exclusion in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Through our Social Justice Strategy, we are already delivering a range of polices and programmes which are aimed at tackling and eliminating social exclusion throughout Scotland, in both rural and urban communities. We have acknowledged that we need to improve our understanding of rural social exclusion, and established the Rural Poverty and Inclusion Working Group to assist us in this task. I look forward to receiving the group's report and recommendations shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150395,"EventID":"S1W-13662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the B8007 between Kilchoan and Acharacle.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the B8007 between Kilchoan and Acharacle.","AnswerText":"The upgrading of this road is a matter for the Highland Council as the local roads authority for the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150396,"EventID":"S1W-13663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government and airlines operating within the Highlands and Islands regarding a reduction in the cost of airfares to and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government and airlines operating within the Highlands and Islands regarding a reduction in the cost of airfares to and from the area.","AnswerText":"Under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998, matters concerning the regulation of aviation and air transport are reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Executive is, however, in regular contact with the UK Government about a wide range of matters; and, through its contacts with airlines operating in the Highlands and Islands, has discussed the improvement of fare structures to encourage more discounted fares as a means of promoting greater use of air services.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150397,"EventID":"S1W-13664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the per capita income in the Highlands and Islands to (a) Scottish and (b) UK levels and when each of these targets will be achieved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the per capita income in the Highlands and Islands to (a) Scottish and (b) UK levels and when each of these targets will be achieved.","AnswerText":"The 1999 New Earnings Survey highlighted that average earnings in the Highlands & Islands are below those earned in Scotland and Great Britain. This reflects the traditional narrow base of the economy of the Highlands & Islands. The key thrust of the Scottish Executive to address this issue is the diversification of economic activity in the area through its agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

During the year 1999-2000, 80% of the jobs created through inward investment were in the knowledge sector, contributing to the broadening of opportunity in the area. The quality of employment is an explicit element of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's annual target framework, and the network has focused on bringing new opportunities to the fragile parts of the area, as evidenced in the attraction of the Stolt project to Harris in the Western Isles.

These activities will all help diversify employment in the Highlands and Islands and raise average per capita income. An output of this diversifying business portfolio is to reduce the differential between Highland and Island and Scottish/UK per capita income. As per capita income is constantly changing, continually eroding the differential is a more robust measure than a specific target date.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150398,"EventID":"S1W-13665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the re-introduction of wolves into the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the re-introduction of wolves into the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to re-introduce wolves into Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150399,"EventID":"S1W-13666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific support it will give to stimulate the rural economy of the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific support it will give to stimulate the rural economy of the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive declared its commitment to supporting rural economic development as a key priority with the publication in May 2000 of Rural Scotland: A New Approach. The particular opportunities and challenges facing rural Scotland were also fully recognised in The Way Forward: A Framework for Economic Development in Scotland, published in June 2000. The recent strategy for enterprise, A Smart, Successful Scotland, which provides a clear sense of direction and priorities for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, sets the foundation for successful and sustainable economic development across Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and their networks of local enterprise companies are the Executive's main agencies for the promotion of economic development in rural areas, and are committed to pursuing a wide range of activities for this purpose, including the exploitation of advances in information and communications technology, support for business formation, development, and diversification, the encouragement of commercial application of scientific and technological research, enhancing learning and training opportunities, specific initiatives targeted upon the development of key sectors such as food and drink, forestry and tourism, and through ensuring that there is an adequate supply of sites and premises for business purposes.

The Scottish Executive is also committed to providing substantial support for traditional rural industries such as agriculture, fisheries, fish farming and crofting and to the improvement of rural transport through investment in infrastructure projects such as the Eriskay causeway. Specific initiatives such as Initiative at the Edge and the establishment of the Scottish Land Fund are aimed at promoting the development of remote and rural communities and facilitating social and economic development through community ownership and development of land.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150400,"EventID":"S1W-13667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, local authorities and other agencies to attract new manufacturing and service industries to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, local authorities and other agencies to attract new manufacturing and service industries to the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"Through its agency Locate in Scotland, the Scottish Executive promotes the whole of Scotland as a location for inward investment. Any attempt to steer companies to particular areas would almost certainly be counter-productive, resulting in the loss of projects to Scotland.

However, in recognition of the particular difficulties which rural areas face in attracting inward investment, Locate in Scotland established its Rural Inward Investment Team in the latter half of 1998. The Rural Investment team works closely with Highlands and Island Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, the Local Enterprise Companies, local authorities and other local agencies in order to highlight to investors the many benefits that rural Scotland has to offer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150401,"EventID":"S1W-13668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inward investment manufacturing jobs were lost in (a) Scotland, (b) Argyll and Bute, (c) the Highlands and Islands, (d) Moray, (e) Orkney, (f) Shetland and (g) ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inward investment manufacturing jobs were lost in (a) Scotland, (b) Argyll and Bute, (c) the Highlands and Islands, (d) Moray, (e) Orkney, (f) Shetland and (g) the Western Isles in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Records of manufacturing jobs created by inward investors which have been lost over a five-year period are not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The figures for parts (a) to (g) are presented in the table:
 

Argyll & Bute

Highlands & Islands

Moray

Orkney

Shetland

Western Isles

1996

0

0

0

0

0

0

1997

0

86

0

0

0

0

1998

100

60

0

0

0

0

1999

0

3300

0

0

0

0

2000

6

0

0

0

0

0

The contraction of the Barmac fabrication yards at Nigg and Ardersier has resulted in significant job losses over the last 18 months. Such job losses have been addressed through a specialist job placement programme with only very limited numbers registering as unemployed.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is very active in seeking to attract businesses to its area and works closely with Locate in Scotland in the overseas aspects of these efforts.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150402,"EventID":"S1W-13669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce crime in isolated rural communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce crime in isolated rural communities.","AnswerText":"We are supporting a number of initiatives aimed at addressing crime and fear of crime in rural areas. Examples of some of the measures we are taking are: promoting, with ACPOS and CoSLA, our joint community safety strategy which encourages community safety partnerships established in all Scottish councils to respond effectively to rural as well as urban crime problems; providing tangible funding to support the partnerships - £3 million in 2001-02 for urban and rural areas through the CCTV and Community Safety Challenge Competitions; the development of a strategy to address domestic abuse in Scotland which recognises the particular problems faced by women living in rural areas, with £5 million funding in 2001-02 to agencies to improve the service provision to women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the whole of Scotland and to improve prevention strategies. Action to reduce crime across Scotland depends on police forces being adequately funded and our plans provide for an additional £166 million current expenditure by police authorities over the next three years. It is for chief constables, in consultation with their authorities, to determine how their resources are used within authority areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150403,"EventID":"S1W-13670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact mink are having on the flora and fauna of the Western Isles and the Western Highland seaboard and what steps are being taken to eliminate mink in these areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact mink are having on the flora and fauna of the Western Isles and the Western Highland seaboard and what steps are being taken to eliminate mink in these areas.","AnswerText":"Feral mink are well established on Harris and Lewis and have also recently reached North Uist and Benbecula. Their most significant natural heritage impact affects ground nesting birds.

The Scottish Executive is supporting Scottish Natural Heritage's application for EU Life-Nature funding to assist with the first phase of a mink eradication programme for the Western Isles. If approved by the EU, this will start on 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150404,"EventID":"S1W-13671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage organic farming in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage organic farming in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Executive has taken a number of steps to encourage organic farming generally. These include significantly increased payment rates and hectarage limits for the Organic Aid Scheme; priority under the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department's Marketing and Development Scheme for those involved in organic production; and the funding of the organic helpline operated by the Scottish Agricultural College.

More specifically, applications are now being accepted for the department's Processing and Marketing Scheme for the Highlands and Islands under the revised special transitional arrangements for the area.

At the end of January 2001 there were 146 farmers/crofters from within the Highlands and Islands who have either participated, are currently participating or are awaiting approval into the scheme. This represents 22% of the Scottish total who have applied to join the scheme since its inception.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150405,"EventID":"S1W-13672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact its Housing (Scotland) Bill will have in each local authority area in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact its Housing (Scotland) Bill will have in each local authority area in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Housing (Scotland) Bill includes a number of measures designed to benefit both individual tenants and communities across Scotland including: enhanced rights for tenants; a new single regulatory framework with a single regulatory body to ensure a high level of housing management across the social rented sector; a strengthened strategic role for local authorities in planning and funding housing requirements in their area; and a number of measures to promote social inclusion and tackle homelessness. These measures will benefit each local authority area in the Highlands and Islands.

As part of their strategic role, councils will be given responsibility for producing local housing strategies which identify the housing needs in their areas. The long-term detailed effect of the Bill on each of the local authority areas in the Highlands and Islands will depend to a significant extent on the problems and solutions which local authorities identify in their local housing strategies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150406,"EventID":"S1W-13673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its Housing (Scotland) Bill will improve access to socially rented housing in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how its Housing (Scotland) Bill will improve access to socially rented housing in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Housing (Scotland) Bill contains measures intended to:

provide new and strengthened rights for homeless people needing accommodation, advice and assistance;

provide a right to register on a housing list for every one over the age of 16;

improve the quality and consistency of housing management including the allocation of housing;

put in place enhanced strategic arrangements for local authorities to plan and fund housing requirements in their area.

These and other measures contained in the Bill will benefit both rural and urban communities in all parts of Scotland. They are complementary to other policy initiatives, such as investment programmes to ensure that 20,000 new and improved homes are built across Scotland for affordable renting or low-cost home ownership over the three years 1999-2000 to 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150407,"EventID":"S1W-13674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the formation, growth and survival of small businesses in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the formation, growth and survival of small businesses in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises that the formation, growth and survival of small businesses is crucial to the economic success of the Highlands and Islands, and to Scotland as a whole. The way forward is set out in the publication A Smart, Successful Scotland - the first comprehensive statement by the Executive setting out the direction and priorities for the Enterprise Networks.

The Scottish Executive is continuing to work closely with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to ensure easier access to public sector support for new and small businesses in the HIE area. A number of significant developments are in hand. For example, HIE will shortly be introducing HIE Starts, a flexible new programme which has support from the Highlands & Islands Transitional Programme; it will provide information, advice, training and financial assistance to small business starts that have the potential to contribute to the growth of the local economy.

In addition, Inverness and Nairn Enterprise have developed The Greenhouse in Inverness which provides a range of office and laboratory incubator accommodation for technology based start-ups. The Outreach Incubator project complements The Greenhouse by providing support and guidance to technology start-ups throughout the Highlands and Islands.

In addition to these programmes, which are specific to start-ups, new businesses can also access the wide range of business and skills development programmes delivered by the HIE Network.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150408,"EventID":"S1W-13675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken to reduce the incidence of intravenous drug use in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken to reduce the incidence of intravenous drug use in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the relevant Drug Action Team (DAT) and its constituent agencies.

I understand, however, that a number of measures are currently being developed by the team. A Prevalence and Risk Assessment Study on injecting drug users has recently been completed and will inform the future planning of services.

The Executive has set a national target to reduce the proportion of drug misusers who inject by 20% by 2005 and DATs are required to set relevant local targets. We will be monitoring progress in meeting targets through annual DAT Corporate Action Plans. Plans for 2001-02 are currently in preparation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150409,"EventID":"S1W-13676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken, in conjunction with HM Customs and Excise, to reduce the smuggling of illicit drugs into the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken, in conjunction with HM Customs and Excise, to reduce the smuggling of illicit drugs into the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the relevant police forces in partnership with HM Customs and Excise Law Enforcement Directorate, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Criminal Intelligence Service.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150410,"EventID":"S1W-13677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to secure the future of the otter, pine marten and wildcat populations in the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to secure the future of the otter, pine marten and wildcat populations in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"

Otters

A Biodiversity Action Plan has been developed to conserve and enhance the otter throughout the UK. In Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage provides advice on measures to conserve otter populations. An updated version of SNH's \"Otters and Development\" booklet is in production and will be available soon, and consideration is being given to undertaking a fourth otter survey of Scotland.

The otter is also listed in Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive, which requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). As a result, 41 sites have been proposed in Scotland as Special Areas of Conservation for otter. Most of these sites are located in the Highlands and Islands. This means that appropriate steps must be taken to avoid deterioration of the habitats or significant disturbance of the species.

Pine martens

I understand that SNH is promoting management practices for the conservation of pine martens. These include the expansion of native woodland, provision of advice on resolving issues involving pine martens occupying buildings, advice on the design of artificial breeding boxes and the promotion of non-lethal solutions to conflicts between pine martens and game-rearing interests.

Wildcats

I understand that SNH, in collaboration with other key stakeholders, is currently developing an action plan and strategy for conservation of the species in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150411,"EventID":"S1W-13678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial assistance towards the establishment of the proposed football academy being set up by Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County foot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial assistance towards the establishment of the proposed football academy being set up by Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County football clubs.","AnswerText":"Financial assistance for football academies is available from sportscotland. All Premier and Football League clubs have been informed of this and the criteria to be used in assessing applications.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150412,"EventID":"S1W-13679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with local authorities in the Highlands and Islands regarding the teaching of Norse and Gaelic history in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with local authorities in the Highlands and Islands regarding the teaching of Norse and Gaelic history in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to discuss this issue with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150413,"EventID":"S1W-13680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is in the Highlands and Islands for the teaching of children with autistic spectrum disorder and what additional resources have been made available ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is in the Highlands and Islands for the teaching of children with autistic spectrum disorder and what additional resources have been made available in recent years to assist local authorities with the provision of services for autistic children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is taking forward a broad SEN Programme of Action to support education authorities meet their statutory duty to secure adequate and efficient educational provision throughout Scotland. This includes the provision of Grant Aided Expenditure for Special Educational Needs totalling £178 million in 2000-01 and £192 million for 2001-02, of which Highland Council's pro-rata share is £7.4 million and £7.9 million respectively. From April 2000, the Scottish Executive Inclusion Programme is providing £19 million over two years to assist local authorities to include children with SEN, including autism, in mainstream provision. Highland Council will receive a total of £793,112 based on the numbers of pupils aged 2 to 19. In addition, the Executive is providing £5 million per year to local authorities for the development and training of classroom-based staff and trainee educational psychologists working with children with special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150414,"EventID":"S1W-13681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Wendy Alexander of an additional #2.5 million to fund ICT training for the unemployed, what percentage of this ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Wendy Alexander of an additional #2.5 million to fund ICT training for the unemployed, what percentage of this and what amount will go to Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"SE Dumfries and Galloway have identified an ambitious programme of activities under this initiative. Their activities will attract £212,500 in funding support from Scottish Enterprise (9.4% of the total) and are expected to deliver 215 European Computer Driving Licence qualifications leading directly to 85 jobs being secured by local people.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150415,"EventID":"S1W-13682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Wendy Alexander of an additional #2.5 million to fund ICT training for the unemployed, how many places on ICT t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Wendy Alexander of an additional #2.5 million to fund ICT training for the unemployed, how many places on ICT training schemes will be provided in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W - 13681.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150416,"EventID":"S1W-13683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Margaret Curran of #15 million additional funding for councils to help prepare for the introduction of the new ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 February 2001 by Ms Margaret Curran of #15 million additional funding for councils to help prepare for the introduction of the new \"Supporting People\" regime in April 2003, what percentage of this and what amount will go to Dumfries and Galloway and what this amount is in cash terms.","AnswerText":"We will announce the allocations to individual local authorities shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150417,"EventID":"S1W-13684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will arrange to visit and assess the 44 private training providers which were not visited as part of its Study of the Full-Time Education and Training Option in S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will arrange to visit and assess the 44 private training providers which were not visited as part of its Study of the Full-Time Education and Training Option in Scottish Colleges and Private Training Providers.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

There are no plans to extend the study to the 44 private training providers.

To build on the strengths identified in the Full-Time Education and Training (FTET) Report, three regional good practice dissemination events are being held in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh this month to enable the expertise established by private training providers and FE colleges to be shared between New Deal specialist staff in both sectors.

These will be workshop-led events. Each workshop has an identified theme which will maximise the opportunity to highlight good practice in key areas related to the New Deal programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150418,"EventID":"S1W-13685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what control measures and monitoring processes have been put in place to ensure that existing agreed terms and conditions under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what control measures and monitoring processes have been put in place to ensure that existing agreed terms and conditions under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation for transferred employees are adhered to during the term of the trunk road maintenance contracts.","AnswerText":"The contract conditions require the contractor to be responsible for bearing all costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations that arise from the TUPE Regulations where on any part of the contract there has been a Transfer of an Undertaking to the new operating company.

The Scottish Executive have powers to require the contractor at any time to provide information on the status of employees.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150419,"EventID":"S1W-13686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new trunk roads maintenance contracts specify that pension schemes offered by the new contractors to transferred employees under Transfer of Undertakings (Pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new trunk roads maintenance contracts specify that pension schemes offered by the new contractors to transferred employees under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation are final salary pension schemes.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1F-910 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150420,"EventID":"S1W-13687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding to support the recommendations in its report A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding to support the recommendations in its report A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive allocates substantial resources to the NHS throughout Scotland, with every health board receiving at least 5.5% more this year. The NHS locally is best placed to decide how to use these resources most effectively to support national priorities, including those set out in the framework, taking account of local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150421,"EventID":"S1W-13688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether maternity services will be considered as a special project under the Scottish Telemedicine Initiative and whether financing of such a project would come from the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether maternity services will be considered as a special project under the Scottish Telemedicine Initiative and whether financing of such a project would come from the #5 million which the Executive is investing in telemedicine.","AnswerText":"In A Framework for maternity services in Scotland, published in February the need for consideration to be given to the inclusion of maternity services as a specific project under the Scottish Telemedicine Initiative was recognised in the implementation strategy. The Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) has been invited to bring forward proposals to be considered by the Scottish Telemedicine Action Forum (STAF), which oversees the development of telemedicine. STAF has invited proposals from all professional groups and other appropriate parties (including patient representative groups working in collaboration with clinical teams). National funding is available to encourage collaborative projects bringing together professionals from two or more health board areas or across specialities, disciplines or sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150422,"EventID":"S1W-13689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the public will be made aware of the changes to service delivery proposed in its report A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland and whether it will undertake ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the public will be made aware of the changes to service delivery proposed in its report A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland and whether it will undertake a public education programme in relation to these changes.","AnswerText":"A leaflet on the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland has been produced and widely distributed for the public particularly in places where women access health information and advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150423,"EventID":"S1W-13690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has made with agencies involved in determining the school curriculum with regard to the inclusion of antenatal health promotion in personal and social de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has made with agencies involved in determining the school curriculum with regard to the inclusion of antenatal health promotion in personal and social development studies, as suggested in its report A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Authorities are encouraged to address health education within a comprehensive programme of personal and social education. This approach is designed to ensure that information is given, not in isolation, but as part of a programme aimed at helping young people to develop sound lifestyle choices and healthy living. Pre-conceptual, antenatal and post-natal care will all feature in an effective health education programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150424,"EventID":"S1W-13691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the NHSiS has in place to rectify any overpayments the Common Services Agency has made to pharmacists for prescription costs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the NHSiS has in place to rectify any overpayments the Common Services Agency has made to pharmacists for prescription costs.","AnswerText":"Pharmacy contractors receive a monthly advance payment in respect of fees and reimbursement of drug costs. This is reconciled, normally in the following month, once all prescriptions are priced and either any shortfall in payment is made good or any overpayment is recovered. Any current overpayment to contractors will be recovered as soon as the pricing of the prescriptions to which it relates is completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150425,"EventID":"S1W-13692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is sure that patient care has not been affected by the Common Service Agency's recent computer problems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is sure that patient care has not been affected by the Common Service Agency's recent computer problems.","AnswerText":"Patient care has not been affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150426,"EventID":"S1W-13693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the budgets of the 14 Primary Care Trusts will be affected by any overpayment by the Common Services Agency of prescription costs to pharmacists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the budgets of the 14 Primary Care Trusts will be affected by any overpayment by the Common Services Agency of prescription costs to pharmacists.","AnswerText":"The budgets of Primary Care Trusts and Island Health Boards routinely carry the costs of the advance payments made to pharmacy contractors each month. These are reconciled in subsequent months and either extra payments are made to contractors to make good the total amount due or recovery in respect of any overpayments made. The budgets of the 14 Primary Care Trusts and the Island Health Boards will not be affected by any initial overpayments as these are temporary and recovery will be made once the precise amount due to be paid has been calculated.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150427,"EventID":"S1W-13694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 14 Primary Care Trusts will be required to cover the costs of any overpayment of pharmacists by the Common Services Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 14 Primary Care Trusts will be required to cover the costs of any overpayment of pharmacists by the Common Services Agency.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150428,"EventID":"S1W-13695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a backlog of six million unprocessed prescription payments by the Common Services Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a backlog of six million unprocessed prescription payments by the Common Services Agency.","AnswerText":"On average 3.25 million prescription forms are processed each month in Scotland. There is a processing backlog of approximately 6.5 million forms.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150429,"EventID":"S1W-13696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a shortage of generic drugs and, if so, whether this has contributed to any backlog in processing prescription payments by the Common Services ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a shortage of generic drugs and, if so, whether this has contributed to any backlog in processing prescription payments by the Common Services Agency.","AnswerText":"Currently, there are no significant supply issues for generic drugs. Shortages of generic drugs during 1999/2000 resulted in considerable additional processing effort becoming necessary to price prescriptions. This created delays in processing prescriptions across the United Kingdom.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150430,"EventID":"S1W-13697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans and funding it has to support and promote ports as base or turn around ports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans and funding it has to support and promote ports as base or turn around ports.","AnswerText":"The Executive's future strategy for ports is set out in the ports policy paper, Modern Ports, published on 27 November 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 9874). The paper provides a comprehensive statement of future policy on a wide range of issues relating to the ports industry, both devolved and reserved. It presents a strategy for devolved ports issues in the context of shared UK-wide policy aims, agreed between the Scottish Executive, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the devolved Administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland.

The paper sets out objectives for the departments concerned to achieve through working together with the industry, its users and other interests. It recognises the importance of the ports industry in Scotland to the local and national economy and integrated transport policy and for the ports industry to develop and promote its commercial opportunities.

Funding is available from the Executive for certain fishery related harbour development, for piers and harbours improvements in the Highlands and Islands and from the EC through European Funds in eligible areas. Freight Facility Grants can also be available for inland waterway projects which can include expenditure on ports and harbours.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150431,"EventID":"S1W-13698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the North Sea catches of industrial fishing boats were, by country and by tonnage, in each of the last five years and what progress is being made in limiting this ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the North Sea catches of industrial fishing boats were, by country and by tonnage, in each of the last five years and what progress is being made in limiting this activity.","AnswerText":"We have reached agreement with the Danes to examine the issue of industrial fishing with a view to reducing industrial species quotas and levels of by-catch.

The table shows landings of industrial species in the North Sea, in tonnes, by EU country. Figures for other countries are not readily available. Figures for sandeels are not available, except for the UK, before 1998 when a Total Allowable Catch was introduced.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

NS sandeels

Denmark

na

na

509,403

502,119

485,849

Netherlands

na

na

0

818

1

Sweden

na

na

7,039

23,555

29,278

UK

9,659

26,592

23,082

11,476

10,759

Total EU

na

na

539,524

537,968

525,887

NS Norway pout

Denmark

112,311

101,555

32,056

35,463

114,729

Germany

0

0

0

0

2

Netherlands

5

85

2

This existing guidance will be supplemented by the launch later this month of a CD-ROM, Facing up to Finance, for use in S3/S4 classes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150435,"EventID":"S1W-13702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or the Scottish Office issued guidance relating to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to parallel the guidance issued in England by the Home Office.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or the Scottish Office issued guidance relating to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to parallel the guidance issued in England by the Home Office.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Office issued guidance on the Scottish provisions on racially aggravated offences in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in September 1998, prior to the Act coming into force. Further guidance on the main Scottish provisions in the Act was issued in October 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150436,"EventID":"S1W-13703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to legislate to treat incitement to sectarian violence as a crime in the same way as incitement to racial violence is dealt with in the Crime and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to legislate to treat incitement to sectarian violence as a crime in the same way as incitement to racial violence is dealt with in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.","AnswerText":"No. Existing criminal law is sufficiently robust and flexible to respond to crimes of violence and incitement to violence. In addition, guidance has been issued that any evidence of religious motivation or hostility should be brought to the attention of the Procurator Fiscal and the court. The court can consider this as an aggravating factor in sentencing.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150437,"EventID":"S1W-13704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities in Scotland collected an average of 88.3% of council tax in 1999-2000 compared with an average in England of 96.1%, as set out in the Audit Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities in Scotland collected an average of 88.3% of council tax in 1999-2000 compared with an average in England of 96.1%, as set out in the Audit Scotland Performance Indicators Report, Comparing the Performance of Scottish Councils, and what action it proposes to take to improve collection rates.","AnswerText":"Research commissioned for the joint Scottish Executive and CoSLA It Pays to Pay report on council tax collection identified a range of factors which influence the collection rates in Scotland compared with England, including legislative differences. For 2001-02 we have introduced legislative changes to give councils in Scotland the same powers as those available to councils in England to bill earlier and to issue joint reminder and final notices. We are working with local government and other relevant organisations, through the It Pays to Pay Implementation Group, to assist and encourage councils to improve their council tax collection levels and efficiency.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150438,"EventID":"S1W-13706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners retired in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners retired in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"Robust information on the number of general practitioners who retire is not available. Information is collected on the number of GPs who cease to practise as principals in Scotland. However, a significant percentage do not supply a reason for leaving, and the number of those who have retired cannot be estimated with any accuracy.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150439,"EventID":"S1W-13707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners were employed in each year since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners were employed in each year since 1996.","AnswerText":"The number of general practitioners employed in each year since 1996 for which there is firm data is shown in the following table. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

General medical practitioners contracted to NHSScotland

Headcount at 1 October

Year

Number2

1996

3 877

1997

3 942

1998

4 026

1999

4 073

Notes:

1. Source: ISD Scotland, General Medical Practitioner Database; Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

2. Number comprises principals, assistants, GP registrars, associates and salaried doctors.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150440,"EventID":"S1W-13708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners it anticipates will be recruited in each year to 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners it anticipates will be recruited in each year to 2004.","AnswerText":"Robust information on the expected number of general medical practitioners that will be recruited is not currently available. The General Practitioner sub-committee of the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Medical Workforce is currently working with ISD Scotland to develop a statistical model to project supply and demand of the GP workforce in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150441,"EventID":"S1W-13709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently in training to be general practitioners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently in training to be general practitioners.","AnswerText":"The number of GP Registrars employed in general medical practices in NHSScotland at 1 October 2000 was 261. This is the latest information available for those who can be identified as being in training to become general practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150442,"EventID":"S1W-13710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11191 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, how many general practitioners were recruited in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11191 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, how many general practitioners were recruited in 2000.","AnswerText":"Robust information on the number of general medical practitioners recruited in any year is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150443,"EventID":"S1W-13711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Joint Ministerial Committees on pensioner poverty and child poverty; on what dates the committees have met, and on what dates they are next sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Joint Ministerial Committees on pensioner poverty and child poverty; on what dates the committees have met, and on what dates they are next scheduled to meet.","AnswerText":"The Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty has met twice, on 9 December 1999 and 26 May 2000. Membership includes Ministers from each of the devolved administrations as well as the UK Government. No further meetings are scheduled at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150444,"EventID":"S1W-13712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to supermarkets in respect of the impact which their policies and practices regarding timeous payment of invoices from suppliers h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to supermarkets in respect of the impact which their policies and practices regarding timeous payment of invoices from suppliers have upon the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive meets with supermarket representatives regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. The Scottish Executive also supports the Better Payment Practice Group's code of practice on payment of commercial debt and would encourage all firms to comply with its principles.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150445,"EventID":"S1W-13713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support heritage initiatives in Kilmarnock and Loudoun.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support heritage initiatives in Kilmarnock and Loudoun.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, to answer. His response is as follows:

Historic Scotland, an Agency within the Scottish Executive, is supporting a number of projects which conserve the built heritage in Kilmarnock and Loudoun. It is providing repair grants for work being undertaken as part of a Townscape Heritage Initiative in Newmilns partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as providing substantial grants towards the repair of Riccarton Parish Church in Kilmarnock and St Sophia's Parish Church in Galston. The agency is also responsible for looking after Rowallan Old Castle which is in the Guardianship of Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150446,"EventID":"S1W-13714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much it will increase investment in health and education services in real terms in each of the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much it will increase investment in health and education services in real terms in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"The record real terms increases in expenditure in health and education over the next three years are set out in the Executive's draft budget document Making a difference for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150447,"EventID":"S1W-13715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support mortgage rescue schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support mortgage rescue schemes.","AnswerText":"Mortgage rescue provides support to homeowners in mortgage difficulties and can help families to remain in their homes and avoid the negative effects of repossession. We are aware of a number of mortgage rescue schemes operating in Scotland with support from some of the major lenders. By building on their experience, we are keen to consider the merits of a national mortgage rescue or mortgage to rent scheme to extend the availability of such support throughout Scotland. We are working closely with lenders, housing associations and Scottish Homes in considering the detail of a possible national scheme and I hope to make further announcements in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150448,"EventID":"S1W-13716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for developing teacher training to meet the demand for new teachers arising out of the McCrone settlement. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for developing teacher training to meet the demand for new teachers arising out of the McCrone settlement. ","AnswerText":"We have consulted with all of the main stakeholders on the scope and shape of the review of initial teacher education which the agreement asks the Executive to take forward. I announced the details of the review on Thursday 15 March 2001. Details are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

We are working with those involved in teacher workforce planning to refine estimates of the number of additional teachers who would be required in future, taking account of the agreement on teachers' conditions and pay and other factors, such as the trends in pupils numbers; and to put in place the necessary steps to recruit and train them.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150449,"EventID":"S1W-13717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what increases in the pensions of teachers and their dependants will be applied in the coming year, taking into account the impact of the McCrone settlement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what increases in the pensions of teachers and their dependants will be applied in the coming year, taking into account the impact of the McCrone settlement.","AnswerText":"The pensions of retired teachers and their dependants are increased under the powers in the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 and the Social Security Act 1975. Pensions in payment for a year or more will increase by 3.3% from 9 April 2001. Any pension in payment for less than a year will increase by a proportionate amount, depending on the number of months it has been in payment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150450,"EventID":"S1W-13718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minster or the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning have any plans to meet Governor Gilmore of the US State of Virginia when he is in Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minster or the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning have any plans to meet Governor Gilmore of the US State of Virginia when he is in Scotland in April to discuss digital communications opportunities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150451,"EventID":"S1W-13719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has asked Dumfries and Galloway Council to carry out a \"manageable rationalisation of school buildings\"; what is meant by this expression, and whether it has h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has asked Dumfries and Galloway Council to carry out a \"manageable rationalisation of school buildings\"; what is meant by this expression, and whether it has held any discussions with the council on this issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not held discussions with Dumfries and Galloway Council on school rationalisation and has made no specific requests of the council in that regard.

I understand, however, that the council are reviewing school provision in the context of the possible development of a Public/Private Partnership for refurbishment of school buildings in their area. I announced on 20 February 2001 the distribution of a total of £5 million to 21 education authorities to enable them to take forward work on feasibility studies into possible further school Ppp projects. This included an allocation of £466,000 to Dumfries and Galloway Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150452,"EventID":"S1W-13720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on Hillhead High School.","AnswerText":"All of the secondary schools managed by Glasgow City Council are being replaced, extended and/or refurbished, according to the needs of each school, under an existing Public/Private Partnership into which the council has already entered, with some financial support guaranteed by the Scottish Executive under an arrangement announced in November 1998.

The allocation of £150,000 to Glasgow City Council which I announced on 20 February 2001 is for a different purpose. It is to enable the council, and 20 other authorities who were allocated a share of a total of £5 million, to take forward work on feasibility studies into possible further school PPP projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150453,"EventID":"S1W-13721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on Hyndland Secondary School.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S1W-13720.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150454,"EventID":"S1W-13722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on Notre Dame High School.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13720.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150455,"EventID":"S1W-13723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on St Thomas Aquinas High School.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13720.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150456,"EventID":"S1W-13724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social firms or emerging social firms exist in (a) Scotland, (b) Glasgow and (c) Glasgow Kelvin.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social firms or emerging social firms exist in (a) Scotland, (b) Glasgow and (c) Glasgow Kelvin.","AnswerText":"In Scotland it is estimated that there are 10 social firms and 15 emerging social firms.

There are three emerging social firms in Glasgow, one of which is located in Glasgow Kelvin.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150457,"EventID":"S1W-13725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving for setting up social firms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving for setting up social firms.","AnswerText":"Support for setting up social firms is available through the European Social Fund, administered in Scotland by the Scottish Executive.

Scottish Enterprise (SEn) has a key role in supporting the social economy by providing quality information and business development support.

SEn are currently part-funding a Social Firms Scotland pilot which will assist new and developing projects throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150458,"EventID":"S1W-13726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what partnership work Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is undertaking to support emerging and existing social firms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what partnership work Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is undertaking to support emerging and existing social firms.","AnswerText":"Our strategy document A Smart Successful Scotland sets out that Scottish Enterprise has a key role in supporting the social economy by providing quality information and business development support.

Scottish Enterprise Glasgow co-funded Social Firms UK's annual conference in Glasgow in November 2000.

It also co-ordinated meetings on behalf of Social Firms Scotland with the Joint Employment Unit/Greater Glasgow Health Board and voluntary sector representatives to develop a proposal to support social firms' work of job creation. This proposal was approved under the new European Community Initiative, EQUAL, and funding is being provided by Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150459,"EventID":"S1W-13727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital funding it will be giving to East Dunbartonshire Council to accelerate the implementation of \"Ed's Diners\" in its schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital funding it will be giving to East Dunbartonshire Council to accelerate the implementation of \"Ed's Diners\" in its schools.","AnswerText":"The annual allocation to local authorities of consent to incur capital expenditure is a general consent for expenditure on their non-housing capital programmes, including education. The consent is distributed amongst authorities on the basis of a formula agreed with CoSLA, and is neither programme nor project specific. Within that framework, it is for East Dunbartonshire to decide on the level of capital expenditure on facilities for the provision of school meals.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150460,"EventID":"S1W-13728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on school meals and schoolchildren's nutrition.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on school meals and schoolchildren's nutrition.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diet Action Plan, Eating for Health, made a number of recommendations, including the nutritional guidelines for catering specifications for the public sector, which are specifically aimed at schools and local authorities.

In recent months, the Social Justice Annual Report 2000, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change and Working Together for Scotland - A Programme for Government have each reiterated the role schools can play in improving children's diet through the commitment to supporting, through the Health Improvement Fund, the provision of breakfast clubs and fruit/salad bars in school settings.

In addition, advice provided by the Scottish Executive gives health education, including nutritional education, a secure place within the curriculum and seeks to ensure that it is provided in all schools.

The primary responsibility for the delivery and management of nutritional education within the curriculum, the quality of school meals, and the provision of any additional services such as breakfast clubs rests with education authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150461,"EventID":"S1W-13729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of its recent report An Evaluation of the Empty Homes Initiative, it will reallocate money earmarked for the Empty Homes Initiative in this coming f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of its recent report An Evaluation of the Empty Homes Initiative, it will reallocate money earmarked for the Empty Homes Initiative in this coming financial year to alternative measures to tackle homelessness.","AnswerText":"Funds earmarked for the Empty Homes Initiative in this coming financial year have already been allocated to local authorities and there is currently no scope to reallocate these funds. However, we will be monitoring progress during the year.

In terms of making funding available to tackle homelessness we have increased the funding for the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) for the five years from 1997-2002 to £42 million. In addition to this, over the next three years we have backed the legislative proposals on homelessness with £27 million and made a further £12.5 million available to decommission Glasgow's large hostels.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150462,"EventID":"S1W-13732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11809 by Angus MacKay on 22 January 2001, when it expects to make an announcement on new independent assessors to oversee the publi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11809 by Angus MacKay on 22 January 2001, when it expects to make an announcement on new independent assessors to oversee the public appointments system.","AnswerText":"Following consideration of the nominations put forward by the main parties represented in Parliament and by the Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee, I am pleased to announce that eight new Independent Assessors have been appointed for a period of one year. Brief details of the individuals concerned are as follows:

Maire Whitehead

Primary School Head Teacher, Glasgow

Anne MacLean

Community Councillor, Chair of Albyn Housing Association, Grantown-on-Spey

Maureen Watt

Former member of the McIntosh and Kerley Committees, Banchory

Marcia Campbell

General Manager, Standard Life, Edinburgh

Lesley Quirk

Business & Management Development Consultant, Aberfoyle

Selma Rahman

Director of Fife Racial Equality Council, Edinburgh

Irene Kitson

Ex-EIS Official, Edinburgh

Rev Eric Cramb

Head of the Industrial Mission of Churches in Scotland, Dundee

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150463,"EventID":"S1W-13733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value is of all capital assets used by its core and associated departments and its agencies which will be included in the assessment of capital charges under the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value is of all capital assets used by its core and associated departments and its agencies which will be included in the assessment of capital charges under the new resource account budgeting system, broken down to as low a level as the information is available.","AnswerText":"The value of fixed assets as at 31 March 2000 which would be included in the assessment of capital charges as reported in the resource accounts is as follows:

Department/Agency

Net Book Value as at 31 March 2000 (£000)

 

Tangible

Intangible

Investments

Total

Core Scottish Executive

8,550,634

11,117

4,480,957

13,042,708

National Archives of Scotland

7,577

33

 

7,610

General Register Office for Scotland

4,810

82

 

4,892

Fisheries Research Services

26,358

  

26,358

Scottish Prison Service

398,994

  

398,994

Historic Scotland

11,061

  

11,061

Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

10,795

  

10,795

Scottish Public Pensions Agency

1,082

  

1,082

Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

9,813

  

9,813

Student Awards Agency Scotland

2,262

  

2,262

Scottish Court Service

298,609

  

298,609

The 1999-2000 annual accounts of the agencies have been laid before Parliament and published. The resource accounts for the core department and associated departments will be published shortly. All these accounts will provide some additional information.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150464,"EventID":"S1W-13734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has cost to value all of the capital assets of its core and associated departments and its agencies in preparation for the introduction of a resource account","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has cost to value all of the capital assets of its core and associated departments and its agencies in preparation for the introduction of a resource account budgeting system and what the estimated ongoing costs will be of assessing the value of these assets.","AnswerText":"Preparation for resource accounting and budgeting began some 5 years ago.

For the core and associated departments the initial set-up costs amounted to £170k, and estimated annualised ongoing costs amount to c£40k.

Agencies have been producing annual accounts for several years and have not incurred any additional cost in preparation for the introduction of the resource account budgeting system. Their estimated annualised ongoing costs are of the order of £30k.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150465,"EventID":"S1W-13735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the capital assets of its core and associated departments and its agencies which appear in the National Asset Register.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the capital assets of its core and associated departments and its agencies which appear in the National Asset Register.","AnswerText":"The first National Asset Register was published in November 1997 to inform on the assets owned by central Government departments, associated departments and their executive agencies. A second National Asset Register has been prepared and is due to be published this month. It will include a listing of all the properties and other assets owned by the core Scottish Executive and associated departments and its agencies as at 31 March 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150466,"EventID":"S1W-13736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to its core and associated departments and its agencies of making employers' contributions to staff pensions in each year for which figures are availabl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to its core and associated departments and its agencies of making employers' contributions to staff pensions in each year for which figures are available and how much it estimates will be spent in any future years for which projections are available.","AnswerText":"The following table provides details of the Scottish Executive Accruing Superannuation Liability Charges to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme for its core, Associated Departments and Agencies for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and the estimated figures for 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.<","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150467,"EventID":"S1W-13737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments its core and associated departments and its agencies made for the rental or lease of properties in each year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments its core and associated departments and its agencies made for the rental or lease of properties in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"In 1999-2000 the Scottish Executive paid £11,274,000 and in 2000-01 the Executive will pay £11,619,000 (estimated) in rental and lease payments. These figures are inclusive of VAT where payable.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150468,"EventID":"S1W-13738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amount of value added tax paid from the Scottish budget was in each year for which figures are available, in total and broken into the amount paid by each of its","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amount of value added tax paid from the Scottish budget was in each year for which figures are available, in total and broken into the amount paid by each of its core and associated departments and each of its agencies.","AnswerText":"VAT was paid (net of recoveries) in the financial year 1999-2000 by the following:

ASLC COSTS FOR FINANCIAL YEARS 99-00 - 03-04

1999-2000

2000-2001*

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

SE Core

£12,958,752

£14,197,437

£14,943,300

£15,764,900

£16,875,100

Other Agencies and Associated Departments

£4,599,644

£4,888,315

£5,158,286

£5,398,473

£5,696,227

Scottish Courts Service

£1,700,000

£1,840,000

£1,900,000

£1,950,000

£2,020,000

Registers of Scotland

£2,548,008

£2,550,179

£2,852,911

£2,964,742

£3,077,402

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service **

£3,188,365

£3,301,859

£3,672,056

£3,782,218

£3,895,684

Scottish Prison Service

£14,709,000

£14,268,000

£14,494,000

 

Amount £000

The Scottish Office/Scottish Executive (including agencies not shown separately below)

12,633

Scottish Prison Service

5,729

Scottish Courts Administration

1,962

Registers of Scotland

625

Historic Scotland

364

National Archives of Scotland

256

General Register Office for Scotland

167

Information for the Crown Office is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150469,"EventID":"S1W-13739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the contingent liabilities entered into by its core and associated departments and its agencies, specifying the amount involved in each.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the contingent liabilities entered into by its core and associated departments and its agencies, specifying the amount involved in each.","AnswerText":"The annual accounts of the core Scottish Executive, its associated departments and its agencies, provide details on quantifiable contingent liabilities. At 31 March 2000, these are:

Description

Amount

£000

Scottish Executive

Indemnity cover to owners of objects lent under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985

 

824,300

Scottish Executive

Housing Act guarantees

5,700

Scottish Executive

NHS overdraft guarantees

4,800

Scottish Executive

Local Government Act - overdraft guarantees for Water Authorities

25,000

Scottish Executive

Indemnity on St Andrew's bus station title

1,500

Scottish Executive

Road Claims in respect of the M77 and M80

269

National Archives of Scotland

Indemnity cover on various collections held on deposit by the National Archives of Scotland

1,490

Scottish Prison Service

Compensation Claims in respect of staff, prisoners and third parties

564

Scottish Courts Service

Employers liability claim

15

Scottish Courts Service

Public liability claim

130

Scottish Courts Service

Lockerbie Trial Relocation costs at Camp Zeist

2,000

Scottish Courts Service

Lockerbie Trial Dilapidation costs at Camp Zeist

2,000

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150470,"EventID":"S1W-13740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will facilitate schemes for owners to voluntarily lease vacant domestic properties to local authorities in order to assist in ending homelessness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will facilitate schemes for owners to voluntarily lease vacant domestic properties to local authorities in order to assist in ending homelessness.","AnswerText":"Owners of vacant domestic properties who wish to lease their property to assist in ending homelessness can approach local authorities who currently have the power under section 2(1)(c) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to acquire such housing by leasing.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150471,"EventID":"S1W-13741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to allow local authorities more powers to rent or lease vacant domestic property to assist in ending homelessness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to allow local authorities more powers to rent or lease vacant domestic property to assist in ending homelessness.","AnswerText":"Local authorities currently have the power under section 2(1)(c) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to acquire housing by leasing. This could include renting or leasing vacant domestic property to assist in ending homelessness.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150472,"EventID":"S1W-13742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides members of the press with the text of minister's opening answers to oral parliamentary questions and, if so, at what time these are made available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides members of the press with the text of minister's opening answers to oral parliamentary questions and, if so, at what time these are made available.","AnswerText":"Copies of Ministers' proposed opening answers are made available to media representatives in the gallery, to facilitate their reporting of proceedings, once Question Time has begun. However, the Executive is open to suggestions and comments on this process, which has arisen from custom and practice rather than in response to any particular requirement, either from the media or from the Executive. The Executive has an open mind on whether the practice continues or not, though it would want, as a matter of courtesy, to consult media representatives before making any changes. I would be happy to discuss it with Mr Rumbles if that would be helpful, in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150473,"EventID":"S1W-13743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it has with Eglinton Management Centre at present.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it has with Eglinton Management Centre at present.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has two contracts with Eglinton Management Centre at present. The first is to undertake a development needs analysis of the senior executives in NHSScotland. The other is for a management and organisational review of the support structures to pre-school nursery education.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150474,"EventID":"S1W-13744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many contraventions of Article 9 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 have resulted in criminal proceedings in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many contraventions of Article 9 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 have resulted in criminal proceedings in each year from 1995 to present, in total and broken down by Sheriffdom.","AnswerText":"Figures on the number of prosecutions for the relevant offence under section 23 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 cannot, from the information held centrally, be separately identified from those for other offences under Town and Country Planning Acts in the Scottish Executive Justice Department classification of crimes and offences.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150475,"EventID":"S1W-13745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the guidance in place across health bodies, local authority education and social work departments and any other relevant bodies to ensure a cohesi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the guidance in place across health bodies, local authority education and social work departments and any other relevant bodies to ensure a cohesive approach to those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"No specific guidance has been issued on provision for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. General guidance on Special Educational Needs (SEN) is contained in the Scottish Executive Manual of Good Practice for all staff and professionals involved with children and young people with special educational needs. Further advice on good practice can be found in the Scottish Executive publications, 'Taking a Closer Look at Promoting Social Competence', 'Sharing Good Practice' and Circular 4/96: Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs-Assessment and Recording.

Circular 4/96 provides advice to education authorities on the assessment and recording arrangements in Scotland for children and young people with learning needs across the full range of special educational needs. The National SEN Advisory Forum is conducting a review of these statutory arrangements and Circular 4/96 will be updated in light of any proposed changes.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is currently developing a clinical guideline on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People, which is due to be published later this year. The guideline will be disseminated to a range of interests including NHS Trusts and Health Boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150476,"EventID":"S1W-13746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to extend the life expectancy of males in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to extend the life expectancy of males in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is dedicated to improving the health of all Scots and, in particular, to tackling health inequalities. Our National Health: A plan for action; a plan for change, published on 14 December 2000, sets out fully the policy framework which provides the focus for our work to tackle the root causes of ill health. Implementation of these policies at local level will lead to improvements in health with consequent improvements in life expectancy rates for both men and women.

Greater Glasgow Health Board (GGHB) is involved with partner organisations in a wide variety of initiatives aimed at improving the health of all of its population. Information about the specific actions being taken by the board can be obtained from their Health Promotion Department.

The Executive has recognised the high levels of morbidity and deprivation in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area in implementing the recommendation of Fair Shares for All. This means that GGHB will receive in 2001-02 an increase of 7.7% in its allocation for hospital and community health services, compared with an average increase of 6.5%.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150477,"EventID":"S1W-13747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10745 by Susan Deacon on 27 November 2000, what further progress has been made on the Joint Review of Section 24 of the General Whi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10745 by Susan Deacon on 27 November 2000, what further progress has been made on the Joint Review of Section 24 of the General Whitley Council Handbook, covering mileage and travelling allowances for all staff.","AnswerText":"The Joint Review is still ongoing.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150478,"EventID":"S1W-13748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in order to make the current system of funding for area tourist boards more effective.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in order to make the current system of funding for area tourist boards more effective.","AnswerText":"We have ensured that the core funding that visitscotland provides to ATBs is guaranteed for a three-year-period. We are monitoring closely local authority funding decisions as we promised to do in A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism published in February 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150479,"EventID":"S1W-13749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the #7.5 million funding for the redevelopment of the Partick interchange.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the #7.5 million funding for the redevelopment of the Partick interchange.","AnswerText":"The Partick Interchange project is a matter for the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA). SPTA was awarded £3.5 million from the Public Transport Fund with the remainder of the funding to be met by SPTA and Railtrack.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150480,"EventID":"S1W-13750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it has had in the discussions between Railtrack plc and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority over the legal ownership of the Partick interchange.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it has had in the discussions between Railtrack plc and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority over the legal ownership of the Partick interchange.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no role in the discussions between Railtrack PLC and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority about ownership of the Partick Interchange, which is entirely a matter for the two parties concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150481,"EventID":"S1W-13751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the development of the Partick interchange remains on target for completion by the end of 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the development of the Partick interchange remains on target for completion by the end of 2002.","AnswerText":"The development of the Partick Interchange is a matter for Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA). SPTA currently estimates that the project will be completed in December 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150482,"EventID":"S1W-13752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take to ensure that car parking at Glasgow Royal Infirmary does not desecrate in any way the North Burial Ground.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take to ensure that car parking at Glasgow Royal Infirmary does not desecrate in any way the North Burial Ground.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150483,"EventID":"S1W-13753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each holder of a concessionary bus pass has to pay annually for this pass in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each holder of a concessionary bus pass has to pay annually for this pass in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13568 on 9 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150484,"EventID":"S1W-13754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that every teacher in pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary education is given training in epilepsy awareness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that every teacher in pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary education is given training in epilepsy awareness.","AnswerText":"Guidelines for initial teacher education in Scotland, revised in 1998, require that courses prepare teachers entering the pre-school, primary and secondary sectors to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well being.

While these guidelines offer the scope to address the issue of epilepsy awareness, the breadth of initial teacher education programmes limits the time available for consideration of any one specific topic. The guidelines are not prescriptive and each training institution develops their own course programme. Good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools is being prepared. The guidance recommends that school staff should have general awareness training of a number of medical conditions including epilepsy.

It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities is available for teachers. The CPD needs of teachers will be assessed annually and will reflect national priorities as well as the priorities of the schools and teacher. This should include a range of activities that ensures teachers are well prepared to deal with pupils' health issues.

A teaching qualification is not a prerequisite for tertiary education and training in epilepsy awareness would be a matter for the employer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150485,"EventID":"S1W-13755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12353 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 January 2001, when it last met the Health and Safety Executive and European Commission to discuss t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12353 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 January 2001, when it last met the Health and Safety Executive and European Commission to discuss the extension of the ban on lead solder in domestic plumbing and what progress was made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not met the Health and Safety Executive and the European Union to discuss the extension of the ban on lead solder and, although there has been written representation to both, no progress has been made. We are continuing to peruse this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150486,"EventID":"S1W-13756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider compensation payments for fishermen who tie up their boats in order to protect stocks of juvenile haddock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider compensation payments for fishermen who tie up their boats in order to protect stocks of juvenile haddock.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March a £27 million package of support for the industry including up to £25 million for decommissioning during the coming financial year, to bring whitefish capacity more closely into line with available fishing opportunities and help put the remainder of the fleet on a sounder financial footing for the future.

We believe that decommissioning, coupled with a robust conservation approach, is the right approach in the interests of long-term sustainability and viability of the industry. The Executive remains opposed to a compensated tie-up scheme on the basis that it is of limited effectiveness in relation to discards and that it represents poor value for money.

I agreed at the meeting I held with the fishing industry on 18 March to explore the scope for a modest re-balancing of the package to allocate some additional resources to the partnership between scientists and fishermen.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150487,"EventID":"S1W-13757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or is making to Her Majesty's Government and the EU Commission on the provision of compensation in the aftermath of the foot and mouth ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or is making to Her Majesty's Government and the EU Commission on the provision of compensation in the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive like the UK Government has announced that any farmer who has animals slaughtered to control disease will be compensated at full market value.

The Scottish Executive has agreed with the UK Government that representation should be made to the EU to draw down additional, optional agrimoney payments worth approximately £24 million to the industry in Scotland. This has been taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150488,"EventID":"S1W-13758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have so far been held as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and where and when any such meeting","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have so far been held as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and where and when any such meetings took place.","AnswerText":"One, in Inverness on Monday 11 December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150489,"EventID":"S1W-13759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future meetings are planned as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and when any such meetings will tak","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future meetings are planned as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and when any such meetings will take place.","AnswerText":"A series of meetings is planned but specific locations and dates have yet to be identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150490,"EventID":"S1W-13760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to my letter of 22 December 2000 regarding treatment of mesothelioma.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to my letter of 22 December 2000 regarding treatment of mesothelioma.","AnswerText":"A reply to this letter was issued on 2 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150491,"EventID":"S1W-13761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why this year's annual Scottish dental epidemiological survey has been cancelled.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why this year's annual Scottish dental epidemiological survey has been cancelled.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Dental Epidemiological Survey was not completed this year due to difficulties in the interpretation by some local authorities of the Data Protection Act. This has led to a potential decrease in the accuracy and quality of the data obtained from this survey.

These surveys are an essential part of the planning of dental services in Scotland and it was considered inappropriate to publish data of doubtful accuracy and quality. It is anticipated that these issues will be resolved and that future surveys will continue.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150492,"EventID":"S1W-13762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1990,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":64,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its draft Freedom of Information Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its draft Freedom of Information Bill.","AnswerText":"I can today announce the publication of the Executive's consultation paper Freedom of Information - Consultation on Draft Legislation as the next stage in bringing forward a distinctive and effective Scottish freedom of information regime.

The consultation period will run until 25 May and the Executive intends introducing a Bill to the Parliament later this year.

At the heart of the draft Bill is a new legal right of access to information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities, underpinned by a powerful, independent Scottish Information Commissioner.

The draft Bill will be laid before Parliament and circulated for wide consultation. Copies will also be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. I hope there will be an opportunity for the Parliament to debate these proposals in early course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150493,"EventID":"S1W-13763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the payments made from the Scottish budget to Her Majesty's Treasury in each year for which figures are available, specifying in each case the type ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the payments made from the Scottish budget to Her Majesty's Treasury in each year for which figures are available, specifying in each case the type of payment and the amount of the payment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150494,"EventID":"S1W-13764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on new capital investment in and refurbishment of Scottish Executive property in each year for which figures are available, specifying the amount spen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on new capital investment in and refurbishment of Scottish Executive property in each year for which figures are available, specifying the amount spent in each year on each project.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for property, including refurbishments, was delegated to the Scottish Office from Property Holdings (an Agency of the Cabinet Office) on 1 April 1996. These responsibilities were assumed by the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999.

The cost of refurbishment (excluding maintenance, repairs and minor works) since 1 April 1996 is shown in the table.

Project

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

*Estimated

St Andrew's House Refurbishment

  

£1.47m

£7.07m

£4.94m

Saughton House

Conversion of areas to provide additional staff accommodation

 

£0.06m

£0.04m

£0.12m

£0.02m

Expenditure on refurbishment projects comprises both capital and current expenditure under the present accounting rules.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150495,"EventID":"S1W-13765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much cash was moved within the Scottish budget in each financial year for which figures are available (a) in total, (b) due to inter-departmental transfers, (c) due ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much cash was moved within the Scottish budget in each financial year for which figures are available (a) in total, (b) due to inter-departmental transfers, (c) due to new resources being added in, (d) due to resources being transferred out and (e) for any other reason.","AnswerText":"In-year changes to the Scottish Budget for the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are set out in the Autumn, Winter and Spring Revisions for both years.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150496,"EventID":"S1W-13766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amount of (a) employers' and (b) employees' National Insurance contributions paid from the Scottish budget was in each year for which figures are available, in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amount of (a) employers' and (b) employees' National Insurance contributions paid from the Scottish budget was in each year for which figures are available, in total and broken down into the amount paid from the budgets of each of its core and associated departments and each of its agencies.","AnswerText":"The table sets out the employers' and employees' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for the core Scottish Executive, Associated Departments and Agencies.
 

1999-2000

2000-01 (estimate)

 

Employees NICs

Employers NICs

Total NICs

Employees NICs

Employers NICs

Total NICs

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Scottish Executive Core

£4,173

£5,859

£10,032

£4,896

£6,979

£11,875

Other Agencies and Associated Departments*

£1,483

£1,776

£3,259

£1,561

£1,934

£3,495

Scottish Court Service

£864

£919

£1,783

£918

£1,031

£1,949

Scottish Prison Service

£6,662

£6,947

£13,609

£6,859

£6,265

£13,124

Historic Scotland

£760

£859

£1,619

£751

£882

£1,633

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

£1,256

£1,670

£2,926

£1,343

£1,750

£3,093

Registers of Scotland

£1,366

£1,476

£2,842

Proportion of Higher Maths Candidates Sitting Exam for the First Time

1996-97

1995-96

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

83%

83%

84%

83%

Not yet available

Data for 1999-2000 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150501,"EventID":"S1W-13771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of candidates sitting Higher exams sat (a) SCE Higher physics in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) 1998-99 and (b) either SCE Higher physics or National Qualification ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of candidates sitting Higher exams sat (a) SCE Higher physics in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) 1998-99 and (b) either SCE Higher physics or National Qualification Higher level physics in 1999-2000 and, in each case, what proportion of the candidates sitting physics were sitting it for the first time.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the table:

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Proportion of all Higher candidates Sitting Higher Physics

19%

18%

17%

Proportion of Higher Physics Candidates Sitting Exam for the First Time

86%

87%

Not yet available

The figures for 1999-2000 are taken from provisional pre-appeal data, and, at this time, the proportion of first time candidates is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150502,"EventID":"S1W-13772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the facilities in Scotland which provide supported accommodation for people with learning difficulties who need full-time permanent care, broken down","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the facilities in Scotland which provide supported accommodation for people with learning difficulties who need full-time permanent care, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes produced a supported accommodation database, SCOTSPEN, in March 1999 reflecting the provision of supported accommodation as at 31 March 1998. The database is the result of a national census of supported accommodation providers. It provides information about the type and nature of housing and support provision for a broad range of adults with community care needs.

The document is available from Scottish Homes Research and Information, Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150503,"EventID":"S1W-13773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-02-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools employ a full-time nurse during school hours.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools employ a full-time nurse during school hours.","AnswerText":"School nurses are not employed directly by schools, but by the NHS.

Deployment of school nurses is a matter for NHS Boards to decide locally on the basis of assessed needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150504,"EventID":"S1W-13774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations were made to it regarding an application for capital consent in 2001-02 for a new police station in Irvine and why it did not give such consent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations were made to it regarding an application for capital consent in 2001-02 for a new police station in Irvine and why it did not give such consent.","AnswerText":"Under new arrangements used to determine capital consents for police forces for 2001-02, three quarters of the total available was allocated according to an agreed formula based on population. The balance was set aside for projects costing over £1 million.

Bids were invited from all forces and five projects were submitted. Two projects were submitted by Strathclyde Police, one for a new police station in Irvine and the other for a new Divisional Headquarters in Motherwell. The total value of the bids submitted exceeded the amount available for allocation. A panel drawn from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and CoSLA considered each project on its merits and recommended to Ministers that funding be made available for three of these - for the Motherwell project and projects submitted by Lothian and Borders Police and Northern Constabulary. The panel's recommendations were accepted.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150505,"EventID":"S1W-13775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in 2001-02 to determine the capital consents for police forces.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in 2001-02 to determine the capital consents for police forces.","AnswerText":"New, more transparent, arrangements were used to determine capital consents for police forces for 2001-02 following recommendations in a report by the Accounts Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Under the new arrangements, three quarters of the total available was allocated across forces using an agreed formula based on population adjusted for sparsity. The balance was set aside for projects costing over £1 million. Bids were invited from all forces and five projects were submitted. A panel drawn from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and CoSLA considered each project on its merits and made recommendations to Ministers. These recommendations were accepted and the projected expenditures for the three successful projects (submitted by Strathclyde Police, Lothian and Borders Police and Northern Constabulary) were added to individual allocations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150506,"EventID":"S1W-13776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration will be given in the future, when awarding grant allocations to police forces, to the effect on operational policing of capital projects being funded o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration will be given in the future, when awarding grant allocations to police forces, to the effect on operational policing of capital projects being funded other than by capital consents.","AnswerText":"Police grant represents Scottish Ministers' view of the total level of funding required to maintain an effective police service throughout Scotland. It is for chief constables, in consultation with police authorities, to decide how to apply the resources available to them.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150507,"EventID":"S1W-13777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by police force of the capital consent distribution in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01, showing the population served by each force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by police force of the capital consent distribution in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01, showing the population served by each force.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the table

Force

Capital allocation1

£000

Population served

by each Force2

 

1999-2000

2000-01

 

Central

502

2,920

277,600

Dumfries & Galloway

776

888

146,800

Fife

990

885

349,200

Grampian

1,617

1,324

525,300

Lothian & Borders

1,782

3,443

884,900

Northern

2,711

1,347

278,500

Strathclyde

9,732

9,076

2,268,600

Tayside

907

777

388,300

Total

19,017

20,660

5,119,2000

Notes:

1. Includes 51% grant paid on Capital from Current Revenue.

2. Latest available population estimates are at 30 June 1999","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150508,"EventID":"S1W-13778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, in what ways student nurses receive more financial support than students studying other d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, in what ways student nurses receive more financial support than students studying other disciplines.","AnswerText":"Student nurses receive funding support by way of a non-means tested bursary and other allowances where appropriate. Generally other students in higher education are eligible to apply for support in the form of paid tuition fees and a partly means tested repayable loan.

The main difference, therefore, is that some higher education students may get less support for living costs than others because their level of funding is dependent on family and personal circumstances; and that living costs support is partly repayable. By contrast the student nurses receive the fixed rate of bursary (lower and higher dependent on age) and paid tuition fees irrespective of circumstances.

Arrangements for student nurse financial support are currently being reviewed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150509,"EventID":"S1W-13779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase checks on imported meat in the light of concerns that the foot and mouth virus came to the UK from imported meat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase checks on imported meat in the light of concerns that the foot and mouth virus came to the UK from imported meat.","AnswerText":"Checks on imports of meat are agreed at EU level and any changes to these arrangements must be similarly agreed.

Within the EU all animals are subject to both ante mortem and post mortem veterinary checks at point of slaughter. Meat passed for human consumption is health marked, at which point it can be freely traded within the EU. This does not apply where restrictions such as those under the current foot and mouth emergency or any other animal health problem are in force.

Meat coming into the EU from third countries must be slaughtered in an approved premises and enter the EU via a border inspection post. At this point it undergoes 100% identity and documentary checks along with physical checks where these are required. The checks concerned are carried out by official veterinary surgeons. In the event of any disease outbreak in third countries import bans would be imposed.

A range of issues arising from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease will be considered as part of the normal review process once the outbreak is properly contained.

I understand that the Food Standards Agency are ensuring that food safety checks on imported meat are being stepped up to cope with any increased level of imports resulting from FMD restrictions in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150510,"EventID":"S1W-13780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to identify the original source of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to identify the original source of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The State Veterinary Service is looking at all relevant epidemiological issues including the original source of the outbreak. In the meantime all possible steps are being taken to contain and eradicate the disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150511,"EventID":"S1W-13781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make widely available to farmers pictures of what to look for when checking stock for the symptoms of foot and mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make widely available to farmers pictures of what to look for when checking stock for the symptoms of foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"Every livestock farmer in Scotland has been issued with text and accompanying pictures of how to identify foot and mouth disease. The same material is available on the Scottish Executive and MAFF websites.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150512,"EventID":"S1W-13782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by name the 200 one-stop clinics referred to on page 46 of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by name the 200 one-stop clinics referred to on page 46 of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Details of the one-stop clinics operated by NHSScotland are given in the table.

No.

Service

Location

NHS Trust

1

Diabetes

Raigmore Hospital

Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

2

Breast Clinic

Victoria Infirmary

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

3

Chest Pain

Victoria Infirmary

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

4

Rectal Bleeding

Southern General Hospital

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

5

GU Medicine

Southern General Hospital

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

6

Urology

Southern General Hospital

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

7

Vascular

Southern General Hospital

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

8

Orthopaedics Injections

Southern General Hospital

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

9

Breast Clinic

Monklands General Hospital

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

10

Haematuria

Monklands General Hospital

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

11

Chest Pain

In addition, the Crown Office, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration, social work departments, health boards and child welfare organisations in consultation with the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates are developing a code of practice which will include guidance on the provision of therapy before children give evidence. It will also assist in ensuring that the appropriate agencies provide the necessary help to those children who need it either before, or after, court proceedings.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150521,"EventID":"S1W-13791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to legislate to widen the definition of rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to legislate to widen the definition of rape.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to change the definition of rape. There is a sufficient range of sexual offences at common law, for all of which the maximum penalty on indictment in the High Court is life imprisonment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150522,"EventID":"S1W-13792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts are re-categorising day case patients as outpatients in order to reduce waiting lists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts are re-categorising day case patients as outpatients in order to reduce waiting lists.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS Trusts, and in particular for hospital consultants, to determine the most appropriate setting for the treatment of individual patients. We are not aware of any instances of NHS Trusts re-categorising day cases as outpatients in order to reduce waiting lists.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150523,"EventID":"S1W-13793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many day case patients have been re-categorised as outpatients in the last 12 months in order to reduce waiting lists, broken down by NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many day case patients have been re-categorised as outpatients in the last 12 months in order to reduce waiting lists, broken down by NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13792.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150524,"EventID":"S1W-13794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review and modernise planning law.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review and modernise planning law.","AnswerText":"Yes. We will consult during 2001 on proposals to modernise the planning system including: the overall planning framework; more public involvement in the planning process, and getting better quality development in urban and rural Scotland. Any legislative changes that are necessary to give effect to changes made to the planning system will follow.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150525,"EventID":"S1W-13795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage local authorities to allow access to facilities in their area on an equal basis regardless of place of residence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage local authorities to allow access to facilities in their area on an equal basis regardless of place of residence.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are independent corporate bodies responsible for their own charging structures.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150526,"EventID":"S1W-13796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in establishing a dental training link between Dundee Dental School and the Grampian Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in establishing a dental training link between Dundee Dental School and the Grampian Health Board area.","AnswerText":"Outreach dental student education from Dundee Dental School has been established as a pilot in Tayside. Once the success of this pilot has been confirmed this initiative will be extended to Grampian and Highland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150527,"EventID":"S1W-13797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific progress it is making in getting more dentists into the Grampian Health Board area from Dundee Dental School.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific progress it is making in getting more dentists into the Grampian Health Board area from Dundee Dental School.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, in liaison with representatives from Grampian Health Board, Grampian Primary Care Trust, Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education and Dundee Dental School, are continuing to encourage dental practitioners into Grampian. This year there will be 10 vocational trainees (one year) places in Grampian. A general professional training scheme (two years) is being developed in Grampian with an extra four places identified to start in August 2002. Outreach dental student education from Dundee Dental School has been established as a pilot in Tayside and once arrangements are in place this initiative will be extended to Grampian and Highland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150528,"EventID":"S1W-13798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order (SI 1992/1501) was classified as a \"local and private non-print\" with its effect desc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order (SI 1992/1501) was classified as a \"local and private non-print\" with its effect described as \"none\".","AnswerText":"Certification as a local instrument reflected the fact that the impact of the 1992 Toll Order was confined to the Skye Bridge crossing. The Appeal Court, High Court of Justiciary, in its decision dated 16 December 1999, rejected the submission that the Order required to be printed and sold in terms of the relevant legislation. Public notice was given of both the proposal to make, and the making of, the Order, and of the general effect of the Order.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150529,"EventID":"S1W-13799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any type of bridge in place between Skye and Eilan Ban or the UK mainland in June 1992 when the notice required by Schedule 2 to the Roads (Scotland) A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any type of bridge in place between Skye and Eilan Ban or the UK mainland in June 1992 when the notice required by Schedule 2 to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, concerning the validity and date of operation of toll orders and schemes, was published in accordance with section 27(3) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150530,"EventID":"S1W-13800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public were advised that the effect of the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Scheme Order 1992 (SI 1","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public were advised that the effect of the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Scheme Order 1992 (SI 1992/1499), the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road (Side Roads) Order 1992 (SI 1992/1500) and the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order 1992 (SI 1992/1501) were subject to a civil suspension clause in the Concession Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Skye Bridge Tolls Limited.","AnswerText":"The Concession Agreement between the then Secretary of State for Scotland, now Scottish Ministers, and the Concessionaire forms part of the contract documentation relating to the Skye Bridge crossing. It is subject to provisions regarding confidentiality, as is normal in commercial contracts of this kind. Details of the provisions of the Agreement have not been published.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150531,"EventID":"S1W-13801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public were advised that the concessionaire under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, who was authorised to charge and collect tolls, had changed its na","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public were advised that the concessionaire under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, who was authorised to charge and collect tolls, had changed its name in 1993 and, if so, how and when.","AnswerText":"The change of the concessionaire's name from Skye Bridge Tolls Limited to Skye Bridge Limited in 1993 did not otherwise affect the rights or obligations of either party to the Concession Agreement. No formal notice of this change was therefore published.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150532,"EventID":"S1W-13802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the alternative route described in the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road (Side Roads) Order 1992 (SI 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the alternative route described in the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road (Side Roads) Order 1992 (SI 1992/1500) has been completed.","AnswerText":"No alternative route is described in the Order. All of the works specified in that Order have been completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150533,"EventID":"S1W-13803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on whether all local authorities are now required to act in accordance with Lord Hardie's judgement in the case of MacGregor v South Lanark","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on whether all local authorities are now required to act in accordance with Lord Hardie's judgement in the case of MacGregor v South Lanarkshire Council and what implications it expects the judgement to have for local authorities.","AnswerText":"South Lanarkshire Council have indicated that they intend to appeal Lord Hardie's decision and, thus, it would not be appropriate to comment directly on the case in the meantime. The Scottish Executive will decide whether or not councils require additional guidance in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150534,"EventID":"S1W-13804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it will provide to local authorities to enable them to make places available immediately to all those people who have been assessed as requiring ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it will provide to local authorities to enable them to make places available immediately to all those people who have been assessed as requiring long-term nursing or residential care and who are currently on local authority waiting lists.","AnswerText":"The local government settlement allocations we announced in December provided for a 6.4% increase in total Scottish Executive grant support for local authority expenditure on services between 2000-01 and 2001-02 with further above-inflation increases for the following two years. The Grant Aided Expenditure allowances for social work services for adults, including residential and nursing home care, increased by 10% to over £1 billion this year. It is for authorities to determine how these resources are used consistent with legislative requirements, government priorities and achieving best value. In advance of these increases, we have provided local authorities with an additional £15 million in 2000-01 for community-based services which help reduce pressure on hospital beds. We have provided health boards with an additional £19 million for similar purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150535,"EventID":"S1W-13805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13209 by Ross Finnie on 22 February 2001, why it considers that there is no need for specific research into the impact of farmers' ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13209 by Ross Finnie on 22 February 2001, why it considers that there is no need for specific research into the impact of farmers' markets and whether the work done by its Rural Affairs Department, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society in supporting the formation of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets is having a positive impact and providing value for money.","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-13209 on 22 February said that we do not consider that there is a need for specific research into the impact of farmers' markets at the present time. It did not rule out such research in the future.

The Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets, whose formation we supported, has only been in existence for a few months. They will need time to develop a number of initiatives, and it would be more appropriate to examine the impact of these on the markets at a later stage.

Similarly, it is too early to say whether the assistance provided in supporting the formation of the association is having a positive impact.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150536,"EventID":"S1W-13806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHSiS has adequate resources to meet any increased demand for services resulting from the expected rise in diabetes sufferers to three million by the year 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHSiS has adequate resources to meet any increased demand for services resulting from the expected rise in diabetes sufferers to three million by the year 2010, as highlighted in the British Medical Journal on 15 April 2000.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to increasing the resources of NHS Scotland. However, it is up to each local health board to decide on the allocation of resources to meet the needs of its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150537,"EventID":"S1W-13807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate preventative measures to tackle diabetes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate preventative measures to tackle diabetes.","AnswerText":"Type 2 diabetes, previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs after the age of 35 years and is more common in people who are overweight. Type 2 diabetes accounts for nearly 90% of all cases of diabetes.

Risk Factors for Type 2 diabetes include obesity (insulin resistance increases with body weight), a high-fat diet (a key cause of obesity) and a sedentary lifestyle.

The Scottish Executive has introduced a range of initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles. These initiatives, set out in Towards a Healthier Scotland, Eating for Health and Our National Health, introduce measures such as the appointment of a National Diet Action Co-ordinator and the establishment of a Physical Activity Task Force. Such measures will help to prevent obesity and, thus, the development of Type 2 diabetes in later life.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150538,"EventID":"S1W-13808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives exist for local authorities and schools to promote diabetes prevention, in particular through healthier meals and daily exercise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives exist for local authorities and schools to promote diabetes prevention, in particular through healthier meals and daily exercise.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health and the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland provide the framework for action to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change reiterated the role of local authorities and schools through the commitment to support, via the Health Improvement Fund, the provision of fruit for infants, and breakfast clubs and fruit/salad bars in school settings. In addition, the Physical Activity Task Force will be tasked with producing a strategy to increase physical activity in all age groups in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150539,"EventID":"S1W-13809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out in relation to diabetes, with particular regard to how to prevent people from being in an \"at risk\" group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out in relation to diabetes, with particular regard to how to prevent people from being in an \"at risk\" group.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is currently funding six projects related to diabetes. Two of these are looking at potential risk factors: \"The influence of pre-natal growth, genetic and socio-economic factors on risk factors for coronary heart disease, hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: a study in adult twins\" and \"Early life origins of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance syndrome: follow up of children born to women in controlled trials of weight manipulation during pregnancy\".","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150540,"EventID":"S1W-13810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking any initiatives to decrease the promotion of food and drinks which could contribute to the development of diabetes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking any initiatives to decrease the promotion of food and drinks which could contribute to the development of diabetes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diet Action Plan, Eating for Health, promotes the provision of healthy food choices and health education in order to encourage individuals to choose a balanced diet. This, along with physical exercise, helps to prevent obesity and, thus, the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes in later life.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150541,"EventID":"S1W-13811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the criteria for assessing the maximum number of pupils which schools can accommodate in the light of any increased space requirements","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the criteria for assessing the maximum number of pupils which schools can accommodate in the light of any increased space requirements flowing from, for example, increasing use of IT in classrooms.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of individual authorities to determine the capacities of their schools. However, during the passage of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000, Ministers agreed to review issues relating to school capacity in the light of the new provisions on placing requests. This review will include the effects of increasing use of IT equipment in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150542,"EventID":"S1W-13812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to assist home owners with the costs of removing white asbestos from their homes and whether applications for this purpose can be made throug","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to assist home owners with the costs of removing white asbestos from their homes and whether applications for this purpose can be made through home improvement grant schemes.","AnswerText":"It is for owners to undertake any necessary works to their homes. Removing asbestos may qualify for assistance under the improvement and repairs grant system. However, local authorities administer the system and it is for them to decide whether to offer grant.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150543,"EventID":"S1W-13813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current objectives are of the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current objectives are of the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The aim of the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland (NRIS) is to become the national centre for excellence for Scotland-wide research into direct patient care. Current objectives will focus on research into stroke (a health priority area where nurses and Professions Allied to Medicine have major impact), Practitioner Decision-Making, Practitioner Interventions and Patient Centred Outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150544,"EventID":"S1W-13815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the publications of the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland from its establishment to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the publications of the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland from its establishment to date.","AnswerText":"Details of five publications by NRIS are listed below.

Author

Title

Publisher

Brannan E, Curzio J, Hunt J

Stress and quality of life among carers of the adult learning disabled: a review of the literature

A NRIS publication. January 1997

O'Henley A, Curzio J, Hunt J

How to design a questionnaire

A NRIS publication. January 1997

Hagen S, Hanley J, Capewell A, Miller V

An evaluation of outcome measures for use in urinary incontinence

Final report to CSO, September 1998

Sinclair L

An evaluation of the impact of employing experienced mental health nurses in accident and emergency (A&E) departments without an on-site psychiatric service

CSO Progress report, December 1998

Curzio J

Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland at the Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust: A report of activities from January 1996 to February 1997

A NRIS publication.

April 1997

A further 84 articles, reports and publications have been published in non-NRIS medical journals and publications.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150545,"EventID":"S1W-13816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland has, as part of its remit, a duty to assess the impact of its research, or of the application of its research findin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland has, as part of its remit, a duty to assess the impact of its research, or of the application of its research findings, on patient care in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The remit of Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland is to carry out high quality research into direct patient care. As with all the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) research units, the impact of its activity is evaluated by the Unit Advisory Group and at the formal review of the unit carried out by a panel of independent experts chaired by the CSO.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150546,"EventID":"S1W-13817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of launching, publishing and distributing its document Freedom of Information - Consultation Draft Legislation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of launching, publishing and distributing its document Freedom of Information - Consultation Draft Legislation.","AnswerText":"The publication and distribution of the Executive's draft Freedom of Information Bill cost £5,564. There was no additional cost associated with the launch.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150547,"EventID":"S1W-13818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the work of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools and whether the findings of any monitoring process are made public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the work of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools and whether the findings of any monitoring process are made public.","AnswerText":"At present, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools are an integral part of the Scottish Executive Education Department and their work is monitored by senior management and Ministers in the same way as the rest of the department's activity. Some of the work of the Inspectorate is carried out under contract to external bodies who are responsible for their own monitoring arrangements. Various aspects of the Inspectorate's performance are a matter of public record.

As I announced to the Parliament on 23 November 2000, the Inspectorate will be established as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Executive from 1 April 2001. As part of that process, I shall put in place arrangements for agreeing performance targets with the agency, and to monitor and report to Parliament on the work of the agency. These arrangements will be set out in a Framework Document covering this and other aspects of the agency, which will be made available to Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150548,"EventID":"S1W-13819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what academic qualifications are required of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what academic qualifications are required of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.","AnswerText":"Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (HMI) are normally required to have an honours degree or an equivalent qualification. In exceptional circumstances, proven success in a relevant educational sector may be taken into account in assessing eligibility for particular posts. HMI working in the pre-school, primary and secondary sectors are required to hold a relevant teaching qualification. Many HMI also have other post-graduate qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150549,"EventID":"S1W-13820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how individual Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools are appraised in their work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how individual Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools are appraised in their work.","AnswerText":"As Scottish Executive staff, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools (HMI) are subject to established Scottish Executive appraisal procedures. All HMI have a job description with personal objectives to be overtaken each year. Their performance is evaluated on an ongoing basis. Formal reviews are undertaken every six months, with an annual appraisal report determining overall performance markings.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150550,"EventID":"S1W-13821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grant funding, and from which funding bodies, the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland received in 2000 and what funding it will receive in 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grant funding, and from which funding bodies, the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland received in 2000 and what funding it will receive in 2001.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO, core funding for Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland (NRIS) in year to 31 March 2001 will be approximately £398,000. The budget for year to 31 March 2002 is £407,000. In addition to funding the NRIS, CSO funds specific research projects administered by the unit. £297,000 and £300,000 was awarded to them for projects in 2000-01 and 2001-02 respectively.

Additionally NRIS received external funding from the following sources in 2000.

Funding Body

£

CRAG

1,200

Ethicon Ltd

600

Greater Glasgow NHS Trust

32,000

And will receive external funding from the following sources in 2001.

Funding Body

£

Tyco Healthcare UK/RCN A&E Nursing Association

3,250 **

European Society & Contraception

10,000

Ethicon Ltd

600

Greater Glasgow NHS Trust

32,000

NBS

3796

NIH

230,000

European Society & Contraception

10,000 *

** New funding in 2001.

* New funding 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150551,"EventID":"S1W-13822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current occupancy rate is for beds in psychiatric wards in the NHSiS. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current occupancy rate is for beds in psychiatric wards in the NHSiS. ","AnswerText":"The bed occupancy rate for psychiatric specialties in Scotland was 84.2% for the year ending 31 December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150552,"EventID":"S1W-13823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of occupation for psychiatric ward beds in the NHSiS was in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of occupation for psychiatric ward beds in the NHSiS was in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The median length of stay for all psychiatric specialties was 16 days in 1997-98, 17 days in 1998-99 and 17 days in 1999-2000. Lengths of stay for psychiatric inpatients vary considerably across and within specialties.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150553,"EventID":"S1W-13824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, where a patient has been admitted to a psychiatric ward on more than one occasion in the last five years, what the average length of time was between admissions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, where a patient has been admitted to a psychiatric ward on more than one occasion in the last five years, what the average length of time was between admissions.","AnswerText":"The average length of time between admissions, for patients admitted to a psychiatric ward on more than one occasion in the five year period 1995-1999, was 174 days.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150554,"EventID":"S1W-13825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress has been made in implementing the Land Reform Action Plan published in August 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress has been made in implementing the Land Reform Action Plan published in August 1999.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the latest progress report of action to implement our wide-ranging Land Reform Action Plan is published today. All MSPs are receiving copies, and the report is also available on the Scottish Executive website and in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Members should note that, since the last progress report:

- legislation to reform leasehold casualties received Stage 1 approval on 10 January 2001 and Stage 2 was passed on 14 February 2001;

- the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code were issued for consultation on 22 February 2001;

- the Scottish Land Fund was launched on 26 February 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150555,"EventID":"S1W-13826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be of the Scottish-Nordic Council meeting at Skibo Castle and from which budget these costs will be met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be of the Scottish-Nordic Council meeting at Skibo Castle and from which budget these costs will be met.","AnswerText":"The total organisational cost of the Nordic-Scottish Co-operation conference is £45,000. This is being met from the budget for External Relations initiatives of the Scottish Executive (£26,500); Highlands & Islands enterprise (£15,500); and Scottish Enterprise (£3000).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150556,"EventID":"S1W-13828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what other venues were considered for the Scottish-Nordic Council meeting and why they were not selected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what other venues were considered for the Scottish-Nordic Council meeting and why they were not selected.","AnswerText":"In summer 2000, Highlands & Island Enterprise recommended Skibo Castle as the venue for the conference. The conference rate negotiated was comparable with other venues when all costs were taken into account. Of the venues available, Skibo Castle best met the specifications required for a conference involving some 35 senior Nordic officials and 20 of their Scottish counterparts.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150557,"EventID":"S1W-13829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11313 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, whether it will detail any funding provided towards each of the oil and gas trade ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11313 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, whether it will detail any funding provided towards each of the oil and gas trade fairs listed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Trade International and Scottish Enterprise provided funding as follows:

1998

Offshore Technology Conference

Houston, USA

£35,000

Offshore Northern Seas

Stavanger, Norway

£25,000

Rio Oil & Gas

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

£10,000

Offshore South East Asia

Singapore

£25,000

1999

Australasian Oil & Gas

Perth, Australia

£15,000

Offshore Technology Conference

Houston, USA

£40,000

Argentina Oil & Gas

Buenos Aires, Argentina

£5,000

Offshore Europe

Aberdeen, UK

£85,000

2000

Offshore Technology Conference

Houston, USA

£40,000

National Petroleum Show

Calgary, Canada

£20,000

Offshore Northern Seas

Stavanger, Norway

£25,000

Rio Oil & Gas

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

£10,000

Offshore South East Asia

Singapore

£25,000

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150558,"EventID":"S1W-13830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment was made of the likely changes to water charge levels for Band D households in Fife as a result of the proposed restructuring of the water authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment was made of the likely changes to water charge levels for Band D households in Fife as a result of the proposed restructuring of the water authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's initial assessment is that the efficiencies gained through merging the activities of the three water authorities should offset the increases that will fall on customers in the East of Scotland Water area from averaging charges across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150559,"EventID":"S1W-13831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the likely changes to water charge levels for Band D households in the Lothians as a result of the proposed restructuring of the water auth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the likely changes to water charge levels for Band D households in the Lothians as a result of the proposed restructuring of the water authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's initial assessment is that the efficiencies gained through merging the activities of the three water authorities should offset the increases that will fall on customers in the East of Scotland Water area from averaging charges across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150560,"EventID":"S1W-13832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury regarding the categories of comparable expenditure which will be used in assessing the annual changes in funding ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury regarding the categories of comparable expenditure which will be used in assessing the annual changes in funding to accommodate capital charge payments from the Scottish budget.","AnswerText":"Capital charges are currently classified as Annually Managed Expenditure (AME). The main component of AME comprises the Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) adjustments such as capital charges, etc. AME is not subject to the Barnett formula and funding is agreed annually in discussion with HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150561,"EventID":"S1W-13833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9636 by Angus MacKay on 20 November 2000, whether it will detail the budget of each of the bodies listed in each year for which fig","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9636 by Angus MacKay on 20 November 2000, whether it will detail the budget of each of the bodies listed in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Non-departmental public bodies vary in their accounting procedures and many, such as Advisory NDPBs, have no budget responsibilities. Annual reports and accounts are the main vehicles by which NDPBs discharge their accountability functions to enable the Parliament, the taxpayer and customers to judge whether the NDPB is securing value-for-money in its operations. Annual reports and accounts are not held centrally. A compilation of NDPB financial information, including total gross expenditure and amount funded by Government can be found in the annual publication Public Bodies, the latest version of which was released in December 2000. This edition of Public Bodies is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre and this and previous editions are available from the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango/index/pubs.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150562,"EventID":"S1W-13834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specific amendments were made to its budget within the course of the budget in the last full year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specific amendments were made to its budget within the course of the budget in the last full year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Amendments to the 2000-01 Scottish Budget are set out in the Autumn, Winter and Spring Revisions documents.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150563,"EventID":"S1W-13835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the specific sources of revenue and income available to each of its core and associated departments in the latest year for which figures are availab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the specific sources of revenue and income available to each of its core and associated departments in the latest year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150564,"EventID":"S1W-13836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what files it, its Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies hold on Mr Peter Cherbi and whether it will disclose the contents of these files to him.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what files it, its Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies hold on Mr Peter Cherbi and whether it will disclose the contents of these files to him.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, any information on whether or not files are held on Mr Cherbi and, if they are, whether contents would be disclosed, would need to be considered in response to a subject access request submitted by Mr Cherbi.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150565,"EventID":"S1W-13837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the substantive answer to question S1W-13110 will be given prior to the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill on 14 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the substantive answer to question S1W-13110 will be given prior to the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill on 14 March 2001.","AnswerText":"This question was answered on 6 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150566,"EventID":"S1W-13838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and the Deputy Minister for Sport and Culture will reply to my letters of 21 July 2000 regarding my constituent Dr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and the Deputy Minister for Sport and Culture will reply to my letters of 21 July 2000 regarding my constituent Dr Mike Langran.","AnswerText":"Dr Langran received a response to his own approaches to the Executive direct from officials on 9 March. A copy of this response has been sent to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150567,"EventID":"S1W-13839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13337 by Sarah Boyack on 28 February 2001, how it plans to compare accident rates on the trunk road network which are attributable ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13337 by Sarah Boyack on 28 February 2001, how it plans to compare accident rates on the trunk road network which are attributable to winter weather conditions between the years when local authorities carried out road maintenance, snow clearance and gritting and those when private contractors carried out such work.","AnswerText":"Road accident statistics for the trunk road network in Scotland are recorded on an annual basis enabling any change in the number of accidents attributable to any particular cause, such as winter weather conditions, to be identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150568,"EventID":"S1W-13840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual water charges for domestic users were in each water authority area for each year since 1994.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual water charges for domestic users were in each water authority area for each year since 1994.","AnswerText":"The information is given in the following table:

Band D Domestic Water Charges (£/year)

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

East of Scotland Water Area

Borders

92.00

95.00

91.00

96.00

104.00

104.00

124.50

Forth Valley

47.00

46.00

48.00

54.00

75.50

91.00

124.50

Fife

59.00

64.00

67.00

75.00

93.50

95.50

124.50

Lothian

78.00

92.00

91.00

96.00

104.00

104.00

124.50

The Health Department will assess any Business Case received from Greater Glasgow Health Board for the provision of redesigned hospital services on the south side of the city.

Current guidelines indicate that all available funding routes should be fully explored at the capital planning stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150572,"EventID":"S1W-13844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital funding was allocated to the NHS in Scotland in each of the last three years and how much will be allocated in each of the next three years, broken down","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital funding was allocated to the NHS in Scotland in each of the last three years and how much will be allocated in each of the next three years, broken down by health board area in each case.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the capital allocations issued to the NHSScotland on a health board area basis for the period 1998-99 to 2000-01:

Health Boards

1998-99

Allocation

£000

1999-00

Allocation

£000

2000-01

Allocation

£000

Argyll & Clyde

6,200

3,750

7,812

Ayr & Arran

7,335

3,411

3,369

Borders

4,352

5,943

1,238

Dumfries & Galloway

1,969

2,423

1,882

Fife

3,266

5,837

4,251

Forth Valley

4,951

6,178

3,929

Grampian

12,343

8,167

11,869

Greater Glasgow

27,535

45,341

59,884

Highland

5,726

5,371

4,137

Lanarkshire

19,960

10,525

16,718

Lothian

33,616

39,173

32,083

Orkney

1,353

2,474

4,385

Shetland

1,052

2,279<","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150573,"EventID":"S1W-13845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to co-ordinate different programmes designed to help young people in disadvantaged areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to co-ordinate different programmes designed to help young people in disadvantaged areas.","AnswerText":"The main means of co-ordination is the preparation of Children's Services Plans, which is a requirement of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The Executive is currently taking forward a review of planning requirements for children's services in conjunction with representatives from ADES, ADSW, CoSLA and the voluntary sector. The Executive has also established an Action Team on Joint Working in Children's Services. The team is to prepare an Action Plan which will detail how organisations could work together to provide integrated services for children and young people. The Action Plan will be produced in the autumn. In addition, the Changing Children's Services Fund, launched by the First Minister last November, will further promote better integration of services.

In Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) local agencies combine to focus resources on the problems faced by young people and other excluded groups in areas of deprivation and exclusion.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150574,"EventID":"S1W-13846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient doctors are being trained to meet future needs as outlined in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient doctors are being trained to meet future needs as outlined in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Current training programmes are expected to produce sufficient trained staff to meet the projected increases in the number of consultants outlined in Our National Health: A plan for action; a plan for change. The Executive will also shortly undertake a fundamental review of medical workforce planning that will look at the many complex areas surrounding the supply of trained doctors to NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150575,"EventID":"S1W-13847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether in future some training for undergraduate dentists will be carried out in individual dental practices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether in future some training for undergraduate dentists will be carried out in individual dental practices.","AnswerText":"Dental schools in both Scotland and the rest of the UK see considerable educational benefit to undergraduate dentists visiting and working in a range of primary care dental services. Outreach education has already been established within the community dental service by Glasgow Dental School and Dundee Dental School are exploring how this could be extended to the General Dental Services through piloting such a development this year within Tayside. If this is successful Dundee will make recommendations on how such schemes could be used more widely in the education and training of both dental students and students of dental hygiene throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150576,"EventID":"S1W-13848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected increase is in students entering medical training in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 (c) 2003-04 and (d) 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected increase is in students entering medical training in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 (c) 2003-04 and (d) 2004-05.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to increasing the number of doctors in Scotland. We are examining the most effective way to achieve this, and increasing the student intake in Scotland is one of several options.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150577,"EventID":"S1W-13849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why dentists who do not achieve #25,000 gross earnings per annum due to working in remote and rural areas are excluded from commitment payments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why dentists who do not achieve #25,000 gross earnings per annum due to working in remote and rural areas are excluded from commitment payments.","AnswerText":"The commitment scheme has been developed between the UK Health Departments and the British Dental Association, in a response to a recommendation by the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB). In making its recommendation on commitment payments, the DDRB considered that the scheme should: reward past and present commitment to the NHS; require a high threshold of NHS gross fee earnings; commence the first payments to general dental practitioners after about 10 years service in the NHS; and provide a further boost to NHS earnings at a later stage in GDPs' careers once again based on length of service criteria.

The NHS gross fee earnings threshold of £25,000 was set following discussions between the Health Departments and the British Dental Association.

I am aware that there have been some concerns about whether the commitment scheme is achieving its underlying purpose in areas where there is limited population, and have asked officials to review this during the coming financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150578,"EventID":"S1W-13850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding package is available to dentists in remote and rural areas and whether this package will be re-examined in the light of any shortage of dentists and problems","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding package is available to dentists in remote and rural areas and whether this package will be re-examined in the light of any shortage of dentists and problems encountered in accessing a local dentist in such areas.","AnswerText":"Measures include:

Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants to encourage practitioners to set up or expand NHS practices in areas of unmet patient demand or high oral health need, including rural and remote areas where pro rata grant may be offered for opening a part-time branch practice, and

a scheme whereby fees may be paid to dentists travelling to remote or rural areas for loss of remunerative time spent on travel and to compensate the dentist where visits are cancelled at short notice.

In areas of sparse population and in other areas where there are difficulties in attracting NHS dentists, health boards or primary care NHS trusts may apply to Scottish Ministers to approve the appointment of one or more dentists directly salaried by the NHS to provide dental services. The problems of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas are currently under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150579,"EventID":"S1W-13851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the progress being made by the Health Technology Board for Scotland in the evaluation of recommendations on the use of beta interferon for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the progress being made by the Health Technology Board for Scotland in the evaluation of recommendations on the use of beta interferon for MS sufferers and when the Board will issue guidance on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11383 on 23 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150580,"EventID":"S1W-13852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a scheme, similar to the graduate entry scheme in England, for a \"top-up\" degree in order to train more doctors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a scheme, similar to the graduate entry scheme in England, for a \"top-up\" degree in order to train more doctors.","AnswerText":"As indicated in Our National Health: A plan for action; a plan for change, the Executive will shortly undertake a fundamental review of medical workforce planning. This review will address the possibility of establishing fast-track graduate-entry medical degree courses in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150581,"EventID":"S1W-13853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many junior doctors currently work within the 56-hour limit set out in the Working Time Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many junior doctors currently work within the 56-hour limit set out in the Working Time Directive.","AnswerText":"The latest information and a full analysis of the current position on junior doctors' hours of work is given in the report of the joint Scottish Executive and British Medical Association New Deal Implementation Support Group report which was published on 26 April. Copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150582,"EventID":"S1W-13854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is to the NHS of junior doctors working beyond the 56-hour limit set out in the Working Time Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is to the NHS of junior doctors working beyond the 56-hour limit set out in the Working Time Directive.","AnswerText":"Any increased costs associated with the new junior doctors' contract reflect not just the numbers of junior doctors exceeding New Deal hours limits but also payments made in recognition of work intensity. It is not possible to calculate the cost of junior doctors working beyond hours limits alone.

The new contract is intended to provide a strong financial incentive for NHS Trusts to reduce the hours worked by their doctors. Costs will reduce as trusts take action to achieve greater compliance with New Deal targets.

Health boards were recently given their revenue allocations for 2001-02. The average increase in unified budgets is 6.5%. This is on top of significant increases in funding during 2000-01. It is the responsibility of health boards to determine local priorities for the use of funds including meeting the targets and standards of the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150583,"EventID":"S1W-13855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how NHS Trusts are developing a cost-effective approach for recycling domestic waste in order to reduce the amount sent to landfill sites as suggested in the Audit Scotla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how NHS Trusts are developing a cost-effective approach for recycling domestic waste in order to reduce the amount sent to landfill sites as suggested in the Audit Scotland Report, Waste Management in Scotland's Hospitals.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group is considering the Audit Scotland Report and will prepare an Action Plan which will address this issue, amongst others, in collaboration with the NHS in Scotland Property and Environment Forum. The outline objectives of the Action Plan will be to produce further waste training/education guidance to encourage waste segregation and promote minimisation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150584,"EventID":"S1W-13856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how NHS Trusts ensure that clinical waste is properly and efficiently segregated, stored, transported and disposed of, in line with its Health Department's document Safe ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how NHS Trusts ensure that clinical waste is properly and efficiently segregated, stored, transported and disposed of, in line with its Health Department's document Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste and with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's National Waste Management Strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"As set out in the January 2001 Audit Scotland report, Waste Management in Scottish Hospitals, the performance of NHS Trusts in adhering to the fundamental principles of good waste management is generally very good albeit that examples of poor practice were identified in various areas including training, staff compliance with safety standards and the monitoring of uplift and disposal of clinical waste.

The NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group in collaboration with the NHS in Scotland Property and Environment Forum has issued specific guidance to NHS Trusts, in the form of Scottish Hospital Technical Note 3 - version: 3 August 2000. It is also considering the Audit Scotland Report and will prepare an Action Plan which will address the issues raised in the Report. The opportunity to underline the importance of not only complying with statutory requirements, and following codes of practice and best practice guidance specific to arrangements in Scotland, will be taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150585,"EventID":"S1W-13857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Heart Transplant Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is now fully staffed and operational; when heart transplant surgery will recommence there, and how many trans","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Heart Transplant Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is now fully staffed and operational; when heart transplant surgery will recommence there, and how many transplants are planned in the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"I am currently considering the position of the Scottish Heart Transplant Unit and intend to make an announcement in the near future. It will cover the points raised in the question.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150586,"EventID":"S1W-13858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Care Development Group will redefine the Sutherland Commission definition of 'personal care' as set out in Chapter 6 of the Commission's Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Care Development Group will redefine the Sutherland Commission definition of 'personal care' as set out in Chapter 6 of the Commission's Report.","AnswerText":"The Care Development Group has been asked to provide a clear definition of what is meant by personal care as part of its terms of reference. The group will decide how best to fulfil its remit and will report in August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150587,"EventID":"S1W-13859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the survey by the British Medical Association Scotland which reported a decline in morale among general practitioners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the survey by the British Medical Association Scotland which reported a decline in morale among general practitioners.","AnswerText":"GP morale is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond the scope of Government. However, the Scottish Executive values the work of all health professionals and is working closely with professional groups to ensure that their needs are addressed. A range of measures is set out in the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, which was published in December.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150588,"EventID":"S1W-13860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any risk to patients during surgery through tipping operating tables.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any risk to patients during surgery through tipping operating tables.","AnswerText":"Medical devices, including operating theatre tables, are regulated at UK level by the Medical Devices Agency. Scottish Healthcare Supplies, which is a division of the Common Services Agency, acts on behalf of the Health Department to monitor the safety of medical devices in Scotland. I understand that Scottish Healthcare Supplies is currently investigating reports of a small number of recent incidents involving malfunctions of operating tables. No conclusion has yet been reached on potential risks to patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150589,"EventID":"S1W-13861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of (a) a heart by-pass and (b) a hip replacement operation in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of (a) a heart by-pass and (b) a hip replacement operation in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not collect routine information centrally on the costs of specific operations in the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150590,"EventID":"S1W-13862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, whether the winter examination diet in 2001-02 will include examinations in all subject","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, whether the winter examination diet in 2001-02 will include examinations in all subjects and at all levels for which examinations are set in the summer diet and whether there will be any restrictions on which candidates are able to sit examinations in the winter diet.","AnswerText":"The subjects which will be examined in the 2001-02 winter examination diet are Care, English and Communication, Biology, Administration and Mathematics. The winter diet is aimed primarily at further education students, but schools may enter candidates if they wish to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150591,"EventID":"S1W-13863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, when the winter 2001-02 diet of examinations is scheduled to take place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, when the winter 2001-02 diet of examinations is scheduled to take place.","AnswerText":"Between 14 and 18 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150592,"EventID":"S1W-13864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, when the timetable for the winter 2001-02 diet of examinations will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, when the timetable for the winter 2001-02 diet of examinations will be available.","AnswerText":"Following a consultation exercise, the Scottish Qualifications Authority issued the exam timetable for the winter diet to College Principals, Directors of Education and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools on 1 March this year. Printed copies will be available shortly. Details are also on the SQA website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150593,"EventID":"S1W-13865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, by what date the names of candidates who intend to sit examinations during the 2001-02 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10428 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, by what date the names of candidates who intend to sit examinations during the 2001-02 winter diet will require to be notified to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority will contact centres advising them of administrative and operational arrangements for the winter diet following the summer diet.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150594,"EventID":"S1W-13866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each university will receive in total under the Scottish Science Research Investment Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each university will receive in total under the Scottish Science Research Investment Fund.","AnswerText":"A total of £64.6 million will be allocated to higher education institutions in Scotland by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The allocations to individual higher education institutions over the two years 2002-03 and 2003-04 are as follows:

 

Institution

Scottish Science Research Investment Fund

2002-03 to 2003-04

£

Aberdeen, University of

5,371,000

Abertay Dundee, University of

243,000

Dundee, University of

7,098,000

Edinburgh College of Art

89,000

Edinburgh, University of

19,499,000

Glasgow Caledonian University

640,000

Glasgow School of Art

25,000

Glasgow, University of

14,561,000

Heriot-Watt University

3,587,000

Napier University

604,000

Northern College of Education

25,000

Paisley, University of

222,000

Queen Margaret University College

265,000

Robert Gordon University

319,000

St, Andrews, University of

3,299,000

Stirling, University of

1,933,000

Strathclyde, University of

6,792,000

Total:

Allocations to higher education institutions were calculated using a straightforward formula agreed by the UK higher education funding councils. The allocations were linked to research excellence and the volume of research. 50% of the funding was calculated on the basis of the funding from the SHEFC Research Assessment Exercise-based grant. The other 50% of the funding was calculated on the basis of the total external research income received by institutions. There is a minimum allocation of £25,000 for institutions that are eligible to receive funding through SRIF.

The calculations were based on those areas of the science research base falling within the remit of the Office of Science and Technology.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150596,"EventID":"S1W-13868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales will be able to make recommendations regarding the system of diligence as a whole, including i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales will be able to make recommendations regarding the system of diligence as a whole, including issues such as a comprehensive system of debt counselling.","AnswerText":"The remit and details of the work of the working group are available on the Scottish Executive website. The full address can be obtained from the Parliament's Reference Centre. The Deputy First Minister announced on 8 June 2000 that, in addition to the work on poinding and warrant sale, the Executive would review the law of diligence as a whole; and made clear that representations would be welcome from anyone. In any event, any proposals for reform will be the subject of consultation. It is, of course, open to the working group to make known any concerns which it may have as a result of its deliberations but which lie beyond its own remit.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150597,"EventID":"S1W-13869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total amount of unpaid council tax for 1999-2000 unpaid water and sewerage charges represent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total amount of unpaid council tax for 1999-2000 unpaid water and sewerage charges represent.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150598,"EventID":"S1W-13870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Ambulance Service about the provision of ambulance services in the Langholm and Eskdale areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Ambulance Service about the provision of ambulance services in the Langholm and Eskdale areas.","AnswerText":"None. It is for the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure the provision of satisfactory ambulance services throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150599,"EventID":"S1W-13871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any plans to close Langholm Ambulance Station and, if so, what action it proposes to take and what criteria are used to determine how far an ambula","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any plans to close Langholm Ambulance Station and, if so, what action it proposes to take and what criteria are used to determine how far an ambulance station should be located from the communities which it serves.","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service has confirmed that there are no plans to close the Langholm Ambulance Station.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150600,"EventID":"S1W-13872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Ambulance Service is making in implementing the EU Working Time Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Ambulance Service is making in implementing the EU Working Time Directive.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13873.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150601,"EventID":"S1W-13873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact on the provision of ambulance services in rural areas is anticipated from the implementation of the EU Working Time Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact on the provision of ambulance services in rural areas is anticipated from the implementation of the EU Working Time Directive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service working through its Partnership Forum has already implemented many of the requirements of the Directive. Discussions are continuing in relation to the implications for the service's on-call working arrangements, in particular in remote and rural areas. The Ambulance Service is fully aware of the need to maintain services in rural areas, while complying with the terms of the Directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150602,"EventID":"S1W-13874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12216 by Susan Deacon on 21 February 2001, when the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland will set out the service standards on inf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12216 by Susan Deacon on 21 February 2001, when the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland will set out the service standards on infection control, cleanliness and other matters.","AnswerText":"Work by an expert group to develop draft standards on infection control, decontamination of medical devices and environmental hygiene is currently under way. We expect draft standards to be produced shortly. The drafts will be reviewed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and will then be released for consultation, piloting and implementation by NHSScotland in the course of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150603,"EventID":"S1W-13875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consider the arrangements made for the transportation of livestock with a view to minimising vectors for the transmission of disease and enhancing an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consider the arrangements made for the transportation of livestock with a view to minimising vectors for the transmission of disease and enhancing animal welfare.","AnswerText":"Containment and eradication of Foot and Mouth disease in Scotland is the Scottish Executive's first priority and we are taking all steps necessary to achieve this. Guidance has been issued which makes clear the requirement to thoroughly disinfect all transport used for authorised livestock movements.

Lessons can be learnt from all disease outbreaks and the Scottish Executive will carefully review the circumstances of this outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150604,"EventID":"S1W-13876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all sales of Forestry Commission Land since 1 January 1999, showing the location, acreage and selling price in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all sales of Forestry Commission Land since 1 January 1999, showing the location, acreage and selling price in each case.","AnswerText":"The table gives details of all the forest land (i.e. the forests, woods, associated unplanted land and land originally acquired for planting) that was sold by the Forestry Commission between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2000, the latest date for which information is available. The table gives the name, location and area of each sale. In each case, the commission sought the purchaser's permission to disclose the price paid, and this is included whenever such permission was given.

Location and Name of Wood

Area (hectares)

Sale Price

Aberdeenshire

Haremoss

21.0

£21,650

New Pitsligo Lot 11 (part)

2.0

New Pitsligo Lot 2

17.0

£11,250

Peelie Belt, Glassel

2.0

£6,000

Argyll and Bute

Bullwood Quarry

6.1

Drimsynie Leisure Centre (adjacent plantation)

19.8

£28,000

Glenfinart (land at)

13.9

Kinloch Plantation (formerly Carsaig)

488.0

£455,000

Scoor Plantation Lot 5

360.0

£220,000

Stronhullin (land at)

26.4

Clackmannanshire

Aberdona and Meeks Park

48.0","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150605,"EventID":"S1W-13877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times in 2000 procurators fiscal consulted with the relatives of those killed in road accidents prior to deciding whether or not to seek a fatal accident inquiry","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times in 2000 procurators fiscal consulted with the relatives of those killed in road accidents prior to deciding whether or not to seek a fatal accident inquiry.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not recorded and is therefore not available. However, Procurators Fiscal are subject to an instruction in the following terms:

"Where a death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and

(a) there is likely to be a prosecution whether solemn or summary, or

(b) the death has resulted from a road traffic accident, or

(c) there is the possibility that a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held,

a relative of the deceased should be seen by the Procurator Fiscal or a member of his staff."

Procurators Fiscal are further instructed that it is important, at that interview, to ascertain the attitude of the next of kin vis-à-vis a Fatal Accident Inquiry and that those views should be included in the report to Crown Office.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150606,"EventID":"S1W-13878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many road deaths there were in Scotland; (b) how many of these were the subject of a mandatory fatal accident inquiry; (c) how many resulted in a discretionary re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many road deaths there were in Scotland; (b) how many of these were the subject of a mandatory fatal accident inquiry; (c) how many resulted in a discretionary referral to the Crown Office by the Procurator Fiscal for a fatal accident inquiry, and (d) of these referrals, how many resulted in a fatal accident inquiry, in each year since 1993.","AnswerText":"The statistical information requested is not available. Crown Office do not record road deaths as a separate category of death. However, every death investigated by the Procurator Fiscal is reported to Crown Office and the question of the need for a Fatal Accident Inquiry is canvassed in that report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150607,"EventID":"S1W-13879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it proposes to take to strengthen the existing provisions on the confiscation and recovery of the proceeds of crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it proposes to take to strengthen the existing provisions on the confiscation and recovery of the proceeds of crime.","AnswerText":"The UK Government and the Scottish Executive are today issuing proposals to unify the powers of criminal confiscation, create new powers of civil recovery, strengthen existing money laundering powers, and introduce new arrangements to enable tax to be levied on income believed to derive from criminal activity. We are inviting comments from a wide range of interests. The consultation period closes on 25 May.

Many of these proposals are reserved - for example, confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking, money laundering, and taxation - while others are devolved. We aim to strengthen public confidence in the justice system; undermine harmful role models and deprive criminals of working capital. We have taken the view that comprehensive, UK legislation will be more workable and effective than complex, complementary legislation in both Parliaments, and will avoid loopholes that could create of safe havens for criminals either side of the Border.

The Bill will contain separate Scottish clauses to ensure that the new powers are fully consistent with Scots law and procedures.

We will, of course, be seeking the agreement of the Scottish Parliament in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150608,"EventID":"S1W-13880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its policy on the availability through general practitioner prescription of nicotine replacement therapy, following the conclusion in January 2001 o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its policy on the availability through general practitioner prescription of nicotine replacement therapy, following the conclusion in January 2001 of the consultation exercise.","AnswerText":"I announced on 14 March that nicotine replacement therapy will be available on NHS prescription from April 2001. This requires an amendment to Schedule 10 to the NHS (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150609,"EventID":"S1W-13881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance management and best practice criteria it has put in place in relation to the #26 million tobacco money to be applied to health promotion; how much of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance management and best practice criteria it has put in place in relation to the #26 million tobacco money to be applied to health promotion; how much of this money is being spent on tobacco-related initiatives, and whether it will list these initiatives.","AnswerText":"As with all initiatives to improve health, the operational arrangements for those supported by the Health Improvement Fund depend on their nature. The bulk of the fund's resources are being channelled through health boards. Boards have been advised to give a full public account of how the resources are being invested, including an account of what they have helped local people to achieve, through their annual reports and the accountability review process. Boards have also been asked to provide a brief interim report to Ministers on how Health Improvement Fund resources are being applied in their local areas.

A range of media exist which facilitate the dissemination and utilisation of best practice. At national level, these media include the Healthy Scotland Convention (which is next to meet on 1 June), HEBSWeb (www.hebs.scot.nhs.uk) and SHOW (www.show.scot.nhs.uk) with the FORUM newsletter.

Health boards have been advised that, in determining how to invest their Health Improvement Fund allocations, they should give a high priority to tobacco-related initiatives. However, in order to best reflect local priorities, Boards have also been given considerable flexibility in making investment decisions and at this stage, therefore, it is not possible to detail the tobacco-related initiatives that are being undertaken.

In addition to work being undertaken by the health boards, the Health Improvement Fund is also enabling tobacco-related initiatives to be undertaken by the Health Education Board for Scotland.

The initiatives supported by the Health Improvement Fund are additional to the range of work already being undertaken. For example, in addition to the Health Improvement Fund monies, health boards were allocated an additional £1 million in each of the three years from April 1999 to spend on smoking cessation services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150610,"EventID":"S1W-13882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of qualified teachers in technical education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of qualified teachers in technical education.","AnswerText":"A report has been sent to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee detailing the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The answer to your question can be found at paragraphs 26-38 of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150611,"EventID":"S1W-13883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which universities have offered a Btech Ed course since 1997 and how many students enrolled in each course.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which universities have offered a Btech Ed course since 1997 and how many students enrolled in each course.","AnswerText":"The number of students enrolled on Secondary Teacher Training Courses with Technological Education as their main subject, 1997-98 to 1999-2000, by institution and year, is given in the table:

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Total

237

201

165

Moray House Institute of Education1

83

0

0

Northern College of Education

6

7

7

The University of Edinburgh

0

74

55

The University of Glasgow

85

77

70

The University of Strathclyde

63

43

33

Source: HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency).

Notes:

1. Moray House Institute of Education merged with University of Edinburgh on 01 August 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150612,"EventID":"S1W-13884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated loss to the economy is of smuggling spirits into Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated loss to the economy is of smuggling spirits into Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available. Excise duties and the enforcement of them are a reserved matter and therefore the responsibility of HM Customs and Excise. I understand that Customs and Excise do not make separate assessments of the extent of smuggling into Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150613,"EventID":"S1W-13885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the smuggling of spirits have taken place in each year since 1997; what sentences were imposed, and what quantities of spirits were involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the smuggling of spirits have taken place in each year since 1997; what sentences were imposed, and what quantities of spirits were involved.","AnswerText":"Smuggling cases are prosecuted under the Customs and Excise Acts and are not broken down for recording purposes according to the nature of the contraband.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150614,"EventID":"S1W-13886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation exercise on the fluoridation of the water supply will commence; how the exercise will be conducted, and who will be consulted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation exercise on the fluoridation of the water supply will commence; how the exercise will be conducted, and who will be consulted.","AnswerText":"As stated in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change the Executive proposes a wide-ranging consultation on children's oral health, which will seek views on a range of measures, including ways in which the benefit of fluoride can be made available, for example through the fluoridation of public water supplies or by means of fluoridated drinks or tablets. A draft consultation paper and arrangements for the consultation are currently being developed and will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150615,"EventID":"S1W-13888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is currently available to support groups helping individuals suffering from the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is currently available to support groups helping individuals suffering from the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.","AnswerText":"It is open to national voluntary organisations involved in health-related activities, which complement those provided by the NHS, to apply for funding assistance under section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. Health boards also have delegated authority to provide grants under section 16B to local voluntary groups, where appropriate. Each application received is carefully considered on its merits, alongside competing demands. I understand that the Executive has not received an application for section 16B funding from any group supporting those suffering from the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150616,"EventID":"S1W-13889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that consideration is given to the safety implications of telecommunication masts being sited within close proximity to general hospi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that consideration is given to the safety implications of telecommunication masts being sited within close proximity to general hospitals.","AnswerText":"Mobile phone operators have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure that the public are not exposed to risks to their health and safety from mobile phone masts. In the case of radiofrequency radiation the Health and Safety Executive expects operators to carry out that duty by complying with guidelines produced by the National Radiological Protection Board designed to prevent known thermal effects.

Operators have, in addition, agreed that their masts should also comply with more stringent guidelines on public exposure issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

Regarding issues relating to interference with hospital equipment, the issue of the compatibility of medical devices with electromagnetic emissions from other sources is overseen by the UK Medical Devices Agency (MDA). Their 1997 report on this subject, which covered a large number of different models of medical device, found no significant levels of interference from cellular base stations, which include mobile phone masts. The MDA also records all UK incidents of malfunction or other problem affecting the safety of all medical devices and I understand that no incident attributable to interference from cellular base stations has yet been recorded.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150617,"EventID":"S1W-13890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made regarding the promotion of the Highlands and Islands tourist information brochure since the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning met ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made regarding the promotion of the Highlands and Islands tourist information brochure since the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning met tourist operators in Fort William on 10 February 2001.","AnswerText":"Visitscotland are currently considering proposals from Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board for increased destination marketing for the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150618,"EventID":"S1W-13891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Health Care Co-operatives will be supported in promoting and advising on disease prevention and health promotion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Health Care Co-operatives will be supported in promoting and advising on disease prevention and health promotion.","AnswerText":"Many LHCCs already carry out extensive health promotion activities. We wish to build on this work. We will set out the next steps in the development of LHCCs, over the next few months, following the submission of the LHCC Best Practice Group's report. The new unified health boards will also have a key role to play in developing primary care services and strengthening the role of LHCCs. In addition, I announced on 12 March as part of the Review of the Contribution of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors to improving the Public's Health that each LHCC will receive funding for a Public Health Practitioner to lead and co-ordinate better health in the country.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150619,"EventID":"S1W-13892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change will encourage and bring about innovation and the delivery of better health care by Local Health Care Co-ope","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change will encourage and bring about innovation and the delivery of better health care by Local Health Care Co-operatives.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13891.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150620,"EventID":"S1W-13893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Health Care Co-operatives will be consulted on the allocation of NHS resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Health Care Co-operatives will be consulted on the allocation of NHS resources.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13891.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150621,"EventID":"S1W-13894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS staff will be allocated to assist with home births where this is the preferred option chosen by parents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS staff will be allocated to assist with home births where this is the preferred option chosen by parents.","AnswerText":"Women have the right to choose how and where they give birth, having been given the information to allow them to make informed decisions by balancing risks.

Maternity Services, in line with the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland, should provide a fully integrated childbirth service responsive to the needs of mothers and their new-born babies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150622,"EventID":"S1W-13898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) local authority and (b) housing association houses have central heating systems which are more than 15 years old.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) local authority and (b) housing association houses have central heating systems which are more than 15 years old.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150623,"EventID":"S1W-13899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority houses have (a) electric, (b) gas, (c) solid fuel central heating and (d) no central heating, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority houses have (a) electric, (b) gas, (c) solid fuel central heating and (d) no central heating, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested at (a), (b) and (c) is not held centrally. We estimate that about 85,000 local authority tenants lack central heating systems. The Scottish Executive Development Department has written to local authorities asking for further information on this point and other information relevant to the programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150624,"EventID":"S1W-13900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing association houses have (a) electric, (b) gas, (c) solid fuel central heating and (d) no central heating.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing association houses have (a) electric, (b) gas, (c) solid fuel central heating and (d) no central heating.","AnswerText":"The information requested at (a), (b) and (c) is not held centrally. We estimate that 16,000 housing association tenants lack central heating systems. Scottish Homes has written to housing associations asking for further information on this point and other information relevant to the programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150625,"EventID":"S1W-13901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine whether a home in the socially rented sector is eligible for free central heating installation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine whether a home in the socially rented sector is eligible for free central heating installation.","AnswerText":"The house must lack any form of central heating system and not be scheduled for demolition within the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150626,"EventID":"S1W-13902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many positron emission tomography scanners are currently in use in the NHSiS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many positron emission tomography scanners are currently in use in the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"There is one Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner sited in the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen which is used for research purposes, for example in hip replacement and assessing how bones heal.

The use of PET scanning in cancer will be one of the first assessments undertaken by the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) during the coming year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150627,"EventID":"S1W-13903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health trusts provide taxane treatments for ovarian cancer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health trusts provide taxane treatments for ovarian cancer.","AnswerText":"Taxol and Taxotere are recommended for hospital use only. Centrally collected data relates to items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors. Information about the number of women prescribed Taxol and Taxotere as part of their treatment is not therefore available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150628,"EventID":"S1W-13904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps can be taken to ensure that local authorities give elderly people and their families the choice of care in council or private residential care homes in accord","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps can be taken to ensure that local authorities give elderly people and their families the choice of care in council or private residential care homes in accordance with the Community Care Act 1993.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are required by the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (Choice of Accommodation) Directions 1993 to take measures to ensure that people have a genuine choice over where they receive residential care. In conjunction, the Accounts Commission's, Commissioning Community Care Services for Older People: Applying a Best Value Framework, provides councils with a framework for commissioning to secure best value care for older people, regardless of whether this is in council or private residential care homes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150629,"EventID":"S1W-13908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include biomedical scientists in the scope of the pay review body mechanism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include biomedical scientists in the scope of the pay review body mechanism.","AnswerText":"The issue of extended coverage of the Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine Pay Review Body (NPRB) is being considered in discussions on Agenda for Change: Modernising the NHS Pay System.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150630,"EventID":"S1W-13909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been taken on the location of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been taken on the location of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerText":"Subject to Parliament approving the principles of the Regulation of Care Bill, it is proposed to co-locate the Scottish Social Services Council and the headquarters of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care in Dundee. The headquarters building will also serve as the Commission's regional office for that region.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150631,"EventID":"S1W-13910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the publication by the Health Education Board for Scotland and Glasgow Healthy City Partnership of Understanding the Policy Ma'e - A guide to Social an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the publication by the Health Education Board for Scotland and Glasgow Healthy City Partnership of Understanding the Policy Ma'e - A guide to Social and Health Policy in Scotland, it will set out comprehensively its own strategies and guidelines in these areas.","AnswerText":"Understanding the Policy Maze itself gives a useful overview of the field. More recent Executive policy documents are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150632,"EventID":"S1W-13911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to clarify the repayment arrangements under section 17 of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to clarify the repayment arrangements under section 17 of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.","AnswerText":"An issue has been identified by the Scottish Legal Aid Board regarding its powers under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 to aggregate expenditure on certain kinds of legal aid case. This is a very technical matter but between 1991 and 1999, the board deducted too much money from the awards of people who had been supported by civil legal aid. This money will now be refunded. The board will be placing adverts in the press for those people who may have been affected by this issue to contact their own solicitor. They will issue guidance to the legal profession on how to handle claims. The Law Society will also be writing to the profession giving guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150633,"EventID":"S1W-13912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to improve the nature conservation system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to improve the nature conservation system.","AnswerText":"Our programme for government, Working Together for Scotland, committed the Scottish Executive to improve the system of nature conservation to work with local communities to achieve effective protection for nature.

I am today publishing The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement, which sets out our proposals to achieve this. It proposes important reforms to the way in which we work with people to protect Scotland's most special places for nature. It also proposes important changes to the way we protect nature, and deter wildlife crime, throughout Scotland.

I am consulting widely on these proposals, and have set up a working group involving the key stakeholders to consider their further development.

I have placed copies of The Nature of Scotland in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150634,"EventID":"S1W-13914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide financial aid to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to enable it to continue to fulfil its national conservation, education, research a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide financial aid to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to enable it to continue to fulfil its national conservation, education, research and economic roles at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park following their closure due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March that work would begin to assess the wider element impacts arising from the present foot and mouth outbreak. The priority is to assess the immediate implications and I expect an initial assessment to be available in the near future. It is too early therefore to reach any decision on compensation in individual cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150635,"EventID":"S1W-13915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing, or will provide, to current conservation, education and research programmes of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which assist Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing, or will provide, to current conservation, education and research programmes of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which assist Scotland and the United Kingdom to meet obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.","AnswerText":"No support for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for conservation, education or research programmes to meet obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity is either in process or intended by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150636,"EventID":"S1W-13916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland sustains directly and indirectly and how much money it generates for the local economy through Edinburgh Zoo and th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland sustains directly and indirectly and how much money it generates for the local economy through Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.","AnswerText":"Data on the employment and turnover of companies and institutions are held by the Inter-Departmental Business Register, to which the Scottish Executive has access. However, the Executive is not able to publish individual record data.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150637,"EventID":"S1W-13917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any other body, has conducted any research into the environmental impact of the application by West of Scotland Water Authority to release sewerage effluen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any other body, has conducted any research into the environmental impact of the application by West of Scotland Water Authority to release sewerage effluent into the River Clyde and, if so, what the results were of this research and which bodies or experts were consulted.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, the West of Scotland Water Authority must obtain a consent from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for each individual discharge it makes to the River Clyde. The agency issues consents subject to conditions to protect the environment which are set individually for each discharge, on the basis of local circumstances. The agency and the water authority are co-operating to ensure that the great improvements to the water quality of the River Clyde, which have been observed year-on-year since the 1970s, continue.

The issue of consents and the setting of relevant conditions, together with the scientific work undertaken to establish those conditions, is a matter for the agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150638,"EventID":"S1W-13918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to safeguard the Scottish National Zoological Collection during the current foot-and-mouth dise","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to safeguard the Scottish National Zoological Collection during the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and beyond.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has provided authoritative veterinary advice on foot-and-mouth disease through its website and a link to the MAFF website. Specific advice where required can also be provided to bodies such as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland on request.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150639,"EventID":"S1W-13919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what measures will be taken to ensure that the four water features opposite the entrance to the new Parliament building at Holyrood will not be occupied by water fowl such","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what measures will be taken to ensure that the four water features opposite the entrance to the new Parliament building at Holyrood will not be occupied by water fowl such as Canadian geese, swans and ducks which currently inhabit St Margaret's Loch in the Queen's Park.","AnswerText":"The possibility of wildfowl inhabiting the "water feature" pools at the Parliament buildings' public entrance has been anticipated by the landscape Architects, and is a common problem to be overcome when designing water features. The Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that at the moment the intention is for an underwater pumping system to be installed to discourage any wildfowl from attempting to settle in the water, which will be extremely shallow. However further advice will be taken at the appropriate time.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150640,"EventID":"S1W-13920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will ensure that the four water features opposite the entrance to the new Parliament building at Holyrood are maintained at a","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will ensure that the four water features opposite the entrance to the new Parliament building at Holyrood are maintained at a clean and attractive standard and that the growth of algae and discoloration of the surrounding stonework is prevented.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that it is intended for the water contained in the "water-feature" pools, at the Parliament buildings' public entrance, to be re-circulated on a regular basis. This process prevents water becoming stagnant and the build up of algae. Routine maintenance will also ensure that the quality of finish is maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150641,"EventID":"S1W-13921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which gla'ed areas of the new Parliament building at Holyrood will use security glass able to withstand external explosions or penetration from projectiles, such as rocks ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which gla'ed areas of the new Parliament building at Holyrood will use security glass able to withstand external explosions or penetration from projectiles, such as rocks or bricks.","AnswerText":"Government guidelines exist which set out physical security requirements for the construction of certain "politically sensitive" public buildings. The guidelines include glazing specifications. The Holyrood Project Group has informed me that these have been incorporated into the design for the Parliament building complex.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150642,"EventID":"S1W-13922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder are currently being prescribed Ritalin, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder are currently being prescribed Ritalin, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150643,"EventID":"S1W-13923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of a recent instance when a child came across unsuitable material on a computer in a Glasgow library, it will ask local authorities to check that In","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of a recent instance when a child came across unsuitable material on a computer in a Glasgow library, it will ask local authorities to check that Internet access in all public libraries is permanently screened to prevent access to pornographic, racist or other offensive material and, in particular, that such systems as do exist are fully utilised until any new systems being developed are fully installed.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for public libraries in Scotland lies with local authorities and it is for Glasgow City Council to consider the action required. If the proper safeguards are in place e.g. filtering, then the incidents should be minimal. Public libraries are being asked under the People's Network Implementation to demonstrate how such issues are to be tackled.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150644,"EventID":"S1W-13924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any police forces in Scotland are currently understaffed; if so, how many officers of each rank any such forces are short of and how long each such force has been","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any police forces in Scotland are currently understaffed; if so, how many officers of each rank any such forces are short of and how long each such force has been understaffed.","AnswerText":"The information sought is not held centrally. From 1 April 1996 the controls previously exercised by Ministers over police force numbers were removed. Since then it has been entirely for chief constables in consultation with police authorities to decide on staffing levels within the resources available to them. As a result of sustained increases in police funding, police numbers are expected to reach record levels by 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150645,"EventID":"S1W-13926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many exam results are still under appeal to the Scottish Qualifications Authority from the 2000 diet and what the estimated timescale is for dealing with these appea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many exam results are still under appeal to the Scottish Qualifications Authority from the 2000 diet and what the estimated timescale is for dealing with these appeals.","AnswerText":"I have been informed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority that of the 87,000 appeals submitted as part of the usual appeals process following the 2000 Diet, no appeals remain outstanding.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150646,"EventID":"S1W-13928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #100 million for the support of renewable energy technologies announced by the Prime Minister on 6 March 2001 it will receive through the Barnett Formula.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #100 million for the support of renewable energy technologies announced by the Prime Minister on 6 March 2001 it will receive through the Barnett Formula.","AnswerText":"The allocation of the £100 million for renewable energy announced by the Prime Minister has yet to be decided, and will be the subject of a report due in the autumn from the UK Government's Performance and Innovation Unit. We will stay in close touch with HM Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150647,"EventID":"S1W-13929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the terms of the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector regarding the protection of occupational pensions were included in the contracts f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the terms of the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector regarding the protection of occupational pensions were included in the contracts for maintenance and management of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given on 22 March 2001 to question S1O-3171 and the supplementary questions.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150648,"EventID":"S1W-13930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in relation to recent reports that BEAR Scotland Ltd may not be acting in accordance with the terms of the Statement of Practice on Staff Transf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in relation to recent reports that BEAR Scotland Ltd may not be acting in accordance with the terms of the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector regarding the protection of occupational pensions of staff transferring employers as a result of the recent tendering exercise for the maintenance and management of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"The First Minister's answer to your question S1F-910 explained the position on occupational pensions under the new contracts. My earlier answer to Murray Tosh (question S1W-8984) explained the Executive's view on the Statement of Practice in general, and the steps which would be taken in the context of the new maintenance contracts. The provision of pensions is a matter for the contractor to determine.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150649,"EventID":"S1W-13931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of the haulage industry regarding compensation or other forms of financial support in connection with the loss of income ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of the haulage industry regarding compensation or other forms of financial support in connection with the loss of income resulting from restrictions on the movement of livestock caused by the current outbreak of foot-and mouth-disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had discussions with the Road Haulage Association. The situation for hauliers will have eased somewhat as a result of the licensing scheme for slaughter which came into effect on 2 March. This licence permits the movement of animals direct from the farm to approved slaughterhouses under strict controls.

I have commissioned work to assess the immediate economic consequences of foot and mouth to allow me to consider the most effective way of helping rural areas and businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150650,"EventID":"S1W-13932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the study by the National Radiological Protection Board linking high-voltage electricity pylons with childhood leukaemia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the study by the National Radiological Protection Board linking high-voltage electricity pylons with childhood leukaemia.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1O-03093 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150651,"EventID":"S1W-13933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to structure the BCG vaccination programme to ensure that all appropriate pupils are vaccinated as soon as possible.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to structure the BCG vaccination programme to ensure that all appropriate pupils are vaccinated as soon as possible.","AnswerText":"We expect discussions regarding the restored supply of the BCG vaccine to be concluded shortly.

The Executive wrote to health board immunisation co-ordinators in Scotland on 15 March to establish how many secondary school children are currently eligible to be vaccinated but who remain unvaccinated. Priority will be given to those pupils due to leave school this summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150652,"EventID":"S1W-13934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Association of Medical Directors will receive terms and conditions of service for Medical Directors in order that their contracts of employment can be agreed wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Association of Medical Directors will receive terms and conditions of service for Medical Directors in order that their contracts of employment can be agreed with NHS Trusts.","AnswerText":"Trust Medical Directors are currently employed on Trust terms and conditions of service. Discussions have been held with the Scottish Association of Medical Directors to bring Trust Medical Directors under ministerial direction similar to other executive directors and a letter about that issued on 4 May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150653,"EventID":"S1W-13935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any computer virus problems in the Common Services Agency and, if so, how it will ensure accurate payments to health professionals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any computer virus problems in the Common Services Agency and, if so, how it will ensure accurate payments to health professionals.","AnswerText":"The Common Services Agency (CSA) has no current computer virus problems. The CSA's networks are fully protected by high quality firewalls and individual systems have additional virus checking software installed. All virus checking software is regularly updated.

These procedures are designed to ensure that all systems including those calculating payments to health professionals are secure.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150654,"EventID":"S1W-13936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with Scottish Borders Council arising from the recent failure by Scottish Power to maintain power supplies to the Borders area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with Scottish Borders Council arising from the recent failure by Scottish Power to maintain power supplies to the Borders area.","AnswerText":"None. Scottish Borders Council initiated its local emergency plan and acted upon this in conjunction with Scottish Power, Lothian and Borders Police and other emergency services. Throughout the emergency, officials kept in close touch with Scottish Power and submitted regular reports to ministers to keep them apprised of the overall response to the emergency situation. It will be a matter for Scottish Borders Council to review their emergency planning arrangements to see what, if anything, might be improved.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150655,"EventID":"S1W-13937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it plans to make to Scottish Power arising from the recent failure to maintain power supplies in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather con","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it plans to make to Scottish Power arising from the recent failure to maintain power supplies in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather conditions.","AnswerText":"None. Throughout the emergency, Scottish Power kept Ministers fully informed about its strenuous efforts to reconnect customers who had lost power as a result of the recent appalling weather conditions which caused such severe damage to the electricity network in the Borders. The company has announced its intention to deal sympathetically with compensation claims from customers who were badly affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150656,"EventID":"S1W-13938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency powers it has and which of these it invoked in the recent power cuts in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency powers it has and which of these it invoked in the recent power cuts in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather conditions.","AnswerText":"Throughout the emergency, the Executive worked closely with agencies such as Lothians and Borders Police, the Scottish Borders Council emergency planning team and Scottish Power in the areas worst affected to restore power as soon as possible. We will consider carefully the lessons and whether we need to conduct a review of the arrangements used. Responses to emergencies of this type are led locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150657,"EventID":"S1W-13939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what difference de-trunking the A7 and A68 has made to snow clearing operations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what difference de-trunking the A7 and A68 has made to snow clearing operations.","AnswerText":"The A7 in Scotland north of Galashiels was de-trunked in 1996. The A7 south of Galashiels and the A68 have not been detrunked.

Trunk roads are given priority for winter maintenance treatment. The de-trunked section of the A7 may therefore be expected to receive slightly lower priority than the trunked section.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150658,"EventID":"S1W-13940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency powers it had and which of these it invoked with regard to reopening the A7 and A68 which were closed for four days due to snow blockage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency powers it had and which of these it invoked with regard to reopening the A7 and A68 which were closed for four days due to snow blockage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not need emergency powers to reopen roads previously closed by snow blockages. Roads are reopened in consultation with the police when it is considered safe to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150659,"EventID":"S1W-13941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take arising from the recent failure to maintain power supplies in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take arising from the recent failure to maintain power supplies in the Scottish Borders area due to adverse weather conditions.","AnswerText":"As is standard in the aftermath of any such event, emergency plans will be reviewed to discover if there are any lessons to be learned.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150660,"EventID":"S1W-13942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture on 28 February 2001 regarding the future structure of the water industry, whether it antic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture on 28 February 2001 regarding the future structure of the water industry, whether it anticipates any delays in the procurement of any construction work planned by the water authorities as a result of these proposed changes and what steps it is taking to avert or minimise any such anticipated delays.","AnswerText":"No delays are anticipated.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150661,"EventID":"S1W-13943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what construction projects with a value of over #1 million are currently expected to be procured by the three water authorities over the next nine months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what construction projects with a value of over #1 million are currently expected to be procured by the three water authorities over the next nine months.","AnswerText":"I have asked the water authorities to provide a list of those construction contracts in excess of £1 million they expect to award in the next nine months. These are as follows:

North of Scotland Water Authority

Achiltibuie Water Supply

Cromarty Wastewater Treatment Plant

Munlochy Wastewater Treatment Plant

Stemster, Dunn, Haster, Reiss - new trunk main

Lochaber Mains Renewals

East Coast Mains Renewals

Balrobert to Oldtown Mains Renewal

Lochcarron Wastewater Treatment Plant

Inverness Sewer Rehabilitation

40\" Mains Lintrathen to Clatto

Tayside Area Mains Renewals

Dundee (Clatto ) Water Treatment Works

Kirkwall Wastewater secondary treatment

Keith Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade & Newmill Wastewater Treatment Plant

Cruden Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant & Combined Sewer Overflow

Grampian Mains Renewal Programme - 00/01 + 01/02

Grampian Combined Sewer Overflow Programme

Water Quality Improvements - Distribution Systems

Stornoway Water Treatment Works & Distribution

Forehill Water Treatment Works & Distribution

Mainland Augmentation - Boardhouse Ph 3

Invercannie Water Treatment Works & Distribution

Turriff Water Treatment Works & Distribution

North Coast Regional Scheme

West of Scotland Water Authority

Glasgow - Acre Road Sewer

Meadowhead - Gailes Storm Water Outfall Sewer

Maidens Kirkoswald Turnberry Sewerage Scheme

Milton, Bowling to Castlegreen (Dumbarton) Sewer

Old Kilpatrick to Dalmuir Sewer

Newton Stewart Wastewater Treatment Works

Stranraer Wastewater Treatment Works

Carradale Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Cove and Kilcreggan Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Inveraray Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Kames and Tighnabruaich Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Machrihanish Drumlemble Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Millport Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Cairndow Water Supply

Taynuilt Water Supply

Peden Water Supply

East of Scotland Water Authority

ESW Orthophosphate dosing

Stirling Lovers Walk Pumping Station

Culross Main Drainage

Figgate Burn Drainage Upgrade

Burntisland MDS PH 3A

Penicuik Wastewater Treatment Works

Penicuik/N.Borders Water Supply

Dunfermline Trunk Sewer Duplication

Alloa West Sewers

Cupar Sludge Treatment Centre","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150662,"EventID":"S1W-13944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13110 by Jackie Baillie on 6 March 2001, whether it will, prior to the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, expand upon i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13110 by Jackie Baillie on 6 March 2001, whether it will, prior to the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, expand upon its definition of \"affordable housing options\".","AnswerText":""Affordable housing options" are properties which are available, for rent or for purchase, at reasonable cost within the context of the overall resources available to the household.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150663,"EventID":"S1W-13945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to look at the emergency planning procedures used in other European countries and, in particular, the procedures used in Scandinavian countries i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to look at the emergency planning procedures used in other European countries and, in particular, the procedures used in Scandinavian countries in relation to maintaining power supplies during adverse weather conditions.","AnswerText":"Emergency planning across Europe and elsewhere reflects the particular threats, risks, hazards and possibility of occurrence relative to the country in question. We already have excellent emergency planning liaison with our European neighbours, including Sweden in particular, exchanging experience and expertise with them.

Ownership of the electricity grid in Scotland lies in the hands of the electricity companies. Consideration of the procedures adopted in other countries for maintaining power supplies in adverse weather is clearly a matter for these utilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150664,"EventID":"S1W-13946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) projected and (b) actual savings were resulting from the centralising of payments by the Common Services Agency (CSA) for doctors, dentists, opticians and p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) projected and (b) actual savings were resulting from the centralising of payments by the Common Services Agency (CSA) for doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists and how much money was taken from health boards to enable the CSA to set up this new system.","AnswerText":"CSA running costs for the functions transferred were estimated to be £7.3 million per annum as compared to the £8.7 million running costs incurred by health boards. Projected savings, therefore, were £1.4 million per annum. The estimated timing of these savings, however, was difficult to judge as a significant part were in fixed overheads rather than transferable revenues and so, in recognition of this, the amounts transferred from health boards was abated by £1.3 million to £6 million. This meant the value of the savings was passed immediately to the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150665,"EventID":"S1W-13947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence of the Common Services Agency overpaying or underpaying dentists, opticians, doctors and pharmacists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence of the Common Services Agency overpaying or underpaying dentists, opticians, doctors and pharmacists.","AnswerText":"In making payments to over 8,000 primary care contractors each month it is inevitable that occasional errors or estimates will result in over or underpayments. Normally such items are corrected immediately following payment. Other than this there is no evidence of over or underpayments for opticians or doctors.

For dentists, the recently introduced Commitment Payment is currently calculated on an estimated basis and as a result of this a number of dentists may have been temporarily over or underpaid by a small amount. Commitment payments comprise less that 2% of total payments to dentists.

For pharmacists, delays resulting from the commissioning of the new computer system mean that all contractors are paid estimates, which will be more or less than the correct payment. However, all over or underpayments are currently being corrected within three months.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150666,"EventID":"S1W-13948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prescribing Analysis data is in arrears and, if so, by how much and how primary care trusts can check practitioners' compliance with prescribing poli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prescribing Analysis data is in arrears and, if so, by how much and how primary care trusts can check practitioners' compliance with prescribing policies.","AnswerText":"Scottish Prescribing Analysis reports are normally provided quarterly to individual prescribers and Primary Care Trusts. The provision of this information is currently two quarters behind normal schedules. This is due to a delay in the processing of prescriptions. Production of the first of the outstanding reports is planned for the end of March.

The routine issue of good practice guidance, which is not affected by the delay in prescription processing, should continue to influence prescriber behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150667,"EventID":"S1W-13949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS Trusts have a projected overspend in their budget for 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS Trusts have a projected overspend in their budget for 2000-01.","AnswerText":"As at 31 December 2000, 13 Trusts projected a year-end overspend. Of those Trusts forecasting overspends, six Trusts forecast overspends greater than £1 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150668,"EventID":"S1W-13950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Mental Welfare Commission's spending plans are reducing in real terms from #1.5 million in the current financial year to #1.4 million in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Mental Welfare Commission's spending plans are reducing in real terms from #1.5 million in the current financial year to #1.4 million in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"In December, when the Budget Documents were being prepared, the Executive had not completed consideration of the allocations to individual health bodies. Since then the Executive has decided to allocate £1,981,000 to the Mental Welfare Commission in 2001-02, an increase of over 31%.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150669,"EventID":"S1W-13951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Food Standards Agency plans to monitor imports of meat to ensure that it meets the standards required of home grown meat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Food Standards Agency plans to monitor imports of meat to ensure that it meets the standards required of home grown meat.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that all imported meat must conform to the same European hygiene standards as UK production. In accordance with European Single Market rules imports from other member states are not checked on import but the EU Food and Veterinary Office make inspection visits in all member states to ensure compliance with single market rules.

Third country imports all come from plants approved by the European Commission. Officials in Border Inspection Posts check all consignments from non-EU countries. These checks ensure that all imported meat has been produced to at least the same standards as domestic produce.

The agency has requested that food authorities step up checks on imports following recent breaches of EU BSE controls detected in consignments of meat from some member states and imports are currently being checked by either Meat Hygiene Service or local authority officers in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150670,"EventID":"S1W-13952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are proposals to design, pilot and evaluate the use of electronic patient-owned health records created and maintained on the Internet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are proposals to design, pilot and evaluate the use of electronic patient-owned health records created and maintained on the Internet.","AnswerText":"Work is under way to establish by 2003 Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) which will contain the detailed record of care of an individual patient in primary and secondary care organisations. Separately work is in hand to pilot by 2002 Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which will contain summarised information on important health events throughout a patient's life. An important part of the work currently under way is to establish protocols for access to these records by healthcare professionals and patients. However, in planning for such developments, security and confidentiality of patients' information, safeguarding patients' rights, is paramount. Such records will be established on secure private networks to ensure patient confidentiality where access can be strictly controlled.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150671,"EventID":"S1W-13953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to design a mechanism to facilitate cross-disciplinary research and development in order to advance integration and innovation in health care and treatm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to design a mechanism to facilitate cross-disciplinary research and development in order to advance integration and innovation in health care and treatment.","AnswerText":"At a strategic level, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department already encourages research projects to have a multidisciplinary involvement. The CSO publication Research Strategy for the National Health Service in Scotland, published in July 1998, identifies the promotion of a multidisciplinary approach to health services research as one of the prime objectives in its overall aim of improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of health services and healthcare. A copy of the Research Strategy is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

This multidisciplinary approach is reflected in CSO funding streams. Having an appropriate multidisciplinary mix is one of the 10 dimensions of assessment by which R&D Support Fund awards are allocated and annually reviewed. Similarly, the majority of research projects funded directly by CSO also have multidisciplinary research teams.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150672,"EventID":"S1W-13954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure greater integration between mathematics, biology, medicine, engineering and the physical sciences in order to facilitate more joined-up research progra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure greater integration between mathematics, biology, medicine, engineering and the physical sciences in order to facilitate more joined-up research programmes.","AnswerText":"Individual research programmes in Scottish higher education institutions are primarily funded by the UK Research Councils. They have mechanisms in place to ensure co-ordination across and between disciplines.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150673,"EventID":"S1W-13955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund and develop a neuropsychiatric disease prevention programme in order to assist and support people with, or prone to, mental illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund and develop a neuropsychiatric disease prevention programme in order to assist and support people with, or prone to, mental illness.","AnswerText":"A wide range of conditions are captured by the term neuropsychiatric disease, including Huntington's Disease, head injury, dementia of cardiovascular origin and senile dementia among many others. The responses and contributions to care and prevention are equally wide-ranging and condition specific.

We will continue to work with health boards and local authorities to devise and implement approaches to care and prevention that not only respond to the needs of different conditions but that also relate to individually assessed needs and inform our prevention measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150674,"EventID":"S1W-13956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any strategy to link research into brain development, brain functions and learning.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any strategy to link research into brain development, brain functions and learning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have a formal strategy on research into brain development, brain functions and learning. However, it is generally recognised that developments in research related to the human brain have an important contribution to raising awareness among teachers, educational researchers and teacher educators of the factors which affect successful learning and teaching in the classroom.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150675,"EventID":"S1W-13957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community land buy-out projects will raise the required capital resources necessary for good stewardship and efficient management of land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community land buy-out projects will raise the required capital resources necessary for good stewardship and efficient management of land.","AnswerText":"It is for individual community bodies to decide how they will raise the required capital. There are sources of financial assistance and advice available to community bodies contemplating land purchases e.g. the New Opportunity Fund's recently launched Scottish Land Fund and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise Community Land Units.

In relation to ensuring good stewardship and efficient management of land, the community right to buy provisions of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill set out the requirements and identify the criteria for the purchase of land. For example, they require community bodies to be representative of the local community; to have plans for the land that are compatible with its sustainable development and to demonstrate that purchases would be in the public interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150676,"EventID":"S1W-13958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the number of people who have lost their jobs as a result of waiting for diagnosis, assessment and treatment from the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the number of people who have lost their jobs as a result of waiting for diagnosis, assessment and treatment from the NHS.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150677,"EventID":"S1W-13959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the NHS drugs budget was spent on (a) baldness, (b) obesity and (c) impotence, in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the NHS drugs budget was spent on (a) baldness, (b) obesity and (c) impotence, in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Information about drugs used in the treatment of obesity and impotence is given in the table. Drugs used in the treatment of male-pattern baldness are not prescribable on the NHS by GPs.

The amounts shown in the table relate to the cost of drugs dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors before the deduction of any discount or the addition of dispensing fees. The cost of drugs dispensed in hospitals is not held centrally.
 

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

 

Cost (£)

% of total *FHS drugs budget

Cost (£)

% of total *FHS drugs budget

Cost (£)

% of total *FHS drugs budget

Drugs used in the treatment of obesity

34,088

0.006%

177,180

0.031%

646,936

0.099%

Drugs used in the treatment of impotence

587,684

0.108%

989,148

0.171%

1,759,147

0.269%

*Family Health Services (FHS).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150678,"EventID":"S1W-13960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been carried out regarding the harmful effects of selenium deficiency in humans and animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been carried out regarding the harmful effects of selenium deficiency in humans and animals.","AnswerText":"A large amount of research has been carried out in the UK and in many other countries on the effects of selenium deficiency on humans and animals. SERAD currently funds a small amount of work on the effects of selenium on thyroid function.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150679,"EventID":"S1W-13961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that increased NHS expenditure will result in improved outcomes which benefit patient health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that increased NHS expenditure will result in improved outcomes which benefit patient health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, sets out a comprehensive series of actions to help ensure that our record investment in health achieves our aims of improving the health of people living in Scotland and of providing high-quality healthcare services.

The Health Plan also sets out our plans for promoting challenging and consistent national service standards for the NHS, improved and integrated NHS planning and decision making, and increased local and national accountability across NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150680,"EventID":"S1W-13962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will give to NHS Trusts on reducing financial deficits prior to the new financial year commencing on 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will give to NHS Trusts on reducing financial deficits prior to the new financial year commencing on 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Sound financial management is a core requirement of every NHS organisation. Each NHS Trust is expected to work to attain financial balance by the year end.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150681,"EventID":"S1W-13963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to gather information on levels of any unmet need for community care for the elderly, people with mental illness and disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to gather information on levels of any unmet need for community care for the elderly, people with mental illness and disabled people.","AnswerText":"Information on levels of unmet need are not currently collected by the Scottish Executive. However, the Social Work Information Review Group indentified this as a requirement in their publication, Local and National Information Requirements for Social Work in Scotland, which was published last year.

Definition work has now started and recommendations are expected to be put out to a variety of care organisations and local authorities for consultation during 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150682,"EventID":"S1W-13964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase access to NHS chiropody treatment and provide additional services in this area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase access to NHS chiropody treatment and provide additional services in this area.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Trusts responsible for primary care, if necessary in consultation with health boards. These bodies are responsible for assessing health service requirements in their area and for deciding on priorities within the increased resources we are making available to NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150683,"EventID":"S1W-13965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether asylum seekers who have settled in Scotland are being given advice, support and access to all vaccination and screening programmes available to other NHS patients","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether asylum seekers who have settled in Scotland are being given advice, support and access to all vaccination and screening programmes available to other NHS patients.","AnswerText":"Asylum seekers have access to health care services in the same way as any other resident of a health board area. In addition special arrangements are in place to screen asylum seekers for active infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150684,"EventID":"S1W-13966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle any excess prescribing of drugs and treatments in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle any excess prescribing of drugs and treatments in the NHS.","AnswerText":"Health boards and NHS Trusts work closely with prescribers to ensure that patients are only prescribed drugs where clinically appropriate. There is a range of measures being taken nationally and locally to support this. These include:

  • feedback and analysis of prescribing information;
  • review of patients receiving repeat prescriptions;
  • local formularies;
  • advice on new drugs/similar drugs;
  • prescribing protocols;
  • local review and audit;
  • national advice from the Health Technology Board for Scotland;
  • advice from local area drugs and therapeutic committees, and

clinical pharmacy systems in hospitals to monitor, advise and review prescribing.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150685,"EventID":"S1W-13967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings were attended by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the weeks beginn","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings were attended by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the weeks beginning (i) 6 November 2000, (ii) 13 November 2000, (iii) 20 November 2000, (iv) 27 November 2000, (v) 4 December 2000, (vi) 11 December 2000, (vii) 18 December 2000, (viii) 8 January 2001, (ix) 15 January 2001, (x) 22 January 2001, (xi) 29 January 2001, (xii) 5 February 2001, (xiii) 12 February 2001, (xiv) 19 February 2001, (xv) 26 February 2001 and (xvi) 5 March 2001.","AnswerText":"Ministerial engagements are given wide publicity: the Scottish Executive Media and Communications Group issues operational notes in advance of them taking place. However, such engagements may be subject to cancellation at any time for a range of reasons and diary records are, therefore, neither comprehensive nor accurate.

Details of Ministerial meetings are internal matters for the Scottish Executive. In the course of a working week, Ministers attend and chair a wide range of meetings, some of which are planned and programmed well in advance while others, such as the need to be in Parliament, are arranged at short notice.

It is, therefore, neither possible nor appropriate to provide information in the format requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150686,"EventID":"S1W-13968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive for how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning's attendance has been cancelled ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive for how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning's attendance has been cancelled in the weeks beginning (i) 12 March 2001, (ii) 19 March 2001, (iii) 26 March 2001, (iv) 2 April 2001, (v) 9 April 2001, (vi) 16 April 2001, (vii) 23 April 2001 and (viii) 30 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Ministers' diaries and forward programmes are kept under constant review. Ministerial engagements and meetings frequently have to be accepted on a provisional basis and may have to be postponed, rearranged or cancelled for a range of reasons, including the need to be in Parliament at short notice. It is, therefore, not possible to provide the information in the form requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150687,"EventID":"S1W-13969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is scheduled to attend in the weeks ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) official ministerial engagements and (b) official ministerial meetings the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is scheduled to attend in the weeks beginning (i) 12 March 2001, (ii) 19 March 2001, (iii) 26 March 2001, (iv) 2 April 2001, (v) 9 April 2001, (vi) 16 April 2001, (vii) 23 April 2001 and (viii) 30 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Details of future official ministerial engagements and official meetings are internal matters for the Scottish Executive. In the course of a working week, Ministers undertake a number of official engagements and attend and chair a wide range of meetings, some of which are planned and programmed well in advance while others, such as the need to be in Parliament, are arranged at short notice. It is neither possible nor appropriate to provide information in the format requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150688,"EventID":"S1W-13970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the amount of money to be distributed to each local authority from the latest additional funding package of #100 million allocated to tackling the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the amount of money to be distributed to each local authority from the latest additional funding package of #100 million allocated to tackling the problem of drugs across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13043 on 5 February 2001, which sets out the distribution arrangements for the new £100 million drugs money. Details of the distribution to local authorities, along with accountability mechanisms, are set out in a package of information and guidance which was issued to all Drug Action Teams shortly following the distribution announcement. This information is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the Drug Misuse in Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150689,"EventID":"S1W-13971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine the distribution of the latest additional funding package of #100 million allocated to tackling the problem of drugs across Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine the distribution of the latest additional funding package of #100 million allocated to tackling the problem of drugs across Scotland, and what weighting will be given to (a) deprivation factors, (b) population and (c) the number of drug-related deaths.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13043 on 5 February 2001, which contains detailed information on the distribution of the additional £100 million drugs expenditure package. Distribution arrangements detailing the weighting given to deprivation and population factors where appropriate, are set out in the resource information and guidance pack issued to Drug Action Teams which is available from the Parliament Reference Centre and the Drug Misuse in Scotland website.

It was not practicable to give special weighting to the number of drug related deaths in the national distribution arrangements. It is anticipated, however, that the wide-ranging package of measures announced will impact significantly on the drug misuse problem, and help achieve the Executive's published target of reducing the number of drug related deaths by at least 25% by 2005.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150690,"EventID":"S1W-13972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate financial assistance will be given to the fish processing industry in view of the impact of the cod recovery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate financial assistance will be given to the fish processing industry in view of the impact of the cod recovery plan.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March that £1 million will be made available to the processing industry to implement recommendations made in the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group report. Detailed responses to the various recommendations will be provided to the group, and subsequently lodged in the Parliamentary Information Centre, as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150691,"EventID":"S1W-13973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the Action Plan produced by the Scottish White Fish Processing Action Group on 12 February 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the Action Plan produced by the Scottish White Fish Processing Action Group on 12 February 2001.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March that £1 million will be made available to the processing industry to implement recommendations made in the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group report. Detailed responses to the various recommendations will be provided to the group, and subsequently lodged in the Parliamentary Information Centre, as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150692,"EventID":"S1W-13974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to safeguard the long-term future of the fish processing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to safeguard the long-term future of the fish processing industry.","AnswerText":"I announced on 8 March that £1 million will be made available to the processing industry to implement recommendations made in the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group report. Detailed responses to the various recommendations will be provided to the group, and subsequently lodged in the Parliamentary Information Centre, as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150693,"EventID":"S1W-13975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-departmental public bodies there were on 1 May 1997 and how many there are currently.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-departmental public bodies there were on 1 May 1997 and how many there are currently.","AnswerText":"Information relating to the number of public bodies is contained in the relevant version of the annual Public Bodies publication. Copies of the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 versions of the document are available from the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150694,"EventID":"S1W-13976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the pay and conditions of service of qualified nursery nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the pay and conditions of service of qualified nursery nurses.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1O-3109 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150695,"EventID":"S1W-13977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in establishing a Scottish centre for people with learning disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in establishing a Scottish centre for people with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"I can announce today that the grant to establish the Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities has been awarded to a Consortium of 13 organisations led by ENABLE.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150696,"EventID":"S1W-13978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the recommendations made in the report The Same As You? have been implemented.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the recommendations made in the report The Same As You? have been implemented.","AnswerText":"The same as you? sets out a programme of change for the next 10 years.

Guidance on the preparation of Partnership in Practice agreements was issued to local authorities and health boards on 19 March.

I can announce today that the grant to establish the Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities has been awarded to a Consortium of 13 organisations led by ENABLE. The new centre will have a key role in offering training and advice to agencies, staff and others concerned in putting in place the recommendations of the review.

In addition, officials wrote last week to the Scottish Society for Autism with an offer of a grant of £16,400 to carry out a mapping exercise to prepare for the national service network for people with autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150697,"EventID":"S1W-13979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding it has allocated to the implementation of the recommendations made in the report The Same As You?.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding it has allocated to the implementation of the recommendations made in the report The Same As You?.","AnswerText":"We announced in September that change funds of £8 million, £12 million and £16 million would be provided to local authorities over the next three years to assist with implementing the review's recommendations.

I can announce today that a grant of £1.5 million over five years has been awarded to a Consortium of 13 organisations led by ENABLE to establish the Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities.

£16,400 has been offered to the Scottish Society for Autism to carry out a mapping exercise to prepare for the national service network for people with autistic spectrum disorder.

Using new and existing resources together is a vital part of the Executive's strategy. We are also expecting agencies to act on the report's suggestion that better outcomes are possible by making better use of existing resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150698,"EventID":"S1W-13980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the national guidelines for Local Economic Forums.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the national guidelines for Local Economic Forums.","AnswerText":"The national guidelines on Local Economic Forums have been published today on the Scottish Executive website. The guidelines have been issued following consultation with a wide range of interests. The Local Economic Forums are the main response to the ELL Committee inquiry into local economic development and I expect them to create a simpler, more cohesive structure for local economic development in Scotland.

Copies of the national guidelines have been lodged with the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150699,"EventID":"S1W-13981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to help the tourist industry to deal with any loss of business caused by the foot and mouth outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to help the tourist industry to deal with any loss of business caused by the foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerText":"I am fully aware of the effect that the outbreak of foot and mouth is having on the tourism industry. I have arranged to get regular reports about the position in every part of Scotland and I have met with individual businesses to find out the problems at first hand.

I have asked visitscotland to prepare a recovery plan for the tourism industry. This will include launching the postponed £2 million spring campaign as soon as it is sensible to do so. Once the outbreak is over, the British Tourist Authority will pull out all the stops to promote Britain abroad.

In addition, Ross Finnie is chairing a group with representatives from the Enterprise Networks, visitscotland and local authorities to examine the impact these problems are having on the wider rural economy, in which, of course, the tourism industry figures largely.

This is, of course, a UK problem and I am in regular contact with ministerial colleagues to ensure that action is co-ordinated. I will be hosting a tourism summit in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150700,"EventID":"S1W-13982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints were made to health boards against pharmacists and how many local resolutions there were as a result in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints were made to health boards against pharmacists and how many local resolutions there were as a result in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"These statistics are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150701,"EventID":"S1W-13983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13417 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 28 February 2001 which outlined the revenue forgone by water authorities as a result of water charges ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13417 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 28 February 2001 which outlined the revenue forgone by water authorities as a result of water charges relief, how it calculated these figures and with whom any consultation took place on the calculations.","AnswerText":"These figures were calculated specifically to answer question S1W-13417. They were verified with the water authorities, on the basis of the reliefs they currently grant to the relevant bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150702,"EventID":"S1W-13984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop smart cards or a database containing patients' genetic information to enable electronic prescribing of treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop smart cards or a database containing patients' genetic information to enable electronic prescribing of treatment.","AnswerText":"Genetic (DNA) typing has the potential to allow drug treatments to be more accurately tailored to individual patients and help identify those patients most likely to respond to treatment or those most at risk of side effects. Although it is already in use for some cancer treatments, the technique is still very much a research tool and there are no current plans for the development of supporting systems in the form of smart cards or databases containing genetic information to enable electronic prescribing of treatment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150703,"EventID":"S1W-13985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12337 by Susan Deacon on 8 February 2001, how many patients are being given medication for the treatment of attention deficiency di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12337 by Susan Deacon on 8 February 2001, how many patients are being given medication for the treatment of attention deficiency disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and what type of medication is being administered.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150704,"EventID":"S1W-13986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists to show what improvements have been made in the care and service delivery through Local Health Care Co-operatives and how the cost of delivering suc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists to show what improvements have been made in the care and service delivery through Local Health Care Co-operatives and how the cost of delivering such care and services compares with the previous structure.","AnswerText":"The work of the LHCC Best Practice Group has identified a substantial range of service improvements. Audit Scotland has also carried out an evaluation of LHCCs' range of activities. Reports from both pieces of work are expected shortly and will, together with other related work, inform what the Executive does next on this issue.

LHCCs are supported through their local Primary Care Trust. When fundholding ended, the £13.5 million used to pay fundholding management allowances was transferred to local unified budgets to facilitate that support. The GP fundholding scheme covered 50% of GP practices, whereas 97% of GP practices are covered by LHCCs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150705,"EventID":"S1W-13987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which its main priorities are from the 258 action points contained in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which its main priorities are from the 258 action points contained in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"The Executive's priorities are for healthier people in Scotland and for a modern, responsive NHS which puts the patient at the centre of everything it does. The specific actions set out in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change will help to deliver these priorities to a defined timescale.

We are providing the resources to enable the service to deliver what the people of Scotland need, when and where they need it.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150706,"EventID":"S1W-13988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the NHSiS spent on the use of bank and agency nurses in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the NHSiS spent on the use of bank and agency nurses in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150707,"EventID":"S1W-13989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to Glasgow City Council on their inspection rates for private residential homes which are almost twice as high as the rates fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to Glasgow City Council on their inspection rates for private residential homes which are almost twice as high as the rates for local authority and voluntary sector homes, as set out in Table 5b of the Audit Scotland Performance Indicators 1999-2000, Social Work: Comparing the performance of Scottish councils.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive guidance, issued under section 5(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, indicates that it is for local authorities to determine the frequency of inspections on any establishment. Authorities are expected to undertake at least two inspections on establishments per year; however, additional visits are to be made as necessary to investigate concerns and monitor the implementation of recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150708,"EventID":"S1W-13990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to the 12 local authorities who currently carry out less than two inspections a year on residential homes, as set out in Table","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to the 12 local authorities who currently carry out less than two inspections a year on residential homes, as set out in Table 5b of the Audit Scotland Performance Indicators 1999-2000, Social Work: Comparing the performance of Scottish councils.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive guidance, issued under section 5(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, indicates that, while it is for local authorities to determine the number of inspections per establishment, two inspections per year is the normal minimum requirement. Authorities are required to provide at least one annual comprehensive overview of the performance of each establishment.

There are no plans to issue guidance to those authorities that carry out less than two inspections a year on residential homes. The Regulation of Care Bill proposes to set up the Commission for the Regulation of Care to replace existing registration and inspection by local authorities and health boards. This national body should become operational in April 2002 and its function will be to register and inspect all care services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150709,"EventID":"S1W-13991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the drugs budget according to category of treatment for specific illness and disease, broken down by health board, for each of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the drugs budget according to category of treatment for specific illness and disease, broken down by health board, for each of the last two financial years.","AnswerText":"Information on drug costs is provided routinely in a number of reports including Scottish Prescribing Analysis (SPA) and financial schedules. These relate to British National Formulary chapters and sub-sections. Information relating to the last two financial years is given in the table "Information on Prescribing Cost and Items" published by the Common Services Agency, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12055).

However, there are relatively few drugs that link specifically to an illness or disease. Therefore such information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150710,"EventID":"S1W-13992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is available to people to allow them to make informed choices on types of vitamin, mineral and other supplements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is available to people to allow them to make informed choices on types of vitamin, mineral and other supplements.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency Scotland, who have responsibility for policy on dietary supplements sold as foods (i.e. not medicines), that, as there are also significant interests in this issue within the Scottish Executive, the information to answer this question fully is still being researched. I shall write to the member by the 27 April 2001 with the requested information, and place a copy of the letter within the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12346).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150711,"EventID":"S1W-13993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is ultimately responsible at both management and NHS Trust level for cleanliness in hospitals and hospital wards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is ultimately responsible at both management and NHS Trust level for cleanliness in hospitals and hospital wards.","AnswerText":"Ultimate responsibility for hospital hygiene rests with the Chief Executives of the NHS Trusts which operate the hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150712,"EventID":"S1W-13994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the reductions in 1999-2000 of the numbers of clients receiving home care of (a) up to two hours per week, (b) two to four hours p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the reductions in 1999-2000 of the numbers of clients receiving home care of (a) up to two hours per week, (b) two to four hours per week and (c) more than 10 hours a week, as set out in Table 2A of the Audit Scotland Performance Indicators 1999-2000, Social work: Comparing the performance of Scottish councils.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has committed substantial additional resources to extending and improving on the provision of care to people in their own homes. In each of the next three years respectively, the allocation of resources for Community Care is set to increase by over £90 million, £135 million and £195 million. This will include a major additional investment for home care services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150713,"EventID":"S1W-13995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the expansion of the private health care sector as recommended in the British Medical Association Report Healthcare funding review, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the expansion of the private health care sector as recommended in the British Medical Association Report Healthcare funding review, and, if so, how this will be done.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150714,"EventID":"S1W-13997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pulmonary nurses are employed by the NHS in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pulmonary nurses are employed by the NHS in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150715,"EventID":"S1W-13998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for radiotherapy treatment for lung cancer in each NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for radiotherapy treatment for lung cancer in each NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"Information is not available centrally in the form requested. Radiotherapy facilities are provided from five cancer centres in Scotland, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.

So far as waiting times are concerned I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-8087.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150716,"EventID":"S1W-13999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for surgery on lung cancer in each NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for surgery on lung cancer in each NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times for admission to hospital from the inpatient and day case waiting list for lung cancer surgery, in the year ending 30 September 2000, by NHS Trust are given in the table.

The Scottish Cancer Group is currently preparing a cancer plan for Scotland which will be published in the near future. The plan will include national targets for maximum waiting times.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for Hospital Admission from the Inpatient and Day Case Waiting List for Lung Cancer1 Surgery: Year Ending 30 September 2000p

NHS Trust of Treatment

Median Wait

(Days)

Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals

8

Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals

5

Borders Acute Hospitals

12

Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity

12

Fife Acute Hospitals

3

Forth Valley Acute Hospitals

6

Grampian Acute Hospitals

8

Highland Acute Hospitals

3

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals

5

Lothian University Hospitals

21

North Glasgow University Hospitals

20

South Glasgow University Hospitals

9

Tayside University Hospitals

13

West Lothian

1

Scotland

13

p Provisional

Notes:

1. Patients are defined using diagnosis and operation codes taken from World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10) and the Office of Population and Censuses and Surveys Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures 4th Revision (OPCS4) respectively. Patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer have been selected on the basis of having a principal diagnosis code C33 and C34 and a principal operation code E39-E48, E50 or E52-E62.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150717,"EventID":"S1W-14000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it provided for medical research in each of the last three financial years; which organisations benefited from this funding in each year and how much fun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it provided for medical research in each of the last three financial years; which organisations benefited from this funding in each year and how much funding each organisation received.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department spends approximately £40 million per year on medical research. Of this, £30 million is allocated from the R&D Support Fund budget to NHS providers for research activities and related infrastructure costs. Table 1 details the allocation for the last three financial years for each NHS provider. Awards made to Trusts prior to 1 April 1999 have been allocated to their successor Trusts in the interests of comparability with later years.

In addition, CSO provides approximately £2.8 million of funding annually for seven research units. Table 2 details the allocation to each unit for the last three financial years. CSO also awards a significant number of research grants to individual researchers which are administered by their respective research institution. Total expenditure in any financial year in respect of such grants is approximately £5.5 million. Details of the grants awarded in the last three financial years were provided in my answer to question S1W-13052.

The remainder of the CSO research budget largely consists of a significant number of relatively small amounts. Summary information on payments made to the wide range organisations and individuals involved is not readily available.

Table 1

Support Fund Recipient

Year

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Argyll & Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

21,275

49,467

76,875

Ayrshire & Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

11,000

25,650

Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care NHS Trust

160,000

164,160

179,375

Borders General Hospital NHS Trust

19,625

Borders Primary Care NHS Trust

46,125

Fife Primary Care NHS Trust

47,150

Forth Valley Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

8,200

Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust

18,000

18,468

The Lord Advocate has written recently to the Convenor of the All Party Group on Tobacco with further details of the review.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150729,"EventID":"S1W-14012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which abattoirs have been licensed under the scheme allowing movement of livestock during the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; what criteria were used in the l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which abattoirs have been licensed under the scheme allowing movement of livestock during the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; what criteria were used in the licensing of these abattoirs; whether further licences will be issued if more abattoirs are required, and whether there is any provision under the scheme which limits or aims to limit the length of journey between farm and abattoir.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have approved the red meat premises listed below under the arrangements for livestock to go direct from farm to abattoir for slaughter contained in the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area)(Scotland) (No 2) Order 2001. Any further applications for approval will be considered on their merits.

Grampian County Pork Ltd (Buckie) Buccleuch Scotch Beef, Castle Douglas

Sandyford Abattoir Ltd, Paisley Millers of Speyside, Grantown on Spey

John M Munro Ltd, Dingwall St Andrews Abattoir

Bryson Meats Ltd, Strathaven Rhinds of Elgin

Kepak Buchan, Turriff Wick Slaughterhouse

Mathers (Inverurie) Ltd James Chapman Ltd, Shotts

Orkney Meat Ltd, Kirkwall Wishaw Abattoir

Scotch Premier Meat, Inverurie ABP Bathgate Ltd

Scotbeef Bridge of Allan R Y Henderson & Sons, Linlithgow

Robertson's Fine Foods, Ardrossan Scottish Borders Abattoir, Galashiels

D S Stevenson, Dunblane Blackwaterfoot Slaughterhouse, Arran

McIntosh Donald, Portlethen G McTaggarts, Islay

Highland Meats Ltd, Saltcoats Matheson Jess Ltd, Brechin

ABP Perth Heather Isle Meats, Stornoway

Biggar Wholesale Meats Scarinish Slaughterhouse, Tiree

Ramsay of Carluke G D Vivers & Sons, Annan

Grampian County Pork, Matheson Jess Ltd, Dundee

Halls Ltd, Broxburn Shetland Pork, Shetland

Magnus Smith, Shetland Shetland Slaughterhouse

A K Stoddart, Ayr

To obtain approval abattoirs must:

(i) have a current licence under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995;

(ii) have adequate facilities to cleanse and disinfect each livestock vehicle before it leaves the premises;

(iii) have adequate drainage;

(iv) provide full veterinary ante-mortem inspection for all animals, and

(v) have adequate management systems to ensure slaughter of animals within 24 hours of their arrival on the premises.

Journeys from farm to slaughter must be direct, without a scheduled stop and should be completed within four hours. Longer journeys may be permitted but, where these exceed four hours, two drivers must be used.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150730,"EventID":"S1W-14013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the publication of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer by the National Radiological Protection Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the publication of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer by the National Radiological Protection Board.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1O-3093 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150731,"EventID":"S1W-14014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to introduce specialised support facilities for adults with autism and/or Asperger's Syndrome across health boards, social work departments and local","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to introduce specialised support facilities for adults with autism and/or Asperger's Syndrome across health boards, social work departments and local authorities.","AnswerText":"The learning disability review, The Same As You?, explored the needs of people with autism and learning disability. Twenty-nine recommendations were made, including assessment of local need by local authorities and health boards, and the establishment of a national service network for people with autistic spectrum disorder and a Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities.

Health boards and local authorities were also encouraged to identify a named professional who would be responsible for improving local services and linking into the national network.

The Partnership in Practice agreements, due to be submitted in June, should include proposals for meeting the needs locally of adults with autism.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150732,"EventID":"S1W-14015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are being taken to assist people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in making the transition from school to employment or further education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are being taken to assist people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in making the transition from school to employment or further education.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to supporting individuals with additional support needs into further education, training or employment.

The Scottish Executive Innovation Grants Programme is providing £6 million over 3 years from April 1999 to support voluntary and non-statutory organisations in the area of special educational needs. Autism has been highlighted as a priority and the programme is currently providing over £500k to 4 voluntary organisations to run 6 projects specifically aimed at supporting children and their families with autistic spectrum disorder.

In response to the Beattie Committee, we have made available additional resources of £22.6 million over 3 years to take forward action. £15.1 million is available for the development of key worker support, improved identification of learning and support needs and tracking. Careers service companies have been asked to co-ordinate multi-agency bids for imaginative projects to improve transition for Scotland's most vulnerable young people including those with Asperger's Syndrome.

The Learning Disabilities Review recognised the need for more support for people with autistic spectrum disorder. In response to the review, local authorities and health boards will identify named professionals who will be responsible for improving local services for people with autism, linking into a national network.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150733,"EventID":"S1W-14016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients within psychiatric wards have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients within psychiatric wards have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the table.

Due to the small number of patients identified, this table has only been split by age for males and has not been split by health board for males or females. This avoids divulging personal information.

Patients1 discharged from psychiatric wards2 in Scotland during financial years 1997/98 to 1999/2000 with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome3

Age Group

Number of Patients

Males

 

All Ages

45

Under 15

6

15-24

26

25-44

13

45-64

-

65-74

-

75+

-

Females

 

All Ages

4

Source: ISD Scotland, SMR04.

Notes:

1 Patients who are discharged more than once during the 3 year period are only counted once in the above table. In such cases, age is determined at the date of last discharge.

2 Inpatient discharges from psychiatric specialties in mental illness hospitals, psychiatric units and learning disability hospitals

3 Defined as code F84.5 in the International Classification of Diseases, Volume 10 (ICD10).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150734,"EventID":"S1W-14017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all research projects carried out on Asperger's Syndrome; what the costs were of each project, and who met these costs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all research projects carried out on Asperger's Syndrome; what the costs were of each project, and who met these costs.","AnswerText":"Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department is aware of 46 recently completed or ongoing studies into Asperger's Syndrome in the UK, 3 of which are in Scotland. None of these have been funded by the CSO. Details of the projects are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150735,"EventID":"S1W-14018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome have had a Community Care Assessment in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome have had a Community Care Assessment in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150736,"EventID":"S1W-14019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome have had a Record of Needs in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome have had a Record of Needs in the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) health board area.","AnswerText":"Statistics are collected on the numbers of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder by age and gender in each school. The statistics are not broken down by severity or type, and it is, therefore, not possible to provide information specific to children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150737,"EventID":"S1W-14020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12771 by Susan Deacon on 23 February 2001, which NHS Trusts and health boards (a) currently authorise or (b) plan to authorise scho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12771 by Susan Deacon on 23 February 2001, which NHS Trusts and health boards (a) currently authorise or (b) plan to authorise school nurses to make the emergency contraceptive Levonelle available to children over 12 years of age.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150738,"EventID":"S1W-14021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to Common Agricultural Policy subsidy payments during the current foot and mouth outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to Common Agricultural Policy subsidy payments during the current foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerText":"We will be implementing the CAP subsidy rules as flexibly as possible where producers have been unable to comply with these due to the foot and mouth disease restrictions. We will also be making balance and other payments under the schemes as early as possible to address cash flow problems.

We will issue a letter shortly to all livestock producers in Scotland providing more detail on the scheme rule flexibilities and the future schedule of payments. A copy will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150739,"EventID":"S1W-14022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the proportion of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude homeless people living rough or in bed and bre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the proportion of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude homeless people living rough or in bed and breakfast accommodation.","AnswerText":"The statistics on the proportion of people living in income poverty are based on data collected by the Department of Social Security's Family Resources Survey (FRS).

The FRS is a survey of private households in Great Britain, and as such does not cover those areas of the population living outside private households e.g. students in halls of residence, people living in nursing and residential homes, people in hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation, and people sleeping rough.

Most Government surveys are based on private households, as it is expensive and in some cases impractical to collect data on people living outwith private households.

The Social Justice Annual Report covers issues surrounding people sleeping rough and temporary accommodation through specific milestones.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150740,"EventID":"S1W-14023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the proportion of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude people living north of the Caledonian Canal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the proportion of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude people living north of the Caledonian Canal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's statistics on the proportion of people living in income poverty do not exclude people living north of the Caledonian Canal.

The statistics are based on data collected by the Department of Social Security's Family Resources Survey (FRS). In common with some other household surveys, the Scottish Islands and the area to the north of the Caledonian Canal were excluded from the FRS sample due to the costs of carrying out fieldwork in these areas. Although they were not included in the sample, it was assumed that their income levels were similar to the rest of Scotland, and the overall estimates for Scotland represent the whole household population.

To improve the quality of the Scottish data, the Scottish Executive has provided funding for DSS to extend the coverage of the survey to the Scottish Islands and the area north of the Caledonian Canal. This change will take effect from April 2001 and the first results on the new basis will cover the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150741,"EventID":"S1W-14024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the number of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude people living in institutions such as nursing home","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statistics on the number of people living in poverty contained in its Social Justice Annual Report 2000 exclude people living in institutions such as nursing homes and residential homes for the elderly and in houses in multiple occupancy.","AnswerText":"The statistics on the proportion of people living in income poverty are based on data collected by the Department of Social Security's Family Resources Survey (FRS).

The FRS is a survey of private households in Great Britain, and as such does not cover those areas of the population living outside private households e.g. people living in nursing and residential homes. People living in multiple occupancy houses are included if the household is a private household.

Most Government surveys are based on private households, as it is expensive and in some cases impractical to collect data on people living outwith private households. There are also additional difficulties in applying the definition of income poverty to those living in institutions; one of the main assumptions behind the poverty analysis is that household income is a proxy indicator of standard of living and this assumption does not transfer to people living in institutions.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150742,"EventID":"S1W-14025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that staff transferring from local authority employment to the employment of private contractors who have been awarded trunk roads maintenance cont","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that staff transferring from local authority employment to the employment of private contractors who have been awarded trunk roads maintenance contracts are offered continuity of their pension arrangements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1F-00910 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150743,"EventID":"S1W-14026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the development of the credit union movement in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the development of the credit union movement in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have published today an Action Plan for the development of the credit union movement in Scotland Unlocking the Potential: An Action Plan for the credit union movement in Scotland. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

To support the implementation of the Action Plan I am making available £1.5 million over the next three years and additional support for volunteering initiatives and IT systems. A Scottish Credit Union Partnership will be established to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan and monitor progress.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150744,"EventID":"S1W-14027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a major factor in spreading foot and mouth disease has been the practice of sending animals on lengthy journeys to slaughter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a major factor in spreading foot and mouth disease has been the practice of sending animals on lengthy journeys to slaughter.","AnswerText":"All aspects of this very serious disease outbreak will be carefully reviewed once the outbreak has been eliminated. The movement of stock is likely to be one of the issues which is addressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150745,"EventID":"S1W-14028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will end the transportation of live animals on long journeys to slaughter and adopt a policy of local slaughter and long haul transportation of carcasses only.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will end the transportation of live animals on long journeys to slaughter and adopt a policy of local slaughter and long haul transportation of carcasses only.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is taking all necessary steps to contain and eradicate foot and mouth disease from livestock in Scotland. This is the first priority.

Most slaughter is taking place locally and this is being encouraged. However, having taken advice from the Chief Veterinary Officer on this matter, it is not proposed to ban longer journeys of livestock to slaughter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150746,"EventID":"S1W-14029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the re-opening of local abattoirs in order to help local farms to alleviate any suffering of animals on long journeys and to help curb the spr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the re-opening of local abattoirs in order to help local farms to alleviate any suffering of animals on long journeys and to help curb the spread of disease.","AnswerText":"Virtually all of the abattoirs which were closed as a result of the Foot and Mouth outbreak have now reopened to handle livestock movement for slaughter. This makes outlets available locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150747,"EventID":"S1W-14030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recommending that supermarkets adopt a policy of buying local meat from local abattoirs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recommending that supermarkets adopt a policy of buying local meat from local abattoirs.","AnswerText":"In my discussions with retailers I strongly encourage them to source more produce from Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150748,"EventID":"S1W-14031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it is undertaking on providing support for tourism in Dumfries and Galloway in the light of the anticipated downturn as a result of the foot and mouth d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it is undertaking on providing support for tourism in Dumfries and Galloway in the light of the anticipated downturn as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I visited Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board on Friday 16 March, to discuss the position at first hand with tourism businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150749,"EventID":"S1W-14032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of (a) the loss to tourism in the light of the immediate restrictions on travel and visiting recommended as a result of the foot and mouth dise","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of (a) the loss to tourism in the light of the immediate restrictions on travel and visiting recommended as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak, (b) the medium-term impact on tourism and tourist businesses if the restrictions were to continue in place for more than one month and (c) the long-term impact on tourism and tourist businesses through adverse publicity generated by the outbreak, broken down by electoral region.","AnswerText":"Visitscotland estimate that the cost to the tourism industry in Scotland is currently £10 million per week. The month of April is normally worth around £230 million. Looking further ahead, we have put in place an Economic Impact Group to estimate the effects on the tourism and other industries. That Group is collecting comprehensive information from around Scotland. In due course we will provide reliable estimates of the medium and long term effects.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150750,"EventID":"S1W-14033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult widely within the tourist industry and, in particular, with tourist businesses in Dumfries and Galloway so that it is fully aware of any hardship ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult widely within the tourist industry and, in particular, with tourist businesses in Dumfries and Galloway so that it is fully aware of any hardship and difficulties being caused for the industry as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and whether it will consider a compensation scheme for the industry.","AnswerText":"I am fully aware of the problems that the tourism industry is facing. I met representatives of tourism businesses in Dumfries and Galloway on 16 March. I had a meeting earlier in the week with businesses in Perthshire. We are looking at ways in which we can assist the industry both at the UK and Scottish level.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150751,"EventID":"S1W-14034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13203 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 22 February 2001, when it will announce the date of commencement of training of Gaelic-medium teac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13203 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 22 February 2001, when it will announce the date of commencement of training of Gaelic-medium teachers at Lews Castle College.","AnswerText":"The establishment of the proposed course is a matter for the College in consultation with Strathclyde University and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. I expect an announcement to be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150752,"EventID":"S1W-14035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13048 by Henry McLeish on 16 February 2001, how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government have to da","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13048 by Henry McLeish on 16 February 2001, how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government have to date been (a) distributed free of charge to recipients and (b) sold, and how many people have accessed the document on the Executive's website.","AnswerText":"1,867 copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government have been distributed free of charge to recipients, and 35 copies have been sold through The Stationery Office Bookshop.

Information on the number of people who have accessed the document on the Executive's website is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150753,"EventID":"S1W-14036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13519 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 2 March 2001, whether adherence to the ministerial code is checked or supervised by the First Minister","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13519 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 2 March 2001, whether adherence to the ministerial code is checked or supervised by the First Minister and, if so, whether the First Minister will provide an answer to the question, rather than the Minister whose actions the question pertains to. ","AnswerText":"I am satisfied that the Minister has complied with the terms of the Ministerial Code.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150754,"EventID":"S1W-14037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote and assist with the possible development of a super port at Scapa Bay in Orkney.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote and assist with the possible development of a super port at Scapa Bay in Orkney.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware of the study commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council, and the Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to examine the feasibility of creating an offshore container hub port in Orkney, and awaits with interest the results of the further studies which need to be carried out to take forward the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150755,"EventID":"S1W-14038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to initiate an inquiry into the pay and conditions of nursery nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to initiate an inquiry into the pay and conditions of nursery nurses.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1O-3109 on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150756,"EventID":"S1W-14039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to give additional funding to local authorities for the replacement of play equipment in public parks which does not meet EU safety standards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to give additional funding to local authorities for the replacement of play equipment in public parks which does not meet EU safety standards.","AnswerText":"We are providing local authorities with £1.2 billion in additional support over the next 3 years, including a 40% increase in their allocations for capital investment. It is for each authority to ensure that its facilities meet appropriate safety standards.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150757,"EventID":"S1W-14040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out into the social and health benefits of providing equipped play areas for children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out into the social and health benefits of providing equipped play areas for children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not carried out any recent studies into the social and health benefits of providing equipped play areas for children.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150758,"EventID":"S1W-14041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will expand the guidelines set out in National Planning Policy Guidelines 11 - Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space to include guidelines on the provision","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will expand the guidelines set out in National Planning Policy Guidelines 11 - Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space to include guidelines on the provision of play equipment in public parks. ","AnswerText":"Yes. A Planning Advice Note will be prepared to complement the guidance in NPPG 11. The PAN will take account of recently published research and highlight how local authorities can improve the quality and provision of all forms of open space.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150759,"EventID":"S1W-14042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each year from 1995 to 2000, how many persons registered under section 9 of the Marriages (Scotland) Act 1977 have subsequently had that registration removed because","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each year from 1995 to 2000, how many persons registered under section 9 of the Marriages (Scotland) Act 1977 have subsequently had that registration removed because of the grounds specified in section 10 (1) (d) (ii) of that Act.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150760,"EventID":"S1W-14043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a national strategy to tackle lung disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a national strategy to tackle lung disease.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans for a formal national strategy. The Executive's policies on healthy lifestyles, like smoking and diet, along with the measures being taken to improve life circumstances, will all help prevent many lung diseases. Our record investment in the NHS will help health boards and NHS Trusts to meet the health care needs of people with lung diseases.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150761,"EventID":"S1W-14044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will institute a review of car leasing and mileage rates available to NHSiS staff, particularly community nurses and health visitors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will institute a review of car leasing and mileage rates available to NHSiS staff, particularly community nurses and health visitors.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, along with the other UK Health Departments, is currently undertaking a joint review of section 24 of the General Whitley Council Handbook which covers car leasing and mileage rates for all NHS staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150762,"EventID":"S1W-14045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the free parking badge scheme to cover community nurses and health visitors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the free parking badge scheme to cover community nurses and health visitors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3168 on 22 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150763,"EventID":"S1W-14046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive to retain revenue generated as a result of investment in new facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive to retain revenue generated as a result of investment in new facilities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is looking to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive to provide more detailed information so that further consideration may be given to this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150764,"EventID":"S1W-14049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing practices in the court system with a view to a more modern image being conveyed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing practices in the court system with a view to a more modern image being conveyed.","AnswerText":"The work of the courts is kept under review in a variety of ways to ensure that the practices and procedures of the courts meet modern requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150765,"EventID":"S1W-14050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for (a) orthopaedic outpatient appointments and (b) orthopaedic surgery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for (a) orthopaedic outpatient appointments and (b) orthopaedic surgery.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times for a first outpatient orthopaedic appointment with a Consultant following a General Medical Practitioner referral, and for orthopaedic surgery, by health board of residence, for the year ending 31 December 2000, are provided in the table.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for a First Outpatient Orthopaedic Appointment1 with a Consultant Following Referral by a General Medical Practitioner, and for Orthopaedic Surgery2. Year Ending 31 December 2000p

Health Board

Median Wait For First Outpatient Appointment1

(Days)

Median Wait For Surgery2

(Days)

Argyll and Clyde

76

85

Ayrshire and Arran

75

90

Borders

71

71

Dumfries and Galloway

79

56

Fife

75

112

Forth Valley

139

114

Grampian

69

52

Greater Glasgow

100

91

Highland

96

68

Lanarkshire

117

58

Lothian

87

99

Orkney

45

61

Shetland

57

65

Tayside

60

74

Western Isles

55

23

Scotland

83

76

p Provisional

Notes:

1. Excludes patients with a Patient's Charter guarantee exception code.

2. Patients routinely admitted from the inpatient/day case waiting list.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150766,"EventID":"S1W-14051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for hip replacement operations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for hip replacement operations.","AnswerText":"Information on the median waiting times for a total hip replacement, by health board area of residence, for the year ending 31 December 2000, is provided in the table.

NHSScotland is performing more total hip replacement operations than ever before. Provisional figures show that in the year to 30 September 2000, 4,929 total hip replacement operations were undertaken, an increase of 287(6.2%) on the figure for the year ending 31 March 1997.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for Patients Admitted from the Inpatient/Day Case Waiting List for Total Hip Replacement1 Operations, by Health Board Area of Residence: Year Ending 31 December 2000p

Health Board

Median Wait (Days)

Argyll and Clyde

140

Ayrshire and Arran

142

Borders

159

Dumfries and Galloway

208

Fife

189

Forth Valley

235

Grampian

93

Greater Glasgow

230

Highland

133

Lanarkshire

102

Lothian

208

Orkney

56

Shetland

107

Tayside

118

Western Isles

43

Scotland

147

p Provisional.

Source: ISD, Scotland.

Notes:

1. Patients are defined using operation code taken from the Office of Population and Censuses and Surveys Classification of Surgical Operations and procedures 4th Revision (OPCS4). Hip Replacement (Total) has been defined using principal procedure code W37-W 39.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150767,"EventID":"S1W-14052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for knee replacement operations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by health board area of current waiting times for knee replacement operations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150768,"EventID":"S1W-14053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001, whether it will provide figures for the percentage of beef and sheep farmers who were eli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001, whether it will provide figures for the percentage of beef and sheep farmers who were eligible for the previous Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance who will be worse off under the new less favoured area formula, broken down by Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department local office area, for those areas from which claims have been processed and analysed to date.","AnswerText":"Analysis based on claims processed to date could be misleading. I shall make analysis available once all Less-Favoured Area Support Scheme claims have been analysed and processed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150769,"EventID":"S1W-14054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001, when it expects the figures to be processed and analysed for each Scottish Executive Rura","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001, when it expects the figures to be processed and analysed for each Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department local office area, and whether it will make the figures available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The immediate priority is to ensure payments are made to eligible farmers and crofters as soon as possible. Analysis will be completed over the coming months and shall be made available to the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150770,"EventID":"S1W-14055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-12634 and S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 2 February and 28 February 2001 respectively, how it is able to give the figures detailed i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-12634 and S1W-13385 by Ross Finnie on 2 February and 28 February 2001 respectively, how it is able to give the figures detailed in the answer to S1W-12634 for Kintyre but not for other Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department local office areas. ","AnswerText":"Early estimates of the impact of the Less-Favoured Area Support Scheme were prepared as a guide. I shall make a full analysis available once all claims have been processed and analysed.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150771,"EventID":"S1W-14056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11800 by Mr Jack McConnell on 5 March 2001, whether it will consider the inclusion of developmental co-ordination disorders, includ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11800 by Mr Jack McConnell on 5 March 2001, whether it will consider the inclusion of developmental co-ordination disorders, including dyspraxia, in the Special Educational Needs Programme of Action.","AnswerText":"The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Programme of Action is intended to address the needs of all children and young people with special educational needs, including developmental co-ordination disorders such as dyspraxia.

The programme encompasses a broad range of strategic action which includes funding to local authorities for SEN in-service training and development of classroom-based staff and trainee educational psychologists; the Inclusion Programme to assist local authorities to include children with SEN in mainstream schooling; support to voluntary and non-statutory organisations through the Innovation Grants Programme, and a review of therapy services.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150772,"EventID":"S1W-14057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) men and (b) women aged under 35 died in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by cause of death.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) men and (b) women aged under 35 died in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by cause of death.","AnswerText":"The table gives information on the number of deaths aged under 35 in Scotland. It also gives figures for the principal causes of death affecting this age group. More detailed data on cause of death may be found in the Annual Report of the Registrar General for Scotland. Each year all MSPs receive a copy of this report. It may also be found on the General Register Office for Scotland website (http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk).

Deaths aged under 35, selected causes, by sex, Scotland

Cause of death

ICD9 code

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Males

Females

All causes

1,204

1,223

1,110

1,151

1,146

597

569

515

531

502

of which

Suicide (incl. 'undetermined')

E950-9, E980-9

250

256

282

268

285

60

75

75

72

70

Drug dependence

304

111

125

102

125

147

28

30

20

27

31

Motor vehicle traffic accidents

Suicides in Scotland

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Males

Total

625

620

655

650

663

Suicide

476

435

451

486

500

Undetermined

149

185

204

164

163

Females

Total

211

226

219

228

211

Suicide

147

162

148

163

137

Undetermined

64

64

71

65

74

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150774,"EventID":"S1W-14059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many intensive care beds there were in each of the last five years broken down by (a) health board and (b) acute trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many intensive care beds there were in each of the last five years broken down by (a) health board and (b) acute trust.","AnswerText":"Data for general adult intensive care beds are published each year in the Audit Report of the Scottish Intensive Care Society.

For the period 1996 to 2000, the average numbers of funded general adult intensive care beds in each 12-month period by Health Board were:

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Argyll and Clyde

8

8

8

9

9

Ayrshire and Arran

5

5

9

9

9

Borders

2

2

3

3

3

Dumfries and Galloway

4

4

4

4

4

Fife

9.5

9.5

9.5

10

10

Forth Valley

8

Across Scotland, the median waiting time for coronary artery bypass grafts has reduced by 45 days (36%) and the median waiting time for other cardiac surgery has reduced by nine days (10%) compared with the position in the previous year.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for Hospital Admission from the Inpatient/Day Case Waiting List for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts1 and Other Cardiac Surgery1: Year Ending 31 December 2000p

Health Board of Residence

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts

Median Wait (Days)

Other Cardiac Surgery

Median Wait (Days)

Argyll and Clyde

70

61

Ayrshire and Arran

46

39

Borders

80

79

Dumfries and Galloway

98

84

Fife

104

127

Forth Valley

56

75

Grampian

39

52

Greater Glasgow

71

60

Highland

85

85

Lanarkshire

96

77

Lothian

98

95

Orkney

60

47

Shetland

43

34

Tayside

117

144

Western Isles

82

96

Scotland

79

79

P Provisional.

Source ISD Scotland.

Surgical Operations and Notes:

1. Patients are defined using operation codes taken from the Offic","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150777,"EventID":"S1W-14062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has made or will be making available to address the social and economic regeneration needs of coalfield communities in Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has made or will be making available to address the social and economic regeneration needs of coalfield communities in Scotland in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was formally launched in Scotland in March 2000 and is being funded by £4.5 million over three years from the Scottish Executive.

The Trust reports that, as of the end of January 2001, over £3.9 million has been committed to projects in Scotland. To date the Trust has paid out £2.3 million in grants.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150778,"EventID":"S1W-14063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10801 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it will publish in full the review relating to the care proposals for mentally dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10801 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it will publish in full the review relating to the care proposals for mentally disordered offenders carried out by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health Service and, if so when.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, confirmed our publication plans for the national review. The promised audit document was published on 12 February and at the same time all health and social care agencies received a progress assessment report specific to their own area set within the national context findings.

This now provides agencies with the original 1999 template guidance, a local digest of their own position within the national context and a care pathway planning and audit tool. Summary reports on continuing progress have been invited from all agencies for September this year and thereafter.

Work continues with the local authorities and NHS Trusts on a National Discharge Protocol for Mentally Disordered Offenders for publication later this year. Work is also progressing on the recommendations of the Millan and MacLean Committees, some of which focus on mentally disordered offenders. Our policy proposals will be announced in the coming months following proper consultation.

Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change (Bib. no: 10298) is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150779,"EventID":"S1W-14064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policy proposals it intends to bring forward with regard to the care, treatment and support of mentally disordered offenders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policy proposals it intends to bring forward with regard to the care, treatment and support of mentally disordered offenders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14063.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150780,"EventID":"S1W-14065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis, in terms of replacement cost, actual cost and any other categories used, the capital value of assets used by its core and associated departments and its ag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis, in terms of replacement cost, actual cost and any other categories used, the capital value of assets used by its core and associated departments and its agencies has been assessed.","AnswerText":"The tangible fixed assets of the Scottish Executive, its associated departments and its agencies are valued in accordance with the principles set out in the Resource Accounting Manual.

The annual accounts of each body state the detailed accounting policies, including the basis of valuation, of each class of fixed asset. The 1999-2000 annual accounts of agencies have been published. The resource accounts for the core department and associated departments will shortly be laid before the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150781,"EventID":"S1W-14066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with the water authorities in respect of the decision to remove the water charges relief afforded to charities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with the water authorities in respect of the decision to remove the water charges relief afforded to charities.","AnswerText":"The water authorities informed the Scottish Executive of their intention to make a phased withdrawal of reliefs. They were asked to consider whether it was practical to ringfence particular groups, but they indicated that it was not. On this basis, they have gone ahead with their proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150782,"EventID":"S1W-14067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give any direction to water authorities relating to the removal of water charges relief afforded to charities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give any direction to water authorities relating to the removal of water charges relief afforded to charities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports the policy of phased withdrawal of reliefs offered to charities. As the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development indicated on 4 April, the Scottish Executive recognises the concerns of a number of organisations about the immediate impact of the first phase of withdrawals this year, and we are in contact with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations on this.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150783,"EventID":"S1W-14068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any impact of the removal of water charges relief on the work of charities and voluntary organisations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any impact of the removal of water charges relief on the work of charities and voluntary organisations.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to make an overall assessment of the impact on such a large number of diverse organisations. Reliefs are being phased out over a number of years to allow organisations time to adjust to higher charges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150784,"EventID":"S1W-14069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Medical Council's guidance Confidentiality: Protecting and Providing Information is having on the collection of p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Medical Council's guidance Confidentiality: Protecting and Providing Information is having on the collection of personal health information for use by the health service and what implications these provisions will have for the Scottish Data Set.","AnswerText":"The SE recognises that the implications of this Act are wide ranging and its interpretation not without difficulty. For this reason the Confidentiality and Security Advisory Group for Scotland (CSAGS) was established to provide advice on the confidentiality and security of health-related information to the Scottish Executive, the Public and to Health Care Professionals.

CSAGS will, subject to consultation, issue policy advice and a series of guidance notes intended to codify practice in the proper use of personal health information for reasons other than direct patient care. Guidance and information is being sought from both the Information Commissioner and the GMC.

The main task in the immediate future is to develop a small number of principles to underpin the use of personal health information by the NHS Scotland and related bodies (including disease registers). The principles will be incorporated into a revised Code of Practice on the Confidentiality of Personal Health Information providing detailed guidance to the NHS Scotland and other agencies prior to the expiry of the main batch of transitional arrangements to the 1998 Act in October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150785,"EventID":"S1W-14070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution the Scottish Data Set has made in the fight against disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution the Scottish Data Set has made in the fight against disease.","AnswerText":"Scotland has a unique Health Data Set that permits more detailed analyses of health information than is possible in the rest of Europe, apart from the Scandinavian countries. Patient identifiable data have been collected for over 30 years, and used to link together individual patient experiences until death. By linking administrative data sets with individual research and audit data we can investigate the impact of key policy changes and medical interventions on improving survival rates and reducing incidence and prevalence of disease. Examples include:

improving survival rates from diagnosis of cancer;

demonstrate the benefits of cancer screening and impact of adjuvant therapy on survival for breast cancer;

identify clusters of disease which could not have occurred by chance;

identifying possible contacts for infectious disease outbreaks (AIDS; E.coli; BSE; meningitis) for fast tracing to contain the outbreak;

post market surveillance of drugs and vaccines for adverse effects in the general population.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150786,"EventID":"S1W-14071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any collection of health information have been discontinued as a result of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Medical Council guidance Confidentiality: ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any collection of health information have been discontinued as a result of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Medical Council guidance Confidentiality: Protecting and Providing Information.","AnswerText":"It is not known whether any significant collections of health information have been discontinued due to the introduction of the Act and subsequent guidance issued by the GMC. However, it is known that health professionals will seek patient consent wherever possible to continue to share health information.

NHS HDL (2001) 1 'The use Of personal health information, submission of records to Information and Statistics Division, disease registers and the Confidentiality and Security Advisory Group Scotland (CSAGS)' was issued in January 2001 giving updated guidance on the transmission of personal health information. It encouraged the resumption of data flows which had ceased since the enactment of the Data Protection Act 1998, outlined a series of actions which were necessary to take to meet the terms of the ACT, and announced the formation of the CSAGS.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150787,"EventID":"S1W-14072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.","AnswerText":"Recommended intakes to primary and secondary initial teacher education courses set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01:

Institution

Primary

Secondary

University of Edinburgh

202

293

University of Glasgow

215

231

Northern College of Education

241

217

University of Paisley

114

60

University of Stirling

 

115

University of Strathclyde

245

446

Total

1017

1362

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs and therefore no training places allocated. A qualification in teaching children with special educational needs is an extension of the professional development of a teacher and is undertaken as in-service training.

The above information will appear in the next edition of the Supply of Teachers report (Vol. 1, January 2001). Information for 2001-02 is not yet available. However, this will also be included in the Supply of Teachers report in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150788,"EventID":"S1W-14073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many one year postgraduate teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many one year postgraduate teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.","AnswerText":"Recommended intakes to primary and secondary postgraduate certificate in education courses set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01:

Institution

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

 

Primary

Secondary

University of Edinburgh

63

184

University of Glasgow

75

165

Northern College of Education

72

175

University of Paisley

30

60

University of Strathclyde

76

416

Total

316

1000

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs and therefore no training places allocated. A qualification in teaching children with special educational needs is an extension of the professional development of a teacher and is undertaken as in-service training.

The above information will appear in the next edition of the Supply of Teachers report. Information for 2001-02 is not yet available. However, this will also be included in the Supply of Teachers report in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150789,"EventID":"S1W-14074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places on courses of more than one year exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places on courses of more than one year exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.","AnswerText":"Recommended intakes to primary and secondary courses of more than one year set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01

Institution

Primary

Secondary

 

BEd

Bed

Combined Degree

University of Edinburgh

139

109

 

University of Glasgow

140

34

32

Northern College of Education

169

27

15

University of Paisley

84

  

University of Stirling

  

115

University of Strathclyde

169

 

30

Total

701

170

192

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs and therefore no training places allocated. A qualification in teaching children with special educational needs is an extension of the professional development of a teacher and is undertaken as in-service training.

The above information will appear in the next edition of the Supply of Teachers report. Information for 2001-02 is not yet available. However, this will also be included in the Supply of Teachers report in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150790,"EventID":"S1W-14075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for teacher training courses in 1998, 1999 and 2000 for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, broken","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for teacher training courses in 1998, 1999 and 2000 for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, broken down by institution.","AnswerText":"The report (Supply of Teachers, Vol. 1 - Jan 2001) details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlining planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been made available to committee members and placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The answer to your question for primary and secondary can be found at Annex C of the report.

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs and therefore no applications. A qualification in teaching children with special educational needs is an extension of the professional development of a teacher and is undertaken as in-service training.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150791,"EventID":"S1W-14076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the Scottish Executive of teacher training for (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) special education needs and (d) Gaelic medium teaching in 1998, 1999 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the Scottish Executive of teacher training for (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) special education needs and (d) Gaelic medium teaching in 1998, 1999 and 2000.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the main teaching grant allocated in support of initial teacher training of primary and secondary teachers by the Scottish Higher education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic sessions 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01:

Initial Teacher Training at Scottish Higher Education Institutions

Grant Allocated by SHEFC

1998-99

£ million

1999-2000

£ million

2000-01

£ million

(a) Primary

10.6

10.4

10.9

(b) Secondary

8.7

9.6

9.6

Total

19.3

20.0

20.5

Source: SHEFC.

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs. Gaelic-medium is not a separately identified funding subject group.

This does not take account of student support or payment of tuition fees by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150792,"EventID":"S1W-14077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 4(1)(g) of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will apply to the grounds of hotels which are currently kept exclusively for the use of hotel guests.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 4(1)(g) of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will apply to the grounds of hotels which are currently kept exclusively for the use of hotel guests.","AnswerText":"Hotels and their grounds will, in general, be excluded from the right of access by virtue of section 4(1)(a) and (b) of the draft Bill. Section 4(1)(g) is intended to apply to land where members of the public are only admitted on payment at present. It appears that it is unlikely to apply in the circumstances described.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150793,"EventID":"S1W-14078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still a tenable position, in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights, for a Fiscal or officer of the Crown to say that the reasons for taking a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still a tenable position, in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights, for a Fiscal or officer of the Crown to say that the reasons for taking a particular course of action are confidential.","AnswerText":"It is considered that the practice of keeping reasons for prosecution decision making confidential is compatible with ECHR. The Convention does not give victims any general right to have cases prosecuted but the Article 8 right to respect for private life does militate against any step which risks putting private information about victims or unprosecuted accused persons into the public domain. The possibility that prosecution might well be necessary in some cases in order to protect inter alia the Article 8 interests of victims is, of course, a factor in decision making.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150794,"EventID":"S1W-14079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-13566 by Sir David Steel on 7 March 2001, which languages are being considered for use on the Parliament's website to provide public","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-13566 by Sir David Steel on 7 March 2001, which languages are being considered for use on the Parliament's website to provide public information resources and whether Scots is likely to be one of these languages.","AnswerText":"Consideration is being given to making public information about the Parliament available in ethnic and European languages on the website. One of these languages is likely to be Scots.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150795,"EventID":"S1W-14080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12944 by Mr Jack McConnell on 14 February 2001, whether the attainment of Governing Body Accredited Coaching Qualifications will be","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12944 by Mr Jack McConnell on 14 February 2001, whether the attainment of Governing Body Accredited Coaching Qualifications will be recognised as continuing professional development for teachers.","AnswerText":"The framework for CPD which is currently being developed will be sufficiently flexible to meet the specific training needs of individual teachers and schools. This could include training in sports coaching and physical activity where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150796,"EventID":"S1W-14081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the level of social problems such as drug abuse, ill-health and crime through the introduction and development within the school curriculum of a s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the level of social problems such as drug abuse, ill-health and crime through the introduction and development within the school curriculum of a sporting culture for children and young people.","AnswerText":"Existing guidance provided by the Scottish Executive Education Department and Learning and Teaching Scotland to education authorities and schools already emphasise the benefits to pupils' health and general well-being of providing a balanced and varied programme of sport and other forms of physical education within the school curriculum.

Sportscotland works closely with education authorities in a number of programmes, targeted at primary and secondary schools, which aim to promote and increase the level and range of sporting and physical activity of school-aged children during and after school hours.

The need to encourage positive healthy lifestyles, which would include sporting activity, is highlighted in the Scottish drug strategy, and in a range of initiatives designed to encourage positive school ethos and health promoting schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150797,"EventID":"S1W-14082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a national parenting strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a national parenting strategy.","AnswerText":"Executive officials have met a range of voluntary and statutory agencies and parents themselves to discuss the provision of parenting support. We are giving careful consideration to the best way forward, recognising the importance of building upon existing support mechanisms for parents which work.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150798,"EventID":"S1W-14083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the draft National Strategy and Framework arising from on the Youth Crime Review will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the draft National Strategy and Framework arising from on the Youth Crime Review will be published.","AnswerText":"The draft national strategy on youth crime is still being developed and will now be circulated for consultation in the summer. Meantime, councils have been advised to work to the core objectives set out in the Advisory Group report.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150799,"EventID":"S1W-14084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how implementation of the recommendations of the Youth Crime Review Advisory Group is being monitored for effectiveness across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how implementation of the recommendations of the Youth Crime Review Advisory Group is being monitored for effectiveness across Scotland.","AnswerText":"All councils have been asked to carry out an audit of local needs to identify the range of challenging programmes required in their area. These programmes should have in-built monitoring to allow for evaluation of their effectiveness. The first formal reports on progress achieved are required by March 2002. Ministers will be seeking interim reports on the programmes and their targets before this. The Executive will also undertake its own evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures being introduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150800,"EventID":"S1W-14085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the evaluation of new community schools will be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the evaluation of new community schools will be completed.","AnswerText":"A three-year national evaluation of the New Community Schools pilot programme started in April 2000. Following a tendering and assessment process, it is being undertaken by a team from the Institute of Education in the University of London. They have research staff and specialists involved, based in Scotland. Interim evaluation reports will be provided annually. In addition, projects and authorities are carrying out their own local evaluations, and HM Inspectors of Schools will include new community schools in their inspection programme later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150801,"EventID":"S1W-14086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the findings of the report by The Prince's Trust It's Like That, in particular regarding the feelings of alienation amongst young people, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the findings of the report by The Prince's Trust It's Like That, in particular regarding the feelings of alienation amongst young people, including offenders and the unemployed, and how it will ensure that it is responsive to the needs and concerns of such young people.","AnswerText":"Prince's Trust representatives in Scotland have been invited to make a presentation to Executive officials on the report which raises some important and challenging issues. Many of its findings are relevant to current policy initiatives or developments affecting young people, including direct and customised consultation with young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150802,"EventID":"S1W-14087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to police the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 May to 17 May 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to police the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 May to 17 May 2001.","AnswerText":"Policing levels are an operational matter for the Chief Constable to decide. Funding for the police under section 32 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 is allocated in total to each force and is not earmarked by the Executive for specific purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150803,"EventID":"S1W-14088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police will be required to provide security for the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 Ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police will be required to provide security for the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 May to 17 May 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150804,"EventID":"S1W-14089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Police will be discussing the security surrounding the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Cen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Police will be discussing the security surrounding the Efficient Consumer Response Conference being held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 May to 17 May 2001 with the organisers of the conference and, if so, what the relationship will be between the police and any security officers provided by the organisers.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150805,"EventID":"S1W-14090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies are taking place to assess the utility of on-line voting to rural communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies are taking place to assess the utility of on-line voting to rural communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14117 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150806,"EventID":"S1W-14091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has done or intends to do to establish whether on-line voting would improve turnout at local elections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has done or intends to do to establish whether on-line voting would improve turnout at local elections.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14117 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150807,"EventID":"S1W-14092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to run any experiments in on-line voting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to run any experiments in on-line voting.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14117 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150808,"EventID":"S1W-14093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has done on improving the security of on-line voting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has done on improving the security of on-line voting.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given S1W-14117 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150809,"EventID":"S1W-14094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost of introducing online voting to local elections and, if so, what that cost would be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost of introducing online voting to local elections and, if so, what that cost would be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has made no such assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150810,"EventID":"S1W-14095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all of its e-government projects are on schedule and on budget.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all of its e-government projects are on schedule and on budget.","AnswerText":"I am happy to say that virtually all of the e-government projects in which the Executive is directly involved are currently on schedule and within budget. The table below gives more details of the Executive's major e-government projects. The published 21st Century Government Action Plan gives details of e-government projects ongoing across the wider public sector.

PROJECT

ON SCHEDULE?

ON BUDGET?

Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) of Agricultural Grants and Subsidies

A pilot project of one of the subsidy schemes, with a limited number of claimants, was completed towards the end of 2000 and proved the concept of collecting subsidy claims through electronic means. Following assessment of the pilot, work is in hand on the development of a full system for commencement in July 2001. ESD will be progressively rolled out across the main agriculture grant and subsidy schemes over the next three years.

Yes

Electronic Cattle Traceability

This project comprises two main components, the development of a system to allow farmers to transmit cattle traceability through electronic means and also the electronic identification of cattle. There has been very good progress on arrangements for the electronic transmission of cattle traceability information with the system becoming operational in February 2001. Details of a supported roll-out of the system, including the electronic identification of cattle will be announced later this year.

Yes

LINETS

Development of the Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS) to provide law, administration and police service professionals, initially in public sector departments, with access to networked, computer based statute and case law, and other related information is currently on schedule.

Yes

ISCJIS

Development of the Integration of Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems (ISCJIS) programme to link the computer systems of the various criminal justice organisations within Scotland is not currently on schedule, but this programme is dependent on agencies other than the SE.

Yes

NHSNet

All GPs and hospitals in Scotland are connected to NHSNet enabling data to be passed electronically. Scotland- wide roll out of Electronic Clinical Communication Implementation project enabling e.g. referral and discharge letters, appointment booking, test results etc to be communicated electronically is planned by 2002-03. Project is currently on schedule.

Yes

Scottish Health on the Web

Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) is the Internet presence for the NHS in Scotland and associated organisations. It comprises some 120 websites, including the major ","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150811,"EventID":"S1W-14096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its agencies or departments have been nominated in any categories in this year's Government Computing Innovation Awards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its agencies or departments have been nominated in any categories in this year's Government Computing Innovation Awards.","AnswerText":"Nominations for the Government Computing Innovation Awards come from a wide variety of sources. It is not possible to provide details of nominees for this year's awards, as the closing date for nominations is 30 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150812,"EventID":"S1W-14097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what schemes for assisting teachers to purchase computers are presently in operation, what plans it has for continuing and developing such schemes and what take up there","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what schemes for assisting teachers to purchase computers are presently in operation, what plans it has for continuing and developing such schemes and what take up there has been in terms of numbers and cost in the past twelve months.","AnswerText":"The Computers for Teachers scheme is operated by Learning and Teaching Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. All GTC registered teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools, including publicly funded special schools and units, are eligible to apply for a rebate of £200 against the cost of a modern computer. The payment is a taxable benefit, but the Scottish Executive has made arrangements to settle the tax and National Insurance centrally. No liability will fall on the individual teachers.

In the first phase of the scheme, which finished in March 2000, 4,003 teachers were supported at a total cost of £1,146,324.

The second phase has just concluded and final payments are being made. 6,133 teachers have been supported in this phase, at an estimated cost of £1,711,979.

A third phase is planned for the 2001-02 financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150813,"EventID":"S1W-14098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has compared any schemes it has to assist teachers to purchase computers with those available in other parts of the United Kingdom and whether it will use any","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has compared any schemes it has to assist teachers to purchase computers with those available in other parts of the United Kingdom and whether it will use any knowledge gained to amend its schemes if those elsewhere have a higher take up rate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive regularly monitors such developments in other parts of the UK. The Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme is available to all primary and secondary teachers, and the take-up rate over the first two tranches of around 18% of the teaching force appears to compare favourably with other schemes. However, we are currently revising our plans for the future and the success of the different schemes in operation elsewhere will be included in that review.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150814,"EventID":"S1W-14099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make available through the enterprise or training programmes provision to teach unemployed people how to drive and advise them on acquisition ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make available through the enterprise or training programmes provision to teach unemployed people how to drive and advise them on acquisition of motor vehicles.","AnswerText":"From April, Training for Work will offer a wide range of recognised qualifications designed to assist unemployed people secure work. The Enterprise Networks will administer a list of approved qualifications that can be funded from the programme.

Certain types of occupational driving licences, for example dump and forklift truck licences, PSV and LGV, are included in the approved list. Funding to obtain standard motor vehicle licences will only be considered exceptionally, and in remote parts of the Highlands and Islands, where potential trainees are excluded from opportunities due to lack of access. The Enterprise Networks plan to review the approved qualifications list in October.

Advice on the acquisition of motor vehicles can be obtained from the Office of Fair Trading.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150815,"EventID":"S1W-14100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many junior doctors are working in jobs which do not currently comply with the 56 hours a week target outlined in the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many junior doctors are working in jobs which do not currently comply with the 56 hours a week target outlined in the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13853.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150816,"EventID":"S1W-14101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community land buy-out schemes will be able to address the estimated annual average financial loss of over #70,000 in respect of the management of each estate in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community land buy-out schemes will be able to address the estimated annual average financial loss of over #70,000 in respect of the management of each estate in the Upper Findhorn Valley, Inverness-shire, as outlined in the Rural Economic Survey, published by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.","AnswerText":"It would be for any individual community body to consider the viability of any land purchase. Community bodies applying for community right to buy under the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be required to present to Ministers, at the right to buy stage, detailed plans for the land which they wish to purchase under this legislation.

The proposed legislation provides for Ministers to decide whether an application to exercise a right to buy can proceed. In making their decision, Ministers must consider whether the right to buy would be in the public interest and compatible with sustainable development. A community body seeking to exercise a right to buy must therefore address these issues in its plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150817,"EventID":"S1W-14102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the surveys being undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses and the area tourist board in Dumfries and Galloway on the economic effects of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the surveys being undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses and the area tourist board in Dumfries and Galloway on the economic effects of the foot and mouth outbreak in the region and whether it will receive copies of the results of the surveys.","AnswerText":"I am fully aware of the work being done in the Dumfries and Galloway area. The Federation of Small Businesses survey is contributing to a wider partnership of local organisations, led by Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, looking at the impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is having on the area. On 15 March I chaired the first meeting of the Impact Assessment Group and heard a report of the Dumfries and Galloway work and I look forward to seeing future updates.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150818,"EventID":"S1W-14103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the proposals put forward by the Federation of Small Businesses regarding actions which might be taken by financial institutions and central and lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the proposals put forward by the Federation of Small Businesses regarding actions which might be taken by financial institutions and central and local government to help businesses in Dumfries and Galloway affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and whether it intends to take any action as a consequence of these proposals.","AnswerText":"I am aware of the work that the Federation of Small Businesses is doing in the Dumfries and Galloway area. It is feeding into the impact assessment currently being co-ordinated by Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway which is itself feeding into the Scottish Impact Assessment Group, which I am chairing. I look forward to early results from this group so we can consider the most effective way of helping rural areas through these current real difficulties.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150819,"EventID":"S1W-14104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make any statutory instruments which will allow the transport of uninfected animals to slaughterhouses in areas in which foot-and-mouth disease has ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make any statutory instruments which will allow the transport of uninfected animals to slaughterhouses in areas in which foot-and-mouth disease has been identified.","AnswerText":"A Statutory Instrument, The Foot and Mouth Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No 2) Order 2001, was introduced on Friday 2 March 2001. This provides the legislative framework for a licensing scheme for movement of livestock from farm direct to slaughterhouse.

The only restriction on the location of the slaughterhouse is that it should not be within 3km of an infected premise.

Movement is strictly controlled under these arrangements and poses minimal disease risk with vehicles which deliver the animals being thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before they leave the abattoir. Furthermore, the animals slaughtered will be subjected to the routine ante-mortem inspection before meat is passed fit for human consumption.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150820,"EventID":"S1W-14105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether, in the course of concluding that it supports the view that it is not necessary","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether, in the course of concluding that it supports the view that it is not necessary to introduce legislation either to reform or restate the existing law on boundary walls, it took note of the statement at paragraph 2.14 of the Scottish Law Commission's 1992 consultation paper on this issue that there was an element of confusion in this area of law and what other criteria it applied in arriving at this conclusion.","AnswerText":"The Commission considered the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches before reaching the conclusion in its report that legislation was not required. The Commission's consultation paper and its report were considered in detail by the Scottish Executive which supports the final conclusions of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150821,"EventID":"S1W-14106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether, in the course of concluding that it supports the view that it is not necessary","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether, in the course of concluding that it supports the view that it is not necessary to introduce legislation either to reform or restate the existing law on boundary walls, any consideration was given to the extent to which any differences between the views on this issue expressed in the Scottish Law Commission's 1998 report and the Commission's 1992 consultation paper may be attributable to changes in the membership of the Commission.","AnswerText":"The Executive considers recommendations made to it by the Scottish Law Commission, as with recommendations that it receives from other bodies, on their merits.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150822,"EventID":"S1W-14107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-880 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 24 August 1999, which organisations it has been working with to improve access to financial services f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-880 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 24 August 1999, which organisations it has been working with to improve access to financial services for people on low incomes.","AnswerText":"To improve access to financial services for people on low incomes the Executive has been working with a wide range of interested parties as described below:

Wester Hailes Representative Council

Royal Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland

Clydesdale Bank

Lloyds TSB Scotland

Barataria Foundation

Association of British Credit Unions Ltd

Scottish League of Credit Unions

Community Enterprise in Strathclyde

Credit Union Enterprise Services

Argyll and Bute Credit Union Development Agency

Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks

CoSLA

Scottish Homes

Scottish Enterprise

Money Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Scotland

Consumer Credit Counselling Services

Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations

Scottish Financial Enterprise

Social Enterprise Institute

Scottish Retail Consortium

Money Advice Trust

Federation of Information and Advice Centres

Norwich Union

Trading Standards Highland Council

Edinburgh City Council

Borders Council

Fife Council

Renfrewshire Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150823,"EventID":"S1W-14108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12849 by Jackie Baillie on 9 February 2001, what resources will be allocated to support its development strategy with credit unions","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12849 by Jackie Baillie on 9 February 2001, what resources will be allocated to support its development strategy with credit unions.","AnswerText":"The Executive will provide £1.5 million over three years to implement the credit union action plan for Scotland. Additional resources will also be available to fund volunteering initiatives and improvement of IT systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150824,"EventID":"S1W-14109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2707 by Jackie Baillie on 14 December 2000, which institutions it has worked with in order to encourage the provision of basic bank","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2707 by Jackie Baillie on 14 December 2000, which institutions it has worked with in order to encourage the provision of basic bank accounts, what the nature has been of any encouragement given and what the response has been.","AnswerText":"The Executive has been working with the four Scottish clearing banks, through the Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks (CSCB), and CoSLA to encourage both the provision and uptake of basic bank accounts. A working group has been established to explore new ways of reaching those who remain unbanked. The CSCB advise that 200,000 basic bank accounts are now open with an additional 10,000 being opened per month across the four banks.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150825,"EventID":"S1W-14110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12497 by Jackie Baillie on 30 January 2001, what stage discussions have reached with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12497 by Jackie Baillie on 30 January 2001, what stage discussions have reached with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on how the money and debt advice services provided by local authorities can be improved.","AnswerText":"Discussions are linked to the Executive's work on the proposed telephone debtline. CoSLA is represented on the debtline project team and discussions will continue as the pilot project develops.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150826,"EventID":"S1W-14111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what models of delivery it is considering for the provision of debt advice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what models of delivery it is considering for the provision of debt advice.","AnswerText":"The Executive's pilot debtline in Fife will test out the provision of debt advice over the telephone. The debtline will be additional to, and complement, debt advice that is currently delivered face to face.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150827,"EventID":"S1W-14112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken and what success it has had in putting the issue of debt onto the agenda of the Joint Ministerial Committees on Poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken and what success it has had in putting the issue of debt onto the agenda of the Joint Ministerial Committees on Poverty.","AnswerText":"The Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the United Kingdom Government, Scottish Ministers and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales, which was laid before the Scottish Parliament in October 1999 (SE/99/36), indicates that the proceedings of the Joint Ministerial Committee and its sub-committees will be regarded as confidential, to permit free and candid discussion.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150828,"EventID":"S1W-14113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in conjunction with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and any other organisations in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in conjunction with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and any other organisations in widening the availability of low cost insurance with rent schemes.","AnswerText":"The extent of current provision by local authorities and the housing association movement has been established. We now intend to bring deliverers and providers together to discuss the best way to widen the availability of low cost insurance with rent schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150829,"EventID":"S1W-14114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the financial settlement for Caledonian MacBrayne will be in 2001-02, broken down into capital and revenue support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the financial settlement for Caledonian MacBrayne will be in 2001-02, broken down into capital and revenue support.","AnswerText":"We propose to make available to CalMac in 2001-02 revenue deficit grant of £21.4 million and capital grant of £0.4 million. The proposed level of capital grant makes no provision for the purchase of new vessels, since European regulations no longer permit the payment of grant for this purpose. The proposals for tendering CalMac's services which I announced on 23 January reflect these rules. They would also allow services and fares to be protected and provide mechanisms to secure investment in new vessels. The budget figures will be kept under review as the tendering process develops.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150830,"EventID":"S1W-14115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish guidelines on the scope of local authority discretion in relation to the charging of fees for the provision of information if its draft Free","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish guidelines on the scope of local authority discretion in relation to the charging of fees for the provision of information if its draft Freedom Of Information Bill becomes law.","AnswerText":"Section 9 of the draft Bill published on 1 March sets out the scope of public authority discretion in relation to the charging of fees for providing information. The upper limits of fees would be prescribed and all authorities would have discretion whether or not to charge a fee. Section 22 of the draft Bill requires that Scottish public authorities set out in a publication scheme any fees to be charged in relation to information made available routinely.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150831,"EventID":"S1W-14116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make extra funding available to local authorities to help cover the costs of adopting and maintaining schemes for the publication of information if","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make extra funding available to local authorities to help cover the costs of adopting and maintaining schemes for the publication of information if its draft Freedom of Information Bill becomes law.","AnswerText":"No. As many Scottish public authorities, including local authorities, already handle requests for information and publish routinely a wide range of other information, and as model publication schemes, prepared either by the Scottish Information Commissioner or by third parties, will be available to assist public authorities, we would expect any additional costs which might be incurred to be borne within planned resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150832,"EventID":"S1W-14117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that those staff involved in developing online aspects of e-government initiatives are sufficiently well informed of any security issues","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that those staff involved in developing online aspects of e-government initiatives are sufficiently well informed of any security issues which may be associated with such developments, in particular as regards online voting.","AnswerText":"Electoral pilot schemes are scheduled to take place at the local government elections being held in England and Wales in May. Decisions on the introduction of similar pilot schemes, including online voting, for local government elections in Scotland will be considered once an analysis of the results of the pilots in England and Wales has been produced. Any future consideration of online voting will take account of security matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150833,"EventID":"S1W-14118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to educate its staff in information and communication technologies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to educate its staff in information and communication technologies.","AnswerText":"It is a priority of the Executive to ensure that staff have access to the latest technology and are able to use it effectively to provide an efficient, high quality service to Ministers, Parliament and the public. Through the internal Training and Development course programme staff are offered a wide range of learning opportunities designed to raise awareness and improve staff skills and knowledge in information and communication technologies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150834,"EventID":"S1W-14119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer incentives to local authorities to encourage them to use information and communication technologies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer incentives to local authorities to encourage them to use information and communication technologies.","AnswerText":"The Executive is providing £26 million through the Modernising Government Fund to support innovative projects which use information and communication technologies. Local authorities will lead 22 of these projects with funding of £17.5 million.

As well as supporting key technologies such as telecommunications infrastructure, call centres, electronic service delivery and smart cards, the projects will also deliver strategic, transferable benefits to the whole of the public sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150835,"EventID":"S1W-14120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to recognise the achievements of Dumfries and Galloway Council and other local authorities whose websites were recently rated in the top 20 loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to recognise the achievements of Dumfries and Galloway Council and other local authorities whose websites were recently rated in the top 20 local authority websites in the UK by the Society of Information Technology Management.","AnswerText":"The Executive welcomes the achievements of Dumfries and Galloway and the other Scottish local authorities whose websites have received recognition by the Society of Information Technology Management. Dumfries and Galloway were awarded £72,000 from the Modernising Government Fund in December last year and, of the 36 awards made from the fund, 22 of these were made to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150836,"EventID":"S1W-14121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it had no representative at the recent UK forum to discuss the current situation in the tourism industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it had no representative at the recent UK forum to discuss the current situation in the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"This meeting was almost exclusively about English issues not related to the effect on tourism of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. I took the view that it would be more useful to speak seperately to Janet Anderson, the Minister responsible for tourism at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. I have done so and we have agreed to keep in touch on a regular basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150837,"EventID":"S1W-14122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were subject to secure orders on the nights of 6 January, 3 February and 3 March 2001 and, of these, how many were not in secure units, broken down by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were subject to secure orders on the nights of 6 January, 3 February and 3 March 2001 and, of these, how many were not in secure units, broken down by local authority area in each case.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I expect advice shortly from the Secure Accommodation Advisory Group, which has been considering, amongst other things, what information is needed on supply of and demand for, secure places for children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150838,"EventID":"S1W-14123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the failure of the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs to vote, although present at Decision Time, in support of its policy on amendment S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the failure of the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs to vote, although present at Decision Time, in support of its policy on amendment S1M-1725.1 to motion S1M-1725 on Scotland's Fishing Industry was a breach of paragraph 2.4 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, which relates to the collective responsibility of junior Scottish Ministers.","AnswerText":"I voted on all three divisions in line with Executive policy, however my vote on the second division appears not to have been recorded by the electronic voting system. I have written to the Presiding Officer about the matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150839,"EventID":"S1W-14124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letter dated 7 February 2001 regarding Mr A Will.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letter dated 7 February 2001 regarding Mr A Will.","AnswerText":"I replied to the Member on 21 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150840,"EventID":"S1W-14125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12300 by Mr Jim Wallace on 26 January 2001, when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter dated 10 November 2000 regarding ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12300 by Mr Jim Wallace on 26 January 2001, when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter dated 10 November 2000 regarding Mrs S Murdoch.","AnswerText":"A reply was issued on 15 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150841,"EventID":"S1W-14126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any discussions have taken place, or are planned, with visitscotland regarding the promotion of tourism in rural areas and, in particular, in those areas affected","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any discussions have taken place, or are planned, with visitscotland regarding the promotion of tourism in rural areas and, in particular, in those areas affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"We are in close contact with visitscotland, which is finalising, in partnership with Area Tourist Boards, a recovery plan for the tourism industry. This will include launching the postponed £2 million spring campaign and specific help for Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150842,"EventID":"S1W-14127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any discussions have taken place, or are planned, with Scottish Enterprise regarding the problems faced by rural enterprises as a result of the foot-and-mouth dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any discussions have taken place, or are planned, with Scottish Enterprise regarding the problems faced by rural enterprises as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in daily contact with Scottish Enterprise, and especially Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, to discuss the implications of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on the economy. Both organisations are represented on the Executive's Foot and Mouth Impact Assessment Group, which has now met twice. In addition, the Executive is in discussion with Scottish Enterprise on a series of measures to assist businesses on the immediate difficulties they face and to help in the recovery of the rural economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150843,"EventID":"S1W-14128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date funding will be made available for the central heating initiative in (a) Highland, (b) Western Isles, (c) Orkney and (d) Shetland for (i) local authority pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date funding will be made available for the central heating initiative in (a) Highland, (b) Western Isles, (c) Orkney and (d) Shetland for (i) local authority properties, (ii) housing association properties and (iii) households in the private sector.","AnswerText":"The resources for the Central Heating Programme have been allocated for 2001-02 and will be made available during that year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150844,"EventID":"S1W-14129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12904 by Jackie Baillie on 13 February 2001, whether, following housing stock transfer, the requirement on new landlords to install","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12904 by Jackie Baillie on 13 February 2001, whether, following housing stock transfer, the requirement on new landlords to install central heating will be (a) statutory, (b) funded from the Executive's central heating programme and (c) subject to a timetable.","AnswerText":"Tenants who transfer to community ownership will receive central heating as part of the overall investment by the new landlord. The Scottish Executive will ensure that proposals for transfer will deliver the installation of central heating in houses which do not have it on the same timescale as the Executive's central heating initiative.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150845,"EventID":"S1W-14130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13091 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, how much planned inward investment and how many projects involving inward investment w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13091 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, how much planned inward investment and how many projects involving inward investment were attracted to (a) Kilmarnock and Loudoun and (b) Hamilton North and Bellshill in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is contained in the table below:

Constituency

Number

Total Investment

New/Safeguarded Planned Jobs

Kilmarnock and Loudon

2

£6,851,000

885

Hamilton North and Bellshill

3

£6,017,000

206

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150846,"EventID":"S1W-14131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11742 by Susan Deacon on 5 March 2001, who the members are of the sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11742 by Susan Deacon on 5 March 2001, who the members are of the sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection.","AnswerText":"This sub-group consists of experts from a range of disciplines, along with officials from the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150847,"EventID":"S1W-14132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to Strathclyde Police to meet any additional costs resulting from the Efficient Consumer Response Conference at the SECC","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to Strathclyde Police to meet any additional costs resulting from the Efficient Consumer Response Conference at the SECC in May 2001.","AnswerText":"It is for the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police in consultation with the Strathclyde Joint Police Board to determine priorities within the force's budget. Funding for the police under section 32 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 is allocated in total to each force and is not earmarked by the Executive for specific purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150848,"EventID":"S1W-14133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, for each local authority area, the numbers of councillors, broken down by political party, who were in arrears of council tax and debarred from p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, for each local authority area, the numbers of councillors, broken down by political party, who were in arrears of council tax and debarred from participating in the budget setting process for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150849,"EventID":"S1W-14134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the implementation of the Red Tape Review recommendations, particularly in relation to communications with farmers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the implementation of the Red Tape Review recommendations, particularly in relation to communications with farmers.","AnswerText":"Good progress has been made on the Red Tape Review recommendations. I have today issued an external communications strategy which responds to a major recommendation of the Red Tape Review Report. This covers all aspects of communications between SERAD and producers, including the future introduction of electronic systems for claiming subsidies. It sets out actions for the future with targets for delivery. Progress reports will issue every six months.

Also published today is a report of the SERAD commissioned research into the burdens of form filling on small-scale producers - fulfilling a further recommendation of the Red Tape Review Report. This research, carried out by George Street Research Ltd, highlights the central importance of IACS subsidies to producers and identifies a number of improvements which can be made to communications with producers.

A table is also published today showing the latest position on implementation of the Red Tape Panel recommendations. All the main recommendations have now been implemented or are in process of implementation. The remaining recommendations - which mainly require changes to EU legislation - are also being actively pursued.

Copies of the external communications strategy and of the updated Red Tape Report implementation table are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. A copy of the George Street Research Report is available on the SE website.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150850,"EventID":"S1W-14135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the Scottish Prison Service to reduce the potential for HIV transmission in prisons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to the Scottish Prison Service to reduce the potential for HIV transmission in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

We are grateful to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Health Education Board for Scotland and Health Board Consultants in Public Health Medicine for supporting us in developing policies to reduce the potential for HIV transmission in prisons.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150851,"EventID":"S1W-14136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all health boards provide access to anti-retroviral therapy for those tested as HIV positive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all health boards provide access to anti-retroviral therapy for those tested as HIV positive.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150852,"EventID":"S1W-14137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Education Board for Scotland and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health have any plans to review the advice given on HIV to people ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Education Board for Scotland and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health have any plans to review the advice given on HIV to people planning overseas travel.","AnswerText":"The HIV Health Promotion Strategy, published by the Executive in January this year, recommended that the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health and the Health Education Board for Scotland should review current arrangements for advice on HIV to travellers. This is now in train.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150853,"EventID":"S1W-14138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, funding and objectives are of the Scottish School of Primary Care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, funding and objectives are of the Scottish School of Primary Care.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Scottish School of Primary Care is to promote and co-ordinate primary care research activity and to increase research capacity, in order to provide the high quality research evidence needed to inform decisions made by practitioners, managers and patients.

The school receives £100,000 per year to fund administration costs during its foundation phase. The school will in the future be responsible for co-ordinating research grant awards of approximately £1.2 million over three years.

The school's objectives are to co-ordinate primary care research activities, identify gaps in current research, stimulate collaborative studies and consider ways of improving the implementation of research findings. It will also seek to increase the number of researchers involved in primary care R&D activities across Scotland and enhance the accessibility of research education and training.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150854,"EventID":"S1W-14139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration will be given to providing direct funding for local health care co-operatives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration will be given to providing direct funding for local health care co-operatives.","AnswerText":"We have stated in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change that we intend to develop primary care services and strengthen the role of LHCCs. We intend to build on the successes of LHCCs and, within the next few months, set out the next steps in their development.

The work of the LHCC Best Practice Group has identified a substantial range of service improvements. Audit Scotland has also carried out an evaluation of LHCCs' range of activities. Reports from both pieces of work are expected shortly and will, together with other related work, inform what the Executive does next on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150855,"EventID":"S1W-14140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled posts there currently are for (a) NHS occupational therapists and (b) social work occupational therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled posts there currently are for (a) NHS occupational therapists and (b) social work occupational therapists.","AnswerText":"There were 34.7 WTE vacant posts for qualified occupational therapists in NHSScotland at 31 March 2000, the latest date for which data are available centrally. Of these, 14.7 WTE had been vacant for more than three months.

There are currently no centrally held data for vacant posts for occupational therapists within local authority social work departments.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150856,"EventID":"S1W-14141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the recommendation of the Sutherland Commission and of the Health and Community Care Committee in its 16th Report 2000, Inquiry into the Deliver","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the recommendation of the Sutherland Commission and of the Health and Community Care Committee in its 16th Report 2000, Inquiry into the Delivery of Community Care in Scotland, that a single body should be given the role of budget holding, planning and commissioning of community care services and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Our position on this, as on other recommendations of the Health and Community Care Committee, is as set out in the response we provided to the committee on 24 January. The response was debated in Parliament on 14 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150857,"EventID":"S1W-14142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2013,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":14,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to review the procedures for safeguarding the security and confidentiality of information to be collected in the 2001 Census in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to review the procedures for safeguarding the security and confidentiality of information to be collected in the 2001 Census in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Independent reviews of the physical security arrangements for processing the 2001 Census information and the measures to protect the statistical confidentiality of the data were commissioned by the Registrar Generals for Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland and undertaken last year. The outcome of the reviews and recommendations of the Review Teams, including a joint statement from the Registrars General were published today in a report by the Office for National Statistics, the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The Registrars General have accepted all the recommendations and have acted on them or are taking action to ensure they are implemented.

I am placing a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11193). Additional copies are available in the Document Supply Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150858,"EventID":"S1W-14143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12915 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 13 February 2001, whether any regulations have been amended or repealed as a result of the work of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12915 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 13 February 2001, whether any regulations have been amended or repealed as a result of the work of the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit, specifying any such regulations.","AnswerText":"The Improving Regulation in Scotland (IRIS) Unit can make the most telling contribution by ensuring that the Scottish Executive takes fully into account the need for all regulations to be proportionate and fit for purpose. With this aim, the unit has assisted Scottish Executive Departments in the development of over 70 regulations and the drafting of Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been produced for each. The unit is also currently pursuing suggestions from members of the Small Business Consultative Group for regulatory change in a number of areas that could be reviewed with a view to possible amendment, repeal on devolved matters or representations being made on reserved matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150859,"EventID":"S1W-14144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to buy into the proposed Carbon Trust element of the UK Energy Efficiency Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to buy into the proposed Carbon Trust element of the UK Energy Efficiency Fund.","AnswerText":"Yes. We are discussing how it will with various interested parties the proposed structure of the Carbon Trust, and in particular complement the Scottish Executive's existing services to businesses delivered by the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office, and the advice delivered by the Energy Saving Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150860,"EventID":"S1W-14145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what programmes it intends to fund with the #9.66 million allocated to it over the next three years from the UK Energy Efficiency Fund; whether it intends to make any of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what programmes it intends to fund with the #9.66 million allocated to it over the next three years from the UK Energy Efficiency Fund; whether it intends to make any of this funding available to businesses, and, if so, whether it will provide details.","AnswerText":"The funding will be used to support energy efficiency and to further the development of renewable energy in Scotland. Discussions will be held with the Carbon Trust, the Energy Saving Trust and other bodies with an interest on how to enhance the delivery of energy efficiency advice to Scottish businesses to complement the existing work of the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office; and how best to support new renewable energy technologies. An announcement of the outcome will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150861,"EventID":"S1W-14146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many enquiries have been made to each health board on the issue of the retention of children's organs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many enquiries have been made to each health board on the issue of the retention of children's organs.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally in the form requested. The table gives the numbers of inquiries received by NHS Acute Trusts relating to the retention of organs at post mortem in general.

NHS Acute Trust

Number of Telephone and Postal Inquiries Received up to 13/02/01

Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals

23

Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals

42

Borders General Hospital

5

Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

11

Fife Acute Hospitals

9

Forth Valley Acute Hospitals

48

Grampian University Hospitals

300

North Glasgow University Hospitals

34

South Glasgow University Hospitals

25

Yorkhill

1,170

Highland Acute Hospitals

29

Lanarkshire Acute

83

Lothian University Hospitals

160

West Lothian Healthcare

10

Tayside University Hospitals

51

Total Number of Enquiries

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150862,"EventID":"S1W-14147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will next make a report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in delivering t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will next make a report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in delivering the Diet of examinations for 2001.","AnswerText":"I have today written to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee enclosing the Executive's second report on progress towards implementing the actions agreed following the publication of the Deloitte Touche report on 3 November 2000. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12023).

I have also provided the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee with a copy of the Executive's response to that committee's Exam Results Inquiry report (11th report, 2000) and have written to the Convenor of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee enclosing a copy of the Executive's response to that committee's Report on the Inquiry into the Governance of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (sixth report, 2000). Copies of the Executive's responses have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no.'s 12024 and 12025).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150863,"EventID":"S1W-14148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Food Standards Agency allowed 21 tons of beef carcass from Spain to be released from an abattoir in Dundee into general circulation when spinal cord was found","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Food Standards Agency allowed 21 tons of beef carcass from Spain to be released from an abattoir in Dundee into general circulation when spinal cord was found in part of the consignment; if so, on what basis it did so and what assurances can be given that the consignment is safe.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that part of a consignment of beef from Spain imported to an abattoir in Dundee was released into general circulation after it had been subject to thorough checks by MHS officials. Two beef forequarters found to contain spinal cord were not allowed to enter the food chain and were destroyed. The agency has informed me that there was no food safety reason to prevent any beef entering the food chain that met the rigorous inspection standards in place for all imported and domestically produced meat. Thorough inspections by MHS staff had shown the other carcass portions were free of all specified risk material (SRM).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150864,"EventID":"S1W-14149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the beef carcass consignment from Spain sent to an abattoir in Dundee was affected by spinal cord.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the beef carcass consignment from Spain sent to an abattoir in Dundee was affected by spinal cord.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that two beef forequarters out of a total consignment of 79 carcasses (158 sides) were found to contain spinal cord.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150865,"EventID":"S1W-14150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many instances spinal cord has been found in abattoirs in the past year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many instances spinal cord has been found in abattoirs in the past year.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that there have been 17 occasions where spinal cord has been discovered in cutting premises in UK since April 2000. This includes a single find in Scotland on 7 March where two quarters out of a consignment of 79 carcasses (158 sides) from Spain were found to contain spinal cord. In addition, there have been two occasions in this period where spinal cord was found in domestically produced health-marked sheep carcasses.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150866,"EventID":"S1W-14151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of beef carcass has to be affected by spinal cord before a consignment will be discarded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of beef carcass has to be affected by spinal cord before a consignment will be discarded.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised that any individual part of a carcass found to contain spinal cord will be destroyed. Following rigorous inspection to determine that there has been no contamination of other parts, there is no basis in law for rejecting the rest of the consignment and preventing it from entering the food chain.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150867,"EventID":"S1W-14152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Food Standards Agency's policy is with regard to spinal cord being found in consignments of beef.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Food Standards Agency's policy is with regard to spinal cord being found in consignments of beef.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency enforces strict controls to ensure that spinal cord and other designated specified risk material (SRM) in beef is removed from the food supply. This applies equally to imported and domestically produced beef. Where SRM is found the beef is removed from the food chain.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150868,"EventID":"S1W-14153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2982 by Susan Deacon on 15 February 2001, when it currently expects the BCG vaccination programme to recommence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2982 by Susan Deacon on 15 February 2001, when it currently expects the BCG vaccination programme to recommence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13933 on 23 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150869,"EventID":"S1W-14154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to be able to publish the findings of the exercise being conducted to determine the extent to which health boards have implemented the recommendations co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to be able to publish the findings of the exercise being conducted to determine the extent to which health boards have implemented the recommendations contained in the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services.","AnswerText":"Work is still ongoing, and we expect to be in a position to publish our findings in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150870,"EventID":"S1W-14156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust to fund the salaries of the nurses, doctors and support workers currently employed at the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust to fund the salaries of the nurses, doctors and support workers currently employed at the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Centre, Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"It is for the NHS in Grampian to decide how to deploy the increased resources which the Executive is making available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150871,"EventID":"S1W-14157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions for the supply of drugs there have been in each parliamentary constituency in each year since 1987.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions for the supply of drugs there have been in each parliamentary constituency in each year since 1987.","AnswerText":"The information held centrally on the number of convicted persons whose main offence was supply or possession with intent to supply drugs cannot be broken down by parliamentary constituency. The available information relates to convictions by court and is given in the table.

Persons with a charge proved for supply of drugs (main offence), 1987-99

Year

Court type

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Sheriff court

Aberdeen

4

9

8

25

31

38

46

48

71

52

74

96

83

Airdrie

1

3

5

8

10

5

17

Number of seizures made by Grampian Police, 1987-98

Year

Number of seizures

1987

145

1988

138

1989

297

1990

324

1991

591

1992

596

1993

703

1994

1,036

1995

1,125

1996

1,391

1997

1,518

1998

1,681

","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150873,"EventID":"S1W-14159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that parents whose children's organs have been retained are given suitable support when making enquiries to the hospitals involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that parents whose children's organs have been retained are given suitable support when making enquiries to the hospitals involved.","AnswerText":"In response to early recommendations from the independent Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post-Mortem, which I set up under the chairmanship of Professor Sheila McLean to advise the Executive on this highly sensitive issue, the Chief Executive of the NHS in Scotland wrote to all Trusts on 17 January indicating that they should nominate a fully-trained member of staff to deal with such inquiries and to set up a dedicated telephone line for that purpose.

Both that letter and a subsequent communication from the Chief Medical Officer have re-iterated the advice contained in the review group's report on the first phase of its work, which stressed the need for maximum sensitivity on the part of NHS staff when dealing with such inquiries. The quality of each Trust's response is being monitored.

Information is also given to callers, where appropriate, about the general support and bereavement counselling which are available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150874,"EventID":"S1W-14160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra counselling and support staff have been recruited by each health board to support relatives of those children whose organs may have been retained by hospi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra counselling and support staff have been recruited by each health board to support relatives of those children whose organs may have been retained by hospitals.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to question S1W-14159, inquiries are being handled by existing staff of NHS Trusts who are familiar with the issues involved. Yorkhill NHS Trust, which has dealt with the great majority of inquiries, has taken on an additional member of staff specifically to deal with these.

Further assistance, where needed, is being provided in the main by voluntary support groups, who are particularly well placed to fill that role.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150875,"EventID":"S1W-14161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to sustain successful projects funded from the Excellence Fund should that source of funding end.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to sustain successful projects funded from the Excellence Fund should that source of funding end.","AnswerText":"The Excellence Fund, as currently constituted, covers the three-year period which ends in March 2002. It funds a number of important initiatives which contribute to our overall objectives of raising standards in schools and promoting social inclusion. We are reviewing the scope and operation of the Excellence Fund and will fully involve CoSLA in that process. That review will include consideration of the measures which may be necessary to support beyond March 2002 those elements of the current Excellence Fund which may need to be continued and whether they are funded locally or nationally.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150876,"EventID":"S1W-14162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the judicial appointments machinery following the consultation exercise last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the judicial appointments machinery following the consultation exercise last year.","AnswerText":"I have announced today that the Scottish Executive has decided to establish a Judicial Appointments Board.

The board will be chaired by a senior non-legal figure, and will have other lay members, who will be appointed following Nolan public appointment procedures. It will also contain representatives of the judiciary and legal professions, so that lay and legal members will be equally balanced.

The board will be set up on an administrative basis, but when parliamentary time allows it will be put on a firm statutory footing. Its role will be to advise the First Minister on names of new appointees to the office of Judge of the Court of Session, Sheriff Principal and Sheriff (both permanent and part-time Sheriffs). It will determine its own procedures, but these will be subject to guidance from the Scottish Ministers.

All appointments will be advertised and appointments will be made solely on merit. The board's procedures will include a requirement that the legally qualified members are satisfied as to the legal capacity of those recommended.

The board will make its recommendation to the First Minister, who will consult the Lord President of the Court of Session (as he is obliged to do by the Scotland Act 1998). The First Minister will expect to accept the advice of the board unless there is good reason to the contrary. The Lord Advocate will no longer routinely advise on appointments, but will advise the First Minister in any case of uncertainty about the board's recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150877,"EventID":"S1W-14163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the specific needs of children with acquired brain injury are met across the education, health and social work sectors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the specific needs of children with acquired brain injury are met across the education, health and social work sectors.","AnswerText":"The specific care and support needs of children with acquired brain injury will be met from a range of primary, secondary and specialist services, including health professionals, rehabilitation specialists and learning disability specialists.

Education authorities have a duty to ensure that the special educational needs of all children are met. In order to meet this duty, education authorities should liaise with a range of appropriate professionals from the health and social work sectors.

Scottish Executive guidance is currently being produced for distribution to all local authorities on the special arrangements for children who are unable to attend school due to prolonged ill-health and the subsequent arrangements required on return to school.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150878,"EventID":"S1W-14164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce legislation in line with the proposals for a Safety Bill in England and Wales as announced in the Queen's Speech.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce legislation in line with the proposals for a Safety Bill in England and Wales as announced in the Queen's Speech.","AnswerText":"No. The Queen's Speech of 6 December 2000 announced the UK Government's intention to draft a Safety Bill. The Bill will apply across Great Britain, and in some cases the UK. Officials from the Executive and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions are liaising closely as the drafting develops.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150879,"EventID":"S1W-14165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to take any action on the recommendations of the report by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Inspection of Multi-Storey Car Parks, which recom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to take any action on the recommendations of the report by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Inspection of Multi-Storey Car Parks, which recommends that all owners of car parks over 12 years old should engage an engineer to carry out an inspection.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will be maintaining a watching brief on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) project Enhancement of Whole Life Performance of Existing and Future Car Parks. This project, which started in January 2001, aims to provide rigorous analysis of car park performance to inform the development of the guidance currently being produced by both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150880,"EventID":"S1W-14166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult with the communities of Mallaig and Morar in connection with the possible construction of a footpath/cycleway alongside the A830; what inform","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult with the communities of Mallaig and Morar in connection with the possible construction of a footpath/cycleway alongside the A830; what information it has in relation to the demand for such a footpath/cycleway, and whether this would provide a beneficial leisure facility for tourists visiting the area.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to consult with the communities of Mallaig and Morar in connection with the possible construction of a footway/cycleway alongside the A830. One metre wide strips on either side of the main carriageway are being provided on the new sections of the road to help cyclists.

Under the Trunk Road Cycling Initiative (TRCI) available resources for the provision of separate cycleways continue to be directed towards assisting schemes which form part of the proposed Sustrans National Cycle Network. The A830 corridor is not a part of that programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150881,"EventID":"S1W-14167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to it is of each (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) special educational needs and (d) Gaelic-medium education teacher training place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to it is of each (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) special educational needs and (d) Gaelic-medium education teacher training place.","AnswerText":"For 2001-02, the units of teaching resource allocated by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for education are:

Funding subject group

Unit

BEd Music; BEd Technology

£6,374

BEd Physical Education; PGCE

£6,216

BEd Primary

£5,514

There is no initial teacher education qualification in special educational needs. Gaelic-medium is not a separately identified subject funding group.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150882,"EventID":"S1W-14168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Executive Bill has been drafted in whole or in part by an outside agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Executive Bill has been drafted in whole or in part by an outside agency.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150883,"EventID":"S1W-14169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7656 by Angus MacKay on 1 December 2000, how many contracts let to external consultants and advisors in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) to da","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7656 by Angus MacKay on 1 December 2000, how many contracts let to external consultants and advisors in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) to date in 2000-01 were (i) put out to competitive tender; (ii) not put out to competitive tender, and (iii) let on a non-commercial basis, specifying in each case the names of the individuals or organisations which carried out work and the value of the contract, and what the total value was of all contracts in each of the categories in each of the years above.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The answer to question S1W-7656 indicated that arrangements would be introduced to collect this data in future. We will begin compiling data shortly relating to contracts placed on or after 1 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150884,"EventID":"S1W-14170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister will reply to the letter of 30 January 2001 from the South Lanarkshire Tenants' Federation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister will reply to the letter of 30 January 2001 from the South Lanarkshire Tenants' Federation.","AnswerText":"A reply to South Lanarkshire Tenants' Federation was issued on 14 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150885,"EventID":"S1W-14171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of the renumeration package received by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has been, showing (a) the gross salary, (b) expenses recei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of the renumeration package received by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has been, showing (a) the gross salary, (b) expenses received, (c) the value of pensions benefits and (d) other entitlements, broken down for each of the last five years and the current year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The available information is given in the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts, save as respects reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenditure, which is on the same basis as for other staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150886,"EventID":"S1W-14172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the developing shortfall in orders to BAe Systems Scotstoun.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the developing shortfall in orders to BAe Systems Scotstoun.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including Ministry of Defence contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150887,"EventID":"S1W-14173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the co-ordination of the views of infertility sufferers following the cessation of funding for the National Infertility Support Network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the co-ordination of the views of infertility sufferers following the cessation of funding for the National Infertility Support Network.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has agreed to provide core funding towards the administrative costs of Child Infertility Network Scotland for a three-year period commencing 2000-01. This will enable them to continue providing the service which was previously provided by CHILD, the National Infertility Support Network.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150888,"EventID":"S1W-14174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government about deferring or restructuring VAT and income tax payments and other government levies and charges due to be ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government about deferring or restructuring VAT and income tax payments and other government levies and charges due to be paid by Scottish farmers, businesses and others affected by the foot and mouth disease outbreak and about the economic and social effect which requiring these payments to be made at this time may have.","AnswerText":"In addition to the £13.5 million emergency package for the Scottish rural economy, several measures were announced by the UK Government on 20 March which will help Scottish farmers, businesses and others affected by the outbreak. They include flexibility from the Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise on the timing of payments for businesses with cash flow difficulties, scope for continuing credit for businesses already in receipt of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme, and continuing credit from the Banks for small businesses badly affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150889,"EventID":"S1W-14175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take in relation to deferring charges and levies under its control due to be paid by those affected by the foot and mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take in relation to deferring charges and levies under its control due to be paid by those affected by the foot and mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Ms Alexander announced on 28 March a package of measures totalling £13.5 million, including a rates relief package. Hardship relief from non-domestic rates is currently available to any business demonstrating hardship, at the discretion of the billing local authority. The Scottish Executive finds 75% of relief granted, the cost of the remaining 25% falling to the local authority. The scheme increases the Scottish Executive's contribution to the cost from 75% to 95% for those businesses most effected by the foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150890,"EventID":"S1W-14176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been provided to the Scottish Society for Autism in each of the last five years; what plans it has to provide future funding to continue and improve serv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been provided to the Scottish Society for Autism in each of the last five years; what plans it has to provide future funding to continue and improve services for families affected by autistic spectrum disorder and what funding it plans to provide to ensure the continued existence of the society and its staff post based in Inverness beyond September 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Society for Autism was awarded a total of £129,285 through the Special Educational Needs Innovation Grants Programme for two projects:

A Social Inclusion Partnership Project, from April 1999 to March 2002

A Positive Interaction Video, from September 2000 to March 2001

The society received a social work training grant of £28,000 in 1996-97 and 1997-98 and £26,000 in each of the three financial years 1998-99 to 2000-01.

In addition, an offer of a grant of £16,400 was made to the Society on 16 March 2001, to conduct a mapping exercise to help prepare for the national network for people with an autistic spectrum disorder as recommended in The same as you? report.

Following the learning disabilities review, we are providing additional funds of £36 million over three years, starting in April 2001, to improve services for people learning disabilities. This will benefit, amongst others, families affected by autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150891,"EventID":"S1W-14177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients as at 31 December 2000 had been waiting longer than 12 months for treatment on the NHS and had been excluded from the Patients' Charter guarantees, bro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients as at 31 December 2000 had been waiting longer than 12 months for treatment on the NHS and had been excluded from the Patients' Charter guarantees, broken down by NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"On 31 December 2000, only 13 patients (0.01% of the waiting list) with a waiting times guarantee had waited more than 12 months for treatment.

On that date, 601 patients (0.7% of the waiting list) had declined treatment offered to them within 12 months of joining the waiting list or had asked for their treatment to be deferred; 168 patients (0.2% of the waiting list) were awaiting very low clinical priority treatments, such as tattoo removal, and had agreed with their consultant that they could wait longer than 12 months for treatment; and 197 patients (0.2% of the waiting list) required highly specialised treatment such as organ transplants.

This information, by NHS Trust, is given in the table.

NHSScotland: Patients on the Inpatient/Day Case Waiting List with an Exception to the Waiting Times Guarantee, who had Waited More Than 12 Months for Treatment on 31 December 2000 - by NHS Trust.

NHS Trust

Reason For Exception

 

Patients Declined/Deferred Treatment

Patients Awaiting Treatment Of Low Clinical Priority

Patients Awaiting Highly Specialised Treatment

Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals

76

3

1

Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals

34

12

8

Fife Acute Hospitals

73

8

35

Forth Valley Acute Hospitals

4

-

3

Grampian University Hospitals

143

30

2

Highland Acute Hospitals

-

18

-

Lothian University Hospitals

2

-

50

North Glasgow University Hospitals

2

-

50

South Glasgow University Hospitals

-

-

22

Tayside University Hospitals

267

40

24

West Lothian Healthcare

-

57

The working group has recommended that the existing capacity penalty arrangements should be maintained for the time being but that the penalty relating to the uprating of an existing engine, or to an increase in power following its replacement, should be based on the increase in the vessel's capacity rather than its overall capacity. The Fisheries Departments in the UK agree and arrangements are being made to notify the owners of licensed fishing vessels.

As of today a 20% capacity penalty will operate for the uprating or replacement of an existing vessel engine provided the resulting increase in engine power does not exceed 35%. This penalty will be reduced to 10% where an engine is uprated or replaced before 31 December 2001. However, except in the case of pelagic vessels, where vessel capacity units (VCUs) are taken from vessels under 18 metres in overall length and aggregated onto licensed vessels measuring 18 metres or more in overall length, the capacity penalty will be 30%. Provision will also be made for the splitting of fishing vessel licences for the purpose of engine power adjustments.

The Fisheries Departments, in conjunction with the European Commission, are also prepared to consider, on a case-by-case basis, waiving capacity penalties and compliance with tonnage rules for vessel improvements which relate exclusively to improved safety and which will not result in an increase in a vessel's fishing effort. Under EU legislation, member states may apply for an increase in tonnage objectives under their relevant Multi Annual Guidance Programme to take account of increases in vessel capacity resulting exclusively from safety improvements. Advantage is now being taken of that facility.

In the longer term the Fisheries Departments in the UK wish to simplify the present capacity regime and, with the exception of engine power adjustments, plan to return to a situation where a single penalty applies. The present capacity penalties will therefore end on 31 March 2003 and be replaced on 1 April 2003 by a single penalty which will also apply to tonnage and engine power as well as vessel capacity units. Since two years notice of these changes is being given, no provision will be made for so-called pipeline cases. The views of the fishing industry and other interests are being sought on the level at which the capacity penalty should be fixed and whether this should apply to both licence transfers and aggregations or to aggregations alone.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150894,"EventID":"S1W-14180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce legislation to support the maintenance of the moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce legislation to support the maintenance of the moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering.","AnswerText":"Yes.

Annually the Executive has repeated its commitment to continue a moratorium on Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) in local government until we are ready to introduce legislation to provide a statutory Best Value regime. We are still considering the detail of such legislation, and to date have published two consultation papers on its various aspects: Best Value: next steps, laid before Parliament in June last year, and A Power of Community Initiative etc, laid before Parliament last November.

I have now been advised that one of the provisions which support the moratorium - section 2(10) of the Local Government Act 1988 - needs amendment to enable the full moratorium to continue until we are ready to introduce legislative proposals on Best Value.

Unless the amendment is made CCT will be imposed on 1 January 2002 on the following activities: the collection of refuse, the cleaning of buildings and other cleaning, catering for purposes of schools and welfare and other catering, the management of sports and leisure facilities, maintenance of ground and the repair and maintenance of vehicles.

Such a development would involve substantial costs for local authorities and disrupt the development of Best Value.

I would therefore like to announce the Executive's intention shortly to introduce a small Bill which will amend the Local Government Act 1988 and remove this deadline. We propose to introduce this Bill as early as possible during this parliamentary year.

The Executive's longer term plans remain to repeal CCT as part of the new statutory regime for local authorities based on a duty of Best Value.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150895,"EventID":"S1W-14181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding implementation of EC Directive 98/9 relating to the marketing of biocidal products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding implementation of EC Directive 98/9 relating to the marketing of biocidal products.","AnswerText":"The Directive concerns the placing of biocidal products in the market. It brings in an approval system for four categories of biocidal product - disinfectants and general biocides, preservatives, pest control agents and other biocides, such as anti-fouling agents and embalming fluids. It aims to provide a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment and to harmonise the European market for such products. The regime covers both reserved and devolved issues. In that circumstance, I have agreed that implementation should be by GB Regulations. A copy of the Regulations, which have been laid before the UK Parliament, will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150896,"EventID":"S1W-14182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee announced in July 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee announced in July 2000.","AnswerText":"The report on the first stage of the financial, management and policy review of the JNCC has been published today and copies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Copies of the report can also be obtained on the JNCC's website at www.jncc.gov.uk. Interested parties are invited to offer their considered views on the report within three months.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150897,"EventID":"S1W-14183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibilities local authorities have in relation to the continuing care of those young people with autistic spectrum disorders who are being educated in residenti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibilities local authorities have in relation to the continuing care of those young people with autistic spectrum disorders who are being educated in residential establishments once they are beyond the school leaving age.","AnswerText":"If the young people are looked after by local authorities in terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, the authorities retain a duty to support them until they reach the age of 18 years and a power to do so until aged 21 or until any full time educational course is completed.

If a Record of Needs is already open for a child on his or her 16th birthday, then the local authority is required to continue to maintain it, and to review it (and the Future Needs Assessment report when appropriate) while the child remains in school education.

For all other young people, the precise responsibilities of authorities will depend on individual circumstances. In addition, under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, local authorities have a statutory requirement to assess the need for community care services of any persons who appear to them to require such services and to decide, in the light of the assessment, whether they should arrange any services. The transition between children's and adult services is a key priority for local authorities, working in partnership with health and education services.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150898,"EventID":"S1W-14184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date on the work of the Digital Scotland Task Force and whether it will detail any timetable for the completion of this work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date on the work of the Digital Scotland Task Force and whether it will detail any timetable for the completion of this work.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Task Force completed its work in May 2000 when it published its report. This report was published on the web for public consultation. Following the consultation exercise the Executive's response to the report was published in September 2000. These can be found on the web at www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland/report.htm. The Executive is taking forward action in two linked streams: 21st Century Government and Digital Scotland, the latter addressing issues of infrastructure and digital inclusion.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150899,"EventID":"S1W-14185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology is in place to monitor the progress of the Digital Scotland Task Force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology is in place to monitor the progress of the Digital Scotland Task Force.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-14184 and S1W-14186.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150900,"EventID":"S1W-14186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Digital Scotland Task Force are; what qualifications and experience each member has, and what criteria were used to appoint these members.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Digital Scotland Task Force are; what qualifications and experience each member has, and what criteria were used to appoint these members.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Task Force was created to enable the Executive to draw on expertise and experience from across the Scottish community, with members drawn from the private sector, local government and the education sectors. The task force was chaired by Mr Peter Peacock, the then Deputy Minister for Children and Education.

The Digital Scotland Taskforce completed its work in May 2000 when it published its report. The report along with a list of who the members were is available on the web at www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland/report.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150901,"EventID":"S1W-14187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the Strathblane to Aberfoyle stretch of the A81.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the Strathblane to Aberfoyle stretch of the A81.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are responsible for road safety on local roads in their areas. The A81 is classified as a local road and decisions on measures to improve road safety on the Strathblane to Aberfoyle stretch of that road are for Stirling Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150902,"EventID":"S1W-14188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take in the next financial year to improve road safety on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take in the next financial year to improve road safety on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","AnswerText":"New Operating Companies will be responsible for the trunk road network from 1 April 2001. The Scottish Executive will liaise with the companies regarding schemes to improve road safety on the trunk road network for the forthcoming financial year (2001-02).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150903,"EventID":"S1W-14189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take in the next financial year to improve road safety on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take in the next financial year to improve road safety on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14188.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150904,"EventID":"S1W-14190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the A82 between Crianlarich and Tyndrum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to improve road safety on the A82 between Crianlarich and Tyndrum.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14188.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150905,"EventID":"S1W-14191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Union requesting that the planned review of guidelines on state aid be brought forward in order that it can take acco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Union requesting that the planned review of guidelines on state aid be brought forward in order that it can take account of these revised guidelines in formulating its policy on the Scottish ferry network.","AnswerText":"No. The Commission has clarified, in its recent reply to European parliamentary question Number 73 H-0151/01, that tendering in relation to the ferry services off the west coast of Scotland, which are currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, must be seen in the light of Council Regulation 3577/92. There are currently no plans to alter Article 4 of Council Regulation 3577/92. Whatever form the revision of the state aid guidelines may finally take, the principle of non-discrimination will remain and will need to be fulfilled by member states wishing to establish public service obligations.

The Scottish Executive continues to make representations to the European Commission on a range of issues in relation to lifeline ferry services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150906,"EventID":"S1W-14192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12335 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network in ter","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12335 by Susan Deacon on 6 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network in terms of its origin, staffing and remit and give a complete list of all research projects it has carried out since 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was formed in 1993 by the Academy of Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland. SIGN develops and disseminates multidisciplinary, evidence-based clinical guidelines for the NHS in Scotland. The guidelines, which contain recommendations for effective practice based on current evidence, aim to improve the quality of health care for patients by reducing variation in practice and outcome. The guideline development programme is funded by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) of the Scottish Executive.

Membership of SIGN includes all medical specialties, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, professions allied to medicine, patients, health service managers, social services, and researchers. The work of SIGN is supported by an Executive of 19 staff based at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

SIGN has a programme of 60 evidence-based clinical guidelines - published, in development, or under review - covering a wide range of topics. Its 50th guideline was published in February of this year. Many of the guidelines relate to the NHS priority areas.

Full background information on SlGN and a list of published guidelines can be found at their website at www.sign.ac.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150907,"EventID":"S1W-14193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12338 by Nicol Stephen on 6 March 2001, whether Circular 4/96, Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs - Assessmen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12338 by Nicol Stephen on 6 March 2001, whether Circular 4/96, Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs - Assessment and Recording, will be updated to take account of both the growing numbers of children being diagnosed with special educational needs conditions such as attention deficit and hyperactive disorder and the policy of mainstreaming.","AnswerText":"Circular 4/96 provides advice to education authorities on the assessment and recording arrangements in Scotland for children and young people with learning needs across the full range of special educational needs.

The National SEN Advisory Forum is conducting a review of these statutory arrangements and Circular 4/96 will be revised in light of any changes.

The Scottish Executive will be issuing separate guidance to education authorities on the new mainstreaming duty shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150908,"EventID":"S1W-14194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on whether any research is being undertaken in Scotland into xenotransplantation; whether it is currently funding any such research, and what pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on whether any research is being undertaken in Scotland into xenotransplantation; whether it is currently funding any such research, and what plans it has to attract further research and any related technologies to Scotland.","AnswerText":"Policy on xenotransplantation is a reserved matter for the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150909,"EventID":"S1W-14195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will make available data on total capital and revenue expenditure which is not available from national financial returns as highlighted in the Audit Scotland Perf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will make available data on total capital and revenue expenditure which is not available from national financial returns as highlighted in the Audit Scotland Performance Audit, Equipped to care: Managing medical equipment in the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Health boards and NHS Trusts are responsible for keeping adequate financial records and inventories of medical equipment. I have no plans to collect this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150910,"EventID":"S1W-14196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the issue of mismatch between expenditure on new and replacement medical equipment and depreciation of such equipment as highlighte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the issue of mismatch between expenditure on new and replacement medical equipment and depreciation of such equipment as highlighted in the Audit Scotland Performance Audit, Equipped to care: Managing medical equipment in the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150911,"EventID":"S1W-14197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce NHS Trust and patient exposure to any unnecessary risks as a result of any lack of formal documented medical equipment training polic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce NHS Trust and patient exposure to any unnecessary risks as a result of any lack of formal documented medical equipment training policies for staff as highlighted in the Audit Scotland Performance Audit, Equipped to care: Managing medical equipment in the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I expect every NHS Trust in Scotland to take the necessary action to remedy any inadequacies in their policies or procedures highlighted by the Audit Scotland Performance Audit Equipped to Care.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150912,"EventID":"S1W-14198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional money will be allocated to local health care co-operatives to help development and innovation in patient care in each of the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional money will be allocated to local health care co-operatives to help development and innovation in patient care in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"We have stated in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change that we intend to develop primary care services and strengthen the role of LHCCs.

The LHCC Best Practice Group and Audit Scotland have both reviewed the progress, to date, of LHCCs. Reports from both pieces of work are expected shortly and will, together with other related work, inform what the Executive does next on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150913,"EventID":"S1W-14199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that investment in research and development in the healthcare sector is attracted to Scotland and encouraged to remain.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that investment in research and development in the healthcare sector is attracted to Scotland and encouraged to remain.","AnswerText":"The attraction of high-level research and development activities and the strengthening of the biotechnology cluster are two of the key strategic themes currently being pursued by Locate in Scotland (LiS).

As with all the projects that it helps attract to Scotland, LiS, through its policy of ongoing Investor Support, works with these companies to ensure that they not only remain in Scotland but continue to develop their operations.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150914,"EventID":"S1W-14200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to use human genome data to identify people who are susceptible to heart disease, cancer and diabetes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to use human genome data to identify people who are susceptible to heart disease, cancer and diabetes.","AnswerText":"Although the Human Genome Project will lead to the sequencing of the human gene complement, it will require a great deal of further research before the actual function, and hence health implication, of each of the genes identified is determined. Research projects of this nature are currently under consideration in Scotland and other parts of the UK. We are therefore not in a position yet to use this knowledge to identify people in the general population who are susceptible to heart disease, cancer and diabetes unless they have one of the already known genetic forms.

Meanwhile, comprehensive clinical and molecular genetic services are available in Scotland to identify at-risk individuals within families with recognised genetic susceptibilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150915,"EventID":"S1W-14201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional staff and how much additional funding will be needed to provide the 250 hours of postgraduate dental education for all practitioners over a five-year ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional staff and how much additional funding will be needed to provide the 250 hours of postgraduate dental education for all practitioners over a five-year re-certification cycle announced by the General Dental Council.","AnswerText":"Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the personal responsibility of the dental practitioner as a professional. The Scottish Executive already makes a significant contribution to postgraduate dental education via the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) by means of the provision of courses. Because of this, recent Scottish survey figures estimate that 72% of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) and 85% of Community Dental Service (CDS) dentists have already achieved the General Dental Council's (GDC) recommended level of verifiable CPD. Discussions are continuing with the dental profession regarding the future levels of remuneration and expenses for CPD.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150916,"EventID":"S1W-14202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address the 13% vacancy rate for clinical psychologists in the NHS, as highlighted in the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address the 13% vacancy rate for clinical psychologists in the NHS, as highlighted in the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education's Annual Report 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) monitors and funds the training of Clinical Psychologists in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. SCPMDE has secured formal agreements which will guarantee a minimum of 32 training places in Scotland each year for graduate psychologists who wish to embark on the three-year training programme for clinical psychology. This represents an increase of 33% over the past five years. 90% of those trained in Scotland go on to work as clinical psychologists in NHSScotland.

SCPMDE is working with representatives of the clinical psychology profession to consider alternative staffing models for providing psychology services for NHSScotland. However, these discussions are at an early stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150917,"EventID":"S1W-14203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11657 by Susan Deacon on 5 March 2001, what action it will take to reverse the increase in hospital-acquired infections in the Ayrs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11657 by Susan Deacon on 5 March 2001, what action it will take to reverse the increase in hospital-acquired infections in the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area since 1996.","AnswerText":"Information provided in response to question S1W-11657 relates to numbers of laboratory isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) over the last five years. MRSA is one of the causes of hospital-acquired infection (HAI).

Preventing and controlling HAI, including infections attributable to MRSA, is a key priority for the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published in December last year, makes clear that every local healthcare system is expected to combat HAI by achieving service standards to be established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on infection control, cleanliness and other matters.

Comprehensive guidance on infection control in hospitals - the Scottish Infection Manual - was issued by the Scottish Office Health Department in 1998. It recommends that Infection Control Teams should be in place in every NHS Trust. Infection control teams are responsible for ensuring that action is taken to reduce the risk of HAI, and for investigating and recommending action on incidences of hospital-acquired infection, within the overall Trust policy on infection control.

It is for each NHS Trust to ensure that guidance and standards are applied effectively. Following the implementation of standards in the area of infection control within the NHS, compliance with these standards will be independently assessed under the guidance of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150918,"EventID":"S1W-14205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners ceased to practice as principals in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners ceased to practice as principals in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table.

General Practitioners who ceased to practise as principals in Scotland

by health board area

Year ending 30 September

1998

1999

2000

Scotland

139

124

157

Argyll & Clyde

15

11

12

Ayrshire & Arran

7

8

14

Borders

2

2

2

Dumfries & Galloway

3

7

2

Fife

11

6

6

Forth Valley

5

13

10

Grampian

17

9

22

Greater Glasgow

25

21

17

Highland

7

9

13

Lanarkshire

12

7

16

Lothian

18

12

25

Orkney

1

2

5

Shetland

The Review of the General Teaching Council for Scotland;

Improving our Schools - Consultation on the Improvement in Scottish Education Bill;

Response to Riddell Advisory Committee Report into the Education of Children with Severe Low Incidence Disabilities;

Young People Leaving Care - Proposed Transfer of DSS Resources to Local Authorities;

Youth Crime Review;

Assessment and Testing: Pre-school and 5-14;

Strategic Framework for Children's Services - "Planned Outcomes for Better Care";

Improving our Schools - Consultation on national priorities for schools education in Scotland;

The Standard for Initial Teacher Education;

Consultation on the Schools Scotland Code 1956;

Regulation of Early Education and Childcare: The Way Ahead;

Guidelines for the Management of Drugs Misuse in Schools;

Outlook International: Promoting the International Dimension in Scottish Schools;

Consultation on Good Practice Guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools.

The consultations initiated by the Minister & Deputy Minister for Education, Europe & External Affairs since November 2000:

Collaborative Review of Initial Teacher Education Department;

Review of Devolved School Management.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150922,"EventID":"S1W-14209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation exercises the ministers with responsibility for culture and sport have initiated since 1 July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation exercises the ministers with responsibility for culture and sport have initiated since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"Consultation on the National Cultural Strategy was launched in August 1999. A consultation on The Development Of A Policy On Architecture For Scotland was launched in September 1999. There has been no other consultation in these areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150923,"EventID":"S1W-14210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to address levels of absenteeism in local government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to address levels of absenteeism in local government.","AnswerText":"As independent corporate bodies, it is for individual local authorities to determine the terms and conditions of employment of their employees and to consider what, if any, action is required to address absenteeism.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150924,"EventID":"S1W-14211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact it expects its draft Freedom of Information legislation to have on local authorities in each of the next three years, and whether it has already pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact it expects its draft Freedom of Information legislation to have on local authorities in each of the next three years, and whether it has already provided for this impact in its recently announced three-year financial settlement.","AnswerText":"The Executive's consideration of the potential cost to Scottish public authorities arising from freedom of information is set out in Freedom of Information - Consultation on Draft Legislation, published on 1 March 2001.

Many Scottish public authorities already handle requests for information, whether or not under a formal regime, and will have existing structures in place able to support the provision of information under the freedom of information legislation.

It is envisaged that the implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will be in stages, and that the cost to the Scottish public sector will be absorbed within planned resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150925,"EventID":"S1W-14212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of foot and mouth disease in Scotland have been identified as having been contracted by air-borne transmission and how many by direct contact.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of foot and mouth disease in Scotland have been identified as having been contracted by air-borne transmission and how many by direct contact.","AnswerText":"Initial studies based on observations made in other countries suggest that airborne transmission from infected premises has not been a prominent feature of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The spread appears mainly to be by direct contact particularly through sheep. The position is being monitored very carefully as the outbreak continues.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150926,"EventID":"S1W-14213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice has been received from the Chief Veterinary Officer regarding the period of time which must be observed before areas where foot and mouth disease has been id","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice has been received from the Chief Veterinary Officer regarding the period of time which must be observed before areas where foot and mouth disease has been identified can be restocked with livestock.","AnswerText":"Restrictions remain in force for a minimum of 30 days following the cleansing and disinfection of the last infected premise in an Infected Area. However a number of factors affect the timing of cleansing and disinfection such as disposal of slurry and manure on pasture land. This may delay the point at which cleansing and disinfection procedures begin.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150927,"EventID":"S1W-14214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is represented on bodies determining science strategy at a UK level.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is represented on bodies determining science strategy at a UK level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is represented on a number of UK Science Policy Groups and Organisations. It is represented at ministerial level on the Ministerial Science Group (MSG), and at official level on both the Chief Scientific Advisor's Committee (CSAC) and the Science and Engineering Base Co-ordinating Committee (SEBCC).","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150928,"EventID":"S1W-14215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was spent in each of the last two years by it and other publicly funded bodies on the production and publication of newsletters, maga'ines and periodicals ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was spent in each of the last two years by it and other publicly funded bodies on the production and publication of newsletters, maga'ines and periodicals concerning social inclusion and social justice.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive spent approximately £13,000 in 1999 and £20,000 in 2000 on issues of a Social Inclusion Research Bulletin, GOSSIP (the quarterly newsletter for Social Inclusion Partnerships) and a New Community Schools newsletter.

Information on materials produced by the range of publicly funded bodies with an interest in social inclusion and social justice is not held centrally. There are a number of publicly funded organisations which produce newsletters etc. which touch on social inclusion issues without covering them in particular.

Scottish Homes started producing a quarterly news publication Action for Social Justice in Scotland in June 2000. Three issues were produced in 2000 at a total cost of £15,435.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150929,"EventID":"S1W-14216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the scheme allowing the licensed movement of livestock from farm to abattoir (a) permits or (b) prevents (i) the movement of livestock from farms which lie withi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the scheme allowing the licensed movement of livestock from farm to abattoir (a) permits or (b) prevents (i) the movement of livestock from farms which lie within areas where foot and mouth disease has been confirmed and (ii) the transportation of livestock on or across roads within such areas; whether any licences have been sought in relation to farms within infected areas; if so, whether any such licences have been granted; whether there has been any transportation of livestock across roads within infected areas and, if so, whether it plans to reassess the risks involved in such transportation.","AnswerText":"The scheme licensing the movement of animals to slaughter for human consumption, which came into effect at midnight on 2 March, permits animals from outside infected areas to be moved under strict controls direct from the farm to a slaughterhouse. Where such movements go within 3km of an infected place this may only be done by motorway, trunk road or railway. The movement of livestock from farms which lie within areas where foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed is prohibited.

Information on the number of applications for a licence to move livestock from an infected area is not held centrally. If any such applications were received they would be rejected.

The transportation of livestock across roads within infected areas is not permitted unless under licence for animal welfare purposes.

With this arrangement operating, the movement of stock is kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150930,"EventID":"S1W-14217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the issues raised by the Road Haulage Association at the meeting of the Rural Development Committee on 13 March 2001, in particular the adequ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the issues raised by the Road Haulage Association at the meeting of the Rural Development Committee on 13 March 2001, in particular the adequacy of the arrangements for disinfection of vehicles transporting livestock from farms to abattoir under licence, whether it is satisfied that all vehicles are effectively disinfected at abattoirs, what methods are being employed to ascertain whether this is the case, and whether these monitoring methods are sufficient and, if not, what additional measures will be taken to ensure adequate disinfection of such vehicles.","AnswerText":"Thorough disinfection of vehicles is carried out under strict supervision on behalf of Scottish Ministers, once livestock have been unloaded at the abattoir. This system should help to ensure that any risk of infection is minimal.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150931,"EventID":"S1W-14218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to meet representatives of the Road Haulage Association as a matter of urgency to discuss concerns about the practical arrangements for the move","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to meet representatives of the Road Haulage Association as a matter of urgency to discuss concerns about the practical arrangements for the movement of livestock from farm to abattoir under licence and in particular about how to ensure that such movement and transportation does not involve any increase in the risks of transmission of the foot and mouth virus.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had discussions with the Road Haulage Association.

Conditions under which livestock can be moved under licence direct from the farm to the abattoir are tightly drawn and enforced, to minimise any risk of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150932,"EventID":"S1W-14219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any evidence on the take-up of the voluntary charter set out in Smoking Kills: A White Paper on Tobacco designed to protect employees and customers within ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any evidence on the take-up of the voluntary charter set out in Smoking Kills: A White Paper on Tobacco designed to protect employees and customers within the hospitality industry from the health risks of passive smoking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places was launched on 23 May 2000. It is too early to measure effectively the impact that the Charter is having. However, Charter Implementation Guides have been distributed to 20,000 businesses. A survey of the on-licensed trade businesses involved is to be undertaken in April 2001 to establish the awareness of, and uptake of the Charter. In addition, the Executive will be repeating its original survey (carried out by MVA), later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150933,"EventID":"S1W-14220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the approved code of practice on smoking in the workplace, outlined in Smoking Kills: A White Paper on Tobacco, has not yet been introduced, given that the Health an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the approved code of practice on smoking in the workplace, outlined in Smoking Kills: A White Paper on Tobacco, has not yet been introduced, given that the Health and Safety Commission endorsed the code in September 2000.","AnswerText":"Health and Safety at Work legislation is a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150934,"EventID":"S1W-14221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider enabling 16-year-olds to continue at school whilst taking up an apprenticeship.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider enabling 16-year-olds to continue at school whilst taking up an apprenticeship.","AnswerText":"16-year-olds are eligible for Modern Apprenticeships provided they are in employment and the training leads to a Scottish Vocational Qualification at level 3. There are currently no plans to extend Modern Apprenticeships to non-employment settings, including schools. However, there are vocational opportunities available to 16-year-olds in school including work placement and new National Qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150935,"EventID":"S1W-14222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider measures to enable a wider age-range of young people to take up Modern Apprenticeships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider measures to enable a wider age-range of young people to take up Modern Apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"We are abolishing the upper age limit for Modern Apprenticeships to match people of all ages to the job opportunities available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150936,"EventID":"S1W-14223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which countries meat imports into Scotland are banned and whether meat is permitted to be imported into Scotland from any country in which foot and mouth disease is","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which countries meat imports into Scotland are banned and whether meat is permitted to be imported into Scotland from any country in which foot and mouth disease is endemic.","AnswerText":"Bans are imposed by the EU Commission as and when disease outbreaks are confirmed. As a result of the current outbreak of FMD, meat imports from three departments in France, four provinces in the Netherlands, one county in the Republic of Ireland and the areas of Newry and Mourne in Northern Ireland are banned. These restrictions are adapted as circumstances change. Meat imports are only permitted from countries or regions which are guaranteed free from FMD.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150937,"EventID":"S1W-14224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from the Food Standards Agency regarding any need for bans on the importation of meat from other countries to be introduced and whether it wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from the Food Standards Agency regarding any need for bans on the importation of meat from other countries to be introduced and whether it will publish any such advice, specifying the reasons for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised that there is no need to ban importation of meat from other countries. All beef produced in the EU must be produced in accordance with EU law. Imports of any meat from outside the EU are only allowed if the European Commission has approved the meat plant as producing to standards at least equivalent to those required by European law.

The agency does not consider that it is necessary to ban imports on risk grounds. The best available scientific advice indicates that the risks from eating imported beef and British beef are comparable, and are very small indeed. There have been recent studies carried out by Dr Christl Donnelly, of Imperial College, London. An article on French beef was published in Nature on 14 December and also a more recent study, (published 21 March) looked into risks of beef from Republic of Ireland.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150938,"EventID":"S1W-14225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Meat Hygiene Service is able to inspect 100% of carcasses of meat imported from other countries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Meat Hygiene Service is able to inspect 100% of carcasses of meat imported from other countries.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) routinely carries out random checks on all consignments of imported meat arriving at licensed cutting premises. These random checks have recently been stepped up in light of specified risk material (SRM) failures in consignments of beef from several member states.

The agency has instructed the MHS to step up checks on imported meat and specifically to inspect every single consignment of carcass beef imported from Germany through licensed cutting plants, following the cases of beef with SRM attached. Local authorities have also been advised to step up checks on bone-in-beef and sheep meat and the health marking of all meat in the premises they supervise.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150939,"EventID":"S1W-14226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that Amey will act in accordance with the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector, particularly in relation to the prote","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that Amey will act in accordance with the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector, particularly in relation to the protection of occupational pensions of staff who are transferring employers, following the recent tendering process for the maintenance and management of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given on 22 March to question S1O-3171 and the supplementary questions.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150940,"EventID":"S1W-14227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to set up community law centres similar to those operated in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to set up community law centres similar to those operated in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Executive has set up a broadly-based working group, involving a range of interested organisations, to examine how a community legal service might be developed for Scotland. As part of its work, the group may wish to consider issues such as community law centres. The working group will report to me in October; and the Executive will consult on any policy proposals flowing from that report.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150941,"EventID":"S1W-14228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13867 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 14 March 2001, which year's Research Assessment Exercise-based grant and external research income fi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13867 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 14 March 2001, which year's Research Assessment Exercise-based grant and external research income figures were used to calculate higher education institutions' allocations from the Scottish Science Research Investment Fund.","AnswerText":"The detail of the allocations from the Scottish Science Research Investment Fund is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). However, I understand that the year of the SHEFC Research Assessment Exercise-based grant used by SHEFC in calculating the Science Research Investment Fund was the current grant year 2000-01. The external research income figures used were an average of figures for 1997-98 and 1998-99, which provide the latest data available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150942,"EventID":"S1W-14229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any organic farmers who lose their certification status or customers as a result of pollen contamination from field trials of genetically modified crops will be e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any organic farmers who lose their certification status or customers as a result of pollen contamination from field trials of genetically modified crops will be entitled to compensation and, if so, who will be liable to pay any such compensation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's priority is to protect human health and the environment.

The environmental implications of field trials of genetically modified crops are fully considered by our expert advisory bodies before consent is granted. These bodies are satisfied that there are no safety or scientific reasons why this programme should have an adverse effect on organic farming. Additionally, the separation distance which is imposed around trial sites should ensure that any cross-pollination with organic crops which does take place will be negligible and should not affect the organic status of these crops. The question of de-certification is a matter for the organic certification authorities.

There are currently no provisions in Scots or UK law covering liability for damage caused specifically by genetically modified organisms. However, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, there are powers to prosecute a consent holder where the limitations and conditions attached to the consent are breached. Compensation would be a matter for the civil courts in determining an ordinary action brought by the affected farmer for negligent harm done to him or his business or for nuisance.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150943,"EventID":"S1W-14230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the produce from any genetically modified trial or control sites will be certified as for human or livestock consumption.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the produce from any genetically modified trial or control sites will be certified as for human or livestock consumption.","AnswerText":"It is a condition of the deliberate release consent that the entire GM crop is destroyed and does not enter the human or animal food chain. The proportion of the control crop growing within the stipulated separation distance is also destroyed at the same time.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150944,"EventID":"S1W-14231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crop trials included measurement of the dispersal of pollen from the GM crop by airborne flow, bee transfer or other means","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crop trials included measurement of the dispersal of pollen from the GM crop by airborne flow, bee transfer or other means.","AnswerText":"Pollen flow from genetically modified crops being grown as part of the farm-scale evaluations is being monitored at every site in Scotland. The monitoring is taking place within the adjacent "control" crop and at sampling points in the surrounding area.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150945,"EventID":"S1W-14232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any public consultation meetings about genetically modified crop trials will be cancelled given the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any public consultation meetings about genetically modified crop trials will be cancelled given the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"No. Although there is no statutory public consultation as part of the approval process for the deliberate release of GM crops, the importance of making factual information available in the vicinity of the trials is fully recognised and it was my intention to visit the area this month. However, in light of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak other methods of reaching a much wider audience than could be accommodated in public meetings have been considered. To this end I participated in a radio phone-in on Friday 16 March which enabled many local people to obtain information about what is involved and let me hear at first hand areas of concern.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150946,"EventID":"S1W-14233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what tests produce from recently announced farm-scale genetically modified crop trials will be subjected in order to establish their safety for human consumption or fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what tests produce from recently announced farm-scale genetically modified crop trials will be subjected in order to establish their safety for human consumption or for livestock fodder.","AnswerText":"None. The GM crop will be destroyed after harvest and will not enter the human or animal food chain. The farm-scale evaluations are designed to test whether the agricultural practices associated with growing a GM crop have an impact upon farmland biodiversity. Safety for human or animal consumption is considered separately.

GM products intended for human or animal consumption must be approved at European level. The GM oilseed rape currently being grown in the farm-scale evaluation programme has not been granted this approval at present but has approval for release in the UK for research purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150947,"EventID":"S1W-14234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Act 2000, what steps are being taken to publicly advertise the process of extinction of feu duties under sec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Act 2000, what steps are being taken to publicly advertise the process of extinction of feu duties under section 7 and the requirement of a compensatory payment under section 8.","AnswerText":"The Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 will not be fully commenced until the closely related and complementary Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill has been enacted. It is intended that both pieces of legislation will be commenced at the same time and the Executive will fully publicise their meaning and effect before they come into force. The commencement order for the 2000 Act will be made six months before coming into effect and that would appear to be the appropriate time to advertise the provisions on the final extinction of feu duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150948,"EventID":"S1W-14235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase prescription or other National Health Service charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase prescription or other National Health Service charges.","AnswerText":"We shall lay today regulations to increase prescription and other National Health Service charges in Scotland from 1 April 2001. There will be a 1.67% increase in the prescription charge of 10p, from £6.00 to £6.10 per item dispensed.

This is well within our commitment that NHS charges will rise by no more than the rate of inflation and means that prescription charges will again fall in real terms. This is the third successive year that the increase has been held to 10p.

Prescription pre-payment certificates will go up from £31.40 to £31.90 (1.59%) for four months and from £86.20 to £87.60 (1.62%) for 12 months. The arrangements under which refunds can be obtained on the unused portion of certificates will be extended under the new regulations.

Prescription charges are expected to raise around £45 million for the NHS in Scotland in 2001-02.

Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the Hospital Service will be increased similarly.

The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2001 will increase from £354 to £360. Only about one in every 1,000 courses of treatment will attract the new maximum charge.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150949,"EventID":"S1W-14236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the findings of a recent report by the Scottish Charities Office into allegations of bullying and poor management practice at the charity Children in Scotland will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the findings of a recent report by the Scottish Charities Office into allegations of bullying and poor management practice at the charity Children in Scotland will be made available to the public.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Charities office examined concerns about maladministration expressed by a former employee at the charity Children in Scotland. The investigation found no cause for formal regulatory action by way of proceedings before the Court of Session. The examination of the management of the charity did find a number of areas in which improvements could usefully be made to administrative practice. This is by no means unusual when the affairs of a charity are brought under scrutiny. The Charities Office is working with those in management and control of Children in Scotland to bring about these improvements designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation to the greater advantage of its beneficiaries. Good progress is being made and the Charities Office will continue to monitor these developments.

The Charities Office did not investigate allegations of bullying. Such allegations are not a matter for that office. They are, in any event, the subject of proceedings before an Employment Tribunal.

Investigations under the supervision of charities legislation are conducted in confidence and reports are not published.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150950,"EventID":"S1W-14237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Financial Instruments for Fisheries Guidance, funding assistance is available to equip new-built fishing vessels in terms of Article 9, Section 1, Subs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Financial Instruments for Fisheries Guidance, funding assistance is available to equip new-built fishing vessels in terms of Article 9, Section 1, Subsection C of the Official Journal of the European Communities dated 30 December 1999.","AnswerText":"Council Regulation (EC) 2792/1999 sets out detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector, within which member states' FIFG programmes are considered and generally required to operate.

Article 9.1(c) of the Regulation includes general provisions relating to public aid for the equipping or modernising of vessels. These are subject to a number of caveats, including that measures will not jeopardise the long-term equilibrium of fishery resources. The measures included in the Scottish programmes, which have been discussed and agreed with industry, include support for the modernisation of vessels with priority to be given to projects to improve catch handling and hygiene, quality and sustainability. Funding bids will be assessed individually, on their merits.

It is not the Executive's policy, and therefore the programmes approved by the Commission for FIFG aid schemes in Scotland make no financial provision, to support new vessel builds.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150951,"EventID":"S1W-14238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future funding of Scottish Opera will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future funding of Scottish Opera will be.","AnswerText":"Scottish Opera has proved in recent years that it is capable of a standard of performance of international class. The productions of Das Rheingold at the Edinburgh Festival last year and of Madame Butterfly have been enthusiastically received by critics and public alike. In addition, its educational and outreach work has proved it capable of reaching out to a the widest possible audience. We should congratulate the company on this excellence and take pride that Scotland is the home of a company capable of delivering such quality.

I am determined that the company should continue to play the role in the cultural life of Scotland set out in the national cultural strategy for our national companies. It will not be able to do that without significant support from the Scottish Arts Council.

I have carefully considered the future levels of funding in the light of the circumstances of the company and of the competing pressures within the arts sector and taking into account the comments of the Scottish Arts Council. In preparing that advice, the council invited Sir Peter Jonas, formerly Chief Executive of English National Opera, to review the business plan. Among his observations was that in terms of the level of subsidy and staffing levels, Scottish Opera compares favourably with a number of other companies with which he is familiar.

I have also taken account of the effects of the period of extreme financial difficulty and uncertainty faced by the company, which led to the emergency payments of £2.1 million in November 1999. I am determined to avoid similar crises occurring again. It was evident at the time of that emergency support that a period of adjustment was necessary before the Company would reach a position of financial stability. A new Chairman, a new board and new management team have taken a grip of the company and are addressing the formidable challenges in creating that stability. Nevertheless this year has not been easy, despite the considerable artistic success. In order to control its costs, the board took the difficult decision to go dark in the last quarter of this year when there have been no main scale productions.

I have also taken particular account of the exceptional costs imposed on the company by the ambitious project to perform the Ring Cycle over this and the next three years. I firmly believe that this will be seen as an artistic triumph and bring great credit to the company, to the Edinburgh International Festival and to Scotland generally.

I am therefore pleased to confirm that significantly increased resources will be available to the company in this and the next three years. In total, over these four years support from the Scottish Arts Council will amount to £30.634 million. The annual grant for next year, and each of the subsequent two years will be £7.473 million. The support in this year will ensure that the company enters the next three-year period in as stable a financial position as possible.

This is a generous settlement, but it still imposes severe financial discipline on the company. It will have to seek cost savings and plan its future programme within strict financial constraints. The company now has the management and artistic team in place to ensure this and that it lives within its means and fulfils its potential.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sam Galbraith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150952,"EventID":"S1W-14239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that drugs of \"limited value\" and \"little therapeutic value\" according to the British National Formulary are not prescribed in Scotla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that drugs of \"limited value\" and \"little therapeutic value\" according to the British National Formulary are not prescribed in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13966 on 21 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150953,"EventID":"S1W-14240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the drug Co-codamol is being prescribed on the NHS at a cost of #6.4 million when it has been classified as a drug of \"limited value\" in the British National Formular","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the drug Co-codamol is being prescribed on the NHS at a cost of #6.4 million when it has been classified as a drug of \"limited value\" in the British National Formulary.","AnswerText":"Co-codamol is a drug that is considered by the Joint Formulary Committee, under whose authority the British National Formulary is published, as \"less suitable for prescribing\". Although preparations labelled in this way may not be considered as drugs of first choice, their use may be justifiable in certain clinical circumstances. The decision whether or not to prescribe a particular treatment for a patient is a matter for the clinical judgement of the patient's responsible medical practitioner.

For further information on action which is taken to tackle excess prescribing of drugs I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13966 on 21 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150954,"EventID":"S1W-14241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether generic prescribing is ever used in order to ensure the most effective and efficient treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether generic prescribing is ever used in order to ensure the most effective and efficient treatment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10675 on 9 November 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150955,"EventID":"S1W-14242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any proposals to provide mental health inpatient services for children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any proposals to provide mental health inpatient services for children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive over the past two years in particular has been working with health boards and others on the planning and re-structuring of mental health inpatient services for children and adolescents.

In terms of recent change, the children's inpatient unit and services at Glasgow Yorkhill hospital have expanded and the hospital is now the main national centre for inpatient child psychiatry with the inpatient unit in Tayside mainly serving Fife and the North East of Scotland.

Overall the number of children requiring hospital admission is small and the current provision, which has been the subject of a detailed needs assessment, is likely to meet anticipated demand. The position will however be kept under ongoing review.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150956,"EventID":"S1W-14243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being considered to provide a mental health unit for adolescent forensic provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being considered to provide a mental health unit for adolescent forensic provision.","AnswerText":"Currently, there is no forensic mental health unit for adolescents in Scotland. The very small number of adolescents who require such care are referred to one of two adolescent forensic units in Newcastle or Manchester. These units receive referrals from across the United Kingdom.

A Scottish Needs Assessment Programme assessment of child and adolescent mental health services will report later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150957,"EventID":"S1W-14244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it anticipates saving over the life of the new trunk road maintenance contracts as a result of any substitutions of money purchase schemes for certified pension","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it anticipates saving over the life of the new trunk road maintenance contracts as a result of any substitutions of money purchase schemes for certified pension schemes in relation to employees of existing contractors who are transferred under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations.","AnswerText":"The provision, by the companies who have been awarded the contracts, of pension arrangements for staff, including those who transfer from local authority employment under TUPE, is a matter for the companies to determine.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150958,"EventID":"S1W-14245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its long-term plans are for the development of the fish farming industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its long-term plans are for the development of the fish farming industry.","AnswerText":"We will continue to support the development of aquaculture, including new species, within a framework which has proper regard for the environment, and in particular the protection of wild fish. The industry is an extremely important part of the rural economy, and the Executive will work with the industry and others to ensure that fish farming maintains the highest standards of husbandry, environmental protection and quality assurance as it develops in the future.

The Executive is already taking a variety of initiatives to achieve these ends. We intend to transfer the planning responsibility for fish farming to local authorities, to enhance transparency and local accountability. We are working together with fish farmers, wild fishery interests, councils and other stakeholders through the Tripartite Working Group, the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group, and the Aquaculture Forum, and we have recently begun a review of aquaculture regulation. The new FIFG scheme will provide targeted financial support for new and developing aquaculture businesses throughout Scotland, with a particular emphasis on diversification into new species, the development of shellfish and environmental improvements across the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150959,"EventID":"S1W-14246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crown Office Quality and Practice Review of Road Traffic Deaths will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crown Office Quality and Practice Review of Road Traffic Deaths will be published.","AnswerText":"A summary of the findings and recommendations will be published before the end of April.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150960,"EventID":"S1W-14247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the specification for timber to be used for the new Parliament building includes a requirement that it be obtained from environmentally sustainable sources and whe","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the specification for timber to be used for the new Parliament building includes a requirement that it be obtained from environmentally sustainable sources and whether the specification will be made publicly available.","AnswerText":"I understand from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that specifications for Holyrood building works packages which include timber state that, "all timber and timber-based materials used in the project must either be demonstrably from well managed, regulated, sustainable sources, or be suitable re-used timber re-finished to meet the quality requirements of BS EN942." The Project Team would be happy to provide relevant extracts from specific tender documents although full tender specifications are not made publicly available.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150961,"EventID":"S1W-14248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Project Team or the Holyrood Progress Group was asked by Bovis Lendlease whether certified timber should be specified for the new Parliament building ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Project Team or the Holyrood Progress Group was asked by Bovis Lendlease whether certified timber should be specified for the new Parliament building and, if so, what answer was given.","AnswerText":"I understand that the procurement of timber for the Holyrood building was considered jointly by representatives of Bovis Lend Lease, the Project Team, the Design Team and the Holyrood Progress Group, taking into account advice from the Forestry Commission. The Convener of the Progress Group has informed me that all of the parties involved are satisfied that the wording agreed for the tender specifications will ensure that the timber procured will be from responsible and sustainable sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150962,"EventID":"S1W-14249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, regarding the timber used in the recent refurbishment of the Forestry Commission (Scotland) Headquarters at Corstorphine in Edinburgh, how much timber and of what type w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, regarding the timber used in the recent refurbishment of the Forestry Commission (Scotland) Headquarters at Corstorphine in Edinburgh, how much timber and of what type was from (a) environmentally sustainable sources and (b) other sources, and how the environmental sustainability of any timber used was assured.","AnswerText":"The refurbishment of the Forestry Commission's headquarters will not be completed until next year. Timber suppliers will be required to provide information (such as origin and certification) to demonstrate that the timber comes from legal and sustainably managed sources, in line with the guidance on timber procurement contained in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Green Guide for Buyers.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150963,"EventID":"S1W-14250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care being established under the Regulation of Care (S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care being established under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill should be included as a prescribed regulator under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.","AnswerText":"We intend to pursue this matter with the UK Government with a view to including the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care as a prescribed body under this Act. We also intend to take similar steps regarding the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150964,"EventID":"S1W-14251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene to protect the pensions of Highland Council employees who will be working for BEAR (Scotland) Ltd after 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene to protect the pensions of Highland Council employees who will be working for BEAR (Scotland) Ltd after 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the response I gave to Bruce Crawford within Jamie McGrigor's oral question S1O-3171 on 22 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150965,"EventID":"S1W-14252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, whether it will detail all activities on which it and the Defence Diversification Agen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, whether it will detail all activities on which it and the Defence Diversification Agency have worked and are currently working in order to encourage the widest exploitation of defence-derived technology.","AnswerText":"The Defence Diversification Agency, in partnership with the Scottish Enterprise Network and the Scottish Executive, has so far assisted over 100 companies, both large and small, in Scotland. In accordance with the Code of Practice on access to Government information, specific details of activities cannot be made public. This is to protect the competitive position of the companies assisted.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150966,"EventID":"S1W-14253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, whether it will detail any areas or initiatives which have allowed Scottish businesses","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, whether it will detail any areas or initiatives which have allowed Scottish businesses to lessen their dependence on the manufacturing of defence equipment and to diversify within the defence industry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14252.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150967,"EventID":"S1W-14254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government to enc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13571 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 9 March 2001, what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government to encourage Scottish businesses, in co-operation with the Defence Diversification Agency, to diversify from defence output to civil output within the defence industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence on a range of issues, including defence diversification. The Scottish Executive and its agencies will continue to work closely with the Defence Diversification Agency to assist companies in Scotland who wish to benefit from the defence diversification strategy of the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150968,"EventID":"S1W-14255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to achieve the objectives of the Making it in Renfrewshire Network which involves, among others, the local chamber of commerce and businesses, within the st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to achieve the objectives of the Making it in Renfrewshire Network which involves, among others, the local chamber of commerce and businesses, within the structure and policies set out in Created in Scotland: The Way Forward for Scottish Manufacturing in the 21st Century.","AnswerText":"Manufacturing industry is already supported extensively by the Executive and the Enterprise Network and we are anxious to avoid duplicating this role. However, as a result of the work in Renfrewshire, I have asked Scottish Enterprise to review whether the needs of the sector are being fully met, in particular the support provided through the Small Business Gateway. Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire will also work in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce to map areas of existing support against those required by manufacturers. Based on this work, Scottish Enterprise will then be able to develop remedies where gaps in provision or in communication of existing support are identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150969,"EventID":"S1W-14256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12386 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 March 2001, whether it will list the topics discussed between it and Her Majesty's Government prior","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12386 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 March 2001, whether it will list the topics discussed between it and Her Majesty's Government prior to the Inter-Governmental Conference in Nice or, if this information is confidential, whether it will set out the grounds under which disclosure would not be in the public interest under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerText":"Discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are normally conducted on a confidential basis. Part 2, section 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information exempts information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150970,"EventID":"S1W-14257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities fund preparatory work on flood prevention schemes which they submit to it for consideration and whether it has any plans to provide funding to cover","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities fund preparatory work on flood prevention schemes which they submit to it for consideration and whether it has any plans to provide funding to cover the costs of such work, irrespective of the outcome of the submission.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to fund the preparatory work on flood prevention schemes from the resources they have available. The single capital allocation includes provision for flood prevention measures, which may be used to cover scheme preparation costs. In the case of major flood prevention schemes additional resources may be made available by the Executive.

The Executive has no plans to change the existing arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150971,"EventID":"S1W-14258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland regarding the use of section 25A of the Local Government (Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland regarding the use of section 25A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 to provide for the remission of rates on account of hardship in the context of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease; whether it will recommend to local authorities that such remission be granted and, if so, in respect of which business premises.","AnswerText":"We have received such representations from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Hardship relief is included in the Executive's package of assistance to help stabilise businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. This was announced on 28 March in response to question S1W-14552.

Guidance will be issued to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150972,"EventID":"S1W-14259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the proposed football academies which it intends will be funded from (a) sportscotland lottery funding and (b) other sources, will be outside Glasgow; where t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the proposed football academies which it intends will be funded from (a) sportscotland lottery funding and (b) other sources, will be outside Glasgow; where the academies will be, and how much funding each will receive.","AnswerText":"The programme is application based so it is not possible to give a precise answer to this question. The funding currently available would allow eight academy projects to be supported from the Lottery Sports Fund if each received the maximum award of £500,000. Under the proposals endorsed by the Scottish Football Partnership, Academies will be geographically spread across Scotland. Several clubs outwith Glasgow have made public announcements about their intention to develop an academy.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150973,"EventID":"S1W-14260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the use by the Scottish Egg Producing Retailers Association of the lion rampant as a trademark signifying that eggs displaying that mark are Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the use by the Scottish Egg Producing Retailers Association of the lion rampant as a trademark signifying that eggs displaying that mark are Scottish eggs produced in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The application to register the mark is currently with the UK Patent Office. This is a reserved matter and it will be for the Patent Office to determine if the lion rampant would be an acceptable trademark.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150974,"EventID":"S1W-14261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Natural Heritage to provide MSPs and MPs with details of any areas being proposed for Special Areas of Conservation status within their co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Natural Heritage to provide MSPs and MPs with details of any areas being proposed for Special Areas of Conservation status within their constituencies.","AnswerText":"No direction is required. When consultation begins on proposals for Special Areas of Conservation, Scottish Natural Heritage has agreed to provide MSPs and MPs with details of individual areas within their constituencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150975,"EventID":"S1W-14262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at a meeting on 5 March 2001 hosted by the English Tourism Council to discuss the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the tourist ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at a meeting on 5 March 2001 hosted by the English Tourism Council to discuss the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the tourist industry across the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14121 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150976,"EventID":"S1W-14263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to recently announced measures to contain foot and mouth disease, whether it will ensure that disinfectant barriers and rigorous enforcement of quarantine su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to recently announced measures to contain foot and mouth disease, whether it will ensure that disinfectant barriers and rigorous enforcement of quarantine surround the areas within which sheep are to be slaughtered.","AnswerText":"Strict controls are in place surrounding the areas within which sheep are to be slaughtered.

A complete standstill of movement is imposed on infected premises (including the movement of people, animals, vehicles and products), and around the infected premises, 3 kilometre zones have been defined where no livestock movements are allowed.

In addition, any vehicles or personnel moving on or off slaughter areas will be subject to thorough cleansing and disinfection.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150977,"EventID":"S1W-14264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures will be taken to ensure that the areas bordering the farms on which sheep are to be slaughtered in terms of the Ministerial Statement on 15 March 2001 a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures will be taken to ensure that the areas bordering the farms on which sheep are to be slaughtered in terms of the Ministerial Statement on 15 March 2001 are secured against further transmission of the foot and mouth virus.","AnswerText":"Strict controls are being enforced to secure against any further transmission of the foot and mouth virus. On farms where slaughter is taking place there is strict control of the movement of people, vehicles and other equipment. Essential equipment or plant which has to be moved off a farm is cleansed and disinfected before being allowed.

These measures aim to contain any further spread of the virus.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150978,"EventID":"S1W-14265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, and on what basis, it is satisfied that it is not necessary to slaughter pigs or cattle as a measure to tackle foot and mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, and on what basis, it is satisfied that it is not necessary to slaughter pigs or cattle as a measure to tackle foot and mouth disease.","AnswerText":"All susceptible species e.g. cattle, sheep and pigs have to be slaughtered on infected premises. As a containment measure and because this disease is much more difficult to identify in sheep, it has been decided to remove all sheep in the infected areas. Cattle and pigs in other parts of infected areas, with the exception of those next to farms which became infected on or after 16 March which may well require to be slaughtered, are being kept under close surveillance.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150979,"EventID":"S1W-14266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated #492,000 strategic co-ordination costs referred to in Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Aut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated #492,000 strategic co-ordination costs referred to in Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority.","AnswerText":"These calculations were based on the estimated salary and employer costs of those Executive staff who have responsibility relating to one or more functions that could be transferred to a HIITA. This extended to over 40 staff, principally in the roads and ferries Divisions, within the Executive's Development Department. Many of these staff also have responsibilities that would not be transferred, so an estimate was made of the time they spend on the "transferable" functions only and costs were adjusted accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150980,"EventID":"S1W-14267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the services provided by Deloitte and Touche in connection with Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority; why the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the services provided by Deloitte and Touche in connection with Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority; why the remit given to them did not include a requirement to present a case for the creation of a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority for consideration by consultees or to make any recommendations on the form of any such authority.","AnswerText":"The total costs incurred by Deloitte and Touche were around £125,000. This represents good value, given the comprehensive consultation exercise and the need to analyse a very complex set of issues.

The remit given to Deloitte and Touche was prepared in partnership by the Scottish Executive, the six local authorities involved in the study, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. All the partners agreed that it was not for Deloitte and Touche to recommend a single way forward, but instead to advise on the issues to be considered by the partners in reaching such a decision.

Consistent with this, Deloitte and Touche set out the case for and against establishing a HIITA and make recommendations about the form a HIITA might take, for example, that Shetland should not be included in any authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150981,"EventID":"S1W-14268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Deloitte and Touche in their report Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority did not provide any estimate of costs or range of costs for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Deloitte and Touche in their report Proposals for a Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Authority did not provide any estimate of costs or range of costs for Options 4A and 4B and whether an estimate will now be provided for the costs for these two options.","AnswerText":"On pages 89-90 of Volume I of the report, Deloitte and Touche estimate the resource costs of option 4A, a minimum function HIITA, as being around £600,000.

This estimate provides a baseline by which one could calculate the resource costs of a most-function HIITA (Option 4B), depending on which of the additional functions were taken on.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150982,"EventID":"S1W-14269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it has done and is doing to ensure adequate provision of disinfectant to farmers and local authorities in order to help to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbrea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it has done and is doing to ensure adequate provision of disinfectant to farmers and local authorities in order to help to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Initially concerns were expressed about the availability of approved disinfectants in some parts of Scotland. This prompted suppliers to publicise the availability of particular products and to inform the Scottish Executive. My officials have liaised very closely with the National Farmers Union of Scotland, who have disseminated information about local availability to their members. Similar information is also contained on the Scottish Executive website and is updated regularly.

I am not aware of any shortage of disinfectant in Dumfries and Galloway, but should that occur, my officials stand ready to help resolve matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150983,"EventID":"S1W-14270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is from the date of referral to the date of appointment for those referred to Glasgow Dental Hospital for each year from 1997 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is from the date of referral to the date of appointment for those referred to Glasgow Dental Hospital for each year from 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant at Glasgow Dental Hospital, following a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner referral, for each year from 1997/8 is given in the table.

Year Ending

Median Waits (Days)

31 March 1998

64

31 March 1999

76

31 March 2000p

62

p Provisional

Source: ISD, Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150984,"EventID":"S1W-14271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is from the date of first appointment to the date of treatment for those treated at the Glasgow Dental Hospital for each year from 1997 to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is from the date of first appointment to the date of treatment for those treated at the Glasgow Dental Hospital for each year from 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150985,"EventID":"S1W-14272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Business Shops there are for each local enterprise company and where each one is located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Business Shops there are for each local enterprise company and where each one is located.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the Chairmen to write to the member. A copy of their replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150986,"EventID":"S1W-14273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to close any existing Business Shops or to open new such facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to close any existing Business Shops or to open new such facilities.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the Chairmen to write to the member. A copy of their replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150987,"EventID":"S1W-14274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the funding arrangements for local Business Shops.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the funding arrangements for local Business Shops.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the Chairmen to write to the member. A copy of their replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150988,"EventID":"S1W-14275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make publicly available the Chief Veterinary Officer's advice on the slaughter of sheep stocks, as referred to in the Ministerial Statement on the foot-an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make publicly available the Chief Veterinary Officer's advice on the slaughter of sheep stocks, as referred to in the Ministerial Statement on the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I am satisfied that the slaughter of sheep stocks within infected areas is based on sound veterinary advice. This advice cannot be made publicly available as it contains certain information which if disclosed would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion between Ministers and Officials. The Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information provides an exemption in such circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150989,"EventID":"S1W-14276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice has been given by the Chief Veterinary Officer on why a distance of three kilometres from infected premises was chosen as the area within which a sla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice has been given by the Chief Veterinary Officer on why a distance of three kilometres from infected premises was chosen as the area within which a slaughter of all sheep must be carried out, as set out in the Ministerial Statement on the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001.","AnswerText":"It is a European requirement to set up a 3 km protection zone around any infected farm. Within this radius there is a high risk of local disease spread.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150990,"EventID":"S1W-14277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice the Chief Veterinary Officer has given in relation to the airborne transmission of the current foot-and-mouth disease virus and whether it will make ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice the Chief Veterinary Officer has given in relation to the airborne transmission of the current foot-and-mouth disease virus and whether it will make this advice publicly available, in particular that advice which relates to (a) the likelihood of airborne transmission, (b) whether any case of infection is believed to have been as a result of airborne transmission and (c) the maximum distance over which the virus can be transmitted by air.","AnswerText":"Information from the Office International des Epizootics (OIE), the World organisation for animal health in Paris indicates that airborne spread of foot and mouth disease can be as much as 60km overland and 300km by sea. Those are maximum distances under favourable conditions. In practice the possibility of aerosol spread depends on a number of factors including, number and species of the affected host animal, weather conditions (wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity). Aerosol spread overland is also subject to variation caused by land features which might disrupt the plume of virus.

However, insofar as this particular strain of virus is concerned, initial studies based on observations made in other countries suggest that aerosol transmission from infected premises has not been a prominent feature. So far this would appear to be being borne out in this country, as the spread appears to be by direct contact particularly through sheep. The position obviously is being monitored very carefully as the outbreak continues.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150991,"EventID":"S1W-14278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a feasibility study on decommissioning for the fish processing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a feasibility study on decommissioning for the fish processing industry.","AnswerText":"No. I do not consider decommissioning to be a feasible option for the fish processing sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150992,"EventID":"S1W-14279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12479 by Angus MacKay on 8 March 2001, when it will publish project plans and progress reports for the projects receiving funding f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12479 by Angus MacKay on 8 March 2001, when it will publish project plans and progress reports for the projects receiving funding from the Modernising Government Fund.","AnswerText":"Funding arrangements for all of the Modernising Government Fund projects have been put in place and the first payments for those projects scheduled to commence in the current year were made before the end of March.

The Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) for the projects are to submit appropriate plans containing deliverables and timescales for their projects. These should be in place before the end of April. The plans will then be published on the Scottish Executive's 21st Century Government website.

Procedures are also in place for monitoring the progress of each project and SROs are to provide quarterly reports to the Executive. These reports will be used to update the website.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150993,"EventID":"S1W-14280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13038 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 February 2001, how much of the #30 million funding for information and communication technology l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13038 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 February 2001, how much of the #30 million funding for information and communication technology local support centres will be received by Scotland.","AnswerText":"The £30 million funding for ICT support announced in the UK White Paper on Business and Skills will not be allocated specifically to geographic regions, since it will focus on UK-wide marketing activities, web-based assistance, and sector specific work. The local ICT support centres, including those in Scotland, will play a major role in the delivery of these activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150994,"EventID":"S1W-14281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13635 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 March 2001, how the #8 million investment package announced on 19 February 2001 is being spent, broke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13635 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 March 2001, how the #8 million investment package announced on 19 February 2001 is being spent, broken down by police force and project.","AnswerText":"The £8 million investment package announced last month, which is being funded from the Capital Modernisation Fund, covers two major initiatives promoted by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. The first is to share intelligence information across the eight Scottish police forces and the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, in line with the National Intelligence Model. This will be facilitated through the Scottish Intelligence Database. The second is to implement a Management Information System that will facilitate the tracking of key performance indicators and decision-making in response to crime pattern analysis. Both of these initiatives will be implemented on a secure national computer network, also funded within this package. An implementation team is currently studying the requirements of individual forces and the SDEA. Whilst the breakdown by police force and project is an operational matter for chief constables, the Executive will seek confirmation on the business case so that best value in relation to each can be assessed and subsequent performance following implementation evaluated against an agreed specification.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150995,"EventID":"S1W-14282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10988 by Susan Deacon on 22 February 2001, what short- and medium-term targets it has for the number of GP surgeries to have the fa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10988 by Susan Deacon on 22 February 2001, what short- and medium-term targets it has for the number of GP surgeries to have the facility to make online hospital appointments.","AnswerText":"As explained in the answers to questions S1W-10986 and S1W-10988, the facility to make online outpatient appointments is part of a wider range of clinical communications between primary and secondary care which form the ECCI Programme. These facilities are being implemented throughout NHSScotland in three phases. The first (lead sites) phase is currently under way and the second and third phases are at various stages of detailed project planning. It is not possible at this stage particularly in respect of the second and third phases to specify short- and medium-term targets for one specific aspect of the ECCI Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150996,"EventID":"S1W-14283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11872 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, when the results of the e-care project will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11872 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, when the results of the e-care project will be available.","AnswerText":"The Aberdeenshire E-care project is one of a series of Modernising Government Fund (MGF) projects that will use information and communications technology (ICT) to support a multi agency strategy for improving community care.

The E-care projects are being co-ordinated as part of a strategic programme of electronic health care overseen by the Scottish Executive.

MGF projects are scheduled to run until March 2002. All of the projects will be monitored, with regular updates and results published on the Scottish Executive's 21st Century Government website.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150997,"EventID":"S1W-14284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11872 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, whether its commitment to achieve universal access to the web by 2005 refers to un","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11872 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 February 2001, whether its commitment to achieve universal access to the web by 2005 refers to universal access from home.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to achieving universal access to the web by 2005. It is technically possible now for anyone with a telephone line and a PC to purchase web access, but income and a range of other factors are currently affecting take-up by certain groups. We are therefore considering a range of options to achieve universal access which include both home-based access and community facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150998,"EventID":"S1W-14285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what legal basis it intends to implement the foot and mouth slaughter programme announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what legal basis it intends to implement the foot and mouth slaughter programme announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 15 March 2001. ","AnswerText":"The legal basis for the pre-emptive cull, which I announced on 15 March, is under section 31, and Schedule 3 to, the Animal Health Act 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":150999,"EventID":"S1W-14286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards training 5,000 new childcare workers by 2002, as set out in Making it work together: A programme for government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards training 5,000 new childcare workers by 2002, as set out in Making it work together: A programme for government.","AnswerText":"Almost 2,000 workers have been trained to date. We are on target to deliver this commitment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151000,"EventID":"S1W-14287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had or plans to have any discussions with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions with r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had or plans to have any discussions with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions with regard to any environmental or health implications of the possible processing at Dounreay of Australian research reactor fuel on board the ship Le Bouguenais.","AnswerText":"No. I understand that no spent fuel from Australia is due to be received at Dounreay.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151001,"EventID":"S1W-14288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in examining the feasibility of a centre for the languages of Scotland, as outlined in Creating our Future, Minding our Past.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in examining the feasibility of a centre for the languages of Scotland, as outlined in Creating our Future, Minding our Past.","AnswerText":"A group chaired by Professor Ron Asher of the Royal Society of Edinburgh has put forward a proposal for a centre for the languages of Scotland. The Executive does not in general provide direct support for cultural projects and has no funding available to support such a centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151002,"EventID":"S1W-14289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in providing out of school care places for 100,000 children by 2003, as set out in Making it work together: A programme for government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in providing out of school care places for 100,000 children by 2003, as set out in Making it work together: A programme for government.","AnswerText":"We are making good progress towards the target of out-of-school places for 100,000 children. The number of children benefiting from out of school care is just under 38,000. This includes children who are taking up places created through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).

More places for children will be created as further awards are made by NOF and through the childcare strategy resources made available to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151003,"EventID":"S1W-14290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in expanding support for families and very young children through family centres, and mobile and outreach services, for at least 5,000 additi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in expanding support for families and very young children through family centres, and mobile and outreach services, for at least 5,000 additional children by 2002, as set out in the Making it work together: A programme for government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has already provided £23 million, and will be providing a further £57 million for the three forward years from April 2001, to expand support for families with very young children through Sure Start Scotland. This funding has been allocated to local authorities. Guidance has been issued to local authorities outlining the main aims and objectives of Sure Start Scotland.

We are making good progress in reaching the programme for government target.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151004,"EventID":"S1W-14291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors came to Scotland through rail-based breaks in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors came to Scotland through rail-based breaks in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information available is in respect of UK holiday tourists who use rail as their main means of transport to Scottish destinations. It is as follows:

Holiday Tourist Trips by Train to Scotland by UK Residents:
 

1997

1998

1999

From Scotland

220,000

230,000

100,000

From England

350,000

290,000

370,000

From Wales

30,000

10,000

2,000

Total UK

600,000

530,000

472,000

Source: UKTS","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151005,"EventID":"S1W-14292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategy it has to address any decline in visitors to Scotland through rail-based breaks following recent disruptions to the rail network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategy it has to address any decline in visitors to Scotland through rail-based breaks following recent disruptions to the rail network.","AnswerText":"visitscotland are involved in a number of initiatives to promote rail travel to Scotland generally, and are in discussions with ScotRail regarding the foot and mouth recovery programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151006,"EventID":"S1W-14293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the travel arrangements are for the representatives of the Parliament attending the Tartan Day celebrations in Washington DC, USA.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the travel arrangements are for the representatives of the Parliament attending the Tartan Day celebrations in Washington DC, USA.","AnswerText":"Representatives of the Scottish Parliament's cross party delegation will travel to Washington DC, USA, via Dublin, on Monday 2 April and will be returning, via Dublin, on Monday 9 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151007,"EventID":"S1W-14294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13602 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 March 2001, what the proposed timetable is for the enactment of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13602 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 March 2001, what the proposed timetable is for the enactment of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill and how soon thereafter it plans to introduce the Tenement (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill will mark the second stage in the Property Law Reform Programme commenced by the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. We plan to launch a consultation exercise on the draft Title Conditions Bill later this spring. Following the consultation period, we hope to bring the Bill before Parliament as soon as an opportunity arises in the legislative programme. As indicated in the answer to question S1W-13602 on 9 March 2001, the proposals for a Tenement Bill will require to be redrafted in the light of the Title Conditions Bill as it is passed by Parliament. It is not possible at this stage to say exactly when a Tenement Bill may be introduced, as it will depend upon legislative time being found.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151008,"EventID":"S1W-14295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the details of DNA samples of individuals retained on file by police forces will only be those of individuals who have been convicted of a criminal offence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the details of DNA samples of individuals retained on file by police forces will only be those of individuals who have been convicted of a criminal offence.","AnswerText":"Only the DNA samples of those subsequently convicted of a criminal offence will be retained on file by police forces except for samples taken in terrorist cases. Under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, other DNA samples taken from people arrested or detained by the police must be destroyed if the person concerned is not subsequently convicted.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151009,"EventID":"S1W-14296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the composition and remit of the independent committee to conduct a comprehensive review of licensing laws, as announced by the Deputy Minister for Health and Commun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the composition and remit of the independent committee to conduct a comprehensive review of licensing laws, as announced by the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care during the debate on alcohol misuse on 7 December 2000, will be announced.","AnswerText":"We are still considering the composition of the committee but expect to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. The proposed remit of the committee will be:

"To review all aspects of liquor licensing law and practice in Scotland, with particular reference to the implications for health and public order; to recommend changes in the public interest; and to report accordingly."","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151010,"EventID":"S1W-14299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place to review the Arbuthnott formula and monitor its operation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place to review the Arbuthnott formula and monitor its operation.","AnswerText":"I have today appointed a Standing Committee, under the Chairmanship of Sir John Arbuthnott, for that very purpose. The remit of the committee is to:

keep the formula for resource allocation for NHSScotland under review;

keep under review the information available to support elements of the formula;

advise on possible formulaic approaches to the parts of health expenditure not currently covered by the needs-based formula; and

advise on adjustments to the formula for unmet need to tackle inequalities in the light of consultation.

Furthermore, the committee will consider any relevant issues which are from time to time referred to it.

Along with the Chairman, the members of the committee will be:

David Bolton, Director of Primary Care, Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust;

Dr Adam Bryson, Medical Director, National Services Division, Common Services Agency;

Richard Copland, Director, Information and Statistics Division, Common Services Agency;

Dr Frances Elliot, Medical Director, Fife Primary Care NHS Trust;

Ms Fiona Mackenzie, Chief Executive, Highland Primary Care NHS Trust;

Colin Masson, Director of Finance, Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust;

Mrs Lesley McLay, Director of Nursing, Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care Trust;

Professor Lewis Ritchie, James Mackenzie Professor and Head of Department, University of Aberdeen;

Matthew Sutton, Senior Research Fellow, University of Glasgow;

Dr Lesley Wilkie, Director of Public Health, Argyll & Clyde Health Board, and

Professor Kevin Woods, William R Lindsay Chair in Health Policy & Economic Evaluation, University of Glasgow.

The committee will also comprise a number of officials with appropriate policy involvement from the Scottish Executive Health Department.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151011,"EventID":"S1W-14300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address the above average unemployment rate in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address the above average unemployment rate in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

Within the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross catchment area, as at end December 2000, 598 young clients have participated in the New Deal for Young People and 697 clients have participated in the New Deal 25+.

The town of Wick (and the surrounding rural areas covered by postcode KW1), the Ormlie Housing Estate and the Recruit Sutherland campaign are also benefiting from 'Action Team for Jobs' assistance. 'Action Teams for Jobs' is a Department for Education and Employment initiative that provides additional, flexible assistance to jobseekers in discrete areas of high unemployment.

In addition to these UK initiatives, the Scottish Executive through its economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and its local enterprise companies, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), is taking forward a number of projects to address unemployment within the area. The following are examples of these initiatives:

Alternative employment opportunities created in Easter Ross include nearly 1000 jobs in Information Technology related companies over the past 3 years including over 300 in the last 12 months.

Development of advance office/commercial premises, notably the construction of 9,000 square feet at Alness Point business park at a cost of £1million and several significant serviced sites at Dingwall Business Park costing £1.5 million.

Establishment of the Cromarty Industries Group involving a wide range of private sector operators, many in the Easter Ross area, which has produced a strategy for a partnership with the HIE Network, including RACE, to help with diversification of market opportunities both at home and abroad.

Assisting Business Start-Ups under the new HIE Starts programme which is a flexible scheme allowing potential new business starts to remain in part-time employment until their business develops to the full-time stage. Additionally, there is no longer a requirement for an individual to have been unemployed for six weeks prior to start-up.

Undertaking projects such as the business parks in Wick and Golspie to attract inward investment and employment to areas of high unemployment. The total investment in the two parks is just under £2 million.

Skills development for unemployed workers including Safety Passport Training to develop a pool of potential workers for Dounreay decommissioning related projects.

Support for redundant workers including BARMAC ex-employees and contractors.

Specialist small-scale intermediate labour market projects commencing in Sutherland and one under discussion for Wick.

Development of additional support for offenders and those at risk.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151012,"EventID":"S1W-14301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why James William Murray, formerly of Tarbolton, has been released from prison after serving nine months of the three and a half years to which he was sentenced on 1 June","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why James William Murray, formerly of Tarbolton, has been released from prison after serving nine months of the three and a half years to which he was sentenced on 1 June 2000.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:-

Mr Murray appealed against his sentence at the High Court in Glasgow on 1 September 2000. The Court quashed his original sentence and substituted it with an 18 months sentence effective from 1 June 2000. Mr Murray was therefore released on the appropriate date.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151013,"EventID":"S1W-14302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the release from prison of James William Murray, formerly of Tarbolton, was not intimated in advance to his victims or their families.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the release from prison of James William Murray, formerly of Tarbolton, was not intimated in advance to his victims or their families.","AnswerText":"The release of Mr Murray was not intimated to his victims or their families as they were not eligible to be included in the current Victim Notification Scheme (VNS). The VNS provides for the victims of violent or sexual crimes or their next of kin to be notified when their assailant is due to be released from custody, but only where the assailant has been sentenced to a prison term of 4 years or more. Mr Murray did not fall within the Scheme since he received a sentence of less than 4 years, namely of 3 years 6 months which was later reduced to 18 months on appeal.

The Scottish Strategy for Victims which was published in December last year made clear the Executive's commitment to improve support for victims, including greater provision of information. Options for extending the Victim Notification Scheme to a wider range of prisoners are being considered, along with other possible changes to the Scheme, as part of implementation of the Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151014,"EventID":"S1W-14303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will initiate a public information campaign on television and local radio stations explaining the necessary advice with regard to the foot-and-mouth disease ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will initiate a public information campaign on television and local radio stations explaining the necessary advice with regard to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and other bodies, such as the NFUS, are providing regular guidance, advice and information to farmers, the public at large and other key interests. This is being done at national level but local media interests are helping as appropriate. Detailed advice has been given to farmers on the Welfare Movements Scheme, the Movement to Slaughter Scheme and the Welfare Disposal Scheme (via the Distribution Board). Additionally, farmers in the Dumfries and Galloway subject to the slaughter cull have been kept appraised of developments by letter or telephone. Helplines have been and remain in operation at the SERAD HQ and various regional offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151015,"EventID":"S1W-14304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what possible health ha'ards are posed by landfill sites close to human habitation; whether any such sites can be a source of infection of any particular disease, and, if","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what possible health ha'ards are posed by landfill sites close to human habitation; whether any such sites can be a source of infection of any particular disease, and, if so, which ones.","AnswerText":"Studies into the effects on human health of living close to landfill sites have suggested that there is a need for further research. The Scottish Executive and UK Government Departments therefore commissioned the Small Areas Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) last year to investigate the incidence of a range of cancers and birth defects around 7000 landfill sites in the UK. SAHSU is due to report by the end of May.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151016,"EventID":"S1W-14305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risk of pollution to rivers landfill sites pose and what measures and safeguards are in place to reduce any such risk.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risk of pollution to rivers landfill sites pose and what measures and safeguards are in place to reduce any such risk.","AnswerText":"There is a potential risk to water courses from leachate. Accordingly modern landfill sites are operated to minimise water ingress and leachate is extracted and treated to a high standard before being discharged. New landfill sites will be regulated by the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 and will have to meet the conditions in the EC Landfill Directive, which requires sites to be situated and designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for preventing the pollution of soil, groundwater or surface water.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151017,"EventID":"S1W-14306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Waste Strategy and national planning advice would prevent the granting of permission for a landfill site at mid Lairgs Quarry if it was shown that th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Waste Strategy and national planning advice would prevent the granting of permission for a landfill site at mid Lairgs Quarry if it was shown that there was a risk of water pollution to the River Nairn from the catchment area of the proposed site.","AnswerText":"If an application for planning permission for a landfill site at Mid-Lairgs were to be made, the National Waste Strategy: Scotland and National Planning Policy Guidelines would be important factors in its determination by the local authority. The application would also be accompanied by an environmental impact assessment which, amongst other things, would examine the risk that the proposed site posed to the River Nairn. In addition the site would be regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 and would have to meet the conditions in the EC Landfill Directive. The Directive requires sites to be situated and designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for preventing the pollution of soil, groundwater or surface water.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151018,"EventID":"S1W-14307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Her Majesty's Government regarding the precise source and cause of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and whether the possibilit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Her Majesty's Government regarding the precise source and cause of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and whether the possibility that the virus may have come from a landfill site at Brankley located about five miles from the farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland has been discounted.","AnswerText":"The Brankley landfill site has been discounted by epidemiologists as the source of the virus. The virus is a type O Asian strain and has been imported, possibly in infected meat products. Work continues to identify possible routes with which the virus has gained entry. The source farm currently is thought to be a pig farm at Burnside, Heddon on the Wall.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151019,"EventID":"S1W-14308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10929 by Mr Jack McConnell on 16 March 2001, how many claims have been submitted to date, and for how much, for additional costs in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10929 by Mr Jack McConnell on 16 March 2001, how many claims have been submitted to date, and for how much, for additional costs incurred as a result of the 2000 examinations diet, broken down by (a) local authority, (b) further education institution and (c) higher education institution; how much money has been allocated in the current financial year to meet the cost of any such claims, again broken down by (a), (b) and (c), and how much money has been allocated in 2001-02 to cover such claims.","AnswerText":"As announced in response to question S1W-10929, the Scottish Executive agreed to consider any claims submitted by local authorities concerning additional costs arising from the 2000 examinations diet.

In order to minimise the administrative burden on local authorities and in consideration that all authorities were affected by the difficulties with the summer 2000 exam results, I have decided to make an 'ex gratia' payment to each local authority. All payments have been made during financial year 2000-01 and therefore no additional payments will be made during financial year 2001-02. The table sets out the payments made, which are based on the number of schools and pupils in each authority:

Local Authority

Payment

Aberdeen City

£26,781

Aberdeenshire

£35,166

Angus

£17,120

Argyll & Bute

£17,034

Clackmannanshire

£6,775

Dumfries & Galloway

£28,128

Dundee City

£21,189

East Ayrshire

£20,035

East Dunbartonshire

£19,871

East Lothian

£12,340

East Renfrewshire

£15,855

Edinburgh City

£47,856

Eilean Siar

£15,411

Falkirk

£18,693

Fife

£47,776

Glasgow City

£67,756

Highland

£46,480

Inverclyde

£16,194

Midlothian

£12,801

Moray

£15,091

North Ayrshire

£21,385

North Lanarkshire

£54,564

Orkney Islands

£7,759

Perth & Kinross

£19,620

Renfrewshire

£28,840

Scottish Borders

£17,326

Shetland Islands

£11,038

South Ayrshire

£18,800

South Lanarkshire

£46,598

Stirling

£14,110

The Framework for Maternity Services, published in February, establishes clear action points and recommendations to enable NHS Boards, NHS Trusts and other agencies to put in place maternity services appropriate to the needs of women in Scotland.

The Chief Executive of NHSScotland wrote to Chairmen and Chief Executives of Health Boards and NHS Trusts on 2 February emphasising the importance of the Framework for the future local planning of maternity services. By August this year, NHS Boards and Trusts will be required to demonstrate that current maternity services strategies have been tested against the Framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151021,"EventID":"S1W-14310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to ensure that the criteria laid down by the Royal Colleges which govern the consultant establishment in specialised medical provision take account of are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to ensure that the criteria laid down by the Royal Colleges which govern the consultant establishment in specialised medical provision take account of areas of sparse population and are not based solely on population totals.","AnswerText":"The consultant establishment is decided by the local health board, in consultation with the NHS trusts in its area, in order to provide a modern, flexible service matched to local needs. Criteria produced by Royal Colleges do not govern the consultant establishment, although boards will have regard to them. The development of managed clinical networks, the work of the Remote And Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) and the commitment in "Our National Health; a plan for action; a plan for change" for boards in rural areas to draw up plans for rolling out good practice from RARARI projects, will assist boards which have areas of sparse population. Health Boards' and NHS trusts' performance is judged on the services they provide and their effect on health, which will be addressed by a new performance framework as indicated in "Our National Health; a plan for action; a plan for change".","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151022,"EventID":"S1W-14311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to tackle any postcode discrimination in determining rates relief for rural post offices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to tackle any postcode discrimination in determining rates relief for rural post offices.","AnswerText":"The criteria for assessing eligibility for the rural rates relief scheme are as set out in my answer to S1W-14312. The Scottish Executive is not aware of any discrimination in the implementation of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151023,"EventID":"S1W-14312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the criteria used to determine qualification for rural rates relief.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the criteria used to determine qualification for rural rates relief.","AnswerText":"Mandatory rates relief of 50% is awarded to sole village shops and post offices with a rateable value of £6,000 or less in settlements of 3,000 people or less. This may be topped up to 100% at the local authority's discretion.

In such settlements, local authorities may also grant discretionary rates relief of up to 100% to properties, with a rateable value of £12,000 or less, which are of benefit to the local community.

We are consulting on extension of the rural rates relief scheme to pubs, garages and shops that are not sole village shops. Our consultation paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib No. 11605).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151024,"EventID":"S1W-14313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the consultation period for the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in the light of the current outbreak of foo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the consultation period for the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in the light of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease in order to ensure that farmers and other interested parties in rural areas have time to meet to discuss their response to the legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive fully appreciates the difficulties being experienced in rural areas from Foot and Mouth Disease, and eradicating the disease remains the Executive's highest priority. We are also aware of the problems farmers and related organisations have had in arranging meetings and considering their responses to the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the Draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code at this particularly difficult time.

In light of this, I have decided that it is necessary to extend this consultation period to the end of June. However, I would urge those who are in a position to respond, to send their comments early, so that the Department can consider fully the points raised prior to receiving responses from other organisations which face greater difficulties.

The Executive takes consultation exercises very seriously and it is important that all consultees are given sufficient time to respond to the draft proposals. I have arranged for all MSPs and other consultees to be informed individually in writing of this extension.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151025,"EventID":"S1W-14314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it is seeking from the museum and heritage sector with regard to the impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak on visitor numbers and visitor spend.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it is seeking from the museum and heritage sector with regard to the impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak on visitor numbers and visitor spend.","AnswerText":"The Economic Impact Group is collecting information from all sources, including museums and galleries, to enable the Executive to provide reliable estimates of the medium to long-term effects of the outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151026,"EventID":"S1W-14315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Museum Council with regard to the impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak on visits to museums.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Museum Council with regard to the impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak on visits to museums.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Museums Council is keeping the Executive informed about the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on museum visits.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151027,"EventID":"S1W-14316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include the museum and heritage sector in any plans for compensation or financial relief from government arising out of the current foot and mouth outbre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include the museum and heritage sector in any plans for compensation or financial relief from government arising out of the current foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03251 on 5 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151028,"EventID":"S1W-14317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pension rights of public sector workers transferred into the private sector under the trunk roads maintenance contracts will be affected and, if so, what any ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pension rights of public sector workers transferred into the private sector under the trunk roads maintenance contracts will be affected and, if so, what any effects on pensions might be.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03171.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151029,"EventID":"S1W-14319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any commitment from British Airways regarding the continued use of turboprop aircraft at airfields in the Highlands and Islands following any take","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any commitment from British Airways regarding the continued use of turboprop aircraft at airfields in the Highlands and Islands following any take-over by British Airways of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc.","AnswerText":"British Airways has confirmed that if the acquisition of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc is approved by the regulators, the long-term aircraft fleet requirements will be determined in line with the demands of the market and the operating environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151030,"EventID":"S1W-14320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many routes in the Highlands and Islands in which turboprop aircraft are used are currently operated by the British Regional Air Lines Group plc. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many routes in the Highlands and Islands in which turboprop aircraft are used are currently operated by the British Regional Air Lines Group plc. ","AnswerText":"The British Regional Air Lines Group plc currently operates the following Highlands and Islands' routes with turboprop aircraft:

Glasgow-Sumburgh

Glasgow-Benbecula

Glasgow-Stornoway

Aberdeen-Kirkwall

Aberdeen-Sumburgh","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151031,"EventID":"S1W-14321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the possible take-over of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc by British Airways will have on air services in the Highlands and Islands and what represen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the possible take-over of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc by British Airways will have on air services in the Highlands and Islands and what representations or action it plans to make or take on this matter.","AnswerText":"British Airways (BA) has confirmed that it has no plans to withdraw or reduce the Scottish services operated by the British Regional Air Lines Group plc as a result of the purchase of the full equity in the airline.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151032,"EventID":"S1W-14322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of its consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and whether it will publish the responses received.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of its consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and whether it will publish the responses received.","AnswerText":"The ROS consultation closed last month, and we received over 150 responses. I am very grateful to all those who took the time to give us their views, and we will be carefully considering the issues raised before final decisions on the structure of the obligation are made.

A report of the responses has been prepared, and will be available from today on the Scottish Executive website. I am also placing copies of the report in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12140)","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151033,"EventID":"S1W-14323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the matters discussed at the Environmental Council meeting on 8 March 2001, attended by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the matters discussed at the Environmental Council meeting on 8 March 2001, attended by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture.","AnswerText":"Sam Galbraith attended the Environment Council meeting on 8 March as part of the UK delegation along with the DETR Environment Minister Michael Meacher. This was the first Environment Council under the Swedish Presidency. It was held in Brussels under the chairmanship of the Swedish Environment Minister, Mr Kjell Larrson.

At the council, there was lively a policy debate - open to the public - on the Sixth Environmental Action Programme, which was proposed by the Commission in January. When agreed by the council and European Parliament this will set out the EU's environmental priorities for the next ten years with four priority areas for action - climate change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health and sustainable management of natural resources and waste. The negotiations on this issue will proceed throughout the remainder of the Swedish Presidency with the aim of achieving a Common Position at the June Council.

There was an exchange of views on the Commission's Communication on Bathing Water policy. On this the council adopted Conclusions which are favourable to the UK, particularly in their insistence on the need for the Commission to undertake a thorough assessment of the costs and benefits before proposing a revised Directive.

There was also a policy debate on the Commission's recently adopted White Paper on an EU chemicals strategy. The aims of the strategy are to maintain a high level of protection of human health and the environment, to raise the confidence of the public in chemicals management and to ensure compliance with the regulations of the internal market. On this the UK supported the Commission's White Paper but stressed the need to identify and phase out chemicals that pose an unacceptable risk. The UK also advocated improved public access to information and the need to minimise animal testing.

A Common Position was also reached on a proposal for a Directive on emissions from motorcycles. This will provide better air quality while at the same time protecting the particular interests of small UK motorbike manufacturers.

In addition to this, council Conclusions on Climate Change, and on Preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) were agreed. On Climate Change, the council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to reaching agreement on the Kyoto Protocol at the resumed COP6. On the World Summit, the UK strongly supported the Commission's plans for preparing for the Summit, which are in tune with our own plans for stakeholder involvement that Mr Galbraith announced in the Scottish Parliament on 28 February.

Finally, we reviewed progress on a range of issues. The Commission and Presidency updated council on progress on an EU Sustainable Development Strategy, and the Commission presented their Green Paper on Integrated Product Policy, which seeks to address the environmental impact of products at all stages of their life-cycle. The Presidency also reported on progress on several environmental Directives on which they aim to make substantial progress and which will fall to the Scottish Executive to implement. These include a revised Directive on Access to Environmental Information, the proposed Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, and a Decision establishing a list of priority substances discharged into the aquatic environment. We shall of course be fully involved in developing the UK line on these and other environmental issues during the weeks and months ahead.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151034,"EventID":"S1W-14324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any unmet need for Gaelic language teachers and, if so, what steps are being taken to address this.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any unmet need for Gaelic language teachers and, if so, what steps are being taken to address this.","AnswerText":"The supply of Gaelic-medium teachers continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. In recent annual guidance to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) on setting of intakes to courses of initial teacher education the Executive asked SHEFC to pursue ways to increase the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers for introduction in academic session 2001-02. SHEFC have responded by allocating 10 funded places to Strathclyde University for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education specifically to support primary Gaelic-medium provision.

The Supply of Teachers report, Vol 1 - Jan 2001, details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlines planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The answer to your question can be found at paragraphs 28-36 of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151035,"EventID":"S1W-14325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide development funding for teacher training at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide development funding for teacher training at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.","AnswerText":"The provision of teacher training is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and the Scottish higher education institutions it funds. Any arrangements for delivery via colleges is a matter for individual higher education institutions and those colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151036,"EventID":"S1W-14326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance will be offered to operators in the tourist sector on Arran to ensure that businesses and the economy of the island survive the loss of revenue incurred a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance will be offered to operators in the tourist sector on Arran to ensure that businesses and the economy of the island survive the loss of revenue incurred as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.","AnswerText":"Tourism businesses on the Island of Arran will benefit from the emergency package of measures that we announced on 28 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151037,"EventID":"S1W-14327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the forthcoming public consultation on fluoridation of the drinking water supply, how it intends to ensure that the public is as well informed about al","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the forthcoming public consultation on fluoridation of the drinking water supply, how it intends to ensure that the public is as well informed about alternative methods of reducing dental caries as it is about fluoridation of the water supply.","AnswerText":"As described in Our National Health: a plan for action a plan for change, the consultation will be wide-ranging and seek views on a range of measures to improve children's oral health, not only fluoridation of the public water supply.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151038,"EventID":"S1W-14328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the distribution to local authorities of change funding for the care of people with learning disabilities in each of the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the distribution to local authorities of change funding for the care of people with learning disabilities in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"In response to the recommendations of the review of services for people with learning disabilities, local authorities were notified in December 2000 that additional funds of £36million over 3 years would be awarded as part of the Grant Aided Expenditure allocation from April 2001.

The resources for 2001-02 were distributed through the Grant Aided Expenditure for services for people with disabilities. The GAE "Green Book", setting out the elements for each authority, is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 12261).

The distribution formula for 2002-03 and 2003-04 is based on projections of population changes in key client groups.

Guidance on the change funds issued on 26 March advising local authorities that the additional resources have been included as part of the Revenue Support Grant along with the existing provision for services for people with learning disabilities. It stated that local authorities, with their partners, should use new and existing resources to achieve both short-term and longer-term improvements in services; that making better use of existing resources is a key part of delivering the review's objectives; and that authorities are expected to apply Best Value principles to ensure maximum benefits for agencies and the best outcomes for all those who require services.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151039,"EventID":"S1W-14329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that BEAR Scotland Ltd has no depot from which to direct its Lochaber operations and what impact this situation will have on the company's ability to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that BEAR Scotland Ltd has no depot from which to direct its Lochaber operations and what impact this situation will have on the company's ability to fulfil its road maintenance obligations.","AnswerText":"A planning application for a depot at Lochaber was lodged by BEAR Scotland Ltd on 10 January 2001 and negotiations are continuing with the planning authority. If the planning authority refuse permission, or fail to determine the application within two months, BEAR Scotland Ltd have the option of appealing to the Scottish Ministers. The new operating company has contractual obligations to carry out maintenance on trunk roads from 1 April 2001. Any additional interim arrangements to address this situation are the new operating company's responsibility.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151040,"EventID":"S1W-14330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which voluntary organisations receive European funding, listed by constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which voluntary organisations receive European funding, listed by constituency.","AnswerText":"A list of voluntary organisations in Scotland which are designated as lead sponsors for live ERDF and ESF projects is being placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. This information is not available broken down at constituency level.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151041,"EventID":"S1W-14331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to issue any guidelines on the management of medical equipment in NHS Trusts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to issue any guidelines on the management of medical equipment in NHS Trusts.","AnswerText":"The majority of NHS Trusts have good procedures in place to deal with the management of medical equipment.

In April 2000 the Medical Devices Agency issued guidance entitled Equipped to Care - The safe use of medical devices in the 21st century. This was distributed in Scotland by Scottish Healthcare Supplies.

The aim of the guidance is to:

Help nurses, midwives, health visitors, other health professionals and support workers understand their role in the safe use, purchase and management of medical devices.

Provide managers with pointers to the best practices for training, purchase and maintenance of medical devices.

Ensure that arrangements for purchase, use and maintenance of medical devices are firmly embedded within the local framework for clinical governance.

Raise awareness about the role of MDA and how it can provide advice, guidance to support the safe use of medical devices.

However, in the light of the recent baseline report by the Auditor General Equipped to Care: Managing Medical Equipment in the NHS in Scotland it is my intention that the Health Department issues further guidance to NHS Trusts in order further to improve the situation across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151042,"EventID":"S1W-14332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or intends to take, to encourage the standardisation and co-operative purchasing of medical equipment across NHS Trusts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or intends to take, to encourage the standardisation and co-operative purchasing of medical equipment across NHS Trusts.","AnswerText":"Scottish Healthcare Supplies currently work closely with individual NHS Trusts to ensure that opportunities for standardisation and co-operative procurement of medical equipment are maximised.

In spring 2000 Scottish Healthcare Supplies launched a major new initiative, the Strategic Alliance Partnership, in order to maximise benefits for economies of scale, rationalisation and standardisation.

The Strategic Alliance Partnership aims to identify any commercial opportunity that will achieve savings for NHSScotland. Work will include the standardisation of items in use and rationalisation of the supplier base which should increase the negotiating position of NHSScotland. Launched last spring, this initiative is expected to deliver results within the next two years.

Scottish Healthcare Supplies are central to the procurement of medical equipment from the £30 million additional capital made available earlier in 2000-01. They anticipate significant savings to the NHSScotland as a result of this centralised activity.

Another example of co-operative purchasing is the recent central procurement initiative for linear accelerators and simulators. This resulted in a saving of around £1 million and an investment package of £5.8 million that benefited four of the five cancer centres. Further investments under the same procurement process are being planned.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151043,"EventID":"S1W-14333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available, or will be made available, to NHS Trust staff to assist them in making procurement decisions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available, or will be made available, to NHS Trust staff to assist them in making procurement decisions.","AnswerText":"NHS Trusts are responsible for planning and organising their own training activities according to the individual needs of the staff involved.

In order to support and promote action at local level, Scottish Healthcare Supplies are raising the profile of procurement throughout the NHSScotland as an activity that contributes to patient care. The activities of the Strategic Alliance Partnership include the establishment of a Training and Development Group which will assist in the continuing development of staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151044,"EventID":"S1W-14334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it is making available to NHS Trusts to improve the information systems used to monitor the use and track the location of medical equipment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it is making available to NHS Trusts to improve the information systems used to monitor the use and track the location of medical equipment.","AnswerText":"It is for individual NHS Trusts to determine annually what levels of funding are required for investment in information systems for local management purposes, taking into account the national Information Management and Technology Strategy and other national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151045,"EventID":"S1W-14335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a mandatory training policy for NHS Trust staff on the use of medical equipment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a mandatory training policy for NHS Trust staff on the use of medical equipment.","AnswerText":"There is no mandatory training policy for NHS Trust staff on the use of medical equipment. NHS Trusts are responsible for ensuring that their employees are competent to use the equipment they need to use. Equally all health care professionals have a personal responsibility to ensure that they are properly trained in the safe use of medical equipment that they use.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151046,"EventID":"S1W-14336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the possibility that article 12 of the European Court of Human Rights entitles women to fertility treatment, and whether any changes t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the possibility that article 12 of the European Court of Human Rights entitles women to fertility treatment, and whether any changes to policy are planned in this area.","AnswerText":"There is no ECHR case law to date which imposes a duty on states to provide funding for women to receive fertility treatment.

The report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, which was published in February 2000, provides a robust evidence base for the management and delivery of infertility services in Scotland. All health boards and NHS Trusts in Scotland have been asked to work towards implementation of the recommendations in the report as resources permit.

There are no plans to change current policy in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151047,"EventID":"S1W-14337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2000, whether the volume of traffic passing through Dalry, Ayrshire at peak times represents a ha'","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2000, whether the volume of traffic passing through Dalry, Ayrshire at peak times represents a ha'ard to pedestrians or the environment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not consider that peak traffic volumes represent an unreasonable hazard to pedestrians within Dalry.

The conditions for pedestrians within Dalry are similar to those in many other communities in Scotland through which strategic trunk roads pass.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151048,"EventID":"S1W-14338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2001, why peak time in the evening is considered to be between 4pm and 5pm.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2001, why peak time in the evening is considered to be between 4pm and 5pm.","AnswerText":"The evening peak period of 4pm to 5pm through Dalry was determined by the highest traffic flow figure within a 24 hour period.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151049,"EventID":"S1W-14339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2001, what volume of traffic passes through Dalry, Ayrshire on the A737 between 7am and 9am, and b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13071 by Sarah Boyack on 9 March 2001, what volume of traffic passes through Dalry, Ayrshire on the A737 between 7am and 9am, and between 4pm and 7pm, and how this compares with other towns of a similar si'e and population.","AnswerText":"The average traffic volume recorded through Dalry, Ayrshire between 7am and 9am is 1310 and between 4pm and 7pm the average is 2346. The average daily traffic volume recorded through Dalry is 9982. These figures were derived from the 7 day hourly flow profile for 260 days between 10 February 2000 and 26 October 2000.

Comparative hourly flows for all other towns of a similar size and population are not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151050,"EventID":"S1W-14340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13098 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 March 2001, whether it will publish the content of its enquiries to Scottish Power, the Royal Navy, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13098 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 March 2001, whether it will publish the content of its enquiries to Scottish Power, the Royal Navy, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Mr Leslie Mair of Glasgow Caledonian University in relation to the low level noise around the town of Largs in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"Due to a tight deadline, our enquiries into this matter were made by telephone. It is therefore not possible to publish a record of them. Further information may be obtained by contacting the bodies and individuals that we consulted, as suggested in Sam Galbraith's response to question S1W-13098.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151051,"EventID":"S1W-14341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13098 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 March 2001, whether it will publish the responses of Scottish Power, the Royal Navy, the Scottish En","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13098 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 March 2001, whether it will publish the responses of Scottish Power, the Royal Navy, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Mr Leslie Mair of Glasgow Caledonian University to enquiries in relation to the low level noise around the town of Largs in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"The responses that we received to our enquiries on this matter from the above-named organisations and individuals were made by telephone. We are not therefore in a position to publish written responses. Further details on the conclusions reached by those we contacted should be addressed to the organisations and individuals concerned, as suggested in Sam Galbraith's response to question S1W-13098.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151052,"EventID":"S1W-14342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is issued to local authorities in respect of tracing the source of head lice infestation in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is issued to local authorities in respect of tracing the source of head lice infestation in schools.","AnswerText":"The management of headlice infection is a local issue and each NHS board is responsible for putting in place a policy for its management which will be agreed with local authorities.

I have asked Scottish Executive officials to set up a working group to review headlice policies and guidance currently in place across Scotland with a view to developing a uniform national policy and national guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151053,"EventID":"S1W-14343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is issued to local authorities in respect of dealing with an outbreak of head lice in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is issued to local authorities in respect of dealing with an outbreak of head lice in schools.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14342.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151054,"EventID":"S1W-14344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether school nurses are permitted to inspect the heads of children in relation to identifying those infected by an outbreak of head lice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether school nurses are permitted to inspect the heads of children in relation to identifying those infected by an outbreak of head lice.","AnswerText":"There is nothing to prevent school nurses from conducting such inspections with appropriate consent. However, most health boards have now moved away from routine inspections of children for headlice.

The only effective means of conducting an inspection is by wet combing, which involves thoroughly washing and conditioning the hair then combing it through in layers, a process which can take between 30 to 45 minutes per child and which is not practical in a school setting. Additionally, in order to be effective, inspections require to be undertaken on a regular basis. However, inspecting a class on one day is no guarantee that there will not be an infection the next.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151055,"EventID":"S1W-14345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities should inform in writing the parents of children in schools where an outbreak of head lice has occurred.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities should inform in writing the parents of children in schools where an outbreak of head lice has occurred.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14342.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151056,"EventID":"S1W-14346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice local authorites should offer to the parents of children continually re-infected with head lice due to other parents not dealing with the problem once identif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice local authorites should offer to the parents of children continually re-infected with head lice due to other parents not dealing with the problem once identified.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14342.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151057,"EventID":"S1W-14347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that any additional rural transport services paid for by the #1.2 million grant from the Rural Transport Fund to Dumfries and Galloway w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that any additional rural transport services paid for by the #1.2 million grant from the Rural Transport Fund to Dumfries and Galloway will continue after the end of the three-year funding period.","AnswerText":"For the first time we have awarded 3-year allocations to local authorities from the Rural Transport Fund which is a significant step forward. At present it is the intention to continue the Fund beyond 2003-2004 but this will be reviewed at the next spending review in the light of ministerial commitments known at the time.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151058,"EventID":"S1W-14348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it has in place, or intends to implement, to increase the numbers of women studying computing and engineering at university.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it has in place, or intends to implement, to increase the numbers of women studying computing and engineering at university.","AnswerText":"Through the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department's Public Understanding of Science grant scheme, a contribution of £9,500 to the Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) initiative has been made during the financial year 2000-01, which promotes science, engineering and technology to women.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) has provided support, since 1995, for initiatives to increase the number of women studying computing and engineering at university. In 2001-02, £100,000 will be provided for the Women into Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) initiative, which supports work to improve access to, participation in and progression to careers in science, engineering and technology for women in Scottish higher education institutions. SHEFC is also providing £50,000 per annum to support a collaborative project in Edinburgh to raise awareness and aspirations of female school pupils towards science, engineering and technology-related courses.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151059,"EventID":"S1W-14349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the application by West of Scotland Water to discharge effluent into the River Clyde at Biggar, (a) which bodies or individuals were consulted by the Envi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the application by West of Scotland Water to discharge effluent into the River Clyde at Biggar, (a) which bodies or individuals were consulted by the Environment Protection Unit Water Team, (b) what information was given during the consultation process and (c) on what basis it was decided not to call in the application.","AnswerText":"Information was sought from the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory, Pitlochry and, within the Scottish Executive, from the Veterinary Advisers and from Public Health Policy Unit. Clarification of various points was also sought from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The advice from these bodies did not contradict the Agency's decision to approve the applications in question.

The policy of the Scottish Ministers has been to exercise our power to call in applications to discharge for our own determination, under Section 36 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, where the issues raised are novel or unusual, or of more than local significance, or where the Agency does not appear to be sufficiently informed to allow it to make a decision on the application. Careful consideration was given to the application to discharge at Biggar, but as the case did not appear to meet these criteria, the Scottish Ministers declined to exercise the power to call it in.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151060,"EventID":"S1W-14350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the production of the new sex education materials recommended by the Working Group on Sex Education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the production of the new sex education materials recommended by the Working Group on Sex Education.","AnswerText":"Prior to parliamentary approval of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000, Ministers undertook, before commencing the repeal of S.2A of the Local Government Act 1986, to publish the new materials on sex education. I am pleased to be able to announce that the following materials have been published today:

A Guide for Parents and Carers;

Guidance for Schools and Local Authorities on Effective Consultation with Parents and Carers;

A Summary of National Advice on Sex Education, and

A Circular to Directors of Education: Standard's in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 - Conduct of Sex Education in Scottish Schools.

I am grateful to LTScotland for taking forward this process on our behalf. They have consulted widely about these documents. In the light of the consultation responses, the documents have been improved and amended and the Guide for Parents and Carers has been rewritten.

The process has been overseen by a Reference Group chaired by Mike McCabe who chaired the original Working Group on Sex Education. Some other members of the working group were also represented on the Reference Group. The Reference Group has endorsed all of the materials published today. I am sure that they will be a welcome additional resource to teachers and schools as they develop their policies in these important areas.

The publication of these materials fulfils the commitments that Scottish Executive Ministers gave last year. Copies of the documents are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The Commencement Order to commence the relevant provisions in the Ethical Standards in Public Life Etc (Scotland) Act 2000 takes effect on 29 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151061,"EventID":"S1W-14351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13898 by Jackie Baillie on 19 March 2001, what studies it has undertaken, or proposes to undertake, to establish how many homes in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13898 by Jackie Baillie on 19 March 2001, what studies it has undertaken, or proposes to undertake, to establish how many homes in the socially rented sector have outdated, inefficient or uneconomic central heating systems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive wrote to local authorities on 26 February to seek a range of estimates for the Central Heating Programme, including information on the number of central heating systems which require to be upgraded or replaced.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151062,"EventID":"S1W-14352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13899 by Jackie Baillie on 19 March 2001, what methodology was used to arrive at its estimate that 85,000 local authority tenants l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13899 by Jackie Baillie on 19 March 2001, what methodology was used to arrive at its estimate that 85,000 local authority tenants lack central heating.","AnswerText":"The information was taken from the Scottish House Condition Survey 1996 which showed that 100,000 local authority dwellings lacked any form of central heating. We estimated that installation rates since then will have taken the figure down to about 85,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151063,"EventID":"S1W-14354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities who are not members of CoSLA are to be represented in the new Scottish negotiating committee for teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities who are not members of CoSLA are to be represented in the new Scottish negotiating committee for teachers.","AnswerText":"he constitution for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers formed part of the agreement on teachers' conditions of service (which was endorsed by representatives of all local authorities on 26 January). The constitution states that the Committee will have 22 members appointed annually and drawn from CoSLA, the Scottish Executive and organisations representing teachers. Under the terms of the constitution, representation from local authorities is a matter for CoSLA.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151064,"EventID":"S1W-14355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will consult local authorities who are not members of CoSLA regarding the development and implementation of policy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will consult local authorities who are not members of CoSLA regarding the development and implementation of policy.","AnswerText":"The Executive will continue to deal with CoSLA on matters of collective importance to councils and to speak to individual councils on matters of local significance, as it has done in the past.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151065,"EventID":"S1W-14356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the visions for sport in Scotland set out in Sport 21: Nothing Left to Chance are achievable within current funding levels for sport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the visions for sport in Scotland set out in Sport 21: Nothing Left to Chance are achievable within current funding levels for sport.","AnswerText":"The first review of Sport 21 was published in October 2000 and copies were distributed to all members of this Parliament. That review highlighted the way in which investment in Scottish sport is helping to achieve the aims of the strategy. The additional resources announced to the Parliament in November last year, and being made available through sportscotland over the next 3 years and the New Opportunities Fund over the next 4 years will help to deliver the visions of Sport 21 in partnership with other interested organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151066,"EventID":"S1W-14357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance could be made available to voluntary sports clubs to help them meet the cost of water and waste-water charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance could be made available to voluntary sports clubs to help them meet the cost of water and waste-water charges.","AnswerText":"Phasing in of water charges to all organisations affected by the decision to withdraw reliefs is being made over a period of 5 years. This should allow such organisations time to prepare for the changes and ease the immediate impact of increased charges.

Additionally, the water authorities have offered to install water meters free where this will reduce costs. This should have the effect of reducing further any additional liability that these organisations have to face.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151067,"EventID":"S1W-14358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13805 by Ross Finnie on 14 March 2001, whether any information on the impact of farmers' markets is available as a result of any su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13805 by Ross Finnie on 14 March 2001, whether any information on the impact of farmers' markets is available as a result of any such markets receiving funding under the LEADER II programme.","AnswerText":"Only a small number of farmers' markets in Scotland have been assisted under the LEADER II Programme. In these cases, funding was directed towards initial costs such as assistance towards incorporation of Angus Farmers' Market as a friendly society and a study investigating the feasibility of running a market in the Borders. The only information available on the impact of farmers' markets as a result of funding was that the Inverness market did not have a negative impact on local businesses. Prior to all markets being suspended owing to foot-and-mouth disease, those markets which received funding were still operating.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151068,"EventID":"S1W-14359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13805 by Ross Finnie on 14 March 2001, why it decided to support the formation of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13805 by Ross Finnie on 14 March 2001, why it decided to support the formation of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets.","AnswerText":"With the growing interest in farmers' markets in Scotland, the industry was keen to establish a body which would allow markets to share information, co-ordinate activity, promote best practice, etc. As part of its grant-funded activities, the Executive encouraged SAOS to investigate the potential for an association. That work showed there would be benefits in forming such a body which could be used to encourage professionalism, high standards and training, all matters which are better handled jointly. Accordingly, SAOS assisted in the formation process which led to the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets being legally established at the end of 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151069,"EventID":"S1W-14360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of a mental health hearing in a sheriff court.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of a mental health hearing in a sheriff court.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, the typical cost of a Sheriff Court hearing based on judicial and staff costs, but excluding accommodation and other overheads is approximately £50 per 30 minutes. This also excludes any costs to the parties, their agents or expert witnesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151070,"EventID":"S1W-14361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost will be of a mental health tribunal hearing as proposed by the Millan Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost will be of a mental health tribunal hearing as proposed by the Millan Report.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to provide an estimate at this stage of the average cost of a mental health tribunal hearing, as proposed by the Millan Report. The Scottish Executive is currently considering the recommendations of the Millan Committee, including those which focus on the establishment of a new mental health tribunal system. We intend to publish our policy proposals, as informed by the Committee and after consultation with relevant interests, in summer 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151071,"EventID":"S1W-14362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures and policies are in place in the criminal justice system in relation to dealing with offenders with mental disorders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures and policies are in place in the criminal justice system in relation to dealing with offenders with mental disorders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's general policy on care, support services and accommodation for mentally disordered offenders remains as set out in NHS Management Executive Letter (1999) 5, published by the Scottish Office in January 1999. Since then, we have provided complementary guidance for service providers, including the criminal justice agencies. A Care Pathway Document, NHS Health Department Letter (2001) 9, was produced on 12 February this year, together with progress reports on the implementation of the general policy. These two NHS letters are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib numbers 12317 and 12345 respectively).

We are also currently considering the recommendations for the treatment and management of mentally disordered offenders made in the reports of the Millan and MacLean Committees.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151072,"EventID":"S1W-14363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to local authorities with regard to the utilisation and distribution of change funding for the care of people with learning disabilities and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to local authorities with regard to the utilisation and distribution of change funding for the care of people with learning disabilities and when any such guidance was issued.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14328.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151073,"EventID":"S1W-14364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the resources distributed to date to each local authority from the change fund for the care of people with learning disabilities and when these fun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the resources distributed to date to each local authority from the change fund for the care of people with learning disabilities and when these funds were released.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14328.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151074,"EventID":"S1W-14365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responses it has received from Scottish banks and financial institutions regarding assistance with overdrafts and leasing agreements for agricultural, tourist and o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responses it has received from Scottish banks and financial institutions regarding assistance with overdrafts and leasing agreements for agricultural, tourist and other businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Rhona Brankin and I met with the agricultural representatives of the Clearing Banks on 19 March. Following that meeting, on 21 March, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic discussed the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak on business with the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers and representatives from the four main Clearing Banks in Scotland. (The UK Government have had similar discussions with the major Clearing Banks). I understand that the Clearing Banks are constructively seeking to help businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak on a case-by-case basis. I would encourage any such troubled businesses to make contact with their local branch.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151075,"EventID":"S1W-14366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and local authorities regarding the suspension of business rates for businesses which have been forced to suspe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and local authorities regarding the suspension of business rates for businesses which have been forced to suspend their activities due to the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"Details of the Executive's package of assistance were announced in response to question S1W-14552 on 28 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151076,"EventID":"S1W-14367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the National Lottery distributing bodies regarding the support of visitor attractions which have been closed by the outbreak of fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the National Lottery distributing bodies regarding the support of visitor attractions which have been closed by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and what the outcome of any such discussions has been.","AnswerText":"Together with the UK Government, we are looking at every possible way in which affected businesses might be assisted. I am confident, however, that the emergency package of measures that we have announced on 28 March will tackle the immediate difficulties facing tourism and other businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151077,"EventID":"S1W-14368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprentices are (a) male and (b) female, and how many are from ethnic minorities, broken down by industry in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprentices are (a) male and (b) female, and how many are from ethnic minorities, broken down by industry in each case.","AnswerText":"Of the total 17,345 Modern Apprenticeships in training, 13,829 (80%) are male; 3,387 (20%) are female; 47 (0.3%) are from ethnic minorities and 82 (0.5%) have opted not to state their ethnic origin. I will ask my officials to write to Mr Watson with a breakdown by MA framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151078,"EventID":"S1W-14369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3090 by Ross Finnie on 15 March 2001, whether, in light of the statement of the UK Chief Veterinary Officer on 19 March 2001 that a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3090 by Ross Finnie on 15 March 2001, whether, in light of the statement of the UK Chief Veterinary Officer on 19 March 2001 that a vaccination programme has not been ruled out, it has any plans to consider vaccinating livestock against foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"As I made clear in my Statement to the Parliament today the decision on whether or not to vaccinate will be made by the Scottish Executive, taking account of the situation in Scotland and Veterinary advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151079,"EventID":"S1W-14370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the setting up of a national rivers authority to manage and maintain rivers, including the River Clyde and its riverbed and banks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the setting up of a national rivers authority to manage and maintain rivers, including the River Clyde and its riverbed and banks.","AnswerText":"A national authority responsible for promoting maintenance and improvement of the environmental quality of all Scotland's rivers, including the River Clyde, already exists in the form of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The Agency works closely with others, such as the water authorities, to continue to deliver improvements to Scotland's water environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151080,"EventID":"S1W-14371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to prevent the dumping of rubbish and sewage in the River Clyde.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to prevent the dumping of rubbish and sewage in the River Clyde.","AnswerText":"The discharge of any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, or any solid waste matter, to the River Clyde is in most circumstances an offence under Section 30F of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The most important exception is where a consent for a discharge, such as from a sewage treatment works, is granted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The Agency is statutorily obliged, when granting such consents, to give consideration to the protection of the environment, and attaches conditions to consents to prevent unacceptable impacts. Littering is also an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Decisions on whether to prosecute under the 1974 and 1990 Acts are a matter for the Procurator Fiscal, though under the 1990 Act the local authority may appoint Litter Wardens with powers to serve a £25 fixed penalty notice on litter offenders, as an alternative to referring the offence to the Fiscal.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151081,"EventID":"S1W-14372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to ensure that the banks of the River Clyde are properly managed and maintained.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to ensure that the banks of the River Clyde are properly managed and maintained.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no powers to ensure that the banks of the River Clyde are properly managed and maintained.

In general, this is a local matter for the riparian owners concerned. However, where it is considered that maintenance of a watercourse will reduce the likelihood of flooding of non-agricultural land, local authorities have a duty to maintain it.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151082,"EventID":"S1W-14373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to introducing greater sanctions on individuals and companies found guilty of dumping rubbish and sewerage in the River Clyde and other ri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to introducing greater sanctions on individuals and companies found guilty of dumping rubbish and sewerage in the River Clyde and other rivers.","AnswerText":"There are already significant sanctions applicable to such individuals and companies. Under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, offences of littering are punishable by a fine of up to Level 4 on the Standard Scale, which is currently £2,500. The discharge of sewage without a consent from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency into the Clyde or any other Scottish river is an offence under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. On summary conviction, the maximum penalties are imprisonment for up to three months, or a fine of up to £20,000, or both. On conviction on indictment, the penalties are imprisonment for up to two years, or an unlimited fine, or both. Decisions on prosecution are a matter for the Procurator Fiscal, and sentencing (within the parameters of the Acts) is a matter for the courts.

Where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency grants a consent for the discharge of sewage, it is bound by the terms of the Environment Act 1995 to do so in such a way as to protect the environment, for example by the application of appropriate conditions to the consent.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151083,"EventID":"S1W-14374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors pollution from sewage, rubbish and other sources in the River Clyde.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors pollution from sewage, rubbish and other sources in the River Clyde.","AnswerText":"The monitoring of pollution in the River Clyde is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151084,"EventID":"S1W-14375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers employed at Glenochil Prison and aged under 35 have left the service in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers employed at Glenochil Prison and aged under 35 have left the service in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Year

Number of officers

28.03.98-27.03.99

4

28.03.99-27.03.00

10

28.03.00-27.03.01

13

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151085,"EventID":"S1W-14376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3338 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2000, how many of the 20 confirmed sub-standard bridges have now been brought up to standard or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3338 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2000, how many of the 20 confirmed sub-standard bridges have now been brought up to standard or placed on a firm programme of works for upgrading; what the re-assessment of the remaining bridges has shown, and which of these bridges will be included in further upgrading programmes.","AnswerText":"Four of the 20 bridges have been strengthened and 6 reassessed as adequate. With the exception of the A8 Orchard Farm Rail bridge, which has been strengthened by propping as an interim measure pending the outcome of further studies into the options for M8 Baillieston-Newhouse, the remainder have been included in the trunk road bridge strengthening programme.

Of the other 53 bridges, 24 have been reassessed as adequate, 26 were confirmed as sub-standard, of which 7 have subsequently been strengthened. The reassessment of 3 structures is in progress.

The following 25 bridges will therefore be strengthened in the programme:

A76 Marchburn

A82 Achtriochtan

M8 Deans Road

A78 Inverkip Street Rail

A82 Achnambeithach

M8 Starlaw

A82 Allt Chonoglais

A82 Allt Fhiodhan

M8 Arkleston

A82 Ba

A87 Bunan

M8 White Cart

A82 Allt Molach

A87 Broadford

M8 St James Interchange (East)

A82 Creagdubh1

A898 Erskine

M8 St James Interchange (West)

A82 Allt Nan Guibhas

A9 Kessock

M8 Black Cart

A82 Lairig Eilde

M74 Raith

M9 Hill Overbridge

A82 Altanrigh

 

M9 River Avon

1Originally listed as adequate, further investigation resulted in this bridge being regraded as sub-standard.

Not included in this list are 3 bridges which are to be bypassed by proposed trunk road schemes. These structures have been strengthened by propping as an interim measure pending their replacement.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151086,"EventID":"S1W-14377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3338 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2000, what action it proposes to take to upgrade or replace bridges then and subsequently identi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3338 by Sarah Boyack on 18 January 2000, what action it proposes to take to upgrade or replace bridges then and subsequently identified as being unsuitable for reassessment.","AnswerText":"Sub-standard bridges will be strengthened or replaced on a prioritised basis as part of the annual trunk road bridge maintenance programme. It is expected this work will take 5 years to complete but the actual timescale will depend on competing priorities and the availability of funding.

Not included in this programme are 4 sub-standard bridges that will be replaced as part of other proposed schemes involving the improvement or realignment of the existing trunk road. These structures have been strengthened by propping as an interim measure pending their replacement.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151087,"EventID":"S1W-14378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1419 by Sarah Boyack on 27 September 1999, what its estimate is of the capital value of the trunk road and motorway network at 1 Ap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1419 by Sarah Boyack on 27 September 1999, what its estimate is of the capital value of the trunk road and motorway network at 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The estimated capital value of the trunk road and motorway network as at 1 April 2001 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151088,"EventID":"S1W-14379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the evaluation of the Dundee Families Project by Glasgow University referred to in paragraph 43 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the evaluation of the Dundee Families Project by Glasgow University referred to in paragraph 43 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and which other local authorities have subsequently implemented similar programmes.","AnswerText":"The evaluation of the Dundee Families Project is not due for completion until the end of May 2001. A copy of the Report, when published, will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. We are not aware of any other similar programmes in operation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151089,"EventID":"S1W-14380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many landlords have made use of the services offered by Safeguarding Communities Reducing Offending (SACRO) and referred to in paragraph 18 of Housing and Anti-Social","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many landlords have made use of the services offered by Safeguarding Communities Reducing Offending (SACRO) and referred to in paragraph 18 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead to date, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"22 local authorities have so far made use of the mediation services offered by Safeguarding Communities Reducing Offending (SACRO). These are listed in the table. In addition SACRO have held discussions with some 30 housing associations.

The following Local Authorities have made use of services offered by SACRO.

Aberdeenshire

Midlothian

Angus

North Ayrshire

Argyll and Bute

North Lanarkshire

City of Edinburgh

Orkney Islands

Clackmannanshire

Perth and Kinross

East Ayrshire

Renfrewshire

East Dunbartonshire

Scottish Borders

East Renfrewshire

Shetland Islands

Falkirk

South Ayrshire

Highland

South Lanarkshire

Western Isles

West Lothian

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151090,"EventID":"S1W-14381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have adopted the model secure tenancy agreement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have adopted the model secure tenancy agreement.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. While some authorities are using the Model Secure Tenancy Agreement (MoSTA), it has not yet been widely adopted as MoSTA did not become available until after the secure tenancy had been introduced. However, authorities have been encouraged to follow the model in respect of all new tenancies and tenancy agreements that are subject to review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151091,"EventID":"S1W-14382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the evaluation of the fast-tracking for drugs cases referred to in paragraph 97 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and what actio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the evaluation of the fast-tracking for drugs cases referred to in paragraph 97 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and what action has subsequently been taken as a result of this evaluation.","AnswerText":"The evaluation of the fast -tracking for drugs cases has recently been received and is currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151092,"EventID":"S1W-14383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the new baseline study into housing management practice referred to in paragraph 55 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and what a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the new baseline study into housing management practice referred to in paragraph 55 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and what action has subsequently been taken as a result of this study.","AnswerText":"Two parts of the study, \"A Review of the Literature\" and \" A Review of Progress\" were placed on the Scottish Executive website in August 2000. The third part of the review, "Case Studies, Conclusions and Recommendations", has now been completed but has yet to be published. A copy of the full report, when published, will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151093,"EventID":"S1W-14384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the study to evaluate the impact of evictions on individuals and families referred to in paragraph 70 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Wa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the study to evaluate the impact of evictions on individuals and families referred to in paragraph 70 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and what action has been taken as a result of this study.","AnswerText":"This study has been included in the Development Department Research Programme for 2001-2002 and will be commissioned later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151094,"EventID":"S1W-14385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what options for speeding up the eviction process were explored following the analysis of the research study into any possible delays in the legal process in dealing with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what options for speeding up the eviction process were explored following the analysis of the research study into any possible delays in the legal process in dealing with anti-social behaviour cases referred to in paragraph 50 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead.","AnswerText":"The research found that whilst there was scope for some minor improvements in the courts, the greatest scope for improvement lay with the landlords and related agencies. I understand, however, that the Sheriff Court Rules Council is considering, as part of its current review of procedure, how cases dealt with under summary cause procedure, including eviction cases, can be dealt with more expeditiously.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151095,"EventID":"S1W-14386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what results have been achieved following the completion of the first year of the drug treatment and testing order pilot in Glasgow and what plans there are for similar p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what results have been achieved following the completion of the first year of the drug treatment and testing order pilot in Glasgow and what plans there are for similar pilots.","AnswerText":"The first Drug Treatment and Testing Order in Glasgow was made on 10 February 2000. In the period to the end of February 2001 a further 46 orders were made. To date, there have been 2 successful completions and 7 offenders reported to the court for breach. Of the latter, 3 cases have been dealt with by the court and one of these orders has been revoked. The remaining orders continue in force. An evaluation study of the Glasgow pilot and a second pilot established in Fife last July is currently underway and it is intended that the findings of this study will be published towards the end of the year. A commitment to a third site covering Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire was announced last November. Decisions on further extension will await the outcome of the evaluation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151096,"EventID":"S1W-14387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not seek to make a statement in the Parliament regarding the launch of the consultation on rates relief for small businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not seek to make a statement in the Parliament regarding the launch of the consultation on rates relief for small businesses.","AnswerText":"Details of the consultation were announced on 14 February in reply to question S1W-13413.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151097,"EventID":"S1W-14388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage young people to study civil engineering.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage young people to study civil engineering.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the Scottish Education Unit of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the National Training Organisation for the construction sector, is in the lead on promoting this study and career option. The Unit provides a single approach to promoting careers in the construction industry among school pupils in Scotland, with the emphasis on the 14-18 age group. The Unit undertakes two key strands of activity to promote civil engineering. It provides a range of activities, such as work shadowing and building competitions, to promote professional and management careers in the sector and, through the CITB Curriculum Centres Initiative, organises school-based projects, with links to FE colleges.

At UK level, the Hawley Group Report, has recommended that the Engineering Council evolves into the Engineering and Technology Board, to meet the needs and aspirations of an increasingly diverse engineering community. Ownership of the process remains with the engineering community itself and the shape and remit of the new Board will be for them to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151098,"EventID":"S1W-14389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a programme to encourage children to study technological subjects at school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a programme to encourage children to study technological subjects at school.","AnswerText":"As stated in my response to question S1W-13460, the Scottish Executive has reviewed the Standard Grade course with the aim of making it more attractive to pupils and revised courses will be available from academic session 2001-02. A number of other measures have been taken to promote technological studies in schools, as outlined in my response to question S1W-12194. In addition, the Deputy Minister will meet with representatives of education and industry to discuss ways in which the profile of technological studies in schools can be raised.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151099,"EventID":"S1W-14390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's university graduates graduated in science, engineering or related subjects in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's university graduates graduated in science, engineering or related subjects in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is detailed in the following table:

Graduates and diplomates from Higher Education Institutions in Scotland
 

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

All Graduates

37,412

37,525

40,881

38,783

42,286

No. Science Related

10,175

9,606

9,871

9,469

9,554

% Science Related*

27.2%

25.6%

24.1%

24.4%

22.6%

Source: HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency)

* \"Science Related\" includes Engineering & Technology, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Maths & Computing","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151100,"EventID":"S1W-14391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway will affect the introduction of (a) the fibre optic cabling for the area or (b) the cross-country ga","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway will affect the introduction of (a) the fibre optic cabling for the area or (b) the cross-country gas line from Beattock to Brighouse bay, and what restrictions will be placed on contractors during this work.","AnswerText":"Services, such as gas, electricity and water can gain access to the countryside where repair/maintenance work is deemed essential. Prior to entering an area where there are restrictions such services are required to give advance notice of their visit. Vehicles' wheels and visitors' footwear require to be disinfected when entering and leaving an infected area.

With the line of the fibre optic cabling and the cross-country gas line running through infected areas it is unlikely that work could proceed in these parts of Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151101,"EventID":"S1W-14392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for consulting on the provisions proposed for the Water Services Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for consulting on the provisions proposed for the Water Services Bill.","AnswerText":"A consultation paper on the Water Services Bill is being published today. It describes the Executive's proposals for creating a single all Scotland public water authority and for establishing a regulatory framework to ensure that increasing competition in the water industry benefits customers, while safeguarding public health, the environment and social objectives. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no: 12181) and will be available shortly on the Executive website. The deadline for comments on the paper to reach the Scottish Executive is 13 June 2001","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151102,"EventID":"S1W-14393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the recent report of the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the recent report of the Scottish Fish Processors' Working Group.","AnswerText":"I have today written to the group with the Executive's formal response. Copies of that response have been lodged in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre. I am pleased to be able to report to Parliament that the Executive has broadly endorsed much of the recommendations contained in the report and that we will be making approximately £1 million available for its implementation.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151103,"EventID":"S1W-14394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure early payment of agri-monetary compensation to farmers, whether it will provide any matching funding and, if so, how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure early payment of agri-monetary compensation to farmers, whether it will provide any matching funding and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"Subject to final EU Commission approval we propose to begin making sheep agrimoney payments in early April and beef agrimoney payments in mid to late April.

Of the £156 million optional agrimoney package announced by the Government on 27 February 2001 all but £30 million is subject to match funding. In other words the EU will be funding £93 million and the UK Exchequer £63 million. However because of the operation of the Fontainebleau agreement the UK taxpayer will end up paying £129 million or some 83% of the total.

We estimate that Scotland's share of the UK package will be around £241/2 million, of which £151/2 million will be EU funded and £ 9 million UK funded.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151104,"EventID":"S1W-14395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether licensing and operation of haulage vehicles weighing 45 tons or over on roads on which schools are located is compatible with its policy on safer routes to school","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether licensing and operation of haulage vehicles weighing 45 tons or over on roads on which schools are located is compatible with its policy on safer routes to schools.","AnswerText":"The regulation and licensing of vehicles is a reserved matter. Roads authorities have powers to prevent the use of specified roads by particular types of vehicle. In addition, they are required to be notified of any proposed movement on public roads of vehicles of 45 tonnes and over.

It is up to them to consider applications for such movements in the light of all the local circumstances, including whether or not the proposed route passes a school.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151105,"EventID":"S1W-14396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to restrict haulage vehicles from using routes on which schools are located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to restrict haulage vehicles from using routes on which schools are located.","AnswerText":"Road authorities are responsible for all aspects of road safety, road maintenance and traffic management on roads in their area. They have powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to prevent the use of roads by vehicular traffic of a kind, or in a manner, which is unsuitable having regard to the character of the road.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151106,"EventID":"S1W-14397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the current funding sources for Scotland House in Brussels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the current funding sources for Scotland House in Brussels.","AnswerText":"Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a range of interests. Its principal components are the Scottish Executive EU Office (SEEUO) and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers. As indicated in the answers to questions S1W-960 and S1W-1437, the SEEUO is entirely funded by the Scottish Executive. As stated in the answer to question S1W-1208, the funding sources for the other residents of Scotland House, are a matter for them, and not for the Scottish Executive - except where these residents are Scottish public bodies. This is referred to in the answer to question S1W-14692.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151107,"EventID":"S1W-14398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what operational targets have been set for Scotland House in Brussels and whether it will provide details of actual performance against any such targets since inception.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what operational targets have been set for Scotland House in Brussels and whether it will provide details of actual performance against any such targets since inception.","AnswerText":"Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a wide range of interests, including the Scottish Executive EU Office (SEEUO) and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers. Most of the bodies located in Scotland House have the following operational targets in common:

following the European legislative process and pursuing issues of relevance to Scotland;

maintaining close contact with key people in the EU Institutions, including the Scottish MEPs;

sharing information and resources between the Scotland House residents as appropriate;

increasing the range and depth of information on EU affairs flowing back to Scottish bodies, and

advising Scottish bodies about EU procedures and how to become more involved.

In Working Together for Scotland: A Programme of Government, the Scottish Executive expresses a commitment to use Scotland House to best effect as a source of information and co-ordination of Scottish interests in Europe. The role that Scotland House can play in realising this commitment can be illustrated by some specific figures. To date, the residents of Scotland House have facilitated 52 visits by Scottish Executive Ministers to Belgium and Luxembourg (including several to meet Commissioners and attendance at 16 full Councils of Ministers) and attendance at over 100 working groups by Scottish Executive officials; and have seen at least 10,000 visitors pass through their doors.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151108,"EventID":"S1W-14399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to raise the profile of Scotland House in Brussels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to raise the profile of Scotland House in Brussels.","AnswerText":"Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a range of interests. Its principal components are the Scottish Executive EU Office (SEEUO) and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers.

As I mentioned in my response to question S1W-4409, Scotland House already has a high profile, as its Scottish residents raise Scotland's profile in the EU in the course of their daily work. It has done this, for example, through discussions with representatives of the EU institutions, through seminars, through attending meetings of the institutions, and through meetings with the Brussels offices of other EU regions. Scotland Week, in October 1999, which was organised jointly with Scotland Europa, was the initial profile-raising event which had a very large impact. Over 1,000 delegates attended events in Scotland House during the week. Since its opening, at least 10,000 business visitors and seminar delegates have passed through the doors of Scotland House.

The location itself, at the heart of the Brussels EU district, means that Scotland House is not only prominent but also close to the EU institutions. Examples of the level of Scotland House's profile amongst these institutions include the fact that the Commission has hired Scotland House's conference facilities to train its own staff, and that it chose Scotland House as the venue for a major seminar in March on the recent Cohesion Report, to which all Brussels-based regional representations were invited. Several of these regional representations have said that they look upon Scotland House - with its mix of public and private sector residents - as a model for their own offices. Additionally, on 11 December 2000, the then Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture, Sam Galbraith, opened a year-long "Art for Europe" exhibition in Scotland House, which raises the profile of the Scottish creative industries as well as of Scotland House to a much wider Brussels-based audience.

The residents of Scotland House - the SEEUO included - intend to build on these successes to further promote Scotland's interests in the EU.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151109,"EventID":"S1W-14400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6954 by Susan Deacon on 2 June 2000, when the Rehabilitation Technology Information Service will report its findings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6954 by Susan Deacon on 2 June 2000, when the Rehabilitation Technology Information Service will report its findings.","AnswerText":"The Rehabilitation Technology Information Service (ReTIS) is due to provide an initial progress report in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151110,"EventID":"S1W-14401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in Scotland use a wheelchair.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in Scotland use a wheelchair.","AnswerText":"There are around 8000 children (under 18 years of age) in Scotland currently using wheelchairs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151111,"EventID":"S1W-14402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to meet parents from the organisation Fastrax to discuss improvements in the provision of paediatric wheelchairs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to meet parents from the organisation Fastrax to discuss improvements in the provision of paediatric wheelchairs.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Health Department have previously met with the founders of the Fastrax Mobility Trust. They also arranged their attendance at a meeting of the Rehabilitation Technology Services Advisory Group in 1998 to allow them to address the heads of NHSScotland rehabilitation technology services.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151112,"EventID":"S1W-14403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to including assertiveness courses as part of the New Deal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to including assertiveness courses as part of the New Deal.","AnswerText":"Employment Policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead in funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

By responding to individual needs, New Deal seeks to improve participants' prospects of finding and retaining employment. Where appropriate this will include help with motivation, soft and jobsearch skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151113,"EventID":"S1W-14404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12169 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 March 2001, why current expenditure per pupil fell in Glasgow by #72 between 1996-97 and 1998-99 in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12169 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 March 2001, why current expenditure per pupil fell in Glasgow by #72 between 1996-97 and 1998-99 in real terms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not plan local authority expenditure in detail. The authorities make their own spending decisions, including the allocation of resources to the various services for which they are responsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151114,"EventID":"S1W-14405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12332 by Angus MacKay on 6 March 2001, when it estimates that the Scottish assigned budget's share of UK gross domestic product wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12332 by Angus MacKay on 6 March 2001, when it estimates that the Scottish assigned budget's share of UK gross domestic product will again reach the level it was at in 1996-97.","AnswerText":"2003-04 is the latest year for which a projection of GDP is available. Scottish Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) and Non-Domestic Rate Income (NDRI) is projected to be 1.84% of UK GDP

The sum of DEL and NDRI will grow by 12.59% in real terms between 2000-01 and 2003-04, equating to more money being spent on the needs of the Scottish people.

Due to the conversion to resource accounting, the sum of DEL (Departmental Expenditure Limits) and NDRI (Non-Domestic Rate Income) is the most robust basis on which to make this comparison.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151115,"EventID":"S1W-14406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the contribution which harmonisation of VAT on building work at 5% for both new build housing ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the contribution which harmonisation of VAT on building work at 5% for both new build housing and repair could make to improving the quality of housing stock in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is constantly in touch with the UK Government on a range of matters, including taxation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151116,"EventID":"S1W-14407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scottish economic growth rates have failed to match UK growth rates in recent years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scottish economic growth rates have failed to match UK growth rates in recent years.","AnswerText":"Latest data show that quarterly growth in Scotland is broadly in line with the UK, although year on year growth is slower. Independent forecasters (BSL and Cambridge Econometrics) suggest that growth in Scotland will be slightly below the UK this year.

Short-term fluctuations aside, the central issue for policy is how Scotland's trend rate of growth can be increased. The critical element in stimulating sustainable economic growth is the enhancement of productivity throughout all Scottish enterprises. This is achieved through increasing both the quality and quantity of output per worker and through reducing costs. Improved productivity is the key source of international competitive advantage.

This is recognised in the Executive's recent Framework for Economic Development in Scotland and the Enterprise Strategy - a Smart, Successful Scotland - which sets out the new international conditions for economic success - growing business, ensuring Scotland is globally connected, lifelong learning and skills development.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151117,"EventID":"S1W-14408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many renal consultants were employed by head count and by full-time equivalent in each of the last three years, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many renal consultants were employed by head count and by full-time equivalent in each of the last three years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The latest information available is shown in the table, which should be read in conjunction with the notes following:

Renal Consultants by Health Board area at 30 September

 

Headcount

WTE

 

1997

1998

1999

1997

1998

1999

Scotland

17

21

29

15.9

19.2

26.5

Ayrshire & Arran

1

1

1

1.0

1.0

1.0

Fife

0

0

1

-

-

1.0

Grampian

1

1

2

1.0

1.0

1.6

Greater Glasgow

8

9

11

8.0

9.0

11.0

Lanarkshire

0

0

1

-

-

1.0

Lothian

4

7

9

2.9

5.2

6.8

Tayside

3

3

4

3.0

3.0

4.0

Note:

1. Source: Medical and Dental Manpower Census, ISD Scotland

2. Latest information available is as at 30 September 1999. Data from the 2000 census will be available in the next few months.

3. Figures given include honorary consultants.

4. Health Board areas that did not have consultants working solely in the specialty of renal medicine in any of the years 1997, 1998 or 1999 are not shown.

5. It should be noted that in addition to those consultants in the table above, there are also a large number of general physicians with a subspecialty interest in renal medicine working in all areas of Scotland. Subspecialty statistics are not collected centrally, so it is not possible to give an exact figure for these.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151118,"EventID":"S1W-14409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information to suggest that the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot will be delayed beyond November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information to suggest that the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot will be delayed beyond November 2001.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council has responsibility for the timing of the ballot.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151119,"EventID":"S1W-14410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an elderly person to receive a residential care place in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an elderly person to receive a residential care place in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151120,"EventID":"S1W-14411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13289 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 February 2001, why the number of places available in residential care homes have fallen from 16,677","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13289 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 February 2001, why the number of places available in residential care homes have fallen from 16,677 in 1998 to 15,851 in 2000.","AnswerText":"That is likely to have been the result of a wide variety of factors, including population structure, health condition of older people, availability of alternative forms of accommodation and other factors affecting demand for and availability of places.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151121,"EventID":"S1W-14412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13289 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 February 2001, why the number of beds in private nursing homes has fallen from 23,838 in 1998 to 22","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13289 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 February 2001, why the number of beds in private nursing homes has fallen from 23,838 in 1998 to 22,950 in 2000.","AnswerText":"As indicated in footnote 2 to the table provided in the answer given to question S1W-13289, part of the apparent change may be due to incomplete returns. It may also be due to a wide variety of factors including population structure, health condition of older people, availability of alternative forms of accommodation and other factors affecting demand for and availability of places.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151122,"EventID":"S1W-14413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11227 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, why the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11227 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, why the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologist following GP referral in Forth Valley Health Board has increased from 36 days for the year ending 31 March 1999 to 154 days for the year ending 31 March 2000 and what action it plans to take to address this situation.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Forth Valley Health Board.

Improvements to service provision across the health board area since March 2000 have produced a significant reduction in waiting times. The board reports that all urgent referrals are now seen within seven working days and waiting times for routine neurology appointments have been halved, despite an increase in the number of new outpatients seen.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151123,"EventID":"S1W-14414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11227 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, why the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11227 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, why the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologist following GP referral in Grampian Health Board has increased from 37 days for the year ending 31 March 1999 to 77 days for the year ending 31 March 2000 and what action it plans to take to address this situation.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Grampian Health Board.

The answer I provided to S1W-11227 showed that the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologist following GP referral in the Grampian Health Board area, in the year ended 31 March 1999, was 63 days (not 37 days). Provisional figures for the nine months to 31 December 2000 indicate that this performance has improved to 61 days, a better performance than the average across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151124,"EventID":"S1W-14415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11275 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 January 2001, why the number of excess winter deaths has increased from 2,610 in 1997-98 to 5,190 in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11275 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 January 2001, why the number of excess winter deaths has increased from 2,610 in 1997-98 to 5,190 in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"Year to year fluctuations in the numbers of "excess winter deaths", however defined, show a close relationship with the occurrence of major influenza outbreaks. Whilst the numbers of deaths where the underlying cause is recorded as being influenza is normally relatively low, even during a relatively severe outbreak, there is invariably a sizeable increase in the numbers of deaths from related causes, notably pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. This was the case during the winter of 1999-2000, and also to a slightly lesser extent during that of 1998-99. Though complete data for the winter of 2000-01 is not yet available, provisional figures suggest that the number of \"excess winter deaths\" will be in line with that normally observed during a winter when influenza activity is limited, such as 1997-98.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151125,"EventID":"S1W-14416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent members of staff it employed at 31 March 2000 and how many it estimates it will employ at (a) 31 March 2001 and (b) 31 March 2002, broken d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent members of staff it employed at 31 March 2000 and how many it estimates it will employ at (a) 31 March 2001 and (b) 31 March 2002, broken down by the local authority area in which the staff are based.","AnswerText":"The number of permanent staff employed in the main departments of the Scottish Executive, its agencies and associated departments are shown in the table.

31 March 2000

31 March 2001 (est.)

ABERDEEN CITY

488.4

512.0

ABERDEENSHIRE

373.1

361.5

ANGUS

104.1

107.5

ARGYLL & BUTE

53.7

55.8

CITY OF EDINBURGH

6,500.0

6,619.2

CLACKMANNANSHIRE

475.5

476.5

DUMBARTON AND CLYDEBANK

3.0

3.0

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

254.4

255.8

DUNDEE CITY

116.7

122.6

EAST AYRSHIRE

59.7

57.7

EAST DUMBARTONSHIRE

154.0

173.0

EAST LOTHIAN

35.7

33.6

EAST RENFREWSHIRE

0.0

0.0

EILIAN SIAR

21.5

26.5

FALKIRK

414.5

483.2

FIFE

109.1

109.6

GLASGOW CITY

1,543.6

1,642.1

HIGHLANDS

311.0

It is open to any organisation which has an interest in women's issues or which represents women to be included in the database.

We will shortly be contacting organisations currently on the database seeking their permission to widen access to the database. Subject to their views we hope to make the database more widely accessible as soon as practical thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151130,"EventID":"S1W-14422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary organisations with a remit for training people with learning disabilities receive objective 2 funding from Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary organisations with a remit for training people with learning disabilities receive objective 2 funding from Europe.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151131,"EventID":"S1W-14423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there will always be a ready supply of central heating units for installation under its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there will always be a ready supply of central heating units for installation under its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"When first planning for the central heating programme, we used the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey to make an estimate of requirements and estimated that 140,000 dwellings required action. Earlier this year we asked councils and housing associations to let us know how many systems they had installed. Considerably more investment has been made in recent years than was first thought and so the actual number of public sector homes requiring central heating is now much lower than first estimated. This will allow us to accelerate the programme so that it can be completed by 2005 and enable us to extend it to include other deserving cases.

Information on the number of heating systems required for the overall programme is not held centrally. However, the commercial opportunities which the programme provides will boost the supply of central heating systems to meet the extra demand. We are ensuring that only the most efficient and cost-effective heating units are used, to maximise the benefits for householders and the public purse.

The number of engineers required to install the central heating units depends on the type of systems being installed, the geographical spread of households and the productivity of the engineers. We hold no information on the number of engineers currently in the industry or how many are expected to qualify, but the Managing Agent for the private sector will be expected to participate in recognised training and apprenticeship schemes to attract new trainees to the industry. The opportunities which the programme is generating should also encourage entry to the skills market. We are also undertaking both national and local research on the labour demands and skill requirements now being generated not just by the growing level of public spending on housing but also by the community ownership programme and other infrastructure investment.

Resources for the installation of central heating in all sectors of the stock, including housing associations, will be allocated from the central heating programme budget in the fuel poverty line of the Annual Expenditure Report.

Local authorities, housing associations and the Managing Agent for the private sector are responsible for ordering the systems for the their respective dwellings. We do not hold information on the number of ordered systems nor the cost of the units being installed. The cost of the units will vary depending upon the type of systems to be installed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151132,"EventID":"S1W-14424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems it estimates will have to be ordered in order to meet installation needs under its central heating programme, broken down for each of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems it estimates will have to be ordered in order to meet installation needs under its central heating programme, broken down for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151133,"EventID":"S1W-14425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating system units are currently available for installation as part of its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating system units are currently available for installation as part of its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151134,"EventID":"S1W-14426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating engineers will be required to install the central heating units under its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating engineers will be required to install the central heating units under its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151135,"EventID":"S1W-14427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are expected to qualify as central heating engineers in each of the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are expected to qualify as central heating engineers in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151136,"EventID":"S1W-14428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified central heating engineers there currently are for each type of central heating system and what the current annual number of installations of each type","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified central heating engineers there currently are for each type of central heating system and what the current annual number of installations of each type is.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151137,"EventID":"S1W-14429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budgets Scottish Homes' #40 million contribution to the central heating programme will be allocated. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budgets Scottish Homes' #40 million contribution to the central heating programme will be allocated. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151138,"EventID":"S1W-14430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the central heating units which will be installed under its central heating programme will be constructed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the central heating units which will be installed under its central heating programme will be constructed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151139,"EventID":"S1W-14431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the central heating units which will be installed under its central heating programme have yet been ordered; if so, how many, from whom and what has been ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the central heating units which will be installed under its central heating programme have yet been ordered; if so, how many, from whom and what has been the total cost of these units to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14423.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151140,"EventID":"S1W-14432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the official correspondence it has received on the issue of housing in Cumbernauld.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the official correspondence it has received on the issue of housing in Cumbernauld.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received four letters in this connection since 1 April 2000 and a number of representations have been made to the Minister by Cathie Craigie, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151141,"EventID":"S1W-14433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set any target for returning derelict and vacant land to productive use.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set any target for returning derelict and vacant land to productive use.","AnswerText":"The Executive is determined that vacant and derelict sites in Scotland should be brought back into use. Planning policy encourages the re-use of previously developed sites. We have not set a national target.

We monitor and report annually on the extent of such land. The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2000 was published on 27 March 2001. It shows that the level of derelict and vacant land in Scotland fell in 2000 to an all-time low of 11,683 hectares.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151142,"EventID":"S1W-14434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences for the movement of farm animals have been granted by each local authority since the instigation of the licence procedures as a result of foot-and-mout","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences for the movement of farm animals have been granted by each local authority since the instigation of the licence procedures as a result of foot-and-mouth disease, broken down by (a) species and (b) destination of consignment.","AnswerText":"There is no centrally held record of the number of licences granted by local authorities, authorising the movement of cattle, sheep and pigs to slaughter. However, comparison of the latest slaughtering statistics covering the period commencing Sunday 18 February are in the following table. While numbers overall are down, due to the drastic drop in slaughtering in the second week of the period when livestock movements were banned, the processing sector has been catching up on throughput since then.

Slaughter throughput since beginning of FMD outbreak in February 2001 compared to February/March 2000

Animal

2001

(w/e 24 Feb-24 March)

2000

(w/e 24 Feb- 24 March)

Cattle

40,669

49,372

Sheep

126,458

156,054

Pigs

66,156

73,165

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151143,"EventID":"S1W-14435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer by the National Radiological Protection Board give rise to any concerns about the he","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer by the National Radiological Protection Board give rise to any concerns about the health implications of electro-magnetic radiation from telecommunications masts located in residential areas.","AnswerText":"This review was carried out by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) on behalf of the NRPB Board to assess the potential risks of cancer from electromagnetic fields and to recommend any further steps that should be taken to protect the health of the public. The AGNIR report deals specifically with the low frequency electric and magnetic fields arising from the electricity supply system. It does not cover exposure to the much higher frequencies used by mobile phone technology, and therefore does not give rise to any concerns about mobile phone base stations.

The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) was set up to assess the current state of knowledge on the possible health effects from mobile phone technology. Their report, which was published in May 2000, concluded that the balance of evidence does not suggest that mobile phone technologies are a risk to health.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151144,"EventID":"S1W-14436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the answer to question S1W-11942 by Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001 conforms with clause 1.1(d) of the Ministerial code regarding openness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the answer to question S1W-11942 by Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001 conforms with clause 1.1(d) of the Ministerial code regarding openness.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151145,"EventID":"S1W-14437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11942 by Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001, what specific discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government, involving which mini","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11942 by Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001, what specific discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government, involving which ministers and on what dates, on the impact of the domestic fuel oil price increase of over 100% in the last 18 months on (a) its social inclusion strategy, (b) the budgets of local authorities and (c) the healthcare of elderly and vulnerable people.","AnswerText":"The impact of the recent rise in the price of domestic fuel oil has to be taken together with the effect of UK Government policy in promoting competition in the regulated energy sector, which has resulted in reductions in gas and electricity prices over the past decade.

The policy areas mentioned in the question are however all devolved, and the impact on them of recent oil price rises is therefore a matter for the Scottish Executive. The issue is one that requires a co-ordinated response, and in respect of fuel poverty for instance, the Scottish Executive has been working with the other devolved administrations, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions to achieve such an response.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151146,"EventID":"S1W-14438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or is planning to have regarding extending entitlement to free school meals to school children whose parents receive Working Families Tax Cre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or is planning to have regarding extending entitlement to free school meals to school children whose parents receive Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Persons Tax Credit.","AnswerText":"An amendment proposing an extension of entitlement to free school meals to schoolchildren whose parents receive Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit was considered and rejected during the passage of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc (Scotland) Act 2000. The level of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit is a reserved matter.

Ministers are committed to quality school meals, other healthy eating initiatives and improving the uptake of both. However, we do not collect information about the arrangements which education authorities operate for the provision of free school meals. Authorities are aware of their responsibilities, and in making such arrangements it is for them to take into account questions surrounding the identification of pupils receiving free school meals.

There are no immediate plans to conduct research into best practice in the provision of free school meals in other countries or into why children do not take up their entitlement to free school meals. We have, however, raised the matter of uptake with CoSLA and have agreed to further joint discussion with them about this.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151147,"EventID":"S1W-14439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, whether it will give details of the criteria on which the preferred bidder was chos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, whether it will give details of the criteria on which the preferred bidder was chosen, with particular reference to the criteria on safety.","AnswerText":"As the tendering process has not yet been completed, Scottish Enterprise consider that it would not be appropriate to make public at this time details of the criteria specified for the selection of an operator for the proposed ferry service between Rosyth and Europe.

The operation of a ferry service of this kind will require compliance with contemporary safety standards determined by the International Maritime Organisation in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151148,"EventID":"S1W-14440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can provide examples of local authority best and worst practice in the provision of free school meals, with particular regard to ensuring the anonymity of pup","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can provide examples of local authority best and worst practice in the provision of free school meals, with particular regard to ensuring the anonymity of pupils receiving free school meals.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-14438.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151149,"EventID":"S1W-14441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct research into best practice in the provision of free school meals in other countries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct research into best practice in the provision of free school meals in other countries.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-14438.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151150,"EventID":"S1W-14442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct research into why many children do not take up their entitlement to free school meals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct research into why many children do not take up their entitlement to free school meals.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-14438.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151151,"EventID":"S1W-14443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of the environmental programme monitoring the clean-up of the Holy Loch for each year since it began, broken down by organisation involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of the environmental programme monitoring the clean-up of the Holy Loch for each year since it began, broken down by organisation involved.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151152,"EventID":"S1W-14444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, what the composition and remit of the steering group are and when it will next meet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, what the composition and remit of the steering group are and when it will next meet.","AnswerText":"The Steering Group established by Scottish Enterprise for the purpose of taking forward the proposal to establish a ferry service between Rosyth and Europe, included representatives of Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Fife, Fife Council and the Scottish Tourist Board. The remit of the Steering Group was to facilitate the introduction of the service by selecting a preferred operator.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151153,"EventID":"S1W-14445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, whether it will give a definition of the \"appropriately high standard\" to which it exp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10680 by Wendy Alexander on 1 December 2000, whether it will give a definition of the \"appropriately high standard\" to which it expects the ferry service to be run.","AnswerText":"The high standard deemed appropriate for the operation of the proposed ferry service between Rosyth and the Continent includes aspects such as an operator having a record of safe and reliable provision of ferry services, the operation of technologically advanced vessels fully compliant with current safety standards, a high level of commitment to customer service and staff training, and the strict observance of safety regulations in the operation of vessels.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151154,"EventID":"S1W-14446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12259 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, whether the #8,706,000 deficit incurred by North Glasgow University NHS Trust in 1999-2000 h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12259 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, whether the #8,706,000 deficit incurred by North Glasgow University NHS Trust in 1999-2000 has impacted or will impact on patient care and staffing levels in the current and any future financial years and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"During 1999-2000 North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust agreed a recovery plan with Greater Glasgow Health Board. Plans were drawn up that protect patient services and restore financial balance where necessary. Details of the impact of the measures identified under the recovery plan are not held centrally. In 2001-02 Greater Glasgow Health Board received an increased allocation of 7.72%, an extra £60.6m, which should ensure standards of patient care continue to improve.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151155,"EventID":"S1W-14447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12259 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, whether the #2,263,000 deficit incurred by South Glasgow University NHS Trust in 1999-2000 h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12259 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, whether the #2,263,000 deficit incurred by South Glasgow University NHS Trust in 1999-2000 has impacted or will impact on patient care and staffing levels in the current and any future financial years and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"During 1999-2000 South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust agreed a recovery plan with Greater Glasgow Health Board. Plans were drawn up that protect patient services and restore financial balance where necessary. Details of the impact of the measures identified under the recovery plan are not held centrally. In 2001-02 Greater Glasgow Health Board received an increased allocation of 7.72%, an extra £60.6m, which should ensure standards of patient care continue to improve.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151156,"EventID":"S1W-14448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13199 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 February 2001, what impact the reduction in grant to North of Scotland Water Authority from #24.4 m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13199 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 February 2001, what impact the reduction in grant to North of Scotland Water Authority from #24.4 million in 1996-97 to #1.2 million in 2001-02 will have on average domestic water and sewerage charges.","AnswerText":"The grant payments relate mainly to specific schemes that have now ended. As the grants scored against the Authority's external finance limit, they effectively reduced the amount available to be borrowed. The effect on charges is therefore equivalent to the saving on interest charges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151157,"EventID":"S1W-14449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12051 by Angus MacKay on 8 February 2001, why it has no full-time staff based in East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12051 by Angus MacKay on 8 February 2001, why it has no full-time staff based in East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire and whether it has any plans to disperse jobs to these areas.","AnswerText":"The location of staff is determined by a range of factors. Staff of the Rural Affairs Department, for instance, provide a range of services to the agricultural community from offices around Scotland. The location of these offices relates to the efficiency and effectiveness of the service provided rather than to local authority boundaries.

Last December I announced to Parliament that detailed reviews of the Edinburgh operations of six public bodies would be undertaken to individual timetables based on lease breaks and other operational factors. The reviews will determine the most efficient and effective locations for the work concerned. No specific areas of Scotland will be targeted and equally no areas will be ruled out.

I also announced at that time that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council would not be located in Edinburgh. Malcolm Chisholm announced on 6 March that the national offices of these two new bodies will - if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established - be located in Dundee. In addition there will be 5 further regional offices for the Commission. The locations being considered are the Inverness area, the Aberdeen area, the Paisley area, the Hamilton/East Kilbride area and East Lothian. Decisions on regional offices for the Commission will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151158,"EventID":"S1W-14450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12051 by Angus MacKay on 8 February 2001, why the number of full-time staff it employs in North Lanarkshire fell from 660 in 1999 t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12051 by Angus MacKay on 8 February 2001, why the number of full-time staff it employs in North Lanarkshire fell from 660 in 1999 to 585 in 2000.","AnswerText":"The change in staff numbers relates to the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond. His response is as follows:-

\"The decline in staff numbers is due to the closure of Longriggend\"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151159,"EventID":"S1W-14451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8508 by Mr Tom McCabe on 30 August 2000, on how many occasions since 10 July 2000 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamenta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8508 by Mr Tom McCabe on 30 August 2000, on how many occasions since 10 July 2000 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in order to enable it to make an announcement; whether it will provide a list of such questions, including the date on which they were lodged and the MSP who lodged them; and whether it can provide similar details of any inspired (a) oral and (b) First Minister's questions lodged since May 1999.","AnswerText":"There are occasions when, for the convenience of members, the Executive brings a matter to the attention of the Parliament by means of a written Parliamentary question. The Procedures Committee has acknowledged this to be a useful and appropriate mechanism. The following 159 questions lodged between 10 July 2000 and 22 March 2001 inclusive were used by the Executive as a means of bringing matters to the Parliament's attention. Oral Parliamentary questions and First Minister's questions are not suited to this purpose because of the random selection process that applies to these questions and the time limits on when these questions can be answered. ","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151160,"EventID":"S1W-14452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the recent appeal results from the 2000 diet of Scottish Qualifications Authority exams were delivered as 'pending'.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the recent appeal results from the 2000 diet of Scottish Qualifications Authority exams were delivered as 'pending'.","AnswerText":"3,785 (92%) results of the independent appeals review were sent to schools on 16 March. The remaining cases have required additional evidence to be gathered, or, in some cases, have not yet been through the normal appeals process. Since 16 March all except six cases have been concluded.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151161,"EventID":"S1W-14453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted in the last two years, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted in the last two years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"A study was commissioned by the Executive from the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland in 1999 which monitored the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, as well as the extended powers of eviction for anti-social behaviour in the Act. The outcome of that survey was published in March 2000 and a copy was placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The report indicated that a total of 15 ASBOs had been applied for in the period 1 April 1999 to 1 December 1999, of which 9 had been granted and 2 breached. The study did not break the figures down by local authority area. This relatively small number is not unexpected, given that the new grounds had only been effective since 1 April 1999. A repeat of that study is due for completion shortly and will provide up to date figures on the use of ASBOs and the new eviction powers. A copy, when published will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151162,"EventID":"S1W-14454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) formal complaints by neighbours to local authorities, (b) legal actions and (c) evictions in respect of anti-social behaviour there were in each local author","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) formal complaints by neighbours to local authorities, (b) legal actions and (c) evictions in respect of anti-social behaviour there were in each local authority area in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. A new Scottish Executive return is being introduced from 1 April 2001 which will obtain, among other things, the following information for all local authorities each quarter: the number of eviction actions for anti-social behaviour which:(a) proceeded to court during the quarter; (b) resulted in an eviction order being issued during the quarter; (c) resulted in an eviction during the quarter. We expect the first information to be available in December 2001 for the quarter April to June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151163,"EventID":"S1W-14455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken as a result of the study by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland which monitored the use of new grounds for eviction.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken as a result of the study by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland which monitored the use of new grounds for eviction.","AnswerText":"The study entitled The Crime and Disorder Act 1998: The use of section 23 evictions for anti-social behaviour, which also reports on the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, was received in March 2000. A copy was placed in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre. A repeat of that study is currently being undertaken to establish the position to date. The Scottish Executive will consider what action needs to be taken in the light of that study which is due for completion shortly. A copy of the report, when published, will be placed in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151164,"EventID":"S1W-14456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers under the age of 35 at (a) HM Prison Cornton Vale and (b) HM Prison Perth have left the service in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers under the age of 35 at (a) HM Prison Cornton Vale and (b) HM Prison Perth have left the service in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

PQ ID

S1W-

MSP

Date lodged*

8646

Rhoda Grant

7 - 13/07/00

8666

Rhoda Grant

7 - 13/07/00

8655

Karen Gillon

7 - 13/07/00

8725

Tavish Scott

14 - 20/07/00

8796

Dr Sylvia Jackson

14 - 20/07/00

8835

Karen Gillon

21 - 27/07/00

8900

Rhoda Grant

21 - 27/07/00

8865

Allan Wilson

21 - 27/07/00

8923

Karen Gillon

21 - 27/07/00

8935

Maureen MacMillan

28/07/00 - 3/08/00

8954

Rhoda Grant

28/07/00 - 3/08/00

8978

Scott Barrie

28/07/00 - 3/08/00

9020

Duncan McNeil

28/07/00 - 3/08/00

9077

Elaine Thomson

4 - 10/08/00

9155

Cathy Jamieson

11 - 17/08/00

9212

Scott Barrie

11 - 17/08/00

9332

Rhoda Grant

18 - 24/08/00

9385

Karen Gillon

18 - 24/08/00

9311

Karen Gillon

18 - 24/08/00

9481

Scott Barrie

29 - 30/08/00

Year

Cornton Vale

Perth

28.03.98-27.03.99

3

17

28.03.99-27.03.00

6

9

28.03.00-27.03.01

12

16

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151165,"EventID":"S1W-14457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11263 by Mr Tom McCabe on 29 November 2000, when it will provide details on the number of inspired parliamentary questions and whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11263 by Mr Tom McCabe on 29 November 2000, when it will provide details on the number of inspired parliamentary questions and whether it will provide this information in response to this parliamentary question rather than by letter.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-14451.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151166,"EventID":"S1W-14458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13054 by Susan Deacon on 19 March 2001, whether any complaints against general practitioners (GPs) who have administered the single","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13054 by Susan Deacon on 19 March 2001, whether any complaints against general practitioners (GPs) who have administered the single measles vaccination have been made under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisation etc.) Regulations 1994 or the Medicines (Standard Provision for Licences and Certificates) Amendment Regulations 1999; whether any proceedings have been or will be brought against any GPs as a result; what the result was of any such proceedings, and whether it holds any information on the outcome of any proceedings involving the General Medical Council.","AnswerText":"The regulation and safety of medicines is a reserved matter. The Medicines Control Agency has advised that no proceedings are pending. The Executive holds no information about any such proceedings involving the General Medical Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151167,"EventID":"S1W-14459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to issue guidance to NHS Trusts on the provision of free nebulisers for patients with lung disease living in the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to issue guidance to NHS Trusts on the provision of free nebulisers for patients with lung disease living in the community.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so. The decision on whether a nebuliser should be issued rests with the patient's hospital consultant.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151168,"EventID":"S1W-14460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants were employed in primary schools in each of the last four years, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants were employed in primary schools in each of the last four years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Funding for the classroom assistants initiative was established in 1999 as part of the Excellence Fund. As at April 2001, 2661.69 FTE classroom assistants have been employed in Scottish primary schools. A breakdown of the number of classroom assistants expressed in FTE's employed through the Excellence Fund in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 is set out in the table.

Classroom Assistants

Authority

No. Employed in 1999-2000(FTE)

No. Employed in 2000-01 (FTE)

Aberdeen City

108.4

124

Aberdeenshire

75

108

Angus

35

49

Argyll & Bute

14.87

23

Clackmannanshire

13

21

Dumfries & Galloway

55.7

64.1

Dundee

34

64

East Ayrshire

30

69

East Dunbartonshire

36

80

East Lothian

25

31

East Renfrewshire

36

70

Edinburgh

80.08

147.1

Eilean Siar

5

5

Falkirk

61

88.4

Fife

The Supply of Teachers report, Vol 1 - Jan 2001 details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlines planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The report includes a series of tables in the Annex, one of which gives numbers of FTE publicly funded teachers in the primary and secondary sectors by local authority from September 1997 to 1999 (Annex F). This Annex is currently being updated and extended to provide a wider range of information on teacher numbers.

Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers in publicly funded primary schools by local authority, September (1996-99)

September

1996

1997

1998

1999

Scotland

22,483

22,189

22,494

22,643

Aberdeen City

809

795

829

824

Aberdeenshire

1,158

1,127

1,155

1,159

Angus

495

490

502

514

Argyll & Bute

452

447

443

458

Clackmannanshire

212

216

217

221

Dumfries & Galloway

681

678

703

682

Dundee City

The 1999-2000 accounts for each NHS Trust were laid before Parliament and can be found in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Table 1 gives the report numbers and Parliaments Reference Centre Bib. numbers for each of the Trusts.

Table 2 provides the details for the years 1997-98 and 1998-99.<","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151171,"EventID":"S1W-14463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is putting in place to ensure effective financial monitoring by its Health Department and improve the accountability of NHS bodies to the department fol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is putting in place to ensure effective financial monitoring by its Health Department and improve the accountability of NHS bodies to the department following the Auditor General's audit review of National Health Service bodies in Tayside.","AnswerText":"A plan for action, a plan for change sets out the Executive's plans to improve the governance, performance management and accountability of NHSScotland. Further plans for the implementation of these changes are currently being developed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151172,"EventID":"S1W-14464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is now available to NHS Trusts in relation to the preparation of financial recovery plans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is now available to NHS Trusts in relation to the preparation of financial recovery plans.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland bodies are well aware of the requirement to achieve and maintain financial balance, and to have financial plans which support that objective. The Executive has made available guidance on the way in which these plans should be presented to give a clear indication of how financial recovery will be achieved, when that is necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151173,"EventID":"S1W-14465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards or NHS Trusts have made payments to staff in lieu of annual leave not taken in the past three years, specifying in each case the total amount paid in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards or NHS Trusts have made payments to staff in lieu of annual leave not taken in the past three years, specifying in each case the total amount paid in this respect.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally in the detail requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151174,"EventID":"S1W-14466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address any staff shortages in the ear, nose and throat department of Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust in response to recent instance","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address any staff shortages in the ear, nose and throat department of Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust in response to recent instances of check-up appointments being cancelled several times.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust, if necessary in consultation with Grampian Health Board. These bodies are responsible for assessing health service requirements in their area and for determining priorities within the increased resources we are making available to NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151175,"EventID":"S1W-14467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to promote salmon farming and when it will respond to the letter sent by the Convenors of the Rural Development and the Transport and the E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to promote salmon farming and when it will respond to the letter sent by the Convenors of the Rural Development and the Transport and the Environment Committees on 7 February 2001 asking whether it will hold an independent inquiry into the environmental impacts of sea cage fish farming.","AnswerText":"The Executive will continue to support the development of salmon farming within a framework which has due regard to the environment and to the interests of other coastal stakeholders. To that end it is involved in a range of initiatives which includes a comprehensive R&D programme, a fish health inspection regime and a new FIFG scheme designed to support competitiveness and to assist businesses to diversify and embrace more environmentally sustainable practices.

We are actively considering the Rural Development and the Transport and Environment Committees' recent request and will give our reply soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151176,"EventID":"S1W-14468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make support tights available on prescription.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make support tights available on prescription.","AnswerText":"Support stockings have been available from NHSScotland through GP prescribing for some years whilst support tights have only been available through the hospital service. Consideration is currently under way both at UK and Scottish level regarding whether support tights should be added to the Drugs Tariff and therefore available on prescription through GPs.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151177,"EventID":"S1W-14469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why support tights are available only through the hospital service and not on prescription, when elastic hosiery is available on prescription.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why support tights are available only through the hospital service and not on prescription, when elastic hosiery is available on prescription.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14468.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151178,"EventID":"S1W-14470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12357 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 January 2001, what related work is being taken forward by the Lord President's Advisory Committee reg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12357 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 January 2001, what related work is being taken forward by the Lord President's Advisory Committee regarding the revised Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order and the revised Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act 1971 (Private Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order and what the timetable is for the completion of this work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will fix the date to lay these Orders once the current review of the Summary Cause and Small Claim Rules and the consequential review of the Table of Fees for Solicitors in Summary Cause actions is completed. The review of the Rules is being conducted by the Sheriff Court Rules Council in the first instance, and is then a matter for the Court of Session to consider any recommendations. The Table of Fees is for the Lord President's Advisory Committee and then for the Court of Session. The Review of the Rules is, I understand, still some months from completion. The current aim of the Sheriff Court Rules Council is to submit draft Rules to the Court of Session during the course of this year. The Lord President's Advisory Committee will not be able to consider the issue of fees in detail until the content of the Rules is clear.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151179,"EventID":"S1W-14471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give to passengers on the Glasgow Underground that the lines will be cleared of debris and that services will return to normal as quickly as possib","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give to passengers on the Glasgow Underground that the lines will be cleared of debris and that services will return to normal as quickly as possible, following a derailment on 22 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The operation of the Glasgow Underground railway system is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE). I understand that SPTE reinstated full services on 29 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151180,"EventID":"S1W-14472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to further the conservation of the capercaillie in line with the EU Wild Birds Directive and what new actions the Forestry Commission will take ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to further the conservation of the capercaillie in line with the EU Wild Birds Directive and what new actions the Forestry Commission will take to better protect capercaillie within (a) Natura 2000 sites and (b) forests adjacent to Natura 2000 sites.","AnswerText":"In view of the decline in capercaillie numbers, the Scottish Executive has decided to introduce a statutory ban on the shooting of the species. This will be effected by Scottish Statutory Instrument to reschedule the species from Schedule 2, Part I to Schedule 1, Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The Scottish Executive receives advice from its statutory nature conservation advisers, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), on the classification as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of the most suitable territories for capercaillie under the EC Birds Directive. A suite of six SPAs has been classified in Scotland and additional sites are under consideration. These SPAs form part of the Natura 2000 network. Activities within these SPAs must comply with the provisions of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

As required by European legislation, the Forestry Commission will make an appropriate assessment of the implications of proposed forestry operations which are likely to have a significant effect on any Natura 2000 site before deciding whether to approve those operations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151181,"EventID":"S1W-14473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further action is being taken in Scottish woodlands to protect capercaillie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further action is being taken in Scottish woodlands to protect capercaillie.","AnswerText":"There is a Species Action Plan for the capercaillie developed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The steering group for the plan is a broad partnership involving the Scottish Executive, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the RSPB and others. The Forestry Commission has taken a number of actions, including grant aiding activities that benefit capercaillie with parallel measures in state-owned forest areas; developing policy and guidance to minimise the impact of fences on capercaillie; consulting SNH and RSPB on all new afforestation proposals that could affect capercaillie; requiring grant applicants to take advice from experts on operations that will affect capercaillie; and raising awareness of the plight of capercaillie through publications, a national conference and local workshop. The commission has also led on improved fence designs and the steering group has produced revised guidance on location of fences. In addition, the RSPB and SNH with input from the commission are co-funding a Capercaillie Project Officer who acts as an adviser to landowners as well as SNH, RSPB and commission staff on capercaillie issues.

SNH, the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) and the Forestry Commission published last year a review of capercaillie research needs. The review identified a number of research priorities including an assessment of factors associated with breeding success. Additionally, SNH in conjunction with the commission, the Scottish Executive and the RSPB, is planning a large-scale management trial in capercaillie core areas. Actions will include predator control, removal or reduced use of deer fencing, minimising disturbance of leks (breeding sites), improving brood habitat, sensitive planting, thinning and woodland management.

SNH, the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and other potential partners are also working on the preparation of an application under the LIFE III programme to support recovery of capercaillie.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151182,"EventID":"S1W-14474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the timber felling recently undertaken on the Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire will have on the capercaillie population in the area; whether any representa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the timber felling recently undertaken on the Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire will have on the capercaillie population in the area; whether any representations were made to the landowners in advance of this felling operation about the impact which it would have on capercaillie, and whether this operation complied with all relevant regulations on the protection of capercaillie.","AnswerText":"It is not known what impact the timber felling undertaken on the Invercauld Estate may have on the capercaillie population in the area. However, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will monitor the capercaillie population on the adjacent Ballochbuie Special Protection Area (SPA).

The Forestry Commission first consulted SNH about this proposal (the objective of which was regeneration of native woodland) in 1995. At that time SNH broadly supported the proposals, particularly the intention to utilise selective rather than clear felling, thereby reducing the visual impact of the scheme within Deeside and Lochnagar National Scenic Area. SNH also suggested further modifications to retain a more natural appearance in the remaining woodland and to safeguard wetland areas from felling operations. At that time, the proposals did not cause concern in relation to capercaillie. After the Forestry Commission approved the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) application in 1996, the adjacent Ballochbuie SPA was classified in 1998 for its important populations of Scottish crossbill and capercaillie. Further research on the capercaillie population in the area demonstrated that birds regularly used the area affected by the WGS application. I am not aware of any representations having been made to the landowners, although I understand that the estate sought specialist advice in relation to the potential impact on capercaillie of their fencing proposals.

The operations were carried out in accordance with the plans approved in 1996. The Forestry Commission recognises that an assessment of the forestry proposals in these plans would have been appropriate in the changed circumstances following the classification of the SPA on adjacent ground in 1998. However, the Forestry Commission is currently identifying all the existing WGS and felling approvals given during the last five years that are likely to have a significant effect on any Natura 2000 site. In some cases assessments have already begun.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151183,"EventID":"S1W-14475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate action it is taking to protect capercaillie habitats such as Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire and Curr Wood in the Highlands from disturbance caused by t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate action it is taking to protect capercaillie habitats such as Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire and Curr Wood in the Highlands from disturbance caused by timber felling operations.","AnswerText":"The Forestry Commission is responsible for approving tree felling operations and is currently identifying all the existing Woodland Grant Schemes and felling approvals given during the last five years that are likely to have a significant effect on Natura 2000 sites. Where the proposed work might adversely affect capercaillie, the commission will discuss the proposals with the owners or managers of the land with a view to making specific arrangements for protecting capercaillie. At Invercauld Estate and Curr Wood, the commission has been discussing with SNH and relevant experts how best to manage the forestry operations, taking account of the needs of the capercaillie.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151184,"EventID":"S1W-14476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene in relation to timber felling operations currently being undertaken in Curr Wood in the Highlands in order to protect the capercaillie populati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene in relation to timber felling operations currently being undertaken in Curr Wood in the Highlands in order to protect the capercaillie population in this area and whether it will direct Scottish Natural Heritage to secure the conservation of these capercaillie.","AnswerText":"The Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have already met the owner's agents and the RSPB to discuss the felling operations in Curr Wood. I understand that the owner has now agreed to modify his felling proposals to take greater account of sensitive areas used by capercaillie and other priority species.

A direction to SNH is unnecessary as it is already taking all necessary steps in co-operation with the Forestry Commission. SNH has a duty in terms of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 1994 to exercise its nature conservation functions to secure compliance with the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151185,"EventID":"S1W-14478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Commission has reviewed all existing consents, permissions or other authorisations with the potential to affect capercaillie in Natura 2000 sites un","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Commission has reviewed all existing consents, permissions or other authorisations with the potential to affect capercaillie in Natura 2000 sites under Regulation 50 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 and, if not, what powers the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage have to prevent action being taken on the basis of existing consents, permissions or other authorisations before they have been subject to such a review.","AnswerText":"The Forestry Commission is currently identifying all the existing Woodland Grant Schemes (WGS) and felling approvals granted during the last five years likely to have a significant effect on Natura 2000 sites. Where the proposed work might adversely affect capercaillie in a Natura 2000 site, the Commission will discuss the proposals with the owners or managers of the land with a view to making specific arrangements for protecting capercaillie.

Under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 the Forestry Commission is required to have regard to the requirements of the Habitats Directive. In addition, all woodland owners are required to comply with the UK Forestry Standard which states that, when carrying out any forestry operations, owners must make specific arrangements for the protection of protected habitats and protected species of wildlife. Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 forestry projects, such as afforestation and deforestation, which are likely to have significant effects on the environment can only proceed with the consent of the Forestry Commission. An environmental impact assessment of these projects is required.

Consideration of existing WGS and felling approvals is the responsibility of the Forestry Commission as the competent authority and Scottish Natural Heritage have no powers in this respect. The Forestry Commission has no specific statutory powers to modify or revoke existing felling approvals. Nevertheless, if conditions specified in felling licences are not complied with in individual cases, the licence can be withdrawn.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151186,"EventID":"S1W-14479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13156 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2001, when it will be in a position to announce the resumption of the BCG vaccination program","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13156 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2001, when it will be in a position to announce the resumption of the BCG vaccination programme.","AnswerText":"On 24 March, I announced, through Scottish Executive News Release SE0786, the resumption of the schools BCG vaccination programme in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151187,"EventID":"S1W-14480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any ban on fishing from riverbanks which currently exists, includes or exempts fishing for salmon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any ban on fishing from riverbanks which currently exists, includes or exempts fishing for salmon.","AnswerText":"As a result of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease situation, a number of proprietors of salmon rod fisheries around Scotland have closed their fisheries until further notice.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151188,"EventID":"S1W-14481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what length of time Louis McDonald, recently discharged under a Not Proven verdict for the murder of Christopher Cawley, served of the six year sentence he received in 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what length of time Louis McDonald, recently discharged under a Not Proven verdict for the murder of Christopher Cawley, served of the six year sentence he received in 1997 for violent assault.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Mr McDonald did not receive a sentence in 1997 for violent assault. He was, however, convicted of Assault to Severe Injury and Permanent Disfigurement on 17 January 1995 and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. This was subsequently reduced on appeal to 5 years effective from 5 July 1994. Mr McDonald was released on Parole Licence on 3 January 1997 and subsequently recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 and re-released on 4 July 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151189,"EventID":"S1W-14482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long, from time of appointment, James Drummond Young QC had to prepare the prosecution case against Louis McDonald and Gary Sanders, both charged with the murder of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long, from time of appointment, James Drummond Young QC had to prepare the prosecution case against Louis McDonald and Gary Sanders, both charged with the murder of Christopher Cawley.","AnswerText":"Trial Advocates Depute are given case papers 10 days in advance of a sitting of the High Court they are prosecuting. Cases are already fully prepared by legal staff of the Procurator Fiscal Service and Crown Office before being given to Advocates Depute.

Mr Drummond Young was fully prepared to prosecute the case and conducted the prosecution in a highly professional manner. He is an extremely experienced and respected member of the Scottish Bar and I have full confidence in his abilities as an Advocate Depute.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151190,"EventID":"S1W-14483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place between the Cawley family and the Procurator Fiscal's Office from the date of the murder to the end of the trial, and whether the Procurator","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place between the Cawley family and the Procurator Fiscal's Office from the date of the murder to the end of the trial, and whether the Procurator Fiscal's Office provided accurate information on (a) the case against Gary Sanders and (b) the case against Louis McDonald at all times.","AnswerText":"Members of the Cawley family met with the precognoscer of the case at the Procurator Fiscal's Office in Glasgow on 8 November 2000 when the precognition process, the trial process and the options available to a jury were explained to them. The Cawley family were previously written to by the Procurator Fiscal's Office at Glasgow on 13 October 2000 and 2 November 2000 when the involvement of the Procurator Fiscal was intimated to them. They were again written to on 8 December 2000 when the indictment was served and information about the trial diet given to them. A member of the family was spoken to on the telephone by the precognoscer between 8 December 2000 and on 19 December 2000.

The family were informed the precognoscer was on annual leave over Christmas and given details of the High Court Unit at the High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow should they wish to discuss matters during that period. In advance of that, on 19 December 2000, the family were taken to the High Court in Glasgow for a pre-trial court visit.

On 8 January 2001, the precognoscer, when attending the High Court to view the trial, informally met a family member and spoke briefly with him.

On 10 January 2001 the precognoscer attended at court to inform the family that Gary Sanders had been liberated on bail and would be acquitted at the conclusion of the Crown case.

The Principal Depute at the Procurator Fiscal's Office at the High Court of Justiciary at Glasgow met with the family on 9 January 2001. She met further with the family on 10 January 2001 in the presence of the Advocate Depute.

The Head of the Procurator Fiscal's Office at the High Court of Justiciary met with the members of the family on 11 January 2001 after the verdict when the case was discussed with them.

The family were provided with accurate information on the case against Gary Sanders and Louis McDonald from their first contact with the Procurator Fiscal's Office at Glasgow until the conclusion of the case.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151191,"EventID":"S1W-14484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further prosecutions are being considered given the number of alleged transgressions of the law revealed within transcripts of the trial in which Gary Sanders was d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further prosecutions are being considered given the number of alleged transgressions of the law revealed within transcripts of the trial in which Gary Sanders was discharged and Louis McDonald was released on a Not Proven verdict in 1997.","AnswerText":"As far as I am aware, transcripts have not been ordered from the High Court of Justiciary in this case. I am therefore unable to comment further.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151192,"EventID":"S1W-14485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contents of the Primary School Sex and Relationship Education Pack are appropriate for use in teaching nine-year-old primary school pupils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contents of the Primary School Sex and Relationship Education Pack are appropriate for use in teaching nine-year-old primary school pupils.","AnswerText":"This resource for teachers contains some materials which may be suitable for use at the right stages of primary school. However, since the pack is designed to assist and inform teachers, and cover the differing educational needs of children at various ages, it follows that much of its content will not be appropriate for use with nine-year-old children. It is for individual schools and authorities to decide whether to use this pack, or some of the elements of it or indeed another resource altogether, but whatever resource they use, they must take into account the statutory guidance, age, understanding, stage of development and needs of their pupils. In addition, parents will, of course, be consulted about programmes of sex education in schools. This consultation, and the professionalism of teachers, will ensure that inappropriate materials are not used in Scottish classrooms.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151193,"EventID":"S1W-14486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can quantify the numbers of instances of anti-social behaviour in each of the last two years in each local authority area, using as a definition the types of b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can quantify the numbers of instances of anti-social behaviour in each of the last two years in each local authority area, using as a definition the types of behaviour described as anti-social in paragraphs 21 to 27 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead.","AnswerText":"Not at present. Pilot work has recently begun on improving the quality and quantity of information collected by local authorities and other landlords.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151194,"EventID":"S1W-14487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, whether it will provide details of the action areas for jobs scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, whether it will provide details of the action areas for jobs scheme.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to S1O-3176 Action Teams for Jobs is a Department for Education and Employment initiative which provides additional, flexible assistance to jobless people in discrete areas of high unemployment.

The Action Team in East Ayrshire has been operational since 26 June 2000 and celebrated its 200th job entry on 10 February 2001. Action Teams focus on small areas and groups of people at a particular disadvantage in the labour market. Participation in the initiative is voluntary and help is available to jobless people in the Action Team area regardless of the type of benefit they are claiming.

The East Ayrshire Team is currently focusing on the Shortlees and Riccarton areas of Kilmarnock; and the areas of Muirkirk, Logan, Lugar and Netherthird & Craigens in Cumnock.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151195,"EventID":"S1W-14488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, how much funding the action areas for jobs scheme will receive in each of the next thr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, how much funding the action areas for jobs scheme will receive in each of the next three years in East Ayrshire and how many jobs it estimates will be created.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to S1W-14487 Action Teams for Jobs is a Department for Education and Employment initiative. Further to the Chancellor's budget announcement on extensions to existing Action Teams I can confirm that the East Ayrshire Team will be extended until March 2004.

A further £120m has been allocated to extend the initiative across Great Britain until 2004, including the creation of 2 new teams in Scotland. Details of the resources allocated to each team are still under discussion within DfEE and should be finalised in the next weeks. All Teams will be set stretching targets, with a focus on helping those furthest from active labour market involvement.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151196,"EventID":"S1W-14489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take on the conclusions of the Report of the Deferrals Working Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take on the conclusions of the Report of the Deferrals Working Group.","AnswerText":"The consultation with CoSLA on the Report's recommendations is not yet complete. Once it is I will make a full response on the Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151197,"EventID":"S1W-14490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister of Rural Development will respond to my letter of 4 December 2000 on behalf of my constituent Roy Anderson-Tyres regarding licensing of butchers shops.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister of Rural Development will respond to my letter of 4 December 2000 on behalf of my constituent Roy Anderson-Tyres regarding licensing of butchers shops.","AnswerText":"A reply was issued on 28 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151198,"EventID":"S1W-14491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the recommendations made in the recently published research report, Obsolete Commercial and Industry Property, prepared by Ekos and Ryd","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the recommendations made in the recently published research report, Obsolete Commercial and Industry Property, prepared by Ekos and Ryden Property Consultants for the Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"The recommendations will inform a range of current and future work including, for example, the review of National Planning Policy Guideline 2: Business and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151199,"EventID":"S1W-14492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the instances of an NHS manager's management style being \"unreasonably intimidating\" and NHS staff being treated in an \"unreason","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the instances of an NHS manager's management style being \"unreasonably intimidating\" and NHS staff being treated in an \"unreasonable and unprofessional manner\" identified in the report of the Kilshaw Inquiry Team into Tayside Health Board are not repeated elsewhere in the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"The management style and actions of the senior management team in Tayside Health Board during the mid 1990s was clearly not acceptable. Since the Kilshaw inquiry report NHSScotland organisations have become more open and accountable to the public and action has been taken to ensure non-executive trustees are better trained to undertake their role more effectively. A centrally supported Management Development Framework is currently in preparation, this is aimed at developing professional relationships and will support the introduction of new appraisal arrangements which are predicated on recommendations on the critical leadership behaviours required to create a modern NHS. For individual staff, guidance on \"Dignity at Work: Eliminating Bullying and harassment in the Workplace\" was issued to NHS Scotland in January. That guidance recommends that organisations should have clearly defined policy and procedure for all employees for dealing with bullying and harassment complaints and have procedures in place which enable staff to bring issues to the attention of managers without fear of reprisal.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151200,"EventID":"S1W-14493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13919 on 20 March 2001, whether the advice obtained on preventing the colonisation by waterfowl of the water features at the new Par","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13919 on 20 March 2001, whether the advice obtained on preventing the colonisation by waterfowl of the water features at the new Parliament building at Holyrood will be made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"When further advice is obtained and has been considered by the Holyrood Progress Group, I will write to Mr Monteith and place a copy of the letter in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151201,"EventID":"S1W-14494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13919 on 20 March 2001, what capital budget has been set aside for the new provision of an underwater pumping system in the water fe","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13919 on 20 March 2001, what capital budget has been set aside for the new provision of an underwater pumping system in the water features at the new Parliament building at Holyrood.","AnswerText":"Provision for the underwater pumping system is included in the capital budget for 'landscaping', which covers improvement works to the area surrounding the Holyrood building.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151202,"EventID":"S1W-14495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13921 on 20 March 2001, whether the gla'ing specification set out in the guidelines for physical security has been incorporated into","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-13921 on 20 March 2001, whether the gla'ing specification set out in the guidelines for physical security has been incorporated into the design of the gla'ing facing Horse Wynd, at the main entrance and of the windows of MSP's offices.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that the glazing at the main entrance to the Holyrood building facing Horse Wynd, and the MSP block office windows, adhere to the Government guidelines for physical security.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151203,"EventID":"S1W-14496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13418 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 20 March 2001, what the results were of the consultation exercises and, in particular, whether a major","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13418 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 20 March 2001, what the results were of the consultation exercises and, in particular, whether a majority of respondents, in each case and overall, favoured or opposed the withdrawal of water rates relief.","AnswerText":"In June 2000, the water authorities consulted those customers benefiting from the full level of relief on water and sewerage charges in relation to their plans to withdraw those reliefs. Those customers who do not benefit from reliefs were not consulted. 11,173 letters were issued. 7,938 (71%) of those contacted did not respond. Of those who did respond, 1,682 (15% of the total contacted) believed that relief should be granted to all those in the group whose relief is to be phased out with effect from 1 April 2001; and 1,166 (10% of the total contacted) believed that relief should be granted to some members of the group. The remaining 387 either believed that none of the group should receive reliefs, or did not respond to the question.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151204,"EventID":"S1W-14497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discuss with the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive the recent derailment, and any other incidents affecting public safety, on the Glas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discuss with the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive the recent derailment, and any other incidents affecting public safety, on the Glasgow Underground.","AnswerText":"The operation of the Glasgow Underground railway system is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE). Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes railway safety, are reserved matters. This covers both surface and underground railways. I understand that the Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting a full investigation into the cause of the recent accident on the Underground, and I have no plans to discuss it with SPTE.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151205,"EventID":"S1W-14498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to support charities and voluntary organisations in relation to water and sewerage charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to support charities and voluntary organisations in relation to water and sewerage charges.","AnswerText":"Phasing in of water charges to all organisations affected by the decision to withdraw reliefs is being made over a period of 5 years.

Additionally, the water authorities have offered to install water meters free where this will reduce costs. This should have the effect of reducing further any additional liability that these organisations have to face.

However, the Scottish Executive recognises the concerns of a number of organisations about the immediate impact of the first phase of withdrawals this year, and we are in contact with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations on this.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151206,"EventID":"S1W-14499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to owner occupiers in former Scottish Homes housing in Anderston, Glasgow who are now facing bills of up to #35,000 over 30 years as their sh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to owner occupiers in former Scottish Homes housing in Anderston, Glasgow who are now facing bills of up to #35,000 over 30 years as their share of common maintenance costs in the Scottish Homes stock transfer.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for meeting the costs rests with the owners in the first instance. However we recognise that in the circumstances surrounding the Glasgow stock transfer the owners may require some assistance and the Framework Agreement states that a package of new initiatives will be developed to offer assistance.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151207,"EventID":"S1W-14500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Homes will consult on their options appraisal for stock transfer in Anderston, Glasgow and how many tenants and how many owner-occupiers will be consulted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Homes will consult on their options appraisal for stock transfer in Anderston, Glasgow and how many tenants and how many owner-occupiers will be consulted.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes has established an Options Appraisal Group to consider future options for this stock. Membership of the group, which first meets tomorrow, will include Scottish Homes, the Anderston Tenants & Residents Association and individual tenants and owner-occupiers. The group is due to report on options in July of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151208,"EventID":"S1W-14501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Greater Glasgow Health Board or have been made to it by the Board regarding any shortage of intensive care beds at Yorkhill Children'","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Greater Glasgow Health Board or have been made to it by the Board regarding any shortage of intensive care beds at Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow and what action is being taken to address any such shortage.","AnswerText":"It is primarily for Yorkhill NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board, as the local service providers, to put in place the necessary facilities to meet the needs of the local population.

In addition, at a national level on 17 April I announced the creation of four mobile paediatric intensive care beds, each manned by a specially trained paediatric intensive care doctor and nurse, at a cost of £1.6 million. This new service will be Scotland-wide with the two teams making up the national service based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

This brings the total number of paediatric intensive care beds in Scotland to 24.5: 14 at Yorkhill, eight in Edinburgh and 2.5 at the Institute of Neurosciences in Glasgow. This underlines the Executive's commitment to the model of paediatric care advocated by the Scottish Paediatric Intensive Care Audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151209,"EventID":"S1W-14502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, whether it will provide details of the two new Scottish Executive posts created in Dumfr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, whether it will provide details of the two new Scottish Executive posts created in Dumfries and Galloway since July 1999.","AnswerText":"One post is within the Scottish Courts Service and is a new trainee position as a Sheriff Clerk Depute in Dumfries Sheriff Court. The other is an Agricultural Officer post in the Dumfries Area Office of the Rural Affairs Department, dealing with Agenda 2000 work.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151210,"EventID":"S1W-14503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, what criteria will be used in deciding the locations of the regional offices of the Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, what criteria will be used in deciding the locations of the regional offices of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.","AnswerText":"I have indicated that we are looking for regional offices for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care in the Inverness, Aberdeen, Paisley, Hamilton/East Kilbride and East Lothian areas, as well as in Dundee. The main criteria which will be used in deciding on specific locations will be cost, size and availability.

I have also indicated that at the very least there will have to be resource centres in Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and the Stirling area.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151211,"EventID":"S1W-14504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to enable representatives from relevant Scottish voluntary sector or other organisations to attend the United Nations Third World C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to enable representatives from relevant Scottish voluntary sector or other organisations to attend the United Nations Third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001 and, if not, whether it will make advice available to such organisations on other potential sources of such funding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is maintaining close contact with the UK Government about the arrangements for this conference. Executive officials attended one of two consultative seminars that were recently held in Scotland, organised by the UK Government. These were intended to inform Scottish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the conference and to seek their views.

The Executive is also discussing with the UK Government emerging United Nations' proposals to support NGOs' contributions to the proceedings. There are no plans for the Scottish Executive to provide direct funding for attendance at the conference.

We are asking the Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure in Scotland, as part of their advisory work in partnership with others such as SCVO, to assist with the provision of advice on the conference, potential sources of financial assistance and longer term sharing of the outcomes from Durban more widely in Scotland.

The question of representation from the Scottish Executive will be considered following decisions by the UN on the overall size of government delegations and the final conference programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151212,"EventID":"S1W-14505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, how many jobs the proposed Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and Scottish S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12985 by Mr Angus MacKay on 23 March 2001, how many jobs the proposed Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and Scottish Social Services Council will create.","AnswerText":"The number of new staff employed by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will depend on the number of existing staff who choose to transfer to these bodies. However, we expect that the Commission will employ around 500 staff, approximately 50 - 70 of whom will be new and the council will employ 30 staff, at least 14 of whom will be new.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151213,"EventID":"S1W-14506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to ensure that patient records held on the NHSnet would be 100% secure from hackers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to ensure that patient records held on the NHSnet would be 100% secure from hackers.","AnswerText":"NHSnet is an UK-wide secure network connecting NHS organisations. The network service is provided by BT and Cable & Wireless as a managed service. The contracts are supervised by the NHS Information Authority based in England. NHSScotland works closely with the authority to ensure effective operation of the network in Scotland. Ongoing study and improvement of the security of the network is provided as an integral part of the managed network service operated by the contractors and the authority. The authority commissions an independent organisation to carry out regular tests that have confirmed that security arrangements between the public Internet and NHSnet are effective. The cost of this work is borne by the Information Authority. NHSScotland has not undertaken any separate studies.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151214,"EventID":"S1W-14507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies there have been in relation to ensuring the security of patient records held on the NHSnet, who was consulted in the course of any such studies and what the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies there have been in relation to ensuring the security of patient records held on the NHSnet, who was consulted in the course of any such studies and what the result of any such studies were.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14506.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151215,"EventID":"S1W-14508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of any studies into the security of the NHSnet in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 to date, in both cash terms and expressed as a percentage of the NHS","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of any studies into the security of the NHSnet in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 to date, in both cash terms and expressed as a percentage of the NHS information and communication technology budget.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14506.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151216,"EventID":"S1W-14509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times its website and those of its agencies have been (a) accessed by unauthorised sources and (b) altered by such sources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times its website and those of its agencies have been (a) accessed by unauthorised sources and (b) altered by such sources.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive website was accessed by an unauthorised source on 8 September 1999 and the homepage was defaced. There have been no incidents since then. The website of the National Archives of Scotland was accessed by an unauthorised source on 21 March 2001 and the homepage was defaced. The websites of other Executive Agencies have not been accessed or altered by unauthorised sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151217,"EventID":"S1W-14510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the recent derailment, and any other incidents affecting public safety, on the Glasgow Underground and whether there are any p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the recent derailment, and any other incidents affecting public safety, on the Glasgow Underground and whether there are any plans for any investigations into these.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14497.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151218,"EventID":"S1W-14511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is given to public safety standards when the annual grant payment to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive is awarded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is given to public safety standards when the annual grant payment to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive is awarded.","AnswerText":"The Special Grant to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA) supports the provision of railway services within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport area under the ScotRail franchise. The grant does not support the Glasgow Underground. The Underground is run directly by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE) and is financed by SPTA's constituent local authorities through their support for the authority's activities.

Both the provider of the railway services and SPTE, as provider of the Underground services, are required to meet all relevant GB safety standards, which are monitored by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151219,"EventID":"S1W-14512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct the relevant body to carry out an investigation into the handling by North Ayrshire Council and its preceding authority, Cunninghame District Cou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct the relevant body to carry out an investigation into the handling by North Ayrshire Council and its preceding authority, Cunninghame District Council, of revenue generated from the foreshore car park at Gallowgate Street, Largs, Ayrshire following the transfer of revenue accruing from this source from the Largs Common Good to the general funds of these local authorities from 1 April 1995.","AnswerText":"The relevant body to carry out an investigation into financial management matters within local authorities would be Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission for Scotland, which are both independent of Ministers in this regard. Any person with a genuine concern relating to the finances of a council can refer it to the Accounts Commission at any time. If the Accounts Commission, or the Audit Scotland staff who serve the Accounts Commission, consider the subject matter to fall within their remit they will initiate preliminary enquiries.

I understand that the matter in question has already been raised with the Accounts Commission.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151220,"EventID":"S1W-14513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any livestock destroyed in the foot-and-mouth disease pre-emptive cull were blood sampled prior to their destruction.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any livestock destroyed in the foot-and-mouth disease pre-emptive cull were blood sampled prior to their destruction.","AnswerText":"The pre-emptive cull is being carried out to control and eradicate the disease as quickly and as effectively as possible. In view of the importance and urgency of this exercise blood sampling is not being carried out at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151221,"EventID":"S1W-14514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the financial impact of the precautionary measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease in relation to the movement of livestock still re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the financial impact of the precautionary measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease in relation to the movement of livestock still residing on over-wintering farms.","AnswerText":"I recognise the difficulties which movement restrictions have given rise to for farmers, including those who have away-wintered animals. These restrictions are being reviewed in the light of experience and the disease situation locality.

An assessment is being made of the financial impact of these restrictions on farming and other businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151222,"EventID":"S1W-14515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received the full business case from Strathclyde Passenger Transport on 19 March and is considering it as a matter of urgency.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151223,"EventID":"S1W-14516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will be represented at the United Nations Third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in Durban, So","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will be represented at the United Nations Third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14504.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151224,"EventID":"S1W-14517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparatory discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government in relation to Scotland's representation at the United Nations Third World Conference Against ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparatory discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government in relation to Scotland's representation at the United Nations Third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14504.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151225,"EventID":"S1W-14518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to ensure that the views and concerns of relevant Scottish voluntary sector or other organisations are represented at the United Nations Third World Confer","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to ensure that the views and concerns of relevant Scottish voluntary sector or other organisations are represented at the United Nations Third World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14504.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151226,"EventID":"S1W-14520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, following the recent court decision in England regarding compensation for those who contracted hepatitis C from blood transfusions, whether it will make payments to thos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, following the recent court decision in England regarding compensation for those who contracted hepatitis C from blood transfusions, whether it will make payments to those similarly affected in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently considering the implications of the English judgement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151227,"EventID":"S1W-14521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Building Project will be completed on schedule in 2002, when it is expected that MSPs will begin using the debating chamber at Holyrood and whether co","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Holyrood Building Project will be completed on schedule in 2002, when it is expected that MSPs will begin using the debating chamber at Holyrood and whether comments attributed to Benedetta Tagliabue, as reported in The Scotsman on 27 March 2001, are accurate.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed to me that the Holyrood building remains on schedule for completion of construction in December 2002 and should be ready for normal parliamentary business in early 2003. A statement issued last week by the architects, EMBT-RMJM Ltd, stated that the comments attributed to Ms Tagliabue were inaccurate and she herself confirmed this in a letter to the Secretary of the Holyrood Progress Group on 27 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151228,"EventID":"S1W-14522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many genetically modified crop trials are necessary for there to be sufficient evidence regarding any potential risks to health and the environment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many genetically modified crop trials are necessary for there to be sufficient evidence regarding any potential risks to health and the environment.","AnswerText":"The farm scale evaluation programme is not designed to test the safety of the GM crop. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) and scientific advisors on other statutory bodies have advised ministers that this crop does not pose a safety threat to human health or the environment. Without this expert advice, these crops would not be granted consent to be grown.

The three-year farm scale evaluation programme, which began in 2000, is one of the largest ecological research projects ever undertaken and will provide valuable information on any effects that the practices needed to grow GM herbicide-tolerant crops may have on local biodiversity. The Scientific Steering Committee that oversees the programme has suggested that data from between 60 and 75 fields of each trial crop are required over the duration of the programme across the UK. It is the committee's view that this will provide sufficient data to enable significant conclusions to be drawn, taking account of the diversity of farm types and ecological conditions across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151229,"EventID":"S1W-14523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there will be no environmental pollution arising from the use of a burial site at Birkshaw Farm, Lockerbie, for animals culled as p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there will be no environmental pollution arising from the use of a burial site at Birkshaw Farm, Lockerbie, for animals culled as part of its measures to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The site was selected with advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in order to minimise the risk of environmental pollution from the burial of culled animals. We are working closely with SEPA to undertake a risk assessment that will inform long-term management of the site. SEPA will monitor the site over the coming months as a quality check against baseline water parameters and will continue to provide pollution prevention advice on operations. The Executive has commissioned an environmental consultant to provide specialist engineering advice on excavation methods, site containment, drainage and related matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151230,"EventID":"S1W-14524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what permissions, licences or waivers it has granted for the use of Birkshaw Farm, Lockerbie, as a site for the burial of dead animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what permissions, licences or waivers it has granted for the use of Birkshaw Farm, Lockerbie, as a site for the burial of dead animals.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Animal Health Act (1981) the SE cleared the use of the site. Site suitability has been cleared by the SVS after advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). SEPA has assessed the suitability of the site and is satisfied that the risks of pollution can be minimised. SEPA is also closely involved with the SE in developing plans for monitoring and the ongoing management of the site. Further advice has also been sought by SE from environmental consultants and this will be checked by SEPA so as to ensure that the risk of adverse environmental impacts will be minimised.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151231,"EventID":"S1W-14525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what date it has been given by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the completion of the pre-emptive, foot-and-mouth disease-related cull of animals on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what date it has been given by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the completion of the pre-emptive, foot-and-mouth disease-related cull of animals on farms in England which are adjacent to or within 3km of farms in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This cull has now been completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151232,"EventID":"S1W-14526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the foot-and-mouth disease-related culls in Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria are being co-ordinated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the foot-and-mouth disease-related culls in Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria are being co-ordinated.","AnswerText":"There is regular contact between those controlling and co-ordinating the Cumbria operation and those involved in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151233,"EventID":"S1W-14527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what veterinary resources are available to carry out the pre-emptive, foot-and-mouth disease-related cull of animals in Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what veterinary resources are available to carry out the pre-emptive, foot-and-mouth disease-related cull of animals in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"As of 1 April 2001, 17 full-time veterinary staff and 53 temporary veterinary inspectors were operational on foot and mouth duties in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151234,"EventID":"S1W-14528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will keep MSPs advised of developments in the foot-and-mouth disease situation during the Easter recess.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will keep MSPs advised of developments in the foot-and-mouth disease situation during the Easter recess.","AnswerText":"We have decided to lodge a regularly updated information note with the Parliament's Reference Centre. The first of these was submitted on Friday 30 March. The intention is to provide twice weekly updates. This will continue over Easter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151235,"EventID":"S1W-14529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it received from Dumfries and Galloway Council during the consultation process to decide where the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it received from Dumfries and Galloway Council during the consultation process to decide where the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council would be located.","AnswerText":"Dumfries and Galloway Council submitted information on buildings within Crichton Business Park in response to the invitation to submit properties for consideration as offices for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151236,"EventID":"S1W-14530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the basis was for its decision to locate the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council in Dundee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the basis was for its decision to locate the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council in Dundee.","AnswerText":"The decision to locate the Headquarters of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council in Dundee was made on the basis of the range and cost of suitable accommodation of the required size which was available, transport and labour market considerations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151237,"EventID":"S1W-14531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 March 2001 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the creation of 5,000 IT jobs for unemployed people, what representations it has m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the announcement on 26 March 2001 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the creation of 5,000 IT jobs for unemployed people, what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that at least one of the five areas being chosen for the project to run is in Scotland.","AnswerText":"My officials are in close and regular contact with colleagues in DfEE and the UK New Deal Task Force Secretariat regarding development of the Ambition: IT initiative.

The Career Ambition strand of the initiative is a three-year pilot programme aiming to train 5,000 New Deal participants as ICT technicians in five city areas. The selection process for the final five areas has yet to be established although the shortlist of nine does include both Glasgow and Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151238,"EventID":"S1W-14532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in connection with its social justice objectives, it has carried out any research into the impact of varying take-up rates of the Working Families' Tax Credit on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in connection with its social justice objectives, it has carried out any research into the impact of varying take-up rates of the Working Families' Tax Credit on unemployment levels in deprived communities and, if not, whether it will commission such research.","AnswerText":"All tax matters, including the Working Families' Tax Credit, are reserved to the UK Government. Operational matters are therefore an issue for the Inland Revenue. The Executive will, however, continue to work closely with UK ministers on this and other issues in the pursuit of our social justice agenda.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151239,"EventID":"S1W-14533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why this year's slaughter premium payments have not yet been made to farmers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why this year's slaughter premium payments have not yet been made to farmers.","AnswerText":"Payments under the slaughter premium are paid in two instalments - an advance, set this year at 80% of the total, followed by a balance payment, comprising the remainder. Advance payments began on 30 January 2001 to farmers eligible to receive premium under the Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS) 2000. Payments totalling £3.5 million have been issued to date.

Processing of balance payments is under way and payments started on 17 April 2001. This is in line with my department’s target of “mid-April” announced in the “Dear Producer” letter of 12 March 2001 which set out a planned schedule for CAP subsidy payments, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151240,"EventID":"S1W-14534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Pig Outgoers and Pig Ongoers schemes will be in operation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Pig Outgoers and Pig Ongoers schemes will be in operation.","AnswerText":"The Pig Outgoers 1 Scheme was launched on 4 December 2000 and applicants have been advised if their applications have been successful or not. The Pig Outgoers 2 Scheme, which I announced on 12 March 2001, will remain open for applications until 20 April 2001.

The Pig Ongoers Scheme opened on 22 January 2001; the closing date for applications will be 3 August this year or earlier if the available funds have been allocated prior to that time.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151241,"EventID":"S1W-14535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to lessen the amount of bureaucracy faced by livestock producers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to lessen the amount of bureaucracy faced by livestock producers.","AnswerText":"There are several initiatives aimed specifically at reducing bureaucracy for Scottish farmers, including livestock farmers in particular. These are the Red Tape Review, the CAP Administration Review, the CAP External Communications Strategy and the Electronic Cattle Traceability System Project. Livestock farmers have already benefited from the following:

- the introduction of electronic access to the central Cattle Traceability System (CTS). This is a key element of the proposed Electronic Cattle Traceability (ECT) system; it facilitates the electronic transfer of cattle information between the industry and the central database. The new system will reduce administrative burdens and the opportunity for errors.

- the introduction of Electronic Service Delivery (ESD). We are building on last year's successful SCPS pilot exercise to develop facilities which will allow each SCPS 2001 claimant the option of submitting their claim form electronically. Our intention is to introduce progressively arrangements for electronic claim submission under the remaining subsidy schemes.

- for the new Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS), the avoidance of duplication by using information already held in relation to the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS) and the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme (SAPS). For most claimants, completion of the LFASS claim form only requires some ticks and a signature.

- the introduction, under IACS 2001, of a "no change declaration" for forage-only applicants whose circumstances have not altered from the previous year. This will avoid repetition and save time.

- the introduction of "all bovine" farm inspections from September 2000. These will reduce the number and duration of farm visits overall, saving time for the farmer and officials.

- the introduction of an appeals mechanism covering, amongst other schemes, all the CAP livestock subsidy schemes. We intend extending this mechanism to cover livestock quotas.

- the formation of an External Communications Panel which monitors and suggests improvements to scheme literature and forms. The panel's work is being extended to assist in reviewing the department's "standard letters", published guidance and forms.

In relation to the problems arising from foot-and-mouth disease, the department has made it clear in a "Dear Producer" letter that it will apply the force majeure provisions of the CAP subsidy schemes as flexibly as possible. Further information will be issued to producers shortly on foot-and-mouth disease matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151242,"EventID":"S1W-14536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the burning of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses is not spreading the virus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the burning of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses is not spreading the virus.","AnswerText":"Epidemiologists have undertaken a thorough review of all scientific literature on the possible dangers of FMD spreading as a result of burning infected carcasses. This included the Northumberland Report on the 1967-68 outbreak which concluded there was insufficient evidence. The expert view is that FMD will not be spread by burning carcasses for three reasons: the concentration of virus in the smoke is relatively low, the virus falls out of the smoke within a fairly short distance from the fire, and the desiccating effect of the fire inactivates the virus (although this has not been proved conclusively). Additionally, carcasses are sprayed with disinfectant before they are cremated so there is no virus on the surface of the carcases when the fire is lit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151243,"EventID":"S1W-14537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out into the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the burning of infected carcasses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out into the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the burning of infected carcasses.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14536.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151244,"EventID":"S1W-14538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 10 additional non-EU countries now being allowed to export specified offal material to the UK are free from foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 10 additional non-EU countries now being allowed to export specified offal material to the UK are free from foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The Standing Veterinary Committee recently agreed Decision 2001/270/EC on third countries and BSE. All countries (including those not already assessed) will have to remove Specified Risk Material (SRM) before exporting meat products to the UK. The 10 countries exempt from this requirement are (recognised by the Scientific Steering Committee as being highly unlikely to present a BSE risk): Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay and Swaziland.

The Office International des Epicotes currently recognise FMD free status in Australia, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay. Botswana and Namibia are FMD free in their export zones where vaccination is banned. Paraguay is FMD free using vaccination. Nicaragua have never reported FMD but are not in the current OIE list. Argentina's status was recently suspended following a change in control policy. Swaziland's status was recently suspended due to occurrence of disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151245,"EventID":"S1W-14539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13062 by Mr Jack McConnell on 8 March 2001, whether it will define the contribution from their budgets which local authorities woul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13062 by Mr Jack McConnell on 8 March 2001, whether it will define the contribution from their budgets which local authorities would normally be expected to make.","AnswerText":"In addition to Scottish Executive grant support, local authorities are expected to fund an element of their total expenditure from local taxation. The exact level of expenditure on specific services is dependent on local policy decisions. However, the grant provision we are making over the next three years more than meets our commitment to fund the additional McCrone costs in full.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151246,"EventID":"S1W-14540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding distributed from the Scottish budget was distributed through non-departmental public bodies in each year for which figures are available, given as","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding distributed from the Scottish budget was distributed through non-departmental public bodies in each year for which figures are available, given as a cash figure and as a percentage of the overall budget.","AnswerText":"Annex 2 of the 2000 Annual Expenditure Report, Investing In You shows Non-Departmental Public Bodies expenditure within Total Budget for 1994-95 to 2000-01.

This is published on the Scottish Executive's website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc14/iiy-20.asp

The table shows these figures expressed as a percentage of Total Budget:

Table 1

NHS Trusts

Report No: SE/2000/

Bib No

Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

121

7981

Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care NHS Trust

125

7972

Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals Trust

124

7976

Borders Primary Care NHS Trust

127

7984

Borders General Hospital NHS Trust

126

7985

Dumfries and Galloway Primary Care NHS Trust

129

7987

Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

128

7989

Fife Primary Care NHS Trust

131

7994

Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

130

7996

Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust

135

7998

Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust

136

8002

Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

140

8003

Highland Primary Care NHS Trust

141

8005

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

142

8007

Lomond and Argyll Primary Care NHS Trust

£ million cash

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

NDPB expenditure

1903.8

1959.2

1990.9

1961.5

2011.6

2048.2

Total Budget

14278

14940

14850

15254

16303

16852

NDPB as % Total Budget

13.3

13.1

13.4

12.9

12.3

12.2

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151247,"EventID":"S1W-14541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8717 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 September 2000, whether it will list the applications made to draw funding from the UK reserve in e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8717 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 September 2000, whether it will list the applications made to draw funding from the UK reserve in each year from 1970 to date. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-8717 which sets out information for 1999-2000. Reserve access for 2000-01 is set out in SE 2000/194 Scotland's Budget Documents 2000-01, Scotland's Autumn Budget Revisions and SE 2001/4 Scotland's Budget Documents 2000-01, Scotland's Spring Budget Revisions which list the resources received from the UK reserve. Information on past reserve claims is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151248,"EventID":"S1W-14542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total estimated cost to the Scottish budget is of the changeover to resource account budgeting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total estimated cost to the Scottish budget is of the changeover to resource account budgeting.","AnswerText":"The cost of the change was met from within existing administration budgets.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151249,"EventID":"S1W-14543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of net public sector capital investment in Scotland was in each year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of net public sector capital investment in Scotland was in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The table sets out capital expenditure in the public sector for the period 1999-2000 to 2003-04.

1999-2000

actual

2000-01

plan

2001-02

plan

2002-03

plan

2003-04

plan

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

1,768

1,998

2,283

2,409

2,515

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151250,"EventID":"S1W-14544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why NHS Trusts are able to consider utilising midwife-led units remote from obstetrician access when the report of the Tayside Acute Services Review recommends that the s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why NHS Trusts are able to consider utilising midwife-led units remote from obstetrician access when the report of the Tayside Acute Services Review recommends that the safety issues surrounding these units should be fully explored in order to find if such units are safe.","AnswerText":"Evidence from midwife-led units around Great Britain suggests that, where there is a geographical imperative, community maternity units may be considered for low-risk women with a normal pregnancy. This may provide a model of care for remote and rural areas, offering a local service choice for women. The National Framework for Maternity Services, published in February 2001, recommends that every community maternity unit have a clearly established link - support, advice and transfer - to a consultant-led maternity and neonatal unit. Risk and contingency plans for referral and transfer should be fully discussed with every woman who chooses to use a midwife-led unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151251,"EventID":"S1W-14545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider further relaxation of the rules governing movement of livestock in areas of low risk from foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider further relaxation of the rules governing movement of livestock in areas of low risk from foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"I refer to the ministerial statement I gave to Parliament on 5 April 2001 where relaxation of movement controls were announced.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151252,"EventID":"S1W-14546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to restore confidence in Scottish industries affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to restore confidence in Scottish industries affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14552.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151253,"EventID":"S1W-14547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-13248.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-13248.","AnswerText":"Parliamentary question S1W-13248 was answered on 30 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151254,"EventID":"S1W-14548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stocks of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine there are in Scotland and, if there are none, what steps it has taken to obtain stocks and in particular whether it has dire","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stocks of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine there are in Scotland and, if there are none, what steps it has taken to obtain stocks and in particular whether it has directly or through Her Majesty's Government applied for any of the stocks of the vaccine held in the EU.","AnswerText":"Contingency plans are in place to obtain from several sources adequate supplies of vaccine to help combat the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Scotland. The use of the vaccine in Scotland will only be considered where veterinary advice based on science and epidemiology recommends its use. The final decision to vaccinate will be taken by Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151255,"EventID":"S1W-14549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4387 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 February 2001, whether it will provide the updated average time period figures for the same courts for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4387 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 February 2001, whether it will provide the updated average time period figures for the same courts for each quarter from January 2000 to date.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the average waiting periods between plea and trial, in summary criminal proceedings, at the conclusion of each quarter of the year 2000 for the sheriff courts at Linlithgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Dundee, Hamilton, Lanark, Dunfermline and Haddington. The Parliament's Reference Centre currently receive monthly updates on the average waiting periods for summary criminal and ordinary civil proceedings for all sheriff courts.

Average Waiting Periods:
 

March 2000

June 2000

Sept 2000

Dec 2000

Linlithgow

17

12

16

15

Stirling

21

14

14

13

Falkirk

20

14

13

15

Dundee

22

20

17

15

Hamilton

11

15

18

17

Lanark

10

9

10

10

Dunfermline

14

13

14

15

Haddington

10

11

11

14

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151256,"EventID":"S1W-14550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with senior officials of (a) Railtrack and (b) ScotRail over the past three months; what matters were discussed at any such meetings; what ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with senior officials of (a) Railtrack and (b) ScotRail over the past three months; what matters were discussed at any such meetings; what action was agreed, and whether satisfactory progress is being made in relation to any such agreed action.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials regularly meet representatives of Railtrack and ScotRail to discuss a wide range of issues regarding the operation of railways in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151257,"EventID":"S1W-14551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9992 by Mr Tom McCabe on 4 October 2000, whether the result of the study to establish the average cost of parliamentary questions i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9992 by Mr Tom McCabe on 4 October 2000, whether the result of the study to establish the average cost of parliamentary questions is now available and, if so, what that average cost is.","AnswerText":"The Executive has considered the initial findings of the study of the costs of answering Scottish Parliamentary questions. The preliminary results suggested that the average cost of answering a PQ was £82, which is broadly in line with the experience in Westminster. However, there were a number of outlying results from the study that it has not been possible to clarify. For that reason, the Executive is reluctant to draw any firm conclusions from the study and has therefore decided to extend the study into a second phase now that processes for handling PQs have settled down. This will be taken forward over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151258,"EventID":"S1W-14552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support businesses affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support businesses affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"Following extensive consultation with the industry affected, the Executive has decided to put resources behind a three-part emergency package of assistance for 2001-02 to help stabilise businesses in Scotland hit by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. This is in addition to the commitments already provided by the UK Government.

The additional Scottish emergency package consists of:

First, a range of measures to help affected businesses with their rates will be available, initially estimated to be worth £3.5 million. The Scottish Executive will fund 95% of the cost of hardship relief for the most affected businesses. The funding will be available for businesses with a rateable value up to £12,000 in rural local authority areas. For other businesses we will fund 75% of the costs of hardship relief. We are encouraging local authorities to consider deferring rates payments for affected businesses. Local authorities can grant relief for premises which are not in use because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Businesses can also apply for a reduction in their rateable value.

Secondly, an initial £5 million will be made available now for visitscotland to tackle the misconceptions in key markets about the outbreak, build on the framework provided by the Comeback Code published on Friday 23 March, and to bring forward a range of other measures including support for local marketing initiatives. visitscotland will work closely with the British Tourist Authority to achieve the maximum benefit for Scotland from the work which they are doing around the world to put the facts across. Further support for a longer term recovery plan will be available.

Thirdly, a £5 million immediate boost for the Enterprise Networks to provide emergency advice and assistance to affected businesses to support survival workshops, one-to-one counselling, assistance on minimising liabilities and access to other sources of support such as the banks, the Inland Revenue and the Customs and Excise.

The Executive is particularly conscious of the severity of the impact in Dumfries and Galloway and will discuss with the Enterprise Networks and visitscotland ways of ensuring that the help gets to those who need it most.

This £13.5 million emergency package adds to the measures announced by the UK Government on 20 March, which include:

1. Request from Ministers to Inland Revenue and Customs officials to take a very sympathetic approach to businesses experiencing financial problems as a result of the outbreak. The Revenue Departments already have power in specific circumstances to defer payment of taxes and National Insurance contributions and agree extended arrangements for time to pay. They will make maximum use of this flexibility for agricultural, transport, tourism and related retail businesses in the countryside that cannot pay debts because of cash flow problems, where cash flow assistance through rescheduling tax or NIC liabilities would help.

2. Discussions with the banks to ensure continuing credit for small businesses badly affected by the impact of foot-and-mouth disease, including the use of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Fund.

3. Indication from the Benefits Agency that Job Seekers Allowance may be available to both employees and self-employed people, out of work as a result of foot-and-mouth; and the Department of Social Security will be making their procedures as fast and flexible as possible.

This represents a comprehensive plan of action to tackle the immediate difficulties facing Scottish businesses. The Executive is also engaging in developing plans for longer-term recovery and to build a way forward from the present difficulties.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151259,"EventID":"S1W-14553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence that new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred as a result of the burning of infected carcasses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence that new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred as a result of the burning of infected carcasses.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence to suggest that new outbreaks of FMD have occurred as a result of burning infected carcasses. Epidemiologists believe that FMD will not be spread by burning carcasses for three reasons: the concentration of virus in the smoke is relatively low; the virus falls out of the smoke within a fairly short distance from the fire, and the desiccating effect of the fire inactivates the virus (although this has not been proved conclusively). Additionally, carcasses are sprayed with disinfectant before they are cremated so there is not virus on the surface of the carcasses when the fire is lit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151260,"EventID":"S1W-14554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which primary schools are taking part in pilot projects in which children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which primary schools are taking part in pilot projects in which children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151261,"EventID":"S1W-14555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables will last.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables will last.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151262,"EventID":"S1W-14556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of how often and how much fruit is made available in the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of how often and how much fruit is made available in the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151263,"EventID":"S1W-14557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the aims are of the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the aims are of the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","AnswerText":"The Executive's recent provision of resources from its £26 million Health Improvement Fund to all health boards is enabling them to work with their local partners to introduce a range of initiatives, including the provision of fruit for infants in pre-school settings and fruit and salad bars and breakfast clubs in schools. Initiatives are supported according to local needs, and projects vary in their format, length and costs from area to area. Each of these initiatives is designed specifically to stimulate children's interest in, and enjoyment of, fruit and vegetables.

Funding for the Health Improvement Fund has been committed until 2003-04, and health boards have been asked to give a full public account of how these resources are being invested, and what they have helped local people to achieve, through their annual reports and the accountability review process.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151264,"EventID":"S1W-14558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables are costing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the pilot projects in which primary school children are provided with free fruit and vegetables are costing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151265,"EventID":"S1W-14559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to provide free fruit for all primary school children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to provide free fruit for all primary school children.","AnswerText":"As part of their allocations from the £26 million Health Improvement Fund, health boards are tasked with supporting the provision of fruit to infants, and breakfast clubs and fruit/salad bars in schools according to local needs.

A reliable estimate of the cost of a uniform national scheme is not available. The Glasgow "Fruit to Schools" project estimates that it will cost £722,150 a year to provide one piece of fruit three days per week to 56,129 primary pupils. The 1997 school census reported a total of 452,500 primary school pupils in Scotland. The cost per pupil would be higher in less densely populated and more remote areas of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151266,"EventID":"S1W-14560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland is not evaluating any drug treatments this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland is not evaluating any drug treatments this year.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland's (HTBS) assessment of interventions to maintain recovery from alcohol dependency, one of the first 3 topics for assessment, includes the evaluation of several drugs.

Additionally, HTBS will comment on all National Institute for Clinical Excellence Appraisals to place them in a Scottish context. This work will include several topics related to drug treatments.

The HTBS will announce further topics later in the year and is actively canvassing interested parties for suggestions. As outlined in its process documents, HTBS will ensure there is a balance of drugs, devices, clinical procedures, and healthcare settings considered in its work programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151267,"EventID":"S1W-14561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland's assessment topics for this year reflect the three clinical priorities of cancer, mental health and heart disease as ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland's assessment topics for this year reflect the three clinical priorities of cancer, mental health and heart disease as outlined in the Scottish Health Plan.","AnswerText":"Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning in cancer, organisation of screening services for diabetic retinopathy, and interventions to overcome alcohol dependency will be the first Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) performed by the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) and reflect major commitments in Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change.

Specifically, these HTAs support the commitment for continued improvements in cancer survival rates from better diagnosis and treatment, the establishment of a national screening strategy to raise the standard of diabetes care, and a plan for action on alcohol misuse.

The national clinical priorities influence HTBS's approach to its work and are considered when topics for assessment are being selected.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151268,"EventID":"S1W-14562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why only six medical oncologists in Scotland are funded by the NHS, given that cancer is one of the top three clinical priorities in the Scottish Health Plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why only six medical oncologists in Scotland are funded by the NHS, given that cancer is one of the top three clinical priorities in the Scottish Health Plan.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to Ms Scanlon's question S1W-10403 there were 14 medical oncology consultants at September 2000. Of these, eight consultants held an honorary contract with the NHS and a substantive contract with a university or research organisation. For this, as for every other specialty, honorary consultants have a service delivery in addition to a teaching and research role, and there may well be NHS funding provided by local agreement. The position in medical oncology reflects the international standing of Scotland in research in this field, which makes a significant contribution to the quality of cancer services for the people of Scotland.

In addition to the consultants, there are other doctors providing medical oncology services. 17 Specialist Registrars together with two non-consultant career grade doctors provide a high level of expertise, and Senior House Officers and Pre-Registration House Officers provide support.

The clinical priority of cancer is also supported by clinical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons specialising in cancer work and a whole range of other specialist staff. Six additional consultants and a proportion of the additional 100 junior doctors announced in June last year will provide cancer services. The further 375 junior doctors I announced on 1 April will be allocated according to service needs and I expect a proportion of those to support cancer services.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151269,"EventID":"S1W-14563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it is expected that the Electronic Clinical Communications Initiative will be available throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it is expected that the Electronic Clinical Communications Initiative will be available throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation (ECCI) is a Scotland-wide programme to ensure the development of electronic clinical communications between primary and secondary care throughout NHSScotland. By 2003 it is expected that extensive implementation of clinical communications will be in place, including:

  • widespread clinical email
  • co-ordinated referral information
  • outpatient appointment booking - protocol-based where appropriate
  • test ordering and results receiving
  • discharge letters and summaries and clinic letters

information in support of shared care","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151270,"EventID":"S1W-14564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancer patients are currently participating in clinical trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancer patients are currently participating in clinical trials.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally in the format requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151271,"EventID":"S1W-14565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will decide whether Vitamin D supplements will be given to elderly people in long-term care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will decide whether Vitamin D supplements will be given to elderly people in long-term care.","AnswerText":"The Executive plans to establish an expert group in the near future to provide recommendations on the prescribing of vitamin D supplements.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151272,"EventID":"S1W-14566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that patients with mental illness are given high quality nutritional care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that patients with mental illness are given high quality nutritional care.","AnswerText":"Our National Health contains clear commitments to ensure that high quality, nutritious food is available to all patients. The plan commits the NHS to implement the recommendations of the National Nutritional Audit and the relevant recommendations of Eating for Health - a Diet Plan for Scotland by April 2001. The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland will review local performance annually against these national standards.

I expect the particular needs of those with a mental illness or any others who may perhaps be limited in their explanations or expression of preferences to be taken into account by staff as part of the whole person consideration that should apply in all cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151273,"EventID":"S1W-14567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees from each local authority's social work department left such employment in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees from each local authority's social work department left such employment in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151274,"EventID":"S1W-14568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled posts there currently are in each local authority's social work department.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled posts there currently are in each local authority's social work department.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151275,"EventID":"S1W-14569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the attendance levels of local authority social work department employees were in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by local ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the attendance levels of local authority social work department employees were in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Local authorities should collect this information which is not held centrally. In his recently published annual report, based on a round of visits to each local authority, the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services made reference to the fact that social work and social care can be very stressful occupations and that the levels of sickness amongst staff are frequently the highest in the local authority. The Association of Directors of Social Work has produced a management resource pack designed to support frontline staff which, amongst other things, tackles the issue of absences. As a consequence of monitoring and following up, absences have been reduced in some authorities (for example, East Renfrewshire reported reduced levels from 14% to 6%). The Chief Inspector's annual report underlines the importance for local authorities of good employment practices as a means of improving attendance levels.

Information on the related issue of recruitment and retention of staff will be collected centrally for the first time this year by the SEHD Social Work Statistics Division. This will be published towards the end of 2001. The next Chief Inspector's annual report also intends to return to the issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151276,"EventID":"S1W-14570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the morale of local authority social work department employees is improved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the morale of local authority social work department employees is improved.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S10-3249 on 5 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151277,"EventID":"S1W-14571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants were interviewed for the post of chair of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants were interviewed for the post of chair of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"Five applicants were interviewed for this post.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151278,"EventID":"S1W-14572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants there were for the post of chair of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants there were for the post of chair of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"There were 27 applicants for this post.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151279,"EventID":"S1W-14573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the event of the three water authorities being replaced by a single water authority for Scotland, whether the water charges for customers of the existing North of Sco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the event of the three water authorities being replaced by a single water authority for Scotland, whether the water charges for customers of the existing North of Scotland Water Authority are expected to reduce, increase or remain the same.","AnswerText":"In advance of the Water Industry Commissioner's Strategic Review of Charges, it is difficult to predict precisely how water and sewerage charges will change. Given the need to invest, as set out in the Quality and Standards consultation paper, it is unlikely that charges in the north will fall. It is, however, the case that if a single water authority for Scotland is established, then we would expect that charges in the north would need to rise far less sharply than if the three authorities remained separate.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151280,"EventID":"S1W-14574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many primary school children are covered by the pilot projects in which children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many primary school children are covered by the pilot projects in which children are provided with free fruit and vegetables.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151281,"EventID":"S1W-14575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the pilot projects providing free fruit and vegetables for pre-school and primary pupils will be assessed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the pilot projects providing free fruit and vegetables for pre-school and primary pupils will be assessed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14557.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151282,"EventID":"S1W-14576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to combat rogue traders in the construction and related industries by expanding the remit of the building control system to cover quality control issue","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to combat rogue traders in the construction and related industries by expanding the remit of the building control system to cover quality control issues and whether its powers in this area would enable it to introduce compulsory registration or licensing for tradespeople. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151283,"EventID":"S1W-14577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12945 by Allan Wilson on 14 February 2001, whom sportscotland intends to appoint as consultants in connection with the review of as","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12945 by Allan Wilson on 14 February 2001, whom sportscotland intends to appoint as consultants in connection with the review of aspects of their organisation and operations; why any such appointment is being made by sportscotland rather than by the Executive; what the cost of this review will be, and how much will be paid to any consultants appointed.","AnswerText":"In view of the importance of sport within the Executive's overall programme, and notwithstanding the wider review of NDPBs being carried out by the Executive, we agreed with sportscotland's assessment that the early review of aspects of their organisation and effectiveness would ensure the best possible contribution to that overall agenda. Following the development of a remit in discussion with the Executive, sportscotland has appointed KPMG to assist in the conduct of the review. The review is being undertaken in close partnership with the Executive and we shall oversee the consideration and implementation of recommendations for improvement identified in the review.

The appointment was made in consultation with the Executive. The level of fees to be paid to the consultants is a matter for sportscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151284,"EventID":"S1W-14578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Camanachd Association will receive in core funding from sportscotland over the next four years and how much core funding the association has sought from spo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Camanachd Association will receive in core funding from sportscotland over the next four years and how much core funding the association has sought from sportscotland for this period.","AnswerText":"Sportscotland's financial planning cycle covers the next three years. The Camanachd Association has been allocated £15,000 per year for the next three years from Exchequer funding for the period covered by the cycle. The association has also been allocated an additional £56,000 per year for the next three years, again from Exchequer funding. The total amount being made available will therefore be £71,000 per year. This funding will enable the association to continue to meet the costs of a national youth sport co-ordinator and two local development officers. The amounts requested by the association were £49,670 for the current year, £51,315 for 2002-03 and £52,920 for 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151285,"EventID":"S1W-14579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2956 by Sarah Boyack on 15 February 2001, what implications its current trunk road and motorway tourist signposting policy has for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2956 by Sarah Boyack on 15 February 2001, what implications its current trunk road and motorway tourist signposting policy has for individual tourist businesses and what assessment it has made of any cost to the industry as a whole of the length of time permission for such signs takes to obtain or of tourist businesses being unable to obtain permission for such signs.","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Trunk Road Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy which was produced in consultation with the Scottish Tourist Board is to provide clear and consistent directions for travellers on Scottish Trunk Roads.

Tourist signs are not a substitute for effective marketing and the implications of the policy for individual businesses or the tourist industry has not been assessed.

Applications, meeting policy requirements, are processed promptly and once the applicant has provided complete information, permission to erect signs is granted within two weeks. The applicant is responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the signs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151286,"EventID":"S1W-14580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role Gaelic broadcasting plays in its strategy to encourage the use of Gaelic; whether an extension of its powers in this area would enhance its ability to promote G","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role Gaelic broadcasting plays in its strategy to encourage the use of Gaelic; whether an extension of its powers in this area would enhance its ability to promote Gaelic language and culture and, if so, whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting that responsibility for Gaelic broadcasting be fully legislatively devolved.","AnswerText":"Gaelic broadcasting, for which the Scottish Executive provides a grant of £8.5 million a year, is an important part of our strategy for Gaelic. While Gaelic broadcasting, in common with other aspects of broadcasting, is a reserved subject, this has not prevented us from supporting a wide range of educational and cultural provision for Gaelic. We have no plans to change the present arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151287,"EventID":"S1W-14581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives involving Scotland's written heritage are currently being taken forward or planned as part of its National Cultural Strategy and what plans it has to ens","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives involving Scotland's written heritage are currently being taken forward or planned as part of its National Cultural Strategy and what plans it has to ensure that the archive sector is fully involved in cultural initiatives.","AnswerText":"In the National Cultural Strategy we recognised the importance of the written heritage to the culture of Scotland and wish to make it as widely available as possible. The National Archives of Scotland currently provide content from the national archive collections to the SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network) project. It is also a partner in a range of complementary projects, some funded by the higher education sector, which are further extending access to the written heritage preserved in archive institutions across Scotland, both by developing the detailed catalogues and by creating digital images of documents.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151288,"EventID":"S1W-14582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what business targets it has set for the Scottish Prison Service in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what business targets it has set for the Scottish Prison Service in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"I have taken the opportunity to review the targets which I set for the Scottish Prison Service. The service's performance in previous years has shown a continuing improvement against a series of progressively more difficult targets. However, the targets do not fully reflect the range of SPS's work on behalf of the public. I have therefore extended their scope. The new targets are set out in the following table. They continue to ensure that there is full and proper focus on the maintenance of secure custody and good order. These are essential to ensure protection of the public, SPS staff and prisoners.

I have enhanced and increased the targets which are set for the opportunities made available to prisoners. The target on prisoner programmes moves the focus away from simple numbers of programmes delivered and directs SPS's efforts towards a continuing improvement in quality. I have introduced a target for education which is a key element in the correctional agenda and SPS will be required to show progress on a year-to-year basis in this important area. I have also introduced a measure of the performance in combating drugs in prisons, thus reinforcing our commitment to addressing the issue of drug abuse in Scotland.

The slightly increased cost per prisoner place reflects the additional investment, including sums to address the drug issue, which the Executive is making in Scottish prisons. I expect SPS to make efficiency savings in revenue costs over the coming year will allow some £12.5 million to be redirected to the capital building programme.

These new targets will measure success and ensure effective and efficient management of the SPS. They are more demanding than those set in previous years and, in order to ensure that comparison with previous years is possible, the table gives figures for previous performance in the same format as the 2001-02 targets. The outturn figures for 2000-01 are provisional and subject to confirmation.

Scottish Prison Service

Targets 2001-02 and Performance against Targets 1998-2001

The number of prisoners unlawfully at large

 

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01 (projected)

2001-02

Category A prisoners

Target

0

0

0

0

Outturn

0

0

0

0

Category B prisoners

Target

1.7 per 1,000 cat Bs = 6

1.4 per 1,000 cat Bs = 5

1.1 per 1,000 cat Bs = 4

0.9 per 1,000 cat Bs = 3

Outturn

2

2

2

 

Category C prisoners

Target

5.2 per 1,000 cat Cs = 10

4.5 per 1,000 cat Cs ","AnswerDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151289,"EventID":"S1W-14583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre details of the road alignment scheme between Gaich and Craggan on the A95 which is targeted f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre details of the road alignment scheme between Gaich and Craggan on the A95 which is targeted for completion in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The plans for the A95 Gaich to Craggan improvement scheme require to be reviewed and once completed they will be subject to public consultation prior to construction which is programmed for 2001-02. Details will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre when finalised.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151290,"EventID":"S1W-14584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the barnase gene will be tested in any genetically modified crop trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the barnase gene will be tested in any genetically modified crop trials.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14585.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151291,"EventID":"S1W-14585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what genetically modified material types will be used in GM crop trials and at which sites and whether the so called \"terminator gene\" will be tried anywhere.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what genetically modified material types will be used in GM crop trials and at which sites and whether the so called \"terminator gene\" will be tried anywhere.","AnswerText":"The two varieties of oilseed rape which are currently being grown as part of the farm scale evaluations both contain the following introduced genetic sequences:

- PssuAra (a promoter)

- bar (a gene conveying tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium)

- 3`g7 (stop signal)

- PTA29 (a promoter)

- barnase (a gene conveying male sterility)

- barstar (a gene conveying fertility restoration)

- 3`nos (stop signal)

The outcome of this modification is a hybrid crop resistant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, which is widely used in agriculture to control annual and perennial weeds. Further details of the construction of these varieties is contained in the public register along with precise location details for each of the trial sites.

The term "terminator gene" is understood to apply to genetic modifications which leave a plant incapable of producing seed able to germinate (seed sterility). Crop varieties containing these genes have neither been developed nor grown in Scotland. The varieties of modified oilseed rape which are grown in Scotland are fully fertile and produce viable pollen.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151292,"EventID":"S1W-14586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of staff employed by the core departments, agencies and associated departments of the Scottish Office was in May 1997 and how many staff it currentl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of staff employed by the core departments, agencies and associated departments of the Scottish Office was in May 1997 and how many staff it currently employs.","AnswerText":"The full-time equivalent number of permanent staff employed in the core departments, agencies and associated departments of the Scottish Executive are shown in the table. The figures for the agencies include the Scottish Prison Service, which accounts for over half of all agency staff.
 

May 1997

March 2001

Core Departments

3495.1

4004.4

Agencies

7892.2

8155.8

Associated Departments

1386.0

1602.7

Total

12773.3

13762.8

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151293,"EventID":"S1W-14587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether selenium deficiency is the cause of any major heart problems in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether selenium deficiency is the cause of any major heart problems in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence to suggest that a deficiency of selenium is a significant factor in the development of coronary heart disease in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151294,"EventID":"S1W-14588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further disperse Scottish Executive staff from Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further disperse Scottish Executive staff from Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made progress in locating public sector jobs outwith Edinburgh by establishing the Food Standards Agency in Aberdeen, by establishing the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department in its entirety in Glasgow and setting up the new Public Guardian's Office in Falkirk.

Subject to Parliament approving the principles of the Regulation of Care Bill, it is proposed to co-locate the Scottish Social Services Council and the headquarters of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care in Dundee. The headquarters building will also serve as the commission's regional office for that region. Decisions regarding the locations of the other regional offices of the commission are expected soon.

We are also undertaking detailed reviews of the Edinburgh operations of six public bodies based on lease breaks and other operational factors.

We expect to be in a position to make a decision on the location of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency shortly and on the Health Education Board for Scotland by mid-2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151295,"EventID":"S1W-14589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11911 by Mr Tom McCabe on 27 March 2001, what budget has been allocated to the series of \"Question Time\" events for (a) 2000-01 and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11911 by Mr Tom McCabe on 27 March 2001, what budget has been allocated to the series of \"Question Time\" events for (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02, including the amount allocated for market research, external consultants, hire of facilities and publicity, and what actual costs have been incurred to date.","AnswerText":"No specific budget was allocated for undertaking the series of Question Time events in 2000-01 and we are still considering our plans for this year. The only costs so far incurred relate to the Inverness event. The cost of actually staging the event was £7,000.

We intend to go out to competitive tender to identify audiences representative of a broad section of the community for future events and it would be inappropriate to reveal costs for Inverness during a tender process. However, as promised in my earlier answer, I will write to Mr Harding once that process is complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151296,"EventID":"S1W-14590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what maximum period of time should elapse between the notification of slaughter of animals on farms contiguous to those on which foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what maximum period of time should elapse between the notification of slaughter of animals on farms contiguous to those on which foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed and the slaughter of those animals.","AnswerText":"I refer to the ministerial statement I gave to Parliament on 5 April 2001 which outlined the disease control strategy being implemented.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151297,"EventID":"S1W-14591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is provided regarding the transport of unaffected animals to slaughterhouses through foot-and-mouth disease infected areas and whether the use of cattle float","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is provided regarding the transport of unaffected animals to slaughterhouses through foot-and-mouth disease infected areas and whether the use of cattle floats with open side flaps is permitted.","AnswerText":"Animals can only be moved under licence direct from farm to slaughterhouse. Journeys through an Infected Area are permitted by trunk road, motorway or railway and may come within 3km of an infected premise. Animals going to slaughter are checked for any signs of foot-and-mouth disease before leaving the farms and hence are most unlikely to be excreting any FMD virus. Closing vents is unnecessary and could give rise to welfare problems in transit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151298,"EventID":"S1W-14592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there are no foot and mouth disinfection points on the M74 and the A76.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there are no foot and mouth disinfection points on the M74 and the A76.","AnswerText":"Veterinary advice, based on risk assessment, is that the disinfection of trunk roads is not necessary in order to prevent any risk of the disease spreading. However, if a council wishes to proceed with the installation of disinfection facilities this is acceptable provided the conditions laid down by the Scottish Executive Development Department are met.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151299,"EventID":"S1W-14593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any problems which may be caused by the slaughter of hefted sheep as a consequence of foot-and-mouth disease, and whether additional re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any problems which may be caused by the slaughter of hefted sheep as a consequence of foot-and-mouth disease, and whether additional resources will be available to train new hill flocks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the difficulties of replacing any hefted sheep which have to be slaughtered. However, eradication of the disease is the top priority. Sheep are masking this disease and for that reason any flocks within 3km of an infected premises will need to be disposed of.

The longer term needs of those affected are being looked into.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151300,"EventID":"S1W-14594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease prior to the slaughter of animals within the 3km firebreak 'one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease prior to the slaughter of animals within the 3km firebreak 'one.","AnswerText":"I refer to the ministerial statement I gave to Parliament on 5 April 2001 where policy on the use of vaccination was clarified.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151301,"EventID":"S1W-14595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that wild animals are not removed from their natural habitat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that wild animals are not removed from their natural habitat.","AnswerText":"The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, together with a range of related nature conservation and anti-cruelty legislation, regulate the taking of animals, birds and plants from the wild. Enforcement of these measures is undertaken primarily by the police. Wildlife Inspectors appointed jointly by the Scottish Executive and DETR have a statutory role in certain types of cases.

A strict licensing regime operated by the Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage controls those limited circumstances where certain species may legitimately be removed from their natural habitat. The circumstances under which such licences may be issued are defined in statute.

On 7 March the Executive set out in a policy statement, \"The Nature of Scotland\", its intention to reform a range of conservation provisions, which include new measures to deter, detect and punish those who take protected species from the wild.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151302,"EventID":"S1W-14596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available to promote the use of liquid petroleum gas as a vehicle fuel in rural areas is available to all rural communities, as defined in Appendix","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available to promote the use of liquid petroleum gas as a vehicle fuel in rural areas is available to all rural communities, as defined in Appendix 1 of Rural Scotland: A New Approach.","AnswerText":"The definition of rural used in appendix 1 of Rural Scotland: A New Approach is based on the population density of local authority areas. It was used for the purposes of analytical simplicity and as a consequence of the way in which many socio-economic statistics are currently presented.

Assistance to convert vehicles to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through the Powershift vehicle conversion scheme is available to applicants throughout Scotland. However, in rural areas priority was given to applicants living over 30 minutes drive-time from settlements with a population of 10,000. In the light of the substantially increased resources available to Powershift between 2001 and 2004 the Scottish Executive is considering how to promote Powershift most effectively in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151303,"EventID":"S1W-14597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of secondary school children in (a) Scotland and (b) Stirling constituency have personal e-mail accounts at school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of secondary school children in (a) Scotland and (b) Stirling constituency have personal e-mail accounts at school.","AnswerText":"Local authority plans indicated that, by September 2000, 66% of Scottish secondary school pupils would have e-mail accounts at school. Conclusive statistics will be available when the results from the September 2000 School Census are published in the next few months.

The information requested is not available on a constituency basis. Stirling Council reported that, in their local authority area, 21% of secondary school pupils would have an e-mail address at school by September 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151304,"EventID":"S1W-14598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with (a) learning difficulties and (b) profound and complex needs aged (i) under five, (ii) 5 to 16 and (iii) over 16 there are in each local authority a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with (a) learning difficulties and (b) profound and complex needs aged (i) under five, (ii) 5 to 16 and (iii) over 16 there are in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested. The table, however, gives the number of pre-school children and primary and secondary pupils, with special educational needs, by local authority area. The School Census collects data on pupils with special educational needs. For this purpose, special educational needs is defined as learning difficulties. Records of Needs are opened for those whose special educational needs have been assessed as pronounced, specific or complex and which require continuing review.

Information about post-school numbers of people with learning disabilities is not available. The Learning Disability Review Report, launched on 11 May 2000, estimated that there are around 120,000 children and adults with learning disabilities in Scotland.

The report recommends that local authorities and health boards should jointly draw up "partnership in practice" (PiP) agreements by June 2001 which will serve as the strategic planning document for meeting the needs of people with learning disabilities. A key component of these first PiPs should set out how local authorities and health boards will set up and maintain local registers of adults and children with learning disabilities.

Number of pupils with Special Educational Needs & Records of Needs, by Local Authority

Pre-School

Primary, Secondary & Special

Local Authority

Special Educational Needs

Records of Needs

Special Educational Needs

Records of Needs

Scotland

2,779

440

38,185

15,689

Aberdeen City

73

9

1,707

755

Aberdeenshire

146

26

2,072

680

Angus

36

6

630

270

Argyll & Bute

84

33

732

Motorway and Trunk Road Schemes

Estimated Costs

2001-02

£000

2002-03

£000

2003-04

£000

2004-05

£000

2005-06

£000

A68 Soutra

1,295

0

0

0

0

A726 West Mains to Peel Park Roundabout

530

20

0

0

0

A76 Enterkinfoot (Phase 6)

525

0

0

0

0

A77 Hansel Village Footbridge

600

13

0

0

0

A77 Sandyford Roundabout

600

30

0

0

0

A77 Turnberry Climbing Lane

Green Book, setting out the elements for each authority, is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12261).

Guidance on the change funds issued on 26 March, advising that local authorities, with their partners, should use new and existing resources to achieve improvements in services and to deliver the review's objectives. Authorities are expected to apply Best Value principles to ensure maximum benefits for agencies and the best outcomes for all those who require services.

We will assess the development of services and the use of resources through the Partnership in Practice agreements which are due to be submitted in June.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151308,"EventID":"S1W-14603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make money from the learning disability services change fund available directly to voluntary organisations rather than via local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make money from the learning disability services change fund available directly to voluntary organisations rather than via local authorities.","AnswerText":"Funds have already been distributed to local authorities.

The funds are provided as revenue grant, and local authorities have been advised that they can agree the flexible use of the funds with their partners locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151309,"EventID":"S1W-14604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of hospital acquired infection have been recorded in each year since 1997 at (a) Ninewells Hospital, (b) Perth Royal Infirmary and (c) Stracathro Hospital","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of hospital acquired infection have been recorded in each year since 1997 at (a) Ninewells Hospital, (b) Perth Royal Infirmary and (c) Stracathro Hospital.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151310,"EventID":"S1W-14605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11262 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, how many teachers took part in the New Opportunities Fund ICT training and what conclus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11262 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 March 2001, how many teachers took part in the New Opportunities Fund ICT training and what conclusions it has drawn or expects to draw from the 27 evaluation questionnaire responses received between 1 April 2000 and 28 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The latest take-up data provided by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) confirmed that 11,927 teachers and school librarians had signed up for the programme in Scotland at 31 December 2000. Figures from NOF are based on returns made by approved training providers. Data for the next period are due in mid May 2001.

The 27 evaluation questionnaire responses in Scotland represent too small a statistical sample from which to draw any firm and accurate conclusions about the training. The NOF is currently looking at options for encouraging greater take-up of the evaluation questionnaire.

In addition, HM Inspectorate of Education is currently conducting a Scottish electronic survey of trainees' views on the quality of the training as part of its remit to provide quality assurance of the programme in Scotland, and a UK-wide Aspect Report will be produced within a few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151311,"EventID":"S1W-14606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review current emissions standards and, in particular, what steps it will take to monitor or restrict emissions of particles less than four microns i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review current emissions standards and, in particular, what steps it will take to monitor or restrict emissions of particles less than four microns in si'e.","AnswerText":"The air quality objectives set under the Air Quality Strategy are kept under a rolling review. Consideration is currently being given to whether it will be possible to set a more stringent objective for particles than the existing one for PM10. The Scottish Executive hopes to be in a position to consult on a new objective for particles this summer.

The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) was set up in 1991 to advise the Government on air quality standards. As part of the current review of particles, the panel was asked to consider whether a different component of the particle mixture in air would be more appropriate for an air quality standard for the UK.

The panel published a report entitled Airborne Particles: What is the appropriate measurement on which to base a standard? on 3 April 2001. (The report can be viewed at http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqs and copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre). The panel concluded that the particle fraction PM10 remains the most appropriate. In doing so they noted that the health studies suggest that the toxic effects of particles are not limited to fine particles, but that bigger particles are also associated with effects. Measurement of PM10 allows the capture of both the fine and course fraction.

However, the panel recommended that the development of a standard which better represents the toxic components of the particle mixture might be technically possible with further research. We have already introduced measurement of a wide range of particle metrics (including PM2.5, particle numbers, chemical composition and a trial on surface area measurements) into the national monitoring networks to support such studies in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151312,"EventID":"S1W-14607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the number of its staff located on Eilean Siar by relocating departments or parts thereof from Edinburgh and what discussions it has ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the number of its staff located on Eilean Siar by relocating departments or parts thereof from Edinburgh and what discussions it has held with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and others regarding any such relocation.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no current plans to relocate staff from Edinburgh to Eilean Siar. Discussions have been held with Highlands and Islands Enterprise about opportunities across their area, with the agreement of the local authorities concerned.

Last December I announced to Parliament that detailed reviews of the Edinburgh operations of six public bodies would be undertaken to individual timetables based on lease breaks and other operational factors. The reviews will determine the most efficient and effective locations for the work concerned. No specific areas of Scotland will be targeted and equally no areas will be ruled out.

I also announced at that time that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council would not be located in Edinburgh. Mr Chisholm announced on 6 March that the national offices of these two new bodies will - if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established - be located in Dundee. In addition there will be five further regional offices for the Commission. The locations being considered are the Inverness area, the Aberdeen area, the Paisley area, the Hamilton/East Kilbride area and East Lothian. Decisions on regional offices for the Commission will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151313,"EventID":"S1W-14608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication (design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and costs of launch) of (a) Scottish Economic Sta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication (design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and costs of launch) of (a) Scottish Economic Statistics 2001 and (b) Scottish Social Statistics 2001 and how many copies of each were produced.","AnswerText":"The total cost of publication for Scottish Social Statistics 2001 was £22,971, with a print run of 1,000 copies. The total cost of publication for Scottish Economic Statistics 2001 was £16,689, with a print run of 700 copies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151314,"EventID":"S1W-14609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the criteria to be used by local authorities in applying their discretion to the award of rates relief to businesses affected by the foot-and-mou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the criteria to be used by local authorities in applying their discretion to the award of rates relief to businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the rate relief available for businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease has been issued to local authorities. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. no. 12527).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151315,"EventID":"S1W-14610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, on what evidence the statement that \"the policy is resulting in a fall in unemployment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3176 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, on what evidence the statement that \"the policy is resulting in a fall in unemployment in East Ayrshire at three times the rate in the rest of Scotland\" (Official Report, col. 870) is based.","AnswerText":"The claimant count unemployment rate for Scotland in February 2001 was 4.5%, showing a fall of 0.6% from the previous year. In East Ayrshire, the rate was 5.9%, showing a fall of 2.1% from the previous year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151316,"EventID":"S1W-14611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13883 by Mr Jack McConnell on 23 March 2001, how many students started a secondary teacher training course with technological educa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13883 by Mr Jack McConnell on 23 March 2001, how many students started a secondary teacher training course with technological education as their main subject at each institution in each year since 1997-98.","AnswerText":"Entrants to Technical Education Teacher Training courses 1997-98 to 1999-2000

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Total

90

57

50

Moray House1

31

0

0

University of Edinburgh

0

19

12

Northern College of Education

6

7

7

University of Glasgow

26

21

16

University of Strathclyde

27

10

15

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Notes:

1. Moray House merged with the University of Edinburgh in 1998-99.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151317,"EventID":"S1W-14612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to launch its consultation document on whether a Human Rights Commission should be established in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to launch its consultation document on whether a Human Rights Commission should be established in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The document, Protecting our Rights. A Human Rights Commission for Scotland? Consultation Document, is being launched today. The consultation period lasts until the end of June. Copies are being distributed widely and can be obtained from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151318,"EventID":"S1W-14613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure the availability of core funding for community health projects and initiatives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure the availability of core funding for community health projects and initiatives.","AnswerText":"A range of funding support is available, in recognition of the valuable contribution that community health projects and initiatives can make. Each year, as part of the Section 16B Grant Award Scheme, some £4 million is provided to voluntary sector local initiatives by health boards (in addition to the funding provided at national level by the Scottish Executive). Health boards have also been advised that their allocations from the new Health Improvement Fund should be invested in projects and services that have been discussed with local partner organisations, including voluntary/community agencies, and that those allocations may be invested through such partner organisations. A further £34.5 million is being made available from the lottery-supported New Opportunities Fund, to facilitate the creation of a network of Healthy Living Centres in communities across Scotland: the first four were announced by Susan Deacon last November and further successes have brought the total to10.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151319,"EventID":"S1W-14614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the establishment of self-sustaining community food co-operatives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the establishment of self-sustaining community food co-operatives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports and funds the Scottish Community Diet Project, which directly supports the establishment of community food co-operatives. In collaboration with other public and private sector partners, we are also setting up a new investment fund, Social Investment Scotland, to provide development advice and loan funding for social economy organisations. Food co-operatives are one of the types of social economy organisations which could benefit from the fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151320,"EventID":"S1W-14615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what barriers exist to the uptake by 16- to 21-year-olds with mental health needs of statutory mental health services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what barriers exist to the uptake by 16- to 21-year-olds with mental health needs of statutory mental health services.","AnswerText":"Potential barriers to accessing mental health services by 16- to 21 year olds with mental health needs can exist in various forms and for various reasons. In making mental health a priority, the Executive is committed to working on a variety of fronts with partner care agencies to tackle these issues, where they occur.

Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change sets the context within which mental health services in Scotland will operate for the immediate future. The plan emphasises the importance of various initiatives, including the investment of £4 million over three years specifically to promote positive mental health and well being; the development of a national suicide prevention framework, and implementation of the Framework for Mental Health Services, which as a blueprint for comprehensive mental health services, aims to ensure the provision of safe, responsive care and support services which meet individually assessed needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151321,"EventID":"S1W-14616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have to encourage East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Lanarkshire Councils to make a contribution towards the fundin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have to encourage East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Lanarkshire Councils to make a contribution towards the funding of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"None. The powers of local authorities to fund Area Tourist Boards are discretionary. It is for these councils to decide whether or not to contribute to the funding of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board. Scottish Ministers have no powers to intervene.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151322,"EventID":"S1W-14617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities to make appropriate contributions towards the funding of their local area tourist boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities to make appropriate contributions towards the funding of their local area tourist boards.","AnswerText":"No. Local authority powers to fund Area Tourist Boards are discretionary. It is for councils to decide the level of support that they provide to ATBs. We are, however, monitoring local authority funding decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151323,"EventID":"S1W-14618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a statutory Best Value regime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a statutory Best Value regime.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive's Programme for Government highlighted our intention to legislate for a duty of Best Value on local authorities. I intend to make further announcements regarding our proposals in this area following the Easter recess.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151324,"EventID":"S1W-14619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13777 by Mr Jim Wallace on 15 March 2001, why the capital allocation to Strathclyde Police fell from #9.732 million in 1999-2000 to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13777 by Mr Jim Wallace on 15 March 2001, why the capital allocation to Strathclyde Police fell from #9.732 million in 1999-2000 to #9.076 million in 2000-01 and whether this has had any impact on the operational performance of Strathclyde Police.","AnswerText":"Capital allocations are designed to meet both routine expenditure (such as maintenance and the replacement of vehicles) and the cost of large projects.

Strathclyde's allocation for 1999-2000 included £3.528 million for major work at the Saltcoats and Kirkintilloch stations as well as Phase 3 of the force's Traffic Complex. In addition, the force received £1.060 million to help with millennium compliance costs, leaving £5.144 million for routine expenditure.

In 2000-01, £3 million was set aside for the completion of Phase 3 of the Traffic Complex, leaving £6.076 million for routine capital expenditure, an increase of over 18% on the previous year's figure for similar costs. The allocation of resources is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, in consultation with the Joint Police Board, to decide upon. Given the increase in resources for routine expenditure, however, any impact on operational performance is likely to have been beneficial.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151325,"EventID":"S1W-14620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11853 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001, how many additional jobs will have to be created in Glasgow before the employment rat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11853 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 March 2001, how many additional jobs will have to be created in Glasgow before the employment rate of working age males rises from 65.2% to the Scottish average of 77.4% and over what time period it would be possible for this to be achieved.","AnswerText":"To increase the male employment rate in Glasgow from 65.2% to 77.4%, an extra 24,000 men in Glasgow need to move into work. No forecasts for the number of male workers in Glasgow have been made by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151326,"EventID":"S1W-14621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much inward investment has been attracted to Scotland directly as a result of the activities of Scotland House in Brussels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much inward investment has been attracted to Scotland directly as a result of the activities of Scotland House in Brussels.","AnswerText":"Scotland House has a critical role in representing and promoting Scotland in a wide range of interests. It is not in itself directly responsible for inward investment projects although it continues to offer support and assistance to Locate in Scotland in this regard. As of September 2000, Locate in Scotland has run its field operations for France and Benelux from an office in Scotland House.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151327,"EventID":"S1W-14622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional tourist revenue has been generated as a result of the activities of Scotland House in Brussels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional tourist revenue has been generated as a result of the activities of Scotland House in Brussels.","AnswerText":"No estimates are available of the additional tourist revenue generated directly by Scotland House.

Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a range of interests. Its principal components are the Scottish Executive EU Office (SEEUO) and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers. Scotland House does not have direct responsibility for generating additional tourist revenue. Most of the bodies located in Scotland House have the following functions in common:

  • Maintaining close contact with key people in the EU institutions, including the Scottish MEPs
  • Following the European legislative process and highlighting issues of relevance to Scotland
  • Sharing information and resources between the Scotland House residents as appropriate
  • Increasing the range and depth of information on EU affairs flowing back to Scottish bodies - including visitscotland
  • Advising Scottish bodies about EU procedures and how to become more involved - including the highlighting of Scottish best practice in Europe.

Scotland House is also active in raising Scotland's profile in the EU. This has included some tourism aspects, namely:

  • visitscotland promoted a travel offer between Scotland and the Benelux countries to coincide with the October 1999 Scotland Week organised by Scotland House
  • Scotland House has supported a number of festivals/events celebrating links between the Low Countries and Scotland and also supported tourism to Scotland
  • Scotland House recently organised a cultural tourism seminar examining other European approaches to cultural tourism with a view to developing further the Scottish approach
  • Literature from visitscotland is prominently displayed in Scotland House for all visitors and enquiries.

In addition, visitscotland is a member of Scotland Europa and both it and the Tourism Cluster Group of Scottish Enterprise are alerted to all EU opportunities and developments by Scottish Enterprise International Operations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151328,"EventID":"S1W-14623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to raise the profile of Scotland House in Brussels and its activities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to raise the profile of Scotland House in Brussels and its activities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14399.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151329,"EventID":"S1W-14624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it will have with Scotland House in Brussels on improving its physical and public profile.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it will have with Scotland House in Brussels on improving its physical and public profile.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14399.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151330,"EventID":"S1W-14625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it will have with Her Majesty's Government and the European Union to ensure that EU structural funding for Scotland from 2006 is maximised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it will have with Her Majesty's Government and the European Union to ensure that EU structural funding for Scotland from 2006 is maximised.","AnswerText":"As I announced at the debate on Structural Funds on 5 April, we are already in close contact with the UK Government and the European Union on the future of Structural Funds following the enlargement of the European Union. Our aim is to make sure that Scottish interests are fully accounted for in the wider debate concerning Structural Funds and related enlargement issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151331,"EventID":"S1W-14626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow payments for prescription season tickets to be spread over the course of a year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow payments for prescription season tickets to be spread over the course of a year.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.

Prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) are available to cover periods of either 12 months or four months. We recognise that people who have difficulty in paying for the annual prescription season ticket may prefer to use the four-monthly PPC, which also offers savings.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151332,"EventID":"S1W-14627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what future role and function the Joint Nature Conservation Committee will have in Scotland in the light of the Stage 1 Report by the Department of the Environment, Trans","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what future role and function the Joint Nature Conservation Committee will have in Scotland in the light of the Stage 1 Report by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2001, and how Scottish interests will be promoted if the committee is entirely funded and sponsored by the DETR as recommended in the report.","AnswerText":"No decisions have yet been taken on the future of JNCC. Whatever arrangements are finally reached will need to reflect Scottish circumstances, and Scottish Ministers will be fully involved in the decision-taking.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151333,"EventID":"S1W-14628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of children in Clydesdale took up a pre-school nursery place in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000 and (e) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of children in Clydesdale took up a pre-school nursery place in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000 and (e) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of children attending pre-school education is not available on a constituency basis. However, the number and percentage of children receiving publicly funded pre-school education in South Lanarkshire Council area in the spring term of (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000 and (e) 2000-01 are shown in the table.

Number and Percentage of Eligible 3- & 4-Year-Olds Attending a Publicly Funded Pre-school Education Place in South Lanarkshire Council

School Year

3-Year-Olds

4-Year-Olds

(a) 1996-97

N/A

N/A

(b) 1997-98

N/A

3,518 (93.8%)

(c) 1998-99

N/A

3,287 (88.6%)

(d) 1999-2000

1,778 (49.6%)

3,436 (97.3%)

(e) 2000-01

2,270 (61.9%)

3,457 (99.2%)

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151334,"EventID":"S1W-14629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of (a) primary 1, (b) primary 2 and (c) primary 3 children in Clydesdale were in class si'es of 30 or more in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-1998, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of (a) primary 1, (b) primary 2 and (c) primary 3 children in Clydesdale were in class si'es of 30 or more in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-1998, (iii) 1998-1999, (iv) 1999-2000 and (v) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Class size information was first collected through the School Census in 1997 and the results of the 2000-01 Census are not yet available. The information which is available is set out in the tables below. Substantial resources have been made available through the Excellence Fund throughout Scotland to assist local authorities lower class sizes in primary one to three classes. This year £20.1 million will be available. The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing class sizes in primary one to three to 30 or less by 1 August 2001.

1997 Number of pupils of 30 and more

P1

P2

P3

Class of 30

Class over 30

Class 30 or more

All P1

%

30 or more

Class of 30

Class over 30

Class

30 or more

All P2

%

30 or more

Class of 30

Class over 30

Class

30 or more

All P3

%

30 or more

Clydesdale

90

32

122

1,028

11.9

0

159

159

1,047

15.2

60

125

185

A network of advocacy services for children and young people looked after away from home is currently provided by local authorities in Scotland through joint working with Who Cares? Scotland and the deployment of children's rights workers. The Scottish Executive provides grant funding to Who Cares? Scotland and additional targeted funding to local authorities to assist with the provision of this service.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151339,"EventID":"S1W-14634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage or direct public sector bodies to source suppliers from Constructionline registered companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage or direct public sector bodies to source suppliers from Constructionline registered companies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive actively encourages purchasers in its departments and executive agencies, and in non-departmental public bodies and NHS organisations in Scotland to use Constructionline when sourcing contractors and suppliers of professional services. During the first half of 2000 the Executive worked with Constructionline in the presentation of seminars to existing users and other public sector bodies to encourage the wider use of the register. The Executive is a member of the Constructionline Scottish Advisory Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151340,"EventID":"S1W-14635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the plans for the proposed improvements to the A82 Dumbuck junction will be made available for public inspection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the plans for the proposed improvements to the A82 Dumbuck junction will be made available for public inspection.","AnswerText":"The A82 Dumbuck Junction scheme is programmed for design in 2002-03. Plans will be subject to public consultation prior to construction in 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151341,"EventID":"S1W-14636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new rehabilitation services have been established with the #21 million given to the Scottish Drugs Forum for this purpose, whether any of these are aimed at you","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new rehabilitation services have been established with the #21 million given to the Scottish Drugs Forum for this purpose, whether any of these are aimed at young people and, if so, where these are located.","AnswerText":"No funds have been provided to the Scottish Drugs Forum to establish drug rehabilitation services.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151342,"EventID":"S1W-14637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative activities it has funded to divert young people into positive, drug-free lifestyles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative activities it has funded to divert young people into positive, drug-free lifestyles.","AnswerText":"In addition to existing expenditure by local authorities and other agencies, we are making available an extra £21 million over the next three years specifically for services to combat the risks of drug misuse by children and young people. This includes preventive and educational projects which focus on the benefits of positive drug-free lifestyles.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151343,"EventID":"S1W-14638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the recent guidance to local authorities in England and Wales on social care for deafblind children and adults, what steps it is taking to ensure that a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the recent guidance to local authorities in England and Wales on social care for deafblind children and adults, what steps it is taking to ensure that a similar approach is adopted in relation to deafblind children and adults in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In 1998 the Scottish Executive published its Sensing Progress report which examined the planning, delivery, commissioning and management of social work services for people who had visual or hearing impairment or who were deafblind.

Following a number of seminars, many local authorities took up the recommendations contained in the report. A check on the implementation of the recommendations will be made by the Executive this year to help secure better identification, assessment and services for deafblind children and adults and those with visual or hearing impairment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151344,"EventID":"S1W-14639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to implement the recommendations of the 1998 Scottish Office Report Sensing Progress.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to implement the recommendations of the 1998 Scottish Office Report Sensing Progress.","AnswerText":"In examining services for the Chief Social Work Inspector's Annual Report for 2002, officials will seek up to date information on local progress in implementing the recommendations of Sensing Progress.

A working group consisting of representatives from various deafblind organisations and appropriate officials has been set up under the auspices of the Equality Unit. The aim is to look at a positive way forward to identify the various cross-cutting issues facing people with sensory impairment.

The working group on certification and registration in relation to people with visual impairment has produced its report, which is now being considered by ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151345,"EventID":"S1W-14640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's proposals for redistributing funding among institutions and subjects in its recent interim report on teaching fund","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's proposals for redistributing funding among institutions and subjects in its recent interim report on teaching funding are consistent with the Executive's policy objectives, in particular those relating to the development of the knowledge economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council issued a consultation paper with its proposals for teaching funding on 19 December and a further paper providing more information on 9 February. It has not issued an interim report on teaching funding. The consultation period has just concluded and the council is considering its proposals in the light of the response to this and the need to minimise disruption and deliver the Executive's priorities. I have asked the council to keep me in touch with developments prior to any final decisions being taken.

The teaching funding consultation paper included proposals for the introduction of premiums to institutions for students from under-represented groups and disabled students. SHEFC published its allocation for academic year 2001-02 at the end of March which will rise from £618 million this year to £673 million and included a 5% premium on teaching grant to improve the retention and progression of students from under-represented groups at a cost of over £3 million and £1 million to support disabled students. These are consistent with our priorities and will support the development of the knowledge economy.

I also welcome the fact that the allocation includes a 4% increase on the units of funding for teaching and research, 1,000 additional funded places, an additional £10 million for science research infrastructure, an additional £2.1 million to improve IT infrastructure, £2.5 million to support the development of greater pervasiveness of ICT, and a recurrent stream of funding to support knowledge transfer including an additional £2 million for conversion of previous initiatives. All of which are consistent with the priorities of the Executive and will support the development of the knowledge economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151346,"EventID":"S1W-14641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 1,000 reforming drug users assisted by the #6.5 million given to Scottish Drugs Forum have (a) gained employment and (b) stayed in the employment gained.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 1,000 reforming drug users assisted by the #6.5 million given to Scottish Drugs Forum have (a) gained employment and (b) stayed in the employment gained.","AnswerText":"The funding commenced on 1 April 2001 and will be channelled through Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151347,"EventID":"S1W-14642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #21 million given for young people and families to the Scottish Drugs Forum has been utilised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #21 million given for young people and families to the Scottish Drugs Forum has been utilised.","AnswerText":"The Executive's extra investment of £21 million over the next three years will target areas of work with young people at risk of misusing drugs and forms part of the £100 million Spending Review package in support of our anti-drugs strategy. £3 million will be deployed on taking forward our agenda on drug education in schools. £18 million will be administered through the Changing Children's Services Fund on new preventive and treatment services for young people. The allocations to local authorities take account of deprivation and other factors affecting children and young people. All proposals for service development must have the support of the local Drug Action Team and involve multi-agency approaches to programmes or projects delivered.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151348,"EventID":"S1W-14644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide core funding to enable Who Cares? Scotland to appoint national support staff to help local workers in their work with young people in care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide core funding to enable Who Cares? Scotland to appoint national support staff to help local workers in their work with young people in care.","AnswerText":"We have offered core grant of £122,500 to Who Cares? Scotland for the current financial year. The organisation is currently trying to develop a broader funding base. There are currently no plans to provide additional funding for extra staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151349,"EventID":"S1W-14645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the possible appointment of a Children's Commissioner.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the possible appointment of a Children's Commissioner.","AnswerText":"Following a suggestion from the Scottish Executive last year, the Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee is conducting an inquiry into the issue of a possible Children's Commissioner in Scotland. The committee invited written evidence on 26 February.

The Scottish Executive is sympathetic to the possibility of a Children's Commissioner but would wish to be clear about the functions a Commissioner might have and the added value he or she might bring. We will wait for the committee to report before considering the issue further.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151350,"EventID":"S1W-14646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce an integrated after care service throughout Scotland for young people who have been in care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce an integrated after care service throughout Scotland for young people who have been in care.","AnswerText":"We set up the Throughcare and Aftercare Working Group to advise on appropriate arrangements for a one stop shop approach to providing advice and assistance for careleavers. I expect the Group's report later this year following completion of research currently underway by York University on behalf of the Executive into current service provision by local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151351,"EventID":"S1W-14647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that children identified by a children's panel as being in need of supervision are allocated a social worker within 14 days.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that children identified by a children's panel as being in need of supervision are allocated a social worker within 14 days.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a legal duty to give effect to supervision requirements made by children's hearings in their area.

Inter-agency guidance on national standards for the processing of cases through the children's hearings system sets a maximum target of 15 working days from the issue of a supervision requirement for allocation of a social worker. The Scottish Executive will be monitoring performance against the standards. In individual cases it is for the local authority to be satisfied that it is meeting its statutory obligations.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151352,"EventID":"S1W-14648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for social workers there currently are, broken down by local authority, and what steps it has taken or plans to take to address any shortages. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for social workers there currently are, broken down by local authority, and what steps it has taken or plans to take to address any shortages. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14568.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151353,"EventID":"S1W-14649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average time is taken by each local authority to provide a social worker for a child identified as being in need of supervision by a children's panel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average time is taken by each local authority to provide a social worker for a child identified as being in need of supervision by a children's panel.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally at present. We will be monitoring the performance against national standards of all agencies involved in the processing of cases through the children's hearings system.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151354,"EventID":"S1W-14650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prepare detailed maps capable of being used to assess flood risks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prepare detailed maps capable of being used to assess flood risks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency already has indicative flood risk maps showing the main areas where flooding should be considered a possibility. The Executive has no plans to duplicate this work.

The Executive is, however, considering ways in which the maps can be improved and the additional information that can be obtained from them.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151355,"EventID":"S1W-14651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many staff are currently employed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and whether there are any plans to disperse any staff outwith Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many staff are currently employed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and whether there are any plans to disperse any staff outwith Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Body currently employs 424 staff (figures as at 30.3.01). There are no plans to disperse any staff outwith Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151356,"EventID":"S1W-14653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies have been given, and from what sources, for municipal waste incineration in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies have been given, and from what sources, for municipal waste incineration in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"We make no direct subsidy for municipal waste incineration. However, under the Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO), there is a subsidy towards the cost of electricity generated by a SRO project. The only SRO energy-from-waste plant in operation in Scotland is at Baldovie in Dundee. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, we cannot provide detailed information in the form of the breakdown required.

Level Playing Field Support, however, has been provided over the past two years to Dundee City Council for the Baldovie energy-from-waste Public/Private Partnership project. The provision was £0.8 million in 1999-2000 and £2.3 million in the current year. Support will be provided at the current year's level over 25 years.

The general local government finance settlement allocations do not include any specific provision for waste incineration. It is for councils to consider their expenditure priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151357,"EventID":"S1W-14654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and where ash from municipal waste incinerators closed since 1990 was disposed of.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and where ash from municipal waste incinerators closed since 1990 was disposed of.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151358,"EventID":"S1W-14655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of the authorised limits have been reported from each municipal waste incinerator in each year since 1990 and whether it will provide details of each br","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of the authorised limits have been reported from each municipal waste incinerator in each year since 1990 and whether it will provide details of each breach.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151359,"EventID":"S1W-14656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the definition of recycling to exclude ash from municipal waste incinerators, in line with the National Waste Strategy for England and W","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the definition of recycling to exclude ash from municipal waste incinerators, in line with the National Waste Strategy for England and Wales, and, if it does, when the definition will be amended.","AnswerText":"The definition of recycling, for the purpose of setting targets, is being considered by the Recycling Targets Group which has been established by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and is made up of representatives from SEPA, the Scottish Executive, CoSLA, local authorities and Recycling Market Development Scotland (REMADE). A consultation paper will be issued to local authorities in the next few weeks and a final report issued later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151360,"EventID":"S1W-14657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to exclude energy from waste from renewable energy funding in the light of the majority of the responses to the consultation exercise on the Scottish Ren","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to exclude energy from waste from renewable energy funding in the light of the majority of the responses to the consultation exercise on the Scottish Renewables Order objecting to its inclusion and given the position in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"A final decision on the technologies to be included within the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) has not yet been taken. We will consider the options carefully in the light of responses to the recent consultation paper, and in the light of the various energy from waste technologies available, and an announcement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151361,"EventID":"S1W-14658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the exclusion of energy from waste from the Scottish Renewables Order would reduce the achievability of its target for electricity from renewable sources by 2010.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the exclusion of energy from waste from the Scottish Renewables Order would reduce the achievability of its target for electricity from renewable sources by 2010.","AnswerText":"The achievement of our renewable energy target for 2010 under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will be dependent on many factors, of which the inclusion or otherwise of any particular technology will be only one.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151362,"EventID":"S1W-14659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many items of business regulation it intends to repeal in the coming financial year as a result of the \"regulatory MOT\" announced by the Minister for Enterprise and L","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many items of business regulation it intends to repeal in the coming financial year as a result of the \"regulatory MOT\" announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 15 February 2001.","AnswerText":"The introduction of the Review Regulatory Impact Assessment (Review RIA), or "regulatory MOT", represents a significant step forward in securing for Scottish businesses the most effective regulatory environment. The Review RIA will ensure all regulations introduced by the Scottish Executive which impact on business will remain "fit-for-purpose". Requiring review of the regulation within 10 years of its introduction, it commits the Executive to reconsidering options, including repeal. The Executive would not wish to prejudice the success of this work by forcing arbitrary "quotas" for repeal on individual departments.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151363,"EventID":"S1W-14660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles in its fleet have the ability to use liquid petroleum gas fuel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles in its fleet have the ability to use liquid petroleum gas fuel.","AnswerText":"There are 83 cars within the Scottish Executive vehicle fleet which can operate on either liquid petroleum gas or unleaded petrol. In addition, the Scottish Executive has two electric cars for use on short journeys in the Edinburgh area.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151364,"EventID":"S1W-14661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the health service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the health service.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally in the detail requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151365,"EventID":"S1W-14662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the police force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the police force.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151366,"EventID":"S1W-14663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use.","AnswerText":"Since 1996 the Powershift grant scheme in Scotland has assisted the purchase or conversion of 133 local authority vehicles to run on either liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas. The Executive does not hold statistics on vehicle conversions or purchases that have taken place without Powershift assistance.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151367,"EventID":"S1W-14664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the ambulance service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles have been converted to date for liquid petroleum gas fuel use in the ambulance service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service has looked at the possibility of such a fuel conversion for their fleet of vehicles and decided that it is not feasible.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151368,"EventID":"S1W-14665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what instructions or guidance it has issued or plans to issue to local authorities to streamline and manage development plans in the light of the Research Paper 1998/50, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what instructions or guidance it has issued or plans to issue to local authorities to streamline and manage development plans in the light of the Research Paper 1998/50, Review of Development Planning in Scotland, by Hillier Parker, Dundas & Wilson.","AnswerText":"The revised NPPG 1: The Planning System, published in November 2000, includes guidance on the need for brevity, clarity and precision when preparing development plans and on the importance of managing the process of the preparation of plans more efficiently. It also encourages planning authorities to set and publish demanding timetables for the preparation of plans, and gives examples of what those timetables should be. This guidance echoes a number of the research recommendations.

The researchers' emphasis on the need for better management of the process is also reflected in the shift in focus of the work of the Scottish Executive Planning Audit Unit (PAU) from development control to development planning. The PAU has carried out pilot audits of three planning authorities' development plan procedures, to identify best practice and changes that might be made to improve procedures. An overview of preliminary findings is contained in the Third Annual Report of the Planning Audit Unit, which was published on 30 March and copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. The findings will be fed into the current review of strategic planning. Consultation will take place this summer on the review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151369,"EventID":"S1W-14666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified vets there currently are in Scotland and how many have been employed by government agencies in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified vets there currently are in Scotland and how many have been employed by government agencies in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number of qualified vets in Scotland is not held centrally by Government. The State Veterinary Service (SVS) is a GB body sponsored by MAFF. A breakdown of vets employed by the SVS in each of the countries year by year is not readily available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151370,"EventID":"S1W-14667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of conservation measures for the scallop fishing industry; whether the introduction of any such measures have been postp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of conservation measures for the scallop fishing industry; whether the introduction of any such measures have been postponed and, if so, on how many occasions and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"The Executive will issue a draft Scottish Statutory Instrument on possible technical measures to protect scallop stocks for consultation immediately after the Easter recess. Our aim is a uniform and rational series of measures throughout the United Kingdom and we envisage other UK fisheries departments producing their own parallel legislation.

Any implementation of agreed conservation measures will take place as soon as practicable after the end of the three-month consultation period.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151371,"EventID":"S1W-14668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing vessels, broken down by sector, will be decommissioned under the #25 million decommissioning package recently announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing vessels, broken down by sector, will be decommissioned under the #25 million decommissioning package recently announced.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not yet available.

Details of the proposed decommissioning scheme, including targeting of the scheme and eligibility criteria, are still to be worked up in consultation with the fishing industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151372,"EventID":"S1W-14669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to other EU member states to secure support for the concept of 'onal management as referred to in the European Commission's proposals in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to other EU member states to secure support for the concept of 'onal management as referred to in the European Commission's proposals in relation to the Common Fisheries Policy.","AnswerText":"The reference to the establishment of regional advisory committees in the European Commission's Green Paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy reflects the hard work already undertaken by UK fisheries departments and the UK fishing industry.

The Executive has also promoted the idea of a strengthened regional dimension to the CFP with its contacts from other member states. In particular, amongst northern states, familiar with the way in which the various stock recovery plans have been developed, there is an increasing recognition of the benefits of a more regional and inclusive approach.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151373,"EventID":"S1W-14670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministerial responsibility for the water industry was offered to the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning following the resignation of the Minister for E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministerial responsibility for the water industry was offered to the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning following the resignation of the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture and, if so, what her response was.","AnswerText":"I have nothing to add to what I said about this matter on Thursday 29 March (Official Report, col. 1116-7).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151374,"EventID":"S1W-14671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the fishing fleet is not disadvantaged by any delay in the implementation of the new mesh si'es being negotiated with the Norwe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the fishing fleet is not disadvantaged by any delay in the implementation of the new mesh si'es being negotiated with the Norwegian authorities as part of the North Sea cod recovery plan.","AnswerText":"Additional technical measures, which may or may not include new mesh sizes, will be the subject of negotiations between the EU and the Norwegian authorities beginning on 18 April. Issues relating to the timing of implementation of any new measures will be considered. The Executive has already made clear its views about the need for appropriate lead-in times.

The Executive does not believe the Scottish fishing fleet would be disadvantaged should there be any delay to the introduction of any new measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151375,"EventID":"S1W-14672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which geographic areas will not be included in the first wave of broadband technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which geographic areas will not be included in the first wave of broadband technology.","AnswerText":"Infrastructure may allow the technical possibility of broadband connections but companies can be expected to provide connections and services according to the likely level of demand and return on investment. This has tended to favour urban areas.

We are currently investigating how the aggregation of public sector demand for broadband could stimulate wider supply by the industry. As well as identifying public sector demand, we are considering whether different procurement strategies for public sector services could improve general access to broadband.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151376,"EventID":"S1W-14673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies manufacture (a) wind turbines and (b) offshore renewable energy technology and how many have headquarters in Scotland and/or are Scottish owned.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies manufacture (a) wind turbines and (b) offshore renewable energy technology and how many have headquarters in Scotland and/or are Scottish owned.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally, although we are aware of at least one Scottish owned company that manufactures wind turbines and another developing offshore renewable energy technology.

One of the principal objectives of our policy in respect of the promotion of renewable energy is to help Scottish industry to benefit from the increasing exploitation of renewable energy in Scotland. We have been working closely with both economic development agencies to do this.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151377,"EventID":"S1W-14674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has referred, or intends to refer, under section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998, section 1(1), which establishes a graduate endowment, of the Educa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has referred, or intends to refer, under section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998, section 1(1), which establishes a graduate endowment, of the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) (No.2) Bill as passed by the Parliament on 29 March 2001 to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for a decision on whether this provision is within the legislative competence of the Parliament.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151378,"EventID":"S1W-14675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing home alcohol detoxification services, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing home alcohol detoxification services, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently consulting on a national Plan for Action on alcohol misuse which is to be published by the end of this year. The expert seminar Women and Alcohol was funded by the Scottish Executive and we have noted the recommendations emerging from it. We will take these into account in developing the Plan for Action.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151379,"EventID":"S1W-14676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for alcohol services to conduct assessments that include routine screening for psychiatric disorders, as recommended in the Health Education Board fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for alcohol services to conduct assessments that include routine screening for psychiatric disorders, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14675.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151380,"EventID":"S1W-14677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to assess the implications of current high levels of drinking amongst young women and the development of problem drinking in later life, highli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to assess the implications of current high levels of drinking amongst young women and the development of problem drinking in later life, highlighted as a research priority in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14675.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151381,"EventID":"S1W-14678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to monitor the marketing strategies used by the drinks industry as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to monitor the marketing strategies used by the drinks industry as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14675.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151382,"EventID":"S1W-14679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether alcohol educational materials have been developed to target middle-aged and older women, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether alcohol educational materials have been developed to target middle-aged and older women, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14675.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151383,"EventID":"S1W-14680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to increase the number of outreach services to meet the particular needs of women with dependent children and who suffer from alcohol related problem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to increase the number of outreach services to meet the particular needs of women with dependent children and who suffer from alcohol related problems, as recommended in the Health Education Board for Scotland document, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14675.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151384,"EventID":"S1W-14681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to establish women only residential alcohol rehabilitation centres in Scotland similar to the Headway Halfway House in Devon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to establish women only residential alcohol rehabilitation centres in Scotland similar to the Headway Halfway House in Devon.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any plans to establish women-only residential alcohol rehabilitation centres in Scotland. Alcohol misuse services will be at the heart of the proposed national Plan for Action on alcohol misuse, and in developing that component of the plan the needs of specific groups such as women will require to be taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151385,"EventID":"S1W-14682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently on the child protection register, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently on the child protection register, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Child protection registers are maintained by individual local authorities in Scotland. The following table illustrates the total number of children recorded on these registers as at 31 March 1999, and is the most current information held centrally.Full figures from the Scottish Household Survey for 2000 will be published in September 2001. Figures are not available on a monthly basis. Quarterly figures are given in the table.

Local authority area

Number on Register

Rate per 1,000 population aged 0-15

Aberdeen City

201

5.2

Aberdeenshire

86

1.8

Angus

59

2.7

Argyll & Bute

41

2.5

Clackmannanshire

16

1.6

Dumfries & Galloway

70

2.5

Dundee City

44

1.6

East Ayrshire

11

0.4

East Dunbartonshire

11

0.5

East Lothian

72

4.0

East Renfrewshire

21

1.2

Edinburgh, City of

360

4.6

Eilean Siar

19

3.5

Falkirk

80

2.8

Fife

85

1.2

Glasgow City

380

3.2

Percentage of Scottish households with access to the internet from home by quarter

Year

Quarter

Percentage of households with access to the internet from home

1999

February-March

11.7

April-June

12.9

July-September

14.5

October-December

17.7

2000

January-March

21.1

April-June

21.7

Source: Scottish Household Survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151391,"EventID":"S1W-14688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce statistics on the use of the Internet by businesses since 1999, on a monthly and quarterly basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce statistics on the use of the Internet by businesses since 1999, on a monthly and quarterly basis.","AnswerText":"As part of their annual benchmarking exercise, Scottish Enterprise produces an ICT connectivity indicator that shows the proportion of companies using a website, e-mail and/or Electronic Data Interchange. Figures are currently available for 1998, 1999 and 2000. Neither the public resources nor the burden on businesses required to conduct this exercise on a monthly and quarterly basis could be justified.

There are, however, other sources of e-commerce statistics available for Scotland. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, for example, have recently added e-commerce questions to their quarterly surveys. In May, the Office for National Statistics is due to publish the results of a survey of interconnectivity and the level of sales over the Internet, which will provide information at a regional level.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151392,"EventID":"S1W-14689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to benchmark its performance in creating a knowledge economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to benchmark its performance in creating a knowledge economy.","AnswerText":"There is no accepted definition of the knowledge economy and this raises difficult conceptual and measurement issues.

Scottish Executive officials are liaising with the Office of National Statistics, Scottish Enterprise and other bodies on the development of a number of indicators measuring the wide range of activities covered by the term knowledge economy.

Information on some of these indicators was included in my written evidence to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee investigation on the impact of the New Economy in Scotland. A copy of this evidence has been placed on the committee website:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/cttee/enter-01/elp01-05.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151393,"EventID":"S1W-14690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the draft list of common services proposed by the European Commission in its communication to the European Council and the European Parliament, eEur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the draft list of common services proposed by the European Commission in its communication to the European Council and the European Parliament, eEurope, Impact and Priorities.","AnswerText":"It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to formally adopt the proposed full draft list, as many of the services included relate to reserved matters. But we are considering how we might use the approach taken in the list to take forward the Executive's own active promotion and monitoring of the electronic delivery of public services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151394,"EventID":"S1W-14691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retailers were prosecuted in Scotland under the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 in the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 and ho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retailers were prosecuted in Scotland under the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 in the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 and how this compares with the equivalent figure for England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The available information is for calendar year 1999. During that year no persons were proceeded against in Scottish courts where the main offence was under the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991. The corresponding figure for persons proceeded against in England and Wales was 136.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151395,"EventID":"S1W-14692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Scotland House in Brussels receives annually from (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) other Scottish public bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Scotland House in Brussels receives annually from (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) other Scottish public bodies.","AnswerText":"Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a range of interests. Its principal components are the Scottish Executive EU Office (SEEUO) and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers.

  1. The SEEUO budget for 2000-01 was £500,000, which was funded entirely by the Scottish Executive.

Scottish Enterprise contributed £455,000 in 2000-01 towards the costs of Scotland Europa, Brussels. A number of other Scottish public bodies, including Highlands and Islands European Partnership and CoSLA provided indirect support by means of fees or subventions paid in relation to membership of Scotland Europa or residence in Scotland House. A full list of Scotland Europa members is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151396,"EventID":"S1W-14693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons it has learned from the last round of discussions on EU structural funds, taking into account the success of the Republic of Ireland in retaining Objective ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons it has learned from the last round of discussions on EU structural funds, taking into account the success of the Republic of Ireland in retaining Objective One status for much of the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believes that the outcome of the last round of discussions on EU Structural Funds represents a good deal for Scotland and the UK as well as the EU as a whole. We are now seeking to build on that experience to make sure that Scottish interests are fully accounted for in the wider debate now beginning concerning regional policy and enlargement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151397,"EventID":"S1W-14694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government requesting that the use of Thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines be reviewed in the light of any possible","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government requesting that the use of Thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines be reviewed in the light of any possible adverse health effects of such use.","AnswerText":"The regulation and control of medicines is a reserved matter. Information on which vaccines used in Scotland over the last 10 years contained the preservative Thiomersal is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151398,"EventID":"S1W-14695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14131 by Susan Deacon on 29 March 2001, whether it will name the members of the sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14131 by Susan Deacon on 29 March 2001, whether it will name the members of the sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The members are:

Dr David Old (Chairman), Chairman, Advisory Group on Infection (recently retired Reader in Medical Microbiology and Consultant Microbiologist, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School)

Professor Sebastien Amyes, Head of Department, Medical Microbiology,

University of Edinburgh Medical School

Dr Jim Chalmers, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Information and Statistics Division, Common Services Agency for NHS Scotland

Mr Richard Clark, Information and Statistics Division, Common Services Agency for NHS Scotland

Professor Peter Davey, Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School

Dr Ian Gould, Consultant Microbiologist, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Dr Norman Lannigan, Trust Chief Pharmacist, Western General Hospital

Dr Chris Low, Scottish Agricultural College

Mr John McCormick, Consultant Surgeon, Medical Director, Dumfries Royal Infirmary

Dr Ahilya Noone, Consultant Epidemiologist, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health

Dr Gabby Phillips, Consultant Microbiologist, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School

Professor Bill Reilly, Consultant in Veterinary Public Health, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health

Professor Lewis Ritchie, Professor of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen

Ms Sarah Stevenson, Infection Control Nurse, Stirling Royal Infirmary

Dr Charles Swainson, Medical Director, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Mr Eric Taylor, Consultant Surgeon, Surgical Department, Vale of Leven Hospital

Dr Andrew Todd, Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases, Monklands Hospital

Dr Tom Turner, Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill

Dr Pauline Upton, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Lothian Health

Representatives from the Scottish Executive","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151399,"EventID":"S1W-14696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients with early rheumatoid arthritis are referred for a specialist rheumatology opinion and treatment within 12 weeks of the onset of symptoms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients with early rheumatoid arthritis are referred for a specialist rheumatology opinion and treatment within 12 weeks of the onset of symptoms.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally in the form requested. Patients do not necessarily present to their GP as soon as symptoms appear.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151400,"EventID":"S1W-14697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis will be increased in order that symptoms can be recognised at an early stage and the progression of the disease delayed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis will be increased in order that symptoms can be recognised at an early stage and the progression of the disease delayed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which is funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, produced a clinical guideline on the Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis in December 2000, which includes advice on diagnosis. SIGN guidelines are distributed to all GPs and hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151401,"EventID":"S1W-14698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #26 million allocated to the Health Improvement Fund for 2000-01 each health board received.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #26 million allocated to the Health Improvement Fund for 2000-01 each health board received.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:

Health Board

£ million

Argyll & Clyde

1.636

Ayrshire & Arran

1.631

Borders

0.436

Dumfries & Galloway

0.622

Fife

1.318

Forth Valley

0.973

Grampian

1.819

Greater Glasgow

4.052

Highland

1.042

Lanarkshire

2.006

Lothian

2.871

Orkney

0.082

Shetland

0.096

Tayside

1.608

Western Isles

0.181

Health Education Board for Scotland

0.950

Common Services Agency

0.793

TOTAL

22.116

The remainder of the £26 million has been used to meet the costs of centrally commissioned services, including the extra costs arising from the enhanced flu vaccination programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151402,"EventID":"S1W-14699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the introduction of a UK tobacco regulatory authority with responsibility for all aspects of tobacco regulation, including monitoring","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the introduction of a UK tobacco regulatory authority with responsibility for all aspects of tobacco regulation, including monitoring tobacco advertising regulations, controlling the manufacture, sale and content of tobacco and nicotine products and advising government on the health risks of passive smoking.","AnswerText":"The introduction of a UK tobacco regulatory authority would be a matter for the UK Government. The regulation of tobacco advertising is, however, for the Scottish Parliament to determine.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151403,"EventID":"S1W-14700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-03-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it proposes to modify the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan to allow Dawsholm Park in Glasgow to be used for industrial development.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it proposes to modify the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan to allow Dawsholm Park in Glasgow to be used for industrial development.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have proposed a modification to the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan in order to make provision for new employment opportunities through the expansion of the West of Scotland Science Park. As the proposed modification relates to a strategic provision, it is not site specific and it would be wrong to assume that it represents a threat to the amenity woodland at Dawsholm Park. Any consequential land allocations would be a matter for the Glasgow City plan which is currently approaching consultative draft stage.

The proposed modification has been the subject of a substantial number of representations which are being carefully considered prior to a final decision on the submitted structure plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151404,"EventID":"S1W-14701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to the long-term, sustained funding of the national tobacco control strategy once the three-year funding announced in conjunction with t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to the long-term, sustained funding of the national tobacco control strategy once the three-year funding announced in conjunction with the publication of Smoking Kills ends.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to tackling smoking and will make funding available for this purpose to the end of the current Spending Review period i.e. 2003-04. Funding beyond that date will be considered as part of the next Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151405,"EventID":"S1W-14702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account is taken of football clubs' own financial position in making decisions about the award of public funds to clubs for the establishment of football academies ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account is taken of football clubs' own financial position in making decisions about the award of public funds to clubs for the establishment of football academies and whether such decisions are subject to any assessment of whether the provision of such assistance to large clubs represents best value.","AnswerText":"As with all Lottery Fund applications and irrespective of applicant, financial need is a factor considered in determining whether an award is made. Value for money and financial viability, both in capital and revenue terms, are other finance-related factors which are assessed by sportscotland before it reaches a decision on an application.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151406,"EventID":"S1W-14703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14238 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 16 March 2001, from which departmental budgets the additional funding for Scottish Opera in the period","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14238 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 16 March 2001, from which departmental budgets the additional funding for Scottish Opera in the period from 2000-01 to 2003-04 came.","AnswerText":"Additional funding for Scottish Opera in 2000-01 has been met from underspends within the Executive's budget. Funding for the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 will be met from additional resources allocated to the Scottish Arts Council as a result of Spending Review 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151407,"EventID":"S1W-14704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to engage local authorities on work relating to the trunk road schemes announced by the Minister for Transport and the Environment on 27 March 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to engage local authorities on work relating to the trunk road schemes announced by the Minister for Transport and the Environment on 27 March 2001 and, if so, what work will be allocated in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Where local authorities are currently engaged on trunk road minor improvement schemes outwith the new term maintenance contracts they will continue to work on these schemes for the time being. A review is currently under way to determine which schemes will remain with local authorities, which will be passed to the new operating companies and which new schemes could be allocated to local authorities. The outcome of the review is unlikely to be known until later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151408,"EventID":"S1W-14705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues regarding standards of portakabins used as temporary classrooms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues regarding standards of portakabins used as temporary classrooms.","AnswerText":"We do not issue guidance on this matter. Education authorities are, however, aware of the classroom accommodation needs of pupils and teachers and should take that into account when use is made of installations of this kind.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151409,"EventID":"S1W-14706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many letters it has received concerning the planned extension to Hyndland Primary School and how many it has replied to.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many letters it has received concerning the planned extension to Hyndland Primary School and how many it has replied to.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received a total of 46 letters about the proposal to extend Hyndland Primary School. Of these, 29 did not receive a reply because they were in the form of a standard letter with no return address, however, those standard letters which included the writer's address did receive a reply.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151410,"EventID":"S1W-14707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it had in its budget for 2000-01 for reducing class si'es and how much of this has been spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it had in its budget for 2000-01 for reducing class si'es and how much of this has been spent.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01 the class size reduction programme within the Excellence Fund had a budget of £15.6 million. It was spent in full.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151411,"EventID":"S1W-14708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it allocated to Glasgow City Council for reducing class si'es in 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it allocated to Glasgow City Council for reducing class si'es in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Within the Excellence Fund class size reduction programme for 2000-01 Glasgow City Council was allocated £2,324,945.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151412,"EventID":"S1W-14709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce student teacher training allowances of #6000 in Scotland, similar to those being offered by the Department of Education and Employment in E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce student teacher training allowances of #6000 in Scotland, similar to those being offered by the Department of Education and Employment in England, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Supply of Teachers report, Vol 1 - Jan 2001 details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlines planned improvements to current methods. Copies of this report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10751). The report at paragraphs 16 and 18 provides the information that there are no training allowances of £6,000 available for those undertaking initial teacher education in Scotland. There is however a fee waiver for all Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students entering from an undergraduate course. There is a further concession that, despite previous postgraduate study, students undertaking a PGCE course in a priority subject will be assisted with their tuition fees, regardless of that study. In other circumstances candidates who have previously studied at postgraduate level or who qualified for a vocation e.g. doctor, dentist, architect, vet, with or without assistance from public funds, are excluded from receiving assistance.

The need for financial incentives will be kept under review in light of the effect on recruitment to the profession of the introduction of the package agreed on teachers' conditions and pay.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151413,"EventID":"S1W-14710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding any impact on Scottish based exporters of cross-channel rail freight operators being fined #","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding any impact on Scottish based exporters of cross-channel rail freight operators being fined #2,000 for each clandestine entrant to the UK on their services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including cross-channel rail freight services.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151414,"EventID":"S1W-14711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to encourage local authorities to emulate West Lothian Council's multi-agency, one stop shop where visitors can deal with all main services at one","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to encourage local authorities to emulate West Lothian Council's multi-agency, one stop shop where visitors can deal with all main services at one location.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive encourages all local authorities to consider innovative forms of service delivery such as the development of "one-stop-shops".

It has provided practical encouragement to this kind of innovation through the Modernising Government Fund (MGF). This has awarded £2 million towards the "Wired West Lothian" project, which is one of a series of MGF supported initiatives that promote inter-agency working and the use information and communications technology (ICT) to provide more joined up services to the public.

MGF projects are scheduled to run until March 2002. All of the projects will be monitored, with regular updates and results published on the Scottish Executive's 21st Century Government website. This way all local authorities will benefit from the good practice that results from the projects.

The Executive has also established the Central Local 21st Century Government Forum, which includes representatives of West Lothian Council. This has been set up to endorse and promote new models of service delivery across local authorities.

In addition the Executive has also agreed to consider whether there are unnecessary barriers to the development of service solutions such as one-stop shops within constraints on local authority trading and, if so, how best to deal with them.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151415,"EventID":"S1W-14712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that its civil servants remain politically neutral.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that its civil servants remain politically neutral.","AnswerText":"The conduct of civil servants is governed by the Civil Service Code which requires that they "conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty". The full code is available at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/central/1999/cscode.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151416,"EventID":"S1W-14713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidelines relating to the working relationships between Ministers and civil servants are the same in Scotland as in the rest of the UK.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidelines relating to the working relationships between Ministers and civil servants are the same in Scotland as in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151417,"EventID":"S1W-14714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8508 by Mr Tom McCabe on 30 August 2000, on how many occasions since 10 July 2000 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamenta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8508 by Mr Tom McCabe on 30 August 2000, on how many occasions since 10 July 2000 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in order to enable it to make an announcement, whether it will provide a list of such questions including the date on which they were lodged, and whether any of its officials have written authorisations to lodge parliamentary questions in the names of back-bench MSPs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14451. It remains the case that officials do not have authorisation to lodge questions on behalf of members.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151418,"EventID":"S1W-14715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its principles of good practice for Ministers with regard to the requirement for civil servants to be impartial and non-party political are to be changed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its principles of good practice for Ministers with regard to the requirement for civil servants to be impartial and non-party political are to be changed.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151419,"EventID":"S1W-14716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review or change the Scottish Ministerial Code.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review or change the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I have no plans at present to amend the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151420,"EventID":"S1W-14717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends three-year budgets for local authorities to be set annually on a rolling programme or set every three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends three-year budgets for local authorities to be set annually on a rolling programme or set every three years.","AnswerText":"The settlement announcements will fit with the Spending Review cycle. The next Spending Review, scheduled for 2002, will allow us to roll forward the settlement for a further three-year period.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151421,"EventID":"S1W-14718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the PFI and PPP projects entered into since 1996, detailing the capital cost and level of advisory fees involved in each project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the PFI and PPP projects entered into since 1996, detailing the capital cost and level of advisory fees involved in each project.","AnswerText":"The information requested for Scottish Executive PFI contracts entered into since 1996 is detailed in the table. An up to date list of all currently active projects known to the Executive showing, among other things, the estimated capital value is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. Information on advisory fees for non-Scottish Executive projects is a matter of commercial confidentiality between the parties to the contract.

Project Name

Procuring Agency

Financial Close

Capital Value

(£ million)

Advisory Fees

(£ million)

M6 DBFO

Development Department

April 1997

95

3.46

Kilmarnock Prison

Scottish Prison Service

November 1997

32

0.23

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151422,"EventID":"S1W-14719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data it uses to analyse (a) urban and (b) rural deprivation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data it uses to analyse (a) urban and (b) rural deprivation.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to tackling poverty and deprivation wherever it exists across urban and rural Scotland. A range of data is used to assess deprivation, such as proportions of income support recipients, employment data, the deprivation index and indicators in the Social Inclusion Partnership monitoring framework. Our recent annual report on social justice sets out the indicators being used to track progress towards the milestones for delivering social justice in Scotland.

The current Scottish Deprivation Index, revised in 1998, ranks postcode sectors by combining 1991 Census indicators with more recent non-Census indicators of deprivation. We intend to further revise this index as part of our Neighbourhood Statistics initiative and update it as data becomes available from Census 2001.

In addition, for rural deprivation, part of the remit of the Rural Poverty and Inclusion Working Group is to ensure that existing indicators are appropriately developed for, and measurable in, rural areas. The group will make recommendations on general data availability for rural areas, including ways of improving monitoring of progress against the social justice milestones for rural areas. We expect the group's report soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151423,"EventID":"S1W-14720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are in place to ensure that local authorities maximise their non-domestic rates collection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are in place to ensure that local authorities maximise their non-domestic rates collection.","AnswerText":"Levels of collection of non-domestic rates are generally high. Nevertheless, the Scottish Executive is currently in discussion with Audit Scotland about assembling detailed information on collection rates and the possible introduction of a performance indicator for non-domestic rates collection.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151424,"EventID":"S1W-14721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new jobs will be created at Anniesland Village Business Park and over what time period.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new jobs will be created at Anniesland Village Business Park and over what time period.","AnswerText":"A developer is carrying out a phased development at Anniesland Village Business Park which aims to create or safeguard up to 480 jobs by mid-2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151425,"EventID":"S1W-14722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage health boards to increase their funding to local voluntary organisations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage health boards to increase their funding to local voluntary organisations.","AnswerText":"Local voluntary organisations make an important contribution to health improvement and health care services across Scotland. Health boards are best placed to judge, in consultation with local voluntary organisations and other partners, how to use their discretionary powers to provide financial assistance to the voluntary sector. The Scottish Executive would not expect to be involved in these decisions. Overall, health board allocations have increased by an average of 6.5% from 2000-01 to 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151426,"EventID":"S1W-14723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many vacant posts there currently are in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many vacant posts there currently are in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament Information Centre has a complement of 41 posts, seven of which are vacant as at 17th April 2001. Candidates have been appointed to four of these posts; the recruitment process is under way to fill a further two posts; the remaining vacancy is a result of temporary promotion, and is currently filled by a temporary member of staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151427,"EventID":"S1W-14724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many vacant posts within the Scottish Parliament Information Centre involve work in the subject areas of land, environment, ecology, agriculture and animal experiments","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many vacant posts within the Scottish Parliament Information Centre involve work in the subject areas of land, environment, ecology, agriculture and animal experiments.","AnswerText":"Researchers within the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) each have responsibility for providing research services across a range of subject areas. These 18 subject specialists currently work in pairs, with each pair covering one of the following portfolios: civil law & parliament; economic development & lifelong learning; education, family law & the arts; environment & transport; health & public finance; housing, planning & social inclusion; law and order & legal aid; local government, social work & voluntary sector; rural affairs & conservation. The research service is in the process of restructuring into teams of four or five researchers covering wider subject portfolios. This will provide a greater degree of flexibility and enable staff to cope with vacancies and other unanticipated demands.

The Senior Research Specialist covering the rural affairs & conservation portfolio began a two-year secondment to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in November 2000. A replacement to cover this secondment period started work with SPICe on 17th April 2001. Included within this portfolio are the subjects of land, ecology, agriculture and animal experiments.

There are currently two vacant Senior Research Specialist posts, covering the portfolios of transport & the environment and education, family law & the arts. When a vacancy exists relating to a particular portfolio, a designated Research Specialist, with assistance from SPICe colleagues, takes responsibility for providing research services relating to that portfolio until the post is filled.

An updated edition of Who Does What in SPICe for spring 2001 is now available on the Parliament's intranet. This provides guidance to MSPs and their researchers as to whom they should approach if they have a particular enquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151428,"EventID":"S1W-14725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliament Information Centre is adequately staffed and which subject areas do not have an assigned researcher.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliament Information Centre is adequately staffed and which subject areas do not have an assigned researcher.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has a complement of 41 posts. This includes 20 staff in the information services team (which includes reference, resources and document supply services) and 20 in the research team, 18 of whom are responsible for specific subjects across the range of areas devolved to the Parliament.

The priority for SPICe researchers is to provide research support to the Parliament's Committees. This includes general advice and support in the work of each Committee, specific SPICe briefings and on occasion the commissioning of external research. SPICe researchers also prepare briefings on Bills and in relation to key parliamentary debates. They also respond to enquiries from individual MSPs, and provide research support to other areas of the Parliament. Currently there are no devolved subject areas that do not have at least one designated researcher. Information and briefing on reserved matters is provided at a reference level, and there are no researchers assigned to reserved areas.

Full details of SPICe services are available on the Parliament's Intranet.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151429,"EventID":"S1W-14726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its targets are for the introduction of (a) solar heating and (b) solar electricity generation (photovoltaics).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its targets are for the introduction of (a) solar heating and (b) solar electricity generation (photovoltaics).","AnswerText":"Whilst the Executive is committed to increasing the proportion of electricity in Scotland accounted for by renewable energy, it is not our policy to set specific targets for any individual technology.

As part of its research and development programme, the Department of Trade and Industry recently announced a major initiative aimed at expanding the use of solar photovoltaics across the UK. £10 million has been committed for the first three years of this programme, and we will remain in close contact with DTI colleagues as the details are developed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151430,"EventID":"S1W-14727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors from (a) Norway and (b) Scandinavia visited Scotland and how many of these came via ferry to Newcastle, in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors from (a) Norway and (b) Scandinavia visited Scotland and how many of these came via ferry to Newcastle, in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The numbers of tourists from Norway and Scandinavia is noted in the table below. Data on entry by specific ferry port is not available.
 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Norway

24,000

23,000

29,000

40,000

35,000

Scandinavia

85,000

111,000

135,000

204,000

120,000

Source: IPS.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151431,"EventID":"S1W-14728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in promoting cruise ship visits to Scotland, in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in promoting cruise ship visits to Scotland, in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151432,"EventID":"S1W-14729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in promoting direct air routes into Scotland on low cost or other carriers and what routes were involve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in promoting direct air routes into Scotland on low cost or other carriers and what routes were involved, in each year since 1995. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14728.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151433,"EventID":"S1W-14730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were employed by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlands and (g) B","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were employed by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlands and (g) Belgium, in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14728.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151434,"EventID":"S1W-14731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in marketing Scotland in (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland in marketing Scotland in (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlands and (g) Belgium, in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14728.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151435,"EventID":"S1W-14732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors to Scotland were from (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlands and (g) Belgium, in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors to Scotland were from (a) the USA, (b) Canada, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) France, (f) the Netherlands and (g) Belgium, in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

Number of Tourists to Scotland (000) 1995-99
 

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

USA

406

406

429

470

451

Canada

124

133

143

136

119

Germany

237

237

239

211

196

Italy

79

92

73

75

105

France

155

150

149

133

132

Netherlands

60

76

108

107

78

Belgium

46

ACRE has concluded that GM crops themselves do not pose a threat to human health or the environment and remain confident that the current GM crops on which they have advised pose no greater risk to health or the environment than non-GM varieties.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151438,"EventID":"S1W-14735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is going ahead with GM crop trials in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire given concerns from the Highland Council and others.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is going ahead with GM crop trials in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire given concerns from the Highland Council and others.","AnswerText":"The legislative framework which underpins the release of GM crops at both European and UK level makes it very clear that approval can only be refused if there is scientific evidence that the GM crop poses a threat to human health or the environment.

The concerns expressed by Highland Council and others related to the wider socio-economic and political arguments but did not raise any new scientific evidence which would have given grounds for the approval to be withheld. If however, any such information becomes available subsequently, I will have no hesitation in reviewing the decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151439,"EventID":"S1W-14736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is waiting for a new European Directive before bringing forward revised legislation to take account of public opinion in relation to GM crop trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is waiting for a new European Directive before bringing forward revised legislation to take account of public opinion in relation to GM crop trials.","AnswerText":"The present regulatory framework at both European and UK level is governed by the European Council Directive 90/220/EEC. Based on a scientific assessment of risk, the Directive does not enable wider socio-economic arguments and public opinion to be considered as part of the overall decision-making process.

I fully expect that the revised Directive will be published in the Official Journal within the next few days. Thereafter, member states will have 18 months in which to implement the provisions into national legislation. The Scottish Executive will consult widely on the content of any new legislation. Until this is in place it would be illegal to act in contravention of existing European and UK law.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151440,"EventID":"S1W-14737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which farmland wildlife are being examined in order to collect information on any impact the new herbicide regimes associated with the GM crop trials in the Highlands and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which farmland wildlife are being examined in order to collect information on any impact the new herbicide regimes associated with the GM crop trials in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire might have.","AnswerText":"The ecological research, which is being undertaken by a consortium of independent scientists is designed to study the effect, if any, that the management practices associated with genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops might have on farmland wildlife when compared with those used with non-GM crops.

The research involves a comparison of key indicators of biodiversity between the GM and non-GM cropping systems, including:

Soil seed bank;

Arable plant diversity, biomass and estimated seed return;

Field margin and boundary vegetation, noting species in flower and signs of unintentional spray drift of weed-killer during its application to the field;

Gastropods: abundance, activity and diversity measures;

Arthropods on vegetation, concentrating on plant bugs, spring tails and the caterpillars of butterflies and moths, sawflies (related to wasps (Hymenoptera)); diversity and biomass measures;

Ground (Carabid) beetles and other ground dwelling arthropods; abundance and diversity measures;

Bees and butterflies; observational studies;

Birds and mammals; observational studies.

The scientific validity of this research programme is being overseen by a Scientific Steering Committee of independent experts in agriculture and ecology. The results of this research will be published at the end of the farm-scale evaluation programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151441,"EventID":"S1W-14738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why objections to GM crop trial applications have to be on a clearly established scientific basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why objections to GM crop trial applications have to be on a clearly established scientific basis.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14735.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151442,"EventID":"S1W-14739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of the Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of the Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The costs of publishing The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive detail document are set out below:
 

£

Design

8,159

Printing

2,959

Internet connection of text

1,355

Costs for photocopying and distribution were met within normal Scottish Executive running costs. There were no launch costs.

This document is required by Parliament under the written agreement on the Budget process. Its format and content are in line with the recommendations of the Finance Committee's 11th report, 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151443,"EventID":"S1W-14740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of the summary ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of the summary report The Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The costs of publishing The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive summary document are shown in the table:
 

£

Design*

8,742

Printing**

9,369

Internet connection of text

440

Distribution***

600

* includes £400 purchase of photograph used by both summary and detail publications.

** includes £135 for work to both summary and detail documents.

*** estimate of costs of distribution.

Costs of photocopying were met from within normal Scottish Executive running costs. There were no launch costs.

The committees asked for a large amount of additional information to be included in this year’s Annual Expenditure Report. Due to the resulting size of the detailed document we therefore also produced a summary, picking out the main points for spending in each area.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151444,"EventID":"S1W-14741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Protecting O","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Protecting Our Rights: A Human Rights Commission for Scotland? Consultation Document.","AnswerText":"The total cost of producing and distributing the document, of all the factors mentioned in the question was about £3,800.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151445,"EventID":"S1W-14742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Costs, Sente","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Costs, Sentencing Profiles and the Scottish Criminal Justice System 1999.","AnswerText":"The total cost of this publication was £4089.19 excluding Value Added Tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151446,"EventID":"S1W-14743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Costs, Sente","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, Internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of Costs, Sentencing Profiles and the Scottish Criminal Justice System 1999.","AnswerText":"The total costs of the Annual Report of the Scottish Parliament Committees 2000 were as follows: the total for design, printing, binding and publishing was £8,600; the photography costs were £3,747; distribution cost £371, making a total of £12,718. There were no additional costs for \"Internet connection of text\". There was no \"launch\".

 ","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151447,"EventID":"S1W-14744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether livestock hauliers will be eligible for assistance and support under the emergency relief package announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether livestock hauliers will be eligible for assistance and support under the emergency relief package announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 28 March 2001.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151448,"EventID":"S1W-14745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many livestock haulage businesses it estimates may have to cease trading in the absence of any immediate financial assistance and whether it will ensure that such ass","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many livestock haulage businesses it estimates may have to cease trading in the absence of any immediate financial assistance and whether it will ensure that such assistance is made available.","AnswerText":"I appreciate fully the impact which livestock movement restrictions and other foot-and-mouth disease controls are having on livestock hauliers' businesses. The relaxation in controls which I referred to in my Statement to the Parliament on 5 April should help these businesses recover. The financial impact of the foot-and-mouth disease on businesses generally is being assessed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151449,"EventID":"S1W-14746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage diversification in the Scottish electronics industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage diversification in the Scottish electronics industry.","AnswerText":"There is a wide range of support available to the electronics sector from the Executive and from the Enterprise Networks to assist it to diversify into new markets. This assistance includes scenario-planning, investigations of possible future outcomes at sectoral and individual company levels and support to enhance competitiveness to enable companies to break into new markets.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151450,"EventID":"S1W-14747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will build on the skills of the Scottish electronics industry workforce to ensure that the industry is able to compete globally for higher value, higher skilled w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will build on the skills of the Scottish electronics industry workforce to ensure that the industry is able to compete globally for higher value, higher skilled work.","AnswerText":"The electronics industry is presently undergoing worldwide restructuring and it is crucial that the industry in Scotland acquires the skills to compete for high value work. Scottish Enterprise is currently conducting an audit of existing skills in the sector aimed at developing a strategy to meet the future requirements of the hi-tech industry.

The new Future Skills Scotland unit will also have a key role in identifying current and future skills needs, and the labour market information and intelligence required to ensure relevant education and training provision to meet these needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151451,"EventID":"S1W-14748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made, or will make, representations to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Postal Services Commission regarding the impact on rural area","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made, or will make, representations to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Postal Services Commission regarding the impact on rural areas in Scotland of any moves towards increasing competition in the provision of postal services, in particular any reduction in the weight limits of packages handled by a universal postal service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government and the Postal Services Commission on a wide range of issues, including moves to promote liberalisation of postal markets. The Executive fully recognises the importance of the universal availability of postal services in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151452,"EventID":"S1W-14749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) have taken to encourage departments of Her Majesty's Government to transmit records belonging to Her Majesty and relat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) have taken to encourage departments of Her Majesty's Government to transmit records belonging to Her Majesty and relating exclusively or mainly to Scotland to the Keeper of the Records of Scotland under section 4 of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937 and, in particular, whether any representations have been made regarding the transfer to NAS of the military and pension records of Scottish regiments.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr George MacKenzie, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, to respond. His response is as follows:

The National Archives of Scotland (NAS) has received all the documents specified in section 4 of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. These are Scottish records dating from 1189 to 1284.

Under section 5(1) of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937 and section 3(8) of the Public Records Act 1958, NAS has in the last 10 years received more than 1,000 shelf metres of records relating to Scotland from UK Government bodies, including the Cabinet Office, Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, Property Services Agency and the Board of Trade.

The main operational records of the Scottish regiments consist of official war diaries, sent to the War Office and now available for consultation in the Public Record Office in London. Records up to 1,920 of individual soldiers' service and pensions are also available in the Public Record Office. Later service records are still in the custody of the Ministry of Defence. The NAS sees no reason to interfere with these arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151453,"EventID":"S1W-14750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly people in Scotland are currently receiving long-term care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly people in Scotland are currently receiving long-term care.","AnswerText":"The latest information about various long-term care arrangements for older people in Scotland relates to 31 March 2000:-

An estimated 8,940 people aged 65+ are receiving intensive home care services (defined for this purpose as being in receipt of more than 10 hours service per week).

There were 13,160 residents aged 65 years and over in Residential Care Homes.

There were 18,353 residents, aged 65 and over, in private nursing homes in Scotland.

Provisional information shows that there were 4,415 residents, aged 65 and over, receiving long stay NHS hospital care in the specialty of Geriatric Medicine.

Provisional information shows that there were 5,127 residents, aged 65 and over, in mental illness or learning disability specialties in NHS Hospitals in Scotland. These specialties are not specifically for patients receiving long term care. However, of the residents at 31 March 2000, 3,783 (73.8%) had been resident for 6 months or more.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151454,"EventID":"S1W-14751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland are made aware of the outcomes o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland are made aware of the outcomes of clinical trials in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As with any evidence-based organisation, the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network (SIGN) maintain a high level of awareness of clinical outcomes data. This is broadly derived from four sources: clinical scientific literature, scientific/professional meetings, national professional networks and personal contact.

In developing standards, the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) draws heavily on the work of SIGN, HTBS and other equivalent organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151455,"EventID":"S1W-14752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Nursing Homes Scotland Core Standards (Nutritional Care) NHS MEL (1999) 54 will be applied to local authority and private residential home","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Nursing Homes Scotland Core Standards (Nutritional Care) NHS MEL (1999) 54 will be applied to local authority and private residential homes as recommended by the Clinical Resources Audit Group.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Care Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament will end the distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. From April 2002 all care homes will be registered and inspected by an independent body, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.

The National Care Standards Committee (NCSC) is currently drawing up the standards against which the Commission will register and inspect care homes. In drawing together these standards, the NCSC is taking account of existing legislation and guidance including the Nursing Homes Scotland Core Standards on Nutrition. The NCSC will also take into account the recommendations of the CRAG Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151456,"EventID":"S1W-14753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects criminal record certificates under Part V of the Police Act 1997 to be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects criminal record certificates under Part V of the Police Act 1997 to be available.","AnswerText":"We are aiming to align as closely as possible the start date in Scotland with that in England and Wales and we now expect the certificates to become available here from 1 January 2002 following full and proper testing of the systems being put in place to process applications.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151457,"EventID":"S1W-14754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will write off the debts of the three existing regional water authorities in the event that they are replaced by a single water authority for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will write off the debts of the three existing regional water authorities in the event that they are replaced by a single water authority for Scotland.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151458,"EventID":"S1W-14755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each of the three regional water authorities spends annually on the servicing of debts (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of income and (c) as a percentage o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each of the three regional water authorities spends annually on the servicing of debts (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of income and (c) as a percentage of their operating budgets.","AnswerText":"The figures requested may be calculated from those given in each of the water authorities' published accounts, copies of which are held by the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151459,"EventID":"S1W-14756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates the proposed single water authority would spend annually on the servicing of debts (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of its income and (c) as a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates the proposed single water authority would spend annually on the servicing of debts (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of its income and (c) as a percentage of its operating budget in the event that all outstanding debts of the three existing regional water authorities were transferred to it.","AnswerText":"It is not appropriate to make an estimate at this stage as neither the investment programme nor the proposed charge increases for the years beyond 2001-02 have been agreed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151460,"EventID":"S1W-14757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be of merging the three existing regional water authorities to form a single water authority for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be of merging the three existing regional water authorities to form a single water authority for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The proposed merger of the three existing water authorities is dependent on the successful passage of the Water Services Bill through Parliament, during which information of this nature will be presented. If the merger is accepted, there will be some transition costs, the exact level of which will be dependent upon decisions which have yet to be made. These are likely to be insignificant in comparison to the reduction in operating and capital costs generated by the rationalisation of the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151461,"EventID":"S1W-14758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much income it estimates the proposed single water authority would lose annually if the existing discrepancy in the charge levels between the current North of Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much income it estimates the proposed single water authority would lose annually if the existing discrepancy in the charge levels between the current North of Scotland Water Authority area and the remaining two water authority areas were removed by bringing charge levels in the north into line with those in other areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no estimate for this scenario. The proposals to create a single water authority have as one of their objectives facilitating the optimum efficiency savings for the benefit of all consumers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151462,"EventID":"S1W-14759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14119 by Mr Peter Peacock on 26 March 2001, how many of the 22 projects being funded from the Modernising Government Fund and led b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14119 by Mr Peter Peacock on 26 March 2001, how many of the 22 projects being funded from the Modernising Government Fund and led by local authorities are being led by Dumfries and Galloway Council and how much funding any such projects will receive.","AnswerText":"Dumfries and Galloway Council will lead one of the Modernising Government Fund projects. The council made a bid for £72,000 from the fund to pilot, test and evaluate the use of kiosks in delivering information services to places that are not served by a high bandwidth telecommunications infrastructure. The council project has been fully funded.

The kiosks are based upon a product provided by "StartHere". The support from the Fund will allow the Council to cover the costs of the kiosks and to provide additional content relating to services in the Dumfries and Galloway area.

In addition to the agreed funding for the Council project the Scottish Executive will provide additional funds to support the development of national content for the "StartHere" kiosks. Initial discussions have taken place with the Council to determine what this content should be, and how much additional support will be necessary.

The Council will provide progress reports on the project for the Executive's 21st Century Government website and will carry out an assessment of the project to determine its suitability for other parts of the public sector and across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151463,"EventID":"S1W-14760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees in IT companies were made redundant in each of the last two years in (a) West Lothian, (b) Renfrewshire and (c) Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees in IT companies were made redundant in each of the last two years in (a) West Lothian, (b) Renfrewshire and (c) Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not collect data on local area redundancies by sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151464,"EventID":"S1W-14761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is given by it to help redundant employees re-train and find alternative employment in or near their communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is given by it to help redundant employees re-train and find alternative employment in or near their communities.","AnswerText":"In the event of a redundancy situation, support will be provided to those affected in accordance with the principles set out in our PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) document. Local response teams, involving key local and national agencies, have been established across Scotland and stand ready to offer the necessary support and advice to those affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151465,"EventID":"S1W-14762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what notification is given to it by employers when large scale redundancy programmes are planned and implemented.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what notification is given to it by employers when large scale redundancy programmes are planned and implemented.","AnswerText":"The legal basis under which employers must notify the Government of significant redundancies is the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The Act states that employers must notify the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in writing, if they intend to make significant redundancies. The Department of Trade and Industry, under Concordat arrangements between that department and the Scottish Executive, will in turn notify the Executive of those in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151466,"EventID":"S1W-14763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter of 26 February 2001 from Mr S Taylor of Sheildhill, Falkirk.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter of 26 February 2001 from Mr S Taylor of Sheildhill, Falkirk.","AnswerText":"A Health Department official replied to Mr Taylor on 30 March.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151467,"EventID":"S1W-14764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS Direct service is not available in Scotland approximately two years after it was established in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS Direct service is not available in Scotland approximately two years after it was established in England.","AnswerText":"NHS 24, the Scottish equivalent to the NHS Direct service in England, will provide the people of Scotland with nurse-led advice, guidance, referral and information on healthcare services in one phone call.

To ensure that this service is as integrated as possible with existing NHS services in Scotland, the Scottish Executive Health Department has carried out an extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including GP out-of-hours services, accident and emergency departments, the Scottish Ambulance Service and patient representatives. This process was designed to ensure NHS 24 meets the particular needs and circumstances of the Scottish public and NHS Scotland.

The establishment of NHS 24 as a national service, requires detailed planning and design in order to address many complex issues. A detailed blueprint and implementation plan is currently being developed.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151468,"EventID":"S1W-14765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review adoption services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review adoption services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As part of our commitment to improve the position of children and young people looked after by local authorities, I am concerned about the place of adoption services within the range of options that should be considered when their needs are being assessed. With my colleagues, I have concluded that there should be a review of adoption law and practice in Scotland focussing initially on children and young people in the care system.

Changes in adoption law were last introduced in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The key change was to place the lifelong interests of the child at the heart of the adoption process. The time is now right to review the operation of the relevant provisions in the 1995 Act, including their impact upon the lives and life chances of young people within the care of local authorities.

We have already signalled our intention to close a number of loopholes within the legislation governing inter-country adoption. The review will concentrate therefore on domestic adoption arrangements.

I propose to set up an Adoption Policy Review Advisory Group with former Sheriff Principal Graham Cox as Convenor. The group will comprise representatives of the local authorities, specialist voluntary sector agencies, children's panels and legal interests. I will also ensure representation from adoptive parents and young people who have gone through the adoption process.

The remit for the review will be discussed with the Education, Culture and Sport and with the Justice Committees of the Parliament. I am arranging for a copy of the memorandum to both Committees to be placed today in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

I will finalise other appointments to the Advisory Group very shortly and, subject to consultations with the Parliamentary Committees, hope to see the Advisory Group start its deliberations in the course of April and submit a first report to me within 6 months. With colleagues I will consider the findings and recommendations together with any other points made to me by the Group about possible further work that may be required.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151469,"EventID":"S1W-14766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what key targets it has set for the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for the financial year 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what key targets it has set for the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerText":"I have set the Student Awards Agency for Scotland the following key performance targets for the financial year 2001-2002:

Service:

To acknowledge 85% of applications within 7 calendar days of receipt and the remainder within 12 calendar days of receipt.

To process 85% of applications within 21 days of receipt and the remaining 15% within 28 days.

To raise the customer satisfaction rating for processing times from 89% to 95% or higher within two years.

To issue replies to 85% of written correspondence queries within 14 days of receipt and the remaining 15% within 21 days of receipt.

To respond to queries sent by e-mail within 5 days of receipt.

To conduct annually a survey of customers' opinions on the levels of service provided by SAAS and to publish the results in the Agency's Annual Report.

Answer 85% of calls to the Agency's Enquiry Unit within 40 seconds and the remaining 15% within 3 minutes.

Ensure that the average time delay for incoming calls to Teams is no longer than 20 seconds.

Agency Management:

To reach an average unit cost of £32 to process each application (based on full relevant costs).

The Chief Executive will be directly responsible to me for ensuring that these targets are achieved and full details of the actual results will be published in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151470,"EventID":"S1W-14767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to increase the recruitment of audiologists and hearing therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to increase the recruitment of audiologists and hearing therapists.","AnswerText":"The recruitment of audiologists and hearing therapists in NHSScotland is a matter for NHS Trusts and is subject to Trusts' assessment of local needs and priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151471,"EventID":"S1W-14768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #10 million announced on 22 February 2001 for community care will be spent on (a) hearing aids, (b) audiologists and (c) hearing therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #10 million announced on 22 February 2001 for community care will be spent on (a) hearing aids, (b) audiologists and (c) hearing therapists.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for individual health boards in light of local circumstances and priorities. Boards are required to submit to the Scottish Executive by 30 April proposals for spending the £10 million which have been agreed with local authority partners. However I do not intend to require them to provide the level of detail you are currently seeking.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151472,"EventID":"S1W-14769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to improve audiology services, including hearing aid provisions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to improve audiology services, including hearing aid provisions.","AnswerText":"Good practice guidance for adult hearing aid fitting and services, which distils the results of current research and practice in the field of audiology, was issued by the Scottish Executive Health Department to NHSScotland on 2 March. We now intend to conduct a review of audiology services in Scotland, and a working group has been established to consider the remit and scope of this review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151473,"EventID":"S1W-14770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any NHS Trusts are unable to operate the new MRI scanners provided by the Executive and what reasons they have given for this.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any NHS Trusts are unable to operate the new MRI scanners provided by the Executive and what reasons they have given for this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is making available substantial resources for NHSScotland to procure new and replacement radiology equipment. In 2001-02, this includes six MRI scanners and seven CT scanners. All the NHS Trusts receiving this equipment have demonstrated that they will be able to operate it.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151474,"EventID":"S1W-14771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is happening to any MRI scanners it has purchased which are not being used by NHS Trusts due to insufficient resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is happening to any MRI scanners it has purchased which are not being used by NHS Trusts due to insufficient resources.","AnswerText":"There are no MRI Scanners in that position in Scotland. Every MRI Scanner purchased by NHSScotland is being used to benefit patient care.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151475,"EventID":"S1W-14772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of its plans to place patients' health records on the Internet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of its plans to place patients' health records on the Internet.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland patients' health records are not held on the Internet and there are currently no plans to hold them there.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151476,"EventID":"S1W-14773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for processing animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme from (a) application submission to validation or otherwise, (b) validat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for processing animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme from (a) application submission to validation or otherwise, (b) validation to slaughter and (c) slaughter to payment of compensation.","AnswerText":"I am aware that producers who have entered stock into the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have experienced delays in their claims being processed and consequently their stock have not been slaughtered as quickly as they hoped. Since this became apparent, my officials have been in contact with the Intervention Board Executive Agency, who operates this scheme on behalf of the Agricultural Departments, to try and resolve any difficulties. They have been given assurances that significant slaughter throughput under this scheme will begin in the week commencing 9 April. The Intervention Board advises me that animals are dealt with in order of welfare priority and according to the availability of suitable slaughter and disposal facilities and it is therefore not possible for them to give precise time-scales in the form requested. However, the time between issue of the movement licence and collection of the animals must not exceed 24 hours. The Intervention Board will aim to make payments within 21 days of slaughter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151477,"EventID":"S1W-14774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have been processed to slaughter since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have been processed to slaughter since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-14775.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151478,"EventID":"S1W-14775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have been (a) submitted and (b) validated since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have been (a) submitted and (b) validated since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The Intervention Board Executive Agency operates the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme on behalf of the GB Agriculture Departments. They advise me that over 4,000 applications have been received for nearly 1.8 million animals across all of Great Britain. Applications are continuing to be received. At close on 9 April, Scottish applications accounted for 582 of the total, representing 115,915 sheep, 50,876 pigs and 8,658 cattle. Of these 14,225 sheep, 12,361 pigs and 537 cattle had been passed for slaughter.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151479,"EventID":"S1W-14776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many animals have been slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many animals have been slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Intervention Board Executive Agency, who operate the scheme across Great Britain, that that 93,162 animals had been slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme by the end of 9 April. This represents 66,154 sheep, 23,345 pigs and 3,663 cattle. Separate figures are not available for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151480,"EventID":"S1W-14777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which slaughterhouses have been approved by the Intervention Board Agency since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease as being suitable for animal disposal under the Liv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which slaughterhouses have been approved by the Intervention Board Agency since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease as being suitable for animal disposal under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","AnswerText":"As of 9 April, abattoirs at Annan, Kilmarnock, Brechin have agreed a contractual relationship with the Intervention Board Executive Agency to slaughter animals entered into the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. I am advised that the Intervention Board intend to obtain further slaughter capacity in Scotland for this scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151481,"EventID":"S1W-14778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which slaughterhouses approved by the Intervention Board Agency since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease as being suitable for slaughtering under the Livestock Welfar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which slaughterhouses approved by the Intervention Board Agency since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease as being suitable for slaughtering under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme are being utilised.","AnswerText":"Slaughter under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme began at Brechin abattoir on 6 April and at Annan abattoir on 10 April, with slaughter at Kilmarnock abattoir projected to commence during the course of week ending 13 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151482,"EventID":"S1W-14779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had and with whom relating to the closure of the Drambuie factory, Kirkliston prior to this announcement of closure and what action it intends to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had and with whom relating to the closure of the Drambuie factory, Kirkliston prior to this announcement of closure and what action it intends to take regarding the proposed closure.","AnswerText":"There were no recent discussions between the Scottish Executive, its agencies and Drambuie prior to the closure announcement. Drambuie have now undertaken to keep the Scottish Executive aware of any developments relating to the closure of their factory. In the event of a redundancy situation, support will be provided to those affected in accordance with the principles set out in our PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) document but Drambuie have made it clear that it is too early at this stage to say if there will be job losses.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151483,"EventID":"S1W-14780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of unemployment is among young people leaving care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of unemployment is among young people leaving care.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151484,"EventID":"S1W-14781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the member development and member training programmes for councillors carried out in Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council can be implemented in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the member development and member training programmes for councillors carried out in Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council can be implemented in Scotland.","AnswerText":"CoSLA are currently considering the development of a training and development programme for councillors in the light of the modernising local government agenda.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151485,"EventID":"S1W-14782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to analyse the best practice of the customer services team of Northamptonshire County Council to ensure that such best practice is transferred to Scotti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to analyse the best practice of the customer services team of Northamptonshire County Council to ensure that such best practice is transferred to Scottish local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive maintains a strong interest in the development of new approaches to local service delivery, and expects Scottish local authorities to do the same. It is important for local authorities to consider all options for securing local services, on the grounds that what matters is what works.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151486,"EventID":"S1W-14783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities it believes could benefit from implementing the investment in people policy developed by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities it believes could benefit from implementing the investment in people policy developed by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.","AnswerText":"Local authorities, like all other employers, have a responsibility to ensure the highest standards of training and development for their staff and to keep their policies under constant review to ensure success and continuous improvement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151487,"EventID":"S1W-14784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Manchester City Council's nuisance strategy group with regard to preventing anti-social behaviour on council estates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Manchester City Council's nuisance strategy group with regard to preventing anti-social behaviour on council estates.","AnswerText":"We will ask the Sociable Neighbourhood Champion, supported by the Executive and CoSLA, to examine the lessons that can be learned from the specialist team in Manchester, as well as similar approaches elsewhere in Scotland and the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151488,"EventID":"S1W-14785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Camden Borough Council's rough sleepers initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Camden Borough Council's rough sleepers initiative.","AnswerText":"I understand that Camden Borough Council has a street population strategy, which aims to minimise the impact of street activity in the borough. This includes reducing rough sleeping by at least two thirds, but also aims to reduce begging, street drinking and street trading. Our approach to rough sleeping in Scotland is to find solutions by involving those who have experience and knowledge of the problems. We are not targeting particular groups, such as beggars-we are addressing the underlying reasons for their situation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151489,"EventID":"S1W-14786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Portsmouth City Council's Best Value approach.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it can learn from Portsmouth City Council's Best Value approach.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14782.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151490,"EventID":"S1W-14787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage an extension of Moray Council's Fair Travel Scheme to other local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage an extension of Moray Council's Fair Travel Scheme to other local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes discounted fare initiatives such as the Fair Travel Scheme in Moray, which is a joint initiative between Stagecoach Bluebird and Moray Council. It is a matter for individual local authorities and public transport operators to consider whether similar schemes might be set up elsewhere in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151491,"EventID":"S1W-14788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that patients and their representatives are given accurate information on cost and choice before referral and placement in residential care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that patients and their representatives are given accurate information on cost and choice before referral and placement in residential care.","AnswerText":"The primary responsibility rests with local authority social work functions. We have provided guidance to authorities and issued copies of the booklet Thinking about moving into a Care Home? to assist.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151492,"EventID":"S1W-14789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities will finance any necessary upgrading of their residential homes in order to comply with the terms of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities will finance any necessary upgrading of their residential homes in order to comply with the terms of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"It is not yet clear what cost implications might arise for residential homes from the implementation of the National Care Standards. However before making any final decisions on the standards, the Scottish Executive is committed to consulting on the possible cost implications for service providers.

It is proposed to carry out the cost consultation in two stages. Stage 1 will begin just after Easter and will focus on residential care services and, in particular, costs associated with recommendations on staffing ratios, room sizes and en-suite facilities. Stage 2 of the cost consultation will begin in late summer and will consider the costs associated with implementation of the full set of care standards.

The Executive has also allocated £1.26 billion to local authorities for social work this year. This represents a 10% increase on last year. It is for local authorities to decide how best to spend these monies in the light of local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151493,"EventID":"S1W-14793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make whisky distilleries exempt from abstraction controls given that the Water Framework Directive enables member states to be exempt from abs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make whisky distilleries exempt from abstraction controls given that the Water Framework Directive enables member states to be exempt from abstraction controls or impoundments which have no significant impact on water status.","AnswerText":"The EC Water Framework Directive requires member states to put in place a comprehensive system of controls on the abstraction of water from the environment. Member states can exempt from control abstractions that have no significant impact on the state of the water environment. We are currently developing our proposals for implementing the Directive in Scotland, including on abstraction controls. It is too early to say what form those controls might take. However, there is no scope within the Directive for exempting whole industries from the abstraction control regime.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151494,"EventID":"S1W-14794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated impact will be on the whisky industry of the implementation of abstraction controls on taking water from rivers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated impact will be on the whisky industry of the implementation of abstraction controls on taking water from rivers.","AnswerText":"We are developing our proposals for implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive. Those will include abstraction controls. It is too early to determine the impact on the whisky industry. We will ensure that the effects on business are fully considered as we develop our proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151495,"EventID":"S1W-14795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why abstraction controls have been placed on the whisky industry; whether any evidence exists to show that such controls are necessary and, if so, whether it will detail ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why abstraction controls have been placed on the whisky industry; whether any evidence exists to show that such controls are necessary and, if so, whether it will detail such evidence, and what criteria are applied in deciding whether such controls are necessary.","AnswerText":"No controls on the abstraction of water by the whisky industry are currently in place. However, the EC Water Framework Directive requires the introduction of a comprehensive abstraction control regime. The Executive will bring forward proposals for controls in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151496,"EventID":"S1W-14796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any evidence exists of environmental problems or water shortages as a result of water abstraction by whisky distilleries and, if so, whether it will detail such e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any evidence exists of environmental problems or water shortages as a result of water abstraction by whisky distilleries and, if so, whether it will detail such evidence and any instances or examples of such problems or shortages.","AnswerText":"In its 1999 report on the state of Scotland's water environment the Scottish Environment Protection Agency identified water abstraction by distilleries as one of the pressures affecting water quantity. We will undertake a thorough assessment of the environmental effects of this and other impacts on the water environment in the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151497,"EventID":"S1W-14798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Dunoon Pier Project Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Dunoon Pier Project Group.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials met representatives of the Dunoon Pier Project Group on 15 March 2001 to discuss the pier's condition and the measures needed to ensure its continued long-term availability as a berth for ferry services. The Executive agreed to provide the project group with assistance and advice as the group develops proposals for the future of the pier.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151498,"EventID":"S1W-14799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the use of solar energy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the use of solar energy.","AnswerText":"Research and development with respect to renewable energy technologies is a reserved matter, and is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. A DTI White Paper published earlier this year included a major initiative aimed at expanding the use of solar photovoltaics across the UK, with £10 million committed for the first three years of this programme. We will remain in close contact with DTI colleagues as the details are developed.

In addition, since April 2000, a reduction of VAT from 17.5% to 5%, has been available for professionally installed solar panels.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151499,"EventID":"S1W-14800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for heating, power generation and transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for heating, power generation and transport.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for policy and funding of research and development into new renewables technologies is a reserved matter. The development and demonstration of fuel cells as a source of heating, in power generation and in transport were included in DTI's most recent call for proposals for support under its New and Renewable Energy Programme. The total funding under the Programme available amounts to £12m.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151500,"EventID":"S1W-14801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is funding, or plans to fund, any projects investigating the viability of hydrogen as a fuel for motor vehicles and, if so, whether it will provide details.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is funding, or plans to fund, any projects investigating the viability of hydrogen as a fuel for motor vehicles and, if so, whether it will provide details.","AnswerText":"Research and development in this area is a reserved matter. The UK Government has allocated £9 million for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions' new vehicle technology fund, and will be consulting later this year on its strategy to support, facilitate and promote the take-up of such technologies.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151501,"EventID":"S1W-14802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many letters it has received from Scottish Parents for a Public Enquiry into Organ Retention and how many it has replied to.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many letters it has received from Scottish Parents for a Public Enquiry into Organ Retention and how many it has replied to.","AnswerText":"Since publication of the report on the first phase of the work of the independent Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post-Mortem, four letters have been received from this group. A comprehensive reply was sent on 12 April, and has been copied to those MSPs who had asked to be informed of the terms of the response. The reply crossed with a further reminder from the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151502,"EventID":"S1W-14803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount is forecast to be paid to applicants in Shetland under the 2001 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, and when it is expected that all applicants will rece","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount is forecast to be paid to applicants in Shetland under the 2001 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, and when it is expected that all applicants will receive payments.","AnswerText":"This information is not available. The vast majority of claims will be paid by the end of April.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151503,"EventID":"S1W-14804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total budget was paid to applicants in Shetland under the 2000 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total budget was paid to applicants in Shetland under the 2000 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme.","AnswerText":"The total amount paid to applicants in Shetland under the 2000 HLCA Scheme was £1,978,305.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151504,"EventID":"S1W-14805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in making this year's agricultural payments to farmers and crofters under schemes administered by the Rural Development Department.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in making this year's agricultural payments to farmers and crofters under schemes administered by the Rural Development Department.","AnswerText":"Payments are on schedule and the value of payments issued to date is £143.825 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151505,"EventID":"S1W-14806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made in Shetland under (a) the 2000 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance scheme and (b) the 2001 Less Favoured Area Support scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made in Shetland under (a) the 2000 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance scheme and (b) the 2001 Less Favoured Area Support scheme.","AnswerText":"(a) There were 1,112 applications made in Shetland under the 2000 HLCA Scheme; and (b) There were 1,094 applications made in Shetland under the 2001 LFASS Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151506,"EventID":"S1W-14807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist for schools on administering prescribed medication to pupils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist for schools on administering prescribed medication to pupils.","AnswerText":"A number of local authorities have issued guidance to schools on the administration of medicine including prescribed medication. The Scottish Office also issued guidance for staff who provide intimate care for children and young people with disabilities entitled "Helping Hands" that covers the administration of prescribed medication in school settings. Draft good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools is currently being prepared.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151507,"EventID":"S1W-14808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-14079 on 23 March 2001, which ethnic and European languages are being considered for use in making public information about the Parl","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-14079 on 23 March 2001, which ethnic and European languages are being considered for use in making public information about the Parliament available on its website and under which of these language categories information is likely to be made available in Scots.","AnswerText":"The languages under consideration are Urdu, Chinese, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Scots, French, German, Spanish and Italian. For the purposes of presentation of information on the website, there will be no distinction between categories of language. Users will select from a menu of options listing the languages currently available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151508,"EventID":"S1W-14809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lottery funding is available from sportscotland to elite athletes who participate in non-Olympic sports or non-Olympic forms of particular sports and, if it is n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lottery funding is available from sportscotland to elite athletes who participate in non-Olympic sports or non-Olympic forms of particular sports and, if it is not, whether the arrangements disadvantage such sportspeople in comparison (a) with competitors from other countries and (b) with those participating in Olympic sports.","AnswerText":"Awards made by sportscotland under the Lottery Sports Fund are not restricted to Olympic sports. Athletes who are eligible to represent Scotland and the United Kingdom in any sport which is recognised by sportscotland, jointly with the other sports councils within the United Kingdom, and who are not being funded by UKSport under the World Class Performance Programme, may apply to sportscotland for funding under the Talented Athlete Programme. Applications are assessed on their merits against published criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151509,"EventID":"S1W-14810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if lottery funding from sportscotland for elite athletes is only or mainly available to those participating in Olympic sports, it will instruct sportscotland to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if lottery funding from sportscotland for elite athletes is only or mainly available to those participating in Olympic sports, it will instruct sportscotland to reconsider this restriction in order that sportspeople participating in non-Olympic sports or non- Olympic forms of particular sports can receive lottery funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14809.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151510,"EventID":"S1W-14811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the level of public funding available to support Scotland's elite athletes and the criteria used to award such funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the level of public funding available to support Scotland's elite athletes and the criteria used to award such funding.","AnswerText":"The division of lottery funds is decided by the UK Government in consultation with the devolved administrations. The Lottery Sports Fund is divided by relative population size amongst Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, with UKSport receiving approximately 8% for UK issues.

sportscotland has drawn up a strategic plan, after consultation with all relevant interests, for the distribution of the Lottery monies allocated to it to 2003. sportscotland regularly reviews the criteria for funding under the Talented Athlete Programme alongside all of the policies surrounding the programme; and it has been updated and altered in order to keep athletes' interests at the forefront. Further changes following sportscotland's most recent review will be considered once sportscotland are able to take account of the outcome of the Elite Sport Funding Review, led by Dr Jack Cunningham MP.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151511,"EventID":"S1W-14812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to investigate the reasons behind Peter Nicol's decision to play for England rather than Scotland; what conclusions any such investigation has re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to investigate the reasons behind Peter Nicol's decision to play for England rather than Scotland; what conclusions any such investigation has reached and, in particular, to what extent any difference in the level of public funding available was found to be a contributory factor.","AnswerText":"sportscotland has contacted the Squash Rackets Association (the sport's governing body in England) and sportengland to ascertain what services Peter Nicol would receive from the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP). The results of these enquiries are set out in the answer to question S1W-14814.

The WCPP operated by sportengland and UKSport will allow athletes at the top end of sports, which offer potentially high earnings, to receive lottery funded programmes. In Scotland, it is the policy to support athletes who demonstrate financial need and to cease funding athletes when they become self sufficient through earnings from their sport. As Peter Nicol has not contacted sportscotland with regard to any funding opportunities, since he was offered £15,000 in 1997, it is not possible to infer whether this policy difference was material to his decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151512,"EventID":"S1W-14813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Scottish Commonwealth Games Council and Scottish Squash requesting that they reconsider their reported intention to block Pet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Scottish Commonwealth Games Council and Scottish Squash requesting that they reconsider their reported intention to block Peter Nicol's participation in the 2002 Commonwealth Games as an England player.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland and Scottish Squash.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151513,"EventID":"S1W-14814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support Peter Nicol was receiving from sportscotland prior to his decision to play for England and how any such support compares with any support he is now receivin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support Peter Nicol was receiving from sportscotland prior to his decision to play for England and how any such support compares with any support he is now receiving from Sport England.","AnswerText":"In 1997, sportscotland offered Peter Nicol an award of up to £15,000 under the Talented Athlete Programme, dependent upon financial need. He did not claim any of that award and has made no application since. Also, in December 2000, the Scottish Institute of Sport invited Peter Nicol onto their programme offering services including sports medicine, sports science and physiotherapy, and resources in London, but to date he has not accepted.

The support available from the Squash Rackets Association, funded by sportengland's World Class Performance Programme, includes: travel to six tournaments; accommodation and entry fees to the six tournaments; eight hours coaching fees per week for 30 weeks of the year; rehabilitation bedspace at Lillieshall, if required; physiotherapy, psychology and notational analysis services; and travel and accommodation for a personal coach at one tournament annually and seven training camps annually. Cash awards are means tested and, as in Scotland, Peter Nicol would have to demonstrate financial need to qualify.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151514,"EventID":"S1W-14815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the award of lottery funding from sportscotland to elite athletes is tied to Olympic participation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the award of lottery funding from sportscotland to elite athletes is tied to Olympic participation.","AnswerText":"The Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) operated by sportscotland is open to all athletes participating in any sport jointly recognised by all of the sports councils within the United Kingdom. One of the aims of the TAP is to place athletes onto the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) funded by UKSport, which supports Olympic and Paralympic sports. Therefore, if the WCPP gives priority to specific disciplines these are also given priority within TAP.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151515,"EventID":"S1W-14816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available, and the criteria used to award lottery funding, under sportscotland's Talented Athlete Programme differ from the assistance available a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available, and the criteria used to award lottery funding, under sportscotland's Talented Athlete Programme differ from the assistance available and criteria used by Sport England in relation to the Athlete Personal Awards element of its World Class Performance Programme.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, athletes are supported directly from sportscotland through the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) to cover their programme and living costs. The governing bodies are asked to endorse applications, but the funds go directly to the successful athletes. In England, sportengland funds the governing bodies under the World Class Performance Programme for the operation of their programmes. Any cash awards, which cover living costs, are made direct to the athlete from sportengland. Applications for cash awards, like the TAP, are means tested.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151516,"EventID":"S1W-14817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available, and criteria used to award lottery funding, from sportscotland to national governing bodies of sport to provide assistance to elite ath","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assistance available, and criteria used to award lottery funding, from sportscotland to national governing bodies of sport to provide assistance to elite athletes differ from the assistance available and criteria used in relation to Sport England's World Class Performance Programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14816.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151517,"EventID":"S1W-14818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hotels whose rateable values exceed #12,500 are entitled to receive rates relief in respect of hardship as a consequence of the impact of foot and mouth disease ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hotels whose rateable values exceed #12,500 are entitled to receive rates relief in respect of hardship as a consequence of the impact of foot and mouth disease and whether it will provide urgent direction to local authorities as to whether such hotels should or should not receive any relief.","AnswerText":"Any business occupying a property with a rateable value above £12,000 in Scotland may apply for relief from rates providing it can be demonstrated that the business is suffering hardship. Local authorities are already aware that this relief is available but a reminder has been included in the guidance issued on 10 April. It is for the local authority to consider each case on its merits.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151518,"EventID":"S1W-14819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider increasing its estimated contribution of #3.5 million to the cost of meeting a rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider increasing its estimated contribution of #3.5 million to the cost of meeting a rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and, if so, what sum it will make available for such an increase.","AnswerText":"We will meet 95% of the cost of providing hardship relief from rates for businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak occupying property with a rateable value up to £12,000 in 17 rural local authority areas. We will also fund 75% of the cost of providing such relief for larger businesses and those in other areas. However, the scheme is not cash limited and its terms will be kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151519,"EventID":"S1W-14820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is to be granted by local authorities under the terms of the Local Governm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is to be granted by local authorities under the terms of the Local Government Finance Act 1966 and, if not, on what statutory basis the scheme rests.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have the power to remit rates on account of hardship in accordance with section 25A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 as inserted by section 156 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151520,"EventID":"S1W-14821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hotels there are in the Highland Council area and how many of these have a rateable value of over #12,500.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hotels there are in the Highland Council area and how many of these have a rateable value of over #12,500.","AnswerText":"There were 2,346 hotels, boarding houses etc. on the valuation roll for the Highland Council area as at 1 April 2000. 311 of these had a rateable value of over £12,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151521,"EventID":"S1W-14822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all advice, direction or guidance given to local authorities in respect of the proposed rates relief package for businesses affected by the foot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all advice, direction or guidance given to local authorities in respect of the proposed rates relief package for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Guidance was issued to local authorities in Finance Circular No. 1/2001, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12527).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151522,"EventID":"S1W-14823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the planned guidance of the working group on the administration of medicines in schools is over one year late.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the planned guidance of the working group on the administration of medicines in schools is over one year late.","AnswerText":"The planned guidance is not one year late. The working group established to develop good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools held its first meeting on 30 November 1999. A copy of the draft guidance prepared is in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Comments were sought on the draft guidance by 29 December 2000. The consultation exercise was extremely helpful with over 50 detailed responses. The comments have been considered by the working group and the draft guidance is now being amended in the light of those comments.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151523,"EventID":"S1W-14824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to issue new guidance on the administration of medicines in schools, and whether such guidance will be supported by a scheme to ensure implementation and m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to issue new guidance on the administration of medicines in schools, and whether such guidance will be supported by a scheme to ensure implementation and monitoring of the policy.","AnswerText":"Comments were sought on draft good practice guidance by 29 December 2000. The comments received have been considered and the draft guidance is now being amended in the light of those comments. Revised guidance will be issued once that process is complete. Implementation of the guidance will be a matter for Health Boards in conjunction with Education Authorities and consideration is also being given as to how this can be facilitated.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151524,"EventID":"S1W-14825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance similar to that recently issued to local authorities in England by the Department of Health under section 7 of the Local Authority Social S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance similar to that recently issued to local authorities in England by the Department of Health under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 regarding social care for deafblind children and adults.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to issue guidance similar to that issued recently in England on social care for deafblind children and adults. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14638.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151525,"EventID":"S1W-14826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate Norfolk County Council's Quiet Lanes approach to traffic management to establish whether are any lessons for improving safety on country","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate Norfolk County Council's Quiet Lanes approach to traffic management to establish whether are any lessons for improving safety on country roads.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do this. The Scottish rural road network is different in character to English "quiet lanes". The Transport (Scotland) Act does not include reference to quiet lanes as it was felt that they were not appropriate in the Scottish situation. However, we will monitor research work that DETR has commissioned on "quiet lanes" to see if there are any lessons which could be learned on improving road safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151526,"EventID":"S1W-14827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to assess any health risks associated with the incorporation of organophosphates in shampoos and other personal care products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to assess any health risks associated with the incorporation of organophosphates in shampoos and other personal care products.","AnswerText":"This is not a matter for the Scottish Executive. Matters relating to consumer protection are the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151527,"EventID":"S1W-14828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to civil servants regarding the maintenance of impartiality.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to civil servants regarding the maintenance of impartiality.","AnswerText":"The conduct of civil servants is governed by the Civil Service Code which requires that they "conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty". The full code is available at:

http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/central/1999/cscode.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151528,"EventID":"S1W-14829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to order an investigation into the conduct of the Head of the Fisheries Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to order an investigation into the conduct of the Head of the Fisheries Group.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151529,"EventID":"S1W-14830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deputy Minister for Rural Development or any other Minister instructed civil servants to solicit correspondence from fishing industry organisations in relati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deputy Minister for Rural Development or any other Minister instructed civil servants to solicit correspondence from fishing industry organisations in relation to the recently announced package of assistance for the industry and, if so, whether it will give details of which civil servants were instructed, the instructions issued and the subsequent results, and its reasons for its actions in this matter.","AnswerText":"Officials routinely maintain contact with a wide range of bodies in the subject areas for which they are responsible to ministers and will continue to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151530,"EventID":"S1W-14831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it had prior knowledge of any correspondence it received from fishing industry organisations following the announcement of the recent fisheries aid package and, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it had prior knowledge of any correspondence it received from fishing industry organisations following the announcement of the recent fisheries aid package and, if so, how was that knowledge acquired in relation to each letter received.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received a range of letters from fishing industry organisations following the announcement of the fisheries aid package some of which reflected prior discussions and some putting forward new information and views.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151531,"EventID":"S1W-14832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any action is to be taken following recent press allegations concerning contact made by the Head of the Fisheries Group with fishermen's organisations regarding a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any action is to be taken following recent press allegations concerning contact made by the Head of the Fisheries Group with fishermen's organisations regarding a letter to be sent from them in relation to the dispute over the fisheries aid package.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151532,"EventID":"S1W-14833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it instructed any of its civil servants to bring to the attention of the media any disagreement within the fishing industry over the content of the recently anno","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it instructed any of its civil servants to bring to the attention of the media any disagreement within the fishing industry over the content of the recently announced fisheries aid package.","AnswerText":"Officials in the Media and Communications Group and relevant Special Advisers regularly explain to the media the Executive's position on current policy issues, and the context in which the Executive's policy has been determined.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151533,"EventID":"S1W-14834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13170 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 February 2001, how many senior prison chaplains are currently employed within Scottish Prison Service","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13170 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 February 2001, how many senior prison chaplains are currently employed within Scottish Prison Service, which prisons they serve, and which denominations they represent.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

No such posts exist within SPS.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151534,"EventID":"S1W-14835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any communication from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association requesting it to make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the impact ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any communication from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association requesting it to make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the impact which the current level of VAT, cost of fuel and value of sterling have on the cost of holidays in Scotland and consequently on the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"We have corresponded with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association on a number of occasions and about a range of issues. Alasdair Morrison met the SLTA's Parliamentary Consultant last autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151535,"EventID":"S1W-14836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in each of the last five years, broken down by health board area, gender and age at diagnosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in each of the last five years, broken down by health board area, gender and age at diagnosis.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151536,"EventID":"S1W-14837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14144 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 27 March 2001, how it will make the results of its discussions with regard to the Carbon Trust avail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14144 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 27 March 2001, how it will make the results of its discussions with regard to the Carbon Trust available to businesses and when these will be available.","AnswerText":"The Carbon Trust was launched on 20 March and only came into being at UK level on 1 April 2001. It has a Chairman, but has not yet appointed a Chief Executive and is currently operating with only a skeleton staff. All discussions to date have been about internal operational issues and there has been little substantive discussion about how the Trust will operate in Scotland. Once decisions on these issues have been taken by ministers, they will be announced in the normal way through the Scottish Executive website and press releases.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151537,"EventID":"S1W-14838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13560 by Angus MacKay on 28 March 2001, whether it will send an official observer to the Promoting Electronic Governance Conference","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13560 by Angus MacKay on 28 March 2001, whether it will send an official observer to the Promoting Electronic Governance Conference and, if so, whether it will make a report from the conference available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive sent an official observer to the Promoting Electronic Government (PEG) Conference held in Birmingham from 21 to 22 March 2001.The Executive has no plans to make available a report from the conference in the Parliament's Information Centre. The PEG website (www.peg.org.uk) provides an information source for much of the work undertaken by PEG.Following the conference Executive officials have discussed with PEG how Scottish local authorities might take advantage of the work that PEG is undertaking. The head of the organisation has accepted an invitation to provide a short presentation to the Central Local 21st Century Government Forum (CLGF) meeting on 1 May. Mr Peacock will chair the meeting.The minutes of the CLGF meeting will be published on the Executive’s 21st Century Government website.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151538,"EventID":"S1W-14839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or will make, to the Ministry of Defence to offer Scottish educational qualifications at the proposed Army Foundation College at Dundee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or will make, to the Ministry of Defence to offer Scottish educational qualifications at the proposed Army Foundation College at Dundee.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority already has close links with the Ministry of Defence through its joint venture company, Awards UK. Should Dundee be confirmed as the site for the new Army Foundation College, Awards UK can offer access to the full SQA portfolio of qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151539,"EventID":"S1W-14840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14254 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, whether it will list the dates, places and agendas of its meetings with the Defence D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14254 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, whether it will list the dates, places and agendas of its meetings with the Defence Diversification Agency since its inception, and which Ministers or representatives of the Executive were in attendance at such meetings.","AnswerText":"It is not Scottish Executive policy to disclose information of this nature.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151540,"EventID":"S1W-14841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned any research into the implications of climate change for Scotland's skiing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned any research into the implications of climate change for Scotland's skiing industry.","AnswerText":"The Executive has commissioned research to consider the predicted impact of climate change on snowfall patterns in Scotland. This research, due to be published shortly, will consider the impact of changing snow cover in a number of key areas, including snowsports.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151541,"EventID":"S1W-14842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated value of the skiing industry is to the Scottish economy annually.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated value of the skiing industry is to the Scottish economy annually.","AnswerText":"The estimated annual value is £18 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151542,"EventID":"S1W-14843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people visit Scotland annually because of skiing facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people visit Scotland annually because of skiing facilities.","AnswerText":"The number of skier days recorded at Scotland's five skiing resorts in 1999-2000 was 300,000. This figure includes day trippers as well as UK and overseas tourists.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151543,"EventID":"S1W-14844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the number of information officers and public relations staff working for it.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the number of information officers and public relations staff working for it.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151544,"EventID":"S1W-14845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the IT project for people with learning disabilities implemented by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council at its Westfield Resource Centre can be implemented by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the IT project for people with learning disabilities implemented by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council at its Westfield Resource Centre can be implemented by Scottish local authorities.","AnswerText":"The West Vale Resource Centre for people with learning disabilities, run by Knowsley Council Social Services, has developed an IT project for around 60 service users who attend the centre. The project has demonstrated significant benefits for people with learning disabilities, including increased self-esteem, improved communication and IT skills and improved employment opportunities. IT training takes place at the resource centre.

The review of services for people with learning disabilities, The same as you?, recommends that local authorities and health boards should develop more modern, flexible and responsive day care services which support people in the community through lifelong learning and employment.

Many people with learning disabilities already take part in educational activities within day centres and in further education. There are examples already in Scotland of IT skills projects for people with learning disabilities, based in further education colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151545,"EventID":"S1W-14846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the division of Scotland into three 'ones for the purpose of controlling foot-and-mouth disease will affect the prices paid by slaughterhouses for livestock from","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the division of Scotland into three 'ones for the purpose of controlling foot-and-mouth disease will affect the prices paid by slaughterhouses for livestock from each 'one and, if so, whether it will take any steps to prevent any potential variation in prices between 'ones.","AnswerText":"It is too early to say how the zoning might affect livestock prices. The matter will be kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151546,"EventID":"S1W-14847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the source of infection has been in relation to each livestock unit where there has been a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the source of infection has been in relation to each livestock unit where there has been a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The spread of foot-and-mouth disease between livestock units appears mainly to have been by direct animal to animal contact or through people who have been in contact with animals acting as a conduit. Foot and mouth has been a particular problem in sheep, which have acted as a reservoir for the disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151547,"EventID":"S1W-14848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of up to #2,000 for the cost of advice from lawyers and accountants to businesses qualifying for relief under the aid package for businesses affecte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of up to #2,000 for the cost of advice from lawyers and accountants to businesses qualifying for relief under the aid package for businesses affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease would be more effectively spent on direct financial assistance to businesses who have suffered total or near total loss of income.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151548,"EventID":"S1W-14849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the total sums which will accrue to (a) lawyers and (b) accountants from the #5 million funding to the Enterprise Network for businesses hit by th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the total sums which will accrue to (a) lawyers and (b) accountants from the #5 million funding to the Enterprise Network for businesses hit by the consequences of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"Where possible, businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak will receive advice from the relevant Small Business Gateway and Local Enterprise Company advisers. However, if additional assistance is required, the extra funding for the Enterprise Networks will allow such advice to be provided. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has decided to make discretionary grants of up to £2,000 available to support businesses towards the costs of accessing survival experts. This may involve lawyers and accountants. As support will be demand driven it is too early to say what the relevant costs might be across Scotland as a whole.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151549,"EventID":"S1W-14850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when farmers who have lost stock because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will receive compensation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when farmers who have lost stock because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will receive compensation.","AnswerText":"The target for paying farmers compensation for stock which have been compulsorily slaughtered is 21 days.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151550,"EventID":"S1W-14851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in areas where stock has been lost as a result of foot-and-mouth disease, swapping of quotas between sheep and cattle when restocking is under consideration.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in areas where stock has been lost as a result of foot-and-mouth disease, swapping of quotas between sheep and cattle when restocking is under consideration.","AnswerText":"While I will bear this suggestion in mind I should point out that this would require changes to be made to EU legislation which in turn would require the approval of the EU Council of Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151551,"EventID":"S1W-14852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its decision on the use of modulation in order to make available assistance for early retirement schemes for farmers, particularly tenant far","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its decision on the use of modulation in order to make available assistance for early retirement schemes for farmers, particularly tenant farmers.","AnswerText":"I will be considering a range of options, in liaison with the agricultural industry, to assist with its recovery from the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151552,"EventID":"S1W-14853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Ministerial Working Group established to examine the recommendations of the Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group has now met and when ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Ministerial Working Group established to examine the recommendations of the Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group has now met and when it expects to be able to inform the Parliament of the outcome of the working group's deliberations.","AnswerText":"The group has met on four occasions. Its work is continuing and it is not possible to give a firm date by which the Executive will announce its conclusions on the recommendations made by the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151553,"EventID":"S1W-14854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant clinical and medical oncologists were employed at each of the five Scottish specialist cancer centres in the year to September 2000 and how many patie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant clinical and medical oncologists were employed at each of the five Scottish specialist cancer centres in the year to September 2000 and how many patients were seen per consultant at each centre during this period.","AnswerText":"The number of consultant clinical and medical oncologists employed at each of the trusts that contain the five Scottish specialist centres, is shown in table 1. These figures do not include the impact of the additional posts I announced on 28 June 2000, which includes four new WTE consultants in the oncology specialties. Oncology services are delivered by teams, and in addition to this increase in the consultant workforce, the number of Specialist Registrars in oncology is increasing substantially.

It is not possible to identify the number of patients seen per consultant from the data collected centrally. Information is collected on the number of patient episodes occurring at each centre, and figures for the year ending 30 September 2000 are shown in table 2. The number of patient episodes is not the same as the number of patients seen, as the number of visits by an individual patient varies according to the type and stage of the disease. These figures do not include outreach patients seen outwith the centre, nor do they indicate the contribution made by other members of the oncology team. For these reasons, and as consultant levels at 30 September may not represent staffing present throughout the year, this data cannot be used to provide a robust indicator of the total workload per consultant.

Table 1

Consultant Medical and Clinical Oncologists

Whole time equivalent as at 30 September 2000
 

Medical Oncology

Clinical Oncology

Scotland

10.5

35.5

Totals (5 centres)

10.4

33.9

Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust

2.6

4.0

Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust

0.6

3.6

Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

-

2.0

Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust

3.8

8.2

North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust

3.3

16.0

Notes:

1.Source: Medical and Dental Manpower Census, ISD Scotland.

2. Data at 30 September 2000 is provisional.

3. It is assumed that the medical and clinical oncologists are working at the specialist centres within the trust.

4. The difference in the totals for Scotland and the totals for the five trusts is due to some consultants working part-time outside the main cancer centres.

5. The two oncologists at Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust give both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Table 2

Patient Episodes and Attendances

Year ending 30 September 2000
We will meet 95% of the cost of funding such hardship relief for a period of three months for small businesses in 17 rural local authority areas which have a population density of less than two persons per hectare.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151555,"EventID":"S1W-14856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the additional #5 million for visitscotland for marketing purposes will be made available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the additional #5 million for visitscotland for marketing purposes will be made available.","AnswerText":"The additional funding is available now.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151556,"EventID":"S1W-14857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland on (a) staff, (b) marketing and (c) accommodation in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by the Scottish Tourist Board and visitscotland on (a) staff, (b) marketing and (c) accommodation in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14728.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151557,"EventID":"S1W-14858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hotels and guest houses, have a rateable value of less than #12,000 and what percentage this represents of the total number of hotels and guest houses, broken ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hotels and guest houses, have a rateable value of less than #12,000 and what percentage this represents of the total number of hotels and guest houses, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table.

Hotels, Boarding Houses etc on the Valuation Roll as at 1 April 2000

Local Authority

Number of hotels, boarding houses etc on valuation roll with rateable value of £12,000 or less

As a percentage of all hotels, boarding houses on the valuation roll

(%)

SCOTLAND

6,283

75

Aberdeen

113

67

Aberdeenshire

128

53

Angus

167

67

Argyll & Bute

1,014

88

Clackmannan

3

21

Dumfries & Galloway

194

73

Dundee

47

22

East Ayrshire

30

65

East Dunbartonshire

6

50

East Lothian

61

62

East Renfrewshire

0

0

Edinburgh

382

75

Eilean Siar

140

88

Falkirk

17

45

Fife

299

57

Glasgow

56

47

Highland

2,035

87

Inverclyde

5

38

(a) the Commission has agreed to consider an EU contribution towards the costs of compensation to livestock producers who have had stock culled;

(b) payment of around £46 million in EU livestock subsidies at the earliest date permissible under EU legislation. Payments under the new Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, which also receives EU funding, bring the total of subsidies paid to Scottish producers in the last month to around £100 million;

(c) Commission agreement to EU funding towards the costs of agri-monetary compensation, which will be worth around £24 million in total to Scottish producers.

Other EU funding, such as the Structural Funds and the resources allocated to the Scottish Rural Development Plan, will also bring significant benefits to rural areas affected by the outbreak. However, we have already confirmed with the Commission that these resources could not be redeployed to compensate individuals or businesses for economic losses caused by the foot and mouth emergency.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151571,"EventID":"S1W-14872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact of the Climate Change Levy on the business sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact of the Climate Change Levy on the business sector.","AnswerText":"The Climate Change Levy is a reserved matter. However the UK Government's assessment is that its impact on business will be broadly neutral.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151572,"EventID":"S1W-14873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14252 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, whether it will name the companies assisted by the Defence Diversification Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14252 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, whether it will name the companies assisted by the Defence Diversification Agency.","AnswerText":"As I stated in my previous reply, the Defence Diversification Agency has assisted over 100 companies and details cannot be made public in order to protect the competitive position of the companies concerned. That position remains unchanged.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151573,"EventID":"S1W-14874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14252 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, how many of the firms assisted by the Defence Diversification Agency have reduced the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14252 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 March 2001, how many of the firms assisted by the Defence Diversification Agency have reduced their dependence on defence manufacturers as a result of assistance from the agency and what percentage of their total business this reduction represents.","AnswerText":"The role of the Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) is not to reduce the dependence of certain companies on defence, but, inter alia, to facilitate the transfer of technology into and out of the defence sector in order to help ensure UK industry remains competitive in the changing global market place. In so doing in Scotland, the DDA works closely with Scottish Enterprise, in accordance with the regional development strategies of the Scottish Executive. The information requested cannot be made public, as to do so, might harm the competitive position of the companies involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151574,"EventID":"S1W-14875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of licensed hotel premises have a rateable value of more than #12,500 in local authority areas with businesses which qualify for the enhanced foot-and-mou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of licensed hotel premises have a rateable value of more than #12,500 in local authority areas with businesses which qualify for the enhanced foot-and-mouth disease related contribution for rates relief of 95%.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of hotels, boarding houses etc. with rateable values of £12,000 or less was given in the answer to question S1W-14858. Data on licensed hotel premises are not held separately.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151575,"EventID":"S1W-14876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the guidance, direction or advice given to (a) visitscotland, (b) Scottish Enterprise and (c) Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding the way i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the guidance, direction or advice given to (a) visitscotland, (b) Scottish Enterprise and (c) Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding the way in which the additional funding for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak can be used and, in particular, whether direct financial aid to businesses has been ruled out other than by way of a refund of the subscriptions to area tourist boards paid by businesses.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-14552 and S1W-14860.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151576,"EventID":"S1W-14877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2864 by Susan Deacon on 1 February 2001, whether a secure supply of BCG vaccinations is now assured for schoolchildren in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2864 by Susan Deacon on 1 February 2001, whether a secure supply of BCG vaccinations is now assured for schoolchildren in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14479 on 6 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151577,"EventID":"S1W-14878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what allocation of NHS funding has been made to the Medical Research Council or other research bodies to develop preventative and treatment measures in respect of tubercu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what allocation of NHS funding has been made to the Medical Research Council or other research bodies to develop preventative and treatment measures in respect of tuberculosis.","AnswerText":"The funding of the Medical Research Council is a reserved matter for the UK Government.

Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department is aware of 95 recently completed or ongoing studies into tuberculosis in the UK. One of these was carried out in Scotland and received funding of £66,645 from CSO. Details of the projects are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICe).","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151578,"EventID":"S1W-14879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in each age cohort have received a BCG vaccination in each of the last two years and what percentage these figures represent of the school population i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in each age cohort have received a BCG vaccination in each of the last two years and what percentage these figures represent of the school population in each cohort, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"This information is not available in the precise form requested. But the following four tables show:

the number of children recorded as being vaccinated, by age group, in each health board area for 1998 and 1999; and

the percentage of those in each age group who responded to the offer of BCG in these years.

Health Board

Age and Number of Pupils Vaccinated at 30 June 1998

Under 10

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Over 16

Total

Argyll & Clyde

86

2

38

219

205

1,551

64

25

5

2,195

Ayrshire & Arran

0

0

0

0

0

4,032

133

22

14

4,201

Borders

0

0

0

0

198

879

47

7

4

1,135

Dumfries & Galloway

0

0

0

0

121

1,249

124

15

1

1,510

Fife

0

0

0

576

3,296

241

47

32

4

4,196

Forth Valley

0

The Scottish Executive will be conducting a review of the means testing arrangements used for assessing contributions from parents, spouses and students towards the financial support provided to higher education students with a view to identifying further changes for academic year 2002/03. While the Executive currently has no plans to change the basis on which students are deemed to be self-supporting, we will clearly wish to consider carefully any representations received on that point.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151582,"EventID":"S1W-14883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to widen access to further and higher education for students under 25 who have their own children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to widen access to further and higher education for students under 25 who have their own children.","AnswerText":"Students in higher education receive help with childcare costs, regardless of their age. Support from the Dependants' Grant and Lone Parent' Grant is available to eligible students in addition to any bursary or loan entitlement. From 2001-02, students who receive a Dependants' Grant for a child at school between the ages of three and 16 will also receive the new School Meals Grant. This will ease the transition from benefits to full-time study and will help all student parents on low incomes.

From autumn 2000 funding of £3 million per annum has been made available to FE colleges to assist all FE students, regardless of age, faced with study-related childcare costs. A priority for these funds has been part-time students, particularly those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. However, this has not meant the exclusion of resources for needy full-time students.

Additionally, bursaries provided by FE colleges to students can include a dependants allowance which is given to students who have a legal or financial responsibility for a dependant partner, adult or child.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151583,"EventID":"S1W-14884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to inform general practitioners of the options available under the National Health Service (Personal Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to inform general practitioners of the options available under the National Health Service (Personal Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/72).","AnswerText":"A variety of initiatives have been undertaken by the Scottish Executive to inform primary care teams about Personal Medical Services: a leaflet explaining PMS has been distributed; a series of roadshows has taken place; information is available on the SHOW website; a PMS network is held quarterly and presentations are provided on request - around 40 have been given over the last four months.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151584,"EventID":"S1W-14885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the financial allocation for the personal medical services pilot and permanent schemes, broken down by (a) health board and (b) local health care","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the financial allocation for the personal medical services pilot and permanent schemes, broken down by (a) health board and (b) local health care co-operative.","AnswerText":"A recurring investment programme of £4.5/6/8 million over the next three years has been agreed for the development of Personal Medical Services (PMS) in Scotland. The allocations were made to health boards, not to Local Health Care Co-operatives. The table shows the breakdown of Personal Medical Services allocations for Year 1 (2001-02).

Health Board

GMS Arbuthnott Allocation (%)

Indicative Allocation (£)

Argyll & Clyde

8.51

£370,283

Ayrshire & Arran

7.52

£326,970

Borders

2.21

£95,948

Dumfries & Galloway

3.24

£141,017

Fife

6.48

£281,736

Forth Valley

5.31

£231,151

Grampian

9.68

£420,895

Greater Glasgow

19.02

£827,336

Highland

5.24

£228,078

Lanarkshire

10.68

£464,747

Lothian

14.12

£614,384

Orkney

0.00

£50,000

Shetland

0.00

£50,000

Tayside

7.99

£347,455

Western Isles

0.00

£50,000

Scotland

100.00

£4.500.00

","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151585,"EventID":"S1W-14886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to determine the expected health gains arising from each approved personal medical services scheme and how patients will be informed of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to determine the expected health gains arising from each approved personal medical services scheme and how patients will be informed of the targets for such gains.","AnswerText":"Every Personal Medical Services (PMS) scheme will vary according to the local needs of the patient population and the services that are developed to meet those needs. Monitoring arrangements are determined locally. If the PMS scheme is a pilot, it will be reviewed by Scottish Ministers towards the end of its pilot period. Guidance has been issued to Primary Care Trusts and Island Health Boards stating that patients should be involved in the development of PMS proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151586,"EventID":"S1W-14887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12162 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000, when it will publish the report by the joint Executive/Food Standards Agency Task Fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12162 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000, when it will publish the report by the joint Executive/Food Standards Agency Task Force which is examining how to minimise the exposure of the public to E.coli 0157.","AnswerText":"The report will be published following receipt, expected by the end of May 2001.

The report is also to be made available on the Task Force website:

http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/scotland/ecoli","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151587,"EventID":"S1W-14888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward a national strategy for respiratory disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward a national strategy for respiratory disease.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to do so. In common with many other diseases and conditions, respiratory diseases in Scotland are tackled through a range of measures, from prevention through primary and acute to tertiary care. However, we monitor the prevalence and impact of diseases and conditions continuously to help us consider whether further developments in strategies are likely to be needed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151588,"EventID":"S1W-14889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by local authorities on personal social services, net of any income received from charges made for such services, in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by local authorities on personal social services, net of any income received from charges made for such services, in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99 and (e) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information is contained in the table.

Social Work Expenditure

 

£ million

1995-96

1,031.645

1996-97

1,068.976

1997-98

1,086.659

1998-99

1,135.295

1999-2000

1,200.379

Source: As reported by local authorities in their Local Financial Returns 1995-2000.

Notes: These figures are total Net Expenditure.

1999-2000 data are provisional and may be subject to change.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151589,"EventID":"S1W-14890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the recommendation in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits that it should consider ho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the recommendation in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits that it should consider how it can assist local authorities to meet recycling targets.","AnswerText":"The Executive is already taking actions to help local authorities improve their waste management. The National Waste Strategy: Scotland, which we adopted in 1999, outlines the ways in which we intend to change the way waste is dealt with in Scotland. 11 Waste Strategy Area Groups have been set up to establish the best practicable environmental option for dealing with waste in each area. These groups are preparing Area Waste Plans, which are planned to be ready by the end of this year.

The Executive is committed to a more sustainable future for waste management in Scotland and, as Sarah Boyack explained in answer to question S1W-10588, has made available considerable resources for the implementation of Area Waste Plans by local authorities. This includes the Strategic Waste Fund which has £50.4 million over the three years 2001-02 to 2003-04. The Strategic Waste Fund also provided a £3 million grant to local authorities last year to "kick-start" recycling and composting plans.

Sarah Boyack also announced in question S1W-10588 that we are contributing £2.1 million to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) over three years. WRAP will have a business focus and will concentrate initially on market facilitation, promoting investment in recycling, research and information management and the provision of guidance, advice and technical support. In addition, the Executive will continue to fund the Recycled Markets Development (ReMaDe) Scotland programme which takes a hands-on, local approach to identifying and developing markets for recycled materials.

The Accounts Commission Overview identified low market prices as one reason why some local authorities had withdrawn separate collections of recyclable materials such as paper. By tackling the barriers to recycling through WRAP and ReMaDe we aim to lay a sound foundation upon which we can improve Scotland's poor recycling record.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151590,"EventID":"S1W-14891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to encourage local authorities to address the need identified in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to encourage local authorities to address the need identified in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits to review the management of capital expenditure","AnswerText":"The general capital expenditure section of the Accounts Commission report relates to the use of revenue for capital purposes. While the amount of capital expenditure funded from revenue is a matter for individual local authorities, the Accounts Commission is responsible for ensuring that local authorities observe standard accounting principles when funding capital expenditure from revenue. We would expect local authorities to work with their appointed auditor on accounting issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151591,"EventID":"S1W-14892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to assist local authorities to address the need identified in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to assist local authorities to address the need identified in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits to improve the quality of performance information in relation to direct labour organisations and direct service organisations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will continue its partnership approach with the Accounts Commission, local authorities and others to further develop Best Value in local government. Best Value encourages the pursuit of continuous improvement and effective performance management. This includes a greater reliance on effective performance information.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151592,"EventID":"S1W-14893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the statement in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits that progress in developing corp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the statement in the Accounts Commission's Overview of the 1999/2000 Local Authority Audits that progress in developing corporate governance arrangements in local authorities has been relatively slow.","AnswerText":"Developing corporate governance arrangements should be seen as an evolutionary process, both as councils develop their performance management systems under Best Value and policy development and decision-making structures following the McIntosh Report. The Leadership Advisory Panel has been working with councils as they have undertaken self-reviews of those structures. The key areas which have formed the basis of councils' reviews and the work of the panel have been openness, accountability and transparency. We look forward to seeing the panel's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151593,"EventID":"S1W-14894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage football authorities to progress a bid to host the 2005 World Soccer Club Championships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage football authorities to progress a bid to host the 2005 World Soccer Club Championships.","AnswerText":"A decision on whether to bid is a matter for the Scottish Football Association which has already registered an interest in bidding with FIFA. We understand that bids have to be submitted by the end of May 2001. The Scottish Executive is keeping in close touch with the SFA about this and a possible bid for the 2008 European Nations Championship.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151594,"EventID":"S1W-14895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what receipts were given to Her Majesty's Treasury via the UK Consolidated Fund in respect of fines imposed by Scottish courts and police, for each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what receipts were given to Her Majesty's Treasury via the UK Consolidated Fund in respect of fines imposed by Scottish courts and police, for each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The total of fines income, which was collected by the Scottish Court Service in the sheriff courts and subsequently, paid over to the Consolidated Fund for the financial years 1996-97 to 1999-2000 is as follows:

Financial Year

Value sent to Exchequer (£000)

1996-97

10,708

1997-98

12,353

1998-99

11,598

1999-2000

10,471

The total of court-imposed fines (including back-duty), registered fines, compensation orders, police and procurator fiscal conditional offers of fixed penalties1 and police fixed penalty notices collected by district courts in Scotland and subsequently paid to the Exchequer for the financial years 1997-98 to 1999-2000 is as follows:

Financial Year

Value sent to Exchequer (£000)

1997-982

9,144

1998-993

9,502

1999-004

8,363

Notes:

1. Procurator Fiscal penalties account for only a relatively small proportion of the total amount.

2. Missing data for North Lanarkshire.

3. Missing data for North Lanarkshire and Stirling.

4. Missing data for North Lanarkshire and Stirling.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151595,"EventID":"S1W-14896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation or any other measures regarding the placement of non-Roman Catholic pupils at Roman Catholic denominational schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation or any other measures regarding the placement of non-Roman Catholic pupils at Roman Catholic denominational schools.","AnswerText":"We have no current plans to change the legislation in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151596,"EventID":"S1W-14897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the compatibility of the denial of a place at a Roman Catholic denominational school to a non-Roman Catholic on the grounds of faith w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the compatibility of the denial of a place at a Roman Catholic denominational school to a non-Roman Catholic on the grounds of faith with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for admission to schools, including priority for places in denominational schools are for local authorities to determine, who have responsibility to ensure that their policies comply with ECHR. I understand that a case is expected to be before the courts in the near future and it would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151597,"EventID":"S1W-14898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to include Ministry of Defence police officers within the calculation of police numbers at either a national or local constabulary level.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to include Ministry of Defence police officers within the calculation of police numbers at either a national or local constabulary level.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive figures count only the number of police officers in forces maintained under the Police (Scotland) Act 1967. Ministry of Defence Police do not fall within that category.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151598,"EventID":"S1W-14899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation exercises on (a) local government and (b) housing have been initiated since 1 July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation exercises on (a) local government and (b) housing have been initiated since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"Effective consultation is fundamental to good government. The Scottish Executive is committed to providing appropriate opportunities for all those who wish to express their opinions on a proposed area of policy change to do so in ways which will inform and enhance the policy-making process.

The tables detail the consultation exercises undertaken by the Executive on local government and housing since 1 July 1999. In addition to consultation exercises on discrete policy issues, ongoing consultation takes place with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on issues relevant to local government, in particular local government finance matters.

(a) Local Government

Date

Consultation Paper

April 1999

Best Value in Local Government: Interim Conclusions of Best Value Task Force

September 1999

Report of the Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament : the Scottish Executive's response

October 1999

Transitional Arrangements to phase in the effects of the 2000 revaluation of non-domestic property in Scotland

November 1999

Standards in Public Life - Consultation on the Ethical Standards in Public Life (Scotland) Bill

December 1999

Best Value in Local Government: Final Report of Best Value Task Force

June 2000

Best Value in Local Government - Next Steps

October 2000

Getting it Right - Performance Information

November 2000

A Power of Community Initiative, Community Planning, Political Restrictions on Council Employees

January 2001

Standards in Public Life: Consultation on the Codes of Conduct for Members of Public Bodies and Councillors

February 2001

Rate relief for small businesses

March 2001

Consultation on the Draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) Bill

(b) Housing

Date

Consultation Paper

November 1999

Draft Houses in Multiple Occupation Order

December 19999

Single Secure Tenancy and the Right to Buy

December 1999

Anti-Social Behaviour

February 2000

Supporting People - Quality and Monitoring

June 2000

Draft Houses in Multiple Occupation Guidance

June 2000

Supporting People - Towards 2003

June 2000

Supporting Peo","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151599,"EventID":"S1W-14900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10392 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 October 2000, whether it will publish the criteria to be used for the designation of pressured ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10392 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 October 2000, whether it will publish the criteria to be used for the designation of pressured areas in relation to its plans to exempt some areas from right to buy under its Housing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The criteria are set out in section 39 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. This will be supplemented by further guidance in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151600,"EventID":"S1W-14901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made and to whom to bring forward the possible introduction of direct flights from Edinburgh to the USA.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made and to whom to bring forward the possible introduction of direct flights from Edinburgh to the USA.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recently met representatives of Continental Airlines and Scottish Airports Ltd when the possibility of the introduction of direct flights from Edinburgh to New York (Newark) was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151601,"EventID":"S1W-14902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to the Scotland Office to bring forward the commencement of the operation of the Rosyth European Ferry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to the Scotland Office to bring forward the commencement of the operation of the Rosyth European Ferry.","AnswerText":"No specific procedural assistance is required from the Scotland Office in relation to the possible introduction of a Rosyth European Ferry.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151602,"EventID":"S1W-14903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2122,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the report Prison Admission Health Screening as a Measure of Health Needs, published in the Scottish Executive Health Bulletin on 1 March 2001, was first ap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the report Prison Admission Health Screening as a Measure of Health Needs, published in the Scottish Executive Health Bulletin on 1 March 2001, was first approved for publication by the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service was not asked to approve the publication of this report in the Health Bulletin.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151603,"EventID":"S1W-14904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the First Minister on 22 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 877) that \"we hope to be able to develop consequential compensation\", whether it w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the First Minister on 22 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 877) that \"we hope to be able to develop consequential compensation\", whether it will list the measures covered by any such consequential compensation and whether this term covers compensation for loss suffered by businesses affected directly or indirectly by the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-14552 on 28 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151604,"EventID":"S1W-14905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many births there were in Ayrshire and Arran in each of the last five years, broken down by location of delivery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many births there were in Ayrshire and Arran in each of the last five years, broken down by location of delivery.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the table.

Maternities 1,2 delivered in NHS Hospitals in Ayrshire & Arran, 1995-96 to 1999-2000
 

Year ending 31 March

 

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000p

Total

3,965

3,916

3,863

3,821

3,529

Ayrshire Central & Maternity Hospital

3,943

3,899

3,843

3,806

3,517

Isle of Arran War Memorial Hospital

10

14

16

12

9

Other 3

12

3

4

3

3

p Provisional.

Source: ISD Scotland, SMR02 (at March 2001).

Notes:

1. Maternity is a pregnancy resulting in a live or still birth, where multiple births are counted only once.

2. Excludes home births and births at non-NHS hospitals.

3. Due to the small number involved, hospital details are not shown, although these figures include a small number of births at Crosshouse Hospital, Davidson Cottage Hospital and The Ayr Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151605,"EventID":"S1W-14906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many births in Ayrshire and Arran in each of the last five years followed complex or high-risk pregnancies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many births in Ayrshire and Arran in each of the last five years followed complex or high-risk pregnancies.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally as there is no formal definition of pregnancies which are classed as complex or high risk.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151606,"EventID":"S1W-14907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland, areas with more than approximately 3,000 births per year should be served by more than a consultant led m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland, areas with more than approximately 3,000 births per year should be served by more than a consultant led maternity unit with a full range of services and a tertiary location consultant-led specialist maternity unit.","AnswerText":"The Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland recommends that areas with more than approximately 3,000 births per year should be served by a consultant-led specialist maternity unit with access to neonatal intensive care and access to neonatal surgery and adult intensive care. This will also include midwifery managed care.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151607,"EventID":"S1W-14908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take with regard to any change in maternity provision proposed by a health board which does not fulfil the levels of care model for childbirth set out","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take with regard to any change in maternity provision proposed by a health board which does not fulfil the levels of care model for childbirth set out in the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have been asked to test their strategies against the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland and a National Group will be set up to implement the framework, and this will include developing a performance management framework to be used in assessing implementation. The implementation will also involve the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland who will develop a range of standards flowing from the framework and this will also monitor progress on implementation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151608,"EventID":"S1W-14909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to collect centrally details of the number of operations which are cancelled for non-medical reasons in the NHSiS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to collect centrally details of the number of operations which are cancelled for non-medical reasons in the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to collect this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151609,"EventID":"S1W-14910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues to health boards and NHS Trusts on the collection of data on hospital and clinical activity and, in particular, whether any such guidelines cov","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues to health boards and NHS Trusts on the collection of data on hospital and clinical activity and, in particular, whether any such guidelines cover the collection of data on cancelled appointments and operations.","AnswerText":"Guidance is issued to health boards and NHS Trusts on the collection of data for central returns. Trusts and boards are at liberty to collect additional information locally. This guidance is provided by the Information & Statistics Division (ISD) of the Common Services Agency (CSA).

The guidelines cover the collection of data on outpatient appointments cancelled as a result of the patient's failure to attend without notice. No central guidance is given for the recording of outpatient cancellations made by the Trust, or by the patient with advance notice.

Guidance is also issued for the recording of cancelled inpatient and day case admissions, where the cancellation is made by the Trust prior to admission. This information does not identify whether the procedure, for which the patient was due to be admitted, was an operation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151610,"EventID":"S1W-14911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts currently provide continuous hyperfactionated accelerated radiotherapy and whether this treatment will be made more widely available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts currently provide continuous hyperfactionated accelerated radiotherapy and whether this treatment will be made more widely available.","AnswerText":"Continuous hyper-fractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART) is not currently available in any of Scotland's five cancer centres.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been asked to advise on the clinical and cost effectiveness of CHART for patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Their report should be available during 2002.

The Scottish Cancer Plan will be published in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151611,"EventID":"S1W-14912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its review of the Scottish Prison Service chaplaincy service; what level of consultation took place during this review, and which churches were invo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its review of the Scottish Prison Service chaplaincy service; what level of consultation took place during this review, and which churches were involved in the review. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

No formal review of Chaplaincy within the Scottish Prison Service is being undertaken.

The provision for Chaplaincy is, like those of other services, continually kept under review by the SPS with the aims of ensuring best service for prisoners and best value for the taxpayer and arrangements are adjusted accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151612,"EventID":"S1W-14913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to the Scottish Prison Service chaplaincy service in each of the last three years, broken down by prison.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to the Scottish Prison Service chaplaincy service in each of the last three years, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Establishment

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Aberdeen

9,394.02

12,087.05

10,771.15

Barlinnie

50,681.94

53,650.88

52,436.95

Castle Huntly

5,072.28

7,559.12

5,555.77

Cornton Vale

18,327.56

13,739.71

13,967.30

Dumfries

5,427.20

5,830.43

4,580.72

Dungavel (Now closed)

8,937.63

13,473.31

3,838.06

Edinburgh

28,604.04

31,310.52

34,016.72

Friarton (Now closed)

1,353.60

1,552.35

0.00

Glenochil

25,400.95

35,369.38

34,220.34

Greenock

12,723.48

17,556.80

18,132.13

Inverness

10,060.19

14,005.77

10,133.14

Longriggend (Now closed)

13,499.46

13,417.51

200.46

Low Moss

20,746.94

21,173.28

The contract for HMP Kilmarnock does not require the contractor to provide details of the wage structure for staff and SPS does not therefore hold that information.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151619,"EventID":"S1W-14921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are co-ordinating the promotion of the technical measures for use by the Scottish fishing fleet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are co-ordinating the promotion of the technical measures for use by the Scottish fishing fleet.","AnswerText":"We work closely with MAFF on a range of issues. A co-ordinated approach tends to be the preferable option in fisheries since Scottish fishermen fish off the coast of England and English vessels fish in the Scottish zone. For example, recent proposals for technical measures to protect juvenile haddock will apply to all UK vessels fishing in the Scottish zone of British fishery limits.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151620,"EventID":"S1W-14922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the technical measures described in the Fisheries Research Services' news release of 13 March 2001 are different from those mentioned in the letter of 9 March 2001 fr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the technical measures described in the Fisheries Research Services' news release of 13 March 2001 are different from those mentioned in the letter of 9 March 2001 from the Deputy Minister for Rural Development to the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, despite both letters stating that a 70% reduction in discards should be achieved.","AnswerText":"The measures referred to in the Fisheries Research Services' news release of 13 March 2001 were offered as a general piece of advice about changes that fishermen could make to their gear to substantially reduced discards. They did not refer to the Scottish Executive's proposals at that time, as outlined in my letter of 9 March 2001 to the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151621,"EventID":"S1W-14923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has obtained any report by the Standing Veterinary Committee on amnesic shellfish poisoning and, if so, when it will publish a response; whether it has any pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has obtained any report by the Standing Veterinary Committee on amnesic shellfish poisoning and, if so, when it will publish a response; whether it has any plans to introduce a replacement method of tiered testing of scallops and, if so, when any necessary subordinate legislation will be brought forward.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for this issue rests with the Food Standards Agency who have advised me that this matter was discussed by EU scientific experts on 3-4 April. The formal report of the meeting is expected shortly, though it is expected to be generally supportive of the principle of the tiered approach. The agency will consider the scientific report, along with the requirements for an enforcement regime to maintain consumer safety, before making final recommendations. If changes to subordinate legislation are required, these will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151622,"EventID":"S1W-14924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards in new house building.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards in new house building.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive undertakes continuous review and revision of the building regulations and their associated Technical Standards. As part of this regular updating of standards, the sixth amendment to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 will be published in September this year. The package of proposed amendments to regulations will include higher thermal insulation standards for all new buildings.

More generally, following the issue in April 2000 of an initial consultation paper, Improving Building Standards, a review team has considered all the responses and further evidence provided, and has considered a range of specific issues in detail, including quality in construction and enforcement. I expect to consider the report of the review team in the summer, after which it is expected that a Green Paper will be issued.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151623,"EventID":"S1W-14925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to provide for independent assessment of snagging problems on completion of new house building.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to provide for independent assessment of snagging problems on completion of new house building.","AnswerText":"The contractual arrangements between builders and buyers of new houses are the responsibility of the buyer. Most builders will offer purchasers of new homes warranties from insurance bodies such as the National House Building Council (NHBC) or Zurich Building Guarantees.

Consumer protection is a reserved matter, and the UK Government has encouraged these organisations to improve their inspection regimes.

Building standards are a devolved matter, and I expect that a Green Paper on this matter will be issued later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151624,"EventID":"S1W-14926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting that the Executive be represented at the discussions between the USA and the UK on the Bermud","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting that the Executive be represented at the discussions between the USA and the UK on the Bermuda II negotiations on international aviation in June 2001 in order to contribute regarding the potential impact on the economic prospects of Scottish airports, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"No formal air service talks between the UK and the US are currently scheduled. Officials from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) may, however, meet their US counterparts for informal talks within the next couple of months to discuss how best to make progress with the liberalisation of the UK-US market. Access for the US to all UK airports other than Heathrow and Gatwick has already been liberalised. The Scottish Executive will, nevertheless, be discussing other relevant issues with DETR as part of our ongoing regular contacts with the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151625,"EventID":"S1W-14927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value to the economy of people taking (a) sailing/cruising, (b) nature, (c) geneaology, (d) adventure, (e) golfing, (f) snow sports, (g) mountaineering/climbing,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value to the economy of people taking (a) sailing/cruising, (b) nature, (c) geneaology, (d) adventure, (e) golfing, (f) snow sports, (g) mountaineering/climbing, (h) fishing, (i) hunting/shooting, (j) walking and (k) coach holidays in Scotland was in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"Information for 1995-98 is not available. For 1999, visitscotland estimate that the spend was as follows:

  1. sailing/cruising - £10 million sailing, £15 million cruising
  2. nature - interpreted as wildlife watching, the figure is £57 million
  3. genealogy - £80 million
  4. adventure - interpreted as activity holidays, the figure is £240 million*
  5. golfing - £100 million
  6. snowsports/skiing - data available combines snowsports with skiing, which is worth £18 million
  7. mountaineering/climbing - £25 million
  8. fishing - £80 million
  9. hunting/shooting - data available is for all blood sports, which are worth £53 million
  10. walking - £40 million
  11. coach holidays - £170 million

*1998 figure","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151626,"EventID":"S1W-14928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people took (a) sailing/cruising, (b) nature, (c) geneaology, (d) adventure, (e) golfing, (f) snow sports, (g) mountaineering/climbing, (h) fishing, (i) hunting/","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people took (a) sailing/cruising, (b) nature, (c) geneaology, (d) adventure, (e) golfing, (f) snow sports, (g) mountaineering/climbing, (h) fishing, (i) hunting/shooting, (j) walking and (k) coach holidays in Scotland in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"Exact details of the numbers of visitors who participated in these activities are not available. Visitscotland's estimates of the numbers participating annually are as follows:

  1. sailing/cruising - sailing 300,000, cruising 90,000
  2. nature - interpreted as wildlife watching, the number of participants is 100,000
  3. genealogy - 400,000
  4. adventure - interpreted as activity holidays. the number of participants is 2,000,000
  5. golfing - 260,000
  6. snowsports - number of skier days in 1999-2000 is 300,000
  7. mountaineering/climbing - 100,000
  8. fishing - 200,000
  9. hunting/shooting - the data held is for all field sports, the number of participants is 210,000
  10. walking - 1,500,000

coach holidays - 700,000","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151627,"EventID":"S1W-14929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to questions S1W-12571, S1W-12983, S1W-13517 and S1W-13716 lodged on 18 January, 1 February, 16 February and 27 February 2001 re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to questions S1W-12571, S1W-12983, S1W-13517 and S1W-13716 lodged on 18 January, 1 February, 16 February and 27 February 2001 respectively.","AnswerText":"Substantive answers for these questions were provided on the following dates:

S1W-12571 18 April 2001

S1W-12983 20 April 2001

S1W-13517 10 April 2001

S1W-13716 19 April 2001","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151628,"EventID":"S1W-14930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to prepare, and circulate to all of the young people who attended, a report on the Youth Summit held in June 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to prepare, and circulate to all of the young people who attended, a report on the Youth Summit held in June 2000.","AnswerText":"The report of the Scottish Youth Summit is in the final stages of preparation and will be circulated and made available shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151629,"EventID":"S1W-14931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a quality mark scheme for public bodies as part of its 21st Century Government programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a quality mark scheme for public bodies as part of its 21st Century Government programme.","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to make any particular quality scheme mandatory; but we believe that the various schemes available which are aimed at raising service and quality standards (including Chartermark, Investors in People, EFQM the business excellence model, BS 5750, ISO 9000 and the Quality Scotland Awards) are all of value in pursuing our objective for 21st Century Government. We intend therefore to continue to promote their use in the public sector in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151630,"EventID":"S1W-14932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet prepared, and circulated to all of the young people who attended, a report on the Youth Summit held in June 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet prepared, and circulated to all of the young people who attended, a report on the Youth Summit held in June 2000.","AnswerText":"A report is in the final stages of preparation and should be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151631,"EventID":"S1W-14933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invitations to meet representatives of Scottish Ballet the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has (a) received and (b) accepted since his appointmen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invitations to meet representatives of Scottish Ballet the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has (a) received and (b) accepted since his appointment.","AnswerText":"I have received two invitations to performances, one of which I have accepted.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151632,"EventID":"S1W-14934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of businesses in Dumfries and Galloway have a rateable value below #12,000 and whether all such businesses will qualify for 95% reduction of rates under t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of businesses in Dumfries and Galloway have a rateable value below #12,000 and whether all such businesses will qualify for 95% reduction of rates under the rates relief package announced on 28 March 2001.","AnswerText":"As at 1 April 2000 around 86% of businesses in Dumfries and Galloway had a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

All businesses are eligible to apply for rates relief of up 100% if they can demonstrate that they are suffering hardship as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. The Scottish Executive contribution to the cost of such relief will be 95% for businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less, and 75% for other businesses, the council making up the remainder of the cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151633,"EventID":"S1W-14935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of its staff are dedicated specifically to tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of its staff are dedicated specifically to tourism.","AnswerText":"The are a number of officials in my Department with a wide range of duties including tourism policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151634,"EventID":"S1W-14936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways it informs itself of the requirements of gypsies and travellers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways it informs itself of the requirements of gypsies and travellers.","AnswerText":"The Executive aims in all its work to ensure that the particular needs, circumstances and choices of all Scotland's communities including travelling people are taken into account. To further that aim, work is in hand, under the Executive's Equality Strategy, published in November 2000, to develop a communication strategy and to improve consultative mechanisms with specific communities of interest such as travelling people. The Scottish Executive/Scottish Homes commissioned a specific survey of travellers in 1999 and local authorities have the power to undertake their own surveys for example in connection with Best Value reviews. The Executive's Memorandum to the Equal Opportunities Committee's Inquiry into Travelling People describes policies being pursued across the Executive which deal with issues of key concern for travelling people.

In these circumstances, the Executive has no plans to establish a specific forum for the consideration of issues relating to travelling people. This is in line with the views of the former Advisory Committee on Scotland's Travelling People which, during its final term of office, examined options for the future. Following consultation, the committee concluded that a successor organisation with executive powers would be counter-productive, potentially divisive and could in fact inhibit the objective of travellers becoming fully accepted as part of the Scottish community.

There are no plans to review all existing legislation to assess its impact on any particular group. However, all Executive Bills must be accompanied by a statement of their potential impact on equal opportunities. In addition, the process of mainstreaming will move us towards integrating equality considerations into legislation, policy development, service design and delivery.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151635,"EventID":"S1W-14937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policies on social inclusion include provision for gypsies and travellers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policies on social inclusion include provision for gypsies and travellers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151636,"EventID":"S1W-14938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all local authorities act in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to gypsies and travellers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all local authorities act in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to gypsies and travellers.","AnswerText":"Under the Human Rights Act 1998, all public authorities, including local authorities, are required by law to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. If they fail to do so, action may be taken against them in the courts.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151637,"EventID":"S1W-14939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an inclusive forum for consideration of issues relating to travelling people which would invite participation from gypsies and travellers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an inclusive forum for consideration of issues relating to travelling people which would invite participation from gypsies and travellers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151638,"EventID":"S1W-14940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that gypsies and travellers are included in all future discussions, and in the drafting of legislation, relevant to their situation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that gypsies and travellers are included in all future discussions, and in the drafting of legislation, relevant to their situation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151639,"EventID":"S1W-14941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any current legislation contributes to any discrimination experienced by gypsies and travellers and, if so, what plans it has to amend any such legislation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any current legislation contributes to any discrimination experienced by gypsies and travellers and, if so, what plans it has to amend any such legislation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151640,"EventID":"S1W-14942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will communicate with and seek the advice of bodies such as the Scottish Gypsy/Traveller Association in relation to any future policy decisions regarding trav","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will communicate with and seek the advice of bodies such as the Scottish Gypsy/Traveller Association in relation to any future policy decisions regarding travelling people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151641,"EventID":"S1W-14943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce universal neonatal hearing screening to detect hearing loss in newly born babies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce universal neonatal hearing screening to detect hearing loss in newly born babies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the advice of the UK National Screening Committee on Neonatal Hearing Screening. The Executive has commissioned a comprehensive review of the implications associated with implementing a phased screening programme from the National Co-ordinator of the Scottish Screening Programmes and the Medical Director of the National Services Division, and the Scottish Executive will respond to its recommendations in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151642,"EventID":"S1W-14944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist voluntary organisations and charities who will lose anticipated income from fund-raising events scheduled to be held in the countrys","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist voluntary organisations and charities who will lose anticipated income from fund-raising events scheduled to be held in the countryside which are cancelled due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Voluntary Issues Unit is aware of the possible effect on some voluntary organisations in Scotland of the restrictions resulting from the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and is monitoring the position.

The Executive recognises that the voluntary sector is playing an important role in helping those most affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The Minister for Environment and Rural Development therefore announced to Parliament on 5 April that there would be a scheme in Scotland to match donations by members of the public to voluntary organisations engaged in alleviating distress caused by foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151643,"EventID":"S1W-14945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be made available for the development of any new hospital facility in Angus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be made available for the development of any new hospital facility in Angus.","AnswerText":"The level of funding which will be made available for the development of a new hospital facility in Angus will be determined by the business case which NHS Tayside will submit to the Health Department in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151644,"EventID":"S1W-14946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the cost of the artifical fluoridation of water compares with fluoridated drinks or tablets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the cost of the artifical fluoridation of water compares with fluoridated drinks or tablets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-14947, which gives initial estimates of the cost of fluoridating public water supplies. Directly comparable costs for fluoridated milk or tablets are not available, since such schemes would normally focus only on particular population groups, especially children.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151645,"EventID":"S1W-14947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated cost of the artificial fluoridation of water throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated cost of the artificial fluoridation of water throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Initial estimates by the Scottish water authorities suggest that fluoridating the water supplies where it is possible to do so, serving the majority of the population, would imply capital expenditure in the order of £29 million and annual running costs of £4 million. It is not practical technically to fluoridate some 15 per cent of public water supplies in Scotland. Some 2-3 per cent of the population is served by private water supplies. These costs might vary considerably if fluoridation schemes were introduced at local level at different times.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151646,"EventID":"S1W-14948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that money is available to fund nicotine replacement therapies as outlined in its announcement on 14 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that money is available to fund nicotine replacement therapies as outlined in its announcement on 14 March 2001.","AnswerText":"Health Boards received an average increase in Unified Budgets of 6.5% for 2001-02 to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. This uplift is considered to be adequate to cover in year pressures on prescribing expenditure including those arising from the introduction of new therapies. Spending decisions are for Boards to make in the light of local needs, within a framework of national standards and priorities set by Ministers.

An additional £3 million was allocated over 3 years to Health Boards in April 1999 for smoking cessation services, including the provision of one week's free NRT to smokers least able to afford to buy these products.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151647,"EventID":"S1W-14949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to make nicotine replacement therapies available free of charge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to make nicotine replacement therapies available free of charge.","AnswerText":"A Statutory Instrument to amend Schedule 10 of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 has been laid in Parliament to come into force on 30 April 2001. This will allow GPs to prescribe nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) on the NHS.

Patients who are exempt from prescription charges will not be expected to pay for this treatment. At present, around 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge. Pre-payment certificates are available to help non-exempt patients.

In line with the measures in Smoking Kills, health boards were issued in April 1999 with guidance about extending and developing NHS efforts to help people stop smoking. £3 million was allocated over three years to health boards for smoking cessation services, including the provision of one week's free NRT to smokers least able to afford to buy these products.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151648,"EventID":"S1W-14950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13248 by Ross Finnie on 30 March 2001, whether, given its involvement with Her Majesty's Government on the liberalisation of Europe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13248 by Ross Finnie on 30 March 2001, whether, given its involvement with Her Majesty's Government on the liberalisation of European postal services and its commitment to the maintenance of universal services throughout Scotland, it will be attending the 2,340th meeting of the Council of the European Union (Transport and Communications) when the issue of amending EC Directive 96/97/EC on the competition of postal services within the European Community will be considered and, if so, what position it will take and who will attend.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is closely involved in discussions on the UK position in European negotiations which impact on Scottish interests. The UK was represented at the 2,340th Council meeting on Transport and Telecommunications, held on 4-5 April, by Patricia Hewitt, Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry and Keith Hill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The UK position is designed to support the maintenance of the universal service at a uniform tariff.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151649,"EventID":"S1W-14951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made regarding any economic effect on tourist and business flights to Scotland from the USA of the Civil Aviation Authority's \"sum of sector\"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made regarding any economic effect on tourist and business flights to Scotland from the USA of the Civil Aviation Authority's \"sum of sector\" policy; when and to whom any such representations were made; whether any such representations have requested an abandonment of this policy, and, if no such representations have been made, what plans it has to make any such representations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, through its ongoing regular contacts with the UK Government, will relay its support for policies which are to the advantage of the United Kingdom and which would be of direct benefit for Scottish travellers.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151650,"EventID":"S1W-14952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14015 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, which careers service companies have been asked to co-ordinate the multi-agency bids ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14015 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, which careers service companies have been asked to co-ordinate the multi-agency bids for projects to improve the transition from school to employment for those diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome.","AnswerText":"All the 17 careers service companies in Scotland were asked to co-ordinate multi-agency bids for inclusiveness projects to improve transition from school to further education, training and employment for Scotland's most vulnerable young people.

The additional resources of £15.1 millon will underpin key worker support, improved assessment and tracking for young people who face a wide range of barriers. This could include young people with Asperger's Syndrome.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151651,"EventID":"S1W-14953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14015 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, who the four voluntary organisations in receipt of funding from its Innovation Grants","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14015 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, who the four voluntary organisations in receipt of funding from its Innovation Grants Programme are and whether it will detail the six projects aimed at supporting children and their families with autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Society for Autism runs two projects a) the Social Inclusion Partnership Project - a pro-active service to address difficulties causing school exclusion and family breakdown and b) Video Interaction Positively - use of video technology to promote positive interaction between parent and child (concluded March 2001).

The National Autistic Society also operates two projects a) Developing Social Skills and Understanding - an interactive programme to enhance social skills and to produce a training pack for local authorities to develop good practice and b) Accreditation Scotland - to improve practice and standards in schools in relation to autism.

The Parent to Parent Tayside initiative, Promoting Good Practice for Parents (autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia) Project, is piloting partnerships between parents, voluntary organisations, local authorities and health boards.

The Scottish Society for Autism, in partnership with the Highlands and Islands Autism Group - Caithness Branch, is providing outreach and advice services in a rural area through the Co-ordination of Services for Children with Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Project.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151652,"EventID":"S1W-14954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the group set up to examine the wider impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak intends to examine the effect of the outbreak on the dairy industry in the so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the group set up to examine the wider impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak intends to examine the effect of the outbreak on the dairy industry in the south west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Impact Assessment Group has been established to assess the impact of foot-and-mouth disease across all sectors and areas. As such the group will pick up on the wider effects the outbreak is having on a wide range of sectors including dairying. Regionally specific analysis from the Dumfries and Galloway local Impact Assessment Group is feeding into the national assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151653,"EventID":"S1W-14955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is investigating the possibility of council tax relief for businesses run from home affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is investigating the possibility of council tax relief for businesses run from home affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"There is a comprehensive council tax rebate system available to everyone who might have difficulty in meeting their council tax liability. Overall responsibility for the scheme lies with the Department of Social Security and is a reserved matter.

Businesses which are run from home and are liable for non-domestic rates may apply for relief from rates providing it can be demonstrated that the business is suffering hardship.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151654,"EventID":"S1W-14956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the term \"boundary\" is defined when determining whether a farm is contiguous to one where an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been identified and whether inter","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the term \"boundary\" is defined when determining whether a farm is contiguous to one where an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been identified and whether intervening water, woods or wasteland are disregarded.","AnswerText":"The first step is to consult detailed local maps which set out individual farm boundaries and identify those farms which are next to infected premises. All the local factors, including separation distances due to intervening water, woods and wasteland are then considered before a decision is taken on whether or not animals on contiguous premises need to be culled.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151655,"EventID":"S1W-14957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether businesses in Dumfries and Galloway with a rateable value greater than #12,000 are entitled to any form of rates reduction if they have been adversely affected by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether businesses in Dumfries and Galloway with a rateable value greater than #12,000 are entitled to any form of rates reduction if they have been adversely affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and, if so, what criteria are used to determine whether the outbreak has been responsible for a decline in business.","AnswerText":"All businesses in Scotland are eligible to apply to their local authorities for rates relief if they suffer hardship as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Authorities are expected to fund 25% of the cost of the relief, as usual, for businesses with a rateable value of over £12,000.

Authorities are also able to offer support to affected businesses in a range of other ways, for example by deferring payments or granting relief for property that is not in use as a result of the outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151656,"EventID":"S1W-14958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what the status is of the proposal for a centre for the languages of Scotland put forward by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what the status is of the proposal for a centre for the languages of Scotland put forward by the group chaired by Professor Ron Asher and how the proposal is to be taken forward.","AnswerText":"The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland has awarded a grant to Dr Victor Skretkowicz of Dundee University for a pilot study on the languages of Scotland. Taking the proposal forward would be a matter for the proponents of the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151657,"EventID":"S1W-14959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what the source would be of any public funding required in connection with the proposal for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what the source would be of any public funding required in connection with the proposal for a centre for the languages of Scotland.","AnswerText":"No public funding has been identified for the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151658,"EventID":"S1W-14960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, which of the actions referred to in Creating our Future, Minding our Past relate to cultural","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14288 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, which of the actions referred to in Creating our Future, Minding our Past relate to cultural projects for which it would not in general provide direct support and in relation to which actions it has funding available.","AnswerText":"The actions identified in Creating our Future, Minding our Past depend on a wide range of bodies, both in the public sector and elsewhere, working together within the general framework of the strategy. Overall funding for the strategy and the national cultural bodies was announced by Sam Galbraith in the course of the parliamentary debate on the strategy on 2 November last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151659,"EventID":"S1W-14961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research into genetically-modified fish it has funded and what the purpose, length and cost of any such research was and which institution undertook it.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research into genetically-modified fish it has funded and what the purpose, length and cost of any such research was and which institution undertook it.","AnswerText":"No scientific projects on genetically modified or transgenic fish have been directly funded by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151660,"EventID":"S1W-14962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from A/F Protein Inc. or from any other company involved in the genetic modification of fish and, if so, when and what issues ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from A/F Protein Inc. or from any other company involved in the genetic modification of fish and, if so, when and what issues have been discussed.","AnswerText":"No such representations have been received by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151661,"EventID":"S1W-14963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact subjecting mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height to full planning controls will have on the number of planning appeals submitted to local auth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact subjecting mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height to full planning controls will have on the number of planning appeals submitted to local authorities.","AnswerText":"This proposal is expected to lead to an increase in the number of planning applications made to local authorities.

We also intend to issue planning guidance which would encourage system operators and planning authorities to build up informed working relationships and should create an environment of trust. We believe developing effective working relationships should minimise the number of planning appeals to the Scottish Ministers if full planning permission were required for all ground based masts. Generally speaking it is not in the interests of applicants or planning authorities to take cases as far as appeal, if they can be resolved by other means.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151662,"EventID":"S1W-14964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations it is making to ensure the planning system will continue to run smoothly in the event that mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height become ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations it is making to ensure the planning system will continue to run smoothly in the event that mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height become subject to full planning controls.","AnswerText":"The Executive is:

finalising national planning policy by revising, in the light of the recent consultation exercise, its draft National Planning Policy Guideline on Planning and Radio Telecommunications which encourages planning authorities to make arrangements for dealing with applications expeditiously;

preparing a Planning Advice Note on best practice for both planning authorities and telecommunications operators in dealing constructively with the development of telecommunications infrastructure;

preparing a guidance Circular to accompany and explain the future legislative provisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151663,"EventID":"S1W-14965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact subjecting mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height to full planning controls will have on the speed with which third generation mobile telephone","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact subjecting mobile telephone masts less than 15 metres in height to full planning controls will have on the speed with which third generation mobile telephone technology will be deployed.","AnswerText":"The introduction of full planning control for masts less than 15 metres (49 ft) in height would have the potential to affect the speed of development. However, we would also issue associated planning guidance which would encourage system operators to share their plans with planning authorities to process applications quickly. If planning authorities and operators were to follow the guidance, then , in practice, delays would, we, believe, be minimised.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151664,"EventID":"S1W-14966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the recommendation in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network publication Hypertension in Older People that all people over 75 who have an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the recommendation in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network publication Hypertension in Older People that all people over 75 who have an annual health check should have a blood pressure check is implemented.","AnswerText":"The objective of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical care for patients in Scotland by developing, publishing and disseminating guidelines which identify and promote good clinical practice on the basis of the best evidence we have. SIGN guidelines are distributed widely and all doctors are expected to comply with Good Practice advice.

Under the statutory terms of service for general practitioners, a GP is required to invite each patient aged 75 and over for an annual health check. The purpose of the consultation is to assess whether the GP needs to render personal medical services to the patient. Although any action is determined by the clinical judgement of the GP, it is likely that this will involve measuring a patient's blood pressure.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151665,"EventID":"S1W-14967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that GPs conduct an annual health check on all people over the age of 75.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that GPs conduct an annual health check on all people over the age of 75.","AnswerText":"The statutory terms of service for general practitioners require that each patient over the age of 75 is invited each year to participate in a consultation. Any breach of the terms of service is a matter for the relevant Primary Care Trust or Island Health Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151666,"EventID":"S1W-14968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a screening system for chlamydia in young women in response to recent research carried out by the University of Edinburgh which found that 8","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a screening system for chlamydia in young women in response to recent research carried out by the University of Edinburgh which found that 8% of women under 20 were infected.","AnswerText":"The UK National Screening Committee (on which the Executive is represented) is due to consider the final Report of the evaluation of a chlamydia screening pilot project in England in summer 2001. On the basis of the conclusions reached by the evaluation, the Committee will make a recommendation on the merits or otherwise of a national screening programme for chlamydia. The research by Edinburgh University will also help inform decisions about the introduction of such a programme in Scotland.

The national health demonstration project, Healthy Respect, will pilot chlamydia testing in a range of settings to help achieve its headline targets to increase the reported cases of chlamydia amongst young people by 2003 through raised awareness. The will be followed by the long term target of a 50% decrease in reported prevalence by 2010.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151667,"EventID":"S1W-14969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it gave to St Mary's Music School in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 1999-2000, and what assistance it will give in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it gave to St Mary's Music School in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 1999-2000, and what assistance it will give in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive gave St Mary's Music School £610,900 in the 1999-2000 school session through the aided places scheme. The cost of the scheme in the 2000-01 school session is estimated at £626,700 (the final claim has yet to be received and the final amount will depend on the level of parental contribution). We do not yet know what the allocation will be for 2001-02 school session because decisions about the level of fee-capping have not yet been taken (the final amount will also depend on the level of parental contribution made).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151668,"EventID":"S1W-14970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to continue support for St Mary's Music School as a centre of excellence in musical education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to continue support for St Mary's Music School as a centre of excellence in musical education.","AnswerText":"We support the work the school does in promoting and nurturing musical excellence in our young people and plan to continue to provide it with substantial investment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151669,"EventID":"S1W-14971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with St Mary's Music School about the number of places it supports at the school and what response it will make to its request for additional ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with St Mary's Music School about the number of places it supports at the school and what response it will make to its request for additional places in 2001 and in subsequent years.","AnswerText":"Officials have had two meetings with St Mary's Music School at which this issue was discussed. Ministers decided, after full consideration of the school's case, that an increase in the number of aided places at the school was not a priority for funding at this time.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151670,"EventID":"S1W-14972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the markers recruited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority will receive the scripts from the 2001 examination diet for marking.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the markers recruited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority will receive the scripts from the 2001 examination diet for marking.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chairman to write to Mr Monteith.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151671,"EventID":"S1W-14973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when markers are due to return the examination scripts from the 2001 examination diet to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when markers are due to return the examination scripts from the 2001 examination diet to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chairman to write to Mr Monteith.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151672,"EventID":"S1W-14974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS 24 (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/137) was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 3 April 2001 and came into force on 6 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS 24 (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/137) was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 3 April 2001 and came into force on 6 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The case for establishing NHS24 as a special health board was considered as part of the review of non-departmental public bodies. This delayed the date on which the Order could be laid before Parliament and, to avoid delay to essential project work, the Order had to be brought into force as quickly as possible. A letter of explanation was submitted to the Presiding Officer when the Order was laid.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151673,"EventID":"S1W-14975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a review of primary care, in particular general practice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a review of primary care, in particular general practice.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has embarked on a wide range of initiatives in primary care. These include the development of LHCCs, the launch of NHS24, Personal Medical Services schemes and an action plan for primary care dental services. Plans have also been announced in Caring for Scotland the Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery for Scotland to pilot the WHO Family Health Nursing model as a way of strengthening primary care services in remote and rural areas. Malcolm Chisholm and I have recently met with the leaders of all the professional groups involved in primary care including general medical practice. The Executive recognises the valuable work of general medical practitioners throughout Scotland in the delivery of primary care. There are no plans for a separate review of general medical practice in Scotland. The Executive is, however, committed to bringing forward proposals for the development of LHCCs in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151674,"EventID":"S1W-14976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage the use of reusable nappies in order to reduce the volume of disposable nappies sent to landfill sites in household waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage the use of reusable nappies in order to reduce the volume of disposable nappies sent to landfill sites in household waste.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive encourages waste minimisation which forms a key objective of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland. The Waste Minimisation Act (1998) gives local authorities the powers to address the minimisation of waste in their area. This provides them with the opportunity to play a more active role in promoting and financing local waste minimisation initiatives such as reusable nappy schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151675,"EventID":"S1W-14977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated time period is for the decomposition of disposable nappies on landfill sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated time period is for the decomposition of disposable nappies on landfill sites.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.

There are a number of websites with information on the environmental impact of disposable nappies:

www.wen.org.uk/nappies.htm

www.realnappy.com

www.nappies-uk.co.uk/environmental.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151676,"EventID":"S1W-14978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support Real Nappy Week 2001 on 23 to 29 April and what its position is in relation to the call for the NHS to adopt a real nappy policy in order to reduc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support Real Nappy Week 2001 on 23 to 29 April and what its position is in relation to the call for the NHS to adopt a real nappy policy in order to reduce the volume of waste being landfilled or incinerated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports waste minimisation initiatives such as Real Nappy Week as waste minimisation is one of the key objectives of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland.

As with all waste producers, the National Health Service would be encouraged to look at ways in which they can minimise waste as this brings not only environmental benefits but cost savings too.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151677,"EventID":"S1W-14979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to report on hutters following consultation on its research paper, Huts and Hutting in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to report on hutters following consultation on its research paper, Huts and Hutting in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive published its consultation paper on 15 December 2000, inviting views on whether, in principle, the Executive should seek to promote legislation to give greater protection to hutters and the detailed provisions required if legislation were to be introduced.

The consultation closed on 9 March and we received a total of 326 responses, some of which after the closing date. Officials are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and once we have considered all the views of interested parties, we will announce our decision on whether to proceed with legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151678,"EventID":"S1W-14980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the first animals were slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the first animals were slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","AnswerText":"The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is operated on behalf of the Agriculture Departments by the Intervention Board Executive Agency. Slaughter under the scheme began at Brechin abattoir on 6 April and at Arran abattoir on 10 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151679,"EventID":"S1W-14981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to clear the backlog of animals waiting to be culled under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to clear the backlog of animals waiting to be culled under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","AnswerText":"I am aware that producers who have entered stock into the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme have experienced delays in their applications being processed and, consequently, their stock have not been slaughtered as quickly as they hoped. Having overcome initial problems with this new scheme, stock are now being processed in approved abattoirs in Scotland. The Intervention Board advise me that animals are being dealt with in order of welfare priority.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151680,"EventID":"S1W-14982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were vaccinated against tuberculosis in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were vaccinated against tuberculosis in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Figures are available centrally for the routine immunisation programme for school children only. The number of such children reported as vaccinated against tuberculosis in the years ending 30 June 1995 to 1999 were:

Year

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Scotland

31,119

62,174

47,786

48,754

46,389

Source: Common Services Agency, Information and Statistics Division.

A national shortage of BCG vaccine and the measles/rubella campaign resulted in a limited school BCG programme throughout Scotland in 1995.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151681,"EventID":"S1W-14983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase vaccinations against tuberculosis in light of the recent outbreak in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase vaccinations against tuberculosis in light of the recent outbreak in England.","AnswerText":"On 24 March, I announced, through Scottish Executive News Release SE0786, the resumption of the schools BCG vaccination programme in Scotland. We have now received details of vaccine requirements from boards and will be writing out to them shortly asking them to restart this element of the schools programme, giving priority to S4 pupils due to leave school in 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151682,"EventID":"S1W-14984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have put in place a strategy to deal with contaminated land, including landfill sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have put in place a strategy to deal with contaminated land, including landfill sites.","AnswerText":"None. Under the terms of the new statutory contaminated land regime, which came into force on 14 July 2000, local authorities have until October 2001 to produce and publish strategies for inspecting their areas to identify contaminated land.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151683,"EventID":"S1W-14985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to carry out investigations into the content of landfill sites which were used prior to the introduction in 1974 of a requirement for records to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to carry out investigations into the content of landfill sites which were used prior to the introduction in 1974 of a requirement for records to be kept.","AnswerText":"There are none. However, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14984 on 26 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151684,"EventID":"S1W-14986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to decontaminate any landfill sites affected by chemical pollution.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to decontaminate any landfill sites affected by chemical pollution.","AnswerText":"There are none. At present landfill sites are regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (WMLR) 1994 which ensures that landfill sites do not pollute the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151685,"EventID":"S1W-14987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Glasg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Glasgow City Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"The leaflet concerned has been sent to a large number of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors throughout Scotland who have been asked to make it widely available. Thousands of copies have been distributed across Scotland and additional supplies have been arranged to meet the high level of interest in the scheme. The central heating programme will continue to be publicised through the organisations described and the Managing Agent who will deliver the programme in the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151686,"EventID":"S1W-14988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Scottish Borders Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151687,"EventID":"S1W-14989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Orkne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Orkney Islands Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151688,"EventID":"S1W-14990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberd","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberdeen City Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151689,"EventID":"S1W-14991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Shetl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Shetland Islands Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151690,"EventID":"S1W-14992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Dumfr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151691,"EventID":"S1W-14993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any disability awareness training is available to its staff and, if so, whether this includes any specific training on epilepsy awareness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any disability awareness training is available to its staff and, if so, whether this includes any specific training on epilepsy awareness.","AnswerText":"Disability awareness training is available to all staff within the Scottish Executive. The Corporate Induction programme includes training in equal opportunities, including disability awareness. In addition we provide disability awareness training on a regular basis, have a wide range of material relating to disability in the learning resource centres and provide guidance on disability issues on the Scottish Executive intranet. Detailed training on epilepsy awareness has not been provided but issues relating to epilepsy may be raised within the wider disability awareness training.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151692,"EventID":"S1W-14994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what disability awareness training is available to Scottish Parliament staff, in particular on epilepsy awareness.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what disability awareness training is available to Scottish Parliament staff, in particular on epilepsy awareness.","AnswerText":"The SPCB has commissioned work to produce an Equality Framework for the Scottish Parliament. The SPCB will shortly be considering the recommendations contained in the report but I understand that the framework will provide for a programme of training, including disability awareness training. We shall ensure that epilepsy awareness is included in any training programme. Officials are already considering running a series of short workshops for staff through our occupational health contract. It is envisaged that these will cover specific health conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes as well as more general topics such as stress management.

The First Aid training provided to Parliament staff includes epilepsy awareness and how to deal with someone experiencing a seizure. In addition to ensuring that we have trained First Aiders in each of the Parliament buildings, we also provide this training to everyone who expresses a wish to undertake it. We currently have 71 staff qualified as First Aiders covering the majority of the Offices of the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151693,"EventID":"S1W-14995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether epilepsy awareness training is provided to all members of Scottish Parliament staff who are employed in the education service, the visitor centre and the security ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether epilepsy awareness training is provided to all members of Scottish Parliament staff who are employed in the education service, the visitor centre and the security service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to his previous question, reference S1W-14994. I can confirm that the specific offices to which you refer each currently have qualified First Aiders among their staff and that all the staff will be included in the proposed programme of training, which will include disability awareness.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151694,"EventID":"S1W-14996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12583 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what type of assistance it, its agencies or sportscotland are providing to the Scottish Foot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12583 by Allan Wilson on 4 April 2001, what type of assistance it, its agencies or sportscotland are providing to the Scottish Football Association in relation to the feasibility study into the possible staging of the 2008 European Nations Football Championships in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Contributions towards the costs of the feasibility study were provided by Scottish Enterprise, visitscotland, sportscotland and UK Sport.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151695,"EventID":"S1W-14997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9725 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 September 2000 and the answer to question S1W-14308 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 April 2001, which loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9725 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 22 September 2000 and the answer to question S1W-14308 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 April 2001, which local authorities had submitted claims for additional costs incurred as a result of the 2000 examinations diet prior to the decision to make ex gratia payments to all local authorities in respect of such costs.","AnswerText":"The following local authorities submitted claims for compensation in respect of additional costs incurred as a result of the 2000 examinations diet:

Aberdeenshire

East Ayrshire

East Renfrewshire

Edinburgh City

Fife

Midlothian

West Lothian","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151696,"EventID":"S1W-14998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of the tariff rebate subsidy scheme for livestock shipments to and from the Northern Isles and when this review will be complete","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of the tariff rebate subsidy scheme for livestock shipments to and from the Northern Isles and when this review will be completed.","AnswerText":"The Executive received recently the report of an evaluation of the Tariff Rebate Subsidy Scheme for bulk and livestock shipping conducted by EKOS consultants. The evaluation report is being considered in detail. Ministers will announce their conclusions on the review in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151697,"EventID":"S1W-14999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a statutory instrument is required to allow payments to be made under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance and, if so, when such an instrument will be ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a statutory instrument is required to allow payments to be made under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance and, if so, when such an instrument will be laid before the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"A Scottish order is required to provide for the implementation of our FIFG plans.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001 No 140) was laid before the Parliament on 5 April 2001. An entry to this effect can be found in Business Bulletin 61/2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151698,"EventID":"S1W-15000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the social and economic impact which would result in the event of Migdale Hospital, Sutherland closing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the social and economic impact which would result in the event of Migdale Hospital, Sutherland closing.","AnswerText":"The provision of community health services in Sutherland is a matter for Highland Health Board and the Highland Primary Care Trust. There is at present no suggestion that Migdale Hospital will close.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151699,"EventID":"S1W-15001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to strengthen the law in order to enable stray animals to be disposed of more quickly during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to strengthen the law in order to enable stray animals to be disposed of more quickly during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"New legislation came into force on 21 April 2001 (The Foot and Mouth Disease (Scotland) (Declaratory and Controlled Area) Amendment (No.4) Order 2001). This allows an inspector, on finding a stray animal, to detain it and if the owner cannot be ascertained after reasonable enquiries, arrangements can be made to have the animal destroyed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151700,"EventID":"S1W-15002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1O-3221 by Jackie Ballie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberdeenshire C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1O-3221 by Jackie Ballie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberdeenshire Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987 on 30 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151701,"EventID":"S1W-15003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the tapestry workshop, Dovecot Studios, following the withdrawal of financial support by the Bute family.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the tapestry workshop, Dovecot Studios, following the withdrawal of financial support by the Bute family.","AnswerText":"None directly. A constituent's letter on the matter has been forwarded to me by her MSP.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151702,"EventID":"S1W-15004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic and cultural assessment it has made of the work of Dovecot Studios and what plans it has to assist the studio to prevent its closure following the withdrawa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic and cultural assessment it has made of the work of Dovecot Studios and what plans it has to assist the studio to prevent its closure following the withdrawal of financial support from the Bute family.","AnswerText":"None. Support for small private enterprises and artistic or cultural projects should be sought from Local Enterprise Companies and the Scottish Arts Council respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151703,"EventID":"S1W-15005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Qualifications Authority has spent since 1 August 2000 on employing external consultants in (a) IT, (b) management accountancy, (c) management revie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Qualifications Authority has spent since 1 August 2000 on employing external consultants in (a) IT, (b) management accountancy, (c) management review and structural review, (d) internal audit, (e) external audit, and (f) other matters.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151704,"EventID":"S1W-15006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid both by (a) it and (b) the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) since 1 August 2000 to (i) Deloitte & Touche and (ii) PricewaterhouseCoopers for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid both by (a) it and (b) the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) since 1 August 2000 to (i) Deloitte & Touche and (ii) PricewaterhouseCoopers for their work in connection with the SQA and what known or anticipated costs are still to be paid to, or billed by, each of these firms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive commissioned Deloitte and Touche to carry out a review into the exam results issues concerning the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and I refer Mr Russell to the answer to PQ S1W-09374 answered on 28 September 2000. The Scottish Executive has also commissioned Deloitte and Touche to work with the SQA on detailed project planning and expects to make a payment in the region of £80,000 for that work.

Work carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the SQA is a matter for the SQA and I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell about this.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151705,"EventID":"S1W-15007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools offer (a) Latin and (b) classical studies as examinable subjects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools offer (a) Latin and (b) classical studies as examinable subjects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority's Annual Statistical Report for 1999 reported that 70 centres offered Latin and 45 centres offered classical studies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151706,"EventID":"S1W-15008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified teachers of (a) Latin and (b) classical studies are currently employed in secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified teachers of (a) Latin and (b) classical studies are currently employed in secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The latest information available at September 1998, shows there were an estimated 61 (FTE) teachers recording Latin as their main subject qualification, and a further 107 (FTE) teachers recording Latin as a supplementary qualification, in publicly funded secondary schools. Similarly, there were 60 (FTE) teachers recording Classics as their main subject qualification, and another 37 recording Classics as a supplementary qualification.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151707,"EventID":"S1W-15009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils will sit exams in (a) Latin and (b) classical studies at the spring 2001 examination diet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils will sit exams in (a) Latin and (b) classical studies at the spring 2001 examination diet.","AnswerText":"Entries for the 2001 diet are still being submitted by centres and as a result the information requested is not yet available. I have asked the Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to write to Mr Russell once the information is available.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151708,"EventID":"S1W-15010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which local authority areas pupils who have taken the relevant course at school rather than elsewhere are being presented by their school for Scottish Qualifications ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which local authority areas pupils who have taken the relevant course at school rather than elsewhere are being presented by their school for Scottish Qualifications Authority examinations in (a) Latin and (b) classical studies.","AnswerText":"Entries for the 2001 diet are still being submitted by centres and as a result the information requested is not yet available. I have asked the Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to write to Mr Russell once the information is available.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151709,"EventID":"S1W-15011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the higher incidence of multiple sclerosis in Scotland, regarding the implicati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the higher incidence of multiple sclerosis in Scotland, regarding the implications for multiple sclerosis sufferers of any delay by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in assessing drugs and technologies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.","AnswerText":"Regular meetings take place between the Scottish Executive, the Department of Health, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Health Technology Board for Scotland. Progress on the assessment of technologies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis is reviewed at these meetings.

The recent decision to develop a new economic model for the assessment of beta interferon is part of a process to ensure that the advice to be made available later this year is the product of the most objective and scientifically robust methodology possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151710,"EventID":"S1W-15012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it was informed that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board wished to include in the terms and conditions packages for senior SQA staff performance bonus ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it was informed that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board wished to include in the terms and conditions packages for senior SQA staff performance bonus payments and what consultation it undertook during its consideration of this matter.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Scottish Qualification Authority's (SQA) Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is responsible for the development of its management and staffing structures and for human resource management. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151711,"EventID":"S1W-15013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what dicussions it held with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board on the proposal to include performance bonus payments in the terms and conditions packages ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what dicussions it held with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board on the proposal to include performance bonus payments in the terms and conditions packages for senior SQA staff.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Scottish Qualifications Authority's (SQA) Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is responsible for the development of its management and staffing structures and for human resource management. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151712,"EventID":"S1W-15014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria for the payment of performance bonuses to senior staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) were proposed by the SQA board and whether it approved","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria for the payment of performance bonuses to senior staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) were proposed by the SQA board and whether it approved any such criteria and payments.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Scottish Qualification Authority's (SQA) Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is responsible for the development of its management and staffing structures and for human resource management. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151713,"EventID":"S1W-15015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the salary costs of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is paid to (a) senior managers, (b) junior managers, (c) clerical and administrative st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the salary costs of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is paid to (a) senior managers, (b) junior managers, (c) clerical and administrative staff, (d) professional staff, (e) other staff, and (f) part-time staff not included in the above; what the current total staffing complement of the SQA is, broken down by each of these categories, and how many staff in each category have terms and conditions that include performance bonus payments.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151714,"EventID":"S1W-15016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had over the past twelve months with trade unions which have members working in the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had over the past twelve months with trade unions which have members working in the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"There have been no meetings discussing SQA issues between the Scottish Executive and trade unions representing Scottish Qualifications Authority staff over the past twelve months.

Employment related issues are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151715,"EventID":"S1W-15017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total financial impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be on the economy of Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total financial impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be on the economy of Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has established an Impact Assessment Group to identify the impact foot-and-mouth disease is having across sectors and areas. A local impact assessment group in Dumfries and Galloway - which includes Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, the council, the area tourist board, and other local organisations - is feeding into the national group. To date the complexities involved in estimating the impact mean this remains work in progress. The final impact will depend on the ultimate scale and duration of the outbreak and for this reason the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease remains the Executive's highest priority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151716,"EventID":"S1W-15018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have on the tourist industry of Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have on the tourist industry of Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has established an Impact Assessment Group to identify the impact foot-and-mouth disease is having across sectors and areas. Given the complexities involved in making impact assessments this remains work in progress. Initial results illustrate that many tourism businesses in Dumfries and Galloway have been affected with cancellations and reduced enquiries.

However, the final impact will be dependent on the eventual scale and duration of the disease and for this reason, eradication of FMD remains the highest priority for the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151717,"EventID":"S1W-15019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted into any risks to human health posed by the smoke from animals being burned due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted into any risks to human health posed by the smoke from animals being burned due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"Monitoring of local air quality is a local authority responsibility. Dumfries and Galloway Council, with technical support from the Scottish Executive, are carrying out such monitoring in their area, related to the emissions from pyres.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151718,"EventID":"S1W-15020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that businesses in Dumfries and Galloway are aware of, and able to take advantage of, any assistance available to them from the projects","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that businesses in Dumfries and Galloway are aware of, and able to take advantage of, any assistance available to them from the projects in the south of Scotland receiving the European Structural Fund grants announced on 5 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Businesses benefit from the structural funds through participation in projects and schemes operated by partner bodies, rather than by applying directly.

The South of Scotland European Partnership is working closely with partner bodies, including the local enterprise companies and the local authorities, who have responsibility for developing, implementing and promoting programmes and schemes appropriate to the needs of businesses in the south of Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, and in accordance with the rules governing the Structural Funds.

The Programme Complement, which sets out the detail of the programme, includes a comprehensive Communications Action Plan, which provides for the Programme Management Executive to publicise the benefits of structural funds to a range of bodies including trade organisations and businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151719,"EventID":"S1W-15021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to ensure that the 2001 Census goes ahead in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to ensure that the 2001 Census goes ahead in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"It is essential that rural residents are fully counted in the Census alongside those from urban areas because very substantial resources are allocated on the basis of Census statistics. The Registrar General for Scotland has made arrangements for postal delivery of Census forms to households, where normal delivery by Enumerators is not possible because the area is infected or where access is limited.

In infected areas Enumerators are instructed not to hand deliver forms to any livestock holding premises or to any rural premises where the approach would involve driving off a metalled road.

In all areas Enumerators are instructed to observe scrupulously any signs restricting access and will comply at all times with any local disinfecting arrangements in place at the time.

The arrangements made by the Registrar General, in consultation with the Government Veterinary Service, have the support of the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the Scottish Landowners Federation and the Scottish Crofters Union. A copy of the News Release issued by the Registrar General on 20 March is held on the Scottish Executive website pages covering foot-and-mouth disease:

www.scotland.gov.uk/agri/footandmouth/news.asp","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151720,"EventID":"S1W-15022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much National Lottery Charities Board funding has been allocated to each (a) parliamentary region and (b) parliamentary constituency, and what percentage of the total","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much National Lottery Charities Board funding has been allocated to each (a) parliamentary region and (b) parliamentary constituency, and what percentage of the total monies allocated by the Board in Scotland each of these figures represents. ","AnswerText":"These are matters for the lottery distributor concerned and I have asked them to respond to the member directly and a copy of the reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151721,"EventID":"S1W-15023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the food consumed in Scotland in each of the last 50 years was (a) produced in Scotland and (b) imported.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the food consumed in Scotland in each of the last 50 years was (a) produced in Scotland and (b) imported.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151722,"EventID":"S1W-15024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in controlling and eliminating infectious salmon anaemia and whether any further policy measures are being formulated in this connection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in controlling and eliminating infectious salmon anaemia and whether any further policy measures are being formulated in this connection.","AnswerText":"All of the 11 confirmed farms and most of the 24 suspect farms have been restocked following clearance, disinfection and fallowing. There have been no confirmed cases since May 1998 and no suspect cases since November 1999.

If further confirmed cases arise, the changes we have secured to EC and domestic legislation will enable us to vary the rate at which farms are cleared of fish according to the level of disease present and the threat to other farms. Also, at the request of the Commission, we have drafted proposals for the statutory diagnosis of ISA which includes a new provision for lifting suspicion from farms.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151723,"EventID":"S1W-15025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have been born with a drug addiction in each health board area in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have been born with a drug addiction in each health board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information available is shown in the following table. Discharges Recording Drug Misuse. It shows cases in which the foetus and new born baby is affected by maternal use of drugs of addiction and there are neonatal withdrawal symptoms from maternal use of drugs of addiction.

Neonatal discharges1 - Scotland:

By health board and local council area of residence; year ending 31 March 2001

All Discharges

Discharges Recording Drug Misuse3

Number

Rate per 1,000 Discharges

Area of Residence

1997

1998

1999r

2000p,4

1997

1998

1999r

2000p,4

1997

1998

1999r

2000p,4

Scotland

17 351

17 322

17 893

16 832

161

217

246

220

9.3

12.5

The number of applications submitted under each of the Highlands and Islands schemes is:

Processing and marketing 7 (as at 12 April)

Vessel modernisations 11

Aquaculture 17

Port facilities 3

Operations by members of the trade 4

Innovative measures 5

For the non-Highlands and Islands area of Scotland, the closing date for applications under each of the schemes is 20 April. As at 12 April, nine applications had been received, in addition to those identified above: eight for support under processing and marketing and one under the port facilities scheme. The department has also received a bid for support (not included above) which covers activities across both the Highlands and Islands area and the rest of Scotland.

Consideration and appraisal of applications received is under way and awards will be announced as soon as possible. Payment of grants to successful applicants can only be made after claims have been received and appropriate financial etc diligence has been undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151727,"EventID":"S1W-15029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to the initiative on the future of the fisheries sector and its affiliated industries announced on 20 December 2000 and when this ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to the initiative on the future of the fisheries sector and its affiliated industries announced on 20 December 2000 and when this work will be completed.","AnswerText":"A group comprising representatives of the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Enterprise Network and the Seafish Industry Authority has been established. We intend that there should be initial consultation with the industry beginning this month. I would expect the work to be finished early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151728,"EventID":"S1W-15030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its cancer plan will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its cancer plan will be published.","AnswerText":"The plan is currently being finalised and will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151729,"EventID":"S1W-15031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when statistics on forecast cancer trends to 2015 will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when statistics on forecast cancer trends to 2015 will be published.","AnswerText":"20 pre-publication copies of Cancer Scenarios - An aid to planning cancer services in Scotland in the next decade were placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre on 4 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151730,"EventID":"S1W-15032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many intravenous drug users were diagnosed with hepatitis B in each of the last five years, showing any percentage increase or decrease in each year, broken down by h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many intravenous drug users were diagnosed with hepatitis B in each of the last five years, showing any percentage increase or decrease in each year, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following table:

Hepatitis B infected drug users : 1996-2000

health board1

Number

Percentage change2

Hepatitis B (Drug misuse cases)

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

1996-003

Argyll & Clyde

4

15

17

11

3

275

13

-35

-73

-25

Ayrshire & Arran

-

-

1

-

-

n/a

n/a

-100

n/a

n/a

Dumfries & Galloway

-

-

-

2

-

n/a

n/a

n/a

-100

n/a

Forth Valley

-

-

-

-

-

n/a

n/a

n/a

The table sets out the funding specifically provided to boards over the last five years to assist their work in preventing the transmission of bloodborne viruses. Such work can, where appropriate, include the provision of needle exchange facilities:

<","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151732,"EventID":"S1W-15034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing vacancies there were in each of the last three years, how many there are currently, and what percentage of (a) the total number of nursing posts and (b)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing vacancies there were in each of the last three years, how many there are currently, and what percentage of (a) the total number of nursing posts and (b) the number of whole-time equivalent nursing posts each of these figures represents, broken down by health board area in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15496 on 10 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151733,"EventID":"S1W-15035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many discarded hypodermic needles were collected in public places in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area, and what percentage of the num","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many discarded hypodermic needles were collected in public places in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area, and what percentage of the number collected nationally each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151734,"EventID":"S1W-15036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time for paediatric orthodontic treatment was in each of the last three years, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time for paediatric orthodontic treatment was in each of the last three years, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Most paediatric orthodontic treatments carried out within hospital and community health service settings are undertaken on an outpatient basis and information on waiting times for such treatments is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151735,"EventID":"S1W-15037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much overtime each police force paid to police officers in each of the last three years and what percentage of the total salary budget of each force each of these fig","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much overtime each police force paid to police officers in each of the last three years and what percentage of the total salary budget of each force each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"This is set out in the table for the latest 3 years for which information is available.

1996-97

£m

1997-98

£m

1998-99

£m

1999-2000

£m

2000-01

£m

Argyle & Clyde

0.387

0.387

0.387

0.341

0.363

Ayrshire & Arran

0.414

0.414

0.414

0.309

0.303

Borders

0.113

0.116

0.116

0.102

0.106

Dumfries & Galloway

0.178

0.180

0.180

0.132

0.106

Fife

0.204

0.151

0.152

0.225

0.358

Forth Valley

0.427

0.466

0.466

0.380

<","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151736,"EventID":"S1W-15038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the core contractual hours for police officers were in each police force in each of the last three years; how many and what percentage of officers in each force exce","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the core contractual hours for police officers were in each police force in each of the last three years; how many and what percentage of officers in each force exceeded these core hours in each of these years, and what the average number of hours worked per week per officer was in each force in each year.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151737,"EventID":"S1W-15039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of police officers worked more than 48 hours per week averaged over any 17 week period in each of the last three years, broken down by police","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of police officers worked more than 48 hours per week averaged over any 17 week period in each of the last three years, broken down by police force.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151738,"EventID":"S1W-15040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases involving a breach of bail conditions did not result in the Procurator Fiscal requesting that the accused be retained in custody in each of the last three ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases involving a breach of bail conditions did not result in the Procurator Fiscal requesting that the accused be retained in custody in each of the last three years, broken down by court.","AnswerText":"The statistical information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151739,"EventID":"S1W-15041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to the establishment of a drug court in the north east, what the reasons are for its position on this matter and, if such a court is to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to the establishment of a drug court in the north east, what the reasons are for its position on this matter and, if such a court is to be established, where it will be sited and what the timetable is for its establishment.","AnswerText":"I expect to receive the proposals from the steering group considering the model for a drug court within Glasgow Sheriff Court shortly. This will inform my decision on the piloting of other drug courts. Meantime work is underway to introduce Drug Treatment and Testing Orders to sheriff courts in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151740,"EventID":"S1W-15042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what percentage of the budget made available to (a) Grampian Health Board and (b) Tayside Health Board for drug detoxification treatment was spent outwith th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what percentage of the budget made available to (a) Grampian Health Board and (b) Tayside Health Board for drug detoxification treatment was spent outwith the Grampian and Tayside areas in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Figures available for the year 1998-1999 show that, for residential rehabilitation only, the spend outwith the area was for (a) Grampian Health Board £110,000 or some 66%, and for (b) Tayside Health Board, 100%.

Figures are not available for 1997-98.

The Drug Action Teams within both Health Board areas are working to establish local residential drug rehabilitation services in addition to the range of other treatment and other care services available for drug misusers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151741,"EventID":"S1W-15043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of crime has been estimated as drug-related in each of the last five years, broken down by police force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of crime has been estimated as drug-related in each of the last five years, broken down by police force.","AnswerText":"The recorded crime statistics in Scotland distinguish crimes involving drugs, such as cultivation, importation, possession and supply. They do not identify all drug-related crimes, such as those committed to fund a drugs habit. This more general information is not collected nationally or at police force level, and is only available from criminal justice research, such as the reports listed:

Interviewing and Drug Testing of Arrestees in Scotland: A Pilot Study of the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Methodology.

Published by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit in 2000

The Criminal Histories of 372 Suspected Drug Offenders.

Published by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit in 2001

Recreational Drugs and Driving: Prevalence Survey.

Published by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit in 2001

Copies of these reports are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib numbers 7209, 12860 and 11659 respectively).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151742,"EventID":"S1W-15044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of cases involving dealing in class A drugs did not result in a custodial sentence in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) parlia","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of cases involving dealing in class A drugs did not result in a custodial sentence in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) parliamentary region and (b) court.","AnswerText":"Figures on the number of non-custodial convictions for dealing in Class A drugs cannot, from the information held centrally, be separately identified within the total number of convictions where the main offence was the supply or possession with intent to supply drugs. The available information relates to convictions by court and is given in the table.

Persons with a charge proved for supply of drugs (main offence), 1997-99

 

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Force

Overtime £m

As % of salary budget

Overtime £m

As % of salary budget

Overtime £m

As % of salary budget

Central

1.2

7.2

1.3

7.1

2.1

10.7

Dumfries and Galloway

0.9

8.6

0.9

8.3

1.0

9.2

Fife

1.3

6.4

1.3

5.9

1.9

8.4

Grampian

2.4

8.0

2.9

9.1

3.3

9.9

Lothian and Borders

5.0

7.7

3.2

4.9

4.8

7.0

Northern

1.2

7.4

1.2

7.1

1.9

10.5

Strathclyde

13.1

Total number of persons with a charge proved

Persons receiving a non-custodial sentence (number)

Persons receiving a non-custodial sentence (% of total)

Court type

1997

1998

1999

1997

1998

1999

1997

1998

1999

Sheriff court

Aberdeen

74

96

83

58

63

58

78

66

70

Airdrie

34

33

33

20

21

13

59

64

39

Alloa

14

18

25

9

3

12

64

17

48

Arbroath

10

5

9

4

2

The number of secure places located in residential establishments available for children and young people as at 31 December in each of the last 3 years by parliamentary region is as follows:

Parliamentary Region

1998

1999

2000

Lothian

12*

12*

12*

Mid-Scotland and Fife

2

2

Nil

North-East

25*

25*

29**

Southern

24

24

24

West

24

24

30

Total

87

87

95

* Includes one emergency bed

** Includes two emergency beds","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151744,"EventID":"S1W-15047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of the cases reported to each procurator fiscal in the north east Scotland parliamentary region (a) were marked \"no proceedings\" and (b) fail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of the cases reported to each procurator fiscal in the north east Scotland parliamentary region (a) were marked \"no proceedings\" and (b) failed to reach court in each of the last three years, and how many and what percentage of the charges taken forward were reduced by the Procurator Fiscal in each of these years.","AnswerText":"The statistical information requested is not available.

Information is available in relation to the number of reports received, solemn and summary court disposals and non-court disposals. The latter not only includes and specifies cases marked no proceedings but also those cases disposed of by warning, conditional offer, fiscal fine, diversion or referral to the Reporter. This information is recorded for each Procurator Fiscal's Office. It is also collated and published each year in the Annual Report of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service which provides both national and regional statistics. The regional statistics relate to the six regions within the Procurator Fiscal Service, which correspond to the Sheriffdoms in Scotland. Statistics are not recorded with reference to parliamentary regions. The information collated in relation to court disposals relates to the number of cases and not charges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151745,"EventID":"S1W-15048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #15 million funding package to expand the use of information and communication technology each further and higher education institution will receive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #15 million funding package to expand the use of information and communication technology each further and higher education institution will receive.","AnswerText":"The allocation to further and higher education institutions of the £15 million being made available over the next three years is a matter for the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils.

The specific allocations to Higher Education institutions for the academic year

2001-02 were announced by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on 6 April 2001 and details are available on their website.

The Scottish Further Education Funding Council intends to announce the specific allocations to further education institutions for the forthcoming academic year at the end of April.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151746,"EventID":"S1W-15049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what proportion of Scotland's municipal waste is currently recycled within Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what proportion of Scotland's municipal waste is currently recycled within Scotland.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally on the proportion of municipal waste collected in Scotland which is currently recycled into new material within Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151747,"EventID":"S1W-15050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue is currently generated from the recycling of municipal waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue is currently generated from the recycling of municipal waste.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151748,"EventID":"S1W-15051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies are available for the recycling of municipal waste; what amounts are involved, and what the source is of each subsidy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies are available for the recycling of municipal waste; what amounts are involved, and what the source is of each subsidy.","AnswerText":"Details of grants and subsidies available for the recycling of municipal waste are given in the table.

GRANT / SUBSIDY

AMOUNT

SOURCE

PAYMENT DATES

Strategic Waste Fund

(for local authority recycling & composting initiatives)

£3 million

Scottish Executive

2000 - 2001

Strategic Waste Fund (for local authorities to implement Area Waste Plans)

£50.4 million

Scottish Executive

2001 - 2004

Strategic Waste Fund

(other waste initiatives)

£400,000

Scottish Executive

2002 - 2004

Landfill Tax Credits

(grants to recycling initiatives)

Information not held centrally

Landfill Operators

1996 onward

Recycling Credits

(subsidy to third parties to recycle municipal waste)

Information not held centrally

Local Authorities

1992 onward

New Opportunities Fund (community sector waste reuse, recycling and composting)

£5.25 million

Lottery Funding

by March 2004

In addition, the Scottish Executive has increased the Grant Aided Expenditure to local authorities for Environmental Services by £50 million over the next 3 years. However, it is for the authorities to decide how much they allocate towards recycling.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151749,"EventID":"S1W-15052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the recycling of municipal waste over the next (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years and who is responsible for setting and monitoring these ta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the recycling of municipal waste over the next (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years and who is responsible for setting and monitoring these targets.","AnswerText":"Recycling targets have not been set. However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has established a Recycling Targets Working Group consisting of representatives from the Scottish Executive, CoSLA, local authorities and Recycling Market Development (ReMaDe) Scotland to advise on recycling targets.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151750,"EventID":"S1W-15053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any new UK investment in recycling infrastructure benefits Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any new UK investment in recycling infrastructure benefits Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is a joint contributor to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). One of WRAP's key priorities is to stimulate a significant increase in reprocessing capacity in the UK. Specifically, WRAP's programme includes a target to attract at least another £10 million investment a year in reprocessing capacity. Our participation in WRAP is to ensure that the work and benefits of the programme also apply to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151751,"EventID":"S1W-15054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs the recycling industry directly supports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs the recycling industry directly supports.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151752,"EventID":"S1W-15055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and individuals have been sent copies of its Consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) (Bill).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and individuals have been sent copies of its Consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) (Bill).","AnswerText":"Copies of the consultation documents were sent to:

Leaders of Scottish Local Authorities

Chief Executives of Scottish Local Authorities

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

SOLACE

SOLAR

MSPs

Local Government Committee

Scottish Parliament Information Centre

Scottish Labour Party

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Scottish National Party

Scottish Green Party

Accounts Commission

Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland

Scottish Local Government Information Unit

Faculty of Advocates

Signet Library

Other Government Departments

The distribution was completed by e-mail and the documents have also been placed on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151753,"EventID":"S1W-15056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been set aside to cover the costs of its consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) Bill, broken down by staff, publicity","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been set aside to cover the costs of its consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) Bill, broken down by staff, publicity, printing and any other categories of expenditure.","AnswerText":"This type of consultation is part of the normal workload of Scottish Executive staff as the Government is committed to, wherever practicable, pre-legislative consultation on draft bills. There were no publicity or printing costs as the consultation documents were issued by e-mail and also placed on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151754,"EventID":"S1W-15057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not issue a press release announcing the launch of its consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotand) (Bill).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not issue a press release announcing the launch of its consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotand) (Bill).","AnswerText":"Press releases are not routinely issued to draw attention to technical consultations such as this.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151755,"EventID":"S1W-15058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11507 by Angus MacKay on 23 November 2000, which of the organisations and individuals who responded to its consultation in response","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11507 by Angus MacKay on 23 November 2000, which of the organisations and individuals who responded to its consultation in response to the recommendations contained in the report of the McIntosh Commission were in favour of combined local authority and Scottish parliamentary elections.","AnswerText":"A copy of the detailed responses to this consultation is held centrally for public inspection at the Scottish Executive Library. In general terms of those who responded to this question, 29, including CoSLA, were in favour of combined elections whilst 22 were in favour of mid-term elections. Of the local authorities who responded, 16 were in favour of combined elections and 11 were in favour of mid-term elections.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151756,"EventID":"S1W-15060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of publishing, launching and distributing its Review of Funding for Black and Minority Ethnic Groups in the Voluntary Sector document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of publishing, launching and distributing its Review of Funding for Black and Minority Ethnic Groups in the Voluntary Sector document.","AnswerText":"The consultant's final report on the Review of Funding for Black and Minority Ethnic Groups in the Voluntary Sector was published by the Executive on 26 March for consultation until 31 July. 5,000 copies of the report have been printed. Printing costs were £13,470 and £7,500 has been set aside for distribution costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151757,"EventID":"S1W-15061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its legal advice is that it would be possible for the water authorities to be exempted from the Competition Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its legal advice is that it would be possible for the water authorities to be exempted from the Competition Act 1998.","AnswerText":"The Executive's assessment of the scope for exempting the water authorities from the provisions of the Competition Act 1998 is set out in Annex B of its consultation paper on the Water Services Bill, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 12181).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151758,"EventID":"S1W-15062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Rev","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, will have on the research base.","AnswerText":"SHEFC is now considering the responses to its consultation process, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage. I have asked SHEFC to discuss its proposals with the Executive at the conclusion of the review; and to provide appropriate policy advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151759,"EventID":"S1W-15063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Rev","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, will have on the regeneration of the economy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151760,"EventID":"S1W-15064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, to what extent, the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of resea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, to what extent, the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, favour the more traditional subjects such as law at older universities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151761,"EventID":"S1W-15065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, the funding levels of more traditional subjects such as law will be maintained at the expense of new, developing and emerging subjects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151762,"EventID":"S1W-15066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to the proposal in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of resear","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to the proposal in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, that those areas of research that receive a quality rating in the Research Assessment Exercise of three or less will not be funded.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151763,"EventID":"S1W-15067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, promote an inclusive approach to public policy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151764,"EventID":"S1W-15068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consultation on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consultation on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, has been held at a time which maximises institutions' ability to respond and whether the dissemination of the outcomes of this consultation is planned for a time which suits institutions and academic staff.","AnswerText":"The council's intention to carry out a fundamental review of its policies and methods of funding research was announced in March 1999. The early announcement was intended to give higher education institutions and other interested parties an opportunity to plan ahead for the review. The overall timetable for the review was published in the initial consultation document in February 2000 which included details of the timing of the second stage consultation.

The timing of the review was designed to ensure that the council was able to undertake a fundamental review of its policies and methods of funding research and to consult a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, higher education institutions. The timing of the second stage consultation was also designed to ensure that proposals for new funding methods could be published and consulted upon well in advance of their introduction.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151765,"EventID":"S1W-15069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12876 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 February 2001, whether the number of Catholic prisoners is proportionate to the number of Catholics in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12876 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 February 2001, whether the number of Catholic prisoners is proportionate to the number of Catholics in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

There are approximately 800,000 Roman Catholics (17%) residing in Scotland.

There are 1,621 Roman Catholics (28%) currently held in Scottish prisons.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151766,"EventID":"S1W-15070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7436 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 26 June 2000, whether it will give details of any additional task forces, working groups, review groups","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7436 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 26 June 2000, whether it will give details of any additional task forces, working groups, review groups, action groups and similar committees established since June 2000 by the ministers with policy responsibility for children, education, culture and sport.","AnswerText":"The following groups have been set up:-

The Working Group on the Reintegration of Pre-school Grant - Has met three times and has now concluded its business.

The Working Group on Teacher Involvement in Pre-school Education - Set up in January. Has met three times; its work should be concluded within two or three further meetings.

The Child Protection Thematic Review - Announced March 2001. Will report by June 2002.

The Discipline Task Group - Set up in January 2001. Will report in June 2001.

Time Intervals Monitoring Group - Inaugural meeting June 2001. Will report to Ministers annually

Adoption Policy Review Group - Setting up announced on 4 April 2001. First meeting due to take place in May.

Internet Safety review group - Group has, as yet, not met.

Devolved School Management Review Group - Set up November 2000. Due to report in Summer 2001.

A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century Implementation Group - Set up September 2000. Agreement reached 12 January 2001.

Ministerial Strategy Group for CPD - first met October 2000; to oversee CPD framework until August 2003.

Short-term working group on planning for children's services - First meeting scheduled for 4 May 2001. Expected to finish in September 2001.

Gaelic Advisory Group - Set up the in December 2000

National Qualifications Steering Group - Set up in January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151767,"EventID":"S1W-15071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7436 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 26 June 2000, which of the four groups are still in existence and which have been wound up.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7436 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 26 June 2000, which of the four groups are still in existence and which have been wound up.","AnswerText":"All four groups have been wound up.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151768,"EventID":"S1W-15072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent school nurses there were in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent school nurses there were in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number of whole-time equivalent qualified school nurses recorded centrally was as follows:

Year

WTE

1996

288.1

1997

290.0

1998

286.5

1999

280.2

2000p

278.3

p provisional","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151769,"EventID":"S1W-15073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6996 by Susan Deacon on 9 June 2000, what the average waiting time for the extraction of wisdom teeth was in 1999-2000 and in the n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6996 by Susan Deacon on 9 June 2000, what the average waiting time for the extraction of wisdom teeth was in 1999-2000 and in the nine-month period to 31 December 2000, broken down by health board area in each case.","AnswerText":"Patients requiring the extraction of wisdom teeth can be treated by a General Dental Practitioner or as a hospital outpatient or inpatient/day case. Information on waiting times for treatment carried out by General Dental Practitioners or at hospital outpatient clinics is not available centrally.

Information is collected centrally on the time between a patient being placed on the inpatient/day case waiting list and their admission to hospital for treatment. The median waiting time for the extraction of wisdom teeth as an inpatient or day case, by Health Board of residence, for the year ending 31 March 2000 and for the nine months to 31 December 2000, is provided in the table.

NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times for Extraction of Wisdom Teeth1 as an Inpatient/Day Case, by Health Board of Residence, for the Year Ending 31 March 2000 and the Nine Months to 31 December 2000p

Health Board

Year Ending

31 March 2000

Nine Months To

31 December 2000p

 

Median Wait

(Days)

Median Wait

(Days)

Argyll and Clyde

44

32

Ayrshire and Arran

93

126

Borders

30

28

Dumfries and Galloway

101

84

Fife

88

88

Forth Valley

91

109

Grampian

28

17

Greater Glasgow

37

42

Highland

73

39

Lanarkshire

52

49

Lothian

41

51

Orkney

15

14

Shetland

85

87

Tayside

41

42

Western Isles

-

-

Education

Authority

Alternatives

to Exclusion

Study

Support

Early

Intervention

Supporting

Parents

Classroom

Assistants

Reducing

Class Sizes

Scotland

£10,000,000

£10,000,000

£13,000,000

£5,000,000

£36,000,000

£20,100,000

Aberdeen City

£350,065

£349,776

£455,556

£175,032

£909,233

£431,184

Aberdeenshire

£502,104

£485,208

£680,359

£251,052

£1,500,880

£614,083

Angus

£226,250

£230,285

£287,532

£113,126

£629,033

£161,497

Argyll & Bute

£186,266

£177,181

£256,997

£93,133

£361,718

£206,856

Clackmannanshire

£96,663

£93,461

£130,896

£48,331

£467,164

£144,060

Dumfries & Galloway

£313,557

£303,567

£423,955

£156,778

£842,078

£393,594

Dundee City

£275,600

£281,744

£348,234

£137,800

£782,826

£595,933

East Ayrshire

£252,974

£254,386

£326,557

£126,487

£1,228,554

£231,512

East Dunbartonshire

£256,523","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151772,"EventID":"S1W-15076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any new investment in recycling infrastructure to meet the recycling targets set for itself by the newspaper industry will benefit Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any new investment in recycling infrastructure to meet the recycling targets set for itself by the newspaper industry will benefit Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is a joint contributor to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). One of WRAP's key priorities is to stimulate a significant increase in newsprint reprocessing capacity in the UK. Specifically, WRAP's programme includes a target to support investment that will create new manufacturing capacity to deliver a 500,000 tonnes a year increase in newspaper recycling. Our participation in WRAP is to ensure that the work and benefits of the programme also apply to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151773,"EventID":"S1W-15077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area in the event of tenants in Dumfries and Galloway voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"In those local authority areas actively considering community ownership, the resources required for the installation of central heating will be included in the business plan. In the event that tenants vote against community ownership, the necessary resources will be secured from the savings made in debt servicing. Irrespective of the decision on community ownership, all council tenants will receive central heating.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151774,"EventID":"S1W-15078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Orkney Islands Council area in the event of tenants in Orkney voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to answer given to question S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151775,"EventID":"S1W-15079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Aberdeen City Council area in the event of tenants in Aberdeen voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to answer given to question S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151776,"EventID":"S1W-15080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Shetland Islands Council area in the event of tenants in Shetland voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151777,"EventID":"S1W-15081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Scottish Borders Council area in the event of tenants in the Scottish Borders voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151778,"EventID":"S1W-15082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Glasgow City Council area in the event of tenants in Glasgow voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151779,"EventID":"S1W-15083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, how successful the Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland has been in ensur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, how successful the Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland has been in ensuring that internal committees of individual Health Boards do not operate under any presumption of privacy.","AnswerText":"The Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland makes a presumption of openness and accessibility of information to the public but also permits some information to be withheld. This includes information about internal discussion and advice. Health Boards are encouraged to make public as much information as possible about decision making, but it is for individual Boards to decide what should be published. In doing so, they need to ensure that publication will not hinder frank internal debate or the proper and effective operation of the organisation.

The Scottish Executive does not monitor operation of the Code, nor does it have any plans to require Health Boards to make public information about meetings of internal committees. Health Boards, and other NHSScotland organisations, are aware of their responsibilities under the Code, one of which is to publish the name of the individual in their organisation who has responsibility for the operation of the Code.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151780,"EventID":"S1W-15084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, what measures are in place to monitor Health Boards' compliance with the Code of Practice","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, what measures are in place to monitor Health Boards' compliance with the Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15083.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151781,"EventID":"S1W-15085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, whether the Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland requires Health Board dr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11138 by Susan Deacon on 24 January 2001, whether the Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland requires Health Board drugs and therapeutics committees to make public the minutes of their meetings and forthcoming agendas and, if not, whether it will introduce such a requirement.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15083.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151782,"EventID":"S1W-15086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14135 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 March 2001, what policies the Scottish Prison has developed to reduce the potential for HIV transmiss","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14135 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 March 2001, what policies the Scottish Prison has developed to reduce the potential for HIV transmission in prisons and when these policies were or will be implemented.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

In 1993, the use of sterilising tablets was introduced into Scottish prisons to reduce the potential for the transmission of blood borne viral infections. Earlier this year, the Scottish Prison Service built on its policy by making methadone prescribing more widely available within Scottish prisons.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151783,"EventID":"S1W-15087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W- 13855 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group will (a) complete an action plan and (b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W- 13855 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group will (a) complete an action plan and (b) produce further waste training/education guidance to encourage waste segregation and promote minimisation.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group expect to be in a position to present the Action Plan recommendations to NHS Trusts and other NHSScotland bodies by mid summer 2001.

The NHS in Scotland Property and Environment Forum, which supports the Clinical Waste Steering Group, plans to have further training/education guidance in place by the end of the current financial year. This work is part of the Forum's business plan for this year and will be taken forward with funds from a landfill tax grant.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151784,"EventID":"S1W-15088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budgets of (a) Highlands and Island Enterprise, (b) the Accounts Commission for Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budgets of (a) Highlands and Island Enterprise, (b) the Accounts Commission for Scotland, (c) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, (d) the Scottish Legal Aid Board, (e) Scottish Natural Heritage and (f) the Scottish Tourist Board in each year since its introduction in July 1997.","AnswerText":"No adjustments have been made to the Executive's budgets for these organisations as a result of the abolition of payment of tax credits to pension schemes for dividends paid on or after the July 1997 budget day.

It is well worth making the point that not all of the bodies identified in the PQs participate in, or manage, "real" pension funds. The Scottish Legal Aid Board and Scottish Natural Heritage meet their pension liabilities on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, and are therefore unaffected by the abolition of tax credits payable to pension funds.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151785,"EventID":"S1W-15089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budgets of (a) the Scottish Arts Council, (b) the Scottish Children's Reporter Admini","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budgets of (a) the Scottish Arts Council, (b) the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration, (c) the Scottish Qualifications Authority, (d) Scottish Screen and (e) sportscotland in each year since its introduction in July 1997.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15088.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151786,"EventID":"S1W-15090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many midwives who qualified in 2000 have found employment in the profession.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many midwives who qualified in 2000 have found employment in the profession.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151787,"EventID":"S1W-15091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students have dropped out of (a) further and (b) higher education in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students have dropped out of (a) further and (b) higher education in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Data for all students undertaking further and higher education at higher education institutions and who leave before completion each year for which information is available is provided in the table:

Students in Higher Education Institutions in Scotland 1994-95 to 1999-2000

Leaving course and level

Left before completion

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

Higher education

3,809

2.6%

5,844

3.8%

7,160

4.2%

7,808

4.4%

8,048

4.4%

7,533

4.0%

Further Education

17

5.9%

60

24.6%

30

7.2%

29

7.9%

10

3.0%

18

18.3%

Source : Higher Education Statistics Agency

Performance Indicators published annually by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for higher education institutions in Scotland provide a projection of the numbers who start a full-time first degree course and do not obtain an award or transfer to another institution. For those starting in 1996-97 this was 17%, while in 1997-98 this was 16%.

Data is not available for those undertaking further or higher education at further education colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151788,"EventID":"S1W-15092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it would seek to use the income tax varying power to (a) raise or (b) lower the basic rate of income tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it would seek to use the income tax varying power to (a) raise or (b) lower the basic rate of income tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has undertaken not to use its tax varying power to increase income tax during the current Parliament. Our draft budget for 2002-03 is based on the current rate of basic tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151789,"EventID":"S1W-15093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to meet the targets set out in the action plan in the Action for Inclusion report by University Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to meet the targets set out in the action plan in the Action for Inclusion report by University Scotland.","AnswerText":"We welcome the publication by Universities Scotland of the Access to Achievement and the Action for Inclusion reports. We agree that partnership between higher education institutions, further education colleges, local authorities, schools and other providers of learning is necessary in order to widen participation in higher education by those from currently under-represented groups. While most of the points in the action plan are primarily for the sector, we will continue to play our part to help achieve this aim.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151790,"EventID":"S1W-15094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Comha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151791,"EventID":"S1W-15095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisional","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10150 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, how much of the #350 million funding for its central heating scheme it has provisionally allocated in each of the five years of the operation of the scheme to cover the costs of central heating installation in local authority homes in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar area in the event of tenants voting against whole stock transfer, and what will happen to any such provisional allocation in the event of whole stock transfer proceeding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-15077.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151792,"EventID":"S1W-15096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations have been made into the means by which the foot-and-mouth disease virus has been transmitted during the current outbreak and whether geese have acted ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations have been made into the means by which the foot-and-mouth disease virus has been transmitted during the current outbreak and whether geese have acted as vectors of transmission or whether this possibility can be ruled out.","AnswerText":"Based on initial analysis and epidemiological information, it is estimated that around 90% of the cases of infection are attributable to local spread between premises caused by animal and people movements. Half the remainder are thought to have arisen because of vehicle movements. The sources of the rest are still being investigated. Geese are not considered to have been the source of disease spread.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151793,"EventID":"S1W-15097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what instructions or guidance it gives to local authorities on placing requests from parents whose children will be five when starting school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what instructions or guidance it gives to local authorities on placing requests from parents whose children will be five when starting school.","AnswerText":"Guidance on this issue was issued to authorities on 16 January 2001 and is publicly available on request. A copy of the guidance has also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151794,"EventID":"S1W-15098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether priority is given to placing requests from parents whose children will be five when starting school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether priority is given to placing requests from parents whose children will be five when starting school.","AnswerText":"As a result of an anomaly in the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000, only parents whose children will be five or over when they start school are eligible to make a legal placing request. We have made a commitment to amend the legislation at the first available opportunity to ensure that parents of children who are four years and six months and over when they start school are eligible to make a placing request.

This anomaly does not affect the entitlement of children who are under five when they start school to a school place. In the meantime, authorities have been asked to operate a system to ensure that wherever possible given the legislative restraints, parents of children who will be under five when they start school are given the opportunity to say which school they wish their child to attend. Authorities have been asked to grant those requests wherever possible and allow parents to appeal any decision not to grant them through internal appeals processes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151795,"EventID":"S1W-15099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether medical reasons, the presence of siblings in a school and the needs of single parents are regarded in legislation or in practice, during the consideration of plac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether medical reasons, the presence of siblings in a school and the needs of single parents are regarded in legislation or in practice, during the consideration of placing requests, as being of greater, lesser or equal importance than the needs of parents whose children will be five when starting school.","AnswerText":"As a result of an anomaly in the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000, only parents whose children will be five or over when they start school are eligible to make a legal placing request. We have made a commitment to amend the legislation at the first available opportunity to ensure that parents of children who are four years and six months and over when they start school are eligible to make a placing request. This anomaly does not affect the entitlement of children who are under five when they start school to a school place.

The legislation requires authorities to set guidelines for placing children in their schools generally and to set criteria for accepting legal placing requests where there are more applications for places than places available. However, the legislation does not specify what those criteria might be or their order of priority. It is for authorities to decide what priority they give to different groups of children and therefore practice on taking such decisions will vary from authority to authority. Clearly such decisions have to be made within the existing legal framework, and the answer to question S1W-15097 gave information regarding guidance issued by the Scottish Executive on placing requests in January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151796,"EventID":"S1W-15100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any instructions or guidance given to local authorities regarding decision making on placing requests.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any instructions or guidance given to local authorities regarding decision making on placing requests.","AnswerText":"We do not give specific guidance to authorities on decision making on placing requests. Circular 8/96 outlined the changes in the placing request provisions following the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 and a copy of that has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Explanatory notes were published by HMSO to accompany the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 (ISBN 010591012 0). Circular 1/2000 (referred to in the answer to S1W-15097) is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. All circulars are also available from the Scottish Executive on request.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151797,"EventID":"S1W-15101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any instructions or guidelines it gives to voluntary or co-opted members of attendance and placing committees established by local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any instructions or guidelines it gives to voluntary or co-opted members of attendance and placing committees established by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not publish any guidance in this area. The establishment and operation of such committees are matters for individual education authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151798,"EventID":"S1W-15102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that health board and local authority spending on mental health services reflects local needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that health board and local authority spending on mental health services reflects local needs.","AnswerText":"The impact of local spending decisions are reviewed from the individual to the strategic perspectives through the work of the visiting Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, the Scottish Health Advisory Service and others in the reviewer network field. This process combined with the ongoing performance management function of the Scottish Executive provides a broad-based review of local spend decisions and the difference they make to users of services.

This approach recognises that money alone is not the solution and, as stated in Our National Health: a plan for action a plan for change, resources must be put to best use through efficient working and improved work practices so that sustained and real improvements can be made in the care and support delivered.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151799,"EventID":"S1W-15103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that community mental health staff are fully informed about patients in their caseload.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that community mental health staff are fully informed about patients in their caseload.","AnswerText":"Community mental health staff work closely with GPs, hospital physicians and community services (including those run by local authorities and voluntary organisations) to deliver services. Good professional practice will ensure that information about patients is shared appropriately between these services. This is supported by information systems which are maintained by health and local authority services.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151800,"EventID":"S1W-15104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the recommendations made in the Scottish Office Social Work Services Inspectorate's 1998 Report, Sense and Progress, are carried o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the recommendations made in the Scottish Office Social Work Services Inspectorate's 1998 Report, Sense and Progress, are carried out.","AnswerText":"In examining services for the Chief Social Work Inspector's Annual Report for 2002, officials will seek up to date information on local progress in implementing the recommendations of Sensing Progress.

A working group consisting of representatives from various deaf/blind organisations and appropriate officials has been set up under the auspices of the Equality Unit. The aim is to look at a positive way forward in identifying the various cross-cutting issues facing people with sensory impairment.

The working group on certification and registration in relation to people with visual impairment has produced its report, which is now being considered by ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151801,"EventID":"S1W-15105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of deafblindness is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of deafblindness is.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151802,"EventID":"S1W-15106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been carried out on the number of children and adults who are deaf and blind for the latest year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been carried out on the number of children and adults who are deaf and blind for the latest year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151803,"EventID":"S1W-15107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that the services provided to deafblind people are appropriate and in formats and methods accessible to them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that the services provided to deafblind people are appropriate and in formats and methods accessible to them.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151804,"EventID":"S1W-15108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments are carried out into the needs of deafblind individuals and what qualifications a person carrying out any such assessment must possess.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments are carried out into the needs of deafblind individuals and what qualifications a person carrying out any such assessment must possess.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151805,"EventID":"S1W-15109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that deafblind people are able to access specifically trained one-to-one support workers when assessed as requiring such support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that deafblind people are able to access specifically trained one-to-one support workers when assessed as requiring such support.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151806,"EventID":"S1W-15110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a special unit for patients sent for psychiatric assessment by the courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a special unit for patients sent for psychiatric assessment by the courts.","AnswerText":"The NHS and other agencies will continue to offer a range of care settings and services available for those referred for assessment by the Courts. The individual needs and considerations will continue to inform which setting or service is appropriate in each case. There are no current plans for a dedicated unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151807,"EventID":"S1W-15111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate a national inquiry into the pay and conditions of nursery nurses with a view to producing a report and recommendations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate a national inquiry into the pay and conditions of nursery nurses with a view to producing a report and recommendations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the crucial role that well qualified, highly motivated staff play in delivering quality early education and childcare services. The Executive is working hard to support skills development in the sector and improve the overall image of childcare as an attractive career for both men and women. Nursery nurses are a key group in the childcare workforce; and we are working to expand their opportunities for professional development.

Last year we published Working With Children - the first comprehensive guide to qualifications and careers in the childcare sector. We also launched our Action Plan for the Training and Development of Workers in Early Education, Childcare and Playwork; and are supporting this with close to £4 million of investment in skills. The Action Plan will support workforce expansion and contribute to our commitment in Programme for Government to train 5,000 new childcare workers by 2002.

The establishment of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will also ensure that quality remains at the heart of our agenda for all care services.

Last year we also set up the Early Education and Childcare Forum, through which selected professionals from across the early years sector provide an integrated source of advice on childcare and pre-school education to ministers. The forum, which I chair, is an important vehicle for highlighting key early years issues and contributing to future policy development.

Together, the Social Services Council and the Early Education & Childcare Forum will be taking forward issues of consistency and tackling the complex issues developing at a local level as a result of recent expansion.

The pay and conditions of nursery nurses, though, remain a matter for their employers - the local authorities and organisations in both the private and voluntary sectors. The Executive has no role in the negotiations and no plans to initiate a national inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151808,"EventID":"S1W-15112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what change it forecasts in the number of people employed in the electronics sector over the next year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what change it forecasts in the number of people employed in the electronics sector over the next year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not produce forecasts of employment by sector. The electronics industry in Scotland is clearly being affected by global re-structuring by the major companies, but Scotland cannot and should not compete on wage rates or work against the market. We must ensure that the industry in Scotland builds on the skills of our people and the technology of our universities and research institutes to provide high value added products and services to meet constantly changing market needs. The Executive, the electronics industry and Scottish Enterprise are working in partnership to achieve that objective.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151809,"EventID":"S1W-15113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations are being made to ensure that it is represented at the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations are being made to ensure that it is represented at the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive attendance will be decided nearer to the Summit.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151810,"EventID":"S1W-15114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister will attend the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 in a negotiating capacity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister will attend the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 in a negotiating capacity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15113.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151811,"EventID":"S1W-15115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Minister currently responsible for any aspect of environment policy will attend the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 in a negotiating capacity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Minister currently responsible for any aspect of environment policy will attend the next Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 in a negotiating capacity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15113.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151812,"EventID":"S1W-15116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journeys, including provision of interchange facilities and parking, and whether it proposes to im","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journeys, including provision of interchange facilities and parking, and whether it proposes to implement a package of measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists and, if so, whether it will detail such measures.","AnswerText":"Officials meet Scottish motorcycling representatives on a regular basis.

The provision of interchange facilities is a matter for the local authorities and transport operators. New powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 will enable local authorities to provide secure parking for motorcycles, thereby helping to reduce the level of motorcycle theft.

The road safety strategy document Tomorrow's Roads - Safer for Everyone, published last year, includes measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists throughout Great Britain. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. In addition, the Scottish Executive, through the Scottish Road Safety Campaign (SRSC), is supporting the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland \"Bikesafe Scotland\" initiative. Last year, the SRSC produced 2,000 Bikesafe posters for display in outlets selling motorcycles and motorcycling equipment. A further 10,000 Bikesafe leaflets were produced for distribution to motorcyclists. A set of exhibition panels to promote Bikesafe at the Bike show at Ingliston in March was also provided by the SRSC. These panels are available for use throughout Scotland. The SRSC will continue to support the Bikesafe initiative.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151813,"EventID":"S1W-15117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita level of funding for each health board is for (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita level of funding for each health board is for (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151814,"EventID":"S1W-15118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average per capita level of funding of health boards is for (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average per capita level of funding of health boards is for (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151815,"EventID":"S1W-15119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which non-departmental public bodies for which it is responsible had (a) a budget overspend and (b) a budget underspend and what the respective figures were for (a) and (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which non-departmental public bodies for which it is responsible had (a) a budget overspend and (b) a budget underspend and what the respective figures were for (a) and (b) in the last year for which such information is available.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151816,"EventID":"S1W-15120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12536 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 January 2001, what the total staff complement is for each establishment in the Scottish Prison Servic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12536 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 January 2001, what the total staff complement is for each establishment in the Scottish Prison Service broken down into uniformed staff and ancillary staff and what actual numbers are in post in each category.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The table shows the position on 31 December 2000.<","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151817,"EventID":"S1W-15121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will convene an independent inquiry into the future of fish farming in Scotland and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will convene an independent inquiry into the future of fish farming in Scotland and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"We are not persuaded that an independent inquiry into the environmental impact of sea cage fish farming would be the best way to proceed at this time. We have already identified the issues and are committed to driving forward the initiatives we have taken to address them. An inquiry would only divert effort. That said, if the Parliament were itself to mount an inquiry, as it was invited to do, my officials would offer it full assistance.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151818,"EventID":"S1W-15122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each health board area have been clinically assessed as requiring beta interferon but have not been so prescribed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each health board area have been clinically assessed as requiring beta interferon but have not been so prescribed.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151819,"EventID":"S1W-15123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any specific assistance is to be made available to tourist boards operating in the north east of Scotland in response to the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any specific assistance is to be made available to tourist boards operating in the north east of Scotland in response to the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on tourism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151820,"EventID":"S1W-15124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any specific assistance is to be made available to help the tourist information office in Aberdeen and local tourist board in light of recent cut backs as well as","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any specific assistance is to be made available to help the tourist information office in Aberdeen and local tourist board in light of recent cut backs as well as the impact which the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has had on local tourism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151821,"EventID":"S1W-15125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated level of haddock discards was expected in the North Sea and built into the quota negotiations for 2001, whether this figure took into account the seasonal ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated level of haddock discards was expected in the North Sea and built into the quota negotiations for 2001, whether this figure took into account the seasonal closure of fishing grounds under the cod recovery plan and whether there are any plans to revise the predicted level of haddock discards.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151822,"EventID":"S1W-15126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the government and lottery grant schemes under which local authorities, agencies and communities in the north east of Scotland parliamentary region ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the government and lottery grant schemes under which local authorities, agencies and communities in the north east of Scotland parliamentary region are able to make bids.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested. Local authorities and communities are able to apply for support to a wide range of grant schemes administered by the Scottish Executive. Information on these schemes, including a guide to grants for the voluntary sector, is available through the Scottish Executive website under the relevant topic. Many non-departmental public bodies run grant schemes that are open to authorities and communities and details of these may be obtained from the bodies directly. Details on lottery schemes are similarly available from the distributors themselves.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151823,"EventID":"S1W-15127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students in Scotland who achieved qualifications at HNC and HND level in the 2000 exam diet still await receipt of their certificates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students in Scotland who achieved qualifications at HNC and HND level in the 2000 exam diet still await receipt of their certificates.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151824,"EventID":"S1W-15128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure on (a) hospital and community services, (b) mental health services and (c) acute services for resident populations is forecast for 2000-01 and planned f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure on (a) hospital and community services, (b) mental health services and (c) acute services for resident populations is forecast for 2000-01 and planned for the following three years, in total and broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The table shows the latest forecast outturn expenditure by health board on hospital and community services, mental health services and acute services for 2000-01. These figures will be subject to revision as estimates of health board expenditure in 2000-01 are finalised. Planned expenditure figures for 2001-02 will not be available until the end of May. Estimates of planned expenditure are not collected for more than one year ahead.

Establishment

Uniformed Staff

Non-operational Staff

Complement

Staff in Post

Complement

Staff in Post

HMP Aberdeen

126

128

38

36

HMP Barlinnie

475

487

131

104

HMP Castle Huntly

52

53

20

23

HMPI Cornton Vale

190

189

57

54

HM YOI Dumfries

127

126

33

32

HMP Edinburgh

382

384

96

75

HMP Glenochil

392

388

82

85

HMP Greenock

144

147

42

39

HMP Inverness

84

81

26

27

HMP Low Moss

131

130

37

40

HMP Noranside

51

51

21

19

HMP Perth

348

344

104

95

Forecast Outturn Expenditure 2000-01 (£000)1

 

Hospital and Community Services

Mental Health Services2

Acute Services

Scotland

3,346,275

508,931

1,618,407

Argyll & Clyde

295,552

48,142

139,119

Ayrshire & Arran

241,563

37,679

116,139

Borders

77,406

11,990

38,355

Dumfries & Galloway

109,623

15,625

50,561

Fife

214,444

27,378

107,972

Forth Valley

174,072

25,760

77,536

Grampian3

302,363

48,488

146,302

Greater Glasgow

639,845

106,472

315,624

Highland

139,456

19,334

65,949

Lanarkshire

355,767

48,068

179,320

Lothian

461,282

65,722

222,517

Orkney

15,637

899

6,341

Shetland

16,822

A formal policy on provision of deaf signing is currently being developed for use both at the interim accommodation and at Holyrood. It will cover requirements for MSPs, their staff and parliamentary staff as well as for members of the public attending plenary or committee meetings. To ensure that the policy reflects accurately the views and needs of the deaf and hard of hearing, interested organisations are being consulted. A meeting with the relevant members of the Parliament Building Disability Consultation Group is due to take place in May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151826,"EventID":"S1W-15130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many British Sign Language signers are employed by the Parliament to assist in the translation of debates and committee meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many British Sign Language signers are employed by the Parliament to assist in the translation of debates and committee meetings.","AnswerText":"I refer to my answer to question S1W-15129. The Parliament does not directly employ British Sign Language interpreters but has contractual arrangements in place to provide deaf signers for plenary debates and committee meetings based on need.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151827,"EventID":"S1W-15131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many parliamentary debates and committee meetings have been signed to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many parliamentary debates and committee meetings have been signed to date.","AnswerText":"Where there is an item of plenary business or a committee agenda item directly relating to deaf issues, British Sign Language signing facilities are provided. This has occurred once for chamber business: 16 February 2000 for a Members' Business debate (S1M-529, Dr Winnie Ewing) on sign language. In that instance, two signers were located in the public gallery and one was positioned on the floor of the chamber to interpret for deaf members of the public attending the debate.

Committee meetings have employed deaf-signers on two occasions. When the Equal Opportunities Committee discussed, on 25 April 2000, a petition by Platform Adult Learning Centre calling for the Scottish Parliament to provide translation services for meetings of the Parliament and committee meetings for the deaf, deafblind people and for people with hearing difficulties, interpreters were contracted to interpret for those witnesses attending and to assist deaf members of the public observing. The Education, Culture and Sport Committee provided a signer for its meeting of 14 June 2000 when, in the course of a special educational needs inquiry, a deaf pupil from Donaldson's College in Edinburgh gave evidence to the committee.

When signers have been requested for committee meetings, they have signed for an entire meeting and not just the item relating to why signers had specifically been requested. This has allowed deaf members of the public attending for that agenda item to follow the whole meeting.

There have been no instances to date of a deaf person contacting the Parliament in advance or turning up on the day, asking to attend a plenary or committee meeting and expecting interpreting facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151828,"EventID":"S1W-15132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether East of Scotland Water has any plans to change the ownership of the Carron Valley reservoir or to enter into partnership arrangements for the management of that r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether East of Scotland Water has any plans to change the ownership of the Carron Valley reservoir or to enter into partnership arrangements for the management of that reservoir and its associated distribution system.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the East of Scotland Water Authority and I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of ESWA to reply. His response is as follows;

East of Scotland Water has no plans to change the ownership of the Carron Valley reservoir or to enter into partnership arrangements for the management of that reservoir and its associated distribution system.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151829,"EventID":"S1W-15133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any plans or recent agreements by the water authorities to (a) dispose of or (b) enter into partnership arrangements in connection with an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any plans or recent agreements by the water authorities to (a) dispose of or (b) enter into partnership arrangements in connection with any significant assets.","AnswerText":"Other than in respect of Public/Private Partnerships, none of the water authorities have disposed of or entered into partnership agreements in connection with any assets in excess of £10 million, for which ministerial approval is required. Information about Public/Private Partnerships is provided on the Scottish Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/pfi.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151830,"EventID":"S1W-15134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rate of return was set for each of the water authorities and what actual rate of return was achieved for each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rate of return was set for each of the water authorities and what actual rate of return was achieved for each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The current rate return set for each of the three water authorities is 6.5%.

The figures requested may be calculated from those given in each of the water authorities' published accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament, and pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Bib Numbers are as follows: -

Water Authorities' published accounts

Scottish Parliament Information Centre - Bib numbers

NoSWA

ESWA

WoSWA

1996-97

97515

12833

12836

1997-98

12832

12834

12837

1998-99

4005

12835

4004

1999-2000

8790

7898

7925

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151831,"EventID":"S1W-15135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rate of return is envisaged for the proposed Scottish water authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rate of return is envisaged for the proposed Scottish water authority.","AnswerText":"The current Rate of Return for the three water authorities is 6.5%. Issues such as the Rate of Return will be settled if, in light of responses to the current consultation exercise on the Water Services Bill, the Executive decides to proceed with the creation of a single water authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151832,"EventID":"S1W-15136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated savings are arising from the creation of the proposed Scottish water authority, how these savings have been calculated and what these savings are expre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated savings are arising from the creation of the proposed Scottish water authority, how these savings have been calculated and what these savings are expressed as a percentage of operating costs for each water authority for the financial year 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"Research conducted by the water authorities concluded that savings in excess of £100 million each year could be secured through collaboration. The Scottish Executive believes that bringing the operations of the authorities under a unified management structure in a single authority is the most appropriate way of securing those savings. The Executive expects additional savings through the rationalisation of services that unification entails, although these have not been quantified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151833,"EventID":"S1W-15137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio is between net additional expenditure on fixed assets and net additional borrowings for each water authority for each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio is between net additional expenditure on fixed assets and net additional borrowings for each water authority for each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The figures requested may be calculated from those given in each of the water authorities' published accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament, and pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Bib Numbers are as follows: -

Water Authorities' published accounts

Scottish Parliament Information Centre - Bib numbers

NoSWA

ESWA

WoSWA

1996-97

97515

12833

12836

1997-98

12832

12834

12837

1998-99

4005

12835

4004

1999-2000

8790

7898

7925

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151834,"EventID":"S1W-15138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all disposals of land, riparian interests or buildings since vesting date made by each water authority until the most recent date for which informat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all disposals of land, riparian interests or buildings since vesting date made by each water authority until the most recent date for which information is available, giving the date of disposal, the hectarage of land involved and the sum realised by each and every such disposal.","AnswerText":"This information is a matter for the water authorities and not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151835,"EventID":"S1W-15139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether each water authority maintains an asset inventory and whether these are available for public inspection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether each water authority maintains an asset inventory and whether these are available for public inspection.","AnswerText":"All three water authorities maintain asset inventories or registers. Most are available for public inspection by arrangement with the authorities. There are certain assets for which some details could not be disclosed for reasons of national security.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151836,"EventID":"S1W-15140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of debt was inherited by each of the water authorities at vesting date and what subsequent interest charges have had to be paid each year since for each author","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of debt was inherited by each of the water authorities at vesting date and what subsequent interest charges have had to be paid each year since for each authority, giving separate figures for interest charges paid and penalties for redemption in relation to inherited debt.","AnswerText":"The figures requested are given in each of the water authorities' published accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament, and pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Bib Numbers are as follows: -

Water Authorities' published accounts

Scottish Parliament Information Centre - Bib numbers

NoSWA

ESWA

WoSWA

1996-97

97515

12833

12836

1997-98

12832

12834

12837

1998-99

4005

12835

4004

1999-2000

8790

7898

7925

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151837,"EventID":"S1W-15141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify, for each water authority, the date at which the achievement of a uniform charging policy across the authority's entire area is expected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify, for each water authority, the date at which the achievement of a uniform charging policy across the authority's entire area is expected.","AnswerText":"Each authority currently applies a uniform charging scheme for domestic customers throughout its area. Future charging schemes will be determined in the light of a number of factors, notably the Water Industry Commissioner's Strategic Review of Charges.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151838,"EventID":"S1W-15142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total remuneration packages were including bonuses and pension provision for chief executives and chairmen of each water authority for each of the last five year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total remuneration packages were including bonuses and pension provision for chief executives and chairmen of each water authority for each of the last five years giving the annual percentage increase and including the cumulative increases since vesting date in each case.","AnswerText":"This information can be found in the water authorities' published annual accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament and, pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Bib. Numbers are as follows:

Water Authorities' published accounts

Parliament's Reference Centre - Bib. numbers

NoSWA

ESWA

WoSWA

1996-97

97515

12833

12836

1997-98

12832

12834

12837

1998-99

4005

12835

4004

1999-2000

8790

7898

7925

For information on Chief Executives' salaries etc for 2000-01, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-7989 on 18 July 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151839,"EventID":"S1W-15143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Church of Scotland is expected to utilise the current debating chamber in the Assembly Hall for its General Assembly meeting in May 2002 and, if so, what alter","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Church of Scotland is expected to utilise the current debating chamber in the Assembly Hall for its General Assembly meeting in May 2002 and, if so, what alternative locations for plenary sessions of the Parliament are being considered.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the Church of Scotland will be returning to the Assembly Hall for their General Assembly in May 2002. The Parliamentary Bureau has therefore instructed that expressions of interest in hosting meetings of Parliament next year at an alternative location should be sought.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151840,"EventID":"S1W-15144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Central Scotland Police in 2001","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Central Scotland Police in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The total amount of police grant available in 2001-02, 2002-03 and subsequent years was increased to take full account of the abolition of Crown Exemption from non-domestic rates on operational properties. The budgets for individual forces are set by the relevant police authority or Joint Police Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151841,"EventID":"S1W-15145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Fife Constabulary in 2001-02 an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Fife Constabulary in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15144.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151842,"EventID":"S1W-15146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Tayside Police in 2001-02 and 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact the loss of Crown Exemption for police properties in respect of payment of non-domestic rates is expected to have on Tayside Police in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The total amount of police grant available in 2001-02, 2002-03 and subsequent years was increased to take full account of the abolition of Crown Exemption from non-domestic rates on operational properties. The budgets for individual forces are set by the relevant police authority or Joint Police Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151843,"EventID":"S1W-15147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 60 and 65 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 60 and 65 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"Robust information on the number of general practitioners who retire is not available. Information is collected on the number of GPs who cease to practise as principals in Scotland. However, a significant percentage do not supply a reason for leaving, and the number of those who have retired cannot be estimated with any accuracy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151844,"EventID":"S1W-15148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 60 and 65 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 60 and 65 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","AnswerText":"The information requested cannot be predicted with accuracy, because it is affected by individual decisions to retire. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15147.

The General Practitioner sub-committee of the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Medical Workforce are, however, currently working with ISD Scotland to develop a statistical model to project the overall supply and demand of the GP workforce in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151845,"EventID":"S1W-15149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 55 and 60 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 55 and 60 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15147.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151846,"EventID":"S1W-15150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 55 and 60 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged between 55 and 60 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15147.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151847,"EventID":"S1W-15151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged under 55 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged under 55 retired in the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15147.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151848,"EventID":"S1W-15152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged under 55 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time general practitioners aged under 55 are expected to retire in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15147.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151849,"EventID":"S1W-15153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism is envisaged to monitor spending by each local authority under the Changing Children's Services Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism is envisaged to monitor spending by each local authority under the Changing Children's Services Fund.","AnswerText":"Our consultation paper Changing Children's Services Fund consults on priority objectives for the fund and mechanisms for allocation of funding. The consultation period ends on 14 May 2001. One matter for consultation is whether the funding to be allocated to each local authority area should be directed through the local authority or whether proposals should indicate which of the project partners (who might come from the local authority, health or voluntary sectors) should receive grant. Monitoring arrangements will be considered in the light of decisions on the mechanism for allocation of funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151850,"EventID":"S1W-15154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is envisaged that the Changing Children's Services Fund will be distributed through formula-based grant allocations rather than on the basis of targets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it is envisaged that the Changing Children's Services Fund will be distributed through formula-based grant allocations rather than on the basis of targets.","AnswerText":"Our consultation paper Changing Children's Services Fund consults on priority objectives for the fund and mechanisms for allocation of funding. The consultation period ends on 14 May 2001. The consultation paper proposes that the fund should be distributed by local authority area on a formula basis. The aim would be to minimise the administrative burden and enable local accountability and flexibility, while still ensuring the fund's objectives are met. Funds would only be released on receipt of satisfactory costed and targeted plans, if that proposal goes ahead.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151851,"EventID":"S1W-15155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by Ms Wendy Alexander on 11 April 2001, what methodology was used to estimate that there are 100,000 job vacancies in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by Ms Wendy Alexander on 11 April 2001, what methodology was used to estimate that there are 100,000 job vacancies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Currently, the only official source of information about vacancies in Scotland is from Jobcentre records maintained by the Employment Service. The latest figures show that in March 2001 there were 45,700 vacancies at Jobcentres in Scotland. Surveys of employers have historically shown that only around a third of vacancies in the economy are notified to Jobcentres. Hence the estimate that, in Scotland, there are at least 100,000 vacancies. The Office for National Statistics has recently started a simple regular enterprise survey-based approach to provide a fuller measure of vacancies in the UK although this is still in the experimental phase.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151852,"EventID":"S1W-15156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of female officers was at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad at 31 March 2000 and when the comparative fi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of female officers was at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad at 31 March 2000 and when the comparative figure for 31 March 2001 will be available.","AnswerText":"The information is provided in the following table showing the position at 31 March 2000. Information for 31 March 2001 for each force is expected to be available in June 2001.
 

Chief Constable

Asst. CC

Super-Intendant

Chief Inspector

Inspector

Sergeant

Constable

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Central

0

0

0

0

5.5

6

16

D&G

0

0

0

0

10

4.4

22.5

Fife

0

0

0

7.7

2.8

3.6

18.2

Grampian

0

0

0

The SCS, as at 1 April 2001, has one detective constable which represents less than 1% of officers at that rank within the SCS.
 

Inspector

Sergeant

Constable

 

%

%

%

Central

0

0

0.4

Dumfries & Galloway

0

0

0.3

Fife Constabulary

0

0

0.5

Grampian

1.3

0

0.4

Lothian & Borders

0.8

0

0.5

Northern Constabulary

0

0

0.2

Strathclyde

0

0.2

0.8

Tayside

0

0

0.4

SCS

0

0

0

These figures are taken from Force's Annual Statistical Returns for 1999-2000. Informatio","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151854,"EventID":"S1W-15158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14773 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, whether it will provide on a weekly basis figures for the numbers of animals slaughtered und","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14773 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, whether it will provide on a weekly basis figures for the numbers of animals slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and whether it will provide the figures now for those slaughtered from 9 April 2001 to 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"In the period 9 to 18 April, 92 cattle, 12,120 sheep and 5,840 pigs were slaughtered in abattoirs in Scotland under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. These figures exclude any livestock unfit to travel that would have been slaughtered on farm and do not allow for stock that may have been slaughtered south of the border. As of 24 April a total of 32,575 animals have been slaughtered in abattoirs in Scotland under the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151855,"EventID":"S1W-15159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which abattoirs which have applied for approval by the Intervention Board for slaughter purposes under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme still await a determination","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which abattoirs which have applied for approval by the Intervention Board for slaughter purposes under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme still await a determination, giving the date when the application was lodged for each abattoir.","AnswerText":"The Intervention Board Executive Agency advise me that the abattoir at Annan submitted a tender to operate Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme on 19 March, Kilmarnock on 4 April, Biggar on 23 March, Brechin on 21 March and Hawick on 20 March. All except Hawick, which has not been operational for some time, now have contracts to slaughter animals under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151856,"EventID":"S1W-15160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14776 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, why separate figures are not available for Scotland regarding the number of slaughtered anim","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14776 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, why separate figures are not available for Scotland regarding the number of slaughtered animals under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and whether it will ensure that separate figures are made available.","AnswerText":"The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is operated by the Intervention Board Executive Agency on behalf of the GB Agriculture Departments. In the initial phases of the scheme, the main priorities within the Intervention Board lay in establishing the operation of the scheme - including tasks such as creating the call centre and securing slaughtering and rendering capacity. For the most recent statistics regarding the numbers of animals disposed in Scotland I refer to the answer given to question S1W-15158.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151857,"EventID":"S1W-15161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14773 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, whether the Intervention Board is meeting the target of making payments to farmers under the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14773 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, whether the Intervention Board is meeting the target of making payments to farmers under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme within 21 days of slaughter and, if not, what timescales it is achieving.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Intervention Board Executive Agency that to date, 55% of payments have been made within 21 days of slaughter and the remaining 45% have been made within 30 days of slaughter. The Intervention Board assure me that all efforts are being made to meet their payment target.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151858,"EventID":"S1W-15162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14775 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, of the 582 applications under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme received by 9 April 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14775 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, of the 582 applications under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme received by 9 April 2001, (a) how many had been processed, (b) how many had been rejected and (c) how many of those passed for slaughter had been slaughtered, as at 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Since 17 April, the Intervention Board Executive Agency have entered all applications to the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme on to a database which has enabled duplicate applications to be identified. Consequently, I am now advised by IBEA that there were a total of 405 applications to the scheme in Scotland as of 17 April. These applications have been processed; none have been rejected although supporting veterinary information has been requested for a number of applications to confirm the existence of a welfare problem. As of 24 April, a total of 32,575 animals had been slaughtered in abattoirs in Scotland under the scheme. Officials from my department have since been working with the Intervention Board Executive Agency in the processing of Scottish applications. This will help to speed up the processing of claims.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151859,"EventID":"S1W-15163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Abbatoir at Hawick has applied for certification as a suitable slaughterhouse under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and, if so, when the application w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Abbatoir at Hawick has applied for certification as a suitable slaughterhouse under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and, if so, when the application was received by the Intervention Board, whether a determination has been made and, if it has not, when it will be made.","AnswerText":"Abattoirs engaged in the slaughter of livestock under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme do so under a contractual arrangement with the Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA) who operate the scheme, subject to certain licensing requirements as enforced by the Food Standards Agency. I am advised by IBEA that a tender was received from the owners of Hawick abattoir on 20 March but no contractual agreement has been agreed. With four abattoirs in Scotland now contracted to IBEA, significant slaughter capacity is now available to enable the progression of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151860,"EventID":"S1W-15164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14258 by Angus MacKay on 17 April 2001, which persons or bodies were consulted in the formulation of the guidance to be issued to l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14258 by Angus MacKay on 17 April 2001, which persons or bodies were consulted in the formulation of the guidance to be issued to local authorities on hardship relief, on what date the guidance will be issued and whether it will place a copy of the guidance in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"CoSLA and the Scottish Assessors' Association were consulted in the preparation of the guidance to local authorities on hardship relief, which was issued on 10 April. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12527).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151861,"EventID":"S1W-15165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many \"Campaign for a new Victoria\" postcards the Minister for Health and Community Care has received to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many \"Campaign for a new Victoria\" postcards the Minister for Health and Community Care has received to date.","AnswerText":"As at 27 April, the Executive has received around 910 postcards from members of the public campaigning for a new Victoria Infirmary. The department continues to ask Greater Glasgow Health Board to consider these, since public consultation on the review of acute services is primarily a matter for the board.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151862,"EventID":"S1W-15166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies and incentives are in place to encourage the development of community combined heat and power plants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies and incentives are in place to encourage the development of community combined heat and power plants.","AnswerText":"The Executive, like the UK Government, is strongly committed to the development of CHP. Advice and financial support is available for the development and installation of residential CHP. This assistance is available from the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme and the Energy Saving Trust, whose activities in Scotland are funded by our Scottish Energy Efficiency Office.

In addition, the UK Government has just announced a UK-wide "Community Energy" programme. This £50 million programme will support the installation of more community heating schemes over the next two years, and the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office will be working to ensure that Scottish projects will benefit.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151863,"EventID":"S1W-15167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available for small businesses who want to improve their energy efficiency and what the take-up of any available funds has been from 1999 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available for small businesses who want to improve their energy efficiency and what the take-up of any available funds has been from 1999 to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Scottish Energy Efficiency Office (SEEO) operates the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, providing free consultancy advice to businesses and other organisations to encourage more efficient use of energy. Funding in the current year is £1.7 million and one particular aim of SEEO is to encourage take-up by small businesses. The introduction of the climate change levy, which has raised business energy costs, is designed to work in this direction and from this year an additional £2 million a year is to be made available from the levy for additional energy efficiency programmes delivered jointly with the Carbon Trust.

SEEO also funds the Energy Saving Trust's Scottish programme, which is largely aimed at domestic energy use, but which offers interest free loans to small businesses for investment in energy efficiency through a scheme called Loan Action Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151864,"EventID":"S1W-15168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the energy efficiency of new commercial and shopping developments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the energy efficiency of new commercial and shopping developments.","AnswerText":"I intend to bring forward legislation in autumn this year that will improve the energy efficiency of new buildings. Currently subject to EC scrutiny, the draft legislation, The Building Standards Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2001, will introduce more onerous thermal insulation standards within Part J (Conservation of fuel and power) of the Technical Standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990.

Energy efficiency improvements will cover the building fabric of new buildings, air conditioning, mechanical ventilation and lighting.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151865,"EventID":"S1W-15169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each of the past three months, what its expenditure was on advertising, promotion and public awareness campaigns, and what the nature and purp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for each of the past three months, what its expenditure was on advertising, promotion and public awareness campaigns, and what the nature and purpose were of each of these campaigns.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

Campaigns Run Between January-March 2001

Campaign

Spend

Alcohol Abuse

£ 49,636

Domestic Abuse

£ 216,009

Fire Safety Supplement

£ 125,987

Historic Scotland

£ 319,800

NHS Fraud Campaign and Supplements

£ 121,942

NHS Helpline

£ 33,823

Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency- Fisheries Exhibition

£ 725

Students Awards Agency Scotland

£ 8,962

Road Safety

Fool Speed

£ 345,210

Childrens Traffic club

£ 118,969

Back Seat Driver

£ 66,643

Christmas Drink Driving

£ 8,000

SRSC Website

£ 3,327

Total

£ 1,419,033

All of the above were public information campaigns.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151866,"EventID":"S1W-15170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail what its expenditure was on advertising and promotion during each of the last three financial years, how much of this was for promotion and adverti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail what its expenditure was on advertising and promotion during each of the last three financial years, how much of this was for promotion and advertising conducted in-house and how much was for promotion and advertising done by external agencies on its behalf.","AnswerText":"The figures requested are as follows:","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151867,"EventID":"S1W-15171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of the recent Scottish Enterprise document Survival Toolkit for Tourism Business have been produced, to whom these have been delivered and what the costs ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of the recent Scottish Enterprise document Survival Toolkit for Tourism Business have been produced, to whom these have been delivered and what the costs of the production and distribution were.","AnswerText":"The document Survival Toolkit for Tourism Business was a joint publication between Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 20,000 copies of the document were produced with 12,000 delivered directly to tourism businesses and 5,200 copies distributed to the LECs, Small Business Gateway offices and ATBs. The remaining 2,800 will be dispatched as required. Total cost for production and delivery was £14,408.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151868,"EventID":"S1W-15172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas was initiated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas was initiated.","AnswerText":"Problems of access to NHS dentistry within all areas of Scotland, including remote and rural areas, are kept under review by the Executive on a continuous basis and is one of the areas being looked at by the Implementation Support Group for the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland. There are no start and finish dates for reviewing dental access problems in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151869,"EventID":"S1W-15173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, which organisations are being consulted as part of the review of NHS dental access in remot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, which organisations are being consulted as part of the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"The problems of dental access in rural and remote areas have been well documented and are well understood. Where future proposals are developed to improve the situation, account will be taken of the many comments and views already put forward. Since any proposals of this type will relate to activity by dentists, views will be sought from the British Dental Association in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151870,"EventID":"S1W-15174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, whether in the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas the views of people wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, whether in the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas the views of people who live in such areas will be sought.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S1W-15173.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151871,"EventID":"S1W-15175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, who is reviewing problems of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, who is reviewing problems of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"I refer member to my answer to question S1W-15172.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151872,"EventID":"S1W-15176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas is expected to conclude.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13850 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the review of NHS dental access in remote and rural areas is expected to conclude.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15172.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151873,"EventID":"S1W-15177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to the findings of the recent publication A Scottish Survey of General and Community Dental Practitioners published by the University of Aberdeen ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to the findings of the recent publication A Scottish Survey of General and Community Dental Practitioners published by the University of Aberdeen Toothousand Project.","AnswerText":"The discussion document Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland - A Strategic Review, which was published in October 2000, detailed a number of areas for review by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce (SACDW). The findings of the Toothousand Project will be considered by the SACDW and its subgroups as part of this ongoing work, once the Scottish Survey of General and Community Dental Practitioners report has been officially published.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151874,"EventID":"S1W-15178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14552 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 10 April 2001 regarding the emergency package for businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease, (a)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14552 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 10 April 2001 regarding the emergency package for businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease, (a) when the #3.5 million will be allocated, (b) how it will be allocated, (c) how businesses will access this funding, (d) how businesses will access the 75% funding of the costs of hardship relief and (e) whether any publicity material is being circulated to inform businesses of this funding and, if so, by what means and in which areas.","AnswerText":"Businesses should apply to their local authority for hardship relief from rates. The additional funding of hardship relief in the 17 local authority areas will be provided through a redetermination of Revenue Support Grant in the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2002. The scheme is not cash limited and local authorities will need to make claims for this grant to the Scottish Executive by 30 September 2001, giving details of the rate relief given.

Guidance has been issued to local authorities and copied to business representative organisations in Scotland. It is also available on the Executive's website www.scotland.gov.uk/agri/footandmouth under "publications".","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151875,"EventID":"S1W-15179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which farms stock has been slaughtered in Dumfries and Galloway as part of the pre-emptive foot and mouth cull as of 19 April 2001 on the basis that they were contiguo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which farms stock has been slaughtered in Dumfries and Galloway as part of the pre-emptive foot and mouth cull as of 19 April 2001 on the basis that they were contiguous with infected premises.","AnswerText":"By 19 April 2001, stock had been slaughtered on 542 farms in Dumfries and Galloway that were contiguous with infected premises. A further 119 contiguous premises had stock slaughtered between 19 and 24 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151876,"EventID":"S1W-15180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which farms stock has been slaughtered in Dumfries and Galloway as part of the pre-emptive foot and mouth cull as of 19 April 2001 on the basis of dangerous contacts w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which farms stock has been slaughtered in Dumfries and Galloway as part of the pre-emptive foot and mouth cull as of 19 April 2001 on the basis of dangerous contacts with farms which were infected or suspected to be infected.","AnswerText":"By 24 April 2001, stock had been slaughtered on 160 farms in Dumfries and Galloway which had been classified as "dangerous contacts".","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151877,"EventID":"S1W-15181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what steps are being taken to deal with odour emanating from the Birkshaw Forest burial site","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what steps are being taken to deal with odour emanating from the Birkshaw Forest burial site.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has appointed specialist consultants to advise upon the environmental issues raised by the site at Birkshaw. They have identified two principal sources of the odour and measures are now in place to remove these. Essentially, this involves the removal and disposal of large volumes of effluent from the site and the covering of the exposed carcasses. We anticipate that this will greatly reduce any nuisance which odours are creating for surrounding residents.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151878,"EventID":"S1W-15182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what assessment has been made of the current and future public health impact of the Birkshaw","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what assessment has been made of the current and future public health impact of the Birkshaw Forest burial site.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with health and environmental health officials of Dumfries & Galloway Council as well as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure that public and environmental health considerations are taken fully into account in the operation of the site at Birkshaw. Although odours from the site are an undoubted local nuisance at present, no concerns in relation to the health of people living in the vicinity of the site have been identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151879,"EventID":"S1W-15183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what the ownership arrangements of the burial site at Birkshaw Forest are and who will be re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what the ownership arrangements of the burial site at Birkshaw Forest are and who will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the site.","AnswerText":"The ownership agreement for the Birkshaw site is still being finalised. The ongoing maintenance of the site will be a key provision of that agreement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151880,"EventID":"S1W-15184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what discussions it had with public and environmental health officials prior to the establis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14523 by Ross Finnie on 10 April 2001, what discussions it had with public and environmental health officials prior to the establishment of the burial site at Birkshaw Forest.","AnswerText":"The decision to utilise the site at Birkshaw as a burial site was taken in consultation with senior officials of Dumfries & Galloway Council, which has responsibility for public and environmental health locally, and with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Council officials continue to work closely with the Scottish Executive to ensure that any impact on residents and the local environment is minimised.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151881,"EventID":"S1W-15185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public health impact assessment has been made in respect of the mass carcass burning sites which have been established at Hoddam and Eastriggs as part of the pre-emp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public health impact assessment has been made in respect of the mass carcass burning sites which have been established at Hoddam and Eastriggs as part of the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth disease culling exercise.","AnswerText":"The public health impact of the fires necessary for the disposal of certain culled animals has been considered by government health departments and I would refer the member to the parliamentary announcement made on 25 April. Preliminary assessments in relation to off-farm burn sites in Scotland have ensured that the siting and size of fires as well as the nature of the combustibles used has minimised the impact on the surrounding area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151882,"EventID":"S1W-15186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the median waiting time is from GP referral to surgery for all forms of cancer and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last ten years, broken down by h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the median waiting time is from GP referral to surgery for all forms of cancer and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last ten years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12417 on 30 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151883,"EventID":"S1W-15187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the median waiting time is from the inpatient and day case waiting lists for cancer surgery and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last ten years broke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the median waiting time is from the inpatient and day case waiting lists for cancer surgery and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last ten years broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12417 on 30 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151884,"EventID":"S1W-15188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a new Forth Road Bridge Joint Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a new Forth Road Bridge Joint Board.","AnswerText":"Having considered the options and consulted with the appropriate local authorities, it is my intention that the new Joint Board should comprise 10 members. City of Edinburgh and Fife Councils should have four members each with Perth & Kinross and West Lothian Councils each having one. This will provide for a streamlined board best reflecting the major users of the bridge. We hope the new board will be operational by April 2002, subject to parliamentary consideration of the Order setting up the new board.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151885,"EventID":"S1W-15189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures of support and guidance are in place after release from prison for those wrongly convicted of an offence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures of support and guidance are in place after release from prison for those wrongly convicted of an offence.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a duty to provide advice, guidance and assistance on request within 12 months of a person's release from custody. This includes those released following an appeal against conviction and/or sentence.

Any person who considers that he or she has been wrongly convicted of an offence can apply to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission. The Commission was established to consider cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice has occurred and to refer appropriate cases to the High Court for determination. Cases may be referred by the Commission whether the applicant is prison or has been released.

Compensation will be paid in cases where a conviction is quashed as a result of a new or newly discovered fact.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151886,"EventID":"S1W-15190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the inquiries arising from the Chhokar case to report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the inquiries arising from the Chhokar case to report.","AnswerText":"In my statement to the Parliament on 29 November 2000 I indicated that Dr Raj Jandoo had been asked to submit his report into the family liaison arrangements by April this year. I did not indicate a timescale for Sir Anthony Campbell's inquiry into the professional decision making in the case.The Deputy First Minister and I have recently agreed with Dr Jandoo that his inquiry should cover not just the family liaison arrangements in the case but should also consider and comment on racism and its possible impact on the police investigation of the case because of an overlap between that and family liaison issues.In view of the extension to his remit we now expect Dr Jandoo to report by the end of May. We expect Sir Anthony Campbell to report within the same timescale. However the precise timing of the reports is a matter for Sir Anthony and Dr Jandoo.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151887,"EventID":"S1W-15191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to review the entitlement of relatives to claim non-patrimonial loss under the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to review the entitlement of relatives to claim non-patrimonial loss under the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers made a reference to the Scottish Law Commission on 22 March in the following terms:“To consider the provisions of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976 that set out which relatives of a deceased person can claim non-patrimonial damages; and to make recommendations as to possible changes in the law.”This reference has now been accepted by the Commission and I would expect them to report back within a year. The Executive will consider any recommendations, and any resulting legislation would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151888,"EventID":"S1W-15192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Prison Service's Estates Review will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Prison Service's Estates Review will be published.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to give a date at this stage. Priority is being given to completion of the independent financial assessment of the review. Unfortunately this exercise is taking longer than originally hoped but the issues are complex and such a crucial issue as the future of the Scottish Prison Service estate should not be rushed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151889,"EventID":"S1W-15193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reform the way in which information is collected and collated for the school census by giving a more detailed breakdown of the categories covered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reform the way in which information is collected and collated for the school census by giving a more detailed breakdown of the categories covered.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is seeking to develop the way in which information is collected and collated for the school census, by maximising the potential for electronic data interchange with schools, in line with National Grid for Learning objectives. We are working with schools, local authorities and other interested players in the education field to develop a common set of detailed categories and standards for this data interchange.

The content of the school census is kept under regular review in conjunction with education partners. An important consideration in this process is minimising the completion burden on schools. A copy of the survey forms used in the September 2000 school census, which show a detailed breakdown of all categories covered, has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151890,"EventID":"S1W-15194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give consideration to standardisation of the Easter school holidays across Scotland to avoid annual variance in the length of the summer term given the ad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give consideration to standardisation of the Easter school holidays across Scotland to avoid annual variance in the length of the summer term given the adverse impact current arrangements may have on pupils from different year groups and local authorities sitting examinations.","AnswerText":"Following representations received about different dates set in different areas, officials wrote to authorities in February last year to ask how holidays were currently co-ordinated between authorities and what could be done to improve liaison in the future. In response, most authorities indicated that they held discussions with their neighbours with a view to securing a consistent approach although complete consistency could not always be achieved because of local circumstances and local holidays. I am considering the detailed responses further.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151891,"EventID":"S1W-15195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-14808 on 18 April 2001, when it is anticipated that public information in ethnic and European languages will be made available on th","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-14808 on 18 April 2001, when it is anticipated that public information in ethnic and European languages will be made available on the Parliament's website.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that the information will be available from September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151892,"EventID":"S1W-15196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Her Majesty's Government's new e-Envoy Andrew Pinder and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Her Majesty's Government's new e-Envoy Andrew Pinder and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"Senior officials of the Scottish Executive met the e-Envoy, Andrew Pinder, on Thursday 12 April and discussed e-government and telecommunications infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151893,"EventID":"S1W-15197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14593 by Ross Finnie on 11 April 2001, what progress has been made in establishing a basis for rehefting sheep on farms where hefte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14593 by Ross Finnie on 11 April 2001, what progress has been made in establishing a basis for rehefting sheep on farms where hefted flocks have been culled.","AnswerText":"In the first instance it will be for the farmer himself to decide how to restock his farm. I recognise that to re-establish sheep on the hill will take time and may well require additional shepherding and fencing.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151894,"EventID":"S1W-15198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14593 by Ross Finnie on 11 April 2001, what importance it attaches to the continuance of hefted sheep flocks in Dumfries and Gallow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14593 by Ross Finnie on 11 April 2001, what importance it attaches to the continuance of hefted sheep flocks in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"I am anxious to preserve as many sheep as possible in Dumfries and Galloway, including hefted flocks. However, flocks within 3km of a foot-and-mouth disease infected farm will be culled in order to help control and thus eradicate this disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151895,"EventID":"S1W-15199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council on 18 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council on 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive is giving urgent consideration to the Dumfries and Galloway Economic Recovery Plan which was presented to the First Minister on 18 April. Consideration of the plan needs to be taken forward in the context of the work already under way to plan for the recovery of the Scottish economy from the foot-and-mouth disease crisis. Clearly our response will depend upon the final extent and duration of the disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151896,"EventID":"S1W-15200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has had with Scottish Enterprise on the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has had with Scottish Enterprise on the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council on 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"My officials and I have maintained close contact with Scottish Enterprise, and will continue to do so. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15654.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151897,"EventID":"S1W-15201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has had with visitscotland on the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minist","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has had with visitscotland on the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council on 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"My officials and I have maintained close contact with visitscotland, and will continue to do so. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15654.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151898,"EventID":"S1W-15202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the incidence of cancer in the west of Scotland as compared to the rest of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the incidence of cancer in the west of Scotland as compared to the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Comparative cancer incidence by health board areas for the years 1988 to 1997 is available for 26 cancer sites on ISD online at

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/cancer/cancer.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151899,"EventID":"S1W-15203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements will be brought about, both generally and specifically for patients, by relocating the Beatson Oncology Unit from its current site at the Western Infir","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements will be brought about, both generally and specifically for patients, by relocating the Beatson Oncology Unit from its current site at the Western Infirmary to a new site at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"This investment in state of the art radiotherapy equipment is expected not only to reduce current waiting times from seven weeks to two weeks but also to improve patients' experiences of their care through the provision of modern facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151900,"EventID":"S1W-15204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the move of the Beatson Oncology Unit within Glasgow is on target.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the move of the Beatson Oncology Unit within Glasgow is on target.","AnswerText":"The first of the three new linear accelerators within Gartnavel Hospital was used to treat patients earlier this month. The second is due to be commissioned in June and the third by the end of this year. The programme is, therefore, currently on target.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151901,"EventID":"S1W-15205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, what financial provision will be made for local authorities for the impact of the abol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, what financial provision will be made for local authorities for the impact of the abolition of advance corporation tax credit for pension funds in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15206.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151902,"EventID":"S1W-15206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, what provision has been made in the financial settlement for each local authority for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, what provision has been made in the financial settlement for each local authority for 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 to offset the cost of the abolition of advance corporation tax credit for pension funds.","AnswerText":"The sum of £38.5 million which was made available to local authorities in 2000-01 and 2001-02 for the abolition of Advance Corporation Tax credits has been retained in the local government settlement for 2002-03. Additional provision has also been made for general pay and price inflation.

It is not possible to provide a breakdown by local authority, as there was no separate distribution. The provision was included in the local government finance settlement totals and distributed by the agreed client group methodology.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151903,"EventID":"S1W-15207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-9781 on 22 September 2000, what financial impact the abolition of advance corporation tax credits will have on the Scottish Parliame","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-9781 on 22 September 2000, what financial impact the abolition of advance corporation tax credits will have on the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The abolition of advance corporation tax credits will have no financial impact on the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151904,"EventID":"S1W-15208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, whether it will publish the actuarial estimates made by local authorities regarding th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9252 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, whether it will publish the actuarial estimates made by local authorities regarding the impact of abolition of advance corporation tax credits.","AnswerText":"The provision of £27 million made available to local authorities in 1999-2000 for the abolition of Advance Corporation Tax credits matched with CoSLA's estimates of the additional costs based on returns from local authorities. It is a matter for individual authorities whether they wish to publish the actuarial estimates.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151905,"EventID":"S1W-15211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any inclusiveness projects initiated to date for those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of any inclusiveness projects initiated to date for those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"On 11 April, I announced the allocation of £15.1 million to take forward inclusiveness projects to improve assessment and tracking, and to develop keyworker support for some of Scotland's most disadvantaged young people. 16 inclusiveness projects will be up and running by the end of the year, with the first eight projects expected to start in June 2001.

The multi-agency projects, co-ordinated by careers service companies, will respond to the needs of a wide range of young people and may include young people with Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151906,"EventID":"S1W-15212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics it holds on acts of vandalism on railway lines in Lanarkshire in the last year, in particular, those on the Edinburgh/Shotts/Glasgow line and the Motherwe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics it holds on acts of vandalism on railway lines in Lanarkshire in the last year, in particular, those on the Edinburgh/Shotts/Glasgow line and the Motherwell/Mossend South/Coatbridge line.","AnswerText":"Safety and security on the railway is a reserved matter. The prevention of vandalism and trespassing on the railway is the responsibility of the railway industry and the British Transport Police (BTP).

The Scottish Executive holds no statistics on acts of vandalism on railway lines in Scotland. The British Transport Police publishes an annual report which contains summary statistics on acts of vandalism. The 1999-2000 report is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151907,"EventID":"S1W-15213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total expenditure has been to date on implementation of the slaughter policy in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total expenditure has been to date on implementation of the slaughter policy in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The total cost of the foot and mouth cull, taking into account manpower and other costs is not currently available. However to date, compensation costs have totalled approximately £120 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151908,"EventID":"S1W-15214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how many (a) cattle, (b) sheep and (c) pigs have been slaughtered to date under its policy in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how many (a) cattle, (b) sheep and (c) pigs have been slaughtered to date under its policy in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"These statistics appear in the regular Parliament's Reference Centre Foot and Mouth Briefing Note.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151909,"EventID":"S1W-15215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is per animal slaughtered under its policy on foot-and-mouth disease, whether this includes the cost for restocking after the outbreak and, if so, w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is per animal slaughtered under its policy on foot-and-mouth disease, whether this includes the cost for restocking after the outbreak and, if so, what sum is allocated for restocking (a) a cow, (b) a pig and (c) a sheep.","AnswerText":"The SERAD website (under Foot and Mouth Disease (Ascertainment of Value) (Scotland) (No 3) Order 2001) provides information on average costs per animal slaughtered. Costs for all categories of sheep, pigs and cattle are listed. Restocking costs are not included.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151910,"EventID":"S1W-15217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the cost of its slaughter policy in relation to foot-and-mouth disease is being met by (a) itself, (b) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the cost of its slaughter policy in relation to foot-and-mouth disease is being met by (a) itself, (b) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (c) the European Union and (d) the local councils of Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.","AnswerText":"These costs fall to the UK Exchequer. In Scotland, as at 8 May 2001, the cost of compensation for the compulsory slaughter is currently around £170 million. Almost £150 million of this is in Dumfries and Galloway with the rest chiefly being in the Borders. At this stage it is not clear what contribution towards these costs will be forthcoming from the European Union. The costs incurred by Dumfries and Galloway and Borders Councils are being assessed by the councils concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151911,"EventID":"S1W-15218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rise in the price per kilo has been of (a) beef, (b) pork, (c) ham, (d) bacon and (e) lamb since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak began.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rise in the price per kilo has been of (a) beef, (b) pork, (c) ham, (d) bacon and (e) lamb since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak began.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the average retail meat prices as published by the Meat and Livestock Commission. The averages cover all cuts of meat, for example, beef includes a number of cuts from fillet steak to mince.

Average Retail Prices (pence per kg)

1998-99

Campaign

Spend

Children's Panels

£ 112,300

Daily Record Health Supplement (NHS White Paper)

£ 77,000

Democratising Scotland

£ 248,500

Domestic Violence

£ 630,700

Electoral Registration

£ 41,000

Fire Prevention

£ 225,000

Food Safety

£ 21,150

Fostering

£ 97,400

Further Education

£ 70,000

Historic Scotland External

£ 835,000

Historic Scotland Internal

£ 297,000

Local Government Commission

£ 78,000

Nursing Recruitment

£ 258,300

Pharmacy Point of Dispensing

£ 53,200

Police Graduate Recruitment

£ 9,500

Road Safety

£ 628,600

Scottish Fisheries Protection agency

£ 2,000

Scottish Parliament campaign

£ 1,785,000

Week ending

Beef (Scotland)

Lamb (Scotland)

Pork (Scotland)

Bacon (G.B.)

3/3/01

912

835

469

112

10/3/01

917

860

499

NA

17/3/01

918

866

503

NA

24/3/01

916

850

502

126

31/3/01

913

861

502

126

7/4/01

913

857

506

123

14/4//01

915

857

508

119

21/4/01

915

838

503

119

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151912,"EventID":"S1W-15219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to prevent tenant farmers in the south of Scotland from going bankrupt.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to prevent tenant farmers in the south of Scotland from going bankrupt.","AnswerText":"We have taken steps to ease the cashflow problems of all farmers by paying the main livestock subsidies amounting to £146 million as early as possible in April and May. I have also announced the payment of £24 million of agrimonetary compensation to beef, sheep and dairy farmers during the same period. We are seeking the maximum flexibility possible under CAP rules to ensure that farmers do not lose out when they are unable to comply fully with scheme rules as a direct result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Farmers will be paid at market value or on the basis of a specific valuation for stock culled as part of the measures to control the outbreak and arrangements are in place to reimburse farmers for animals slaughtered for welfare reasons.

We are also working with a wide range of agencies to ensure that farmers have ready access to information and advice on coping with practical, financial, business and emotional problems. To help with this process the Executive has set up a Farm Business Support Steering Group for the south of Scotland which comprises representatives from the Executive, Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and the local farming community.

Our primary aims are built around stopping the spread of the disease and restoring normal trading conditions as quickly as possible. A medium-term recovery strategy is also being prepared drawing on the longer-term Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture which I had intended to launch in early March this year before the start of the foot and mouth outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151913,"EventID":"S1W-15220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per animal would be for (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) pigs of a vaccination programme in relation to foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per animal would be for (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) pigs of a vaccination programme in relation to foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The vaccination contingency plan was prepared only for cattle, and only for the three areas of Dumfries, North Cumbria and Devon. It is therefore not possible to give figures for sheep or pigs. The estimated cost of setting up and delivering a vaccination programme for cattle, including the cost of vaccine, is between £8 and £10 a head.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151914,"EventID":"S1W-15221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many abattoir workers have been laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many abattoir workers have been laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Abattoir employment tends to fluctuate in normal circumstances. I do not have figures of lay-off since the outbreak but my officials have asked the Scottish Meat Wholesalers Association for the information.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151915,"EventID":"S1W-15222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess how many workers have been laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess how many workers have been laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Executive has established an Impact Assessment Group to identify the effect FMD is having across areas and sectors. The Employment Service is a member of the group and is providing regular information on employment issues arising as a consequence of FMD. In addition, the group has recently commissioned a survey to provide hard evidence of economic impacts, including employment effects, across all sectors and regions of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151916,"EventID":"S1W-15223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess how many workers have experienced a reduction in earnings as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess how many workers have experienced a reduction in earnings as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The answer to question S1W-15222 noted that the Executive has established an FMD Impact Assessment Group to study the economic impact of FMD across areas and sectors of Scotland. The group, through their existing information networks, has also received some anecdotal evidence of workers receiving reduced earnings. In addition, a survey recently commissioned by the group will help to illustrate measures taken by employers to minimise the impact on their businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151917,"EventID":"S1W-15224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide information, advice and financial support to workers laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide information, advice and financial support to workers laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Initial advice is being made available to any individual or business affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak through the Small Business Gateway's helplines. Training for Work eligibility has been relaxed, ensuring that all individuals made redundant as a result of this outbreak in Borders and Dumfries and Galloway have immediate access to this programme. Immediate entry to Training for Work has now been extended to workers temporarily laid off as a result of foot and mouth in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

The Department for Education and Employment has introduced a new service, Rural Skills Action, as an emergency response to the employment and training needs of those worst affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151918,"EventID":"S1W-15225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide information, advice and financial support to workers who have experienced a reduction in earnings as a result of the recent foot-and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide information, advice and financial support to workers who have experienced a reduction in earnings as a result of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"There is additional support being made available to those businesses and individuals facing financial difficulties as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Initial advice is being made available to those affected through the Small Business Gateway's helplines.

The DSS/Benefits Agency have produced an information leaflet about the benefits system for those facing financial difficulties as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and are taking a sympathetic and flexible approach in dealing with applications from affected individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151919,"EventID":"S1W-15226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the research into the importance of the Shetland Box, as announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 7 December 2000, and when this ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the research into the importance of the Shetland Box, as announced by the Minister for Rural Development on 7 December 2000, and when this research is expected to be completed.","AnswerText":"The Executive has commissioned two reports into the importance of the Shetland Box - one to investigate the socio-economic effects of the box and the other to analyse the biological impact of the box. We anticipate that this work will be completed by mid-May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151920,"EventID":"S1W-15227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking against those responsible for any incidence of sex slavery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking against those responsible for any incidence of sex slavery.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive deplores trafficking in people for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Responsibility for the laws on immigration and international trafficking of this kind is reserved to the United Kingdom Government.

However, those involved in sexual exploitation could, under Scots law, be committing one or more of a variety of crimes, the most serious of which can attract up to life imprisonment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151921,"EventID":"S1W-15228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts are being made to seek out females entrapped through sex slavery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts are being made to seek out females entrapped through sex slavery.","AnswerText":"The trafficking of women for sexual exploitation is a serious matter. The Police will rigorously investigate any information or complaints made to them about this. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information which relates to any suspected criminal activity in this area should therefore report it to the police.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151922,"EventID":"S1W-15229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in conjunction with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that any victims of sex slavery in Scotland are returned to safety.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in conjunction with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that any victims of sex slavery in Scotland are returned to safety.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Home Office about a wide range of criminal justice matters. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies.

Anyone with information which relates to trafficking of women for sexual exploitation should report this to the Police. While the action taken by the Police is an operational matter for individual forces, the Police first need grounds to act. Thereafter, a number of agencies might be involved in providing support for any victims.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151923,"EventID":"S1W-15230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been to date for offences relating to the sex slave industry, what sentences were given in each case, whether it plans to create any specifi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been to date for offences relating to the sex slave industry, what sentences were given in each case, whether it plans to create any specific offences relating to this area and, if so, what minimum sentence it will recommend that such offences should carry. ","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the laws on immigration and international trafficking in persons is reserved to the UK Government.

Criminal law is devolved. Those involved in sexual exploitation could, under Scots law, be committing one or more of a variety of crimes, both statutory and common law, the most serious of which can attract up to life imprisonment.

For illustration, the attached table gives details of total convictions from 1995 to 1999 for certain statutory offences relating to procuration, permitting a girl to use premises for intercourse, brothel keeping and immoral traffic.

Persons proceeded against for selected sexual offences in Scottish courts under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (S) Act 1995 or the Sexual Offences (S) Act 1976, 1995-99

Persons with a charge proved

Main Crime

Custody

Fine

Probation

Other

Total

Procuration1

9

-

3

2

14

Householder permitting girl to use premises for intercourse2

-

-

-

1

1

Brothel Keeping3

2

7

-

-

9

Immoral Traffic4

-

3

-

-

3

Notes:

1. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 1 and 2 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 7 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.

2. Includes persons proceeded against under section 10 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 9 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.

3. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 9 and 13 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 8(3) and 11(5) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.

4. Includes persons proceeded against under section 12 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or sections 11(1,4) and 13(9) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.

The nine custodial sentences for procuration ranged between 15 months and 10 years. The two sentences for brothel keeping were both of nine months or less.

No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151924,"EventID":"S1W-15231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to work with Her Majesty's Government and international authorities to legislate to end the global sex slave trade.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to work with Her Majesty's Government and international authorities to legislate to end the global sex slave trade.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for contacts with international authorities and for the laws on immigration and international trafficking in persons is reserved to the United Kingdom Government, with which the Scottish Executive is in regular contact on a wide range of issues.

There are already provisions in Scots law to protect individuals from exploitation and abuse. No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151925,"EventID":"S1W-15232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planning and environmental impact would be at airfields in the Highlands and Islands of British Airways moving entirely to jet aircraft following any takeover o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planning and environmental impact would be at airfields in the Highlands and Islands of British Airways moving entirely to jet aircraft following any takeover of British Regional Air Lines Group plc and how it would ensure that any subsequent costs incurred were not passed on to passengers through increased travel costs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any plans by British Airways for an all jet aircraft operation in the Highlands and Islands following its take-over of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151926,"EventID":"S1W-15233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of any impact which non-dredging of the River Clyde will have on water levels along the course of the river in forthcoming years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of any impact which non-dredging of the River Clyde will have on water levels along the course of the river in forthcoming years.","AnswerText":"The need for maintenance of water courses is a matter for the riparian land owners concerned: decisions on dredging of the River Clyde are not for the Scottish Executive. Commissioning of any specific assessments is also a matter for the riparian landowners involved: information on any assessments that may have been undertaken is not held by the Executive.

However, local authorities have a duty to assess the state of watercourses in their area to ascertain whether they are likely to cause flooding of non-agricultural land and to publish reports on flooding and measures to prevent flooding.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151927,"EventID":"S1W-15234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the functions and responsibilities of all those involved in waste minimisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the functions and responsibilities of all those involved in waste minimisation.","AnswerText":"Details of all those involved in waste minimisation are not held centrally. There are many waste minimisation initiatives in Scotland organised by a variety of groups including local authorities, local enterprise companies, universities, water authorities, private enterprise, non departmental public bodies, chambers of commerce and the voluntary sector.

The UK has a responsibility under the EC Waste Framework Directive to encourage the minimisation of waste. This is incorporated into Scottish law by the Environment Act 1995 which requires the national waste strategy to state policies for attaining the objective of "encouraging the prevention or reduction of waste production and its harmfulness". The National Waste Strategy: Scotland (NWS), prepared by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), is the means by which this is being taken forward in Scotland.

In 1998 SEPA established its Waste Minimisation Initiative. One of its main aims is to provide a co-ordination role for waste minimisation activities in Scotland and link into waste minimisation programmes and activities elsewhere. SEPA maintains a website (www.sepa.org.uk/wastemin) which lists the waste minimisation projects and clubs in Scotland, outlines their objectives and membership and provides contact names and addresses.

A component of the NWS is the development of 11 Area Waste Plans. These plans which are currently being developed by SEPA in collaboration with local authorities, local enterprise companies, the waste management industry and community waste groups, will include proposals for waste minimisation.

The Waste Minimisation Act (1998) enables local authorities to take steps to minimise the generation of controlled waste in their areas.

Under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000, SEPA is required to ensure that waste production by certain industries is prevented or reduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151928,"EventID":"S1W-15235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to secure the future of the Kirkwall-Invergordon ferry either under the present or a new operator.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to secure the future of the Kirkwall-Invergordon ferry either under the present or a new operator.","AnswerText":"The present operator decided to withdraw from this freight shipping route with effect from 30 April. The Scottish Executive has recognised the contribution of the route for the export of livestock from Orkney. The Executive allocated £200,000 under the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme during 2000-01 to assist the export of livestock on this route.

The Executive confirmed in discussions with the operator and Orkney Islands Council that a TRS allocation continued to be available for 2001-02 for the company, or any alternative operator, at the same assistance rate of 50% of shipping costs. The Executive is liaising with the Islands Council and other operators on the issue of the future capacity available on this route or on alternative services.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151929,"EventID":"S1W-15236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently on the waiting list for a tonsillectomy, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently on the waiting list for a tonsillectomy, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. Information on the number of patients waiting for inpatient and day case treatment is collected at specialty level only.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151930,"EventID":"S1W-15237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient supplies of instruments needed to carry out tonsillectomies are available to deal with the number of patients on waiting lists in each health board ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient supplies of instruments needed to carry out tonsillectomies are available to deal with the number of patients on waiting lists in each health board area.","AnswerText":"Sufficient stocks of reusable instruments are available but, with the reported risk of surgical transmission of vCJD, ENT surgeons decided to wait until supplies of single-use equipment are more readily available unless, in their professional judgement, the delay presented a significantly high degree of patient risk.

A contract for the future provision of single-use tonsillectomy instruments was placed for all UK Health Departments at the end of April. It followed a competitive tendering exercise that included extensive field testing of equipment by ENT specialists across the UK. The suppliers will be Rocialle Medical and Trust Sterile Services. Supplies will come on stream this month and will rise progressively to meet the projected level of monthly demand by July.

Scottish Healthcare Supplies have led for Scottish procurement interests, and are currently working with the suppliers and Scottish Trusts to secure an appropriate and timeous distribution of initial supplies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151931,"EventID":"S1W-15238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who supplies the instruments needed to carry out tonsillectomies and what the average time from initial order to delivery of stock is in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who supplies the instruments needed to carry out tonsillectomies and what the average time from initial order to delivery of stock is in each health board area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-15237.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151932,"EventID":"S1W-15239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has received on the compatability of section 6 of the Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and the Cattle Identification Regulations (SSI","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has received on the compatability of section 6 of the Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and the Cattle Identification Regulations (SSI 1998/871), which confers on inspectors a power of entry to farms, with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is obliged to act in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. We are satisfied that the provisions concerned are compatible with ECHR.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151933,"EventID":"S1W-15240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to address any concerns of parents and professionals regarding any increase in the prescribing of Ritalin to children diagnosed with attention deficit hyper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to address any concerns of parents and professionals regarding any increase in the prescribing of Ritalin to children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"Next month, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) will publish evidence-based guidance for NHSScotland on the diagnosis, assessment and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. This guidance, which will draw on best practice, will be available to clinicians through the SIGN website. Copies of the guidance will also be sent to the relevant health specialists.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151934,"EventID":"S1W-15241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to collect centrally data recording the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder broken down by health board area, gender and age.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to collect centrally data recording the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder broken down by health board area, gender and age.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151935,"EventID":"S1W-15242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for the removal of litter from verges, landscaping and lay-bys on the trunk road network in each of the maintenance contract areas and whether there h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for the removal of litter from verges, landscaping and lay-bys on the trunk road network in each of the maintenance contract areas and whether there has been any alteration to these arrangements as a result of the recent letting of new contracts.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the removal of litter from special roads and motorways lies with the Scottish Executive as the roads authority. For all other trunk roads the responsibility rests with the local councils through which area the trunk road passes. These are statutory obligations and there has been no alteration to these requirements as a result of the recent award of the management and maintenance contracts for the Scottish trunk road network.

The recently awarded management and maintenance contracts contain a provision to require the new Operating Company to liaise with local councils and to ensure that their policies meet with the requirements of the relevant sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with respect to the trunk roads within the Unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151936,"EventID":"S1W-15243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide compensation to those with gra'ing lets who have lost income directly due to the ban on movement of livestock to gra'ing pastures and, if so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide compensation to those with gra'ing lets who have lost income directly due to the ban on movement of livestock to gra'ing pastures and, if so, how that compensation will be calculated and when it will be paid.","AnswerText":"At present there is no provision to pay compensation for loss of income through grazings not being let on account of foot-and-mouth disease. This will be looked at when assessing the wider financial impact of foot and mouth.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151937,"EventID":"S1W-15244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any proposals relating to the preservation of pedigree and hefted sheep in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease and whether it has had any d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any proposals relating to the preservation of pedigree and hefted sheep in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease and whether it has had any discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on this issue.","AnswerText":"I refer to the Ministerial Statement I gave to Parliament on 26 April 2001 where policy on the position of rare breeds of sheep and hefted sheep was clarified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151938,"EventID":"S1W-15246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14539 by Angus MacKay on 10 April 2001, what level of expenditure was incurred by each local authority to meet their local educatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14539 by Angus MacKay on 10 April 2001, what level of expenditure was incurred by each local authority to meet their local educational requirements in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and what the estimated figures are for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Local authorities' provisional outturn expenditure for 1999-2000 and budgeted expenditure for 2000-01 on education is contained in the table. The budget estimates for 2001-02 have still to be received from all councils.

EDUCATION

1999-2000

£000

2000-01

£000

Aberdeen, City

95,441

97,261

Aberdeenshire

123,474

127,214

Angus

54,008

56,145

Argyll and Bute

51,071

51,820

Clackmannanshire

26,531

27,621

Dumfries and Galloway

76,738

78,801

Dundee

73,601

75,272

East Ayrshire

66,163

67,185

East Dunbartonshire

60,239

62,923

East Lothian

43,788

46,059

East Renfrewshire

50,474

52,262

Edinburgh, City

181,052

185,904

Eilean Siar

26,076

26,732

Falkirk

71,497

73,427

Fife

179,984

184,327

Glasgow

292,501

302,085

Highland

123,935

127,818

The Task Force will consider these issues and report back in two separate stages. The first stage report will be published early next year and will identify the barriers to housing improvement. The second stage report will identify solutions and make recommendations for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151944,"EventID":"S1W-15253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existing system of multiple surveys acts as a barrier to the adoption of energy audits for all house sales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existing system of multiple surveys acts as a barrier to the adoption of energy audits for all house sales.","AnswerText":"The information about house condition that is available to individuals selling and buying houses is being considered by the Housing Improvement Task Force. The task force will consider whether there are barriers in the current arrangements to the provision of appropriate energy efficiency information.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151945,"EventID":"S1W-15254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any benefits which could result from the adoption of a system of energy audits for residential property transactions and, in particular, wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any benefits which could result from the adoption of a system of energy audits for residential property transactions and, in particular, what contribution such a system could make to reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the next 10 years.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151946,"EventID":"S1W-15255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward proposals to require energy audits of houses at point of sale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward proposals to require energy audits of houses at point of sale.","AnswerText":"The Housing Improvement Task Force will consider the information provided to purchasers under the current arrangements and advise on whether changes to those arrangements to promote energy efficiency would be deliverable. The Scottish Executive will consider what legislative changes are necessary when the task force has completed its work.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151947,"EventID":"S1W-15256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Housing Improvement Task Force to bring forward recommendations on how the system of multiple surveys for housing transactions can be improved or repl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Housing Improvement Task Force to bring forward recommendations on how the system of multiple surveys for housing transactions can be improved or replaced.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15252.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151948,"EventID":"S1W-15257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who started modern apprenticeships in 1999-2000 have since completed their apprenticeships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who started modern apprenticeships in 1999-2000 have since completed their apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"Of the young people who started Modern Apprenticeships in 1999-2000, by mid-June 1,077 have completed their apprenticeships. Modern Apprenticeships can start at any time in the year. Completion dates will vary according to individuals' needs and different business sector frameworks.","AnswerDate":"2002-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151949,"EventID":"S1W-15258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new business starts there were in each local enterprise company area in 1999-2000; how many were assisted by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new business starts there were in each local enterprise company area in 1999-2000; how many were assisted by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and how many are still trading in each area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the Chairmen to write to the member. A copy of their replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151950,"EventID":"S1W-15259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any chief executives of Scottish public bodies, other than the Chief Executive of visitscotland, who have other paid renumeration or d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any chief executives of Scottish public bodies, other than the Chief Executive of visitscotland, who have other paid renumeration or directorships.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. Public bodies are required to ensure that staff adhere to rules covering private interests and possible conflicts with public duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151951,"EventID":"S1W-15260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were interviewed for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were interviewed for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"Seven.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151952,"EventID":"S1W-15261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the parameters were for any negotiations on salary and terms and conditions of employment when considering applications for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the parameters were for any negotiations on salary and terms and conditions of employment when considering applications for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"In considering these matters in consultation with my department, visitscotland will have borne in mind the need to strike a balance between paying a market rate for the kind of ability and experience they were seeking to attract and other senior public sector salaries in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151953,"EventID":"S1W-15262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14935 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 20 April 2001, how many staff have responsibility for tourism policy in the Enterprise Networks and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14935 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 20 April 2001, how many staff have responsibility for tourism policy in the Enterprise Networks and Tourism Division of its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department and how many officials in Historic Scotland have policy responsibility for tourism promotion.","AnswerText":"Seven members of staff in the Enterprise Networks and Tourism Department have tourism responsibility. A number of Historic Scotland staff are involved in tourism operations within the agency. Of these, there are three officials who have policy responsibility for tourism promotion as the major part of their work.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151954,"EventID":"S1W-15263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff are dedicated to working on (a) grant aid for businesses, (b) enterprise networks, (c) export promotion, (d) inward investment, (e) energy, (f) life","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff are dedicated to working on (a) grant aid for businesses, (b) enterprise networks, (c) export promotion, (d) inward investment, (e) energy, (f) lifelong learning, (g) student support and (h) better regulation.","AnswerText":"The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department consists of 309.4 permanent staff, some of whom will be working on these topics. The information requested is not held centrally, although the Scottish Executive Business Directory will provide a general picture of the work of the department.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151955,"EventID":"S1W-15264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any market research firms have been hired on behalf of the Scottish Qualifications Authority in the last six months to canvass the opinions of parents of seconda","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any market research firms have been hired on behalf of the Scottish Qualifications Authority in the last six months to canvass the opinions of parents of secondary school pupils and, if so, which firms are involved and what the value of each contract is.","AnswerText":"No market research firms have been hired on behalf of the SQA in the last six months.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151956,"EventID":"S1W-15265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14262 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 17 April 2001, why this question was given a holding reply on 30 March 2001 when the substantive a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14262 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 17 April 2001, why this question was given a holding reply on 30 March 2001 when the substantive answer was a referral to an answer which had been given to question S1W-14121 on 26 March 2001.","AnswerText":"There was no reason why question S1W-14262 could not have been answered on 30 March. This did not happen because of an oversight.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151957,"EventID":"S1W-15266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when an answer to a question refers to a previous answer, it will in future also provide the text of that previous answer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when an answer to a question refers to a previous answer, it will in future also provide the text of that previous answer.","AnswerText":"No, previous questions can now be accessed easily on the Scottish Parliament website.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151958,"EventID":"S1W-15267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6297 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, when it expects the review of the system used to allocate police funding in Scotland t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6297 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2000, when it expects the review of the system used to allocate police funding in Scotland to conclude and whether a copy of the findings will be available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"An extensive analysis of police workloads is currently being completed. The results of the analysis will be considered by the representatives of the Scottish Executive, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and we expect the review to be completed later this year.

The conclusions of the review will help to inform consideration of future local government finance settlements which will be subject to parliamentary approval.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151959,"EventID":"S1W-15268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what selection procedure is being used to appoint the Chairs of the new unified NHS Boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what selection procedure is being used to appoint the Chairs of the new unified NHS Boards.","AnswerText":"The procedure involves a number of stages beginning with advertising for the positions for which we are seeking candidates. The advertisement was brought to the attention of a large number of diverse organisations and individuals to encourage applications, including MSP's and MP's to whom I wrote in early March. Applications received in response are assessed against the criteria for the positions, following which individuals are invited for interview. The interview panels, chaired by the Head of the Scottish Executive Health Department, and including an Independent Assessor, will make recommendations for appointment to the Scottish Ministers. This procedure complies with the guidelines of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151960,"EventID":"S1W-15269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the payments made to farmers and crofters in Argyll & Bute under the 2001 Less Favoured Area (LFA) scheme detailing in particular, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the payments made to farmers and crofters in Argyll & Bute under the 2001 Less Favoured Area (LFA) scheme detailing in particular, (a) the number of farmers receiving payments in Argyll and Bute constituency compared with last year, (b) the number of farmers who required a top-up from the safety-net arrangement, detailing the maximum payment given under the safety-net, the percentage of all farmers helped by the safety-net and the average safety-net payment as a percentage of the total payment, (c) the number of farmers who received a greater payment than last year, the average increase in payment and the biggest increase in payment and (d) the total amount paid in Argyll and Bute under the new LFA scheme in comparison to last year.","AnswerText":"The information is not available. The vast majority of claims were paid, at least up to the level of the safety net, by the end of April. The priority now is to settle outstanding balances and claims. We will not be able to supply information on payments until this further work is completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151961,"EventID":"S1W-15270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a list of all premises which have been involved in (a) the cull of sheep within a 3km radius of a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease and (b)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a list of all premises which have been involved in (a) the cull of sheep within a 3km radius of a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease and (b) the cull of sheep due to a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease on contiguous premises, as of 24 April 2001.","AnswerText":"Details of infected premises are published. I do not consider that there is any need to list other premises within 3km, nor to distinguish whether they have been involved in the 3km or the contiguous sheep culls.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151962,"EventID":"S1W-15271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) beef cattle, (c) dairy cattle, (d) pigs, (e) deer, (f) goats and (g) other species have been pre-emptively culled in Dumfries and Galloway as of 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) beef cattle, (c) dairy cattle, (d) pigs, (e) deer, (f) goats and (g) other species have been pre-emptively culled in Dumfries and Galloway as of 24 April 2001 as part of the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"As at 30 April 2001, the following number of animals have been culled: sheep -382,333; cattle - 21,776; pigs - 57; goats - 276; other - 1.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151963,"EventID":"S1W-15272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum period of time is which can elapse between a case of foot-and-mouth disease being confirmed and the information regarding the premises involved being mad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum period of time is which can elapse between a case of foot-and-mouth disease being confirmed and the information regarding the premises involved being made public.","AnswerText":"Once a farm has been confirmed as having foot-and-mouth disease, details of the infected premises is included in the Scottish Executive Daily Press Release which is issued at 7pm.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151964,"EventID":"S1W-15273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how premises contiguous to those in which foot-and-mouth disease has been identified are made aware of the situation and how long the process of informing contiguous prem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how premises contiguous to those in which foot-and-mouth disease has been identified are made aware of the situation and how long the process of informing contiguous premises should take.","AnswerText":"The occupiers of contiguous premises are identified and advised by telephone as quickly as possible. There is no pre-determinable time for doing this. But the target set for culling stock on contiguous premises is 48 hours from the identification of the relevant infected premises.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151965,"EventID":"S1W-15274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish any additional mass burning sites for carcasses of pre-emptively culled livestock in Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish any additional mass burning sites for carcasses of pre-emptively culled livestock in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"In the current disease situation, there are no plans to operate mass burning sites. As a contingency against a significant change in the disease situation, we have identified possible locations for burning sites both in the east and west of the region, but we have not developed them.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151966,"EventID":"S1W-15275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are used to communicate with residents in areas where the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by burning or burial is planned.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are used to communicate with residents in areas where the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by burning or burial is planned.","AnswerText":"The measures taken to communicate promptly with residents in the vicinity of disposal sites include a leaflet drop before any site becomes operational and where necessary more detailed information to those nearest the site. Discussions are held with local councillors, community councils and residents, as appropriate. Finally information is available through the FMD helpline operated by Dumfries and Galloway Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151967,"EventID":"S1W-15276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the State Veterinary Service and seconded vets regarding the implementation in Scotland of the pre-emptive slaughter policy to c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the State Veterinary Service and seconded vets regarding the implementation in Scotland of the pre-emptive slaughter policy to control foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"This and other aspects of the strategy for controlling and eradicating the disease, has been discussed with veterinary surgeons who have been helping the State Veterinary Service.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151968,"EventID":"S1W-15277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought advice from the Chief Medical Officer regarding any potential danger to public health caused by the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought advice from the Chief Medical Officer regarding any potential danger to public health caused by the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by burning and burial.","AnswerText":"The guidance issued by the Scottish Executive on 25 April, entitled Measures to Minimise Risk to Public Health from Slaughter and Disposal of Animals, addressed this issue and was drawn up in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer. A copy of the guidance is in the Parliament Reference centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151969,"EventID":"S1W-15278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers and departments are actively considering the proposals for economic recovery presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council and partner","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers and departments are actively considering the proposals for economic recovery presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council and partner organisations on 18 April 2001 and when preliminary responses will be available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15199.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151970,"EventID":"S1W-15279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to ensure that further discussion takes place between the management of the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Prison Officers Associati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to ensure that further discussion takes place between the management of the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Prison Officers Association to attempt to resolve the current dispute over conditions of service and absence management.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

Discussions between the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association seeking a national framework for resolving issues about staff attendance patterns, are continuing. Both parties aim to complete these talks by an early date.

SPS has an agreed policy for managing absence which has been in operation since last year and does not, therefore, feature in these discussions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151971,"EventID":"S1W-15280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much VAT has been paid and how much has been recovered by each water authority in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much VAT has been paid and how much has been recovered by each water authority in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Details of VAT paid and recovered by each of the water authorities over the past five years is as follows (figures are in pounds sterling):

West of Scotland Water

Input

Output

Claimed

2000-01

41,698,649.20

5,762,046.12

35,936,603.08

1999-2000

40,043,194.50

5,065,880.98

34,977,313.52

1998-99

36,135,925.50

5,252,633.75

30,883,291.75

1997-98

25,222,582.99

5,274,734.23

19,947,848.76

1996-97

23,438,271.90

5,184,733.59

18,253,538.31

166,538,624.09

26,540,028.67

139,998,595.42

East of Scotland Water

Input

Output

Claimed

2000-01

30,235,671.53

6,565,152.54

23,670,518.99

1999-2000

30,261,924.12

6,760,417.25

23,501,506.87

1998-99

23,933,266.11

6,014,650.01

17,918,616.10

1997-98

21,036,027.33

5,189,766.57

15,846,260.76

1996-97

17,409,458.75

4,819,631.48

 in NHSScotland. Health spending is set to increase by more than £400 million each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04. By 2003-04 health spending is planned to be £6.7 billion. The Family Health Services elements on general medical, dental and ophthalmic services are demand led. Details of the indicative allocations for Family Health Services were given in the answer to question S1W-13513.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151974,"EventID":"S1W-15283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on general medical services both (a) cash limited and (b) non-cash limited in each year since 1996-97 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on general medical services both (a) cash limited and (b) non-cash limited in each year since 1996-97 to date.","AnswerText":"Details of expenditure on General Medical Services Cash Limited and Non-Cash Limited and their percentage share of total health expenditure for 1996-97 to 1999-2000, based on audited accounts, is given in the table. The abolition of GP fund holding in 1999-2000 led to a change in accounting arrangements which is reflected in that year's apparently smaller proportion of General Medical Services Cash Limited expenditure compared with earlier years.

The apparent reduction in the share of General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited expenditure from 1998-99 reflects a transfer of resources from that budget to the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education when it took over responsibility for vocational training for GPs.

General Medical Services Cash Limited

General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited

Expenditure

(£ million)

Percentage of Total Health Expenditure

Expenditure

(£ million)

Percentage of Total Health Expenditure

1996-97

95.7

2.30%

237.7

5.60%

1997-98

108.4

2.50%

248.7

1998-99

119

2.60%

243.8

5.30%

1999-2000

108.9

2.20%

268.8

5.40%

Note:

The General Medical Services Cash Limited expenditure from 1996-97 to 1999-2000 comprise a central allocation plus additional expenditure by health boards from their general allocations/unified budgets.

Information on the total budgets for General Medical Services Cash Limited expenditure for 2000-01 to 2002-03 is not yet identifiable from health boards' unified budgets.

Indicative allocations for General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited for 2000-01 to 2002-03 have been issued. They represent 5.2%, 5.1","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151975,"EventID":"S1W-15284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for general medical services both (a) cash limited and (b) non-cash limited in (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002-03.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for general medical services both (a) cash limited and (b) non-cash limited in (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:

2001-02

(£ million)

2002-03

(£ million)

General Medical Services Cash Limited

103.1

Not separately identified

General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited

297.6

311.1

General Medical Services Cash Limited provision is included in health boards' unified budget. No sum has been specifically identified for 2002-03. General Medical Services Cash Limited expenditure comprises a central allocation plus additional expenditure by health boards from their unified budgets. The figures shown are the central allocations only.

The budgets for General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited are indicative. General Medical Services Non-Cash Limited are demand-led and final levels of expenditure will reflect actual usage.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151976,"EventID":"S1W-15285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage share of total health expenditure has (a) been used and (b) is budgeted in future for general medical services, both (i) cash limited and (ii) non-cash l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage share of total health expenditure has (a) been used and (b) is budgeted in future for general medical services, both (i) cash limited and (ii) non-cash limited in each year from 1996-97 to 2002-03.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15283.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151977,"EventID":"S1W-15286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a review of primary care services following the Acute Services Review, the Review for Public Health Function, the Review of Nursing and Midwifery an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a review of primary care services following the Acute Services Review, the Review for Public Health Function, the Review of Nursing and Midwifery and the Scottish Health Plan.","AnswerText":"The response to question S1W-14975 advised that there were no plans for a review of primary care services.

We recognise that Local Health Care Co-operatives (LHCC) have a key role to play in the design and delivery of local primary care services. The LHCC Best Practice Group has been asked to make proposals for strengthening the influence of LHCCs in all aspects of service design, planning and delivery. This group has now completed its final report, and we shall announce shortly our proposals for the next steps in their development.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151978,"EventID":"S1W-15287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce primary care commissioning as developed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce primary care commissioning as developed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to introduce primary care commissioning in Scotland. Our National Health has stated that services need to be designed and delivered as close to patients and communities as possible. LHCCs have a key role to play in this and we shall announce shortly our proposals for strengthening their role.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151979,"EventID":"S1W-15288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Common Services Agency's Information and Statistics Division statistics on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists are collected monthly but published quarterly.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Common Services Agency's Information and Statistics Division statistics on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists are collected monthly but published quarterly.","AnswerText":"The Information and Statistics Division no longer collects monthly data on inpatient and day case waiting lists; validated data is collected and published quarterly. It is the Executive's view that quarterly progress reporting on this issue is the appropriate frequency. Data on outpatient waiting times is taken from case level data collected throughout the year, making quarterly analysis and publication the most practical frequency.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151980,"EventID":"S1W-15289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government about the economic impact of the increase in the price of gas recently announced by Scottish Gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government about the economic impact of the increase in the price of gas recently announced by Scottish Gas.","AnswerText":"Discussions with the UK Government take place on a wide range of subjects including energy policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151981,"EventID":"S1W-15290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the Lord Advocate made a Reference to the High Court of Justiciary on the judgement by Sheriff Margaret Gimblett at Greenock Sheriff Court to acquit three T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the Lord Advocate made a Reference to the High Court of Justiciary on the judgement by Sheriff Margaret Gimblett at Greenock Sheriff Court to acquit three Trident protesters in October 1999.","AnswerText":"The Reference was made on the basis of the criterion in section 123 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, namely that points of law had arisen in relation to the charges. The first 20 paragraphs of the Opinion of the High Court of Justiciary, a copy of which is held by the Parliament's Reference Centre, make the position clear in detail.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151982,"EventID":"S1W-15291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what VAT implications there will be for the cost of improving homes following the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what VAT implications there will be for the cost of improving homes following the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"VAT implications will depend on the specific details of the transfer proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151983,"EventID":"S1W-15292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has studied the Irish Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation's aid schemes to farmers and specifically the grants made available for farms to create shops","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has studied the Irish Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation's aid schemes to farmers and specifically the grants made available for farms to create shops, cafes or other tourist attractions and whether it plans to adopt a similar scheme to assist farmers in Scotland after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"It is already a well-established policy objective for the Executive to provide financial support to farming and crofting families for the creation of new income-generating enterprises, or the expansion of existing diversified businesses. Grant schemes have been available for some time to provide assistance for a wide range of diversification options, including those referred to in the Question, and support for marketing and training is available as an integrated package. More recently, a new Highlands and Islands Agricultural Business Development Scheme has been launched and we will launch shortly the Farm Business Development Scheme, which will provide similar support for diversification activities in rural areas outwith the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151984,"EventID":"S1W-15293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure that farm animals are killed with the minimum of distress in compliance with the Restrictions on Pithing (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure that farm animals are killed with the minimum of distress in compliance with the Restrictions on Pithing (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/73).","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency enforces these Regulations.

I am advised by the agency that officials were aware of the need for urgent guidance to address the important issues of animal welfare and operator safety. Detailed guidance notes developed by the Humane Slaughter Association were issued to abattoirs and industry representatives on how to satisfy animal welfare requirements. In addition, the Health and Safety Executive/Meat Trades Joint Working Party prepared guidance which includes further information on structural and operational changes to help operators comply with the regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151985,"EventID":"S1W-15294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was a concluded contract of employment between Mr Rod Lynch and visitscotland prior to the announcement of his appointment as Chief Executive on 19 April 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was a concluded contract of employment between Mr Rod Lynch and visitscotland prior to the announcement of his appointment as Chief Executive on 19 April 2001 and, if so, whether it will (a) publish the terms of any such contract, in particular, the estimated value of his remuneration package, (b) state whether any such contract has been terminated by mutual consent and whether any compensatory payment has been made to, or agreed with, Mr Lynch in respect of such a termination and, if so, what the value of this payment is and (c) explain why, if there was no concluded contract of employment, why the appointment was announced in advance of its finalisation.","AnswerText":"The Executive's understanding is that there was no concluded contract of employment. Visitscotland announced on 19 April a remuneration package of £145,000 per annum and a 20% performance bonus. Discussions between legal representatives are continuing. Visitscotland was keen to announce the appointment to end uncertainty and to enable the organisation to move forward. It is not unusual to announce public sector appointments before contracts are completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151986,"EventID":"S1W-15295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee was payable to Heidrick and Struggles in respect of the recruitment of Mr Rod Lynch as Chief Executive of visitscotland and whether, in view of the termination o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee was payable to Heidrick and Struggles in respect of the recruitment of Mr Rod Lynch as Chief Executive of visitscotland and whether, in view of the termination of that appointment, any abatement will apply and, if so, to what extent.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151987,"EventID":"S1W-15296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses there were in each of the last three years; what the ratio of nurses to sufferers was in each year, broken down by heal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses there were in each of the last three years; what the ratio of nurses to sufferers was in each year, broken down by health board and, further to the answer to question S1W-12859 by Susan Deacon on 9 February 2001, when the estimated number of MS sufferers for 2000 will be available.","AnswerText":"Information regarding the number and ratio of specialist Multiple Sclerosis nurses is not available centrally.

Estimates, based on Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) data, of the number of Multiple Sclerosis sufferers in Scotland in the year 2000 are now available.

Information from the CMR System estimates that approximately 6,000 individuals were seen by General Practitioners, in respect of Multiple Sclerosis, in Scotland in 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151988,"EventID":"S1W-15297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has hired any market research firms to carry out any surveys or research relating to education issues within the last six months and, if so, which firms were ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has hired any market research firms to carry out any surveys or research relating to education issues within the last six months and, if so, which firms were hired and what the value was of each contract.","AnswerText":"We have commissioned one survey from a market research company over the last six months. This was the survey of school and FE staff views on the first year of the implementation of Higher Still. The final agreed completion date was 12 February 2001 with a total cost of £46,706.25. The company carrying out the survey was System Three Social Research.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151989,"EventID":"S1W-15298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose was of seeking information on timber stock levels from timber merchants between November 2000 and February 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose was of seeking information on timber stock levels from timber merchants between November 2000 and February 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15300.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151990,"EventID":"S1W-15299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the timber merchants asked to provide information on timber stock levels between November 2000 and February 2001 had never been asked to provide such information","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the timber merchants asked to provide information on timber stock levels between November 2000 and February 2001 had never been asked to provide such information to it prior to November 2000.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15300.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151991,"EventID":"S1W-15300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many timber merchants were contacted by it to provide information on stock levels of railway sleepers and other timber material between November 2000 and February 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many timber merchants were contacted by it to provide information on stock levels of railway sleepers and other timber material between November 2000 and February 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and the Forestry Commission, from time to time, may carry out surveys of timber merchants for a variety of reasons including timber marketing and contingency planning for (inter alia) foot-and-mouth disease. Marketing surveys may be carried out at a local level.

No such contingency exercise was carried out during the period referred to. As far as can be ascertained, neither the Forestry Commission nor the Scottish Executive carried out any survey for marketing purposes during that period.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151992,"EventID":"S1W-15301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that deafblind people have access to the services they require throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that deafblind people have access to the services they require throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15107.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151993,"EventID":"S1W-15302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that its and other public bodies' official websites and computer-based communication are fully accessible to people with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that its and other public bodies' official websites and computer-based communication are fully accessible to people with disabilities.","AnswerText":"Through its Information Age Government in Scotland draft common framework, the Executive promotes the delivery of services through multiple methods which are appropriate to the customers of those services, and which meet the needs of excluded groups.

In addition, the Scottish Executive seeks to ensure that its website is accessible to all by subscribing to the general principles of best practice contained within the Guidelines for UK Government Websites published by the Office of the e-Envoy and to the Web Accessibility Initiative standards published by the World Wide Web Consortium. The "Web Accessibility Initiative" is endorsed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind and other major bodies representing people with disabilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151994,"EventID":"S1W-15303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body has taken to ensure that the Parliament's website and all its computer based communication is fully accessible to people ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body has taken to ensure that the Parliament's website and all its computer based communication is fully accessible to people with disabilities.","AnswerText":"An accessibility audit of the website was commissioned from the Digital Media Access Group at the University of Dundee in January of this year. The audit applied the international standards as formulated by the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative. One of the aims of these standards is to improve access for people with disabilities.

The results of this audit are informing website developments. The new design is being developed in consultation with the SPCB and will be launched when it is finalised and approved.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151995,"EventID":"S1W-15304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12264 how much Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar, Highland and West Lothian Councils spent in each year from 1996-97 to 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12264 how much Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar, Highland and West Lothian Councils spent in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01 in utilising their discretionary powers to enable tenants to purchase a home on the open market.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151996,"EventID":"S1W-15305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage more females to take up modern apprenticeships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage more females to take up modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with the Enterprise Network to target Modern Apprenticeships in non-traditional sectors, including hospitality, early years and childcare, IT and health and social care. Many of these sectors offer apprenticeship opportunities which are more attractive to women. The Executive is also working with the Manufacturing Image Group to encourage more women into manufacturing occupations.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151997,"EventID":"S1W-15306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #13 million earmarked for Glasgow City Council in connection with the development of its stock transfer proposal has been (a) allocated and (b) spent to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #13 million earmarked for Glasgow City Council in connection with the development of its stock transfer proposal has been (a) allocated and (b) spent to date.","AnswerText":"By the end of the last financial year £8.4 million had been allocated to the Glasgow stock transfer initiative and £6.9 million of that had been drawn down by Glasgow City Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151998,"EventID":"S1W-15307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that information given to council tenants in Glasgow with regard to the stock transfer proposals is accurate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that information given to council tenants in Glasgow with regard to the stock transfer proposals is accurate.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Guidance for Local Authorities on Housing Transfer to Community Ownership sets down procedures that local authorities are expected to follow in carrying out their statutory responsibilities in respect of consultation with tenants on any transfer proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":151999,"EventID":"S1W-15308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that neighbourhood forums established to consult on Glasgow stock transfer proposals consult with tenant associations and that those","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that neighbourhood forums established to consult on Glasgow stock transfer proposals consult with tenant associations and that those tenant associations relay information to and from their own tenants.","AnswerText":"Neighbourhood Forums were established by Glasgow City Council. The activities and procedures of these organisations is a matter for the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152000,"EventID":"S1W-15309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to accommodate the recommendation in the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee's 3rd Report 2000 Housing Stock Transfer tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to accommodate the recommendation in the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee's 3rd Report 2000 Housing Stock Transfer that a multi-agency task force be establish for each stock transfer proposal with a specific remit to ensure that maximisation of local labour is a key determinant in the awarding of contracts.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the parties involved in developing transfer proposals. A multi-agency Housing and Employment Working Group operating at an all-Scotland level is identifying the mechanisms required to maximise employment opportunities and inclusion benefits from future housing investment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152001,"EventID":"S1W-15310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any residual debt resulting from housing stock transfer in Glasgow will (a) be removed from Glasgow City Council (GCC) and taken on by the Executive as outlined ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any residual debt resulting from housing stock transfer in Glasgow will (a) be removed from Glasgow City Council (GCC) and taken on by the Executive as outlined in Glasgow Housing Association's January newsletter which states \"the Scottish Executive has agreed to remove the debt from GCC tenants and transfer it to tax payers across Scotland if tenants vote in favour of stock transfer\" or (b) remain with GCC and be serviced by the Executive as outlined in the answer to question S1W-13378 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2001 which states \"the cost of servicing the remaining (i.e. residual) debt would also be met by resources provided by the Scottish Executive\" and what steps will it take to ensure that tenants are advised of the correct situation.","AnswerText":"The arrangements are as set out in my answer to question S1W-13378. It is for Glasgow City Council in undertaking statutory consultation with tenants prior to any transfer to consider what further information in relation to this issue should be provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152002,"EventID":"S1W-15311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why no long-term detailed investment plans on Glasgow's housing stock transfer proposals will be available until January 2002, after the proposed date of the stock trans","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why no long-term detailed investment plans on Glasgow's housing stock transfer proposals will be available until January 2002, after the proposed date of the stock transfer ballot.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Guidance for Local Authorities on Housing Transfer to Community Ownership makes it clear what information should be made available to tenants during the statutory consultation process leading up to any ballot on a transfer proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152003,"EventID":"S1W-15312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale now is for modernising Glasgow's housing stock transfer in the event of stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale now is for modernising Glasgow's housing stock transfer in the event of stock transfer.","AnswerText":"These are matters for discussion between the Glasgow Housing Association and Glasgow City Council in line with the Executive's "Guidance for Local Authorities, Housing Transfer to Community Ownership".","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152004,"EventID":"S1W-15313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13378 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2001, what guarantee it can provide that the costs of servicing any residual debt follow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13378 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2001, what guarantee it can provide that the costs of servicing any residual debt following Glasgow housing stock transfer will be met indefinitely by resources provided by the Scottish Executive indefinitely.","AnswerText":"The arrangements will take account of Glasgow's existing loan portfolio and will be discussed with Glasgow City Council as part of the appraisal of the transfer proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152005,"EventID":"S1W-15314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of community ownership is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition of community ownership is.","AnswerText":"The Housing Green Paper Investing In Modernisation published in February 1999 (Cm 4272) stated that community ownership would normally result from the transfer of existing public sector rented housing to alternative community landlords at a price which reflects the value of the stock and under arrangements which ensure that:

  • the housing is owned by a non-profit making body on which there is tenant, local authority and community representation;
  • there is effective tenant involvement in key decisions;
  • housing is available, and continues to be available, to be let at affordable rents to those in housing need, including the homeless and other vulnerable groups, and

there are guarantees for transferring tenants regarding rent increases, tenancy rights and repairs and improvements to housing stock.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152006,"EventID":"S1W-15315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figure is for the cost of improving Glasgow City Council's housing stock following the proposed stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figure is for the cost of improving Glasgow City Council's housing stock following the proposed stock transfer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312 on 9 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152007,"EventID":"S1W-15316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the report by George Street Research, Development Department Research Programme Research Findings No.111: Sharing Road Space; Drivers a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the report by George Street Research, Development Department Research Programme Research Findings No.111: Sharing Road Space; Drivers and Cyclists as Equal Road Users, and what policy measures it plans to take in the light of the report, in particular, whether it will introduce a programme of formal cycling training, including road experience, for all primary six and seven children.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently considering the recommendations of the report and what policy measures may be appropriate.

As regards cycle training, the provision of cycle training for children is a matter for schools, police and local authority Road Safety Units. The Executive has commissioned a survey of cycle training provision in Scottish schools to provide baseline information on the numbers of children trained; that is currently being carried out. The Scottish Cycle Training Scheme, overseen by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, itself funded by the Executive, recommends that on-road training should be provided where possible. Road Safety Units are responsible for carrying out risk assessment on any roads to be used for on-road training and for decisions on whether it is appropriate to conduct on-road training in any particular case. A new resource for Road Safety Officers to use when training volunteer trainers, developed by the campaign, was issued to Road Safety Units in March.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152008,"EventID":"S1W-15317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many films were shot on location in Scotland in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Department, as highlighted in note 25.5 of Scotti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many films were shot on location in Scotland in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Department, as highlighted in note 25.5 of Scottish Executive Resource Accounts 1999-2000, and whether it has any estimate of the number of films shot as a result of such funding in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"There were seven feature films, three television films and one Imax (large format) film shot in Scotland in 1999. In 2000 three feature films and one television film were wholly, and ten films partly, shot in Scotland; three feature films have been or are being shot in 2001. The Education Department does not provide any funding direct to film-makers, but funds Scottish Screen which provides locations advice and is now the distributor for National Lottery funds for film production.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152009,"EventID":"S1W-15318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether private sponsorship and funding of the National Collections of Scotland increased in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Departm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether private sponsorship and funding of the National Collections of Scotland increased in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Department, as highlighted in note 25.5 of Scottish Executive Resource Accounts 1999-2000, and, if so, by how much and whether it has any estimate of any increase in such sponsorship as a result of such funding in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The sums raised by the National Institutions of Scotland in private sponsorship and funding were:
 

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

National Galleries of Scotland

681,000

1,192,000

1,586,000

National Museums of Scotland

7,309,000*

4,334,000*

2,964,000*

National Library of Scotland

245,000

222,000

251,000

Total

8,235,000

5,748,000

4,801,000

*includes fundraising for the Museum of Scotland, which opened in November 1998, amounting to £5.5 million, £1.9 million and £1.3 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152010,"EventID":"S1W-15319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra visitors attended the National Collections of Scotland in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Development, as highlighted","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra visitors attended the National Collections of Scotland in 1999-2000 as a result of the funding made available by its Education Development, as highlighted in note 25.5 of Scottish Executive Resource Accounts 1999-2000, and whether it has an estimate of any increase in visitors as a result of such funding in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The number of visitors to the National Institutions of Scotland were:
 

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

National Galleries of Scotland

876,519

962,142

1,049,652

National Museums of Scotland

630,596

788,134

1,015,494

National Library of Scotland

44,316

66,162

80,628

Total

1,551,431

1,816,438

2,145,714

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152011,"EventID":"S1W-15320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to hold meetings with the European Commission to synchronise the goals of Digital Scotland and other e-Government projects with those being pursued at a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to hold meetings with the European Commission to synchronise the goals of Digital Scotland and other e-Government projects with those being pursued at a European level such as e-Europe.","AnswerText":"Senior officials of the Scottish Executive met last year with European Commission officials involved in developing the e-Europe initiative. The recommendations from the Digital Scotland Taskforce took account of aspects of the targets agreed in e-Europe. Further meetings with the Commission may take place later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152012,"EventID":"S1W-15321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14758 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, why there is no estimate for any loss of income to the proposed single water authority shoul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14758 by Ross Finnie on 17 April 2001, why there is no estimate for any loss of income to the proposed single water authority should water prices charged by the North of Scotland Water Authority be brought into line with those charged by the East and West of Scotland Water Authorities when this goal is specifically mentioned in paragraph 1.14 of The Water Services Bill - The Executive's Proposals as a reason for creating a single authority","AnswerText":"The passage referred to makes clear that the move to a single authority will allow charge harmonisation. At what level those charges will be harmonised will not be established until the strategic charges review has been carried out. Thus, as indicated in my earlier answer, no estimate has been made of the impact of bringing the current North of Scotland Water Authority charges into line with current charges in the other areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152013,"EventID":"S1W-15322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-14552 and S1W-14904 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 28 March and 19 April 2001, whether the term \"consequential compensation\" as used by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-14552 and S1W-14904 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 28 March and 19 April 2001, whether the term \"consequential compensation\" as used by the First Minister in response to the supplementary question to the answer to S1F-941 on 22 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 877), has the same meaning as the term \"compensation for consequential loss\" as that is legally understood and whether any of the measures outlined in the answer to question S1W-14552 constitute compensation for consequential loss in that sense.","AnswerText":"The package of assistance I described in question S1W-14552 is available now as a measure of compensation to businesses affected, directly and indirectly, by the foot and mouth outbreak. This is in addition to all measures available through the UK Government to alleviate hardship.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152014,"EventID":"S1W-15323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedure will be used to fill the current vacancy on the board of visitscotland and what timescale is envisaged for this process.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedure will be used to fill the current vacancy on the board of visitscotland and what timescale is envisaged for this process.","AnswerText":"The vacancy will be filled in accordance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. An appointment will be made as quickly as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152015,"EventID":"S1W-15324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the accommodation costs were in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 for the accommodation currently occupied by the Parliament; what the projected accommodation costs in respect of","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the accommodation costs were in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 for the accommodation currently occupied by the Parliament; what the projected accommodation costs in respect of the current accommodation are in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04 and what the annual projected accommodation costs are thereafter for the new Parliament building at Holyrood, all expressed in the prices used for the Scottish Budget 2001.","AnswerText":"The Parliament's accommodation costs (i.e. rent, rates, utilities and building maintenance) for 1999-2000 and 2000-01, and the equivalent budgeted figure for 2001-02, are shown below expressed in cash terms. The projected costs for subsequent years are still under discussion. Those for 2002-03 will be included in the level 2 figures due to be submitted to the Finance Committee in September.

1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02

£2,118,000 £2,768,000 £3,060,000","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152016,"EventID":"S1W-15325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its accommodation costs were in 1999-2000 and 2000-01; what its projected accommodation costs are in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04, expressed in the prices used ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its accommodation costs were in 1999-2000 and 2000-01; what its projected accommodation costs are in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04, expressed in the prices used for the Scottish Budget 2001 in each case and detailing any non-recurring maintenance expenditure in each of these years, and whether it will detail any major accommodation maintenance requirements being considered for the post-2004 period.","AnswerText":"Accommodation costs for the period requested are set out in table 1 (actual costs for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and projected costs for the subsequent years).

Table 1: Accommodation Costs (£ million)
 

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Costs: Cash Basis

34.484

32.938

33.939

27.858

27.858

Costs: Real Terms 1999-2000 prices

34.484

32.371

32.542

26.060

25.424

Accommodation costs include capital expenditure, rent, rates and other charges relating to property, the cost of accommodation-related staff and services such as maintenance (reactive and planned preventative), security, cleaning and fuel and utility costs.

Non-recurring maintenance expenditure is set out in table 2. This includes planned decorative work, planned replacements and upgrading of equipment such as fire alarms and heating controls. The figures do not include reactive maintenance. The cost of non-recurring maintenance is incorporated within the figures in table 1.

Table 2: Non Recurring Maintenance Expenditure (£ million)
 

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Costs: Cash Basis

0.408

0.630

0.888

0.997

0.608

Costs: Real Terms 1999-2000 prices

0.408

0.619

0.851

0.933

0.555

Plans for non-recurring maintenance are adjusted each year as condition surveys are received from consultants. There are no current plans for a major maintenance project post 2004.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152017,"EventID":"S1W-15326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on advertising in each of the last three months and how much it spent in the equivalent period in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on advertising in each of the last three months and how much it spent in the equivalent period in 2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in table format - a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13828).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152018,"EventID":"S1W-15327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects any increase in cancer levels as a result of dioxins and other chemicals being released into the atmosphere from foot-and-mouth disease funeral pyres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects any increase in cancer levels as a result of dioxins and other chemicals being released into the atmosphere from foot-and-mouth disease funeral pyres.","AnswerText":"The potential risks to public health from carcass burning sites have been subject to comprehensive risk assessments carried out by the Environment Agency and by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health. These assessments have identified dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PCB's) as the main agents of concern in terms of any possible risks of cancer. In both cases, however, the risk assessments conclude that exposure to these agents either in air or in food, at the levels that are predicted to occur, is unlikely to pose a risk to health.

The risk assessments have been, and continue to be, supported by programmes of pollution monitoring which address both immediate and long-term health concern. In addition, the Food Standards Agency plans to monitor food samples from around larger or continuous pyres to ensure that there are no long-term effects on food safety.

As intimated in the answer to question S1W-15338, the Scottish Executive Health Department has issued guidance on the siting and management of pyres to help ensure that exposures to these chemicals are kept to the lowest practicable levels.

Copies of the guidance are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152019,"EventID":"S1W-15328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer employment working group will publish its report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer employment working group will publish its report.","AnswerText":"No such report is expected. A national Employment and Housing Working Group is due to report at the end of June.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152020,"EventID":"S1W-15329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to the Independent Tenants' Adviser in relation to the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer to enable the adviser to circulate infor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to the Independent Tenants' Adviser in relation to the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer to enable the adviser to circulate information to tenants.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01 £2.524 million was made available to Glasgow City Council for tenant consultation, including resources for the appointment of Independent Tenant Advisers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152021,"EventID":"S1W-15330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available details of the transfer of functions, assets, contracts and staff from Glasgow City Council to the Glasgow Housing Association.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available details of the transfer of functions, assets, contracts and staff from Glasgow City Council to the Glasgow Housing Association.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152022,"EventID":"S1W-15331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Glasgow Housing Association regarding conveyancing plans, disclosures and warranties, environmental risks, terms of the transfer agreemen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Glasgow Housing Association regarding conveyancing plans, disclosures and warranties, environmental risks, terms of the transfer agreement, protocols and sale of assets in relation to the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152023,"EventID":"S1W-15332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to minimise any possible unpleasant or ha'ardous side effects caused by the mass burial of pre-emptively culled stock at Birkshaw Farm near Loc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to minimise any possible unpleasant or ha'ardous side effects caused by the mass burial of pre-emptively culled stock at Birkshaw Farm near Lockerbie.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with Health and Environmental Health officials of Dumfries and Galloway Council as well as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure that public and environmental health considerations are taken fully into account in the operation of the site at Birkshaw.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152024,"EventID":"S1W-15333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what each local authority's general fund balance was, in cash terms and as a percentage of total general fund net expenditure, at the close of each of the last three fina","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what each local authority's general fund balance was, in cash terms and as a percentage of total general fund net expenditure, at the close of each of the last three financial years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information for 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 is contained in the table.

Closing Balances

1997-98

(£000)

% of Total

Expenditure

1997-98

1998-99

(£000)

% of Total

Expenditure

1998-99

1999-2000

(£000)

% of Total

Expenditure

1999-2000

Aberdeen, City

6,892

2.80

3,096

1.24

1,363

0.52

Aberdeenshire

3,937

1.54

7,400

2.79

5,000

1.79

Angus

600

0.47

3,400

2.60

3,600

2.59

Argyll and Bute

-871

-0.65

401

0.29

801

0.56

Clackmannanshire

-891

-1.52

103

Housing Revenue Account closing balances as at 31 March

 

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Local Authority

Balance

(£ million)

% of Gross Expend

Balance

(£ million)

% of Gross Expend

Balance

(£ million)

% of Gross Expend

Aberdeen City

9.4

15.1

5.0

8.2

1.6

2.8

Aberdeenshire

9.3

26.4

10.1

25.3

8.1

20.8

Angus

1.7

9.7

1.3

7.5

0.7

3.9

Argyll and Bute

3.3

18.0

2.2

12.9

2.0

12.2

Clackmannanshire

3.3

23.1

2.0

13.6

1.3

9.9

Dumfries & Galloway

8.9

26.6

7.2

21.2

3.0

9.5

Dundee City

0

0

0

0

0

0

East Ayrshire

0

0

0

Copies of the guidance are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152030,"EventID":"S1W-15339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the establishment of a sports-specific first aid certificate for sports coaches.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the establishment of a sports-specific first aid certificate for sports coaches.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to encourage the establishment of a sports-specific first aid certificate for sports coaches. However, sportscotland's Coaching Team administer a number of workshops on behalf of the National Coaching Foundation. Injury Prevention and Management is just one in a series of 12 new workshops which consist of highly practical and applied three-hour sessions. On completion of this workshop coaches should be able to:

  • Identify potential problems in training and/or competition which may lead to injury.

  • Modify their practices and those of their performers to reduce the likelihood of injury.

  • Assess the severity of injury and respond appropriately.

  • Define the type and grade of, and deal with, soft tissue injury.

  • Assess if a performer is ready to resume training and/or competition.

In the financial year ending 31 March 2001, 183 coaches had successfully completed the Injury Prevention and Management workshop. The workshop was also made available to approximately 30 Millennium Volunteers aged from 16 to 18.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152031,"EventID":"S1W-15340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the establishment of a network of GPs interested in sports medicine.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the establishment of a network of GPs interested in sports medicine.","AnswerText":"Together with the other home country and UK sports councils, sportscotland is funding the National Sports Medicine Institute (NSMI) of the United Kingdom to develop a Register of Exercise & Sports Care: UK (RESCU). RESCU will identify a network of service providers, including GPs across the UK; will raise awareness among users of sports care services about practitioners with appropriate qualifications and experience, and will enable doctors interested in sports medicine to make contact with other practitioners who are also working in this area.

RESCU has set clear and objective minimum entry requirements and has also identified suggested pathways for career development. RESCU will also utilise future accreditation schemes, such as any developed by the Inter-collegiate Academic Board of Sport & Exercise Medicine.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152032,"EventID":"S1W-15341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recognise sports medicine as a speciality and treat it accordingly in terms of funding, training and qualifications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recognise sports medicine as a speciality and treat it accordingly in terms of funding, training and qualifications.","AnswerText":"Matters affecting the regulation of the medical profession, including the definition, recognition and training of medical specialties are matters reserved to a UK and European level under the relevant Directives.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152033,"EventID":"S1W-15342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the Scottish Enterprise network's current business client base accessed business support services (a) online and (b) offline in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the Scottish Enterprise network's current business client base accessed business support services (a) online and (b) offline in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Information about Scottish Enterprise network services is available to all who need it through the Scottish Enterprise Website which was launched in 2000-01. In addition, the Government is committed to the principle of delivering services electronically by 2005. Electronic service delivery is a major strand of the Scottish Enterprise Business Transformation Process and will enable services, including business support services, to be delivered electronically via the web by 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152034,"EventID":"S1W-15343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's businesses accessed Scottish Enterprise network services in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's businesses accessed Scottish Enterprise network services in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Businesses can access Scottish Enterprise network services in a number of ways. In 1999-2000 Scottish Enterprise delivered 22,190 \"projects\" with companies in Scotland on a one-to-one basis. Figures for 2000-01 will be made available in the next Scottish Enterprise Annual Report.

Many more businesses access Scottish Enterprise network services through other avenues, ranging from general publicity (by leaflets, brochures etc.) to seminars and conferences and web-enabled access. The numbers of businesses accessing services through these avenues is not quantified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152035,"EventID":"S1W-15344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11693 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 30 March 2001, how endowment payments will be collected from EU students who leave the UK after gr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11693 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 30 March 2001, how endowment payments will be collected from EU students who leave the UK after graduating and go to work elsewhere.","AnswerText":"EU nationals who leave the UK after graduating will be subject to the same collection arrangements as are used at present for Scottish graduates who leave the UK after graduating. There are procedures currently in place for the Student Loans Company to collect payments directly from graduates who are outwith the UK tax system because they live and work abroad. Under this system, graduates must provide details of their annual income to the company who will then issue a payment schedule. The company may apply penalty interest charges if payments are not made or information not supplied when required.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152036,"EventID":"S1W-15345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the modern apprenticeship pass rate was in each local enterprise company area in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the modern apprenticeship pass rate was in each local enterprise company area in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"The table provides the information requested.

Modern Apprenticeship Pass Rate: 1999-2000 and 2000-01

LEC area

1999-2000

2000-01

Starts

Completers or still in training

Starts

Completers or still in training

SE Ayrshire

938

63%

1,039

84%

SE Borders

83

83%

125

90%

SE Dumbarton

265

84%

305

100%

SE Dumfries

176

75%

332

85%

SE Edinburgh & Lothians

696

80%

1,073

91%

SE Fife

405

65%

437

94%

SE Forth Valley

465

71%

656

80%

SE Glasgow

1,730

55%

1,732

81%

SE Grampian

464

76%

586

86%

SE Lanarkshire

1,141

72%

1,295

86%

SE Renfrewshire

414

75%

459

89%

SE Tayside

357

70%

653

85%

Some campaigns are set specific targets such as the recent flu immunisation campaign where the target percentage of uptake in the over 65 age group was exceeded. Campaigns that have a response mechanism such as a telephone help line are measured by the number of calls.

At the end of each campaign and during the longer running campaigns; departments monitor systematically the evidence of research and other measurement methods to assess their effectiveness and to alter them as necessary, often setting new goals and targets for the advertising agencies involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152041,"EventID":"S1W-15350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be brought into force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be brought into force.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that the Scottish Regulations equivalent to section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will come into force in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152042,"EventID":"S1W-15351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to consult on the regulations to implement section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to consult on the regulations to implement section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated the equivalent Scottish regulations will go out to formal consultation by the end of June.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152043,"EventID":"S1W-15352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken in respect of section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken in respect of section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.","AnswerText":"A joint informal consultation paper Disability Discrimination Act 1995: The Government's Proposals for Taxis was issued in July 1997.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152044,"EventID":"S1W-15353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce a Scottish version of the document Communities Against Drugs published jointly by Her Majesty's Treasury, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce a Scottish version of the document Communities Against Drugs published jointly by Her Majesty's Treasury, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.","AnswerText":"The Executive is announcing today a new Scottish Communities Against Drugs Fund. This will provide up to £500,000 to match funds raised by the Daily Record, for local communities to address the problems with drugs that they identify in their area. The Fund will be housed within Scotland Against Drugs. Detailed arrangements for applications will be published shortly.

The Executive does not intend to produce a Scottish version of the Communities Against Drugs document. That already includes a section on the Executive's drugs strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152045,"EventID":"S1W-15354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to produce a Communities Against Drugs toolkit for Scotland similar to that produced by the Crime Reduction Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to produce a Communities Against Drugs toolkit for Scotland similar to that produced by the Crime Reduction Unit.","AnswerText":"The Home Office Crime Reduction Unit toolkit on drug-related crime is one of a series of 22 designed to help all those involved in crime reduction and community safety to work as effectively as possible. The Home Office has agreed to make these toolkits and other crime prevention and community safety materials available to the Scottish Executive and they will be adapted and developed for use by Community Safety Partnerships and other practitioners in Scotland later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152046,"EventID":"S1W-15355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage and support NHS Trusts and health boards in tackling any health inequalities experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender commun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage and support NHS Trusts and health boards in tackling any health inequalities experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.","AnswerText":"Addressing health inequalities lies at the heart of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change and is an important part of our work for social justice. Health boards are expected to use their knowledge of the health needs of their populations to develop services designed to meet those needs and to address any inequalities in access to those services.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152047,"EventID":"S1W-15356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how good practice in addressing any health inequalities experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities is shared between NHS Trusts, health boards","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how good practice in addressing any health inequalities experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities is shared between NHS Trusts, health boards and its Health Department.","AnswerText":"A range of measures is in place to share best practice within NHSScotland. These are supported and developed both by the Health Department and a range of health professional bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152048,"EventID":"S1W-15357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why output in the Scottish service sector in the four quarters to the third quarter of 2000, as reported in Lloyds TSB Business Monitor Issue 13-Winter 2001, grew by less","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why output in the Scottish service sector in the four quarters to the third quarter of 2000, as reported in Lloyds TSB Business Monitor Issue 13-Winter 2001, grew by less than half the United Kingdom average and what steps are being taken to ensure Scotland's service sector grows by at least the UK average.","AnswerText":"he following table gives a breakdown of official Scottish and UK GDP growth rates in the four quarters to 2000 Q3, compared with the preceding four quarters, for the published sectors within services.

Scottish & UK 4 quarter on 4 quarter GDP growth rates to 2000 Q31

Scotland

UK

Total Services

1.6

3.4

Retail & Wholesale

5.1

2.5

Hotels & Catering

-1.0

-1.6

Transport, Storage & Distribution

-2.6

8.0

Financial Services

5.3

2.6

Real Estate & Business Services

2.4

4.2

Public Administration, Education & Health

1.5

1.3

Other Services

1.2

3.3

Sources: Scottish Executive, Office for National Statistics

Notes:

1. The data for Scotland were published on 7 February 2001. Revised estimates

were published on 2 May 2001.

The Way Forward: Framework for Economic Development in Scotland, published last June, describes the Scottish Executive's approach to improving the performance of the Scottish economy, including the service sector. This has been supplemented by the enterprise strategy set out earlier this year in A Smart, Successful Scotland, which emphasises the central issues for economic success: growing businesses; ensuring Scotland is globally connected, and lifelong learning and skills development.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152049,"EventID":"S1W-15358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7769 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 October 2000, how the expected #190 million saving in the amount of revenue support grant needed to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7769 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 October 2000, how the expected #190 million saving in the amount of revenue support grant needed to make up the total aggregate external finance required by local authorities for 2000-01 due to the amount of non-domestic rating income distributed being higher than originally forecast was spent.","AnswerText":"The £190 million saving remains unspent. As the then Minister for Finance said, the created provision will be used to cover requirements for additional RSG arising from the impact of the NDR appeals, and for other adjustments.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152050,"EventID":"S1W-15359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7769 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 October 2000, whether the amount of revenue support grant needed to make up the total aggregate exte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7769 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 October 2000, whether the amount of revenue support grant needed to make up the total aggregate external finance required by local authorities for 2000-01 rose from the amount forecast at that time due to the impact of non-domestic rates appeals or as a result of any other adjustments and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The amounts of revenue support grant and Non-Domestic Rates Income (NDRI) distributed to councils in 2000-01 were determined in the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2000 and did not change as a result of movements in non-domestic rates yield. Any adjustments to the amount of NDRI available for distribution from the NDR pool will be made when actual NDR collection figures are available to be compared with the estimates used in setting the distributable amount for 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152051,"EventID":"S1W-15360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the costs the council has incurred in tackling the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the region","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the costs the council has incurred in tackling the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the region and in alleviating the effects on local businesses and communities; whether it intends to reimburse the council for these expenses, and when a decision on any such reimbursement is likely to be made.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15654 on 10 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152052,"EventID":"S1W-15361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to encourage the shooting and production in Scotland of major film projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to encourage the shooting and production in Scotland of major film projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding for Scottish Screen. Scottish Screen, together with local film commissions, promotes Scottish film locations and talent. Scottish Screen, as the National Lottery distributor for film production in Scotland, can also assist with film finance. In co-operation with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, it has agreed additional finance to enable \"Magdalene\" to be filmed in Dumfries this summer. Other feature films being produced in Scotland this year include \"Morvern Callar\".","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152053,"EventID":"S1W-15362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the availability of NHSiS dental treatment in rural areas and regions where levels of dental health are below the Scottish average.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the availability of NHSiS dental treatment in rural areas and regions where levels of dental health are below the Scottish average.","AnswerText":"Steps taken include:

Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants to encourage practitioners to set up or expand NHS practices in areas of unmet patient demand or high oral health need, including rural areas and the most deprived areas where dental health is generally poor;

approval of salaried dentist posts in areas where island health boards or Primary Care NHS Trusts have indicated that there are difficulties with NHS dental provision or oral health needs;

a scheme whereby fees may be paid to dentists travelling to rural areas for loss of remunerative time spent on travel and to compensate the dentist where visits are cancelled at short notice; and

the early years enhanced capitation scheme to encourage dentists to register and provide preventive advice and treatment to 0-2- and 3- to 5-year-olds, with payment on a sliding scale depending on the level of deprivation.

My officials are also developing a scheme in collaboration with the British Dental Association for dentists to register and fissure seal the molars of those 6- to 8-year-old patients most at risk of decay and problems of NHS dental access are being examined by the Implementation Support Group for the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152054,"EventID":"S1W-15363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the Scottish Ambulance Service's bid for additional staff resources to enable it to comply with the European Working Time Directive an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the Scottish Ambulance Service's bid for additional staff resources to enable it to comply with the European Working Time Directive and when an announcement on the result of this bid is expected.","AnswerText":"The resources allocated in the Scottish Ambulance Service increased by £5.3 million in 2001-02 and a further £6.6 million in 2002-03 and £3.6 million in 2003-04. The Scottish Ambulance Service is reassessing the impact of the European Working Time Directive on its operations to ensure that consistent, sustainable and high quality ambulance services are provided across Scotland, in a way which puts patients first and ensures that staff are able to give of their best.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152055,"EventID":"S1W-15364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the liquid effluent from the Birkshaw Farm burial site for pre-emptively culled stock is to be removed and how and where it is to be disposed of.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the liquid effluent from the Birkshaw Farm burial site for pre-emptively culled stock is to be removed and how and where it is to be disposed of.","AnswerText":"The liquid is pre-treated on site in sealed containers to minimise any potential risk of spreading the FMD virus. It is then transported in sealed tankers for disposal at licensed waste management facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152056,"EventID":"S1W-15365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep and (b) cattle slaughtered as part of the pre-emptive cull had been disposed of by rendering as at 25 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep and (b) cattle slaughtered as part of the pre-emptive cull had been disposed of by rendering as at 25 April 2001.","AnswerText":"As at 2 May 2001, the number of cattle disposed of by rendering amounted to 12,506. All sheep have been buried.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152057,"EventID":"S1W-15366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence of the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease into the wild deer population in the south of Scotland and, if so, what the evidence is and ho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence of the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease into the wild deer population in the south of Scotland and, if so, what the evidence is and how any such spread of foot-and-mouth disease is being tackled.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease into the wild deer population in the south of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152058,"EventID":"S1W-15367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any limit is or will be applied on the number of passengers allowed to stand on any of the passenger services operated by ScotRail and, if so, how this is or wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any limit is or will be applied on the number of passengers allowed to stand on any of the passenger services operated by ScotRail and, if so, how this is or will be enforced.","AnswerText":"Under section 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes railway safety, are reserved matters and as such are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. ScotRail is required to meet all relevant GB safety standards, which are monitored by the Health and Safety Executive.

The Scottish Executive of course recognises that customers have increasing expectations about the quality and comfort of their rail journey. Our consultation paper, Strategic Priorities for Scotland's Passenger Railway, emphasised that we will look to train operators to consider a range of service quality improvements as an integral part of any new franchise.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152059,"EventID":"S1W-15368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ScotRail passenger services are regularly overcrowded and what measures are being taken to reduce this overcrowding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ScotRail passenger services are regularly overcrowded and what measures are being taken to reduce this overcrowding.","AnswerText":"Information from the RPC(S) suggests that the main problems concerning overcrowding during peak periods are on the following routes:

  • Ayrshire (i.e. Ayr Ardrossan & Largs) to Glasgow Central;

  • East Kilbride branch to Glasgow Central;
  • Edinburgh to and from Bathgate;
  • Fife Circle Services;

  • Glasgow to and from Lenzie and Bishopbriggs;

  • Glasgow to and from Kilmarnock;

  • Edinburgh to Glasgow - from Falkirk and Linlithgow;

  • Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts;

  • Glasgow to and from Holytown.

The Scottish Executive is currently working in partnership with ScotRail, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority to address the problem of overcrowding.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152060,"EventID":"S1W-15369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the proposals contained in its report Women and Transport: Moving Forward and what the timetable is for implementing any such plans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the proposals contained in its report Women and Transport: Moving Forward and what the timetable is for implementing any such plans.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is pursuing a wide-ranging programme of action to help meet the diverse needs of women travellers across Scotland. The Executive in particular plans to publish later this year a checklist to identify and address these needs for the use of central government, local authorities and transport operators in designing and implementing policies, programmes and services.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152061,"EventID":"S1W-15370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions there are on the sale of sweetbreads from calves, lambs or bullocks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions there are on the sale of sweetbreads from calves, lambs or bullocks.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the sale of the thymus, commonly known as sweetbread, is dictated by EU BSE controls legislation. The thymus is considered Specified Risk Material (SRM) in all cattle aged over six months and cannot be sold. Thymus is not considered SRM in sheep. The pancreas (sometimes known as "gut sweetbread") from calves, lambs and bullocks is not considered SRM and can therefore be freely sold.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152062,"EventID":"S1W-15371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for each type of work for which assistance is available under the Warm Deal have been made to Energy Action Grants Agency Ltd. (EAGA); how many suc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for each type of work for which assistance is available under the Warm Deal have been made to Energy Action Grants Agency Ltd. (EAGA); how many such applications have been successful, broken down by local authority in each case, and what the average grant awarded by EAGA is for each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Applications for the Warm Deal are not made on the basis of individual insulation measures. They are made for the package of measures. Eaga does not record information on the average grant in each local authority area. In 2000-01, over 27,200 homes were insulated and the average grant was £324.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152063,"EventID":"S1W-15372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Health Board to remain in post until September 2001 now that he has tendered his resignation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Health Board to remain in post until September 2001 now that he has tendered his resignation.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Greater Glasgow Health Board as employer. It is, however, a normal expectation that NHS staff work their notice period. The continued employment of the current Chief Executive until the end of September provides for an element of management continuity while the board recruits a replacement.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152064,"EventID":"S1W-15373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any quantities of toxic waste have been accepted into Scotland from (a) England, (b) France and (c) elsewhere in the last 20 years and, if so, when and what amoun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any quantities of toxic waste have been accepted into Scotland from (a) England, (b) France and (c) elsewhere in the last 20 years and, if so, when and what amounts were involved.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152065,"EventID":"S1W-15374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct an inquiry into the illegal dumping of toxic waste in Scotland similar to the inquiry that is currently being conducted by the Environ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct an inquiry into the illegal dumping of toxic waste in Scotland similar to the inquiry that is currently being conducted by the Environment Agency for England and Wales.","AnswerText":"No. The enforcement of the controls covering the movement and disposal of toxic wastes, including investigations into illegal dumping of such wastes, is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152066,"EventID":"S1W-15375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many illegal imports of toxic waste have been stopped from entering Scotland since July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many illegal imports of toxic waste have been stopped from entering Scotland since July 1999.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152067,"EventID":"S1W-15376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions of companies or individuals illegally using Scotland to dump toxic waste there have been since July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions of companies or individuals illegally using Scotland to dump toxic waste there have been since July 1999.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152068,"EventID":"S1W-15377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many warnings from Interpol and from other international agencies it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have received about the smuggling or illegal dumpin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many warnings from Interpol and from other international agencies it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have received about the smuggling or illegal dumping of toxic waste since July 1999.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not received any such warnings from international agencies. Information on any warnings which may have been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152069,"EventID":"S1W-15378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what checks are carried out, by whom and where to identify the content of imported cargo that may contain toxic waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what checks are carried out, by whom and where to identify the content of imported cargo that may contain toxic waste.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is the enforcing authority for the regulations governing the import and export of waste to and from Scotland. The nature and frequency of the enquiries it makes and of the monitoring which it carries out is a matter for the agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152070,"EventID":"S1W-15379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what income from the monitoring of imported cargo has been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what income from the monitoring of imported cargo has been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152071,"EventID":"S1W-15380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper on the proposed Title Conditions Bill will be published and how long the consultation period will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper on the proposed Title Conditions Bill will be published and how long the consultation period will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper is published today. The paper is based upon, and contains a copy of, the draft Title Conditions Bill appended to the Scottish Law Commission's Report on Real Burdens (Scot Law Com 181), which was published on 26 October 2000. I would like to commend the Scottish Law Commission for their report, which covers a very complex and difficult area of law reform in a thorough and imaginative way.

The Bill will mark the second stage in the Property Law Reform Programme commenced by the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. It will reform and clarify the law relating to non-feudal conditions and burdens on land which remain following the abolition of the feudal system.

Copies of the consultation paper will be sent to the relevant parliamentary committees and be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Further copies will be available from Iain Hockenhull, Scottish Executive Justice Department: Branch 5, Spur V/1, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, telephone 0131 244 8228, or email iain.hockenhull@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

A 12-week consultation period will follow, with the closing date for responses being Monday, 23 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152072,"EventID":"S1W-15381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the decision to close Stobhill Hospital, Victoria Infirmary and the Western Infirmary and what reasons were given by the Chief Executive of Gr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the decision to close Stobhill Hospital, Victoria Infirmary and the Western Infirmary and what reasons were given by the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Health Board and the board itself for their proposed closure.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to close Stobhill Hospital or the Victoria Infirmary. Greater Glasgow Health Board's proposal to transfer services at the Western Infirmary to modern facilities at Gartnavel General Hospital and elsewhere in the city, and subsequently to close the Western, was approved in 1996 by the Secretary of State for Scotland at that time.

The modernisation of acute hospital services in Glasgow is currently under review by the health board. There is ongoing consultation on potential options, and selected options are now being appraised.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152073,"EventID":"S1W-15382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancellations of passenger services there were on each ScotRail route in each quarter of each of the last two years and what the reasons were for any such cance","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancellations of passenger services there were on each ScotRail route in each quarter of each of the last two years and what the reasons were for any such cancellations.","AnswerText":"Operational issues such as service cancellations are a matter for ScotRail to address within a stringent performance regime operated by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to intervene. The SRA deposits a copy of its annual report in the Parliament's Reference Centre. That includes information on train cancellations by each train operating company. The most recent report is for the year 1999-2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152074,"EventID":"S1W-15383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancellations of passenger services there were on each ScotRail route in each quarter of each of the last two years, expressed as a percentage of the total serv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancellations of passenger services there were on each ScotRail route in each quarter of each of the last two years, expressed as a percentage of the total services provided on each route.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15382.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152075,"EventID":"S1W-15384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned national surveillance system for monitoring hospital-acquired infection will allow the number of deaths caused by such infections to be estimated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned national surveillance system for monitoring hospital-acquired infection will allow the number of deaths caused by such infections to be estimated.","AnswerText":"The main objectives of the proposed HAI surveillance system, which is the subject of work by a sub-group of the Scottish Executive's Advisory Group on Infection, are to gather and present systematic information about a range of hospital-acquired infections so that our understanding of the factors which contribute to these infections can be increased and more effective control action taken. Such action will contribute to reduced length of stay, more effective treatment, and improved health for patients moving through hospital. There are no plans at present to gather further information on the relationship between HAI and mortality: HAI is not recognised as a certifiable cause of death; there can be considerable clinical uncertainties about the degree to which an infection contributes to death, and there can also be uncertainty about the source of infections which cause or contribute to death, especially in very ill patients with a number of concurrent conditions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152076,"EventID":"S1W-15385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, whether it is aware that the National Audit Office for England's report of February 2000 on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, whether it is aware that the National Audit Office for England's report of February 2000 on hospital-acquired infections (HAI) was able to estimate the number of deaths caused by HAI within the NHS in England and whether it will examine how a similar figure for the NHSiS could be estimated.","AnswerText":"I am of course aware that the National Audit Office's report The Management and Control of Hospital Acquired Infection in Acute NHS Trusts in England gave an estimate of the numbers of deaths which it believed were attributable to hospital-acquired infections in England.

There are considerable difficulties about estimating the number of deaths caused by HAI: hospital-acquired infection is not recognised as a certifiable cause of death; there can be considerable clinical uncertainties about the degree to which any one infection contributes to death, and there can also be uncertainty about the source of infections which cause or contribute to death, especially where prior to death very ill patients have suffered from a number of concurrent conditions.

A number of actions are already being taken across NHSScotland, and more are planned, to increase surveillance of HAI, to establish further standards on infection control and to review compliance with these standards. These measures will help improve the ability of the NHS to counter infection, and thus to reduce the health impact of HAI.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152077,"EventID":"S1W-15386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12178 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, how the figure of #21.6 million as the estimated annual cost of hospital-acquired infection ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12178 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, how the figure of #21.6 million as the estimated annual cost of hospital-acquired infection to the NHSiS was calculated.","AnswerText":"The estimates referred to were prepared by a Scottish Office Health Department working group which reported in May 1999. Copies of the report, Hospital Acquired Infection - A Framework for a National System of Surveillance for the NHS in Scotland are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Information about cost estimates is provided in paragraphs 30-41.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152078,"EventID":"S1W-15387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12178 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, how the figure of #3.9 million as the estimated cost of avoidable hospital-acquired infectio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12178 by Susan Deacon on 6 March 2001, how the figure of #3.9 million as the estimated cost of avoidable hospital-acquired infection to the NHSiS was calculated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15386.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152079,"EventID":"S1W-15388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be dedicated in the current financial year to reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be dedicated in the current financial year to reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is making more money available for health in Scotland this year than ever before - a total of £5.9 billion, up 7.5% on last year. I have already announced substantial further growth in this budget over the next three years: by 2003-04, the annual health budget will be £6.7 billion.

It is for Health Boards and NHS Trusts to decide how to apply these increased resources to ensure the provision of modern, safe and effective health services for the population of their areas. This will include spending on infection control in line with guidelines provided by the Scottish Executive and to meet standards which are being developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152080,"EventID":"S1W-15389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an official from the Executive sat in during the interviews or was a member of the selection panel which interviewed candidates for the position of Chief Executiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an official from the Executive sat in during the interviews or was a member of the selection panel which interviewed candidates for the position of Chief Executive of visitscotland; if so, what grade that official was and how many interviews he or she attended.","AnswerText":"Yes. The official is a Head of Group and attended interviews with all seven candidates.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152081,"EventID":"S1W-15390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee the recruitment agency involved charged visitscotland for its services in relation to the appointment of Rod Lynch.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee the recruitment agency involved charged visitscotland for its services in relation to the appointment of Rod Lynch.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15295 on 8 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152082,"EventID":"S1W-15391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Peter McKinlay is due to stand down as interim Chief Executive of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Peter McKinlay is due to stand down as interim Chief Executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152083,"EventID":"S1W-15392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet directly, in whole or in part, any legal costs and damages or compensation which visitscotland has to pay in relation to Rod Lynch's appointment or w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet directly, in whole or in part, any legal costs and damages or compensation which visitscotland has to pay in relation to Rod Lynch's appointment or whether any additional funding will be given to visitscotland in respect of any such costs.","AnswerText":"Discussions between legal representatives are under way. The Executive will consider its response to the outcome of those discussions in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152084,"EventID":"S1W-15393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any sums recovered from Motorola in respect of its Bathgate plant will be ring-fenced for use in relation to workers made redundant and communities damaged by the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any sums recovered from Motorola in respect of its Bathgate plant will be ring-fenced for use in relation to workers made redundant and communities damaged by the plant's closure; if so, how much of the recovered sums will be used for this purpose and, if not, into which budget the recovered sums will go.","AnswerText":"On 25 April I announced in the Parliament that the Scottish Executive was setting aside up to £10 million to help fund the Motorola task force's action plan.

All recoveries of Regional Selective Assistance are returned to the Executive's budget, in line with normal procedure.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152085,"EventID":"S1W-15394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people visited Scotland for the purpose of studying the English language in each year since 1997 and what the value to the economy of people making such visits w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people visited Scotland for the purpose of studying the English language in each year since 1997 and what the value to the economy of people making such visits was in each of these years.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally. However, visitscotland does hold data on students visiting Scotland for short-term study, the majority of which is likely to be English language study. The figures are as follows:

Year

No of visitors

Spend (£m)

1997

52,000

51

1998

47,000

37

1999

34,000

28

Source: International Passenger Survey","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152086,"EventID":"S1W-15395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the statement in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's recent State of the Environment Soil Quality Report that the princip","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the statement in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's recent State of the Environment Soil Quality Report that the principal threat to soil quality and the long-term use of soils comes from agricultural practices, acid deposition and the application of organic waste to land.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency's report is an important contribution to the debate on what needs to be done to address the question of protection for Scotland's soil resource. The report will be considered along with a scoping study on the requirement for a soil protection strategy which we have commissioned from the University of Stirling. The results from this study are expected in early summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152087,"EventID":"S1W-15396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the powers available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in the area of soil protection are adequate and whether it will consider devising a soil protec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the powers available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in the area of soil protection are adequate and whether it will consider devising a soil protection strategy and integrating existing legislation in order to increase the powers available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in this area.","AnswerText":"The need for legislation to protect soils and the adequacy of current powers exercised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be kept under review. Any decisions on this will await the outcome of a scoping study which we have commissioned from the University of Stirling on the requirement for a soil protection strategy in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152088,"EventID":"S1W-15397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of fluctuations over the last six weeks in (a) pork, (b) lamb and (c) beef prices paid to farmers and in prices charged by leading superma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of fluctuations over the last six weeks in (a) pork, (b) lamb and (c) beef prices paid to farmers and in prices charged by leading supermarket chains.","AnswerText":"The closure of livestock markets since the commencement of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has disrupted the Meat and Livestock Commission's normal collection of information on liveweight prices paid to producers. However deadweight prices are provided in table A. Supermarket prices are not routinely collected but average retail prices calculated from figures supplied by the MLC covering various beef, lamb and pork products are given in table B.

Table A

Pence per KG deadweight
 

Cattle (Scotland)

Sheep (GB)

Pigs (GB)

Week Ending

   

17/03/01

172.34

190

102.52

24/03/01

170.55

193.3

98.83

31/03/01

170.23

192.8

94.17

07/04/01

170.23

201.5

94.83

14/04/01

172.44

219.5

94.83

21/04/01

174.16

227.7

95.54

Table B

Average Retail Prices (pence per kg)
 

Beef (Scotland)

Lamb (Scotland)

Pork (Scotland

Week Ending

   

17/03/01

918

866

503

24/03/01

916

850

502

31/03/01

913

861

502

07/04/01

913

857

506

14/04/01

915

857

508

21/04/01

The Scottish Executive is participating in the interdepartmental discussions which are examining our existing procedures for the inspection and control of meat and meat products and detection of illegal imports. These discussions cover both the commercial import of products and the import of products by individuals for their own use, and their aim is to improve controls where possible and to establish effective communication by the various enforcement agencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152091,"EventID":"S1W-15400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most effective course of action is to preserve the \"gene pool\" of livestock involved in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, where culling may destroy rare bree","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most effective course of action is to preserve the \"gene pool\" of livestock involved in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, where culling may destroy rare breeds.","AnswerText":"The culling policy being applied during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak makes special provision to safeguard rare breeds.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152092,"EventID":"S1W-15401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mental health patients are hospitalised each year and what the average cost is of such hospitalisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mental health patients are hospitalised each year and what the average cost is of such hospitalisation.","AnswerText":"During financial year ending March 2000, 26,522 patients received inpatient hospital care in mental illness specialties in Scotland. Some of these patients will have received more than one episode of care throughout this period.

Costs for the provision of inpatient health care in mental illness (general psychiatry) services are published annually in the Scottish Health Service Costs publication. The treatment of patients in mental illness specialties varies and is a combination of long-stay and short-stay patients. For this reason, costs are not shown per patient but as a cost based on the number of inpatient beds occupied per week.

The average cost per inpatient week of mental health care was £917 for the year ending March 2000 (page 28, Scottish Health Service Costs - 2000). These data are published on Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) at:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/subject/Costs/2000/costs2000.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152093,"EventID":"S1W-15402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards have supplies of single-use tonsillectomy instruments in stock; which health boards have no such supplies, and when any health boards without supplie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards have supplies of single-use tonsillectomy instruments in stock; which health boards have no such supplies, and when any health boards without supplies will receive supplies of these instruments.","AnswerText":"Stocks of surgical instruments are, apart from the island health boards, held by individual NHS Trusts, from whom information on supply levels is not routinely collected.

A contract for the future provision of single-use tonsillectomy instruments was placed for all UK Health Departments at the end of April. Scottish Healthcare Supplies, a Division of the Common Services Agency, led for Scottish procurement interests and are currently working with the appointed suppliers and Scottish Trusts to secure an appropriate and timeous distribution of initial supplies. Supplies will come on stream this month and will rise to meet the projected level of monthly demand by July.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152094,"EventID":"S1W-15403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital, (b) the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and (c) Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital, (b) the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and (c) Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 31 December 2000 show that the median waiting times for tonsillectomies at Vale of Leven Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital were 161 days and 56 days respectively. No elective tonsillectomy operations are undertaken at Inverclyde Royal Infirmary.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152095,"EventID":"S1W-15404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been identified as requiring tonsillectomies in the Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospital NHS Trust area and how many are currently waiting for tonsi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been identified as requiring tonsillectomies in the Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospital NHS Trust area and how many are currently waiting for tonsillectomies at each of the Trust's hospitals.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients waiting for inpatient and day case tonsillectomy treatment is not available centrally. Information on the number of patients waiting for inpatient and day case treatment is collected at specialty level only.

At 31 December 2000, the numbers waiting for ENT inpatient or day case treatments of all kinds at the Vale of Leven Hospital and at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were 130 and 185 respectively. No elective tonsillectomy operations are undertaken at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152096,"EventID":"S1W-15405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the prescribing of psychiatric drugs has cost each health board in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the prescribing of psychiatric drugs has cost each health board in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Information relating to the calendar years 1997, 1998 and 1999 is given in the table "Drugs Most Commonly Used for Mental Health Problems" published by the Common Services Agency, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13286). The data refers only to drugs dispensed in the community and does not take into account drugs dispensed by hospital or hospital-based clinics, details of which are not held centrally.

Mental health problems vary widely in nature and severity and not all require the services of psychiatric or specialist mental health services. It is therefore not possible to group drugs into the category of psychiatric. The data is, however, based on British National Formulary chapters and sub-sections dealing with Hypnotics & Anxiolytics, drugs used in psychoses and related disorders, antidepressant drugs, drugs for dementia and antimuscarnic drugs used in parkinsonism and related orders as these concern drugs most commonly prescribed for mental health problems.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152097,"EventID":"S1W-15406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will name the members of the selection panel used by visitscotland to appoint a Chief Executive, whether Mr Donal Dowds was a member and whether his views were","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will name the members of the selection panel used by visitscotland to appoint a Chief Executive, whether Mr Donal Dowds was a member and whether his views were sought at any time before the offer of employment was made to Rod Lynch.","AnswerText":"The members of the selection panel were Lord Gordon of Strathblane, Mr Peter Lederer and Mr Mike Foulis. Mr Michael Cantlay joined the panel after 28 February when Lord Gordon's period of appointment as Chair of visitscotland came to an end. Communications between board members is a matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152098,"EventID":"S1W-15407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mental health patients in each health board area are currently being prescribed psychiatric drugs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mental health patients in each health board area are currently being prescribed psychiatric drugs.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152099,"EventID":"S1W-15408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 25 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 25 April 2001.","AnswerText":"I and Elliot Morley MP, the MAFF Fisheries Minister, represented the UK at the Council.

The Commission reported on the progress of discussion on stock recovery plans for cod and hake and addressed some of the concerns which had been expressed by member states. I and Elliot Morley emphasised our support for improved technical conservation measures in the North Sea but emphasised the need to take account of the specific circumstances of the mixed fisheries in developing proposals. I drew attention to the need to strike the right balance in matters such as mesh size, bycatch limits and discard rates which will apply from January 2001 in order to minimise the economic implications of the measures for our fishing communities whilst securing the desired conservation objectives. I also stressed the importance of fully involving fishermen in developing appropriate solutions. Further discussions among member states are now proceeding with a view to resuming negotiations between the EU and Norway on 7 May.

Commissioner Fischler made a presentation to the Council of the Green Paper on the 2002 Review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and reported that an extensive consultation exercise with all interested parties was now under way. The UK delegation gave a broad welcome for the Green Paper as providing a sound basis for conducting the review. The Fisheries Council will have a substantive debate on the Green Paper at its meeting in June.

The Council adopted conclusions on the integration of environmental concerns into the CFP which will contribute to the forthcoming report to the Gothenburg European Council on environmental integration. The Commission also presented a report on biodiversity action plans for fisheries which will now be considered in detail as part of the wider effort to integrate fisheries and environmental concerns.

The Council adopted conclusions on a move towards developing multi-annual management strategies for setting Total Allowable Catches within a precautionary framework.

The Council also took note of the failure to include a fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco and the consequent need to bring forward measures for restructuring of the EU fleets which have previously operated in Moroccan waters. Member states confirmed that they would be ready to ratify the UN Agreement on straddling and migratory stocks by the end of this year and also agreed a common position on criteria for allocating catching opportunities in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) which take account of both the needs of EU fishermen and of developing countries.","AnswerDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152100,"EventID":"S1W-15409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15096 by Ross Finnie on 26 April 2001, whether any of the vehicles which are believed to have acted as transmitters of the foot-and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15096 by Ross Finnie on 26 April 2001, whether any of the vehicles which are believed to have acted as transmitters of the foot-and-mouth virus were lorries hired on the instruction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food through the Freight Transport Association and whether it will specify which vehicles were responsible for particular outbreaks.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence to suggest that lorries hired on the instruction of MAFF through the Freight Transport Association have acted as transmitters of the foot-and-mouth virus. The vehicle movements mentioned in the answer to question S1W-15096 refer to farmer vehicles.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152101,"EventID":"S1W-15410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in selecting tenants' representatives to serve on the board of Glasgow Housing Association.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in selecting tenants' representatives to serve on the board of Glasgow Housing Association.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for Glasgow Housing Association in line with the provisions of its constitution.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152102,"EventID":"S1W-15411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Glasgow City Council staff it expects to transfer to the Glasgow Housing Association in the event of stock transfer, broken down by current department.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Glasgow City Council staff it expects to transfer to the Glasgow Housing Association in the event of stock transfer, broken down by current department.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15312 on 9 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152103,"EventID":"S1W-15412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a vote of no confidence in a tenants' representative member of the board of Glasgow Housing Association by that individual's tenants' association ensures that per","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a vote of no confidence in a tenants' representative member of the board of Glasgow Housing Association by that individual's tenants' association ensures that person's exclusion from the board and replacement by another tenants' representative.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15410.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152104,"EventID":"S1W-15413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its policies on Europe and external affairs and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its policies on Europe and external affairs and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3468 on 24 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152105,"EventID":"S1W-15414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who was consulted on the decision that the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs should have responsibility for Europe and external affairs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who was consulted on the decision that the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs should have responsibility for Europe and external affairs.","AnswerText":"The allocation of ministerial responsibilities is entirely a matter for me as First Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152106,"EventID":"S1W-15415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households currently qualify for the scheme to help lower income households pay their water and sewerage charges and what the estimated cost of the scheme is fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households currently qualify for the scheme to help lower income households pay their water and sewerage charges and what the estimated cost of the scheme is for each of the next three years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"We anticipate that approximately 180,000 households will qualify in this first year of the scheme.

£24,000,000 is available to fund the reduction scheme over three years from April 2001 including the cost of implementation and administration of the scheme. It is not possible, at this stage, to break down spending by local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152107,"EventID":"S1W-15416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of respondents to its consultation paper, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges, suggested alternative or amended schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of respondents to its consultation paper, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges, suggested alternative or amended schemes.","AnswerText":"22 submissions representing 45% of respondents to the Executive consultation paper on affordability of water and sewerage charges suggested alternative or amended schemes. Of these respondents only a small number suggested any practical details as to how those alternatives could work and many involved expenditure considerably in excess of the funds available.

Within the considerable legal and financial constraints, the Executive responded to these suggestions as far as was possible. Full details are set out in the affordability consultation report that is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13187), the Executive Library and on the Executive website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/conreport3.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152108,"EventID":"S1W-15417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any changes it made to its original proposals following its consultation paper, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any changes it made to its original proposals following its consultation paper, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges.","AnswerText":"The affordability consultation report details changes made to the Executive's original proposals to address the affordability of water and sewerage charges. This report may be obtained from the Parliament Reference Centre, the Executive Library and the Executive website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/conreport3.pdf.

The main provisions of the scheme are set out in the Domestic Water and Sewerage Charges (Reduction) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 and supporting guidance which is held by the Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13187).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152109,"EventID":"S1W-15418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12921 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 13 February 2001, what additional flood prevention schemes have been confirmed by Scottish Ministers s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12921 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 13 February 2001, what additional flood prevention schemes have been confirmed by Scottish Ministers since 13 February 2001 and what additional requests have been submitted since then and are currently under consideration.","AnswerText":"The River Kelvin (Glazertbank, Lennoxtown) Flood Prevention Scheme, allowing for a small alteration to the existing River Kelvin Scheme, has been confirmed by ministers in the period since 13 February 2001.

The Executive has not received any further requests for confirmation of schemes in this period. Two schemes, to allow changes to the Perth Flood Prevention Scheme, are presently being considered. Further information is awaited from the council before these schemes can be taken further.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152110,"EventID":"S1W-15419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the construction of an onshore wave energy power station and the authorities to whom each application for such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the construction of an onshore wave energy power station and the authorities to whom each application for such consents must be submitted, what average time is taken to issue each consent and what the current level is of any consent application fee.","AnswerText":"An onshore generating station of 50 megawatts or less will require the consent of the planning authority within whose boundaries the proposed development falls under section 28 of the 1997 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act. The fee depends on the site area of the development, but the maximum would be £10,500. Planning legislation requires applications to be determined within two months (four where an environmental impact assessment is required), unless the developer agrees in writing to an extension of this period. The time taken can vary considerably, however, depending on the issues involved in a particular case.

If the proposed station exceeds 50 megawatts in size, consent must be obtained from Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the 1989 Electricity Act. This consent can also include deemed planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. An application for consent under the 1989 Act can attract a fee of between £5,000 and £20,000, depending on the output of the proposed scheme. There is no maximum time taken to issue such consents, although, as a guide, the relevant planning authority is allowed four months in which to submit its views as part of the consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152111,"EventID":"S1W-15420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees whom the developer of a shore based wave energy power station has to consult before construction of the station can commenc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees whom the developer of a shore based wave energy power station has to consult before construction of the station can commence and when such consultation should take place.","AnswerText":"As a matter of best practice, we advise developers to speak with the relevant planning authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before submitting an application under section 36 of the 1989 Electricity Act. These are the statutory consultees defined by the Act, although the views of other interested bodies are also sought. Experience with previous renewable energy projects shows that most developers undertake extensive discussions and briefings for local residents prior to submitting their actual applications.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152112,"EventID":"S1W-15421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the construction of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed and the authorities to whom eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the construction of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed and the authorities to whom each application for such consents must be submitted, what average time is taken to issue each consent and what the current level is of any consent application fee is.","AnswerText":"The consents required for an offshore wind or water driven generating station are as follows:

  • Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (consent under section 36 is only required if installed generating capacity is in excess of 50 megawatts, with an application fee of between £5,000 and £20,000 depending on size);
  • Section 5 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, and
  • Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949.

Applications for these consents must be made to the Scottish Ministers via the relevant departments. In addition, an application to the Crown Estate is required for the lease on an offshore site, and the Crown Estate will only consider granting a lease when, amongst other things, it is satisfied that the developer has obtained all the necessary statutory consents.

There is no maximum time taken to issue such consents, although the relevant departments would always aim to process these as quickly and efficiently as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152113,"EventID":"S1W-15422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees whom the developer of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed has to consult before construction of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees whom the developer of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed has to consult before construction of the station can commence and when such consultation should take place.","AnswerText":"As a matter of best practice, we advise developers to speak with the relevant planning authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before submitting an application under section 36 of the 1989 Electricity Act. These are the statutory consultees defined by the Act, although the views of other interested bodies are also sought. Experience with previous renewable energy projects shows that most developers undertake extensive discussions and briefings for local residents prior to submitting their actual applications.

Developers seeking to construct an offshore station of any description will also require a site lease, and should approach the Crown Estate to discuss this.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152114,"EventID":"S1W-15423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of an offshore wave energy power station and the regulations which each autho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of an offshore wave energy power station and the regulations which each authority is responsible for applying.","AnswerText":"The design and construction of any power station are matters for the developer, subject to the necessary consents being obtained. Statutory consultees, such as Scottish Natural Heritage or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, may agree to such projects subject to certain conditions being contained within the final consents.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152115,"EventID":"S1W-15424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed and the reg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed and the regulations which each authority is responsible for applying.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15423.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152116,"EventID":"S1W-15425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed and the regulation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all regulatory authorities involved in the design and construction of an offshore wave energy power station founded on the seabed and the regulations which each authority is responsible for applying.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15423.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152117,"EventID":"S1W-15426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many developers have applied to it or any of its agencies or public bodies for consents to construct wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many developers have applied to it or any of its agencies or public bodies for consents to construct wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish territorial waters since 1990 and whether it will list each application and the current status of each.","AnswerText":"Scotland's only existing wave energy power station is Wavegen's LIMPET (Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transformer) built on the shoreline at Islay, which began generating late last year. The station secured planning consent from the local authority before construction commenced.

The same company also developed an offshore device which it planned to install off the coast at Dounreay. The device, called OSPREY (Ocean Swell Powered Renewable Energy) was destroyed by bad weather in August 1995 before it could be properly installed. Prior to the aborted installation, the company had applied for and received consent under the Coast Protection Act 1949, and under section 5 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152118,"EventID":"S1W-15427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken or has any plans to undertake a review of the regulations and consents governing the construction of wave energy power stations on the Scottish","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken or has any plans to undertake a review of the regulations and consents governing the construction of wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish territorial waters, with a view to streamlining the process and making it more open and accountable.","AnswerText":"We published a consultation paper in February this year seeking views on our proposals to streamline the consents procedures for offshore wind or water driven generating stations in Scottish waters. Our intention is to rationalise and simplify the existing process, whilst ensuring that such schemes remain subject to rigorous technical and environmental scrutiny. The consultation closed in March, and we are currently considering the responses received.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152119,"EventID":"S1W-15428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the statutory, regulatory and financial requirements with which developers of wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the statutory, regulatory and financial requirements with which developers of wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish territorial waters must comply and whether it has developed or plans to develop any strategy to reduce any barriers to such development which it has identified.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15427.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152120,"EventID":"S1W-15429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the statutory and regulatory requirements with which developers of wave energy power stations in other countries must comply and whether it h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the statutory and regulatory requirements with which developers of wave energy power stations in other countries must comply and whether it has any plans to incorporate any best practices which it has identified.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152121,"EventID":"S1W-15430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in each of the last two years to encourage the development of wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish territorial waters","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in each of the last two years to encourage the development of wave energy power stations on the Scottish coast or in Scottish territorial waters","AnswerText":"We are aware of the excellent work being carried out by Scottish companies in this field, and applaud the progress made thus far, which is due in part to the unique support offered to wave power in Scotland under the third round of the Scottish Renewables Obligation. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the key players as we consider appropriate ways in which to help further the industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152122,"EventID":"S1W-15431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14245 by Rhona Brankin on 30 March 2001, when it expects to conclude its review of acquaculture regulation, which bodies and agenci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14245 by Rhona Brankin on 30 March 2001, when it expects to conclude its review of acquaculture regulation, which bodies and agencies are involved in this review and what the composition is of the review team.","AnswerText":"The review is being led by officials within my Fisheries Group, but it is necessarily a cross-cutting exercise involving a number of other interests both within and outwith the Executive. As the first stage in this process, my officials wrote to those with an interest, inviting views by the end of April on how the existing arrangements might be improved. Formal consultation on a range of proposals will be undertaken over the summer. I expect to receive a final report towards the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152123,"EventID":"S1W-15432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to transfer to local authorities the functions relating to planning which are currently carried out by the Crown Estate Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to transfer to local authorities the functions relating to planning which are currently carried out by the Crown Estate Commission.","AnswerText":"The primary legislation needed to implement this change will be introduced as soon as an appropriate opportunity arises in the legislative programme. Any legislative proposals will need to take account of the outcome of the Executive's current aquaculture review which is expected to report around the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152124,"EventID":"S1W-15433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out an immediate review of visitscotland and its Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out an immediate review of visitscotland and its Board.","AnswerText":"No. An independent management review of visitscotland was recently completed and the priority now is to make further progress with its implementation. The Board of visitscotland has assured the Executive that the lessons of the appointment exercise will be learned.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152125,"EventID":"S1W-15434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees which the developer of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed has to consult before mooring the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consultees which the developer of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed has to consult before mooring the station on site and when such consultation should take place.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15422.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152126,"EventID":"S1W-15435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the installation of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed, the authorities to whom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the statutory consents necessary for the installation of a floating offshore wave energy power station moored to the seabed, the authorities to whom each application for such consents must be submitted, what average time is taken to issue each consent and what the current level is of any application fee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15421.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152127,"EventID":"S1W-15436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Stonehouse Hospital in Lanarkshire is scheduled to close, what is planned for the site and when a decision will be made on who will develop the site.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Stonehouse Hospital in Lanarkshire is scheduled to close, what is planned for the site and when a decision will be made on who will develop the site.","AnswerText":"Stonehouse Hospital is not closing. Rather, acute services have moved from the Stonehouse site to the New Hairmyres Hospital, while 40 continuing care beds are operational at Stonehouse and x-ray and physiotherapy services also remain in place. There are also proposals to enhance these and other services with a £3 million investment, which is included in the Health Department 2001/2 Capital Programme and will proceed subject to submission of a satisfactory full business case.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152128,"EventID":"S1W-15437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which institutions currently train midwives; how many midwives graduated from each institution in each of the last three years, and how many of these graduates subsequen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which institutions currently train midwives; how many midwives graduated from each institution in each of the last three years, and how many of these graduates subsequently obtained employment as midwives in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The information requested is in the table below. However, the number of graduates finding employment in the NHS as midwives is not collected centrally.

Midwifery Completions by Year of Completion

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

All 3 years

Institution

3-year

18-month

Total

3-year

18-month

Total

3-year

18-month

Total

3-year

18-month

Total

Bell College

16

0

16

18

0

18

17

0

17

51

0

51

Glasgow Caledonian University

24

0

24

19

0

19

22

7

29

65

7

72

Napier University

23

28

51

23

26

49

30

14

44

76

68

144

Robert Gordon University

Midwives employed in NHSScotland by Trust

Staff in Post at 30 September 1999 and 2000

Whole-time equivalent

1999

2000P

Scotland

2,962.8

2,927.3

Argyll & Clyde Acute Trust

208.9

204.6

Ayrshire & Arran Acute Trust

213.8

211.1

Ayrshire & Arran PCT

3.6

1.0

Borders General NHS Trust

40.5

45.4

Borders PCT

29.0

27.7

Dumfries and Galloway Acute & Maternity

87.4

99.1

Dumfries & Galloway PCT

25.0

14.9

Fife Acute Trust

147.1

153.3

Fife PCT

-

-

Forth Valley Acute Trust

163.7

163.3

Forth Valley PCT

5.4

5.4

Grampian PCT

83.9

87.6

Grampian University Hosps

224.6

225.6

Greater Glasgow PCT

-

-

Highland Acute Trust

92.8

96.8

The project costs have been allocated in the following amounts
  • Scottish Ministers £214 million
  • Glasgow City Council £21.8 million
  • South Lanarkshire Council £4.0 million
  • Renfrewshire Council £2.2 million

Other public/private sector funding £3.0 million","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152132,"EventID":"S1W-15441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated timetable is from commencement to completion of construction of the M74 northern extension.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated timetable is from commencement to completion of construction of the M74 northern extension.","AnswerText":"I expect the M74 project to be completed in 2008.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152133,"EventID":"S1W-15442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any requirements will be placed on local authorities to ensure that the M74 northern extension does not become congested with commuter traffic, and, if so, what t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any requirements will be placed on local authorities to ensure that the M74 northern extension does not become congested with commuter traffic, and, if so, what these requirements will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its partners, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils, are currently working together with Strathclyde Passenger Transport, in the Executive's Central Scotland Transport Corridor Study, and through the Public Transport Fund and other funding mechanisms. They plan to deliver public transport improvements in the M74 corridor to provide a genuine choice for transport users. In particular the Cathcart Road and Glasgow Road routes will be developed as corridors for public transport priority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152134,"EventID":"S1W-15443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution the M74 northern extension will make to its objectives of reducing road usage and improving public transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution the M74 northern extension will make to its objectives of reducing road usage and improving public transport.","AnswerText":"From the traffic analysis undertaken to date it is expected the M74 scheme will achieve a significant reduction in traffic flows on a number of busy parallel local roads over a wide area within Glasgow and South Lanarkshire. The contribution that public transport can make to reducing car usage will be fully explored in the Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies. I have already undertaken to Parliament that the Executive will implement the decisions flowing from this study.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152135,"EventID":"S1W-15444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-7163 and S1W-15072 by Susan Deacon on 26 April 2001, whether it can explain the discrepancy in the number of whole-time equivalent","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-7163 and S1W-15072 by Susan Deacon on 26 April 2001, whether it can explain the discrepancy in the number of whole-time equivalent qualified school nurses between the two answers.","AnswerText":"I regret that the information on the number of whole-time equivalent qualified school nurses given in question S1W-7163 included clinic nurses employed by NHSScotland as well as school nurses. The information in question S1W-15072 is correct. The figures in these answers came from Skipper and ISD Scotland respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152136,"EventID":"S1W-15445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the job specifications for the posts of chief executive and chairman of visitscotland as issued prior to the appointments of Peter Lederer and Rod","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the job specifications for the posts of chief executive and chairman of visitscotland as issued prior to the appointments of Peter Lederer and Rod Lynch.","AnswerText":"The Chair, along with the other members of the visitscotland, oversees and provides strategic direction to the operations of visitscotland. The main duties are:

  • chairing meetings of visitscotland;
  • considering papers prepared by visitscotland;
  • taking a leading role in the determination of quality, planning and resource allocations;
  • representing the best interests of the tourism industry, and
  • representing the board at functions and events, in negotiations, and in discussions with Scottish Ministers.

The chief executive's role is exercised under the direction of the appointed board. It is to:

  • lead visitscotland in such a way as to enhance its reputation and profile;
  • manage the organisation and operations of visitscotland within the constraints of operating in the public sector;
  • play the lead co-ordinating role among the industry and public sector bodies, developing, championing and representing the tourism sector;
  • establish a clear short- and long-term direction for the business, acknowledging changing demands;
  • ensure that visitscotland has a structure that can deliver excellent service to its customers, whether from the tourist industry or as consumers, and

develop an organisation whose culture and ethos reflects the changing environment in which it operates.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152137,"EventID":"S1W-15446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15122 by Susan Deacon on 26 April 2001, why the information specified on people requiring prescription of beta interferon is not av","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15122 by Susan Deacon on 26 April 2001, why the information specified on people requiring prescription of beta interferon is not available centrally and whether it plans to hold this information centrally.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to do so. Only certain patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis are likely to benefit from the use of beta interferon and patients' eligibility for this treatment depends on the clinical judgement of the clinicians concerned. Clinical decisions regarding the treatment of individual patients are not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152138,"EventID":"S1W-15447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14855 by Angus MacKay on 26 April 2001, whether population density per hectare was the only criterion used to determine in which lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14855 by Angus MacKay on 26 April 2001, whether population density per hectare was the only criterion used to determine in which local authorities small businesses would be eligible for 95% of the cost of funding hardship relief related to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"It was decided that the support would be most effective if targeted at rural local authority areas where the viability of businesses was threatened as a direct result of the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease, and population density per hectare was the measure used to define rural areas for this purpose. These local authorities include all infected areas. 95% of the cost of the relief to small businesses in these areas is funded by the Scottish Executive, with local authorities making up the remaining 5% of the cost. Large businesses and those in all other areas are still eligible to apply for relief, 75% of which will be funded by the Scottish Executive and 25% by local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152139,"EventID":"S1W-15448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chief executive of visitscotland will be selected by visitscotland and, if so, what role the Executive will take in the new appointment, in particular, w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chief executive of visitscotland will be selected by visitscotland and, if so, what role the Executive will take in the new appointment, in particular, whether it will issue any guidance or guidelines to visitscotland with regard to the appointment process. ","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive will be involved in the selection process and will exercise its function of giving consent to visitscotland's appointment. The appointment process is for visitscotland. We are content for the search to look for a chief executive with the qualities described in the answer to question S1W-15445.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152140,"EventID":"S1W-15449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale will be for the recruitment of a new chief executive of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale will be for the recruitment of a new chief executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland, but they announced on 27 April that they were renewing the search as a matter of urgency, and on 3 May that further interviews would be held in May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152141,"EventID":"S1W-15450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Peter McKinlay is due to stand down as interim Chief Executive of visitscotland and, if he is due to stand down in the near future, whether his appointment will be e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Peter McKinlay is due to stand down as interim Chief Executive of visitscotland and, if he is due to stand down in the near future, whether his appointment will be extended and, if so, until when and, if not, who will replace him as interim chief executive.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland, but they announced on 27 April that Mr McKinlay had agreed to stay on as interim Chief Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152142,"EventID":"S1W-15451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of the recruitment of a new Chief Executive of visitscotland, whether a limit will be set for this expenditure on this and which budget will co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of the recruitment of a new Chief Executive of visitscotland, whether a limit will be set for this expenditure on this and which budget will cover the cost of the recruitment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15295 on 8 May 2001. visitscotland will cover the cost of the recruitment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152143,"EventID":"S1W-15452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the salary is of the interim chief executive of visitscotland, whether his contract is on a full-time basis and what arrangements have been agreed regarding any othe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the salary is of the interim chief executive of visitscotland, whether his contract is on a full-time basis and what arrangements have been agreed regarding any other working commitments he has.","AnswerText":"Peter McKinlay was appointed by visitscotland on a full-time basis. His appointment was approved by the Executive. His salary is £8,000 per month.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152144,"EventID":"S1W-15453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the independent management consultant's report commissioned by the Scottish Tourist Board from PriceWaterhouseCoopers and whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the independent management consultant's report commissioned by the Scottish Tourist Board from PriceWaterhouseCoopers and whether implementation will be postponed pending the appointment of a new chief executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"I refer Mr MacAskill to the answer I gave to question S1W-13458. Visitscotland are implementing the findings during the search for a new Chief Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152145,"EventID":"S1W-15454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what the estimated figure of 69,000 cases of hospital-acquired infection represents as a pe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what the estimated figure of 69,000 cases of hospital-acquired infection represents as a percentage of the total number of patients treated annually by the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"The estimate referred to was prepared by a Scottish Office Health Department working group which reported in May 1999. Copies of the report, Hospital Acquired Infection - A Framework for a National System of Surveillance for the NHS in Scotland are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The group assumed a prevalence rate of 9% in estimating the incidence of HAI among in-patients in Scottish hospitals, which it calculated to be approximately 69,000 case annually.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152146,"EventID":"S1W-15455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many electronics businesses have closed in Scotland in each of the last three years and where these businesses were located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many electronics businesses have closed in Scotland in each of the last three years and where these businesses were located.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not maintain a centrally held record of electronics businesses that have closed in Scotland. However, my department monitors Scottish Press stories of closures and the following information is derived from that source:

Year

Company

Location

1998 (from April)

Bourns Electronics

Dalgety Bay

 

Mitsubishi

Haddington

 

Shiva Corporation

Edinburgh

 

Tarka Controls Ltd

Inverness

 

Viasystems

Galashiels

1999

Simple Technology

East Kilbride

 

Seagate Technology

Livingston

 

Viasystems

Selkirk

 

AMP

Port Glasgow

 

Lite-On

Motherwell

 

GEC Marconi

Dunfermline

 

APW Enclosure Systems

Beith

 

Mitsubishi

Livingston

 

PCI UK

East Kilbride

2000

Seiko Instruments

Livingston

 

Canon

Glenrothes

 

Scotland Electronics

Forres

 

Seagate Technology

Irvine

2001 (to March)

Alps Electric

Arbroath

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152147,"EventID":"S1W-15456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many electronics businesses have opened in Scotland in each of the last three years and where these businesses are located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many electronics businesses have opened in Scotland in each of the last three years and where these businesses are located.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not maintain comprehensive records on the number of electronics businesses opened in Scotland. However, the Executive is aware of the following:

1998-99 - four opened and are located in Livingston, Irvine and Bathgate;

1999-2000 - four opened and are located in Glasgow, Port Glasgow, Glenrothes and Clydebank.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152148,"EventID":"S1W-15457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which electronics businesses it has given financial support to in each of the last three years and how much support each such business received.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which electronics businesses it has given financial support to in each of the last three years and how much support each such business received.","AnswerText":"The main form of financial assistance provided by the Executive to businesses investing in the Assisted Areas of Scotland is through Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). In addition, the SMART and SPUR schemes support small- and medium-sized businesses across Scotland to undertake research and development.

Through these programmes, grants amounting to £20.8 million in the financial year 1998-99, £17.3 million in 1999-2000 and £30.7 million in 2000-01 were paid to companies in the electronics sector in Scotland. Of this total of £68.8 million, some 96% was paid out under the RSA scheme.

It is not the department's practice to list individual grant payments made to firms. However details of all offers of RSA involving grant over £75,000 are listed in the Office of National Statistics' quarterly Labour Market Trends after the first payment of grant has been made. This publication is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152149,"EventID":"S1W-15458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that any potentially environmentally damaging material contained on the two United States Air Force jets which crashed in the Cairng","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that any potentially environmentally damaging material contained on the two United States Air Force jets which crashed in the Cairngorms recently is removed from the crash site.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Royal Air Force (RAF) has produced a written recovery plan for the crash sites in consultation with a working group comprising of the two landowners involved, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), the USAF, the RAF and the two environmental agencies, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The principal aim of the plan is to ensure the removal of all debris before the snow cover melts and exposes sensitive vegetation and soils. I understand that approximately 10 tonnes of the 25 tonnes of debris have already been removed from the sites.

The status of the aviation fuel and oil contaminants, which are being held in the snow, is being monitored, and the RAF has contracted a specialist environmental clean-up company to assist it with the clean-up of hydrocarbons from the site. Aviation fuel is volatile and it is expected that most will evaporate, minimising the risk to soil, vegetation and watercourses. Monitoring shows that fuel is currently not moving within the snow. However, should this occur, there is a contingency plan to remove contaminated snow for treatment and disposal. Snow contaminated with the heavier oils is being removed for appropriate treatment and disposal.

I also understand that SEPA has collected and carried out analysis of water and invertebrate samples from streams draining the area since the crash and have found no signs of pollution. SEPA will continue to monitor the area. As part of the recovery plan, a long-term monitoring programme will be put in place to determine whether there are any long-term environmental impacts at the crash sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152150,"EventID":"S1W-15459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to privatise any aspect of Scotland's frontline police operations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to privatise any aspect of Scotland's frontline police operations.","AnswerText":"No. Trained civilians are already employed within the police service in Scotland in certain well-defined roles to support the work of the police. Deployments along these lines will continue where they are appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152151,"EventID":"S1W-15460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve service provision for deafblind people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve service provision for deafblind people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15107 on 8 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152152,"EventID":"S1W-15461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the remarks made by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 28 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 978) regarding refunds of area tourist board sub","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the remarks made by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 28 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 978) regarding refunds of area tourist board subscriptions, whether any such refunds have yet been made to businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"All ATBs have been provided with funding from visitscotland specifically to reduce the subscription burden on their members. It is for individual ATBs to decide exactly how this is to be implemented, for example, by cash refund or future credit.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152153,"EventID":"S1W-15462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS Hospital Trusts have infection control teams.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS Hospital Trusts have infection control teams.","AnswerText":"Infection control teams are in place in every NHS Trust in Scotland, including some in which teams are organised on a health board-wide basis to cover both acute and primary care settings in the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152154,"EventID":"S1W-15463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended level of staffing is of the infection control team at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended level of staffing is of the infection control team at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Office Department of Health provided guidance to the NHS on infection control arrangements, policy and procedures in the Scottish Infection Manual (1998). The guidance does not make recommendations about the level of staffing required to undertake the tasks and responsibilities it sets out. It is for NHS Trusts to decide, working within the overall guidance, what level of staffing is appropriate for infection control work within their working area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152155,"EventID":"S1W-15464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently working in the infection control team at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently working in the infection control team at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Trust. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15463.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152156,"EventID":"S1W-15465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make central funding available to enable medical secretaries in the NHS to be upgraded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make central funding available to enable medical secretaries in the NHS to be upgraded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has announced record funding for the NHS. Health boards' unified budgets have increased to £4.4 billion in 2001-02 with individual board increases ranging from 5.5% to 9.8%. It is for health boards and NHS Trusts to decide how to apply these increased resources to meet the healthcare needs of the population of their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152157,"EventID":"S1W-15466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) will report on the Teaching Funding and Research Policy and Funding reviews mentioned in the SHEFC's April 2001","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) will report on the Teaching Funding and Research Policy and Funding reviews mentioned in the SHEFC's April 2001 meeting report.","AnswerText":"The consultation period for both these reviews concluded at the end of March. On the Teaching Review, it is expected that revised proposals will be put to the council for consideration in the autumn and for the Research Review, by the end of the year.

I have asked the council to keep me in touch with developments prior to any final decisions being taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152158,"EventID":"S1W-15467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why substantive answers have not yet been given to questions S1W-13111, S1W-13112 and S1W-13113, lodged on 6 February 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why substantive answers have not yet been given to questions S1W-13111, S1W-13112 and S1W-13113, lodged on 6 February 2001.","AnswerText":"The above PQs were answered on 10 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152159,"EventID":"S1W-15468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the statement by an Executive spokesperson that the number of qualified frontline NHS staff has risen since 1996, as reported on the BBC News website o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the statement by an Executive spokesperson that the number of qualified frontline NHS staff has risen since 1996, as reported on the BBC News website on 27 April 2001, what criteria are used to define staff as frontline; whether any nurses or midwives are not regarded as frontline staff and, if so, what term or terms are used to describe such staff.","AnswerText":"Frontline is not a term which is defined.

The 27 April statement was based on figures for all qualified nurses and midwives.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152160,"EventID":"S1W-15469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to examine the options for restoring the livestock and transport ferry service from Invergordon to Kirkwall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to examine the options for restoring the livestock and transport ferry service from Invergordon to Kirkwall.","AnswerText":"The present operator decided to withdraw from this freight shipping route with effect from 30 April. The Scottish Executive has recognised the contribution of the route for the export of livestock from Orkney. £200,000 was allocated to the route under the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme during 2000-01.

The Executive confirmed in discussions with the operator and Orkney Islands Council before the service was withdrawn that a TRS allocation continued to be available for 2001-02, at the same assistance rate of 50% of shipping costs. This assistance will now be available to any alternative operator.

The Executive continues to liase with the Islands Council and other operators about options for providing sufficient capacity for the export of livestock from Orkney on this or alternative routes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152161,"EventID":"S1W-15470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14416 by Angus MacKay on 20 April 2001, which Scottish Executive, agency and associated department posts based in the South Lanarks","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14416 by Angus MacKay on 20 April 2001, which Scottish Executive, agency and associated department posts based in the South Lanarkshire Council area on 31 March 2000 were no longer based in that area on 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The change in staff numbers relates to the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond. His response is as follows:

The decline in staff numbers is due to the closure of HMP Dungavel.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152162,"EventID":"S1W-15471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14416 by Angus MacKay on 20 April 2001, which Scottish Executive, agency and associated department posts based in the North Lanarks","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14416 by Angus MacKay on 20 April 2001, which Scottish Executive, agency and associated department posts based in the North Lanarkshire Council area on 31 March 2000 were no longer based in that area on 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14450 on 6 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152163,"EventID":"S1W-15472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the grant-in-aid received by Inverness College for 2000-01 is less, in real terms, than that received in 1993-94.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the grant-in-aid received by Inverness College for 2000-01 is less, in real terms, than that received in 1993-94.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive cannot provide explanations for decisions taken by previous administrations, and the responsibility of providing funding to individual further education colleges is now entirely a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. Last year the Scottish Executive announced substantially increased public funding for the FE sector, on top of the additional £214 million announced as part of the three-year Comprehensive Spending Review by the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152164,"EventID":"S1W-15473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assist Inverness College to overcome a #5 million financial deficit in such a way as to retain staff and continue all courses offered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assist Inverness College to overcome a #5 million financial deficit in such a way as to retain staff and continue all courses offered.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Further Education Funding Council is responsible for funding Scotland's further education colleges. The council has been monitoring closely the progress of the financial recovery plan implemented by the Board of Management of Inverness College to address the college's financial deficit.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152165,"EventID":"S1W-15474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full-time student retention rate was for each institution of further or higher education in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full-time student retention rate was for each institution of further or higher education in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The annual Performance Indicators published by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, available in the Parliament's Reference Centre or on the council's website, provide indicators of performance on retention and completion for each higher education institution in Scotland.

In the Performance Indicators, projected learning outcomes for the higher education sector in Scotland for the two years for which figures are available show that:

Extract from Table T5
 

Degree

Transfer/other award

Total

Neither transfer nor other award

1996-97

73%

9%

82%

17%

1997-98

75%

8%

83%

16%

Information is not available for further education colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152166,"EventID":"S1W-15475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on fuel for ministerial cars in each month from July 2000 to April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on fuel for ministerial cars in each month from July 2000 to April 2001.","AnswerText":"The monthly expenditure on fuel for the Government Car Service (Scotland) (GCS) since July 2000 is shown in the following table (details of expenditure for April 2001 are not yet available as invoices have still to be received):

Month

Expenditure (£)

July 2000

2,715

August 2000

2,150

September 2000

1,378

October 2000

1,930

November 2000

2,187

December 2000

1,261

January 2001

1,431

February 2001

1,177

March 2001

2,450

The GCS provides or arranges car transport for the Scottish Ministers, Ministers of UK Government Departments when in Scotland, officials and visiting dignitaries. The same vehicle may be used to transport several different individuals on any given day. It is not therefore possible to identify separately the fuel costs for journeys made by Scottish Ministers.

Since 1 August 2000 all GCS cars have been dual fuel which enables them to be run, whenever possible, on liquid petroleum gas (lpg) instead of unleaded petrol. Lpg is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to unleaded petrol.

When demand exceeds available GCS capacity, private hire cars and drivers are engaged from companies with which the GCS has standing arrangements. The cost of fuel is not separately identified within the cost of private hire cars.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152167,"EventID":"S1W-15476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for fire service vehicles was, broken down by fire board, for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for fire service vehicles was, broken down by fire board, for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Information from fire authorities is as follows:

1999-2000

2000-01

Central Scotland Fire Brigade

£108,236

£108,860

Dumfries and Galloway Fire Brigade

£35,264

£39,642

Fife Fire and Rescue Service

£84,250

£97,445

Grampian Fire Brigade

£120,534

£121,493

Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade

£95,965

£110,220

Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade

£214,551

£251,555

Strathclyde Fire Brigade

£555,973

£666,166

Tayside Fire Brigade

£110,129

£130,425

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152168,"EventID":"S1W-15477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for police vehicles was, broken down by police force, for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for police vehicles was, broken down by police force, for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The cost of fuel for police vehicles for each police force in 1999-2000 is shown in the following table. Figures for 2000-01 are not yet available.

Force

1999-2000

Central

£280,580

Dumfries & Galloway

£260,547

Fife

£334,836

Grampian

£511,891

Lothian & Borders

£801,331

Northern

£368,205

Strathclyde

£2,220,938

Tayside

£427,450

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152169,"EventID":"S1W-15478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for ambulance service vehicles was, broken down by health board area, for the financial year 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of fuel for ambulance service vehicles was, broken down by health board area, for the financial year 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The cost of fuel for ambulance service vehicles across Scotland for the financial year 2000-01 was £3.38 million. The information is not collected by health board area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152170,"EventID":"S1W-15479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regional selective assistance has been given to call centre employers on an annual basis since 1997 and what criteria and qualifications have been attached to any su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regional selective assistance has been given to call centre employers on an annual basis since 1997 and what criteria and qualifications have been attached to any such assistance.","AnswerText":"The following amounts of Regional Selective Assistance have been paid to call centre projects for the financial years noted below:

1997-98

£1,150,000

1998-99

£9,932,000

1999-2000

£4,890,000

2000-01

£4,009,400

Grant offers to call centre projects are subject to the normal criteria of the Regional Selective Assistance grant scheme including location, investment, jobs, need, viability and private sector investment. However, grant offers in respect of call centre projects will typically require the assisted jobs to be maintained for longer periods than are specified for other types of projects assisted under the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152171,"EventID":"S1W-15480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a strategy to enhance the skills of call centre staff and what arrangements it has with call centre employers to improve the skills and knowledge of their ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a strategy to enhance the skills of call centre staff and what arrangements it has with call centre employers to improve the skills and knowledge of their staff.","AnswerText":"The strategy for enterprise "A Smart Successful Scotland" places skills and learning at the heart of the activities of the Enterprise Networks. This strategic focus on raising skills levels and better matching skills and opportunities is relevant in all sectors and industries, including the call centre sector. Higher and further education institutions offer a wide range of learning opportunities and skills training designed to respond to current and future labour market needs.

In addition, a number of further education colleges offer tailored call centre training and Local Enterprise Companies use a range of training providers to meet the training needs of call centre employers. This includes specialised training, such as voice coaching, and a professional development award for call centres and employability skills, such as confidence building, team working, and IT skills. Higher education institutions provide language courses and some provide tailored courses for business and industry supporting a wide range of skill requirements. This includes provision aimed at the call centre market linking language and IT training with customer care and technical telephone skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152172,"EventID":"S1W-15481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs it estimates there will be in call centres in each year until 2005.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs it estimates there will be in call centres in each year until 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not produce forecasts of the levels of employment by sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152173,"EventID":"S1W-15482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many call centres there were in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many call centres there were in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The table below gives estimates of the number of call centres in Scotland each year since 1997.

Call centres in Scotland 1997-2000

Year

Call centres

Employees

Source

1997

119

16,000

Taylor & Bain, 1997

1998

159

21,000

Locate in Scotland

1999

170

30,000

Bain & Taylor, 1999

2000

220

46,000

Taylor & Bain, 2000

Source: Call Centre Association.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152174,"EventID":"S1W-15483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11388 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 December 2000, how much (a) tuition fee and (b) other income Scottish universities received in re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11388 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 December 2000, how much (a) tuition fee and (b) other income Scottish universities received in respect of each category of student in academic years (i) 1998-1999 and (ii) 1999-2000 and what percentage of the total income of all Scottish universities in each year each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"Information on the total income of institutions funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) is published by SHEFC annually and is available on the council's website.

The latest academic year for which figures are available is 1998-99 when a total income of £1,343 million was received by Scottish higher education institutions of which £243 million is recorded as coming from academic fees and support grants1.

This information is not available by category of student.

Notes:

1. This is a single figure which includes all fee income, including short courses, self-financing full-cost courses funded by private/non-private sources and support grants in respect of all and only those students on courses for which fees are charged. It also includes income arising from courses provided for other bodies where the institution charges either a block fee to cover a specified number of students or a fee per individual student. Source of definition: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152175,"EventID":"S1W-15484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12087 by Nicol Stephen on 4 January 2001, what progress has been made regarding the introduction in Scotland of provisions similar ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12087 by Nicol Stephen on 4 January 2001, what progress has been made regarding the introduction in Scotland of provisions similar to those in clause 13 of the UK Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill.","AnswerText":"The provision referred to has now become Clause 14 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill. Clause 14 requires local education authorities and schools in England and Wales to plan, to increase participation in the curriculum and physical access to school premises and also to improve the delivery of information for disabled pupils.

The Executive is considering a number of legislative and other routes to give effect to the new duty in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152176,"EventID":"S1W-15485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the group set up to examine the economic consequences of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will report to the Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the group set up to examine the economic consequences of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will report to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Impact Assessment Group which I announced on 8 March is providing ongoing advice to the Ministerial Committee for Rural Development FMD Sub-Group. Expert organisations such as visitscotland, the Enterprise Networks and the Scottish Agricultural College have been feeding in very useful information which have helped inform the Ministerial Group on FMD's decisions on hardship relief and its thinking on recovery. To date much of that information has been qualitative and to provide more quantified information the group has recently commissioned a survey of over 2,000 businesses across Scotland to identify the outbreak's impact. The survey results are currently being collated and the final report will be published on 29 June. Copies of the report will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152177,"EventID":"S1W-15486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not adopted the same policy as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the protection of hefted flocks in areas affected by foot-and-mo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not adopted the same policy as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the protection of hefted flocks in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The special circumstances which apply to hefted flock have been and will continue to be recognised when applying SERAD culling policy. The priority, however, has been to avoid any risk of the disease being spread through our hill areas and beyond, with possibly dire consequences for the whole of Scotland's livestock industry. Now that the disease is under control the position of hefted flocks outwith infected premises will be assessed carefully before any cull goes ahead.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152178,"EventID":"S1W-15487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-04-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the areas of its policy on the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease which differ from policy in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the areas of its policy on the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease which differ from policy in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"FMD Policy in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive. The priority has been to take all action necessary to control and eradicate the disease quickly and effectively based on the veterinary and epidemiological advice put before me which reflected all the circumstances relevant to the outbreak in Scotland.

Throughout this outbreak I have liased regularly with Nick Brown and my officials have worked extremely closely with their colleagues in Whitehall and in Wales. A detailed list of any differences of approach or implementation has not been maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152179,"EventID":"S1W-15488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduates there were from each university engineering faculty in each year since 1995 and how many of these were from (a) Scotland, (b) the rest of the UK, (c) a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduates there were from each university engineering faculty in each year since 1995 and how many of these were from (a) Scotland, (b) the rest of the UK, (c) another EU country and (d) a non-EU country.","AnswerText":"Information is not collected by faculty. However, available data by subject group for those graduating from higher education institutions in Scotland is as follows:

Graduates from Scottish Higher Education Institutions with Engineering & Technology as main subject

1994-95

Institution

Scotland

Rest UK

EU

Non EU

Total

University of Abertay

192

13

3

6

214

Glasgow School of Art

10

4

0

0

14

The Scottish College of Textiles

83

24

4

1

112

The Robert Gordon University

208

16

4

15

243

University of Paisley

310

5

26

10

351

Glasgow Caledonian University

142

1

0

1

144

Napier University

328

21

21

13

383

The University of Edinburgh

100

77

8

19

204

The University of Glasgow

198

29

55

180

462

The University of Strathclyde

344

67

Framework for Maternity Services suggests that screening for fetal abnormality by ultrasound scan should be offered to pregnant women.

Screening is offered to women in accordance with policies in each NHS Trust area and according to the clinical needs of the women and her choice in the uptake of the services offered.

Guidelines have also been issued advising health boards that they should consider adopting local policies to encourage voluntary named HIV testing for women attending antenatal clinics in areas with higher prevalence of HIV. These guidelines are currently being revised.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152184,"EventID":"S1W-15493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the report in The Herald on 27 April 2001 of the UK Minister for Transport's plans to create 60,000 jobs in the transport industry, how many of the jobs w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the report in The Herald on 27 April 2001 of the UK Minister for Transport's plans to create 60,000 jobs in the transport industry, how many of the jobs will be in Scotland, in what sectors these will be and when they will be created.","AnswerText":"The estimate is for jobs generated by the expenditure planned under Transport 2010, the 10-year Plan published by the UK Government last July. An unspecified proportion of these jobs will relate to spending on reserved transport services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152185,"EventID":"S1W-15494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful prosecutions of driving offences involving motorists driving too slowly, not pulling over timeously to let following traffic overtake and causing acci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful prosecutions of driving offences involving motorists driving too slowly, not pulling over timeously to let following traffic overtake and causing accidents or problems for other drivers there have been in the past year.","AnswerText":"The Information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152186,"EventID":"S1W-15495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists on the circumstances in which a general anaesthetic should be recommended to NHS dental patients by dentists; whether such treatment involves any cha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists on the circumstances in which a general anaesthetic should be recommended to NHS dental patients by dentists; whether such treatment involves any charge to patients and, if so, what that charge is, which categories of patient care are exempt from such a charge and how long such a charge has existed.","AnswerText":"The offer of a general anaesthetic to a patient under the NHS requires the dentist to make a clinical judgement based on need. In the majority of cases this judgement is based on the degree of anxiety or phobia exhibited by the patient and the related complexity of the dental treatment required.

In Scotland at present all NHS patients requiring general anaesthesia for dental treatment are treated within a hospital environment. The provision of general anaesthesia to such patients is free.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152187,"EventID":"S1W-15496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12650 by Susan Deacon on 30 March 2001, how many nursing vacancies there were in each health board area on (a) 31 March 1999, (b) 3","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12650 by Susan Deacon on 30 March 2001, how many nursing vacancies there were in each health board area on (a) 31 March 1999, (b) 31 March 1998 and (c) 31 March 1997, specifying in each case the number which had been vacant for three or more months.","AnswerText":"There are more than 500 fewer nurse vacancies now in Scotland than in 1997. The figures show that overall just 0.6% of Scotland's total NHS nursing posts are vacant for longer than three months. However, we recognise that there are long-term problems of recruitment and retention in key specialties which lead to a minority of these vacancies taking longer to fill. We have made targeted investment in an extra 210 specialist nurses to improve this situation.

Qualified Nursing and Midwifery staff vacancies at 31 March by Health Board Area

Whole-time equivalent
 

1997

1998

1999

2000

 

Total Vacancies

Vacancies for 3 months or more

Total Vacancies

Vacancies for 3 months or more

Total Vacancies

Vacancies for 3 months or more

Total Vacancies

Vacancies for 3 months or more

Scotland

1648.5

475.1

1620.5

370.5

1280.9

449.0

1128.9

298.6

Argyll & Clyde

175.1

33.3

209.8

46.9

142.7

78.5

120.9

62.1

Ayrshire & Arran

31.4

9.1

82.1

This information is not collected in the form requested. However, details of prisoners' complaints by prison and by the most common subjects raised through the formal complaints procedure are published annually in the SPS Annual Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152189,"EventID":"S1W-15498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was made available to each prison for \"home leave\" in each year since 1997 and how much money was actually spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was made available to each prison for \"home leave\" in each year since 1997 and how much money was actually spent.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The table shows the expenditure on "home leave" in each financial year since 1997-98.

The original budget details for these years are not readily available and could not be assembled except at disproportionate cost.

Establishment

1997-98

Actual

£

1998-99

Actual

£

1999-2000

Actual

£

2000-01

Actual

£

Barlinnie

356

Nil

Nil

Nil

Cornton Vale

963

946

702

831

Dumfries

Nil

6

Nil

Nil

Dungavel

4,281

163

215

32

Longriggend

15

Nil

Nil

Nil

Penninghame

22,18528,219

28,219

27,457

Nil

Shotts

54

66

72

Nil

Aberdeen

182

111

76

39

Castle Huntly

11,521

13,156

20,722

47,507

Edinburgh

1,379

11,703

11,566

9,244

Friarton

148

Nil

Nil

Nil

Glenochil

58

Information on discounts given on public sector house sales which took place between April and December 2000 will be available towards the end of June 2001.

Period

Total Discount in cash prices (£000)

1979-80

12,853

1980-81

37,696

1981-82

73,339

1982-83

104,479

1983-84

130,756

1984-85

137,939

1985-86

130,696

1986-87

147,558

1987-88

262,867

1988-89

430,690

1989-90

521,754

1990-91

429,639

1991-92

380,670

1992-93

387,686

1993-94

367,331

1994-95

375,857

1995-96

285,963

1996-97

268,131

1997-98

299,475

1998-99

260,438

1999-2000

272,945

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152192,"EventID":"S1W-15501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value, expressed in today's prices, of all discounts given under the right to purchase sections of the Tenants' Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 and the H","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value, expressed in today's prices, of all discounts given under the right to purchase sections of the Tenants' Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 has been in each year since this right was introduced.","AnswerText":"The table shows the total value of discounts (in April 2001 prices) given for sales of public sector dwellings which took place each year since 1 April 1979. The figures include discounts for right to buy, rent to mortgage and voluntary sales, all of which took place under the right to buy legislation, and include discounts on the sales of dwellings owned by local authorities, New Towns and Scottish Homes. Information on the discounts given in respect of housing association sales is not held centrally.

Information on discounts given on public sector house sales which took place between April and December 2000 will be available towards the end of June 2001.

Period

Total Discount in April 2001 prices (£000)

1979-80

39,274

1980-81

97,624

1981-82

169,764

1982-83

222,670

1983-84

266,469

1984-85

267,741

1985-86

239,149

1986-87

261,114

1987-88

446,539

1988-89

697,403

1989-90

783,989

1990-91

589,775

1991-92

493,588

1992-93

484,537

1993-94

451,919

1994-95

451,498

1995-96

331,994

1996-97

303,952

1997-98

329,137

1998-99

276,745

1999-2000

285,652

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152193,"EventID":"S1W-15502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the responses to its consultation paper published on 8 June 2000, Best Value in Local Government: Next Steps.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the responses to its consultation paper published on 8 June 2000, Best Value in Local Government: Next Steps.","AnswerText":"We received 69 responses to the consultation paper. I have today provided the Scottish Parliament Information Centre with copies of an analysis of the views and opinions expressed by the organisations who responded to the paper by the extended deadline of 20 October 2000.

Best Value is a large subject and the consultation paper was wide ranging. On issues relating to the existing range of statutory restrictions on the commercial activities of local authorities, the responses prompted further consultation via the paper A power of Community initiative: Community Planning: Political Restrictions on council employees published on 22 November 2000. We do not intend to reach any conclusions on these issues until the responses to that paper have been considered.

But I am happy to confirm that we intend to publish proposals for legislation on Best Value in autumn 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152194,"EventID":"S1W-15503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many refuges exist for sixteen-year-olds who run away from home, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many refuges exist for sixteen-year-olds who run away from home, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally, but the Social Work Information Review Group will consider collecting data on refuges as part of the current data standards review. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 gives local authorities powers to provide short-term refuge for children who appear to be at risk of harm and who request refuge. Refuge may be provided in a local authority home, a home run by a voluntary or private agency or by a foster carer. In all cases the refuge must be designated as suitable by the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152195,"EventID":"S1W-15504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services are currently available for young runaways and what plans it has for the future provision of such services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services are currently available for young runaways and what plans it has for the future provision of such services.","AnswerText":"Services for young runaways are provided by a wide range of statutory, voluntary and private agencies. The Scottish Executive is helping to tackle many of the underlying problems which can cause children to run away. We are supporting a variety of initiatives focused on the development and well being of children within the family and others are aimed at improving the quality of care for children who are looked after by local authorities. We will continue to keep this under review, taking account of the recommendations of the Aberlour Trust's publication Missing Out - Young Runaways in Scotland and other related work.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152196,"EventID":"S1W-15505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the extra resources for Greater Glasgow Health Board recommended in Fair Shares for All, the Report of the Arbuthnott Inquiry will be made available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the extra resources for Greater Glasgow Health Board recommended in Fair Shares for All, the Report of the Arbuthnott Inquiry will be made available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has already made considerable progress in providing extra resources to Greater Glasgow Health Board in line with the recommendations in the Final Report of the Arbuthnott Committee. In 2000-01 every health board in Scotland has received a substantial increase in its funding of at least 5.5%. Health boards whose share of resources should increase under the Arbuthnott formula have received larger increases in funding. Greater Glasgow Health Board's resources have increased by 7.7%, and this means that in the current financial year this board has received an additional £17.45 million as a result of Arbuthnott.

The indicative allocations which have been issued for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will also provide Greater Glasgow Health Board with additional resources over and above the general increase in funding. In 2002-03, all health boards will receive an increase of at least 6.5%, while Greater Glasgow Health Board will receive an increase of 7.3%. In 2003-04 every board will receive an increase of at least 7.4% while Greater Glasgow Health Board will receive 8.2%. This means that in 2002-03 and 2003-04 Greater Glasgow Health Board will receive an extra £6.769 million and £7.263 million respectively as a result of Arbuthnott.

By the end of this three-year period, therefore, the total annual increase in healthcare resources for Greater Glasgow Health Board as a result of Arbuthnott will be over £30 million. This is a very substantial additional sum and it reflects our commitment to target resources on areas of need, to improve health and to tackle inequalities in health.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152197,"EventID":"S1W-15506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many users of class \"A\" drugs there currently are in each local authority area and how much funding has been provided to each local authority to deal with drug misuse","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many users of class \"A\" drugs there currently are in each local authority area and how much funding has been provided to each local authority to deal with drug misuse in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of users of class "A" drugs is not held centrally. The Executive, however, is currently funding a National Prevalence Study of Problematic Drug Use, which will assist DATs, local authorities and health boards to determine the need for services in their areas.

Local authorities fund drug rehabilitation services from within their general allocations. Additional funding of £20.4 million is being allocated specifically for these services over the next three years. Allocations for this financial year are as follows:

Remaining Social Work Services

Primary Indicator

Total Pop.

GAE

(£000)

of which;

Drug Rehabilitation

(£000)

Aberdeen City

212,650

1,992

282

Aberdeenshire

227,440

2,131

302

Angus

109,840

1,029

146

Argyll & Bute

89,730

841

119

Clackmannanshire

48,530

455

65

Dumfries & Galloway

146,800

1,375

195

Dundee City

144,430

1,353

192

East Ayrshire

120,940

1,133

161

East Dunbartonshire

110,690

1,037

147

East Lothian

90,430

847

120

East Renfrewshire

89,280

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152198,"EventID":"S1W-15507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is being spent on heroin addicts on methadone programmes in the current financial year, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is being spent on heroin addicts on methadone programmes in the current financial year, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Information on the total cost of treating heroin addicts with methadone is not held centrally.

Total costs include the cost of the methadone, fees to pharmicists to dispense methadone and to supervise consumption, the cost of counselling and social support and fees to GPs participating in shared care schemes. There are also costs of providing specialist drug services.

Current resources for treatment services in this financial year total £14.352 million. This includes £2 million from the £100 million package of additional resources provided through the 2000 Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152199,"EventID":"S1W-15508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether heroin addicts on methadone should be gradually weaned off the drug or remain on it for life.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether heroin addicts on methadone should be gradually weaned off the drug or remain on it for life.","AnswerText":"Clinical guidance issued to all medical practitioners involved in treating drug misuse in 1999 acknowledges that some people can become drug-free in the short term, others require support over a long period of time.

Substitute prescribing of methadone should not be delivered in isolation, however, but as part of a wider social care programme which will assist drug misusers to address the difficulties which drug use causes to them, their families and the wider community. The Executive has provided an additional £20.4 million to local authorities for rehabilitation services over the next three years for that purpose. It has also allocated a further £6.5 million to assist reforming drug misusers prepare for training and employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152200,"EventID":"S1W-15509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional resources to local authorities to improve community relations and develop strategies to encourage awareness and understanding between l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional resources to local authorities to improve community relations and develop strategies to encourage awareness and understanding between local residents and asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities and I know that, particularly in Glasgow, much good work is being done within existing resources. The key is to have strategies in place to encourage awareness and understanding between local residents and asylum seekers before asylum seekers arrive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152201,"EventID":"S1W-15510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were injured in accidents involving footways in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were injured in accidents involving footways in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Data about accidents on roads (including footways) in which a vehicle is involved, and which result in death or personal injury, are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. Information about accidents in which no vehicle was involved, such as injury to a person after slipping on a pavement, is not held centrally.

The table gives the numbers of people killed or injured in accidents in which a vehicle was on the footway or a pedestrian was on the footway or verge. The information is broken down by local authority area. Figures for years prior to 1999 are not available because the information required to identify vehicles which were on the footway (pavement) at the time of the accident has only been collected in the STATS 19 returns with effect from 1999.

The total numbers of people killed or injured in road accidents which involved

either (i) a vehicle whose location, at the time of the accident, was on the footway (pavement) or (ii) a pedestrian casualty whose location was on the footway or verge","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152202,"EventID":"S1W-15511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the Annual Report of the Chief Social Work Inspector on services across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the Annual Report of the Chief Social Work Inspector on services across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Chief Inspector's report is being published today and copies will be made available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152203,"EventID":"S1W-15512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11571 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, what criteria or guidelines are used in agreeing with the medical profession the list of c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11571 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, what criteria or guidelines are used in agreeing with the medical profession the list of conditions which confer exemption from prescription charges.","AnswerText":"The criteria used when the list was agreed in 1968 were that the conditions should be easily recognisable, lifelong and life-threatening.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152204,"EventID":"S1W-15513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its consideration of mental health issues following the report of the Millan Committee's review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, it has revie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its consideration of mental health issues following the report of the Millan Committee's review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, it has reviewed or intends to review current policy in relation to the levying of prescription charges on mental health patients.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152205,"EventID":"S1W-15514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any joint plans with HM Custom and Excise to reduce the smuggling of illegal meat into Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any joint plans with HM Custom and Excise to reduce the smuggling of illegal meat into Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15399.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152206,"EventID":"S1W-15515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the foot-and-mouth disease virus can survive in dried meats.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the foot-and-mouth disease virus can survive in dried meats.","AnswerText":"According to the Office International Des Epizooties, which is the world organisation for animal health, FMD virus is resistant to fermentation and smoking processes. The virus may remain in hams for 180 days, dried sausages for more than one year and in processed intestinal casings (sausage skins) for more than two years.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152207,"EventID":"S1W-15516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce illegal imports of animal products at airports and ferry terminals from countries which have a high level of endemic diseases such as","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce illegal imports of animal products at airports and ferry terminals from countries which have a high level of endemic diseases such as foot-and-mouth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15399 on 10 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152208,"EventID":"S1W-15517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Food Standards Agency Scotland has taken or plans to take to deal with any illegal importation of meat following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Food Standards Agency Scotland has taken or plans to take to deal with any illegal importation of meat following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and what diseases can be carried in imported meat.","AnswerText":"As part of the wider range of checks on meat entering the UK announced on 3 May 2001, the agency is undertaking a programme of audits of ports and seaports to examine the effectiveness of UK border inspection arrangements operating there. This will cover commercial as well as personal imports. In Scotland the agency has provided additional guidance and asked local authorities to check for illegal imports as part of their routine inspection of food premises. To assist this process, an amendment to the Products of Animal Origin Regulations 1996 will strengthen the local authorities' powers to seize suspected illegal imports.

Pieces of meat may carry a range of different diseases affecting both human health and animal health. The agency's over-riding concern is the protection of public health. It is therefore very important to the agency that the legal requirements for imports of meat are observed, so that the measures designed to protect the public are effective.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152209,"EventID":"S1W-15518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to set out in detail its overall position in relation to the Cairngorms National Park before the publication of the draft designation order.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to set out in detail its overall position in relation to the Cairngorms National Park before the publication of the draft designation order.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, no decision will be taken until we receive the Reporters consultation report and consider it. Following this we will bring forward a draft Designation Order on which there will be further consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152210,"EventID":"S1W-15519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the level of funding available to (a) Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust and (c) Lanarkshire Health Board in (i) 1999-2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the level of funding available to (a) Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust and (c) Lanarkshire Health Board in (i) 1999-2000 and (ii) 2000-01 compared to that available in each of the previous seven years.","AnswerText":"SEHD allocate funds to health boards. It is then for the health boards to decide what healthcare services are needed for their resident populations and commission services accordingly with their local and other NHS Trusts. The information about the amount of income provided to individual NHS Trusts by health boards is not held centrally.

The funding allocated by SEHD to Lanarkshire Health Board over the last nine years is as follows:

Local authority area

1999

2000(provisional)

Aberdeen City

12

4

Aberdeenshire

7

12

Angus

8

5

Argyll & Bute

15

4

Clackmannanshire

5

4

Dumfries & Galloway

10

7

Dundee City

5

6

East Ayrshire

5

2

East Dunbartonshire

5

4

East Lothian

2

5

East Renfrewshire

6

7

Edinburgh, City of

28

20

Eilean Siar

-

-

Falkirk

9

6

Fife

28

25

Glasgow, City of

52

53

Highland

£ million

1992-93

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Cash Limited2

249.9

264.3

271.0

306.2

323.0

349.6

375.6

420.8

455.7

Non Cash Limited

N/A1

76.0

73.5

75.7

76.4

78.4

76.5

52.7

60.2

Capital Funds

1.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

TOTALCarbon Monoxide: The Forgotten Killer produced by Scottish Gas. The Minister for Health and Community Care took part in the campaign launch on 16 February.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152216,"EventID":"S1W-15525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to extend the fuel duty rebate scheme to cover non-registered coach journeys and coach holidays and whether it has any plans to extend the scheme in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to extend the fuel duty rebate scheme to cover non-registered coach journeys and coach holidays and whether it has any plans to extend the scheme in this way.","AnswerText":"Statutory powers are included in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 to enable the Scottish Executive to amend the basis for grants to bus operators, including a power to make regulations as to the classes of bus service for which grant might be paid, and the method of calculation.

The Commission for Integrated Transport is currently reviewing subsidies to the bus industry. The Executive is considering an interim recommendation that Fuel Duty Rebate be extended to scheduled coach services.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152217,"EventID":"S1W-15526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to commission research into the number of people with learning disabilities who are in prison or secure accommodation and, if so, when the research fin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to commission research into the number of people with learning disabilities who are in prison or secure accommodation and, if so, when the research findings can be expected and what resources will be allocated to the research.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans at present to commission formal research into the incidence of people with learning disabilities within the prison population or secure accommodation. The presence of a learning disability is taken into account when planning activities to address offending behaviour in the prison setting.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152218,"EventID":"S1W-15527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with learning disabilities are currently in long-stay hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with learning disabilities are currently in long-stay hospitals.","AnswerText":"At 31 March 2000, there were 1,818 people with learning disabilities in long-stay hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152219,"EventID":"S1W-15528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with learning disabilities it estimates will leave long-stay hospital care in each of the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with learning disabilities it estimates will leave long-stay hospital care in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"The Same as You?: A review of services for people with learning disabilities recommended that services in the community for people with learning disabilities should be developed to allow the remaining long-stay hospitals to close by 2005. It also recommended that approximately 400 inpatient places should be retained for assessment purposes and for people requiring specialist treatment which cannot be met in the community. It is for health boards, NHS Trusts and social work authorities to work through the implementation of these recommendations locally. The pace of change will therefore be for local determination, subject to the overall aim of achieving the 2005 target.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152220,"EventID":"S1W-15529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place a copy of the guidance on the preparation of Partnership in Practice agreements in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place a copy of the guidance on the preparation of Partnership in Practice agreements in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"This issued as Circular CCD 3/2001 Implementing "The Same As You?": Partnership In Practice Agreements (Pips) And Change Funds, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12320).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152221,"EventID":"S1W-15530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the long-term programme to promote public awareness about learning disabilities, in particular an awareness programme in school","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the long-term programme to promote public awareness about learning disabilities, in particular an awareness programme in schools, recommended in The same as you? A review of services for people with learning disabilities and what financial resources have been allocated to such programmes.","AnswerText":"This will be taken forward mainly by the new Scottish centre for learning disabilities. We announced in March a grant of £1.5 million to a consortium led by ENABLE to establish the new centre. One of the key elements in its remit is to promote public awareness and understanding about learning disabilities through changing negative attitudes and perceptions. It will work with other organisations to share knowledge and improve information services.

We are also funding the national Anti-Bullying Network to help schools across Scotland share good practice in tackling bullying and provide training and consultancy services to support schools and local authorities in developing effective anti-bullying strategies. This will benefit pupils with learning disabilities.

The Anti-Bullying Network and the Scottish centre will work together to promote awareness of learning disabilities in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152222,"EventID":"S1W-15531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce personal life plans for all people with learning disabilities who want them, as recommended in The same as you? A review of services for p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce personal life plans for all people with learning disabilities who want them, as recommended in The same as you? A review of services for people with learning disabilities; if so, what progress has been made in relation to this recommendation and what additional funding has been made available for this purpose.","AnswerText":"Local area co-ordinators will be responsible for making sure that each person who wants to has the opportunity to develop a life plan. Guidance issued on 26 March to local authorities and health boards stating that the appointment of local area co-ordinators should be one of the priorities for use of change funds. The same as you? recommends that initial training for putting local area co-ordinators in place should begin in autumn 2001. Change funds of £36 million over three years have been allocated from April 2001 to support these and other proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152223,"EventID":"S1W-15532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to public housing agencies with regard to protection for tenants from carbon monoxide.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to public housing agencies with regard to protection for tenants from carbon monoxide.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answers given to questions S1W-15523 and S1W-15524. The Health and Safety Executive publish several leaflets on gas safety, including carbon monoxide risks. One of these leaflets is aimed at landlords to advise them that gas safety law requires them to maintain all gas appliances and flues they provide for tenants' use and to ensure that they are checked for safety each year by a CORGI registered installer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152224,"EventID":"S1W-15534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the legal advice it has received is that amendment 150 to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, lodged by Jackie Baillie, complies with the European Convention on Human R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the legal advice it has received is that amendment 150 to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, lodged by Jackie Baillie, complies with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"The Executive did of course consider whether the Housing (Scotland) Bill as amended by Amendment 150 would comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and concluded that it would.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152225,"EventID":"S1W-15535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set national targets for the Scottish Police Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set national targets for the Scottish Police Service.","AnswerText":"A range of targets, arrived at following detailed consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and with the Conveners of police authorities, are being set for the Scottish police to achieve by the year 2003-04.

The targets are intended to build on local plans and existing strategies and to provide a national dimension by highlighting areas of national concern. They also encompass existing national targets for road policing and drug enforcement. The targets are as follows:

Road policing/safety:

A reduction in number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 18 per cent.

A reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured by 25 per cent

A reduction in the slight casualty rate by 4 per cent.

Drugs

An increase in the number of drug seizures of 25 per cent

An increase in the detection of offences for supply or intent to supply drugs by 25 per cent.

Housebreaking

A 10 per cent reduction in domestic housebreaking.

Racist incidents

An increase in the detection rate for racist incidents of 10 percentage points.

Further targets are being developed for violence and public safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152226,"EventID":"S1W-15536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much short-term aid was given to the fishing industry during the 12-week closure of North Sea fishing grounds under the Cod Recovery Plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much short-term aid was given to the fishing industry during the 12-week closure of North Sea fishing grounds under the Cod Recovery Plan.","AnswerText":"Any aid provided to the industry has to meet the requirements of EC State Aid guidelines. The measures I announced on 8 March, however, included an additional £1 million for collaborative research into more selective fishing gears. This has already benefited several vessels which have undertaken trials using these gears. It is expected that more fishermen will benefit as further trials are undertaken. Arrangements for implementing the remaining measures in the £27 million package are also being worked up as a matter of priority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152227,"EventID":"S1W-15537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13283 by Sarah Boyack on 23 April 2001, whether the ongoing lighting replacement programme in Largs will include the erection of st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13283 by Sarah Boyack on 23 April 2001, whether the ongoing lighting replacement programme in Largs will include the erection of street lighting on the south side of the A78 through Largs on the stretch of Main Street between Largs railway station and Bath Street and, if so, when funding for this work will be available.","AnswerText":"The street lighting provided on the north side of the stretch of Main Street between Largs railway station and Bath Street is designed to provide lighting for the whole street, including the south side.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152228,"EventID":"S1W-15538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health screening tests are routinely conducted on pre-school children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health screening tests are routinely conducted on pre-school children.","AnswerText":"The National Pre-School Screening Programme is carried out on the advice of the Children's Sub-Group of the National Screening Committee and currently screens for visual and hearing problems as well as some congenital conditions such as phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and eye and hip anomalies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152229,"EventID":"S1W-15539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a deafness test within 48 hours of birth for all babies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a deafness test within 48 hours of birth for all babies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the advice of the UK National Screening Committee on Neonatal Hearing Screening. The Executive has received a comprehensive review of the implications of a phased screening programme from the National Co-ordinator of the Scottish Screening Programmes and the Medical Director of the National Services Division, and the Scottish Executive will respond to its recommendations in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152230,"EventID":"S1W-15540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a national vetting policy for stewards in night clubs and other establishments in order to ensure that people holding such positions ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a national vetting policy for stewards in night clubs and other establishments in order to ensure that people holding such positions do not have a history of violent crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently discussing options for regulating the private security industry, including stewards in nightclubs, with representatives of the police, local authorities and the private security industry. Wider public consultation will take place in due course once these discussions have been concluded. The Executive will then consider what action is needed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152231,"EventID":"S1W-15542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11206 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 19 February 2001, what discussions have taken place with the private sector owners of the electricity ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11206 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 19 February 2001, what discussions have taken place with the private sector owners of the electricity grid in Scotland regarding reviewing the grid's capacity to support more renewable energy generation, in particular from wave power in the north west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Work on this matter is proceeding. A study group comprising the network owners Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy, the Scottish Renewables Forum, the energy regulator Ofgem, as well as the Scottish Executive and the DTI, is examining in detail the capacity of the Scottish grid to connect increasing amounts of renewable generation. Parallel to this, we have commissioned an update of a major 1993 report on Scotland's potential renewable resource and its broad location. Once these studies have been completed, we will have a much clearer view of what action might need to be taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152232,"EventID":"S1W-15543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why a fee of #50 is imposed on farmers and crofters by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department in respect of applications for a license to move stock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why a fee of #50 is imposed on farmers and crofters by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department in respect of applications for a license to move stock.","AnswerText":"No fee is imposed on farmers and crofters by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department in respect of applications for a license to move stock. If a proposed livestock movement is not covered by the General Movement licence (possible only in the Provisionally Free Area), an application must be made to the local SERAD Area Office for an individual licence to move livestock. This is processed by SERAD staff without any charge. The farmer or crofter is required to abide by the conditions of the licence which may incur costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152233,"EventID":"S1W-15544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions over the last five years the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has sought prosecution of the water authorities and how many prosecutions were s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions over the last five years the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has sought prosecution of the water authorities and how many prosecutions were successful.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The agency publishes details of successful prosecutions on its website:

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/prosecutions/).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152234,"EventID":"S1W-15545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of milk quota for both wholesale and direct sales was available for use in the year ending 31 March 2001 within the Southern Isles ring-fenced area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of milk quota for both wholesale and direct sales was available for use in the year ending 31 March 2001 within the Southern Isles ring-fenced area.","AnswerText":"Wholesale quota available for use in the quota year ending 31 March 2001 was 52,856,125 litres. Direct sales quota was 417,390 litres. These figures take account of the removal of Islay from the Southern Isles ring fenced area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152235,"EventID":"S1W-15546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of milk was produced after adjustment for butterfat for both wholesale and direct sales in the year ending 31 March 2001 within the Southern Isles ring-fence","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of milk was produced after adjustment for butterfat for both wholesale and direct sales in the year ending 31 March 2001 within the Southern Isles ring-fenced area.","AnswerText":"The butterfat adjusted wholesale production figure for quota year ended 31 March 2001 was 55,378,455 litres. The direct sales figure for quota year ended 31 March 2001 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152236,"EventID":"S1W-15547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive with regard to the announcement on 1 May 2001 by Susan Deacon in respect of an NHSiS investment programme, whether this will include an upgrade of the accident and emerge","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive with regard to the announcement on 1 May 2001 by Susan Deacon in respect of an NHSiS investment programme, whether this will include an upgrade of the accident and emergency unit at Raigmore hospital and, if so, what the estimated cost of this will be, when it is scheduled to take place, whether it is subject to any conditions and, if so, what these are.","AnswerText":"As announced on 1 May 2001, £2.4 million has been included in the NHSScotland capital investment plan for an upgrade of the Accident & Emergency facilities at Raigmore Hospital.

The Scottish Executive recently received the final proposal from Highlands Acute NHS Trust and it is currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152237,"EventID":"S1W-15548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the report by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC), Realising their Potential - Report of the Contract Research Staff ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the report by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC), Realising their Potential - Report of the Contract Research Staff Initiative, and what guidance it has given to the SHEFC in the light of the report's recommendations.","AnswerText":"I have already emphasised to SHEFC, in my guidance letter of November 2000, that improvement in human resource policies and management should be a priority for the sector. This report makes a helpful contribution to taking this agenda forward in the case of contract researchers. While the issues raised are primarily for those responsible for the employment and management of contract researchers, I expect that the report's findings will also assist SHEFC in promoting good employment practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152238,"EventID":"S1W-15549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance has been received by the National Trust for Scotland in respect of the proposed Glencoe visitor centre from (a) the European Rural Development ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance has been received by the National Trust for Scotland in respect of the proposed Glencoe visitor centre from (a) the European Rural Development Fund, (b) the Enterprise Network, (c) Scottish Natural Heritage and (d) any other public funding source and whether any such financial assistance places local restaurant and retail premises that have not yet received such funding at a competitive disadvantage.","AnswerText":"The National Trust for Scotland has received no financial assistance from the Enterprise Network in respect of the proposed Glencoe visitor centre. The Trust received £178,750 from Scottish Natural Heritage in 1995 toward the purchase of the land for the development of the project.

I refer the member to a letter he received in December 1999 from the National Trust for Scotland detailing a total of £26,434 committed ERDF funding for the project. A copy of this letter will be placed for reference in the Parliament's Reference Centre. This figure remains unaltered and no additional public sector funding has been provided to the National Trust for Scotland in respect of this project.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152239,"EventID":"S1W-15550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many airline operators it has met in the last year to discuss the provision of budget air between Scotland and countries outside the UK.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many airline operators it has met in the last year to discuss the provision of budget air between Scotland and countries outside the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has met a number of airlines and had discussions with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Airports Ltd and Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd about the promotion of more direct air services serving Scotland. These discussions have not been restricted to any one type of air service and we shall continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost-effective air services for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152240,"EventID":"S1W-15551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each local authority has been allocated to cover the costs of implementing the McCrone recommendations in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each local authority has been allocated to cover the costs of implementing the McCrone recommendations in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The funding allocations to local authorities, agreed with CoSLA, to cover the costs of implementing the McCrone recommendations in 2001-02 to 2003-04 are shown in the following table:

Council

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

£ million

£ million

£ million

Aberdeen City

5.903

8.971

13.384

Aberdeenshire

8.425

12.732

18.863

Angus

3.814

5.804

8.603

Argyll & Bute

3.084

4.592

6.720

Clackmannanshire

1.665

2.533

3.769

Dumfries & Galloway

5.262

7.988

11.887

Dundee City

4.731

7.155

10.583

East Ayrshire

4.248

6.424

9.501

East Dunbartonshire

4.291

6.460

9.487

East Lothian

2.961

4.564

6.873

East Renfrewshire

3.566

5.410

8.060

Edinburgh, City of

11.595

17.840

26.789

Eilean Siar

1.208

1.808

2.650

Falkirk

4.662

7.090

10.612

Fife

11.994

To extend the model to Aberdeen requires extensive data collection in Aberdeen and its environs, followed by an extension of the structure of the model, and finally a calibration and validation exercise for the extended model. Data collection will be carried out this month and in October.

I announced during my visit to Aberdeen on 14 March that the cost of this to the Executive would be around £0.5 million and work since then has confirmed that figure.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152242,"EventID":"S1W-15553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long it has given Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust to balance its deficit and what extra resources it will make available to address any increasing demands on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long it has given Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust to balance its deficit and what extra resources it will make available to address any increasing demands on the trust.","AnswerText":"Grampian Health Board received an additional 5.5% allocation in 2001-02 and it is forecast to receive an increase of 6.5% in 2002-03 and 7.4% in 2003-04; uplifts which considerably exceed inflation.

The health board will consider how these additional funds will be utilised having regard to national priorities and local health needs.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is in discussions with Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust and Grampian Health Board about their plans to deliver services within the resources available to them. Following these discussions a timetable for repayment of historic overspending will be agreed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152243,"EventID":"S1W-15554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether crime which is reported to the police is recorded in a consistent way across all police forces and how it monitors the consistency of such recording.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether crime which is reported to the police is recorded in a consistent way across all police forces and how it monitors the consistency of such recording.","AnswerText":"Continuing efforts are made to ensure that police forces record crime in as consistent a way as possible through circulation of guidance in the Criminal Statistics Handbook. The guidance is discussed with police representatives through the Scottish Criminal Statistics Committee and is ratified by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Audit visits to police forces are made by the crime statistics team to monitor police recording practice and confirm that the guidance is being followed. It is also a regular feature of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Primary Inspections to audit processes and procedures used within forces to record crime.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152244,"EventID":"S1W-15555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its target is for the level of swimming facilities which should be provided by local authorities per 15,000 persons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its target is for the level of swimming facilities which should be provided by local authorities per 15,000 persons.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are responsible for the provision of leisure and recreation facilities, including swimming pools, in their area and the Scottish Executive does not set targets for facility provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152245,"EventID":"S1W-15556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to councils regarding underused assets in the preparation for resource accounting and budgeting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to councils regarding underused assets in the preparation for resource accounting and budgeting.","AnswerText":"Advice regarding the treatment of assets for resource accounting and budgeting purposes is contained in the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152246,"EventID":"S1W-15557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the implications for its policies and for public services in Scotland of any proposed changes to th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the implications for its policies and for public services in Scotland of any proposed changes to the Barnett formula.","AnswerText":"The present Government has no plans to change the Barnett formula, therefore the Scottish Executive has had no discussions with the UK Government in this respect.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152247,"EventID":"S1W-15558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it will play in the appointment of a chief executive of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it will play in the appointment of a chief executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15448.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152248,"EventID":"S1W-15559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to establish a formal working agreement with local government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to establish a formal working agreement with local government.","AnswerText":"I will, later today, be signing on behalf of the Executive a Partnership Framework with local government, a copy of which will be available from the Parliamentary Resource Centre and on the Scottish Executive Website. The Framework emphasises the importance the Executive places on working effectively with local government to ensure that the people of Scotland receive the level and quality of public service that they deserve.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152249,"EventID":"S1W-15560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will commit, as part of its plans to improve health, to supporting community aerobic exercise provision, such as swimming pools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will commit, as part of its plans to improve health, to supporting community aerobic exercise provision, such as swimming pools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to improving health. One way of doing this is to increase levels of participation in physical activity and plans are currently at an advanced stage to establish a national Physical Activity Task Force which aims to recommend ways of doing this. A full announcement on the task force will be made in the near future.

The resourcing of facilities such as swimming pools are however a matter for individual local authorities and others.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152250,"EventID":"S1W-15561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of a drug court.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of a drug court.","AnswerText":"The Drug Court Working Group, chaired by Sheriff Principal Bowen, submitted its report on 1 May. This set out its proposed model for a pilot Drug Court at Glasgow Sheriff Court and opens the way for the establishment of the first drug court in Scotland. The plans are for it to be in operation before the end of this year.

I am placing a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 13259).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152251,"EventID":"S1W-15562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were prepared by each procurator fiscal's office under the 110-day rule in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were prepared by each procurator fiscal's office under the 110-day rule in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152252,"EventID":"S1W-15563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12162 by Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2001, what action it will take to allay public concern over the spreading of blood and gut abat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12162 by Sam Galbraith on 4 January 2001, what action it will take to allay public concern over the spreading of blood and gut abattoir waste on land and when it will publish the report by the joint Executive/Food Standards Agency Task Force which is examining how to minimise the exposure of the public to E.coli 0157.","AnswerText":"The task force on E.coli 0157 advised me recently that its work was almost complete and that it was now preparing the Draft Report in consultation with its 150-strong membership. The task force would then deliver its report at the end of June. Once we have received the report we shall make arrangements to publish it along with our response as soon as possible. We shall respond to the issue of abattoir waste in the light of its findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152253,"EventID":"S1W-15564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) pigs there were in Scotland immediately prior to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; how many of each it estimates there are cu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) pigs there were in Scotland immediately prior to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; how many of each it estimates there are currently; how many of each it estimates there will be once the outbreak is over, according to current predictions on the likely course of the outbreak, and what percentage of the number of each that there was immediately prior to the outbreak will survive it.","AnswerText":"Only historical census figures and the numbers of animals culled to date are available. These are shown in the table below. It is impossible to predict how many will eventually be culled. The focus of our strategy is to restrict advancement of the disease, hence restricting further culling.
 

June 2000 Census (Main & Minor Holdings)

December 2000 Census (Main Holdings Only)

FMD Cull as at 8 May 2001

Cattle

2,027,956

1,958,243

87,019

Sheep

9,183,847

*6,213,012

634,225

Pigs

558,082

515,739

943

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152254,"EventID":"S1W-15565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the statement by the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development during the Members' Business debate on Scottish Whisky (Water Framework Direct","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the statement by the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development during the Members' Business debate on Scottish Whisky (Water Framework Directive) on 2 May 2001 that \"SEPA advises that over-abstraction by industry and agriculture causes environmental problems in some parts of Scotland at certain times of the year\" (Official Report, col. 317) was based and in which parts of Scotland this over-abstraction has occurred.","AnswerText":"The statement was based on advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. An assessment of the environmental effects of water abstractions by industry and agriculture is set out in the agency's State of the Environment report, Improving Scotland's Water Environment, which was published in 1999. A copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 2964).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152255,"EventID":"S1W-15566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring there has been of water abstraction levels throughout Scotland since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring there has been of water abstraction levels throughout Scotland since 1997.","AnswerText":"There is no comprehensive monitoring of water abstraction levels in Scotland at present. We will be required to introduce such a system in order to implement the EC Water Framework Directive. However, there is already some monitoring as follows:

  • the Scottish Environment Protection Agency monitors river flows and abstraction levels in certain areas for example where there is particular pressure from abstraction for aquaculture or irrigation;
  • information on amounts of water supplied for public use is collected from the water authorities by the Scottish Executive. Details may be found in the Executive's annual report on water resources copies of which are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no.'s 13378, 13380 and 13372), and

any licensed hydro-electricity generator granted an Acquisition of Water Rights Order under the Electricity Act 1989 is responsible for monitoring the level of water diverted through its generating system.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152256,"EventID":"S1W-15567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the briefing by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to MSPs on 1 May 2001 that there is \"anecdotal evidence\" which suggests that 20% of whisky dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the briefing by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to MSPs on 1 May 2001 that there is \"anecdotal evidence\" which suggests that 20% of whisky distilleries have a negative impact on the environment was based, who produced such evidence and which distilleries were involved.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152257,"EventID":"S1W-15568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence it intends to base its policy on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and its impact on the whisky industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence it intends to base its policy on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and its impact on the whisky industry.","AnswerText":"We will base our policy for the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive on, amongst other things, an assessment of the impacts of human activities on the water environment and of the economic and social impact of any controls.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152258,"EventID":"S1W-15569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will play in connection with its proposed consultation on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will play in connection with its proposed consultation on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and its impact on the whisky industry.","AnswerText":"We will seek the views of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on our proposals for the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive as part of the consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152259,"EventID":"S1W-15570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a screening programme for those most at risk from osteoporosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a screening programme for those most at risk from osteoporosis.","AnswerText":"The Executive takes the advice of the National Screening Committee (NSC), an expert advisory body to all the UK Health Departments, on screening matters. The NSC has advised that the present means of testing are not sufficiently sensitive to justify a screening programme for osteoporosis at present. They will, however, review the situation regularly to take account of any improvements in testing procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152260,"EventID":"S1W-15571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it made available for (a) new school building and (b) major school building repairs and improvements in (i) Renfrewshire and (ii) Inverclyde, in each of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it made available for (a) new school building and (b) major school building repairs and improvements in (i) Renfrewshire and (ii) Inverclyde, in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"Work on school buildings is funded mainly by the local authorities themselves and the Scottish Executive does not generally make money available directly to authorities for that purpose. The level of capital expenditure by local authorities is subject to broad annual limits which is expressed as an annual allocation of consent to incur capital expenditure on their non-housing capital programmes, including education. The consent is distributed amongst authorities on the basis of a formula agreed with CoSLA, and is neither programme nor project specific. Within that framework, it is for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils to determine their detailed expenditure priorities for school building.

For the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01, the net formula allocations of capital consent were £7.075 million and £8.086 million for Renfrewshire and £5.565 million and £6.216 million for Inverclyde, and both will have allocated, and spent, sums from that consent on schools.

Authorities are given some resources by direct capital grant through a separate arrangement under the New Deal for Schools. These resources are intended to assist authorities to tackle the backlog of repairs to school buildings and improve facilities for ICT. Grant of £0.923 million was paid to Renfrewshire and of £0.529 million to Inverclyde in each of the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

Following an announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-budget statement in November 2000, further grant of £536,745 was paid to Renfrewshire and £288,805 to Inverclyde in 2000-01 to deal with immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems in schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152261,"EventID":"S1W-15572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve tourist facilities throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve tourist facilities throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism, published in February 2000, contains a range of actions designed to improve the tourism product in Scotland. A review of the strategy actions will be undertaken over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152262,"EventID":"S1W-15573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken to encourage more tourists from (a) England and (b) Wales to visit Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps have been taken to encourage more tourists from (a) England and (b) Wales to visit Scotland.","AnswerText":"visitscotland has recently launched its biggest ever spring campaign and will be able to provide the detailed information requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152263,"EventID":"S1W-15574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what effect CCTV systems in Renfrewshire have had on levels of street crime in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what effect CCTV systems in Renfrewshire have had on levels of street crime in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"Information from Strathclyde Police for 2000 shows that CCTV systems covering Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew Town Centres recorded 672 incidents, resulting in 801 arrests or detections. Figures for the period January to March 2001 already show 154 incidents recorded and 197 arrests or detections.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152264,"EventID":"S1W-15575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve the prison education system and rehabilitation programmes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve the prison education system and rehabilitation programmes.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS developed a new prisoner education policy which was implemented on 1 April 2000 through commercial contracts with a number of providers of education services to all SPS prisons. SPS aims this year to provide at least 250,000 prisoner learning hours.

A new SPS Director of Rehabilitation and Care, who took up post on 1 May is reviewing the range of programmes currently available. This year the SPS aims to deliver 700 programmes to address offending behaviour of which 50% are accredited. These include cognitive skills, problem-solving skills training, anger management, drug relapse prevention and sex offender programmes.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152265,"EventID":"S1W-15576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14933 by Allan Wilson on 26 April 2001, whether the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has (a) received and (b) accept","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14933 by Allan Wilson on 26 April 2001, whether the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has (a) received and (b) accepted any invitations to meet representatives of Scottish Ballet, other than at performances, since his appointment.","AnswerText":"I have received no other invitations.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152266,"EventID":"S1W-15577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to inform its employees of their rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to inform its employees of their rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.","AnswerText":"Paragraphs 8 and 9 of section A11.14 of the Scottish Executive Staff Handbook set out procedures which staff should follow if they feel they are being treated in a way which:

  • is illegal, improper or unethical;

  • is in breach of a constitutional convention or a professional code;

  • may involve possible maladministration, or

  • is otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code;

All Scottish Executive staff have access to the Staff Handbook.

Members of staff may seek assistance and advice from their Trade Union representative at any time.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152267,"EventID":"S1W-15578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to standardise the dates of Easter school holidays throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to standardise the dates of Easter school holidays throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15194 on 11 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152268,"EventID":"S1W-15579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether adequate legal and procedural safeguards are in place to prevent any illegal importation of meat and, in particular, whether more strict checking procedures are r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether adequate legal and procedural safeguards are in place to prevent any illegal importation of meat and, in particular, whether more strict checking procedures are required at ports and airports and whether it has any plans to conduct any review of such safeguards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15399 on 10 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152269,"EventID":"S1W-15580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received or is aware of any veterinary advice that the human disease Ebola might reach the UK in consignments of smuggled meat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received or is aware of any veterinary advice that the human disease Ebola might reach the UK in consignments of smuggled meat.","AnswerText":"The Ebola virus has not been found in meat imported into the UK. In countries where Ebola occurs, it may affect non-human primates. It has not been found in any other type of animal. As such the virus could in theory be present in meat from primates in outbreak areas. Import of meat from affected animals is however extremely unlikely, not least because infected primates develop the same severe illness as humans. Moreover, as most viruses require living cells in which to survive, it is highly unlikely that the virus would survive in meat.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152270,"EventID":"S1W-15584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when alternative operators for the Invergordon-Kirkwall and Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry routes will be procured following the withdrawal of the current operator; what p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when alternative operators for the Invergordon-Kirkwall and Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry routes will be procured following the withdrawal of the current operator; what procurement process will be followed in appointing new operators, and how it will ensure that there is no interruption to the provision of services on these routes.","AnswerText":"In relation to the Invergordon-Kirkwall aspect of the question, the Scottish Executive provides support under the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme to reduce the costs of imports to the islands and mainland seaboard areas of the Highlands and Islands and to promote exports from these areas. The Scottish Executive has recognised the contribution of the Kirkwall-Invergordon route for the export of livestock from Orkney and £200,000 was allocated to the route under the TRS scheme during 2000-01. The Executive confirmed in discussions with the operator and Orkney Islands Council before the service was withdrawn that a TRS allocation continued to be available for 2001-02, at the same assistance rate of 50% of shipping costs. This assistance will now be available to alternative operators.

The Executive continues to liaise with the Islands Council and other operators on options for providing sufficient capacity for the export of livestock from Orkney on this or alternative routes.

In the case of Campbeltown-Ballycastle, Sea Containers Ltd operated a summer season-only service on this route between 1997 and 1999 but the company decided early in 2000 not to continue with its operation due to mounting losses. As this route extends beyond Scotland the imposition of a PSO is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive is in discussion with the Scotland Office on options for progress.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152271,"EventID":"S1W-15585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the World Health Organisation's international code for marketing breast milk substitutes and, if so, by what date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the World Health Organisation's international code for marketing breast milk substitutes and, if so, by what date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is uniformly accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants.

The provisions and restrictions on information, including advertising, relating to infant formula and follow-on formula by manufacturers and distributors are controlled in the UK by the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995 (as amended). The Food Standards Agency, Scotland is responsible for advising the Scottish Executive in relation to these regulations. I am advised by the agency that these regulations embrace the principles of the World Health Organisation Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152272,"EventID":"S1W-15586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it expects the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency to achieve in the financial year 2001-2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it expects the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency to achieve in the financial year 2001-2002.","AnswerText":"I have set the Registers of Scotland the following key targets for 2001-2002:

For the Trading Fund to achieve a return of 3% on net capital employed over the 3-year period ending 31 March 2002.

To reduce the standard production cost index by 3% by 31 March 2002 from its base at 31 March 2001.

To continue the Land Register extension programme, by continuing to extend the operation of the Land Register to the County of Midlothian as an operational area; and by preparing for the transfer of the Counties of Inverness and Nairn on 1 April 2002.

To maintain and enhance customer service through retention of the Charter Mark; by achieving a 97% rating for overall customer care; and by processing 95% of all other enquiries in compliance with the Registers of Scotland Customer Service Policy.

To achieve recording and registration turnaround times:

averaging 25, but not exceeding 35 working days for Sasine Writs;

averaging 30, but not exceeding 40 working days for Dealings with Whole; and

not exceeding 100 working days for 60% of Domestic First Registrations.

To develop the Registers Direct Service and sign up 250 organisations to it by 31 March 2002.

To achieve a registration accuracy of at least 98% during 2001-2002.

Achievement of the new turnaround targets will represent an improvement in key product areas and ensure that homebuyers receive a quicker and more efficient service in the coming year. The transfer of Midlothian to the Land Register on 1 April represented a significant move towards the completion of the extension of the operation of the Land Register across Scotland, a process that is due to be completed by 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152273,"EventID":"S1W-15588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13592 by Sarah Boyack on 23 February 2001, whether its plan to equalise the age of eligibility for concessionary travel will be in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13592 by Sarah Boyack on 23 February 2001, whether its plan to equalise the age of eligibility for concessionary travel will be in force before October 2002.","AnswerText":"This change requires the amendment of primary legislation, and when that is in place I will consider whether this change to concessionary fare arrangements can be implemented in October 2002, in line with the introduction of free off-peak local bus travel for pensioners and people with special needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152274,"EventID":"S1W-15589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees in each salary band left the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each of the last five years and what each of these figures represents as a percentage of the t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees in each salary band left the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each of the last five years and what each of these figures represents as a percentage of the total number of posts in the board in each salary band in each year.","AnswerText":"The figures are shown in the following table and exclude temporary staff.

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Salary Band

No. of leavers

% of no of posts in band

No. of leavers

% of no of posts in band

No. of leavers

% of no of posts in band

No. of leavers

% of no of posts in band

No. of leavers

% of no of posts in band

1

26

33

27

34

24

32

25

29

23

31

2

5

4

19

16

23

20

24

21

23

17

3

5

11

3

7

6

16

4

9

4

11

4

3

33

1

8

3

21

2

Grade

Salary Band

No of posts in each band as at 31 March 2001

1

£8,755 - £12,300

74

2

£10,815 - £15,375

135

3

£12,670 - £19,960

36

4

£15,760 - £24,165

32

5

£18,910 - £28,365

13

6

£23,115 - £42,025

28

7

£36,770 - £52,530

4

8

£74,200

1

Board members

£7,409 for 24.5 hours per month

10+1 unpaid

Chairman

£25,123 for 56 hours per month

1

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152276,"EventID":"S1W-15591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14726 by Rhona Brankin on 17 April 2001, what action it (a) has taken and (b) intends to take to support and encourage the use and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14726 by Rhona Brankin on 17 April 2001, what action it (a) has taken and (b) intends to take to support and encourage the use and introduction of solar heating.","AnswerText":"Working within a UK framework with the Carbon Trust and the DTI, the Executive will continue to encourage research and development into a range of low carbon technologies, including solar heating, and, where these technologies are demonstrated to be technically feasible and to have the potential to be cost-effective, we will seek to stimulate their deployment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152277,"EventID":"S1W-15592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all projects relating to IT which will be put out to tender by its core departments, agencies and associated departments and any other public body ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all projects relating to IT which will be put out to tender by its core departments, agencies and associated departments and any other public body within its responsibility in (a) May 2001, (b) June 2001, (c) July 2001, (d) August 2001, (e) September 2001 and (f) October 2001.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. European law requires that public contracts for goods and services exceeding given thresholds (currently £93,896 for central government and £144,456 for most other public bodies) are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152278,"EventID":"S1W-15593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing and launching its Changing for the future: Social work services for the 21st Century document, including both the local and overview","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing and launching its Changing for the future: Social work services for the 21st Century document, including both the local and overview reports.","AnswerText":"The cost of publishing and launching the report was £32,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152279,"EventID":"S1W-15594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15055 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2001, when copies of its Consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15055 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2001, when copies of its Consultation on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) (Scotland) Bill were issued to local authorities.","AnswerText":"Copies of this consultation were issued by e-mail to all local authorities on 30 March. A number of authorities indicated that, because of technical problems, these were not received on that date but all have confirmed that the documents were received by mid-April. These authorities have been offered an extension to the final date for replies.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152280,"EventID":"S1W-15595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14328 by Malcolm Chisholm on 4 April 2001, what criteria it used to determine the amount of change funding that would be made avail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14328 by Malcolm Chisholm on 4 April 2001, what criteria it used to determine the amount of change funding that would be made available to local authorities to help them implement the recommendations of The Same As You? a review of services for people with learning disabilities and how many transfers of people with learning disabilities from long-stay hospitals to the community this funding will cover in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"Change funds were set at a level which would make a significant impact over the first three years of a 10-year implementation programme. These funds are only one of the resources available to local authorities to implement the recommendations of the Learning Disability Review.

The additional funds are intended to enable better use of existing resources and are not specifically intended as a resource for people coming out of long-stay hospitals, although they may contribute. Authorities were provided with a significant uplift in the Grant Aided Expenditure settlement, amounting to £30 million in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04 to cover, amongst other things, that element.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152281,"EventID":"S1W-15596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it discussed its proposals to free'e the Legal Aid Fund for the next three years with the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) prior to publishing its budget proposals","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it discussed its proposals to free'e the Legal Aid Fund for the next three years with the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) prior to publishing its budget proposals and, if so, what SLAB's response was.","AnswerText":"The Legal Aid Fund is not cash limited and therefore Scottish Ministers are required to provide whatever monies are necessary to meet the legal aid granted by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. There is therefore no question of a freeze on legal aid.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152282,"EventID":"S1W-15597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alleviate social exclusion among deaf people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alleviate social exclusion among deaf people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting social inclusion and equality of opportunity for all the people of Scotland. The Equality Strategy published last year, set out our plans for mainstreaming equality into policy development and service delivery. It includes plans for raising awareness and promoting best practice. We have established a Framework Group to develop standards for translation, interpreting and communication support across the public sector. In addition, a British Sign Language and Linguistic Access Working Group has been established to develop a strategic approach to BSL issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152283,"EventID":"S1W-15598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to improve general practitioner and hospital services for deaf people, and in particular to address any problems in rela","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to improve general practitioner and hospital services for deaf people, and in particular to address any problems in relation to deaf and hard of hearing people leaving appointments unsure of what is wrong with them due to a lack of visual communication and interpretation facilities.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to ensuring that all patients are enabled to be full partners in making decisions about their own care. NHS boards and Trusts are expected to ensure that arrangements are in place to meet the communication needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Guidance, which included sections to raise awareness of the communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing patients, including the use of interpreters, was issued to the NHS in 1999. A training video about the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people using hospital services was issued with the guidance.

Standards developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland are designed to ensure that all patients are provided with a clear explanation of, and relevant information on their condition and any treatment, investigation or procedure proposed, including risks and alternatives. A national review of the local delivery of these generic standards is now under way.

More generally, as part of work on the Executive's Equality Strategy, a Framework Group has been established to develop standards for translation, interpreting and communication support across the public sector, this includes the needs of those who are deaf and hard of hearing. In addition, a British Sign Language and Linguistic Access Working Group has been established to develop a strategic approach to BSL issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152284,"EventID":"S1W-15599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ensure that all hospital consultants and other staff are given deaf awareness training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ensure that all hospital consultants and other staff are given deaf awareness training.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15598 on 17 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152285,"EventID":"S1W-15600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the employment of deaf and hard of hearing people in public services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the employment of deaf and hard of hearing people in public services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's recruitment policy complies with the UK Government's Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and does not discriminate against disabled people when they are applying for a job or are in employment. This includes those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Executive, in common with a number of public sector employers in Scotland, is also an ES Disability Symbol User and encourages applications from disabled people.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152286,"EventID":"S1W-15601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11746 by Malcolm Chisholm on 5 March 2001, whether it plans to make hospital-acquired infections a notifiable cause of death.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11746 by Malcolm Chisholm on 5 March 2001, whether it plans to make hospital-acquired infections a notifiable cause of death.","AnswerText":"The recording of the cause of death is a matter for the certifying doctor with guidance from the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS). In coding causes of death for statistical purposes, GROS uses the World Health Organisation's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (Tenth Revision) known as ICD 10. The ICD codes are based on medical conditions and not on where the patient obtained the illness. As such, there is not a specific ICD 10 code for hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and I am not aware of any plans to expand classification of causes of death to include HAI.

There are, in any case, considerable clinical uncertainties about the degree to which a hospital-acquired infection contributes to death, especially in very ill patients with a number of concurrent conditions, and there can also be uncertainty about the source of infections which cause or contribute to death. The Scottish Executive and NHSScotland are committed to reducing the incidence of HAI in Scottish hospitals. Preventing and controlling HAI is an important part of the responsibilities of every NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152287,"EventID":"S1W-15602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what policies the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has to encourage the employment on its staff of deaf and hard of hearing people.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what policies the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has to encourage the employment on its staff of deaf and hard of hearing people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is an equal opportunities employer and is firmly committed to providing equal opportunities for all of our staff irrespective of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, nationality, ethnic or national origin.

This commitment is reflected in our recruitment practices which provide that all eligible people will have equality of opportunity for employment on the basis of their suitability for the work. The Personnel Office takes all reasonable steps to ensure that any special requirements, including those in relation to hearing impairment, are accommodated to enable a candidate to progress through the recruitment process and to enable them to carry out the duties of any particular post.

The SPCB has commissioned work to produce an Equality Framework for the Scottish Parliament. The SPCB will shortly be considering the recommendations contained it the report but I understand that the Framework will provide for all recruitment advertisements to be copied to various Equality organisations including the Disability Services Team in an effort to ensure that all sections of the community have access to employment opportunities in the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152288,"EventID":"S1W-15603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policies are on enhancing the use of recycled paper for office stationery, publications and documents by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policies are on enhancing the use of recycled paper for office stationery, publications and documents by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to a policy of purchasing recycled paper for general use and will carry out a review of options for Scottish Executive publications this year. The Executive is inviting all associated departments, Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to adopt a Greening Government Policy. These policies will encourage the use of recycled materials, including paper.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152289,"EventID":"S1W-15604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the usage of recycled materials for office stationery, documents and publications by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-department","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the usage of recycled materials for office stationery, documents and publications by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive monitors the usage of recycled materials through its existing stationery procurement and service contracts. The Executive does not record the use of recycled materials by other bodies other than where the materials are purchased through central contracts. The Executive is expecting all associated departments, Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to adopt a Greening Government Policy. Monitoring and reporting arrangements will be considered in this context.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152290,"EventID":"S1W-15605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last issued guidance or directions on the use of recycled paper, both internally and to its core and associated departments, agencies and non-deparmental public ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last issued guidance or directions on the use of recycled paper, both internally and to its core and associated departments, agencies and non-deparmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Greening Government policy, which includes guidance on the use of recycled paper, was launched 18 November 1998. This policy was promoted to staff and placed on the Scottish Executive's website. The Executive is currently finalising revised guidance which will be issued this summer. The Executive is also inviting all associated departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to adopt Greening Government policies. These policies should encourage the use of recycled materials, including paper.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152291,"EventID":"S1W-15606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what voluntary or statutory targets it has set since 1997 on the use of recycled paper by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what voluntary or statutory targets it has set since 1997 on the use of recycled paper by its core and associated departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies, whether these targets were achieved and what future targets have been set.","AnswerText":"In 1998 the Scottish Office adopted a target that all of non-specialist paper should contain 75% post-consumer waste by 1 August 1999. Operational problems with some office machinery meant that this target was not met. In 2000-01, 77% of non-specialist paper used by the Scottish Executive was from recycled sources. Future targets on the use of recycled paper are currently being reviewed.

The Scottish Executive expects all associated departments, Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to adopt a Greening Government Policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152292,"EventID":"S1W-15607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to local authorities on the use of recycled paper for office stationery, publications and documents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to local authorities on the use of recycled paper for office stationery, publications and documents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any guidance to local authorities on the use of recycled paper. However, we will draw the attention of local authorities to the new Greening Government policy statement adopted by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152293,"EventID":"S1W-15608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements it specificies regarding the use of recycled paper when procuring printing services for public documents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements it specificies regarding the use of recycled paper when procuring printing services for public documents.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive public documents are produced using four types of paper which meet environmental criteria. The selection of paper is determined by the design and print specification of the document or publication, and may be one of the following types:

The approved material composition of documents is as follows.

  • paper produced from 100% Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) material which carries an Ecolabel for low emissions during production and which originates from sustainable forests and is 100% recyclable.
  • paper produced from 100% ECF material which originates from sustainable forests and is 100% recyclable.
  • 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper which is 100% recyclable.

80% post consumer waste recycled paper which is 100% recyclable.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152294,"EventID":"S1W-15609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultation documents have been issued in the last 12 months; how many of these documents were printed on recycled paper, and what the proportion was of recycl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultation documents have been issued in the last 12 months; how many of these documents were printed on recycled paper, and what the proportion was of recycled paper in each publication.","AnswerText":"A total of 134 consultation documents has been issued in the last 12 months. None used recycled paper. The paper used was produced from 100% Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) material which carries an Ecolabel for low emissions during production. The paper originates from sustainable forests and is 100% recyclable.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152295,"EventID":"S1W-15610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost implications of procuring the printing of more documents on recycled paper and, if so, whether it will give details.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost implications of procuring the printing of more documents on recycled paper and, if so, whether it will give details.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that the additional cost of paper which would be incurred through producing all Scottish Executive publications on recycled paper would be £300,000.

In addition to the increased paper costs there are associated printing costs which have not been quantified. Recycled paper is, however, used for 77% of non-specialist paper requirements and there is no price premium for this.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152296,"EventID":"S1W-15611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is having on rural businesses in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is having on rural businesses in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"In March I announced the establishment of an Impact Assessment Group to inform the Executive about the effect which the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is having across all areas and sectors. To date the majority of the assessment has been qualitative and has helped to inform the work of the Ministerial Group on FMD in its decisions on hardship relief and thinking about recovery. The Impact Assessment Group recently commissioned a survey of businesses to provide greater quantification of impact. The survey is based around Local Enterprise Company areas such as Ayrshire and the results will be shared with local organisations. I look forward to seeing the results in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152297,"EventID":"S1W-15612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving rural businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving rural businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"Support is available to rural businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak through the Small Business Gateway which has a number of outlets in Ayrshire. The Gateway is the focal point for the provision of information and advice. Direct access to business advisers will also be available to provide advice on cashflow, debt management, alternative markets and survival. The business rate hardship package extends to South, East and North Ayrshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152298,"EventID":"S1W-15613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the support being given to rural businesses in areas affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak to those in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the support being given to rural businesses in areas affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak to those in \"at risk\" areas such as Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15612.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152299,"EventID":"S1W-15614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on individual learning difficulty sufferers of the withdrawal of the Meares-Irlen syndrome service currently provided by Glasgo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on individual learning difficulty sufferers of the withdrawal of the Meares-Irlen syndrome service currently provided by Glasgow Caledonian University.","AnswerText":"The provision of this service at Glasgow Caledonian University is a matter for the university. I am advised by the university that the service is not being withdrawn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152300,"EventID":"S1W-15616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the use of Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Gui","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the use of Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund as a means of encouraging diversification in rural economies such as Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"I am currently exploring whether any part of the Rural Development Regulation, not just Article 33, could assist with the recovery of rural economies such as Dumfries and Galloway. The funding available is constrained, but I intend to launch soon new schemes to help farming families to generate new forms of income, and to support the processing and marketing of agricultural products. Elements of both schemes fall within the scope of Article 33 of the EU Rural Development Regulation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152301,"EventID":"S1W-15617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11390 by Nicol Stephen of 10 January 2001, whether it intends to change the current system of funding for pre-school education to e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11390 by Nicol Stephen of 10 January 2001, whether it intends to change the current system of funding for pre-school education to enable parents of children born in January and February to choose to defer entry to pre-school and primary education without the local authority losing funding from the Executive. ","AnswerText":"The consultation with CoSLA on the report's recommendations has just been completed. I will make a full response next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152302,"EventID":"S1W-15618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance the Scottish Ten Pin Bowling Association has received from sportscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance the Scottish Ten Pin Bowling Association has received from sportscotland.","AnswerText":"Apart from an unsuccessful lottery application to send two teams to an international competition in November 1999, sportscotland has received no request for assistance from the Scottish Ten Pin Bowling Association.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152303,"EventID":"S1W-15619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14980 by Ross Finnie on 26 April 2001, why it took until 6 April and 10 April 2001 for the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme to c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14980 by Ross Finnie on 26 April 2001, why it took until 6 April and 10 April 2001 for the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme to come into operation following announcement of the scheme on 22 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Intervention Board Executive Agency, who operate the scheme on behalf of GB Agriculture Departments, that Matheson Jess, Brechin were unable to commence slaughter under the LWDS prior to 6 April as confirmation was awaited that the onsite incineration plant had obtained the necessary Scottish Environmental Protection Agency authorisation to process LWDS material. At the time there was no other disposal route in Scotland available as the renderers were processing foot and mouth contiguous cull material and had no spare capacity for LWDS material.

G D Vivers & Son were unable to slaughter under the LWDS prior to 10 April, because they were dealing with foot and mouth contiguous cull animals.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152304,"EventID":"S1W-15620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13189 by Nicol Stephen on 20 March 2001, what progress has been made regarding the provision and funding of pre-school placements f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13189 by Nicol Stephen on 20 March 2001, what progress has been made regarding the provision and funding of pre-school placements for children whose fourth birthday falls in January or February and whose parents wish to defer entry to primary school until after the children reach the age of five.","AnswerText":"I accept the five key recommendations in the report of the Deferrals Working Group submitted to me in December 2000. CoSLA and ADES also support them.

From August 2001, children who become four in January or February and who, though eligible to start school, have their entry to primary school deferred by their parents will be able to access an additional year of publicly funded pre-school education.

Local authorities will retain discretion over the provision of additional pre-school education for slightly older children - those born between September to December - whose parents are considering deferral.

CoSLA and ADES will improve information for parents considering deferral. They will also develop guidance for local authorities on the use of their discretion. Such guidance is crucial in assuring parents that decisions on deferrals are both transparent and consistent. Decisions should reflect the needs of individual children after careful assessment and discussion between schools, parents and the local authority about what is best for the child.

The changes require careful preparation. That is why I support the group's recommendation that the new arrangements should be implemented as from the 2001-02 academic year. This means the first eligible children (those becoming four in January or February 2002) will begin their deferred year in August 2002.

There are children who will have reached four in January or February this year and whose parents want to defer entry. Although they will not be covered by the new entitlement, I would expect local authorities to continue to make well-informed decisions for them, in the light of full discussions with schools and parents, based upon their individual needs and taking into consideration the new policy which is being introduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152305,"EventID":"S1W-15621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals, and which bodies, have responded to its consultation paper Strategic Priorities for Scotland's Passenger Railway, published in December 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals, and which bodies, have responded to its consultation paper Strategic Priorities for Scotland's Passenger Railway, published in December 2000.","AnswerText":"A total of 238 responses to the consultation were received, and all have been placed in the Scottish Executive library. The table shows the number of responses from different categories of respondent.

Private Individuals

98

Representative Organisations

43

Local Authorities

23

Railway Campaign Groups

15

Community Councils

10

MSPs

10

Railway Industry

7

Councillors

6

Railway Unions

4

Consultants

4

Railway Organisations

4

Scottish Enterprise Companies

4

Other Transport Industry

3

Scottish Chambers of Commerce

3

Environmental Organisations

2

Freight Facilities Grant Applicants

1

MPs

1

Press

1

TOTAL

238

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152306,"EventID":"S1W-15623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in the summer of 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in the summer of 2002.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152307,"EventID":"S1W-15624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with regard to the recommendations in the report Citi'ens of a Multilingual World by the Action Group for Languages.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with regard to the recommendations in the report Citi'ens of a Multilingual World by the Action Group for Languages.","AnswerText":"I had intended to respond formally to this report in March 2001. However, in order to ensure a co-ordinated, strategic approach to curriculum development within the context of National Priorities, this statement was delayed. I will outline our response in detail as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152308,"EventID":"S1W-15625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the revised 5-14 Guidelines for modern languages.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the revised 5-14 Guidelines for modern languages.","AnswerText":"The revised guidelines will be distributed to schools before the summer break.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152309,"EventID":"S1W-15626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current capacity is of electricity generated from renewable sources, whether this capacity will need to increase to meet the Scottish Renewables Obligation targe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current capacity is of electricity generated from renewable sources, whether this capacity will need to increase to meet the Scottish Renewables Obligation target of 18% of electricity produced from renewable sources by 2010 and, if so, by how much in each year.","AnswerText":"At present, around 11% of Scottish electricity demand is met from Scotland's established hydro schemes. We expect that projects awarded contracts under the previous Scottish Renewables Obligation, once more are built over the next two years, will raise the portion of Scottish electricity supply accounted for by renewable energy to around 13% by 2003.

We intend, under the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland), that this figure should increase by a further 5%, to 18% by 2010. Decisions on the yearly profile of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) target will be taken in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152310,"EventID":"S1W-15627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what CO2 emission savings it estimates will be delivered in each year as a result of meeting the Scottish Renewables Obligation target of 18% of electricity produced from","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what CO2 emission savings it estimates will be delivered in each year as a result of meeting the Scottish Renewables Obligation target of 18% of electricity produced from renewable sources by 2010.","AnswerText":"Our target of 18% of Scottish electricity supply to be accounted for by renewable energy will be achieved by the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland). Resultant CO2 savings will vary depending on the fuel source of the generation displaced by the increased renewable energy which we expect the ROS to stimulate, but we expect them to be in the range of 660 to 1,950 kilotonnes by 2010.

Further research on Scottish emissions projections is being undertaken as part of the Scottish Climate Change Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152311,"EventID":"S1W-15628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to encourage the development of renewable energy projects after 2010 to achieve targets beyond those under the Scottish Renewables Obligation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to encourage the development of renewable energy projects after 2010 to achieve targets beyond those under the Scottish Renewables Obligation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Renewables Obligation will remain in place until 2015, while the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will remain in place until March 2026. The latter obligation on all electricity suppliers will be for a specified proportion of their total electricity supply, so the amount of renewable energy needed to meet it will grow if the electricity market as a whole increases.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152312,"EventID":"S1W-15629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any planning or land use policies relating to the location and development of the nuclear industry in Scotland; when these policies were adopted and last r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any planning or land use policies relating to the location and development of the nuclear industry in Scotland; when these policies were adopted and last reviewed, and whether the policy framework generally supports the development of new or replacement nuclear-powered electricity generating facilities.","AnswerText":"Applications for consent for any new electricity generation plants over 50MW in capacity are considered by Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Act 1989, rather than under Town and Country Planning legislation. Any application for a new nuclear power station would be considered in this way, and therefore the series of National Planning Policy Guidelines does not include any advice on the development or location of such power stations.

Our broad energy policy is to ensure secure, diverse, sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices. As with other forms of generation, it would be for nuclear generators to bring forward proposals for new nuclear plant if they regarded the technology to be competitive with other forms of electricity generation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152313,"EventID":"S1W-15630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what baseline data it used in terms of the capacity and supply of electricity from different methods of generation, including renewables, when developing the Scottish Ren","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what baseline data it used in terms of the capacity and supply of electricity from different methods of generation, including renewables, when developing the Scottish Renewables Obligation targets and what its most up-to-date information is on the current levels of electricity generation and demand to inform these targets.","AnswerText":"The target set for the Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) in 1994 was to support the development of 150 megawatts of new renewable electricity generation capacity. The latest projections from the energy regulator (Ofgem Scotland), based on feedback from SRO developers, indicate that this target should be achieved by 2003.

The new Renewables Obligation (Scotland), or ROS, will place an obligation on all electricity suppliers to have a rising proportion of their electricity accounted for by renewable sources. We intend to use the ROS to raise this proportion from around 13% in 2003 to 18% by 2010, a similar increase to that planned for the UK as a whole. Previous studies have indicated that there is enough potential renewable energy in Scotland to meet economically the 2010 target, even allowing for growth in Scottish demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152314,"EventID":"S1W-15631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any code of practice on animal welfare is being operated during the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and, if so, whether it will give details.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any code of practice on animal welfare is being operated during the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and, if so, whether it will give details.","AnswerText":"No such code exists. Normal laws apply whereby farmers are responsible for the welfare of their livestock.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152315,"EventID":"S1W-15632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the most recent traffic studies were carried out in connection with the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Manageme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the most recent traffic studies were carried out in connection with the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Management) Compulsory Purchase Order 1991.","AnswerText":"Traffic studies in Ayr are a matter for South Ayrshire Council as Roads Authority and promoters of the Compulsory Purchase Order. I understand, however, that the most recent traffic studies were carried out in 1997. South Ayrshire Council confirmed in November 2000 that those studies remain current.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152316,"EventID":"S1W-15633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the most recent consultation on the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Management) Compulsory Purchase Order 1991 w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the most recent consultation on the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Management) Compulsory Purchase Order 1991 was carried out, who was consulted and whether it has plans for a further consultation period.","AnswerText":"Compulsory Purchase Procedure is statutorily prescribed. The main legislation is the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 and the Compulsory Purchase of Land (Scotland) Regulations 1976. The 1976 Regulations prescribe that notice shall be served on all owners, occupiers and lessees of the land to be acquired. Further, the proposed order is required to be advertised on consecutive weeks in a newspaper circulating in the area of the land to be acquired.

Although there is no prescribed consultation procedure, there is a statutory period for the submission of objections to the Scottish Ministers as confirming authority. Any objections are considered in the overall context of the compulsory purchase order. Objections were received to this compulsory purchase order and these are presently being considered by the Scottish Ministers.

In addition, last month, further final representations were sought and received from objectors and current owners, lessees and occupiers of the land comprised in the compulsory purchase order. These are also currently being considered by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152317,"EventID":"S1W-15634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its letter of 5 April 2001 to Mr Geoff Coleman in connection with the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Man","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its letter of 5 April 2001 to Mr Geoff Coleman in connection with the Strathclyde Regional Council (Dalblair Road/Miller Road/Racecourse Road, Ayr Traffic Management) Compulsory Purchase Order 1991, who has indicated support for the Order and, in each case, when that support was indicated.","AnswerText":"Seven representations expressing support for the scheme were received between 1997 and 1999. Five of these were from individuals and two from businesses in the area. It would not be appropriate to divulge personal details without having first obtained the consent of those involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152318,"EventID":"S1W-15635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any studies exist to suggest that traffic is moving satisfactorily in Ayr in the absence of the Dalblair-Miller Road link and whether the proposed link is still r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any studies exist to suggest that traffic is moving satisfactorily in Ayr in the absence of the Dalblair-Miller Road link and whether the proposed link is still regarded as an essential component of a traffic strategy for the town centre.","AnswerText":"Traffic studies in Ayr are a matter for South Ayrshire Council as Roads Authority and promoters of the Compulsory Purchase Order. In November 2000, they advised the Scottish Executive that the \"link road\" was identified as an integral part of the Ayr Town Centre Traffic Plan in 1989 and that the potential traffic flows in the area have not changed since.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152319,"EventID":"S1W-15636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the operating procedures of all NHS Trusts are reviewed to ensure that best practice is employed to reduce the number of cancelled surgical o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the operating procedures of all NHS Trusts are reviewed to ensure that best practice is employed to reduce the number of cancelled surgical operations across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I strongly support the efforts of the NHS to reduce the number of cancelled admissions to hospital and to spread good operational practice. The development of new performance assessment and accountability arrangements for NHSScotland, as described in Our National Health, a plan for action, a plan for change will help encourage continuous improvement in NHS performance through benchmarking, sharing of good practice and publication of performance information.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152320,"EventID":"S1W-15637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all NHS Trusts have a procedure to contact by telephone all patients awaiting surgical operations in order to reconfirm appointments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all NHS Trusts have a procedure to contact by telephone all patients awaiting surgical operations in order to reconfirm appointments.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual NHS Trusts.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152321,"EventID":"S1W-15638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Grampian Health Board has the lowest level of cancelled operations of all health boards and, if so, why, and whether it will identify any best practice procedure","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Grampian Health Board has the lowest level of cancelled operations of all health boards and, if so, why, and whether it will identify any best practice procedures the Board employs which other health boards could adopt.","AnswerText":"I strongly support the efforts of the NHS to reduce the number of cancelled admissions to hospital and to spread good operational practice. The development of new performance assessment and accountability arrangements for NHSScotland, as described in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change will help encourage continuous improvement in NHS performance through benchmarking, sharing of good practice and publication of performance information.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152322,"EventID":"S1W-15639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all reports which are referred to in Executive press releases are available to Members of the Scottish Parliament before any press statements ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all reports which are referred to in Executive press releases are available to Members of the Scottish Parliament before any press statements are made to allow them sufficient opportunity to prepare comment on the contents of such reports.","AnswerText":"All reports from the Scottish Executive are placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre on publication. It is for individual MSPs to decide for themselves how they prepare any comment but if Mr Ewing has a particular case in mind I would be happy to discuss it with him.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152323,"EventID":"S1W-15640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the provision of urban green space and to improve its management.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the provision of urban green space and to improve its management.","AnswerText":"The Executive has given a commitment to produce a Planning Advice Note on open space (civic space and greenspace) to complement the guidance in National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space. The PAN will take account of recently published research and cover issues such as maintenance, management and the mechanisms for securing quality open space.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152324,"EventID":"S1W-15641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many expressions of interest it had received in respect of taking over the Motorola site at Bathgate as at 26 April 2001, and when the details of those interested par","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many expressions of interest it had received in respect of taking over the Motorola site at Bathgate as at 26 April 2001, and when the details of those interested parties were given to Motorola.","AnswerText":"Motorola has submitted, for formal consultation, a proposal to cease operations at Easter Inch.

A number of initial expressions of interest in the facility have been received by the Executive and by Scottish Enterprise.

Should the current proposal to close this facility be ratified the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise will work jointly with the company on the marketing of the site to attract new jobs to the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152325,"EventID":"S1W-15642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise spent on management consultants in relation to matters of internal organisation in each year since 1997 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise spent on management consultants in relation to matters of internal organisation in each year since 1997 and what the anticipated expenditure is anticipated on this until 2003.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the Chairmen of both organisations to write to the member direct. A copy of the replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152326,"EventID":"S1W-15643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit was of any management consultants involved in considering the internal organisation of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each yea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit was of any management consultants involved in considering the internal organisation of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"No consultants have been engaged since 1997 by either the Scottish Office or the Scottish Executive to consider the internal organisation of either Highlands and Islands Enterprise or Scottish Enterprise.

The employment of such consultants by the bodies themselves is an operational matter and I have asked the Chairmen of both organisations to write to the member direct. A copy of the replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152327,"EventID":"S1W-15644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop tram or light railway schemes in the Greater Glasgow area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop tram or light railway schemes in the Greater Glasgow area.","AnswerText":"The development of local transport initiatives such as tram or light rail projects is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities, or in the case of the Strathclyde area, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA). Public transport proposals such as these may be eligible for financial assistance under the Public Transport Fund (PTF) or the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF). At present there are no proposals for tram or light rail before the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152328,"EventID":"S1W-15645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average NHSiS waiting time is for the provision of a wheelchair, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average NHSiS waiting time is for the provision of a wheelchair, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"There is currently no national data available regarding waiting times for the provision of wheelchairs. The answers given to questions S1W-6954 and S1W-14400 gave details of NHSScotland's initiative to address this.

An initial progress report from the Rehabilitation Technology Information Service (ReTIS) last month shows that significant progress has been made on the setting up of the systems for the collection and collation of data for wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics and electronic assistive technology. The system is not yet fully developed and it may be several months before it is possible to provide details on the waiting times in each health board area.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152329,"EventID":"S1W-15646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses (a) have been provided with disablement adaptations in each of the last three years and (b) will receive disablement adaptations in each of the next thre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses (a) have been provided with disablement adaptations in each of the last three years and (b) will receive disablement adaptations in each of the next three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The number of houses provided with aids and adaptations, including disabled, by local authority housing departments is shown in the table. The number of houses provided with aids and adaptations, including disabled, provided by local authority social work departments is not collected centrally.

In 1999 we introduced changes to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 requiring all new housing to be built to standards suitable for a disabled person to visit. Scottish Homes has introduced new housing design standards that contain barrier-free requirements. In addition, the Programme for Government sets a target of 20,000 new homes and improved homes for affordable renting or low cost owner occupation. These will be built to barrier free standards suitable to all.

The 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey found that there were 254,000 dwellings with adaptations.

It is not possible to forecast the number of houses that will be adapted in the future. This will depend on demand and priorities set by local authorities in the light of resources at their disposal and competing demands.

Local Authority Housing Capital Expenditure on Aids and Adaptations (including Disabled)

Number of Houses

Local Authority

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

HRA

Non-HRA

HRA

Non-HRA

HRA

Non-HRA

Aberdeen City

700

44

700

34

737

50

Aberdeenshire

577

40

744

42

800

15

Angus

-

62

1

74

1

80

Argyll and Bute

-

193

-

272

-

217

Clackmannanshire

55

11

100

10

120

20

Comharlie nan Eilean Siar

-

32

There has also been health board spending on aids and adaptations, including disabled, but this information is not collected centrally.

It is not possible to forecast expenditure on housing adaptations for disabled people as this will depend on demand and the amounts earmarked by local authorities in the light of competing demand for resources.

Table 1

Local Authority Housing Capital Expenditure on Aids and Adaptations (including Disabled)

(£ million)
 

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

Local Authority

HRA

Non-HRA

HRA

Non-HRA

HRA

Non-HRA

Aberdeen City

0.467

0.166

0.299

0.119

0.315

0.180

Aberdeenshire

0.290

0.094

0.638

0.014

0.675

0.030

Angus

-

0.129

0.036

0.164

0.001

0.190

Argyll and Bute

-

0.274

-

0.369

-

0.300

Clackmannanshire

0.067

0.016

0.177

0.020

0.215

0.035

Comharlie nan Eilean Siar

0.087

0.147

0.123

0.014

0.080

0.020

Dumfries and Galloway","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152331,"EventID":"S1W-15648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests to meet a delegation from the Save Stobhill Campaign team the Minister for Health and Community Care has received.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests to meet a delegation from the Save Stobhill Campaign team the Minister for Health and Community Care has received.","AnswerText":"As at 11 May, the Executive has received around 3,500 pieces of correspondence about the future of Stobhill General Hospital. The Health Department continues to ask Greater Glasgow Health Board to consider these, since public consultation on the review of acute services is primarily a matter for the board. I met with delegates from the Save Stobhill Campaign Team on Thursday 17 May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152332,"EventID":"S1W-15649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform trust law in Scotland in the light of the Trustee Act 2000 in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform trust law in Scotland in the light of the Trustee Act 2000 in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Charity Law Review Commission looked at the issue of trustees' powers of investment as part of its work. In its report, published on 9 May 2001, the commission recommends that a Trustee (Scotland) Bill should be introduced, giving charity trustees extended powers of investment in order to put them on the same footing as trustees in England and Wales. The Executive is consulting between now and the end of September 2001 on the recommendations in the commission's report. We will consider this matter further in the light of responses to the consultation and the recommendations in the 1999 report of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152333,"EventID":"S1W-15650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a national audit of the services which are available to those who have myalgic encephalomyelitis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a national audit of the services which are available to those who have myalgic encephalomyelitis.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for such an audit, but the Executive is committed to working towards improving services for people with chronic enduring conditions. The forthcoming report of the working group, set up by the Chief Medical Officer in England, will help inform this process.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152334,"EventID":"S1W-15651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the medical profession as a whole recognises that myalgic encephalomyelitis, which has been classed as a neurological disease by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the medical profession as a whole recognises that myalgic encephalomyelitis, which has been classed as a neurological disease by the World Health Organisation, is an actual disease and not a psychosomatic condition.","AnswerText":"The report of the working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer in England is expected to give guidance on how best the medical and other professions can respond to CFS/ME. The Executive will be considering how the report can be carried into practice in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152335,"EventID":"S1W-15652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13631 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 12 March 2001, when funding for the development of further education in Argyll will be announced and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13631 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 12 March 2001, when funding for the development of further education in Argyll will be announced and what funding will be given to Argyll College.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to question S1W-13631, funding for the development of further education in Argyll will be directed through Lews Castle College. In addition to development support, ongoing funding for the delivery of further education activity in Argyll will also be directed through Lews Castle College, whose grant-in-aid allocation for 2001-02 was announced on 27 April.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152336,"EventID":"S1W-15653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation document on the proposed Review of Woodland Grant Scheme/Farm Woodland Premium Scheme will be published and how long the consultation period will be","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation document on the proposed Review of Woodland Grant Scheme/Farm Woodland Premium Scheme will be published and how long the consultation period will be.","AnswerText":"I am launching today a wide-ranging consultation paper on future support for forestry in Scotland. Interested organisations and individuals will have until 30 September 2001 to respond.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152337,"EventID":"S1W-15654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by the Dumfries and Galloway Partnership on 18 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by the Dumfries and Galloway Partnership on 18 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The First Minister is writing today to the Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Council, setting out the Executive's interim response to the recovery plan. This interim response reiterates the Executive's commitment to doing what it can to assist Dumfries and Galloway recover from the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak. It confirms that the special needs of Dumfries and Galloway will be recognised in the delivery of policy and in the allocation of resources.

The Dumfries and Galloway recovery plan includes short, medium and long-term recovery measures. It is important that the recovery in Dumfries and Galloway is taken forward in the context of national recovery strategies. The Executive has already begun to plan for medium- and longer-term recovery across Scotland, and our approach at the local and national levels will be driven by our commitment to the development of thriving rural communities and a competitive rural economy.

However, we recognise that there remains a need for further short-term relief measures to help those in Dumfries and Galloway worst affected by the outbreak. The interim response therefore acknowledges Dumfries and Galloway's special needs, and sets out a further package of measures offering both short-term hardship relief and assistance to help businesses begin to move towards recovery, which will benefit Dumfries and Galloway:

  • A payment to Dumfries and Galloway Council of £2 million "on account" to pay for costs incurred in controlling the disease;

  • Additional funds of £5 million, out of Scottish Enterprise's existing budget, to be allocated to Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway to assist economic restructuring;

  • A commitment from visitscotland to meet the ATB and other industry representatives in Dumfries today, in advance of their formal board meeting. They will discuss additional support requirements;
  • Develop with the farming community small-scale capital investment measures designed to provide environmental and landscape benefits, which also offer work to farm employees and local contractors;
  • Sympathetic consideration of applications from Dumfries and Galloway under European Structural Funds and other schemes; and

  • Appointment of a Woodland Development Adviser in South West Scotland to advise on how woodland development might assist farmers and other land managers recover from the effects of foot-and-mouth disease.

In addition to these short-term measures, the Executive is also already engaged in dialogue with Dumfries and Galloway to develop many of the medium- and longer-term measures contained in the recovery plan, with a view to providing a fuller response in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152338,"EventID":"S1W-15655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission will publish its report and recommendations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission will publish its report and recommendations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Charity Law Review Commission is today publishing its report CharityScotland, and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Parliament's Information Centre. I very much welcome the publication of the report and look forward to reading it in detail and considering its findings. We greatly value the hard work and dedication of Jean McFadden and the other members of the commission she chaired.

The Executive will prepare a full response to the commission's proposals, taking into account the wider strategic review of the social economy already indicated by the Minister for Social Justice. At the same time the Executive is inviting public comment on the 114 recommendations made in the report. We shall be glad to receive comments by 30 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152339,"EventID":"S1W-15656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2013,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":14,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers from ethnic minority communities there currently are in each police force and what the latest figures are for the recruitment, retention and prom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers from ethnic minority communities there currently are in each police force and what the latest figures are for the recruitment, retention and promotion of such officers.","AnswerText":"The information available for the last two years is given in the following tables:

1999-2000

Force

Recruitment

Total Number of ethnic minority officers1

Proportion of officers from ethnic minority community as a % of total police strength

Ethnic minority officers as a % of total population2

Promotion

     

Constable

Sergeant

Inspector

Central

0

2

0.28%

0.73%

2

0

0

Dumfries & Galloway

1

1

0.21%

0.36%

1

0

0

Fife

1

3

0.35%

0.74%

3

0

0

Grampian

1

4

0.32%

0.87%

3

0

1

Lothian & Borders

However, clinicians may use other drug treatments to treat children with behavioural problems. The use of any such treatments will depend on the clinical judgement of the specialist concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152343,"EventID":"S1W-15660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to the report on BBC Scotland News on 18 April 2001 of an increase in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to the report on BBC Scotland News on 18 April 2001 of an increase in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to make any response to this report.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152344,"EventID":"S1W-15661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduates it estimates will have earnings below #10,000 per annum in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06 and (c) 2006-07.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduates it estimates will have earnings below #10,000 per annum in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06 and (c) 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not made such projections. However, the most recent Labour Force Survey reports that in Scotland, during the period December 2000 to February 2001, there were approximately 30,000 people of working age with a degree earning less than £10,000 per year. A further 50,000 were not in employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152345,"EventID":"S1W-15662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to A Model for a Licensing Scheme, submitted to it on behalf of all sectors of the construction industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to A Model for a Licensing Scheme, submitted to it on behalf of all sectors of the construction industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has considered the submitted proposals for a construction trades licensing scheme, and has written to the trade associations concerned indicating that it is supportive of the aims of the scheme to improve standards within the sector. The Scottish Executive has indicated that it will help the industry broaden awareness of the benefits of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152346,"EventID":"S1W-15663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering relocating the Glasgow headquarters of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to Dalkeith.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering relocating the Glasgow headquarters of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to Dalkeith.","AnswerText":"It is for the Scottish Qualifications Authority to consider its own accommodation requirements. Any proposal to relocate the authority's Glasgow headquarters would require the approval of the Scottish Executive and have to comply with the Executive's policy on the location and relocation of public service jobs in Scotland. No such proposal has been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152347,"EventID":"S1W-15664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Skye is currently or has been at any time regarded as part of mainland Scotland rather than an island for the purpose of regulations concerning the movement of li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Skye is currently or has been at any time regarded as part of mainland Scotland rather than an island for the purpose of regulations concerning the movement of livestock during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and, if so, why.","AnswerText":"Skye has been treated as an island in the General Movement licence issued on 6 April (and subsequent updates) covering movements within and between Scottish islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152348,"EventID":"S1W-15665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what roads in mainland Scotland users are (a) required to pay tolls and (b) required to pay tolls where no alternative route by road exists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what roads in mainland Scotland users are (a) required to pay tolls and (b) required to pay tolls where no alternative route by road exists.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, tolls are charged at the Erskine, Forth, Tay and Skye Bridges. Alternative road routes exist in the first three cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152349,"EventID":"S1W-15666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it estimates will be saved through the dispersal of civil service jobs outwith Edinburgh and Glasgow (a) in the first year and (b) over the first three-ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it estimates will be saved through the dispersal of civil service jobs outwith Edinburgh and Glasgow (a) in the first year and (b) over the first three-year period of the dispersal programme.","AnswerText":"Since announcing the Scottish Executive's policy on relocation in September 1999, two bodies have been set up outwith Edinburgh or Glasgow. The Public Guardian's Office has been set up in Falkirk and the Food Standards Agency in Aberdeen.

The relocation policy includes a presumption against an Edinburgh location for new bodies such as the Public Guardian's Office and the Food Standards Agency. Detailed analysis therefore concentrated on potential locations outwith Edinburgh.

For new bodies the main cost difference is likely to relate to property. We estimate that compared with the range of costs for comparable accommodation in Edinburgh, there would have been potential cost savings on property of between £50,000 and £130,000 per annum for the Food Standards Agency and £60,000 to £140,000 per annum for the Public Guardian's Office.

Where an existing body is relocated any accommodation savings would need to be set against the staff costs of a move. In these circumstances any net savings related to the particular relocation would take a number of years to accrue.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152350,"EventID":"S1W-15667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made recommendations to the UK Working Group on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and, if so, what these are and whether separate guidance on ME will be issue","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made recommendations to the UK Working Group on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and, if so, what these are and whether separate guidance on ME will be issued for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-5502 on 5 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152351,"EventID":"S1W-15668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15057 by Peter Peacock on 4 May 2001, what the difference is between technical consultation and other types of consultation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15057 by Peter Peacock on 4 May 2001, what the difference is between technical consultation and other types of consultation.","AnswerText":"The response to question S1W-15057 referred to a particular consultation dealing with draft legislation giving effect to policy which had already been the subject of public consultation and discussion.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152352,"EventID":"S1W-15669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to local authorities being asked for permission by local politicians for political literature to be distributed, via teachers, to school","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to local authorities being asked for permission by local politicians for political literature to be distributed, via teachers, to school children and what guidance it issues to local authorities on dealing with such requests.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities and no guidance is issued by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152353,"EventID":"S1W-15670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been issued regarding the detection and prompt removal of irradiated particles on the beach at Dounreay; whether any such directions have now been fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been issued regarding the detection and prompt removal of irradiated particles on the beach at Dounreay; whether any such directions have now been fully implemented; whether the beach is now clear of such particles, and, if not, when it is anticipated that all such particles will have been detected and removed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has issued no directions regarding irradiated particles.

The Secretary of State for Scotland wrote to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in 1998 asking it to ensure that there was sufficient monitoring at Sandside Beach, near Dounreay, such that any particles on the beach were promptly detected and removed. SEPA has required the operators of Dounreay, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to carry out monthly monitoring of the whole beach and to notify SEPA of any particles found. The monitoring programme continues.

The possible mechanisms by which the particles arrive at the beach are being investigated by UKAEA. This investigation is subject to scrutiny by the independent Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG) which was set up to provide independent scientific advice to SEPA and UKAEA on the particles of irradiated nuclear fuel found in the marine environment around Dounreay. The interim DPAG report is available on the SEPA website at the following address:

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/regs_licence/radioactivity/dpag/dpaghome.htm).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152354,"EventID":"S1W-15671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of trunk road and motorway closures after serious accidents; what guidance is given to police forces and network managers about closures of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of trunk road and motorway closures after serious accidents; what guidance is given to police forces and network managers about closures of and diversions on trunk roads, and what guidance and funding it makes available to local authorities to signpost and maintain alternative routes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive contracts with the new trunk road Operating Companies (OCs) contain procedures to address incidents which result in trunk road and motorway closures.

The contracts require the OCs to record all incidents where a trunk road is closed and they are required to initiate certain actions within predefined timescales following the notification of an incident that requires the closure or partial closure of a road. The contracts require the OCs to prepare an Emergency Response Plan which is issued to the emergency services. This plan contains information which enables the police, who would initiate a road closure, to call on the OCs to provide additional resources, if necessary, to assist the emergency services and maintain safety.

Following an emergency incident, the OCs are required to liaise with local road authorities to arrange a diversion route utilising local roads. The Scottish Executive will pay the cost of diversion signing. However, responsibility for the maintenance of local roads used as diversion routes remains with the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152355,"EventID":"S1W-15672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made following the award of the trunk road maintenance contracts regarding the funding of ongoing revenue costs, including future maintenance and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made following the award of the trunk road maintenance contracts regarding the funding of ongoing revenue costs, including future maintenance and replacement costs, in relation to street lights on trunk roads where these are on circuits together with local authority lighting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive retains responsibility for maintenance and replacement costs for all street lighting on trunk roads. Negotiations will commence very soon with the local authorities on the nature and scope of the work required, including the appropriate sharing of costs, where trunk road lighting shares electrical circuits or supplies with local road lighting and where such circuits require maintenance or replacement. The Scottish Executive will continue to pay the cost of the electricity supply directly based on an inventory of trunk road lighting.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152356,"EventID":"S1W-15673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made following the award of the trunk road maintenance contracts regarding the sharing of ongoing revenue costs, including future maintenance and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made following the award of the trunk road maintenance contracts regarding the sharing of ongoing revenue costs, including future maintenance and replacement costs, in relation to traffic lights at intersections of trunk roads and local authority roads.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive retains responsibility for all maintenance and repair costs for traffic signal installations at intersections of trunk roads and local authority roads. Where such signal installations are linked to local authority control rooms as part of a wider system of traffic control within urban areas, agreement has been reached with the local authorities to pay a proportionate cost for the operation of the system.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152357,"EventID":"S1W-15674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14599 by Sarah Boyack on 23 April 2001, why no resources have been committed to funding the preparatory work for the development of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14599 by Sarah Boyack on 23 April 2001, why no resources have been committed to funding the preparatory work for the development of the proposed Aberdeen western peripheral route.","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-14599 set out the Executive's planned expenditure on the motorway and trunk road network 2001-02 to 2005-06. The proposed Aberdeen western peripheral is not a trunk road. On 14 March I announced a £1.25 million package of support to help the North East Scotland Economic Development Partnership to advance their proposed Modern Transport System, which includes the western peripheral.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152358,"EventID":"S1W-15675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to revoke decisions to call in planning applications and notices of intention to develop and whether it will detail each such decision revoked since ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to revoke decisions to call in planning applications and notices of intention to develop and whether it will detail each such decision revoked since 1 May 1997.","AnswerText":"There is no specific provision in planning legislation which provides the Scottish Ministers with the power to revoke a direction to call-in a planning application or notice of intention to develop. Accordingly, no such directions have been revoked during the period since May 1997.

However, in the light of a recently issued court judgement relating to an English planning application (Trustees of the Friends of the Lake District v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions: 26 March 2001 Ref: CO/4008/2000) it is now recognised that, in certain circumstances, it may be possible to revoke such directions, provided there are compelling and justifiable reasons for doing so.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152359,"EventID":"S1W-15676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it has received or will receive as a consequence of the #100 million modernisation fund for the road haulage industry announced in the Pre-Budg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it has received or will receive as a consequence of the #100 million modernisation fund for the road haulage industry announced in the Pre-Budget Report in November 2000, whether it proposes to use any such consequential resources for modernising the road haulage industry in Scotland; if so, how much will be allocated for this purpose, and whether it intends to consult the industry on proposals for a Scottish modernisation strategy.","AnswerText":"The details of the fund announced in the Pre Budget Report related to proposals to take effect in England. Most of the subject areas concerned are, in a Scottish context, devolved and Scottish ministers will carefully consider the need for equivalent measures to be introduced here and the resources needed to implement measures decided upon, taking account of views expressed by the Scottish road haulage industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152360,"EventID":"S1W-15677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been or will be put in place to include those local authorities which are not members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in future pa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been or will be put in place to include those local authorities which are not members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in future pay bargaining.","AnswerText":"It is for the Convention and local authorities to consider any arrangements for local authority employers to negotiate on a collective basis with staff about pay levels.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152361,"EventID":"S1W-15678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has committed to the development of the renewable energy industry since 1 July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has committed to the development of the renewable energy industry since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"Funding for research and development of renewable energy is a reserved matter, and is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. Scottish developers and Scottish projects have received around £10 million in funding from these programmes over the last 10 years. In addition, Scottish Enterprise have worked with the renewable energy industry in Scotland for several years to support its development, including some financial support and a series of seminars for companies interested in diversifying into renewable energy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152362,"EventID":"S1W-15679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are available to make capital grants to organisations and/or electricity companies involved in the development of electricity generation from wave technolo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are available to make capital grants to organisations and/or electricity companies involved in the development of electricity generation from wave technology.","AnswerText":"Currently, there are no capital grants available for the development of wave technology, although the industry has benefited down the years from the Department of Trade and Industry's research and development programme, and will continue to do so as funding in this area increases.

Wave energy has made great progress in Scotland, due at least in part to the support provided under the third round of the Scottish Renewables Obligation. We will continue to work closely with the industry as we consider appropriate ways in which to help further the industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152363,"EventID":"S1W-15680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it is currently undertaking into the upgrading of the capacity of the Scottish electricity grid to support more energy from renewable sources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it is currently undertaking into the upgrading of the capacity of the Scottish electricity grid to support more energy from renewable sources.","AnswerText":"We are about to award a contract to update the report completed in 1993 on Scotland's renewable resource. Running concurrently with that, the two Scottish electricity grid owners are, with external validation, conducting a study of the capacity of the network to accommodate the new renewable capacity that we expect our policies to bring on stream. Both reports are due to be available later in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152364,"EventID":"S1W-15681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed explanation of its decision not to convene an independent inquiry into salmon farming and outline any initiatives or measures which are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed explanation of its decision not to convene an independent inquiry into salmon farming and outline any initiatives or measures which are in place to ensure good working practices in the industry.","AnswerText":"A full explanation of the Executive's position is provided in the letter from the Minister for Environment and Rural Development to the Rural Development and Transport and Environment Committees, which is now available on the Scottish Parliament website.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152365,"EventID":"S1W-15682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost was in 2000-01 of providing official support to ministers when giving evidence to a committee of the Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost was in 2000-01 of providing official support to ministers when giving evidence to a committee of the Parliament.","AnswerText":"That information is not held in the format requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152366,"EventID":"S1W-15683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost was in 2000-01 of advertising an appointment to a non-departmental public body.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost was in 2000-01 of advertising an appointment to a non-departmental public body.","AnswerText":"During the period in question, some 61 vacancies to non-departmental public bodies were advertised for a total cost of almost £242,000. The average cost of advertising an appointment amounted to £3,966. Under the terms of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code, not all vacancies are required to be advertised.

The Executive is currently looking at ways in which the overall costs of advertising public appointments can be reduced without compromising the principle that vacancies should be promoted as widely as possible. One example of where progress on this front has been made is the Executive's public appointments website which was launched at the end of last November. Details of all vacancies are placed on the site and to date over 8,000 hits have been recorded.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152367,"EventID":"S1W-15684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1F-992 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 April 2001, what evidence it has to indicate that the allocation by the Scottish Higher Education Fundin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1F-992 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 April 2001, what evidence it has to indicate that the allocation by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council of 10 funded Postgraduate Certificate in Education places at the University of Strathclyde is sufficient to support primary Gaelic-medium provision.","AnswerText":"For primary Gaelic-medium the Executive estimates that around 110 newly trained teachers will be required over the next seven years. There are 12 students undertaking a primary teaching qualification who may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers this year. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) are continuing to look to all institutions to respond positively to the need for teachers able to teach in the Gaelic medium through normal intakes to the BEd, Primary PGCE and Secondary PGCE courses. The provision of an extra 10 places is a step along the right route to fill any gap in teacher requirements in this area.

The largest Gaelic-medium teacher requirements are specified by the Highlands and Islands and within the Glasgow area. The additional 10 funded places awarded by SHEFC to Strathclyde University in session 2001-02 specifically to support primary Gaelic-medium provision will have a significant impact in the geographic areas with the greatest need.

SHEFC are continuing to monitor the situation and are seeking to improve information gathered from teacher education institutions which will inform the council's future funding allocations specifically for Gaelic-medium teacher education.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152368,"EventID":"S1W-15685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its slaughter policy in relation to rare breeds, animal sanctuaries, pets and other animals which show no signs of the foot-and-mouth virus followi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its slaughter policy in relation to rare breeds, animal sanctuaries, pets and other animals which show no signs of the foot-and-mouth virus following repeated testing and which are not destined for export.","AnswerText":"From the start, provision has been made for some recognised rare animal breeds where bio-security can be adequately maintained. For all other cases the Executive has recently reviewed its policy on the contiguous cull of cattle and the 3km sheep cull. Infected premises and sheep and pigs on contiguous premises will continue to be culled. Any other disease control measures applied will be determined on a case-by-case basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152369,"EventID":"S1W-15686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received and what response it has made or plans to make on the amended terms and conditions for gallery attendants at the National Museums of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received and what response it has made or plans to make on the amended terms and conditions for gallery attendants at the National Museums of Scotland.","AnswerText":"None. Under the terms of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, the terms and conditions of employment of the staff of the National Museums of Scotland are determined by the Board of Trustees.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152370,"EventID":"S1W-15687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received and what response it has made or plans to make on the proposal for a flexible retirement policy for staff at the National Museums of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received and what response it has made or plans to make on the proposal for a flexible retirement policy for staff at the National Museums of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15686.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152371,"EventID":"S1W-15688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the introduction of the aggregates tax in April 2002, whether the cost of any new computer software development to administer the tax correctly will be de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the introduction of the aggregates tax in April 2002, whether the cost of any new computer software development to administer the tax correctly will be defrayed by the Executive or Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and what consultation it has undertaken with quarry operators in order to arrive at a position on this matter as regards (a) any costs of such software and (b) whether there is sufficient time prior to its introduction for quarriers to develop any software required.","AnswerText":"The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. There are no plans to defray the cost of changes to computer software in Scotland. HM Treasury and Customs and Excise have included the quarrying industry in their consultations on the tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152372,"EventID":"S1W-15689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into the impact of the proposed aggregates tax upon the Scottish economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into the impact of the proposed aggregates tax upon the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. Assessment of the impact of the proposed tax throughout the UK is a matter for HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152373,"EventID":"S1W-15690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact implementation of the climate change levy will have upon the rural economy and whether it has made an estimate of the increase in quarry operators' power cost","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact implementation of the climate change levy will have upon the rural economy and whether it has made an estimate of the increase in quarry operators' power costs in order to assess this impact.","AnswerText":"The UK Government expects the effect of its climate change levy on business energy use to be broadly neutral across business as a whole. No separate assessments of the impact on rural areas have been made.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152374,"EventID":"S1W-15691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the introduction of the aggregates tax in April 2002, a greater proportion of pre-cast concrete requirements will be met by imports from the Irish Repu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the introduction of the aggregates tax in April 2002, a greater proportion of pre-cast concrete requirements will be met by imports from the Irish Republic and, if so, what impact this will have on Scotland's roads and environment and whether it will take any action to support Scottish pre-cast concrete production.","AnswerText":"The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. Assessment of the impacts of the tax throughout the UK is a matter for HM Treasury. No separate assessment has been undertaken in Scotland. There are no plans to provide support for pre-cast concrete production in Scotland in connection with the aggregates tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152375,"EventID":"S1W-15692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11008 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, why it expects a net increase in employment to result from the Chancellor's intentio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11008 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, why it expects a net increase in employment to result from the Chancellor's intention to recycle the revenues from the aggregates tax into a reduction in employers' National Insurance contributions.","AnswerText":"The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. Detailed questions on the economic impact of the aggregates tax should be directed to HM Treasury. Although no separate assessment of the impact of the tax has been undertaken in Scotland, it is reasonable to expect a reduction in employers' costs to result in an increase in employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152376,"EventID":"S1W-15693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplains have been appointed on a temporary contract in 2001, at which prisons they are based and which denomination they represent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplains have been appointed on a temporary contract in 2001, at which prisons they are based and which denomination they represent.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

There were seven temporary contracts in 2001 of which four are Church of Scotland and three Roman Catholic.

The appointments are shown in the table:

Prison

Church of Scotland

Roman Catholic

Barlinnie

1

1

Dumfries

1

 

Perth

2

2

","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152377,"EventID":"S1W-15694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplains were appointed on temporary contracts in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplains were appointed on temporary contracts in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The information is given in the table:

1997

0

1998

3

1999

10

2000

5

","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152378,"EventID":"S1W-15695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplaincy posts are currently vacant, at which prisons and for which denominations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplaincy posts are currently vacant, at which prisons and for which denominations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The information is given in the table:

Prison

Church of Scotland

Roman Catholic

Scottish Episcopal

Barlinnie

1

1

1

Castle Huntly

1

  

Cornton Vale

 

1

 

Dumries

 

1

 

Glenochil

 

1

 

Greenock

1

1

 

Inverness

1

  

Low Moss

1

1

 

Noranside

1

1

 

Peterhead

  

1

Polmont

1

  

Shotts

1

1

 
","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152379,"EventID":"S1W-15696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its reference to the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) requesting it to consider the provisions of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976, which set out which relati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its reference to the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) requesting it to consider the provisions of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976, which set out which relatives of a deceased person can claim non-patrimonial damages, and to make recommendations as to possible changes in the law, whether it will (a) indicate to the SLC that a brother or sister should be classed as immediate family with regard to claiming for loss of society and (b) support the extension of the definition of immediate family to include brother or sister in any report which the SLC produces.","AnswerText":"The terms of the reference to the Scottish Law Commission were set out in my reply to question S1W-15191 on 23 April. We did not think it right to fetter the discretion of the Commission to report as it thinks fit. We will consider its recommendations carefully and will pay close attention to any recommendation on the possible entitlement of brothers and sisters to claim for loss of society.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152380,"EventID":"S1W-15697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were released on parole in 2000; how many of these were serving life sentences for (a) violence, (b) drug dealing offences and (c) sex crimes, and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were released on parole in 2000; how many of these were serving life sentences for (a) violence, (b) drug dealing offences and (c) sex crimes, and what the level of recall to prison was in each of these categories.","AnswerText":"In the year ended 31 December 2000, the Parole Board recommended the early release on licence of 374 prisoners sentenced to a term of imprisonment of four years or more. Scottish Ministers were statutorily obliged to accept the board's recommendation in 344 of the cases concerned. Of the 30 cases over which Scottish Ministers exercised discretion, they accepted the Parole Board's recommendation in all but one. In view of the timing and terms of the board's recommendations, some of the prisoners concerned may not have been released until 2001.

32 life prisoners, including 10 designated life prisoners whom the Parole Board directed should be released, were released on life licence. The remainder were released following a recommendation from the board and after consultation with the judiciary. 30 of those concerned had been convicted of murder, one of wilful fireraising and one of various crimes, including rape and assault and assault and robbery. Two life prisoners were recalled to custody because they faced criminal allegations involving violence which suggested that they presented an unacceptable risk to the safety of the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152381,"EventID":"S1W-15698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12788 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, when Aricept will be made available throughout the National Health Service in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12788 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, when Aricept will be made available throughout the National Health Service in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Donepezil (Aricept) has been licensed since 1997 for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer's disease. The use of this treatment depends on the clinical judgement of the clinician concerned, taking into account advice and evidence about its use. This will include the Health Technology Board for Scotland's Comment of 1 May 2001 on the Final Appraisal from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the use of Aricept, rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152382,"EventID":"S1W-15699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether satisfactory arrangements are in place for the control of illegal dumping and deposit of litter and rubbish.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether satisfactory arrangements are in place for the control of illegal dumping and deposit of litter and rubbish.","AnswerText":"It is an offence not to dispose of waste properly and to cause litter. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local authorities have the power to serve notice on landowners to clear their land of illegally dumped material and to investigate flytipping and submit reports to the Procurator Fiscal. Local authorities also have the power to impose a fixed penalty on people dropping litter and can require the occupiers of littered publicly-accessible private ground, such as a marketplace or car park, to ensure that litter is removed. However, it will never be possible to eliminate either flytipping or littering so long as those responsible ignore society's entitlement to a safe and clean environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152383,"EventID":"S1W-15700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its powers and policy on decisions regarding the onward movement of livestock on to auction marts within island communities which have been provis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its powers and policy on decisions regarding the onward movement of livestock on to auction marts within island communities which have been provisionally designated as foot-and-mouth disease free areas and whether it will clarify the current situation with regards to the Orkney Auction Mart.","AnswerText":"Revised movement controls, effective from 1 May, permit the transfer of store and fat animals from the Scottish islands through collecting centres licensed for that purpose. Orkney Auction Mart has been granted collecting centre status and movements first occurred on Monday 14 May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152384,"EventID":"S1W-15701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its latest strategic position with regards to sea fisheries matters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its latest strategic position with regards to sea fisheries matters.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of strategic thinking in order to secure a long-term, sustainable future for the Scottish fishing industry. I launched, this week, a Strategic Framework for the Scottish Sea Fishing Industry. This document, which places sustainable fish stocks at its core, will be used to frame Executive decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152385,"EventID":"S1W-15702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cattle in Scotland over five years old have been burnt on funeral pyres as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and, of these, how many it estimates c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cattle in Scotland over five years old have been burnt on funeral pyres as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and, of these, how many it estimates could have had BSE.","AnswerText":"Approximately 74,000 carcasses of cattle slaughtered in Scotland as a result of FMD have been burnt. Cattle were not aged individually so the information requested is not available. However, except in some early cases on farms only store or fattening cattle which are always less than five years old were buried. All the rest - which will have included some cattle under five years - were burnt, in line with SEAC advice. Information on BSE in relation to total cattle population in the year 2000 for areas of Scotland affected by FMD is shown in the table:

Region

BSE Cases

Cattle Population

Dumfries and Galloway

10

445,019

Borders

3

154,968

Highland

4

150,433

In view of the ongoing decline in BSE cases over a number of years now, and the above information, few, if any, cattle over five years old which were burnt could have been expected to be incubating BSE.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152386,"EventID":"S1W-15703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cattle over five years old it estimates could have BSE.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cattle over five years old it estimates could have BSE.","AnswerText":"This information is not currently available. From July we will be extending the current surveillance system to include all fallen stock and casualty animals over 30 months, and cattle born between August 1996 and July 1997 slaughtered under the Over Thirty Month Scheme. This may enable the Executive to produce the estimate you have asked for.

So far this year there have been only two confirmed BSE cases found in Scotland. During the year 2000, 38 cases were identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152387,"EventID":"S1W-15704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for non-compliance of building standards regulations under section 11 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 there were in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for non-compliance of building standards regulations under section 11 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 there were in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"Cases brought under section 11 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 are not separately identifiable on the Scottish Executive classification of crimes and offences. Between 1997 and 1999 there were eight prosecutions in Scottish courts where the main offence was under the Building (Scotland) Act 1959. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152388,"EventID":"S1W-15705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many penalties for non-compliance under the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 were imposed in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many penalties for non-compliance under the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 were imposed in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the enforcement of building regulations lies with the local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152389,"EventID":"S1W-15706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the conclusions were of the quinquennial review of the Forest Enterprise executive agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the conclusions were of the quinquennial review of the Forest Enterprise executive agency.","AnswerText":"The first stage of the review of Forest Enterprise has concluded that the agency has put in a strong performance on the sustainability of its forest management, has successfully involved communities and other stakeholders in its decision-taking and has responded successfully to change - particularly devolution. The review has recommended that Forest Enterprise should retain its status as an executive agency of the Forestry Commission. Ministers in the Scottish Executive, the UK Government and the National Assembly for Wales have accepted these conclusions and recommendations. They intend to review the options for further decentralising the handling of forestry policy and management, in the light of continuing experience of the devolved structure. The report of the first stage of the review is available on the Forestry Commission's website (www.forestry.gov.uk).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152390,"EventID":"S1W-15707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8217 by Sarah Boyack on 6 July 2000, where in Parts 3 and 4 of the National Audit Office report on the Skye Bridge is the percentag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8217 by Sarah Boyack on 6 July 2000, where in Parts 3 and 4 of the National Audit Office report on the Skye Bridge is the percentage of the #23.64 million used to fund the Skye Bridge which was public money identified.","AnswerText":"As the National Audit Report makes clear, the figure of £23.64 million was calculated in 1991 as the maximum toll revenue which Skye Bridge Limited may collect in order to recover their costs of constructing and operating the bridge, after taking account of taxes to be paid by Skye Bridge Limited and the department's forecast contribution to the cost of the approach roads. It follows that the percentage requested is zero.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152391,"EventID":"S1W-15708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many notices were served by local authorities on the owners of buildings under section 11(2) of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many notices were served by local authorities on the owners of buildings under section 11(2) of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the enforcement of building regulations lies with the local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152392,"EventID":"S1W-15709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Scottish Tourist Board has given each area tourist board in the current financial year and whether it will show these amounts expressed both as a percent","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Scottish Tourist Board has given each area tourist board in the current financial year and whether it will show these amounts expressed both as a percentage of the total overall funding given to area tourist boards and per capita.","AnswerText":"Levels of grants awarded to area tourist boards by visitscotland are an operational matter for visitscotland itself. The remainder of the information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152393,"EventID":"S1W-15710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific assistance is available to agricultural businesses which wish to diversify into tourism-related activities and whether it wishes to encourage such diversifi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific assistance is available to agricultural businesses which wish to diversify into tourism-related activities and whether it wishes to encourage such diversification.","AnswerText":"The Executive is keen to support those involved in agricultural business who wish to diversify. Grant schemes have been available to assist those businesses with a wide range of diversification options, including tourism-related activities. Earlier this year, I launched the Agricultural Business Development Scheme, an element of which provides support for diversification activities in rural areas in the Highlands and Islands. I hope to launch the Farm Business Development Scheme shortly to provide similar support for rural areas outwith the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152394,"EventID":"S1W-15712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many families with children presented themselves as homeless to local authorities in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many families with children presented themselves as homeless to local authorities in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The available information is for applications made during financial years up to and including 1998-99. The table gives the number of applications from households with children which were made to local authorities in each of the years from 1996-97 to 1998-99.

Information about applications made during 1999-2000 will be available in summer 2001.

Year of Application

Total number of applications from households with children

1996-97

15,100

1997-98

15,200

1998-99

15,200

Notes:

1. Figures are estimates based on around 92% of case returns received from local authorities. Estimates are made by grossing to the reported total number of applications and rounding to the nearest hundred. See the Scottish Executive publication HSG/2000/5 for more details.

2. The figures in any one year may include more than one application from the same household, since repeat applications cannot be identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152395,"EventID":"S1W-15713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homeless families with children were accommodated in permanent accommodation under (a) section 31 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, (b) section 22 of the Child","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homeless families with children were accommodated in permanent accommodation under (a) section 31 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, (b) section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and (c) section 25 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The table below gives the number of homeless applications from households with children which were made during the years 1996-97 to 1998-99 under section 31 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and which resulted in the household being secured permanent accommodation.

Information about those applications which were made in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 is not yet available.

Year of Application

Number of applications from households with children where the outcome was permanent accommodation

1996-97

8,700

1997-98

8,700

1998-99

8,300

Notes:

1. Figures are estimates based on around 92% of case returns received from local authorities. Estimates are made by grossing to the reported total number of applications and rounding to the nearest 100. See the Scottish Executive publication HSG/2000/5 for more details.

2. The figures in any one year may include more than one application from the same household, since repeat applications cannot be identified.

Section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 provides for the promotion of the welfare of children in need and the powers in Section 25 relate to the provision of accommodation for young adults. Permanently accommodating homeless families with children under these sections in the years in question would be an unusual use of these powers by local authorities and we are not aware of them being so used.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152396,"EventID":"S1W-15714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homeless families with children were deemed intentionally homeless by local authorities and not accommodated in permanent accommodation in each year from 1996-97","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homeless families with children were deemed intentionally homeless by local authorities and not accommodated in permanent accommodation in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The available information is for applications made during financial years up to and including 1998-99. The table gives the number of applications from households with children which were made during the years 1996-97 to 1998-99, which were assessed as intentionally homeless or intentionally potentially homeless, and of these which were not secured permanent accommodation.

Information about applications made during 1999-2000 will be available in summer 2001.

Applications from households with children

Year of Application

Applications assessed as intentionally homeless

Applications assessed as intentionally potentially homeless

Applications assessed as intentionally homeless and not given permanent accommodation

Applications assessed as intentionally potentially homeless and not given permanent accommodation

1996-97

1,100

600

400

200

1997-98

1,400

500

400

200

1998-99

1,400

500

400

200

Notes:

1. Figures are estimates based on around 92% of case returns received from local authorities. Estimates are made by grossing to the reported total number of applications and rounding to the nearest hundred. See the Scottish Executive publication HSG/2000/5 for more details.

2. The figures in any one year may include more than one application from the same household, since repeat applications cannot be identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152397,"EventID":"S1W-15715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources were made available to assist local authorities to provide accommodation for homeless families with children under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources were made available to assist local authorities to provide accommodation for homeless families with children under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in each year since the Act's introduction.","AnswerText":"The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, sets out the powers and duties of local authorities in dealing with applications from people, including families with children, seeking help on the grounds that they are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

In addition to their existing resources, the Executive has provided additional funding of £5.3 million in 2000-01 to reduce the inappropriate use of bed and breakfast as a means of providing temporary accommodation for homeless households, in particular those with children.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152398,"EventID":"S1W-15716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeship schemes were in operation in each year since 1997 in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeship schemes were in operation in each year since 1997 in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152399,"EventID":"S1W-15717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide the information sought by Iain McKie on behalf of Shirley McKie, most recently in Mr McKie's letter of 6 May 2001 to the Minister for Justice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide the information sought by Iain McKie on behalf of Shirley McKie, most recently in Mr McKie's letter of 6 May 2001 to the Minister for Justice.","AnswerText":"A reply to Mr Iain McKie's letter of 6 May 2001 issued on 21 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152400,"EventID":"S1W-15718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve welfare standards in the pig industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve welfare standards in the pig industry.","AnswerText":"The measures in our legislation to protect the welfare of pigs is among the strictest in the EU. I expect these measures to be strengthened further once EU legislation, at present in draft form, is adopted.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152401,"EventID":"S1W-15719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued on the use of the brain cancer drug temo'olomide.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued on the use of the brain cancer drug temo'olomide.","AnswerText":"Guidance about the use of temozolomide is available from various sources including: clinical studies; the product literature provided by the manufacturer, the British National Formulary. publications such as professional journals and any expert advice issued by bodies such as Health Board Area Drugs and Therapeutic Committees.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152402,"EventID":"S1W-15720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average period is (a) between a child's parents or school requesting remedial help for the child and an assessment being made by an educational psychologist and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average period is (a) between a child's parents or school requesting remedial help for the child and an assessment being made by an educational psychologist and (b) from a child being diagnosed as requiring remedial help to actually receiving such help, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Referral to an educational psychologist may be made by the education authority with parental permission but such action will not be appropriate in all cases. Schools may provide learning support either through their own learning support teachers or through a network service without referring a pupil to an educational psychologist.

National statistics on the average length of time taken to complete a statutory assessment of special educational needs, to determine whether or not a child requires to have a Record of Needs opened, are provided in the Education Services - Performance Indicators 1999-2000 for each local authority. This may be accessed at www.audit-scotland.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152403,"EventID":"S1W-15721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10039 by Iain Gray on 30 October 2000, what progress has been made in ensuring that people with a disability continue to have acces","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10039 by Iain Gray on 30 October 2000, what progress has been made in ensuring that people with a disability continue to have access to the support and advisory services provided by Disability Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive hopes to be in a position soon to set out proposals to ensure that disabled people and key organisations in the disability field play a major role in shaping and influencing how their views are represented and their needs met.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152404,"EventID":"S1W-15722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the targets set for the ratio between the projected elderly population and available sheltered and very sheltered housing and any changes made ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the targets set for the ratio between the projected elderly population and available sheltered and very sheltered housing and any changes made to these targets, (b) the level of borrowing consent for sheltered and very sheltered housing per 1,000 elderly population and (c) the ratio between borrowing consent and local government funding for sheltered housing funding, in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Guidance issued in 1991 by the then Scottish Office indicates that there should be 20 very sheltered and 46 sheltered dwellings per 1,000 people aged 65 or over within a local authority area. These guidelines are advisory, not mandatory, and should be tailored to suit local circumstances. Local authorities are not expected to meet them alone but together with other housing providers such as Scottish Homes and the housing association movement.

Information is not available on the ratio between borrowing consent and local government funding for very sheltered and sheltered housing per 1,000 elderly population because borrowing consent allocations are not earmarked for specific purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152405,"EventID":"S1W-15723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the level of New Housing Partnership funding allocated, (b) any changes made to these allocations and (c) actual or projected underspend agains","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the level of New Housing Partnership funding allocated, (b) any changes made to these allocations and (c) actual or projected underspend against those allocations in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02, both overall and broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Details of the New Housing Partnership funding allocated to councils in February 1999 for the period 1999-2002 are shown in column (2) below, together with any subsequent revisions. Actual or projected variations in spend are shown in columns (3)-(5).
  

Variations

Council

 

 

(1)

Resource Allocation

(a) Original

(b) Revised

(2)

1999-2000

 

 

(3)

2000-2001

 

 

(4)

2001-2002

 

 

(5)

Aberdeen City

(a) 1,990,600

-20,000

-797,600

+817,600

Aberdeenshire

(a) 6,869,680

-

+17,101

-17,029

Argyll & Bute

(a) 270,000

-

-75,000

+75,000

Clackmannanshire

(a) 100,000

-20,975

+7,224

-

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

(a) 368,000

-61,595

+32,250

+29,345

Dumfries & Galloway

(a) 3,913,000

-6

-1,525,000

+1,525,006

Dundee City

(a) 9,330,000

(b) 24,399,000

(Includes resources awarded under the 1988 round)

+531,315

+8,041,980

+6,269,000

     

East Dunbartonshire

(a) 8,436,000

(b) 8,736,000

-361,751

-6,571,413

-543,000

East Lothian

(a) 50,000

(b) 63,712

-33,138

+48,850(http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pdf/2000/sfp4.pdf).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152407,"EventID":"S1W-15725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned and actual expenditure on water services was in each year since 1990, in both cash and real terms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned and actual expenditure on water services was in each year since 1990, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"No information is held centrally on what expenditure had been planned and incurred on water services by regional councils.

Since 1 April 1996, the three water authorities have been responsible for the delivery of water services.

Planned expenditure for each of the years since 1 April 1996 has been:
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

 

£ million

 

Opex

Capex

Opex

Capex

Opex

Capex

Opex

Capex

Opex

Capex

WoSWA

196.2

112.5

189.7

128.1

204.1

142.7

227.2

165.6

255.1

187.4

ESWA

134.2

67.7

143.1

84.9

159

131.7

165.4

156.6

178.8

145

NoSWA

98

60

98.1

68

113.2

68

124.7

81

157.9

128

Outturn expenditure for each of the years since 1 April 1996 has been:
 

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-2000

 

The data includes full-time and part-time students; postgraduate, undergraduate and those taking FE courses at HEIs, and students from the UK and overseas.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152411,"EventID":"S1W-15729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours of community service sentences were undertaken in the latest year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours of community service sentences were undertaken in the latest year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of hours of community service undertaken is not collected centrally.

Information on the average length of Community Service Orders made is given in table 9 of the statistical bulletin Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 1999-2000, published by the Scottish Executive in November 2000 and is also available on the Scottish Executive website:

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00046-00.asp).","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152412,"EventID":"S1W-15730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any unlimited contingent liabilities entered into by it, its associated departments and executive agencies, specifying the amounts involved in each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any unlimited contingent liabilities entered into by it, its associated departments and executive agencies, specifying the amounts involved in each case.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has entered into four unlimited contingent liabilities:

  1. The cost of injury claims arising from the clinical trials of manufactured products produced by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service;
  2. Legal or other costs, in excess of those covered by insurance, arising from any damages awarded against the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as a result of the transfer of technology and manufacturing processes to the Egyptian Organisation for Biological Products and Vaccines;
  3. Legal or other costs, in excess of those covered by insurance, arising from any damages awarded against the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as a result of it's supply of surplus by-products to the Indian company Life Medicare and Diagnostics PVT Ltd;
  4. Legal or other costs, in excess of those covered by insurance, arising from any damages awarded against the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as a result of it's supply of surplus by-products to the Turkish company BIEM ilac;

In each case the amount of the liability is unquantifiable, therefore it is not possible to specify the amounts involved. The Finance Committee has approved all contingent liabilities entered into by the Scottish Executive, according to the procedures set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the written agreement on the budgeting process, SP Paper 155.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152413,"EventID":"S1W-15731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to agree to Fife Council's request for new signposting on the A985 to the historic villages of Limekilns and Charlestown.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to agree to Fife Council's request for new signposting on the A985 to the historic villages of Limekilns and Charlestown.","AnswerText":"The original proposals submitted by Fife Council last year were not in accordance with Tourist Signposting Policy. However, revised proposals submitted earlier this year are likely to be approved by Executive officials who will be discussing the final design details and locations with Fife Council in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152414,"EventID":"S1W-15732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many permanently employed teachers there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many permanently employed teachers there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The latest information available from the Teacher Census at September 1998, shows there were an estimated 20,398 (FTE) teachers who were permanently employed, out of a total of 22,508 (FTE) teachers employed in publicly funded primary schools. The School Census at September 1999 shows there was a FTE of 22,643 teachers employed in publicly funded primary schools, with a total headcount of 27,621.

In publicly funded secondary schools at the time of the Teacher Census at September 1998, there were an estimated 22,447 (FTE) teachers who were permanently employed, out of a total of 24,091 (FTE) teachers. The School Census at September 1999 shows there was a FTE of 24,455 teachers employed in publicly funded secondary schools, with a total headcount of 26,119.

There is no date set for a Teacher Census, however, information from the September 2000 School Census will be published soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152415,"EventID":"S1W-15733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many male teachers there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many male teachers there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The School Census at September 1999 shows there were 1,553 (FTE) male teachers, out of a total of 22,643 (FTE) teachers in publicly funded primary schools. Out of a total headcount of 27,621 primary teachers there were 1,927 male teachers.

In publicly funded secondary schools, 11,305 (FTE) teachers were male, out of a total of 24,455 (FTE) teachers. Out of a total headcount of 26,119 secondary teachers, there were 11,641 male teachers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152416,"EventID":"S1W-15734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to review the Grant for Rent Ownership scheme following the recent European decision on a similar English scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to review the Grant for Rent Ownership scheme following the recent European decision on a similar English scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently reviewing the Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation (GRO) scheme with Scottish Homes and the UK Government to identify the implications of the Decision on English Partnerships' \"Partnership Investment Programme\" for GRO. When we have completed the review we will decide how to take matters forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152417,"EventID":"S1W-15735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in identifying schools where there is little or no provision of cycle training, and what steps it will take to encourage cycle training in such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in identifying schools where there is little or no provision of cycle training, and what steps it will take to encourage cycle training in such schools.","AnswerText":"A survey to provide baseline information on levels of cycle training in Scottish schools is due for completion shortly. When the report of the survey is available, I will consider its implications fully.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152418,"EventID":"S1W-15736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Lord Advocate is making regarding possible prosecutions consequent to the complaints against the Scottish Criminal Records Office by Ms Shirley McKie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Lord Advocate is making regarding possible prosecutions consequent to the complaints against the Scottish Criminal Records Office by Ms Shirley McKie.","AnswerText":"I refer to the letter the Lord Advocate sent to Mr Russell on 11 May. We will be in contact with him as soon as a decision has been reached by Crown Counsel.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152419,"EventID":"S1W-15737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which public body has legal responsibility for the acts and omissions of the Scottish Criminal Records Office in relation to complaints and civil actions against (a) civi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which public body has legal responsibility for the acts and omissions of the Scottish Criminal Records Office in relation to complaints and civil actions against (a) civilian employees and (b) police employees.","AnswerText":"Legal responsibility for the acts and omissions of the civilian staff during the course of their work at the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) lies with the staff concerned and, in certain circumstances, could lie with their employers, the Strathclyde Joint Police Board. It would be for the individual claimant to determine whether the circumstances of the case are such that the employer may be vicariously liable for the acts or omissions of the members of staff.

Responsibility for the acts or omissions of police constables engaged on central service at SCRO in terms of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 would lie with the individual constables and, in certain circumstances, could lie with the Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152420,"EventID":"S1W-15738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are planned to increase public transport access to Edinburgh from towns and villages which do not have connections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are planned to increase public transport access to Edinburgh from towns and villages which do not have connections.","AnswerText":"The provision of local bus services is a matter for the commercial judgement of individual bus operators and for local authorities where they identify a social need. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 provides local authorities with a toolkit of options to improve bus service provision across Scotland.

In addition, the Scottish Executive is currently undertaking a series of multi-modal studies which will provide us with a demand analysis and technical appraisal which will assist with prioritising support under such programmes as the Public Transport Fund and Rail Passenger Partnership fund.

As a consequence of the UK Transport Act 2001, a number of important executive functions were transferred to Scottish Ministers including the authority to give binding Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for the Scottish passenger rail franchise. The first stage in producing these directions and guidance was a public consultation on the Scottish Executive's paper Strategic Priorities for Scotland's Passenger Railway. Among other things, the consultation document emphasises our desire to reduce peripherality, and develop and sustain rail links to rural areas. The outcome of this exercise, which closed at the end of February, will be used to inform the Executive's Directions and Guidance.

So that the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority will be better placed to appraise bids for the re-letting of the Scottish passenger rail franchise, the Scottish Executive will be conducting a Central Scottish Rail Study. A number of Stakeholders will be consulted including the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, SESTRANS, WESTRANS and Railtrack. The study is expected to be let shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152421,"EventID":"S1W-15739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the National Transport Forum for Scotland and its sub-groups and when the forum or its sub-groups will next meet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the National Transport Forum for Scotland and its sub-groups and when the forum or its sub-groups will next meet.","AnswerText":"The National Transport Forum was established in the very different circumstances of pre-devolution Scotland. The establishment of the Scottish Parliament has significantly increased the level and quality of debate on transport issues of importance to Scotland. I have therefore decided that the forum as originally conceived is no longer appropriate and that the forum should be wound up. The Scottish Executive will, however, continue to work through the sub-groups originally established by the forum, as well as new bodies such as the disabled persons' transport advisory group for Scotland in developing and delivering integrated transport policies for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152422,"EventID":"S1W-15740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has allocated funding for future work by the National Transport Forum for Scotland or its sub-groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has allocated funding for future work by the National Transport Forum for Scotland or its sub-groups.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15739.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152423,"EventID":"S1W-15741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1996,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":19,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will next make a report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in delivering t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will next make a report to the Parliament on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress in delivering the Diet of examinations for 2001.","AnswerText":"I have today written to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee enclosing the Executive's third report on the Scottish Qualifications Authority's progress towards Diet 2001. Copies will be available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152424,"EventID":"S1W-15742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend that professional training for physiotherapists includes a module on hypermobility syndromes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend that professional training for physiotherapists includes a module on hypermobility syndromes.","AnswerText":"Pre-registration undergraduate training for physiotherapists already prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the effects of hypermobility syndrome.

The content of pre-registration courses for physiotherapists is a matter for the professional and regulatory bodies, i.e. the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152425,"EventID":"S1W-15743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reverse any decline in the bird population.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reverse any decline in the bird population.","AnswerText":"All birds are legally protected in the UK. The Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage work with a variety of governmental and non-governmental organisations to maintain and enhance the status of various species of birds which have shown sustained periods of decline in recent years.

Action includes protection and management of migratory and vulnerable/endangered species under the EU Birds Directive, including the classification of Special Protection Areas, together with projects involving re-introduction and species recovery programmes. Biodiversity action plans for those species most at risk throughout the UK are also in place.

Measures to improve protection for Scotland's wildlife are included in The Nature of Scotland, published in March 2001 and currently out to consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152426,"EventID":"S1W-15744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to bring forward legislation on corporate homicide.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to bring forward legislation on corporate homicide.","AnswerText":"Legislation to introduce a new offence of corporate homicide would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. However any such legislation is likely to have implications for matters which are reserved such as health and safety and Crown immunity.

The Home Office published a consultation document last year which proposed the introduction of an offence of corporate homicide, together with the abolition of the common law offence of involuntary manslaughter and its replacement by a hierarchy of three offences of reckless killing, killing by gross carelessness and involuntary homicide. I understand that the Home Office is conducting further analysis of the responses received and working with other government departments to agree the policy for England and Wales.

We are satisfied that the three offences proposed for England and Wales are adequately covered by the Scottish common law offence of culpable homicide. A complementary approach to the prosecution of companies for corporate homicide throughout the UK would be desirable. Scottish Ministers will therefore await the outcome of the Home Office analysis before considering any proposals for change in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152427,"EventID":"S1W-15745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken, or plans to undertake, with regard to establishing corporate homicide as a crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken, or plans to undertake, with regard to establishing corporate homicide as a crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is examining the case for a new statutory offence in this area and will consider a consultation exercise in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152428,"EventID":"S1W-15746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3292 by Iain Gray on 26 April 2001, whether the asylum liaison officers appointed by Strathclyde Police were in addition to the exi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3292 by Iain Gray on 26 April 2001, whether the asylum liaison officers appointed by Strathclyde Police were in addition to the existing staff complement and what information has been gathered to date through the monitoring of racial incidents by these officers.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the deployment of police officers are for the Chief Constable, but I understand that Strathclyde Police's asylum liaison officers have been appointed from the force's existing complement of officers. The Scottish Executive does not hold the information gathered by these officers. However, I have asked that the Chief Constable write to the member about this subject.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152429,"EventID":"S1W-15747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, during the First Minister's recent meeting with President George W Bush, a possible visit to Scotland by the President was discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, during the First Minister's recent meeting with President George W Bush, a possible visit to Scotland by the President was discussed.","AnswerText":"During my meeting with President Bush on April 5 we discussed a number of topics of mutual interest. I took the opportunity of extending an informal invitation to the President to visit Scotland during any future trip to Britain.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152430,"EventID":"S1W-15748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3324 by Ross Finnie on 3 May 2001, what advice it has received from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the danger","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3324 by Ross Finnie on 3 May 2001, what advice it has received from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the dangers of burning cattle over five years old on funeral pyres.","AnswerText":"SEPA advised my officials on the suitability of sites for burning FMD cull carcasses, including cattle of all ages, in relation to the protection of the environmental aspects for which they are responsible. In particular, SEPA's assessments were based on drinking water and groundwater considerations in the locality of potential sites. My officials are in consultation with SEPA over the disposal of ash from pyres which would derive from animals over five years old.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152431,"EventID":"S1W-15749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 1(1) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 implements in full Article 5(b) of the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409) in relati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 1(1) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 implements in full Article 5(b) of the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409) in relation to the deliberate destruction of, or damage to, nests and nest sites outwith the breeding season; what advice it has received on this issue from Scottish Natural Heritage and whether it will publish this advice, and whether it has any plans to address any non-implementation of the Directive through its legislative proposals set out in Nature of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive considers that section 1 (1) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 fully implements the provisions of Article 5 (b) of Council Directive (79/409/EEC) on the Conservation of Wild Birds, in relation to the deliberate destruction of, or damage to, nests and nest sites outwith the breeding season.

The Executive has not received specific advice from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on this subject. However, SNH is currently preparing its response to Scottish Ministers on the implications for Scotland of the recommendations contained in the report of the UK Raptor Working Group (RWG), which calls for an investigation of the legal status of nests outside the breeding season and consideration of any changes to national legislation to protect them.

The Nature of Scotland proposes new offences of reckless disturbance of nesting sites of specially protected species and reckless damage or destruction of nests and eggs.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152432,"EventID":"S1W-15750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to effect road safety improvements at Duror, in particular at Achindarroch Road end and Cuil Bay Road end, and whether any such work will be carr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to effect road safety improvements at Duror, in particular at Achindarroch Road end and Cuil Bay Road end, and whether any such work will be carried out by BEAR Scotland Ltd.","AnswerText":"Work to improve road safety on this route was completed last year, as part of a Route Accident Reduction Plan on the A828 between Connel and Ballachulish. This included signing and lining measures at Duror and the Achindarroch and Cuil Bay junctions. Further safety improvements including the final stage of the Duror footway scheme and improved visibility at the Achindarroch junction are being progressed by BEAR Scotland Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152433,"EventID":"S1W-15751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will convene a working group, including representatives of the sectors of industry most likely to be affected, a Scottish Environment Protection Agency represe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will convene a working group, including representatives of the sectors of industry most likely to be affected, a Scottish Environment Protection Agency representative and a water authority representative, to consider proposals for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.","AnswerText":"We intend to take an open approach to implementing the EC Water Framework Directive consulting extensively with stakeholders. For example, we plan to hold a conference on the Directive in the autumn. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the water authorities, industry representatives and environmental organisations will be among those invited to attend.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152434,"EventID":"S1W-15752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures have been put in place to prevent its departmental websites from disseminating information that could be of advantage to the governing parties in the fort","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures have been put in place to prevent its departmental websites from disseminating information that could be of advantage to the governing parties in the forthcoming General Election and whether it will publish any such procedures.","AnswerText":"Guidance has been issued to all Scottish Executive staff on their role and conduct during the UK General Election campaign. The guidance emphasises that civil servants should not undertake any activity which could call into question their political impartiality and that they should ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes. These requirements apply to any information published by the Scottish Executive during the General Election campaign, whether on the Scottish Executive website or otherwise. The guidance has been posted on the Scottish Executive website and copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152435,"EventID":"S1W-15753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001 and with reference to a letter of 16 October 1990 from the Chairman of the Scottish Law ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001 and with reference to a letter of 16 October 1990 from the Chairman of the Scottish Law Commission to Mr David Lambie MP, whether it is aware of any independent research on the law of boundary walls initiated by the Commission which indicated that the law on this subject consists of two lines of decision which cannot be satisfactorily reconciled and, if so, whether this research supports its position that no further legislation or other action is necessary to review or restate the law in this area.","AnswerText":"The research referred to in the letter of 16 October 1990 was conducted \"in-house\" by the Scottish Law Commission and covered the exposition of the existing law. This research was taken into account when the Commission issued its consultation paper and reached its recommendations in its report.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152436,"EventID":"S1W-15754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether it will make any independent research on the law of boundary walls initiated by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 January 2001, whether it will make any independent research on the law of boundary walls initiated by the Scottish Law Commission publicly available.","AnswerText":"No independent research on this subject was initiated by the Scottish Law Commission.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152437,"EventID":"S1W-15755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what brief was given to the firm used to select candidates for the position of chief executive of visitscotland and whether ministers were involved in approving that brie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what brief was given to the firm used to select candidates for the position of chief executive of visitscotland and whether ministers were involved in approving that brief.","AnswerText":"The firm concerned was invited to search for candidates capable of fulfilling the role described in my answer to question S1W-15445. Ministers were not involved in approving that brief.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152438,"EventID":"S1W-15756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the firm used to select candidates for the post of chief executive of visitscotland had responsibility for ensuring that the successful candidate had no other co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the firm used to select candidates for the post of chief executive of visitscotland had responsibility for ensuring that the successful candidate had no other conflicting executive commitments.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for visitscotland but I understand that, whilst it is normal practice for recruitment consultants to look into the background of candidates, it is not common practice to place with recruitment consultants a duty to ensure that candidates have no other conflicting interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152439,"EventID":"S1W-15757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many candidates applied for the post of chief executive of visitscotland and what type of qualifications and experience those who were interviewed had.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many candidates applied for the post of chief executive of visitscotland and what type of qualifications and experience those who were interviewed had.","AnswerText":"151 candidates applied in response to the newspaper advert which appeared in December 2000 and the initial search. Interviews are still continuing, but I understand that those interviewed so far had experience of running organisations and of marketing.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152440,"EventID":"S1W-15758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or proposes to have with Ryanair regarding additional air links between Prestwick and destinations in Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or proposes to have with Ryanair regarding additional air links between Prestwick and destinations in Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with Ryanair about additional air links between Prestwick and destinations in Europe. We have, however, had discussions with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and airport operators about the promotion of additional air links serving Scotland. We will continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152441,"EventID":"S1W-15759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or proposes to have with easyJet regarding a direct air link between Scotland and Northern Spain.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had or proposes to have with easyJet regarding a direct air link between Scotland and Northern Spain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with easyJet about a direct air link between Scotland and Northern Spain. We have, however, had discussions with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and airport operators about the promotion of additional air links serving Scotland. We will continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152442,"EventID":"S1W-15760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional budget will be made available to visitscotland for marketing in each of the next two financial years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional budget will be made available to visitscotland for marketing in each of the next two financial years.","AnswerText":"The total grant-in-aid budget for visitscotland for 2002-03 is £22.8 million and for 2003-04 is £23.8 million. The proportion that will be allocated to marketing from these budgets is an operational matter for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152443,"EventID":"S1W-15761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what power it plans to review the consent for Woodland Grant Scheme funding at Ladylea Hill, Candacraig, and whether a formal appeal seeking review of this consent ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what power it plans to review the consent for Woodland Grant Scheme funding at Ladylea Hill, Candacraig, and whether a formal appeal seeking review of this consent has been received.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are considering an appeal against the decision of the Forestry Commissioners under regulation 17 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry)(Scotland) Regulations 1999. In accordance with the Regulations, the Scottish Ministers will, in determining the appeal, take into consideration the environmental information, any representations in relation to the appeal and any other material consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152444,"EventID":"S1W-15762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the Minister for Health and Community Care has to meet delegates from the \"Save Stobhill Campaign Team\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the Minister for Health and Community Care has to meet delegates from the \"Save Stobhill Campaign Team\".","AnswerText":"I met with delegates from the Save Stobhill Campaign Team on Thursday 17 May.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152445,"EventID":"S1W-15763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9959 by Sarah Boyack on 9 October 2000, whether a full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link has been received from","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9959 by Sarah Boyack on 9 October 2000, whether a full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link has been received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority and, if so, what the current status is of the project.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14515 on 9 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152446,"EventID":"S1W-15764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15127 by Mr Jack McConnell on 8 May 2001, how many students who had completed, by the end of June 2000, all relevant continuous ass","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15127 by Mr Jack McConnell on 8 May 2001, how many students who had completed, by the end of June 2000, all relevant continuous assessment requirements for their HNC or HND courses are still awaiting receipt of their certificates from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority has issued 32,263 group award, including HNC and HND, certificates to candidates completing their course of study by 31 July 2000, the end of the academic year. It is not possible to provide a figure for candidates who have not yet received certificates, for two main reasons.

First, a data matching process to reconcile differences between data held by the SQA and by FE colleges has to be completed. That process is now virtually complete: only one college is outstanding, and the processing of its data has been made a priority.

Second, SQA has identified a number of cases in which college candidates' reference numbers, which are intended to be unique, have been at least duplicated. The possibility therefore arises that different elements of group awards for a candidate may be held on different reference numbers. A means of merging such duplicated candidate records is being developed urgently with priority given to cases where a group award may be merited, in order that outstanding certificates may be issued.

FE colleges will, in most cases, have been able to provide students with their results and with provisional confirmation of their award, if needed by prospective employers or other educational institutions.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152447,"EventID":"S1W-15765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the research it commissioned into racial discrimination in the NHS was ready for publication in November 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the research it commissioned into racial discrimination in the NHS was ready for publication in November 2000.","AnswerText":"A programme of action-oriented research was commissioned to establish the information and support needed by NHSScotland to meet the needs of people and families from ethnic minority communities. This was not ready for publication in November 2000.

As part of this, an initial stocktake of work across Scotland was used to identify the distinctive needs of people and families from ethnic minority communities and the action required to address these needs in a proactive manner. Best practice guidance is currently being drafted and discussions are under way to establish how necessary national support can be delivered. This will be issued for consultation over the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152448,"EventID":"S1W-15766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the research it commissioned into racial discrimination in the NHS has not yet been published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the research it commissioned into racial discrimination in the NHS has not yet been published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15765.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152449,"EventID":"S1W-15767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish the research it commissioned on racial discrimination in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish the research it commissioned on racial discrimination in the NHS.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15765.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152450,"EventID":"S1W-15768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent NHS dentists there currently are, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent NHS dentists there currently are, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"In answer to questions S1W-15768 and S1W-15769, the number of NHS dentists at June 2000, by health board area and per 100,000 population, is shown in the following table. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

Number of NHS dentists at June 2000; by health board
 

Number of NHS dentists

Per 100,000 population

Scotland

2,597.2

50.8

Ayrshire & Arran

168.4

45.1

Borders

46.1

43.1

Argyll & Clyde

208.4

49.2

Fife

175.1

50.0

Greater Glasgow

539.3

59.6

Highland

114.5

54.9

Lanarkshire

240.8

42.8

Grampian

218.6

41.8

Orkney

11.0

56.5

Lothian

429.4

54.8

Tayside

240.4

62.4

Forth Valley

109.5

39.4

Western Isles

20.0

73.6

Dumfries & Galloway

60.8

41.7

Shetland

15.0

66.8

Notes:

1. Source: MIDAS dental database (General Dental Practitioners); Medical and Dental Census (Hospital & Community Dentists); ISD Scotland.

2. Includes General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) and Hospital & Community Dentists. Information for GDPs relates to number, while Hospital & Community Dentists data are counted as whole-time equivalent.

3. Information is not collected on the working hours of General Dental Practitioners. The figures contained in the table above refer to the number of GDPs in post.

4. Excludes the State Hospital.

5. Information is provisional.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152451,"EventID":"S1W-15769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent NHS dentists there currently are per head of population, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent NHS dentists there currently are per head of population, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15768.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152452,"EventID":"S1W-15770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the adult population in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area is registered with an NHS dentist.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the adult population in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area is registered with an NHS dentist.","AnswerText":"For the year ending March 2000, 45% of adults in the Dumfries and Galloway area were registered with an NHS dentist.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152453,"EventID":"S1W-15771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued or plans to issue on the maximum distances which patients should be required to travel to receive dental treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued or plans to issue on the maximum distances which patients should be required to travel to receive dental treatment.","AnswerText":"No guidelines have been issued and there are no plans to issue any.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152454,"EventID":"S1W-15772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued or intends to issue on the maximum number of patients a dentist may have.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued or intends to issue on the maximum number of patients a dentist may have.","AnswerText":"No guidelines have been issued and there are no plans to issue any.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152455,"EventID":"S1W-15773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or plans to take to improve the provision of dental services in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or plans to take to improve the provision of dental services in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Steps taken include:

Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants to encourage practitioners to set up or expand NHS practices in areas of unmet patient demand or high oral health need, including rural areas;

approval of salaried dentist posts in areas where island health boards or Primary Care NHS Trusts have indicated that there are difficulties with NHS dental provision or oral health needs;

a scheme whereby fees may be paid to dentists travelling to rural areas for loss of remunerative time spent on travel and to compensate the dentist where visits are cancelled at short notice, and

the early years enhanced capitation scheme to encourage dentists to register and provide preventative advice and treatment to 0-2 and 3-5-year-olds, with payment on a sliding scale depending on the level deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152456,"EventID":"S1W-15774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or plans to take to improve awareness in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway, of the importance of dental health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or plans to take to improve awareness in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway, of the importance of dental health.","AnswerText":"All areas in Scotland have structured programmes of oral health education. In Dumfries and Galloway this programme is co-ordinated through the Health Promotion Department. Annually these services contact pre-school, nursery and primary school children. In addition they contact key groups such as carers, general dental practitioners, health visitors to ensure consistent information. Dumfries and Galloway has numerous other programmes highlighting the importance of oral health including a toothbrushing programme which involves over 2,300 children in 24 nursery classes and 48 primary schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152457,"EventID":"S1W-15775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the availability of dental services in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the availability of dental services in rural areas, in particular, in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Problems of access to NHS dentistry within all areas of Scotland, including remote and rural areas, are being kept under review by the Executive on a continuous basis, and is one of the areas being looked at by the Implementation Support Group for the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152458,"EventID":"S1W-15776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of its network study group which examines the electricity grid throughout Scotland, who its members are, whether the group is expected to publish any co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of its network study group which examines the electricity grid throughout Scotland, who its members are, whether the group is expected to publish any conclusions and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Network Study Group's remit is to examine the existing electricity network in Scotland; its potential and constraints; the likely impact of planned network investments, and the possible costs involved in strengthening and upgrading the network.

The members of the Network Study Group are Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power, the Scottish Renewables Forum, the Inter-University Centre for Economic Renewable Power Delivery, the Scottish Executive and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The interim report of the group was placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre on 29 November 2000 and the final report will be published in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152459,"EventID":"S1W-15777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out or intends to carry out to assess the impact of the European Distance Selling Directive on Scottish businesses, and what the results of an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out or intends to carry out to assess the impact of the European Distance Selling Directive on Scottish businesses, and what the results of any such studies carried out to date were.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not carried out any studies on the impact of the Distance Selling Directive on Scottish businesses and has no plans to carry out any such study.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152460,"EventID":"S1W-15778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of people and businesses which purchase goods online.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of people and businesses which purchase goods online.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are charged with promoting e-business. Both agencies have developed a range of initiatives that encourage businesses to, amongst other things, purchase and sell goods online. A network of ICT Local Support Centres, operating under the UK Online branding, provides support to businesses and aims to help achieve the UK-wide target of having 1 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises trading online by 2002.

To help stimulate online purchasing, the Executive is currently considering how adoption of e-procurement methods across the wider Scottish public sector can be facilitated and how they can help drive collaborative procurement.

For individuals, the Executive is committed to universal access to the web by 2005 and is currently considering what further action is necessary to ensure this is achieved.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152461,"EventID":"S1W-15779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what criteria are used to decide on the books to be sold and displayed in the Scottish Parliament shop.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what criteria are used to decide on the books to be sold and displayed in the Scottish Parliament shop.","AnswerText":"Space restraints within the Parliament Shop ensure that only small selections of any product can be stocked. There are a number of other excellent bookshops in the vicinity and book sales make up less than 5% of total Parliament Shop sales. As a result, the current range is restricted to a limited selection of popular titles.

As with all shop products, the Retail Manager makes the final decision on which titles are stocked with regard to overall retail suitability within the core market. The general public and visitors make the majority of book purchases from the shop and the range of titles in stock has been selected to appeal mainly to this market. It covers Scottish history, modern political writing, a children's section and some fiction. Scottish history is the most popular section. The shop offers a book ordering service to internal customers which can provide most popular titles on any subject within 24 hours of ordering.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152462,"EventID":"S1W-15780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why All the First Minister's Men by David Black is not currently stocked by the Scottish Parliament shop.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why All the First Minister's Men by David Black is not currently stocked by the Scottish Parliament shop.","AnswerText":"Books are selected for their retail suitability and quality using the criteria set out in the answer to question S1W-15779.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152463,"EventID":"S1W-15781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to halt the decline in the number of growers involved in producing soft fruit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to halt the decline in the number of growers involved in producing soft fruit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is taking a number of measures to assist the soft fruit industry in its current difficulties. These include assisting a number of grower co-operatives to decide whether to apply for recognition as a Producer Organisation (which is an essential pre-requisite to an EU grant-aided Operational Programme incorporating a marketing element); providing financial assistance to Scottish Soft Fruit Growers' Ltd (SSFG) towards the cost of employing a marketing manager; commissioning of consultants to investigate a future funding strategy for raspberry breeding; with the Intervention Agency, exploring every opportunity for SSFG to maximise the value of grant it is entitled to under the EU Special Scheme for Raspberries intended for Processing (which has been worth almost £8 million over the last eight years), and funding strategic research into plant health problems such as raspberry root rot. There are no plans to subsidise any shortfall in payments to growers by Scottish Soft Fruit Growers Limited.

The aforementioned measures should help the Scottish soft fruit industry to ensure that future production is in step with any increased market demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152464,"EventID":"S1W-15782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made, since the debate on the issue in the Parliament on 21 March 2001, in taking forward the Scottish berry project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made, since the debate on the issue in the Parliament on 21 March 2001, in taking forward the Scottish berry project.","AnswerText":"Officials of the Health Department, Rural Affairs Department and the Food Standards Agency had a constructive meeting with representatives of the Scottish Berry Group on 23 April 2001 to discuss their proposals for a pilot berry project. The group agreed to develop its proposal further and present this to the Executive for consideration. We expect to receive this shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152465,"EventID":"S1W-15783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14944 by Jackie Baillie on 30 April 2001, whether it has sought any information from voluntary organisations and charities on the e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14944 by Jackie Baillie on 30 April 2001, whether it has sought any information from voluntary organisations and charities on the extent of any loss of income which they have incurred due to the cancellation of countryside events because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and whether it has any plans to introduce any compensation scheme for such organisations and charities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has established an Economic Impact Assessment Group to identify the effect which foot-and-mouth disease is having across sectors and areas. The Executive is continuing to seek information on the implications of the outbreak on fundraising activities of voluntary organisations. Whilst the Executive is concerned at any implication the outbreak may have had on the voluntary sector, it has no plans to introduce a compensation scheme.

The Executive recognises that the voluntary sector is playing an important role in helping those most affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The Minister for Environment and Rural Development announced on 8 May details of the scheme to match donations by members of the public to voluntary organisations engaged in alleviating distress caused by foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland. The scheme will be administered by Scottish Community Foundation on behalf of the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152466,"EventID":"S1W-15784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the supplementary answer to question S1O-3376 by Rhona Brankin on 10 May 2001, what evidence it has that outgoing trunk road operating companies neglected the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the supplementary answer to question S1O-3376 by Rhona Brankin on 10 May 2001, what evidence it has that outgoing trunk road operating companies neglected the clearing of litter from motorways during the final months of the old contracts and left a legacy for the new operating companies to address; who compiled any such evidence; what additional payments have been requested by or made to the new operating companies to clear any backlog, and whether any such additional costs would be recovered from the outgoing companies and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"I am aware that concerns have been expressed, but to date have received no evidence to support this opinion or requests for payments. Should any evidence be submitted and accepted for additional payment, costs could be recovered from payments due to the outgoing operating companies.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152467,"EventID":"S1W-15785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which local authority areas the morning-after pill is available via school nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which local authority areas the morning-after pill is available via school nurses.","AnswerText":"School nurses can only provide medication where authorised to do so under a Patient Group Direction, issued by their NHS Trust. No Directions in respect of school nurses and emergency contraception have been issued anywhere in Scotland to date.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152468,"EventID":"S1W-15786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minimum age has been set below which the morning-after pill will not be prescribed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minimum age has been set below which the morning-after pill will not be prescribed.","AnswerText":"A decision to prescribe emergency hormonal contraception, as with any other drug or treatment, depends on the clinical judgement of the health professional concerned, informed by advice and guidance about its use. No minimum age has been set below which emergency hormonal contraception will not be prescribed.

The marketing authorisation for Levonelle, which may be sold without a prescription under the supervision of a pharmacist, restricts its sale to women aged 16 and over.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152469,"EventID":"S1W-15787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Legal Aid Board will handle any increased workload flowing from recent and anticipated policy developments, while maintaining and improving its standards","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Legal Aid Board will handle any increased workload flowing from recent and anticipated policy developments, while maintaining and improving its standards.","AnswerText":"The board recently submitted a bid for additional resources to allow them to modernise their infrastructure and systems; to deal with a significant increase in workload, and to improve the speed and accuracy of its decision making.

Separately, the board had earlier applied for funding under our Modernising Government initiative to assist with the move to electronic delivery of legal aid.

Both the general and the Modernising Government bids would be used by the board on the "invest to save" principle. In other words, some of the investment now will yield efficiency gains and savings in future years.

I have decided to increase the grant-in-aid to the board to allow the proposed programme of investments to proceed. This will improve both the services that the board provides to its clients and its overall efficiency. I have looked very carefully at the current level of demand for legal aid and believe that this increase can be afforded within the existing overall provision.

Under the Modernising Government Fund, the board was awarded £0.75 million, of which £0.7 million will be provided in the current year. To complement this money, I have decided that, over and above the grant-in-aid, additional funds should be made available over the next two years amounting to £956,000 in total.

The board's basic grant-in-aid provision in 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 will now be £8.8 million, £8.9 million and £9.0 million respectively. The additional Modernising Government monies will bring the totals to £9.875 million, £9.49 million and £9.0 million respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152470,"EventID":"S1W-15788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the establishment of a Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder and who any members appointed to the network are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the establishment of a Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder and who any members appointed to the network are.","AnswerText":"The same as you? recommended that the Scottish Society for Autism, supported by the National Autistic Society, should bring together all those with an interest, to set up a national service network for children and adults with autistic spectrum disorder.

The report identifies local and national priorities to improve support for people with an autistic spectrum disorder. These include continuing improvement in early diagnosis; quick access to information, specialist knowledge and training for professionals providing local services, and widening the range and accessibility of specialist services locally.

The Scottish Society for Autism was awarded £16,400 to carry out a mapping exercise to collate information on services currently provided in health, education and social work throughout Scotland. The exercise is due for completion by the end of December 2001.

In addition, the Public Health Institute for Scotland is carrying out a Scottish Needs Assessment Programme, to look at the role of current services across Scotland, and to identify gaps in provision and development needs. Their report is due in the autumn.

Following completion of these reports, the remit and membership of the network will be a matter for the Scottish Society for Autism, the National Autistic Society and their partner organisations, in consultation with the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152471,"EventID":"S1W-15789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the areas of priority for the Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the areas of priority for the Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15788.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152472,"EventID":"S1W-15790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit of the Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit of the Scottish Service Network for autistic spectrum disorder will be.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15788.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152473,"EventID":"S1W-15791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been implemented to date as a result of the recommendations in The Same as You?.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been implemented to date as a result of the recommendations in The Same as You?.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S1O-3134 and S1W-13979.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152474,"EventID":"S1W-15792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the progress of the work carried out by the Scottish Service Network is accurately monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the progress of the work carried out by the Scottish Service Network is accurately monitored.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15788.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152475,"EventID":"S1W-15793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities to ensure a coherent approach in supporting adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities to ensure a coherent approach in supporting adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-14014 on 22 March 2001.

Guidance to local authorities and health boards on the preparation of Partnership in Practice agreements (PiPs) advised that PiPs should look specifically at the needs of people with autistic spectrum disorder for both mainstream and specialist services.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152476,"EventID":"S1W-15794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for an awareness campaign to highlight difficulties faced by those with autism and Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for an awareness campaign to highlight difficulties faced by those with autism and Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15530 on 16 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152477,"EventID":"S1W-15795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #13.5 million additional funding for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak announced on 28 March 2001 has been or will be allocated ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #13.5 million additional funding for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak announced on 28 March 2001 has been or will be allocated to Scottish Borders Council.","AnswerText":"The Executive fully appreciates the impact which the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is having in the South of Scotland. The £13.5 million emergency relief package which I announced on 2 April made available considerable resources to support those areas worst affected by the disease. As an immediate measure, Scottish Enterprise Borders were allocated £150,000 from the additional funding given to the Enterprise Networks. £100,000 has gone to the Borders Tourist Board from the visitscotland's allocation. Businesses in the Borders will also receive additional funding through the Scotland-wide elements of the emergency package, including the hardship rates relief scheme, estimated to be worth up to £3.5 million for businesses across Scotland.

The First Minister and ministerial colleagues met representatives from the Borders on 29 May, to discuss the impact of foot-and-mouth disease in the Borders, and what medium- to long-term measures might be required to assist recovery. A positive meeting between local agencies and Executive officials took place on 8 June, to discuss the detail of the plan. Consideration of recovery measures will be taken forward in the context of national recovery strategies.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152478,"EventID":"S1W-15796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been counting adjacent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease as single outbreaks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been counting adjacent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease as single outbreaks.","AnswerText":"Each infected premises is counted as a single case for counting purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152479,"EventID":"S1W-15797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why the official reports for meetings of committees of the Parliament are not published within seven days of a committee's last meeting and how the Scottish Parliamentary ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why the official reports for meetings of committees of the Parliament are not published within seven days of a committee's last meeting and how the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will ensure that committee members and interested parties have the Official Report before a committee's next meeting to allow all evidence to be considered.","AnswerText":"The Official Report makes every effort to meet its target of publishing committee Official Reports as quickly as possible and to agreed deadlines. The date of the next meeting is the first determinant of priority.

The importance of timely publication is appreciated, but there are periods of more intense committee activity when the number, frequency and/or duration of meetings exceed the capacity to produce the Official Report in time for a committee's next meeting. To address such situations, the following order of prioritisation was devised by the directorate of clerking and reporting and endorsed by the conveners group in April:

  • Stage 2: Executive bills
  • Stage 2: non-Executive bills (including committee bills and members' bills)
  • Consideration stage: private bills
  • Major inquiry (eg SQA)
  • Evidence at stage 1: Executive bills
  • Evidence at stage 1: non-Executive bills (including committee bills and members' bills)
  • Preliminary stage: private bills
  • Other evidence

Details of publication dates are in the official report's production schedule, which is available on SPEIR and updated daily.

There were 120 committee meetings in the 12 weeks between the Christmas and Easter recesses: the Official Reports of all 120 were produced in time for the next meeting of the committee. There have been 59 meetings in the four weeks from 23 April to 18 May, during which time there was a heavy schedule of stage 2 meetings. The public holidays on 7 and 28 May cause significant delays in publication, but some Official Report staff will be working on the privilege holiday on 25 May to reduce the backlog.

The SPCB addressed official report resourcing in February 2000. The consequential recruitment and training processes are on target to be completed by September.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152480,"EventID":"S1W-15798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified lip-reading tutors there were at 31 March in each year since 1997-98, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified lip-reading tutors there were at 31 March in each year since 1997-98, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152481,"EventID":"S1W-15799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many audiologists were in post at 31 March in each year since 1997-98, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many audiologists were in post at 31 March in each year since 1997-98, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152482,"EventID":"S1W-15800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the training of lip-reading tutors has been and will be made availabl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the training of lip-reading tutors has been and will be made available under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and by any other means, in the current financial year and in any future years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive awarded a pump-priming grant of £20,000 to the Scottish Course to Train Tutors in Lip-reading in December 2000.

The Scottish Course has applied for a training grant under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and is currently awaiting a response. The arrangements and funding of education and training for social work services are being reviewed within the context of the Regulation of Care Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152483,"EventID":"S1W-15801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the support of local lip-reading groups has been and will be made ava","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the support of local lip-reading groups has been and will be made available under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and by any other means, in the current financial year and in any future years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for the Scottish Executive to provide funding for the support of local lip-reading groups. The Scottish Executive would normally fund groups at a local level only if they demonstrated either innovative work or work of national importance.

The Scottish Executive is unable to provide details on funding by local authorities for the support of local lip-reading groups, as this information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152484,"EventID":"S1W-15803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many premises in the Dumfries and Galloway area have been affected by the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and including 15 May 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many premises in the Dumfries and Galloway area have been affected by the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and including 15 May 2001.","AnswerText":"996 premises were affected by the sheep, goat and pig cull in the 3km zone.

130 premises were affected by the policy of culling all susceptible livestock on contiguous farms.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152485,"EventID":"S1W-15804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area under the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area under the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and including 15 May 2001.","AnswerText":"Up to and including 15 May 2001, the following numbers of animals were slaughtered:

3km cull

Sheep

361,294

Pigs

63

Goats

 

Contiguous Premises

Sheep

47,988

Cattle

18,329

Pigs

8

Goats

8

Other

1

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152486,"EventID":"S1W-15805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area because premises were, or were suspected of being, infected ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area because premises were, or were suspected of being, infected with the foot-and-mouth virus, up to and including 15 May 2001.","AnswerText":"The table shows the number of animals slaughtered. It should be noted that confirmed cases and slaughter on suspicion cases are regarded as "infected with" whereas dangerous contact cases are regarded as "exposed to".

Number of Animals Slaughtered
 

Sheep

Cattle

Others

Total

Confirmed Cases

85,091

32,914

59

118,377

Dangerous Contact Cases

39,074

18,454

20

59,804

Slaughter on Suspicion Cases

15,080

2,188

30

17,298

 

139,245

53,556

109

195,479

","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152487,"EventID":"S1W-15806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local authority in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local authority in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"Revenue budget estimates are contained in the table. Forecast capital expenditure plans for the current year are not yet available.

Revenue Budget Estimate 2001-02

(£000)

Aberdeen City

289,378

Aberdeenshire

304,705

Angus

148,968

Argyll & Bute

155,725

Clackmannanshire

68,281

Dumfries & Galloway

223,346

Dundee

237,745

East Ayrshire

172,135

East Dunbartonshire

144,343

East Lothian

122,478

East Renfrewshire

118,590

Edinburgh City

630,294

Eilean Siar

83,587

Falkirk

198,975

Fife

479,051

Glasgow

1,119,071

Highland

340,748

Inverclyde

133,434

Midlothian

120,009

Moray

119,935

North Ayrshire

198,717

North Lanarkshire

460,697

Orkney

47,680

Perth and Kinross

183,449

Renfrewshire

253,098

Scottish Borders

155,987

Shetland

67,066

South Ayrshire

158,348

South Lanarkshire

426,565

Stirling

130,281

West Dunbartonshire

154,111

West Lo","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152488,"EventID":"S1W-15807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local enterprise company in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local enterprise company in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The allocation of local enterprise company budgets is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. Neither body breaks down its allocations in terms of revenue and capital budgets.

Initial budget allocations for 2001-02 are set out in the following tables. They will be subject to review during the course of the year and may therefore be amended.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Local Enterprise Company Allocations

LEC

£000

Shetland

2,607

Orkney

2,373

Western Isles

4,730

Skye & Lochalsh

1,688

Caithness & Sutherland

4,676

Ross & Cromarty

6,148

Inverness & Nairn

4,315

Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey

3,652

Lochaber

2,270

Argyll and the Islands

7,475

Total

39,934

Scottish Enterprise

Local Enterprise Company Allocations

LEC

£000

Ayrshire

23,208

Borders

7,797

Dumfries & Galloway

8,501

Dunbartonshire

14,800

Fife

18,768

Forth Valley

18,070

Glasgow

49,252

Grampian

21,002

Lanarkshire

38,847

Lothian & Edinburgh

44,688

Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey*

2,303

Renfrewshire

18,425

Tayside

He was recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 on the recommendation of the Parole Board because of a breach of licence which suggested that he presented an unacceptable risk to the public. He remained in custody until the expiry of his sentence on 4 July 1999 when he was released.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152491,"EventID":"S1W-15810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14481 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 April 2001, why Louis McDonald was (a) recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 and (b) re-released on 4 Jul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14481 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 April 2001, why Louis McDonald was (a) recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 and (b) re-released on 4 July 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15809.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152492,"EventID":"S1W-15811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the location was of each aircraft in the air ambulance fleet on 29 and 30 April 2001 and whether it will detail the jobs undertaken by each aircraft on each of these","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the location was of each aircraft in the air ambulance fleet on 29 and 30 April 2001 and whether it will detail the jobs undertaken by each aircraft on each of these dates, specifying in each case the location of the job, category of patient and type of aircraft used.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I have asked Mr Adrian Lucas, the Chief Executive of the service, to look into this matter and to respond direct to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152493,"EventID":"S1W-15812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses were in operation in Scotland in the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by si'e and sector, and what each of these figures repre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses were in operation in Scotland in the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by si'e and sector, and what each of these figures represents as a percentage of the equivalent UK figures.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of businesses in Scotland in November 1999, broken down by employee sizeband and sector. The enterprises are allocated to the sizebands on the basis of their total number of employees in the whole of the UK.

Industry

Total

1+ employee

0-49 employee

50-249 employee

250+ employee

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

25,915

9,305

25,865

30

15

Mining & quarrying, electricity, gas & water supply

1,800

400

1,670

60

70

Manufacturing

18,400

8,575

17,025

840

535

Construction

43,125

9,355

42,805

190

135

Wholesale, retail and repairs

46,695

23,730

45,550

640

505

Hotels and restaurants

23,555

11,425

23,280

195

80

Transport, storage and communication

20,070

3,810

19,715

200

155

Financial intermediation

5,015

1,430

4,775

80

160

Real estate, renting and business activities

52,290

22,040

51,395

555

340

Education

7,660

1,","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152494,"EventID":"S1W-15813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current economic value is of the LINK enterprise budget programme; how many jobs have been created as a result of the programme since it started, and how many an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current economic value is of the LINK enterprise budget programme; how many jobs have been created as a result of the programme since it started, and how many and what percentage of Scottish businesses are currently involved in the programme.","AnswerText":"LINK is the UK Government's principal mechanism for supporting pre-competitive collaborative research between industry and the science base.

Seven Government Departments, including the Scottish Executive, and five Research Councils provide up to 50% of the total eligible costs of a LINK project, with the balance provided by the industrial partners. The Government's spend on LINK projects in 1999-2000 was £38 million, which was more than matched by industry.

Over the period 1988-2000 some 146 projects have involved Scottish universities, some 10% of the total number of projects. Comprehensive information on company involvement on a territorial basis is not available. Of the industrial partners able to be so recognised, some 8% are identified as based in Scotland.

Given its remit, LINK has no direct employment focus and no measure is made of jobs created under this initiative.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152495,"EventID":"S1W-15814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of the amount each local authority will be allocated to fund the McCrone proposals on teachers' pay in financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of the amount each local authority will be allocated to fund the McCrone proposals on teachers' pay in financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15551.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152496,"EventID":"S1W-15815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement to the Parliament on 26 April 2001 by the Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, whether it proposes any further relaxation in foot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement to the Parliament on 26 April 2001 by the Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, whether it proposes any further relaxation in foot-and-mouth disease movement controls.","AnswerText":"The Foot and Mouth Disease situation in Scotland continues to improve and up to midnight last night only five cases of the disease have been reported this month. While continued vigilance is necessary, I have decided to authorise the following relaxations in animal movement and other controls.

Provisionally Free Area

- Veterinary certification will no longer be required for longer distance movements.

- Collection Centres which, on the mainland, are approved to deal in fatstock only, will now be permitted to cover store stock. This will bring the mainland PFA into line with existing arrangements on the islands.

- Cattle will be permitted to move direct to slaughter from the ARA into the PFA. These movements will be subject to strict veterinary and other controls.

At Risk Areas

- Longer Distance Movements will be permitted in the areas of Dumfries and Galloway and Borders outwith Infected Areas, so extending existing ARA rules to these districts.

- The need for supervision of Longer Distance Movements will be dispensed with and replaced by a system of spot checks.

- Deer Stalking will also now be permitted in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders with the exception of those parts which fall within the Infected Areas.

- Collection Centres will be approved to deal with fat and store stock.

Infected Areas

- The road network has been used as the means of delineating the Infected Areas. This has encompassed farms which fall outwith the regulatory 10km Surveillance Zones. Officials are looking at ways in which the areas might be redefined to release farms on the South Ayrshire/Galloway border and to the north of the Moffat Surveillance Zone.

- Outwith the 3km protection zones, local and occupational licences will be granted without any need to demonstrate a welfare requirement. Trading will be permitted under these arrangements. In exceptional circumstances, longer movements within the Infected Areas can now be authorised by the Divisional Veterinary Manager in order to resolve any particularly serious welfare problem.

- Animals from the PFA and ARA will also be allowed to move into the Infected Area. This will cover the movement of bulls and the return of over-wintered hoggs, for example. Vehicles carrying these animals will be cleansed and disinfected at an official C&D Centre prior to returning to the ARA/PFA. Once the animals enter the Infected Area they will not be permitted to move outside it.

- I am aware that there are substantial numbers of finished cattle which the Scottish meat trade would like authorisation to have moved from the Infected Areas for slaughter in the ARA. I am sympathetic to their case which is still being considered. There are, however, legislative and other considerations which will need to be weighed carefully in the balance before I decide whether this can be permitted.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152497,"EventID":"S1W-15816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the extent of any cutbacks in local authority \"best garden\" competitions and any other such initiatives which improve the local environment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the extent of any cutbacks in local authority \"best garden\" competitions and any other such initiatives which improve the local environment.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on such initiatives is a matter for individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152498,"EventID":"S1W-15817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations about withdrawing reliefs on water and sewerage charges from charitable and volun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations about withdrawing reliefs on water and sewerage charges from charitable and voluntary bodies.","AnswerText":"Jackie Baillie and I met representatives of the SCVO on 10 May. Following that discussion, we have responded positively to concerns that were expressed and decided that the phased withdrawal planned to start this year will be delayed. Instead it will begin with effect from 1 April 2002, at which point the value of individual reliefs will be reduced by 40%, with the remainder being progressively phased out by April 2005. This will provide all water authority customers affected by the original decision, including a range of charitable and voluntary bodies, with an extra year in which to plan to meet the costs arising from phased withdrawal and to enable free meters to be installed.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152499,"EventID":"S1W-15818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Scottish Breast Screening Development Task Group on the extension of the upper age limit for routine invitation for breast screening will be publis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Scottish Breast Screening Development Task Group on the extension of the upper age limit for routine invitation for breast screening will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Breast Screening Development Task Group's Report was received on 6 April. A copy of the report has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13559) and will be placed on the SHOW website.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152500,"EventID":"S1W-15819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why hydro-electric power schemes generating over 10 megawatts are not classed as renewable while less powerful ones are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why hydro-electric power schemes generating over 10 megawatts are not classed as renewable while less powerful ones are.","AnswerText":"Hydro-electric schemes with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts or more are classed as renewable. We fully expect output from such schemes to continue to make a very significant contribution towards our targets for renewable electricity generation.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152501,"EventID":"S1W-15820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any increase in the birth rate is anticipated at the end of 2001 as is predicted in Wales and, if so, what resources will be made available for the recruitment of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any increase in the birth rate is anticipated at the end of 2001 as is predicted in Wales and, if so, what resources will be made available for the recruitment of necessary NHS staff.","AnswerText":"The number of births registered in Scotland has been declining over the last decade. The Registrar General's most recent population projections were based on data to the end of 1998 and indicated a small continuing fall in the number of births over the period to 2007-08. The actual number of births since 1998 has been lower than projected.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152502,"EventID":"S1W-15821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many local authorities operate public drinking restriction 'ones and (b) how many times the police have been recorded as intervening following a breach of the res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many local authorities operate public drinking restriction 'ones and (b) how many times the police have been recorded as intervening following a breach of the restrictions that apply in such 'ones and how many successful prosecutions from such interventions have there been since the 'ones were first established, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"27 local authorities in Scotland have made byelaws to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in designated areas. Relevant data on contraventions of these byelaws is in the table.

Contraventions of byelaws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public places, number of offences recorded by the police and number of persons with charge proved

Council area1

Offences recorded by the police2

Persons with a charge proved3

1990-95

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

1990-95

1996

1997

1998

1999

SCOTLAND

1,503

5,003

9,467

9,637

8,061

10,590

115

560

1,725

1,927

1,308

Aberdeen City

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

July 1999 - March 2000*

April 2000 - March 2001*

First Minister

Henry McLeish

£3,429

£3,177

Scottish Ministers

Wendy Alexander

£1,315

£4,336

Jackie Baillie

£1,234

£965

Sarah Boyack

£1,094

£1,131

Susan Deacon

£504

£746

Ross Finnie

£6,527

£4,465

Angus MacKay

£306

£1,322

Tom McCabe

£239

£354

Jack McConnell

£941

£1,005

Jim Wallace

£363

£679

Deputy Scottish Ministers

Rhona Brankin

£1,665

£1,874

Malcolm Chisholm

NIL

NIL

Margaret Curran

NIL

£210

Iain Gray

£311

£158

Lewis Macdonald

NIL

NIL

Alasdair Morrison

£3,941

£2,060We informed the Council of the actions taken to combat foot-and-mouth disease and explained that these measures are bringing about a significant decline in the number of new cases. The Council also heard reports on FMD from the Commission and from the Dutch Agriculture Minister. In response to a UK/Dutch initiative there was a collective agreement to hold a conference later in the year to discuss the lessons to be learned from the outbreaks.

The Council also heard a report from the Commission on the results of the EU-wide testing programme for BSE, and agreed conclusions inviting the Standing Veterinary Committee to extend the temporary ban on meat and bone meal beyond the end of June. With the support of several other member states, the UK secured agreement from the Commission that they would re-examine the use of fishmeal in ruminant feed in the light of their current evaluation of cross contamination risks.

Turning to market-related measures, the Council considered a compromise text from the Presidency and Commission on reform of the EU sugar regime, extending the duration of the quota system for a further four years but with a review before end-2002. Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK were able to support this compromise, but others were strongly opposed. The issue will be re-examined in May.

The Council reached unanimous agreement on measures to reform the cotton regime, within strict budgetary limits. The Council also adopted by qualified majority a proposal to permit organic producers to grow fodder legumes on set aside land; only France abstained in the vote on this small but worthwhile measure.

The Council agreed conclusions on the integration of environmental concerns into the common agricultural policy; these will form part of a report on environmental sustainability going to EU Heads of Government in June. The Commission also reported to the Council progress with the setting up of the proposed European Food Authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152516,"EventID":"S1W-15835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's Dounreay Particles Advisory Group, (a) where samples of suspected irradiated particles removed fr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's Dounreay Particles Advisory Group, (a) where samples of suspected irradiated particles removed from Dounreay beach are sent for analysis, (b) how many samples have been analysed since directions were issued, (c) how many samples are currently awaiting analysis, (d) how many samples to date have contained irradiated particles and at what level, (e) how any irradiated particles will be disposed of, (f) what the anticipated costs of analysis and final disposal are to the Scottish Executive and SEPA and (g) whether any of these costs will be recovered from other sources.","AnswerText":"The number and level of irradiated particles found and removed from the beach at Sandside Bay near Dounreay are listed in the interim Dounreay Particles Advisory Group report. This is available on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) website at the following address:

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/regs_licence/radioactivity/dpag/dpaghome.htm).

The other questions raised are matters for SEPA and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152517,"EventID":"S1W-15836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding the future development of the Ravenscraig site in Lanarkshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding the future development of the Ravenscraig site in Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"During the course of the last year, officials from the Enterprise, Planning Services and Environment Divisions of the Scottish Executive have all met with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire on various occasions to discuss different aspects of the Ravenscraig redevelopment project.

These discussions have related to the proposal to establish a public/private joint venture to take the development forward, the planning issues surrounding the project and the translocation of a colony of greater crested newts which were discovered on the site.

Officials will continue to follow progress closely.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152518,"EventID":"S1W-15837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pre-school education places for (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds are now available in each parliamentary constituency in Glasgow, specifying in each ca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pre-school education places for (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds are now available in each parliamentary constituency in Glasgow, specifying in each case the number of places in local authority managed establishments and the number provided through partnership arrangements.","AnswerText":"Data on pre-school education places on a constituency basis is not held centrally.

The number and percentages of children receiving publicly funded pre-school education in the City of Glasgow in the summer term of 2000-01 are as follows:

Four-year-olds: 6,354 (100%), of which 5,256 are in local authority centres and 1,098 with partner providers.

Three-year-olds: 5,513 (76.3%), of which 4,076 are in local authority centres and 1,437 with partner providers.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152519,"EventID":"S1W-15838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-14972 and S1W-14973 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 May 2001, whether it intends to ensure that the information to be provided by the C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-14972 and S1W-14973 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 May 2001, whether it intends to ensure that the information to be provided by the Chairman of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to Mr Brian Monteith will be made available to all MSPs and how it intends to make this information accessible to interested parties other than MSPs.","AnswerText":"As my answer to questions S1W-14972 and S1W-14973 noted the subject of those questions were matters for the Scottish Qualification Authority. Accordingly, I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Monteith, who asked the questions. That correspondence is a matter between the Chair and Mr Monteith. However, I will advise the Chair of Mr Tosh's interest in these matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152520,"EventID":"S1W-15839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15005, S1W-15006, S1W-15009, S1W-15010, S1W-15011, S1W-15012, S1W-15013, S1W-15014, S1W-15015 and S1W-15016 by Mr Jack McConnell ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15005, S1W-15006, S1W-15009, S1W-15010, S1W-15011, S1W-15012, S1W-15013, S1W-15014, S1W-15015 and S1W-15016 by Mr Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001, whether it intends to ensure that the information to be provided by the Chairman of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to Michael Russell will be made available to all MSPs and how it intends to make this information available to interested parties other than MSPs.","AnswerText":"As my answers to questions S1W-15005, S1W-15006, S1W-15009, S1W-15010, S1W-15011, S1W-15012, S1W-15013, S1W-15014, S1W-15015 and S1W-15016 noted the subject of those questions were matters for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Accordingly, I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell, who asked the questions. That correspondence is a matter between the Chair and Mr Russell. However, I will advise the Chair of Mr Tosh's interest in these matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152521,"EventID":"S1W-15840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much compensation has been paid out by each water authority since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much compensation has been paid out by each water authority since 1997.","AnswerText":"The following tables set out, by authority, the compensation payments made by the three water authorities, as far as the information is available. The water authorities pay compensation when levels of service fall below expected standards. Customer service standards were revised and standardised, with increased payments, across the three authorities in October 2000.

Payments are also made in respect of a) public liability claims for injury, property damage, utility damage and b) ex gratia payments for which an authority has no legal liability. In the public liability claims tables, the figure for the total number of claims made includes claims which are outstanding and have not been resolved.

East of Scotland Water

Customer Standards

2000-01

1999-2000

1998-99

1997-98

Standard

No.

Value

(£)

No.

Value

(£)

No.

Value

(£)

No.

Value

(£)

Late Response to Complaint

7

140

12

140

53

400

11

150

Supply Interruptions

99

7,280

9

300

1

70

-

-

Internal Sewer Flood

44

14,659

51

7,709

69

13,043

62

9,138

Missed Appointments

10

500

-

-

These proposals are subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise for the draft Bill, which was announced in the answer to question S1W-15380 on 1 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152531,"EventID":"S1W-15850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health Trusts source patient meals from outwith Scotland, specifying in each case the amount spent on such meals on 2000-01 and the proportion of the total budget f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health Trusts source patient meals from outwith Scotland, specifying in each case the amount spent on such meals on 2000-01 and the proportion of the total budget for patient meals which this figure represents.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152532,"EventID":"S1W-15851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many environmental risk assessments have been carried out on the Ravenscraig site in Lanarkshire and whether the findings of any such assessments are publicly availab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many environmental risk assessments have been carried out on the Ravenscraig site in Lanarkshire and whether the findings of any such assessments are publicly available.","AnswerText":"An environmental impact assessment was carried out by Aspinwall and Company in support of a planning application by British Steel PLC in November 1994 for the proposed development of a secure containment facility at Ravenscraig. The resulting Environmental Statement is available from North Lanarkshire Council, or from the Scottish Executive Library.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency carried out an assessment of the impact of a proposed discharge from a groundwater treatment plant at the site on the receiving watercourse. A consent under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 was issued in January 1997 and details are available from the agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152533,"EventID":"S1W-15852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether East of Scotland Water Authority plans to enter into any lease arrangements in connection with the Carron Valley reservoir or into any new arrangements for the ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether East of Scotland Water Authority plans to enter into any lease arrangements in connection with the Carron Valley reservoir or into any new arrangements for the management of the reservoir and its associated distribution system.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the East of Scotland Water Authority and I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive of ESWA to reply. His response is as follows:

East of Scotland Water has no plans to enter into lease arrangements in connection with the Carron Valley reservoir or to enter into any new arrangements for the management of that reservoir and its associated distribution system.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152534,"EventID":"S1W-15853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been made available to the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for the policing of the haddock fishery adjacent to Rockall in the north east Atlantic.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been made available to the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for the policing of the haddock fishery adjacent to Rockall in the north east Atlantic.","AnswerText":"The costs of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's involvement in policing the haddock fishery adjacent to Rockall, in both international and EU waters, will be met from its existing budget of £12.8 million for the current financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152535,"EventID":"S1W-15854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are contained within the current proposals for shellfish regulation orders in the Highlands, Orkney, the Western Isles and the Solway Firth to ensure that adeq","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are contained within the current proposals for shellfish regulation orders in the Highlands, Orkney, the Western Isles and the Solway Firth to ensure that adequate enforcement regimes are in place.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15859.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152536,"EventID":"S1W-15855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the enforcement procedures in place for existing and proposed shellfish regulation orders are adequate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the enforcement procedures in place for existing and proposed shellfish regulation orders are adequate.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15859.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152537,"EventID":"S1W-15856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the remit and responsibilities of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency were enlarged to include the monitoring of the haddock fishery adjacent to Rockall in the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the remit and responsibilities of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency were enlarged to include the monitoring of the haddock fishery adjacent to Rockall in the north east Atlantic, as opposed to the enforcement of the Atlanto-Scandinavian herring fishery. ","AnswerText":"New enforcement obligations were introduced for EU Member States last year when the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) scheme of control and enforcement was implemented. The Scottish Executive gained new powers to appoint NEAFC inspectors to enforce regulations in the NEAFC zone. Last year the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency took part in patrols and inspections of vessels involved in the international Atlanto-Scandinavian herring fishery.

Following the agreement achieved at a NEAFC meeting earlier this year, an area of the NEAFC zone around Rockall was closed to protect haddock. Haddock has thus become a regulated NEAFC resource. SFPA vessels have been carrying out patrols and inspections around Rockall this spring. This represents the Scottish contribution to meeting member states' enforcement obligations on the high seas. Other member states are enforcing regulations in the Atlanto-Scandinavian herring fishery","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152538,"EventID":"S1W-15857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is on the enforcement of inshore fisheries and shellfish regulation orders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is on the enforcement of inshore fisheries and shellfish regulation orders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15859.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152539,"EventID":"S1W-15858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of community enforcement in the context of existing and proposed shellfish regulation orders and how such enforcement will be carried out in practi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of community enforcement in the context of existing and proposed shellfish regulation orders and how such enforcement will be carried out in practice.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-15859.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152540,"EventID":"S1W-15859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the enforcement of local shellfish regulation Orders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the enforcement of local shellfish regulation Orders.","AnswerText":"Regulating Orders are made under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, which places the responsibility for enforcing the Order with the grantee. The local management of shellfisheries under a Regulating Order is an initiative which is designed to improve stocks for the benefit of those fishermen and communities with an interest in the regulated fishery. With such benefits come responsibilities, of which enforcement is one. The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's remit in regard to inshore fisheries covers European, UK and Scottish legislation, for example, controls under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984.

The adequacy of the enforcement of a Regulating Order is a responsibility of the Regulating Order management organisation. The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) in their agreed Management Plan saw community enforcement as licensed shellfishermen, local processors and the community in general reporting any transgressors of the Order, aiding the SSMO's submission of a report to the Procurator Fiscal and subsequently testifying in court. On the issue of dealing with suspected offences, the SFPA have offered to provide the SSMO with detailed advice and training. This offer has yet to be taken up.

Those applying for Regulating Orders in Orkney, the Western Isles, the Highlands and the Solway Firth are aware of the enforcement responsibilities that come with an Order. In Orkney, enforcement through utilising shellfishermen and processors is envisaged alongside employment of a part-time inspector of creels and catches. Initial proposals for enforcement of any Highland Regulating Order envisages responsibility for policing carried out on an alternating basis by vessels whilst at sea and the possibility of employment of dedicated fishery officers. The draft Management Plan for the proposed Solway Firth Order states that enforcement will be by spot checks on hand gatherers and vessels and through inspections at designated landing points. Use of a vessel monitoring system where equipment fitted on the vessel will enable identification of its location is also envisaged. Proposals for a Western Isles Regulating Order are as yet at an early stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152541,"EventID":"S1W-15860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the foot-and-mouth disease provisionally free area status to be lifted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the foot-and-mouth disease provisionally free area status to be lifted.","AnswerText":"Initial discussions have already been held with the European Commission, as a first step to establishing what criteria will be applied before Scotland, or parts of Scotland, will be eligible to export to the EU. It is difficult at this stage to say how long it will take to recover our export status.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152542,"EventID":"S1W-15861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to announce further relaxations of foot-and-mouth disease regulations to allow trading at auction marts in provisionally free areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to announce further relaxations of foot-and-mouth disease regulations to allow trading at auction marts in provisionally free areas.","AnswerText":"Resumption of trading at auction marts is being kept under review in the light of the improving disease situation. However, I see no immediate prospect of their resumption.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152543,"EventID":"S1W-15862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what materials currently used by it are subsequently recycled; how much of each material is sent for recycling, and what targets it has for future recycling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what materials currently used by it are subsequently recycled; how much of each material is sent for recycling, and what targets it has for future recycling.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive aims to recycle office waste in all main buildings. The current recycling figures are shown in the following table.

Health Board

2000-01

2001-02

Total

£000

Argyll & Clyde

194.00

600.00

794.00

Ayrshire & Arran

24.80

24.80

Dumfries & Galloway

60.00

60.00

Fife

161.00

242.00

403.00

Forth Valley Acute

65.00

65.00

Grampian

569.00

465.00

1,034.00

Greater Glasgow PCT

509.98

376.00

885.98

Highland

40.00

40.00

Lanarkshire

120.00

120.00

Lomond & Argyll PCT

66.00

15.00

81.00

Lothian

0.00

290.00

290.00

Orkney HB

129.80

Recycled Waste in the main Scottish Executive Buildings

 

1999-2000*

2000-01*

Paper

13,052 bags

490.201 tonnes

Aluminium Cans

121 bags

8.258 tonnes

Plastic Cups (Victoria Quay figures only)

342 bags

9.012 tonnes

Waste Metal from Office Furniture

no figures available

16.530 tonnes

Cooking Oil (Victoria Quay figures only)

no figures available

0.675 tonnes

Toner Cartridges (Victoria Quay figures only)

1,235 cartridges

1,247 cartridges

Fluorescent Tubes

1,200 tubes

4,000 tubes

The main waste material within the Scottish Executive is waste paper. In addition to the items set out above, we also recycle the power packs from emergency lighting in Victoria Quay, but figures are not available for this. We have plans to introduce battery segregation and are investigating the possibility of recycling other plastics.

In the year to March 2001, we recycled 38% of our waste, exceeding the target of 25% waste recycling for that year. Our revised target for recycling is to achieve 50% recycled waste by March 2002.

* Figures for each year are not comparable because of a change in waste contractor between 1999-2000 and 2000-01 which resulted in a new and more appropriate way to measure waste and recycling.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152544,"EventID":"S1W-15863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what materials used by the Parliament are subsequently recycled; how much of each material is sent for recycling, and what targets the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bod","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what materials used by the Parliament are subsequently recycled; how much of each material is sent for recycling, and what targets the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has for future recycling.","AnswerText":"The Parliament recycles approximately eight tonnes of waste paper per month. It also has procedures in place for the recycling of aluminium cans, vending cups, cardboard, toner cartridges and is considering an outlet for recycling glass.

The SPCB is currently collating data on recycled waste to enable a baseline figure to be established. Only then can realistic waste management targets be set.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152545,"EventID":"S1W-15864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have published Best Value plans; whether it will make copies of these plans available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and what acti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have published Best Value plans; whether it will make copies of these plans available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and what action is being taken against any local authority that has not published a plan or has published an unsatisfactory plan.","AnswerText":"Scottish local authorities are not required to publish a "Best Value" plan (unlike in England and Wales). However, under the voluntary approach adopted to Best Value to date in Scotland, all local authorities are expected to undertake a rolling programme of Best Value reviews of all their services and to publicise the results of these reviews locally. From April 2000 they were also expected to, and have developed their own Public Performance Reporting frameworks which make information about performance available to those who are recognised stakeholders in local authority activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152546,"EventID":"S1W-15865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for the enforcement of the shellfish licensing scheme proposed in the December 2000 UK consultation document on shellfish licensing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for the enforcement of the shellfish licensing scheme proposed in the December 2000 UK consultation document on shellfish licensing.","AnswerText":"No final decisions have yet been taken, following the consultation exercise by the Fisheries Departments in the UK, on shellfish licensing.

If it is decided to introduce a scheme operated by the Fisheries Departments, enforcement of the scheme arrangements would fall to the departments and would generally be undertaken by the relevant Sea Fisheries Inspectorates. In Scotland, that would be the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. Responsibility for enforcing any local scheme arrangements which were also introduced would rest with the relevant local interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152547,"EventID":"S1W-15866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the December 2000 UK consultation document on shellfish licensing includes provisions for it to operate a licensing scheme and what is meant by \"locally managed\" ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the December 2000 UK consultation document on shellfish licensing includes provisions for it to operate a licensing scheme and what is meant by \"locally managed\" in relation to the policing of such a scheme.","AnswerText":"Consultation was undertaken on the basis of proposals that there would be, initially, a national shellfish licensing scheme run by the Fisheries Departments and that, subject to the necessary legal powers being secured, this could be supplemented by local management measures.

The consultation paper suggests that local management might be through the Sea Fisheries Committees for England and Wales, or other bodies. Policing arrangements would depend on the nature of, and statutory basis for, local conditions related to shellfish licensing. In Scotland, where Sea Fisheries Committees do not operate, these might follow the model for Regulating Orders, in relation to which existing statute places responsibility for enforcement with the local body to which regulating powers are granted. Any further legislative proposals by the Fisheries Departments would however be subject to consultation with industry and other interests in the normal way.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152548,"EventID":"S1W-15867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific communications it has had with the European Commission with regard to improving rural transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific communications it has had with the European Commission with regard to improving rural transport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, together with the UK Government, is in contact with the European Commission from time to time to discuss a broad range of transport issues including rural transport such as public service obligations on lifeline air and ferry routes.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152549,"EventID":"S1W-15868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any demand-responsive rural public transport schemes that it has funded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any demand-responsive rural public transport schemes that it has funded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding to local authorities through the Rural Public Passenger Transport grant which authorities may use for demand-responsive public transport services if they wish. I am aware that East Lothian Council has used part of its funding for such a service around Gaberlunzie.

In addition, voluntary and community groups can apply to the Scottish Executive's Rural Community Transport Initiative (RCTI) for funding for demand-responsive services. 12 of the projects funded from the RCTI include demand-responsive elements.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152550,"EventID":"S1W-15869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any demand-responsive rural public transport schemes that have included the use of telematics, specifying in each case how telematics were used.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any demand-responsive rural public transport schemes that have included the use of telematics, specifying in each case how telematics were used.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any demand-responsive public transport schemes in Scotland that have included the use of telematics. I am aware that a number of local authorities and community groups are considering using telematics for this purpose.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152551,"EventID":"S1W-15870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to fund any pilot projects on the use of telematics in demand-responsive rural public transport services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to fund any pilot projects on the use of telematics in demand-responsive rural public transport services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding to local authorities through the Rural Public Passenger Transport grant which authorities may use for demand-responsive public transport services if they wish. It would be for authorities to decide whether to use part of that funding for a pilot project on the use of telematics.

In addition, voluntary and community groups can apply to the Scottish Executive's Rural Community Transport Initiative (RCTI) for funding for demand-responsive services. I would be happy to consider any application for the use of telematics in demand-responsive rural transport service provision alongside the many other bids I will no doubt receive this autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152552,"EventID":"S1W-15871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to take forward case studies or pilot projects similar to those detailed in the report of the European Commission funded project on verifying and strengt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to take forward case studies or pilot projects similar to those detailed in the report of the European Commission funded project on verifying and strengthening rural access to transport services (VIRGIL).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive would welcome applications to the Rural Community Transport Initiative for projects that aimed to make innovative use of telematics such as those outlined in the VIRGIL report.

The Scottish Executive has commissioned research into the accessibility of rural areas and part of this research involves an assessment of the experience of local authorities and others of promoting rural transport projects.

In addition, the Scottish Executive, together with the Countryside Agency and National Assembly for Wales, will shortly commission a research team led by the University of Aberdeen to carry out a two-year collaborative project, part-funded by the UK Government, to develop policies to promote accessibility in rural areas of the UK. The study will involve the use of local case studies (of which two will be in rural Scotland) to assist in the development of an integrated approach to transport, planning, service provision and environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152553,"EventID":"S1W-15872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special educational needs lecturing staff are employed (a) in each further education (FE) college and (b) per thousand FE college students.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special educational needs lecturing staff are employed (a) in each further education (FE) college and (b) per thousand FE college students.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152554,"EventID":"S1W-15873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special educational needs support staff are employed (a) in each further education (FE) college and (b) per thousand FE college students.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special educational needs support staff are employed (a) in each further education (FE) college and (b) per thousand FE college students.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152555,"EventID":"S1W-15874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to further education colleges regarding support for students with special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to further education colleges regarding support for students with special educational needs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides guidance to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) on the strategic priorities for the further education sector, including support for students with special educational needs. Specific guidance was recently issued on the focus of the £4.5 million provided to take forward the inclusiveness agenda for students with additional support needs in the further education sector, as set out in the recommendations of the Beattie Committee.

Under the funding methodology for colleges used by SFEFC, colleges receive additional funding in respect of students who either require to attend a special programme or who require additional support to undertake a mainstream course.

SOED Circular (FE) 1/94 describes the circumstances in which a college may claim additional funding for students with special educational needs. It also sets out what a college is expected to provide for that student. In particular, that a Personal Learning Support Plan (PLSP) must exist for each student and be available for audit. The PLSP provides an assessment of a student's needs and attainments, together with an educational programme and record of support measures.

Colleges can also look to the four ACCESS Centres in Scotland, based at Aberdeen, Motherwell and Stevenson Colleges, and the University of Dundee, for training, guidance and information, as well as support for students with a physical or sensory disability or learning difficulty.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152556,"EventID":"S1W-15875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of further education colleges is monitored with regard to students with special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of further education colleges is monitored with regard to students with special educational needs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive holds regular meetings with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, to monitor its performance in taking forward Executive priorities, as set out in Ministerial Guidance. This includes the support colleges give to students with special educational needs.

Further education colleges are required to submit student activity data to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) each year. This will include information about students with special educational needs for whom a college is claiming additional funding. The council will check returns and visit a number of colleges each year, including to check the existence and nature of Personal Learning Support Plans for students with a physical or sensory disability or learning difficulty.

SFEFC is shortly to publish its revised Quality Framework, which will apply to colleges in academic year 2001-02. The framework includes quality indicators relating to facilities that colleges have in place to support access (including access for people with disabilities) and arrangements for students with learning difficulties and disabilities (which covers a range of issues from identification of needs to staff development and individualised curricula).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152557,"EventID":"S1W-15876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets are set for further education colleges with regard to students with special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets are set for further education colleges with regard to students with special educational needs.","AnswerText":"Through the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992, further education colleges are required to have regard to the requirements of persons over school age with learning difficulties. Scottish Ministers provide guidance to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) on the priorities for the further education sector, including issues related to disadvantaged groups. The Scottish Executive has recently issued guidance on the focus of the £4.5 million provided to take forward the inclusiveness agenda for students with additional support needs in the further education sector, as set out in the Beattie Committee recommendations. The use of the funding provided to SFEFC to address these priorities is monitored through regular meetings with the Executive.

Although neither the Scottish Executive nor the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) currently set targets for further education colleges for any category of student, including those with special educational needs, SFEFC plans to review how it can effectively and relevantly measure progress towards social inclusion. This will enable it to consider appropriate future targets for widening participation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152558,"EventID":"S1W-15877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the NHSiS has recovered from April 1999 to date from insurance companies for the treatment of casualties of road traffic accidents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the NHSiS has recovered from April 1999 to date from insurance companies for the treatment of casualties of road traffic accidents.","AnswerText":"Up to and including 22 May 2001, a total of £7,151,915 has been recovered from insurance companies for treating casualties of road traffic accidents. Amounts recovered are remitted monthly to the Scottish NHS Trusts that treated the accident victims concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152559,"EventID":"S1W-15878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invoices have been raised against insurance companies for the treatment road traffic accidents under the centralised cost recovery arrangements announced in Apri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invoices have been raised against insurance companies for the treatment road traffic accidents under the centralised cost recovery arrangements announced in April 1999 to replace the Emergency Treatment Fee.","AnswerText":"Up to and including 22 May 2001, a total of 21,125 invoices have been issued to insurance companies in respect of treatment provided at NHS hospital in Scotland.

The centralised cost recovery arrangements have not in fact simply replaced the Emergency Treatment Fee (ETF) arrangements. They replaced the previous arrangements by which individual Trusts could seek to recover all or part of the costs where an accident victim goes on to make a successful claim in respect of personal injury. Whilst, under the centralised arrangements, Trusts may not charge ETFs it is still open to general medical practitioners to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152560,"EventID":"S1W-15879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been raised from April 1999 to date from insurance companies for the treatment of road accident patients (a) in accident and emergency departments and (b) wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been raised from April 1999 to date from insurance companies for the treatment of road accident patients (a) in accident and emergency departments and (b) who were admitted to hospital following the accident.","AnswerText":"Up to and including 22 May 2001, the recoverable NHS charges for treating casualties in road accidents has totalled £3,884,689 for outpatient treatments and £3,267,226 for inpatient treatment.

The charges, payable by insurance companies, are recoverable only when an accident victim makes a successful claim in respect of personal injury.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152561,"EventID":"S1W-15880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards are required to replace current out of hours services with the NHS24 service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards are required to replace current out of hours services with the NHS24 service.","AnswerText":"The NHS24 service is being designed to complement and enhance existing health services throughout Scotland and is being developed in partnership with them. It will work with and not replace local GP out-of-hours services.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152562,"EventID":"S1W-15881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the introduction of the NHS24 service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the introduction of the NHS24 service.","AnswerText":"An implementation plan is being developed to allow NHS 24 to roll-outbe introduced across Scotland in a phased managed way. Currently, this envisages the service going live in one areaa phased rollout of the service beginning in spring 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152563,"EventID":"S1W-15882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent to date on preparations for the introduction of the NHS24 service and what the total cost of implementation will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent to date on preparations for the introduction of the NHS24 service and what the total cost of implementation will be.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on the development of the NHS24 project to date is £1.7 million. This includes the cost of an extensive consultation with public and service stakeholders across Scotland, developing a service design blueprint and implementation plan and establishing a HQ and executive team in Glasgow.

Current work on developing an NHS24 implementation plan will establish an estimate of the total cost of implementing the service across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152564,"EventID":"S1W-15883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists to show that a centralised NHS24 doctor on call system delivers a better service to patients than the current local provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists to show that a centralised NHS24 doctor on call system delivers a better service to patients than the current local provision.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 is not a doctor on-call system.

NHS 24 service will deliver high quality nurse consultation and assessment by telephone. As a new patient-centred service, NHS 24 will complement existing local services, allowing better access and a consistent standard of service to be available to all the people of Scotland. Where agreed locally, NHS 24 will design its service to complement existing local services and provide patients with a single integrated service.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152565,"EventID":"S1W-15884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consulation has taken place with NHSiS staff, unions, patients or patient representative groups regarding the introduction of the NHS24 service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consulation has taken place with NHSiS staff, unions, patients or patient representative groups regarding the introduction of the NHS24 service.","AnswerText":"The NHS24 concept was the product of an extensive public consultation process across Scotland involving a wide range of public and service stakeholders in national and local seminars.

The NHS24 Project team has adopted a similar open and inclusive approach in designing and developing NHS24 as a new service. A Project Advisory Group has been created to engage and involve key stakeholders with an interest in NHS24 and its development. The group's broad membership includes the following organisations:

Scottish Association of Health Councils

Scottish Consumer Council

Association of Directors of Social Work

Scottish Partnership Forum

British Medical Association

Medical and Dental Defence Union

Unison

Royal College of Midwives

Royal College of Nursing

The Academy of Royal College and Faculties in Scotland

Scottish Association of Community Hospitals

Royal College of General Practitioners

Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation

Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council

The Faculty of General Dental Practitioners

The British Dental Association

The National Association of GP Co-operatives

Scottish General Practice Committee

Scottish Ambulance Service

NHS24 also holds one-to-one meetings with other stakeholders; for example, recently meeting the Scottish Partnership Forum and the Royal College of Nursing to begin detailed discussions on recruitment and partnership working.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152566,"EventID":"S1W-15885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to raise public awareness of the NHS24 service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to raise public awareness of the NHS24 service.","AnswerText":"The concept of NHS24 is the product of extensive consultation with public and service stakeholders across Scotland. Current work on developing an implementation plan for NHS24 envisages the service being rolled out across Scotland from spring 2002. A phased public awareness campaign will begin in July and develop in step with that rollout.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152567,"EventID":"S1W-15886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS24 service will provide better value for money than the present system and, if so, on what figures this assertion is based.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS24 service will provide better value for money than the present system and, if so, on what figures this assertion is based.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 will provide a consistent, quality assured nurse consultation and assessment service across Scotland. This is a new service, which will complement existing local NHS services and is not a replacement for any existing service.

NHS 24 will improve access for the public and, as the service develops, alleviate pressures on existing services. It will support and improve the patient journey by ensuring prompt access to appropriate care and treatment, adding value to local NHS services across Scotland.

An independent evaluation of the service and its contribution and impact on other services is being commissioned.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152568,"EventID":"S1W-15887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why information about traditional arts, culture and the Scots language is not available on the visitscotland website.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why information about traditional arts, culture and the Scots language is not available on the visitscotland website.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the content of the website are an operational matter for visitscotland. The website links in to other sites that provide much of this information. visitscotland is currently redeveloping the website form, content and links.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152569,"EventID":"S1W-15888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether visitscotland will maximise the potential of Scottish traditional arts, culture and language to attract overseas visitors by highlighting them on its website.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether visitscotland will maximise the potential of Scottish traditional arts, culture and language to attract overseas visitors by highlighting them on its website.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15887.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152570,"EventID":"S1W-15889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13848 by Susan Deacon on 11 May 2001, whether it will provide figures on the expected increase in the number of students entering m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13848 by Susan Deacon on 11 May 2001, whether it will provide figures on the expected increase in the number of students entering medical training in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03, (c) 2003-04 and (d) 2004-05.","AnswerText":"Our National Health; a plan for action; a plan for change gave a commitment to a review of medical workforce planning, including assessing the medical student intake in Scotland. As I announced on 20 June, Professor John Temple, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, has agreed to lead the review. He has commenced work and aims to submit a preliminary report to me, by the end of the year. Decisions on any future changes in medical student intake will be taken in light of the review. The need for any changes in the medical school intake will need to be judged against the fact that Scotland is currently a net exporter of trained doctors. In the meantime, the number of funded places on medical courses in Scottish institutions is being maintained at current levels.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152571,"EventID":"S1W-15890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15518 by Rhona Brankin on 15 May 2001, when the draft designation order for the Cairngorms National Park will be published and who ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15518 by Rhona Brankin on 15 May 2001, when the draft designation order for the Cairngorms National Park will be published and who will be included in the further consultation process.","AnswerText":"The SNH consultation report on proposals for a Cairngorms National Park is to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers on 13 July. Following consideration of that report we intend to bring forward a draft designation Order for consultation in late autumn.

As this is a National Park we are committed to ensuring that all interest groups, organisations and individuals who wish to comment are provided with the opportunity to do so. The draft Order will be widely circulated, posted on the Scottish Executive website and made available to anyone requesting it.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152572,"EventID":"S1W-15891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to hold a public awareness campaign to help reduce any stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to hold a public awareness campaign to help reduce any stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to hold such a campaign. The Scottish Executive is, however, providing grant support to the voluntary organisation, Epilepsy Action Scotland, for its work in raising awareness of epilepsy issues in Scotland and its support of those affected by the condition. The Executive applauds this work and believes that any stigma associated with epilepsy is rooted in the ignorance and superstition of the past and has no place in modern Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152573,"EventID":"S1W-15892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the roles of and inter-relationships between the (a) Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, (b) Health Technology Board for Scotland, (c) Cl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the roles of and inter-relationships between the (a) Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, (b) Health Technology Board for Scotland, (c) Clinical Resource and Audit Group, (d) Scottish Executive Health Department, (e) Clinical Standards Board Scotland and (f) Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive published a report entitled A Focus on Quality in December 2000 which details the initiatives aimed at improving the quality of health care provided in Scotland, and the roles of the various organisations involved in clinical effectiveness activities in Scotland. These organisations include the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Clinical Resource and Audit Group. Copies of the report were placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Following a commitment in Our National Health, further work is under way to map out the relationships between these national organisations, with a view to achieving better integration and co-ordination of all relevant bodies with an interest in clinical quality. The Chief Medical Officer is leading this work.

As a result of a further commitment in Our National Health, the Chief Medical Officer asked Professor David Lawson to work with the Health Technology Board for Scotland and with local area drug and therapeutic committees on further steps to remove inequities in prescribing practice across Scotland. As a result of this, discussions are ongoing about local area drug and therapeutic committees working together as a Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152574,"EventID":"S1W-15893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the criteria used by the Health Technology Board for Scotland to determine whether considerations regarding the cost of a new drug or therapy shoul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the criteria used by the Health Technology Board for Scotland to determine whether considerations regarding the cost of a new drug or therapy should outweigh those of clinical effectiveness.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland does not only evaluate the cost of a drug or therapy to provide advice on Value for Money. It uses well-established techniques to create mathematical models to incorporate all the costs and benefits associated with the introduction and use of the therapy in a formal economic evaluation framework. The board is currently developing guidance for those submitting evidence in relation to such clinical and cost effectiveness analyses.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152575,"EventID":"S1W-15894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of people receiving home care services delivered by local authorities has reduced by 13,246 from 1997 to 2000, as identified in the report by the Accounts","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of people receiving home care services delivered by local authorities has reduced by 13,246 from 1997 to 2000, as identified in the report by the Accounts Commission, Overview of the 1999-2000 Local Authority Audits.","AnswerText":"This is indicative of a change in the pattern of home care services through the period and of a shift toward increasing the proportion of clients requiring more intensive levels of care at home. We are continuing to prioritise home care services and have provided councils with additional resources to extend and improve the home care provision in their areas. The increases in resources for community care of £90 million, £135 million and £195 million in this and each of the next two years respectively will involve major additional investment in home care services.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152576,"EventID":"S1W-15895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase in the rates of oesophageal cancers in males over the past 10 years and, if so, what plans it has to address such increases.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase in the rates of oesophageal cancers in males over the past 10 years and, if so, what plans it has to address such increases.","AnswerText":"The incidence of oesophageal cancer in males in Scotland has risen over the last 10 years, from 13.0 per 100,000 in 1988 to 16.8 per 100,000 in 1997.

Our National Health reaffirmed cancer as one of the top priorities for the NHSScotland. The Cancer Strategy for Scotland will set out a comprehensive range of measures designed to provide swifter, better diagnosis, treatment and care together with measures to help prevent cancer from occurring. The results from a CRAG-funded Scottish Audit of Gastric and Oesophageal Cancer will be available by the autumn and will inform further consideration of how best to organise services to improve outcomes for patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152577,"EventID":"S1W-15896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to improve facilities for clinical research within NHS hospitals and establish new dedicated facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to improve facilities for clinical research within NHS hospitals and establish new dedicated facilities.","AnswerText":"It is for individual health boards and NHS Trusts to determine the level of funding required for investment in the improvement of facilities for clinical research, and the need for new dedicated facilities, from within available resources.

The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department does, however, play a major role in supporting the research conducted in such facilities through its £31 million R&D Support Fund. For example, approaching £500,000 additional funding has been offered in the current financial year to the Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust to support the research being conducted in its Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152578,"EventID":"S1W-15897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on prescriptions to treat malignant diseases in Scotland in each of the last five years and how these figures compare with those for (a) England, (b) W","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on prescriptions to treat malignant diseases in Scotland in each of the last five years and how these figures compare with those for (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152579,"EventID":"S1W-15898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer financial or other support to the Salvation Army for its proposed alcohol addiction unit in Inverclyde.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to offer financial or other support to the Salvation Army for its proposed alcohol addiction unit in Inverclyde.","AnswerText":"The funding of local alcohol addiction services operated by voluntary and charitable organisations is a matter for the health board and local authority.

We are presently consulting on the development of a national Plan of Action on alcohol misuse, and expect to publish our plan at the end of this year. The plan will cover the whole spectrum of services that address alcohol problems: these should be flexible and responsive and delivered to a good standard. In keeping with Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change', we envisage the voluntary sector playing a key role in influencing change and meeting needs, and we welcome the Salvation Army's continuing interest in offering social care services to those in need.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152580,"EventID":"S1W-15899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS operations have taken place in private hospitals in each year from 1995 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS operations have taken place in private hospitals in each year from 1995 to date.","AnswerText":"Reliable data on numbers of operations on NHS patients undertaken in private hospitals are not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152581,"EventID":"S1W-15900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the number of people on NHS waiting lists who are sent for treatment in the private sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the number of people on NHS waiting lists who are sent for treatment in the private sector.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the treatment of patients on NHS waiting lists are for health boards and NHS Trusts. NHSScotland makes limited use of the private health sector, primarily on a contingency basis to meet particular short-term pressures.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152582,"EventID":"S1W-15901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the nature is of any requirements placed on local authorities under the Best Value regime and what local authorities must do to comply with any such requirements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the nature is of any requirements placed on local authorities under the Best Value regime and what local authorities must do to comply with any such requirements.","AnswerText":"Best Value is currently being taken forward on a voluntary basis in Scotland, and as such there are no formal "requirements" placed on local authorities by legislation or by the Scottish Executive with which local authorities must comply. Nevertheless, all authorities are expected to undertake a rolling programme of Best Value service reviews, to engage with and make comparative information on performance available to stakeholders and to plan for continuous improvement. These are in line with voluntary undertakings made in 1998.

Local authorities are subject to inspection and audit arrangements which have been amended to accommodate Best Value scrutiny. Audit Scotland, on behalf of the Accounts Commission, annually consider the results of a "Performance Management and Planning" audit in each local council and publish an overview report. Inspection reports by HM Inspectorate of Education, the Social Work Services Inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Fire Services Inspectorate and the Benefits Fraud Inspectorate make comment on Best Value where it is considered appropriate. The new inspections of the education functions of local authorities are conducted within a framework of quality indicators which have been designed to embody Best Value policy.

In the future we intend to succeed the current voluntary regime by placing authorities under a duty to secure Best Value and we have already announced our intention to publish proposals for legislation on Best Value in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152583,"EventID":"S1W-15902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, whether the current review of the support arrangements for nursing students will address ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, whether the current review of the support arrangements for nursing students will address (a) reimbursement of all travel expenses connected with clinical placements and (b) students' housing needs.","AnswerText":"The review of the support arrangements for nursing students will cover all living cost support for nursing students, including the costs of accommodation and travel costs connected with clinical placements.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152584,"EventID":"S1W-15903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, in what way degree nursing students, as distinct from diploma nursing students, receive s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, in what way degree nursing students, as distinct from diploma nursing students, receive significantly more financial support than students studying other disciplines.","AnswerText":"Honours Degree student nurses receive assistance towards their living costs by way of a means-tested NHS bursary (which does not need to be repaid) and a non-means-tested student loan, in roughly equal proportions.

Students studying other disciplines in Scotland get living cost support mainly through a (partly) means-tested loan, although students under 25 may be eligible for a new non-repayable Young Students' Bursary in the forthcoming academic session.

Both types of students have their fees paid and may be eligible to apply for supplementary allowances which do not have to be repaid. However, nursing degree students will not be liable for the £2,000 Graduate Endowment which other students starting their studies this year will have to pay on completion of their course.

As a means test is involved to some extent for both sets of students, each individual's circumstances will dictate how much assistance they receive. However, because the NHS Bursary does not have to be repaid, nursing degree students are likely to have less debt in the form of student loan than their counterparts in other undergraduate disciplines.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152585,"EventID":"S1W-15904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make hospital-acquired infection a notifiable disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make hospital-acquired infection a notifiable disease.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to make hospital-acquired infection (HAI) a notifiable disease within the generally accepted use of the term under the Public Health (Notification of Infectious diseases) (Scotland) Regulations 1988. We are undertaking a comprehensive review of public health legislation in Scotland which is considering the system of notification of infections. But a HAI is an indication of where the patient acquired the illness rather than a specific medical condition. There are also considerable clinical uncertainties about the degree to which a HAI may contribute to death and in addition there can be uncertainties about the source of infections.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152586,"EventID":"S1W-15905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information on the cost to the NHSiS and local authorities in each of the last three years, in legal costs and compensation payments, of pedestri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will collect information on the cost to the NHSiS and local authorities in each of the last three years, in legal costs and compensation payments, of pedestrians falling because of defective pavements, and whether it will ensure that local authorities give the maintenance of pavements a higher priority.","AnswerText":"The priority given to the maintenance of pavements, and the amount of any legal costs or compensation payments arising from defective pavements are properly matters for local authorities themselves. No such costs have had to be met by NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152587,"EventID":"S1W-15906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the draft Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill applies to shared equity sheltered housing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the draft Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill applies to shared equity sheltered housing.","AnswerText":"The draft Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill, as prepared by the Scottish Law Commission, does contain provisions applicable to shared equity sheltered housing. As it stands, the Bill would provide a power for a majority of the owners to dismiss a manager appointed by a developer after a period of 10 years (or after the sale of the last unit, whichever is the first) and for burdens requiring maintenance of common facilities to be enforced by a majority of owners. The details of these provisions are subject to the consultation exercise for the draft Bill, which was announced in the answer to question S1W-15380 on 1 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152588,"EventID":"S1W-15907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee is payable to each local authority for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee is payable to each local authority for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152589,"EventID":"S1W-15908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any indications that the level of fee in any local authority area for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence is encouraging landlords to sell their","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any indications that the level of fee in any local authority area for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence is encouraging landlords to sell their properties or to evade licensing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152590,"EventID":"S1W-15909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to develop national standards or good practice guidelines for local authorities to ensure that Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing is carried ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to develop national standards or good practice guidelines for local authorities to ensure that Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing is carried out to a consistently high standard across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152591,"EventID":"S1W-15910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor any impact that fees for Houses in Multiple Occupancy licences have on (a) landlords and (b) tenants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor any impact that fees for Houses in Multiple Occupancy licences have on (a) landlords and (b) tenants.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152592,"EventID":"S1W-15911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to set up a forum for people or organisations involved with or affected by Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing to facilitate discussion about ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to set up a forum for people or organisations involved with or affected by Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing to facilitate discussion about common practices and concerns.","AnswerText":"We consider that a forum of this sort is unnecessary, since local authorities have already established an HMO Benchmarking Group in which they can discuss problems and best practice relating to mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Executive officials and the voluntary sector have established contacts with this group.

The licensing structures set up by local authorities were informed by the guidance on the mandatory licensing of HMOs published by the Executive in September 2000. This guidance, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 13706), was based partly on examples of best practice and it includes Benchmark Standards for safe, good quality accommodation, as well as information on tenancy management standards. However, under the provisions of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, it is the responsibility of each local authority to set reasonable licensing conditions.

Under the 1982 Act it is also the responsibility of each local authority to set licensing fees for its area at a level sufficient to meet the expenses of the local authority in exercising its licensing functions under the Act. Details of fee levels are among the information currently being obtained from local authorities on the revised HMO licensing monitoring return.

We have no substantive evidence that landlords are selling properties or evading licensing because of the level of fees. Information on any such trends, and on the impact of licence fees on landlords and tenants, will be sought in the course of a review of the first year of mandatory licensing of HMOs, which the Executive will be carrying out later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152593,"EventID":"S1W-15915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the mesh si'e currently being negotiated within the EU and subsequently to be negotiated with the Norwegians, to be applied in the North Sea to pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the mesh si'e currently being negotiated within the EU and subsequently to be negotiated with the Norwegians, to be applied in the North Sea to protect cod, will not impact on other species.","AnswerText":"It is impossible to ensure that any change in mesh size will not impact on species other than cod in the mixed demersal fishery. These fish swim together. We are seeking to ensure in these negotiations that such impacts are taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152594,"EventID":"S1W-15916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many boardings of (a) Scottish vessels and (b) non-Scottish vessels were made by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency during the recent closure of North Sea groun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many boardings of (a) Scottish vessels and (b) non-Scottish vessels were made by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency during the recent closure of North Sea grounds under the Cod Recovery Plan (i) within the closed area and (ii) outwith the closed area.","AnswerText":"During the recent closure of North Sea grounds, from 14 February to 30 April, under the Cod Recovery Plan, British Sea Fishery Officers of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency undertook boardings at sea of one Scottish vessel and three non-Scottish vessels within the closed area. Additionally, 76 Scottish vessels and 27 non-Scottish vessels were boarded outwith the closed area.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152595,"EventID":"S1W-15917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will progress its proposals in its policy statement, The Nature of Scotland, and when any new legislation will be in place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will progress its proposals in its policy statement, The Nature of Scotland, and when any new legislation will be in place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers will consider the way forward when we have analysed responses to consultation on The Nature of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152596,"EventID":"S1W-15918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Scottish Natural Heritage on whether marine mammals and basking sharks should be protected from harassment or intentional disturbance and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Scottish Natural Heritage on whether marine mammals and basking sharks should be protected from harassment or intentional disturbance and whether it will consider such protection when progressing legislation arising from its policy statement, The Nature of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The issue of harassment or disturbance will be considered in response to the consultation on the policy statement, The Nature of Scotland. SNH have not at this stage been asked to advise and their response to the policy statement has not been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152597,"EventID":"S1W-15919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties of care for Sites of Scientific Interest rest with public bodies and statutory undertakers; whether it will introduce new duties of care when progressing legi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties of care for Sites of Scientific Interest rest with public bodies and statutory undertakers; whether it will introduce new duties of care when progressing legislation arising from its policy statement, The Nature of Scotland, and, if not, what its reasons are for this decision.","AnswerText":"There is no specific duty of care on public bodies and statutory undertakers in relation to SSSIs, although SSSIs are subject to protection through the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, planning law and policy and certain other provisions. Any SSSIs which are also Natura 2000 sites receive additional protection to ensure that features of European interest are safeguarded.

The Executive will consider what further protections may be desirable in the light of consultation responses to the policy statement The Nature of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152598,"EventID":"S1W-15920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12217 by Susan Deacon on 11 May 2001, what its timetable is for achieving a significant reduction in variations in prescribing prac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12217 by Susan Deacon on 11 May 2001, what its timetable is for achieving a significant reduction in variations in prescribing practice across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Following a commitment in Our National Health, the Chief Medical Officer has asked Professor David Lawson to lead work with the Health Technology Board for Scotland and with local area drug and therapeutic committees on removing inequities in prescribing practice across Scotland. As a result of this, a seminar was held on 16 May at which the concept of a Scotland-wide consortium of Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees - a Scottish Medicines Consortium - was launched. This would provide a single source of Scottish advice to clinicians as close to the time of marketing of a new drug as possible. The Health Technology Board for Scotland has agreed to provide administrative and methodological support to the consortium. Discussions are ongoing with local area drug and therapeutic committees and health boards across Scotland and it is hoped that the consortium could begin operating in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152599,"EventID":"S1W-15921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding any difficulties they may have in meeting the costs of placing children in schools for special needs which ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding any difficulties they may have in meeting the costs of placing children in schools for special needs which are either (a) grant aided by the Executive or (b) financially independent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had no such specific discussions with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152600,"EventID":"S1W-15922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the policy that fish farmers whose fish farmed livestock are compulsorily slaughtered are not entitled to compensation was first established.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the policy that fish farmers whose fish farmed livestock are compulsorily slaughtered are not entitled to compensation was first established.","AnswerText":"The first claim for compensation in these circumstances was turned down in 1996.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152601,"EventID":"S1W-15923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any additional costs incurred by fish farmers in each year since Her Majesty's Government's decision not to adopt EU Council Decision 90/424,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any additional costs incurred by fish farmers in each year since Her Majesty's Government's decision not to adopt EU Council Decision 90/424, which provides compensation for the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish.","AnswerText":"No such estimate has been made. The provisions of Decision 90/424 apply to neither of the fish diseases for which compulsory slaughter has been required.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152602,"EventID":"S1W-15924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what EC compensation schemes for losses incurred by fish farmers as a result of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish it is aware of and whether it will provide details","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what EC compensation schemes for losses incurred by fish farmers as a result of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish it is aware of and whether it will provide details of any such schemes.","AnswerText":"We are aware of no such schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152603,"EventID":"S1W-15925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce proposals to provide backing for an insurance scheme in respect of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce proposals to provide backing for an insurance scheme in respect of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish.","AnswerText":"Such plans have been proposed and rejected as any Government contribution would be tantamount to compensation. We have, however, secured and implemented an amendment to EC fish health legislation to allow fish to be withdrawn from infected farms at a rate determined by the level of disease present. It is our hope that the withdrawal scheme will enable compulsory slaughter to be an insurable risk and to this end my officials have had meetings with insurance industry representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152604,"EventID":"S1W-15926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has received on whether the lack of a scheme to compensate fish farmers for the compulsory slaughter of fish breaches the provisions of Article 1 of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has received on whether the lack of a scheme to compensate fish farmers for the compulsory slaughter of fish breaches the provisions of Article 1 of the First Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights and article 14 of the Convention itself; what consideration it has given to any case law which applies in this matter and, in particular, what consideration it has given to any precedent set in Handyside v UK (A/24) (1976) relevant to this matter.","AnswerText":"Our legal advice is that policy on compensation for fish farmers in these circumstances is not in breach of these provisions. Consideration has been given to a range of case law, including Handyside v UK. The matter is currently being examined by the European Court of Justice.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152605,"EventID":"S1W-15930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance targets it has set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance targets it has set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"For the financial year 2001-02 I have set the following targets:

Aerial Surveillance

- % of hours flown on task

87%

- cost per hour flown on task

£1,250

Marine surveillance

- cost per effective patrol day

£4,140

- utilisation of available patrol days

97%

Sea Fisheries Inspectorate

- catches physically inspected and checked against landing declarations by over 10 metre vessels

47%

- cost per catch inspection

£92

Cases for Prosecution

- cases for prosecution to be reported within six weeks of offences being detected

90%

- within eight weeks of offences being detected

98%

Number of cases where court proceedings are taken or the imposition of a PF fine, as percentage of offences reported to prosecuting authorities

88%

Efficiency

- cash-releasing efficiency gain

1.5%

The Chief Executive will be directly accountable to me for the achievement of these targets, which will be reported in the agency's Annual Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152606,"EventID":"S1W-15931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3453 by Jackie Baillie on 17 May 2001, and to her letter to me of 13 November 2000 regarding the condemned central heating system o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3453 by Jackie Baillie on 17 May 2001, and to her letter to me of 13 November 2000 regarding the condemned central heating system of a constituent, whether it remains the case that, based on the information provided, the constituent in question will be eligible for assistance under the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"The rules for the programme in the private sector provide that householders will be eligible if they are over 60 and have no central heating or where there is a system that is wholly non-functioning and beyond repair.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152607,"EventID":"S1W-15932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15596 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2001, whether it met the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to discuss the proposed allocations to t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15596 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2001, whether it met the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to discuss the proposed allocations to the Legal Aid Fund for financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 set out in table 1.0 of The Scottish Budget prior to the publication of these figures; if so, when this meeting took place and what SLAB's position was with regard to the published figures.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in regular contact with the Scottish Legal Aid Board to discuss expenditure from the Legal Aid Fund. However, decisions on future provision for legal aid within the overall budget of the Scottish Executive lie with Scottish Ministers. As I explained in my answer on 17 May (question S1W-15596) the Legal Aid Fund is not cash limited. Scottish Ministers are legally obliged to provide sufficient funding to allow the Scottish Legal Aid Board to pay the cost of legal aid in every case that qualifies under the terms of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152608,"EventID":"S1W-15933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consulted the Criminal Justice Forum about its proposals for the justice budget for financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 before publishing these proposals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consulted the Criminal Justice Forum about its proposals for the justice budget for financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 before publishing these proposals.","AnswerText":"No: budgetary issues do not fall within the remit of the Criminal Justice Forum.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152609,"EventID":"S1W-15934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what dates in 2000-01 the Criminal Justice Forum met and on which of these occasions the Executive was represented.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what dates in 2000-01 the Criminal Justice Forum met and on which of these occasions the Executive was represented.","AnswerText":"The reconstituted Criminal Justice Forum met for the first time on 5 June 2000 and again on 5 December 2000. Its next meeting will be held on 27 June. I normally chair forum meetings and other ministers and officials attend as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152610,"EventID":"S1W-15935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which vaccinations were part of the recommended programme for children in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1995 and (e) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which vaccinations were part of the recommended programme for children in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1995 and (e) 2000.","AnswerText":"For each of the years specified, the following vaccinations made up the childhood immunisation programme:

1980 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, BCG

1985 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, BCG

1990 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, combined MMR (introduced nationally in October 1988), Rubella, BCG

1995 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib (introduced in 1992), MMR, BCG

2000 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib, MMR, Men C (introduced autumn 1999), BCG

Following the MR campaign in 1994, Rubella for schoolgirls was phased out.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152611,"EventID":"S1W-15936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13952 by Susan Deacon on 21 March 2201, in what ways access to the secure private networks on which individuals' medical records wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13952 by Susan Deacon on 21 March 2201, in what ways access to the secure private networks on which individuals' medical records will be held will be controlled, with particular reference to the security of smartcard access to such networks.","AnswerText":"Access to NHSScotland secure private networks is permitted only to authorised users. Authority to access is given under an auditable Code of Connection which operates under strict criteria to protect the integrity of NHSScotland networks and information systems. Access by unauthorised parties to NHS networks is prevented by firewall facilities which screen attempted accesses to the network and reject those that are not authorised. Authorised users who gain access to the network cannot then obtain access to any information system without satisfying the access protocols for the individual information system and this would include systems containing individuals' medical records. Smartcards are not used in any way to access NHSScotland secure networks.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152612,"EventID":"S1W-15937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that GPs do not charge for the medical assessments necessary to access certain social security benefits, such as disability living allowance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that GPs do not charge for the medical assessments necessary to access certain social security benefits, such as disability living allowance.","AnswerText":"The National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 require general practitioners to provide to their patients free of charge medical certificates which are required for Social Security purposes. The Department of Social Security has issued "A Guide for Medical Practitioners" which also explains that charges to patients should not be made.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152613,"EventID":"S1W-15938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish an urban task force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish an urban task force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is pursuing a wide range of initiatives of relevance to urban Scotland, including work on social justice, housing, transport, local governance, health, education and the environment. The Executive intends to build on these initiatives in taking forward the Review of Scotland's Cities, announced by the First Minister last year. Further details will be announced before the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152614,"EventID":"S1W-15939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there have been for assistance under the re-start scheme run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for salmon farms affected by infectious salmon anae","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there have been for assistance under the re-start scheme run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for salmon farms affected by infectious salmon anaemia; how many of these applications have been successful, and how many are still under consideration, broken down by parliamentary constituency and specifying the total value of applications in each case.","AnswerText":"There have been 35 applications. 18 have been approved; a further eight are still under consideration, and if approved these would take the total amount approved to around £4.3 million. A further seven applications were judged to be ineligible; two others, although eligible, have not been pursued by the companies involved.

Parliamentary constituency

Number of applications

Number of applications approved to date

Number of applications under consideration

Value of applications approved to date

(£ million)

Shetland

18

9

7

£1.2

Orkney

3

1

0

£0.3

Argyll & Bute

6

4

0

£0.5

Ross, Skye and Inverness West

5

1

1

£0.1

Western Isles

3

3

0

£0.8

Total

35

18

8

£2.9

Whilst it is almost two years since the last suspected ISA cases, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of further outbreaks, which could again threaten the viability of some fish farming companies. The scheme will thus remain open for applications from such affected companies until spring 2002. We will, however, review the spending position later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152615,"EventID":"S1W-15940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to the re-start scheme run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for salmon farms affected by infectious salmon anaemia for each year of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to the re-start scheme run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for salmon farms affected by infectious salmon anaemia for each year of the scheme's operation; how much has been paid out under the scheme in each year of operation to date, and how much assistance has been agreed but not yet paid, specifying the year in which any such assistance is expected to be paid.","AnswerText":"The budget for the ISA Re-Start Scheme was £9 million. No applications were approved during 1999-2000 as EC state aids approval was not obtained until May 2000. The value of applications approved during 2000-01 was £2.9 million. Those still under consideration during the current year could, if approved, amount to a further £1.4 million.

Whilst it is almost two years since the last suspected ISA cases, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of further outbreaks. The scheme will thus remain open for applications from such affected companies until spring 2002. We will, however, review the spending position later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152616,"EventID":"S1W-15941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total weight was of (a) king and (b) queen scallops caught or farmed in Scottish waters and sold as (i) processed out of shell meat and (ii) live in shell whole ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total weight was of (a) king and (b) queen scallops caught or farmed in Scottish waters and sold as (i) processed out of shell meat and (ii) live in shell whole scallops in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available. The tables show estimated scallop production.

Estimated landings into Scotland of scallops and queen scallops from Scottish waters by UK vessels, 1996 to 2000

Scallops

Queen scallops

Liveweight (000 tonnes)

Value (£000)

Liveweight (000 tonnes)

Value (£000)

1996

9.1

14,770

1

622

1997

9.4

15,352

1.1

463

1998

9.2

14,723

1.2

475

1999

7.6

12,774

2.1

924

2000

8.4

13,235

1.5

668

Farmed scallops

Scallops

Queen scallops

Shells (000)

Value (£000)

Shells (000)

Value (£000)

1995

300

na

1,147

na

1996

302

na

1,271

na

1997

223

na

1,207

na

1998

343Number of offences of failing to insure against third party risks proceeded against in Scottish courts, 1999

Total

Number of offences proceeded against

16,251

Number of offences with a charge proved

14,461

of which resulting in:

Custody

39

Community Service Order

164

Admonition

3,589

","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152621,"EventID":"S1W-15946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charges were brought during 2000 for driving while disqualified from holding a licence and, of these, how many related to repeat offences, specifying in each cas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charges were brought during 2000 for driving while disqualified from holding a licence and, of these, how many related to repeat offences, specifying in each case the number of convictions in respect of such charges which resulted in (a) a jail sentence, (b) community service and (c) an admonishment.","AnswerText":"The latest available information, which relates to 1999, is given in the table.

Number of offences of driving while disqualified proceeded against in Scottish courts, 1999

Total

No previous

convictions1

One or more

previous

convictions1

Number of offences proceeded against

3,464

1,498

1,966

Number of offences with a charge proved

3,205

1,408

1,797

of which resulting in:

Custody

1,352

291

1,061

Community Service Order

643

344

299

Admonition

129

69

60

Notes:

1. Previous convictions in Scottish courts, in the period 1989-99, for the offence of driving while disqualified.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152622,"EventID":"S1W-15947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many assaults against asylum seekers have been reported in Glasgow in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many assaults against asylum seekers have been reported in Glasgow in the last year.","AnswerText":"The statistics available centrally on crimes of assault recorded by the police do not distinguish the requested information.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152623,"EventID":"S1W-15948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been reported to the police in connection with assaults on asylum seekers in Glasgow in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been reported to the police in connection with assaults on asylum seekers in Glasgow in the last year.","AnswerText":"The statistics available centrally on crimes of assault recorded by the police do not distinguish the requested information.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152624,"EventID":"S1W-15949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what right of appeal to the Scottish Ministers exists for homeowners who wish to fell trees which are protected by tree preservation orders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what right of appeal to the Scottish Ministers exists for homeowners who wish to fell trees which are protected by tree preservation orders.","AnswerText":"Current planning legislation makes provision in each Tree Preservation Order for a right of appeal to Scottish Ministers against refusals or conditional consents issued by planning authorities in respect of applications to fell trees affected by a Tree Preservation Order.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152625,"EventID":"S1W-15950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget the #2.2 million granted to Victim Support Scotland in 2000-01 specifically to help victims of sexual assaults, referred to by the Deputy Minister for S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget the #2.2 million granted to Victim Support Scotland in 2000-01 specifically to help victims of sexual assaults, referred to by the Deputy Minister for Social Justice on 28 March 2001 (Official Report, col. 1032), came and where and how this money was spent.","AnswerText":"Victim Support Scotland receives funding from the Scottish Executive under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

Victim Support Scotland (VSS) provides emotional and practical support to all victims of crime. The grant to VSS in 2000-01 was £2.2 million and covered services to all victims including victims of sexual assault.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152626,"EventID":"S1W-15951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15344 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 18 May 2001, what the estimated annual cost will be of collecting endowment payments from EU stude","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15344 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 18 May 2001, what the estimated annual cost will be of collecting endowment payments from EU students who leave the UK after graduating.","AnswerText":"Details of the arrangements for collecting the Graduate Endowment are being finalised in discussions between the Scottish Executive and the Student Loans Company. However, the view of the Student Loans Company to date has been that, as the number of liable students expected to leave the UK after graduating will be relatively small, the cost of collecting the endowment from them does not merit calculating it separately.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152627,"EventID":"S1W-15952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in allocating community empowerment funding in the current financial year to Pathfinder and area-based social inclusion partnerships an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in allocating community empowerment funding in the current financial year to Pathfinder and area-based social inclusion partnerships and when this funding will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I would refer the member to the announcement I made during the urban regeneration debate on 10 May (Scottish Parliament's Official Report, 10 May 2001, col. 633). Guidance on the use of the resources allocated to partnerships will be issued very shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152628,"EventID":"S1W-15953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12857 by Susan Deacon on 26 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the projects on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12857 by Susan Deacon on 26 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the projects on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which received funding from the Chief Scientist Office in 1999-2000 and whether it has received any funding proposals for ME studies.","AnswerText":"My reply of 26 February to question S1W-12857 referred to funding of £7,000 for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) projects in 1999-2000. I regret to say that this was an error and I have written to Linda Fabiani accordingly. There were no projects on ME that were funded by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in the period 1997-98 to 2000-01 nor has CSO received any recent funding proposals. However, the CSO would be pleased to consider funding innovative ME studies of a sufficiently high standard.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152629,"EventID":"S1W-15954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated 69,000 cases of hospital-acquired infe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated 69,000 cases of hospital-acquired infections by health board area and when it expects the sub-group of its Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection to make recommendations on the planned national surveillance system.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15454 on 14 May 2001. No disaggregation by health board area is available. The report of the sub-group of the Health Department's Advisory Group on Infection has been received and is being considered urgently.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152630,"EventID":"S1W-15955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14098 by Nicol Stephen on 15 May 2001, what terms and conditions apply in relation to the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14098 by Nicol Stephen on 15 May 2001, what terms and conditions apply in relation to the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme and how these compare to the terms and conditions of similar schemes in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme all GTC registered teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools, including publicly funded special schools and units, are eligible to apply for a rebate of £200 against the cost of a modern computer.

The computer must match or exceed a technical specification drawn up by Learning and Teaching Scotland, who administer the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The specification is reviewed before each new phase of the scheme.

The payment is a taxable benefit, but the Scottish Executive has made arrangements to settle the tax and National Insurance centrally. No liability falls on the individual teachers.

The English scheme is currently restricted to the priority group of teachers of mathematics at Key Stage 3 as a necessary way of managing demand following high demand in the first phase. The English scheme has offered teachers 50% of the cost of a computer, up to a maximum subsidy of £500. Income tax and National Insurance liabilities have been met centrally, with no further liability on the teacher. Teachers must have undertaken, or have stated they are committed to take, the New Opportunities Fund ICT training programme. Further information about the English scheme can be found at:

http://cft.ngfl.gov.uk/user/index.html

No comparable scheme currently operates in Wales. The National Assembly for Wales has opted for a different means of increasing access to ICT in schools and in support of lifelong learning by establishing School Learning Centres and ICT Learning Centres in community venues. Full details were set out in the Prospectus ICT for Learning which is available on:

http://www.wales.gov.uk/","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152631,"EventID":"S1W-15956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13554 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, when its Health Department/NHS working group on standards of hospital cleanliness will repo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13554 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, when its Health Department/NHS working group on standards of hospital cleanliness will report; who will enforce the agreed standards, and how enforcement will be undertaken.","AnswerText":"The joint Scottish Executive Health Department/NHS working group's report has been received and is being actively considered. The draft standards prepared have already been passed to the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) for review and further work. The process of checking and reporting on compliance with the standards once established will be taken forward by CSBS alongside their ongoing work programme in relation to clinical standards in general.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152632,"EventID":"S1W-15957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in setting up the seminar on football supporters' trusts as announced by the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture on 8 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in setting up the seminar on football supporters' trusts as announced by the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture on 8 March 2001.","AnswerText":"Following discussions I have had with the football authorities and supporters' organisations, arrangements are being made for a conference in the autumn to consider the role of football clubs in their local community. The formation of supporters' trusts will be examined in that context.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152633,"EventID":"S1W-15958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to the views of the Royal College of Nursing regarding recruitment drives targeted at countries with shortages of nurses and what action it pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to the views of the Royal College of Nursing regarding recruitment drives targeted at countries with shortages of nurses and what action it plans to take to encourage NHS Trusts to reduce expenditure on overseas recruitment and increase it on the training of former nurses for re-entry into the profession.","AnswerText":"I have just announced my intention to bring together nursing leaders and education providers for a "summit" on recruitment and retention.

Recruitment of nurses is a matter for individual NHS Trusts to determine in the light of local workforce planning needs within the overall context of agreed national policy. Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change states that over the next five years 10,000 nurses and midwives will qualify in Scotland - 1,500 more than previously planned.

We have no evidence of widescale recruitment by NHS Trusts in Scotland of nurses from overseas.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152634,"EventID":"S1W-15960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15189 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 May 2001, what specific duties and responsibilities local authorities have in relation to offering ad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15189 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 May 2001, what specific duties and responsibilities local authorities have in relation to offering advice, guidance and assistance to those released from prison having been wrongly convicted of an offence.","AnswerText":"The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 places a statutory duty on local authorities to make available social work assistance in the form of advice, guidance and assistance on release from custody.

The objectives of voluntary assistance aim to provide a range of supportive services to offenders to assist in the reintegration of an offender into the community and reduce the risk of reoffending. Such services might be in the form of advice on access to benefits, accommodation, education and training or alcohol/drugs rehabilitation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152635,"EventID":"S1W-15961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its Statistics Plan for 2001-02 and whether there has been any progress in relation to other aspects of national statistics in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its Statistics Plan for 2001-02 and whether there has been any progress in relation to other aspects of national statistics in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that we have published the second Scottish Executive Statistics Plan, for 2001-02, for consultation, today. We received a number of useful comments on the first plan, which have influenced the development of our proposals for 2001-02. Executive staff have contributed fully to the development of the first UK National Statistics Work Programme. This includes significant proposals for the development of Scottish Executive statistics, while our own plan gives more details.

We remain committed to making available high quality statistics which meet the needs of users and support informed decision making.

Under National Statistics, we have introduced new planning arrangements, in which we actively seek the views of users of statistics including MSPs, on their needs and priorities.

I have recently proposed to the Statistics Commission that it undertakes a role in relation to the Scottish Executive and Parliament comparable to that which it has for the UK Government. This would strengthen the arrangements for external scrutiny of our statistics.

Copies of the Scottish Executive Statistics Plan will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152636,"EventID":"S1W-15962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which vaccines used in Scotland over the last 10 years contained the preservative Thimerosal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which vaccines used in Scotland over the last 10 years contained the preservative Thimerosal.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14694.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152637,"EventID":"S1W-15963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to call in the planning application for a proposed waste energy plant at Dargavel, Dumfriesshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to call in the planning application for a proposed waste energy plant at Dargavel, Dumfriesshire.","AnswerText":"No. Planning permission for this development was granted by Dumfries and Galloway Council on 31 May 2001. There were no planning reasons for the Scottish Ministers to intervene in the processing of this application by the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152638,"EventID":"S1W-15964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its consultation paper on the conservation and development of freshwater fisheries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its consultation paper on the conservation and development of freshwater fisheries.","AnswerText":"As I announced to Parliament during the final debate on the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill in January, I am committed to publishing a Green Paper on proposals for the future management of freshwater fish and fisheries in Scotland before the end of the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152639,"EventID":"S1W-15965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many abandoned motor vehicles have been uplifted and disposed of by each local authority in each of the last five years; what has been the cost of this activity, and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many abandoned motor vehicles have been uplifted and disposed of by each local authority in each of the last five years; what has been the cost of this activity, and what proportion of the cost is recovered from vehicle owners or insurers.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152640,"EventID":"S1W-15966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in publishing Checking for Change, including launch, printing and costs associated with publishing onli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in publishing Checking for Change, including launch, printing and costs associated with publishing online.","AnswerText":"The Checking for Change consultation paper has primarily been disseminated electronically. The launch of Checking for Change was carried out by news release and by e-mail to a number of relevant organisations. There were no separately identifiable costs associated with this.

Those paper copies which will be issued will be photocopies. About 200 copies are expected to be sent to those interested parties who, as far as we know, do not have e-mail accounts. Each copy uses only three sheets of paper as the document is printed double-sided. Therefore, approximately 600 sheets of paper will be used.

The cost of publishing both the Checking for Change paper and the Entec Report on Sustainability Indicators for Waste, Energy and Travel for Scotland on the Sustainable Scotland website was £40.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152641,"EventID":"S1W-15967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is the policy of the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to refuse legal aid for divorce applications on the grounds of fault when there are no ancillary craves an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is the policy of the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to refuse legal aid for divorce applications on the grounds of fault when there are no ancillary craves and what the reasons are for SLAB's policy on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board considers each application for civil legal aid on its own merits and against three statutory tests which it must apply to all cases. The tests are financial eligibility, probable cause of action and reasonableness. If these tests are met then civil legal aid will be granted.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152642,"EventID":"S1W-15968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publicise the health benefits of drinking milk in relation to the provision of essential nutrients and the prevention of osteoporosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publicise the health benefits of drinking milk in relation to the provision of essential nutrients and the prevention of osteoporosis.","AnswerText":"Milk, particularly skimmed and semi-skimmed milk, is promoted as making an important contribution as part of a healthy balanced diet.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152643,"EventID":"S1W-15969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and its campaign to discourage young children from consuming milk.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and its campaign to discourage young children from consuming milk.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive was not asked for a view on this campaign which I regard as being ill-informed and irresponsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152644,"EventID":"S1W-15970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion during routine NHS surgery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion during routine NHS surgery.","AnswerText":"The number of cases of infection with hepatitis C where the suspected risk factor of blood transfusion or tissue transfer reported to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) and shown in the figures published at the beginning of May is 206. The figure does not relate purely to those who may have been infected during routine surgery and may also include people who have been infected outwith Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152645,"EventID":"S1W-15971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request to make a ministerial statement to the Parliament on the implications for people in Scotland of the English court ruling on compensation for peop","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request to make a ministerial statement to the Parliament on the implications for people in Scotland of the English court ruling on compensation for people who contracted hepatitis C through blood transfusions on the NHS.","AnswerText":"As indicated by the Deputy Minister for Health & Community Care during the parliamentary debate on 26 April and again during my appearance before the Health and Community Care Committee on 23 May, the Executive is considering constructively the implications of the recent English High Court ruling in the case brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. This is a complex issue and is being progressed as urgently as possible. An announcement will be made at the earliest possible date.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152646,"EventID":"S1W-15972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient staff training and resources are in place to reverse the increase in methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus infections since 1997 as identified i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient staff training and resources are in place to reverse the increase in methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus infections since 1997 as identified in the weekly report (16 of 2001) published by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.","AnswerText":"Tackling methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other kinds of healthcare-related infections, is an important task for the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has produced comprehensive guidance in support of the NHS. A joint Health Department/NHS working group has very recently prepared further guidance and standards on hospital-acquired infection which will help combat MRSA. Responsibility for ensuring that adequate resources are applied to these tasks is primarily a matter for NHS Trusts, who are fully aware of the importance we attach to effective action. In taking action, Trusts will be able to draw on the increased funding of more than £400 million a year over the next three years which the Scottish Executive is making available to the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152647,"EventID":"S1W-15973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place or are proposed to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1988 on the time period for prescri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place or are proposed to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1988 on the time period for prescribing ben'odia'epines such as Valium, Tema'epan and Mogadon so that people do not become addicted to such drugs.","AnswerText":"There are a number of measures in place to ensure that, where clinically possible, GPs comply with the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) guidelines. Benzodiazepine prescribing by GPs is an area that is regularly reviewed by Health Board/Primary Care Trust Prescribing Advisers who receive monthly reports of prescribing data by GP practice. These reports can be used to monitor benzodiazepine prescribing. In addition, GP computer systems incorporate a reminder to alert GPs when a clinical review is recommended or required.

Health professionals are reminded of the CSM guidelines in a boxed warning in the British National Formulary, issued free to doctors and pharmacists. Product information for benzodiazepines produced by the manufacturers, and authorised by the licensing authority, include warnings about duration of treatment.

These measures are proving effective. There has been a steady reduction in the prescribing of benzodiazepines by GPs in Scotland from 2.3 million prescription items in 1991 to 1.7 million in 1999.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to prescribe benzodiazepines depends on the clinical judgement of the medical practitioner concerned, taking into account advice and evidence about their use. In some cases it may be clinically necessary for the GP to exceed the CSM prescribing guidelines, for example, in managing patients where benzodiazepine use is part of a wider drug misuse problem.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152648,"EventID":"S1W-15974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for legal aid for divorce applications on the basis of fault with no ancillary craves were made to the Scottish Legal Aid Board and how many were re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for legal aid for divorce applications on the basis of fault with no ancillary craves were made to the Scottish Legal Aid Board and how many were refused on the \"reasonableness\" test in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152649,"EventID":"S1W-15975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area who had operations on a day surgery basis were subsequently admitted to hospital due to complications resulting ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area who had operations on a day surgery basis were subsequently admitted to hospital due to complications resulting from the surgery in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152650,"EventID":"S1W-15976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were performed on a day surgery basis in hospitals in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were performed on a day surgery basis in hospitals in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the total number of operations performed in Greater Glasgow on a day surgery basis1 during the years 1997/98 to 1999/00. It also shows the number of 'principal' operations performed in Greater Glasgow on a day surgery basis1 during the same time period:

Year

Total Number of Operations2

Number of Principal Operations

1997/98

95,217

81,929

1998/99

100,862

87,823

1999/00

98,926

86,548

Notes:

1 The information shown is based on patients treated as day cases in NHS hospitals in Greater Glasgow health board area. Patients who received an operation in an outpatient setting are excluded as this information is not held centrally.

2 Includes any secondary or other operations during the same episode of care.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152651,"EventID":"S1W-15977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inpatient operations were performed in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inpatient operations were performed in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the total number of operations performed in Greater Glasgow on an inpatient basis1 during the years 1997/98 to 1999/00. It also shows the number of 'principal' operations performed in Greater Glasgow on an inpatient basis1 during the same time period:

Year

Total Number of Operations2

Number of Principal Operations

1997/98

152,649

107,633

1998/99

160,805

110,976

1999/00

152,914

105,816

Notes:

1 The information shown is based on patients treated as inpatients in NHS hospitals in Greater Glasgow health board area.

2 Includes any secondary or other operations during the same episode of care.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152652,"EventID":"S1W-15978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area who had operations on an inpatient basis were subsequently readmitted due to complications resulting from surger","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area who had operations on an inpatient basis were subsequently readmitted due to complications resulting from surgery in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152653,"EventID":"S1W-15979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many caesarean operations were performed in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many caesarean operations were performed in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The table shows the total number of maternities that involved caesarean section operations in Scotland between 1995-96 and 1999-2000.

Year

Total Number of Maternities involving Caesarean Section Operations

1995-96

9,605

1996-97

9,802

1997-98

10,417

1998-99

10,739

1999-2000p

10,762

p - provisional

Notes:

1. Since 1 April 1997, where four or more babies are involved in a delivery, birth details are recorded only for the first three babies. Prior to this date, birth details were recorded only for the first two babies.

2. Individual babies within a multiple delivery may have different modes of delivery. A multiple delivery is included as a caesarean maternity if at least one baby is born by caesarean section.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152654,"EventID":"S1W-15980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of NHS nursing grades to be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of NHS nursing grades to be completed.","AnswerText":"This matter is being considered as part of the ongoing discussions involving all four UK Health Departments on Agenda for Change: Modernising the NHS Pay System with key negotiations scheduled over the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152655,"EventID":"S1W-15981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any funding it currently provides for services to help children affected by the domestic abuse of a parent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any funding it currently provides for services to help children affected by the domestic abuse of a parent.","AnswerText":"The Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund is providing £12 million over four years to improve local circumstances for women and their children suffering domestic abuse. Six of the projects currently supported are aimed specifically at children and young people.

£10 million in the Scottish Homes budget will improve refuge provision for both women and their children.

The Executive provided funding of £10,000 last year to Scottish Women's Aid to support the production leaflets aimed at children and young people and £67,000 to 33 local groups to improve facilities for children and young people in refuges and offices.

The core funding which the Executive gives the National Office of Women's Aid includes funding for two posts for National Children's Workers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152656,"EventID":"S1W-15982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the provision of hormone replacement therapy in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the provision of hormone replacement therapy in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to review the provision of hormone replacement therapy in the NHS.

Hormone replacement therapy is available on NHS prescription and its use depends on the clinical judgement of the doctor concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152657,"EventID":"S1W-15983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care or the proposed Scottish Social Services Council will have any power to influence the pay and conditi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care or the proposed Scottish Social Services Council will have any power to influence the pay and conditions of staff working in private nursing and residential homes and what impact the creation of these bodies is expected to have on the pay and conditions of such staff.","AnswerText":"Pay and conditions are matters for employers. Any influence of the Commission or Council would be indirect.

The Commission will inspect care homes against the National Care Standards and will be able to comment on any matter which affects the quality of care, such as, for example, a rapid turnover of staff.

Care home managers will be in the first tranche of staff to be registered by the Council and care home staff in the second. Registration will involve some training requirements; and the Council's code of practice for employers will include responsibilities for training and developing staff. A better trained workforce may be one factor which influences the pay levels considered appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152658,"EventID":"S1W-15984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an urgent review of pay and conditions of nursing staff employed in private nursing and residential homes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an urgent review of pay and conditions of nursing staff employed in private nursing and residential homes.","AnswerText":"Nursing homes are privately owned and therefore the pay and conditions of staff are not determined by the Scottish Executive. Residential homes are currently barred from employing nurses.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152659,"EventID":"S1W-15985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has had with the Glasgow Islay Association in relation to the UK in New York event and what action it intends to take to ensure a Gaelic and Scottish pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has had with the Glasgow Islay Association in relation to the UK in New York event and what action it intends to take to ensure a Gaelic and Scottish presence at this event","AnswerText":"After the recent experience of Tartan Day I am convinced that Scotland can only gain by continuing to build links with the United States.

The Glasgow Islay Association has been in touch to ask about possible participation in this festival. We are considering opportunities for increasing Scotland's Gaelic profile and active cultural involvement in events in New York. We will then be able to determine what we can do to ensure an appropriate Scottish profile within UKinNY.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152660,"EventID":"S1W-15986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15098 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 May 2001, when it will bring forward amending legislation to ensure that parents of children who ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15098 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 May 2001, when it will bring forward amending legislation to ensure that parents of children who are four years and six months and over when they start school are eligible to make a placing request.","AnswerText":"We are today issuing for consultation proposals to amend this legislation, and to amend appointment procedures under the current School Board legislation to provide for the successful and timely implementation of the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century. The First Minister will announce the Executive's future legislative proposals to the Parliament in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152661,"EventID":"S1W-15987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15098 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 May 2001, what steps it is taking to monitor any difficulties being experienced by local authoritie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15098 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 May 2001, what steps it is taking to monitor any difficulties being experienced by local authorities and school boards in relation to the anomaly in the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000 whereby the parents of children who are four years and six months and over when they start school are not eligible to make a placing request; how many parents of children affected by this anomaly have to date made a request for their child to attend a particular school, and how many such requests have not been granted.","AnswerText":"We are in contact with local authorities over the action they are taking at local level to deal with this anomoly. It is still too early to tell what the overall effect has been on entry to P1 across the country and statistics are not yet available on the number of parents affected and how many requests have not been granted.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152662,"EventID":"S1W-15988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken prior to the decision by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to discontinue Standard Grade Technological Studies at Foundation level.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken prior to the decision by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to discontinue Standard Grade Technological Studies at Foundation level.","AnswerText":"Two separate consultations were undertaken by the Scottish Qualifications Authority which sought the views of a wide range of teachers, headteachers and education managers. The first was issued on 14 December 1999 for completion by 4 February 2000 and the second issued on 13 November 2000 for completion by 15 December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152663,"EventID":"S1W-15989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority gives notice of any plans to discontinue courses to schools earlier than May in future years in order to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Authority gives notice of any plans to discontinue courses to schools earlier than May in future years in order to avoid pupils having selected options for the coming year by the time such plans are known.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority will always endeavour to alert schools to course changes as early as it can. Unfortunately, in the case of Standard Grade Technological Studies, this was not possible until May. While I understand the difficulties this causes, the alternative would have been to delay changes for another session and thereby deny teachers access to new resource materials and pupils the opportunity to study the newly developed contemporary course.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152664,"EventID":"S1W-15990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing and funding a scheme to retrain as teachers people who have been made redundant by employers such as Motorola and who possess skills ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing and funding a scheme to retrain as teachers people who have been made redundant by employers such as Motorola and who possess skills in subject areas where there are shortages of teachers.","AnswerText":"The Motorola Taskforce is willing to consider any reasonable proposals for retraining from those workers affected by the closure. The Executive is working closely with the taskforce to provide the best possible outcome for all those affected.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152665,"EventID":"S1W-15991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage manufacturers in the Highlands to use rail for the transportation of goods.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage manufacturers in the Highlands to use rail for the transportation of goods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Freight Facilities and Track Access Grant schemes are both targeted at encouraging manufacturers to transfer freight from road to rail which is a central plank of our freight transport policy.

In the Spending Review 2000 we announced that the Freight Facilities Grant budget would double to £36 million over the next three years. The opportunities to take advantage of these grant schemes are available to industry throughout Scotland, including the Highlands where roads are often particularly unsuited to heavy road freight traffic.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152666,"EventID":"S1W-15992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures are being taken to dissuade British Alcan from switching the transportation of aluminium by rail to road from Lochaber to Coatbridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures are being taken to dissuade British Alcan from switching the transportation of aluminium by rail to road from Lochaber to Coatbridge.","AnswerText":"Switching the transportation of aluminium to road was a commercial decision made by Freightliner.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152667,"EventID":"S1W-15993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be on rail-related employment of the decision by Arjo Wiggins paper manufacturers to end its West Highland line rail contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be on rail-related employment of the decision by Arjo Wiggins paper manufacturers to end its West Highland line rail contract.","AnswerText":"I understand that no employees at Fort William have been made redundant as a result of the Arjo Wiggins decision. However, two ground staff and three drivers have been relocated.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152668,"EventID":"S1W-15994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will send a representative to the meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation in Mondari', Spain, from 4 to 8 June 2001 to participate in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will send a representative to the meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation in Mondari', Spain, from 4 to 8 June 2001 to participate in the negotiation of an international agreement on the containment of genetically modified fish.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department attended the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation in Mondariz, Spain from 4 to 8 June 2001 as members of the European Union Delegation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152669,"EventID":"S1W-15995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the powers of prison governors as a result of the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights legislation into Scottish law.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the powers of prison governors as a result of the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights legislation into Scottish law.","AnswerText":"The system of discipline in Scottish penal establishments has already been reviewed by the Scottish Executive in the light of the incorporation into Scottish law of the European Convention on Human Rights. That review included consideration of the powers of Prison Governors in relation to disciplinary proceedings against prisoners.

Ministers have subsequently been advised that it is possible that the imposition by Governors of additional days as a disciplinary punishment could be challenged under the European Convention on Human Rights. In order to minimise that risk, with the disruption to the operational stability of penal establishments that any successful challenge could cause, it has been decided that with effect from 11 June the awarding by Prison Governors of additional days or loss of remission as punishments for prisoners infringing prison rules will be suspended. Punishments made before that date will remain in force; but Governors have been instructed that from 11 June they are not to make any new awards of these punishments.

The disciplinary situation in the prisons estate will be kept under review following this decision. However, the full range of other disciplinary punishments that currently exist, such as loss of privileges and cellular confinement, will continue to be available to Governors, and it is believed that these are sufficient to allow the satisfactory maintenance of discipline in penal establishments. Where serious criminal behaviour is involved, Governors will also continue as at present to be able to refer the matter to the police for possible criminal charges.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152670,"EventID":"S1W-15996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out a survey of the potential costs of the introduction of the euro to (a) each local authority, (b) schools and (c) the NHSiS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out a survey of the potential costs of the introduction of the euro to (a) each local authority, (b) schools and (c) the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to estimate the cost of an introduction of the euro.

The cost of a changeover would depend on the timing, the overall approach and individual management decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152671,"EventID":"S1W-15997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of specialist multiple sclerosis nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of specialist multiple sclerosis nurses.","AnswerText":"The employment of specialist nurses is a matter for individual NHS Trusts to determine in the light of clinical needs.

In the case of multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses, I am aware that the MS Society wrote to Trusts and health boards last November offering assistance by providing information about the needs of people with MS, by facilitating links with local MS communities, by sharing best practice, and through partnership funding of key posts and work. To this end, health boards have been asked by my officials to consider the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) Report on Multiple Sclerosis, particularly in relation to specialist nurses and the part-funding offer that the society has made.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152672,"EventID":"S1W-15998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Health Technology Board for Scotland to report on the clinical effectiveness of beta interferon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Health Technology Board for Scotland to report on the clinical effectiveness of beta interferon.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3328 on 3 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152673,"EventID":"S1W-15999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to provide good quality cycle training for all primary school children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to provide good quality cycle training for all primary school children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Road Safety Campaign, funded by the Scottish Executive, oversees the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme. New training materials for the scheme were issued to all Road Safety Units in Scotland in March last year and their use promoted in schools throughout Scotland. A resource for Road Safety Officers to use in training volunteer cycle trainers, developed by the campaign, was issued in March.

The provision of cycle training for children is a matter for schools and for police and local authority road safety units.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152674,"EventID":"S1W-16000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the application by the Camanachd Association for additional funding for shinty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the application by the Camanachd Association for additional funding for shinty.","AnswerText":"Following its unsuccessful application for an increase in the level of Development Grant Aid made available to shinty, the Camanachd Association (CA) accepted an offer from sportscotland to fund an independent review. The aim of the review is to provide the basis for the long-term success of the sport and the viability of the association itself. Consultants Genesis were invited to conduct the Governing Body Development Audit with the CA. The purpose of this audit is to allow the governing body the opportunity to assess the current position of the organisation in key policy areas. It also allows the governing body to check whether it is keeping pace with the expectations required of a modern, well functioning sporting organisation.

The Genesis report and analysis is to be submitted by the end of August 2001. A copy of the report will be submitted simultaneously to the CA and sportscotland. The report will be the property of the CA but sportscotland will be required to check that the consultant has fulfilled its brief before making the final payment. A maximum sum of £8,000 has been allocated to complete the CA audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152675,"EventID":"S1W-16001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13949 by Susan Deacon on 23 May 2001, whether it will list the projected year-end overspends of the 13 NHS Trusts to which the answ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13949 by Susan Deacon on 23 May 2001, whether it will list the projected year-end overspends of the 13 NHS Trusts to which the answer refers.","AnswerText":"The information provided in the answer to question S1W-13949 was based on information available as at 31 December 2000.

Provisional end-year figures indicate that the net overspend of all the NHS Trusts in Scotland taken together as at 31 March 2001 was £400,000. The estimated overspend represents less than 0.01% of estimated income for the year.

A number of factors, including the additional investment in NHSScotland of over £480 million in 2000-01 and the implementation of financial recovery plans by a number of Trusts, have resulted in this much improved year-end financial position.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152676,"EventID":"S1W-16002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Union funds are available for any aspect of solar energy generation, in particular for the installation of solar energy systems, and how much European fundi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Union funds are available for any aspect of solar energy generation, in particular for the installation of solar energy systems, and how much European funding related to solar energy has been accessed by the Executive in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"ALTENER is the European Union programme promoting the use of renewable energy sources within the EU, and is the only programme devoted entirely to renewable energy. The ALTENER budget for 2001-02 is around 17.5 million euros.

It is a matter for individual organisations to respond to calls for proposals from this programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152677,"EventID":"S1W-16003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an audit of (a) the utility costs saved by the inhabitants as a result of the properties in Easthall, Easterhouse having solar heating systems inst","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an audit of (a) the utility costs saved by the inhabitants as a result of the properties in Easthall, Easterhouse having solar heating systems installed and (b) the effect on their quality of life.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Glasgow City Council who own the majority of the properties concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152678,"EventID":"S1W-16004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Energy Saving Trust (EST); to whom the EST is accountable; what funding the EST receives from what sources, and whether it will outline any polic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Energy Saving Trust (EST); to whom the EST is accountable; what funding the EST receives from what sources, and whether it will outline any policies or guidance developed or issued by the EST.","AnswerText":"The Energy Saving Trust's (EST) remit in Scotland is to promote energy efficiency to the domestic energy user and the very small business market. In Scotland, the Trust delivers UK-wide programmes as well as distinctive Scottish schemes developed by the Executive. One example of the latter is a loan scheme for small businesses to help fund energy saving investment. The Trust offers a wide range of practical guidance to domestic and small business energy consumers. It does not develop policy.

The Executive's Scottish Energy Efficiency Office approves and funds the EST's annual programme of activities in Scotland as well as monitoring its performance. The EST grant from the Scottish Executive in the current financial year is expected to be £2,200,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152679,"EventID":"S1W-16005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15345 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 23 May 2001, whether it will show the modern apprenticeship pass rate for completers and for those s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15345 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 23 May 2001, whether it will show the modern apprenticeship pass rate for completers and for those still in training separately for 1999-2000 and 2000-01.","AnswerText":"he table provides the information requested.

Modern Apprenticeship Pass Rate: 1999-2000 and 2000-01

 

LEC area

1999-2000

2000-01

Starts

Completers

In-training

Starts

Completers

In-training

SE Ayrshire

938

12%

51%

1,039

8%

76%

SE Borders

83

1%

82%

125

1%

89%

SE Dumbarton

265

16%

68%

305

2%

84%

SE Dumfries

176

3%

72%

332

1%

84%

SE Edinburgh & Lothians

696

12%

67%

1,073

3%

89%

SE Fife

A national audit is currently being carried out to establish the relative importance of Scotland's museum collections, buildings and services and the results will inform the allocation of £3 million which we are providing over three years to help put the museum sector on a sounder footing.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152681,"EventID":"S1W-16007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Ambulance Service's joint working party looking at on-call working arrangements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Ambulance Service's joint working party looking at on-call working arrangements.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Scottish Ambulance Service's Joint Working Party has made progress in reducing the amount of on-call working in many parts of Scotland. The Ambulance Service is fully aware, however, that wherever revised methods of working are introduced, including in rural areas, they must ensure that services to patients are maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152682,"EventID":"S1W-16008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding plans to decommission nuclear submarines at Loch Ewe and, if so, what the outcome","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding plans to decommission nuclear submarines at Loch Ewe and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152683,"EventID":"S1W-16009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14961 by Ross Finnie on 16 May 2001, what research into genetically modified fish it or the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14961 by Ross Finnie on 16 May 2001, what research into genetically modified fish it or the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department directly or indirectly funded; what the purpose, length and cost of any such research was, and which institution undertook it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such research.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152684,"EventID":"S1W-16010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given voluntary organisations regarding asylum seekers and refugees who volunteer their services to them, in particular on the reimbursement of any exp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given voluntary organisations regarding asylum seekers and refugees who volunteer their services to them, in particular on the reimbursement of any expenses which are incurred in delivering such services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any advice about this, as it is a reserved matter","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152685,"EventID":"S1W-16011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants under European Structural Funds and EU community initiatives such as EQUAL have been made available since 1999 to assist with the integration of asylum seeker","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants under European Structural Funds and EU community initiatives such as EQUAL have been made available since 1999 to assist with the integration of asylum seekers and refugees into local labour markets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16013.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152686,"EventID":"S1W-16012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and funding it has made available since 1999 to voluntary and community groups and local authorities in relation to building community relations between lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and funding it has made available since 1999 to voluntary and community groups and local authorities in relation to building community relations between local residents and asylum seekers and refugees and thereby facilitating social inclusion.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's policy is to provide funding to national organisations, while funding for groups operating locally should be decided locally.

The Scottish Executive provided funding of £191,844 in 1999-2000, £196,356 in 2000-01, and £202,914 in 2001-02 to the Scottish Refugee Council. This is to assist the council to provide advice, support and practical help to refugees and their families in Scotland, and to fund the council's housing policy work with local authorities, housing associations and others on the development of accommodation and support provision and the council's own provision of housing support and advice to refugees.

The Scottish Executive has not issued guidance on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152687,"EventID":"S1W-16013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants under European Structural Funds and EU community initiatives such as EQUAL have been made available since 1999 to assist asylum seekers and refugees to become","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants under European Structural Funds and EU community initiatives such as EQUAL have been made available since 1999 to assist asylum seekers and refugees to become integrated into the local labour market and enhance their economic and social contribution.","AnswerText":"Refugees and asylum seekers with permission from the Home Office to work on either a temporary or a permanent basis are eligible to benefit from European Social Fund grants available since 2000 under the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme, the Objective 2 Western Scotland Programme and the Scottish Objective 3 Programme, provided that the individuals meet the eligibility criteria set out for each programme.

In particular, Objective 3 Priority 2 aims to address social exclusion and has one Measure worth 71 million euros over seven years specifically to assist excluded groups such as refugees and asylum seekers.

The EQUAL Community Initiative, of which Scotland has been allocated about 33 million euros, will also tackle issues relating to those groups most disadvantaged in the labour market. It will be delivered in Scotland through seven Development Partnerships, which will be operational from November this year. An additional strand - to be administered across the UK by the Department for Education and Employment and worth 19 million euros - will be devoted to action to promote the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152688,"EventID":"S1W-16014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and funding it has made available since 1999 to voluntary and community groups and local authorities in relation to building community relations between lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and funding it has made available since 1999 to voluntary and community groups and local authorities in relation to building community relations between local residents and refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow and thereby facilitating social inclusion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16012.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152689,"EventID":"S1W-16015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of special payments made to prison staff who did not take part in the recent unofficial industrial actions; what consultation was undertaken with repres","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of special payments made to prison staff who did not take part in the recent unofficial industrial actions; what consultation was undertaken with representatives of Scottish Prison Service employees about these payments, and what the impact of these selective payments has been on the morale of prison staff.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

The cost of payments made or being processed this month under the SPS Special Bonus Scheme, to staff who worked a full shift or more on the day of the unlawful strike on 23 April 2001, is some £67,000. The SPS Board took the decision to make these payments in recognition of the loyalty and exceptional performance of those of our staff who worked, mostly under conditions of greatly aggravated difficulty, on the day in question, protecting the public by maintaining basic good order and care in our prisons. Since the strike we have had an arbiter's award on attendance patterns, and working together on its implementation will be a good vehicle for improving morale.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152690,"EventID":"S1W-16016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had on the safety for human consumption of milk produced in areas infected with foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had on the safety for human consumption of milk produced in areas infected with foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive discussed the concerns that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) had about the possibility of dioxins released from pyres being present in milk from some 60 dairy farms within 2 km of these pyres in the Infected Area. The FSA felt that it was necessary to issue information to these farmers about this slight risk if the farmers consumed their own milk exclusively. The FSA also made it clear that there was no risk to the public when milk from these farms was mixed with other milk.

In addition to the discussions with the FSA the Scottish Executive also discussed these concerns with the Scottish Dairy Association and the National Farmers' Union of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152691,"EventID":"S1W-16017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police investigations involving the use of predictive tests in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area regarding alleged contravention of the Misuse of Drugs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police investigations involving the use of predictive tests in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area regarding alleged contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1967 were carried out by the police in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152692,"EventID":"S1W-16018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for each year since 1997 in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area for the contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1967 were preceded by predi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for each year since 1997 in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area for the contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1967 were preceded by predictive tests for the presence of drugs carried out by the police.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152693,"EventID":"S1W-16019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, prior to submitting an objection to the planning application submitted on behalf of the United Reform Church, Crescent Road, Nairn, the trunk roads authority vis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, prior to submitting an objection to the planning application submitted on behalf of the United Reform Church, Crescent Road, Nairn, the trunk roads authority visited the premises.","AnswerText":"In common with all planning applications affecting a trunk road, the Scottish Executive is consulted and offers advice to the Planning Authority. In this case, the site was visited by the previous Management Agent, Mouchel Scotland Ltd and a report submitted to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152694,"EventID":"S1W-16020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend that the trunk roads authority not submit objections to planning applications without having inspected the premises which are the subject of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend that the trunk roads authority not submit objections to planning applications without having inspected the premises which are the subject of the application.","AnswerText":"The sites of all planning applications are visited to assist in determining whether the development would be likely to have a detrimental effect on trunk road traffic. It is not normal practice to inspect individual premises as sufficient information indicating the nature of the development should accompany the planning application.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152695,"EventID":"S1W-16021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether planning law will be reviewed to ensure that before making a formal objection to an application which would result in the application being called in and a public","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether planning law will be reviewed to ensure that before making a formal objection to an application which would result in the application being called in and a public local inquiry being held, it should be compulsory for the trunk roads authority to visit the premises concerned and consult with the applicants and, if not, whether there is a risk of unreasonable delay and prejudice in the treatment of applications.","AnswerText":"No, the Scottish Executive has no plans to review planning legislation in this regard.

The current contractual arrangements between the Road Network Management and Maintenance Division (RNMMD) and the Operating Companies managing the trunk road network on their behalf require the Operating Company to visit all planning application sites, take photographs and make a report to RNMMD to include accident statistics and all other relevant information. There is no requirement to consult with applicants, although RNMMD would, where appropriate, carry out such consultations themselves. Any subsequent objection by RNMMD does not necessarily lead to a case being called in, nor does a case being called in necessarily lead to a public local inquiry being held.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152696,"EventID":"S1W-16022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether those who complete the Open University Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is recognised in England, are qualified to teach in Scotland and, if not, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether those who complete the Open University Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is recognised in England, are qualified to teach in Scotland and, if not, whether it will specify which elements of the qualification it does not recognise.","AnswerText":"Scotland does not currently participate in the Open University (OU) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme. Institutions are able, however, to offer any course on a part-time basis provided it meets the requirements set out in the Guidelines for Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. No proposals have been received for such a course from the OU since 1992.

Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) is a requirement for teaching in all education authority schools in Scotland. All teachers who have not trained in Scotland and who wish to teach here must seek exceptional admission to the GTCS register. As long as a teacher with a qualification through the OU in England fulfils the council's requirements with regards to academic qualifications, professional training and relevant experience there should be no difficulty in gaining entry to the register of persons entitled to teach in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152697,"EventID":"S1W-16024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of primary teachers and, if so, what measures it is taking to address this.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of primary teachers and, if so, what measures it is taking to address this.","AnswerText":"The Supply of Teachers report, 1st Edition - January 2001, details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlines planned improvements to current methods. Copies of the report are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICe - Bib. no. 10751) and it is on the Executive's website. As reported in this edition, we are presently unable to provide detailed answers to questions about teacher supply and shortages in specific areas. The position is outlined at paragraphs 28-36 of the report. In light of this, initiatives are being developed to identify the current number of teachers relevant to demand.

As proposed in this first edition of the report, the department is currently piloting an exercise with a sample of education authorities to gather data on teacher vacancies and shortages aimed at establishing a reliable baseline figure from which to improve the planning of teacher supply across Scotland.

Updates of The Supply of Teachers report will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the website as the position develops and new systems of gathering information are put in place. The regular publication of the report will ensure all relevant current information is available to members of the Scottish Parliament and also in the public domain.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152698,"EventID":"S1W-16025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote use of the West Highland railway line and address any decline in the amount of freight being carried on the line.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote use of the West Highland railway line and address any decline in the amount of freight being carried on the line.","AnswerText":"To encourage the movement of freight by rail, the Scottish Executive has committed £39 million over the next three years (2001-04) towards the Freight Facilities Grant and Track Access Grant schemes. The Executive will consider applications for grants under these schemes from industry throughout Scotland, including the Highlands. Applications are assessed against value for money and environmental benefits criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152699,"EventID":"S1W-16026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of motor insurance was for (a) each police force, (b) each fire service, (c) the ambulance service and (d) the prison service in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of motor insurance was for (a) each police force, (b) each fire service, (c) the ambulance service and (d) the prison service in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested for the fire and ambulance services is shown in the following table. The figures for 2000-01 are provisional.

£'000

Fire Brigades

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

Central

45

68

75

Dumfries & Galloway

14

14

14

Fife

19

12

16

Grampian

90

103

100

Highlands & Islands

56

61

63

Lothian & Borders

70

77

139

Strathclyde

200

349

360

Tayside

62

73

77

Total

556

757

844

    

Ambulance Service

347

347

380

The cost of motor vehicle insurance for police forces is not held centrally. The Scottish Prison Service has Crown Indemnity when using vehicles and is therefore exempt from the requirement to have motor vehicle insurance.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152700,"EventID":"S1W-16027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of motor insurance was for the vehicles owned and operated by it or the Scottish Office in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of motor insurance was for the vehicles owned and operated by it or the Scottish Office in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Vehicles owned by the Scottish Executive have Crown exemption. Consequently, the Executive meets the cost of liabilities arising from their use. For staff, personal injury cover is provided by the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme. The cost of supplementary commercial insurance cover for occupants of the vehicles was £525.00 for 2000-01 and £656.25 for 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152701,"EventID":"S1W-16028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the recent incident in Portree Sheriff Court where CS gas was used to restore order, there will be a review of security needs in rural courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the recent incident in Portree Sheriff Court where CS gas was used to restore order, there will be a review of security needs in rural courts.","AnswerText":"Court security is a matter which is kept under constant review by the Scottish Court Service. The recent incident at Portree Sheriff Court is being examined to determine whether there are any implications for the security of both rural and urban courts.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152702,"EventID":"S1W-16029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-15005, 15012, 15013, 15014, 15015 and 15016 by Mr Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001, whether there is a time limit within which a non-d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-15005, 15012, 15013, 15014, 15015 and 15016 by Mr Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001, whether there is a time limit within which a non-departmental public body should provide information to a member when requested to do so by a minister and, if so, whether this time limit is greater than four weeks.","AnswerText":"Executive NDPBs are required to comply with the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, which came into effect on 1 July 1999. This states that information will be provided as soon as practicable with a target response to simple requests of 20 days from the date of receipt. This target may need to be extended when significant search or collation of material is required.

Where the information cannot be provided under the terms of the code, an explanation will normally be given.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152703,"EventID":"S1W-16030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the number of temporary accommodation places and (b) the type of accommodation used for these places currently available to homeless households","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the number of temporary accommodation places and (b) the type of accommodation used for these places currently available to homeless households.","AnswerText":"The provision of appropriate temporary accommodation is a matter for local authorities. Assessing the need for such accommodation will form part of the development of local authority homelessness strategies. The type of temporary accommodation provided will depend on the assessment of need, including consideration of what is already available.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152704,"EventID":"S1W-16031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional temporary accommodation places would be required following implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and what type of accommodation this is likely","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional temporary accommodation places would be required following implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and what type of accommodation this is likely to be.","AnswerText":"This will be a matter for local assessment as part of the development of homelessness strategies.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152705,"EventID":"S1W-16032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-priority homeless people would become eligible for temporary accommodation under section 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-priority homeless people would become eligible for temporary accommodation under section 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Section 3 of the Housing Bill will give homeless or potentially homeless people not in priority need an enhanced package which ensures them advice and assistance and access to temporary accommodation while this advice and assistance is given. Take-up of the new enhanced package will depend on the circumstances of individual households and the extent to which its availability encourages those who have not previously made applications to local authorities under the homelessness legislation now to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152706,"EventID":"S1W-16033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure by local authorities would qualify for funding from the #27 million announced on 18 December 2000 by the Minister for Social Justice to help them meet th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure by local authorities would qualify for funding from the #27 million announced on 18 December 2000 by the Minister for Social Justice to help them meet their duties under the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made available £27 million over three years (£3 million/£12 million/12 million) to meet the additional costs of implementing the homelessness provisions of the Housing Bill. This will include costs associated with the development of strategies, advice and assistance and the provision of additional temporary accommodation.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152707,"EventID":"S1W-16034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the support needs of people eligible for temporary accommodation under section 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and how these support nee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the support needs of people eligible for temporary accommodation under section 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and how these support needs would be met.","AnswerText":"Section 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill is concerned with the provision of temporary accommodation and advice and assistance. It is for local authorities, in consultation with other organisations as necessary, to consider the support needs of applicants. Homelessness strategies will set out how such needs are to be assessed and met.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152708,"EventID":"S1W-16035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing (Scotland) Bill would require local authorities to develop a temporary accommodation strategy and, if so, what guidance it would issue on developing s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing (Scotland) Bill would require local authorities to develop a temporary accommodation strategy and, if so, what guidance it would issue on developing such a strategy.","AnswerText":"The Housing Bill will require local authorities to carry out assessments into the extent and nature of homelessness in their areas and to develop homelessness strategies. These strategies will include an assessment of accommodation requirements, and will indicate how the authority proposes to meet these requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152709,"EventID":"S1W-16036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the \"Other items\" category in Table 7. Other expenditure categories, 1998-99 of Government Expenditure and Revenue Report 1998-99 is 15.8% of the equivalent figure fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the \"Other items\" category in Table 7. Other expenditure categories, 1998-99 of Government Expenditure and Revenue Report 1998-99 is 15.8% of the equivalent figure for the UK and whether it will provide a breakdown of each component of this category and the expenditure thereon.","AnswerText":"The "Other Items" line in Table 7 of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland is a subset of "Other Expenditure". "Other Expenditure" captures items included in National Accounts measures of expenditure which are not included as part of conventional expenditure on services by the public sector. The National Accounts adjustment figures are based on Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, 2000-2001, adjusted by the Treasury to accord with UK Total Managed Expenditure. The Scottish values under this header are Scottish Executive estimates, based on the UK values.

Table 1 sets out expenditure on the categories that make up "Other items" in Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland, 1998-99. It shows expenditure for both Scotland and England, and Scotland's share of the UK expenditure.

Table 1: Other items, 1998-99

Scotland

(£ billion)

UK

(£ billion)

Scotland/UK

Net public service pensions

0.6

4.7

12.0%

Non-trading capital consumption

1.2

7.0

16.9%

VAT refunds

0.4

5.3

8.3%

EU contributions

-0.5

-6.0

8.3%

Income tax credits

0.2

2.0

7.9%

Financial transactions

0.1

-0.4

-12.5%

Other accounting adjustments

-0.1

-1.2

8.3%

Total

1.8

11.5

15.8%

Sources: HM Treasury, Scottish Executive.

Note: figures may not add up due to rounding.

"Other Items" is estimated to sum to £1.8 billion for Scotland in 1998-99. The relevant value for the UK is £11.5 billion, with Scotland's share of the UK total therefore 15.8%.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152710,"EventID":"S1W-16037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why \"Local authority debt interest\" in Table 7. Other expenditure categories, 1998-99 of Government Expenditure and Revenue Report 1998-99 is 30.7% of the equivalent fig","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why \"Local authority debt interest\" in Table 7. Other expenditure categories, 1998-99 of Government Expenditure and Revenue Report 1998-99 is 30.7% of the equivalent figure for the UK and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of this expenditure.","AnswerText":"The UK Local Authority Debt interest figure is provided by Treasury. The Scottish value is sourced from Scottish Executive estimates of external interest payments by Scottish local authorities, based on information from the annual survey of local authority borrowing by the Institute for Public Finance. These figures exclude borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board. The rounded values for 1998-99 are: UK £0.4 billion, and Scotland £0.1 billion. The unrounded figures give a Scottish share of UK local authority debt interest of 30.7%.

The mix of external debt interest varies from year to year. The Scottish Executive estimates that in 1998-99 some 27% of local authorities' external interest payments were on short-term debt, 5% on long-term variable rate borrowing and 68% on long-term fixed rate borrowing.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152711,"EventID":"S1W-16038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the estimated Scottish share of UK income tax revenues in 1997-98 and 1998-99 according to government expenditure and revenue analysis reports and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the estimated Scottish share of UK income tax revenues in 1997-98 and 1998-99 according to government expenditure and revenue analysis reports and explain any variations in this share between the two years.","AnswerText":"Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland, 1998-99 contains in section 7 a detailed description of both Scotland's share of UK income tax revenues and the comparison of 1997-98 and 1998-99 figures.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152712,"EventID":"S1W-16039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the overall Scottish budget has been as a percentage share of equivalent UK budgets in each year for which figures are available and broken down into available cate","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the overall Scottish budget has been as a percentage share of equivalent UK budgets in each year for which figures are available and broken down into available categories.","AnswerText":"The table shows that, for the years for which comparable data are available, the Scottish budget remains stable as a proportion of the overall UK budget.
 

Scotland

£ billion

UK

£ billion

Scotland as a % of UK

1999-2000

DEL

   

Resource

12.0

159.9

7.5

Capital

1.7

19.4

8.8

Total

13.7

179.3

7.6

TME

17.0

343.5

4.9

2000-01

Resource

12.7

172.3

7.4

Capital

2.3

21.9

10.5

Total

15.0

194.2

7.7

TME

18.0

368.3

4.9

2001-02

Resource

13.7

187.0

Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland, 1998/99 (second paragraph, page 28).

More detail on the estimated reconciliation figure for Scotland is at Table 1. The table also includes the relevant UK values, provided by Treasury, from which the Scottish value is derived.

Table 1

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

(£ million)

UK Reconciliation (A)

397

324

509

-31

-872

Of which due to timing differences in UK Local Authority expenditure data (B)

-

-7

-

-159

-346

UK Residual (C)

397

331

509

128

-526

Scotland share of UK reconciliation (D)

40

33

51

0.1

70

Of which:

due to timing differences in Scottish Local Authority expenditure data (E)

-

-

-

-13

123

Scotland share of UK residual1 (F)

40

33

51

13

- 52

Source: HM Treasury (A,B,C,E), Scottish Executive estimates (D,F).

Notes:

1. Allocated on basis of Scotland's share of UK identifiable and non-identifiable expenditure; figures may not add up due to roundi","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152714,"EventID":"S1W-16041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and facilities it currently provides for its staff returning to work who are still breastfeeding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and facilities it currently provides for its staff returning to work who are still breastfeeding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides dedicated accommodation for women wanting to breastfeed or to express milk in four offices in Edinburgh and two offices in Glasgow. The accommodation provided includes a nursing chair, fridge for storing milk and baby changing facilities.

Facilities will be extended as office renovation is undertaken. Local arrangements are made to meet individual circumstances where no facility exists at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152715,"EventID":"S1W-16042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what support and facilities are currently provided for Parliament staff returning to work who are still breastfeeding.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what support and facilities are currently provided for Parliament staff returning to work who are still breastfeeding.","AnswerText":"Staff returning to work are supported through our policy of flexible working hours. As far as is practicable, line managers are encouraged to adapt the pattern of working hours to suit the needs of the nursing mother. Staff also have access to a room in 375 High Street for the purpose of breastfeeding or expressing milk. There are also baby changing facilities in Committee Chambers, PHQ and the Assembly Hall.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152716,"EventID":"S1W-16043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what support and facilities are currently provided for MSPs who are nursing mothers.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what support and facilities are currently provided for MSPs who are nursing mothers.","AnswerText":"There is currently no formally adopted policy on breastfeeding by members in meetings of the Parliament or its committees. MSPs who are nursing mothers do have access to a room in 375 High Street for the purpose of feeding or expressing milk. There are also baby changing facilities in Committee Chambers, PHQ and the Assembly Hall.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152717,"EventID":"S1W-16044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what facilities are currently provided within the Parliamentary complex for members of the public and visitors who are breastfeeding.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what facilities are currently provided within the Parliamentary complex for members of the public and visitors who are breastfeeding.","AnswerText":"There are no breastfeeding facilities provided in the interim accommodation for members of the public and visitors. They do have access to baby changing facilities in the Committee Chambers, PHQ and the Assembly Hall.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152718,"EventID":"S1W-16045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what facilities there will be in the new Parliament building for MSPs, staff and visitors who are nursing mothers.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what facilities there will be in the new Parliament building for MSPs, staff and visitors who are nursing mothers.","AnswerText":"The plans for our new accommodation in Holyrood provide space for one "Rest Room/Nursing Mother Room" in an area accessible to the public and another in the MSP and staff area. Each room will have an en-suite WC/wash-hand basin compartment and a mobile changing trolley. There will also be a fridge in the MSP and staff room for storing milk.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152719,"EventID":"S1W-16046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the victim awareness training for the judiciary referred to in its Scottish Strategy for Victims will start.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the victim awareness training for the judiciary referred to in its Scottish Strategy for Victims will start.","AnswerText":"Judicial training in Scotland is a matter for the independent Judicial Studies Committee. The committee are aware of the terms of the Executive's policy and they are already planning to include victims' issues in a programme of refresher courses for sheriffs which will begin in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152720,"EventID":"S1W-16047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures and systems it has put in place to facilitate integration of refugees and asylum seekers into local communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures and systems it has put in place to facilitate integration of refugees and asylum seekers into local communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15509 on 15 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152721,"EventID":"S1W-16048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the Scottish Natural Heritage investigation into the suspected colony of the protected species of Pipistrelle bat nesting in the disused r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is on the Scottish Natural Heritage investigation into the suspected colony of the protected species of Pipistrelle bat nesting in the disused railway tunnel at Thornwood Community Park in Glasgow and whether it will impact on the proposed development at the site.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked Professor Roger Crofts CBE, Chief Executive of SNH to reply. His response is as follows:

Scottish Natural Heritage has formally consulted Glasgow City Council in relation to a planning application affecting this site. Access to the railway tunnel at Thornwood has been requested by SNH in order to determine the usage of the tunnel, if any, by bats. Until this study has been completed, no assessment can be made of the implications upon the proposed development.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152722,"EventID":"S1W-16049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what topics were covered in the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what topics were covered in the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture.","AnswerText":"The Columba Initiative was discussed at the meeting convened by Mary Coughlan, TD, the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The initiative has the aim of developing links between Scotland and Ireland based on our shared Gaelic heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152723,"EventID":"S1W-16050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive with which UK Department it liaises on the Columba Initiative and what matters concerning the initiative are not within its competence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive with which UK Department it liaises on the Columba Initiative and what matters concerning the initiative are not within its competence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is a partner with the devolved administration in Northern Ireland and with the Government of the Republic of Ireland in the Columba Initiative. Relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland are a responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. No problems relating to the Executive competence to support the Initiative have arisen.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152724,"EventID":"S1W-16051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on the progress of the Columba Initiative and the outcome of the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on the progress of the Columba Initiative and the outcome of the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Plan of the Columba Initiative 2001-02 and 2003-04 was published in February. We expect to receive and to publish a progress report in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152725,"EventID":"S1W-16052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister intends to make a ministerial statement regarding his recent discussions in Brussels with the leaders of other devolved administrations and why he","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister intends to make a ministerial statement regarding his recent discussions in Brussels with the leaders of other devolved administrations and why he did not seek the views of the Parliament beforehand.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for the First Minister to make a ministerial statement regarding his meeting in Brussels on 28 May with the leaders of other regional governments involved in the initiative co-ordinated by Flanders. The seven partners are co-operating to ensure that the views of constitutional regions will influence the substance of the developing debate on the Future of Europe. The Executive has already noted in Parliament its involvement in the Flanders Initiative. Our involvement demonstrates our commitment to working to promote mutually beneficial links between Scotland and Europe.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152726,"EventID":"S1W-16053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether humans can be infected by \"pig meningitis\" and, if so, how many have been infected in Scotland in the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether humans can be infected by \"pig meningitis\" and, if so, how many have been infected in Scotland in the past five years.","AnswerText":"Meningitis in pigs can occasionally infect people and, since 1991, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) has received reports of four such cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152727,"EventID":"S1W-16054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that farm workers and abattoir staff are not at risk from \"pig meningitis\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that farm workers and abattoir staff are not at risk from \"pig meningitis\".","AnswerText":"The Occupational Zoonoses, published by the Health and Safety Executive, gives guidance on the prevention of this infection.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152728,"EventID":"S1W-16055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any infectious diseases carried by pigs which can cross the species barrier into humans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any infectious diseases carried by pigs which can cross the species barrier into humans.","AnswerText":"There is a wide range of diseases carried by pigs which can be passed on to humans. Similarly, the effect on humans varies widely according to the nature of the disease and the susceptibility of the individual.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152729,"EventID":"S1W-16056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all pig meat sold in Scotland is clean and free from disease and infection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all pig meat sold in Scotland is clean and free from disease and infection.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that pig meat sold in Scotland will have been produced in accordance with the stringent provisions laid down in EU and domestic legislation intended to safeguard human health. These provisions demand veterinary inspection before slaughter to ensure animals are free of disease, as well as subsequent checks on careful handling and inspection of the carcass before it leaves the abattoir. There is, however, a risk at any point in the food chain that meat may become contaminated with harmful organisms. It is very important that there is good hygiene at all stages from the abattoir to the table and proper cooking of meat.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152730,"EventID":"S1W-16057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances of illegal importation of meat have been reported by local authority food enforcement officers and subsequently upheld in court and what fines were im","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances of illegal importation of meat have been reported by local authority food enforcement officers and subsequently upheld in court and what fines were imposed, in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Information provided by Local Authorities on prosecutions has not previously identified separately specific action taken on illegal meat importation.

As a result of the Food-and-Mouth Disease outbreak new arrangements on the sharing of such information between the Local Authorities, Food Standards Agency and SEERAD were agreed in April 2001. There have been no such notifications through this new system in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152731,"EventID":"S1W-16058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all food used for school dinners is free from contamination.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all food used for school dinners is free from contamination.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03551 on 6 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152732,"EventID":"S1W-16059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Council with regard to the removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Council with regard to the removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.","AnswerText":"The Executive has spoken with the British Council, which confirms that there has been no removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152733,"EventID":"S1W-16060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Arts Council and/or the British Council with regard to enhancing services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Arts Council and/or the British Council with regard to enhancing services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular discussion with the British Council and the Scottish Arts Council on a range of issues, which from time to time include the provision of support services to Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152734,"EventID":"S1W-16061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to audit the availability of opportunities for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to audit the availability of opportunities for training and continuing professional development for those working in the cultural sector in order to identify areas which require further development.","AnswerText":"The National Cultural Strategy states that progress reports will be made to the Scottish Parliament annually. I look forward to giving the first such report later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152735,"EventID":"S1W-16062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in improving access to advice, relevant business skills and t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in improving access to advice, relevant business skills and training for those working in the cultural sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152736,"EventID":"S1W-16063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing existing forums for gathering the views of those","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing existing forums for gathering the views of those working in the cultural sector about the ways in which national arrangements might be adjusted and improved.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152737,"EventID":"S1W-16064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in creating opportunities for networking amongst those workin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in creating opportunities for networking amongst those working in the cultural sector to stimulate sharing of experience and good practice and the agreement of common objectives.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152738,"EventID":"S1W-16065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting the contribution of new technologies to the cult","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting the contribution of new technologies to the cultural life of Scotland in partnership with Scottish Screen, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152739,"EventID":"S1W-16066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to assure the contribution of the broadcast media to Scotland's cultural life, including plans to capitalise upon the opportunities afforded by developments in digital technologies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152740,"EventID":"S1W-16067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting Scottish Screen's development of a Film Charter","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting Scottish Screen's development of a Film Charter for Scotland and the exploration of the feasibility of establishing a film studio.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152741,"EventID":"S1W-16068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of building on existing work","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of building on existing work involving a range of bodies to establish a national product design network.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152742,"EventID":"S1W-16069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of identifying national cent","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of identifying national centres of excellence in traditional arts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152743,"EventID":"S1W-16070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in enhancing existing structures and arrangements for recogni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in enhancing existing structures and arrangements for recognising achievement in arts and cultural activity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152744,"EventID":"S1W-16071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in identifying and promoting the national roles and responsib","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in identifying and promoting the national roles and responsibilities and realising the full potential of funded arts companies which work across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152745,"EventID":"S1W-16072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting partnerships by public and private bodies which ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting partnerships by public and private bodies which support the production of the highest standards of cultural work.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152746,"EventID":"S1W-16073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to support, where demand is sufficient, Gaelic-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to support, where demand is sufficient, Gaelic-medium pre-school and primary education.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152747,"EventID":"S1W-16074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in examining the feasibility of a centre for the languages of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in examining the feasibility of a centre for the languages of Scotland covering Gaelic and the varieties of Scots which could incorporate the Scottish National Dictionary.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152748,"EventID":"S1W-16075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that, through their initial training and continui","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that, through their initial training and continuing development, teachers are well prepared to promote and develop all pupils' language skills.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152749,"EventID":"S1W-16076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to support the production of education resource","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuing to support the production of education resources which encourage language diversity and encourage learning about all the languages spoken in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152750,"EventID":"S1W-16077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing an action group to consider how the languages","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing an action group to consider how the languages and cultural traditions of Scotland's ethnic minorities can be supported and how their contribution to Scotland's culture can be recognised and celebrated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152751,"EventID":"S1W-16078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in initiating a national audit of collections in the museums ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in initiating a national audit of collections in the museums and galleries, beginning with the industrial museums.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152752,"EventID":"S1W-16079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting the development of education services, includin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting the development of education services, including the production of digital and other education resources, in museums, galleries and sites in the care of Historic Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152753,"EventID":"S1W-16080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing the existing statutory framework relevant to mus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing the existing statutory framework relevant to museums and galleries and considering the case for a comprehensive national framework.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152754,"EventID":"S1W-16081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing access to museum collections by means of ICT, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing access to museum collections by means of ICT, including securing the future of the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152755,"EventID":"S1W-16082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing current library legislation to ensure that it is","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reviewing current library legislation to ensure that it is appropriate to the 21st century.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152756,"EventID":"S1W-16083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting the National Library of Scotland in its aim to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in supporting the National Library of Scotland in its aim to become a \"hybrid library\" maintaining its traditional print-based functions while developing its ICT facilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152757,"EventID":"S1W-16084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging new partnerships in both public and private se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging new partnerships in both public and private sectors, and further collaboration within the library sector, to include the exploitation of ICT and the development of policies for national collections, particularly in relation to Scottish material.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152758,"EventID":"S1W-16085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting the establishment of an Internationalisation (Go and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting the establishment of an Internationalisation (Go and See) Fund to support inward and outward travel by individuals and companies working in the cultural sector to learn, exhibit, screen or perform in other countries. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152759,"EventID":"S1W-16086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in building upon existing initiatives and joint working by releva","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in building upon existing initiatives and joint working by relevant bodies such as the Scottish Arts Council, the British Council, Scotland Europa, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Trade International and Scottish Screen to develop opportunities to promote Scotland's culture abroad.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152760,"EventID":"S1W-16087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in maximising the benefits of existing international links, inclu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in maximising the benefits of existing international links, including town-twinning, to widen cultural access and understanding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152761,"EventID":"S1W-16088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in seeking opportunities to promote Scotland's culture abroad.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in seeking opportunities to promote Scotland's culture abroad.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152762,"EventID":"S1W-16089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in setting up a Ministerial Task Force to promote cultural touris","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in setting up a Ministerial Task Force to promote cultural tourism as part of the New Strategy for Scottish Tourism.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152763,"EventID":"S1W-16090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in collaborating in joint cultural activity or projects with othe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in collaborating in joint cultural activity or projects with other European regions/member states to access EU Culture 2000 funding and influence EU policy for culture.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152764,"EventID":"S1W-16091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that Scotland attracts international events.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that Scotland attracts international events.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152765,"EventID":"S1W-16092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in recognising and celebrating schools as centres of creativity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in recognising and celebrating schools as centres of creativity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152766,"EventID":"S1W-16093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in commissioning Learning and Teaching Scotland to work with the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in commissioning Learning and Teaching Scotland to work with the Scottish Arts Council to prepare practical advice for education authorities and schools on the particular contribution that cultural activity can make to forging links with communities and to promoting pupils' achievement, knowledge and skills, self-esteem, creativity and inclusion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152767,"EventID":"S1W-16094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in identifying the contribution that cultural activities can make","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in identifying the contribution that cultural activities can make to promoting literacy, in the context of the work of the Adult Literacy Task Force.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152768,"EventID":"S1W-16095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reinforcing support for the National Grid for Learning, Learnd","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in reinforcing support for the National Grid for Learning, Learndirect Scotland and other lifelong learning initiatives through the Public Library IT initiative and the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152769,"EventID":"S1W-16096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with education authorities to maximise opportunities f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with education authorities to maximise opportunities for instrumental tuition in schools free to those who are unable to pay.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152770,"EventID":"S1W-16097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in piloting posts as school co-ordinators for heritage, arts and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in piloting posts as school co-ordinators for heritage, arts and culture and fulfilling the commitment to have sports co-ordinators in every secondary school in 2003.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152771,"EventID":"S1W-16098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that the value of culture in the school experience is","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that the value of culture in the school experience is promoted in future reviews of teachers' initial training and continuing professional development.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152772,"EventID":"S1W-16099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that the potential contribution of culture is recogni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that the potential contribution of culture is recognised in community learning.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152773,"EventID":"S1W-16100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in progressively improving access to museum, gallery and library ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in progressively improving access to museum, gallery and library collections for all groups.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152774,"EventID":"S1W-16101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing a national \"portal\" website with information, lin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing a national \"portal\" website with information, links and discussions forums on Scotland's culture.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152775,"EventID":"S1W-16102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in (a) measuring and reporting progress in reducing cultural excl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in (a) measuring and reporting progress in reducing cultural exclusion because of disability, location, age or economic or educational factors and (b) reporting on progress in meeting new standards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152776,"EventID":"S1W-16103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging all national cultural bodies to establish junior b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging all national cultural bodies to establish junior boards of young people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152777,"EventID":"S1W-16104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging the development of the Public Library Network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in encouraging the development of the Public Library Network.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152778,"EventID":"S1W-16105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting arts and cultural activity throughout the country by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting arts and cultural activity throughout the country by companies with national roles.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152779,"EventID":"S1W-16106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in recognising the power of popular music-making to engage young ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in recognising the power of popular music-making to engage young people in cultural activities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152780,"EventID":"S1W-16107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting a wide range of community-based cultural and sportin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in promoting a wide range of community-based cultural and sporting activities in the context of Social Inclusion Partnerships.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152781,"EventID":"S1W-16108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in auditing all public support for arts and culture in terms of i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in auditing all public support for arts and culture in terms of its social benefits, including its planned contribution to social inclusion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152782,"EventID":"S1W-16109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in conducting robust evaluations of the contribution that cultura","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in conducting robust evaluations of the contribution that cultural and sporting activity makes to urban regeneration in the context of existing projects, and identifying and disseminating features of good practice.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152783,"EventID":"S1W-16110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing the numbers across all communities taking part in v","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing the numbers across all communities taking part in voluntary activities, including cultural activity, in line with the Active Communities Initiative and Millennium Volunteers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152784,"EventID":"S1W-16111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of extending New Deal to a wider","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of extending New Deal to a wider range of cultural and sporting development and training and identifying the contribution that Modern Apprenticeships can make to developing young people's skills in cultural and sporting activity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152785,"EventID":"S1W-16112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that continuing reviews of existing cultural bodies t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in ensuring that continuing reviews of existing cultural bodies take full account of the objectives set out in the National Cultural Strategy and include an early review of the work and roles of the Scottish Arts Council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152786,"EventID":"S1W-16113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others to promote effective local partnerships between groups of local authorities and key local bodies to provide a range of cultural activities in line with local priorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152787,"EventID":"S1W-16114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in embedding cultural strategies within the local community plann","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in embedding cultural strategies within the local community planning process and within community learning plans, and in forming links with key local agencies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152788,"EventID":"S1W-16115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing recognition of the potential contribution of the cu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in increasing recognition of the potential contribution of the cultural and aesthetic across all areas of Scottish Executive policy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152789,"EventID":"S1W-16116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in developing, disseminating and applying relevant research into ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in developing, disseminating and applying relevant research into aspects of cultural provision in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152790,"EventID":"S1W-16117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing an effective system for gathering and disseminati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in establishing an effective system for gathering and disseminating information and statistics about national provision for cultural activity and participation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152791,"EventID":"S1W-16118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in publishing regular summaries of research into the range, level","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in publishing regular summaries of research into the range, level and quality of cultural provision.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152792,"EventID":"S1W-16119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made, as part of the development of a national evaluation framework fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made, as part of the development of a national evaluation framework for cultural provision in Scotland, in commissioning a set of instruments for evaluation, to be progressively developed to include exemplification of standards, illustrations of good practice and advice on measuring the social benefits of cultural activity, for use by all those working in these areas.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152793,"EventID":"S1W-16120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with funding bodies and those charged with making cult","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in working with funding bodies and those charged with making cultural provision to agree a clear set of national priorities for cultural development.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152794,"EventID":"S1W-16121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in minimising the bureaucracy associated with public funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in minimising the bureaucracy associated with public funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152795,"EventID":"S1W-16122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in collating information from funding bodies to provide an annual","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in collating information from funding bodies to provide an annual prospectus setting out funding available which includes information about deadlines and funding criteria.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152796,"EventID":"S1W-16123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuously monitoring and reviewing the balance between proj","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy, what progress has been made in continuously monitoring and reviewing the balance between project and revenue funding of cultural provision to promote sustainability.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16061.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152797,"EventID":"S1W-16124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency Scotland that it should improve its response time to correspondence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency Scotland that it should improve its response time to correspondence.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency, including its office in Scotland, reports directly to Ministers of the Scottish Executive and is required to meet the same Service Standards as the Scottish Executive.

I have been advised by the agency that although an item of correspondence has recently gone unanswered, this has now been rectified and the agency has apologised publicly and is reviewing its internal procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152798,"EventID":"S1W-16125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials have met representatives of opencast mining interests to discuss the application of the draft Lothians structure plan to areas of search for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials have met representatives of opencast mining interests to discuss the application of the draft Lothians structure plan to areas of search for opencast coal.","AnswerText":"The Executive has met with the Confederation of United Kingdom Coal Producers on a number of occasions over the past few months to discuss issues such as the position of opencast coal in the current review of strategic planning and the impact of revised national planning guidance on the industry. At all these meetings, the Executive made clear that it was not prepared to discuss the Lothian Structure Plan or other specific proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152799,"EventID":"S1W-16126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the extent to which schools may be serving unsafe food, in particular that derived from pet food meat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the extent to which schools may be serving unsafe food, in particular that derived from pet food meat.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised that direct responsibility for the safety of food served in Scottish schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. They ensure that the relevant caterers meet the standard required of all food businesses; this includes ensuring the food is fit for human consumption. The agency has no evidence to suggest that meat designated for pet food has illegally been used in the preparation of school meals.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152800,"EventID":"S1W-16127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has informed parents and the public in general of any schools which may have used illegally imported pet food meat in the preparation of school meals after any","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has informed parents and the public in general of any schools which may have used illegally imported pet food meat in the preparation of school meals after any such imports have been brought to its attention by the Food Standards Agency Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is the policy of the Food Standards Agency to ensure that the public is informed quickly and effectively whenever it is aware that there is a risk of unsafe food entering the food chain.

Recent identification of the illegal use of meat designated for pet food in foods for human consumption, led to comprehensive product recalls, advertisements being placed in national newspapers and the issuing of statements to the media. The agency in Scotland has no evidence to suggest that any of the products concerned were used in school meals.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152801,"EventID":"S1W-16128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request the Food Standards Agency Scotland to conduct an investigation into the safety of school meals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request the Food Standards Agency Scotland to conduct an investigation into the safety of school meals.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency Scotland reports that it has no evidence that food being served in schools is unsafe. Direct responsibility for the safety of food served in schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. Were there to be evidence that food safety had been compromised, the Food Standards Agency would respond quickly and a full investigation, through the local authority enforcement officers, would be carried out.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152802,"EventID":"S1W-16129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will invite the Food Standards Agency Scotland to consider the introduction of dye staining of all meat products used to produce school food.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will invite the Food Standards Agency Scotland to consider the introduction of dye staining of all meat products used to produce school food.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there are no plans to dye any meat products used to produce school food.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152803,"EventID":"S1W-16130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set standards for safe and nutritional school food similar to those already in existence in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set standards for safe and nutritional school food similar to those already in existence in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health Model Nutritional guidelines provides the framework for the Scottish Executive's drive towards healthier eating, makes it clear that schools should take steps to ensure that school meals, tuck shops and vending machines provide a range of healthy food and drink choices.

The aim is for all schools, both primary and secondary, to provide high quality food and drinks which are attractive to children and which result in consistent nutritious balanced meals and snacks. We are undertaking a range of measures to encourage authorities to adopt these guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152804,"EventID":"S1W-16131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ban the use of genetically modified foods in the preparation of school food.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ban the use of genetically modified foods in the preparation of school food.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for local authorities (where appropriate) or schools themselves to decide whether specific ingredients should be omitted from school meals. Current legislation requires that all foods or food ingredients containing approved GM soya, maize, additives or flavourings sold to caterers must be labelled. Additionally, school caterers, in line with caterers in general, must ensure that, either through labels, notices or access to oral advice, the final consumer can obtain information about any GM ingredients in the food on sale.

All genetically modified foods are subject to a rigorous safety assessment before they can be marketed in the EU. The Food Standards Agency is the UK competent authority for approving GM foods and is satisfied that the only GM ingredients currently approved and on sale in the UK, soya and maize, are as safe to eat as their conventional counterparts.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152805,"EventID":"S1W-16132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ban the promotion of food and drink brand names on school premises.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ban the promotion of food and drink brand names on school premises.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16130.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152806,"EventID":"S1W-16133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-05-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of planning applications made since 1993 were approved in each of the following sectors: large scale retail development, new housing development, industri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of planning applications made since 1993 were approved in each of the following sectors: large scale retail development, new housing development, industrial estate, landfill, coal extraction, urban development project, holiday village or hotel complex, waste water treatment plant and renewable energy development.","AnswerText":"Consistent, comparative data are only available since local government reorganisation in 1996. The categories by which data are collected do not match those requested. The data that are available are shown in the table. The instructions given to planning authorities relating to the allocation of planning applications among the categories are provided below the table. The latest data shown are for the period from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.

1996-1997

1997-1998

1998-1999

Decisions

Approvals

% approved

Decisions

Approvals

% approved

Decisions

Approvals

% approved

1. Householder

16,654

16,243

97.5

16,629

16,223

97.6

16,833

16,387

97.4

2. Minerals

97

90

92.8

110

91

82.7

105

98

93.3

3a. Dwellings (Major - 10 or more)

826

724

87.7

803

Protecting Children: the next steps towards securing their safety, have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Following this final round of consultation, I hope to introduce necessary legislation at an early opportunity if the parliamentary timetable permits.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152811,"EventID":"S1W-16138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sums were charged to or recovered from motorists or their insurers by health boards relating to road traffic accidents, broken down by health board on an annual basi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sums were charged to or recovered from motorists or their insurers by health boards relating to road traffic accidents, broken down by health board on an annual basis since 1997.","AnswerText":"Charges for NHS treatment following a road traffic accident are payable by insurers, and only where the casualty has made a successful claim for personal compensation following the accident in question. The charge is remitted to the Trust, or directly managed unit (DMU), that provided the treatment. Information on charge recoveries was not collected centrally prior to April 1999, when new recovery arrangements came into effect. Details of the charges recovered in the last two financial years are provided in the table.

Table to show recovered NHS charges for treatment following road traffic accidents

Trust/DMU

1999-2000

2000-01

 

£

£

Argyll & Clyde Acute Hospitals

158,720

407,763

Lomond & Argyll Primary Care

11,813

19,253

Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Primary Care

 

3,000

Ayrshire & Arran Acute Hospitals

121,581

342,466

Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care

1,770

7,404

Borders General Hospitals

35,041

76,806

Borders Primary Care

4,623

3,068

Dumfries & Galloway Acute Maternity

39,458

127,979

Dumfries & Galloway Primary Care

10,839

10,900

Fife Acute Hospitals

93,225

222,463

Fife Primary Care

3,127

6,667

Forth Valley Acute Hospitals

64,045

219,952

Forth Valley Primary Care

  

Grampian Primary Care

8,105

22,892

Grampian University Hospitals

154,717

434,236

Greater Glasgow Primary Care

 

1,357

North Glasgow University Hospitals

208,104

435,139

South Glasgow University Hospitals

174,400

365,412

Yorkhill

18,388

15,167

Highland Acute Hospitals

  • Crown Office - Nil
  • Procurator Fiscal Service

    • Year

    Within 6 months

    6 to 12 months

    12 to 18 months

    1997-98

    Nil

    1 Depute, Aberdeen

    Nil

    1998-99

    Nil

    Nil

    Nil

    1999-2000

    Nil

    Nil

    1 Depute, Glasgow

    2000-01

    1 Depute, Aberdeen

    1 Depute, Aberdeen

    1 Depute, Edinburgh

    2001 (to July)

    Nil

    Nil

    1 Depute, Glasgow

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152813,"EventID":"S1W-16140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13449 by Colin Boyd QC on 1 March 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of cases within each category listed whic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13449 by Colin Boyd QC on 1 March 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of cases within each category listed which were marked as no proceedings due to a time bar in the courts, in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The time bar in question is not one which relates to the courts. It is, rather, the one set out in section 136 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, which prevents the commencement of summary proceedings once six months have passed from the date of the contravention. The figures represent cases which were not reported to Procurators Fiscal until it was already too late to meet that time limit. The figures are:

    1997-98

    1,420

    1998-99

    1,278

    1999-00

    1,533

    2000-01

    2,009

    The recent year-on-year increase is disturbing and the Crown Office has recently reminded reporting agencies again of the need to report cases within time bar.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152814,"EventID":"S1W-16141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets were set and what targets were achieved by the Supreme Courts of Scotland in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets were set and what targets were achieved by the Supreme Courts of Scotland in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The table which follows sets out the key performance targets set for the Scottish Court Service in relation to the Supreme Courts of Scotland in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01 together with the respective percentage achievement rates.

    Cases which fail to be allocated within the relevant target period, even by one day, score 0% achievement, hence the outturn in 2000-01 when pressure on the courts resulted in delays running beyond the target periods. In addition, cases may be allocated to diets outwith these targets to accommodate the availability of counsel, agents or witnesses.

    Key Performance Targets

     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-00

    2000-01

    Efficiency

    Percentage of Court of Session diets allocated within waiting periods set by the Lord President

    Target

    90

    92

    93

    93

    Outturn

    94

    93

    84

    30

    Percentage of solemn and summary appeals on roll within waiting periods set by the Lord Justice General

    Target

    70

    70

    60

    60

    Outturn

    70

    59

    45

    50

    Quality

    Percentage achievement of administrative standards set by the Lord President/Lord Justice General

    Target

    90

    92

    95

    95

    Outturn

    94

    97

    91

    90

     

    Tables A and B3 provide a more detailed breakdown of the specific targets set by the Lord President and Lord Justice General in relation to waiting periods and administrative standards in both criminal and civil proceedings. New administrative targets were adopted in 1998-99.

    Table A

    Supreme Courts Waiting periods

    % of diets allocated in the year within waiting period

    CIVIL

    waiting period (term weeks except*)

    Civil Business

    Target

    1997-98

    		<","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152815,"EventID":"S1W-16142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many custodial sentences were imposed by each sheriff court in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many custodial sentences were imposed by each sheriff court in each year from 1997-98 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the table. Figures for 2000 are not yet available.

    Number of proceedings in Scottish sheriff courts resulting in a custodial sentence

    Calendar year

    Sheriff court

    1997

    1998

    1999

    All courts

    13,276

    13,274

    13,389

    Aberdeen

    924

    862

    843

    Airdrie

    309

    310

    383

    Alloa

    96

    119

    114

    Arbroath

    142

    189

    141

    Ayr

    406

    460

    516

    Banff

    38

    31

    32

    Campbeltown

    22

    33

    30

    Cupar

    100

    74

    52

    Dingwall

    57

    67

    53

    Dornoch

    6

    15

    8

    Dumbarton

    398

    369

    374

    Dumfries

    215

    207

    210

    Dundee

    665

    745

    728

    Dunfermline

    303

    257

    232

    Dunoon

    71

    48

    34

    National Cultural Strategy to consider a national framework for museums and galleries.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152820,"EventID":"S1W-16147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that accompanying documentation prepared by museums to overcome perceived gaps in the audit of museums will be properly noted and assessed when it ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that accompanying documentation prepared by museums to overcome perceived gaps in the audit of museums will be properly noted and assessed when it responds to the audit and brings forward a policy for museums.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152821,"EventID":"S1W-16148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that information on the current financial position of each museum and its fundraising activities in recent years will be included in its considerat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that information on the current financial position of each museum and its fundraising activities in recent years will be included in its consideration of the audit of museums.","AnswerText":"The national audit seeks financial information relating to the year 2000-01, with questions on the total budget of the museum and a breakdown of sources of income, including fundraising.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152822,"EventID":"S1W-16149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the full results of the audit of museums, along with any accompanying documentation volunteered by museums, will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the full results of the audit of museums, along with any accompanying documentation volunteered by museums, will be published.","AnswerText":"The results of the audit will be published in print and on the Scottish Museums Council's website with the exception of information relating to museums' security measures. The published information will be accompanied by appropriate commentary to assist the interpretation of the results and to put them in context.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152823,"EventID":"S1W-16150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the categories of official statistics gathered in Scotland since July 1999 in those areas under its responsibility, outlining in each case the organ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the categories of official statistics gathered in Scotland since July 1999 in those areas under its responsibility, outlining in each case the organisation responsible for gathering and reporting the statistics.","AnswerText":"The following is a list of organisations responsible for collecting information in those areas under the responsibility of the Scottish Executive. Official Statistics are taken to include National Statistics and those collected by or for the Government Statistical Service in the Scottish Executive. National Statistics Themes are the main categorisation of statistics used by the Scottish Executive.

    National Statistics Theme

    Organisations Gathering and Reporting on Data

    Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

    SE Rural Affairs Department

     

    Forestry Commission

    Commerce, Energy and Industry

    SE Executive Secretariat

     

    SE Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department

     

    Office for National Statistics

     

    Scottish Enterprise

     

    Highland and Islands Enterprise

     

    Inland Revenue

    Crime and Justice

    SE Justice Department

    The Economy

    SE Executive Secretariat

     

    Department of Social Security

     

    Office for National Statistics

     

    Scottish Enterprise

     

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise

     

    Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

    Education and Training

    SE Education Department

     

    Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education

     

    Scottish Qualifications Authority

     

    SFEFC

     

    HESA

     

    SHEFC

     

    UCAS

     

    Office for National Statistics

     

    Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration

    Health and Care

    SE Health Department

     

    Common Services Agency for NHSScotland

     

    General Register Office for Scotland

     

    Office for National Statistics

     

    National Centre for Social Research and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London.

     

    Table 1: Constant price percentage change in Scottish GDP (output measure) 1964-2000

    Year

    Percentage change

    Year

    Percentage change

    1964

    7.6%

    1983

    1.4%

    1965

    3.4%

    1984

    3.8%

    1966

    1.8%

    1985

    2.8%

    1967

    1.4%

    1986

    0.4%

    1968

    4.2%

    1987

    2.0%

    1969

    3.8%

    1988

    4.0%

    1970

    1.8%

    1989

    2.7%

    1971

    1.1%

    1990

    2.2%

    1972

    3.6%

    1991

    0.1%

    1973

    7.1%

    1992

    1.4%

    1974

    0.0%

    1993

    2.5%

    1975

    -1.5%

    1994

    1.8%

    1976

    1.8%

    1995

    3.5%

    1977

    1.7%

    1996

    2.6%

    1978

    2.4%

    1997

    2.6%

    1979

    		Economic Trends No 530. ONS are currently working on estimates on a European System of Accounts 1995 basis for 1997 to 1999. These will be published as soon as possible after the necessary source data become available.

    Net capital expenditure data are available from the Scottish Executive for the following industrial sectors and years:

    Manufacturing\t\t\t\t1970 to 1998

    Other production sectors\t\t\t1997 to 1998

    Construction \t\t\t\t\t1995 to 1998

    Services (excluding financial and public sectors)\t1997 to 1998

    These are taken from the Annual Business Inquiry. 1999 data should be available in autumn 2001. Manufacturing and services data are published in Scottish Economic Statistics and are available on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152829,"EventID":"S1W-16156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will (a) list any surveys, polling exercises or data collection exercises which are currently being conducted by any departments, agencies or bodies under its","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will (a) list any surveys, polling exercises or data collection exercises which are currently being conducted by any departments, agencies or bodies under its control, (b) detail any organisations employed to conduct such exercises and (c) detail the regulations governing the tendering process for statistical work and contracts.","AnswerText":"In answer to parts (a) and (b), the Scottish Executive conducted 113 in the year up to April 2001. In addition, the Central Research Unit of the Scottish Executive is conducting the following projects - as of 8 June 2001.

    Project Title

    Organisation

    Communities that Care

    University of Glasgow

    Research on Racist Crime

    University of Dundee

    Drugs and Leisure Diversion Programme for Young People

    System Three: Social Research Unit

    Evaluation of the Zero Tolerance \"Respect\" Pilot

    Reid-Howie Associates

    Use of Police Powers of Stop and Search

    Reid-Howie Associates

    Evaluation of Pilot Victim Liaison Service

    Lambda Research and Consultancy

    Community Legal Services Microcosm Study

    Market Research UK

    The Evaluation of the Public Defender Solicitors' Office

    Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London

    Scottish Household Survey

    NFO System Three and MORI Scotland

    Consultation on the Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse: Views of younger people

    Save the Children

    Consultation on the Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse: Views of alcohol service users/non-users and their friends/families

    NFO System Three

    Home Care Survey

    UK Home Care Association

    Review of Old Mineral Permissions

    David Kirk Associates

    Review of NPPG4

    Land Use Consultants

    Final Evaluation of the former Regional Partnerships

    Cambridge Economic Associates

    Scottish School Leavers Survey

    National Centre for Social Research

    With regard to the final part of your question, details of the system of selective competitive tendering which the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit operates are available on the CRU web pages (www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/) under the Guidance for Contractors section or within any of the published research programmes which are available on the CRU web pages.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152830,"EventID":"S1W-16157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding for (a) Social Inclusion Partnerships, (b) CCTV installation, (c) community safety projects and (d) New Housing Partnerships has been committed to each l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding for (a) Social Inclusion Partnerships, (b) CCTV installation, (c) community safety projects and (d) New Housing Partnerships has been committed to each local authority area or the smallest identifiable geographical area within the North-East Scotland parliamentary region in each year from 1997-98 to the current financial year and whether it will show each figure as a percentage of the funding made available for this purpose in Scotland in each of these years.","AnswerText":"The available information is as follows:
     

    £000

     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Social Inclusion Partnerships

    Aberdeen City

    1,520(3%)*

    1,040(2%)

    809(1%)

    844(1%)

    940(1%)

    Dundee City

    3,946(7%)

    3,839(7%)

    3,660(7%)

    3,177(4%)

    3,158(4%)

    CCTV

     

    296(16%)

    -

    100(7%)

    83(5%)

    150(9%)

    Community Safety

     

    -

    -

    -

    250(22%)

    41(3%)

    New Housing Partnerships
     

    1997

    Funding Round

    1998

    Funding Round

    1999-2002 Funding Round

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Aberdeenshire

    223 (2.3%)

    65 (0.2%)

    929 (4.4%)

    2,088 (3%)

    3,753 (6.7%)

    Aberdeen City

    367 (3.6%)

    330 (0.9%)

    67 (0.3%)

    1,188 (1.7%)

    736 (1.3%)

    Dundee City1

    324 (3.2%)

    3,275 (8.9%)

    1,381 (6.6%)

    8,309 (11.9%)

    14,165 (25%)

    ( )* Denotes figure as a percentage of total funding made avai","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152831,"EventID":"S1W-16158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the Office of Fair Trading regarding charter flight supplements charged on holiday flights from Scotland and what the reasons are f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the Office of Fair Trading regarding charter flight supplements charged on holiday flights from Scotland and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) regarding flight supplements on air services from Scottish Airports. If it received evidence that flight supplements were in breach of competition legislation, the Scottish Executive would refer this evidence to the OFT who would decide what action to take.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152832,"EventID":"S1W-16159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to local authorities who have to issue final demands for council tax to individuals who have become unemployed but whose application for benefit ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to local authorities who have to issue final demands for council tax to individuals who have become unemployed but whose application for benefit is taking 14 weeks or more to process.","AnswerText":"Overall responsibility for the Council Tax Benefit Scheme rests with the Department of Social Security. However, through the work of the joint It Pays to Pay Working Group on council tax collection, which we established, CoSLA and the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation are jointly preparing best practice guidance for local authorities on council tax collection and enforcement. The working group has encouraged councils to take account of the circumstances of individual tax payers in taking forward any recovery procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152833,"EventID":"S1W-16160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in conjunction with the Strategic Rail Authority, it will ensure that the opening of the Stirling/Alloa/Dunfermline line is made a condition of any future ScotR","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in conjunction with the Strategic Rail Authority, it will ensure that the opening of the Stirling/Alloa/Dunfermline line is made a condition of any future ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for the new Scottish passenger rail franchise will not contain detailed prescription about infrastructure. All bids for the new franchise will be scrutinised by the SRA (and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive in respect of services in their area), in conjunction with the Scottish Executive to ensure that the new franchise reflects strategic aspirations within the available resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152834,"EventID":"S1W-16161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of landfill sites will identify specifically the health effects of such sites on people livi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of landfill sites will identify specifically the health effects of such sites on people living within a three kilometre distance of sites.","AnswerText":"The Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU) study will compare health outcomes in people living within 2km of landfill sites with the health outcomes in the rest of the population. The 2 km band was chosen to optimise the study design and is in line with the conclusion of a World Health Organisation workshop held in April 2000 on exposure assessment around landfill sites. The study will cover the whole of Great Britain but importantly will also report the findings of the main analyses separately for Scotland.

    The SAHSU study will report on a number of health outcomes including birth defects and the incidence of certain types of cancer. Further information about the study is available on the Department of Health Internet Site (http://doh.gov.uk/land2.htm ).

    The health information used by SAHSU in this study is routinely collected data which have been supplied by the Office for National Statistics, the Information and Statistics Division of NHSScotland and the General Register Office for Scotland. Health Boards in Scotland did not submit data to the study.

    Information, including the location and operating conditions for licensed landfill sites in Scotland, was supplied to SAHSU by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152835,"EventID":"S1W-16162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible effects of landfill sites will compare possible health effects of landfill sites on people living within 3 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible effects of landfill sites will compare possible health effects of landfill sites on people living within 3 km of such sites with those on people living three to 7 km from sites.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16161.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152836,"EventID":"S1W-16163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of landfill sites will report separately on any birth defects and miscarriages, cancer occur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Small Area Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of landfill sites will report separately on any birth defects and miscarriages, cancer occurrences, respiratory problems and dermatological effects experienced by people living near such sites.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16161.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152837,"EventID":"S1W-16164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, what the nature was of the data provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, what the nature was of the data provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the Small Area Statistics Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-16161 on 18 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152838,"EventID":"S1W-16165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, whether health boards have supplied any information to the Small Area Health Statistics Un","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, whether health boards have supplied any information to the Small Area Health Statistics Unit in connection with its study into the possible health effects of landfill sites.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-16161 on 18 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152839,"EventID":"S1W-16166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, whether the Small Area Health Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of la","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3500 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 May 2001, whether the Small Area Health Statistics Unit study into the possible health effects of landfill sites will report findings in respect of Scotland separately, as well as within the overall findings for Great Britain.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-16161 on 18 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152840,"EventID":"S1W-16167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for accident and emergency patients to be admitted to an inpatient bed at Ayr Hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for accident and emergency patients to be admitted to an inpatient bed at Ayr Hospital.","AnswerText":"Information provided by Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust indicates that, in the year 2000, the average time from triage to admission to ward at Ayr Hospital, including all treatment provided in the accident and emergency department, was 2.5 hours.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152841,"EventID":"S1W-16168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many robberies involving (a) firearms and (b) handguns were committed in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98, (iv) 1998-99 and (v) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many robberies involving (a) firearms and (b) handguns were committed in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98, (iv) 1998-99 and (v) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table:

    Robberies recorded by the police in Scotland in which a firearm was alleged to have been used, 1995-96 to 1999-2000

    Number

    Financial year

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    (provisional)

    Robberies involving pistol/revolver

    44

    103

    66

    67

    49

    Total robberies involving firearms

    233

    221

    122

    140

    119

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152842,"EventID":"S1W-16169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving (a) firearms and (b) handguns were recorded in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98, (iv) 1998-99, and (v) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving (a) firearms and (b) handguns were recorded in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98, (iv) 1998-99, and (v) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following table:

    Crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland in which a firearm was

    alleged to have been used, 1995-96 to 1999-2000

    Financial Year

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000 (provisional)

    Crimes and offences involving pistol/revolver

    120

    175

    134

    156

    114

    Total crimes and offences involving firearms

    1,763

    1,530

    1,076

    1,066

    976

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152843,"EventID":"S1W-16170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of firearms offences were connected with robberies in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99 and (e) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of firearms offences were connected with robberies in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99 and (e) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table:

    Crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland in which a firearm was alleged to have been used, 1995-96 to 1999-2000

    Percentage

    Financial Year

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000 (provisional)

    (%)

    Percentage of crimes and offences involving firearms which were robberies

    13.2

    14.4

    11.3

    13.1

    12.2

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152844,"EventID":"S1W-16171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners entering Kilmarnock Prison in each year since 1997 were (a) drug abusers and (b) drug injectors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners entering Kilmarnock Prison in each year since 1997 were (a) drug abusers and (b) drug injectors.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Precise figures of the number of drug abusers entering Scottish prisons are not available, but a prisoner survey at Kilmarnock showed that over 90% of prisoners at entry admitted to being illegal drug users.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152845,"EventID":"S1W-16172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the additional #10 million earmarked for work with prisoners with a drug problem in the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 has been allocated to each prison in each ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the additional #10 million earmarked for work with prisoners with a drug problem in the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 has been allocated to each prison in each year and what criteria were used to determine these allocations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Additional funding for expanding work performed within the Scottish Prison Service drug strategy has not been allocated to individual establishments, it will be managed centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152846,"EventID":"S1W-16173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners who had been subjected to a self-harm risk assessment were transferred from Kilmarnock Prison to Low Moss in the last year and, of these, how many were","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners who had been subjected to a self-harm risk assessment were transferred from Kilmarnock Prison to Low Moss in the last year and, of these, how many were Ayrshire home-based.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    All prisoners admitted into prison are assessed for suicide risk - therefore all prisoners who are subsequently transferred will have been assessed at least once, and then again when they are admitted into a new location. We do not have details of how many prisoners transferred to Low Moss are from Ayrshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152847,"EventID":"S1W-16174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a shortage of beds at Ayr Hospital; if so, how long this has been the case and what plans there are to address any such shortage prior to the w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is currently a shortage of beds at Ayr Hospital; if so, how long this has been the case and what plans there are to address any such shortage prior to the winter.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards and NHS Trusts to manage the planning and delivery of health services in their areas, including the provision of the right number and mix of hospital beds to meet the needs of local populations.

    The Scottish Executive is supporting NHSScotland in meeting the demands on it by providing more resources than ever before. Health spending is set to increase by more than £400 million each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04. By 2003-04, health spending will be £6.7 billion.

    To help ensure that the performance of the NHS next winter is as satisfactory as last, the Scottish Executive has asked health boards to submit draft winter plans by the end of July. These will cover the full range of issues to be addressed by an expert panel, as was done in preparing for winter 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152848,"EventID":"S1W-16175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have (a) applied for and (b) received hardship relief in relation to non-domestic rates, broken down b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have (a) applied for and (b) received hardship relief in relation to non-domestic rates, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Councils are still preparing returns on hardship relief claims and therefore the data is not yet co-ordinated.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152849,"EventID":"S1W-16176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the use of special purpose vehicles as a method of funding rail improvements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the use of special purpose vehicles as a method of funding rail improvements.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of matters, including the financing of railway infrastructure projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152850,"EventID":"S1W-16177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11310 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, whether the #27 million being made available for flood prevention schemes over the t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11310 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000, whether the #27 million being made available for flood prevention schemes over the three years from 2001-04 has been \"top-sliced\" from the aggregated local authority allocations under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and, if not, from which budget the money has been allocated.","AnswerText":"£27.5 million for flood prevention and coast protection schemes is included in the Scottish Executive support for local authority capital expenditure published in Making a Difference for Scotland: Spending Plans for Scotland 2001-02 to 2003-04. This will issue as capital allocations under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152851,"EventID":"S1W-16178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many very sheltered housing dwellings there were in (a) 1998-99 (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 and how many it estimates that there will be by the end of 2001-02, brok","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many very sheltered housing dwellings there were in (a) 1998-99 (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 and how many it estimates that there will be by the end of 2001-02, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The numbers of very sheltered dwellings within each local authority area as at the end of 1998-99 and 1999-2000 are shown in the table. The figures presented cover the social rented sector only, and exclude very sheltered dwellings in the private sector. Figures for 2000-01 will be available in September 2001.

    There are no centrally held estimates of the numbers of very sheltered dwellings which there will be in each local authority area by the end of 2001-02.

    Number of Very Sheltered Housing Dwellings in the Social Rented Sector (Local Authority, Scottish Homes and Housing Association), by Local Authority Area as at the end of 1998-99 and 1999-2000<","AnswerDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152852,"EventID":"S1W-16179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many very sheltered housing dwellings it is estimated are required in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many very sheltered housing dwellings it is estimated are required in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"There are no centrally held estimates of the numbers of very sheltered dwellings required in the current financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152853,"EventID":"S1W-16180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution it made in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and will make in 2001-02 to the funding of research into the treatment of Al'heimer's and other dementia illnes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution it made in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and will make in 2001-02 to the funding of research into the treatment of Al'heimer's and other dementia illnesses.","AnswerText":"Within the Scottish Executive Health Department, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland and, as such, is the main departmental funder of NHS-related research. CSO spent £46,021 on research into the treatment of dementia in 1999-2000, £110,677 in 2000-01 and expects to spend £210,683 in 2001-02. There was no expenditure by CSO on research into the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 but CSO expects to spend £3,200 in 2001-02.

    CSO would be pleased to consider funding further research proposals into the treatment of Alzheimer's and other dementia illnesses which would be subject to the usual peer group and committee review.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152854,"EventID":"S1W-16181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what respite facilities are currently available to those caring for dementia sufferers, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what respite facilities are currently available to those caring for dementia sufferers, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152855,"EventID":"S1W-16182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted or plans to conduct an audit of respite facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted or plans to conduct an audit of respite facilities.","AnswerText":"We have not conducted a specific audit of respite facilities. However, our policies on a number of fronts emphasise the importance of improving the quality and availability of respite care (or short break services), including our Carers Strategy for Scotland, the Learning Disability Review, the work of the Joint Futures Unit and the package of measures to improve support to people at home announced in Susan Deacon's statement of 5 October 2000. We have developed these policies in consultation with users of services and their carers, and their views and experiences of existing services have had a major influence on the directions we are taking. We will be monitoring closely the impact of these policies on short break services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152856,"EventID":"S1W-16183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards currently operate memory clinics for dementia sufferers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards currently operate memory clinics for dementia sufferers.","AnswerText":"Memory clinics are provided in the following health board areas:

    Ayrshire and Arran

    Dumfries and Galloway

    Fife

    Forth valley

    Grampian

    Greater Glasgow

    Lothian

    Western Isles

    Some other health board areas provide memory loss services as part of the wider range of services for dementia sufferers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152857,"EventID":"S1W-16184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15512 by Susan Deacon on 15 May 2001, what plans it has to update the criteria regarding the conditions which confer an exemption f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15512 by Susan Deacon on 15 May 2001, what plans it has to update the criteria regarding the conditions which confer an exemption from prescription charges.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to update the criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152858,"EventID":"S1W-16185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15933 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 June 2001, what the Criminal Justice Forum's remit is and who its members are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15933 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 June 2001, what the Criminal Justice Forum's remit is and who its members are.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Criminal Justice Forum is: "To enable the Scottish Executive and those involved in the provision of criminal justice in Scotland to take an overall view of the issues facing the criminal justice system as a whole; to provide a regular opportunity for the discussion and debate of major issues in the common interest; and to improve mutual understanding and co-operation in the interests of justice; and to advise Scottish Ministers on issues of concern to the criminal justice system as a whole".

    The members are:

    Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice (Chairman)

    Deputy Minister for Justice

    The Lord Advocate

    The Solicitor General

    Sheriff J D Allan of Lothian and Borders, President of the Sheriffs' Association

    Mr G Brown, The Law Society of Scotland

    Sir Roy Cameron QPM, Chief Constable, Lothian and Borders

    Mr Sandy Cameron, Director of Social Work, South Lanarkshire

    Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Prison Service

    Mr John Ewing, Chief Executive, Scottish Courts Service

    Mr Jim Gallagher, Secretary, Scottish Executive Justice Department

    Mr Douglas Keil, General Secretary, Scottish Police Federation

    Mr Andrew Lorrain-Smith, President, District Courts Association

    Ms Susan Matheson, Chief Executive, SACRO

    Lord McEwan, High Court of Justiciary

    Mr David McKenna, Chief Executive, Victim Support Scotland

    Dr J McManus, Chairman, Parole Board for Scotland

    Sheriff Principal Nicholson QC, Sheriff Principal of Lothian and Borders

    Mr Andrew Normand, Crown Agent

    Mr Michael G O'Grady, Chairman of the Advocates Criminal Law Group

    Mr Jack Urquhart, President, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152859,"EventID":"S1W-16186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a commission to examine policy and practice on all flood-related issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a commission to examine policy and practice on all flood-related issues.","AnswerText":"Ministers place great importance on flood prevention and in ensuring that robust arrangements are in place to address flooding.

    The Executive keeps the overall position on flood-related issues under review to ensure that policy and practice is relevant and continues to take account of today's circumstances as well as the changes arising from climate change.

    The Executive does not see a need to establish a commission to examine these issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152860,"EventID":"S1W-16187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available the report prepared for Scottish Enterprise on pricing of telecommunications services in cities referred to by the Minister for Enterprise and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available the report prepared for Scottish Enterprise on pricing of telecommunications services in cities referred to by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in her evidence to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee on 7 February 2001.","AnswerText":"The report prepared by T Soja and Associates has been placed in the Parliament Reference Centre with an accompanying statement from Scottish Enterprise which sets out the background to commissioning of the report and summarises its findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152861,"EventID":"S1W-16188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the establishment of the first National Parks will be taken forward following the recent consultations by Scottish Natural Heritage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the establishment of the first National Parks will be taken forward following the recent consultations by Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerText":"The report by SNH, as reporting body under section 3 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act, was submitted to Scottish Ministers on 19 March. We have considered the report carefully. It has been a very thorough piece of work, involving extensive efforts to ensure a high level of participation. We are satisfied that the reporter's conclusions reflect a balanced assessment of the views of consultees and the statutory criteria for designation of a National Park. We are therefore broadly accepting the reporter's conclusions, subject to one or two adjustments. On boundaries the most important of these is that we see the inclusion of the area of west Glen Dochart, including Tyndrum and Crianlarich, as providing an important gateway to the northern end of the park.

    We are therefore publishing today a draft designation order for consultation, as required under section 6 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act. This is being made available widely, and copies have been available to the Parliament's Reference Centre. The consultation closes on 21 September, after which the draft order will be amended as required in the light of comments, before the draft order is submitted for approval of the Scottish Parliament in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152862,"EventID":"S1W-16189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Natural Heritage to (a) allow sufficient time for the application by the National Trust for Scotland for #200,000 assistance with the cost","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Natural Heritage to (a) allow sufficient time for the application by the National Trust for Scotland for #200,000 assistance with the costs of providing interpretation facilities in the visitors centre at Glencoe to be considered by the Parliament if the Parliament so wishes and (b) carry out a public consultation on whether to award grant for this purpose prior to a decision being reached.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152863,"EventID":"S1W-16190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to any grant which may be awarded by Scottish Natural Heritage to the National Trust for Scotland for the proposed visitors centre at Inv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to any grant which may be awarded by Scottish Natural Heritage to the National Trust for Scotland for the proposed visitors centre at Inverigan, taking into account the study received by the local enterprise company showing the centre's potentially adverse impact on the local economy.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152864,"EventID":"S1W-16191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into the amount of public funding made available to the National Trust for Scotland in respect of its proposed visitors centre at Glencoe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into the amount of public funding made available to the National Trust for Scotland in respect of its proposed visitors centre at Glencoe.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152865,"EventID":"S1W-16192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what options it is considering to facilitate the rollout of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what options it is considering to facilitate the rollout of the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is examining different approaches to aggregating public sector procurements with the objective of extending availability of broadband services. Our thinking has been informed by extensive discussions with telcos, examination of experience in other countries and information from local authorities on current practices.

    We are currently identifying partners who might work together and geographies across which they might wish to work. We expect to publish a paper setting out our intentions later in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152866,"EventID":"S1W-16193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of providing the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of providing the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is developing a strategy for stimulating wider provision of higher bandwidth services. We are focusing on the impact that could be made by aggregating public sector demand. It is too early to estimate associated procurement costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152867,"EventID":"S1W-16194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for providing the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for providing the necessary telecommunications infrastructure to enable broadband Internet access across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to universal access to the web by 2005. We are also committed to affordable and pervasive broadband connections and expect to set out a strategy for achieving this later in the summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152868,"EventID":"S1W-16195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the comments by Thus and Cable & Wireless on its broadband strategy, as outlined in Business AM on 5 June 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the comments by Thus and Cable & Wireless on its broadband strategy, as outlined in Business AM on 5 June 2001.","AnswerText":"We have had a series of meetings with individual telecommunications companies including Thus and Cable & Wireless to inform the development of our broadband strategy. We have found the meetings useful and will give companies feedback shortly on our next steps.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152869,"EventID":"S1W-16196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15699 by Rhona Brankin on 22 May 2001, how many notices have been served on landowners to clear their land of illegally dumped mate","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15699 by Rhona Brankin on 22 May 2001, how many notices have been served on landowners to clear their land of illegally dumped material by (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (b) each local authority in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152870,"EventID":"S1W-16197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10165 by Sarah Boyack on 25 October 2000, how much in fixed penalty fines for litter offences was raised by each local authority in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10165 by Sarah Boyack on 25 October 2000, how much in fixed penalty fines for litter offences was raised by each local authority in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152871,"EventID":"S1W-16198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15699 by Rhona Brankin on 22 May 2001, how many reports on the illegal dumping of material and fly-tipping were submitted to each p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15699 by Rhona Brankin on 22 May 2001, how many reports on the illegal dumping of material and fly-tipping were submitted to each procurator fiscal by (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (b) each local authority in each of the past two years and how many of these reports resulted in a criminal prosecution.","AnswerText":"Information on numbers of cases that are reported to the procurator fiscal is not held centrally in the format requested. The table gives the latest available information on the number of persons proceeded against and those with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the main offence was under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

     

    Number of Dwellings as at the end of

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Scotland1

    1,389

    1,672

    Aberdeen City

    94

    95

    Aberdeenshire

    50

    50

    Angus

    0

    27

    Argyll & Bute

    29

    29

    Clackmannanshire

    88

    88

    Dumfries & Galloway2

    87

    Dundee City

    128

    162

    East Ayrshire

    0

    21

    East Dunbartonshire

    0

    0

    East Lothian

    28

    28

    East Renfrewshire

    41

    41

    City of Edinburgh

    109

    109

    Falkirk

    47

    47

    Fife

    83

    88

    Year

    Persons proceeded against

    Persons with a charge proved

    1998

    6

    6

    1999

    11

    10

    In addition, there are a small number of cases recorded on the Scottish Executive Justice Department's court proceedings database under the general heading of control of pollution where the statute is not identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152872,"EventID":"S1W-16199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to alleviate noise pollution at waste transfer stations and landfill sites as a result of vehicles transporting waste through residential an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to alleviate noise pollution at waste transfer stations and landfill sites as a result of vehicles transporting waste through residential and commercial areas.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities in Scotland. Local authorities, either in dealing with noise as nuisance issues under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or, in some cases, in their planning authority role, are responsible for any enforcement action that may be necessary on noise associated with waste transfer stations and landfill sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152873,"EventID":"S1W-16200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) landfill site and (b) waste transfer station operators have had their operating licences revoked by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) landfill site and (b) waste transfer station operators have had their operating licences revoked by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the past five years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152874,"EventID":"S1W-16201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints about noise pollution have been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints about noise pollution have been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The responsibilities of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency do not cover noise pollution, which is a matter for local authorities under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any enquiries that SEPA receive on this matter are passed on to the appropriate local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152875,"EventID":"S1W-16202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken against companies that contravene environmental notices served on them by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken against companies that contravene environmental notices served on them by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerText":"The serving of enforcement and improvement notices is one of a range of options available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to deal with contravention of licences it has issued. If operators fail to comply with the terms of such notices, further sanctions available to SEPA can include variation or revocation of the relevant licences, and reporting the case to the Procurator Fiscal. The choice of the most appropriate option in individual cases is an operational matter for SEPA.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152876,"EventID":"S1W-16203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to ensure that local authorities carry out their duties and responsibilities concerning any contravention of planning permission conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to ensure that local authorities carry out their duties and responsibilities concerning any contravention of planning permission conditions.","AnswerText":"Planning authorities in Scotland have the primary responsibility for taking whatever enforcement action may be necessary, in the public interest, in their administrative area.

    Failure on the part of the planning authority to take appropriate enforcement action against a breach of planning conditions may be subject to a referral to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland.

    There are no plans at present to amend these provisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152877,"EventID":"S1W-16204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures regarding staffing levels in audiology services it will introduce to meet any increase in service demand.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures regarding staffing levels in audiology services it will introduce to meet any increase in service demand.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for health boards and Trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152878,"EventID":"S1W-16205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-14769 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what immediate measures will be introduced both to reduce waiting times for a clinical appointment a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-14769 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what immediate measures will be introduced both to reduce waiting times for a clinical appointment at an audiology department and to ensure that demand for the fitting of hearing aids is met and when its review of audiology services will be completed.","AnswerText":"The guidance issued in March and referred to in my previous answer summarised the results of current research and translated this into practical guidance on the design and delivery of services, including the technical aspects of hearing aid fittings and rehabilitative support. The guidance should help ensure better and more equitable practice across Scotland.

    We have recruited additional experts onto the Audiology Services Working Group and, in consultation with officials, they are currently looking at ways of progressing the audiology services review.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152879,"EventID":"S1W-16206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the report by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Audiology in Crisis - Still Waiting to Hear.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the report by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Audiology in Crisis - Still Waiting to Hear.","AnswerText":"Officials are currently considering in consultation with RNID how the institute's research might be used to help inform the proposed wide-ranging review of audiology services.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152880,"EventID":"S1W-16207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to commission a report into the standard and provision of medical equipment for older or disabled people, and in particular hearing aids, similar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to commission a report into the standard and provision of medical equipment for older or disabled people, and in particular hearing aids, similar to the report of the Audit Commission, Fully Equipped - The provision of equipment to older or disabled people by NHS trusts and social services departments in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"A Joint Future Group Strategy Forum has been established to review existing equipment and adaptation services and how they interact, and to develop a programme of change that will result in a better-focused and more effective service for the user. The Rehabilitation Technology Advisory Group (RETSAG), set up in 1997 to guide rehabilitation services in Scotland at national level, will be represented on the strategy forum.

    In addition to this, as already stated in my answer to question S1W-14769, we are currently considering the remit and scope of a wide-ranging review of audiology services.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152881,"EventID":"S1W-16208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the reports by Sir Anthony Campbell and Dr Raj Jandoo on the Chhokar case will be completed and published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the reports by Sir Anthony Campbell and Dr Raj Jandoo on the Chhokar case will be completed and published.","AnswerText":"As I have always made clear, the timing of these reports is a matter for Sir Anthony and Dr Jandoo. I understand that both are working on their final reports and that these will be submitted to me as early as possible. Dr Jandoo has written to me to explain that he has only recently been able to complete his evidence taking, and that the task of drawing together all the evidence - including that provided by over 60 witnesses - and reaching conclusions will take some weeks to complete. Neither the Justice Minister nor I are aware of any emerging findings at this stage.

    Both reports will then be translated into Punjabi before publication.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152882,"EventID":"S1W-16209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its proposals following the recommendations in the report of the MacLean Committee on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its proposals following the recommendations in the report of the MacLean Committee on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers welcomed the MacLean Report when it was published in June 2000. I said then that we would consult on the recommendations and, in the light of the responses received, bring forward proposals for the sentencing, management and treatment of this small but difficult group of serious offenders. Those proposals are set out in a White Paper which will be published today. We intend to legislate on the proposals as soon as practicable.

    Copies of the White Paper will be made available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152883,"EventID":"S1W-16210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what accreditation it considers that professional dance courses in Scotland should have.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what accreditation it considers that professional dance courses in Scotland should have.","AnswerText":"It is for providers of such courses to determine, in conjunction with the relevant awarding authority, the type and standard of qualification applicable to the training provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152884,"EventID":"S1W-16211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to enquiries from Ballet West with regard to guidance on accreditation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to enquiries from Ballet West with regard to guidance on accreditation.","AnswerText":"I am asking officials to work with Ballet West on the accreditation options available. Accreditation is, of course, a matter for the provider and the relevant qualification authority. Ballet West has also been encouraged to explore the possibilities of developing links with incorporated further education colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152885,"EventID":"S1W-16212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Council for Dance Education and Training with regard to the accreditation of dance courses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Council for Dance Education and Training with regard to the accreditation of dance courses.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152886,"EventID":"S1W-16213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce in Scotland a scheme similar to the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce in Scotland a scheme similar to the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme in England.","AnswerText":"There are no current plans to introduce such a scheme. We are, however, examining the issues surrounding support to Scottish students and the nature of the awards system operating in the south.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152887,"EventID":"S1W-16214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities with regard to placing and supporting students on dance courses in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities with regard to placing and supporting students on dance courses in Scotland.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152888,"EventID":"S1W-16215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15921 by Nicol Stephen on 5 June 2001, what representations it has received from local authorities regarding any difficulties they ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15921 by Nicol Stephen on 5 June 2001, what representations it has received from local authorities regarding any difficulties they have in meeting the costs of placing children in (a) grant-aided and (b) independent special schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received no formal representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152889,"EventID":"S1W-16216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it makes in grants to local authorities for the costs of sending children to (a) grant-aided and (b) independent special schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it makes in grants to local authorities for the costs of sending children to (a) grant-aided and (b) independent special schools.","AnswerText":"Local authorities fund the costs of children they place at grant-aided or independent special schools from funding provided by the Scottish Executive through the local government finance settlement. In 2001-02 this funding includes £199.697 million for special educational needs, which was an increase of 11.7% on 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152890,"EventID":"S1W-16217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority budgeted to spend on sending children to (a) grant-aided and (b) independent special schools at the start of financial year 2000-01 and how ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority budgeted to spend on sending children to (a) grant-aided and (b) independent special schools at the start of financial year 2000-01 and how much each actually spent.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152891,"EventID":"S1W-16218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to give local communities greater rights of consultation when local authorities change the planning designation of land which they own.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to give local communities greater rights of consultation when local authorities change the planning designation of land which they own.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive has no such plans. Planning authorities are already required to advertise any potential departures from an approved development plan.

    We will, however, be consulting later in the summer on measures to secure more effective public involvement in the planning process.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152892,"EventID":"S1W-16219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending.","AnswerText":"I welcome the Expert Panel's report, Reducing the Risk: improving the response to sex offending. It is an important contribution to the debate on a subject of public concern. The report will now go out for public consultation, which will inform decisions on taking forward the recommendations of the report. Copies of the report are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14000).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152893,"EventID":"S1W-16220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards finalising the proposed mergers of the Aberdeen and Dundee campuses of Northern College of Education with, respectively, the Universit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards finalising the proposed mergers of the Aberdeen and Dundee campuses of Northern College of Education with, respectively, the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the three institutions on 21 June, conveying my agreement to the merger, and a news release announcing my decision was issued on 22 June. The next step will be to put the necessary Scottish Statutory Instrument in place to implement the merger. I would not expect implementation to take place before October.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152894,"EventID":"S1W-16221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a ministerial announcement will be made regarding the proposed mergers of the Aberdeen and Dundee campuses of Northern College of Education with, respectively, the U","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a ministerial announcement will be made regarding the proposed mergers of the Aberdeen and Dundee campuses of Northern College of Education with, respectively, the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16220.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152895,"EventID":"S1W-16222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage oil and gas companies to increase their expenditure on research and development in Scotland and particularly in the north east.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage oil and gas companies to increase their expenditure on research and development in Scotland and particularly in the north east.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. As Vice-Chair of the Pilot joint oil industry/Government working group, I take a close interest in ensuring that research and development is kept at the top of the industry's agenda as research and development is essential if the Pilot objective of maintaining a strong and vibrant industry is to be achieved. Additionally, Scottish Enterprise is currently developing outline proposals to stimulate further oil and gas research and development activity.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152896,"EventID":"S1W-16223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes it proposes to make to the structure of its departments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes it proposes to make to the structure of its departments.","AnswerText":"With effect from Monday 11 June, the Finance Group and the Executive Secretariat will be brought together to form a new Department to be known as the Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department (SEFCSD). Bringing these two functions together will strengthen the links between finance and other key elements of the centre of the Executive which provide support for all ministers.

    From the same date, the Rural Affairs Department will become the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). No changes in departmental responsibilities or structure are involved, but the new name will reflect ministerial portfolios.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152897,"EventID":"S1W-16224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce who will be the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce who will be the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16226.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152898,"EventID":"S1W-16225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process and what criteria have been used to appoint the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process and what criteria have been used to appoint the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16226.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152899,"EventID":"S1W-16226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee will be paid to the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what fee will be paid to the managing agents of its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"The contract for management of the central heating programme in the private sector has been put out to tender, as required by EC procurement directives. The successful tenderer should be announced in July and will be chosen on the basis of value for money and compliance with the terms of the tender document. In accordance with government practice, the fee payable will not be disclosed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152900,"EventID":"S1W-16227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current trunk road maintenance contractors are responsible for maintaining the full area of any pieces of land adjacent to trunk roads and still owned by the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current trunk road maintenance contractors are responsible for maintaining the full area of any pieces of land adjacent to trunk roads and still owned by the Executive and, if not, who is responsible for maintaining such land.","AnswerText":"The trunk road maintenance contractors are not responsible for maintaining areas of land owned by the Scottish Executive which are outwith the trunk road boundary. These areas are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152901,"EventID":"S1W-16228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the reports of the National Steering Group of the Rural Partnership for Change Initiative will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the reports of the National Steering Group of the Rural Partnership for Change Initiative will be published.","AnswerText":"I have today published two reports which I have received from the National Steering Group and made these available to the Social Justice and Rural Development Committees, on the Internet and to the Parliament's Reference Centre. One report describes the lessons learned by the Highland Pilot, the other has around 70 recommendations, which fall into five key areas, for action by the Executive, other agencies and departments to address housing pressure in rural Scotland.

    I am grateful for the commitment and hard work of both the Highland Pilot and National Steering Group and welcome the comprehensiveness of the reports. I have considered their recommendations carefully and have also published my response to the key recommendations by press release today.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152902,"EventID":"S1W-16229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been made available for the Powershift programme in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been made available for the Powershift programme in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"In this and each of the next two years, £1 million is available for the Powershift programme in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152903,"EventID":"S1W-16230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies received grants under the Powershift programme in 2000-01 and to date in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies received grants under the Powershift programme in 2000-01 and to date in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"A total of 49 companies received grants in 2000-01. This year nine companies have so far been awarded grants.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152904,"EventID":"S1W-16231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how businesses apply for a grant under the Powershift programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how businesses apply for a grant under the Powershift programme.","AnswerText":"Businesses should apply to the Energy Saving Trust, which runs the Powershift programme on a UK-wide basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152905,"EventID":"S1W-16232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will address any inconsistencies in charges for non-residential care across local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will address any inconsistencies in charges for non-residential care across local authorities.","AnswerText":"We have recently sought views on our proposals to address this issue in our consultation paper Better Care for all our futures, available from the Parliament's Reference Centre and the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152906,"EventID":"S1W-16233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support Local Health Care Co-operatives in increasing the provision of directly managed services such as learning disabilities services, drug and alcohol serv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support Local Health Care Co-operatives in increasing the provision of directly managed services such as learning disabilities services, drug and alcohol services and community mental health teams.","AnswerText":"Local Health Care Co-operatives have a vital role in working in partnership with other agencies and with patients/local communities to plan and deliver service improvements at a local level, and we will announce shortly proposals for strengthening the role of LHCCs.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152907,"EventID":"S1W-16234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there is a variation from #70 to #140 per head of population in the prescribing budget available to each Local Health Care Co-operative and how this variation, as rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there is a variation from #70 to #140 per head of population in the prescribing budget available to each Local Health Care Co-operative and how this variation, as reported in the Audit Scotland Local Health Care Co-operatives Bulletin May 2001, affects the health of patients.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards/Primary Care Trusts to set, from their Unified Budget, prescribing budgets for Local Health Care Co-operatives on the basis of the need they identify in the local population. There is no evidence to suggest that differences in prescribing budgets between LHCCs adversely affect the health of patients. GPs have a duty to provide the necessary and appropriate treatment determined by patients' clinical need.

    The figures quoted in the Audit Scotland Local Health Care Co-operatives Bulletin are not standardised for age/sex distribution of population or adjusted in any other way to reflect local need.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152908,"EventID":"S1W-16235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the optimum si'e is for a Local Health Care Co-operative board and whether any existing boards are too large to work effectively.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the optimum si'e is for a Local Health Care Co-operative board and whether any existing boards are too large to work effectively.","AnswerText":"Local Health Care Co-operatives (LHCCs) are established on a voluntary basis and their size reflects the perceived boundaries of their local community. We do not think there is a "right size". The guiding principle is whether LHCCs are able to develop and deliver services effectively to meet the needs of their communities.

    The LHCC Best Practice Group Report, published in April this year, highlighted that some LHCCs are more robust than others and that in some areas there is a need for more support from the local health care system for their further development. We will announce shortly proposals for strengthening the role of LHCCs in response to the Best Practice Group Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152909,"EventID":"S1W-16236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses in each health board area are trained specifically to counsel and assist victims of strokes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses in each health board area are trained specifically to counsel and assist victims of strokes.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152910,"EventID":"S1W-16237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist consultants in each health board area are allocated to the treatment of stroke victims.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist consultants in each health board area are allocated to the treatment of stroke victims.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. It is a matter for health boards and Trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152911,"EventID":"S1W-16238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the NHSiS budget is spent on the treatment of stroke victims.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the NHSiS budget is spent on the treatment of stroke victims.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152912,"EventID":"S1W-16239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, whether it will detail the actual or estimated cost to each local authority of transferr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, whether it will detail the actual or estimated cost to each local authority of transferring patients from long-stay hospital accommodation to community care and the amount of Revenue Support Grant allocated or planned to be allocated to each local authority for this purpose for each year from 1999 to 2004.","AnswerText":"The cost to local authorities of patients transferring to community care depends on the needs of the individuals concerned, the cost of services provided or purchased by the authority, whether a resource transfer is involved and, if so, how much, the individuals' contribution including pensions from DSS and other DSS benefits. The allocations of Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) to local authorities for social work in each of the years 1999-2000 to 2003-04 are £1,101 million, £1,144 million, £1,256 million, £1,317 million and £1,392 million respectively. Details of allocations of elements to individual authorities up to the current year are contained the GAE Green Book. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 12261).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152913,"EventID":"S1W-16240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, what methodology and calculations were used to determine the level at which change funds","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, what methodology and calculations were used to determine the level at which change funds were set in order to make a significant impact over the first three years of implementing the recommendations of the disability services review and what its definition is of a significant impact.","AnswerText":"The change funds of £36 million for learning disability services were obtained as an outcome of the Spending Review 2000. The increase of £16 million in the third year is a significant increase on local authority current spending of around £160 million a year, identified in The same as you?","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152914,"EventID":"S1W-16241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, how many people with learning disabilities it estimates will be transferred from long-st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 June 2001, how many people with learning disabilities it estimates will be transferred from long-stay hospitals to the community in the current financial year and in each of the following two years and how many people with learning difficulties it estimates will be in long-stay hospitals at the end of financial year 2003-04.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15528 on 16 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152915,"EventID":"S1W-16242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all Local Health Care Co-operatives have dedicated public health support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all Local Health Care Co-operatives have dedicated public health support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is creating the new role of Public Health Practitioner in each Local Health Care Co-operative and in the Island Health Boards. The development of these new practitioners is being overseen by the Public Health Institute for Scotland as part of their role in developing the public health workforce. £3.6 million per annum has been made available from the Health Improvement Fund to fund these new posts.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152916,"EventID":"S1W-16243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to date has been of converting its vehicles to liquid petroleum gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to date has been of converting its vehicles to liquid petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has purchased 86 dual fuelled vehicles which run on either liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or unleaded petrol. All modifications took place prior to purchase. The total cost of conversion was £154,092, an average of £1,792 per vehicle. LPG is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to unleaded petrol.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152917,"EventID":"S1W-16244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what days, at what times and how often Amey Highways Ltd is required to cut the grass verges of the A78 trunk road at Stevenston.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what days, at what times and how often Amey Highways Ltd is required to cut the grass verges of the A78 trunk road at Stevenston.","AnswerText":"The contract specification for cutting the grass verges of the A78 trunk road at Stevenston requires that, following the first cut in spring, the grass should be maintained at a height of between 50 mm to 70 mm during the growing season. It is normal for the first spring cut to take place in May or June although the precise timing of this work is a matter for Amey Highways Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152918,"EventID":"S1W-16245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14907 by Susan Deacon on 19 April 2001, whether all areas with over 3,000 births per year are served by a consultant-led specialist","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14907 by Susan Deacon on 19 April 2001, whether all areas with over 3,000 births per year are served by a consultant-led specialist maternity unit with access to neonatal intensive care and access to neonatal surgery and adult intensive care.","AnswerText":"The Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland was published in February 2001 and this recommended certain levels of provision of maternity care based on the birth rate within a location. NHS boards have been asked to work towards implementing the recommendations of the framework. A number of areas already comply with the recommendation that, where there are births in excess of 3,000, there should be a consultant-led specialist maternity unit. All boards have been asked to test their maternity strategies against the framework and identify any shortfalls by autumn this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152919,"EventID":"S1W-16246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received or made any representations on the comprehensiveness of the public consultation undertaken by Ayrshire & Arran Health Board on the report of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received or made any representations on the comprehensiveness of the public consultation undertaken by Ayrshire & Arran Health Board on the report of the Maternity Services Option Appraisal Group.","AnswerText":"A number of representations have been received. The matter has been under discussion between the Health Department and Ayrshire and Arran Health Board.

    I regard proper public consultation as an essential aspect of any proposal for significant change to the pattern of health services in an area.

    All Health Boards have been asked to work towards implementing the recommendations of the national Framework for Maternity Services published in February. I understand that Ayrshire and Arran Health Board recently announced its intention to benchmark every aspect of the way they deliver maternity services against the Framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152920,"EventID":"S1W-16247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or Amey Highways Ltd is responsible for any consents or guidance on the placing of bunting, banners and flags across and alongside trunk roads during common ri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or Amey Highways Ltd is responsible for any consents or guidance on the placing of bunting, banners and flags across and alongside trunk roads during common ridings and gala weeks.","AnswerText":"Amey Highways Ltd, as agent for the Scottish Executive, is responsible for consents and providing guidance to those wishing to place bunting, banners and flags across and alongside trunk roads.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152921,"EventID":"S1W-16248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are undergoing treatment for gender dysphoria in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are undergoing treatment for gender dysphoria in each health board area.","AnswerText":"Information in the form requested is not available centrally.

    Treatment for gender dysphoria normally comprises a series of treatments, such as counselling, hormone therapy, and in a few cases, surgery. Most of these will be carried out in hospital and community health settings on an out-patient basis. Information on out-patient attendances is available only at specialty level and does not therefore identify specific conditions or treatments.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152922,"EventID":"S1W-16249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted by the Ministry of Defence on the environmental or other implications of the Interim Storage of Laid-up Submarines Project and whether it will pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted by the Ministry of Defence on the environmental or other implications of the Interim Storage of Laid-up Submarines Project and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any documents and communications in respect of such consultation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on a wide range of issues including the Interim Storage of Laid-Up Submarines Study.

    I understand that at this stage no sites have been selected as the MOD have not concluded how the submarines would be stored on land.

    The information requested meets the requirements of commercial exemption in Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152923,"EventID":"S1W-16250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what position it took on the choice of Mellon Charles near Aultbea in Wester Ross as the location for a repository of nuclear waste material from decommissioned nuclear s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what position it took on the choice of Mellon Charles near Aultbea in Wester Ross as the location for a repository of nuclear waste material from decommissioned nuclear submarines in any consultation with the Ministry of Defence on the environmental and other implications of the proposed location.","AnswerText":"I understand that no sites have been selected.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152924,"EventID":"S1W-16251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice Scottish Natural Heritage has given on whether Mellon Charles near Aultbea in Wester Ross should be chosen as the location for a repository of nuclear waste ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice Scottish Natural Heritage has given on whether Mellon Charles near Aultbea in Wester Ross should be chosen as the location for a repository of nuclear waste material from decommissioned nuclear submarines.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage has not been asked for advice on whether Mellon Charles near Aultbea in Wester Ross should be chosen as the location for a repository of nuclear waste material from decommissioned nuclear submarines. Mellon Charles lies within the Wester Ross National Scenic Area and, consequently, should a planning application be submitted, then SNH would be consulted as required by the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152925,"EventID":"S1W-16252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of BP to discuss ways in which the work connected with the development of the Clair field for which contracts will shortly be issue","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of BP to discuss ways in which the work connected with the development of the Clair field for which contracts will shortly be issued can contribute to the Scottish economy, in particular with regard to employment opportunities.","AnswerText":"We are in regular contact with BP about a range of issues including those concerning the development of the Clair field and the role of Scottish industry in this work.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152926,"EventID":"S1W-16253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make funding available to Lothian Health Board and Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust for the provision of continuous positive airway pressure t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make funding available to Lothian Health Board and Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust for the provision of continuous positive airway pressure treatment to relieve sleep apnoea.","AnswerText":"The allocation of funding to Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust for the provision of sleep disorder services is a matter for the health boards that commission such services from the Trust. I understand, however, that Lothian Health Board and Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust are conducting a review of the sleep apnoea service provided by the Sleep Centre.

    Information relating to the numbers of people suffering from sleep apnoea, or on waiting lists for treatment of the condition, is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152927,"EventID":"S1W-16254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suffering from sleep apnoea in the Borders and East Lothian are on a waiting list for a continuous positive airway pressure machine.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suffering from sleep apnoea in the Borders and East Lothian are on a waiting list for a continuous positive airway pressure machine.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16253.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152928,"EventID":"S1W-16255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Borders and East Lothian currently suffer from sleep apnoea.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Borders and East Lothian currently suffer from sleep apnoea.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16253.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152929,"EventID":"S1W-16256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suffering from sleep apnoea in the Borders and East Lothian are currently receiving treatment by way of a continuous positive airway pressure machine.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suffering from sleep apnoea in the Borders and East Lothian are currently receiving treatment by way of a continuous positive airway pressure machine.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16253.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152930,"EventID":"S1W-16257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred at the Ballinluig junction on the A9 in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred at the Ballinluig junction on the A9 in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Only records of accidents involving personal injury are held by the Scottish Executive. Details of the accidents which have occurred at the Ballinluig junction on the A9 trunk road for each of the last five years (1996-2000) are as follows:

    A9 Ballinluig Junction:- Injury Accidents (1996-2000)

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1996

    0

    2

    3

    5

    1997

    0

    2

    0

    2

    1998

    1

    3

    0

    4

    1999

    0

    0

    3

    3

    2000

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Total

    1

    7

    6

    14

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152931,"EventID":"S1W-16258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each improvement scheme undertaken on the A9 between Dunkeld and Pitlochry during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and what the cost will be of any improvement ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each improvement scheme undertaken on the A9 between Dunkeld and Pitlochry during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and what the cost will be of any improvement schemes planned for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"No improvement schemes were implemented on the A9 between Dunkeld and Pitlochry for financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01. Expenditure for the current financial year 2001-02 is currently expected to be £40,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152932,"EventID":"S1W-16259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15831 by Sarah Boyack on 11 June 2001, whether it will publish the report and recommendations of the road safety investigation into","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15831 by Sarah Boyack on 11 June 2001, whether it will publish the report and recommendations of the road safety investigation into the Ballinluig junction on the A9.","AnswerText":"The road safety investigation report for the Ballinluig junction, in common with all such reports, was not commissioned with a view to external publication. Given that the report contains potentially sensitive information, some of which has been provided by the police, it would not be appropriate to place it in the public domain.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152933,"EventID":"S1W-16260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15831 by Sarah Boyack on 11 June 2001, when it expects to be able to announce what measures it is planning to implement as a result","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15831 by Sarah Boyack on 11 June 2001, when it expects to be able to announce what measures it is planning to implement as a result of the road safety investigation into the Ballinluig junction on the A9.","AnswerText":"The measures which will be implemented as a result of the road safety investigation into the Ballinluig junction include enhanced signing and road markings, together with the introduction of a temporary 50 mph speed limit. In addition, another speed camera will be installed for the northbound carriageway. The existing speed camera will also be relocated to a more prominent position.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152934,"EventID":"S1W-16261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14663 by Sarah Boyack on 23 May 2001, how many grants have been awarded under the Powershift grants scheme in each of the last five","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14663 by Sarah Boyack on 23 May 2001, how many grants have been awarded under the Powershift grants scheme in each of the last five years for the purchase or conversion of local authority vehicles in (a) Clackmannanshire, (b) Stirling, (c) Perth and Kinross, (d) Angus and (e) Fife","AnswerText":"A total of £48,360 has been awarded for 40 vehicles to Fife Council in the past five years. No grants have been awarded to Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Perth and Kinross or Angus Councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152935,"EventID":"S1W-16262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses to its consultation on The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement were received by 29 May 2001 and how many of these were broadly in favour of the prop","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses to its consultation on The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement were received by 29 May 2001 and how many of these were broadly in favour of the proposals outlined in the statement.","AnswerText":"A total of 159 responses to the consultation on The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement were received by 29 May 2001. 114 of these responses, or just under 72%, expressed broad support for the proposals outlined in the statement.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152936,"EventID":"S1W-16263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15917 by Rhona Brankin on 5 June 2001, when it expects to have considered the consultation responses to The Nature of Scotland: A P","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15917 by Rhona Brankin on 5 June 2001, when it expects to have considered the consultation responses to The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement and when it expects to announce its legislative plans in respect of the proposals outlined in the statement","AnswerText":"Analysis of the consultation responses to The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement is currently in progress. The Scottish ministers will consider these consultation responses before announcing proposals for the future legislative programme later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152937,"EventID":"S1W-16264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which health board areas the brain cancer drug temo'olomide is available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which health board areas the brain cancer drug temo'olomide is available.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Temozolomide is available on the NHS and its use depends on the clinical judgement of specialists experienced in the management of brain cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152938,"EventID":"S1W-16265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the New Futures Fund will continue beyond the end of its three-year funding period in March 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the New Futures Fund will continue beyond the end of its three-year funding period in March 2002.","AnswerText":"I have been reviewing the future of this initiative, and will make an announcement as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152939,"EventID":"S1W-16266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to post departmental officials to serve in the UK embassies in Ireland and South Africa to carry out functions along the lines of the official to be pos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to post departmental officials to serve in the UK embassies in Ireland and South Africa to carry out functions along the lines of the official to be posted to the UK Embassy in Washington and whether it will set out the timetable for any such postings, the number and seniority of staff who would be posted and how they would interact with UK government departments.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to replicate the Washington post in any other Embassy, although this remains an option for the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152940,"EventID":"S1W-16267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any official contacts it has had with representatives of the governments of Ireland and South Africa.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any official contacts it has had with representatives of the governments of Ireland and South Africa.","AnswerText":"Officials have enjoyed contacts with representatives of the governments of Ireland and South Africa on a wide range of issues, including the recent visits of the Taoiseach and President Mbeki. A single record of all such contacts is not kept and could only be prepared at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152941,"EventID":"S1W-16268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12056 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 January 2001, which ministers and officials were involved in the consultation with Her Majesty's Go","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12056 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 January 2001, which ministers and officials were involved in the consultation with Her Majesty's Government in preparation for the Inter-Governmental Conference; whether any record of this consultation was made, and where any such record has been lodged.","AnswerText":"Discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are conducted on a confidential basis. Furthermore, under the Scottish Executive's Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, including internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation is not released.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152942,"EventID":"S1W-16269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence in relation to the siting of wind farms in low flying areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence in relation to the siting of wind farms in low flying areas.","AnswerText":"There have been no discussions between the Executive and the Ministry of Defence on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152943,"EventID":"S1W-16270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight is given to objections from the Ministry of Defence in relation to decisions on whether wind farm planning applications should be approved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight is given to objections from the Ministry of Defence in relation to decisions on whether wind farm planning applications should be approved.","AnswerText":"It is for the decision-maker to consider the weight to be attached to all issues raised by a development proposal, including objections, before reaching a decision on the application.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152944,"EventID":"S1W-16271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the Ministry of Defence regarding recent revisions to planning guidance on renewable energy developments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the Ministry of Defence regarding recent revisions to planning guidance on renewable energy developments.","AnswerText":"No representations were received by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in response to the consultation process in the review of National Planning Policy Guideline 6: Renewable Energy Developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152945,"EventID":"S1W-16272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications have been received for wind farms in low flying area 14(T).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications have been received for wind farms in low flying area 14(T).","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152946,"EventID":"S1W-16273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications for wind farms in low flying area 14(T) have been (a) approved and (b) rejected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications for wind farms in low flying area 14(T) have been (a) approved and (b) rejected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16272.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152947,"EventID":"S1W-16274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any objections by the Ministry of Defence to wind farm developments in relation to the impact of low flying aircraft have been considered during the development o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any objections by the Ministry of Defence to wind farm developments in relation to the impact of low flying aircraft have been considered during the development of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","AnswerText":"The Ministry of Defence made no response to our preliminary consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland). The Ministry of Defence position on the siting of wind farms in tactical training areas was set out by Dr Moonie, the Defence Minister responsible for these issues, in an answer to a Westminster PQ on 22 March.

    It is clear that, whilst obstacles in excess of 100 m in height, unlit by night and with the ability to cause interference to radar, are potentially of concern to the Ministry of Defence, each case will be considered on its merits. These matters should be resolved during the planning process.

    The final statutory consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will be published soon. Any comments received from the Ministry of Defence will be considered along with all other responses when that consultation ends.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152948,"EventID":"S1W-16275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any areas of Scotland have been rejected as potential sites for the development of wind farms due to anticipated objections from the Ministry of Defence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any areas of Scotland have been rejected as potential sites for the development of wind farms due to anticipated objections from the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerText":"National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments notes that planning policy is based on the principle that renewable energy developments should be accommodated throughout Scotland. However, the NPPG recognises that, in the case of proposed wind farms on airfield flight paths and in military aircraft flying areas, consideration should be given to the height of turbines and electro-magnetic fields generated.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152949,"EventID":"S1W-16276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting research into, and development of, fuel cell technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting research into, and development of, fuel cell technology.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for policy and funding of research and development into new and renewable energy technologies is a reserved matter. The development and demonstration of fuel cells as a source of heating, in power generation and in transport is included in DTI's most recent call for proposals for support under its New and Renewable Energy Programme. The total funding under the programme available amounts to £55 million over three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152950,"EventID":"S1W-16277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Scottish Tourist Board to conduct specific marketing of the West Highland Way in specialised publications and maga'ines in Germany, Holland ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Scottish Tourist Board to conduct specific marketing of the West Highland Way in specialised publications and maga'ines in Germany, Holland and any other countries which constitute significant markets for the West Highland Way.","AnswerText":"I understand that visitscotland wrote to you recently, detailing their marketing activity promoting walking holidays in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152951,"EventID":"S1W-16278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advise all health boards in possession of an unallocated development reserve to use some or all of that reserve to alleviate delays in the discharge of pa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advise all health boards in possession of an unallocated development reserve to use some or all of that reserve to alleviate delays in the discharge of patients from hospitals into care homes and whether it will detail what scrutiny and accountability health boards are subject to on this matter.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to advise Health Boards how they should spend any reserves which they may temporarily hold. It is for Health Boards to determine how to allocate the resources available to them on the basis of their assessment of local needs and priorities.

    Appropriate discharge of patients from hospital to other care settings continues to be a high priority for the NHS and social work authorities in Scotland. The quarterly census of patients waiting for discharge, and the Scottish Executive's regular contact with Health Boards, NHS Trusts and social work authorities ensures that this matter is subject to regular scrutiny.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152952,"EventID":"S1W-16279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that it should ensure that the leaflets produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that it should ensure that the leaflets produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions which set out basic rules about driving in the United Kingdom, including advice on driving on the left, turning right at junctions and roundabouts, alcohol, accidents, motorways, speed limits and special motorway signs, are reprinted and made freely available through car rental companies and other outlets to tourists visiting Scotland from outwith the UK and whether it has any plans to produce a version of this leaflet specific to Scotland similar to Driving in Scotland, produced by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in touch with Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of issues.

    The leaflets produced by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, formerly the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which set out basic rules about driving in Great Britain, are currently being revised. It is intended to make the new versions widely available later this year to a range of bodies in Great Britain including local authority and police Road Safety Units, ports and car hire companies.

    The Scottish Executive has no plans to produce Scottish versions of the GB leaflets. The Executive will continue to provide funding to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign for the development of road safety education and publicity materials, including leaflets such as Driving in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152953,"EventID":"S1W-16280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps sportscotland is planning to take to promote the Cairngorm National Park as a sport and recreation centre of international excellence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps sportscotland is planning to take to promote the Cairngorm National Park as a sport and recreation centre of international excellence.","AnswerText":"The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 provides for the establishment of a National Park Authority and the promotion of the park will be a matter for the authority. However, sportscotland intends to work closely with the authority to develop a Park Plan that will ensure that the aim of "promoting understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public" is met.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152954,"EventID":"S1W-16281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to ScotRail that it should review the reduction in the number of carriages from four to two operating on the Glasgow to Mallaig rail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to ScotRail that it should review the reduction in the number of carriages from four to two operating on the Glasgow to Mallaig rail route on the 12:42 train from Glasgow and the 16:08 train from Mallaig.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for ScotRail. If you wish details of the changes you may wish to contact ScotRail.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152955,"EventID":"S1W-16282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to lodge a motion in the Parliament on the fluoridation of the public water supply.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to lodge a motion in the Parliament on the fluoridation of the public water supply.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change promised a wide-ranging consultation on children's oral health, which would seek views on a range of measures, including fluoridation of public water supplies. Proposals for the consultation are being developed and will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152956,"EventID":"S1W-16283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether fluoridation of the water supply would have any implications for the future development of organic farming and horticulture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether fluoridation of the water supply would have any implications for the future development of organic farming and horticulture.","AnswerText":"Fluoride is a natural mineral present in many soils. It is also present in fresh water and sea water. It is not added to any Scottish drinking water at present but occurs naturally in some.

    There is no evidence that the addition of fluoride at the optimum (1 ppm) level for dental health would have any implications for organic farming or for horticulture.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152957,"EventID":"S1W-16284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether teachers who work as education advisors will, under the McCrone agreement, receive salary increases at least equivalent to those already agreed for other local au","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether teachers who work as education advisors will, under the McCrone agreement, receive salary increases at least equivalent to those already agreed for other local authority teachers and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"A short-life working group has been set up under the auspices of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers to review the pay and conditions of service for educational advisers.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152958,"EventID":"S1W-16285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the regulation fees charged to some care homes under the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1998, (a) on what basis it was established that less tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the regulation fees charged to some care homes under the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1998, (a) on what basis it was established that less than 15% of care home residents have to be referrals from local authorities for registration fees paid by private care home owners to be refunded, (b) who decided that the figure of 15% regarding refunds should apply and (c) whether there will be any provision for the refund of care home registration fees under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Some care home fees are being refunded because of a legal technicality in the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1987 which was addressed by the 1998 Act of the same name. Only those establishments not providing substantial services to local authorities are entitled to a refund. Following legal advice, the Scottish Executive decided that 15% was a reasonable proportion of the business of an establishment to determine whether it was providing substantial services to authorities. As the legal technicality was closed by the 1998 Act there is no need for such a provision in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152959,"EventID":"S1W-16286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Corporate Economies of Scale Review prepared in 2000 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will publish the report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Corporate Economies of Scale Review prepared in 2000 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will publish the report.","AnswerText":"The cost of the report was £11,163. A copy of the report is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14428).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152960,"EventID":"S1W-16287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Parks, Allotments, Open Spaces and Regional Element GAE Review prepared in 2000 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Parks, Allotments, Open Spaces and Regional Element GAE Review prepared in 2000 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will publish the report.","AnswerText":"The cost of the report was £19,309. A copy of the report is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14429).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152961,"EventID":"S1W-16288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will supply the publications Taking Sex Seriously, The Primary School Sex Education Pack and Living and Growing to all MSPs to enable them to inform constituen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will supply the publications Taking Sex Seriously, The Primary School Sex Education Pack and Living and Growing to all MSPs to enable them to inform constituents about the material in the Guide for Teachers and Managers: Health Education 5-14, produced by Learning and Teaching Scotland in 2000.","AnswerText":"No. This would not be an appropriate use of public resources.

    In March 2001, the Executive issued a circular to Directors of Education giving guidance on the conduct of sex education. At the same time, Learning and Teaching Scotland issued three new publications: A Summary of National Advice; Guidance for Schools and Local Authorities on Effective Consultation with Parents and Carers, and Sex Education in Scottish Schools - A Guide for Parents and Carers. These documents are all available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152962,"EventID":"S1W-16289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or proposes to take, so that a rail station is created at Edinburgh Park.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or proposes to take, so that a rail station is created at Edinburgh Park.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ministers issued an Intentions Letter on 12 July 2001 indicating their intention to grant permission for business development at Edinburgh Park subject to an appropriate planning agreement. Among other things, the agreement will require an area of land to be provided for Edinburgh Park Rail Station. In addition, the new rail station should be constructed and be fully operational prior to the occupancy of any floorspace above 209,000m² for the whole of Edinburgh Park.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152963,"EventID":"S1W-16290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify what the process and eligibility criteria are for applications under the infectious salmon anaemia re-start fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify what the process and eligibility criteria are for applications under the infectious salmon anaemia re-start fund.","AnswerText":"Applicants make their initial approach through the local enterprise network. My department provides HIE with a judgement on eligibility.

    Eligible businesses are those with fish or shellfish sites registered prior to the outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) under the Registration of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Business Order 1985, which have been affected by ISA whether through confirmation or suspicion of ISA in the stocks of the applicant business, or through movement restrictions.

    Those companies who are eligible must then discuss their circumstances with HIE who will assess what level of assistance is appropriate for the company concerned, according to the criteria agreed with the EC and those usually applied under the Finance for Business scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152964,"EventID":"S1W-16291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to respond to the South West Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association in connection with the standard of dry stone walls constructed as part of the A75 Glen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to respond to the South West Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association in connection with the standard of dry stone walls constructed as part of the A75 Glens improvement, as referred to in the Minister for Transport and the Environment's letter to me of 4 August 2000.","AnswerText":"Officials have now replied to the South West Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association and a copy of the letter has been sent to the member.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152965,"EventID":"S1W-16292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take regarding creation of a rail station at Edinburgh Park and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take regarding creation of a rail station at Edinburgh Park and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-16289.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152966,"EventID":"S1W-16293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take any action to recover any of the funding made available to City of Edinburgh Council in connection with the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take any action to recover any of the funding made available to City of Edinburgh Council in connection with the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme.","AnswerText":"I understand that the City of Edinburgh Council may be considering its position with regard to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit soon. I have asked the council to advise ministers of the outcome of this consideration and the consequences for its future plans. In the light of the council's response, I shall consider whether it is appropriate to recover any resources from the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152967,"EventID":"S1W-16294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not yet given detailed consideration to this anniversary, which falls in 2003. Planning is at an advanced stage to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152968,"EventID":"S1W-16295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent reports on the status of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme, what conditions will be imposed in relation to any funding made available for tra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent reports on the status of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme, what conditions will be imposed in relation to any funding made available for transport schemes in Edinburgh in future.","AnswerText":"Any transport authority seeking funding from the Scottish Executive for public transport schemes would need to demonstrate that such schemes contribute towards the objectives of its Local Transport Strategy. Projects would be expected to satisfy the five criteria for assessment of transport investment: value for money, integration, safety, environmental impact and accessibility. Projects which are awarded funding are required to submit regularly action plans and profiles of expenditure. It remains open to ministers to impose any additional conditions upon funding awards in the light of particular circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152969,"EventID":"S1W-16296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent reports on the status of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme, what directions and guidance it will give regarding any alternative mass transit ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent reports on the status of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme, what directions and guidance it will give regarding any alternative mass transit schemes proposed for Edinburgh in the future.","AnswerText":"Development Department Circular No 3/2001 announced the procedures for local authorities and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority in applying to the Public Transport Fund for projects commencing in 2002-03. Further guidance will be issued for bids to the Public Transport Fund for projects commencing in 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152970,"EventID":"S1W-16297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage employers to eliminate any discrimination in the workplace against people with mental illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage employers to eliminate any discrimination in the workplace against people with mental illness.","AnswerText":"The New Deal for Disabled People will be extended nationally from July 2001 to all people claiming incapacity benefits which will offer new opportunities for people with mental health problems.

    The Disability Discrimination Act already protects people disabled by mental illness. The UK Government has asked the Disability Rights Commission to look at the Disability Discrimination Act's coverage of people with mental health problems and will consider carefully any recommendations for legislative change that the commission makes.

    The UK Government has announced its intention to end in 2004 the exemption of small firms from the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions and, when legislative time allows, the exemption of many occupations and types of employment. This will ensure that employees or job applicants in those areas who are disabled with mental health problems are protected from discrimination.

    As an Executive we are committed to removing stigma and improving access to care and support. The Executive's Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, announced a £4 million investment in a campaign to promote positive mental health. Consideration continues on the scope of that campaign.

    The Executive is also funding a project run by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health to examine ways in which people with mental health problems can be helped to return to and remain in employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152971,"EventID":"S1W-16298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to introduce guidelines to ensure that patients with mental illness are admitted to hospital in a compassionate and dignified manner.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to introduce guidelines to ensure that patients with mental illness are admitted to hospital in a compassionate and dignified manner.","AnswerText":"We are committed to working to reduce stigma and improve access to care and support. We have re-affirmed this most recently in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152972,"EventID":"S1W-16299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients in psychiatric hospitals or units should receive a care and treatment package designed to address their problems and prepare them for re-integration ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients in psychiatric hospitals or units should receive a care and treatment package designed to address their problems and prepare them for re-integration into the community on discharge and whether such care and treatment plans should be fully discussed with the patient.","AnswerText":"Our objective for every discharge or transfer from hospital care is for the continuing care arrangements to fit the assessed needs of the individual. This is particularly true for those with a mental illness where needs can be complex and require co-operation and planning among a number of agencies. The aim always is to provide care, support and in some cases accommodation that matches needs and is both sustainable and responsive to changing needs.

    The Care Programme Approach (CPA) has been designed specifically for people with more severe and enduring mental illnesses. The objective is to ensure that properly designed and managed packages of health and social care are arranged for such people in appropriate accommodation in the community. No-one is included in the CPA without the agreement of a consultant psychiatrist and informed consent is sought wherever possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152973,"EventID":"S1W-16300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has applied to the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department or its predecessor over the last 15 years for (a) a licence to control protected species or (b) a licen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has applied to the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department or its predecessor over the last 15 years for (a) a licence to control protected species or (b) a licence to poison non-protected species; how many such licences were issued, and to whom.","AnswerText":"Records of applications received are not held. Detailed information on licences issued is, however, available for the 10-year period 1990-2000, during which a total of 1,956 individual licences were issued and three general licences were in force. In view of the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1995, I am unable to release personal information such as the names and addresses of licencees.

    I shall write to the member separately to provide a more detailed breakdown of the types of licence issued and the species controlled by those licences. I will place a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152974,"EventID":"S1W-16301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many (a) senior, (b) middle and (c) junior managers employed in the Scottish Parliament hold recognised management qualifications.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many (a) senior, (b) middle and (c) junior managers employed in the Scottish Parliament hold recognised management qualifications.","AnswerText":"Possession of a management qualification is not currently one of the criteria used in recruitment by the SPCB, although for many posts management experience is required. Where management skills are required for a particular post, this competence is tested in the recruitment process. The information sought is not held comprehensively on a database. While some staff have volunteered the information, I am unable to provide definitive information on how many staff hold such a qualification.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152975,"EventID":"S1W-16302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many managers employed in the Scottish Parliament have had employment law training since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many managers employed in the Scottish Parliament have had employment law training since May 1999.","AnswerText":"All issues relating to employment law are dealt with through the Personnel Office and Directorate of Legal Services. All relevant staff have attended training in the period from May 1999 to date as a means of keeping themselves up-to-date with employment law matters.

    The Directorate of Legal Services has put in place outsourcing arrangements with specialist employment lawyers for employment law advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152976,"EventID":"S1W-16303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many managers in the Scottish Parliament have been trained to deal with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many managers in the Scottish Parliament have been trained to deal with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.","AnswerText":"23 members of staff attended data protection training presented by the Information Commissioner's Office in February 2000. Five members of staff have attended subsequent, external courses and workshops including our Data Protection Officer who is in the process of obtaining the ISEB Certificate in Data Protection.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152977,"EventID":"S1W-16304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many Scottish Parliament staff have been (a) seconded and (b) recruited from the Scotland Office since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many Scottish Parliament staff have been (a) seconded and (b) recruited from the Scotland Office since May 1999.","AnswerText":"There have been no Scottish Parliament staff (a) seconded and (b) recruited from the Scotland Office since May 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152978,"EventID":"S1W-16305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many Scottish Parliament staff have been (a) seconded and (b) recruited from the Scottish Executive or Scottish Office since January 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many Scottish Parliament staff have been (a) seconded and (b) recruited from the Scottish Executive or Scottish Office since January 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body did not contract with staff until 1 April 2000. From January 1999 until 1 April 2000, all Scottish Parliament staff were recruited by and seconded from the Scottish Office to the Scottish Parliament. At the present time there are 50 staff on secondment from the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152979,"EventID":"S1W-16306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how may Scottish Parliament staff have previously worked at Westminster.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how may Scottish Parliament staff have previously worked at Westminster.","AnswerText":"We do not maintain a database of the previous employment history of our staff. However, to our knowledge, we currently have seven members of staff who joined the Scottish Parliament directly from Westminster.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152980,"EventID":"S1W-16307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-15143 on 9 May 2001, whether he will outline each step in the process of selecting the venue that will host plenary meetings of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-15143 on 9 May 2001, whether he will outline each step in the process of selecting the venue that will host plenary meetings of the Parliament in May 2002.","AnswerText":"Both the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and the Parliamentary Bureau will examine various proposals received from local authorities interested in hosting meetings of the Parliament in May 2002. Under Standing Order Rule 2.7 it is for the Parliament to decide, on a motion from the Parliamentary Bureau, that a meeting of the Parliament should be held in another place in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152981,"EventID":"S1W-16308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its waiting list targets are for the NHSiS beyond April 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its waiting list targets are for the NHSiS beyond April 2002.","AnswerText":"The length of time people wait for treatment is more important to them than the number of people who are waiting.

    Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change sets out the Executive's aims of reducing waiting and ensuring that the patient's journey is as swift, responsive and smooth as possible. It includes a number of specific targets on waiting, particularly in the priority areas of cancer and coronary heart disease.

    I have no plans to set further targets on waiting lists.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152982,"EventID":"S1W-16309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what type and volume of timber, or components including timber, have been ordered to date for the Holyrood Parliament buildings and what the origin and environmental certi","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what type and volume of timber, or components including timber, have been ordered to date for the Holyrood Parliament buildings and what the origin and environmental certification was of all such timber.","AnswerText":"The procurement of approximately 50m3 of Scottish oak timber for the Holyrood Project, from suppliers throughout Scotland, is nearing completion. All of the suppliers concerned are licensed by the Forestry Commission, which ensures that the timber meets the Holyrood project's environmental aims and obligations. Two trade packages which include timber elements have already been awarded, the details are as follows:

    1. MSP Office Building Cladding

    Type Appalachian American White Oak

    Volume Approximately 80m3 ordered to date

    Origin Patrick Lumber Co Ltd, Portland, Oregon, USA

    2. MSP Office Building Carpentry and Specialist Joinery

    Type European Oak

    Volume 80m3

    Origin France or Germany (under negotiation)

    Environmental certification details have been requested and as soon as these have been received, the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group will write to the member with the information and place a copy of the letter in SPICe.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152983,"EventID":"S1W-16310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what type and volume of timber, or components including timber, for Holyrood Parliament buildings are currently the subject of orders out to tender and how the ecological ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what type and volume of timber, or components including timber, for Holyrood Parliament buildings are currently the subject of orders out to tender and how the ecological sustainability of this timber is assured, giving relevant extracts from tender documentation.","AnswerText":"There are currently three Trade Packages out to tender which include elements of oak timber totalling 752m3. The individual packages are as follows:

    Trade Package Volume

    1. Assembly Building Specialist Glazing 270m3

    2. Assembly Building Windows 180m3

    3. MSP Office/Queensberry House 302m3

    Timber Flooring

    I understand that specifications for all Holyrood building works packages which include timber state that "all timber and timber-based materials used in the project must either be demonstrably from well managed, regulated, sustainable sources, or be suitable re-used timber re-finished to meet the quality requirements of BS EN942". The Holyrood Progress Group is satisfied that this wording will ensure that the timber procured will be from responsible and sustainable sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152984,"EventID":"S1W-16311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what remaining orders for timber or components including timber for Holyrood Parliament buildings are yet to go out to tender.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what remaining orders for timber or components including timber for Holyrood Parliament buildings are yet to go out to tender.","AnswerText":"Timber elements will be included in the following trade packages which have still to be tendered:

    1. Assembly Building Timber Flooring

    2. Assembly Building Carpentry and Specialist Joinery

    3. Queensberry House Carpentry and Specialist Joinery

    4. Desks, Counters, etc

    The Convener of the HPG has confirmed that in addition, there will be timber elements in many of the loose furniture items to be procured for the new Parliament building.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152985,"EventID":"S1W-16312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether internal timber finishing and furnishings for the Holyrood Parliament buildings will be procured from an environmentally certified source.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether internal timber finishing and furnishings for the Holyrood Parliament buildings will be procured from an environmentally certified source.","AnswerText":"The specifications for timber furnishings for the Holyrood building have not yet been produced, however, an "environmental purchasing policy" is currently being drafted to cover this area of procurement, and will be made available to members when completed. The specifications for internal timber finishings will include the wording "all timber and timber based materials used in the project must either be demonstrably from well managed, regulated, sustainable sources, or be suitable re-used timber re-finished to meet the quality requirements of BS EN942". The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group is satisfied that the wording used will ensure that the timber will be procured from a responsible and sustainable source.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152986,"EventID":"S1W-16313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a summary of responses to its consultation on new guidelines and policy for mobile phone masts and when it expects to bring forward new legislation a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a summary of responses to its consultation on new guidelines and policy for mobile phone masts and when it expects to bring forward new legislation and/or guidelines as a result.","AnswerText":"The regulations have now been laid and will come into force on Monday 23 July. We will publish an overview of the responses to the consultation paper during July.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152987,"EventID":"S1W-16314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Street Cleaning GAE Assessment prepared in 1999 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will publish the report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report Street Cleaning GAE Assessment prepared in 1999 by Pion Economics on its behalf and whether it will publish the report.","AnswerText":"The cost of the report was £18,342. A copy of the report is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14426).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152988,"EventID":"S1W-16315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report GAE Population Distribution Indicators: Phase II prepared in 1998 by Pion Economics for the Scottish Office and whether it will publi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full cost was of the report GAE Population Distribution Indicators: Phase II prepared in 1998 by Pion Economics for the Scottish Office and whether it will publish the report.","AnswerText":"The cost of the report was £23,855. A copy of the report is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14427).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152989,"EventID":"S1W-16316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of industrial action by staff in the further education sector there have been since incorporation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of industrial action by staff in the further education sector there have been since incorporation.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152990,"EventID":"S1W-16317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider ways in which the further education sector might move towards collective bargaining at a national level in order to rectify any disparities in pa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider ways in which the further education sector might move towards collective bargaining at a national level in order to rectify any disparities in pay and conditions that exist in colleges and minimise any possible disruption to students through industrial action by staff.","AnswerText":"The Boards of Management of FE colleges are each legally responsible for matters relating to the contracts of employment of staff within their college, including pay and conditions. This offers boards the flexibility, as they see fit, to reflect local conditions and circumstances, to secure best value for money and efficiencies and to strengthen their college's future.

    I place great emphasis on the potential benefits to colleges from joint ventures and collaboration, including, where boards see this as appropriate, in the area of staff pay and conditions.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152991,"EventID":"S1W-16318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS nurses will be eligible to retire within the next ten years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS nurses will be eligible to retire within the next ten years.","AnswerText":"At 30 September 2000, there were 4,810 qualified nurses eligible to retire in the next ten years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152992,"EventID":"S1W-16319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS nurses left the profession in each year since 1997 and what main reasons were given for these departures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS nurses left the profession in each year since 1997 and what main reasons were given for these departures.","AnswerText":"The number of nurses leaving NHSScotland since 1997 is shown in the table. Information about the reasons for these departures is not held centrally.

    Qualified nursing and midwifery staff in NHSScotland (1) (2)

    Leavers (Headcount) Scotland

    1996-1997

    1997-1998

    1998-1999

    1999-2000

    3,097

    3,113

    2,826

    2,809

    Source: National Manpower Statistics from payroll

    ISD Scotland

    Footnote

    1.The number of "net" leavers is produced using the annual censuses at 30 September which are extracted from payroll. Net movements of staff are detected by tracking individuals over successive censuses. A small number of staff who have left will be missed by this analysis because they join and leave between successive censuses.

    2.Each census includes nurses, midwives and health visitors directly employed by NHSScotland. Bank and agency nurses, who work as and when required, and nurses employed by GP practices are excluded.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152993,"EventID":"S1W-16320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing students did not finish their course in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing students did not finish their course in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The table shows net discontinuations from all courses leading to a first or additional registration in nursing or midwifery, excluding transfers from one nursing or midwifery programme to another, and net of course resumptions. Information is not yet available for 2000-01.

    On 31 March 2000 the total number of students on these courses was 8,206.
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Net Discontinuations

    566

    501

    650

    Source: NBS Statistical Supplement to Annual report 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000.

    Discontinuation is not necessarily a permanent status. Many students opt to resume or re-commence their studies at a later date.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152994,"EventID":"S1W-16321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reverse the decision not to give nurses representation on the new unified NHS boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reverse the decision not to give nurses representation on the new unified NHS boards.","AnswerText":"Our policy is to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to contribute appropriately to decision making in NHS Scotland, without favouring one profession over another. That is why we are giving a stronger voice to local staff partnership forums and why we are asking NHS boards to carry out a major overhaul of their area professional advisory committees.

    As part of the new accountability review process, NHS boards will be required to demonstrate that they have involved the relevant professional committees appropriately in strategic and service development issues.

    In addition, we intend to strengthen the role of nurses and midwives in policy development by establishing a new national Nursing and Midwifery Forum, details of which will be discussed with the main professional, academic and staff representative bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152995,"EventID":"S1W-16322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any sensitivity analyses were undertaken prior to the initial contracts for the Holyrood Project being awarded and following the report on the project for the Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any sensitivity analyses were undertaken prior to the initial contracts for the Holyrood Project being awarded and following the report on the project for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by John Spencely and the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The new Scottish Parliament building: An Examination of the Management of the Holyrood Project; if so, to which factors any such analyses related, and what the conclusions were of the analyses.","AnswerText":"The "analysis of sensitivities" is embedded in the project's risk analysis process, which was initiated in 1998, prior to site occupation and trade package contract tender exercises. The process demands a regular and systematic review of all identified risks and sensitivities, together with the specific actions aimed at managing them, as well as an assessment of the probability and level of exposure in respect of each individual risk. The results are set out in a risk register, presented formally to the Holyrood Progress Group, which currently contains 47 separate risks.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152996,"EventID":"S1W-16323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average level of grant under the Powershift programme has been as a percentage of the total average cost of converting a vehicle to liquid petroleum gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average level of grant under the Powershift programme has been as a percentage of the total average cost of converting a vehicle to liquid petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"Powershift grants are on average 60% of vehicle conversion cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152997,"EventID":"S1W-16324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets were set for the number of grants to be paid under the Powershift programme for the conversion of vehicles to run on liquid petroleum gas in each year since ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets were set for the number of grants to be paid under the Powershift programme for the conversion of vehicles to run on liquid petroleum gas in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"No targets are set for Powershift grants.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152998,"EventID":"S1W-16325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of administering the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of administering the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"The total cost to the Energy Saving Trust of its administering the Powershift programme from its inception up to date is £383,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":152999,"EventID":"S1W-16326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies have received grants under the Powershift programme to convert vehicles to run on liquid petroleum gas in each year since the programme started.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies have received grants under the Powershift programme to convert vehicles to run on liquid petroleum gas in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"A total of 92 Scottish companies have received grants since the programme began. The figures for each year are broken down in the table.

    Year

    Companies

    1997-98

    4

    1998-99

    2

    1999-2000

    22

    2000-01

    51

    2001-02 (part year)

    13

    Total

    92

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153000,"EventID":"S1W-16327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual budget has been for the Powershift programme and how much has been spent under it in each year since the programme started.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual budget has been for the Powershift programme and how much has been spent under it in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive only took over financial responsibility for its share of the UK Powershift programme at devolution. Therefore, there has been a separate Scottish element of the budget only since 2000.
     

    Budget

    Spend

    1996-97

    800,000

    800,000

    1997-98

    2,000,000

    1,800,000

    1998-99

    2,200,000

    2,200,000

    1999-2000

    3,300,000

    3,600,000

    2000-01

    *500,000

    345,000

    2001-02

    *1,000,000

    N/A

    * Scottish budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153001,"EventID":"S1W-16328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual grant applications have been made and how many have been awarded under the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual grant applications have been made and how many have been awarded under the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"The following table shows Powershift grant applications and the number of awards.

    Year

    Number of Applications

    Number of Awards

    1997-98

    8

    6

    1998-99

    8

    5

    1999-2000

    73

    50

    2000-01

    218

    113

    2001-02

    30

    26

    Total

    337

    200

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153002,"EventID":"S1W-16329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual vehicles have been converted to run on liquid petroleum gas under the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual vehicles have been converted to run on liquid petroleum gas under the Powershift programme in each year since the programme started.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of converted vehicles for each year.

    Vehicles

    1997-98

    7

    1998-99

    10

    1999-2000

    309

    2000-01

    307

    2001-02

    59

    Total

    692

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153003,"EventID":"S1W-16330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the construction of a new Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn would have on traffic flow and what financial assistance would be offered to the ba","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the construction of a new Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn would have on traffic flow and what financial assistance would be offered to the bank or the City of Edinburgh Council to promote mass transit schemes for the area.","AnswerText":"The effect of any major development on traffic volumes on the adjacent local roads is a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council to take into account. The Scottish Executive has, of course, an interest in trunk road impacts and will in due course take part in discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning an assessment of traffic impacts. The Executive's Public Transport Fund is available to assist transport authorities towards meeting the capital costs of public transport investments.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153004,"EventID":"S1W-16331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why figures regarding the Save Stobhill Campaign were provided to the Kirkintiloch and Bishopbriggs Herald on 15 May 2001 before such figures were provided on 29 May in a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why figures regarding the Save Stobhill Campaign were provided to the Kirkintiloch and Bishopbriggs Herald on 15 May 2001 before such figures were provided on 29 May in answer to question S1W-15648 which was lodged on 4 May.","AnswerText":"The figures in question are not of a confidential or sensitive nature and could be obtained from the Scottish Executive. There was, therefore, no justification for not providing them in response to the enquiry from the Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs Herald.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153005,"EventID":"S1W-16332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sign language interpreters there are in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sign language interpreters there are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There are currently 37 fully qualified sign language interpreters in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153006,"EventID":"S1W-16333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time courses in sign language are available in Scotland and which institutions run them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time courses in sign language are available in Scotland and which institutions run them.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153007,"EventID":"S1W-16334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of illegal discharge of slurry to a water course were referred by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency to the Procurator Fiscal under the Control o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of illegal discharge of slurry to a water course were referred by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency to the Procurator Fiscal under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and how many prosecutions there were as a result in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the information requested is not held centrally.

    Some information about successful prosecutions is given by the agency on its website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/prosecutions/.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153008,"EventID":"S1W-16335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were referred by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency to the Procurator Fiscal under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and how many prosecutions th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were referred by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency to the Procurator Fiscal under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and how many prosecutions there were as a result in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the information requested is not held centrally.

    Some information about successful prosecutions is given by the agency on its website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/prosecutions/.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153009,"EventID":"S1W-16336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time courses are available in Scotland leading to the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People qualification and which institutions run","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time courses are available in Scotland leading to the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People qualification and which institutions run them.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153010,"EventID":"S1W-16337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, how the phrase \"while [a] nest is in use or being built\" from section 1 (1) (b) of the Wildl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, how the phrase \"while [a] nest is in use or being built\" from section 1 (1) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be interpreted as applying \"outwith the breeding season\" as specified in Article 5 (b) of the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409).","AnswerText":"I have previously indicated that the Scottish Executive considers that section 1 (1) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 fully implements the provisions of Article 5 (b) of the Wild Birds Directive as it protects all nests in use. Ultimately, of course, it is for the courts to interpret statute.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153011,"EventID":"S1W-16338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, whether the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime has considered the issue of damage to nest si","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, whether the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime has considered the issue of damage to nest sites outwith the breeding season or received any advice related to the issue from either the Joint Nature Conservation Committee or Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerText":"Neither the UK Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, or its Scottish Working Group, has considered the issue of damage to bird nest sites outwith the breeding season as part of the proposals for legislative change set out in The Nature of Scotland, nor have they received advice related to this issue from either the Joint Nature Conservation Committee or Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153012,"EventID":"S1W-16339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, whether Scottish Natural Heritage referred to the issue of damage to nest sites outwith the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15749 by Rhona Brankin on 29 May 2001, whether Scottish Natural Heritage referred to the issue of damage to nest sites outwith the breeding season in its response to The Nature of Scotland and, if so, what Scottish Natural Heritage's comments were.","AnswerText":"Consultation on The Nature of Scotland ended on 29 May and responses are now being analysed. Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) response did refer to the issue of damage to nest sites outwith the breeding season and will be taken into account by ministers. I have asked the Chief Executive to provide you with a copy of SNH's response. A copy will also be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153013,"EventID":"S1W-16340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioners in each local authority area meet the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioners in each local authority area meet the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"There are an estimated 40,000 pensioners in the private sector who meet the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative. A further 23,000 tenants of local authorities and over 6,000 housing association tenants will also benefit and it is anticipated that half of this number will be pensioners.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153014,"EventID":"S1W-16341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for review of the central heating initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for review of the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"The central heating initiative will be reviewed over the summer period with a view to extending the programme and an announcement will be made in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153015,"EventID":"S1W-16342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to divert monies allocated to the central heating initiative to other budgets and, if so, to which budgets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to divert monies allocated to the central heating initiative to other budgets and, if so, to which budgets.","AnswerText":"We keep all budgets and allocations under review to ensure that resources are used effectively for the benefit of all the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153016,"EventID":"S1W-16343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.","AnswerText":"The central heating initiative is under review with a view to extending the programme to more people. An announcement will be made in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153017,"EventID":"S1W-16345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to alter the ownership profile of Caledonian MacBrayne.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to alter the ownership profile of Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to change the ownership of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153018,"EventID":"S1W-16346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure the continuation of the lifeline services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure the continuation of the lifeline services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12632 on 23 January this year when I announced a package of provisional proposals which have been submitted to the European Commission and which I believe will provide a robust framework for the continued delivery of high quality lifeline ferry services to the Highlands and Islands.

    The Scottish Executive has remained in close touch with the European Commission and we hope to have the commission's views on the proposals shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153019,"EventID":"S1W-16347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it, its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have with Esso or other subsidiaries of Exxon-Mobil.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it, its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have with Esso or other subsidiaries of Exxon-Mobil.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and Fisheries Research Services purchase some of their marine gas oil requirements from Esso under the terms of a contract put in place by the Ministry of Defence. Other areas of the Executive occasionally purchase small amounts of fuel oil from, amongst others, Esso.

    Contracts placed by non-departmental public bodies are a matter for the individual body concerned. Information on contracts placed by those bodies is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153020,"EventID":"S1W-16348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the development of further small-scale hydroelectric schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the development of further small-scale hydroelectric schemes.","AnswerText":"Small-scale hydroelectric schemes will be supported by means of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland). I expect that the statutory consultation on the detail of how the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will support renewables will be issued during July.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153021,"EventID":"S1W-16349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many small-scale hydroelectric schemes have been implemented since 1990; how much electricity is generated from these schemes, and what proportion of Scotland's elect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many small-scale hydroelectric schemes have been implemented since 1990; how much electricity is generated from these schemes, and what proportion of Scotland's electricity generation small-scale hydroelectric schemes represent, both in terms of capacity and units produced.","AnswerText":"Since the first Order in 1994 under the Scottish Renewable Obligation, eight small-scale hydro-electric schemes have been commissioned in Scotland. These stations have an aggregate capacity of 5.82 MW. A further four stations with an aggregate capacity of 4.67 MW are either under construction or have received the necessary consents. Information on the actual amount of electricity generated by these schemes is not available. Their capacity represents 0.1% of total generating capacity in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153022,"EventID":"S1W-16350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many proposed small-scale hydroelectric schemes which were awarded Scottish Renewables Obligation contracts are (a) currently operational, (b) expected to become oper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many proposed small-scale hydroelectric schemes which were awarded Scottish Renewables Obligation contracts are (a) currently operational, (b) expected to become operational by 2003 and (c) expected to become operational by 2010.","AnswerText":"Eight Scottish Renewables Obligation hydro-electricity projects have been commissioned; two are under construction and a further two, although they have received the necessary consents, have still to get under way. Progress on these and the other projects approved under the Scottish Renewables Obligation is a matter for the developers.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153023,"EventID":"S1W-16351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much electricity it expects will be generated by small-scale hydroelectric schemes and what proportion of Scotland's electricity generation capacity this will represe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much electricity it expects will be generated by small-scale hydroelectric schemes and what proportion of Scotland's electricity generation capacity this will represent by (a) 2003 and (b) 2010.","AnswerText":"We have commissioned a study of Scotland's renewable resource, which is expected to be published in late summer. This should provide an indication of what further potential there is for small-scale hydro to contribute to our renewable targets. I consider that the technology has an important if modest contribution to make, and the proposed arrangements to support renewable energy under the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland) should assist this contribution.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153024,"EventID":"S1W-16352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much electricity would be generated annually if every proposed small-scale hydroelectric scheme which holds a Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) contract became ope","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much electricity would be generated annually if every proposed small-scale hydroelectric scheme which holds a Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) contract became operational at the level of output planned at the time the SRO contract was awarded.","AnswerText":"The small hydro schemes contracted under the SRO had a total capacity of 30.5 MW, and a potential output of about 80 GWhrs annually. It was always recognised however that the commissioning of these projects would depend on the developers being successful in obtaining planning permission and finance, and it was never expected that all contracted SRO projects would come to fruition; an allowance was made for this.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153025,"EventID":"S1W-16353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage before the production and publication of its policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02), in par","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage before the production and publication of its policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02), in particular how many organisations were consulted, which organisations these were, how many responses were received and whether responses will be published.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153026,"EventID":"S1W-16354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage before the production and publication of its document Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Windfarms a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation was undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage before the production and publication of its document Guidelines on the Environmental Impacts of Windfarms and Small Scale Hydroelectric Schemes, in particular how many organisations were consulted, which organisations these were, how many responses were received and whether responses will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16353.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153027,"EventID":"S1W-16355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage's policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02) is consistent with Executive policy as stated in National Planning Policy Guid","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage's policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02) is consistent with Executive policy as stated in National Planning Policy Guideline 6.","AnswerText":"The text of Policy Statement No.01/02 is not incompatible with that of National Planning Policy Guideline 6.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153028,"EventID":"S1W-16356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact Scottish Natural Heritage's policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02) has on determining planning consent for renewable energy schemes under sec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact Scottish Natural Heritage's policy on renewable energy (Policy Statement No. 01/02) has on determining planning consent for renewable energy schemes under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage's Policy Statement does not constitute guidance to planning authorities but is primarily intended to guide its staff in their role as consultees. Scottish Executive planning policy on this issue is to be found in National Planning Policy Guideline 6: Renewable Energy Developments.

    Those determining development proposals must consider the weight to be attached to all the issues raised, including comments from consultees such as Scottish Natural Heritage. Consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act have deemed planning consent under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and are therefore subject to the same considerations.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153029,"EventID":"S1W-16357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer Highland Council to assist implementation of the Inverness local plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer Highland Council to assist implementation of the Inverness local plan.","AnswerText":"Highland Council has sought comments from the Scottish Executive on the consultative draft Inverness Local Plan. Comments on the draft local plan do not commit the Scottish minister, or any Government department, to payment of grant on any particular project or to the amount or timing of any capital expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153030,"EventID":"S1W-16358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to boost manufacturing in rural Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to boost manufacturing in rural Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is fully committed to manufacturing in Scotland. Created in Scotland, the Way Forward for Scottish Manufacturing in the 21st Century lists nearly 50 public sector initiatives and programmes supporting the sector. The Enterprise Networks are working in partnership to develop and deliver programmes to assist Scottish manufacturing, with Highlands & Islands Enterprise pursuing a number of initiatives aimed at the engineering and fabrication sectors in particular.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153031,"EventID":"S1W-16359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the aggregates tax will have on the trunk roads maintenance contracts recently awarded to Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the aggregates tax will have on the trunk roads maintenance contracts recently awarded to Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd.","AnswerText":"The prices tendered for the trunk road maintenance contracts were based on the level of taxation applicable in October 2000, the date when tenders were returned. The prices will be adjusted in accordance with a contractual formula based on published indices of materials costs and the contract costs will vary as the tax affects the former. The Scottish ministers are also bound to take into account any other impact that a change in tax levels makes to the costs of undertaking the contracts and adjust the contract prices in line with the change.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153032,"EventID":"S1W-16360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the aggregates tax will affect the budgeted cost of upgrading the A77.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the aggregates tax will affect the budgeted cost of upgrading the A77.","AnswerText":"Aggregate tax will affect the cost of all road construction schemes, including the upgrading of the A77 to motorway between Fenwick and Malletsheugh.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153033,"EventID":"S1W-16361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reinstate the pavement of the A8 from Newhouse to Baillieston.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reinstate the pavement of the A8 from Newhouse to Baillieston.","AnswerText":"The A8 roadway between Newhouse to Baillieston is worn out and to prevent the collapse of the road pavement structure, my department plan to award a contract for refurbishment.

    Tenders for the work will be invited later in the summer and, subject to receiving acceptable offers, work will start in spring 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153034,"EventID":"S1W-16362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance South Lanarkshire Council was sought under the Bellwin Scheme to meet the #900,000 costs incurred by the council due to the severe winter weather in Febr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance South Lanarkshire Council was sought under the Bellwin Scheme to meet the #900,000 costs incurred by the council due to the severe winter weather in February 2001 and why that application has been refused.","AnswerText":"South Lanarkshire Council requested that the Scottish Executive trigger the Bellwin Scheme to help meet the costs arising from the heavy snowfall in late February. Their request is currently being considered. No application for grant has been made or refused.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153035,"EventID":"S1W-16363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments under the Bellwin Scheme have been made since May 1999; what the exceptional circumstances and events were that led to each application; what the differenc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments under the Bellwin Scheme have been made since May 1999; what the exceptional circumstances and events were that led to each application; what the differences were between the sum applied for and the actual payments made, and how many applications were refused and for what reasons, all broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Since May 1999, payments have been made to East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils following the very high winds that swept across south-west and central Scotland on Boxing Day 1998. After agreeing eligible costs with both of the councils, and after deducting the relevant thresholds, East Ayrshire was granted £243,352 and South Lanarkshire was granted £234,652. City of Glasgow Council's claim for the same incident was significantly less than the threshold amount, and no grant was therefore due.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153036,"EventID":"S1W-16364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are applied before agreeing an application from a local authority for additional resources under the Bellwin Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are applied before agreeing an application from a local authority for additional resources under the Bellwin Scheme.","AnswerText":"The criteria used are detailed in Finance Circular 9/2000, a copy of which is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14385).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153037,"EventID":"S1W-16365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all representations it has made, or intends to make, to Railtrack or the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the upgrade and modernisation of Waverl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all representations it has made, or intends to make, to Railtrack or the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the upgrade and modernisation of Waverley Station.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority and Railtrack on a wide range of matters, including the improvement of railway infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153038,"EventID":"S1W-16366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the provision of specific clinics for diabetes at general practice surgeries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the provision of specific clinics for diabetes at general practice surgeries.","AnswerText":"There is currently no target for individual general practice surgeries to establish diabetes-specific clinics. However, the Scottish Executive would expect Primary Care Trusts and Local Health Care Co-operatives to ensure that there is adequate local provision for people with diabetes. Under current Chronic Disease Management (CDM) arrangements, around 97% of GPs currently provide a diabetes service for diabetic patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153039,"EventID":"S1W-16367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether general practitioners will be able to screen for diabetes in their surgeries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether general practitioners will be able to screen for diabetes in their surgeries.","AnswerText":"The early detection of disease is a key role of primary care and currently general practitioners can, and do, test for diabetes where the patient's history or symptoms is suggestive that this may be the underlying cause. The majority of GPs also provide diabetes clinics under chronic disease management arrangements for diabetic patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153040,"EventID":"S1W-16368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people received drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people received drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the total number of individuals receiving drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment is not available centrally.

    The following table shows the number of new patients reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database. Agencies reporting to the database provide a wide range of drug-related services; patients receiving rehabilitation cannot be explicitly identified from the database. Misuse of alcohol may be reported to the database, but only when alcohol is secondary to other drugs of misuse.

    New Individual Patients/Clients reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database1-3;

    by Health Board area of residence; Years ending 31 March

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    20004

    Scotland

    7,694

    8,652

    8,846

    9,759

    11,237

    by heath board of residence

    Argyll and Clyde

    730

    958

    1,365

    1,468

    1,255

    Ayrshire and Arran

    189

    303

    356

    140

    1,181

    Borders

    43

    59

    21

    79Health boards received an additional £2 million for drug treatment services this year, giving a total of £14.352 million. Local authorities have been allocated an additional £6.8 million for drug rehabilitation services. This additional funding will enable Drug Action Teams to plan an integrated approach to the provision of services locally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153042,"EventID":"S1W-16370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government that levels of illegally imported cigarettes and alcohol should be reduced, given the impact on its public h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government that levels of illegally imported cigarettes and alcohol should be reduced, given the impact on its public health strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive shares the concerns of Her Majesty's Government about the impact of illegally imported cigarettes and alcohol. There is close contact with HM Customs and Excise Law Enforcement Directorate about a range of serious and organised crime issues through the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.

    The UK Government announced, in March 2000, the "tackling tobacco smuggling" strategy, which aims to put cigarette smuggling into decline within three years. The strategy will deliver more aggressive enforcement activity, which will detect and deter other forms of smuggling, including alcohol.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153043,"EventID":"S1W-16371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether training on drug and alcohol addiction is included in the education and training programme of medical students, social workers and nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether training on drug and alcohol addiction is included in the education and training programme of medical students, social workers and nurses.","AnswerText":"Training on drug and alcohol addiction is provided by each of the five medical schools in Scotland. It is also included in pre-registration nursing courses, and within the Diploma in Social Work qualification.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153044,"EventID":"S1W-16372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on methadone treatment in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on methadone treatment in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the total cost of the methadone treatment programme is not available centrally.

    Total costs include the cost of methadone, fees to pharmacists to dispense methadone and to supervise consumption, the cost of counselling and social support and fees to GPs participating in shared care schemes. There are also costs of providing specialist drug services.

    Health boards received an additional £2 million for all drug treatment services this year, giving a total of £14.352 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153045,"EventID":"S1W-16373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the development of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines or for a Health Technology Board for Scotland appraisal on the care and re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the development of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines or for a Health Technology Board for Scotland appraisal on the care and rehabilitation of drug addicts.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) nor the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) have this topic in their current work programme. The Executive currently has no plans to ask them to consider it.

    However, anyone may propose a topic to either body by using the topic proposal forms available on their website (www.sign.ac.uk and www.htbs.org.uk). This would then be considered according to the organisation's published process for the selection of topics.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153046,"EventID":"S1W-16374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether methadone is more addictive for patients than heroin.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether methadone is more addictive for patients than heroin.","AnswerText":"Heroin and methadone are opioids that act in the same way on receptors in the brain. Opioid dependence is a well-established and clearly defined phenomenon. It is characterised by physical and psychological dependence, which becomes more likely as the dose and duration of use increase.

    Users of heroin experience a euphoria, but addicts become tolerant to the pleasurable effects of the drug quite rapidly. Methadone does not produce euphoria.

    Street heroin varies in purity and heroin requires more frequent "hits" than methadone.

    Heroin is generally thought to be more addictive than methadone. However, because methadone is long acting and the withdrawal effects, though less severe, can last much longer, drug users often claim that methadone is "harder to come off" than heroin.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153047,"EventID":"S1W-16375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources were disbursed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to assist with training and employment opportunities for the 3,500 BARMAC workers made redun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources were disbursed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to assist with training and employment opportunities for the 3,500 BARMAC workers made redundant last year. ","AnswerText":"It estimated that £1.7 million has been made available to support former BARMAC employees, through ongoing support for the oil and gas industry. This includes funding from existing and new allocations for years 2000-02.

    This support includes training for general and specialist engineering skills, Health and Safety, Information Technology, and initiatives to promote employment such as the HIE-OPS database, the Reducing the Impact of Redundancy programme, and the Training for Work, Next Step, and Working Abroad schemes. These programmes have assisted ex-BARMAC employees and ex-subcontractors with some 2,671 job placements, with a number of individuals gaining more than one placement.

    In addition, Employment Service data shows that as at 2 March 2001, the total number of ex-BARMAC and ex-subcontractor employees registered as unemployed and claiming Jobseekers Allowance was 283, and that the cumulative number of job entries was 1,286.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153048,"EventID":"S1W-16376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a voluntary and confidential health assessment with a qualified nurse for all NHS staff, as recently adopted by the Yorkhill Hospital NHS T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a voluntary and confidential health assessment with a qualified nurse for all NHS staff, as recently adopted by the Yorkhill Hospital NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace, the occupational health and safety service strategy for NHSScotland staff, requires all NHSScotland organisations to offer a comprehensive, competent and confidential occupational health and safety service to all staff as an integral part of their Human Resources Strategy. The proposal adopted by the Yorkhill NHS Trust is to provide its employees with the opportunity to have a lifestyle fitness assessment and forms part of the criteria for the Scotland's Health at Work Silver Award. This is in line with current policy for NHSScotland employers to achieve the Scotland's Health at Work Award and for staff to be encouraged to improve and manage their own personal health.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153049,"EventID":"S1W-16377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increased utilisation of dental therapists' skills would help to alleviate any problems arising from the shortage of dentists in remote, rural and deprived ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increased utilisation of dental therapists' skills would help to alleviate any problems arising from the shortage of dentists in remote, rural and deprived areas and assist with reducing any inequalities of access to treatment.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises and welcomes the contribution made to oral healthcare by the whole dental team, including that of the professions complementary to dentistry. It is examining how to encourage more dentists into remote, rural and deprived areas. However, the level of service that can be delivered by dental therapists is a reserved matter, and I refer Mary Scanlon to the answer I have given to question S1W-16389.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153050,"EventID":"S1W-16378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional doctors and nurses will be required to meet the objectives in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional doctors and nurses will be required to meet the objectives in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Our approach to developing the workforce in NHSScotland, as stated in Our National Health; A plan for action; a plan for change continues to be one of targeted investment. That is why last year I announced 210 extra specialist nurses and 110 extra doctors and earlier this year I announced funding for a further 375 doctors and 84 Public Health Practitioners. In addition, the Executive is providing an extra £18.5 million on Primary Care over the next three years which will be mainly targeted at increasing the number of GP's and developing the primary care workforce. To ensure that additional investment is targeted where it is needed most, we are improving workforce planning in the NHS through, for example, a fundamental review of medical workforce planning and the inclusion of workforce plans in Local Health Plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153051,"EventID":"S1W-16379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ensure that every doctor undertakes regular vocational education and training to ensure that their standards and skills are maintained and kept up-to-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ensure that every doctor undertakes regular vocational education and training to ensure that their standards and skills are maintained and kept up-to-date.","AnswerText":"The maintenance of standards and skills in the area of medical practice is the responsibility of a range of people and groups. The General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent regulatory body, sets standards of practice for doctors. It is the responsibility of each individual doctor, as a professional practitioner, to keep his or her standards and skills up to the level required by the GMC. NHS employers also have a responsibility to support and manage Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the introduction of the new appraisal system for consultants will underpin this. The Scottish Executive currently provides substantial financial input to the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) to enable them to support doctors in undertaking CPD.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153052,"EventID":"S1W-16380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance can be given that the urgency with which a patient's case is dealt is determined by the clinician treating that patient on the basis of the patient's medi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance can be given that the urgency with which a patient's case is dealt is determined by the clinician treating that patient on the basis of the patient's medical need rather than in relation to target waiting times and lists.","AnswerText":"The urgency with which patients are treated should be solely a matter for the clinicians concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153053,"EventID":"S1W-16381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS ensures that patients are given adequate time to discuss with medical staff the risks and benefits of their treatment and any ethical and legal issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS ensures that patients are given adequate time to discuss with medical staff the risks and benefits of their treatment and any ethical and legal issues.","AnswerText":"To enable a patient to give informed consent they are entitled to a clear explanation of their condition and any treatment, investigation or procedure proposed, including risks and alternatives, before agreeing on the course of action. They must also be given the time and any support, e.g. the services of an advocate, they need to ensure that they fully understand these issues.

    These entitlements form part of the generic standards developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland. These standards require clinical services to regularly and systematically monitor the extent of patient involvement in making decisions about their own care and to ensure its effectiveness. The Clinical Standards Board is currently carrying out a review of the implementation of these standards across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153054,"EventID":"S1W-16382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reform the procedures for dealing with medical negligence to reduce timescales, cost and any anguish for claimants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reform the procedures for dealing with medical negligence to reduce timescales, cost and any anguish for claimants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to reform procedures for dealing with clinical negligence claims. However, we are aware of recent developments to assess the potential benefits of mediation for such claims and intend to explore the matter with the British Medical Association.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153055,"EventID":"S1W-16383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce \"no-fault\" compensation schemes for NHS patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce \"no-fault\" compensation schemes for NHS patients.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to alter the way in which compensation is claimed and settled for acts of possible clinical negligence. Our efforts are directed at continually improving clinical standards and performance and so reduce the incidence of negligence.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153056,"EventID":"S1W-16384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish more comprehensive information on the performance levels of hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish more comprehensive information on the performance levels of hospitals.","AnswerText":"In line with the undertaking in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, the Health Department is working with NHSScotland to develop a new comprehensive performance management framework which will assess health improvement, clinical outcomes and standards of service alongside good financial management. It is intended that the new framework will provide information to underpin NHS Boards' annual reports, which will set out achievements and performance at board level. Boards will be free to publicise performance information in other ways.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153057,"EventID":"S1W-16385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include vaccination for pneumococcal meningitis in the routine childhood immunisation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include vaccination for pneumococcal meningitis in the routine childhood immunisation programme.","AnswerText":"At present, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not recommended for routine use in the childhood immunisation programme. However, studies to assess the possible role for pneumococcal immunisation in the UK programme are currently ongoing and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert committee which advises UK Health Departments on vaccination and immunisation issues, will review the evidence once these studies have been completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153058,"EventID":"S1W-16386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children have been diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and ottis media by the time they are five years old.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children have been diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and ottis media by the time they are five years old.","AnswerText":"For year ending March 2000, 20 children under five years old, representing 0.007% of all children in that age group across Scotland that year, were discharged from NHS hospitals having been diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis.

    For year ending December 2000, from a sample of 54 General Practices across Scotland which provided Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) data, 2,903 children (representing 15.9% of children registered in these practices between zero and four years old) saw their General Practitioner with the complaint otitis media. The CMR sample is broadly representative of the national population.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153059,"EventID":"S1W-16387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Qualifications Authority is properly and legally constituted according to the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 and, in particular, whether it has at lea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Qualifications Authority is properly and legally constituted according to the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 and, in particular, whether it has at least 15 board members (including a chairman) of which 12 (including the chairman) have been appointed by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The composition of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is prescribed in section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. At present the SQA comprises 12 members including the Chair and Chief Executive. Seven of these have been appointed by Scottish ministers or their predecessors. Steps are being taken to appoint new members. Schedule 1, paragraph 10(3) of the 1996 Act states "The proceedings of SQA and of any committee established by it shall not be invalidated by any vacancy amongst its members or the members of such committee or by any defect in the appointment of such member or failure to comply with any requirement of paragraph 11 [Conflict of interest] or 12 [Confidentiality of information] below".","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153060,"EventID":"S1W-16388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current recommended levels are for the numbers of (a) specialist diabetes consultant physicians, (b) diabetologists and (c) specialist diabetes nurses; how many","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current recommended levels are for the numbers of (a) specialist diabetes consultant physicians, (b) diabetologists and (c) specialist diabetes nurses; how many of each are currently in post, and what plans it has to increase the numbers up to the recommended levels, broken down by health board. ","AnswerText":"It is a matter for health boards and Trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery. National recommendations on staffing levels would cut across these responsibilities and would undermine boards' and trusts' ability to provide a modern, flexible service matched to local needs.

    The latest information available on the number of consultants recorded as Endocrinology and Diabetes consultants, broken down by health board area, is shown in the table. There are also general physicians who specialise in treating diabetes but who may not be recorded on that basis. Information on the number of diabetologists and specialist diabetes nurses is not collected centrally.

    Consultants identified as Endocrinology & Diabetes Consultants in NHSScotland by Health Board Area

    Headcount as at 30 September 2000p

    Scotland

    19

    Fife

    1

    Forth Valley

    1

    Grampian

    1

    Greater Glasgow

    4

    Lanarkshire

    3

    Lothian

    6

    Tayside

    2

    Western Isles

    1

    Note:

    1. Source: Medical and Dental Census, ISD Scotland.

    2. Information as at 30 September 2000 is provisional.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153061,"EventID":"S1W-16389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any restrictions on dental therapists' place of work, in particular, on moving from a hospital or community dental service to a general practice, under ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any restrictions on dental therapists' place of work, in particular, on moving from a hospital or community dental service to a general practice, under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and the Dental Auxiliaries Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/887); whether it will detail any such restrictions, and what plans it has to remove any such restrictions to increase patient access to appropriate dental care and treatment.","AnswerText":"The Dentists Act 1984 gives power to the General Dental Council (GDC) to make regulations governing dental therapists, among other dental auxiliaries. That power is restricted so that, without an Order in Council, dental therapists cannot undertake the filling of teeth or the extraction of deciduous teeth in general dental practice. In addition, regulations made by the GDC prevent therapists from carrying out other activities in general practice. Whether these restrictions should be altered is a regulatory matter falling within a reserved area. The desirability of lifting or modifying these restrictions, in order to increase patient access while assuring the quality and safety of treatment, is the subject of discussion with the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153062,"EventID":"S1W-16390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bids for freight facilities grants it is currently considering; how many of these bids have been returned to the applicants requesting further information, and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bids for freight facilities grants it is currently considering; how many of these bids have been returned to the applicants requesting further information, and whether existing guidance to applicants on how to bid for freight facilities grants is adequate.","AnswerText":"There are currently 14 Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) applications being considered which are at varying stages of processing. The rigorous consideration process to ensure value for money usually entails further enquiries with applicants, either by telephone or in writing. At present there is one outstanding letter issued to an applicant seeking further information.

    The existing guidance has proved a useful tool in enabling 10 FFG awards to be made in the last two years. However, the guidance is being reviewed to take account of recent, and proposed, changes in the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153063,"EventID":"S1W-16391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the current year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the current year, specifying the recipient organisation in each case.","AnswerText":"Information on Executive financial allocations is not generally attributable to specific neighbourhoods, but the available information about spending commitments specifically dedicated to Wester Hailes is as follows:
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    £ million

    Social Inclusion Partnership

    2.550

    1.614

    1.850

    1.850

    1.765

    New Housing Partnership Fund*

    0.388

    *

    *

    *

    *

    CCTV

    -

    -

    0.089

    -

    -

    *Allocation for 1998-2002 was £9.273 million.

    The recipient organisations were as follows:

    City of Edinburgh Council (SIP Fund)

    City of Edinburgh Council/Scottish Homes (NHP Fund)

    Wester Hailes Partnership (CCTV)","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153064,"EventID":"S1W-16392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Pilton/Muirhouse area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the current y","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from Scottish Executive or Scottish Office sources has been committed to the Pilton/Muirhouse area of Edinburgh in each year from 1997-98 to the current year, specifying the recipient organisation in each case.","AnswerText":"Information on Executive financial allocations is not generally attributable to specific neighbourhoods, but available information about spending commitments which include Pilton and/or those specifically dedicated to Muirhouse is as follows:
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    £ million

    Social Inclusion Partnership Fund

    2.453

    3.111

    2.877

    2.685

    2.544

    New Housing Partnership Fund*

    0.170

    *

    *

    *

    *

    CCTV

    -

    -

    0.048

    -

    -

    Community Safety

    -

    -

    -

    0.055

    -

    Empty Homes Initiative

    -

    0.300

    -

    -

    -

    *Allocation for 1998-2002 was £4.052 million.

    The recipient organisations were as follows:

    City of Edinburgh Council (SIP Fund)

    City of Edinburgh Council/Scottish Homes (NHP Fund)

    City of Edinburgh Council (CCTV)

    City of Edinburgh Council (Community Safety)

    City of Edinburgh Council (Empty Homes Initiative)

    The SIP Fund allocations are attributable to the North Edinburgh SIP. The Annual Report of this and other SIPs is now available in the Parliament's Reference Centre and these contain details of allocations or spend.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153065,"EventID":"S1W-16393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what plans there are to increase the number of places available for people with disabilities in the public gallery of the new Parliament building.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what plans there are to increase the number of places available for people with disabilities in the public gallery of the new Parliament building.","AnswerText":"Permanent space will be provided for six wheelchair users in the public gallery of the new Parliament building. That number can be increased (subject to health, safety and fire evacuation regulations) for special occasions, through planned flexibility, by the removal of seats to create additional space for up to a further seven wheelchair users. Other disabled groups such as the visually impaired, hearing impaired and those with cognitive or mobility impairments will also be able to access many, if not all, of the seats in the public gallery.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153066,"EventID":"S1W-16394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the \"over 30 month\" scheme for cattle will be reinstated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the \"over 30 month\" scheme for cattle will be reinstated.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Intervention Board to reinstate the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) in Scotland by mid-July. Operational details are now being worked on by the Intervention Board which operates this scheme and the Meat Hygiene Service which has to provide the necessary hygiene staff for the plants.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153067,"EventID":"S1W-16395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network will publish its guidelines regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network will publish its guidelines regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) clinical guideline on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People was published in July.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153068,"EventID":"S1W-16396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will scrutinise the guidelines from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in case of any bias tow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will scrutinise the guidelines from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in case of any bias towards drug therapy.","AnswerText":"The guideline was seen in draft by the Scottish Executive Health Department's Medical Officers. It covers non-pharmacological interventions as well as drug therapy.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153069,"EventID":"S1W-16397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the electronics industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the electronics industry.","AnswerText":"The electronics sector is experiencing global restructuring. The Scottish Executive is presently working closely with the industry and enterprise network to address the economic development and skills issues which will enable the industry to compete for high-value-added work. The new Future Skills Scotland unit will also have a key role in identifying the future skills requirements of the sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153070,"EventID":"S1W-16398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking regarding the recently announced redundancies at the USI plant in Irvine.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking regarding the recently announced redundancies at the USI plant in Irvine.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive very much regrets the job losses resulting from USI's decision to downsize its plant at Irvine. Our main concern is to ensure that everything possible is done to assist those affected find alternative employment. Local agencies are aware of the situation at USI, and assistance will be provided to those affected in accordance with the principles outlined in the Scottish Executive's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153071,"EventID":"S1W-16399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce a location for the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce a location for the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","AnswerText":"An announcement will be made shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153072,"EventID":"S1W-16400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3083 by Angus MacKay on 8 March 2001, what progress it is making in its policy of public sector jobs dispersal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3083 by Angus MacKay on 8 March 2001, what progress it is making in its policy of public sector jobs dispersal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has made progress in locating public sector jobs around Scotland. The Education and Lifelong Learning Department is now wholly located in Glasgow; the Food Standards Agency has been set up in Aberdeen and the Public Guardian's Office has been set up in Falkirk.

    On 1 December last year I announced in answer to Parliamentary Question S1W-11704 that we are undertaking detailed reviews of six Edinburgh based public bodies. Decisions are expected on the location of the Health Education Board for Scotland and sportscotland in the course of this year. Decisions are expected on the location of the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland in 2002, on the Scottish Arts Council before 2003 and on Registers of Scotland in 2004.

    The First Minister announced on 6 March that the National Office of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the offices of the Scottish Social Services Council will be located in Dundee. The Commission's regional office for the area will also be located in the Dundee HQ. Locations under consideration for the other five regional offices are Inverness, Aberdeen, Paisley, Hamilton/East Kilbride and East Lothian.

    On 17 July I announced that the Scottish Public Pensions Agency will be located in the Galashiels area of the Borders, subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations for suitable premises.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153073,"EventID":"S1W-16401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in expanding the engineering skills base in North Ayrshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in expanding the engineering skills base in North Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is currently supporting the training of 208 young people within 44 engineering companies based in North Ayrshire, 152 of whom are Modern Apprentices. SEn Ayrshire also works in partnership with local education and training providers to assist employers on skills development.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153074,"EventID":"S1W-16402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why question S1W-14344, lodged on 21 March 2001, did not receive a substantive answer until 18 June 2001 and whether this is an acceptable timescale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why question S1W-14344, lodged on 21 March 2001, did not receive a substantive answer until 18 June 2001 and whether this is an acceptable timescale.","AnswerText":"I regret that, due to an administrative oversight, the question was not answered by the due date.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153075,"EventID":"S1W-16403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed specifically to work directly with young offenders in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed specifically to work directly with young offenders in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people employed specifically to work directly with young offenders is not collected centrally.

    Information on the number of staff in local authority social work departments is given in the statistical bulletin Staff of Scottish Local Authority Social Work Departments, 1999, published in January 2001 and is available on the Scottish Executive web site. The bulletin provides a local authority staff breakdown for criminal justice social work, but this does not identify the age of the clients.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153076,"EventID":"S1W-16404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail those research grants awarded by the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland (NRIS) in 2000 where the person conducting the research was a member","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail those research grants awarded by the Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland (NRIS) in 2000 where the person conducting the research was a member of the NRIS.","AnswerText":"The Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland has not awarded grants to any of its members.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153077,"EventID":"S1W-16405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what adjustments were made to the Scottish assigned budget in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 as a result of any differential movements in Scotland, compared with England, in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what adjustments were made to the Scottish assigned budget in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 as a result of any differential movements in Scotland, compared with England, in the level of (i) public sector housing benefit, (ii) private sector housing benefit and (iii) council tax benefit being paid.","AnswerText":"No adjustments were made in 2000-01. I expect adjustments to be made in 2001-02 in respect of both 2000-01 and 2001-02. These will not include the effects of differential movements in private sector housing benefit, as changes in level of private sector rents are not a matter over which the Executive exercises direct control.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153078,"EventID":"S1W-16406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immunity the Crown enjoys in Scotland in respect of planning law and what plans it has for legislation to remove or amend Crown immunity in devolved areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what immunity the Crown enjoys in Scotland in respect of planning law and what plans it has for legislation to remove or amend Crown immunity in devolved areas.","AnswerText":"The Crown is exempt from the requirements of planning legislation. The Executive intends to remove that exemption at the first suitable legislative opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153079,"EventID":"S1W-16407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many forms for the 2001 Census were printed in Gaelic; who was eligible to receive such forms, and whether it was an offence for someone able to write in English to c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many forms for the 2001 Census were printed in Gaelic; who was eligible to receive such forms, and whether it was an offence for someone able to write in English to complete a Gaelic census form.","AnswerText":"As agreed by the Parliament, the 2001 Scottish Census forms were not available in Gaelic. However, the Registrar General for Scotland printed 10,000 Gaelic translations of the questions included on the census form to assist Gaelic speakers in completing the census form. The translations were available to anyone on request.

    There is a legal requirement to complete the census form in English. Anyone needing assistance to complete their census form was able to ask their enumerator or contact Gaelic-speaking operators on the Census Helpline.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153080,"EventID":"S1W-16408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is an offence for an enumerator to divulge any information provided on a census form to a third party; if so, what the penalties are and what official complain","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is an offence for an enumerator to divulge any information provided on a census form to a third party; if so, what the penalties are and what official complaints procedure exists for members of the public who wish to complain about enumerators or about the census form itself.","AnswerText":"It is an offence under section 8 of the Census Act 1920 as amended by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991 for an enumerator or any other person, without lawful authority, to disclose any personal census information to another person. A person found guilty shall be liable (a) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both; or (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or both. Complaints about the conduct of enumerators or the census form should be made to the Registrar General for Scotland in the first place.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153081,"EventID":"S1W-16409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to introduce for Scottish local authority elections, including by-elections, measures to assist disabled voters similar to those provided for in the Repre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to introduce for Scottish local authority elections, including by-elections, measures to assist disabled voters similar to those provided for in the Representation of the People Act.","AnswerText":"Similar measures will be introduced for Scottish local government elections later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153082,"EventID":"S1W-16410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each local authority has contributed to its local area tourist board in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each local authority has contributed to its local area tourist board in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

    Local Authority Grants to Area Tourist Boards

    Area Tourist Board

    Local Authority

    1997-98 (£)

    1998-99

    (£)

    1999-2000

    (£)

    2000-01

    (£)

    2001-02

    (£)

    Aberdeen and Grampian

    Aberdeen City

    300,000

    150,000

    150,000

    150,000

    150,000

    Aberdeenshire

    300,000

    300,000

    300,000

    300,000

    300,000

    Moray

    100,000

    150,000

    165,000

    165,000

    150,000

    Angus & City of Dundee

    Angus

    158,000

    158,000

    158,000

    158,000

    158,000

     

    Dundee

    246,000

    246,000

    246,000

    246,000

    246,000

    Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomo","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153083,"EventID":"S1W-16411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh since 1 July 2000 have required the use of Lothian and Borders police resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh since 1 July 2000 have required the use of Lothian and Borders police resources.","AnswerText":"Lothian and Borders Police have advised us that since 1 July 2000 there have been 141 high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh each requiring different levels of police involvement. This figure includes royal visits, foreign Heads of State and a number of other visitors.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153084,"EventID":"S1W-16412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13988 by Susan Deacon on 21 March 2000, what plans it has to gather information in the future on the amount spent by the NHSiS on t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13988 by Susan Deacon on 21 March 2000, what plans it has to gather information in the future on the amount spent by the NHSiS on the use of bank and agency nurses.","AnswerText":"Data on the amount spent by NHS Scotland on the use of both bank and agency nurses is currently being gathered and will be available in September. It is intended to collect similar information for future years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153085,"EventID":"S1W-16413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage general practitioners not to operate as one-person practices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage general practitioners not to operate as one-person practices.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans. Rather we encourage all general practitioners to operate within Local Health Care Co-operatives which are designed to encourage co-operation and collaboration among all primary care professionals. In addition, as stated in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, we are taking steps to ensure a greater focus on quality in the GP contract. The quality standards will apply equally to single handed practices as to group practices.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153086,"EventID":"S1W-16414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to train more surgeons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to train more surgeons.","AnswerText":"The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments. The specialist registrar establishment for the surgical specialties was increased in March 2001 from 228 to 253, meaning that the total number of specialist training posts in surgery has risen by almost 11% in the last year.

    As I announced on 20 June, Professor John Temple is to chair the fundamental review of medical workforce planning which was a commitment in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. The review will consider the many complex areas surrounding the supply of trained doctors to NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153087,"EventID":"S1W-16415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it is undertaking of the current situation with the education budget of Scottish Borders Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it is undertaking of the current situation with the education budget of Scottish Borders Council.","AnswerText":"Councils are independent of central Government control and are locally accountable.

    The Scottish Executive expects local authorities to manage their budgets on the resources available to them.

    The Accounts Commission for Scotland has the overall responsibility for issues concerning the accounts of local authorities in Scotland. The Controller of Audit may decide to make a report to the Accounts Commission on a particular matter arising out of or in connection with the accounts of any local authority, or the Accounts Commission may ask him to produce such reports as it requires. This is a matter for them.

    I understand that the council are considering a range of measures which might be taken to address the deficits they have identified. There are no plans to make additional funds available to Scottish Borders Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153088,"EventID":"S1W-16416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any cuts in the provision of education services by Scottish Borders Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any cuts in the provision of education services by Scottish Borders Council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16415.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153089,"EventID":"S1W-16417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria have to be met for children with cerebral palsy to participate in mainstream education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria have to be met for children with cerebral palsy to participate in mainstream education.","AnswerText":"No specific criteria are set for children with special educational needs (SEN) to be included in mainstream. Under section 15 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000, education authorities will be required to include all pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools except under certain specified circumstances.

    The needs of all children with SEN are assessed by the relevant education authority to ensure the most appropriate educational provision is made. National circular 4/96 provides advice to education authorities about the statutory arrangements for providing education and undertaking assessments of children and young people with special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153090,"EventID":"S1W-16418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties, within its social justice policy, are required of local authorities with regard to the provision of mainstream education for children with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties, within its social justice policy, are required of local authorities with regard to the provision of mainstream education for children with disabilities.","AnswerText":"Duties imposed on education authorities for the provision of mainstream education for children with disabilities stem from education legislation, in particular the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000. When commenced, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2000 will place additional duties on local authorities with regard to equality of opportunity for disabled pupils. The duty to plan to increase access for disabled pupils does not apply to Scotland. Ministers are considering how best to apply a similar duty here.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153091,"EventID":"S1W-16419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be made available to Scottish Borders Council if the consequence of the projected #3.9 million overspend in their education budget were to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be made available to Scottish Borders Council if the consequence of the projected #3.9 million overspend in their education budget were to be cuts in staffing, school closures and cuts in the provision of other education services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16415.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153092,"EventID":"S1W-16420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) internet service provider and (b) internet exchange it currently uses and, if this internet exchange is not located in Scotland, what plans it has to change to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) internet service provider and (b) internet exchange it currently uses and, if this internet exchange is not located in Scotland, what plans it has to change to an internet service provider which uses a Scottish exchange, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's internet service provider is Cable and Wireless, who support the Government Secure Intranet (GSI). Members of the GSI have access to a range of services including a facility to exchange classified electronic mail securely, secure access to the internet, and directory services. Changing our internet service provider would mean that we could no longer use the GSI and we therefore have no plans at present to make such a change. When procuring services of this nature, the Scottish Executive would not discriminate in favour of providers based in Scotland, or providers using Scottish exchanges, because European law prohibits discrimination on grounds of nationality or location when awarding public contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153093,"EventID":"S1W-16421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) internet service provider and (b) internet exchange is currently used by (i) Scottish Enterprise, (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (iii) visitscotland, (i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) internet service provider and (b) internet exchange is currently used by (i) Scottish Enterprise, (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (iii) visitscotland, (iv) each health board and (v) each local authority; whether, if some or all of these bodies do not currently use an internet service provider which uses a Scottish internet exchange, it will encourage them to switch to a provider which uses a Scottish exchange and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Procurement decisions by non-departmental bodies, health boards and local authorities are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. The information requested is not therefore held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. It is not possible for the Executive to encourage the bodies listed to switch to an internet service provider which uses a Scottish exchange; it would be unlawful under European law for public bodies to discriminate in favour of providers according to their location, or the location of their sub-contractors.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153094,"EventID":"S1W-16422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether using an internet service provider which uses an internet exchange located in Scotland can offer any financial benefits to Scottish public bodies and, if so, what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether using an internet service provider which uses an internet exchange located in Scotland can offer any financial benefits to Scottish public bodies and, if so, what these benefits are.","AnswerText":"The Executive welcomes the establishment of internet exchange facilities in Scotland and hopes that they will prove to be successful. Internet service providers which use an internet exchange based in Scotland, like any other service provider, should have the opportunity to compete, on the basis of value for money, for public sector requirements as and when they are advertised.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153095,"EventID":"S1W-16423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any adjustments in the levels of revenue support grant for local authorities will be made as a result of the provisions in the Gaming Act (Variation of Fees) (No.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any adjustments in the levels of revenue support grant for local authorities will be made as a result of the provisions in the Gaming Act (Variation of Fees) (No.2) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/230).","AnswerText":"The intention of the revised levels of fee is to allow local authority licensing boards to achieve full cost recovery for processing gaming licences under the Act. Since there are many more licences for bingo than for casinos, it is unlikely the changes will result in less income for licensing boards. The changes follow the recommendations of the Gaming Board, following a National Audit Office study of the board. The revised fees should more accurately reflect the costs to local authority licensing boards of administering the licensing process.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153096,"EventID":"S1W-16424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to safeguard users of the Skye Bridge following the move into provisional liquidation of the Independent Insurance Group, Skye Bridge Limited's pu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to safeguard users of the Skye Bridge following the move into provisional liquidation of the Independent Insurance Group, Skye Bridge Limited's public liability insurers.","AnswerText":"The question of insurance is primarily a matter for the operators of the bridge, Skye Bridge Limited. However, officials have discussed the recent change in insurance arrangements with the company and are satisfied that proper provision has been maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153097,"EventID":"S1W-16425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether alternative public liability cover has been put in place in respect of the Skye Bridge following the move into provisional liquidation of the Independent Insuranc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether alternative public liability cover has been put in place in respect of the Skye Bridge following the move into provisional liquidation of the Independent Insurance Group and, if so, when these alternative arrangements were put in place.","AnswerText":"Yes. I understand that third party liability cover was placed with Groupama Insurance on Monday 18 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153098,"EventID":"S1W-16426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which insurance company now provides public liability insurance cover in respect of the Skye Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which insurance company now provides public liability insurance cover in respect of the Skye Bridge.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16425.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153099,"EventID":"S1W-16427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any period during which there was no public liability insurance cover in respect of the Skye Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any period during which there was no public liability insurance cover in respect of the Skye Bridge.","AnswerText":"No. Public liability insurance cover remained in force with Independent Insurance Group until transferred to Groupama Insurance.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153100,"EventID":"S1W-16428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that users of the Skye Bridge were sufficiently safeguarded by the public liability insurance cover in place before, during and after the move int","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that users of the Skye Bridge were sufficiently safeguarded by the public liability insurance cover in place before, during and after the move into provisional liquidation of the Independent Insurance Group.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16424.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153101,"EventID":"S1W-16429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions regarding public liability insurance cover are contained in the contract with Skye Bridge Limited for the operation of the bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions regarding public liability insurance cover are contained in the contract with Skye Bridge Limited for the operation of the bridge.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Concession Agreement between Scottish ministers and Skye Bridge Limited, the bridge operator is required to effect and maintain appropriate insurance cover for a number of different risks, including third party liability. Details of the specific requirements and conditions set out in the agreement form part of the operating contract with the company.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153102,"EventID":"S1W-16430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has spent to date on setting up and running helplines connected with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has spent to date on setting up and running helplines connected with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153103,"EventID":"S1W-16431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether special funds will be made available to local authorities for the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether special funds will be made available to local authorities for the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.","AnswerText":"Window replacement in local authority housing is funded through councils' Housing Revenue Account capital programmes. There are no special funds available for this purpose.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153104,"EventID":"S1W-16432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is given to local authorities regarding the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is given to local authorities regarding the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.","AnswerText":"All window replacement must comply with the Building Standard (Scotland) Regulations 1990-1999. No specific guidance is given by the Executive regarding the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153105,"EventID":"S1W-16434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether planning for the introduction of NHS24 has taken into account the complexities of delivering primary health care in remote and island areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether planning for the introduction of NHS24 has taken into account the complexities of delivering primary health care in remote and island areas.","AnswerText":"The NHS24 service is being designed to complement and enhance existing health services throughout Scotland and will be developed in partnership with them. NHS24 has begun discussions with health boards and other partners on the nature of the link they wish to have with NHS24. Local Implementation Teams drawn from the local NHS and its partner agencies are being formed to reach agreements on service delivery arrangements and plan the introduction of the service in each health board area. This will ensure NHS24 will reflect the varied geography and service delivery arrangements in remote and island areas. Initial visits to Shetland and the Western Isles were made on 2 May and 11 June respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153106,"EventID":"S1W-16435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it retains an assessor on the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd; if so, what responsibilities the assessor has and to whom the assessor is accountable.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it retains an assessor on the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd; if so, what responsibilities the assessor has and to whom the assessor is accountable.","AnswerText":"Yes, the Scottish Executive retains an assessor on the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL). The role of the assessor is to represent the Scottish ministers' interests, as shareholder, at board meetings and to advise the board on aspects of the Executive's policy which are relevant to the board's discussions. The Assessor, who is not a member of the board and does not vote at board meetings, is appointed under HIAL's Articles of Association and is accountable to the Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153107,"EventID":"S1W-16436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the board members of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd are, specifying in each case the length of their term of office and their date of appointment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the board members of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd are, specifying in each case the length of their term of office and their date of appointment.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

    HIAL Board Members

    Length of term of office

    Date of Appointment

    Mr A Matheson OBE, Chairman

    3 years

    1 March 2001

    Mr R Macleod, Managing Director

    2 years

    9 June 2000 (reappointment)

    Mr F Hamilton *

    3 years

    1 August 1998 (reappointment)

    Mr W Brackenridge

    3 years

    1 December 1999

    Mr S Edmond

    3 years

    1 April 2000

    Mr G Johnston OBE

    3 years

    1 March 2001

    Ms S MacLennan

    3 years

    1 March 2001

    * Mr Hamilton's appointment expires on 31 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153108,"EventID":"S1W-16437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of British Airways or its franchise partners to discuss the cost of flights within Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of British Airways or its franchise partners to discuss the cost of flights within Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive meets airlines, including British Airways and its franchise partners, on a regular basis to discuss a variety of issues including the cost of flights. The last meeting with British Airways was on 11 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153109,"EventID":"S1W-16438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a ministerial statement on the outcome of the Fisheries Council on 18 June 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a ministerial statement on the outcome of the Fisheries Council on 18 June 2001.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to make a statement about the outcome of the recent Fisheries Council. I have reported to Parliament by means of a parliamentary question. I have also written to the Convenors of the Rural Affairs Committee and the European Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153110,"EventID":"S1W-16439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15960 by Iain Gray on 19 June 2001, whether the support services available to people who have been wrongly convicted of a crime on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15960 by Iain Gray on 19 June 2001, whether the support services available to people who have been wrongly convicted of a crime on their release from custody are identical to the services offered to offenders on their release.","AnswerText":"The statutory provision under section 27(1) (c) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 places a duty on local authorities to provide voluntary assistance on release from custody. The provision does not make any distinction between different categories of people being released.

    If the member cares to write I would be happy to look into any specific circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153111,"EventID":"S1W-16440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the way in which each of the public consultation exercises regarding the extension of the Lingerton landfill site undertaken since January 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the way in which each of the public consultation exercises regarding the extension of the Lingerton landfill site undertaken since January 2000 has been carried out.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for holding public consultation exercises on planning applications are entirely matters for the council concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153112,"EventID":"S1W-16441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister or the Minister for External Affairs will attend the Conference of Constitutional Regions in Liege on 25 November 2001 and, if so, what related","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister or the Minister for External Affairs will attend the Conference of Constitutional Regions in Liege on 25 November 2001 and, if so, what related initiatives it intends to participate in.","AnswerText":"The second Conference of Presidents of regions with legislative power, held under the auspices of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, is scheduled to take place in Liege on 15/16 November of this year. The Deputy First Minister attended the first such conference in Barcelona last November. A decision about the Executive's representation at this year's event will be taken nearer the time when the details of the conference and the agenda have been finalised.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153113,"EventID":"S1W-16442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15933 and S1W-16185 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 and 19 June 2001 respectively, why budgetary issues do not fall within the scope of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15933 and S1W-16185 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 and 19 June 2001 respectively, why budgetary issues do not fall within the scope of those parts of the remit of the Criminal Justice Forum which require it to take an overall view of the issues facing the criminal justice system as a whole and to advise Scottish ministers on issues of concern to the criminal justice system as a whole.","AnswerText":"While there is no bar to members of the Criminal Justice Forum expressing views on resource aspects of issues affecting the criminal justice system, the main purpose of the forum is to consider general issues of criminal justice but not the budgets of Scottish criminal justice agencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153114,"EventID":"S1W-16443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16185 by Mr Jim Wallace on 19 June 2001, what issues of concern the Criminal Justice Forum has raised to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16185 by Mr Jim Wallace on 19 June 2001, what issues of concern the Criminal Justice Forum has raised to date.","AnswerText":"The forum has discussed or is continuing to discuss the Report of the McLean Committee on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders, fines enforcement, the implications of the European Convention on Human Rights on the criminal justice system, the use of short sentences, alternatives to custody, violent crime and youth crime.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153115,"EventID":"S1W-16444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16178 by Jackie Baillie on 14 June 2001 and with reference to The Housing Needs of Elderly People in Scotland by Hart and Chalmers ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16178 by Jackie Baillie on 14 June 2001 and with reference to The Housing Needs of Elderly People in Scotland by Hart and Chalmers and published in 1990, whether it will provide details of any more recently commissioned reports on such needs and, if there are no such reports, whether it will now commission such a report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not published any further research on very sheltered housing since its 1991 report entitled The Housing Needs of Elderly People in Scotland and is not aware of any other research on this specific area of housing. There are no plans to commission any further reports at this time while we consider the various elements of care mosaic through the work of the Care Development Group, the Regulation of Care Bill, the consultation on the Long Term Care Bill and the implementation of Supporting People. All have implications about how and where care is offered to older and disabled people and will inform expectations about future needs for sheltered and very sheltered housing.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153116,"EventID":"S1W-16445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16177 by Peter Peacock on 19 June 2001, whether the #27.5 million for flood prevention and coastal protection schemes allocated to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16177 by Peter Peacock on 19 June 2001, whether the #27.5 million for flood prevention and coastal protection schemes allocated to local authorities under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 is additional money to that which was to have been allocated to local authorities under section 94 before the #27.5 million was announced.","AnswerText":"Since 1999-2000, £4 million has been earmarked each year within the total provision for local authority non-housing capital for these schemes. An additional £15.5 million was secured for the Spending Review period, bringing the total available for 2001-04 to £27.5 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153117,"EventID":"S1W-16446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding the environmental implications of the disposal of material from nuclear-powered submarines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding the environmental implications of the disposal of material from nuclear-powered submarines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues including the environmental implications of the disposal of material from nuclear-powered submarines.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153118,"EventID":"S1W-16447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to amend legislation to enable civil marriages to take place elsewhere than local registration offices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to amend legislation to enable civil marriages to take place elsewhere than local registration offices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has today published a White Paper on Civil Marriages Outwith Registration Offices. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Views on the content of the paper are being sought by 17 August 2001. As is made clear in the White Paper, it is our intention to take forward Euan Robson's proposal for a Member's Bill as a Scottish Executive Bill. We would hope to introduce the Bill as soon as possible after the close of the consultation period.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153119,"EventID":"S1W-16448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts have been transferred from offices within the former regional structure of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to their corporate office in Stirling","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts have been transferred from offices within the former regional structure of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to their corporate office in Stirling following the new appointments made to the agency.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153120,"EventID":"S1W-16449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new appointments have been made to the senior management team of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new appointments have been made to the senior management team of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerText":"Since June 2000, the only new appointment to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) central management team was that of Dr Campbell Gemmell to the post of Strategic Planning Director in April 2001. There have been two retirements during the same period, resulting in an overall reduction in the number of Directors, so that the team now comprises the Chief Executive and four Directors. The only appointment to the SEPA Board during the past 12 months was that of Mrs M. Patricia Henton, on her promotion to the position of SEPA Chief Executive in October 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153121,"EventID":"S1W-16450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that Scottish Borders Council is considering (a) cutting #65,000 from its footwear and clothing grant fund, (b) cutting #40,000 from its further educa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that Scottish Borders Council is considering (a) cutting #65,000 from its footwear and clothing grant fund, (b) cutting #40,000 from its further education bursaries budget, (c) cutting #10,000 from its budget for grants to village halls and (d) substituting sandwich lunches for school meals, along with various other measures, in order to address the projected #3.9 million overspend in the council's education budget and, if so, what action it will take.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16415 on 3 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153122,"EventID":"S1W-16451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances led to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder following a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances led to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder following a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16452.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153123,"EventID":"S1W-16452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that full details of the circumstances which led to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that full details of the circumstances which led to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder following a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001, are made publicly available and that the victims and the public are kept fully informed of any developments with this case.","AnswerText":"Proceedings against Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong remain active. It is therefore inappropriate to make public disclosure of any factors relevant to the liberation of the accused. The police remain in touch with the next-of-kin.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153124,"EventID":"S1W-16453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any precedents which were relevant to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder following a fata","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any precedents which were relevant to the release from custody of Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong, who were charged with murder following a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The decision to liberate Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong was based on the circumstances of the case and not by reference to precedent.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153125,"EventID":"S1W-16454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether charges of murder remain in place against Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong in relation to a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether charges of murder remain in place against Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong in relation to a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The accused Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong appeared on petition charged with murder on 6 April 2001. Those proceedings remain active.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153126,"EventID":"S1W-16455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards reopening auction markets in Highlands and Islands in time for the 2001 store lamb crop to be sold before the summer grass ends and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards reopening auction markets in Highlands and Islands in time for the 2001 store lamb crop to be sold before the summer grass ends and what provision it is making to avoid animal welfare problems and hardship for hill farmers and crofters should these markets not be opened in time.","AnswerText":"Careful consideration is being given at present to the possibility of some transactions through markets being permitted this autumn. I understand the need for this and have sympathy with the difficulties of moving large numbers of animals without some involvement of markets. I cannot give any assurances until the options have been assessed fully, however.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153127,"EventID":"S1W-16456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is actively investigating the possibility of a phased lifting of the ban on meat and livestock exports to enable areas dependent on exports that have been comp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is actively investigating the possibility of a phased lifting of the ban on meat and livestock exports to enable areas dependent on exports that have been completely free of foot-and-mouth disease to resume export trade at the earliest opportunity.","AnswerText":"The Executive, in conjunction with other agricultural and interested departments, is examining options for a return to export status for meat, meat products and live animals. I recognise the pressure for an early, and possibly staged, resumption of trade abroad from areas of Scotland that have been free of foot-and-mouth disease. It is likely that Europe will set very tough conditions before exports can resume.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153128,"EventID":"S1W-16457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure the continuation of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme in order to provide a safety net for those farmers and crofters whose traditional marke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure the continuation of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme in order to provide a safety net for those farmers and crofters whose traditional markets for ewes and lambs have been closed due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme was introduced to alleviate welfare problems arising from the movement restriction imposed during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. I am concerned about the prospects for the sheep and lamb trade over the remainder of the year; however, I am actively exploring with other UK Agriculture Ministers possible means of addressing the position.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153129,"EventID":"S1W-16458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish in its next annual social justice report (a) details of current levels of school truancy and exclusions and (b) any associated targets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish in its next annual social justice report (a) details of current levels of school truancy and exclusions and (b) any associated targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to reporting annually on our progress in achieving our social justice targets and milestones, which includes the milestone of reducing by one third the days lost every year through exclusions from school and truancy. Data for 1999-2000 will be reported in the next Social Justice Annual Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153130,"EventID":"S1W-16459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current target is for the reduction of exclusions and truancy in schools and what the timescale is for achievement of this target.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current target is for the reduction of exclusions and truancy in schools and what the timescale is for achievement of this target.","AnswerText":"The target of reducing by one third of the days lost every year through exclusions from school and truancy is set out in Milestone 10 in the Social Justice Action Plan. No timescale is specified in this target, but I expect education authorities to deliver year-on-year improvements. The recent report of the Discipline Task Group made a number of recommendations which will help to reduce exclusions and truancy. Headteachers should continue to use exclusion as a last resort, but our efforts need to concentrate on positive learning environments for young people. Targets will now be set with this in mind.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153131,"EventID":"S1W-16460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reached a decision on its proposal to create a single all-Scotland water authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reached a decision on its proposal to create a single all-Scotland water authority.","AnswerText":"The proposal to create a single water authority included in the consultation on the Water Services Bill was supported by a substantial majority of those commenting on the issue. The Transport and Environment Committee in its report on the water industry, which was published today, indicated that it also supports the proposal. I am pleased to announce therefore that we will introduce legislation later this year to create a single public water authority for Scotland that will work in the interests of its customers by improving standards and efficiency, modernising its infrastructure and competing effectively in a rapidly developing market.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153132,"EventID":"S1W-16461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11479 by Henry McLeish on 23 November 2000, what additional information it can give about the plans for celebrating the 50th annive","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11479 by Henry McLeish on 23 November 2000, what additional information it can give about the plans for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen's Accession to the Throne.","AnswerText":"Her Majesty The Queen has now approved further details of the programme of celebrations during 2002, the focal point of which will be the Jubilee weekend period covering 1 to 4 June. As I announced on 23 November 2000, Monday 3 June will be an additional Bank Holiday for the Golden Jubilee and Tuesday 4 June will be a Bank Holiday, in place of the Spring Bank Holiday that would otherwise fall on 27 May 2002.

    This significant national anniversary of 50 years of The Queen's reign will offer people of all ages and cultures and from all walks of life the opportunity for celebration, and the events surrounding the Jubilee will provide numerous opportunities for voluntary and community service. It should be a time for looking forward as well as back - including at the great changes that have taken place in the nation's life during Her Majesty's reign.

    The main features of the programme approved so far by Her Majesty have been announced by the Prime Minister today. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh plan to travel as widely as possible around the United Kingdom during the year 2002, including visits to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These tours around the UK will be focussed on the summer months. The Queen will visit each region, but it will not be possible to visit all cities and counties.

    Details of The Queen's visit to Scotland from 23 to 29 May 2002 will be announced later. I have previously announced that Her Majesty will attend the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on 25 May 2002.

    To help local communities mark and celebrate the Jubilee, Lottery funding will be available from the Arts Councils, the Sports Councils, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund. Voluntary organisations and local groups in the community will be able to apply through the cross-distributor Awards for All for grants of between £500 and £5,000 for Jubilee-related projects. Projects must meet existing criteria and involve one or more of the Lottery good causes of the arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education or the environment. I hope people in Scotland will take advantage of this opportunity to use Lottery money as a means both of celebrating the Jubilee and providing a lasting legacy for their communities.

    The official Golden Jubilee website is being launched today at:

    http://www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk/.

    It will include details of celebrations and events taking place throughout the United Kingdom during 2002, including The Queen's programme of visits. It will also provide members of the public with a central point for enquiries, suggestions and comments on any aspect of the celebrations. By the autumn of this year, it will incorporate, or give access to, other sites containing information about the plans for the Jubilee.

    The Queen has accepted a recommendation for the design for a Golden Jubilee Emblem which members of the public, commercial and public services and manufacturers may use, at no cost, to "brand" events, services, souvenirs and other items connected with the Jubilee. The emblem, together with guidance on its use, can be obtained from the Golden Jubilee website.

    The Queen has made clear that she wishes there to be no undue expenditure from public funds on the celebrations. She has asked that those organisations or individuals wishing to celebrate the Golden Jubilee with some form of donation be encouraged to give either to one or to more of the following five charities of which Her Majesty is Patron: Barnardo's, CRUSE bereavement services, I CAN (national education charity for children with speech and language difficulties), the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, and the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association (SSAFA) - or to the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League, of which The Duke of Edinburgh is Grand President. Further details will be available on the Golden ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153133,"EventID":"S1W-16462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of commissioning and publishing the research document Motivations to Public Service, produced by George Street Research Ltd on behalf of its Central Res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of commissioning and publishing the research document Motivations to Public Service, produced by George Street Research Ltd on behalf of its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"The cost of commissioning and publishing this research document was £19,660.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153134,"EventID":"S1W-16463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of commissioning and publishing the research document The What, Where and When of Being a Councillor, produced by the Scottish Local Government Unit on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of commissioning and publishing the research document The What, Where and When of Being a Councillor, produced by the Scottish Local Government Unit on behalf of its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"The cost of commissioning and publishing this research document was £7,250.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153135,"EventID":"S1W-16464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any difficulties created by indiscipline in rural schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any difficulties created by indiscipline in rural schools.","AnswerText":"The Discipline Task Group, which recently published its report Better Behaviour - Better Learning, considered a wide range of difficulties created by indiscipline in schools in both urban and rural areas. Members of the task group did have experience of rural areas, and views were sought from teachers and pupils across the country. Evidence is that exclusions and absence rates are lower in rural schools. Nevertheless, the task group acknowledged that some issues raise particular concerns for rural schools. For example, behaviour on school transport can be a problem, as can exclusions where the choice of alternative school is limited.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153136,"EventID":"S1W-16465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"out of class\" facilities recommended for use by children with behavioural difficulties in the recent report by the Discipline Task Force are intended to oper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"out of class\" facilities recommended for use by children with behavioural difficulties in the recent report by the Discipline Task Force are intended to operate in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Discipline Task Group recommendation on flexible support provision applies across the country. It will be for individual local authorities to determine the provision they require to make to meet the needs of the children and young people in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153137,"EventID":"S1W-16466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase resources to rural local authorities in order to meet additional expenditure they may incur as a result of implementing the discipline policy rec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase resources to rural local authorities in order to meet additional expenditure they may incur as a result of implementing the discipline policy recommended in the recent report of the Discipline Task Force.","AnswerText":"Some of the task group recommendations can be implemented within existing education budgets or through better targeting of the Excellence Fund, which is currently under review. The allocation of any additional resources provided will take into account local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153138,"EventID":"S1W-16467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15785 by Susan Deacon on 11 June 2001, what the procedures are for seeking a Patient Group Direction in respect of school nurses an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15785 by Susan Deacon on 11 June 2001, what the procedures are for seeking a Patient Group Direction in respect of school nurses and emergency contraception and for issuing such directions, and what criteria an NHS Trust will apply before issuing a direction.","AnswerText":"The legal requirements for, and guidance on, all Patient Group Directions are set out in NHS HDL (2001) 7, issued in January 2001. A copy has been sent to the Parliament's Reference Centre. If any health board were to propose to issue a direction authorising school nurses to supply emergency contraception on school premises, that board would consult with the appropriate education authority in accordance with guidance. Education authorities would in turn consult with parent groups.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153139,"EventID":"S1W-16468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the proposals outlined in The Nature of Scotland regarding investigation into more effective controls on the storage and use of pesticides associated with the killin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the proposals outlined in The Nature of Scotland regarding investigation into more effective controls on the storage and use of pesticides associated with the killing of raptors are being progressed.","AnswerText":"Consultation on The Nature of Scotland ended on 29 May and comments are now being analysed from over 100 organisations who responded.

    The storage and use of pesticides, and their effect upon Scottish wildlife, is one of the issues under consideration. It is also an issue being examined by Scottish Natural Heritage as part of its response to Scottish ministers following the publication last year of the Raptor Working Group. Advice from SNH on this matter is expected in July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153140,"EventID":"S1W-16469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the case of a transfer of engagements from a housing association which is not a charity to a housing association which is, tenants who held assured tenancies","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the case of a transfer of engagements from a housing association which is not a charity to a housing association which is, tenants who held assured tenancies with the previous non-charitable association and who are now tenants of the charitable housing association will have a right to buy under the Housing (Scotland) Bill as passed by the Parliament.","AnswerText":"Section 61(4) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (as it will be amended by section 43(5) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001) provides that section 61 of that Act (which gives the right to buy) does not apply where the registered social landlord (RSL) was, at Royal Assent of the Act, "a recognised body within the meaning of section 1(7) (Scottish charities) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990". We are currently considering what further provisions may be required in secondary legislation under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to protect any existing entitlement to the right to buy on the part of tenants whose houses are transferred to a registered social landlord which is exempt from the right to buy as a result of its charitable status.

    However, most assured tenancies of housing associations do not currently have the right to buy and, following commencement of the relevant provisions of the 2001 Act, they will in any event be subject to the operation of section 44 of the Act which provides for a 10-year exemption from the right to buy.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153141,"EventID":"S1W-16470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to alter the regulatory framework for ferry services throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to alter the regulatory framework for ferry services throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive has no plans to alter the regulatory framework for ferry services throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153142,"EventID":"S1W-16471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the fares charged by Caledonian MacBrayne are reviewed and who has the authority to decide that these fares should be increased or decreased.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the fares charged by Caledonian MacBrayne are reviewed and who has the authority to decide that these fares should be increased or decreased.","AnswerText":"Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd is responsible for the level of individual fares within CFares, its general fare structure. It is required to seek approval by the Scottish ministers for proposed annual adjustments to average fares across its network. Under this requirement, the company was authorised to increase its average fares for 2001-02 by 2.5%, in line with our policy to protect fare levels on the company's lifeline ferry services.

    Last year I asked the company to undertake a review of its present fare structure. It appointed independent consultants to carry this out and the review has recently been completed, following two rounds of consultation with interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153143,"EventID":"S1W-16472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15837 by Nicol Stephen on 31 May 2001, how many of the pre-school places for (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds with partne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15837 by Nicol Stephen on 31 May 2001, how many of the pre-school places for (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds with partner providers in Glasgow are provided by (i) the private sector and (ii) the voluntary sector.","AnswerText":"2,535 three- and four-year-olds were receiving publicly funded pre-school education from partner providers in the City of Glasgow in the summer term of 2000-01. The figures are as follows:

    Type of Provider

    3-Year-Olds

    4-Year-Olds

    Private

    981

    667

    Voluntary

    392

    300

    Independent

    64

    131

    Total

    1,437

    1,098

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153144,"EventID":"S1W-16473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre copies of all correspondence since 1997 relating to actual or potential Essen Trans European Network p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre copies of all correspondence since 1997 relating to actual or potential Essen Trans European Network projects in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Executive's Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion including internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation between departments is not released. We therefore have no plans to place this information in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153145,"EventID":"S1W-16474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much European funding has been received in respect of the Glens improvement on the A75.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much European funding has been received in respect of the Glens improvement on the A75.","AnswerText":"Trans-European Network (TEN) funding of some £350,000 was received in 1997 as a contribution to the improvement of the A75 at the Glen. The project has since been completed and a further claim for the outstanding amount of 780,000 ECU is being finalised. No other TEN funding has been received for upgrading the A75.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153146,"EventID":"S1W-16475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the A75 trunk route should maintain its position on the EU's Essen Trans European Network priority list.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the A75 trunk route should maintain its position on the EU's Essen Trans European Network priority list.","AnswerText":"The Executive believes that the A75's inclusion in the Trans European Network as part of the Ireland-UK-Benelux priority route recognises the vital role that this road plays in the European road network. Our commitment in the Motorway and Trunk Road Programme 2001-04 to invest £22 million in the A75 confirms our position on this.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153147,"EventID":"S1W-16476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Office received in 1997 a request from the DETR to suggest projects suitable for European funding through the Essen Trans European Network priority ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Office received in 1997 a request from the DETR to suggest projects suitable for European funding through the Essen Trans European Network priority list and, if so, what response was made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Office received notification from DETR in July and October 1997 that the Commission was seeking bids for 1998 TEN funding. In light of the ongoing Strategic Roads Review at the time, a decision was taken not to apply for that round of TEN funding. The A75, the only road in Scotland to form part of a TEN priority route, already had TEN funded work in progress.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153148,"EventID":"S1W-16477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assurance that the creation of a single water authority will not lead to the privatisation of the water industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assurance that the creation of a single water authority will not lead to the privatisation of the water industry.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153149,"EventID":"S1W-16478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15827 by Ross Finnie on 31 May 2001, whether expressions of interest in the Rural Stewardship Scheme will only be considered for th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15827 by Ross Finnie on 31 May 2001, whether expressions of interest in the Rural Stewardship Scheme will only be considered for the first year of the scheme if they were registered before 31 May 2001.","AnswerText":"Yes. Expressions of interest received after 31 May 2001 will be considered for the second year of the scheme after closure of the application round on 31 March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153150,"EventID":"S1W-16479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a fully rigorous and public review of the events leading up to, the management of and the consequences arising from the outbreak of foot-an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a fully rigorous and public review of the events leading up to, the management of and the consequences arising from the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease this year, including the economic, social, human and animal suffering which has been experienced.","AnswerText":"I accept in principle the need for a full and rigorous review of this major foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. As this was a GB/UK emergency, the nature and terms of any review will need to be considered by the Welsh Assembly, DEFRA and the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153151,"EventID":"S1W-16480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme and what criteria are applied in deciding eligibility for the scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme and what criteria are applied in deciding eligibility for the scheme.","AnswerText":"We recently laid before the Scottish Parliament legislation to provide for a Scottish decommissioning scheme. Amongst other things, the legislation will lay down basic eligibility criteria for the Scottish scheme. These will require that an applicant's vessel is registered and:

    is over 10 metres in length;

    has a category A licence (except a pelagic licence);

    has spent a minimum number of days at sea on fishing trips during 1999 and 2000;

    is at least 10 years old;

    has a safety certificate or letter confirming completion of a satisfactory survey, and

    is Scottish based (defined in the legislation).

    The legislation is being introduced following consultation with industry interests. Further consultation is currently under way on the approach to be taken to the evaluation and ranking of individual decommissioning bids. Once the consultation is complete, proposals for the scheme will be finalised, detailed scheme documentation prepared and the scheme opened to bids - probably during August or September.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153152,"EventID":"S1W-16481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are resident in long-stay hospitals, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are resident in long-stay hospitals, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients currently resident in long-stay hospitals is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153153,"EventID":"S1W-16482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide educational opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide educational opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"The Executive has committed £22.6 million to implement the recommendations of the Beattie Committee which examined the needs of young people who require additional support to make the transition to post-school education and training or employment. The National Action Group chaired by Alisdair Morrison, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is providing a national lead and focus for implementing this inclusiveness agenda in Scotland.

    In addition, we conducted a review of services for people with learning disabilities and published the findings in The same as you? in May 2000. The review considered ways to ensure that people with learning difficulties are included in community life, education, day opportunities, employment, and leisure and recreation. Change funds of £36 million over the first three years have been provided to local authorities to assist with implementing its recommendations.

    In the further education sector, colleges may already claim extra funding from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to reflect the cost of providing additional support to students with disabilities and other special needs.

    These measures support the Executive's commitment to create an inclusive society and will have a positive impact on the lives of people with learning difficulties wishing to overcome barriers to accessing educational opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153154,"EventID":"S1W-16483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"New Deal for Disabled People will be extended nationally from July 2001, providing assistance with job-search techniques, work preparation, pre-vocational or occupational training and work placements.

    People with learning disabilities are entitled to immediate entry to Training for Work, the Executive's training programme for unemployed adults.

    New Futures Fund supports projects aimed at developing work skills while providing intensive support to unemployed people in Scotland who face serious disadvantage in looking for work. Projects currently help clients suffering from mental or physical disability.

    Support is available under the 2000-06 Objective 3 European Social Fund Programme in Scotland for measures to improve employment opportunities and to combat and prevent unemployment. Minimising the effects of social exclusion is one of the main priorities under the programme and people with learning disabilities are specifically targeted for support. Organisations such as the Scottish Association for Mental Health, the Centre for Independent Living and Scottish Enterprise Fife have already been awarded grants under the programme.

    The Executive's review of services for people with learning disabilities, The same as you? was published on 11 May 2000. Change funds of £36 million over the first three years have been provided to local authorities to assist with implementing the review's recommendations on including people with learning disabilities in community life, education, day opportunities, employment, and leisure and recreation. Answered on the 20 April 2000, question S1W-14328 and S1W-14602 provide details of the distribution of these additional funds.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153155,"EventID":"S1W-16484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has appointed an external auditor to report on the current situation with the education budget of Scottish Borders Council; if so, what the remit for the audit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has appointed an external auditor to report on the current situation with the education budget of Scottish Borders Council; if so, what the remit for the auditor is, when the auditor will report and to whom, whether the report will be made public, and whether the audit will be independent of the council's own inquiry on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Accounts Commission for Scotland has the overall responsibility for issues concerning the accounts of local authorities in Scotland, including the responsibility for the appointment of auditors. The Controller of Audit may decide to make a report to the Accounts Commission on a particular matter arising out of or in connection with the accounts of any local authority, or the Accounts Commission may ask him to produce such reports as it requires. This is a matter for them.

    Any report made by the Controller of Audit to the Accounts Commission shall be copied to any local authority named in the report and to any other person as the Controller of Audit or the Accounts Commission think fit. The local authority would be obliged to pass copies of the report to each member of the authority and make additional copies available for public inspection.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153156,"EventID":"S1W-16485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Borders Council has complied with the requirement in paragraph 8 of Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources for Schools, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Borders Council has complied with the requirement in paragraph 8 of Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources for Schools, and published locally information on what has been achieved through the allocation of its additional #416,000.","AnswerText":"The council have not published the necessary information by 29 June 2001, the date mentioned in Circular 5/2000 as the latest date by which information should be published. I expect that information to be made available as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153157,"EventID":"S1W-16486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties would be incurred by a local authority should they breach the conditions set out in Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties would be incurred by a local authority should they breach the conditions set out in Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources for Schools.","AnswerText":"The circular does not identify specific penalties.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153158,"EventID":"S1W-16487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the treatment of the #416,000 additional funding allocation to Scottish Borders Council complied with paragraph 5 of Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additiona","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the treatment of the #416,000 additional funding allocation to Scottish Borders Council complied with paragraph 5 of Circular 5/2000, Pre-Budget Statement - Additional Financial Resources for School, given the #350,000 reduction made by the council to their schools budget earlier this year.","AnswerText":"I am still waiting for Scottish Borders Council to publish their allocations from the £416,000, which was designed to benefit all schools in the Borders.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153159,"EventID":"S1W-16488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what value of (a) Class A, (b) Class B and (c) Class C drugs was sei'ed by each police force last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what value of (a) Class A, (b) Class B and (c) Class C drugs was sei'ed by each police force last year.","AnswerText":"1999 is the latest year for which drug seizure figures are available. The values shown, which are based on average UK "street" prices for December 1999 reported to the National Crime Intelligence Unit, are only in relation to those Class A and B substances recorded systematically.

    Police force

    Value (£)

    Class A Drugs1

    Value (£)

    Class B Drugs2

    Value (£)

    Class C Drugs3

    Central Scotland Police

    45,029

    135,847

    N/A

    Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary

    362,560

    297,921

    N/A

    Fife Constabulary

    101,204

    220,432

    N/A

    Grampian Police

    252,320

    160,205

    N/A

    Lothian & Borders Police

    470,595

    358,193

    N/A

    Northern Constabulary

    29,677

    252,300

    N/A

    Strathclyde Police

    15,086,959

    2,836,499

    N/A

    Tayside Police

    41,291

    252,570

    N/A

    Total Value

    N/A

    Notes:

    1. Cocaine, "crack", heroin, LSD, ecstasy-type and methadone.

    2. Cannabis","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153160,"EventID":"S1W-16489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of trained vets and, if so, whether it has any plans to increase funding for the training of vets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of trained vets and, if so, whether it has any plans to increase funding for the training of vets.","AnswerText":"No. Economic factors condition the number of veterinary surgeons required. Veterinary qualifications are recognised throughout the European Union and there are reciprocal arrangements for recognition of veterinary qualifications of other countries, most notably Australia and New Zealand which allows the free movement of suitably qualified persons.

    The control of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland was not adversely affected by any shortage of veterinary surgeons. The State Veterinary Service operates on a Great Britain basis and was able to take on veterinary surgeons from private practice, research, other government departments as well as many veterinary surgeons from overseas.

    The funding of veterinary training is a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153161,"EventID":"S1W-16492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many international-standard indoor running tracks there currently are in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many international-standard indoor running tracks there currently are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Kelvin Hall in Glasgow stages indoor athletics events of international standard and is the only such facility in Scotland. As I said in my response to question S1O-03427, sportscotland has ongoing dialogue with local authorities and the Scottish Athletics Federation about the provision of adequate national facilities for athletics.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153162,"EventID":"S1W-16493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the City of Edinburgh Council's decision on the future of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transport project will have for the way future public transport pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the City of Edinburgh Council's decision on the future of the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transport project will have for the way future public transport projects are procured and funded.","AnswerText":"The Executive operates the Public Transport Fund (PTF) to assist local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport in providing value for money enhancements to public transport networks. Bids to the PTF for projects commencing in 2002-03 have to be submitted by 6 August 2001. Guidance about the submission of bids was issued in Development Department Circular No 3/2001. The Executive refines its guidance in the light of experience. As to the appropriate procurement routes for emerging projects, this is primarily a matter for the authorities but the Executive is always happy to discuss the possibilities with authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153163,"EventID":"S1W-16494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the availability of a C.T. scanner from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays at Inverclyde Royal Hospital is sufficient to meet current levels of demand and whether ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the availability of a C.T. scanner from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays at Inverclyde Royal Hospital is sufficient to meet current levels of demand and whether it will support increased provision of the C.T. scanner.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Argyll and Clyde Health Board and Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153164,"EventID":"S1W-16495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are seen at the weekly breast clinic at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, how many breast care nurses there are at the hospital, whether this number is suffic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are seen at the weekly breast clinic at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, how many breast care nurses there are at the hospital, whether this number is sufficient to meet current levels of demand and, if not, how many more nurses would be required to meet demand.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16494.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153165,"EventID":"S1W-16496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was received by Inverclyde Royal Hospital in the past five years in donations from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the League of Hospital Friends, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was received by Inverclyde Royal Hospital in the past five years in donations from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the League of Hospital Friends, how much of that total has been spent on hospital equipment and what equipment was purchased with these donations.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153166,"EventID":"S1W-16497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom health boards are answerable regarding the standard and adequacy of their service delivery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom health boards are answerable regarding the standard and adequacy of their service delivery.","AnswerText":"Under the new arrangements for governance in NHSScotland, NHS boards will be strategic bodies, accountable to the Scottish Executive Health Department and to ministers for the functions of the NHS board and for the performance of the local NHS system.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153167,"EventID":"S1W-16498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision exists to assess children with suspected dyspraxia and whether it is sufficient to meet current demand.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision exists to assess children with suspected dyspraxia and whether it is sufficient to meet current demand.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is for health boards, consulting as necessary with education and social services departments, to make arrangements for the assessment of children with dyspraxia.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153168,"EventID":"S1W-16499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many current school pupils have been diagnosed with dyspraxia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many current school pupils have been diagnosed with dyspraxia.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153169,"EventID":"S1W-16500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the existing provision for the diagnosis and treatment of dyspraxia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the existing provision for the diagnosis and treatment of dyspraxia.","AnswerText":"Strategies for the care of patients with a wide variety of conditions, including dyspraxia, are the responsibility of health boards, who are best suited to assess local needs. Ultimately, the decision on a diagnosis or whether to adopt a particular form of treatment is a matter for individual clinical judgement.

    Children with dyspraxia are usually treated by a combination of occupational therapy and physiotherapy. They may also benefit from educational support, and will therefore be among the children who will benefit from the Executive's £12 million inclusion programme announced on 11 May 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153170,"EventID":"S1W-16501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to attract more manufacturing jobs to Scotland in the renewable energy sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to attract more manufacturing jobs to Scotland in the renewable energy sector.","AnswerText":"Working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, we have recently secured a significant inward investment from the Danish wind turbine company Vestas in a new manufacturing facility near Campbeltown which will provide over 150 jobs in the area. In addition, along with Scottish Enterprise Energy Group based in Aberdeen, we actively encourage companies in Scotland to diversify into the manufacturing opportunities which are arising from such renewable energy developments. A series of Scottish Enterprise roadshows on the subject attracted interest from a variety of companies and, as a direct result, several of them are now pursuing opportunities for new business.

    Our promotion of these developments will be further strengthened by our Renewables Obligation (Scotland). One of its aims is to assist the renewables industry to become competitive and thus to provide more employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153171,"EventID":"S1W-16503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of the total number of requests for police assistance were (a) made to and (b) responded to by each police force in each of the last three ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of the total number of requests for police assistance were (a) made to and (b) responded to by each police force in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153172,"EventID":"S1W-16504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the Scottish Enterprise national clusters budget was allocated to each local enterprise company in the latest year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the Scottish Enterprise national clusters budget was allocated to each local enterprise company in the latest year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and I have asked the Chairman to respond direct to the member. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153173,"EventID":"S1W-16505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each job (a) created and (b) safeguarded by (i) Scottish Enterprise and (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last three years, broken","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of each job (a) created and (b) safeguarded by (i) Scottish Enterprise and (ii) Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last three years, broken down by local enterprise company area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked their respective Chairmen to reply to the member. Copies of their replies will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153174,"EventID":"S1W-16506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) it and (b) each water authority spent on services provided by Water Research Centre Ltd in Medmenham in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) it and (b) each water authority spent on services provided by Water Research Centre Ltd in Medmenham in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The figures are given in the following table:
     

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    North of Scotland Water Authority

    £173,979.62

    £53,137.65

    £131,608.06

    East of Scotland Water Authority

    £215,846.92

    £111,540.20

    £94,763.37

    West of Scotland Water Authority

    £349,782.00

    £36,344.00

    £87,015.00

    The Scottish Executive

    n/a

    n/a-

    £8,225.00

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153175,"EventID":"S1W-16507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether water authorities would have greater commercial freedom if they were exempted from the Competition Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether water authorities would have greater commercial freedom if they were exempted from the Competition Act 1998.","AnswerText":"Exemptions from the provisions of the Competition Act 1998 are relevant only in the case of the Act's Chapter I prohibition against agreements between undertakings which have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in the United Kingdom. Such exemptions, which do not apply to undertakings, can only be established in the courts on a case-by-case basis by proving that an agreement that could be caught by the prohibition assists economic progress and technical development. There is no reason to believe that establishing exemptions in the case of particular agreements between a water authority and another undertaking would affect the commercial freedom of that authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153176,"EventID":"S1W-16509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all licences which are currently available for the killing of wildlife; what the cost of each licence is, and how many of each have been issued in e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all licences which are currently available for the killing of wildlife; what the cost of each licence is, and how many of each have been issued in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"All wild birds and certain species of animals are protected under a variety of wildlife-related legislation including, amongst others, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994; the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. In certain strictly regulated circumstances this legislation permits protected wildlife to be taken or killed under licence. There are no charges made for such licences. Certain species may also be legally killed or taken without a licence during the relevant open season.

    Given the complexity of the information requested, I shall write to the member separately to provide a detailed breakdown of licences issued in the past three years and shall place a copy of this information in the Parliament Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153177,"EventID":"S1W-16510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to both the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report, Management of Nuclear Waste, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to both the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report, Management of Nuclear Waste, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) board paper 32/00, which make reference to changing SEPA's powers relating to the control of radioactive waste, what the implications of any such change would be with respect to the powers of the Executive over the storage of radioactive waste, in particular, radioactive waste for which there is no authorised route for disposal.","AnswerText":"The response of the UK Government and devolved administrations to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Report on the Management of Nuclear Waste was announced to the Scottish Parliament on 25 October 1999. A copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 7754).

    The response indicated that views on the possibility of new statutory powers for the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) over the storage of wastes on nuclear licensed sites will be sought in due course in the forthcoming consultation on radioactive waste management policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153178,"EventID":"S1W-16511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Over Thirty Month Scheme for cattle will restart.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Over Thirty Month Scheme for cattle will restart.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16394.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153179,"EventID":"S1W-16512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8650 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8650 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich in 2000 and in 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"Details of the personal injury accidents which have occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich in 2000 and in 2001 up to 27 June is as follows:

    A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich: Injury Accidents (January 2000 - 27 June 2001)

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    2000

    2

    10

    6

    18

    2001

    1

    4

    2

    7

    Total

    3

    14

    8

    25

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153180,"EventID":"S1W-16513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8650 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8650 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich in each year from 1990 to 1994.","AnswerText":"Details of the personal injury accidents which have occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich for each year from 1990 to 1994 is as follows:

    A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich: Injury Accidents (1990-94)

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1990

    0

    4

    4

    8

    1991

    0

    2

    4

    6

    1992

    0

    5

    4

    9

    1993

    0

    1

    3

    4

    1994

    0

    3

    6

    9

    Total

    0

    15

    21

    36

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153181,"EventID":"S1W-16514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14189 by Sarah Boyack on 28 March 2001, what types of schemes to improve road safety on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlaric","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14189 by Sarah Boyack on 28 March 2001, what types of schemes to improve road safety on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich it will be discussing with the new operating company with responsibility for this stretch of road and when any such discussions will take place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive convened a meeting on 5 June 2001 with BEAR Scotland Ltd and the Balquhidder Community Council to discuss progress on various matters relating to improvement works on the A85 at Lochearnhead. These include:

    - alterations to the A84/A85 junction;

    - provision of a footway;

    - provision of street lighting;

    - village gateway signing.

    It is anticipated that these schemes will be implemented this financial year, subject to agreements being reached on land acquisition. Balquhidder Community Council will be consulted further as details of these proposals are developed.

    A separate meeting between the Scottish Executive and BEAR Scotland Ltd was also convened on 5 June 2001 to discuss the implementation of the recommendations outlined in a Safety Audit Report for the cycle crossing at Glen Ogle.

    A further meeting has been arranged for 12 July 2001 between the Scottish Executive and BEAR Scotland Ltd to review the results of the preliminary study that has been completed to identify possible improvements on the A85 trunk road between Lochearnhead and Lix Toll.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153182,"EventID":"S1W-16515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of football supporters' trusts following the meeting between the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture and rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of football supporters' trusts following the meeting between the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture and representatives of the Scottish Independent Supporters' Coalition on 2 April 2001.","AnswerText":"I understand that three supporters' trusts have been formed in Scotland and several supporters' groups are interested in forming trusts. We are discussing with supporters' group representatives and other interests how the Executive can help responsible supporter groups wishing to have a closer involvement with their clubs.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153183,"EventID":"S1W-16516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a Scottish division of Supporters Direct or an equivalent body to be established and what financial and legal support it intends to provide for any such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a Scottish division of Supporters Direct or an equivalent body to be established and what financial and legal support it intends to provide for any such body.","AnswerText":"We are discussing with interested parties how best financial and other support can be given to supporters' groups interested in forming supporters' trusts.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153184,"EventID":"S1W-16517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to publicise Scotland's bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup; when the bid's official website was created, and how often it is updated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to publicise Scotland's bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup; when the bid's official website was created, and how often it is updated.","AnswerText":"We continue to promote Scotland's Ryder Cup bid at a range of golf, media and tourism events together with our bid partners in the public and commercial sectors. Recent events have included a media reception promoting our prospective venues hosted by Bank of Scotland (4 June) and a television advertising campaign run by visitscotland during the US Open Golf Championships. We have a number of events planned to take place over the summer at major golf tournaments in Scotland and Europe.

    The website was created in August 2000. It is currently being redesigned and is expected to be back online shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153185,"EventID":"S1W-16518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the WPGA International Matchplay event scheduled to take place at Gleneagles in September 2001 will not be postponed owing to a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the WPGA International Matchplay event scheduled to take place at Gleneagles in September 2001 will not be postponed owing to a lack of funding given this event's importance in relation to Scotland's bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup.","AnswerText":"Positive discussions have been held and I hope to make an announcement about this event shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153186,"EventID":"S1W-16519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what internal advice and other confidential documents it makes available to the First Minister's parliamentary private secretary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what internal advice and other confidential documents it makes available to the First Minister's parliamentary private secretary.","AnswerText":"Official information made available to my parliamentary private secretary is limited to what is necessary for the discharge of her parliamentary and political duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153187,"EventID":"S1W-16520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16175 by Angus MacKay on 20 June 2001, when and how the information on numbers of hardship relief claims by businesses affected by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16175 by Angus MacKay on 20 June 2001, when and how the information on numbers of hardship relief claims by businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be made available.","AnswerText":"The table below shows the number of cases of hardship relief that had been granted by each council as at 21 June 2001, and the number that were still under consideration at that date. Data on unsuccessful claims are not held centrally.

    Applications for relief are still being received by councils, and some businesses may still be collecting evidence to support their claims, so the figures below are likely to rise as further applications are processed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153188,"EventID":"S1W-16521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been put in place to enable production engineers being made redundant from the Motorola plant in Bathgate to move into the field of micro-electronic de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been put in place to enable production engineers being made redundant from the Motorola plant in Bathgate to move into the field of micro-electronic design and to participate in Project Alba.","AnswerText":"Support from the Scottish Executive will continue to facilitate the provision of high quality training programmes for those individuals wishing to develop their skills. It is a priority of the Motorola Taskforce to ensure that all Motorola workers have access to appropriate training, where this is identified as being the best means of equipping them for future employment. The taskforce is willing to consider any reasonable proposals for retraining from those workers affected by the closure.

    Training opportunities through ISLI (the Institute for System Level Integration) have been mooted as a potential means of providing enhanced level training to those who require it to enable access to the higher value end of the electronic sector. Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian are working closely with ISLI and the Alba Centre to establish a viable proposal which fits with the needs of the Motorola employees.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153189,"EventID":"S1W-16522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to tackle Huntingdon's Disease and to support sufferers of the disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to tackle Huntingdon's Disease and to support sufferers of the disease.","AnswerText":"Huntington's Disease (HD) is a particularly distressing later onset hereditary illness caused by a faulty gene, which affects progressively the individual's ability to function physically, mentally and emotionally. There is no cure at present. Palliative care for victims of HD is a matter for health boards. A Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) on HD and conditions which produce similar clinical problems, Acquired Brain Injury and Early Onset Dementia, was issued in February 2000. SNAPs provide health boards with good practice recommendations for the planning of services.

    There is a genetic test available which can detect whether or not a person has inherited the faulty gene. Through the four Regional Genetics Advisory Centres, comprehensive specialist genetic services are available to all affected individuals and their families in Scotland. These services include assessment, diagnosis, genetic counselling, the provision of genetic tests for pre-symptomatic diagnosis or pre-natal diagnosis for those who wish to be tested after careful counselling, and psycho-social support for families who need it.

    The Scottish Executive provides funding support to the voluntary organisation, Scottish Huntington's Association, which offers help and support to those affected by HD, and their families.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153190,"EventID":"S1W-16523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to grant licences for shooting game in Dumfries and Galloway in 2001-02 and, if so, what conditions will apply.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to grant licences for shooting game in Dumfries and Galloway in 2001-02 and, if so, what conditions will apply.","AnswerText":"The shooting of game within Dumfries and Galloway will not be subject to any extra licensing system as a result of Foot and Mouth Disease. Shooting within the Infected Area is restricted by Section 29 of the Foot and Mouth 1983 Order.

    Elsewhere, shooting is allowed, but in order to ensure biosecurity, the Scottish Executive issued guidance on shooting on 4 July and published a code of conduct for grouse shooting on 20 July.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153191,"EventID":"S1W-16524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of launching, publishing and distributing its Greater Protection for Hutters consultation document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of launching, publishing and distributing its Greater Protection for Hutters consultation document.","AnswerText":"The cost of designing, printing, copying and distributing copies of the consultation paper was in the region of £1,500.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153192,"EventID":"S1W-16525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and individuals were sent the Greater Protection for Hutters consultation document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and individuals were sent the Greater Protection for Hutters consultation document.","AnswerText":"Copies of the consultation paper were sent to all parties who had made representations on the subject of hutters in response to the first Land Reform Policy Group consultation. This included a number of landlords whose estates included hut sites (including the Carbeth Estate) and a number of individual hutters, as well as the Carbeth Hutters' Association. In addition, the paper was sent to all MSPs who had displayed an interest in the subject and all local authorities in Scotland. A number of other organisations including the National Farmers' Union, Scottish National Heritage and the Forestry Commission were sent copies of the report. Certain individuals requested multiple copies of the report for distribution to their associates. Such requests were met when made.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153193,"EventID":"S1W-16526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3599 by Ross Finnie on 21 June 2001, whether it will give an undertaking that no measures relating to the proposal to introduce a 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3599 by Ross Finnie on 21 June 2001, whether it will give an undertaking that no measures relating to the proposal to introduce a 20-day standstill period following movements of livestock will be implemented prior to their consideration by the Parliament.","AnswerText":"No decisions have yet been taken on the 20-day standstill proposal. Any new requirements that may arise from the proposal or alternative suggestions will require legislative backing before introduction and, as mentioned in the consultation paper, a further consultation will be undertaken on the draft legislation. Any new legislation will be subject to scrutiny in the normal way before coming into force.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153194,"EventID":"S1W-16527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many submissions were received on the proposal to introduce a 20 day standstill period following movements of livestock and how many submissions were in favour of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many submissions were received on the proposal to introduce a 20 day standstill period following movements of livestock and how many submissions were in favour of the proposal being implemented.","AnswerText":"Over 150 replies have been received and are being carefully considered. The vast majority of responses stress that the introduction of a straight 20-day standstill period is unworkable. Equally, however, many recognise that the status quo is untenable and offer alternative proposals. These are being actively considered in terms of effectiveness, enforceability and impact on industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153195,"EventID":"S1W-16528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the regulation of early education and child care wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the regulation of early education and child care will be published.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Early Education and Childcare - The Way Ahead, published in May 2000, set out our conclusions following consultation in March 1999. During the course of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill, we further amended our policy proposals to ensure full regulation covered children up to 16 and child care agencies, and to provide for fully integrated inspection of care services which include an educational element. The Bill awaits Royal Assent.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153196,"EventID":"S1W-16529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the proposed transfer of DSS resources to local aut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the proposed transfer of DSS resources to local authorities for young people leaving care will be published.","AnswerText":"In response to question S1W-2680, Mr Sam Galbraith announced the results of the consultation, which showed a majority support for the principle of a general fund. He also announced the setting up of an implementation group, comprising representatives from key stakeholders, to consider the implications of the transfer of resources for improved aftercare.

    I expect the group to report its recommendations in the autumn. We will then consult on detailed proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153197,"EventID":"S1W-16530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on national priorities for schools education in Scotla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on national priorities for schools education in Scotland will be published.","AnswerText":"The report summarising responses to the consultation on national priorities for school education was sent to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament in December 2000. I have now instructed that it be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14481).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153198,"EventID":"S1W-16531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the Schools Scotland Code 1956 will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on the Schools Scotland Code 1956 will be published.","AnswerText":"67 detailed responses on the future of the Code's provisions were received. Consideration was delayed to allow negotiation and implementation of the McCrone Report's recommendations, which had implications for areas of the Code such as grades of posts in schools.

    I intend to consider the outcome of the consultation exercise on the future of the 1956 Code in the coming weeks, with a view to making a decision by early autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153199,"EventID":"S1W-16532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on Promoting the International Dimension in Scottish S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its consultation on Promoting the International Dimension in Scottish Schools will be published.","AnswerText":"We intend to publish this report early in school session 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153200,"EventID":"S1W-16533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its review of devolved school management will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its review of devolved school management will be published.","AnswerText":"The DSM Review Group expects to publish their report in late August.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153201,"EventID":"S1W-16534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its collaborative review of initial teacher education will be published","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14208 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 May 2001, when a report on its collaborative review of initial teacher education will be published.","AnswerText":"The answer to question S1W-15074 described the Collaborative Review of Initial Teacher Education as a departmental consultation exercise. May I take this opportunity to correct that statement. The consultation should have been listed as "Collaborative Review of Initial Teacher Education." The inclusion of the word "department" was a typographical error and I offer my apologies for any confusion this has caused.

    The new process of collaborative review is aimed at enhancing quality assurance arrangements in Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. The process will evaluate against the Standard for Initial Teacher Education issued on 26 February 2001. This document was included as an annex in the handbook produced by the Standing Committee on Quality Assurance in Initial Teacher Education.

    The Standing Committee issued the handbook for comment to all local education authorities, teacher education institutions and other key educational stakeholders on 26 February 2001 for comment by 6 April.

    A total of 26 organisations responded. These comments will be incorporated along with the outcomes of a Pilot Review (September 2001-April 2002) leading to a revised version of the handbook being produced in time for the Review Cycle beginning in September 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153202,"EventID":"S1W-16535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #5.2 million announced in May 2000 for safer routes to school schemes was allocated to each local authority and how many projects were created in each loc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #5.2 million announced in May 2000 for safer routes to school schemes was allocated to each local authority and how many projects were created in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Allocations and number of projects created are given in the following table.

    Council

    Hardship relief claims granted

    Hardship relief claims under consideration

    Aberdeen City

    0

    0

    Aberdeenshire

    0

    26

    Angus

    10

    15

    Argyll & Bute

    0

    215

    Clackmannanshire

    0

    1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    501

    0

    Dundee City

    0

    3

    East Ayrshire

    0

    8

    East Dunbartonshire

    0

    3

    East Lothian

    0

    4

    East Renfrewshire

    0

    0

    Edinburgh

    0

    24

    Eilean Siar

    7

    0

    Falkirk

    0

    1

    Fife

    0

    0

    Glasgow

    0

    0

    Highland

    44

    92

    Inverclyde

    0

    0

    Midlothian

    0

    0

    Moray

    0

    0

    The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) aims progressively to improve visit facilities at all our establishments as opportunities and resources permit. The SPS works closely with the Scottish Forum on Prisons and Families, sponsored by the SPS and Save the Children Fund.

    The forum's report Facilities for Children Visiting Prisons: A Good Practice Guide supports SPS, agencies and individuals in improving conditions.

    SPS have seconded a member of staff to the forum and one of his tasks is to help SPS ensure that prisons continue to provide the best facilities we can for children visiting prisoners.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153205,"EventID":"S1W-16538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-14468 and S1W-14469 lodged on 23 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer questions S1W-14468 and S1W-14469 lodged on 23 March 2001.","AnswerText":"These questions have now been answered.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153206,"EventID":"S1W-16539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd are statutory consultees in respect of planning applications which affect access onto trunk roads which they are responsible for maintaining and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd are statutory consultees in respect of planning applications which affect access onto trunk roads which they are responsible for maintaining and whether, if they lodge an objection to such an application, this automatically results in the application being called in.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is a statutory consultee in respect of planning applications that affect trunk roads. BEAR Scotland Ltd provide the Scottish Executive with an assessment and recommendation on planning applications submitted by planning authorities in the North of Scotland. Any recommendation by BEAR Scotland Ltd to refuse an application is assessed by the Scottish Executive before a decision is recommended to the planning authority. If the planning authority ignores the Scottish Executive's recommendation, a decision is taken on whether the planning application should be called in.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153207,"EventID":"S1W-16540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections Mouchel Scotland Ltd submitted during 2000 in respect of planning applications affecting access onto trunk roads which they were responsible for maint","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections Mouchel Scotland Ltd submitted during 2000 in respect of planning applications affecting access onto trunk roads which they were responsible for maintaining and in how many of these cases planning permission was (a) granted and (b) refused.","AnswerText":"During 2000, Mouchel Scotland Ltd assessed 72 planning applications on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive considered the information provided by Mouchel and recommended that 18 applications be refused.

    The responsibility for making final determinations on planning applications lies with the planning authorities and their decisions on these planning applications are not readily available to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153208,"EventID":"S1W-16541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents there were in each of the last seven years at the junctions of the A90 with (a) the A975 at Longhaven and (b) the unclassified Gask road at Longhaven.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents there were in each of the last seven years at the junctions of the A90 with (a) the A975 at Longhaven and (b) the unclassified Gask road at Longhaven.","AnswerText":"The number of accidents in each of the last seven years (1994-2000) at the junctions of the A90 with (a) the A975 at Longhaven and (b) the unclassified Gask road at Longhaven is as follows:

    A975 Junction

    Local Authority

    Allocation for Safer

    Routes to School

    (£000)

    Number of Projects

    Aberdeen City

    200

    8

    Aberdeenshire

    205

    7

    Angus

    109

    10

    Argyll & Bute

    109

    14

    Borders

    108

    15

    City of Edinburgh

    467

    37

    City of Glasgow

    674

    12

    Clackmannanshire

    48

    7

    Dumfries & Galloway

    140

    6

    Dundee City

    145

    7

    East Ayrshire

    120

    12

    East Dunbartonshire

    114

    11

    East Lothian

    89

    5

    East Renfrewshire

    89

    2

    Falkirk

    142

    6

    Fife

    345

    38

    Highland

    215

    26

    Inverclyde

    93

    1

    Midlothian

    84

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1994

    0

    0

    3

    3

    1995

    0

    0

    5

    5

    1996

    0

    0

    3

    3

    1997

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1998

    0

    0

    2

    2

    1999

    0

    0

    1

    1

    2000

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Total

    0

    0

    14

    14

    Gask road Junction

    Year

    Fata","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153209,"EventID":"S1W-16542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on long-term care for the elderly in (a) Scotland and (b) each local authority area in each year from 1997 to 2001 and what percentage each local autho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on long-term care for the elderly in (a) Scotland and (b) each local authority area in each year from 1997 to 2001 and what percentage each local authority's expenditure was of its social services budget.","AnswerText":"Local authority net revenue expenditure on social work, including nursing and residential care for older people, is given in section 6 of the volumes Rating Review: Actuals of Income and Expenditure published by CIPFA (Scottish branch) for years 1996-97 to 1999-2000. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no.'s 7544, 7545, 7548 and 14654).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153210,"EventID":"S1W-16543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on caring for young and disabled people in (a) Scotland and (b) each local authority area in each year from 1997 to 2001 and what percentage each local","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on caring for young and disabled people in (a) Scotland and (b) each local authority area in each year from 1997 to 2001 and what percentage each local authority's expenditure was of its social services budget.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Information on local authority expenditure on children's services as a whole is given in section 6 of the volumes Rating Review: Actuals of Income and Expenditure, published by CIPFA. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no's 7544 (1996-97), 7545 (1997-98), 7548 (1998-99) and 7547 (1999-2000).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153211,"EventID":"S1W-16544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the strategy for Scottish agriculture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the strategy for Scottish agriculture.","AnswerText":"I will be launching this strategy later this morning in a document entitled A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. This document is the result of a process I started in April last year with the publication of a discussion document designed to stimulate debate on the future direction of farming in Scotland. The strategy was drawn up by a steering group whose members were drawn from a wide range of backgrounds covering agriculture, food, consumer, environment and other rural interests.

    The strategy document sets out the steering group's vision for a prosperous farming industry based on producing what the consumer wants, playing a major role in sustainable rural development, protecting and enhancing the environment and embracing change and opportunity. It reaffirms the Executive's commitment to continue to support the agriculture industry in Scotland and sets out 54 action points to be taken forward in partnership by the Executive, the industry and various other bodies which have a role to play in shaping the future of farming. It also contains case studies giving examples of good practice which have helped individual businesses to prosper.

    A copy of this document is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153212,"EventID":"S1W-16545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating units were installed under its central heating initiative in May 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating units were installed under its central heating initiative in May 2001.","AnswerText":"We do not collect information from local authorities and housing associations on a monthly basis. The Managing Agent for the private sector has not yet been appointed. Details of the number of heating units installed by sector will be published in an annual report for each year of the Central Heating Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153213,"EventID":"S1W-16546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating units were installed under its central heating initiative in April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating units were installed under its central heating initiative in April 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16545.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153214,"EventID":"S1W-16547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional exemptions to the right of tenants to purchase their own homes will be introduced if the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is passed as currently drafted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional exemptions to the right of tenants to purchase their own homes will be introduced if the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is passed as currently drafted.","AnswerText":"None, although the proposed legislation, as currently drafted, would allow for the suspension of such rights while the community right to buy or crofting community right to buy is taking place. These tenants' rights would be resumed upon the conclusion of any transfer under the right to buy provisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153215,"EventID":"S1W-16548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether working arrangements for the process to renew the Scottish passenger rail franchise have been agreed with the Strategic Rail Authority and the Strathclyde Passeng","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether working arrangements for the process to renew the Scottish passenger rail franchise have been agreed with the Strategic Rail Authority and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA) have approved a Memorandum of Understanding which provides a practical framework for the Executive, the SRA and SPTA to work together during the re-letting procedure.

    I am placing a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14453). Additional copies are available in the Document Supply Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153216,"EventID":"S1W-16549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being made available to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution to allow it to continue its farm plastic recycling project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being made available to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution to allow it to continue its farm plastic recycling project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not at present providing funding to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution for the recycling of farm plastics. However, there are possible sources of funding from the Executive and the institution has been made aware of those.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153217,"EventID":"S1W-16550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the recycling of farm plastics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage the recycling of farm plastics.","AnswerText":"In line with the National Waste Strategy: Scotland, adopted in 1999, it is the Executive's policy to promote reduction, re-use and recovery (including recycling) of waste where possible. The Executive supports two initiatives to create and develop markets for recycled materials - the UK-wide Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Recycling Market Development (ReMaDe) Scotland. An aim of WRAP's initial work programme is to stimulate greater use of recycled plastic by raising awareness of the range and quality of products already available. A programme to review plastic standards will also be undertaken with the aim of removing discriminatory standards for recycled plastic products. ReMaDe Scotland has also identified plastic as a priority material for its work to determine opportunities for local market development.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153218,"EventID":"S1W-16551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planning guidelines for mobile telephone masts announced on 25 June 2001 take account of health concerns about electromagnetic radiation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planning guidelines for mobile telephone masts announced on 25 June 2001 take account of health concerns about electromagnetic radiation.","AnswerText":"The National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG), which will accompany the new planning legislation, will set out the precautionary approach developed by the UK Government and the Executive regarding health concerns associated with radiofrequency radiation (a form of electromagnetic radiation) from mobile phone base stations. It also sets out the Executive's policy on how this issue should be addressed where planning applications for telecommunications apparatus are submitted to planning authorities. Copies of the NPPG will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre when it has been published.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153219,"EventID":"S1W-16552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the telecommunication mast planning rules announced on 25 June 2001, whether permitted development rights for mobile telephone masts on buildings will app","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the telecommunication mast planning rules announced on 25 June 2001, whether permitted development rights for mobile telephone masts on buildings will apply to dwellings, schools, places of work and community facilities.","AnswerText":"In general, the new planning legislation on telecommunications development makes no distinction between particular types of building with regard to permitted development rights for apparatus on buildings.

    There are designated areas, such as conservation areas and national scenic areas, within which permitted development rights for telecommunications equipment, with some minor exceptions, do not apply.

    The forthcoming National Planning Policy Guideline on Radio Telecommunications discusses issues relating to public concern and the siting and design of telecommunications equipment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153220,"EventID":"S1W-16553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remits relating to transport are of (a) the Executive, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (d) the Scottish Tourist Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remits relating to transport are of (a) the Executive, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (d) the Scottish Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is responsible for transport other than in those areas set out in Schedule 5 (E) of the Scotland Act 1998.

    The remits of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland do not extend to transport.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153221,"EventID":"S1W-16554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in the tourism departments of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in the tourism departments of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the Chairman of both organisations to write to the member direct. A copy of the replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153222,"EventID":"S1W-16555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed to work on tourism in each local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed to work on tourism in each local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153223,"EventID":"S1W-16556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the foot-and-mouth disease situation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the foot-and-mouth disease situation.","AnswerText":"The foot-and-mouth disease situation in Scotland continues to improve. There have been no new cases of the disease in Scotland since 30 May, when the number of confirmed cases was 187. To prevent any further cases from occurring, I urge farmers and people who visit livestock farming areas to continue to maintain their vigilance against the disease, especially in relation to biosecurity, cleansing and disinfection and other disease safeguards. In partnership with farmers, local authorities, the army and others, the Scottish Executive and the State Veterinary Service remain prepared to deal swiftly with any further outbreaks of the disease should they occur.

    A wide range of measures has been introduced over the last month to assist livestock farmers to resume some of their normal activities, including shrinking of the Infected Area, further relaxations to the restrictions on animal movements, new arrangements for sheep shearing and dipping, and programmes of serological testing of sheep and cleansing and disinfection of affected farms. Subject to the disease situation remaining stable in Scotland and taking into account veterinary advice, we will continue to relax animal movement controls and other restrictions over the coming weeks.

    I am pleased to be able to announce today some further relaxations to the disease control arrangements which we intend to make over the next few weeks. The Infected Areas of Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are being progressively shrunk as quickly as possible and with no further outbreaks of the disease we would expect to move virtually all of the remaining Infected Areas to At Risk status within the next month.

    Serological testing of sheep from the At Risk Areas is now nearly complete and all of the results from the Galashiels Division are negative. Provided the remaining test results from the Ayr Division are also negative and there are no adverse developments in the disease situation, I intend to move the Provisionally Free Area line southwards to the borders of Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders Administrative Regions to take in administrative areas which have never had any cases of foot-and-mouth disease. I hope to be able to do this in early July. When this happens, I will ensure that satisfactory arrangements are in place to continue to allow cattle from the Infected Area to be slaughtered elsewhere in Scotland. My aim thereafter will be to move the remaining parts of Scotland as quickly as possible to PFA status.

    Since the beginning of June movements of cattle only direct to slaughter from the Infected Area have been permitted under license and subject to strictly controlled conditions. SEERAD staff are monitoring these operations to ensure compliance with the conditions. During the course of June we have also announced further relaxations to the restrictions on animal movements, particularly in relation to pigs, and the remaining restrictions will be relaxed progressively as the disease situation improves, but we will not take unnecessary risks. As part of this process, we are also considering what steps could be taken to allow some controlled market transactions in livestock to resume in the autumn in recognition of the importance of breeding sales and stock markets. However, because of the disease risks associated with stock from around the country mingling together and then dispersing, we cannot run the risk of allowing an immediate resumption of markets.

    An important step in moving towards securing disease free status is to carry out extensive blood testing of sheep flocks throughout Scotland. In the Provisionally Free Area blood samples have been collected from 112 flocks and, as at 26 June, confirmed negative results have been received from 108 flocks, with only four results still awaited. In the At Risk Area, samples from approximately 120 flocks around three Dangerous Contact premises in Ayr Division and five in the Galashiels Division have ","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153224,"EventID":"S1W-16557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to increase the number of Independent Assessors to oversee the public appointments system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to increase the number of Independent Assessors to oversee the public appointments system.","AnswerText":"Independent Assessors play a vital part in ensuring that the principles of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code are adhered to and that public appointments are made on a fair, open and transparent basis.

    As I made clear in my statement to Parliament last week, ministers have agreed that, in future, responsibility for appointing Assessors will transfer to the Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments once it has been established.

    However, in order to ensure that we have sufficient numbers of Assessors in place until such time as a Commissioner is set up, the Executive is today embarking on a recruitment campaign inviting members of the public to consider applying for these posts. This recruitment campaign has received the full backing of the UK Commissioner for Public Appointments.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153225,"EventID":"S1W-16558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the projected education overspend at Scottish Borders Council will have on the implementation of the National Grid for Learning in schools across the region.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the projected education overspend at Scottish Borders Council will have on the implementation of the National Grid for Learning in schools across the region.","AnswerText":"The detailed implementation of the National Grid for Learning is the responsibility of individual local authorities, working under a broad framework set out by the Scottish Executive. Scottish Borders Council is considering measures to address the deficit it has identified in its education budget. The Executive expects that the council will do all in its power to continue to provide a high quality of education in local schools and will proceed in a way which has the minimum impact on the education service experienced by pupils.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153226,"EventID":"S1W-16559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the cancellation of the National Grid for Learning cabling and computer requisition will be on the delivery of courses for pupils in the Scottish Borde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the cancellation of the National Grid for Learning cabling and computer requisition will be on the delivery of courses for pupils in the Scottish Borders.","AnswerText":"I understand that Scottish Borders Council is considering a range of measures to deal with the deficit identified in its education budget. Until this process is complete it will not be possible for the council to state for certain what the impact will be on any specific part of the education programme. The Executive expects that Scottish Borders Council will do everything it can to minimise the effect on pupils' education.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153227,"EventID":"S1W-16560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in the Scottish Borders region are to be removed from computer courses and transferred to courses in other departments as a result of the cancellation of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in the Scottish Borders region are to be removed from computer courses and transferred to courses in other departments as a result of the cancellation of the National Grid for Learning cabling and computer requisition.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16559.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153228,"EventID":"S1W-16561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13134 by Nicol Stephen on 12 March 2001, what the provision is by Scottish Borders Council of (a) primary school e-mail addresses a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13134 by Nicol Stephen on 12 March 2001, what the provision is by Scottish Borders Council of (a) primary school e-mail addresses and (b) secondary school e-mail addresses, given as a percentage of staff and secondary school pupils who have internet access.","AnswerText":"Provision of e-mail addresses by Scottish Borders Council is shown in the tables:

    Teachers and pupils with e-mail addresses - as a percentage of teachers and pupils in all Scottish Borders Council Schools.
     

    Primary Schools

    Secondary Schools

    Teachers

    19.8%

    73.6%

    Pupils

    12.0%

    63.1%

    All Scottish Borders secondary schools and 40.8% of primary schools have internet access.

    Teachers and pupils with e-mail addresses - as a percentage of those in Scottish Borders Council primary and secondary schools with internet access.
     

    Primary Schools

    Secondary Schools

    Teachers

    38.2%

    73.6%

    Pupils

    20.3%

    63.1%

    Source: SEED School Census, September 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153229,"EventID":"S1W-16562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13134 by Nicol Stephen on 12 March 2001, what the provision is by Scottish Borders Council of internet access in primary and second","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13134 by Nicol Stephen on 12 March 2001, what the provision is by Scottish Borders Council of internet access in primary and secondary schools and what percentage of staff and secondary school pupils have internet access.","AnswerText":"Provision of Internet access by Scottish Borders Council is shown in the tables:

    Percentage of schools with Internet access
     

    Scottish Borders Council

    Primary schools

    40.8%

    Secondary schools

    100%

    Percentage of secondary teachers and pupils based in schools with internet access
     

    Scottish Borders Council

    Secondary teachers

    100%

    Secondary pupils

    100%

    Source: SEED School Census, September 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153230,"EventID":"S1W-16563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities can vire monies from their annual National Grid for Learning allocation for other purposes and, if so, on what conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities can vire monies from their annual National Grid for Learning allocation for other purposes and, if so, on what conditions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's support to local authorities for the development of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) comes through the Excellence Fund. Local authorities are all committing considerable amounts from their own resources to support NGfL developments. The extent of that contribution is a matter for local decision.

    Each authority is entitled to draw its share of the NGfL Excellence Fund programme provided that it has agreed with the Scottish Executive an Improvement Plan setting out how it will work towards the various objectives of the programme, including the target pupil:computer ratios. Money may be vired between Excellence Fund programmes subject to approval by the Scottish Executive.

    Money is drawn down twice a year, on certification by council officials that valid expenditure has taken place. Authorities are required to report annually on progress and to notify any significant change from their original Improvement Plans. The Scottish Executive also monitors progress on certain of the NGfL targets though the annual School Census.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153231,"EventID":"S1W-16564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the way in which funding given to local authorities under the National Grid for Learning programme is utilised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the way in which funding given to local authorities under the National Grid for Learning programme is utilised.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16563.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153232,"EventID":"S1W-16565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions for the award of National Grid for Learning funding allow for local authorities to have computer provision targets which are lower than the nationa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions for the award of National Grid for Learning funding allow for local authorities to have computer provision targets which are lower than the national targets of 1 modern computer for every 5 secondary pupils and 1 modern computer for every 7.5 primary pupils by March 2002 and, if so, which local authorities have agreed or are negotiating revised or reduced targets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16563 on 11 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153233,"EventID":"S1W-16566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether awards of National Grid for Learning funding are fully funded by it and, if not, what percentage of an award it funds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether awards of National Grid for Learning funding are fully funded by it and, if not, what percentage of an award it funds.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16563.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153234,"EventID":"S1W-16567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16055 by Ross Finnie on 14 June 2001, which diseases carried by pigs can be passed on to humans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16055 by Ross Finnie on 14 June 2001, which diseases carried by pigs can be passed on to humans.","AnswerText":"The following list of diseases of pigs can be transmitted to humans. However, this list may not be totally comprehensive.

    Acanthocephaliasis

    Actinomycosis

    Amebiasis

    Ancylostomiasis

    Anthrax

    Ascariasis

    Babesiosis

    Botulism

    Brucella suis

    Candidiasis

    Clonorchiasis

    Clostridiosis

    Coccidioidomycosis

    Colibacillosis

    Corynebacteriosis

    Crimean-Congo hemorrhahic fever

    Cryptosporidiosis

    Cysticerchus cellulosum

    Dermatophytosis

    Dioctophymosis

    Encephalomyocarditis

    Echinostomiasis

    Encephalomyocarditis

    Enteritis, hemorrhagic

    Erysipelas

    Fascioliasis

    Fasciolopsiasis

    Foot-and-mouth disease

    Gastrodiscoidiasis

    Gastroenteritis

    Gnathostomiasis

    Gongylonemiasis

    Heterophyiasis

    Hydatidosis

    Influenza

    Japanese B encephalitis

    Leptospirosis

    Linguatuliasis

    Listeriosis

    Louping-ill

    Melioidosis

    Murray Valley encephalitis (wild swine)

    Myriases

    Necrobacillosis

    Nipah virus

    Paragonimiasis

    Pasteurellosis

    Pneumocystis pneumonia

    Rabies

    Salmonellosis

    Sarcocystosis

    Scabies, zoonotic

    Schistosomiasis

    Sparganosis

    Sporotrichosis

    Staphylococcal food poisoning

    Streptococcus

    Swine vesicular disease

    Taeniasis and cysticercosis

    Toxacoriasis

    Toxoplasmosis

    Trichinosis

    Trichuriasis

    Trypanosomiasis, African

    Tuberculosis, zoonotic

    Tungiasis

    Vesicular stomatitis

    Wesselsborn disease

    Yersiniosis, enteroclitic

    Yersiniosis, pseudotuberculosis

    Zygomycosis","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153235,"EventID":"S1W-16568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the new European Union requirements to test fallen stock for signs of BSE.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the new European Union requirements to test fallen stock for signs of BSE.","AnswerText":"Legislation has been made to introduce a statutory obligation on cattle keepers to inform Scottish ministers when an animal aged 30 months or more dies on-farm. A freephone helpline service has been set up for this purpose. Collection, sample testing and disposal will be met from central funds. The operational date for these new procedures is 1 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153236,"EventID":"S1W-16569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Local Economic Forums have now been formed; how many times each has met; how many consultancy contracts have been let or are in the process of being tendered in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Local Economic Forums have now been formed; how many times each has met; how many consultancy contracts have been let or are in the process of being tendered in relation to their work, and what the value is of each such contract.","AnswerText":"

    Forums in the Scottish Enterprise area

    Formed

    Meetings to date

    Ayrshire

    √

    3

    Borders

    √

    1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    √

    3

    Dunbartonshire

    √

    3

    Edinburgh & Lothians

    √

    3

    Fife

    √

    1

    Forth Valley

    √

    3

    Glasgow

    √

    3

    Grampian

    √

    2

    Lanarkshire

    √

    2

    Renfrewshire

    √

    4

    Tayside

    √

    3

    Forums in the Highlands and Islands area

    Formed

    Meetings to date

    Argyll & the Islands

    √

    3

    Report on the use of public relations organisations by Scottish Public Bodies since 1 July 1999, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 7215).

    A similar exercise covering the period from 11 October 1999 to 31 March 2001 is still in progress. When it is completed I will write to Mr Neil and place the report in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153239,"EventID":"S1W-16572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff (a) it and (b) each of the public bodies for which it is responsible employs in media and public relations functions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff (a) it and (b) each of the public bodies for which it is responsible employs in media and public relations functions.","AnswerText":"The Media and Communications professional staff in the Scottish Executive are as follows:

    Campaign and Publications Press Office

    1 x Senior Civil Service Grade (5) 1 x Senior Civil Service Grade

    1 x Media and Communications Manager 2 x Depute Head of News

    2 x Senior Communications Officers 5 x Chief Press Officers

    11 x Senior Information Officers

    9 x Information Officers

    10 x Assistant Information Officers

    News Website Crown Office

    1 x News Website Editor 2 x Senior Information Officers

    1 x Deputy News Website Editor 1 x Assistant Information Officer

    The figures for the public bodies funded by the Scottish Executive are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153240,"EventID":"S1W-16573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to the compensation claim made by Mr Rod Lynch following the termination of his contract as Chief Executive of the Scottish Touri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to the compensation claim made by Mr Rod Lynch following the termination of his contract as Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourist Board and how much public money has been paid out in respect of this claim to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15392 on 8 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153241,"EventID":"S1W-16574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on the development of renewable energy generation in the Highlands is compatible with the use of this area for training with low-flying military aircr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on the development of renewable energy generation in the Highlands is compatible with the use of this area for training with low-flying military aircraft.","AnswerText":"The increasing deployment of renewable energy systems, notably wind turbines, does have implications for low-flying aircraft, and, as has always been the case, every proposal for a wind farm is considered by the Ministry of Defence, as a statutory planning consultee, on a case-by-case basis. We are in touch with the Ministry and other departments on the issue of low flying to clarify the issues involved. In the meantime, I would expect wind farm developers to engage in early dialogue with the MoD in order to resolve any potential problems.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153242,"EventID":"S1W-16575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering adopting the simplified payment scheme approved by the European Council on agriculture on 19 June 2001 in order to reduce \"red tape\" for small f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering adopting the simplified payment scheme approved by the European Council on agriculture on 19 June 2001 in order to reduce \"red tape\" for small farmers.","AnswerText":"My department is carefully considering whether the Small Farmers Scheme will be implemented in Scotland. The detailed rules of the scheme - which determine the complexity of the arrangements required to operate any scheme - are currently being considered by the EU Commission in the Working Group on Simplification of Agricultural Legislation, and will be finalised this autumn. Any decision to adopt the new scheme will depend on whether the rules lead to a genuine simplification.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153243,"EventID":"S1W-16576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether pigeon racing will be classed as a sport and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether pigeon racing will be classed as a sport and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"sportscotland has no plans to seek agreement with the other UK sports councils on recognising pigeon racing as a sport. Decisions on the recognition of sports are a matter for the Sports Councils in the UK acting unanimously.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153244,"EventID":"S1W-16577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it made to the review by the Department of Trade and Industry of National Training Organisations and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Informati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it made to the review by the Department of Trade and Industry of National Training Organisations and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of any written evidence which it submitted.","AnswerText":"The consultation exercise on the future structure of the National Training Organisation network was conducted jointly by the Lifelong Learning Ministers in the Department for Education and Employment (now Department for Education and Skills) and the three devolved administrations. The intention is that the analysis of the responses to the consultation and an outline framework on the proposed way forward, will be published jointly by the Lifelong Learning Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153245,"EventID":"S1W-16578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the key performance targets it has set Historic Scotland for 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the key performance targets it has set Historic Scotland for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"I have set Historic Scotland the following key performance targets for 2001-02:

    Key Performance Area

    Target

    Protecting Scotland's Built Heritage

    Number of monuments scheduled

    200

    Weighted number of listed building resurvey units

    150

    No of weeks in which 80% of Scheduled Monument Consent cases resolved

    9

    Percentage of Listed Building Consent cases resolved within 28 days

    97%

    Number of condition surveys completed for properties in care

    65

    Promoting and Presenting the Built Heritage

    HS market share compared to other paid visitor attractions in Scotland*

    54.50%

    Percentage of satisfied visitors (survey based)

    96%

    Average retail spend per visitor

    £2.05

    Agency Management

    Percentage efficiency gains/savings on non-grant expenditure

    1.25%

    * The agency's top ten properties will be measured against the National Trust for Scotland's top 10 properties and the top 10 privately-owned historic attractions.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153246,"EventID":"S1W-16579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Aluminium Sulphate Concentrations (nmg/l) in the potable water supply from the Tomich water treatment plant in Invergordon exceeded the limit allowed in potab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Aluminium Sulphate Concentrations (nmg/l) in the potable water supply from the Tomich water treatment plant in Invergordon exceeded the limit allowed in potable water at any time during June 2001; if so, by how much, what the maximum concentration was of any discharge and how much entered the public water supply.","AnswerText":"The maximum recorded level of aluminium in samples taken from the Tain regional water supply zone in June was 249 micrograms per litre. This is a breach of the standard set in Scottish drinking water regulations which is 200 micrograms per litre, but is highly unlikely to be of any significant public health concern. This single small excess over the standard followed a compressor failure on 7 June. The restoration of water supplies led to a short-term disturbance of accumulated material within the distribution system.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153247,"EventID":"S1W-16580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications were called in by it and the Scottish Office in each of the last five years within the Highland Council area and of these how many were cal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications were called in by it and the Scottish Office in each of the last five years within the Highland Council area and of these how many were called in on the recommendation of the Trunk Roads Authority.","AnswerText":"The latest available information is given in the table.

    Year

    Total No. Called-In

    On Roads Grounds

    1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997

    5

    2

    1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998

    6

    6

    1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999

    4

    3

    1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000

    6

    6

    1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001

    9

    8

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153248,"EventID":"S1W-16582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when relevant information, guidance and publicity will be provided to the voluntary sector regarding the implementation of Part V of the Police Act 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when relevant information, guidance and publicity will be provided to the voluntary sector regarding the implementation of Part V of the Police Act 1997.","AnswerText":"Publicity about Part V of the Police Act 1997 will start to become available shortly. A programme of seminars is also being planned and the Executive will be issuing guidance and a Code of Practice. The central body being established to process applications for criminal record certificates on behalf of the voluntary sector will produce guidance to help the sector make the best possible use of the criminal record checks under Part V.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153249,"EventID":"S1W-16583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to off-setting the additional administrative costs to voluntary organisations of processing checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to off-setting the additional administrative costs to voluntary organisations of processing checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997.","AnswerText":"We are providing £1 million per annum so that volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector will not have to pay for criminal record checks under Part V. In addition, up to £250,000 per annum is being made available to establish the central body to help the voluntary sector make the best use of criminal record checks.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153250,"EventID":"S1W-16584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all voluntary sector organisations will have to register with the central registered body being established to process applications for criminal record checks for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all voluntary sector organisations will have to register with the central registered body being established to process applications for criminal record checks for volunteers; if so, what the registration process will involve and, if not, how organisations will access and implement checks via the central registered body.","AnswerText":"It is not envisaged that voluntary sector organisations will have to register as such with the central registered body. The central body will, however, need to be satisfied about the bona fides of those organisations on behalf of which it countersigns applications. The central body will be entitled to disclose the information provided as a result of an application to the organisation concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153251,"EventID":"S1W-16585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12600 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, what progress is being made in relation to the establishment of the central registered ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12600 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, what progress is being made in relation to the establishment of the central registered body to process applications for criminal record checks for volunteers; how this body will be organised; what si'e of workforce it will have, and whether it will be managed by any particular agency.","AnswerText":"We believe there would be considerable benefit for all concerned in establishing the central body within an existing organisation that already has a strong connection with volunteers and the voluntary sector. With that in mind we have been examining with Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) whether that organisation could assume the role of the central body. VDS has agreed in principle to act as the central body and for the body to be located within and as part of its organisation. A draft specification has been prepared and VDS has been invited, on an informal basis at this stage, to consider its terms.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153252,"EventID":"S1W-16586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the 1998 Convention of Scottish Local Authorities guidance regarding police investigations of complaints of sexual assault.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement the 1998 Convention of Scottish Local Authorities guidance regarding police investigations of complaints of sexual assault.","AnswerText":"The importance and sensitivity of this matter has long been recognised by the Scottish Executive and the police. Departmental guidance asks Chief Constables to do their utmost to ensure that victims of sexual assault are treated with tact and sympathy. This guidance covers matters such as medical examinations, the importance of using experienced female interviewing officers and developing in-force training, again with the purpose of providing an atmosphere of care and concern. Local procedures which have been put in place by Chief Constables will have regard to this guidance and other relevant guidance and reports, for example on domestic violence and vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. It would be for Chief Constables to decide to what extent guidance from CoSLA should be reflected in their local procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153253,"EventID":"S1W-16587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create a statutory definition of rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create a statutory definition of rape.","AnswerText":"There are no plans at present to create a statutory definition of rape. The law is kept under review. The Lord Advocate made a reference to the High Court on 28 June seeking clarification of the law on rape.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153254,"EventID":"S1W-16588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce mandatory training for all criminal justice personnel to raise awareness of the impact of sexual violence on women and girls.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce mandatory training for all criminal justice personnel to raise awareness of the impact of sexual violence on women and girls.","AnswerText":"Victim awareness is a matter of general concern to the Scottish criminal justice system and is being pursued through the Scottish Strategy for Victims. The Scottish Police College provides training programmes to help the police meet the needs of victims of sex offences and forces have their own procedures. All probationer police officers are given training in dealing with the victims of sex offence cases. All Procurators Fiscal receive training on child sexual abuse, domestic violence and victims issues generally as part of their core introductory training. Further specialist training is regularly available. In addition, the independent Judicial Studies Committee is preparing written guidance for sheriffs and judges which is to be issued in a few months time.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153255,"EventID":"S1W-16589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce clear structures for communication between the criminal justice system and women complaining of incidences of male violence to ensure that","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce clear structures for communication between the criminal justice system and women complaining of incidences of male violence to ensure that such women are kept fully informed throughout proceedings.","AnswerText":"In September 2000 I advised the Justice and Home Affairs Committee that I intended to establish a dedicated victims assistance service within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. This service called the Victim Liaison Office (VLO) is one of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service commitments to providing enhanced services to victims and to meeting the objectives of the Scottish Strategy for Victims. There will be a Victim Liaison Office in each region of the Procurator Fiscal Service by Spring 2002. The precise scope of and detailed arrangements for the national service will be informed by the outcome of two pilot projects currently ongoing in Grampian and Hamilton. The service will provide emotional and practical support, case specific information and information about the criminal justice system to victims.

    The pilot is currently directed at, amongst other things:

    Victims of all serious cases where the nature of the charge is indicative of solemn proceedings;

    Victims in cases of domestic assault;

    Cases involving children who have been cited as prosecution witness;

    Victims in cases involving sexual offences; and

    Any other victim where the VLO considers that because of particular vulnerability the provision of the services would be beneficial.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153256,"EventID":"S1W-16590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend the introduction of expert witnesses by the Crown in rape and sexual assault cases to give evidence on the psychological and emotional reaction ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend the introduction of expert witnesses by the Crown in rape and sexual assault cases to give evidence on the psychological and emotional reaction of victims to attacks.","AnswerText":"The report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending chaired by the Honourable Lady Cosgrove was published on 12 June 2001. It made a total of 73 recommendations including a recommendation that the Crown should consider leading evidence to assist the jury in a sexual offence trial to understand the likely behavioural impact on the victim of a sexual crime.

    The Crown Office is currently considering the report and recommendations. It is anticipated that evidence of this nature would not seek to comment on the credibility or reliability of the individual victim but would simply provide a jury with general evidence in relation to characteristic behaviour of victims which would assist the jury to evaluate their evidence.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153257,"EventID":"S1W-16591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the introduction of specialist prosecutors in cases of sexual crimes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the introduction of specialist prosecutors in cases of sexual crimes.","AnswerText":"The prosecution of crime is itself a specialised activity. However, the prosecution of sexual offences requires not only the knowledge of the relevant law, which is common to all criminal law practitioners, but also understanding of the effect on the victim and skills in handling such cases. Relevant training is given to all prosecutors and care is taken in the allocation of such cases particularly at precognition stage. Particular issues arise in the case of offences against children and for these cases each region has highly trained, specialist legal and precognition staff who provide a resource for dealing with such cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153258,"EventID":"S1W-16592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to cut th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to cut the financial impact on schools resulting from vandalism.","AnswerText":"Vandalism and fires in schools both cause disruption and distress to the pupils and staff affected by them and are matters of serious concern for the education service.

    The recommendations in this report are directed at the local authorities, who are responsible for the management of school premises in their areas. The report quantifies the scale of property related crime problems facing Scotland's schools, and it is encouraging that Audit Scotland have found a significant reduction in the cost of school vandalism and fires compared with figures in 1995.

    Local authorities should find the report useful in reviewing the scope for further improvement.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153259,"EventID":"S1W-16593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to increa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to increase the use of closed-circuit television in primary schools.","AnswerText":"School vandalism issues need to be considered on a local basis, and measures adopted which are appropriate to local circumstances. There is no single cause of school vandalism and, therefore, there can be no single solution. Education authorities will consider a range of measures appropriate to their assessment of the problem. The installation of closed circuit television is one of a number of such measures which education authorities and schools might consider appropriate in contributing to efforts to reduce the incidence of vandalism at particular schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153260,"EventID":"S1W-16594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to ensu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to ensure that more headteachers are involved in and consulted on decisions to improve local security and risk management in schools.","AnswerText":"The experience of school staff and, in particular, the headteacher is valued by authorities. The improvement framework contained in the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc (Scotland) Act 2000 offers an additional means through which the headteacher and school staff can take the lead in school improvement. School vandalism issues need to be considered on a local basis, and measures adopted which are appropriate to local circumstances. The principles of risk assessment and risk management are important factors in addressing them.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153261,"EventID":"S1W-16595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to revers","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to reverse the increase in malicious fire damage to schools across Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16592.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153262,"EventID":"S1W-16596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the use of Restriction of Liberty Orders following the completion of the pilot scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the use of Restriction of Liberty Orders following the completion of the pilot scheme.","AnswerText":"Following the success of the pilot schemes, I am pleased to announce that Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) will be rolled out to other courts. Arrangements will now be made to tender for contracts to supply the electronic monitoring services.

    It is proposed also to make provision for the use of:

    Restriction of Liberty Orders as a direct alternative to custody;

    RLO as a condition of a Probation Order and of a Drug Treatment and Testing Order;

    electronic monitoring as a condition of release on licence (as recommended in the MacLean report).","AnswerDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153263,"EventID":"S1W-16597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the implementation of the land management contracts set out in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the implementation of the land management contracts set out in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.","AnswerText":"This is a major new initiative which will require to be carefully developed in partnership with all interested parties and in conjunction with the European Commission. As the Strategy document states, our aim is to develop Land Management Contracts over the next two to three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153264,"EventID":"S1W-16598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all working groups currently in operation concerned with the aquaculture industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all working groups currently in operation concerned with the aquaculture industry.","AnswerText":"Collaborative working is a key principle of our aquaculture policy. Fish farmers, wild fishery interests, the Executive and other stakeholders come together in three groups to improve dialogue and trust, to confront issues and to find solutions:

    the Tripartite Working Group, which is focused on interactions between both farmed and wild fish, in particular, tackling the problem of sea lice; developing the concept of Area Management Agreements, and, when conditions are right, taking steps to restore wild stocks in areas where they have been in decline;

    the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group, which considers ways to improve the health, welfare and management of farmed fish, and informs R&D policy;

    the Aquaculture Forum, an inclusive group established by the Highlands and Islands Convention and drawn from local authorities, regulators, the fish farming industry, wild fish interests and environmental groups, with a remit to consider those issues of most importance to the sustainable development of aquaculture.

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153265,"EventID":"S1W-16599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government since 7 June 2001 regarding a Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government since 7 June 2001 regarding a Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has made clear our disappointment that such a Bill was not included in the Queen's Speech. We have been in regular contact with her Majesty's Government since 7 June to press them to bring forward the Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion at the earliest possible date.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153266,"EventID":"S1W-16600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative measures it plans to introduce in the absence on a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative measures it plans to introduce in the absence on a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive remains committed to achieving a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. We recognise, however, that such a ban is just one element of a wide range of measures that together, will help reduce the incidence and impact of smoking. The Scottish Executive is continuing to take forward action to implement the 1998 White Paper Smoking Kills and is working with a range of organisations to make progress on several fronts:

    • NRT and Zyban are now available on prescription.
    • Additional funding to improve and expand smoking cessation services and health education.
    • A Scottish Voluntary Charter for the introduction of non-smoking areas in public places.
    • The Lord Advocate is currently undertaking a review of test purchasing policy, linked to enforcement procedures for a range of age-restricted goods including tobacco.

    The Scottish Executive is working with the UK Government in taking forward the implementation of the recent EU Directive on additives and labelling of tobacco.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153267,"EventID":"S1W-16601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion will have on levels of (a) tobacco consumption and (b) morbidity and (c) the number of preventable premature death","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion will have on levels of (a) tobacco consumption and (b) morbidity and (c) the number of preventable premature deaths per year.","AnswerText":"Reducing the incidence and impact of smoking requires action on a number of fronts. The UK Government estimates that a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion might lead eventually to a 2.5% reduction in the number of smokers. If this was achieved in Scotland it could lead to an annual reduction of some 830 hospital admissions. It could also save around 150 lives in the short term, building to 300 lives each year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153268,"EventID":"S1W-16602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a ban on tobacco promotion and advertising as prioritised in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a ban on tobacco promotion and advertising as prioritised in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"The Executive will ban tobacco advertising in Scotland as soon as we can do so effectively and comprehensively. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16599.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153269,"EventID":"S1W-16603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken to protect young people from tobacco advertising given the evidence that tobacco marketing may assist in the recruitment of new smokers, the rel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken to protect young people from tobacco advertising given the evidence that tobacco marketing may assist in the recruitment of new smokers, the relation of smokers and the prevention of smokers quitting.","AnswerText":"The Executive is taking forward a range of measures to reduce smoking levels and the appeal of smoking among young people.

    These include health education and promotion of a holistic approach to healthy lifestyles, for example the "Confidence to Learn" training package being developed by HEBS for primary school teachers in order to help younger children to develop decision-making skills and the ability to cope with peer pressure. In addition "Young Scot" have produced a pack aimed at teenagersteenagers to encourage healthy lifestyles including advice on smoking.

    HEBS has undertaken mass media advertising, including the highly acclaimed STINX advertisment, aimed at teenagers, which promotes the message that smoking is neither healthy nor "cool".A new advert and competition will be launched at the beginning of the school year.

    An element of the £26 million Health Improvement Fund, which was announced last August, will be used for a major education drive to cut the number of young people smoking.The new \"Aliens\" advert and competition, which was launched on 16 August, builds on the success of STiNX by continuing the continues the anti-smoking driveanti-smoking drive.

    Other measures to reduce smoking among young people, including a major education drive, are being developed, backed by additional investment from the Health Improvement Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153270,"EventID":"S1W-16604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the (a) nurses and (b) midwives who completed their training in Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available found employment in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the (a) nurses and (b) midwives who completed their training in Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available found employment in the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"The number of nurses and midwives who completed their training in Scotland in each of the last three years is shown in the following table. The number of nurses and midwives finding employment in NHSScotland is not collected centrally.

    Nursing and Midwifery Completions by Year of Completion
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Nursing

    2,005

    2,243

    2,277

    Midwifery

    204

    185

    191

    Source: The National Board for Scotland Statistical Supplement to Annual Report","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153271,"EventID":"S1W-16605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, when the review of support arrangements for nursing students will be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12809 by Susan Deacon on 7 February 2001, when the review of support arrangements for nursing students will be completed.","AnswerText":"On 7 February I said that a review would take place over the next six months. That review is almost complete. We will issue a consultation document seeking views on our proposals in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153272,"EventID":"S1W-16606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to give nurses any representation on the new unified health boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to give nurses any representation on the new unified health boards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16321.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153273,"EventID":"S1W-16607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the resources available for continuous professional development for qualified nurses and midwives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the resources available for continuous professional development for qualified nurses and midwives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has recognised the crucial importance of ongoing education for all staff in NHSScotland through its strategy for education, training and lifelong learning entitled Learning Together.

    The prime responsibility for continuous professional development lies with employers and it is for them to organise their priorities and resources to meet the needs of their staff.

    Support and co-ordination of this activity is currently provided by the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland and will continue and develop under the new special health board being created to provide an overarching education and training body for health care staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153274,"EventID":"S1W-16608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enable more qualified nurses and midwives to take time off for continuous professional development.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enable more qualified nurses and midwives to take time off for continuous professional development.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has recognised the crucial importance of ongoing education for all staff in NHSScotland through its strategy for education, training and lifelong learning entitled Learning Together.

    The Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland, Caring for Scotland, published in March 2001 reinforces this through specific actions on meeting the provision of support and opportunities for nurses and midwives in meeting their CPD needs and requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153275,"EventID":"S1W-16609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pay of nurses and midwives is currently in line with pay levels of comparable public sector workers and, if not, what long-term plans it has to bring it into","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pay of nurses and midwives is currently in line with pay levels of comparable public sector workers and, if not, what long-term plans it has to bring it into line.","AnswerText":"Pay increases for nurses and midwives are recommended annually by the independent Nurses Pay Review Body (NPRB) who take into account the full range of issues which can affect the remuneration of their remit group.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153276,"EventID":"S1W-16610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what complaints it has received from applicant groups and organisations regarding any difficulties being experienced in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what complaints it has received from applicant groups and organisations regarding any difficulties being experienced in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application form for assistance from European Structural Fund programmes.","AnswerText":"Over 100 enquiries have been registered by applicants experiencing difficulty with the spreadsheet-based application form and these have been answered by a Scottish Executive helpline. Three official letters of complaint have been received, and replied to, about the use of Excel as the base for the form.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153277,"EventID":"S1W-16611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address on an urgent basis any problems being experienced by applicant groups and organisations in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address on an urgent basis any problems being experienced by applicant groups and organisations in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application form for assistance from European Structural Fund programmes, in particular any problems caused by the computer memory capacity that the applications form requires, compared with the memory capacity that such groups have available.","AnswerText":"We responded to the issues raised by setting up support centres around Scotland, together with a Scottish Executive telephone helpline, to assist applicants. The support centres were staffed by officers from the Programme Management Executives and the Scottish Executive and equipped with hardware and software for use by those applicants experiencing system difficulties. We also commissioned a study by the CCTA to look at the user friendliness of our computer systems more generally and will be considering the report's recommendations over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153278,"EventID":"S1W-16612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in its review of the planning system with particular reference to controversial planning applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in its review of the planning system with particular reference to controversial planning applications.","AnswerText":"The Executive's programme for modernising the planning system includes the current consultation on the Review of Strategic Planning, a forthcoming consultation on public involvement in the planning system and the development of a policy statement on design and quality. The planning system already identifies a category of applications called "bad neighbour development"; we have no plans to develop separate procedures for dealing with a category of "controversial" applications.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153279,"EventID":"S1W-16613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement ministers had in the recent decision to grant planning permission for the mobile phone mast at Bluebell Woods, Johnstone, which overturned the decision m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement ministers had in the recent decision to grant planning permission for the mobile phone mast at Bluebell Woods, Johnstone, which overturned the decision made by the planning committee of Renfrewshire Council.","AnswerText":"As with the majority of planning appeals, Scottish ministers delegated determination of this case to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit. Having delegated determination of the appeal, Scottish ministers had no further involvement in it.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153280,"EventID":"S1W-16614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make funding available for the upgrade of long established CCTV operations throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make funding available for the upgrade of long established CCTV operations throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Since 1996, the Scottish Executive has provided Challenge Competition funding for CCTV in excess of £10 million to over 160 projects throughout Scotland. Whilst priority has been given to the installation of new camera systems, a number of projects involving the upgrade and extension to existing systems have been successful in the competition. We are reviewing our current funding arrangements for both our CCTV and Community Safety Challenge Competitions for 2002-03 and I will make an announcement in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153281,"EventID":"S1W-16615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in each local authority area attend specialist language units and what percentage of these children have a Record of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in each local authority area attend specialist language units and what percentage of these children have a Record of Needs.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153282,"EventID":"S1W-16616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uptake is by each local authority of speech and language therapy funding for children with a Record of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uptake is by each local authority of speech and language therapy funding for children with a Record of Needs.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected centrally. Grant-aided expenditure of £200 million for 2001-02 is available to local authorities to use in light of local needs and circumstances. Included in this figure is £6.5 million per year for speech and language therapy for pupils with Records of Needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153283,"EventID":"S1W-16617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of speech and language therapy services will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of speech and language therapy services will be published.","AnswerText":"Ministers have agreed the following terms of reference for the review:

    an examination of the supply of speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to meet the needs of children requiring these therapies;

    an examination of the management and organisation of speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists for children with special educational needs;

    an examination of how the current funding mechanisms for speech and language therapy services for children operate and how these might be improved;

    Consideration of whether the funding mechanisms for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy services for children should be aligned, and

    an examination of the supply, management and organisation of speech and language therapy for adults with learning disabilities.

    The review will commence later this year and a copy of the report will go to ministers in early 2002. Thereafter, a decision will be taken on publication of the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153284,"EventID":"S1W-16618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision local authorities are required to make for pupils with speech and language impairment who do not have a Record of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision local authorities are required to make for pupils with speech and language impairment who do not have a Record of Needs.","AnswerText":"Education authorities are required to make appropriate provision for all children with special educational needs, including those with speech and language impairment. In addition, Section 2 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000 places a legally enforceable duty on education authorities to ensure that the education they provide is directed to the development of the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of children and young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153285,"EventID":"S1W-16619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children in each local authority area have a Record of Needs that specifies a need for speech and language therapy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children in each local authority area have a Record of Needs that specifies a need for speech and language therapy.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The September School Census collects information on the main difficulty in learning of pupils with Records of Needs. Each pupil with a Record of Needs is classified into one of a list of main difficulties in learning. The Executive is currently undertaking a review of the Records of Needs process and if there appears to be a need to alter the range and extent of statistical data collected, this will be given due consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153286,"EventID":"S1W-16620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed in (a) council properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) private properties in each of the last ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed in (a) council properties, (b) registered social landlord properties and (c) private properties in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available and how many are scheduled to be installed this year, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information at (b) and (c) is not available. Information at (a) is provided to the Executive by local authorities and details for 1996-97 to 2000-01 are set out in the following table. The figures cover first-time installation of central heating systems, replacement of old systems and the extension of partial systems. There is no information about the number of properties in each of these categories. We have made provisional allocations to local authorities, including potential stock transfer authorities, for 2001-02 under the Central Heating Programme. We have asked for an estimate of the number of systems they can install in the current financial year.

    Central Heating Systems Installed in Council Houses1996-97 to 2000-01

    Authority

    1996-1997

    1997-1998

    1998-1999

    1999-2000

    2000-2001 (planned)

    Aberdeen

    51

    638

    1,683

    1,851

    345

    Aberdeen-shire

    556

    340

    500

    580

    675

    Angus

    34

    363

    153

    260

    418

    Argyll & Bute

    255

    480

    287

    380

    133

    Clackmannan-shire

    110

    Performance Statistics

    • A performance monitoring database has been set up and is in operation. When it has been operating long enough to yield robust statistics, targets for improvement can be set.

    Consultation

    • A system to advise planning authorities where consultations cannot be dealt with in 14 days has been set up and is working well. Setting a timetable for the consultation process is likely to be misleading and better communication with planning officers is suggested as an alternative.

    • Good progress is being made with developing electronic communications, although technical problems remain.

    • Progress on revising the consultation forms depends on planning authorities standardising their planning application forms to include the information required by the trunk road authority. This proposal was discussed with local authorities but there has been no formal response to date.

    Pre-application advice

    • Applicants are encouraged to consult the Scottish Executive Road Network Management and Maintenance Division (RNMMD) at the earliest possible stage to speed up the consultation process.

    The need for further planning advice

    • It has been decided not to seek revision of the Town & Country Planning Scotland General Development Procedure (Scotland) Order 1992, but revised advice is contained in Planning Advice Note 40 Development Control. Consultants have been commissioned to advise by the end of 2001 on guidance on transport assessment for development proposals in Scotland. Together with the output of other research on key development sites and on achieving sustainable mode share, the research output will inform further good practice Planning Advice programmed for 2002.

    The need for further trunk road advice

    • Route strategies are under active consideration.

    • We have effectively achieved a one-door approach to the Operating Companies. A copy of the consultation form only is sent to RNMMD to enable them to monitor performance.

    • Consideration is still being given as to how best to keep planning authorities informed of progress.

    • A library of standard conditions is in use, and is subject to constant revision and updating.

    It is the view of RNMMD that the current wording of conditions complies with the law.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153294,"EventID":"S1W-16628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will empower senior nurses and senior midwives to direct patient care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will empower senior nurses and senior midwives to direct patient care.","AnswerText":"There are a number of ways in which the nursing professions are being empowered at present. For example, through the recently published Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland, midwives have an explicit role in delivering and influencing patient care.

    In addition, Caring for Scotland - The Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland has a commitment to investing in leadership at ward sister and charge nurse level and focus group meetings for those staff are being held now.

    Also, I recently announced plans for Scotland's first nursing summit to bring together all those with an interest in promoting nursing to work in partnership with the Executive to explore new ways of improving recruitment and retention.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153295,"EventID":"S1W-16629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reconsider any of the eligibility criteria for its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reconsider any of the eligibility criteria for its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"It was announced last month that, because of the progress made by local authorities in installing central heating in recent years, the Scottish Executive would consider how the central heating programme might be extended.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153296,"EventID":"S1W-16630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to assist the Langside College Board of Management with its funding recovery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to assist the Langside College Board of Management with its funding recovery plan.","AnswerText":"The funding of individual colleges of further education is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The council has been in detailed discussion with the college on the preparation of its financial recovery plan, which is now expected to be incorporated into the college's management action plan by the end of July 2001. Implementation will be a matter for agreement between the council and the college.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153297,"EventID":"S1W-16631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to carry out a national funding review of further education colleges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to carry out a national funding review of further education colleges.","AnswerText":"The funding of individual colleges of further education is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The funding of the further education sector in Scotland is kept under constant review by the council.

    The Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee of the Parliament has also indicated its intention to inquire into the need for a long-term, comprehensive strategy for continuing post-compulsory education and training in Scotland, including considering the effectiveness and relevance of current funding mechanisms and levels in meeting Scotland's economic and social needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153298,"EventID":"S1W-16632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, in conjunction with Glasgow City Council, to prevent care sector staff in Glasgow from taking further industrial action.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, in conjunction with Glasgow City Council, to prevent care sector staff in Glasgow from taking further industrial action.","AnswerText":"It would not be appropriate for ministers to be involved in such a local issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153299,"EventID":"S1W-16633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of functional illiteracy throughout Scotland and how it plans to tackle this issue.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of functional illiteracy throughout Scotland and how it plans to tackle this issue.","AnswerText":"The International Adult Literacy Survey suggested that 23% of adults in Scotland may have low literacy and numeracy skills.

    On 2 July I published the Adult Literacy Team's report, Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland. I am now considering the report's 21 key recommendations.

    The Scottish Executive has already committed £22.5 million over the next three years to the task of raising literacy and numeracy levels. £18.5 million of this will be channelled through local authorities to community learning strategy learning partnerships to raise to around 80,000 the number of Scottish learners who will be assisted over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153300,"EventID":"S1W-16634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct those public bodies for which it is responsible to discontinue the use of paper products produced by Asia Pulp and Paper.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct those public bodies for which it is responsible to discontinue the use of paper products produced by Asia Pulp and Paper.","AnswerText":"No. The purchasing of paper and other supplies is a matter for individual public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153301,"EventID":"S1W-16635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reimburse Argyll & Bute Council and Highland Council for the costs they incurred in setting up and manning disinfectant points on the roads during the foo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reimburse Argyll & Bute Council and Highland Council for the costs they incurred in setting up and manning disinfectant points on the roads during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The decision by the Argyll & Bute and Highland Councils to set up disinfectant points in their areas was taken despite advice from the Scottish Executive that such measures were unlikely to prove effective in disease control terms. The Executive, therefore, has no plans to reimburse the councils for the costs incurred.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153302,"EventID":"S1W-16636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many computers have been distributed in Scotland through the Computers Within Reach scheme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many computers have been distributed in Scotland through the Computers Within Reach scheme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in October 2000.","AnswerText":"The Computers Within Reach scheme has been piloted by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) in certain areas of England only. The scheme does not operate in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales. The scheme is currently being evaluated by DfEE, and the Scottish Executive will examine this evaluation with interest.

    The Executive will launch a digital inclusion strategy later this year which will aim to ensure that all people in Scotland are able to benefit from digital technologies.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153303,"EventID":"S1W-16637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many women who are registered disabled are housebound.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many women who are registered disabled are housebound.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153304,"EventID":"S1W-16638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider implementing a scheme to provide computers for socially excluded groups such as disabled people and housebound women.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider implementing a scheme to provide computers for socially excluded groups such as disabled people and housebound women.","AnswerText":"We expect to publish a digital inclusion strategy early in the autumn and this will set out our proposals for tackling the digital divide.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153305,"EventID":"S1W-16639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the performance of Quality Meat Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the performance of Quality Meat Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have seen Quality Meat Scotland's forward plans and am impressed with the approach set out. Quality Meat Scotland is owned jointly by the Meat and Livestock Commission and the two bodies representative of levy payers, NFU Scotland and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers. Any review is therefore a matter for the industry as I have no direct responsibility for Quality Meat Scotland itself.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153306,"EventID":"S1W-16640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock has been the subject of an investigation by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock has been the subject of an investigation by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and, if so, what the current status is of any such investigation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    There has been no such investigation.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153307,"EventID":"S1W-16641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suspected of swallowing a package have been kept in the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock for less than four hours since the health centre opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people suspected of swallowing a package have been kept in the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock for less than four hours since the health centre opened.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Two.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153308,"EventID":"S1W-16642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input nurses have had to the mental health strategy at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input nurses have had to the mental health strategy at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The prison's mental health strategy has been developed with input from experienced nursing professionals as well as the medical officer and consultant psychiatrists.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153309,"EventID":"S1W-16643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the practices and procedures for the observation of \"at risk\" prisoners who are under the supervision of the Clinical Manager at the health centre ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the practices and procedures for the observation of \"at risk\" prisoners who are under the supervision of the Clinical Manager at the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service sees no need to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153310,"EventID":"S1W-16644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the current procedures for medical supervision at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the current procedures for medical supervision at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) sees no need to do so. In his report following an inspection of the prison in March of this year, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons commented: \"The medical arrangements at Kilmarnock are being maintained at a high level and we have no major concerns.\"","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153311,"EventID":"S1W-16645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate current practices for medical supervision of registered mental health nurses at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate current practices for medical supervision of registered mental health nurses at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16644","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153312,"EventID":"S1W-16646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the policies and practices adopted within the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock in relation to any downgrading of priority treatment for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the policies and practices adopted within the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock in relation to any downgrading of priority treatment for violent prisoners or prisoners with mental health problems.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Downgrading of treatment has not occurred. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16644.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153313,"EventID":"S1W-16647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of staff bullying have been lodged against the management of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of staff bullying have been lodged against the management of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153314,"EventID":"S1W-16648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Fatal Accident Inquiries there have been as a result of inmates dying while in custody at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Fatal Accident Inquiries there have been as a result of inmates dying while in custody at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Two.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153315,"EventID":"S1W-16649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask the Chief Inspector of Prisons to investigate the management and practices of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask the Chief Inspector of Prisons to investigate the management and practices of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive sees no need to do so. Inspections are a matter for the HMCIP himself who conducted a full inspection of HM Prison Kilmarnock on 20-30 March 2000 and an intermediate inspection on 5-7 and 12 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153316,"EventID":"S1W-16650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses are qualified to issue prescriptions for methadone at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses are qualified to issue prescriptions for methadone at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153317,"EventID":"S1W-16651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions over the past year methadone has been prescribed by nurses at the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions over the past year methadone has been prescribed by nurses at the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153318,"EventID":"S1W-16652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock, how long each staff member has been in post and what the job title is of each staff m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock, how long each staff member has been in post and what the job title is of each staff member.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153319,"EventID":"S1W-16653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times have staff in the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock refused to treat prisoners, what reasons were given for each refusal and whether prisoners being t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times have staff in the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock refused to treat prisoners, what reasons were given for each refusal and whether prisoners being too violent was cited as a reason in any refusal.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153320,"EventID":"S1W-16654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the grievance procedures that operate in the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the grievance procedures that operate in the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Any such matter would be for Premier Prison Services Limited.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153321,"EventID":"S1W-16655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many grievances have been lodged against the management of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened, what the nature of each grievance has been and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many grievances have been lodged against the management of the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened, what the nature of each grievance has been and what the outcome was in each case.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153322,"EventID":"S1W-16656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of security there have been in the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each year since it opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of security there have been in the health centre in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each year since it opened.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    None.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153323,"EventID":"S1W-16657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many days of sick leave have been taken by medical staff in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many days of sick leave have been taken by medical staff in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153324,"EventID":"S1W-16658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of medical staff in HM Prison Kilmarnock was in each year since it opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of medical staff in HM Prison Kilmarnock was in each year since it opened.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153325,"EventID":"S1W-16659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been lodged about the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened and what the source was of each complaint.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been lodged about the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock since it opened and what the source was of each complaint.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16640.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153326,"EventID":"S1W-16660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many medical staff are employed and (b) what the ratio is of medical staff to prisoners in each prison.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many medical staff are employed and (b) what the ratio is of medical staff to prisoners in each prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    Apart from the SPS Medical Adviser, no medical staff are directly employed by the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153327,"EventID":"S1W-16661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current procedures are at HM Prison Kilmarnock for referrals of those involved in attempted suicides or self-harming and, in particular, whether such cases are ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current procedures are at HM Prison Kilmarnock for referrals of those involved in attempted suicides or self-harming and, in particular, whether such cases are automatically referred to the mental health nurse at the prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    All cases of attempted suicide or self-harm are referred to a multi-disciplinary team which includes healthcare staff. These teams may or may not include a mental health nurse.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153328,"EventID":"S1W-16662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what each level one expenditure line in the Scottish budget represented as a percentage of Scotland's GDP in each year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what each level one expenditure line in the Scottish budget represented as a percentage of Scotland's GDP in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I refer you to the table which provides level one expenditure as a percentage of GDP and projected GDP.

    Portfolio

    %

     

    1994-95

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    Audit Scotland

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.01

    0.01

    0.01

    Central Gov't Support for Local Authority Expenditure

    8.26

    7.92

    8.87

    8.27

    7.90

    7.91

    7.83

    8.09

    8.22

    8.26

    Children and Central Government Education

    0.08

    0.08

    0.10

    0.20

    0.26

    0.29

    0.36Amending legislation extending coverage of the procedures to the main agri-environment and afforestation schemes will take effect from 29 June 2001 and will cover decisions on these schemes from 1 January this year. The first two stages of the appeals procedure will be extended to quota arrangements. The full procedure - including the Scottish Land Court stage - will extend to quotas later this year once the underlying quota legislation has been updated.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153331,"EventID":"S1W-16665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how trade unions representing workers employed in the transport industry are being consulted on the work currently under way on the Executive's transport delivery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how trade unions representing workers employed in the transport industry are being consulted on the work currently under way on the Executive's transport delivery plan.","AnswerText":"I will be meeting the STUC shortly to discuss issues relating to the Transport Delivery Plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153332,"EventID":"S1W-16666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how people with mental health problems and their carers are involved in the development of local mental health strategies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how people with mental health problems and their carers are involved in the development of local mental health strategies.","AnswerText":"The Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, which of course includes a user of mental health services and a carer on each visit, raises this important issue in their discussion with the care agencies in each area. The group stress the importance of meaningful and continued engagement at all stages of planning and delivery of services, so that strategies agreed are fit for purpose. Where necessary, recommendations for improvement are made in the outcome reports from the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153333,"EventID":"S1W-16667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with mental health problems are assured the provision of practical support for advocacy services as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with mental health problems are assured the provision of practical support for advocacy services as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report, A Shared Approach.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change requires all NHS boards to work in partnership with local authorities to ensure that integrated independent advocacy services are available to those who need them. In addition, the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland encourages the provision of independent advocacy schemes and emphasises the importance of the engagement of advocacy organisations in the joint planning process.

    The Mental Health and Well Being Support includes this issue in its discussions with the care agencies and other parties including local advocacy, service user and carer representatives in each area. Where necessary recommendations for improvements are made in the outcome reports from the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153334,"EventID":"S1W-16668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with mental health problems are actively involved in developing their own care plans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with mental health problems are actively involved in developing their own care plans.","AnswerText":"The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland encourages mental health agencies to ensure that people who use services, and their families and carers, receive the necessary support to enable them to participate effectively in planning their care. Access to relevant information, advice, advocacy and other support assists people to make informed decisions about their care.

    The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland provides a template for agencies designed to ensure that people who use services and their families and carers receive the necessary support to enable them to participate effectively in their own care. Access to relevant information, advice, advocacy and other support can all help informed decisions about individual care plans. This modernisation and responsive care agenda is continued in the forward programme of change and improvement set out in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.

    How that change is delivered and how people who use services are kept involved and engaged with their own care planning requires joint working between the local authorities, the NHS and other relevant organisations. The Mental Health and Well Being Support Group will continue its review of agency progress with this modernisation agenda, including the user and carer dimension and will feed into the overall assessment and accountability process announced in Our National Health.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153335,"EventID":"S1W-16669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether performance indicators for joint working in mental health services have been developed and monitored as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether performance indicators for joint working in mental health services have been developed and monitored as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report, A Shared Approach.","AnswerText":"Both the Scottish Health Advisory Service and the Mental Welfare Commission have indicators which cover joint working. For our part, we have set up a range of measures to further progress implementation of the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland, including joint working. The lead rests with the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, which is visiting each health board area and assessing implementation with the partners locally, including how they work together.

    In addition, we are currently consulting on the Performance Assessment Framework for the new unified health boards which will cover joint working on, amongst other things, mental health, and in the course of the next few months we will be reviewing with the Accounts Commission the range of performance indicators across the whole of community care.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153336,"EventID":"S1W-16670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in recording unmet needs of people with mental health in their care plans, as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report, A S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in recording unmet needs of people with mental health in their care plans, as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report, A Shared Approach.","AnswerText":"All long-stay hospital transfers to community-based care should follow multi-disciplinary and multi-agency discharge planning where the continuing care needs are assessed and agreed. The individual and their carer where appropriate should of course be involved in these discussions. Guidance states that if for whatever reason an element of the service response to the continuing care needs is not immediately available no transfer should take place.

    On a wider area need level the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group published in March this year comprehensive guidance on approaches to Needs Assessment for a Comprehensive, Local Mental Health Service, a copy of which is held in the Parliament's Reference Centre. That report sourced and listed 43 additional guidance papers on area and personal needs assessment in mental health. The Support Group, the Scottish Health Advisory Service, the Social Work Services Inspectorate and others continue to visit and report on the local agencies' strategic and service responses to assessed needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153337,"EventID":"S1W-16671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfulfilled vacancies exist in the NHSiS for (a) clinical psychologists and (b) psychiatrists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfulfilled vacancies exist in the NHSiS for (a) clinical psychologists and (b) psychiatrists.","AnswerText":"In connection with question S1W-14202, the member will be aware of a clinical psychology workforce survey which indicated that there were 44.25 (WTE) vacant posts as at 30 September 1998. More recent information is not available as data on the number of vacancies in clinical psychology is currently not collected centrally.

    The latest information available on the number of consultant and staff grade vacancies in the psychiatric specialties is shown in the following table, which should be read in conjunction with the notes below it. Recent expansion in the psychiatric sub-specialties and the effect of dual training have increased the specialist registrar training period by one year, and this has contributed to the number of consultant vacancies. In recognition of the pressures within psychiatry, the number of posts for doctors in higher specialist training in the psychiatric specialties has been increased from 134 in March 2000 to 139 in March 2001.

    Consultant and Staff Grade Vacancies in Psychiatry

    Headcount as at 30 September 2000

    All Psychiatric Specialties

    44

    Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

    8

    Forensic Psychiatry

    2

    General Psychiatry

    22

    Psychiatry of Learning Disability

    1

    Old Age Psychiatry

    9

    Psychotherapy

    2

    Notes:

    1. Source: ISD M(4), ISD Scotland.

    2. A vacancy is defined as a post which is funded but unoccupied at 30 September and a decision has been made to fill the post.

    3. Only consultant and staff grade vacancies are recorded.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153338,"EventID":"S1W-16672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by its Adult Literacy Team.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by its Adult Literacy Team.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the Adult Literacy Team's report will be published on Monday 2 July on the team's website.

    Website address: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/alt.asp

    I welcome the report and broadly endorse its conclusions and 21 recommendations, although I wish to give them careful attention before making a full response to each one.

    I have agreed with the team's recommendation that £18.5 million of the £22.5 million previously announced for adult literacy over the next three years should be distributed through local authorities to community learning strategy partnerships, where all sectors will be able to access the new resources. I believe that this is the best way to ensure funds reach all those who can assist in meeting the national target set out in the report of helping 80,000 people over the next three years.

    The allocations to local authorities, shown in the table, takes account of the team's research on the main factors affecting low literacy and numeracy, so that funding can be targeted where it is most needed.

    Guidance will be issued shortly to local authorities detailing their individual allocations in each of the three years, which will be linked to outcomes agreed with them on behalf of the Community Learning Strategy Partnerships.

    Allocation of resources to local authorities for adult literacy and numeracy (2001-04)

    Aberdeen City

    536,537

    Aberdeenshire

    549,773

    Angus

    305,492

    Argyll & Bute

    270,524

    Clackmannanshire

    193,069

    Dumfries & Galloway

    508,648

    Dundee City

    655,944

    East Ayrshire

    654,555

    East Dunbartonshire

    194,915

    East Lothian

    199,539

    East Renfrewshire

    187,441

    Edinburgh, City of

    1,749,741

    Falkirk

    422,566

    Fife

    1,019,705

    Glasgow City

    3,741,912

    Highland

    586,227

    Inverclyde

    451,005

    Midlothian

    236,840

    Moray

    		The council held a policy debate about the Commission's Green Paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The UK stated that the primary objective for the CFP was to achieve a policy which is both economically and environmentally sustainable and one which involves the stakeholders more closely in the management decisions affecting them. We stressed the need to build on existing elements of policy such as relative stability, Hague Preference, 6- and 12-mile limits and the Shetland Box. We also advocated the setting up of regional bodies, involving fishermen alongside managers and scientists, to tackle stock conservation issues. These should be aimed at securing a greater sense of ownership by the industry.

    The council discussed the general state of fish stocks and in particular the recovery plans for cod and hake. The commission presented its long-term recovery plans and made reference to ongoing negotiations with Norway. The UK recognised the problems with the stocks but emphasised the importance of securing industry support for the recovery plans through meaningful consultation. I highlighted the need for both measures and the long-term plans to be fully thought through and to recognise the difficulties involved in managing the mixed fisheries in the North Sea.

    The council agreed a set of conclusions about the commission's Biodiversity Action Plan for fisheries. It also received an initial presentation from the commission about the extension of the current multi-annual guidance programme (MAGP) and agreed to extend until 31 December the temporary aid scheme for Spanish and Portuguese vessels affected by the failure to secure a new fisheries agreement with Morocco. This is funded from within existing structural funds allocations.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153340,"EventID":"S1W-16674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been or will be taken by each health board to ensure that BCG vaccination of all (a) S2, (b) S3 and (c) S4 schoolchildren is resumed (i) by June 2001 or (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been or will be taken by each health board to ensure that BCG vaccination of all (a) S2, (b) S3 and (c) S4 schoolchildren is resumed (i) by June 2001 or (ii) by the autumn term of 2001.","AnswerText":"Susan Deacon's letter of 26 June to Mrs Ewing provided the most up-to-date details on the restart of the BCG programme in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153341,"EventID":"S1W-16675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules, regulations and/or guidance apply to children, amateurs and professionals taking part in boxing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules, regulations and/or guidance apply to children, amateurs and professionals taking part in boxing.","AnswerText":"The rules, regulations and/or guidance applying to children, amateurs and professionals taking part in boxing are contained within the Memorandum of Association and Bye Laws of Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd. Copies can be obtained from ABS Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153342,"EventID":"S1W-16676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Amateur Boxing Association is required to adhere to particular medical standards and, if so, which body sets these standards and whose responsibilit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Amateur Boxing Association is required to adhere to particular medical standards and, if so, which body sets these standards and whose responsibility it is to ensure that they are complied with.","AnswerText":"Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd is required to adhere to the medical standards as set by the Medical Commission of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA), the world governing body. It is the responsibility of the General Council, the Medical Commission and the Official in Charge of Tournament to ensure the standards are complied with.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153343,"EventID":"S1W-16677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum age is below which children are not permitted to take part in boxing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum age is below which children are not permitted to take part in boxing.","AnswerText":"Children are not permitted to box until the year in which their 12th birthday falls.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153344,"EventID":"S1W-16678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who carries responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing matches and/or receiving coaching in community clubs and gyms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who carries responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing matches and/or receiving coaching in community clubs and gyms.","AnswerText":"The Official in Charge of Show, attending doctors and the Referee carry the responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing matches. The Head Coach of individual clubs carries the responsibility for the safety of those receiving coaching in community clubs and gyms.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153345,"EventID":"S1W-16679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum qualifications are for boxing coaches and whose responsibility it is to monitor compliance with these requirements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum qualifications are for boxing coaches and whose responsibility it is to monitor compliance with these requirements.","AnswerText":"The minimum qualification for boxing coaches is the Coaching Certificate issued by the former Scottish Amateur Boxing Association/Scottish Amateur Boxing Federation (SABA/SABF) or Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd (ABS Ltd).

    The ABS Ltd Director of Development is now responsible for monitoring compliance with these requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153346,"EventID":"S1W-16680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Scottish Local Govern","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Scottish Local Government's Self-Review of its Political Management Structures: Report of the Leadership Advisory Panel.","AnswerText":"The Leadership Advisory Panel has been a very successful exercise for modest outlay. The costs of publication of the LAP report can be broken down as follows:
     

    £

    Design

    3,760

    Printing

    12,641

    Web conversion

    724

    Postage

    926*

    TOTAL

    18,051

    * Estimated.

    The report was simply published rather than launched so no other significant costs were incurred at the time of publication. Copies were sent to all councillors in Scotland to help encourage debate and discussion about the different models adopted given the evolutionary nature of the process. In addition, its availability on the web avoids the need for subsequent print runs.

    The cost of establishing and maintaining LAP from August 1999 until April 2001 can be broken down as follows.
     

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    £

    £

    £

    Travel and subsistence: visits to councils and panel meetings

    4,344

    7,165

    1,434

    Costs of Panel meetings

    247

    2,919

    1,430

    Publications

    15

    0

    357

    Total

    4,606

    10,084

    3,221

    Secretariat support was provided by the Scottish Executive. The staff involved in supporting the panel did so as part of a wider range of duties so it is not possible to calculate their costs concerned with LAP business alone.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153347,"EventID":"S1W-16681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in establishing and maintaining its Leadership Advisory Panel in each of the past two years, including any","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in establishing and maintaining its Leadership Advisory Panel in each of the past two years, including any staff, accommodation, travel and administrative costs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16680.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153348,"EventID":"S1W-16682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any design changes have been made to the windows in the MSP office block of the new Parliament building at Holyrood and, if so, what the consequential additional c","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any design changes have been made to the windows in the MSP office block of the new Parliament building at Holyrood and, if so, what the consequential additional costs and time delays in construction were.","AnswerText":"Design changes were made to the MSP block windows as a consequence of the Value Engineering exercise carried out in late 1999. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that there were no consequential time delays and the changes have resulted in cost savings of around £100,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153349,"EventID":"S1W-16683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to employers in the current financial year to up-skill their workforce.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to employers in the current financial year to up-skill their workforce.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have a duty to assist employers to up-skill their workforce under the provisions of A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks. Planned expenditure by the enterprise network on skills development in 2001-02 amounts to £173.2 million. For work-based training through programmes such as Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships, the enterprise network is planning to spend £69.2 million this financial year. The Scottish Executive is also making £0.5 million available to the employer-led National Training Organisations in the current financial year to assess skills needs and promote workforce development planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153350,"EventID":"S1W-16684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for assisting employers in up-skilling their workforce.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for assisting employers in up-skilling their workforce.","AnswerText":"The strategy for assisting employers to up-skill their workforce and for ensuring the availability of appropriate training opportunities was set out in A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks. Priorities include encouraging employers to invest in training; collaborating with learndirect scotland to achieve the target of 100,000 Individual Learning Accounts by 2002, ensuring the best possible start for all young people; creating 20,000 Modern Apprenticeships by 2003, and preparing people better for existing and future jobs. Planned expenditure by the enterprise network on skills development in 2001-02 amounts to £173.2 million.

    National Training Organisations (NTOs) also have an important role in workforce development in liaison with employers in their sector. £1.5 million financial support is being allocated to NTOs over the next three years to encourage work-based training and skills development, for the production of workforce development plans, and to help ensure the relevance of education and training provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153351,"EventID":"S1W-16685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by each local enterprise company (LEC) in 2000-01 on training, broken down by trade/profession, and what the budget of each LEC is in the current finan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by each local enterprise company (LEC) in 2000-01 on training, broken down by trade/profession, and what the budget of each LEC is in the current financial year for this purpose.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Enterprise Networks. I will ask the chairmen of both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to write to the member direct. A copy of both replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153352,"EventID":"S1W-16686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for individual learning accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for individual learning accounts.","AnswerText":"Regulation 3 of the Education and Training (Scotland) Regulations 2000 stipulates that Individual Learning Accounts are available to all persons aged 18 and over who satisfy certain specific conditions. The person must be resident in Scotland on a temporary or permanent basis, and, where such residence is temporary, he must be ordinarily resident within the European Economic Area.

    The residence of a member of the armed forces is determined as being the establishment where he is for the time being serving. Where the establishment is outside the United Kingdom, his residence is deemed to be the establishment at which he most recently served disregarding any establishment at which he served for a period of less than a month.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153353,"EventID":"S1W-16687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether further provision is to be made in relation to the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether further provision is to be made in relation to the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Yes. A number of amendments were made to other enactments at Stage 2 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill, including an amendment to the Finance Act 2000. That amendment relates to a reserved matter and is therefore outwith the Parliament's legislative competence. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have accordingly agreed that this should be rectified by means of an Order which will be made by the Secretary of State under section 107 of the Scotland Act. Section 107 Orders do not require to be laid before the Scottish Parliament, but copies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre together with an explanatory letter.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153354,"EventID":"S1W-16688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will announce the key performance targets it has set for Fisheries Research Services for 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will announce the key performance targets it has set for Fisheries Research Services for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"I have set the following targets for Fisheries Research Services (FRS) for the financial year 2001-02.

    Delivery of Service

    To achieve 93% of the performance targets set in the Schedules to the Service Level Agreement.

    To achieve 80% of the milestones agreed for Research and Development projects.

    To achieve an output of 0.7 publications per member of staff.

    To produce 16 information packs and eight major articles in the fishing press.

    Quality of Service

    To submit the scientific work of the Aquatic Environment Programme at the FRS Marine Laboratory to a peer review during 2001-02, and to put in place an agreed Action Plan to implement recommendations by the end of March 2002.

    To achieve accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, by March 2002, of the monitoring programmes for three new areas of work.

    Efficiency Targets

    Full economic costs to be recovered from external customers (other than those agreed to be undertaken at marginal or shared costs).

    To restrict administrative staff costs to a maximum of 17% of the total staff running costs.

    To achieve a research vessel utilisation of 535 days per year, operating at a daily cost of £5,500 (£12,500 full resource costs) for Scotia and £2,200 (£2,500 full resource costs) for Clupea.

    To produce accounts on target, enabling the 2000-01 FRS Report and Accounts to be published in July.

    To achieve cash releasing efficiency gains to the value of 1% of FRS' budget.

    The Chief Executive of FRS will be accountable to me for the agency's performance against these targets.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153355,"EventID":"S1W-16689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the protection of Scotland's water environment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the protection of Scotland's water environment.","AnswerText":"I am publishing today a consultation paper Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters. This paper sets out how we propose to secure and promote the environmental health of our rivers, lochs and coastal waters for future generations. It seeks views on the policy proposals that will underpin our planned Water Environment Bill and implement the EC Water Framework Directive.

    Our proposals for a system to manage our water environment in a co-ordinated and comprehensive way will bring significant benefits to Scotland. We aim to ensure the environment is protected and in a way that involves and takes account of all interests. We will need to hear the views of everyone with an interest in the water environment in order to create a successful system. This paper will initiate the debate.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153356,"EventID":"S1W-16690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in 2001-02 and whether these will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in 2001-02 and whether these will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Drug Enforcement Forum which, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister for Justice, oversees the work of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA), formally endorsed the SDEA's objectives, key activities, performance indicators and targets for 2001-02 at its meeting on 4 June. Copies of the agreed targets have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153357,"EventID":"S1W-16691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the implementation of the Partnership in Practice agreements recommended in the report The same as you? and, in particular, how it will monitor how t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the implementation of the Partnership in Practice agreements recommended in the report The same as you? and, in particular, how it will monitor how the #36 million allocated to the Challenge Fund over the next three years is spent on helping those with learning disabilities. ","AnswerText":"Partnership in Practice agreements are being monitored for the extent to which they identify clear outputs and outcomes to be achieved locally over the next three years, and for effective use of new and existing resources to achieve the aims of The same as you?","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153358,"EventID":"S1W-16692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement regarding a freight facilities grant for the Rosyth Euroterminal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement regarding a freight facilities grant for the Rosyth Euroterminal.","AnswerText":"We are currently giving careful consideration to two Freight Facility Grant applications in connection with this project. I understand that my officials have recently written to the applicants seeking further information on their proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153359,"EventID":"S1W-16693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a person awaiting a decision regarding asylum is eligible for an individual learning account and what the reason is for the position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a person awaiting a decision regarding asylum is eligible for an individual learning account and what the reason is for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Education and Training (Scotland) Regulations 2000 determine the qualifying arrangements regarding eligibility for an Individual Learning Account (ILA). These regulations require that an individual must be resident in Scotland on a temporary or permanent basis, and, where such residence is temporary he is ordinarily resident within the European Economic Area.

    In the case of an asylum seeker, his residence in Scotland is dependent on the outcome of a petition for asylum. Until such times as the outcome is known, he cannot be regarded as being permanently resident in Scotland and he would not, therefore, be eligible for an Individual Learning Account. If he were later granted permission to remain in Scotland he would then be eligible for an ILA from that date.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153360,"EventID":"S1W-16694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what foundation Modern Apprenticeships at Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 2 have existed, how many apprenticeship places were available and how many were fi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what foundation Modern Apprenticeships at Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 2 have existed, how many apprenticeship places were available and how many were filled in each sector in each year since 1997 to date, broken down by local authority and local enterprise company area.","AnswerText":"There is no such information available. Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in Scotland to address the skills needs at intermediate level and lead to a SVQ Level 3. Skillseekers provides training opportunities for young people at SVQ Level 2, at a similar level to Foundation Modern Apprentices in England. These are funded from within the block grant-in-aid provided by the Scottish Executive to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153361,"EventID":"S1W-16695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds.","AnswerText":"As required by the Scotland Act, the Executive will observe its EU obligations and intends to introduce shortly legislation that will ban the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds as of 1 August this year. However, the Executive will continue to press for the return of fishmeal in ruminant rations as soon as the potential for cross-contamination to occur can be discounted by a suitable testing protocol, which the EU is committed to pursuing.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153362,"EventID":"S1W-16696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to support lone parents moving into further and higher education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to support lone parents moving into further and higher education.","AnswerText":"Together with my colleagues Wendy Alexander and Nicol Stephen, I am pleased to announce a new three-year £24 million package of child care support for lone parents.

    Not only will this funding support lone parents entry into education and ultimately employment, but will also help to tackle child poverty through improving the opportunities for lone parents to support their families.","AnswerDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153363,"EventID":"S1W-16697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to oppose the proposals by the European Union to ban the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds and what info","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to oppose the proposals by the European Union to ban the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds and what information it has on the scientific basis of these proposals.","AnswerText":"In agreement with the Scottish Executive, the UK Government has made representations to the European Union on the fishmeal issue throughout the legislative process. As a result fishmeal has not been banned from feeding to non-ruminant livestock. The UK has raised the possibility of a relaxation of the ban on feeding fishmeal to ruminants in the Standing Veterinary Committee and the Council. In the Agricultural Council of 19 June the Commission promised to review this ban once a test had been validated that is capable of differentiating between animal and fish protein in feed. The UK uses an ELISA to test compound animal feedingstuffs for the presence of mammalian protein, but this test has not yet been validated. Until this problem can be resolved we have no option but to implement the Community ban.

    The scientific basis for the ban on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds came from the EU Scientific Steering Committee, who considered possible scientific reasons for a general feed ban on meat and bone meal (MBM) to all farmed animals on 27/28 November 2000. Their opinion, which was published on the 29 November, stated that the risk of propagation of BSE and other TSEs was increased by the possibility of cross-contamination of animal feed. Cross contamination with possibly BSE contaminated ruminant MBM is a serious problem. A ban on the use of MBM containing feed for animals minimises this risk.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153364,"EventID":"S1W-16698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was to the Scottish economy of salmon and sea trout angling in each of the last 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was to the Scottish economy of salmon and sea trout angling in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"We do not hold this information centrally. I am, however, proposing to commission the necessary economic study.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153365,"EventID":"S1W-16699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors salmon and sea trout angling have attracted to Scotland in each of the last 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors salmon and sea trout angling have attracted to Scotland in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Information is not available in the form requested. It is estimated that around 110,000 visitors fish in Scotland every year, generating tourism spend of around £30 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153366,"EventID":"S1W-16700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Scottish National Heritage consultation on the proposals for the Cairngorms National Park will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Scottish National Heritage consultation on the proposals for the Cairngorms National Park will be published.","AnswerText":"I expect to receive the report from Scottish Natural Heritage in late August. I will immediately make it available on the internet and a limited number of copies will be made available to the Parliament and relevant local authorities. Wide circulation of printed copies will follow shortly afterwards.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153367,"EventID":"S1W-16701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage nurses to continue working within the NHSiS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage nurses to continue working within the NHSiS.","AnswerText":"There are a number of ways in which this is being achieved. For example, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change makes clear that all NHS employers will be required to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family-friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers, guidance on family-friendly policies was issued in January covering areas such as flexible working, childcare, breast-feeding and career breaks. The guidance applies to all staff in NHSScotland.

    For the future, negotiations on Agenda for Change NHS Pay Modernisation are being addressed on a UK basis. The proposed new system will seek to underpin better career progression, modern conditions of service for staff and will ensure that all staff are rewarded fairly according to the work that they do and the contribution that they make rather than the title that they hold.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153368,"EventID":"S1W-16702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme consultation will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme consultation will be announced.","AnswerText":"My department passed copies of the consultation responses to the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre during the course of week commencing 16 July.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153369,"EventID":"S1W-16703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the consultation on the Forthcoming Review of the Common Fisheries Policy will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the consultation on the Forthcoming Review of the Common Fisheries Policy will be announced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive conducted a written consultation in Scotland on the European Commission Green Paper on the Future of the CFP between 22 March and 31 May this year. 27 responses were received. A summary of these responses has been prepared and will be placed, along with the full individual responses, in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153370,"EventID":"S1W-16704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Rate Relief for Small Businesses consultation will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Rate Relief for Small Businesses consultation will be announced.","AnswerText":"We are considering next steps in the light of the many helpful and diverse responses we received and an announcement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153371,"EventID":"S1W-16705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Fuel Duty Rebate (FDR) and Community Transport Services consultation will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Fuel Duty Rebate (FDR) and Community Transport Services consultation will be announced.","AnswerText":"Following a wide-ranging consultation exercise, we intend to bring forward regulations in the autumn to extend the availability of fuel duty rebate to a wide range of community transport services. Full details will be made available at that time.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153372,"EventID":"S1W-16706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of non-domestic rate relief are available to small rural businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of non-domestic rate relief are available to small rural businesses.","AnswerText":"All businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £10,000 or less benefit from a 2p reduction in the poundage this year. In addition, the rural rate relief scheme provides 50% mandatory relief for any sole general store (selling food and household goods) and/or post office in settlements of under 3,000 population in a designated rural area and with a rateable value of less than £6,000. Local authorities have discretionary powers to top this up to 100%. Local authorities also have discretion to grant up to 100% rate relief for any other business in such settlements that they consider important to the community. This discretionary element is for subjects with a maximum rateable value of £12,000.

    For businesses suffering financial hardship, local authorities can grant up to 100% relief from rates. For the period 1 April to 31 December 2001, for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, 95% of the cost of this relief is funded by the Scottish Executive for properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or less in rural areas (£50,000 in Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders). For other businesses, the Scottish Executive pays 75% of the cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153373,"EventID":"S1W-16707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of non-domestic rate relief are available to new small non-agricultural businesses developed on land or property formerly used for agricultural purposes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of non-domestic rate relief are available to new small non-agricultural businesses developed on land or property formerly used for agricultural purposes.","AnswerText":"All businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £10,000 or less benefit from a 2p reduction in the poundage this year. In addition, the rateable value of certain lands and buildings used for breeding or rearing horses is reduced by £2,500 or the amount that would otherwise be their rateable value.

    Proposals for rate relief for new farm diversification enterprises were included in the consultation paper we published on 15 February. We have received many helpful and diverse responses which we are considering before deciding how best to proceed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153374,"EventID":"S1W-16708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to lower the male age of qualification for concessionary travel on public transport to 60 years of age to bring it in line with the qualification age ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to lower the male age of qualification for concessionary travel on public transport to 60 years of age to bring it in line with the qualification age for females.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13592.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153375,"EventID":"S1W-16709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress local authorities are making in delivering local plan policies and issuing supplementary guidance to developers on the development of affordable housing, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress local authorities are making in delivering local plan policies and issuing supplementary guidance to developers on the development of affordable housing, and how it is assisting local authorities to do this.","AnswerText":"We are aware that planning authorities have been considering ways in which they can assist in the provision of affordable housing. Delivery of local plan policies is the responsibility of the planning authority in question.

    The Executive sets the national policy framework, principally through National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 3: Land for Housing, which provides guidance to planning authorities on the consideration of affordable housing requirements when preparing their development plans. NPPG 3 is currently being reviewed and a draft will be issued for consultation later this year.

    The Executive commissioned research projects during 2000 to consider the role of the planning system in the provision of affordable housing. The findings of the research will inform the review of NPPG 3.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153376,"EventID":"S1W-16710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of rail freight was transported to, from and through Aberdeen in each of the last ten years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of rail freight was transported to, from and through Aberdeen in each of the last ten years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153377,"EventID":"S1W-16711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers when approving new drugs or treatments for use by the NHSiS (a) how much demand there will be within each health board area for such drugs and treat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers when approving new drugs or treatments for use by the NHSiS (a) how much demand there will be within each health board area for such drugs and treatment and (b) what additional resources would be required to meet that demand.","AnswerText":"When a medicine receives a UK marketing authorisation, either from the Medicines Control Agency or the European Medicines Evaluation Authority, it becomes prescribable on the NHS unless it is added to Schedule 10, or in certain circumstances, Schedule 11 to the NHS (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995.

    Health boards determine their prescribing policy on new medicines, taking into account local needs and advice from their Area Drugs and Therapeutic Committee (AD&TC). A Scottish Medicines Consortium will be established this autumn to support AD&TCs by providing a single Scottish evaluation of new medicines at or near the time of marketing. In addition, some new medicines will be evaluated by the Health Technology Board for Scotland. The advice of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence is also made available publicly.

    Health boards' unified budgets include provision for the cost of prescribed medicines and are set to allow for the introduction of new medicines and the greater use of existing therapies. As these funds form part of their unified budget, health boards have the flexibility to decide locally how to use them. It is for health boards and Trusts to agree the amount to be set aside for new medicines or treatments.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153378,"EventID":"S1W-16712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards have given the drugs Enbrel and Remicade to patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards have given the drugs Enbrel and Remicade to patients.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally. Enbrel and Remicade are available on the NHS. However, their use depends on the clinical judgement of specialists experienced in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Data on drugs dispensed in hospitals is not held centrally. Centrally collected data relates to items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153379,"EventID":"S1W-16713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita level of funding for each health board was in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita level of funding for each health board was in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:

    Health Board

    1995-96

    Per Capita

    Funding

    £

    1996-97

    Per Capita

    Funding

    £

    1997-98

    Per Capita

    Funding

    £

    1998-99

    Per Capita

    Funding

    £

    Argyll & Clyde

    778

    832

    865

    908

    Ayrshire & Arran

    749

    783

    837

    873

    Borders

    821

    861

    902

    941

    Dumfries & Galloway

    826

    883

    921

    961

    Fife

    727

    761

    799

    821

    Forth Valley

    759

    771

    806

    847

    Grampian

    730

    769

    807

    844

    Greater Glasgow

    878

    905

    948

    965

    Highland

    846

    865

    911

    943

    Lanarkshire

    699

    736

    784

    823

    Lothian

    773

    793

    836

    867

    In 2000-01, the fund total of £5,582,000 was allocated to health boards. In turn, health boards topped this up to a total of £6,759,253.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153382,"EventID":"S1W-16716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money each health board received to support the development of out-of-hours GP services in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money each health board received to support the development of out-of-hours GP services in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Listed in the table is the amount of money allocated to the health boards for the years requested.

    Health Board

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    £

    £

    £

    Argyll and Clyde

    464,000

    476,000

    488,000

    Ayr and Arran

    391,000

    401,000

    411,000

    Borders

    116,000

    119,000

    122,000

    Dumfries and Galloway

    177,000

    182,000

    186,000

    Fife

    330,000

    339,000

    347,000

    Forth Valley

    300,000

    308,000

    315,000

    Grampian

    511,000

    524,000

    537,000

    Gr Glasgow

    947,000

    972,000

    996,000

    Highland

    272,000

    279,000

    286,000

    Lanarkshire

    503,000

    516,000

    529,000

    Lothian

    791,000

    812,000

    832,000

    Orkney

    37,000

    38,000

    39,000

    Shetland

    27,000

    28,000

    28,000

    Tayside

    396,000

    406,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153383,"EventID":"S1W-16717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gave to the development of the G-Docs scheme for out-of-hours GP services in Grampian in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gave to the development of the G-Docs scheme for out-of-hours GP services in Grampian in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Grampian Health Board were allocated the following amounts from the Out Of Hours Development Fund over the past three years. It is for the board and the Trust to decide how to allocate these funds to out of hours providers locally.

    1998-99

    511,000

    1999-2000

    524,000

    2000-01

    537,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153384,"EventID":"S1W-16718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the British Airport Authority's position as owner of Edinburgh and Glasgow airports acts as a barrier to increasing the percentage of foreign air travellers who ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the British Airport Authority's position as owner of Edinburgh and Glasgow airports acts as a barrier to increasing the percentage of foreign air travellers who are able to fly directly into Scotland and, if so, what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government requesting that this position be reviewed.","AnswerText":"Under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998, matters concerning the regulation of aviation and air transport are reserved to the UK Government. Matters concerning the promotion of direct air services from Scotland will be addressed in the preparation of the forthcoming Scottish Air Transport Consultation Document.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153385,"EventID":"S1W-16719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers or rights of consultation it has in relation to takeovers or mergers of companies within Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers or rights of consultation it has in relation to takeovers or mergers of companies within Scotland.","AnswerText":"Merger control is a matter reserved to the UK Government. However, the competition authorities take full account of relevant views including those of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153386,"EventID":"S1W-16720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has regarding the regulation of airports and whether these include powers to take privately owned airports into public ownership.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has regarding the regulation of airports and whether these include powers to take privately owned airports into public ownership.","AnswerText":"Under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998, subject to certain exceptions, the regulation of aviation and air transport is a reserved matter and therefore remains with the UK Government. Therefore the Scottish Executive does not have the power to take privately owned airports into public ownership.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153387,"EventID":"S1W-16721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the appointment of the new Chief Executive of visitscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the appointment of the new Chief Executive of visitscotland.","AnswerText":"The appointment of the new Chief Executive was announced on 16 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153388,"EventID":"S1W-16722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce routine neonatal screening for deafness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce routine neonatal screening for deafness.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the introduction of neonatal hearing screening will be taken forward in two steps. The first involves the establishment of two pathfinder sites with screening beginning in these areas by April 2002 Thereafter, the screening programme will be rolled out across Scotland from April 2003.

    A review of the implications of implementing a phased neonatal hearing screening programme was placed on the SHOW website on 27 June and is available on the SHOW website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153389,"EventID":"S1W-16723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it will give to Glasgow City Council to ensure it has enough sheltered and supported accommodation for elderly people, people with special needs and peop","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it will give to Glasgow City Council to ensure it has enough sheltered and supported accommodation for elderly people, people with special needs and people with mental health problems.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02 Glasgow City Council will have an estimated £75 million to spend on its housing stock. It is for the council to prioritise its housing needs and allocate this funding accordingly. However, Glasgow, like all councils, will be expected to address the issues raised in the question in its new local housing strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153390,"EventID":"S1W-16724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16244 by Sarah Boyack on 26 June 2001, what arrangements are in place to ensure that the cutting of grass verges of the A78 trunk r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16244 by Sarah Boyack on 26 June 2001, what arrangements are in place to ensure that the cutting of grass verges of the A78 trunk road at Stevenston by Amey Highways Ltd is within the contract specification and to ensure that Amey Highways Ltd have appropriate equipment for this task.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive employs the Performance Audit Group who audit and inspect the operations carried out by Amey Highways Ltd to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the trunk road maintenance contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153391,"EventID":"S1W-16725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what severance payments will be made to each of the departing directors of the Scottish Tourist Board and from which budget any such monies will be paid.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what severance payments will be made to each of the departing directors of the Scottish Tourist Board and from which budget any such monies will be paid.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland which will make any payments from its Running Costs provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153392,"EventID":"S1W-16726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the incoming directors of the Scottish Tourist Board will be recruited and what the cost will be of this recruitment process.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the incoming directors of the Scottish Tourist Board will be recruited and what the cost will be of this recruitment process.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for visitscotland. The three incoming senior directors have already been recruited.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153393,"EventID":"S1W-16727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at official level on the panel for the selection of the incoming directors of the Scottish Tourist Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at official level on the panel for the selection of the incoming directors of the Scottish Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153394,"EventID":"S1W-16728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been involved in organising the seminar on fuel cells to be held in Edinburgh on 29 June 2001, if so, in what way, and why Hydro-Gen Industries was not inv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been involved in organising the seminar on fuel cells to be held in Edinburgh on 29 June 2001, if so, in what way, and why Hydro-Gen Industries was not invited to attend.","AnswerText":"The seminar was organised by the Scottish Fuel Cell Consortium, although the Executive assisted the organisers by offering its conference facilities for the event, and by the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office posting details of the seminar on its website (www.energy-efficiency.org). Unfortunately the seminar was cancelled, but details of the rescheduled event are on the website and Hydro-Gen are welcome to attend.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153395,"EventID":"S1W-16729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials have had discussions with Hydro-Gen Industries on developing fuel cell technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials have had discussions with Hydro-Gen Industries on developing fuel cell technology.","AnswerText":"Representatives from the company met with officials from the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise on 18 December 2000 to discuss the company's involvement in fuel cell technology.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153396,"EventID":"S1W-16730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have been made aware of the work being done by Hydro-Gen Industries on fuel cell technology, what communication each minister has received on this issue a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have been made aware of the work being done by Hydro-Gen Industries on fuel cell technology, what communication each minister has received on this issue and what action has been taken as a result of any such communications.","AnswerText":"Mr Gallie will be aware that he wrote to the previous minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 27 September 2000 concerning Hydro-Gen Industries' involvement in fuel cell technology. Following this, officials from the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise met representatives from the company on 18 December 2000. At this meeting several courses of action available to Hydro-Gen Industries were outlined. It is for the company to take forward these issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153397,"EventID":"S1W-16731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds are available within this year's budget of the Scottish Prison Service and its budget for 2002-03 that would allow renovation work to be carried out at HM ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds are available within this year's budget of the Scottish Prison Service and its budget for 2002-03 that would allow renovation work to be carried out at HM Prison Barlinnie to end slopping out and, if so, what conditions will be applied to the use of any such funds for this purpose.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    No, but funds have been made available to upgrade one hall at Barlinnie. The funds must be expended in accordance with the terms of the SPS Financial Policy and Guidance Manual which requires us to secure best value for money from this investment. The project was granted authority to proceed on the basis that it will be delivered, as scoped, in accordance with the agreed budget and commissioning timetable.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153398,"EventID":"S1W-16732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been given to the Governor of HM Prison Barlinnie in respect of ending slopping out.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been given to the Governor of HM Prison Barlinnie in respect of ending slopping out.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    No directions have been given to the Governor. The options for ending slopping out in all Scottish prisons, including HM Prison Barlinnie, are being considered as part of the Estates Review which is currently underway.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153399,"EventID":"S1W-16733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide funding for the production of an information pack, similar to that produced in England and Wales, for those bereaved as a result of mu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide funding for the production of an information pack, similar to that produced in England and Wales, for those bereaved as a result of murder.","AnswerText":"The Executive, through its Scottish Strategy for Victims, is committed to improving the information for victims of crime in Scotland. The Justice Department will consider providing an information pack for those families bereaved by murder, as part of this work.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153400,"EventID":"S1W-16734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether golf courses are envisaged as being land over which access rights are not exercisable in terms of section 4 of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and, if so, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether golf courses are envisaged as being land over which access rights are not exercisable in terms of section 4 of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and, if so, whether it will detail which statutory provisions are applicable to access to such land.","AnswerText":"Under section 4(1)(e)(ii) of the draft Land Reform Bill, the right of access would not be exercisable on golf courses while in use. The public, however, would be able to continue to use existing rights of way across golf courses. Existing public rights of way are expressly preserved by section 3(2) of the Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153401,"EventID":"S1W-16735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the costs to it and to the Inquiry Reporters Unit of conducting two public local inquiries into land south of High Bogany, Rothsey, on the Isle of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the costs to it and to the Inquiry Reporters Unit of conducting two public local inquiries into land south of High Bogany, Rothsey, on the Isle of Bute.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received two planning appeals into land south of High Bogany, Rothesay. Only one of these is being determined by public local inquiry; the other was determined by the written submissions procedure.

    The public local inquiry commenced on 12 June 2001 but, as you are aware, has been adjourned until 17 September 2001. Full details of the costs of the inquiry will therefore only become available following the conclusion of the inquiry and issue of the decision on the appeal.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153402,"EventID":"S1W-16736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since 1996 any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have employed Queens Council to make representations on their behalf at public loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since 1996 any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have employed Queens Council to make representations on their behalf at public local inquiries and, in each case, which organisation was the employing body, what the cost was and what the outcome of the inquiry was.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual agencies and non-departmental public bodies. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153403,"EventID":"S1W-16737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning appeals have been received by Scottish Ministers from Executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies or non-devolved agencies in each year since 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning appeals have been received by Scottish Ministers from Executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies or non-devolved agencies in each year since 1996 and, in each case, which organisation made the appeal, what the total cost to the Executive was of conducting each inquiry, which party met the cost and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153404,"EventID":"S1W-16738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available in terms of finance and advice for members of the public who act as third party objectors in public local inquiries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available in terms of finance and advice for members of the public who act as third party objectors in public local inquiries.","AnswerText":"There is no financial assistance available to members of the public who act as third party objectors to an appeal. All parties to an appeal, including the appellant and the planning authority, are required to meet their own expenses.

    Information on planning appeal procedures is contained in a booklet produced by the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU), entitled "Planning Appeals in Scotland". There is also a Development Department Circular, SODD17/1998 entitled "Planning and Compulsory Purchase Order Inquiries and Hearings: Procedures and Good Practice". The booklet and Circular can be obtained from SEIRU and are also available on the Planning Home Page of the Scottish Executive website. These documents are routinely supplied free of charge by SEIRU to anyone making representations about a planning appeal.

    Professional advice may also be obtained from Planning Aid, an organisation run by

    volunteers from the planning profession.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153405,"EventID":"S1W-16739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much West of Scotland Water Authority has spent to date in developing proposals for sewage treatment facilities at High Bogany, Rothsey, on the Isle of Bute.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much West of Scotland Water Authority has spent to date in developing proposals for sewage treatment facilities at High Bogany, Rothsey, on the Isle of Bute.","AnswerText":"West of Scotland Water has to date invested a total of £6.082 million in the provision of wastewater treatment facilities at High Bogany, Rothesay, to meet the standards required by Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.

    Of this total, £1.510 million has been invested in the preliminary stages of the scheme, which involved comprehensive marine studies, environmental impact assessment, site investigation, land acquisition, consultants fees, planning procedures and staff costs. It also includes the costs incurred by the contractor in developing the design of the works.

    The remaining sum of £4.572 million is the cost of construction to date. The project commenced on site in October 1999 and is due for completion in December 2001 at a total estimated cost of £7.964 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153406,"EventID":"S1W-16740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether West of Scotland Water Authority (WoSWA) has provided it with an account of (a) why it changed evidence brought before the public local authority into land south ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether West of Scotland Water Authority (WoSWA) has provided it with an account of (a) why it changed evidence brought before the public local authority into land south of High Bogany, Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute and (b) the reasons for any delay in it submitting such evidence to the inquiry.","AnswerText":"A reporter has been appointed to the inquiry into West of Scotland Water's appeal against the planning condition to cover the tanks at the Rothesay Waste Water Treatment Works at High Bogany.

    West of Scotland Water is providing information to the Reporter as part of that inquiry. As the appeal is now before Scottish ministers, it would not be proper for me to comment on any aspect of this case until such time as a decision has been issued.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153407,"EventID":"S1W-16741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes will be involved for Scotland arising from the abolition of the Intervention Board Executive Agency and the formation of the new payments agency for Common A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes will be involved for Scotland arising from the abolition of the Intervention Board Executive Agency and the formation of the new payments agency for Common Agriculture Policy payments in England.","AnswerText":"The Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA) is designated as a cross-border public authority under sections 88 and 89 of the Scotland Act 1998. It carries out certain CAP related functions, mainly on market management matters, on behalf of Scottish ministers.

    On abolition of IBEA, the functions will revert to Scottish ministers, but provision is being made for the new payments agency - Rural Payments Agency - to carry out these functions on behalf of Scottish ministers under formal agency arrangements.

    These changes require secondary legislative changes both at Westminster and in the Parliament. Scottish Regulations will be laid in September covering these matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153408,"EventID":"S1W-16742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of the new Executive agency related to housing will be in community regeneration.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of the new Executive agency related to housing will be in community regeneration.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a lead role in community regeneration. In recognition of this the new agency will contribute as partners to local authority regeneration and housing strategies, offering a national and cross-authority perspective on planning and resource allocation. The agency will be responsible for implementing the Executive's Neighbourhood Regeneration Statement, including delivery of the Social Inclusion Partnership Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153409,"EventID":"S1W-16743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has carried out or plans to carry out with individuals or bodies who work on salmon and sea trout rivers on its proposals in the draft Land Reform (S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has carried out or plans to carry out with individuals or bodies who work on salmon and sea trout rivers on its proposals in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill on the purchase of salmon fishing rights.","AnswerText":"The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was published in a consultation paper in February 2001. This consultation document was available free to members of the public and also published on the internet. A period of 18 weeks from the publication date was allowed for submission of responses. Officials also met with representatives of the Association of Scottish Salmon Fisheries Boards and the Scottish Anglers National Association on 28 June to hear their views on the draft Bill proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153410,"EventID":"S1W-16744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any survey into the impact on employment levels and tourism revenue of its proposals in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to allow crofting c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any survey into the impact on employment levels and tourism revenue of its proposals in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to allow crofting community bodies to purchase salmon fishing rights.","AnswerText":"We consider the consultation exercise which we have recently completed and which included responses from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council as well as landowners and crofting interests is a more effective mechanism for eliciting views on the impacts of our proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153411,"EventID":"S1W-16745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its proposals for the purchase of salmon fishing rights in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will result in a loss of revenue raised by fisheries trusts in cr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its proposals for the purchase of salmon fishing rights in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will result in a loss of revenue raised by fisheries trusts in crofting areas for salmon and sea trout conservation and, if so, how that revenue will be replaced.","AnswerText":"The Trusts are funded by Fishery Boards and fishing proprietors and their revenues will be determined in future as they are now by decisions made by those who provide the funding. The proposals in the draft Bill do not alter that.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153412,"EventID":"S1W-16746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-06-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the budget statement by the Minister for Finance on 28 June 2001, whether details of the Level II revised social justice budget can be made available to the S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the budget statement by the Minister for Finance on 28 June 2001, whether details of the Level II revised social justice budget can be made available to the Social Justice Committee and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The table details what we expect to spend on Social Justice commitments over the coming three years. The figures have yet to be finalised and take account of amounts carried forward from last year to 2001-02 and in future years. They are dependent on final decision on end year flexibility and are therefore subject to further change. The Executive budget proposals for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be published formally for consultation in September, and revisions to this year's budget will also be put to the Parliament in the autumn.

    Cash Terms

    Real Terms2

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    £ million

    Housing Support Grant

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    9.8

    9.5

    9.3

    Housing Revenue Account

    180.0

    180.0

    180.0

    175.6

    171.3

    167.1

    Community Ownership1

    150.0

    140.0

    129.0

    146.3

    133.3

    119.8

    Scottish Homes & Housing Other

    294.6

    300.5

    The revised budget for the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department will be contained within the Executive's draft budget which will be published in September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153415,"EventID":"S1W-16749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16039 by Angus MacKay on 27 June 2001, whether the information made available to it by Her Majesty's Government, in accordance with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16039 by Angus MacKay on 27 June 2001, whether the information made available to it by Her Majesty's Government, in accordance with the terms of Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly or otherwise, is sufficient to enable it to determine what proportion of comparable UK spending, for the purposes of the Barnett formula, the Scottish budget represented or will represent in each year from 1999-2000 to 2003-04.","AnswerText":"Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly - A Statement of Funding Policy sets out the comparabilities that operate at a Departmental level. These are based on sub-programme expenditure in the year before any review of expenditure. However the comparability factor is only applied to the departmental change rather than individual changes in sub-programmes. Since most Whitehall departmental programmes are not fully analogous to Scotland it is very difficult to make comparisons between the Scottish Budget and comparable UK spending.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153416,"EventID":"S1W-16750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the follow-up will be to the proposals published by the European Commission in January for legislation controlling the presence of GM seeds in the seed of convention","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the follow-up will be to the proposals published by the European Commission in January for legislation controlling the presence of GM seeds in the seed of conventional species.","AnswerText":"We have consulted Scottish organisations on these proposals. In the meantime, the commission has produced a working paper with revised proposals in the form of draft legislation. A summary of the revised proposals is being made available for consultation and copies will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The Executive has an open mind on the commission's proposals and will take into account all the views that are expressed before finalising our position.

    The revised proposals include maximum thresholds for the presence of GM material in conventional seeds, breaks in crop production to limit the possibility of GM volunteer plants, isolation distances to prevent cross-pollination and labelling requirements for seeds of GM varieties.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153417,"EventID":"S1W-16751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the allowances payable to jurors in respect of childminding and babysitting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the allowances payable to jurors in respect of childminding and babysitting.","AnswerText":"The allowances payable to jurors in respect of childminding and babysitting are set by the Scottish Court Service. There are no plans to review these allowances.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153418,"EventID":"S1W-16752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve safety in the fishing industry; what funds it has available for this purpose, and whether the recent budget announcement will have a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve safety in the fishing industry; what funds it has available for this purpose, and whether the recent budget announcement will have any impact on the amount of funds available.","AnswerText":"To improve safety culture in the fishing industry the Executive is making available up to £1.5 million over three years for the provision of free safety training for fishermen. The recent budget announcement will have no impact on this.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153419,"EventID":"S1W-16753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by police force area the amount of illegal drugs sei'ed by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by police force area the amount of illegal drugs sei'ed by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency.","AnswerText":"The following table contains estimates, by police force area, of the weights of Class A and Class B controlled drugs seized within Scotland in operations involving the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency during the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.

    Force

    Class A Weight

    Class B Weight

    Ecstasy Tablets

     

    Kilos

    Thousands

    Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary

    -

    -

    10.0

    Central Scotland Police

    1.9

    13.0

    0.3

    Fife Constabulary

    0.8

    -

    -

    Grampian Police

    1.6

    -

    5.0

    Lothian & Borders Police

    4.7

    177.7

    24.9

    Northern Constabulary

    0.5

    20.0

    -

    Strathclyde Police

    22.3

    139.6

    18.4

    Tayside Police

    3.3

    7.7

    8.0

    Total

    35.1

    358.0

    66.6

    Seizures by individual forces would be additional to these amounts.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153420,"EventID":"S1W-16754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any fisheries projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any fisheries projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16765. These are the only savings planned in the fisheries programmes.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153421,"EventID":"S1W-16755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any agricultural projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any agricultural projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","AnswerText":"The impact of the budget announcement on planned agricultural and other Rural Development and Environment spending is set out in the reply to question S1W-16765.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153422,"EventID":"S1W-16756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any justice projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any justice projects will be abandoned or reduced as a result of the recent budget announcement and, if so, which specific projects will be affected.","AnswerText":"There will be no projects abandoned or reduced following the announcement of savings on the justice budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153423,"EventID":"S1W-16757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that its interests are represented at the EU Social Protection Committee meeting to take forward the decision of the recent Goteborg European Council t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that its interests are represented at the EU Social Protection Committee meeting to take forward the decision of the recent Goteborg European Council that the committee should prepare an initial report for the spring 2002 European Council on health care and care for the elderly.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will ensure that the UK representatives on the EU Social Protection Committee take account of Scottish Executive interests when they discuss the preparation of an initial report for the spring 2002 European Council on health care and care for the elderly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153424,"EventID":"S1W-16758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the health level 3 budget the savings of #55 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the health level 3 budget the savings of #55 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The resources realigned from within the health budget to support the implementation of free personal care will come from revenue and capital resources not yet allocated to NHS Scotland. The planned allocations to NHS Scotland which have already been announced will be unaffected.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153425,"EventID":"S1W-16759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the education level 3 budget the savings of #47 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the education level 3 budget the savings of #47 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The savings of £47 million come from the following level 3 lines within Education and Children.

    Level 3

    2002-03

    (£ million)

    2003-04

    (£ million)

    Schools:

    Curriculum development, IT, international services and administration

     

    18

     

    22

    Specific Grants:

    Excellence Fund

    -

    7

    The schools funding had been earmarked for investment in broadband infrastructure. This will now be funded from Capital Modernisation Fund consequentials. The Excellence Fund money was unallocated. There will be no effect on either programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153426,"EventID":"S1W-16760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the transport level 3 budget the savings of #30 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the transport level 3 budget the savings of #30 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The adjustments to help fund wider Executive priorities are set out in the following table. The SPT adjustment will bring provision in line with payments due under the franchise and is not expected to affect operations and services. The other adjustments will be among the factors that will affect when individual projects are delivered.

    Programme

    2002-03

    2003-04

    £ million

    £ million

    Motorways and Trunk Roads

    5

    10

    Strathclyde Passenger Transport

    5

    5

    Integrated Transport Fund

    Nil

    5

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153427,"EventID":"S1W-16761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the enterprise and lifelong learning level 3 budget the savings of #47 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the enterprise and lifelong learning level 3 budget the savings of #47 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The savings of £47 million in the enterprise and lifelong learning budget take place over three years from 2001-02 to 2003-04 as shown in the table.

    Level 3

    2001-02

    (£ million)

    2002-03

    (£ million)

    2003-04

    (£ million)

    Regional Selective Assistance

    -

    7

    10

    Student Awards Agency for Scotland - Loan subsidy to students

    10

    10

    10

    The savings from Regional Selective Assistance are due to delay in implementing a number of projects to which assistance has been offered. Forecast expenditure has been adjusted accordingly.

    The savings from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland are the result of a change in the accounting treatment of student loans. This will have no effect on the aggregate sum of money available for lending to students.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153428,"EventID":"S1W-16762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the justice level 3 budget the savings of #30 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the justice level 3 budget the savings of #30 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The £30 million savings announced in the Justice budget by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June cover three financial years, 2001-02 (£5m), 2002-03 (£10m) and 2003-04 (£15m). These savings will be found from within two Level 3 budgets.

    Criminal Injuries Compensation - £6 million (£-/3m/3m)

    Miscellaneous - Other Miscellaneous - £24 million (£5m/7m/12m)

    These savings can be delivered without compromising any of the services provided by the Justice programme. On Criminal Injuries Compensation, the Home Office has projected a fall-off in the number of cases in the two forward years, thus releasing the savings identified. In the Miscellaneous category, the savings arise from unallocated provision which was previously identified to meet any costs arising from the incorporation of ECHR into domestic law. To date, this has proved unnecessary, as the provision in the areas directly concerned with ECHR, principally Courts, Police, Prisons and Legal Aid have had sufficient funding to cope with any increased costs arising from any challenges.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153429,"EventID":"S1W-16763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the sports and culture level 3 budget the savings of #2 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the sports and culture level 3 budget the savings of #2 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"There is a net addition over the three years. But there will be a variety of small changes in 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153430,"EventID":"S1W-16764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the social justice level 3 budget the savings of #35 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the social justice level 3 budget the savings of #35 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The key changes relate to the housing programmes. I have provided details on what we expect to spend on social sustice commitments, in both cash and real terms, in answer to question S1W-16746. Level III information will be published once we receive final agreement to end year flexibility. These changes will still allow us to meet all our existing commitments and targets and also address additional housing budget pressures.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153431,"EventID":"S1W-16765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the environment and rural development level 3 budget the savings of #21.3 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the environment and rural development level 3 budget the savings of #21.3 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The detail of the proposed savings is shown in the following table.

    Programme Level 2/3

    2001-02 Budget

    Plans

    2002-03

    Changes

    (Revised Plans)

    2003-04

    Changes

    (Revised Plans)

     

    £ million

    £ million

    £ million

    Rural Development

    a. Rural Partnership Fund

    4.173

    -0.100

    (4.073)

    -0.200

    (3.973)

    b. Crofting Grants

    4.762

    -0.600

    (4.562)

    -0.600

    (4.562)

    c. Farm Waste Grants

    0.660

    -0.200

    (1.800)

    -0.200

    (1.800)

    Agricultural and Biological Science etc.

    		   

    a. Pensions

    13.389

    -0.100

    (14.638)

    -0.500

    (14.622)

    b. SABRIs Capital.

    6.312

    -1.000

    (5.312)

    -1.000

    (5.312)

    Fisheries

    a. Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency Capital

    0.305

    -3.400

    (0.305)

    -3.400

    (0.305)

    Water

    a.

    433.3

    Nil

    (459.0)

    -10.000

    ( 479.7)

    Total Savings:

    Nil

    -5.400

    -15.900

    The revised plans for the range of Rural Development grant schemes and for Pensions shown in the table reflect estimating changes in the light of outturn in previous years.

    While the revised plans for SABRIs capital will require the bodies to be more efficient in their use of capital resources, planned provision in 2002-03 and 2003-04 remains over £2 million a year higher than","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153432,"EventID":"S1W-16766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the 21st Century Government level 3 budget the savings of #15 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the 21st Century Government level 3 budget the savings of #15 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"This money was unallocated. The savings will have no effect on other programmes. Ministers may still choose to fund future initiatives on 21st Century Government from other sources, such as Capital Modernisation Fund consequentials.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153433,"EventID":"S1W-16767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the local government level 3 budget the savings of #7 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where in the local government level 3 budget the savings of #7 million planned for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be made and what effect these savings will have on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerText":"The £7 million reduction represents the release of provision to cover non-domestic rating appeals which is no longer needed. This release of provision will have no effect on programmes funded by this budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153434,"EventID":"S1W-16768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with CoSLA regarding the effects of stress on headteachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with CoSLA regarding the effects of stress on headteachers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16770.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153435,"EventID":"S1W-16769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to assist South Ayrshire Council to address any difficulties in educational management being experienced as a result of the absence of headteache","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to assist South Ayrshire Council to address any difficulties in educational management being experienced as a result of the absence of headteachers due to stress-related illnesses.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-16770.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153436,"EventID":"S1W-16770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to help local authorities to assist headteachers suffering from stress-related illnesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to help local authorities to assist headteachers suffering from stress-related illnesses.","AnswerText":"The management of teacher absence and the causes of absence are matters for individual local authorities as employers and it is important that local authorities have effective management policies in place. No discussions with South Ayrshire Council or CoSLA have taken place on the specific issue you raise.

    Through the agreement, A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, the Scottish Executive is assisting all local authorities directly tackle the issue of teacher workload in three ways. By the end of this year my department will have in place a gatekeeper mechanism to monitor and reduce the level of duplication in administrative and information demand placed on authorities and schools by the Executive. In addition, we will conduct a bureaucracy audit in partnership with local authorities which we expect to run over a period of six months and which will provide an audit of the position as it directly affects schools to enable all the parties concerned to develop more effective ways of working. Over the next three years, our commitment to the agreement on teachers' conditions and pay includes the provision of significant additional resources to fund the introduction of additional support staff to schools to reduce the demand on teachers to routinely undertake tasks which are not directly connected with teaching. For the longer term a framework for Continuous Professional Development is being established. The framework should include elements that will help teachers to manage workload issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153437,"EventID":"S1W-16771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to alleviate any financial difficulties being experienced by the network of privately owned hostels in the Highlands and Islands as a result","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to alleviate any financial difficulties being experienced by the network of privately owned hostels in the Highlands and Islands as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Tourism businesses received substantial aid from the £13.5 million package of emergency relief announced on 28 March. We hope to make an announcement shortly about a strategy for addressing the medium and longer term effects of foot-and-mouth disease on tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153438,"EventID":"S1W-16772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it has received to Regulation of Skin Piercing: A Consultation Paper and how it intends to progress this issue.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it has received to Regulation of Skin Piercing: A Consultation Paper and how it intends to progress this issue.","AnswerText":"111 responses were received to this Consultation Paper. Analysis and consideration of the responses are now proceeding, in the light of which our proposals will be announced.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153439,"EventID":"S1W-16773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in promoting social inclusion in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in promoting social inclusion in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Through our Social Justice Strategy, we are already delivering a range of polices and programmes which will build strong and inclusive communities throughout Scotland, in both rural and urban settings. We have acknowledged that we need to improve our understanding of rural social exclusion in Scotland, and established the rural poverty and inclusion working group with a remit to investigate and recommend ways of achieving this, including ensuring that existing indicators are appropriately developed for, and measurable in rural areas, and to recommend ways of promoting social inclusion in rural areas. The group has now concluded its work and I look forward to receiving its report shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153440,"EventID":"S1W-16774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken research, or will consider undertaking research, into any relationship between social exclusion and mental health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken research, or will consider undertaking research, into any relationship between social exclusion and mental health.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Executive Health Department is currently funding three research projects relevant to the relationship between social exclusion and mental health. Details of these are available from the National Research Register (NRR), a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    CSO would be pleased to consider funding further research proposals into the relationship between social exclusion and mental health, which would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.

    In addition, the Scottish Executive funds the Scottish Health Survey and contributes to surveys carried out by the Office for National Statistics, which provide information about the relationship between psychiatric morbidity and a range of indicators of socio-economic status.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153441,"EventID":"S1W-16775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that bus and rail timetables are integrated and easily available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that bus and rail timetables are integrated and easily available.","AnswerText":"Making it work together - A programme for government, published in September 1999, stated that we would establish the framework for a national transport timetable system by end 1999, and implement it by end 2000. Traveline (Scotland) became operational on 3 January 2001. This national public transport information system provides route and timetable information for bus, coach, underground, train, ferry and Scottish internal air services through a single national-rate call.

    Transport operators and local authorities have worked in partnership to deliver Traveline (Scotland), with the support of the Scottish Executive. Traveline will form part of the GB Transport Direct initiative, to which we are committed. Transport Direct will be a phone and internet system to allow people to plan their journeys, to compare routes and prices and to purchase tickets.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153442,"EventID":"S1W-16776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is currently given to farmers on premises affected by foot-and-mouth disease classified as List A and List D in relation to restocking.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is currently given to farmers on premises affected by foot-and-mouth disease classified as List A and List D in relation to restocking.","AnswerText":"An Information Note giving farmers general guidance on the requirements which need to be met before restocking can take place has been issued to all farmers who have had their animals culled as part of the foot-and-mouth disease eradication programme. It describes the options available to meet a wide range of circumstances and the timing involved in each case.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153443,"EventID":"S1W-16777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities increase the level of o'one-damaging gases that are removed from redundant fridges and free'ers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities increase the level of o'one-damaging gases that are removed from redundant fridges and free'ers.","AnswerText":"Removal of ozone depleting substances from waste fridges and freezers prior to disposal is the responsibility of the holders of the waste. EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer requires that, after 31 December 2001, all ozone depleting substances must be recovered prior to dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and freezers. Scottish local authorities which hold such waste will be required to comply with these requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153444,"EventID":"S1W-16778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for the future development of the Scottish economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for the future development of the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to increasing Scotland's prosperity, and to stimulating high levels of sustainable growth. We are pursuing this through a range of policies and programmes, including those embraced in our strategy for the Enterprise Network, A Smart, Successful Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153445,"EventID":"S1W-16779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last assessed trends in the levels of recruitment and retention of staff in the higher and further education sectors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last assessed trends in the levels of recruitment and retention of staff in the higher and further education sectors.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for recruitment and retention of staff rests with further and higher education institutions and we do not we hold centrally all the data necessary to assess trends.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153446,"EventID":"S1W-16780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to address the situation highlighted in the Scottish Local Government Information Unit's publication, Scotland's Councillors, where it is report","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to address the situation highlighted in the Scottish Local Government Information Unit's publication, Scotland's Councillors, where it is reported that 70% of councillors require more information about the impact of the Scottish Parliament on local government.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Parliament to take forward together with CoSLA and local authorities. The Covenant between the Parliament and local government and the proposed Standing Conference, both currently under discussion, will address this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153447,"EventID":"S1W-16781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase (a) the number of social workers and (b) the number of applicants for social work diploma courses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase (a) the number of social workers and (b) the number of applicants for social work diploma courses.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Care Bill, which has now been passed by the Parliament, provides for the establishment of the Scottish Social Services Council (The Council). This body will have powers, delegated by Scottish ministers, to undertake workforce planning for social workers and to promote applications to social work courses.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153448,"EventID":"S1W-16782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the costs involved in launching and distributing its consultation document Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the costs involved in launching and distributing its consultation document Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters.","AnswerText":"The cost of designing, printing and distributing 2,500 copies of the consultation paper was in the region of £9,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153449,"EventID":"S1W-16783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3635 by Lewis Macdonald on 28 June 2001, whether it will define the term \"special roads\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3635 by Lewis Macdonald on 28 June 2001, whether it will define the term \"special roads\".","AnswerText":"The term "special road" is defined in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as a road provided or to be provided in accordance with a scheme under section 7 of this Act. It is a road which is designated for use by restricted classes of traffic.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153450,"EventID":"S1W-16784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the comparative strength of the pound is undermining the competitiveness of Scottish tourism and, if so, what role local economic development policies have in cou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the comparative strength of the pound is undermining the competitiveness of Scottish tourism and, if so, what role local economic development policies have in countering this.","AnswerText":"The value of sterling is only one of a number of factors that may be taken into account by potential visitors to Scotland. The Executive's National Tourism Strategy, published in February 2000, contains actions that will increase Scotland's competitiveness as a tourism destination. The effectiveness of these actions is currently being assessed.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153451,"EventID":"S1W-16785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it benchmarks the performance of Scottish economic development policy and the effectiveness of agencies charged with its delivery against other competitor nations","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it benchmarks the performance of Scottish economic development policy and the effectiveness of agencies charged with its delivery against other competitor nations and other parts of the UK.","AnswerText":"An extensive and far reaching review of the Enterprise Networks in Scotland was carried out by the Scottish Executive in 2000. This included benchmarking the networks in Scotland against economic development agencies elsewhere in the UK and in other countries. The strategy for enterprise A Smart, Successful Scotland sets out the direction and priorities for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and includes the commitment to produce a framework to measure the performance of the networks in achieving the ambitions set for them by ministers. This framework will also be informed by the experience in other countries.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153452,"EventID":"S1W-16786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to determine the underlying causes of any fall in the rate of new business start-ups and whether it will instigate changes in policy to address","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to determine the underlying causes of any fall in the rate of new business start-ups and whether it will instigate changes in policy to address any such trend.","AnswerText":"The recently completed Fraser of Allander Institute review of Scottish Enterprise's Business Birthrate Strategy (BBRS) addresses a range of issues relevant to Scotland's business start-up rate. We shall use the report, and the consultation period now in train, to look again at what can be done to improve Scotland's performance in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153453,"EventID":"S1W-16787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the development and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies as a key driver in the Scottish economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the development and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies as a key driver in the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"Our promotion of renewable energy developments through the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) is intended to build up a Scottish renewable energy capability, as well as reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. One early result was the recent announcement of a significant inward investment from Vestas, the Danish wind turbine company, whose new manufacturing facility near Campbeltown will provide over 150 jobs in the area.

    We are also working with Scottish Enterprise to encourage Scottish companies to diversify into the manufacturing opportunities which will arise from further development of renewable energy. A series of Scottish Enterprise roadshows on the subject attracted interest from a variety of companies and, as a direct result, several of them are now pursuing opportunities for new business. We will continue to work to strengthen the renewables industry, enabling it to attract investment to Scotland and bring the newer and more expensive technologies nearer to the market.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153454,"EventID":"S1W-16788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be sending a representative to the 23rd biennial international conference of the International Union for Land Value Taxation, being held in Edinburgh on 9","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be sending a representative to the 23rd biennial international conference of the International Union for Land Value Taxation, being held in Edinburgh on 9 and 10 July 2001.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153455,"EventID":"S1W-16789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to progressively reduce and eliminate any radioactive contamination of the Scottish coastline caused by the nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to progressively reduce and eliminate any radioactive contamination of the Scottish coastline caused by the nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield.","AnswerText":"Control of radioactive discharges from Sellafield is a matter for the Environment Agency and the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153456,"EventID":"S1W-16790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the report of the joint Executive/Food Standards Agency Task Force on E.coli 0157.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the report of the joint Executive/Food Standards Agency Task Force on E.coli 0157.","AnswerText":"The task force delivered its report to me on 29 June, I have published it today, and it is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The Food Standards Agency and the Executive are now actively considering how best the recommendations can be taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153457,"EventID":"S1W-16791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the figure of 44,000 people employed in forestry in Scotland, as quoted in Roots for Growth - A Strategic Framework for Action for the Scottish Timber Industries by S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the figure of 44,000 people employed in forestry in Scotland, as quoted in Roots for Growth - A Strategic Framework for Action for the Scottish Timber Industries by Scottish Forest Industries Cluster, was calculated and why it differs from the Forestry Employment Survey 1999 figure of 10,700 jobs.","AnswerText":"The figure quoted in Roots for Growth was calculated using data from the Annual Employment Survey in Scotland. In addition, some allowance was made for those who were self employed, those who worked in related activities in the construction and service industries and those people working in northern England whose economic activity was directly linked with the Scottish forest industry resource.

    The principal reason for the difference in the numbers is the narrower definition of the forest industry used in the Forest Employment Survey. This survey only takes into account forestry and primary wood processing jobs which are located in Scotland and which deal with British grown timber. Moreover, its estimate relates to full-time equivalent jobs, whilst the figure quoted in Roots for Growth relates to people in employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153458,"EventID":"S1W-16792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether employment in forestry and related businesses declined by 25% between 1989 and 1999; whether any such decline was particularly marked in rural areas, and whether ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether employment in forestry and related businesses declined by 25% between 1989 and 1999; whether any such decline was particularly marked in rural areas, and whether there was an expansion of forests and an increase in the amount of timber felled and processed over the same time period.","AnswerText":"The Forest Employment Survey, carried out by the Forestry Commission, collects information on employment in forestry and primary wood processing industries. It has shown a decline from 15,245 full-time equivalent jobs in 1988-89 to 10,694 in 1998-99. However, both the scope of the survey and the methodology of data collection have changed, thereby making strict comparisons difficult. No information is collected on whether forest employment was in urban or rural areas.

    Woodland area and timber production have both increased between 1989 and 1999. Woodland area increased from 1.107 to 1.297 million hectares and annual timber production increased from 2.37 to 4.69 million cubic metres. More information is available in the publication Forestry Statistics available from the Forestry Commission website at:

    www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153459,"EventID":"S1W-16793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any analysis of the efficacy of enterprise company assistance for forestry and related businesses was carried out to provide information for either the Forestry I","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any analysis of the efficacy of enterprise company assistance for forestry and related businesses was carried out to provide information for either the Forestry Industry Cluster Strategy or the enterprise networks review.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153460,"EventID":"S1W-16794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the local enterprise companies carry out any analysis of the number of jobs resulting from their assistan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the local enterprise companies carry out any analysis of the number of jobs resulting from their assistance to forestry and related businesses and what the findings have been of any such analyses.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153461,"EventID":"S1W-16795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it expects demand for primary aggregates to change in the next five years and what factors it expects to account for any change in the level of demand.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it expects demand for primary aggregates to change in the next five years and what factors it expects to account for any change in the level of demand.","AnswerText":"Demand for aggregates will continue to be a matter for market forces. A number of initiatives are in place to increase the use of recycled aggregates which are intended to impact on the use of primary aggregates by the construction industry, particularly fiscal measures such as the Landfill Tax and the forthcoming Aggregates Levy.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153462,"EventID":"S1W-16796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform regulations on the specifications of construction materials and waste management in relation to the use of aggregates and whether any such cha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform regulations on the specifications of construction materials and waste management in relation to the use of aggregates and whether any such changes will lead to a lower proportion of waste material and produce environmental gain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is fully committed to seeking opportunities for sustainable construction and current standards already encourage such techniques.

    As an example, the Scottish Executive Development Department is a signatory to the latest May 2001 version of the Specification for Highway Works, which incorporates new specification clauses permitting wider usage of recycled or secondary materials in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. This Specification will be utilised for all trunk road new works projects and will also be available for use by other clients, such as local authorities, where appropriate. Additionally, the Scottish Executive's Trunk Roads Divisions are actively involved in research and site trials of recycled road materials where it is hoped that these will provide further valuable support in promoting a sustainable approach to techniques for road construction.

    In relation to reform of regulations for waste management, there is a long-standing governmental commitment to review the exemptions set out in Schedule 3 of the Waste Management Regulations 1994. DEFRA is taking the lead on a UK basis, with a view to the production of a consultation paper by the end of this year. The purpose of the exemptions is to encourage the re-use and recycling of waste. Specifically in terms of Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency published, in 1999, the National Waste Strategy, which sets out a framework for reduction, re-use and recycling of waste.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153463,"EventID":"S1W-16797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it expects demand for recycled aggregates to change in the next five years and what factors it expects to account for any change in the level of demand.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it expects demand for recycled aggregates to change in the next five years and what factors it expects to account for any change in the level of demand.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive expects demand for recycled aggregates to increase in the next five years as a result of the introduction by the UK Government of a tax on primary aggregates in April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153464,"EventID":"S1W-16798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the annual level of aggregates sent for waste and on what basis it reached its estimate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the annual level of aggregates sent for waste and on what basis it reached its estimate.","AnswerText":"The estimated amount of aggregates sent to landfill in 1999 was 5,200 kilo tonnes. This figure was determined by a pilot survey carried out as part of a research project commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The research report Recycled Aggregates in Scotland can be found in the Parliament's reference centre (Bib. no. 11522).","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153465,"EventID":"S1W-16799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3427 by Allan Wilson on 17 May 2001, what consideration is being given to developing the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow so that the nationa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3427 by Allan Wilson on 17 May 2001, what consideration is being given to developing the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow so that the national athletics teams continue to have adequate year-round training facilities.","AnswerText":"Any decision on the development of the Kelvin Hall is a matter in the first instance for Glasgow City Council. The council are aware of the requirements of both sportscotland and the Scottish Athletics Federation. A consultation meeting has taken place and sportscotland are content with arrangements for future consultation as are the Scottish Athletics Federation.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153466,"EventID":"S1W-16800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the consultation paper on the police complaints system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the consultation paper on the police complaints system.","AnswerText":"I am publishing today a consultation paper that puts forward proposals for strengthening the independence of the police complaints system in Scotland. This fulfils the commitment we made in responding to Sir William Macpherson's report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. It will also provide a means for taking forward a number of the recommendations made by HMIC in its thematic report, A Fair Cop? on the handling of police complaints.

    The consultation period will run until 12 October this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153467,"EventID":"S1W-16801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the imposition of groundwater charges upon sheep producers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the imposition of groundwater charges upon sheep producers.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to review the annual maintenance charge levied by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on those sheep producers who require authorisation under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 for the disposal to land of spent sheep dip.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153468,"EventID":"S1W-16802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the imposition of groundwater charges upon sheep producers constitutes an unfair competitive disadvantage in comparison with the position of sheep producers in En","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the imposition of groundwater charges upon sheep producers constitutes an unfair competitive disadvantage in comparison with the position of sheep producers in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The annual maintenance charge levied by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 is not unfair. The charge, which for the great majority of farmers is £127 or less, covers the costs to the agency of monitoring and administering the scheme.

    Special dispensation will be made for those sheep farmers that have lost stock because of foot-and-mouth disease. Charges will be waived for the current financial year and farmers wishing to delay restocking until 31 March 2005 will be able to have their authorisations revoked without incurring extra fees when reapplying.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153469,"EventID":"S1W-16803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its policy in relation to the dipping of sheep.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its policy in relation to the dipping of sheep.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive keeps its sheep dipping policy under review. There are no plans to change the policy at this juncture.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153470,"EventID":"S1W-16804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a mapping exercise will be carried out to clarify the potential impact of housing stock transfer proposals on housing capital receipts set aside and whether aboli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a mapping exercise will be carried out to clarify the potential impact of housing stock transfer proposals on housing capital receipts set aside and whether abolishing set aside would impact on the Scottish assigned budget.","AnswerText":"The purpose of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital receipts set-aside is to reduce the burden of debt being carried by local authorities and their rent payers. If set-aside were abolished, local authorities would be able to spend all their receipts on new housing investment. As a consequence housing debt would be increased and rents would rise to service the increased debt. It would be open to the United Kingdom Government to take into account any such increase in self-financed local authority expenditure in considering the level of grant to the Scottish Administration.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153471,"EventID":"S1W-16805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to exempt all people under 25 from prescription charges as recently proposed in the Welsh Assembly.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to exempt all people under 25 from prescription charges as recently proposed in the Welsh Assembly.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153472,"EventID":"S1W-16806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has in plans for a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has in plans for a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently providing £25,000 a year in support of plans for a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre. No decisions have been made about any further support.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153473,"EventID":"S1W-16807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial and other support it intends to give to the establishment of a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial and other support it intends to give to the establishment of a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16806.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153474,"EventID":"S1W-16808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received either in support of, or against, a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received either in support of, or against, a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","AnswerText":"The Executive has received a request for support for the project. No representations against a new Gaelic Centre have been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153475,"EventID":"S1W-16809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place with established voluntary organisations in Glasgow with regard to the plans for a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place with established voluntary organisations in Glasgow with regard to the plans for a new Glasgow Gaelic Centre.","AnswerText":"Meetings have been held between the proponents of the Glasgow Gaelic Centre and the Glasgow Highlanders' Institute and representatives of other Glasgow Highland associations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153476,"EventID":"S1W-16810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be funds available from the Scottish Prison Service budget for 2000-01 through year-end flexibility and, if so, whether such funds, or a portion thereo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be funds available from the Scottish Prison Service budget for 2000-01 through year-end flexibility and, if so, whether such funds, or a portion thereof, will be used to end slopping out at HM Prison Barlinnie.","AnswerText":"No final decisions have been taken on the allocation of End Year Flexibility accruing from 2000-01 budgetary underspends to any Scottish Executive department/agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153477,"EventID":"S1W-16811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-14802 by Susan Deacon on 4 May 2001, how many letters it has received from Scottish Parents for a Public Enquiry into Organ Retention since ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-14802 by Susan Deacon on 4 May 2001, how many letters it has received from Scottish Parents for a Public Enquiry into Organ Retention since 12 April 2001, how many it has replied to and whether it plans to have a meeting with the parents' group.","AnswerText":"Since publication of the report on the first phase of the work of the independent Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post-Mortem, six letters have been received from this group. A comprehensive reply has been sent which addresses the issues raised in the correspondence. There are no plans currently to meet the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153478,"EventID":"S1W-16812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to assist parents to obtain information from hospitals about organ retention.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to assist parents to obtain information from hospitals about organ retention.","AnswerText":"Each NHS Trust has nominated a member of staff with a sound understanding of the sensitive issues involved to act as the initial contact point for parents and other relatives wishing to obtain information about organ retention. NHS Trusts are aware of the need to do whatever they can to provide parents with the information they are seeking.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153479,"EventID":"S1W-16813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies were given intrauterine transfusions due to rhesus incompatibility in each year from 1965 to 1975.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies were given intrauterine transfusions due to rhesus incompatibility in each year from 1965 to 1975.","AnswerText":"Information is available centrally for 1975 only.

    Centrally held obstetric information identifies six babies who were given intrauterine transfusions in 1975. It is not possible from available information to identify if these transfusions were due to rhesus incompatibility. However, it is understood that the majority of intrauterine transfusions performed in Scotland are due to rhesus.

    The figures have been supplied by ISD Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153480,"EventID":"S1W-16814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many parents have applied to hospitals for information about organ retention to date and whether the information requested was given in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many parents have applied to hospitals for information about organ retention to date and whether the information requested was given in each case.","AnswerText":"By the end of June 2001, NHS Trusts had received 1,745 parental enquiries regarding retention of organs at post-mortem. We understand that in each case, the parents were given as much information as the Trust could supply.

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153481,"EventID":"S1W-16815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court cases relating to organ retention are currently being brought against hospitals by parents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court cases relating to organ retention are currently being brought against hospitals by parents.","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any court cases related to organ retention having been brought by parents against any NHS Trust in Scotland. We understand, however, that some claims are being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153482,"EventID":"S1W-16816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specified amount of time has to elapse between board members of non-departmental public bodies relinquishing their positions and their being able to apply for s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specified amount of time has to elapse between board members of non-departmental public bodies relinquishing their positions and their being able to apply for senior staff positions within the same organisation; if so, what this time period is and, in particular, what requirements of this kind apply to members of Scottish Enterprise and the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils.","AnswerText":"It is for each individual body to decide whether a time restriction should apply. No time restrictions apply to members of Scottish Enterprise, or the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153483,"EventID":"S1W-16817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which sources Quality Meat Scotland receives funding and how much it receives from each source.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which sources Quality Meat Scotland receives funding and how much it receives from each source.","AnswerText":"In financial year 2000-01 Quality Meat Scotland and its predecessor organisation (Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association) received funding amounting to approximately £3.5 million. This included £1.7 million from the Meat and Livestock Commission, £875,000 from membership fees of their quality assurance schemes, £365,000 from the Scottish Executive and £350,000 from the British Pork Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153484,"EventID":"S1W-16818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the performance and output targets are for Quality Meat Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the performance and output targets are for Quality Meat Scotland.","AnswerText":"At the end of July QMS launched its first strategic plan for the Scottish meat industry. The plan highlights strategic priorities and links in 26 specific objectives to these areas. The broad strategic priorities are Quality Assurance, Marketing, Industry Development, Effective Communication and Organisation Development. Examples of related specific objectives are enhancement of the scope and standards of quality assurance schemes, adoption of the \"Specially Selected Scotch\" brand across all three red meat sectors and develop and promote the primary themes affecting the Scottish Sheep industry identified in the Andrew Dewar-Durie Report.

    Coverage of the plan takes in the 3-year period from April this year to March 2004. While it is relatively early days, I believe that the positive and proactive approach which QMS have taken to addressing these targets will see their ultimate achievement, to the benefit of the whole of the Scottish meat industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153485,"EventID":"S1W-16819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed 15 unified NHS health boards will be structured on the same basis as at present.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed 15 unified NHS health boards will be structured on the same basis as at present.","AnswerText":"Full details of changes in NHS governance and accountability, including the establishment of the new NHS Boards, are contained in the change programme Rebuilding our National Health Service, published by the Health Department in May 2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the Scottish Executive website at the following address:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/health/ronh-00.asp","AnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153486,"EventID":"S1W-16820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3531 by Susan Deacon on 6 June 2001, when Health Department officials will report on their discussions regarding priority-based amb","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3531 by Susan Deacon on 6 June 2001, when Health Department officials will report on their discussions regarding priority-based ambulance dispatch and whether it will undertake further consultation based on the outcome of the discussions.","AnswerText":"It is for the Scottish Ambulance Service to consult on proposals for operational changes. I understand that the service, in preparing the case for priority based dispatch, has consulted widely within NHSScotland, including clinicians, patients and patient representatives. The Scottish Executive has now asked the service to develop its proposals to the stage of a full business case. This will include proposals for the implementation of priority-based dispatch, including arrangements for any further consultation which the service proposes to undertake.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153487,"EventID":"S1W-16821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was advised of the recent changes at director level at the Scottish Tourist Board; if so, at what stage and what advice it gave regarding the changes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was advised of the recent changes at director level at the Scottish Tourist Board; if so, at what stage and what advice it gave regarding the changes.","AnswerText":"The Executive was kept in regular touch with visitscotland's restructuring process implementing the relevant recommendation of the PWC Management Review Report including the decisions relating to the appointment of three new senior directors and the staff changes which ensued.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153488,"EventID":"S1W-16822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, how many Scottish Homes properties there are within each local authority area in the Cen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, how many Scottish Homes properties there are within each local authority area in the Central Scotland electoral region.","AnswerText":"There are 894 Scottish Homes properties within the Central Scotland electoral region. A breakdown of this number by local authority area is listed:

    Council Area

    Scottish Homes properties within electoral region

    East Ayrshire

    -

    Falkirk

    -

    North Lanarkshire

    227

    South Lanarkshire

    667

    Total

    894

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153489,"EventID":"S1W-16823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other landlords.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other landlords.","AnswerText":"The following list shows the estimated month for the transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other landlords:

    Month

    Area/Estate/Community

    September 2001

    Priesthill, Jacob's Ladder Way, Aberfoyle

    October 2001

    Rigside/Lanark/Blackwood, Tannochside (Birkenshaw)

    December 2001

    Springburn, Robroyston, Hamilton Lorne St

    January 2002

    Windlaw, Lochaber

    February 2002

    Stirling/Fallin/Plean

    March 2002

    Port Glasgow, Hutchesontown, Viewpark, Forth, Carluke

    June 2002

    East Balornock

    July 2002

    Lesmahagow - Coalburn, Hamilton & Laighstonehall

    October 2002

    Shetland Islands, Western Isles

    There are currently no plans to transfer Scottish Homes' stock in Anderston, Cumbernauld or Govan C.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153490,"EventID":"S1W-16824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are being considered as potential landlords following any transfer of Scottish Homes properties.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are being considered as potential landlords following any transfer of Scottish Homes properties.","AnswerText":"In developing transfer proposals Scottish Homes consults all stakeholders including appropriate local authorities. To date no local authority has acquired Scottish Homes stock, although several have been involved in developing and establishing New Housing Partnership organisations, which have gone on to acquire Scottish Homes' housing.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153491,"EventID":"S1W-16825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other landlords will be decided by tenant ballot in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other landlords will be decided by tenant ballot in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"All Scottish Homes' transfer proposals involve a ballot of the relevant tenants.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153492,"EventID":"S1W-16826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16459 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 July 2001, whether the target for reducing exclusions from schools by one third by 2002, as announc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16459 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 July 2001, whether the target for reducing exclusions from schools by one third by 2002, as announced by the Minister for Children and Education on 13 September 1999, no longer applies.","AnswerText":"The target referred to in September 1999 reflected the target for exclusions which was announced in 1998 following publication of a Social Exclusion Unit report to the UK Government.

    The Scottish Executive reviewed a number of targets established by the UK Government on what subsequently became devolved issues in the course of the preparation of Social Justice...a Scotland where everyone matters in November 1999. This document contains a revised target of reducing by a third the days lost every year through exclusion from school and truancy and this is the target to which the Scottish Executive has worked since then.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153493,"EventID":"S1W-16827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds were allocated by Scottish Enterprise to each Local Enterprise Company (LEC), expressed both in monetary and per capita terms for each LEC and as a percentage ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds were allocated by Scottish Enterprise to each Local Enterprise Company (LEC), expressed both in monetary and per capita terms for each LEC and as a percentage of each LEC's overall budget allocation, in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153494,"EventID":"S1W-16828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board is being abolished.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board is being abolished.","AnswerText":"The proposal to abolish the board reflects the fact that the policy of introducing competition with solicitors in relation to conveyancing and executry services has had very limited success. Since reopening for business in March 1997 after a period of suspension, the board has only registered 13 practitioners, of whom three have since resigned. Of the 10 practitioners currently registered, nine are employed by law firms; only one is practising independently, and thus providing a degree of competition to solicitors in the area in question.

    The annual operating costs of the board currently fall to be met by the taxpayer and are approximately £130,000. The annual cost of the board to the taxpayer is thus disproportionate to the overall level of competition being provided by independent practitioners to date. The board's own forecasts do not suggest that the position is likely to improve significantly or to reach the stage in the foreseeable future by which the board will become self-financing, as originally intended.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153495,"EventID":"S1W-16829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the functions of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board are being passed to the Law Society and how the bard's role of providing low cost conveyancing ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the functions of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board are being passed to the Law Society and how the bard's role of providing low cost conveyancing options will be maintained.","AnswerText":"The bard was established to regulate the provision of conveyancing and executry services by persons who are not solicitors, the policy intention being to promote competition in relation to such services. The expectation was that the board would become self-financing in due course from income from the registration fees paid by qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners.

    The very low numbers of practitioners who have registered with the board since 1997 have not allowed the board to become self-financing or to provide any significant level of competition for solicitors. Only independent qualified conveyancers can provide such competition, but only one is currently registered with the board, 10 out of the 11 registered practitioners being employed by law firms. This position indicated that alternative more cost-effective arrangements should be considered.

    The Law Society of Scotland has indicated that it is prepared in principle to assume responsibility for qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners. The society has in place a regulatory structure for solicitors and their employees and the regulation of qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners can be seen as a natural extension of its activities. Discussions will be taken forward on suitable arrangements for transfer. It will be important in that context that the interests of the consumer in terms of service and cost are fully considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153496,"EventID":"S1W-16830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards and local authorities collate the details which they both hold of the number of children with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards and local authorities collate the details which they both hold of the number of children with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and, if so, how this is done.","AnswerText":"Any such collation would be for health boards and education and/or social work authorities to agree locally, and the Executive does not hold information on whether and how it is done. Consultation between health, education and social work authority would normally take place on an individual basis, depending on the needs of a particular child.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153497,"EventID":"S1W-16831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend further education maintenance allowances.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend further education maintenance allowances.","AnswerText":"As of the new academic session we are extending the Education Maintenance Allowance pilot scheme to Glasgow, Dundee and West Dunbartonshire. Together with the existing East Ayrshire pilot, all four pilots are due to run until 2004.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153498,"EventID":"S1W-16832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the terms of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's Primary Inspection into the Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO), whether the Lord Advocate has any plans t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the terms of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's Primary Inspection into the Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO), whether the Lord Advocate has any plans to consider ending the requirement to have all fingerprint indentifications made by SCRO officers independently checked.","AnswerText":"The Lord Advocate has instructed Procurators Fiscal that the independent verification of SCRO fingerprint identifications is no longer required in light of the changes and improvements made to SCRO procedures.

    Since independent verification was introduced last year, over 1,700 cases have been examined and in each instance, the quality and accuracy of the work of SCRO officers has been confirmed. I am not aware of any successful challenge to fingerprint evidence in Scotland over the past year and it remains open to the defence in each case to secure their own expert to independently check any fingerprint evidence to be adduced by the Crown.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153499,"EventID":"S1W-16833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the issues considered at the recent Health Council attended by the Minister for Health and Community Care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the issues considered at the recent Health Council attended by the Minister for Health and Community Care.","AnswerText":"I represented the UK at the Health Council in Luxembourg on 5 June. It was a productive meeting. There follows a summary of the main items considered.

    Council reached political agreement to adopt unanimously a common position on the six-year framework programme on public health, which will replace the existing eight individual programmes. A compromise was reached over the budget level at €280 million, which will be the basis of negotiation with the European Parliament, whose previous position has been for a higher figure. On the mechanism for co-ordinating health monitoring and rapid reaction to health threats, Council agreed to the use of term "structural arrangements" instead of "structure" as the Commission had still to put forward their proposals on this point. Agreement was also reached on including rare diseases within the scope of the programme.

    Council agreed a Recommendation on drinking of alcohol by young people. The Recommendation proposes education and information and self-regulation of promotion, marketing and retailing to reduce alcohol misuse by children and adolescents. Council also adopted Conclusions inviting the Commission to put forward proposals for a Community strategy on alcohol, which would complement national policies. The majority of member states highlighted the need for Community action on gathering and disseminating data and information. The UK warned of the need to focus on alcohol-related harm rather than consumption per se and that any action should be proportionate and respect subsidiarity principles.

    Commissioner Byrne presented revised proposals for a tobacco advertising Directive, which would ban tobacco advertising in the press, publications, radio, internet and sponsorship (including free distribution) with a cross-border element. He stressed the compatibility of these proposals with the ECJ judgement striking down the previous tobacco advertising Directive.

    The Commission gave an oral update on the epidemiological situation of vCJD and on developments in research, surveillance and information exchange at Community level. The UK provided information on progress in developing support for vCJD patients, measures to protect against person to person transmission (e.g. single-use instruments for tonsil surgery) and tenders for research into diagnostic tests for vCJD and BSE. Council adopted Conclusions, which call on member states to build on existing work on surveillance and prevention for all Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies as they affect human health.

    A series of information items reports were received on health in other policies and the health dimension of the Northern Dimension Action Plan. There were calls for a second health Council in each Presidency and information provided on a hospital partnership approach to the treatment of HIV/AIDS victims.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153500,"EventID":"S1W-16834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set up dedicated regional centres for the treatment of scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set up dedicated regional centres for the treatment of scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis.","AnswerText":"There are no such plans. Systemic sclerosis is a relatively rare condition.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153501,"EventID":"S1W-16835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set up a management care network for the treatment of scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to set up a management care network for the treatment of scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis.","AnswerText":"Managed clinical networks are for the medical professionals treating people with specific conditions to set up based on their assessment of local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153502,"EventID":"S1W-16836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on treatment of those suffering from scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on treatment of those suffering from scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153503,"EventID":"S1W-16837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on research into the treatment of and possible cures for scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years and how much is expected","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on research into the treatment of and possible cures for scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years and how much is expected to be spent in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    In the last five years CSO has spent £15,142 on research into scleroderma. CSO has no future expenditure commitments for research into this disease but would be pleased to consider further research proposals, which would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.

    CSO is also aware of 68 research projects completed in the last five years on scleroderma in the UK, nine of which were in Scotland. There are a further 22 ongoing research projects into this disease in the UK, two of which are in Scotland. Although no financial information is maintained, other details of these projects are available from the National Research Register (NRR), a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153504,"EventID":"S1W-16838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were diagnosed with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, in the last five years, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"Patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis will be treated in General Practice or as in-patients or day cases in NHS hospitals. It is only possible to give figures broken down by health board for hospital patients, which is shown in the following table.

    Health Board of Residence

    Number of Patients

    *Scotland

    527

    Argyll & Clyde

    51

    Ayrshire & Arran

    22

    Borders

    15

    Dumfries & Galloway

    8

    Fife

    40

    Forth Valley

    24

    Grampian

    42

    Greater Glasgow

    113

    Highland

    19

    Island Boards

    1

    Lanarkshire

    48

    Lothian

    92

    Tayside

    54

    *Patients whose health board of residence changed over the five-year period are counted separately under each health board but are counted only once in the Scotland total.

    Information about face-to-face consultations between GPs and patients is gathered centrally as part of the Continuous Morbidity Recording in General Practice (CMR) system. CMR data are obtained from a sample of Scottish General Practices whose population is broadly nationally representative. From this, national estimates of the number of patients seen by GPs can be calculated. Information is available centrally for the four-year period between January 1997 and December 2000. It is estimated that approximately 680 patients were seen by General Practitioners in Scotland during this period, in respect of systemic sclerosis. Information is not available by health board of residence.

    There is an unquantifiable element of double counting between these two sources, as many patien","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153505,"EventID":"S1W-16839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many task forces, working groups or other similar bodies it convened for purposes connected with the Housing (Scotland) Bill; what the purposes of these were or are; ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many task forces, working groups or other similar bodies it convened for purposes connected with the Housing (Scotland) Bill; what the purposes of these were or are; who served or serves as members of any such bodies, and in what capacity each member served or serves.","AnswerText":"A number of Executive working groups, both formal and informal, have had an input to matters covered by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

    Groups which have had a specific or substantial connection to purposes connected with the Act and its implementation include the following:

    Housing Interests Group

    The Housing Interests Group first met in June 1999. Its purpose was to discuss the Executive's housing agenda, including the proposals in the Housing Green Paper and strategic issues for inclusion in the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

    The group is chaired by myself as Minister for Social Justice, and has included the following members in addition to officials from the Executive (other representatives of these organisations may also attend from time to time).

    Name

    Organisation

    Robert Aldridge

    Scottish Council for Single Homeless

    David Alexander

    Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

    David Chalmers

    Council of Mortgage Lenders

    Alan Ferguson

    Chartered Institute of Housing

    Hugh Hall

    Scottish Homes

    Fanchea Kelly

    CoSLA

    Liz Nicholson

    Shelter Scotland

    John Carracher

    Scottish Tenants Organisation

    Working Group on Single Social Tenancy; Short Life Right to Buy Working Group, and Working Group on Implementation of Part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

    A steering group was set up between February 2000 and May 2001 to oversee the production of a model tenancy agreement for the new Scottish secure tenancy envisaged by the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

    A short-life Right to Buy Working Group met between July and December 2000 to consider the implications and details of the various proposals contained in the Housing (Scotland) Bill which related to the right to buy.

    A Housing Bill Implementation Working Group was set up in June 2001 to oversee the implementation of the provisions of Part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act.

    All three groups are chaired and supported by Scottish Executive officials. The membership of each group is shown in the following tables. Where an organisation is listed, members serve or served in their capacity as representatives of that organisation and other representatives of these organisations may also attend from time to time.

    Working Group on Single Social Tenancy

    Name

    Organisation

    Geralyn Lewis

    Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

    Kenny SimpsonIt is equally for NHSScotland bodies to formulate, propose and agree contractual arrangements with their private sector partner, for monitoring standards in operation.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153508,"EventID":"S1W-16842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10928 by Mr Jack McConnell on 17 November 2000, how many places are expected to be filled at teacher-training institutions in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10928 by Mr Jack McConnell on 17 November 2000, how many places are expected to be filled at teacher-training institutions in each of the next three years in each category of study.","AnswerText":"The following table shows how many places are expected to be filled at teacher training institutions in each category of study in the academic session 2001-02.

    Intakes to initial teacher education courses

    2001-02

    Primary BEd

    701

    Primary PGCE

    707

    Secondary BEd

    174

    Secondary PGCE

    1,044*

    Total

    2,626

    *A minimum of 626 places will be taken from the priority subject list. The current priority subjects resulting from information from education authorities are, computing, English, mathematics, modern languages, music, physics, religious education, technological education and Gaelic-medium in history and geography).

    Intake figures to courses of initial teacher education are set annually by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) following guidance each year from the Education Department on the minimum requirements for newly qualified teachers. SHEFC normally inform teacher education institutions of intake levels to courses in the February prior to the academic session in question. It is not therefore possible at this time, to provide the information for the period beyond 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153509,"EventID":"S1W-16843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8561 from Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many injury road accidents occurred during 2000 on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stret","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8561 from Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, how many injury road accidents occurred during 2000 on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stretch of the A811.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form.

    During 2000 there were 13 injury road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the A811 between its junction with the A81 and the centre of Stirling.

    It should be noted that this figure is based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. It may differ from any figure which the local authority would provide now, because it does not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153510,"EventID":"S1W-16844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to prevent the spread of the freshwater salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris into rivers and what guidelines it has issued to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to prevent the spread of the freshwater salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris into rivers and what guidelines it has issued to river fishery boards on this matter.","AnswerText":"Scotland, and the UK, is free of Gyrodactylus Salaris (GS), and always has been, as a result of our strict health requirements, the work of the Fish Health Inspectorate and the natural barrier formed by the sea.

    We have agreed safeguard measures with the European Commission, prohibiting the importation of all live salmonids except from areas also recognised as free from GS.

    Although our scientific assessment is that the chances of the parasite being introduced are low, we are working with the wild fish and fish farming industries on additional measures to prevent the parasite entering the country and on action which could be taken if it did, and aim to issue a contingency plan later this year.

    The Association of District Salmon Fishery Boards has recently asked its members to review their own policies on GS.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153511,"EventID":"S1W-16845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government concerning action that can be taken UK-wide to prevent the spread of the freshwater salmon parasite Gyrodactylus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government concerning action that can be taken UK-wide to prevent the spread of the freshwater salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris.","AnswerText":"We have been working closely with DEFRA to develop measures to prevent this parasite entering the UK or Scotland, and on action which could be taken if it did. We aim to ensure consistency of approach, where appropriate, and prevent infection being transmitted in either direction over the border.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153512,"EventID":"S1W-16846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16446 by Rhona Brankin on 4 July 2001, what the outcome was of its contact with Her Majesty's Government on the environmental impli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16446 by Rhona Brankin on 4 July 2001, what the outcome was of its contact with Her Majesty's Government on the environmental implications of the disposal of material from nuclear-powered submarines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including the environmental implications of the disposal of material from nuclear-powered submarines and, as the Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Executive and United Kingdom Government recognises, it is not always appropriate to disclose the outcome of these discussions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153513,"EventID":"S1W-16847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial support for full-si'e indoor football facilities as part of the investment to support a bid for the European Nations Football Champions","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial support for full-si'e indoor football facilities as part of the investment to support a bid for the European Nations Football Championships 2008 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Consideration will be given to whether support should be given to additional football facilities if the Scottish Football Association decides to bid for the 2008 European Nations Football Championships when UEFA issues its bid criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153514,"EventID":"S1W-16848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprentices there have been in construction industry trades at the site of the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each year since work began.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprentices there have been in construction industry trades at the site of the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each year since work began.","AnswerText":"The information is not gathered centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153515,"EventID":"S1W-16849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all construction contracts issued by it, either solely or in conjunction with another body, specify that workers on sites must be employed ra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all construction contracts issued by it, either solely or in conjunction with another body, specify that workers on sites must be employed rather than self-employed on construction-related work and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The form of relationship between contractors and their employees or sub-contractors is in general a matter for the contractor rather than the contracting authority. The stipulation of labour status within public construction contracts could be open to challenge under European law on the free movement of persons, freedom to provide services and non-discrimination.

    The Health and Safety Executive is working on a Scottish Construction Health and Safety Action Plan and the Scottish Construction Industry Group is represented on the HSE Scottish committee looking at the health and safety and other issues involved. The issue of construction procurement and health and safety was also raised at my last meeting with the Group, and I have invited it to submit a paper summarising its views to the Scottish Executive for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153516,"EventID":"S1W-16851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to concerns expressed about the A85 at Glen Ogle by local people in their petition presented recently to the Deputy Minister fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to concerns expressed about the A85 at Glen Ogle by local people in their petition presented recently to the Deputy Minister for Transport and Planning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has plans to undertake improvements identified for a number of sections on the A85 between Lochearnhead and Lix Toll. These include schemes to improve visibility and road realignment at bends. The new Operating Company, BEAR Scotland Ltd, has been instructed to progress the design of the schemes this year. Implementation of the schemes will be progressed subject to availability of funds and other competing trunk road priorities.

    In addition, a review of verge safety fences has been undertaken on the A85 and two sites at Glen Ogle have been identified for treatment. The work will be subject to competitive tender and is programmed to be completed this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153517,"EventID":"S1W-16852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the recent meeting between the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture and the Dundee Heritage Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the recent meeting between the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture and the Dundee Heritage Trust.","AnswerText":"I have invited the Dundee Heritage Trust to work up a detailed forward plan in consultation with its partners, and to keep me informed of developments. In due course I will discuss the plan with the trustees in the light of the outcome of the National Audit in relation to the trust's museums.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153518,"EventID":"S1W-16853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget the #40 million for tackling cancer, announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 2 July 2001, has come.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget the #40 million for tackling cancer, announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 2 July 2001, has come.","AnswerText":"The £40 million is part of the additional resources flowing to the health programme from this year's UK Budget consequentials.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153519,"EventID":"S1W-16854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has applied to Her Majesty's Government in the current financial year for further funding for any area within its responsibility.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has applied to Her Majesty's Government in the current financial year for further funding for any area within its responsibility.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not applied to Westminster for additional funding in the current financial year, but has received formula consequentials of English reserve claims.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153520,"EventID":"S1W-16855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the second foot-and-mouth disease economic impact survey due to be published in August 2001, it will conduct another such survey in the autumn after th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the second foot-and-mouth disease economic impact survey due to be published in August 2001, it will conduct another such survey in the autumn after the tourist season.","AnswerText":"A third survey will be conducted in the autumn to update the impact assessment picture. The precise details of the survey will be taken forward by the Economic Impact Assessment Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153521,"EventID":"S1W-16856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it has played in the appointment of new directors for the Scottish Tourist Board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it has played in the appointment of new directors for the Scottish Tourist Board.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153522,"EventID":"S1W-16857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer to enable the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy to continue on an annual basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer to enable the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy to continue on an annual basis.","AnswerText":"Since inception in 1993, the Executive, through its agencies Scottish Enterprise Grampian (SEG) and Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board (AGTB), has offered a wide range of marketing and public relations assistance to the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy. This year, their combined contribution amounted to around one third of the total costs of the event. SEG and AGTB would be willing to consider any application from the organising committee for future assistance for the Traditional Boat Festival.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153523,"EventID":"S1W-16858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish economy is moving towards recession as technically defined.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish economy is moving towards recession as technically defined.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not publish forecasts of GDP growth. The official data on Scottish GDP show that there was an increase of 1.0% in the fourth quarter of 2000. This followed an increase of 0.3% in the third quarter. GDP data for the first quarter of 2001 will be released on 1 August.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153524,"EventID":"S1W-16860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the difficulties facing the G-DOCS scheme in Grampian and what action it will take to ensure that there is an adequate out-of-hours GP service avai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the difficulties facing the G-DOCS scheme in Grampian and what action it will take to ensure that there is an adequate out-of-hours GP service available in that area.","AnswerText":"An Out-of-Hours Development Fund (£5.742 million for 2001-02) is allocated to health boards to support improvements in out-of-hours services, including the development of out-of-hours co-operatives. G-DOCS and NHS Grampian are working closely together to ensure that out-of-hours services will continue to run effectively and efficiently in Grampian.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153525,"EventID":"S1W-16861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a survey of the funding requirements for each area tourist board and how it will ensure that adequate resources are made available to each one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a survey of the funding requirements for each area tourist board and how it will ensure that adequate resources are made available to each one.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the level of core funding for area tourist boards are a matter for councils and for visitscotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153526,"EventID":"S1W-16862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the performance of local authorities in funding tourism-related activities from the resources allocated to them is adequate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the performance of local authorities in funding tourism-related activities from the resources allocated to them is adequate.","AnswerText":"The level of local authority expenditure on tourism-related activities and other services is a matter for each authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153527,"EventID":"S1W-16863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will offer support for local events of interest to tourists such as the Montrose Vehicle Extravagan'a.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will offer support for local events of interest to tourists such as the Montrose Vehicle Extravagan'a.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for the discretion of local agencies and authorities whether they offer support for local tourism events such as the Montrose Vehicle Extravaganza.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153528,"EventID":"S1W-16864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the funding arrangements for the Scottish Association of Citi'ens Advice Bureaux and how it will ensure that this organisation continues its work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the funding arrangements for the Scottish Association of Citi'ens Advice Bureaux and how it will ensure that this organisation continues its work.","AnswerText":"Consumer protection is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux receives funding from the Department of Trade and Industry and enquiries about funding arrangements should be directed to that department. The Scottish Executive, however, maintains regular contact with the organisation on a range of devolved issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153529,"EventID":"S1W-16865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association regarding the role that the association plays in preserving the skills of the sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association regarding the role that the association plays in preserving the skills of the sector.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153530,"EventID":"S1W-16866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16227 by Sarah Boyack on 25 June 2001, what plans it has to ensure that routine maintenance and grass-cutting continues on the land","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16227 by Sarah Boyack on 25 June 2001, what plans it has to ensure that routine maintenance and grass-cutting continues on the land that is still in the ownership of the Scottish Executive but outwith the trunk road boundary, adjacent to the A77 between Ha'elbank Holmston and the Bankfield roundabout.","AnswerText":"Amey Highways Ltd has been instructed to undertake grass cutting on the land adjacent to the A77 between Hazelbank Holmston and the Bankfield roundabout. The performance of these operations is subject to audit and inspection by the Performance Audit Group employed by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153531,"EventID":"S1W-16867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the granite to be used in the building of the new Scottish Parliament will originate from Kenmay as previously indicated and whether the role of Kenmay or any othe","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the granite to be used in the building of the new Scottish Parliament will originate from Kenmay as previously indicated and whether the role of Kenmay or any other Scottish quarry will be more than processing granite sourced from outwith Scotland.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the granite for cladding the MSP office building is demonstrably from Kemnay Quarry in Aberdeenshire. The Trade Package containing the granite required for the remainder of the building has not yet been awarded. The tender specification for that package will include the wording "Kemnay granite to match the granite on the MSP building, or equivalent...". The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group will notify MSPs once the award has been made.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153532,"EventID":"S1W-16868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the extent to which volume one of the report Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options by KPMG focuses on estates issues and not","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the extent to which volume one of the report Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options by KPMG focuses on estates issues and not educational provision.","AnswerText":"The report was commissioned jointly by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow Colleges Group, not by the Scottish Executive. The report itself makes clear that the commission was to generate and evaluate strategic options for the provision of further education in Glasgow which will be both efficient and effective in meeting the needs of learners, and additionally, will be cost effective in the use of estates.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153533,"EventID":"S1W-16869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consider any funding implications associated with the merger options for Glasgow colleges identified in volume one of the report by KPMG, Progressing Further","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consider any funding implications associated with the merger options for Glasgow colleges identified in volume one of the report by KPMG, Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options.","AnswerText":"The funding of the Scottish further education sector, including any funding support for strategic change within the sector, is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153534,"EventID":"S1W-16870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the remit of KPMG in the report Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options was to learn from the experience of previous mergers in the fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the remit of KPMG in the report Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options was to learn from the experience of previous mergers in the further education sectors of Scotland and England and Wales.","AnswerText":"This was not, I understand, specifically part of the remit. But in considering how to take matters forward I would expect the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow colleges to take into account relevant experience from elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153535,"EventID":"S1W-16871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any timetable for mergers in the further education sector in Glasgow will be set as a result of the recommendations made by KPMG in volume one of their report Pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any timetable for mergers in the further education sector in Glasgow will be set as a result of the recommendations made by KPMG in volume one of their report Progressing Further Education in Glasgow: Strategic Options and, if so, what that timetable will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will set no such timetable. Any action stemming from this report will be for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow colleges.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153536,"EventID":"S1W-16872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16215 by Nicol Stephen on 19 June 2001, what representations, other than formal representations, it has received from local authori","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16215 by Nicol Stephen on 19 June 2001, what representations, other than formal representations, it has received from local authorities regarding any difficulties they have in meeting the costs of placing children in (a) grant-aided and (b) independent schools.","AnswerText":"We have received no representations from any local authority regarding difficulties in meeting these costs. In this context, the cost of residential special school fees has been mentioned as a significant commitment but not in the context of any particular difficulties in meeting the costs of placing children.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153537,"EventID":"S1W-16873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of the mothballing, with the loss of 110 jobs, of the Kvaerner fabrication yard in Methil, Fife.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of the mothballing, with the loss of 110 jobs, of the Kvaerner fabrication yard in Methil, Fife.","AnswerText":"At the end of 1999, the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force (now renamed Pilot) set up a Fabricators Support Group. This brought together the oil industry, Government, the fabricators themselves and other interested parties to develop an integrated approach to the ongoing difficulties facing the sector. The Scottish Executive and the Department of Trade and Industry are members of this group.

    We are continuing to work closely with the Fabricators Support Group, the Department of Trade and Industry, Fife Council and the local enterprise company on the implications of the recent announcement about the Kvaerner yard in Methil and to develop a long-term strategy for the future of this yard. The support group plans to put in place mechanisms to assist individuals to acquire new skills and employment opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153538,"EventID":"S1W-16874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the suggestions relating to information technology made in item 11 on page 235 of the April 2001 report by the Leadership Advisory Panel, Scottish","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the suggestions relating to information technology made in item 11 on page 235 of the April 2001 report by the Leadership Advisory Panel, Scottish Local Government's Self-Review of its Political Management Structure.","AnswerText":"Changes to legislation which currently affects the use of ICT in the conduct of council meetings are being considered. In terms of increasing levels of ICT investment, local authorities can benefit from the Modernising Government Fund and other Executive funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153539,"EventID":"S1W-16875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there would be savings on office accommodation costs if civil service jobs were redistributed to the regions of Scotland in proportion to population and, if so, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there would be savings on office accommodation costs if civil service jobs were redistributed to the regions of Scotland in proportion to population and, if so, whether it can quantify these. ","AnswerText":"Comparing similar properties, office rentals in the centre of Edinburgh are usually higher than in other parts of Scotland. Whether a saving on office accommodation costs is achievable depends on the actual cost of existing accommodation and the cost of available alternatives elsewhere in Scotland. Given the range of variables it is not possible to provide a meaningful quantification of likely savings.

    Accommodation costs are only one part of the total running costs of an organisation. For example, the cost of moving existing staff can be significant. Whether there is an overall saving depends on the range of costs and savings identified.

    The Executive's policy therefore deals with real opportunities on a case by case basis ensuring that meaningful and realistic costings are considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153540,"EventID":"S1W-16876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there would be savings on office accommodation costs if 3,000 civil service jobs were relocated to Tayside and, if so, whether it can quantify these.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there would be savings on office accommodation costs if 3,000 civil service jobs were relocated to Tayside and, if so, whether it can quantify these.","AnswerText":"Comparing similar properties, office rentals are lower in Tayside than in Edinburgh. Whether a saving on office accommodation costs is achievable depends on the actual cost of existing accommodation and the cost of available alternatives in Tayside. Given the range of variables it is not possible to provide a meaningful quantification of likely savings.

    Accommodation costs are only one part of the total running costs of an organisation. For example, the cost of moving existing staff can be significant. Whether there is an overall saving depends on the range of costs and savings identified.

    The Executive's policy therefore deals with real opportunities on a case by case basis ensuring that meaningful and realistic costings are considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153541,"EventID":"S1W-16877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the comparative office accommodation costs would be if the proposed new single water authority were to be based in (a) Tayside and (b) Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the comparative office accommodation costs would be if the proposed new single water authority were to be based in (a) Tayside and (b) Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"General information on comparative rental costs for office accommodation in Edinburgh and Dundee is available from the Valuation Office Agency Property Market Report (which is updated every six months in the spring and autumn).

    No specific information of this nature is currently available for Scottish Water, since it will depend on decisions which have still to be taken on the structure of the new organisation, including the extent of headquarters functions, the extent to which different functions may or may not be dispersed across the country and the availability of specific property.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153542,"EventID":"S1W-16878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce more stringent enforcement of the Specified Risk Materials Regulations 1997 in relation to imported beef carcasses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce more stringent enforcement of the Specified Risk Materials Regulations 1997 in relation to imported beef carcasses.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised that European Law requires specified risk material (SRM) to be removed at the slaughterhouse, and it is illegal for another EU Member State to send consignments of meat to the UK, which contain spinal cord. The Specified Risk Material Regulations, as amended, are enforced by the Meat Hygiene Service in licensed plants and local authorities in unlicensed premises. The agency has addressed SRM infringements through enhanced checks on imported beef and by raising the issue at high level with the Commission and the member state in question. The agency's policy is to seek for the plant's licence to be suspended in cases of systematic failures.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153543,"EventID":"S1W-16879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next publish the number of children recorded on child protection registers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next publish the number of children recorded on child protection registers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive intends to publish figures for the number of children recorded on child protection registers as at 31 March 2000 in October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153544,"EventID":"S1W-16880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to address the financial difficulties of G-DOCS, the GP co-operative for out-of-hours services in the north east.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to address the financial difficulties of G-DOCS, the GP co-operative for out-of-hours services in the north east.","AnswerText":"Out-of-Hours Co-operatives are not directly funded by the Executive, an Out-of-Hours Development Fund (£5.742 million for 2001-02) is allocated to health boards to support improvements in out-of-hours services, including the development of out of hours co-operatives. G-DOCS and NHS Grampian are working closely together to ensure that out-of-hours services will continue to run effectively and efficiently in Grampian.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153545,"EventID":"S1W-16881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many GPs (a) retired, (b) resigned and (c) took up post in each of the last five years in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many GPs (a) retired, (b) resigned and (c) took up post in each of the last five years in each health board area.","AnswerText":"Robust information on the numbers of GPs who retire or resign is not available since many do not supply a reason for leaving. Table 1 shows the numbers of GPs, by health board area, who ceased to practise as GP Principals in each of the last five years. Table 2 shows the numbers of GPs who took up post over the same period. A direct comparison between Tables 1 and 2 does not take full account of the impact of the increasing move into salaried general practice. For example, of the 29 salaried GPs currently employed under the Personal Medical Services scheme in Scotland, 28 were previously employed as GP Principals. Although they are recorded (in Table 1) as having ceased to practise as Principals they are still providing GP services.

    Table 1: Number of GPs Who Ceased to Practise as Principals

    Year Ending 30 September

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Scotland

    197

    152

    148

    138

    166

    Argyll & Clyde

    14

    19

    17

    15

    13

    Ayrshire & Arran

    13

    10

    7

    8

    14

    Borders

    3

    2

    2

    2

    2

    D","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153546,"EventID":"S1W-16882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP co-operatives are funded by the Scottish Executive, which co-operatives these are and how much funding is given to each.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP co-operatives are funded by the Scottish Executive, which co-operatives these are and how much funding is given to each.","AnswerText":"There are some 37 GP Out-of-Hours Co-operatives in Scotland - these are not directly funded by the Executive but an Out-of-Hours Development Fund (£5.742 million for 2001-02) is allocated to health boards to support improvements in out-of-hours services, including the development of out-of-hours co-operatives. Details of the funding of individual out-of-hours co-operatives are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153547,"EventID":"S1W-16883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of the construction contracts provision in Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Scheme ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of the construction contracts provision in Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998 on the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration sector in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Construction Industry Board undertook a review of the adjudication provisions of Part II of the Act and the Scheme for Construction Contracts last year at the request of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Construction Industry Board was asked to provide an impartial and balanced assessment of the impact of the legislation on all sectors of the industry and, at the request of the Scottish Executive, to have regard to the operation of adjudication in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153548,"EventID":"S1W-16884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received on the operation of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received on the operation of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.","AnswerText":"The Executive has received correspondence from the Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland regarding the operation of the legislation particularly with regard to the specialist contracting sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153549,"EventID":"S1W-16885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it submitted a response to the consultation by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Construction Industry Board (CIB) review of the adj","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it submitted a response to the consultation by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Construction Industry Board (CIB) review of the adjudication provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998 and, if so, whether this response addressed the CIB's concerns regarding the enforcement provisions in the Scottish regulations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive did not submit a separate response to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' consultation paper which was issued to the industry's main umbrella bodies following the Construction Industry Board's earlier review of adjudication provisions. The Executive has maintained liaison with the department's officials throughout the review and consultation processes, and issues relating to the legislation are being addressed by the Executive, including the enforcement provisions in the Scottish Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153550,"EventID":"S1W-16886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake a review of Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 following the completion of the review of the adjudicati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake a review of Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 following the completion of the review of the adjudication provisions in the construction contracts legislation undertaken by the Construction Industry Board.","AnswerText":"The recent review of the adjudication provisions in the legislation, which was undertaken by the Construction Industry Board at the request of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and had regard to Scottish issues, concluded that the provisions of the Act and associated schemes have proved generally to work well. The Executive will consult the industry in Scotland about any proposals for legislative change which emerge from its consideration of the Construction Industry Board's findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153551,"EventID":"S1W-16887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the statement by the UK Minister for the Environment on Newsnight on 3 July 2001 that toxic fly ash from incinerators that is used in construction ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the statement by the UK Minister for the Environment on Newsnight on 3 July 2001 that toxic fly ash from incinerators that is used in construction materials could be a ha'ard to human health and his subsequent instruction to the Environment Agency to determine where such materials have been used, it will direct the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to do the same.","AnswerText":"Fly ash from incinerators is classified as special waste under the Special Waste Regulations 1996 and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) must be notified prior to all movements of the waste. The transportation and disposal of special waste is carried out under strict conditions and documented in consignment notes. The Executive has no plans to direct SEPA to undertake any separate investigation into how special waste from incinerators is used.

    Bottom ash from incinerators is relatively inert and, therefore, capable of being recycled provided this is carried out in accordance with a Waste Management Licence issued by SEPA. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has commissioned a risk assessment covering the implications for health and the environment from using bottom ash from incinerators in road construction, and I await the outcome of that study with interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153552,"EventID":"S1W-16888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of the contract let to Environmental Resources Management Ltd on 30 October 2000 in relation to the need for improved information on rural land","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of the contract let to Environmental Resources Management Ltd on 30 October 2000 in relation to the need for improved information on rural land holdings and on beneficial ownership.","AnswerText":"The estimated cost is £23,030.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153553,"EventID":"S1W-16889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what quantity of drugs was sei'ed by the Scottish Police Force, what the street value was of those drugs, how many drug dealers were arrested and what the value was of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what quantity of drugs was sei'ed by the Scottish Police Force, what the street value was of those drugs, how many drug dealers were arrested and what the value was of the assets sei'ed by the Scottish Police Force, in each year from 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"The available information is as follows.
     

    1997

    1998

    1999

    Amount seized

    		   

    Class A (kgs)

    28

    67

    239

    Class A (thousand doses)

    26

    39

    92

    Class B (kgs)

    5,426

    12,876

    1,186

        

    Estimated value of seizures (£ million)

    		   

    Class A

    2.3

    5.5

    16.4

    Class B

    30.1

    42.9

    4.5

    Notes:

    1. Source: Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics published by the Home Office

    2. Figures for Class A drugs are for cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and methadone (amount seized measured in kilograms) and for LSD and Ecstasy-type (amount seized measured in doses).

    3. Figures for Class B drugs are for herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and amphetamines.

    4. Estimated values based on average UK \"street\" prices reported to the National Crime Intelligence Service

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Number of crimes recorded for possession of drugs with intent to supply

    7,915

    8,290

    Ratio of GPs to patients¹, by Health Board (As at 1 October 2000)
     

    Ratio of GPs to Patients

    Scotland

    1:1510

    Argyll & Clyde

    1:1415

    Ayrshire & Arran

    1:1539

    Borders

    1:1351

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1:1254

    Fife

    1:1528

    Forth Valley

    1:1494

    Grampian

    1:1543

    Greater Glasgow

    1:1600

    Highland

    1:1104

    Lanarkshire

    1:1728

    Lothian

    1:1586

    Orkney

    1:806

    Shetland

    1:1179

    Tayside

    1:1529

    Western Isles

    1:953

    Source: General Medical Practitioner Database, ISD Scotland.

    Notes:

    1. Based on WTE of unrestricted principals and their equivalents in PMS practices, including vacant posts.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153555,"EventID":"S1W-16891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16022 by Mr Jack McConnell on 13 June 2001, whether any institutions offer a part-time course for qualification as a primary school","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16022 by Mr Jack McConnell on 13 June 2001, whether any institutions offer a part-time course for qualification as a primary school teacher that is recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and, if not, whether it will take steps to ensure that such a course is provided.","AnswerText":"A part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) primary course at Strathclyde University, accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and approved by the Scottish Executive, will be piloted in session 2001-2002.

    A key feature of this part-time route is a formal agreement with four local authorities in the west of Scotland (Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling) to recommend and sponsor students from their non-teacher school employees. The first cohort in session 2001-2002 will have 20 students.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153556,"EventID":"S1W-16892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any unmet demand for the provision of a part-time, funded and accredited course which would qualify primary school teachers and whether those living in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any unmet demand for the provision of a part-time, funded and accredited course which would qualify primary school teachers and whether those living in areas where there are no teacher education institutions are adequately served in terms of the opportunity to train to be primary school teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any unmet demand for the provision of part-time primary initial teacher education. Teacher education institutions are free to tailor their mode of provision to meet any demand from those living in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153557,"EventID":"S1W-16893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that there are a number of part-time courses in teaching available in the rest of the UK and how it will address the lack of any funded, accredited p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that there are a number of part-time courses in teaching available in the rest of the UK and how it will address the lack of any funded, accredited part-time courses for qualification in teaching in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Department for Education and Skills has introduced various routes into teacher education in England and Wales, including part-time courses. The introduction of such courses is aimed at dealing with acute teacher supply difficulties experienced there. The position in Scotland is rather different. The Supply of Teachers report, 2nd Edition - June 2001, details the background to the current position on teacher supply and outlines progress on planned improvements to teacher workforce planning practices. Copies of the report are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib no: 14980) and it is on the Executive's website.

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16892 on 10 August and that institutions are able to offer any course on a part-time basis provided it meets the requirements set out in the Guidelines for Initial Teacher Education in Scotland as in the answer to question S1W-16022 on 13 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153558,"EventID":"S1W-16894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is seeking a ban on industrial fishing as part of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy or through any other forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is seeking a ban on industrial fishing as part of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy or through any other forum.","AnswerText":"A decision to ban or limit industrial fishing must be based on scientific evidence. We are working with colleagues in DEFRA to establish the impact of the industrial fisheries on the marine ecosystem, both in terms of bycatch of other fish and the importance of sandeels as a food source for other species. We have had useful discussions with Danish fisheries managers. We have also placed observers on Danish vessels and at Danish ports. We are currently analysing the collected data and we intend to meet again with Danish managers in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153559,"EventID":"S1W-16895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16519 by Henry McLeish on 6 July 2001, what the political duties of the First Minister's parliamentary private secretary are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16519 by Henry McLeish on 6 July 2001, what the political duties of the First Minister's parliamentary private secretary are.","AnswerText":"My Parliamentary Private Secretary supports me across a broad range of Parliamentary and political activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153560,"EventID":"S1W-16896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service flew a dentist to Camp Zeist in the Netherlands to provide dental treatment for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service flew a dentist to Camp Zeist in the Netherlands to provide dental treatment for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.","AnswerText":"Given a prisoner's right to medical confidentiality, and as there is currently only one prisoner within HM Prison, Zeist, no details can be disclosed about any visits by health care professionals to HM Prison, Zeist.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153561,"EventID":"S1W-16897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers, it will encourage any new organisation to take over responsibility for its free'ing and packing plant a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers, it will encourage any new organisation to take over responsibility for its free'ing and packing plant and, if not, what plans there are for the future of the plant's processing equipment.","AnswerText":"Disposal of the assets of SSFG is a matter for the appointed liquidator. However, I hope that a buyer will be forthcoming for the freezing and packing plant and that it will continue to be used for the benefit of the soft fruit industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153562,"EventID":"S1W-16898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how many fruit growers it anticipates will leave the industry following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how many fruit growers it anticipates will leave the industry following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.","AnswerText":"The future plans of each individual grower is a matter for them. There are other organisations to which growers may be able to commit their fruit and I understand that a successor body to SSFG is in the process of being established.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153563,"EventID":"S1W-16899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advise remaining fruit growers to concentrate on production of high quality fruit rather than pulp following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advise remaining fruit growers to concentrate on production of high quality fruit rather than pulp following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.","AnswerText":"There are markets and supply routes for both fresh and pulp fruit. It is a matter for growers to decide which market they should pursue. The recently published Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture suggested that, in considering the options for the future, the Scottish raspberry industry may find some transferable ideas in some recent developments in the strawberry industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153564,"EventID":"S1W-16900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether cheap raspberry pulp will continue to be produced for use by mass catering outlets following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether cheap raspberry pulp will continue to be produced for use by mass catering outlets following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16899 on 16 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153565,"EventID":"S1W-16901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers will affect plans to establish a pilot Scottish Berry Project in Tayside.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers will affect plans to establish a pilot Scottish Berry Project in Tayside.","AnswerText":"A revised proposal for a pilot project from the Scottish Berry Group was received by the Scottish Executive recently and this is currently under consideration. It is for the Group to consider the implications of the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers for the project, and to make any adjustments it considers necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153566,"EventID":"S1W-16902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in primaries 1, 2 and 3 were in composite classes in 2000-2001 and how many it anticipates will be in such classes in 2001-2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in primaries 1, 2 and 3 were in composite classes in 2000-2001 and how many it anticipates will be in such classes in 2001-2002.","AnswerText":"The numbers of primary 1 to primary 3 children in publicly funded primaries in composite classes in 2000 - 01 are set out in the table. Decisions on the allocation of pupils to classes are matters for local authorities and no central projections are made of the number of pupils in such classes.

    Stage

    Number of Pupils

    P1

    9,128

    P2

    14,756

    P3

    14,520

    Total

    38,404

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153567,"EventID":"S1W-16903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an increase in the number of composite classes in primaries 1, 2 and 3 as a result of its policy to reduce the maximum class si'e to 30 in those ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an increase in the number of composite classes in primaries 1, 2 and 3 as a result of its policy to reduce the maximum class si'e to 30 in those year groups.","AnswerText":"The formation of classes in schools is a matter for education authorities taking account of local circumstances. Class formation is likely to be influenced by a number of factors including pupil numbers, class size maxima, the capacity of rooms and the staff available. No projections are made centrally of the numbers of composite classes likely to be formed.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153568,"EventID":"S1W-16904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a written assurance has been given to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations that alternative mechanisms to tax relief grant paid to housing associations","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a written assurance has been given to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations that alternative mechanisms to tax relief grant paid to housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will be identified to protect the viability of Registered Social Landlords and ensure that housing quality is not compromised when section 54 is repealed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has agreed to set up a joint Executive/SFHA working group to look at the detailed impact of the withdrawal of Section 54 (tax relief grant) on housing associations. If it proves to be the case that withdrawal of tax relief will cause particular difficulties for some associations in making adequate reserves for future repairs, or will affect their viability, Ministers have given an undertaking to consider how best to support such associations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153569,"EventID":"S1W-16905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set up a joint Executive/Scottish Federation of Housing Associations working group to look into the need for an alternative funding mechanism for ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set up a joint Executive/Scottish Federation of Housing Associations working group to look into the need for an alternative funding mechanism for major repairs following the repeal of section 54 of the Housing Act 1988.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has agreed to set up a joint Executive / SFHA working group to look at the detailed impact of the withdrawal of Section 54 (tax relief grant) on housing associations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153570,"EventID":"S1W-16906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the operative date of the repeal of section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the operative date of the repeal of section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will be.","AnswerText":"Section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will be repealed no earlier than April 2005.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153571,"EventID":"S1W-16907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations received grants under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations received grants under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"Eighty-three housing associations with accounting periods ending in 1999-2000 have received grants under Section 54 of the Housing Act 1988.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153572,"EventID":"S1W-16908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cash value was of grants received by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cash value was of grants received by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The total cash value of grants paid so far under Section 54 of the Housing Act 1988, in respect of accounting periods ending in 1999-2000, is £4,193,828.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153573,"EventID":"S1W-16909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have applied for grants under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in respect of 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have applied for grants under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in respect of 2000-01.","AnswerText":"No grant applications have been made so far in respect of 2000-01 by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153574,"EventID":"S1W-16910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cash value was of grant applications made by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in respect of 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cash value was of grant applications made by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 in respect of 2000-01.","AnswerText":"No grant applications have been made so far in respect of 2000-01 by housing associations under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153575,"EventID":"S1W-16911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have charitable status.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have charitable status.","AnswerText":"65 Registered Social Landlords have charitable status.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153576,"EventID":"S1W-16912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have applied for charitable status since the introduction in the Parliament of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing associations have applied for charitable status since the introduction in the Parliament of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Since the Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 18 December 2000, seven Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have applied for charitable status from the Inland Revenue. All of these RSLs have applied to Scottish Homes for the appropriate rule change and consent has been given.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153577,"EventID":"S1W-16913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether the research on boundary walls conducted by the Scottish Law Commission in 1990 wa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether the research on boundary walls conducted by the Scottish Law Commission in 1990 was carried out by a student who was a temporary member of staff.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the research in question was conducted by a student employed on a temporary basis by the Scottish Law Commission.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153578,"EventID":"S1W-16914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr. Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether it will make the research report on the law on boundary division walls, compiled ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr. Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether it will make the research report on the law on boundary division walls, compiled for the Scottish Law Commission in 1990, available to any member of the public on request.","AnswerText":"As the report was an internal working paper produced by the Scottish Law Commission, the Executive does not have a copy and it would not be for the Executive to decide whether to make it available to the public. I understand that such working papers do not contain proposals for public consultation, but provide internal advice to Commissioners; and that it is not the practice of the Commission to make such papers available to the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153579,"EventID":"S1W-16915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether it is aware that the Scottish Law Commission, in its consultation paper on boundary","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, whether it is aware that the Scottish Law Commission, in its consultation paper on boundary walls of June 1992, agreed with the research report of 1990 and concluded that case law on boundary division walls consisted of contradictory lines of decision and was in a state of confusion.","AnswerText":"The consultation paper did not comment on the research report in such terms, but only noted inconsistencies between older and more recent court decisions. The relevant consideration is that the Commission recommended in its final report published on 25 March 1998 that it was not necessary to introduce legislation either to reform or restate the existing law on boundary walls. Ministers considered the recommendation at that time and also concluded that no legislation was necessary on boundary division walls. The Executive agrees with that conclusion.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153580,"EventID":"S1W-16916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service posts have been relocated outwith Edinburgh since May 1999 and to where they have been relocated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service posts have been relocated outwith Edinburgh since May 1999 and to where they have been relocated.","AnswerText":"The relocation of Civil Service posts in Scotland outwith the responsibility of the Scottish Executive is a matter for the Government Departments concerned.

    With regard to action taken on Civil Service and other public sector jobs covered by the Executive's relocation policy, the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department is now wholly located in Glasgow with some 160 staff having been transferred from Edinburgh to Glasgow over the last two years. The Food Standards Agency Scotland, with around 60 staff, has been set up in Aberdeen and the Public Guardian's Office, with around 50 staff, has been established in Falkirk.

    In March 2001, the Executive announced that the headquarters offices for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will be located in Dundee with 160 posts.

    On 17 July I announced in answer to S1W-17045 that the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, with around 175 posts, will transfer to the Galashiels area when the lease on its current Edinburgh premises expires in November 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153581,"EventID":"S1W-16917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the consultation on the proposal to introduce a 20-day standstill period following movements of sheep and cattle and what changes will now be intr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the consultation on the proposal to introduce a 20-day standstill period following movements of sheep and cattle and what changes will now be introduced.","AnswerText":"155 responses were received on the consultation in Scotland. The vast majority of these - over 95% - were critical, or rejected the proposals altogether. There was, however, widespread recognition in the responses that the status quo was not tenable and that action was required both to improve disease control and animal traceability. A number of variants on the proposals and alternatives to them were suggested.

    We have decided that measures in this area will need to be set in the context of a total approach to disease control. Further work is being carried out on the proposals and on the variants and alternatives. The aim is to introduce new arrangements to take over as existing controls are lifted.

    Copies of the consultation responses have been lodged with the Scottish Executive library, and with the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153582,"EventID":"S1W-16918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on IT projects which (a) were terminated or (b) exceeded budgetary provision in each financial year from 1997-98 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on IT projects which (a) were terminated or (b) exceeded budgetary provision in each financial year from 1997-98 to date.","AnswerText":"IT projects implemented by the Scottish Executive over this period have ranged from very small local developments to major investments in IT infrastructure. All significant projects (defined as those costing over £100,000 including VAT) were submitted to the Scottish Executive Information Systems Steering Group (SEISSG) for approval and allocation of funding. Requests for budget uprates, which may arise in response to legislative changes or changes to user requirements, are also submitted to SEISSG. During the period in question, no IT projects exceeded their budgetary provision. In 2000-01 one project costing £200,000 including VAT was completed but not subsequently implemented because of a change in user requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153583,"EventID":"S1W-16919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there will always be an adequate number of GPs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there will always be an adequate number of GPs.","AnswerText":"As I announced on 20 June, Professor John Temple is to chair the fundamental review of medical workforce planning which was a commitment in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. The review will consider the many complex areas surrounding the supply of trained doctors to NHSScotland, including the provision for general practice.

    The Executive are also currently working with ISD Scotland, the Scottish General Practitioners Committee (SGPC) and the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE), to develop a statistical model to project the overall supply and demand of the general practitioner (GP) workforce in Scotland. Information obtained from this study will be used to inform decisions on training posts for general practitioners.

    Earlier this year I also announced new arrangements to give GPs the option of becoming permanent salaried employees of NHSScotland and additional investment to fund up to an extra 50 GP posts in deprived and rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153584,"EventID":"S1W-16920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary question to question S1O-3585 by Susan Deacon on 14 June 2001, what guidance and procedures have been issued to educatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary question to question S1O-3585 by Susan Deacon on 14 June 2001, what guidance and procedures have been issued to education authorities in relation to prescribing the morning-after pill.","AnswerText":"No specific guidance has been issued to Education Authorities on emergency contraception or the morning after pill, since the Executive is aware that there are no current plans to introduce the supply of the pill by school nurses.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153585,"EventID":"S1W-16921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be invested in each financial year from 2001-02 to 2003-04 to attract biotechnology companies from outwith Scotland and to stimulate growth of Scottish biot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be invested in each financial year from 2001-02 to 2003-04 to attract biotechnology companies from outwith Scotland and to stimulate growth of Scottish biotechnology companies.","AnswerText":"Investment in biotechnology companies in Scotland over the period 2001 to 2004 - whether by the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or Scottish Enterprise, (including Locate in Scotland) - will depend on budgetary decisions yet to be taken. Biotechnology companies are also eligible to apply for a wide range of non-sector specific funding sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153586,"EventID":"S1W-16922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers, psychologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, social workers and general practitioners will need to be trained in awareness and treatment of attention","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers, psychologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, social workers and general practitioners will need to be trained in awareness and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to ensure that the SIGN 52 guideline is fully implemented.","AnswerText":"A wide range of professionals are involved in the treatment of ADHD. It is not possible to establish with any degree of accuracy how many will have training needs. The implementation of SIGN guidelines is a matter for health boards, in consultation with other authorities as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153587,"EventID":"S1W-16923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specialist fund will be set up to assist local authorities, health boards, education departments and social work services in the ongoing training of staff to t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specialist fund will be set up to assist local authorities, health boards, education departments and social work services in the ongoing training of staff to treat and manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to set up such a fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153588,"EventID":"S1W-16924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specialist fund will be set up to implement the \"shared care\" approach recommended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network for the treatment of atte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a specialist fund will be set up to implement the \"shared care\" approach recommended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to set up such a fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153589,"EventID":"S1W-16925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the SIGN guidelines on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will affect the budgets of local authorities and health boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the SIGN guidelines on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will affect the budgets of local authorities and health boards.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards and local authorities to respond to the implications of ADHD, based on their assessment of local needs and available resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153590,"EventID":"S1W-16926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to undertake a national survey to ascertain the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to undertake a national survey to ascertain the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153591,"EventID":"S1W-16927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out an audit of the stimulants which are currently being prescribed in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out an audit of the stimulants which are currently being prescribed in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to carry out such an audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153592,"EventID":"S1W-16928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a research project looking at the long term effects of different methods of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a research project looking at the long term effects of different methods of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"Within the Scottish Executive Health Department, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland and, as such, is the main departmental funder of NHS-related research.

    CSO currently funds research projects lasting up to three years up to a maximum of £150,000.

    CSO would be pleased to consider funding research proposals into the long term effects of different methods of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder subject to these limits. Such proposals would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153593,"EventID":"S1W-16929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an opportunity for parents and carers to request alternative tests for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as hair, blood a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an opportunity for parents and carers to request alternative tests for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as hair, blood and urine tests.","AnswerText":"It is open to parents and carers to ask for alternative tests for children with ADHD. Whether the request will be met is a matter for individual clinical judgement.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153594,"EventID":"S1W-16930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support parents and carers of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support parents and carers of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"It is for health boards in consultation with education authorities and social work departments to provide such support on the basis of local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153595,"EventID":"S1W-16931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children of school age are currently resident in Scotland broken down by (a) health board area and (b) local education authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children of school age are currently resident in Scotland broken down by (a) health board area and (b) local education authority area.","AnswerText":"The following tables give the Registrar General's 2000 Mid-Year Estimates of Population for school age children for health board and council area.

     

    Estimated population of school age children (5-16) by council area; 30 June 2000

    SCOTLAND

    774,304

    Aberdeen City

    29,570

    Aberdeenshire

    37,143

    Angus

    16,830

    Argyll & Bute

    12,517

    Clackmannanshire

    7,865

    Dumfries & Galloway

    21,964

    Dundee City

    20,951

    East Ayrshire

    19,040

    East Dunbartonshire

    16,095

    East Lothian

    13,810

    East Renfrewshire

    13,888

    Edinburgh, City of

    58,542

    Eilean Siar

    4,287

    Falkirk

    21,728

    Fife

    54,484

    Glasgow City

    89,472

    Highland

    33,126

    Inverclyde

    13,437

    Midlothian

    12,486

    Moray

    13,693

    North Ayrshire

    22,320

    North Lanarkshire

    51,662

    Psychologists employed by NHSScotland by Health Board

    Headcount and whole time equivalent at 30 September 2000(p)
     

    WTE

    Scotland

    351.8

    Argyll and Clyde

    20.7

    Ayrshire and Arran

    20.8

    Borders

    7.7

    Dumfries and Galloway

    14.4

    Fife

    28.8

    Forth Valley

    16.9

    Grampian

    30.5

    Greater Glasgow

    86.2

    Highland

    10.8

    Lanarkshire

    23.6

    Lothian

    61.7

    Orkney

    -

    Shetland

    -

    Tayside

    29.7

    Western Isles

    -

    (p) provisional

    Source: National Manpower Statistics from Payroll

    ISD Scotland

    A collection system for clinical psychologists is being developed centrally and it is expected that more detailed information will be available by the end of this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153597,"EventID":"S1W-16933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many paediatricians with specialist interest or training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are currently working in Scotland broken down by (a) health board","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many paediatricians with specialist interest or training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are currently working in Scotland broken down by (a) health board area and (b) local education authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. Staff data is classified by main specialty only and does not identify sub-categories of specialty or special interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153598,"EventID":"S1W-16934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists are currently employed by each local authority","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists are currently employed by each local authority","AnswerText":"The most up to date information held by the Executive relates to August 2000. This is provided in the following table:

    Source: Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists (ASPEP) Staffing Survey 31 August 2000

    Authority

    Staffing Complement

    Additional Temporary Posts *

    Shetland Isles

    1

    0

    Dumfries & Galloway

    7

    0

    East Ayrshire

    6

    0

    South Lanarkshire

    17.9

    0

    Perth & Kinross

    7.5

    0.5

    Scottish Borders

    5.6

    0

    Aberdeen City

    11.8

    0.1

    Renfrewshire

    11

    0

    Fife

    22.5

    0

    Highlands

    13.8

    0.2

    Aberdeenshire

    15.5

    0

    Stirling

    5.5

    0

    East Lothian

    5.95

    0

    North Lanarkshire

    23

    2

    Angus

    7.4

    0

    Dundee

    9.6

    1.2

    Argyll & Bute

    5.8

    0

    Edinburgh

    27.75

    0.2

    Inverclyde

    6

    0

    While I can confirm that a hairdresser from Cornton Vale was recently sent to HM Prison, Zeist, for reasons of medical confidentiality, no details can be disclosed about any visits by health care professionals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153605,"EventID":"S1W-16941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the appeal hearing in respect of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi will commence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the appeal hearing in respect of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi will commence.","AnswerText":"At this stage in the appeal process no date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

    Once the trial judges report to the Appeal Court following the lodging by Mr Al Megrahi of his grounds of appeal, the case will go before a single judge of the High Court who will decide whether to grant leave to appeal. If leave to appeal is granted a date will then be fixed for the appeal hearing.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153606,"EventID":"S1W-16942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in the light of its consultation paper Modernising the Complaints System published in October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in the light of its consultation paper Modernising the Complaints System published in October 2000.","AnswerText":"I have today published and laid before the Parliament a further consultation paper, A Modern Complaints System, which sets out detailed proposals for public sector Ombudsman arrangements in Scotland.

    Modernising the Complaints System sought views on a wide range of issues which needed to be addressed in framing the Act of the Scottish Parliament which will put in place modern public sector Ombudsman arrangements for Scotland. The ideas discussed in that paper received a very positive response from consultees. The detailed proposals set out in A Modern Complaints System are based on those responses. The responses to this second consultation paper will help to shape the Bill, which I will in due course introduce in this Parliament.

    Ministers remain committed to the promotion of modern government and high quality public services which are open, efficient, accountable and responsive to public need. To achieve this, it is essential that as broad a range of interests as possible is given the opportunity to respond to the consultation. Accordingly, this consultation paper, like the previous one, will be given a very wide distribution. It is also available on the Scottish Executive's website.

    I will be writing to each MSP individually, enclosing a copy of the paper and encouraging them to let me have their views on this important subject. Copies of the paper are available from today in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153607,"EventID":"S1W-16943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the two-day delay in publicising the absconding of Gordon Johnstone, given his previous record.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to the two-day delay in publicising the absconding of Gordon Johnstone, given his previous record.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    There was no delay in publicising the abscond of this D category prisoner. SPS and ACPOS have an agreed protocol for the release of information to the media about escaped or absconding prisoners. This was followed.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153608,"EventID":"S1W-16944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a full report into the absconding of Gordon Johnstone available to the Justice Committees.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a full report into the absconding of Gordon Johnstone available to the Justice Committees.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The matter of Mr Johnstone's abscond has been referred to the police and will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153609,"EventID":"S1W-16945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned a full report into the absconding of Gordon Johnstone during a Training for Freedom Programme and whether it will direct the Scottish Prison S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned a full report into the absconding of Gordon Johnstone during a Training for Freedom Programme and whether it will direct the Scottish Prison Service to review its risk assessment procedures given this prisoner's previous record, particularly when absconding from prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16944.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153610,"EventID":"S1W-16946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the budget of each health board for 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 and the Executive's contribution to these budgets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the budget of each health board for 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 and the Executive's contribution to these budgets.","AnswerText":"Details of the Executive's contribution to budgets are as follows:

    Health Board

    Executive's

    Contribution

    To Budget

    1999-2000

    £m

    Executive's

    Contribution

    To Budget

    2000-01

    £m

    Executive's

    Contribution

    To Budget

    2001-02

    £m

    Argyll & Clyde

    393.202

    430.583

    443.875

    Ayrshire & Arran

    336.741

    366.520

    384.786

    Borders

    101.795

    106.851

    109.095

    Dumfries & Galloway

    148.221

    157.138

    157.546

    Fife

    297.159

    315.812

    328.674

    Forth Valley

    242.768

    260.787

    263.386

    Grampian

    451.975

    483.558

    498.232

    Greater Glasgow

    910.012

    979.484

    1023.450

    Highland

    197.893

    211.638

    224.538

    Lanarkshire

    473.097

    516.597

    531.665

    Lothian

    689.336

    731.961

    753.212

    Orkney

    21.442

    27.749

    23.926

    Shetland

    24.757

    29.079

    29.770

    Tayside

    397.854

    423.251

    Central Government Grant To Councils - 1999-00 To 2001-02

    Council

    1999-00

    2000-01

    2001-02

     

    £m

    £m

    £m

    Aberdeen City

    192.480

    200.270

    213.869

    Aberdeenshire

    213.112

    216.820

    234.900

    Angus

    108.762

    110.527

    118.103

    Argyll & Bute

    110.884

    113.524

    121.880

    Clackmannanshire

    48.430

    49.425

    53.767

    Dumfries & Galloway

    159.723

    163.927

    176.682

    Dundee City

    174.018

    178.758

    191.437

    East Ayrshire

    126.160

    130.850

    139.253

    East Dunbartonshire

    97.122

    97.952

    107.465

    The above conditions also apply to farms in the "Infected Area" assuming that they are not under form A or form D restrictions.

    These arrangements are kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153615,"EventID":"S1W-16951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the livestock market in Dumfries to re-open.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the livestock market in Dumfries to re-open.","AnswerText":"It is too early to contemplate the recommencement of markets in Dumfries and Galloway. The position will be kept under review in the light of the prevailing Foot-and-Mouth Disease position.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153616,"EventID":"S1W-16952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to farmers who have been unable to sell suckler cows because of restrictions relating to foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to farmers who have been unable to sell suckler cows because of restrictions relating to foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"There is no specific assistance available from the Scottish Executive to farmers who are unable to sell farm livestock due to the restrictions relating to foot-and-mouth Disease.

    Where these restrictions have resulted in serious animal welfare problems the farmer may be able to make use of the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153617,"EventID":"S1W-16953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of Individualised Educational Programmes and what relationship they will have with Records of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of Individualised Educational Programmes and what relationship they will have with Records of Needs.","AnswerText":"Individualised Educational Programmes (IEP) and Records of Needs are separate planning documents to meet the needs of children with special educational needs (SEN).

    Where a child has a Record of Needs, it is expected that the Record will provide the strategic content from which an IEP can be prepared. The IEP outlines the more detailed steps to be taken to enable children with SEN to achieve specified targets. It underpins the day to day teaching and learning process by which a child's special educational needs can be addressed.

    The Record of Needs is a legal document - the IEP is less formal. The current review \"Assessing Our Children's Educational Needs: The Way Forward\" will look at the role of the Record of Needs and IEP's.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153618,"EventID":"S1W-16954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a delay in the submission date for the application by the Scottish Natural Heritage to the Heritage Lottery Trustees in respect of Kinloch Castle f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a delay in the submission date for the application by the Scottish Natural Heritage to the Heritage Lottery Trustees in respect of Kinloch Castle from September 2001 to January 2002 at the earliest and what the reasons are for any such delay.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153619,"EventID":"S1W-16955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the population of Rum was and (b) which government conservation agency owned it, in each year since 1957.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the population of Rum was and (b) which government conservation agency owned it, in each year since 1957.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the population for Rum collected by the Registrar General in the Census of Population which is carried out every ten years.

    Population Present1

    Resident Population2

    1961

    1971

    1981

    1981

    1991

    40

    40

    42

    17

    26

    1 Persons present on census night.

    2 Persons usually resident. The 1981 figure includes both present and absent residents of households where someone was enumerated as present on census night; the 1991 figure includes both present and absent residents of households including a count or estimate where no-one was enumerated as present on census night.

    Rum was purchased for the nation in 1957 by the then Nature Conservancy and has been managed by its successor agencies the Nature Conservancy Council, the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and, since April 1992, by Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153620,"EventID":"S1W-16956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding encouraging community development on Rum; whether it supports the re-establishment of the Rum Development Group, and whether it considers tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding encouraging community development on Rum; whether it supports the re-establishment of the Rum Development Group, and whether it considers that there should be more development on Rum and, in particular, in Kinloch.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports the aims of encouraging the sustainable development of the community alongside the effective management of one of Scotland's most important National Nature Reserves. The management of Rum is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. I suggest the Member arranges to meet with Scottish Natural Heritage to discuss these and other issues more fully.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153621,"EventID":"S1W-16957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage can effectively fulfil its duty both to the environment and to community development on Rum and what action the Executive will take to r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage can effectively fulfil its duty both to the environment and to community development on Rum and what action the Executive will take to resolve any conflict between these duties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believes that both functions can be progressed by Scottish Natural Heritage with the assistance of its partners.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153622,"EventID":"S1W-16958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is in the interests of social and economic development on Rum that Scottish Natural Heritage is its owner and whether it would consider the transfer of part or","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is in the interests of social and economic development on Rum that Scottish Natural Heritage is its owner and whether it would consider the transfer of part or all of the ownership of Rum to a third party.","AnswerText":"Rum is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve and this arrangement should continue. The Scottish Executive supports the aims of encouraging the sustainable development of the community alongside the effective management of one of Scotland's most important National Nature Reserves.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153623,"EventID":"S1W-16959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date (a) the Historic Buildings Inspectorate carried out its inspection of Kinloch Castle and (b) the Inspectorate's report was communicated to Scottish Natural H","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date (a) the Historic Buildings Inspectorate carried out its inspection of Kinloch Castle and (b) the Inspectorate's report was communicated to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and what action SNH has taken since to implement the report's recommendations.","AnswerText":"The Historic Buildings Inspectorate visited Kinloch Castle on 7-10 February 1996 at the request of Scottish Natural Heritage. The Inspectorate's report was communicated to Scottish Natural Heritage on 12 March 1996. The management of Rum is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. I suggest the Member arranges to meet with Scottish Natural Heritage to discuss these and other issues more fully.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153624,"EventID":"S1W-16960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Historic Buildings Inspectorate first recommended that Scottish Natural Heritage explore Heritage Lottery Funding as a means of carrying out work to the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Historic Buildings Inspectorate first recommended that Scottish Natural Heritage explore Heritage Lottery Funding as a means of carrying out work to the Category A listed Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum. ","AnswerText":"The Historic Buildings Inspectorate's report, which draws attention to the possibility of Heritage Lottery Funding, was sent to Scottish Natural Heritage on 12 March 1996.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153625,"EventID":"S1W-16961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns regarding the stewardship of Rum by Scottish Natural Heritage and, if so, what steps it will take to address these.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns regarding the stewardship of Rum by Scottish Natural Heritage and, if so, what steps it will take to address these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no such concerns.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153626,"EventID":"S1W-16962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of forms is that can be issued by it, or any of the agencies or non-departmental public bodies for which it is responsible, for completion by an ex","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of forms is that can be issued by it, or any of the agencies or non-departmental public bodies for which it is responsible, for completion by an external party.","AnswerText":"The information requested on the number of forms issued by the Executive, agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally. However, the Executive is committed to reducing the burden placed on providers of information. The following are examples of some of the action being taken:

    • a bureaucracy audit to reduce the administrative burdens on teachers, schools and authorities;

    • development of proposals to allow the electronic submission of legal aid forms by solicitors to the Scottish Legal Aid Board;

    • a number of initiatives aimed specifically at reducing bureaucracy for Scottish farmers and crofters.

    More generally, as part of the Modernising Government agenda, the Executive is committed to improving public services. One aspect of this is improving the ease with which information is provided; activity in this respect should have a very positive impact on the current number of forms issued by the Executive and public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153627,"EventID":"S1W-16963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug addicts are (a) registered and (b) estimated to live in each health board area, giving each figure (i) as a percentage of the national figure and (ii) as a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug addicts are (a) registered and (b) estimated to live in each health board area, giving each figure (i) as a percentage of the national figure and (ii) as a proportion of the population in each area.","AnswerText":"The term "registered drug addict" no longer exists. Information on the numbers of people misusing drugs is not held centrally. However the Scottish Executive has commissioned the Centre for Drugs Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow to conduct a prevalence study to estimate the number of problem drug misusers at national and local level. The results of this study will be available shortly.

    The following table shows the number of new individual patients reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database for the year ending 31 March 2000, as a percentage of the national figure and as a proportion of the population in each area.

    Number of New Patients/Clients reported to Scottish Drug Misuse Database 1-4
     

    No. of New Patients

    % of Scotland figures

    Proportion of population. 15-54 years

    Scotland

    11 237

    100%

    0.4%

    By Heath Board of Residence

    		   

    Argyll and Clyde

    1 255

    11.2%

    0.5%

    Ayrshire and Arran

    1 181

    10.5%

    0.6%

    Borders

    80

    0.7%

    0.1%

    Dumfries and Galloway

    199

    1.8%

    0.3%

    Fife

    434

    3.9%

    0.2%

    Forth Valley

    280

    2.5%

    0.2%

    Grampian

    1 348

    12.0%

    0.5%

    Greater Glasgow

    3 274

    29.1%

    0.6%

    Highland

    124

    1.1%

    0.1%

    Lanarkshire

    543

    4.8%

    0.2%

    As there is currently only one prisoner in HM Prison, Zeist, I am unable to provide the information sought as this would compromise the prisoner's right to medical confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153631,"EventID":"S1W-16969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by constituency and parliamentary region or by the most appropriate available geographical area of the location of the holders of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by constituency and parliamentary region or by the most appropriate available geographical area of the location of the holders of the first 100,000 individual learning accounts.","AnswerText":"The Executive's target of 100,000 Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) was achieved on 11 June 2001. The nearest date for which ILAs are broken down geographically is for the period ended 30 June. The following details are provided below by Local Enterprise Company (LEC) area:-

    LEC Areas

    No. of ILAs Opened

    Argyll & Islands

    1,265

    Ayrshire

    8,678

    Borders

    2,455

    Caithness & Sutherland

    1,148

    Dumfries & Galloway

    3,563

    Dunbartonshire

    7,285

    Fife

    10,563

    Forth Valley

    4,042

    Glasgow

    12,508

    Grampian

    13,651

    Inverness & Nairn

    1,849

    Lanarkshire

    7,889

    Lochaber

    672

    Lothian & Edinburgh

    17,922

    Moray/Badenoch/

    Strathspey

    1,896

    Orkney

    532

    Renfrewshire

    8,206

    Ross & Cromarty

    1,071

    Shetland

    343

    Skye & Lochalsh

    490

    Tayside

    9,003

    Western Isles

    601

    Unassigned

    		The comments received from VisitScotland will be taken into account in finalising the legislation for introduction to the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153635,"EventID":"S1W-16973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, as drafted, will have on tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, as drafted, will have on tourism.","AnswerText":"The purpose of Part 1 of the draft Land Reform Bill is to create greater opportunity for people to visit and enjoy the Scottish countryside. This will further enhance the attractiveness of Scotland to our visitors.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153636,"EventID":"S1W-16974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at the next Bermuda II negotiations and, if so, by whom and what their role will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented at the next Bermuda II negotiations and, if so, by whom and what their role will be.","AnswerText":"Under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 international relations and matters concerning the regulation of aviation and air transport are reserved to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153637,"EventID":"S1W-16975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it will allocate for the promotion of international air links.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it will allocate for the promotion of international air links.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no specific budget provision for the promotion of international air links. The Executive has, however, on-going discussions with its agencies (enterprise networks and visitscotland) on how best any available funding can be deployed for the greatest benefit of the Scottish economy and tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153638,"EventID":"S1W-16976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16331 by Susan Deacon on 29 June 2001, why figures regarding the Save Stobhill campaign were not given in the substantive answer to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16331 by Susan Deacon on 29 June 2001, why figures regarding the Save Stobhill campaign were not given in the substantive answer to my question S1W-15646 until 29 May 2001 when they had been available from 15 May 2001. ","AnswerText":"There is no particular reason why the figures in question, which are neither confidential nor sensitive, were not provided before 29 May other than process.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153639,"EventID":"S1W-16977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of ending slopping out in HM Prison Barlinnie would be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of ending slopping out in HM Prison Barlinnie would be.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The options for ending slopping out in all Scottish Prisons, including HM Prison Barlinnie, are being considered as part of the Estates Review which is currently underway. Costings will be published as part of this exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153640,"EventID":"S1W-16978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an anticipated #17 million underspend in the Scottish Prison Service budget for the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an anticipated #17 million underspend in the Scottish Prison Service budget for the current financial year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The underspend in the financial year 2000-01 was approximately £17 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153641,"EventID":"S1W-16979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policy guidance it has given to the Scottish Prison Service, in order to comply with the Service's mission statement commitment to provide prisoners with a range of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policy guidance it has given to the Scottish Prison Service, in order to comply with the Service's mission statement commitment to provide prisoners with a range of opportunities, regarding the participation of Scottish prisoners in exhibitions of their art work on the basis that the prisoners exhibit anonymously, derive no profit from any sales of their art work and that any such profits are applied to the provision of art materials within the prison service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    None. The SPS is responsible for drawing up its procedures concerning prisoner art competitions and exhibitions. In future all requests to SPS for involvement in art and craft exhibitions, competitions and the like will be considered by an Art Exhibition Advisory Group with both internal and external representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153642,"EventID":"S1W-16980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create a specific primary dwelling land use category, as recommended in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create a specific primary dwelling land use category, as recommended in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group.","AnswerText":"We are considering issues related to affordable housing as part of the review of National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 3: Land for Housing. We intend to publish a consultation draft of the revised NPPG by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153643,"EventID":"S1W-16981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend advice and guidance on estimating demand for housing to reflect the recommendations in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend advice and guidance on estimating demand for housing to reflect the recommendations in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group with regard to identifying and measuring housing pressure and, in particular, whether it will recommend calculating demand for housing in rural areas as a ratio of supply.","AnswerText":"We are considering the findings of this report in the context of forthcoming guidance to local authorities on pressured area designations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153644,"EventID":"S1W-16982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should explore the scope for creating a standard","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should explore the scope for creating a standard model planning agreement to facilitate the negotiation of agreements under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 between developers and local authorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16980.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153645,"EventID":"S1W-16983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create a specific affordable housing land use category, as recommended in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create a specific affordable housing land use category, as recommended in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16980.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153646,"EventID":"S1W-16984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendations in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should attach greater priority to funding afford","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendations in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should attach greater priority to funding affordable housing development for the private rented sector in rural areas, and that higher rates of grant for housing development should be available to the private sector in defined circumstances.","AnswerText":"At my request, Scottish Homes has again increased provisions in rural areas, from £45.1 million last year to £49.5 million in 2001-02. These resources, which are spread across Scottish Homes' regions, are being made available for the provision of affordable rented housing by social landlords. We are not convinced that the resources available would be better targeted through private landlords. However, if it appears appropriate in the local circumstances, Scottish Homes can consider and make recommendations to Ministers to support such projects. In addition, when development funding passes to local authorities, they will also be open to consider and suggest such alternative approaches.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153647,"EventID":"S1W-16985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when responsibility for grant funding for affordable housing is transferred to local authorities, it will require relevant authorities to operate a uniform proje","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when responsibility for grant funding for affordable housing is transferred to local authorities, it will require relevant authorities to operate a uniform project appraisal methodology across Scotland and what discretion it intends should be allowed for grant aid for projects in areas where costs exceed cost guidelines due to high land acquisition or infrastructure costs or constraints in local contracting capacity.","AnswerText":"As provided for under section 93 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish Ministers will make regulations setting out the purpose, procedures and terms and conditions that all local authorities will have to observe in providing financial assistance for housing purposes. The Regulations will specify the scope for dealing with particular local circumstances. Ministers will consult local authorities and others about the content of the regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153648,"EventID":"S1W-16986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it proposes to undertake in the light of the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that ways should be consid","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it proposes to undertake in the light of the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that ways should be considered of allowing local authorities to enter into equity loan schemes to enable the construction of affordable housing by private developers.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes is currently considering the benefits and uses of equity loans. We look forward to hearing its views in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153649,"EventID":"S1W-16987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that the grant appraisal for self-build houses in certain rur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that the grant appraisal for self-build houses in certain rural areas should be amended to reflect self-builders' labour costs.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes is currently considering whether this amendment would be appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153650,"EventID":"S1W-16988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should provide financial assistance to low-income","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will act on the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should provide financial assistance to low-income households in the owner occupier sector in certain rural areas to enable them to convert or extend their houses to meet changing household needs.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes currently has no authority to provide financial assistance of this type. We appreciate the reasons for this recommendation and the possible benefits, but it would be difficult to administer such a scheme while ensuring safeguards on the use of public money and establishing that the benefits provide value for money. However, all aspects of assistance to owners as it relates to housing quality are within the remit of the Housing Improvement Task Force. I have made arrangements for the report to be brought to the attention of the task force so that this and other issues can receive full consideration in its work.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153651,"EventID":"S1W-16989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that sustainable development requirements should be incorpora","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that sustainable development requirements should be incorporated into planning consents.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16980.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153652,"EventID":"S1W-16990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should require its own agencies, and seek ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement the recommendation in Rural Partnership for Change: Report of the National Steering Group that it should require its own agencies, and seek to influence the agencies and departments of the Her Majesty's Government, to dispose of housing stock only through strategies which will assist local authorities' local housing strategies.","AnswerText":"The report suggests that public agencies disposing of houses should consult with the relevant local authority or develop stock disposal strategies that will assist local housing strategies. It recommends that the Executive should promote such policies as good practice with agencies it can influence and should seek to have them similarly promoted by the UK government.

    The Executive and Scottish Homes are prepared to enter into discussions on disposals of housing stock by other agencies in appropriate circumstances. In disposing of its own housing stock to registered social landlords, Scottish Homes takes account of local policies and needs by consulting with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153653,"EventID":"S1W-16991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate whether any material contaminated with fly ash from waste burning incinerators has been used in building or construction materials in Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate whether any material contaminated with fly ash from waste burning incinerators has been used in building or construction materials in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to investigate whether ash from incinerators has been used in building or construction materials in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153654,"EventID":"S1W-16992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that (a) fly ash and (b) bottom ash from waste burning incinerators are disposed of safely.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that (a) fly ash and (b) bottom ash from waste burning incinerators are disposed of safely.","AnswerText":"Ash from incinerators is defined as controlled waste and therefore subject to Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As a result, the storage, treatment, disposal and transportation of both bottom ash and fly ash are strictly controlled to ensure that they do not cause a risk to the environment or human health. In addition, fly ash is classified as special waste under the Special Waste Regulations 1996. The disposal of special waste is carried out under strict conditions under the waste management regime which requires the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to be notified using consignment notes prior to all movements of the waste.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153655,"EventID":"S1W-16993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to minimise public exposure to endocrine disrupters and other dioxins.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to minimise public exposure to endocrine disrupters and other dioxins.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the seriousness of the impact of endocrine disrupters and dioxins on human health. The risk of direct exposure through air, water and soil is very limited, and the majority of human exposures to dioxins arise through the consumption of food. Measures are therefore in place to limit the amount of dioxins reaching the food chain.

    Pollution control legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Municipal Waste Incinerators Directives, which came into force in the UK in December 1996 has greatly reduced emissions of dioxins and other endocrine disrupting chemicals in the UK. The provisions of the new Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 will continue this trend.

    The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) include conditions within Consents to Discharge under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 that limit discharges of certain endocrine disrupting compounds into the aquatic environment.

    The Food Standards Agency (FSA) oversees the implementation of guidelines on tolerable intakes of dioxins for the UK. The FSA has a programme of research and surveillance, including endocrine disrupters, that seeks to ensure that consumers are protected, and has represented the UK in European discussions on European Commission proposals to introduce stricter community-wide limits on dioxin concentrations in foodstuffs and animal feed. The agency is also seeking the advice of the Committee on Toxicology (COT) on the safety of dioxins in foodstuffs, and will use this advice in the further development of policy.

    Scottish drinking water comes from upland or groundwater free from sources of endocrine disrupting chemicals or dioxins. Safeguards against subsequent contamination of drinking water by materials used in the treatment or distribution of water are included in the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. These require that all relevant chemicals or materials are approved by the Scottish ministers on the recommendation of the (UK) Committee on Products and Processes for use in Public Water Supply.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153656,"EventID":"S1W-16994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding the use of the revenue from the sale of psychiatric hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding the use of the revenue from the sale of psychiatric hospitals.","AnswerText":"Current guidelines indicate that the proceeds from the sale of psychiatric hospitals, like the proceeds from all other NHSScotland properties, should be fully reinvested in improving patient care.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153657,"EventID":"S1W-16995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue has been received from the sale of psychatric hospitals since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue has been received from the sale of psychatric hospitals since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the resources achieved from the sale of psychiatric hospitals and parts of the sites of such hospitals since May 1999, as at 31 July 2001:

    Health Board Area

    £(m)

    Borders

    1.325

    Forth Valley

    0.250

    Grampian

    0.750

    Highland

    0.750

    Greater Glasgow

    1.400

    Tayside

    0.847

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153658,"EventID":"S1W-16996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the total revenue received from the sale of psychiatric hospitals since May 1999 has been used to fund community care packages, broken down by health board a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the total revenue received from the sale of psychiatric hospitals since May 1999 has been used to fund community care packages, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Generally, the proceeds from the sale of mental health facilities are not directly reinvested in mental health since the mental health service will have been reprovided through capital investment or resource transfer prior to the mental health facility being closed and sold.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153659,"EventID":"S1W-16997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which psychiatric hospitals have been sold since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which psychiatric hospitals have been sold since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out the psychiatric hospitals and parts of such hospital sites that have been sold since May 1999, as at 31 July 2001:

    HEALTH BOARD AREA

    		 

    Borders

    Dingleton Hospital, Melrose

    Forth Valley

    Bellsdyke Hospital, Larbert

    Grampian

    Daviot Hospital, Aberdeen

    Highland

    Part disposal of Craig Dunain Hospital, Inverness

    Greater Glasgow

    Part of Leverndale Hospital site, Glasgow

    Tayside

    Part disposals - no entire hospital has been sold:

    Windyridge House, Strathmartine Hospital, Dundee

    7 Westmount, Sunnyside Hospital, Montrose

    11 Westmount, Sunnyside Hospital, Montrose

    Murray House Murray Royal Hospital, Perth

    Field 'D' Murray Royal Hospital, Perth

    2&3 Dudhope Terrace, Dundee

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153660,"EventID":"S1W-16998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rate relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is to be extended.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rate relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is to be extended.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has recognised the value of its initial rate relief scheme to affected businesses, detailed in Finance Circular 1/2001. We are therefore extending it for a further six-month period, until 31 December 2001. In addition, the rateable value threshold for additional support in Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders Council areas will be raised to £50,000, with retrospective effect from 1 April 2001, in recognition of the scale of the effect of foot-and-mouth disease on businesses in these areas, and the resultant cost of relief to the councils concerned. As a further safeguard for all councils, any relief granted by a council under the scheme which is worth more than 0.7% of its total budgeted expenditure for this year will be supported at the increased rate of 98%.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153661,"EventID":"S1W-16999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":38,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what increase in energy costs will be incurred by the NHSiS as a result of the climate change levy and to what extent these costs will be offset as a result of the Chance","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what increase in energy costs will be incurred by the NHSiS as a result of the climate change levy and to what extent these costs will be offset as a result of the Chancellor's intention to reduce National Insurance charges.","AnswerText":"Following the announcement of the climate change levy, the Scottish Executive Health Department decided against duplicating a cost comparison study to be undertaken by NHS Estates in England to estimate the effect of the increase in energy costs to the NHS as offset by the reduction in National Insurance Contributions. However, the NHSScotland Property and Environment Forum intends to address this issue as part of its annual commitment to monitor and report NHSScotland energy and environmental performance indicators.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153662,"EventID":"S1W-17000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the residents of the travellers' site at Duncholgan were not consulted over the future of the nearby landfill site at Lingerton, Argyll.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the residents of the travellers' site at Duncholgan were not consulted over the future of the nearby landfill site at Lingerton, Argyll.","AnswerText":"Halcrow Crouch, the agents acting for the applicant, Shanks Waste Services confirmed to Argyll and Bute Council in a letter dated 1 December 2000 that neighbour notifications and plans had been issued to all the residents at Duncholgan. They were not required to do so as the Travelling People's site lies outwith the statutory notifiable distance.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153663,"EventID":"S1W-17001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many alternative sites were considered when the future of the landfill site at Lingerton, Argyll was discussed and whether the Lingerton site satisfies the Scottish E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many alternative sites were considered when the future of the landfill site at Lingerton, Argyll was discussed and whether the Lingerton site satisfies the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's guidelines on landfill.","AnswerText":"The question of alternative sites is a matter for the developer before an application is submitted to the planning authority. The Scottish Ministers would not take this into account in their consideration of a planning application notified to them by a local authority. I understand that Argyll and Bute Council does not consider that the Lingerton landfill site satisfies the regulatory requirements and this prompted the planning application for improvements. Once these are completed, the operator will require to apply to SEPA for a Permit under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153664,"EventID":"S1W-17002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 5 July 2001 by the Minister for Justice regarding consultation on an independent body to look into complaints against the police, whether","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 5 July 2001 by the Minister for Justice regarding consultation on an independent body to look into complaints against the police, whether it will detail all complaints procedures which fall within the Executive's responsibility, which of these already contain significant independent elements, and what plans it has to introduce greater independence into any complaints procedures.","AnswerText":"The Executive, across all its responsibilities, is subject to independent investigation by the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (SPCA) in the event of any claims made by the public of injustice resulting from maladministration.

    The Executive is currently consulting on new proposals for modern public sector Ombudsman arrangements in Scotland, with a view to introduction of a Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman Bill to the Parliament. The key policy contained in the Bill will be the creation of a one-stop shop which will combine the existing functions of the SPCA, the Health Service Commissioner for Scotland, the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland and the Housing Association Ombudsman for Scotland. It is proposed that the one-stop shop should also deal with complaints made against Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, whose existing External Complaints Adjudicators will be wound up. The Bill will contain provisions which will continue and reinforce the independence of the Ombudsman function.

    Additionally, specific arrangements exist for dealing with complaints about administrative procedures in certain areas for which the Executive has responsibility. Details are set out in the table.

    Scottish Executive Area

    Nature of Complaints

    Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Dept.

    Crofters Commission

    Complaints against the standard of service provided by Crofters Commission Area Office Staff.

    Crofters Commission

    Complaints about Crofting Building Grants and Loan Cases.

    Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

    Complaints about dissatisfaction with service provided by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

    Environment Group

    Complaints about the handling of environmental appeals cases by the Executive.

    This process is due to be revised.

    Environment Group

    Complaints to Scottish ministers that a coast protection authority (i.e. local authority) have failed to take sufficient measures.

    CAP Management Division

    Complaints about:

    administration of the Integrated Administration and Control System which processes CAP schemes; decisions which affect claims for agricultural subsidies, or standard of service received.

    The procedure is currently under review as part of the wider review of CAP administration.

    Scottish Executive Development Dept.

    Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU)

    Complaints procedure for services provided by SEIRU as set out in the Unit's Charter Standard Statement.

    Rent Registration Service

    Complaints about Rent Registration Service functions.

    Scottish Executive Justice Dept.

    Courts Group

    Complaints about Court of Session judges are submitted to the Scottish ministers.

    Where serious concerns exist about a Court of Session judge, a tribunal may be constituted to investigate that person's fitness for office. If the tribunal reports that the person in question is unfit for office, the First Minister may make a motion to the Scottish Parliament for the ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153665,"EventID":"S1W-17003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14378 by Sarah Boyack on 5 April 2001, whether the estimated capital value of the trunk road and motorway network as at 1 April 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14378 by Sarah Boyack on 5 April 2001, whether the estimated capital value of the trunk road and motorway network as at 1 April 2001 is now available.","AnswerText":"The information will be available around the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153666,"EventID":"S1W-17004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will (a) detail all the proposed road improvements in the unpublished A77 Ayr-Stranraer Route Action Plan and (b) indicate the best estimate of the cost of eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will (a) detail all the proposed road improvements in the unpublished A77 Ayr-Stranraer Route Action Plan and (b) indicate the best estimate of the cost of each improvement at current prices.","AnswerText":"Apart from the ongoing Accident Investigation and Prevention, Mass Action and Traffic Management Works, the following proposed road improvements to the A77 between Ayr and Stranraer are planned:-

    Scheme

    Current Estimate

    Turnberry Climbing Lane

    £2,400,000

    Blackneuk

    £600,000

    Burnside

    £1,500,000

    The current Review of Route Action Plans (RAPs) includes the A77 RAP. A number of additional schemes between Ayr and Stranraer are being appraised as part of this review.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153667,"EventID":"S1W-17005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has subjected proposals for an A77 Maybole by-pass to its New Appraisal Methodology and, if so, what the ratings are for integration, economy, safety, environ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has subjected proposals for an A77 Maybole by-pass to its New Appraisal Methodology and, if so, what the ratings are for integration, economy, safety, environment and accessibility, and what the summary of monetised cost-benefit measures is for both central and 'ero growth scenarios at the 1994 price base and at current prices.","AnswerText":"No. The Executive would expect proposals prepared around a decade ago to be reviewed using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance issued on 30 July.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153668,"EventID":"S1W-17006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has subjected proposals for an A77 Girvan by-pass to its New Appraisal Methodology and, if so, what the ratings are for integration, economy, safety, environm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has subjected proposals for an A77 Girvan by-pass to its New Appraisal Methodology and, if so, what the ratings are for integration, economy, safety, environment and accessibility, and what the summary of monetised cost-benefit measures is for both central and 'ero growth scenarios at both the 1994 price base and at current prices.","AnswerText":"No. The Executive would expect proposals prepared around a decade ago to be reviewed using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance issued on 30 July.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153669,"EventID":"S1W-17007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gave to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee about including the proposed Girvan by-pass in its draft Ayrshire Structure Plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gave to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee about including the proposed Girvan by-pass in its draft Ayrshire Structure Plan.","AnswerText":"No advice was given to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee about a Girvan by-pass, either by The Scottish Office (at plan submission stage) or by the Scottish Executive in the steps leading up to the plan's approval.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153670,"EventID":"S1W-17008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gave to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee and South Ayrshire Council about protecting the line of the proposed Girvan by-pass.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gave to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee and South Ayrshire Council about protecting the line of the proposed Girvan by-pass.","AnswerText":"No advice was given to either the Committee or the Council about protecting any line for a proposed by-pass.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153671,"EventID":"S1W-17009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a need for improved road links to Turnberry Hotel and golf course to retain the course's future Open Championship status, whether it intends to allocate","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a need for improved road links to Turnberry Hotel and golf course to retain the course's future Open Championship status, whether it intends to allocate funding to construct an A77 Maybole by-pass in any future trunk roads budget and whether it plans to make additional resources available to South Ayrshire Council to improve related road links through and around south Ayr and north Carrick.","AnswerText":"The factors taken into account when considering a golfing venue's suitability for the Open Championship are for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Representatives of Turnberry have, however, discussed with officials from the Executive the integrated transport management plans being developed with South Ayrshire Council, SPT and the police. Those concerned are aware that the trunk roads programme announced on 27 March includes 7 major improvement schemes on the A77 scheduled for completion by 2005. They also recognise that it would be inappropriate to anticipate in their planning what the trunk road investment priorities will be for later years.

    Following Spending Review 2000, an additional £70m over 3 years was allocated to help local authorities address local roads and bridges issues. This formed part of the record 3 year block allocation to councils announced by the Minister for Finance in December last year. The Executive has no plans to make additional allocations to councils. Decisions on spending priorities within the block allocations are a matter for the councils concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153672,"EventID":"S1W-17010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the recommendations made in Review of the Regulatory Burden: IACS and Inspections in Scotland have been implemented in full or in part and what progress has bee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the recommendations made in Review of the Regulatory Burden: IACS and Inspections in Scotland have been implemented in full or in part and what progress has been made in, and what targets set for the completion of, the implementation of the remaining recommendations.","AnswerText":"16 of the 23 Red Tape Review recommendations have now been implemented in full. These are recommendations 1-3, 6-12, and 15-21, and they include the establishment of an independent appeals mechanism, improvements in inspections and important developments on communication with producers.

    The remaining seven are all in progress, and require longer-term action. The roll-out of Electronic Service Delivery (recommendation 2) for submission of scheme applications is now well underway, with a forward timetable publicised along with the External Communications Strategy. Recommendation 13 has been raised at EU level. It is mostly concerned with the simplification of the CAP, and is being discussed in the relevant EC working groups. Some of the elements of Recommendation 14, which deal mainly with specific Scheme operational or policy rules, have been implemented and others are under active consideration. The remaining four (namely 4, 5, 22 and 23) are also being actively progressed with further progress expected this autumn. These recommendations concern moving to a map based Field Data Sheet, integrating IACS further with the agricultural census, and producing guidance notes on specific situations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153673,"EventID":"S1W-17011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to keep former employees of the Scottish Transport Group informed of the progress of the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to keep former employees of the Scottish Transport Group informed of the progress of the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive maintains a website www.scotland.gov.uk/transport/stgpf on the matter of the Scottish Transport Group Pensions scheme and will update the information contained on its website when there are any substantial developments to report. In addition when the Scottish Parliament has agreed proposals for the making of ex-gratia payments to members of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes details will be published in national newspapers.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153674,"EventID":"S1W-17012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to write to all those who have submitted details of their service with the Scottish Transport Group informing them of the progress of their applications","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to write to all those who have submitted details of their service with the Scottish Transport Group informing them of the progress of their applications with regard to the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive issued a pro-forma as a means of verifying current addresses and basic details of service with Scottish Transport Group companies. This information will be used to update pension records before any distribution of ex-gratia payments can be made. The Executive expects to bring forward its proposals for the Scottish Parliament's consideration in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153675,"EventID":"S1W-17013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Enterprise business birth rate strategy has been successful.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Enterprise business birth rate strategy has been successful.","AnswerText":"The recent independent review of the Business Birth Rate Strategy (BBRS) by the Fraser of Allander Institute indicates that the BBRS has had a positive effect-if not as much as was originally hoped. The report recognises that there have been improvements in many areas consistent with a positive contribution from the BBRS including, inter alia, raising interest and acceptance of entrepreneurship, access to finance and improved business support. We are of course reviewing the Strategy and will look to make such improvements as are considered necessary for the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153676,"EventID":"S1W-17014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) the line of and (b) the indicative scheme for the A77 Maybole by-pass meet current standards for road design.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) the line of and (b) the indicative scheme for the A77 Maybole by-pass meet current standards for road design.","AnswerText":"Proposals for a bypass have not been tested against current design standards.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153677,"EventID":"S1W-17015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) the line of and (b) the indicative scheme for the A77 Girvan by-pass meet current standards for road design.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) the line of and (b) the indicative scheme for the A77 Girvan by-pass meet current standards for road design.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17014.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153678,"EventID":"S1W-17016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any measures planned to address the current shortage of qualified occupational therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any measures planned to address the current shortage of qualified occupational therapists.","AnswerText":"The number of Occupational Therapists working in NHSScotland has increased by 216 WTE (24%) since 1996.

    An additional 61 funded student places for certain Professions Allied to Medicine groups including Occupational Therapists have been made available by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council from October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153679,"EventID":"S1W-17017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received an application for a Freight Facilities Grant from Superfast Ferries in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe and when a decision will be made","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received an application for a Freight Facilities Grant from Superfast Ferries in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe and when a decision will be made on the application.","AnswerText":"The application was received on 29 May. Information on the identity of the destination port, which is needed to enable the application to be processed, was received on 22 June.

    Freight Facilities Grant applications are subject to a rigorous assessment process and once this is complete a decision will be made on the application.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153680,"EventID":"S1W-17018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received an application from Forth Ports for a Freight Facilities Grant in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe and when a decision will be made on th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received an application from Forth Ports for a Freight Facilities Grant in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe and when a decision will be made on the application.","AnswerText":"The initial application was received on 9 May. Information on the identity of the destination port, which is needed to enable the application to be processed, was received on 22 June.

    Freight Facilities Grant applications are subject to a rigorous assessment process and once this is complete a decision will be made on the application.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153681,"EventID":"S1W-17019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is available for Freight Facilities Grants in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is available for Freight Facilities Grants in relation to the ferry link from Rosyth to Europe.","AnswerText":"The funds available for Freight Facilities Grants over the 3 year period from 2001 to 2004 totals £36m of which £11.5m is already committed.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153682,"EventID":"S1W-17020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16332 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 June 2001, where the 37 fully qualified sign language interpreters in Scotland obtained their quali","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16332 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 June 2001, where the 37 fully qualified sign language interpreters in Scotland obtained their qualifications.","AnswerText":"Sign language interpreters in Scotland obtain their qualifications at Heriot-Watt University.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153683,"EventID":"S1W-17021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it collates relating to loss of urban green space.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it collates relating to loss of urban green space.","AnswerText":"None, although sportscotland monitors the impact of development proposals on playing fields in Scotland. The Executive published research on Rethinking Open Space (Bib. no. 12100) in March 2001 to assist local authorities in preparing open space policies for their areas. A Planning Advice Note is currently being prepared to complement this research.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153684,"EventID":"S1W-17022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process the new Finance and Central Services department will follow in dealing with proposals by Ministers for additional budgetary resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process the new Finance and Central Services department will follow in dealing with proposals by Ministers for additional budgetary resources.","AnswerText":"The process will depend on the circumstances and, for example, whether the proposal is made in a regular spending review or as an emergency request for funding from the reserve. In all case, however, changes to spending plans presented by the Executive will be the subject of Cabinet agreement.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153685,"EventID":"S1W-17023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what roles it sees for Scotland's historic environment in its strategy for tourism and for Historic Scotland in developing Scotland's tourism industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what roles it sees for Scotland's historic environment in its strategy for tourism and for Historic Scotland in developing Scotland's tourism industry.","AnswerText":"The historic environment is recognised in our tourism strategy as an important factor in attracting visitors to Scotland.

    As the largest operator of paid visitor attractions in Scotland, Historic Scotland plays a major role in developing Scotland's tourism industry. Nearly three million visitors are attracted each year to the historic sites throughout the country which Historic Scotland conserves, manages and presents. The Agency will continue to work with others nationally and locally to maintain and develop high quality visitor attractions and to market them around the world.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153686,"EventID":"S1W-17024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to assess any damage done to archaeological sites in Scotland as a result of land cover changes in recent decades following Scottish Natural Heritage's anal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to assess any damage done to archaeological sites in Scotland as a result of land cover changes in recent decades following Scottish Natural Heritage's analysis of these changes as part of the National Countryside Monitoring Scheme.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to answer. His response is as follows:

    Historic Scotland began monitoring the condition of all scheduled ancient monuments in 1986. A team of eleven part-time locally based staff visits these sites on a cyclical pattern and records their condition and the surrounding land-use on a central database. Over 7,000 sites of national importance are currently monitored in this manner. There are no plans to extend monitoring to unscheduled archaeological sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153687,"EventID":"S1W-17025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to conduct an audit of Scotland's heritage comparable to English Heritage's The Monuments At Risk Survey of England 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to conduct an audit of Scotland's heritage comparable to English Heritage's The Monuments At Risk Survey of England 1995.","AnswerText":"No. The English Heritage Survey was a sampling exercise which demonstrated that monuments are at risk for a variety of reasons. A different approach has been adopted in Scotland. Historic Scotland's Monument Wardens are engaged in a programme under which every scheduled monument in Scotland (there are at present some 7,500) will be visited and its condition recorded in a structured way. Following the conclusion of this programme in 2004, we will have comprehensive and up-to-date information on all monuments scheduled as being of national importance and be in a position to reach informed conclusions about the overall state of ancient monuments in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153688,"EventID":"S1W-17026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9098 by John Home Robertson on 7 September 2000, how it will ensure, under its finalised Scottish Forestry Strategy, that the Fores","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9098 by John Home Robertson on 7 September 2000, how it will ensure, under its finalised Scottish Forestry Strategy, that the Forestry Commission exercises effective controls to ensure necessary clearance of naturally regenerating woodland which could adversely affect scheduled ancient monuments in its own and in privately-owned forests.","AnswerText":"For the Forestry Commission's own forests, Forest Enterprise has agreed management plans with Historic Scotland for all scheduled ancient monuments on the Commission's land. Each plan contains a programme for positive management, including regular monitoring and controlling regeneration as appropriate. For privately owned forests, the Forestry Commission will only approve management plans if they contain satisfactory proposals for safeguarding any scheduled ancient monuments covered by the plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153689,"EventID":"S1W-17027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review permitted development rights under the planning laws in order to ensure that permitted developments which raise archaeological issues are fully sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review permitted development rights under the planning laws in order to ensure that permitted developments which raise archaeological issues are fully scrutinised and, where appropriate, made conditional upon developer-funded excavations.","AnswerText":"National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5: Archaeology and Planning acknowledges that some development which is permitted development may give rise to a real and specific threat to a scheduled monument or other significant archaeological site, or their setting. It goes on to say that in such cases planning authorities may wish to consider the use of their powers under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 to withdraw particular permitted development rights.

    We have no plans to revise or augment these arrangements or guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153690,"EventID":"S1W-17028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it is considering for the application of environmental impact assessment procedures to projects intended to make more intensive use of uncultivated land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it is considering for the application of environmental impact assessment procedures to projects intended to make more intensive use of uncultivated land.","AnswerText":"A range of options have been included in a consultation paper that was issued on 1 June 2001 and which invites responses on what would be the best way forward on implementing the uncultivated land and semi-natural areas provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

    Responses to the consultation paper are required by 31 August 2001 and a copy of the paper is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre or the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153691,"EventID":"S1W-17029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many historic sites and buildings are in its ownership and care and managed by Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and other agencies; what the criter","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many historic sites and buildings are in its ownership and care and managed by Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and other agencies; what the criteria are for the acquisition of historic sites and buildings, and whether it has conducted, or is considering conducting, any survey of pre-medieval or medieval monuments with a view to taking further sites into its ownership or care.","AnswerText":"Over 300 historic sites and buildings are in the care of Historic Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Executive. Of these, 76 are owned by Scottish ministers and four are on long leases. The remainder, including a few owned by the National Trust for Scotland, are in guardianship under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Acts. All are maintained by Historic Scotland. In most cases, visitor services are also provided by the agency, although in a very small number of cases other arrangements are in place.

    Historic Scotland is not actively seeking to add to the portfolio of properties for which it cares, but approaches are made to the agency from time to time to do so and other opportunities may arise. Such approaches and opportunities are given careful consideration but only sites of national importance or of very exceptional archaeological or architectural merit are taken into care by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottish ministers.

    The National Trust for Scotland is a non-governmental organisation. It receives grant assistance from the Scottish Executive, through Historic Scotland, towards the cost of agreed programmes of work to maintain and repair the historic fabric of outstanding properties in its care. Historic Scotland can also pay acquisition grant to the National Trust for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153692,"EventID":"S1W-17030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure that detailed management plans are agreed with Historic Scotland in respect of scheduled ancient monuments in privately owned forests.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure that detailed management plans are agreed with Historic Scotland in respect of scheduled ancient monuments in privately owned forests.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to answer. His response is as follows:

    We have no proposals at this time. Applications to the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme that involve scheduled ancient monuments are subject to consultation with Historic Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153693,"EventID":"S1W-17031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9277 by Sarah Boyack on 11 September 2000, whether it is now able to report on Historic Scotland's review of ways of recognising an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9277 by Sarah Boyack on 11 September 2000, whether it is now able to report on Historic Scotland's review of ways of recognising and protecting Scotland's battlefield sites, and whether the position paper referred to in the answer to question S1W-9277 has been, or will now be, placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"We have concluded that a register of battlefield sites would be a useful resource. My officials in Historic Scotland are engaged in discussions with possible partners in the academic, local government and voluntary sectors regarding the creation of a register, which I should stress would be advisory only.

    Three relevant items have now been lodged with the Parliament's Reference Centre: Historic Scotland's earlier position paper, the report of the pilot study and a paper prepared for the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153694,"EventID":"S1W-17032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether referrals to Victim Support Scotland have fallen as a consequence of the Data Protection Act and, if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that maximum use is ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether referrals to Victim Support Scotland have fallen as a consequence of the Data Protection Act and, if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that maximum use is made of victim support services.","AnswerText":"There has been a reduction in referrals in some areas. The Scottish Executive is working to resolve the matter with the Information Commissioner by agreeing a system, which both complies with the Data Protection Act and improves the level of referrals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153695,"EventID":"S1W-17033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10474 by Sarah Boyack on 6 November 2000, whether the scoping exercise to identify an appropriate methodology to forecast traffic g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10474 by Sarah Boyack on 6 November 2000, whether the scoping exercise to identify an appropriate methodology to forecast traffic growth in Scotland has been completed and, if so, whether it has now made a decision on the most appropriate way forward and can give a definitive answer to question S1W-10474.","AnswerText":"The work is ongoing and the Executive expects to report on progress in the Transport Delivery Plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153696,"EventID":"S1W-17034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12368 by Jackie Baillie on 23 January 2001, whether the working group studying the employment and inclusion implications of housing","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12368 by Jackie Baillie on 23 January 2001, whether the working group studying the employment and inclusion implications of housing investment has now reported and, if so, where the report may be obtained, what its recommendations are and what actions will be taken by the Executive on its recommendations.","AnswerText":"The housing and employment working group is now completing its report and intends to hold a seminar in September at which the report will be considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153697,"EventID":"S1W-17035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12500 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether the draft Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance has now been issued.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12500 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether the draft Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance has now been issued.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance was issued as a draft consultation document on 30 July 2001. A copy has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153698,"EventID":"S1W-17036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12502 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether it will now publish the estimates provided by local authorities in their statutor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12502 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether it will now publish the estimates provided by local authorities in their statutory road traffic reduction reports.","AnswerText":"A summary of the Executive's response to the local authorities' statutory road traffic reduction reports will be included in the Transport Delivery Plan for Scotland, to be published in the autumn. The full report will be published as a follow-up document to the plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153699,"EventID":"S1W-17037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12503 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, what the outcome was of the three Freight Facilities Grant applications which remained un","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12503 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, what the outcome was of the three Freight Facilities Grant applications which remained under review at that date.","AnswerText":"The 3 applications concerned remain under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153700,"EventID":"S1W-17038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12504 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, what the outcome was of the four Freight Facilities Grant applications which were under r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12504 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, what the outcome was of the four Freight Facilities Grant applications which were under review at that date.","AnswerText":"The 4 applications remain under review. One of the applicants was given a provisional offer of grant but the applicant subsequently changed the costing involved in the project and the application is being reconsidered. Another of the applications is being processed to a conclusion in conjunction with Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153701,"EventID":"S1W-17039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12505 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether, following the receipt of the full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie ra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12505 by Sarah Boyack on 30 January 2001, whether, following the receipt of the full business case for the Larkhall to Milngavie rail route project, it is now able to give a definitive answer to question S1W-12505.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-14515.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153702,"EventID":"S1W-17040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12508 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, whether it is now able to state how work towards future surveys of aggregate working ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12508 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, whether it is now able to state how work towards future surveys of aggregate working can be progressed.","AnswerText":"The Executive has commissioned research on the need to review national planning policy guidance for minerals in Scotland. This is considering a number of issues that will be relevant to the collecting, collating and publishing of aggregates data. The findings of the research, which are expected in the autumn, will be considered carefully before deciding on the most effective way forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153703,"EventID":"S1W-17041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12509 by Sarah Boyack on 17 May 2001, whether the discussions with Skye Bridge Limited have now taken place and, if so, what the ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12509 by Sarah Boyack on 17 May 2001, whether the discussions with Skye Bridge Limited have now taken place and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"These discussions have not yet taken place. As stated in the response to question S1W-12509, the issue will be raised when we next negotiate with Skye Bridge Ltd on matters affecting the concession.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153704,"EventID":"S1W-17042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12515 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, whether it is now able to issue a definition of the public interest groups who may be","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12515 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001, whether it is now able to issue a definition of the public interest groups who may be granted rights to act under the European Commission White Paper on Environmental Liability.","AnswerText":"The Commission issued a working document on 25 July, outlining the principles on which the proposed Directive on environmental liability could be based. This does not refer to \"Public interest groups\", but rather to \"Qualified entities in the field of environmental protection\". These are defined as:

    \"Any body or organisation which, according to the criteria, if any, laid down in national law, has an interest in ensuring that significant environmental damage is restored. Bodies and organisations whose purpose, as is shown by the articles of incorporation thereof, is to protect the environment should be deemed to have such an interest\".

    The Commission will be consulting on this working document, with a view to bringing forward a proposed Directive on environmental liability, probably in early 2002. I shall be placing a copy of the working document in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153705,"EventID":"S1W-17043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12745 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001, how MSPs might be made aware of, and enabled to scrutini'e, the advice given by the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12745 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001, how MSPs might be made aware of, and enabled to scrutini'e, the advice given by the Lord Advocate to Procurators Fiscal in relation to planning enforcement.","AnswerText":"In common with all communications between Ministers and their officials, communications between the Lord Advocate and Procurators Fiscal are confidential.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153706,"EventID":"S1W-17044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12758 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001, whether the working group's report in relation to the research report The General Pe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12758 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001, whether the working group's report in relation to the research report The General Permitted Development Order and Related Mechanisms has now been completed.","AnswerText":"No. The report will be published on completion, and a news release will be issued to highlight the main conclusions.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153707,"EventID":"S1W-17045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in its plans to relocate the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in its plans to relocate the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","AnswerText":"Following a thorough review of the options for relocating the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA), I can announce today we have decided that the SPPA will be located in the Galashiels area of the Borders, subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations for suitable premises.

    The move of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency will create around 175 posts in the Borders. We anticipate that the actual move will take place in the latter part of 2002. We have considered carefully a number of options and believe that relocation to the Galashiels area meets the criteria for the location of public sector work set out by the then First Minister in his answer to question S1W-1558 on 15 September 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153708,"EventID":"S1W-17046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to publicise whether a beach has been designated as fit for bathing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to publicise whether a beach has been designated as fit for bathing.","AnswerText":"The Bathing Waters (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1991, following the EC Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC), require the identification of locations where bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers as bathing waters, for the purposes of the Regulations. Exclusion from the list of identified bathing waters does not mean that a stretch of water is unfit for bathing.

    The list of identified bathing waters is given in the report Scottish Bathing Waters issued each year by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. These reports are also available on the Agency's website at:

    http://www.sepa.org.uk/publications/environmental_reports/index.htm#bw.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153709,"EventID":"S1W-17047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to monitor pollution levels at the 52 bathing beaches which have not been designated as fit for bathing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to monitor pollution levels at the 52 bathing beaches which have not been designated as fit for bathing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency monitors over 50 recreational waters which have not been identified as bathing waters. Results of this monitoring are published in the Agency's annual report on Scottish Bathing Waters, available on the Agency's website at:

    http://www.sepa.org.uk/publications/environmental_reports/index.htm#bw.

    Up to date information on this year's monitoring at some of these sites is also available on the Agency's website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/index.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153710,"EventID":"S1W-17048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to assign \"designated\" status to a beach.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to assign \"designated\" status to a beach.","AnswerText":"In 1998-99, an independent Bathing Waters Review Panel examined nominations for identification as bathing waters for the purposes of the Bathing Waters (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1991. The sole criterion, suggested by the Panel, was that members of the public should use the site for bathing in significant numbers. The 37 additional identifications made in 1999 represent all those waters the Panel recommended on that basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153711,"EventID":"S1W-17049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to designate a beach as fit for bathing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to designate a beach as fit for bathing.","AnswerText":"Bathing waters, not beaches, are identified by the Scottish Executive for the purposes of the Bathing Waters (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1991. The Regulations implement in Scotland the EC Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC). The Directive is intended to apply only at more frequented locations, and exclusion from the list of bathing waters does not, therefore, imply that a location is unfit for bathing. Obviously there will be a strong correlation between locations too little frequented to qualify for identification and excellent water quality.

    For the criterion for identification I refer Ms McLeod to my answer to S1W-17048.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153712,"EventID":"S1W-17050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16402 by Susan Deacon on 3 July 2001, what the 'administrative oversight' was which led to the delay until 18 June 2001 in answerin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16402 by Susan Deacon on 3 July 2001, what the 'administrative oversight' was which led to the delay until 18 June 2001 in answering question S1W-14344; who was responsible for the oversight, and what procedures have been put in place since then to ensure there is no recurrence.","AnswerText":"The draft answer was overlooked in the Private Office during the clearing process. A new computer-based PQ tracking system introduced during June should help to minimise the risk of this recurring in future.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153713,"EventID":"S1W-17051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to implement Directive 98/04/EEC relating to the award of contracts by utility operators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to implement Directive 98/04/EEC relating to the award of contracts by utility operators.","AnswerText":"Directive 98/04/EEC, which predates devolution, makes relatively minor technical amendments to an existing directive on utilities procurement which has already been given effect in UK law. Separate implementation for Scotland would create two sets of amendments to existing UK regulations. This would cause unwarranted complications for those wishing to interpret the legislation and, given that there is no particular Scottish dimension here, I have agreed that implementation should be on a UK basis. A copy of the implementing regulations will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14737).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153714,"EventID":"S1W-17052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated to each local authority to implement the Sure Start initiative and what measures it is taking to ensure that this funding has bee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated to each local authority to implement the Sure Start initiative and what measures it is taking to ensure that this funding has been used appropriately.","AnswerText":"Sure Start Scotland seeks to give a positive start to very young children's lives by providing broad-based support to children and families from deprived areas. The Scottish Executive has allocated a total of £80m for this from 1999-2004. Information on individual local authority allocations is contained in the funding letters issued by the Scottish Executive, which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICE) Bib numbers 15104 and 15106.

    We have set out clear guidance on the aims and objectives, and the process for planning and delivering Sure Start Scotland. A Ministerial-level conference emphasised the importance we attach to these objectives. Local authorities have provided returns setting out their proposals, indicative outputs and levels of actual and planned expenditure. Officials hold regular discussions with local agencies and have requested interim reports on outputs and expenditure from those (few) local authorities who do not seem to be giving Sure Start Scotland sufficient priority.

    The Executive is setting up a national evaluation of Sure Start Scotland. The first phase, which we expect to commence this month, will focus on mapping the provision of services throughout the country. The second phase will focus on impact and outcomes for children and families. The evaluation should inform good practice in delivering services. We plan to report on the first stage of this exercise by early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153715,"EventID":"S1W-17053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14602 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 April 2001, when the Partnership in Practice agreements due to be submitted in June 2001 will be ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14602 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 April 2001, when the Partnership in Practice agreements due to be submitted in June 2001 will be made publicly available.","AnswerText":"Partnership in Practice agreements form part of local authorities' Community Care Plans which are required to be publicly available in accordance with Section 5A(2) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Individual plans are published once they have been formally agreed by the Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153716,"EventID":"S1W-17054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2606 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, whether children who are immune-suppressed in mumps, measles and rubella fall into the cl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2606 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, whether children who are immune-suppressed in mumps, measles and rubella fall into the clinical category where single vaccines could be made available.","AnswerText":"The Health Department's publication Immunisation against Infectious Disease 1996, states that MMR vaccine should be given irrespective of a history of measles, mumps or rubella infection. If there is any doubt about a child's immunity to mumps, measles or rubella, MMR vaccine should be given since there are no ill effects from vaccinating individuals who are already immune.

    It also advises that children with untreated cancer or diseases of the immune system, those receiving immunosuppressive therapy or high dose steroids should not have live viral vaccines, i.e. MMR or single vaccines.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153717,"EventID":"S1W-17055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many trips have been made outwith the United Kingdom by (a) the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and (b) the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many trips have been made outwith the United Kingdom by (a) the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and (b) the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic in each month since October 2000, detailing the location, purpose and cost of each visit.","AnswerText":"Tables of the trips undertaken are attached.

    Trips undertaken by Ms Alexander

    Month

    Location

    Purpose

    Cost

    October 2000

    -

    No Visits

    -

    November 2000

    -

    No Visits

    -

    December 2000

    -

    No Visits

    -

    January 2001

    (18-21 Jan)

    France

    Franco-British Colloque

    Network with opinion leaders from Britain & France. Ms Alexander gave a speech on the new economy and regional development from a Scottish perspective.

    £337.00

    February 2001

    (18-23 Feb)

    USA

    University/economic development links

    Meetings with key universities were aimed at effecting knowledge technology transfer and researching their support for entrepreneurs, incubation of spin-out companies and commercialisation of university-developed technologies. Additionally, the Minister had a briefing with Stanford University on the proposed E-Bridge project (with Edinburgh University and SEn).

    Silicon Valley entrepreneurship

    The Minister met with STI, LIS, Scottish entrepreneurs in US and local venture capital firms in California on their work with new entrepreneurs, corporate finance for new technology companies and business incubation.

    £10,370.00

    March 2001

    -

    No Visits

    -

    April 2001

    (2-6 Apr)

    USAWe will shortly be publishing provisional results of the 2001 Pre-school and Day Care Census, analysing the latest information by the different types of provision within the pre-school education sector.

    Number of Part or Full-Time Places Occupied by 3 and 4 Year Olds

    Type of Provider

    Places Occupied by 3 Year Olds

    Places Occupied by 4 Year Olds

    Local Authority Nursery Schools and Classes

    26,351

    44,312

    1LA centres (other than nursery schools and classes)

    2,304

    2,257

    Private Day Nurseries

    9,551

    6,234

    Voluntary Sector

    8,455

    3,346

    Independent Schools

    556

    886

    Self Governing Schools

    19

    9

    Child Minders

    9

    15

    Grant Aided Schools

    3

    6

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153722,"EventID":"S1W-17060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions marked by the Procurators Fiscal for solemn proceedings were returned from the Crown Office marked down for summary jury trial in the sheriff court","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions marked by the Procurators Fiscal for solemn proceedings were returned from the Crown Office marked down for summary jury trial in the sheriff court, expressed also as a percentage of total criminal prosecutions, in 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 to date.","AnswerText":"It is assumed that "summary jury trial" should read summary trial.

    Statistics do not exist to show the number of summary prosecutions commenced as a result of Crown Counsel's instructions. The statistics for all reductions from petition procedure to summary proceedings whether by Procurator Fiscal or Crown Counsel are as follows.

    Cases reduced from preliminary solemn proceedings to summary proceedings

    Reduction to Summary

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    1,409

    1,753

    1,652

    1,409

    1,493

    Cases reduced from preliminary solemn proceedings to summary proceedings, expressed as a percentage of all criminal prosecutions

    Reduction to Summary as % of total court disposals

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    0.9%

    1.2%

    1.2%

    1.1%

    1.3%

    It should be noted that the decision of a Procurator Fiscal to place an accused on petition is not an expression of his or her view of where proceedings should ultimately be taken. It is a preliminary procedure which is followed by further investigation and consideration of the case.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153723,"EventID":"S1W-17061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16485 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 July 2001, by what date it will require Scottish Borders Council to publish its allocations from t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16485 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 July 2001, by what date it will require Scottish Borders Council to publish its allocations from the Additional Financial Resources for Schools funding.","AnswerText":"The Council submitted a return to the Scottish Executive Education Department on 11 July which detailed the total spend by most of the schools in its area under different categories. The Council has advised that it will forward the finalised information as soon as it becomes available from the remaining schools, probably after the schools re-open for the autumn term.

    I expect the Council to publish the information as soon as it has been finalised and, if necessary, considered by its Education Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153724,"EventID":"S1W-17062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16487 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 July 2001, who the signatories were on behalf of Scottish Borders Council on its Additional Financ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16487 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 July 2001, who the signatories were on behalf of Scottish Borders Council on its Additional Financial Resources for Schools application and what the date or dates of the signatures were.","AnswerText":"The signatories to the application are Mr John Christie, the Director of Education and Mr John Campbell, the Director of Finance. The date against both signatures is 18 December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153725,"EventID":"S1W-17063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for improving the supported accommodation provided by criminal justice social work services for offenders and ex-prisoners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for improving the supported accommodation provided by criminal justice social work services for offenders and ex-prisoners.","AnswerText":"A review of the present arrangements and a consultation paper on future strategy for accommodation services is being issued today.

    Copies of the paper will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 14746).","AnswerDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153726,"EventID":"S1W-17064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for Freight Facilities Grant have been received in each year since 1997 and what the average turnaround time for processing these was, broken down b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for Freight Facilities Grant have been received in each year since 1997 and what the average turnaround time for processing these was, broken down by mode of transport.","AnswerText":"Eleven awards of FFG have been made in respect of applications received since 1997. Of these, 2 rail applications were received in 1998, one inland waterway and 6 rail applications were received in 1999 and one rail and one inland waterway application was received in 2000.

    The average turnaround time for processing rail applications was 7 months and for inland waterways was 8 months.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153727,"EventID":"S1W-17065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many combined sewer overflows there are; what their precise location is, and how are they monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many combined sewer overflows there are; what their precise location is, and how are they monitored.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for the water authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153728,"EventID":"S1W-17066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any European legislation pending which will introduce more stringent regulations on the planned discharge of filtered sewage into publicly accessible wat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any European legislation pending which will introduce more stringent regulations on the planned discharge of filtered sewage into publicly accessible water courses.","AnswerText":"The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), which came into force on 22 December 2000, will require us to establish environmental objectives for water bodies based on their ecological status. In some circumstances these objectives could require more stringent controls on the discharge of sewage. The Scottish Executive's consultation paper Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters, explaining the Directive and setting out possible actions for comment, is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib No. 14576).

    The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) imposes obligations to establish waste water collecting and treatment systems within a specified timescale and to specific standards, depending on the size of the community ("agglomeration") and the location of the discharge. The remaining future deadline is 31 December 2005. By this date, adequate collecting systems or other appropriate environmental protection must be provided for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. Standard treatment is also to be provided by then for all waste water entering collecting systems at coastal agglomerations of 10,000 population equivalent or above, and at all agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent discharging to fresh water or estuaries, and anywhere else where a collecting system exists. The Directive does, however, allow for storm water overflows.

    The Scottish Executive is currently consulting on designation of 81 coastal waters, to apply the standards set in the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) at those locations. These standards include ceilings for microbiological contamination. Should these waters be designated, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be charged with drawing up improvement programmes which, if appropriate, will further control discharge of sewage at those locations. The consultation paper is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib No. 14764).","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153729,"EventID":"S1W-17067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is monitored.","AnswerText":"The work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitored through regular meetings with the Scottish Executive. SEPA's corporate targets are agreed by Ministers annually. Its Annual Report and Corporate Plan are approved by Ministers and laid in Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153730,"EventID":"S1W-17068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the provision of rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the provision of rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports.","AnswerText":"I am in the process of commissioning a study to examine in greater detail a number of options for developing rail links connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh airports to the Scottish rail network and to each other.

    Six invitations to tender for this study were issued on 25 July. Bids are due back in early September with a view to awarding the contract for the study and commencing work on it later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153731,"EventID":"S1W-17069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it is currently having with any local authority or transport company or authority concerning plans for light rapid transit schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it is currently having with any local authority or transport company or authority concerning plans for light rapid transit schemes.","AnswerText":"The development of tram or light rail projects may be eligible for financial assistance under the Public Transport Fund (PTF) or the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF). The City of Edinburgh Council has submitted a bid which includes the development of light rail in North Edinburgh to the preparation pool of the Public Transport Fund (PTF). I expect to make announcements on the current round of PTF bids by the end of October.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153732,"EventID":"S1W-17070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether light rapid transit schemes can share track with normal rolling stock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether light rapid transit schemes can share track with normal rolling stock.","AnswerText":"It is possible for light rapid transit schemes to share track with heavy rail traffic. However, any proposal for track-sharing would require approval from Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153733,"EventID":"S1W-17071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what occasions in each of the past five years prisoners have exhibited their artwork; whether any sales of the prisoners' work took place on these occasions and, if so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what occasions in each of the past five years prisoners have exhibited their artwork; whether any sales of the prisoners' work took place on these occasions and, if so, what happened to the proceeds from the sales.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Annually, the national Koestler Trust Competition exhibits Scottish prisoner art on a no fee basis. Any proceeds from sales go, in part, to the provision of art materials and the remainder, either to an appropriate charity or to the prisoner's personal cash for use upon release.

    In addition, a Scottish health-related competition, no sales involved, has been run for over 2 years.

    Information about a range of local competitions and exhibitions agreed by individual establishments over recent years are not collected centrally, but the normal presumption is for the proceeds for sales to be in line with those for the Koestler Competition.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153734,"EventID":"S1W-17072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why prisoners will not have the opportunity to exhibit at the \"Scene of the Crime\" art exhibition later this year given that the Prison Trust Award scheme and the Koestle","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why prisoners will not have the opportunity to exhibit at the \"Scene of the Crime\" art exhibition later this year given that the Prison Trust Award scheme and the Koestler Award Trust will be offering cash pri'es for prisoners' artwork.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS consider the particular exhibition referred to might cause considerable public offence. Prisoner art displayed in a "Scene of the Crime" exhibition, to be woven into a "Murder Mystery Tour" by a well known crime writer, might be seen as distasteful at best particularly by victims and their families.

    We are unaware of the Prison Trust Award scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153735,"EventID":"S1W-17073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3508 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 31 May 2001, how it will ensure that there is no further delay in making the Regional Selective Assis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3508 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 31 May 2001, how it will ensure that there is no further delay in making the Regional Selective Assistance payment to Signum Circuits, Selkirk; what effect any such delay would have on jobs in the Borders, and when this payment will now be made.","AnswerText":"I recognise the very difficult trading conditions faced by the company. Indeed, the Executive has recently revised the grant agreement with Signum Circuits, leaving a substantial RSA offer in place despite recent redundancies and a downward revision of project numbers.

    The grant offer has always been conditional upon Signum providing the Executive with a charge on its assets, so as to provide some security to protect taxpayers interests. This remains the only obstacle to Signum receiving a first payment and the Executive stands ready to release grant as soon as the company has provided this security.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153736,"EventID":"S1W-17074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage (a) recruitment to the nursing profession and (b) former nurses to return to nursing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage (a) recruitment to the nursing profession and (b) former nurses to return to nursing.","AnswerText":"I recently announced my intention to bring together nursing leaders and education providers for a 'summit' on recruitment and retention.

    In addition Our National Health: a plan for action a plan for change, makes clear that all NHS employers will be required to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers guidance on family friendly policies was issued in January covering areas such as flexible working; childcare; breastfeeding and career breaks.

    For the future negotiations on NHS Pay Modernisation are continuing on a UK basis. The proposed new system will seek to underpin better career progressions, modern conditions of service for staff and will ensure that all staff are rewarded fairly for the work that they do and the contribution that they make rather than the title they hold.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153737,"EventID":"S1W-17075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support student nurses and the training of nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support student nurses and the training of nurses.","AnswerText":"Student nurses receive funding support by way of a non means-tested bursary and other allowances where appropriate. Increased awards of around £500 per year were announced in July 2001.

    The Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland Caring for Scotland, published in March 2001, sets out specific action to address issues in nurse and midwifery education and training including the availability, use and standards of practice placements.

    Support and co-ordination of continuing professional development is currently provided by the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland (NBS); and will continue and develop under the new Special Health Board being created to provide an overarching education and training body for healthcare staff when the NBS is abolished on 31 March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153738,"EventID":"S1W-17076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the assessment process in relation to identification of deafblind children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the assessment process in relation to identification of deafblind children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's report Sensing Progress reported on social work services for people with sensory impairment - one of the key recommendations in the report is that Future Needs Assessments of children with sensory impairment should be reviewed.

    This year, the Executive has published the Report of the Certification and Registration Working Group (Social Work Services for People with a Sensory Impairment) which highlights that NHS Trusts and local authorities should ensure that full assessments of visual impairment are undertaken by multi disciplinary teams, and the Scottish Executive will be supporting pilot studies to develop assessment criteria.

    In addition, there is a UK National Screening Committee that advises all the Government Departments on screening issues, including advice on neonatal hearing screening and vision screening.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153739,"EventID":"S1W-17077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Central Railway plc or Her Majesty's Government on the possibility of a lorries-on-train rail link between west centr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Central Railway plc or Her Majesty's Government on the possibility of a lorries-on-train rail link between west central Scotland and the Channel Tunnel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including European and International railway services.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153740,"EventID":"S1W-17078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to make scan/read software available for use in primary schools for children who suffer from dyslexia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to make scan/read software available for use in primary schools for children who suffer from dyslexia.","AnswerText":"The identification of the most appropriate software for children suffering from dyslexia is carried out at the school or education authority level. Resources provided by the Scottish Executive under the National Grid for Learning programme of the Excellence Fund can be used to purchase such software.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153741,"EventID":"S1W-17079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to support further and higher education students who suffer from dyslexia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to support further and higher education students who suffer from dyslexia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has allocated £22.6 million over the next three years 2001-2004 to take forward the recommendations of the Beattie Committee in relation to helping young people make the transition to post-school education and training or employment. £4.5m of this has been provided to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to improve support for students with additional needs in further education including the development of a National Co-ordinating Access Centre, the promotion and development of Inclusiveness Policies and the provision of staff training.

    Students in further education who suffer from dyslexia can claim additional support under the Special Educational Needs Allowance. This provides assistance towards additional study and travel-related expenses arising from the student's attendance at college which they incur as a result of their disability. The allowance is means-tested but there is no upper limit to the level of support available.

    Students in higher education who suffer from dyslexia, including both part-time and distance learning students who are studying for at least 50% of a full-time equivalent course, are eligible to claim the Disabled Students' Allowance. This is a non means-tested allowance which provides assistance towards additional expenses students incur as a result of attending their course. The amount paid will depend upon the needs of the student and the requirements of the course and can be up to £1,420 for basic costs and up to £10,755 for non-medical personal help each year. An additional amount, for the duration of the course, of up to £4,255 for specialist equipment can also be provided.

    Students who receive the Disabled Students' Allowance are also exempt from liability for the Graduate Endowment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153742,"EventID":"S1W-17080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is currently taking to implement the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme report on multiple sclerosis, published in October 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is currently taking to implement the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme report on multiple sclerosis, published in October 2000.","AnswerText":"The Executive believes that the implementation of the SNAP report on multiple sclerosis (MS) deserves to be given priority by the NHS in Scotland. While implementation is in the first place a matter for health boards and NHS Trusts, the Health Department has sought information from NHSScotland about various aspects of treatment and care for MS sufferers, and will be extending the coverage of this information soon. The department will go on to discuss the performance of the NHS in relation to the treatment and care of MS sufferers with the boards themselves, involving the MS Society Scotland where appropriate.

    In addition, the SNAP recommendations on collaboration among clinicians in treating MS and on the need for better communications with MS sufferers are being addressed as part of wider initiatives including the introduction of Managed Clinical Networks, and the investment of £14 million over the next three years to improve the capacity of the NHS to communicate with, listen to and work in partnership with individuals and support groups. The issue of the prescription of beta interferon was already under review by the Health Technology Board for Scotland.

    In wider terms we are pursuing our commitment in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change to work with the NHS in Scotland, patients and patient support groups to help improve services for people with chronic enduring conditions like MS. The Chief Medical Officer has been asked to consider how best the voluntary bodies can be involved in this process and the MS Society has been invited to submit their ideas on this process.

    The Scottish Executive funds SNAP. In due course a follow-up audit will be carried out to check progress against the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153743,"EventID":"S1W-17081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, which projects due to receive Regional Selective Assistance have been delayed and why.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, which projects due to receive Regional Selective Assistance have been delayed and why.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is forecast using a computer model which takes account of existing commitments and the expected future flow of new cases, by financial year. The forecasting model operates on an aggregate basis, and does not project increases or decreases in expenditure by individual project.

    However, as revised projected spend on a small number of very large cases can influence the accuracy of the forecasts such cases are reviewed on an individual basis. One such recent revision arose from the planned closure of Motorola's Easter Inch facility. Other projects will have been delayed - and others may have been advanced - but the forecasting model does not provide for detailed analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153744,"EventID":"S1W-17082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, what changes have taken place in the accounting treatment of student loans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, what changes have taken place in the accounting treatment of student loans.","AnswerText":"On new loans the budget makes provision to reflect estimated future write-offs for non-recovery and the difference between the cost of capital charge and the interest earned over the whole life of the loan. The data underpinning these estimates is reviewed on a regular basis. The most recent review indicates that the estimated provision should be at a rate 5% less than that previously calculated.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153745,"EventID":"S1W-17083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether the changes in the accounting procedure for student loans have been applied el","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether the changes in the accounting procedure for student loans have been applied elsewhere in the budget and, if so, where and to what effect.","AnswerText":"The changes in the accounting procedure for student loans have no application elsewhere in the budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153746,"EventID":"S1W-17084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether the changes in the accounting procedure for student loans will have any impact","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether the changes in the accounting procedure for student loans will have any impact on the repayment procedures and costs for individual students.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153747,"EventID":"S1W-17085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12936 by Mr Jim Wallace on 31 January 2001, when it will bring forward legislation regarding high hedges and what other action it w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12936 by Mr Jim Wallace on 31 January 2001, when it will bring forward legislation regarding high hedges and what other action it will take following the consultation exercise on this issue.","AnswerText":"On 31 January this year I announced the Executive's intention to introduce a statutory remedy of last resort, involving complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues had been exhausted. I also made clear that no commitment could be given at that stage as to when legislation might be brought forward. In view of its substantial legislative programme, the Executive cannot at present give a commitment on when legislation on high hedges might be brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153748,"EventID":"S1W-17086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ICD-9 codes are included within its targets to reduce deaths from (a) cancer by 20% and (b) heart disease by 50% by 2010.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ICD-9 codes are included within its targets to reduce deaths from (a) cancer by 20% and (b) heart disease by 50% by 2010.","AnswerText":"The ICD-9 codes included within the Scottish Executive Health Department's target to reduce deaths from cancer by 20% between 1995 and 2010 are codes 140 - 208. The ICD-10 codes included within this target are codes C00 - C97.

    The ICD-9 codes included within the Scottish Executive Health Department's target to reduce deaths from coronary heart disease by 50% between 1995 and 2010 are codes 410 - 414. The ICD-10 codes included within this target are codes I20 - I25.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153749,"EventID":"S1W-17087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any ICD-9 codes for which there is a target to reduce deaths by 2010 other than those for cancer and heart disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any ICD-9 codes for which there is a target to reduce deaths by 2010 other than those for cancer and heart disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has a target to reduce deaths from cerebrovascular disease by 50% between 1995 and 2010. The ICD-9 codes used for this target are codes 430 - 438. The ICD-10 codes that are used for this target are codes I60 - I69.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153750,"EventID":"S1W-17088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact growing up in a smoking environment has on the physical and intellectual development of a child.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact growing up in a smoking environment has on the physical and intellectual development of a child.","AnswerText":"There is evidence that children exposed to passive smoking are at increased risk of serious respiratory illness, asthma attacks, and middle ear disease. Infants are at an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

    The World Health Organisation have published evidence that children of smokers perform more poorly in school than children of non-smokers.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153751,"EventID":"S1W-17089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve co-operation and the co-ordination of resources and strategies between local government and the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve co-operation and the co-ordination of resources and strategies between local government and the NHS.","AnswerText":"Effective joint working between the NHSScotland, local authorities and other agencies is central to the Scottish Executive's Health and Community Care policies.

    Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change (December 2000), Rebuilding our National Health Service (May 2001), Modernising Community Care (1998), the Report of the Joint Future Group (December 2000) and the Learning Disability Review (June 2001) all set out a number of steps being taken to develop joint working with local government.

    The Executive has also recently consulted on proposals to remove legislative barriers to joint working, which we will introduce soon after Parliament resumes. We will issue guidance on joint resourcing and joint service management, initially covering services for older people, in the autumn, and work with agencies over the coming months on developing single shared assessment of people with community care needs, both to come into effect in April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153752,"EventID":"S1W-17090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the recruitment of police officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the recruitment of police officers.","AnswerText":"The number of police officers in Scotland reached an all time high in March 2001. The funding made available to the police service, which is more than a third higher in real terms than ten years ago, is intended to sustain this level. These resources, combined with the resources made available to improve intelligence-led policing, should significantly enhance the ability of the police to prevent crime and catch criminals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153753,"EventID":"S1W-17091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to offer farmers early retirement schemes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to offer farmers early retirement schemes.","AnswerText":"In preparing the Scottish Rural Development Plan, we consulted widely on whether to introduce an early retirement scheme for farmers. In light of that consultation, we concluded against the introduction of a scheme and concentrated resources instead on measures which would help to sustain the industry. We continue to work closely with the industry to develop a range of measures to assist the recovery from Foot and Mouth and I will be considering all proposals which emerge during these discussions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153754,"EventID":"S1W-17092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives it plans to offer to encourage farmers' sons or daughters to remain in the industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives it plans to offer to encourage farmers' sons or daughters to remain in the industry.","AnswerText":"There are specific grant schemes operating across Scotland to support farmers and their immediate families in developing and sustaining farm incomes. The schemes provide valuable assistance to farming families in supporting diversification opportunities, both within and outwith agriculture, broadening and sustaining farm incomes. More generally, we are working with the industry and Scottish Enterprise to ensure that farming families have access to expert advice to support and develop their business and technical skills to ensure that they find more ways of making a living within their communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153755,"EventID":"S1W-17093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make equipment and facilities to deal with obstructive sleep apnoea available across all health board areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make equipment and facilities to deal with obstructive sleep apnoea available across all health board areas.","AnswerText":"The planning and delivery of health services, including the provision of equipment, is a matter primarily for Health Boards and NHS Trusts.

    A review of the sleep apnoea service provided by the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh has recently been undertaken by Lothian Health Board and Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust, with input from other Health Boards. On the basis of the review, discussions on the way forward are now taking place among the relevant Health Boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153756,"EventID":"S1W-17094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all available public sources of (a) further and (b) higher education student support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all available public sources of (a) further and (b) higher education student support.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally on all available public sources of further and higher education student support. A variety of sources of public funding are available to Scottish students, and students studying in Scotland, depending on the type, level, mode and place of study. Bodies from whom public funding is available include the Scottish Executive, Further Education Colleges, Higher Education Institutions, Local Authorities, the Further and Higher Education Funding Councils, the United Kingdom Research Councils, United Kingdom Government Departments and the European Commission. A wide range of public sector bodies also provide support to students from public funds in their capacity as employers.

    The Scottish Executive has published information on the support available for students in higher education through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Copies of the booklets have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. In addition to detailing the funding available from SAAS, these booklets also highlight the main additional sources of support. In further education, information on the discretionary support provided by each institution is published by each Further Education college.

    In cases where applicants are not eligible for the support payable by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, advice is always provided about other types of support which may be available to them. These include Career Development Loans, discretionary bursaries from Local Authorities and Individual Learning Accounts.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153757,"EventID":"S1W-17095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rates of mortality from circulatory disease (ICD-9 codes 390-459 inclusive) were per 100,000 of the population, broken down by health board area, for people unde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rates of mortality from circulatory disease (ICD-9 codes 390-459 inclusive) were per 100,000 of the population, broken down by health board area, for people under 75 years of age in each of the last three years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The mortality rates from circulatory disease per 100,000 population, by health board, of all persons under the age of 75 years, as defined by ICD-9 codes 390 - 459 for each of the years 1998 and 1999, and ICD-10 codes I00 - I99 for the year 2000, are:

     

    Health Board

    1998

    1999

    2000*

    ICD-9

    ICD-9

    ICD-10

    Argyll and Clyde

    225

    219

    202

    Ayrshire and Arran

    206

    204

    196

    Borders

    164

    165

    141

    Dumfries and Galloway

    210

    188

    198

    Fife

    190

    176

    161

    Forth Valley

    168

    170

    164

    Grampian

    147

    145

    134

    Greater Glasgow

    224

    204

    192

    Highland

    192

    167The SEPA website contains information on prosecutions at the following address:

    http://www.sepa.org.uk/envdata/prosecutions/index.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153766,"EventID":"S1W-17104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reports by Sir Anthony Campbell and Dr Raj Jandoo on the Chhokar case have yet been completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reports by Sir Anthony Campbell and Dr Raj Jandoo on the Chhokar case have yet been completed.","AnswerText":"I have now received Sir Anthony Campbell's report of his inquiry into the decision-making process in this case. The report has been sent for translation. Dr Jandoo's report is awaited but I understand that I can expect to receive it in August. That report will also require to be prepared for publication. I intend to present both reports to the Parliament as soon as possible after the summer recess.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153767,"EventID":"S1W-17105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of the timber preservative chromated copper arsenic in children's playgrounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of the timber preservative chromated copper arsenic in children's playgrounds.","AnswerText":"Enforcement of health and safety provisions for playgrounds is a reserved matter.

    The issue of chromated copper arsenate will be considered by the European Union in the autumn of this year and the Executive will consider any resulting advice or recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153768,"EventID":"S1W-17106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10148 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, whether there has been any change in the funding arrangements for the central heating ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10148 by Jackie Baillie on 15 November 2000, whether there has been any change in the funding arrangements for the central heating initiative and what progress there has been in discussions with Scottish Gas, Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro-electric and Transco.","AnswerText":"A further £5 million is being put into the Central Heating Programme this year so that councils considering transfer to community ownership can install central heating systems on the same timescale as the other local authorities taking part. Good progress has been made in our discussions with the energy companies and they have agreed to support the programme through the Energy Efficiency Commitment. Support will also be provided by Transco through its Affordable Warmth Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153769,"EventID":"S1W-17107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor the impact of the investment made through Sure Start Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor the impact of the investment made through Sure Start Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153770,"EventID":"S1W-17108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the evaluation of the Sure Start Scotland initiative will begin and when the first report of its findings is expected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the evaluation of the Sure Start Scotland initiative will begin and when the first report of its findings is expected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153771,"EventID":"S1W-17109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested reports from all local authorities in order to ascertain whether its funding for Sure Start Scotland has been used appropriately.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested reports from all local authorities in order to ascertain whether its funding for Sure Start Scotland has been used appropriately.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153772,"EventID":"S1W-17110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and evaluate implementation of the Sure Start guidelines by local authorities to ensure compliance with the aims and objectives of the programme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and evaluate implementation of the Sure Start guidelines by local authorities to ensure compliance with the aims and objectives of the programme..","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given in S1W-17052.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153773,"EventID":"S1W-17111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will evaluate the outcomes for families of the Sure Start initiative in order to ensure the best possible delivery of services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will evaluate the outcomes for families of the Sure Start initiative in order to ensure the best possible delivery of services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153774,"EventID":"S1W-17112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what extra funding has been or will be made available to each local authority for consultation on and implementation of Area Waste Plans, as referred to in chapter 10 of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what extra funding has been or will be made available to each local authority for consultation on and implementation of Area Waste Plans, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"£2.5 million was allocated between local authorities as part of the agreed local authority settlement in 2000-01, for planning and preparation for implementation of the National Waste Strategy. In 2001-02, this amount was included within the waste management grant-aided expenditure figure, although it is for authorities to determine their actual level of expenditure.

    Additional grant-in-aid has also been announced for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to take account of the duties that will fall to it in fulfilling the Executive's Programme for Government commitments. This includes the implementation of the National Waste Strategy and assistance with the preparation of the Area Waste Plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153775,"EventID":"S1W-17113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of paying 95% of claims from local authorities for flood prevention and coast protection schemes within four weeks, as referred to in chapter 10 of Th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of paying 95% of claims from local authorities for flood prevention and coast protection schemes within four weeks, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive, is being achieved.","AnswerText":"For year 2000-01 the Executive paid all claims from local authorities for flood prevention and coast protection schemes within four weeks of the required information being available, thereby achieving the 95% target.

    To date this financial year the target is not being achieved - with one payment, out of the five made, taking over the four-week period.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153776,"EventID":"S1W-17114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the 25 sustainable development activities which it will support and what form this support will take, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the 25 sustainable development activities which it will support and what form this support will take, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"At least 25 sustainable development activities will be supported through grants. These activities will include seminars, research, community projects and promotion/co-ordination activity. Already this year we have funded a scoping study on strategic environmental assessment and a seminar on satellite working offices.

    I am currently considering 70 applications for funding under the Sustainable Action Grant Scheme and will announce decisions shortly. I expect at least 20 activities will be funded in this way.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153777,"EventID":"S1W-17115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how its environmental awareness campaign was or will be launched, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how its environmental awareness campaign was or will be launched, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive environmental awareness campaign, Do a Little - Change a Lot was launched on Wednesday 4 July. The First Minister, Deputy First Minister, Minister for Transport and Planning and I were joined on Calton Hill by environmental volunteers from across Scottish society to launch the campaign logo - a butterfly with saltire markings.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153778,"EventID":"S1W-17116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how the results of its survey commissioned in 2000 into environmental attitudes and behaviour, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expend","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how the results of its survey commissioned in 2000 into environmental attitudes and behaviour, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive, will be published.","AnswerText":"Copies of the survey report have been placed today in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The main findings of the survey are also available on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153779,"EventID":"S1W-17117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Scottish Environment Protection Agency reports; when and in what form it presents reports on its work; where any such reports are publicly available, and whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Scottish Environment Protection Agency reports; when and in what form it presents reports on its work; where any such reports are publicly available, and whether any reported information is not in the public domain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is accountable to Ministers for its performance. Ministers, in turn, are accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the activities and performance of SEPA.

    SEPA publishes its Corporate Plan and Annual Report and Accounts detailing performance against the targets agreed annually by the Scottish Ministers. These documents are laid in Parliament and are accessible from SEPA's website (www.sepa.org.uk). Copies are also available from Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib no: 14926 and 10087).","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153780,"EventID":"S1W-17118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators are used to assess 100% compliance with international radiation limits at all nuclear sites, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual E","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators are used to assess 100% compliance with international radiation limits at all nuclear sites, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive, and whether this target has been met.","AnswerText":"Scottish Environment Protection Agency carries out a regular check programme of environmental monitoring around nuclear sites. Results are published jointly in the annual report "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE)". A copy of the latest RIFE report is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre, (Bib no. 14600). To assess the effect of discharges, dose is calculated, at each site, for the group most likely to be most exposed, the so-called critical group. The dose to other members of the public at those locations will be smaller than that to the critical group.

    Thus the indicator that is used to assess compliance is critical group dose. A summary table of critical group doses due to discharges of radioactive waste is presented in the RIFE report. The table for the 1999 report, the latest available, shows that critical groups in Scotland received doses which were a very small fraction of the internationally accepted limit of one millisievert per year and were in no case more than 5% of that limit. The dose to other members of the public was of course even lower. Thus the target of 100% compliance with limits was met.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153781,"EventID":"S1W-17119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has reached in implementing the phasing in of the new Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Scheme, as referr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has reached in implementing the phasing in of the new Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Scheme, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"New installations, and existing ones that are being substantially changed, are subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) controls immediately. Existing installations are being phased into IPPC on a sector-by-sector basis between 2001 and 2007. The main sectors transferring to IPPC in 2001 are paper and pulp manufacturing and cement and lime production.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153782,"EventID":"S1W-17120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial staffing resources are being given to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to take forward the implementation of Scotland's National Waste","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial staffing resources are being given to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to take forward the implementation of Scotland's National Waste Strategy, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"Additional grant-in-aid, totalling some £16.5 million over the 3-year period 2001-02 to 2003-04, has been announced for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The extra grant-in-aid takes account of the increased responsibilities and duties that will fall to SEPA in implementing European and domestic legislation and in fulfilling the Executive's Programme for Government commitments. This includes the implementation of Scotland's National Waste Strategy. No ring-fenced funding has been allocated for this, or any other, specific initiative.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153783,"EventID":"S1W-17121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage Area Waste Plans have reached; when they will be finalised and published, and what consultation has been undertaken with the public on them, as referred to in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage Area Waste Plans have reached; when they will be finalised and published, and what consultation has been undertaken with the public on them, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"To implement Scotland's National Waste Strategy eleven Area Waste Plans are being prepared; these will set out the Best Practicable Environmental Option for dealing with waste from each area. The plans are being prepared by groups consisting of local authorities, industry and local organisations, and are co-ordinated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

    The plans have reached various stages of preparation. One draft plan (for the Forth Valley area) was published for public consultation recently. Interim discussion papers setting out options for waste management have been issued for public consultation for four other areas, with others planned between now and October.

    Consultation on the draft plans themselves is programmed in most cases by the end of 2001, with the remainder by the end of the financial year following which they will be finalised.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153784,"EventID":"S1W-17122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what percentage of Scottish Parliament documents are printed on recycled paper.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what percentage of Scottish Parliament documents are printed on recycled paper.","AnswerText":"The Parliament is not able to provide figures on the percentage of its documents that are printed on recycled paper. However, the Parliament uses paper produced in an environmentally friendly way for most of its printing and publishing.

    Paper provided for use in photocopiers, fax machines and printers is a mixture of 100% recycled paper and virgin paper. Printer, fax paper and light use photocopiers use paper made up from 100% de-inked post - consumer recycled waste. It is of high quality and is easy to recycle. The dust generated from the use of recycled paper could effect the operation of heavy use photocopy machines. As a result heavy use photocopiers are supplied with virgin paper. The virgin paper comes from trees in Scandinavia planted specifically for paper production. For every tree felled, two are planted.

    At least 75% of the paper constituents used for headed paper, compliment slips etc, are made from 100% de-inked post consumer waste.

    Paper used for Parliament publications produced by The Stationery Office, although not made from recycled materials, carries the Nordic Ecolabel for low emissions during production and is 100% recyclable.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153785,"EventID":"S1W-17123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to waste initiatives, including those for recycling paper, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to waste initiatives, including those for recycling paper, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive was involved with instigating the REMADE Scotland project which aims to encourage markets for recycled materials and has contributed £50,000 support each year since its inception in 1999. In addition, the Executive has agreed to contribute £2.1 million over three years towards the national Waste and Resources Action Plan set up to help overcome barriers to recycling. Both of these projects will be addressing problems of recycling several types of material, including paper.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153786,"EventID":"S1W-17124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken or will take action in order that the companies responsible for the maintenance of trunk roads ensure that staff employed by them or a sub-contractor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken or will take action in order that the companies responsible for the maintenance of trunk roads ensure that staff employed by them or a sub-contractor are employed on a full-time basis and are not CIS4 holders and, if so, how it has achieved, or intends to achieve, this objective.","AnswerText":"There is no contractual obligation for the companies responsible for the maintenance of the trunk roads to have full time employees except for key posts nor is there any requirement for those employed or sub-contracted to undertake work not to be CIS4 holders. This is no different to the previous contractual arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153787,"EventID":"S1W-17125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #35 million in the 2002-03 a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #35 million in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 Social Justice budgets, and what impact this will have on the delivery of social justice priorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16746.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153788,"EventID":"S1W-17126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #30 million in the 2002-03 a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #30 million in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 Enterprise and Lifelong Learning budgets and what impact this will have on the delivery of the Enterprise and Lifelong Department's priorities.","AnswerText":"The net reduction of £30m in the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning budgets occurs within the spending plans for the Students Awards Agency for Scotland and amounts to £10m in each of the 3 years 2001-02 to 2003-04.

    This reduction will have no impact on the delivery of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department's priorities.

    On new loans the budget makes provision to reflect estimated future write-offs for non-recovery and the difference between the cost of capital charge and the interest earned over the whole life of the loan. The data underpinning these estimates is reviewed on a regular basis. The most recent review indicates that the estimated provision should be at a rate 5% less than that previously calculated.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153789,"EventID":"S1W-17127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #26 million in the 2002-03 a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001, why there has been a net reduction of #26 million in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 Transport budgets and what impact this will have on the delivery of transport priorities.","AnswerText":"The adjustments to the transport programme, which are to fund other Executive priorities, are set out in the following table. The SPT adjustment will bring provision in line with payments due under the franchise and is not expected to affect operations and services. Small reductions in the roads programme and on the Integrated Transport Fund will not have a significant impact on the delivery of our transport priorities. The additional funding in 2003-04 will be used to fund a pilot scheme for Child Pedestrian Training and to assist with modernisation of the road haulage industry.

    Programme

    2002-03 (£ million)

    2003-04 (£ million)

    Motorways and Trunk Roads

    - 5

    - 10

    Strathclyde Passenger Transport

    - 5

    - 5

    Integrated Transport Fund

    -

    - 5

    Other Transport Programmes

    -

    + 4

    Net Change

    - 10

    - 16

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153790,"EventID":"S1W-17128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the statement \"This autumn a poor Scottish student will have #1000 more to live on than a new student in 1979\" by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence the statement \"This autumn a poor Scottish student will have #1000 more to live on than a new student in 1979\" by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in Scotland on Sunday on 1 July 2001 is based.","AnswerText":"A young Scottish student starting a full-time course in Scotland from this month will have access to a total maintenance package of grant and loan worth £4,315, where their family income is £15,000 or below. Up to £2,000 of this support will be payable as bursary. It may be supplemented in individual cases by supplementary grants and payments from Hardship Funds. In 1979, the full maintenance grant was £1,100 or £3,361 at current prices.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153791,"EventID":"S1W-17129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning's statement in Scotland on Sunday on 1 July 2001 that \"Soon all Scotland's pensioners will have","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning's statement in Scotland on Sunday on 1 July 2001 that \"Soon all Scotland's pensioners will have the right to a central heating system to tackle hypothermia\" and whether it will confirm by what date all pensioners will have central heating installed.","AnswerText":"The statement by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning refers to the Executive's Central Heating Programme. The principal benefits are that it will help to improve the health of the elderly and lower the incidence of cold-related illnesses. There will be sufficient investment to ensure that all over 60s receive heating and insulation by March 2006.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153792,"EventID":"S1W-17130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators are used to assess reductions in the length of seriously polluted rivers, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators are used to assess reductions in the length of seriously polluted rivers, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) is responsible for protecting Scotland's river quality. The Agency classifies rivers based on an assessment of chemical, biological and aesthetic indicators. Chemical measures include measures of organic, toxic and nutrient pollution. Biological aspects relate to the sampling of the abundance and diversity of water borne insects. The aesthetic component refers to accumulations of litter or debris.

    On the basis of these three components, stretches of river length are classified annually as being:

    Excellent

    Good

    Fair

    Poor; or

    Seriously polluted","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153793,"EventID":"S1W-17131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to diffuse pollution, particularly from agricultural activities, which is considered to remain a problem, as stated in chapter 10 of The Scotti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to diffuse pollution, particularly from agricultural activities, which is considered to remain a problem, as stated in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its Agencies gave a commitment in its recently launched strategy document A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture to a partnership approach for protecting and enhancing Scotland's environment. The document identifies action to improve advice for farmers, and finds solutions which are good for the environment and farming businesses. Steps include a Working Group to examine environmental issues which impact on farming, a revision of the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) Code, and support for the development of a CD-ROM on environmental management for agriculture. A copy of the strategy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 14550).

    The Scottish Executive is also sponsoring a research programme examining the impact, mechanisms and transport of agricultural diffuse pollution. Initial findings were published in the report Impact of Agricultural Practices and Catchment Characteristics on Ayrshire Bathing Waters, published in May 2001. It is available in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib No. 13787).

    Based on this research, the Scottish Executive issued an advice note on the prevention of agricultural diffuse pollution at bathing waters to farmers in at-risk catchments on 20 July (Bib No. 14970).

    To tackle nitrate pollution we shall be consulting with the farming industry in Autumn 2001 on new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the required Action Programme measures. We are developing guidance and will discuss with the industry how best to assist farmers in complying with statutory requirements.

    To protect vulnerable groundwaters, farmers disposing of waste sheep dip and other agricultural chemicals to land are required to obtain authorisation from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in order to do so, under the Groundwater Regulations 1998.

    The Agency also has powers to serve notices, relating to the storage, transport, handling and use of listed substances under the Regulations. Notice can impose conditions on or prohibit activities where there is a risk of pollution to groundwater.

    The Scottish Executive will publish a sheep dipping Code of Practice later in the year for Scottish farmers, crofters and contractors. This will offer guidance on best practice to ensure dipping does not pollute groundwater.

    Looking to wider diffuse pollution issues, the Scottish Executive issued Planning Advice Note No. 61 on incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems into new developments (Bib No. 14982), on 27 July. These systems deal in a natural, environmentally-friendly way with run-off from roads and car-parks. The technology also has a wider application, for example to farm yard drainage and septic tanks.

    Looking to the future, the consultation paper Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters (Bib No. 14576), published on 29 June 2001, as a preliminary to the introduction of the Water Environment Bill, makes suggestions for systematic measures to tackle diffuse pollution, and invites comment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153794,"EventID":"S1W-17132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the future funding of flood prevention and coast protection schemes by local authorities is accounted for in the grant allocations set out in Table 10.6 of The S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the future funding of flood prevention and coast protection schemes by local authorities is accounted for in the grant allocations set out in Table 10.6 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive and whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority of what these funding needs are.","AnswerText":"Table 10.6 of the Annual Expenditure Report shows the overall provision made for flood prevention and coast protection grants to local authorities, taking account of their needs, over the period 2001-2004.

    We are, in general, aware of the likely funding needs of local authorities for flood prevention and coast protection works. However, it is only when authorities take schemes forward on a formal basis and make grant applications, that the Executive is able to consider funding requests. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide a definitive breakdown of the individual needs of authorities for future years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153795,"EventID":"S1W-17133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all grants to local authorities from the Strategic Waste Fund are ring fenced for use only on Area Waste Plans (AWP), what grant funding is available in the curr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all grants to local authorities from the Strategic Waste Fund are ring fenced for use only on Area Waste Plans (AWP), what grant funding is available in the current financial year, broken down by AWP, and which projects are currently being funded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has allocated £50.4m over 3 years (£4.2m in 2001-02, £16m and £30.2m) to the Strategic Waste Fund for local authorities to begin to implement the National Waste Strategy. The funds are available for authorities to implement their part of the Area Waste Plans (AWP) which are currently being prepared. No specific allocation of funds has been made yet in support of any specific AWP. To date, no applications for funding have been received from local authorities as the Area Waste Plans are not yet complete, although an initial £3m was distributed between all authorities in 2000-01 to assist with recycling and composting projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153796,"EventID":"S1W-17134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) scheme of the funding being made available for flood prevention and coast protection in (i) 2001-02, (ii)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) scheme of the funding being made available for flood prevention and coast protection in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04 as shown in table 10.6 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive. ","AnswerText":"Table 10.6 of the Annual Expenditure Report shows the overall provision made for flood prevention and coast protection grants to local authorities over the period 2001­04. Distribution of these funds is dependent on which schemes local authorities decide to take forward and on the associated grant claims made.

    To date in the current year grants (5 payments in total) have been paid to Perth and Kinross Council for the Bridge of Earn Flood Prevention Scheme (£126,000), to Renfrewshire Council for the Moredun Flood Prevention Scheme (£49,000) and to Aberdeenshire Council for the Stonehaven Coast Protection Scheme (£12,000). We do not have the necessary information from local authorities to enable us to provide a breakdown for the balance of this year or future years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153797,"EventID":"S1W-17135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) scheme of the #5.248 million made available for flood prevention activities as referred to in chapter 10 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) scheme of the #5.248 million made available for flood prevention activities as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The £5.248m was made available for flood prevention activities as a consequence of the additional funds provided for in England and Wales following the severe flooding there last autumn. This additional funding, covering the period 2000-04, will be used to strengthen flood prevention arrangements in a number of important areas. Amongst the first of the initiatives being taken forward are steps to improve dissemination of SEPA's flood warnings, a pilot project for detailed survey work to identify low lying coastal areas that may be susceptible to sea level rise and research work to better identify assets at risk from flooding. This work, estimated to cost £1.5m, will be taken forward in parallel with the enhanced programme of flood prevention and coast protection schemes that local authorities are putting in place and will augment these efforts. Other follow on initiatives are also under consideration at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153798,"EventID":"S1W-17136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of making 95% of flood prevention and coast protection scheme grant offers within six weeks as stated in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Exp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of making 95% of flood prevention and coast protection scheme grant offers within six weeks as stated in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive is being achieved.","AnswerText":"The target of 95% is being achieved. For year 2000-01 and to date in this financial year the Executive has made all grant offers for flood prevention and coast protection schemes within 6 weeks of the relevant information being available.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153799,"EventID":"S1W-17137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of confirming/approving 95% of flood prevention and coast protection schemes within three months, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget:","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of confirming/approving 95% of flood prevention and coast protection schemes within three months, as referred to in chapter 10 of The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive, is being achieved.","AnswerText":"The target of 95% is being achieved. For year 2000-01 and to date in this financial year the Executive has confirmed/approved all flood prevention and coast protection schemes within 3 months of information being available.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153800,"EventID":"S1W-17138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the Rural Stewardship Scheme were made in the current financial year to its Environment and Rural Affairs Department; what this year's budget","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the Rural Stewardship Scheme were made in the current financial year to its Environment and Rural Affairs Department; what this year's budget provision is; what the estimated total cost of all the applications is; how the applications will be prioritised, and what plans it has to increase the available budget or to give a degree of priority to schemes from farms within areas directly affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The number of applications submitted for approval this year is 476. These applications have a total cost of £28.5m. The total agri-environment budget for the current financial year is £30m, subject to sterling/euro currency fluctuations. As set out in the scheme literature, applications will be prioritised on the basis of the extent to which they will contribute to achievement of international and national conservation objectives and to local priorities for biodiversity. Agri-environment expenditure is planned to increase year on year up to £37m in 2006. There are no plans to give additional priority to schemes from farms within areas directly affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153801,"EventID":"S1W-17139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase resources for the Rural Stewardship Scheme in future financial years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase resources for the Rural Stewardship Scheme in future financial years.","AnswerText":"Agri-environment expenditure is planned to increase year on year up to £37m in 2006.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153802,"EventID":"S1W-17140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6859 by Sarah Boyack on 7 June 2000, whether it will provide an update for the current financial year of the average combined domes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6859 by Sarah Boyack on 7 June 2000, whether it will provide an update for the current financial year of the average combined domestic water and sewerage bills.","AnswerText":"The average combined domestic water and sewerage bill for the current financial year for each of the three Water Authorities and for the comparable water companies in England and Wales are as follows:

     

    £

    		 

    £

    Anglian

    261

    East of Scotland Water Authority

    237.21

    Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig

    270

    North of Scotland Water Authority

    278.23

    United Utilities Water plc

    229

    West of Scotland Water Authority

    201.00

    Northumbrian Water Ltd

    200

    		  

    Severn Trent Water Ltd

    203

    		  

    South West Water Ltd

    313

    		  

    Southern Water Services Ltd

    244

    		  

    Thames Water Utilities Ltd

    194

    		  

    Wessex Water Services Ltd

    245

    		  

    Yorkshire Water Services Ltd

    215

    		  

    English & Welsh Average

    233*

    Scottish Average

    228.82

    English and Welsh data provided by Ofwat (refe","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153803,"EventID":"S1W-17141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4255 by Sarah Boyack on 25 April 2000, whether it will provide an updated table to show the amount of public sector funding going i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4255 by Sarah Boyack on 25 April 2000, whether it will provide an updated table to show the amount of public sector funding going into or contributing towards the rail network in Scotland which comes from sources outside the Scottish Assigned Budget.","AnswerText":"The table below shows the amount of public sector funding going into, or contributing towards, the rail network in Scotland and which comes from sources outside the Assigned Budget.

    Public Funding of Scottish Rail Network from Outwith Assigned Budget (£ Millions)

    YEAR

    Franchise payments to ScotRail

    (1)(2)

    SRA Funds (RPP)

    (3)

    Freight Facilities Grants from DETR (3)

    Track Access Grants Payments from DETR

    (4)

    Franchise payments to Virgin Trains (Cross Country services) (2)(5)

    Franchise payments to Virgin Trains (West Coast services)

    (2)(5)

    Franchise payments to GNER

    (2)(5)

    1996-1997

    		  

    Contracts awarded to 1999-2000 amount to £2.01 million.

    30.68

    5.83

    61.47

    1997-1998

    135.98

    		  

    115.93

    76.63

    55.05

    1998-1999

    130.90

    		  

    101.45

    70.21

    37.40

    1999-2000

    125.80

    		 

    6.46

    86.78

    59.06

    17.36

    2000-2001

    110.22

    0.08

    0.16

    0.28

    FUNDING OF THE SCOTTISH PASSENGER RAIL NETWORK FROM THE SCOTTISH ASSIGNED BUDGET (£ millions)

    YEAR

    Payment to the SRA (1)

    Payment to Local Authorities (SPT area) (2)

    Payment to Local Authority (Fife) (3)

    PTF Rail projects

    (4)

    PTF Interchange projects

    (4)

    1997-1998

    		 

    101.65

    		   

    1998-1999

    		 

    93.80

    		  

    1.20

    1999-2000

    		 

    86.34

    		 

    0.73

    4.80

    2000-2001

    		 

    76.59

    1.12

    6.49

    0.27

    2001-2002

    110.81

    73.86

    1.46

    10.06

    3.92

    2002-2003

    105.23

    72.50

    0.81

    4.19

    4.80

    2003-2004

    101.83

    72.50

    0.70

    		Since then the Scottish Fire Service Fairness and Diversity Forum have established a working group to develop an Action Plan for Scotland which will be adopted by all Scotland's Fire Brigades. The detail will become available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153810,"EventID":"S1W-17148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many oncologists are employed in each health board area and what the ratio of these to population is in each area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many oncologists are employed in each health board area and what the ratio of these to population is in each area.","AnswerText":"Cancer services in Scotland are delivered by clinicians working within managed clinical networks. The number of oncologists employed in any health board area and the ratio of these to population is therefore not an indicator of the level of patient access to these highly specialised services.

    The following table provides information on consultant oncologists employed within the areas covered by the three Regional Network Groups. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes.

    Consultant Medical and Clinical Oncologists: as at 30 September 2000p

    Headcount and Rate per 100,000 Population, by Regional Network Group

    Headcount

    per 100,000 Population

    Total

    Medical Oncologists

    Clinical Oncologists

    Medical Oncologists

    Clinical Oncologists

    Scotland

    52

    14

    38

    0.3

    0.7

    North2

    14

    4

    10

    0.3

    0.8

    West3

    22

    5

    17

    0.2

    0.7

    South East4

    16

    5

    11

    0.4

    0.8

    Notes:

    1. Source: Staff - Medical and Dental Census from payroll, ISD Scotland; Mid-Year Population Estimates at 30 June - Registrar General for Scotland.

    2. The North of Scotland Regional Network Group covers the following health board areas: Grampian, Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Tayside and Western Isles.

    3. The West of Scotland Regional Network Group covers the following health board areas: Argyll & Clyde, Ayrshire & Arran, Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire.

    4. The South East Scotland Regional Network Group covers the following health board areas: Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife and Lothian.

    5. The staffing data shown is provisional and is the value on 30 September 2000. This may not necessarily represent average staffing levels throughout the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153811,"EventID":"S1W-17149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appointment of a new chairperson of Yorkhill NHS Trust will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appointment of a new chairperson of Yorkhill NHS Trust will be announced.","AnswerText":"The appointment of Sally Kuenssberg as chairperson of the Yorkhill NHS Trust was announced on 27 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153812,"EventID":"S1W-17150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what salaries and benefits are received by the chief executives and chairmen of each water authority and by what percentage these increased in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what salaries and benefits are received by the chief executives and chairmen of each water authority and by what percentage these increased in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive guidance on Public Appointments: Pay of Chairmen, Board Members and Chief Executives in 2001-02 was issued to the water authorities in July. The figures in the table include the recommended increase of 3%, which is still to be applied.

    Water Authority

    NoSWA

    ESWA

    WoSWA

    Chief executive

    Katharine Bryan

    Jon Hargreaves

    Charlie Cornish

    Salary package in 2000-01

    £115,0001

    £130,000

    Not applicable

    Basic salary for 2001-02 (after 3% uplift)

    £123,6002

    £133,900

    £123,600

    Performance-related bonus

    Up to 10% of basic salary

    Up to 10% of basic salary

    Up to 10% of basic salary

    Pension Contributions

    12%

    14.7%

    12%

    Chairman

    Colin Rennie

    Bob Cairns

    Alan Alexander

    Basic Salary in 2000-01

    £27,813

    £27,809

    £25,466

    After 3% uplift for 2001-02

    £28,6473

    £28,643

    £26,230

    Pension Contributions

    £3,000

    £1,696

    £3,000

    Notes:

    1Includes taxable benefit of £10,000

    2Includes consolidation of taxable benefit and £5,000 uplift from 1 April 2001.

    3Accountable expenses are received in addition.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153813,"EventID":"S1W-17151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15864 by Peter Peacock on 1 June 2001, how many local authorities are undertaking a rolling programme of Best Value service reviews","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15864 by Peter Peacock on 1 June 2001, how many local authorities are undertaking a rolling programme of Best Value service reviews; which local authorities have developed Public Performance Reporting Frameworks; which local authorities are making information about performance available to those who are recognised stakeholders in their activities, and, for each local authority, who the recognised stakeholders are.","AnswerText":"All local authorities have voluntarily undertaken a rolling programme of best value reviews of all their services and will be or have already publicised the results of these reviews locally. In addition from April 2000 all local authorities have developed their own Public Performance Reporting framework which makes information about performance available to those who are recognised stakeholders in local authority activities.

    Details of who each local authority consults with are not held centrally. However we do expect authorities to consult with all relevant stakeholders in their area. Who these stakeholders are is for the local authority to determine, although they would be expected to consider the views of all parties who are affected by their decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153814,"EventID":"S1W-17152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the review of voluntary sector law and regulation by the Performance and Innovation Unit, announced by the Prime Minister on 3 July 2001, will have for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the review of voluntary sector law and regulation by the Performance and Innovation Unit, announced by the Prime Minister on 3 July 2001, will have for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Performance and Innovation Unit review will consider how the regulatory and legal framework could better enable voluntary organisations to thrive and grow; encourage the development of new types of organisations where needed; and ensure public confidence. The review will therefore touch on both reserved and devolved matters. We have established contact with the review team and will consider any implications their findings may have for devolved matters in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153815,"EventID":"S1W-17153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is provided to the voluntary sector in the current financial year by (a) the Scottish Executive including its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is provided to the voluntary sector in the current financial year by (a) the Scottish Executive including its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, (b) local authorities and (c) the NHS, broken down into (i) time-limited project funding, (ii) core funding for administration costs, (iii) contracted funding for commissioned services and (iv) other funding.","AnswerText":"The information pertaining to direct support of the voluntary sector by the Executive in 2000-01 is currently being compiled. An announcement by the Minister for Social Justice is imminent. The funding provided by non-departmental public bodies, the NHS and local government analysed as requested is not held centrally and would involve a trawl of all local authorities, NHS Boards and Trust Hospitals, etc. The provision of these figures would involve a disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153816,"EventID":"S1W-17154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is given in Best Value service reviews to the contribution of the voluntary sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is given in Best Value service reviews to the contribution of the voluntary sector.","AnswerText":"One of the core principles of Best Value is the requirement for local authorities to consult with stakeholders where appropriate. Indeed the Best Value Task Force report, which set out how Best Value should be implemented in Scotland, stated that effective consultation is essential to the success of Best Value and that Local authorities should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are consulted. This includes the voluntary sector where they make a significant contribution to service delivery or where they are one of the local authorities key partners.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153817,"EventID":"S1W-17155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10707 by Peter Peacock on 10 November 2000, whether it is now able to give a definition of Best Value.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10707 by Peter Peacock on 10 November 2000, whether it is now able to give a definition of Best Value.","AnswerText":"As I announced in Parliament in May of this year we are in the process of drafting legislative proposals for consultation in Autumn 2001. These proposals will include a statutory definition of Best Value.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153818,"EventID":"S1W-17156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make any legislative or administrative changes in order to improve the implementation of EC Directive 92/43/EEC, the Habitats Directive, in cases whe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make any legislative or administrative changes in order to improve the implementation of EC Directive 92/43/EEC, the Habitats Directive, in cases where European protected species are present on development sites.","AnswerText":"We recognise that current arrangements are complex and are keen to ensure the appropriate level of safeguard for European protected species which might be present on a development site. We have therefore decided to make adjustments to the land-use planning regime in Scotland.

    Our proposals, which will be the subject of public consultation later this year, envisage the integration of the species protection and derogation provisions of the Directive within the land-use planning process. This will ensure that all relevant issues are properly considered within the planning process, rather than under separate regimes operated by separate authorities, as occurs as present.

    In the interim, pending introduction of the new arrangements, the Executive will continue to operate the licensing system for developments affecting European protected species. A circular will be issued shortly to all local authorities setting out the interim position. Copies of this circular will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153819,"EventID":"S1W-17157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12080 by Susan Deacon on 30 January 2001, how much revenue was raised in 2000-01 from NHS prescriptions charges and is estimated to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12080 by Susan Deacon on 30 January 2001, how much revenue was raised in 2000-01 from NHS prescriptions charges and is estimated to be raised in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The revenue raised from prescription charges in Scotland in 2000-01 is likely to be £43.4 million; this figure is provisional pending finalisation of the NHS Trust annual accounts. The estimate of revenue to be raised in 2001-02 is £45.7 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153820,"EventID":"S1W-17158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs of the administration of prescription charges were in 2000-01 and what they are estimated to be in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs of the administration of prescription charges were in 2000-01 and what they are estimated to be in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153821,"EventID":"S1W-17159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish its report on the progress made against the Statistics Plan 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish its report on the progress made against the Statistics Plan 2000-01.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that we have published the report of progress against the Statistics Plan 2000-01. The Scottish Executive Stewardship Report sets out the progress made against the Statistics Plan 2000-01, which was published in April 2000. This is the first year in which the Stewardship Report has been produced.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153822,"EventID":"S1W-17160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has undertaken into homelessness and rough sleeping among armed service veterans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has undertaken into homelessness and rough sleeping among armed service veterans.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17163.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153823,"EventID":"S1W-17161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former armed forces personnel are at present homeless in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former armed forces personnel are at present homeless in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17163.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153824,"EventID":"S1W-17162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ex-servicemen are, or will be, a priority category for housing by local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ex-servicemen are, or will be, a priority category for housing by local authorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17163.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153825,"EventID":"S1W-17163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with the Ministry of Defence and the Homelessness Task Force regarding the resettlement of former services personnel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with the Ministry of Defence and the Homelessness Task Force regarding the resettlement of former services personnel.","AnswerText":"The Homelessness Task Force, which I chair, is considering, amongst other things, the need for improved housing provision, advice and support for the resettlement of people leaving institutions, including the armed forces. The Task Force has been collecting evidence on ways to improve assistance to vulnerable service personnel prior to discharge, at the point of discharge, and after discharge.

    There are no firm figures on the number of people with armed forces' experience who are presently homeless. There is however clear evidence that a significant proportion of homeless men have had a career in the services. In Scotland, the National Monitoring and Interim Evaluation study of the Rough Sleepers Initiative showed that 13% of people using RSI services had past experience of the armed forces. In England, it is estimated that between a fifth and a quarter of rough sleepers have been in the services at some point in their lives.

    Currently DD Circular 26/1993 provides guidance to local authorities on housing for people leaving the armed forces. This circular encourages local authorities to give fair and sympathetic consideration to applications for housing from ex-service personnel. (A copy of the circular has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.) The Code of Guidance on Homelessness also identifies people recently discharged from institutions as potentially vulnerable, and therefore in priority need.

    The Homelessness Task Force is examining improvements in the definition of priority need categories including its extension to include vulnerable ex-service personnel. This would be in line with proposals in England.

    The Task Force will be setting out its key recommendations in its report at the end of this year. It will be seeking support from the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces and its Resettlement Services, and the ex-service benevolent sector for these recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153826,"EventID":"S1W-17164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Army Benevolent Fund, the British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help to discuss issues relating to the resettlement of ex-servicemen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Army Benevolent Fund, the British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help to discuss issues relating to the resettlement of ex-servicemen.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17163.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153827,"EventID":"S1W-17165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set within the Scottish Climate Change Programme for the reduction of carbon emissions and how it will assess whether these targets have been met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set within the Scottish Climate Change Programme for the reduction of carbon emissions and how it will assess whether these targets have been met.","AnswerText":"As stated in the Scottish Climate Change Programme, the absence of Scottish emissions data, both historical and projected, and the complexities involved in monitoring the effects of both reserved and devolved policies means that Scottish reduction targets are not currently practical. The Executive is working with the UK Government to improve and expand on available Scottish data and, once a robust set of data is available, we will consider whether a Scottish target would be an appropriate response measure.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153828,"EventID":"S1W-17166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what finance will be available for the Scottish Climate Change Programme in 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what finance will be available for the Scottish Climate Change Programme in 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerText":"We are committed to placing the environment and climate change at the heart of policy-making across the Executive. In recognition of this, the policies in the Scottish Climate Change Programme (SCCP) cut across a number of different areas and, whilst the main driver may not necessarily be climate change, they will deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The SCCP, available on the Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/ccm.pdf, includes detail of planned and actual expenditure in a number of these policy areas. For example, we have allocated £2.14 million for each of the three years 2001-02 to 2003-04 for the activities of the Energy Saving Trust to stimulate energy efficiency savings, a core part of the SCCP. That expenditure will, however, bring social and economic benefits as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153829,"EventID":"S1W-17167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's beaches have been found to contain sewage discharge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's beaches have been found to contain sewage discharge.","AnswerText":"There are 60 identified bathing waters in Scotland. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency monitors these waters to determine whether they meet European microbiological standards.

    Last year nine waters failed to meet the mandatory standard. These failures can occur because of inputs from a number of sources. However, SEPA has identified risks of pollution from sewer sources at seven of these beaches as set out in its publication Scottish Bathing Waters 2000 (Bib. no. 15371).

    The water authorities have embarked on a significant programme of upgrading. Their investment scenarios are set out in the Executives Quality and Standards documents, which are referred to in the answer given to question S1W-17169. Upgrading work includes sewer remediation and improvements in sewage treatment. The water authorities will have to ensure that these improvements will allow bathing water to meet the higher guideline standard set by SEPA.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153830,"EventID":"S1W-17168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives have been introduced, or are planned for introduction, to make waste management more sustainable.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives have been introduced, or are planned for introduction, to make waste management more sustainable.","AnswerText":"Scotland's National Waste Strategy was published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and adopted by the Scottish Executive in December 1999. The strategy sets out the framework to make waste management in Scotland more sustainable and to meet targets for reducing the reliance on landfill for waste disposal. Implementation of the strategy is now being taken forward.

    The Executive has introduced several initiatives to help take forward implementation of the strategy and thereby to make waste management more sustainable. These include:

    making an additional £3 million available as a specific grant in 2000-01 for local authorities to increase recycling and composting;

    making £50.4 million available through the Strategic Waste Fund for local authorities to begin implementation of the Area Waste Plans - which are currently being prepared, and

    support for the REMADE Scotland and Waste and Resource Action Programmes which aim to develop markets for recyclable materials and break down barriers to recycling.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153831,"EventID":"S1W-17169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish water and sewerage service meets UK and EC statutory requirements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish water and sewerage service meets UK and EC statutory requirements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that the Scottish Water Authorities meet statutory requirements. The authorities have achieved a very high level of compliance, and where problems remain, urgent action is being taken to address them.

    Achieving compliance is an ongoing process. The water quality and standards process put in place by the Executive, in consultation with the Water Industry Commissioner, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Scottish water authorities, outlines the environment and drinking water standards (including UK and EU statutory requirements) the water authorities must meet and estimates the investment required to meet them.

    "Water Quality and Standards, Investment Requirements for Scotland's Water Authorities 2000-2002" (Q & S 1) is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre Bib number 8483.

    A copy of the consultation paper on Water Quality and Standards 2002-2006 is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre Bib number 14923. A copy of "Water Quality and Standards, Investment Requirements for Scotland's Water Authorities 2002-2006" (Q & S 2) will also be available shortly in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153832,"EventID":"S1W-17170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's drinking water and waste water treatment works have been built using PPP and PFI finance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Scotland's drinking water and waste water treatment works have been built using PPP and PFI finance.","AnswerText":"No Water Treatment Works have been built using PPP and PFI.

    9 contracts have been signed for Waste Water Treatment Works which have been or are being constructed using PFI/PPP.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153833,"EventID":"S1W-17171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what means it is intended, through the Scottish Climate Change Programme, to reduce carbon emissions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what means it is intended, through the Scottish Climate Change Programme, to reduce carbon emissions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Climate Change Programme seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of voluntary, regulatory and educational measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153834,"EventID":"S1W-17172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to allow more waste incinerators to be constructed in Scotland and, if so, where these incinerators will be located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to allow more waste incinerators to be constructed in Scotland and, if so, where these incinerators will be located.","AnswerText":"Following adoption in 1999 of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland, 11 Area Waste Plans are being developed across Scotland to identify the best ways of dealing with waste and to identify the waste management facilities required.

    As with other development proposals, planning applications for waste incinerators will be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Although the National Waste Strategy and Area Waste Plan are not land use planning documents, they are material considerations that decision makers should take into account when making development control decisions or preparing their development plans.

    We will be publishing a Planning Advice Note on planning for waste management facilities by the end of this year. The PAN will both guide development plan policy formulation and inform development control decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153835,"EventID":"S1W-17173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties will be applied if electricity suppliers do not achieve the target of meeting 18% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2010.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties will be applied if electricity suppliers do not achieve the target of meeting 18% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2010.","AnswerText":"Licensed electricity suppliers who are unable, or who fail, to meet the targets imposed under the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will be required to pay a buy-out charge on every unit of shortfall during each period of the Obligation.

    Full details of our proposals for the paying and recycling of buy-out charges are contained in the current statutory consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland); the relevant material is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153836,"EventID":"S1W-17174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish electricity suppliers are on track to meet the 2010 target of 18% of electrical energy being supplied by renewable sources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish electricity suppliers are on track to meet the 2010 target of 18% of electrical energy being supplied by renewable sources.","AnswerText":"The statutory consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), which was published on 3 August, contains proposals for a significant expansion in Scotland's use of renewable energy; the consultation material is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. We are confident that our policies to exploit Scotland's very considerable potential for renewable energy, coupled with the new markets for renewable energy equipment that these policies are creating, will energise Scottish electricity suppliers to deliver the additional renewable energy required to meet our objectives.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153837,"EventID":"S1W-17175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which types of new car are eligible for an Energy Saving Trust grant of (a) 40%, (b) 60% and (c) 75% under the Powershift scheme for conversion to liquid petroleum gas an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which types of new car are eligible for an Energy Saving Trust grant of (a) 40%, (b) 60% and (c) 75% under the Powershift scheme for conversion to liquid petroleum gas and which types of car can be converted in Scotland.","AnswerText":"To be eligible for a Powershift grant, vehicle models must be on the approved Powershift Register; all those which are can be converted in Scotland. Once converted these vehicles achieve an overall reduction in their emissions in line with the current European standard (Euro III). The figures below indicate the level of grant support available towards the vehicle conversion cost, which relates to the standard achieved.

    Level of Grant

    Overall Emissions Reduction Achieved

    40%

    0 - 49%

    60%

    50 - 64%

    75%

    65% and over

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153838,"EventID":"S1W-17176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many approved grant applications under the Powershift scheme, for what value, have yet to be paid by the Energy Saving Trust to individuals or organisations who have ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many approved grant applications under the Powershift scheme, for what value, have yet to be paid by the Energy Saving Trust to individuals or organisations who have converted cars to liquid petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"As of 1 August, there were 8 approved Powershift applications to the value of £7072 awaiting payment by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland. These grants will be paid shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153839,"EventID":"S1W-17177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) make additional funding available for marketing tourism to Edinburgh and Scotland following the expansion of Ryanair flights from Dublin to Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) make additional funding available for marketing tourism to Edinburgh and Scotland following the expansion of Ryanair flights from Dublin to Scotland and (b) support the expansion of air services from Scotland to destinations beyond the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my announcement on 2 August of an additional £5.51 million for VisitScotland for the purposes of marketing Scotland. Funding for VisitScotland has increased by 95% since February 2000, and is now at a record level of over £37 million. It is for VisitScotland to determine how its funding should be used to promote Scotland. The promotion of direct access routes is an important part of its strategy. Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board is responsible for the promotion of Edinburgh as a tourist destination.

    The Scottish Executive will continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services to and from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy. This is a matter that we discuss regularly with the Enterprise Networks, with VisitScotland, and with the airport operators.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153840,"EventID":"S1W-17178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #5 million awarded to visitscotland, as announced on 28 March 2001, is subject to VAT.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #5 million awarded to visitscotland, as announced on 28 March 2001, is subject to VAT.","AnswerText":"This funding is not subject to VAT.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153841,"EventID":"S1W-17179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Baldovie waste incinerator, run by Dundee Energy Recycling Limited, has breached its safety limits since re-opening this year and, if so, on what dates the breach","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Baldovie waste incinerator, run by Dundee Energy Recycling Limited, has breached its safety limits since re-opening this year and, if so, on what dates the breaches took place, what the nature was of the breaches and whether they were reported to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerText":"These are operational matters for the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, both of which regulate the incinerator at Baldovie. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153842,"EventID":"S1W-17180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate whether samples of soil taken from the high risk area around the Baldovie incinerator show levels of toxic metals 68% higher than those sampl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate whether samples of soil taken from the high risk area around the Baldovie incinerator show levels of toxic metals 68% higher than those samples taken from an area six miles from the plant, as stated by Friends of the Earth Scotland.","AnswerText":"A study by the University of Dundee sampled and analysed soil for a range of 17 pollutants, including toxic metals, at 85 different sites near the incinerator at Baldovie. Concentrations of four of these substances were found to be above maximum levels recommended for soil at a number of the sampling sites. It should be stressed that these are not connected to the modern incinerator now operating at Baldovie. These findings were not unexpected for an urban environment and contain nothing to suggest that there is any significant threat to the health of those living near the incinerator or the wider population in and around the city of Dundee, or to the environment. The University of Dundee is currently carrying out a detailed epidemiological study into the health of the potentially affected population and no additional investigation is planned pending publication of the findings from this study.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153843,"EventID":"S1W-17181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate (a) whether the incidence of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in men in the Tayside area is 4.6% higher than the national average and (b) whether such in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate (a) whether the incidence of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in men in the Tayside area is 4.6% higher than the national average and (b) whether such incidence could be directly related to the emission of dioxins from the Baldovie waste incinerator, as stated by Friends of the Earth Scotland.","AnswerText":"Figures from the Scottish Cancer Registration System confirm that during the period 1988-1997 cases of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for men living in Tayside were indeed 4.6% higher than the national average. However, the incidence for women living in the same area during this period was 6.4% lower than the national average. These variations from the national averages are within the range of normal fluctuations. There is no reason to believe that exposure to environmental factors in a particular locality would increase the risk in men but not in women. The Executive therefore has no plans for an investigation at this time.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153844,"EventID":"S1W-17182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the possibility of making provision for recycling and composting waste as an alternative to incineration in any area where the construction o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the possibility of making provision for recycling and composting waste as an alternative to incineration in any area where the construction of a new incinerator is currently being mooted, in line with the concept of \"waste hierarchy\" in The National Waste Strategy: Scotland, and whether it will publish the results of any such investigation.","AnswerText":"There is no need to carry out the investigation suggested. The National Waste Strategy states that, as well as the waste hierarchy, a number of other principles need to be taken into account in establishing a sustainable future for waste management. As part of the implementation of the strategy, 11 Area Waste Plans are being prepared to set out the Best Practicable Environmental Option for dealing with the waste from each area. In making these decisions, the groups will compare a range of waste management options (including recycling, composting and thermal treatment) and will consider environmental, social and economic aspects. The groups preparing these plans include local representatives from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities, enterprise companies, industry and local community organisations and the draft plans will be issued for public consultation.

    I also refer to the consultation paper on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) issued by the Executive on 3 August 2001. The paper proposes that support under the obligation will not be given for electricity generated from incineration of municipal waste, but will be given for electricity from gasification or pyrolysis of the biodegradable fraction of such wastes. This will encourage the development of integrated waste systems which include waste separation, recycling etc.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153845,"EventID":"S1W-17183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which policy areas are covered by the Scottish Climate Change Programme, as referred to in page 87 of The Scottish Budget.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which policy areas are covered by the Scottish Climate Change Programme, as referred to in page 87 of The Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Climate Change Programme, available on the Executive's climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/ccm.pdf, covers policies in six broad sectors, namely: energy, business, transport, domestic, public and agriculture, forestry and land use.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153846,"EventID":"S1W-17184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the SMART/SPUR grant scheme for early stage research and development of innovative products/processes can be used for renewable energy enterprise and, if so, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the SMART/SPUR grant scheme for early stage research and development of innovative products/processes can be used for renewable energy enterprise and, if so, whether it has been so used and what projects have been supported.","AnswerText":"The SMART/SPUR grant schemes are not sector specific and applications are invited from a wide range of technologies including renewable energy. Three projects involving wind turbine and fuel cell technology are currently being supported under these schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153847,"EventID":"S1W-17185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the two aims of providing value for money or meeting statutory requirements, as referred to in page 188 of The Scottish Budget, carries the higher priority in Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of the two aims of providing value for money or meeting statutory requirements, as referred to in page 188 of The Scottish Budget, carries the higher priority in Scotland's water and sewerage service.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive policy is to meet statutory requirements in a manner that delivers value for money.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153848,"EventID":"S1W-17186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland's water and sewerage service has delivered value for money in each year since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland's water and sewerage service has delivered value for money in each year since 1996.","AnswerText":"The Scottish water authorities have made substantial progress since 1996 in delivering value for money, and further improvements will be required during the next strategic review period.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153849,"EventID":"S1W-17187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advanced planning in relation to finance and human resources has been undertaken in preparation for implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advanced planning in relation to finance and human resources has been undertaken in preparation for implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive.","AnswerText":"We are still developing our policy on the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive. The full resource implications are not likely to be clear for some time.

    However, additional grant-in-aid, totalling some £16.5 million over the 3-year period 2001-02 to 2003-04, has been announced for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The extra grant-in-aid takes account of the increased responsibilities and duties that will fall to SEPA in implementing European and domestic legislation and in fulfilling the Executive's Programme for Government commitments. This includes preparatory work for the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153850,"EventID":"S1W-17188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advanced planning in relation to finance and human resources has been undertaken in preparation for implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, as ref","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advanced planning in relation to finance and human resources has been undertaken in preparation for implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, as referred to in page 186 of The Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"Consideration of any specific financial requirements associated with the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy will be given in the light of the findings of Executive-commissioned research, Potential Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change in Scotland, due to report shortly.

    The Air, Climate and Engineering Unit of the Environment and Rural Affairs Department was recently strengthened by the addition of a policy officer to cover climate change and engineering issues. Duties include taking forward consideration of an adaptation strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153851,"EventID":"S1W-17189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce teeth cleaning schemes in all nursery and primary schools to reduce dental caries until drinking-water fluoridation plants, if appro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce teeth cleaning schemes in all nursery and primary schools to reduce dental caries until drinking-water fluoridation plants, if approved, come into operation.","AnswerText":"The Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland, published last August, highlighted the range of preventative programmes in development and the need for health boards to monitor and expand toothbrushing schemes in nurseries. Given recent findings of research in Dundee, the Executive is reviewing how it can support the development of toothbrushing in nursery and primary schools as part of the on-going activities to improve oral health in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153852,"EventID":"S1W-17190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of how the #500 million investment over the next three years in public transport referred to in its announcement of 18 June 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of how the #500 million investment over the next three years in public transport referred to in its announcement of 18 June 2001 will be spent.","AnswerText":"Spending Review 2000 provided an additional £500 million to the overall transport programme. The reference to public transport in the Press Release of 18 June was incorrect.

    The additional funding overall was incorporated in the Executive's spending proposals for transport, set out in the Annual Expenditure Report which was published on 30 March 2001. The report detailed our planned expenditure on public transport over the three years to March 2004 and included £150 million for the Public Transport Fund and some £540 million to support rail services across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153853,"EventID":"S1W-17191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps are being taken to make the Parliament more environmentally sustainable in the light of the \"Do a Little - Change a Lot\" campaign of the Scottish Executive, whe","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps are being taken to make the Parliament more environmentally sustainable in the light of the \"Do a Little - Change a Lot\" campaign of the Scottish Executive, whether there is any member of staff with responsibility for promoting environmental sustainability and, if so, what their remit is.","AnswerText":"The Parliament's Procurement Office is developing an environmental procurement policy which aims to minimise the adverse impacts on the environment through effective environmental purchasing. The Facilities Management Office is currently developing an environmental Intranet page 'Help Manage Your Environment' which aims to raise staff awareness of the three R's: reduce, re-use and recycle.

    No sole member of staff at present has specific responsibility for promoting environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, an environmental working group made up of staff from across the Parliament group considers environmental issues relevant to the parliament and ways in which to raise staff awareness and promote sustainability.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153854,"EventID":"S1W-17192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to lay before the Parliament the revised Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order and Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act 1971 (Private Jurisdiction and Summary Cau","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to lay before the Parliament the revised Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order and Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act 1971 (Private Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order and what its timetable is for their coming into force.","AnswerText":"I refer to my Answer in April to a similar Question (S1W-14470). The Executive is continuing to monitor related work being done to review the procedure rules and the relevant table of fees for solicitors. Progress is being made but the Executive is not yet in a position to say when the Orders will be laid.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153855,"EventID":"S1W-17193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actual and projected costs have been, or will be, incurred by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in each year from 1997 to 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actual and projected costs have been, or will be, incurred by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in each year from 1997 to 2002.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Audit Scotland. The information requested is not held centrally","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153856,"EventID":"S1W-17194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether she proposed during the meeting of the European Fisheries Council on 18 June 2001 t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether she proposed during the meeting of the European Fisheries Council on 18 June 2001 that the proposed regional bodies, which the UK delegation advocated at the meeting, should have formal decision making powers as recommended in the 3rd Report, 2001 of the European Committee, Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy: A blueprint for negotiations. ","AnswerText":"As part of the UK delegation, I advocated the setting up of regional bodies, comprising of fishing industry representatives, scientists and other stakeholders at the EC Fisheries Council meeting on 18 June 2001. The UK highlighted the need to carefully consider the means by which this can best be done, including the powers available to the regional bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153857,"EventID":"S1W-17195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether the United Kingdom's representative at the EC Fisheries Council meeting on 18 June ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether the United Kingdom's representative at the EC Fisheries Council meeting on 18 June 2001 was supportive of the creation of regional bodies, comprising of fishing industry representatives, scientists and conservation bodies, with formal decision-making powers and whether this represented the position of Her Majesty's Government at the meeting. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to S1W-17194.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153858,"EventID":"S1W-17196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether it will detail the names and positions of those with whom she specifically discusse","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether it will detail the names and positions of those with whom she specifically discussed the creation of regional bodies and whether it will provide a summary of their responses and views on the creation of such bodies and on whether or not they should have formal decision-making powers.","AnswerText":"I have discussed the creation of regional bodies on many occasions and with many groups and individuals, including Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries. There has been general support for the creation of such bodies, although it will be necessary to consider carefully the means by which this can best be done.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153859,"EventID":"S1W-17197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether it will detail any planned meetings with representatives of relevant ministries in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16673 by Rhona Brankin on 29 June 2001, whether it will detail any planned meetings with representatives of relevant ministries in other European Union member states or regions or institutions regarding the creation of regional bodies with formal decision-making powers, in advance of the next scheduled European Fisheries Council on 25 October 2001.","AnswerText":"The UK delegation will continue to discuss the creation of regional bodies where appropriate in the course of meetings with representatives of various bodies on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy. For example, a meeting of Fisheries Directors from a number of Member States is planned for mid-September.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153860,"EventID":"S1W-17198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Railtrack's proposals to develop the Waverley Station require any statutory consents or clearances within its areas of responsibility and, if so, whether any such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Railtrack's proposals to develop the Waverley Station require any statutory consents or clearances within its areas of responsibility and, if so, whether any such consents and clearances have been granted.","AnswerText":"Railtrack has already secured the necessary Parliamentary powers to raise the roof height of Waverley Station. I understand that the next stage is for the company to prepare detailed design plans and then to seek Planning Permission from the City of Edinburgh Council as the planning authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153861,"EventID":"S1W-17199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who currently has lead ministerial responsibility for the promotion of renewable energy and who currently chairs the Energy/Environment Liaison Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who currently has lead ministerial responsibility for the promotion of renewable energy and who currently chairs the Energy/Environment Liaison Group.","AnswerText":"I am the Minister with lead responsibility for promotion of renewable energy in Scotland, and I chair the Executive's cross-cutting Energy Environment Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153862,"EventID":"S1W-17200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what use it makes of renewable sources of heat and energy in its offices and what advice, guidance or instruction it gives to non-departmental public bodies, Executive ag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what use it makes of renewable sources of heat and energy in its offices and what advice, guidance or instruction it gives to non-departmental public bodies, Executive agencies, local authorities and other public sector bodies on the use of renewable sources of heat and energy in their properties.","AnswerText":"The current contract for electricity with Scottish Southern Energy was put in place on 1 July 2000. The terms of the contract require the production of electricity from new renewable sources, which enables supplies to be exempt from Climate Change Levy. Under the terms of the contract, electricity is supplied not only to the Scottish Executive but also to 31 other Scottish public sector organisations, covering 618 public buildings across Scotland.

    The Executive's Scottish Energy Efficiency Office advises both the public and private sector on ways and methods of being more energy efficient, as well as advising on ways of obtaining energy from renewable sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153863,"EventID":"S1W-17201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the proportion of capital expenditure spent on renewable energy schemes which are sourced from Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom and other coun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the proportion of capital expenditure spent on renewable energy schemes which are sourced from Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom and other countries and what its strategy is to increase the proportion sourced from Scottish-based suppliers.","AnswerText":"No such monitoring is carried out. Our proposals to introduce a new Renewables Obligation (Scotland) on all licensed suppliers to significantly increase the amount of electricity supplied from renewable sources is already creating a real demand for new renewable energy schemes and equipment in Scotland. This has already led to the recent decision by Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer, to set up a factory near Campbeltown, and we will continue to work with Scottish Enterprise to ensure that Scotland benefits both economically as well as environmentally from the development of our considerable renewable energy resource.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153864,"EventID":"S1W-17202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16578 by Allan Wilson on 9 July 2001, what targets it has set Historic Scotland in relation to taking additional properties within ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16578 by Allan Wilson on 9 July 2001, what targets it has set Historic Scotland in relation to taking additional properties within the care of the Scottish ministers and what properties have been taken into care since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"No targets have been set for taking additional properties into care. Each case is judged on its merits. Since 1 July 1999 the following properties have been taken into care:

    Iona: Abbey

    Iona: Nunnery

    Kisimul Castle, Barra

    Lindsay Aisle, Angus","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153865,"EventID":"S1W-17203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-16539 and S1W-16540 by Sarah Boyack on 6 July 2001, whether such planning applications included applications for road constructio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-16539 and S1W-16540 by Sarah Boyack on 6 July 2001, whether such planning applications included applications for road construction consent; whether any proposals by local authorities to grant consent were notifiable to it as planning applications or road construction applications or both; where such proposals are not notifiable, what mechanisms exist for calling in the applications in question and, where they are notifiable, in what respects decisions by local authorities on such applications are not made readily available to the Executive.","AnswerText":"None of the planning applications referred to in the answers to questions SIW-16539 and SIW-16540 related to planning applications for road construction consent. Road construction consents are not notifiable to the Scottish Executive and therefore the Executive does not have records of the decisions taken by the local authorities.

    There are no mechanisms for calling in applications. The applicant can appeal against road construction consents under the sub sections (6) and (7) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 once the decision has been made by the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153866,"EventID":"S1W-17204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16407 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2001, where the 10,000 Gaelic translations of the census form questions were held during the cens","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16407 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2001, where the 10,000 Gaelic translations of the census form questions were held during the census period; what steps were taken to advertise their availability; how many requests were made for copies, and what has been done with any unused copies.","AnswerText":"4,500 Gaelic translation leaflets were distributed around Scotland's 22 Census Areas, broadly in proportion to the numbers of Gaelic speakers in each area. Some 3,500 were retained at Census HQ to meet any demand coming to the centre and a further 2,000 were retained at the premises of the distribution contractor for immediate response to extra demand in an area.

    Although there was no paid advertising for the Gaelic translation leaflet, its availability was mentioned in a number of News releases concerned with the availability of translations into minority languages generally; the Registrar General made a point of referring to the available translations in broadcast interviews and there was a specific news piece carried on Radio Nan Gaidheal by one of our Census District Managers. In anticipation of this broadcast a further 1,000 copies of the leaflet were despatched to the Area Manager for the Western Isles.

    Generally, however, the promotion of the availability of the leaflets was devolved to the 22 Census Area Managers throughout Scotland as part of their Community Liaison responsibilities and in response to demand. No specific record was kept of the take up of the leaflets but demand was not high. Authority has been given to destroy the unused copies held by Area Managers.

    The copies held at Census HQ and with the distributor are currently still held there, but may soon be destroyed.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153867,"EventID":"S1W-17205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16407 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2001, how many calls were made to Gaelic-speaking operators on the Census Helpline during the cen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16407 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2001, how many calls were made to Gaelic-speaking operators on the Census Helpline during the census period seeking assistance in completing census forms.","AnswerText":"157 calls were made.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153868,"EventID":"S1W-17206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16259 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001, whether it will publish (a) a summary of the non-sensitive information contained in the road ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16259 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001, whether it will publish (a) a summary of the non-sensitive information contained in the road safety investigation report for the A9 Ballinluig junction and (b) the recommendations contained in the report.","AnswerText":"The investigation that was commissioned on the Ballinluig junction was to establish if the layout of the junction, existing signs and road markings contributed to the fatal accident that occurred on 3 April 2001. The conclusion of the investigation report was that none of these factors contributed to the accident.

    Some measures were identified which could increase safety and the following measures are being implemented: -

    repositioning of the speed camera on the southbound carriageway;

    new speed camera on the northbound carriageway;

    introduction of a temporary 50mph speed limit;

    installation of a video surveillance camera;

    minor improvements to signing and road markings.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153869,"EventID":"S1W-17207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15634 and S1W-16259 by Sarah Boyack on 18 June 2001 and 2 July 2001 respectively, whether it will issue a comprehensive summary o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15634 and S1W-16259 by Sarah Boyack on 18 June 2001 and 2 July 2001 respectively, whether it will issue a comprehensive summary of all reports, studies and procedures, broken down by Executive Department, where it considers that it is not appropriate to divulge to the public matters which are pertinent to the public interest.","AnswerText":"It would not be practical for the Scottish Executive to publish a summary of information whose disclosure would not be in the public interest. If the summary was to be retrospective this would involve an enormous exercise researching past documents which had not been placed in the public domain and considering whether the public interest in disclosure was outweighed by any of the exemptions in Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.

    In line with its policy on the disclosure of information, as set out in Part 1 of the Code, the Scottish Executive publishes, or releases on request, information whose disclosure is in the public interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153870,"EventID":"S1W-17208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15634 by Sarah Boyack on 18 June 2001, whether a person whose property is made the subject of a compulsory purchase order is routin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15634 by Sarah Boyack on 18 June 2001, whether a person whose property is made the subject of a compulsory purchase order is routinely informed of any representations made by third parties in connection with the order or, if not, whether there are any circumstances in which such persons may be made aware of any third party representations and under what circumstances the public become aware of third party representations made in connection with a compulsory purchase order.","AnswerText":"A person whose property is the subject of a compulsory purchase order (an owner, lessee or occupier) is not routinely informed of any representations made by third parties. If, however, (the owner, lessee or occupier) objects to the order and maintains the objection, the matter will be dealt with at a public local inquiry, and all parties will then be made aware of any third party representations. Similarly other members of the public will become aware of third party representations if they attend the public local inquiry, the date of which will be publicised in one or more local newspapers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153871,"EventID":"S1W-17209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether question S1W-16399, which was answered by Angus Mackay on 3 July 2001, was an inspired question and, if so, why it decided to proceed also by means of question S1","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether question S1W-16399, which was answered by Angus Mackay on 3 July 2001, was an inspired question and, if so, why it decided to proceed also by means of question S1W-17045, which was answered by Angus Mackay on 17 July 2001.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-16399 was not an inspired PQ.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153872,"EventID":"S1W-17210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15676 by Sarah Boyack on 11 July 2001, whether at the time of the answer it had the information to include in the answer details of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15676 by Sarah Boyack on 11 July 2001, whether at the time of the answer it had the information to include in the answer details of what may be spent in Scotland as a consequence of the #100 million modernisation fund for the road haulage industry and also provide an outline of the details of its proposed consultation with the road haulage industry; whether it will now provide this information, and whether it will indicate whether any decisions have been taken about the equivalent measures to be introduced in Scotland and on the level of resources which will require to be applied to implement them.","AnswerText":"The Executive did not have details on 11 July of what may be spent in Scotland. Possible measures for implementation in Scotland are still under review in consultation with the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association. The action to be taken in Scotland will be announced once consideration of the options is completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153873,"EventID":"S1W-17211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10497 by Sarah Boyack on 7 November 2000, which of the awards made under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme and the Rail Passenger","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10497 by Sarah Boyack on 7 November 2000, which of the awards made under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme and the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund consisted (a) solely of capital payments, whether paid in one year or in instalments and (b) included revenue payments and, for (b), whether it will detail the level of revenue support profiled over the years for which the award was made.","AnswerText":"
    2001-02

    £414,000

    2002-03

    £82,000

    2003-04

    £154,000

    2004-05

    £55,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153874,"EventID":"S1W-17212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the level of support under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme is calculated where awards include elements of revenue funding and what provision is made for payments ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the level of support under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme is calculated where awards include elements of revenue funding and what provision is made for payments in relation to estimated or verified volumes of freight shifted from road to rail.","AnswerText":"The Freight Facilities Grant scheme makes awards towards expenditure of a capital nature although the applicant's project as a whole can include revenue elements as well. Grant is calculated in relation to the environmental benefits estimated to be saved by switching freight traffic from road to rail. Volumes of freight shifted from road to rail are monitored by the Scottish Executive over the lifetime of the project.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153875,"EventID":"S1W-17213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether signs erected by Bear Scotland Ltd and Amey alongside trunk roads and motorways require advertising consent from the relevant local authorities and, if so, whethe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether signs erected by Bear Scotland Ltd and Amey alongside trunk roads and motorways require advertising consent from the relevant local authorities and, if so, whether any such consent has been sought and granted in all cases; whether erection of the signs requires its consent as the trunk roads authority and, if so, whether any consent has been sought and granted in all cases; whether the contractors, as agents of the Scottish Executive, have any discretion to award themselves any such consents, and whether these signs are intended to be permanent.","AnswerText":"The new trunk road maintenance contracts require the new Operating Companies to provide an operational customer contact number for the recording of defects on the trunk road network. The customer contact signs erected by BEAR Scotland Ltd and Amey Highways Ltd along trunk roads are permanent signs and have been authorised as traffic signs at approved locations by the Scottish Executive. Local authorities have no remit with regard to signs within the trunk road boundary. Bear Scotland Ltd and Amey Highways Ltd cannot erect any signs within the trunk road boundary without the approval of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153876,"EventID":"S1W-17214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports made by the police to the Reporters to the Children's Panels in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Aberdeen and (d) Dundee are currently not actioned.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports made by the police to the Reporters to the Children's Panels in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Aberdeen and (d) Dundee are currently not actioned.","AnswerText":"The Principal Reporter is required by the Children's (Scotland) Act 1995 to investigate each report. Action can and frequently does occur without a children's hearing being necessary. A child will be referred to a hearing only where supervision on a compulsory basis appears necessary.

    Information about the progress of reports is a matter for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153877,"EventID":"S1W-17215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons under 16 years of age were the subject of proceedings on indictment in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons under 16 years of age were the subject of proceedings on indictment in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000.","AnswerText":"The total number of persons aged under 16 who were proceeded against on indictment was 52 in 1998 and 26 in 1999. Figures for 2000 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153878,"EventID":"S1W-17216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure a consistency of approach by Reporters to children's panels throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure a consistency of approach by Reporters to children's panels throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) was established in 1996 to ensure a consistent approach by Reporter staff is achieved.

    I have asked the Principal Reporter and his response is:

    \"SCRA have placed particular emphasis on the need to share casework information amongst professional staff and several initiatives have been launched to improve the quality of such communication with the ultimate objective of improving consistency.

    SCRA's internal practice guidance notes give direction on the standards of service expected. The introduction of a casework investigation framework has also promoted further standardisation.

    Overall patterns of decision making by reporters are influenced by significant local variations in levels of need, referral practice by other agencies and the type and range of resources to work with children and families.\"","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153879,"EventID":"S1W-17217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were dealt with under the children's hearing system in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 and, of these, how many were referrals on the grounds of offending ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases were dealt with under the children's hearing system in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 and, of these, how many were referrals on the grounds of offending behaviour and how many were in need of care and protection.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA). The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153880,"EventID":"S1W-17218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being made available to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of indoor sporting facilities to allow all-weather training for elite sp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being made available to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of indoor sporting facilities to allow all-weather training for elite sportspersons and to ensure that the potential of other sportspersons can be realised.","AnswerText":"There are a number of ways in which the issue of providing access to indoor training facilities for elite athletes is being addressed.

    The Scottish Institute of Sport has nine programme sports for which it will provide not only a full time coach but also a programme budget which allows, among many other things, payment to be made to local partners for access to facilities. Institute athletes are on holistic training programmes which cover their sporting needs and their need for indoor and all weather training is dealt with in this context. A similar system exists for athletes identified at an Area Institute level who all have access to facilities in their local area as part of a holistic training programme. In addition, individual elite athletes can receive awards from the Lottery Sports Fund Talented Athlete Programme which allows them to buy time in appropriate facilities. The younger athletes are supported through the Junior Groups aspect of this programme.

    sportscotland provides support to governing bodies through their development grant aid process which can be used for national squad training. sportscotland also has ongoing dialogue with local authorities and with the Scottish Athletics Federation about the provision of adequate national facilities for athletics.

    In addition to this support from sportscotland, many local authorities still run independent, free or reduced cost access schemes for athletes performing at a national level.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153881,"EventID":"S1W-17219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that talented sporting youngsters from inner-city areas can realise their potential in sports such as football and rugby by provision of adequate level","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that talented sporting youngsters from inner-city areas can realise their potential in sports such as football and rugby by provision of adequate levels of green space in urban areas and well-resourced, accessible and affordable indoor facilities.","AnswerText":"Sport 21 recommended that local authorities should publish a strategic plan for sport and recreation for their areas. Such strategies are expected to include a playing field strategy as recommended in the National Planning Policy Guideline 11 on sport and recreation (NPPG 11). In a recent address to the Scottish Association of Directors of Leisure Services, I called on local authorities to quicken the pace in taking this work forward. sportscotland stands ready to assist local authorities with this work and is currently developing practical guidance on preparing playing field strategies.

    In addition, the Scottish Executive is investing £300,000 to enable sportscotland to conduct, over the next two years, an audit of the condition of Scotland's stock of sports facilities. The results will inform strategies and plans for meeting future needs including those for pitch sports.

    This work is in addition to the significant lottery investment made through sportscotland in the development of sports facilities. At the end of July, 519 awards totalling £85.5 million had been made under the Lottery Sports Fund capital programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153882,"EventID":"S1W-17220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investment as part of any bid to host the 2008 European Football Championships will be put into improving both current facilities for youth development and training","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investment as part of any bid to host the 2008 European Football Championships will be put into improving both current facilities for youth development and training and indoor facilities which would allow for all-year-round training.","AnswerText":"Investment is already being made in facilities for youth development and in training and indoor facilities through the football academies programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153883,"EventID":"S1W-17221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it will give that necessary improvement in the road, rail and air infrastructure will be included in any bid to host the 2008 European Football Champions","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it will give that necessary improvement in the road, rail and air infrastructure will be included in any bid to host the 2008 European Football Championships.","AnswerText":"The Executive is presently considering the infrastructure issues raised by the proposals for 2008 related development received by the Scottish Football Association from Scottish football clubs.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153884,"EventID":"S1W-17222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many current vacancies there are in the NHS for (a) radiographers, (b) radiologists and (c) specialist cancer nurses, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many current vacancies there are in the NHS for (a) radiographers, (b) radiologists and (c) specialist cancer nurses, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The latest available data are shown for qualified radiographers in Table 1 and for consultant radiologists in Table 2. Information on vacant posts for specialist cancer nurses is not collected centrally.

    Table 1: Qualified radiographer vacancies1 by Health Board Area: at 31 March 2000

    Whole Time Equivalent

    All vacancies

    Vacant over 3 months

    Argyll & Clyde

    1.0

    -

    Ayrshire & Arran

    1.8

    -

    Borders

    1.0

    -

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1.4

    0.4

    Fife

    3.5

    1.5

    Forth Valley

    2.0

    1.0

    Grampian

    2.0

    2.0

    Greater Glasgow

    5.0

    3.0

    Highland

    1.0

    1.0

    Lanarkshire

    2.0

    -

    Lothian

    5.0

    -

    Orkney

    -

    -

    Shetland

    1.0

    1.0

    Tayside

    -

    -

    Western Isles

    -

    -

    Source: ISD(M)36, ISD Scotland.

    Notes:

    1. The response rate for the PAMS vacancy survey was 94%.

    Table 2: Consultant Radiologist Vacancies by Health Board Area: at 30 September 2000

    		An additional 61 funded student places for certain Professions Allied to Medicine groups including Radiographers have been made available by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council from October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153886,"EventID":"S1W-17224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many claims under the Less Favoured Area scheme for 2001 were submitted before the deadline and how many have been paid.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many claims under the Less Favoured Area scheme for 2001 were submitted before the deadline and how many have been paid.","AnswerText":"My Department received 13,718 claims. A small number have been either rejected, because they did not fulfil the basic criteria of the scheme, or withdrawn by the applicants. This left some 13,535 claims to be paid and to date 13,343 have been paid in full (98.6%). The claims awaiting settlement are typically the more difficult cases involving cross-border claimants, business transfers and are made up of: 100 (0.7%) where the claimants have already received the minimum payable under the scheme using the transitional payment arrangements (more commonly called the safety net) and 92 (0.7%) where the claimants have yet to have their payments calculated. In both cases, my officials are liasing closely with the appropriate parties whether they be other administrations or claimants in order to get these claims paid as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153887,"EventID":"S1W-17225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the analysis of the 2001 Less Favoured Area scheme will be complete so as to allow any changes to be proposed to the European Commission in time for the scheme's op","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the analysis of the 2001 Less Favoured Area scheme will be complete so as to allow any changes to be proposed to the European Commission in time for the scheme's operation in 2002.","AnswerText":"The Industry/Scottish Executive Working Group set up to consider the operation of the scheme is currently considering an initial analysis of this year's payments with a view to assessing possible changes to next year's scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153888,"EventID":"S1W-17226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it is making to ensure that the subvention paid for livestock shipments from Orkney and Shetland to the mainland will continue after the expiry of the curr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it is making to ensure that the subvention paid for livestock shipments from Orkney and Shetland to the mainland will continue after the expiry of the current contract with P&O Scottish Ferries on 1 October 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's current Northern Isles subsidy contract with P&O Scottish Ferries and the recently awarded contract with NorthLink for the period 2002-07 provides subsidy for passenger and car ferry services only.

    The Scottish Executive provides considerable financial support for the movement of livestock between Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish mainland under the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme for bulk and livestock shipping. The TRS scheme provides 50% rebate on shipping costs for exporting and importing livestock. As indicated in my reply to S1W-14998 the Executive received recently the report of an evaluation of the TRS Scheme conducted by consultants. The evaluation report is being considered in detail and Ministers will announce their conclusions on the review in due course. These will reflect the Executive's commitment to maintaining essential ferry services to Orkney and Shetland and their communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153889,"EventID":"S1W-17227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all farms and farmers who have participated in the GM crop trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all farms and farmers who have participated in the GM crop trials.","AnswerText":"Consent for individual sites to participate in the farm scale evaluation programme is held by Aventis CropScience and not individual farmers. The Scottish Executive holds detailed map references of all sites and gives these wide publicity but does not hold information about the ownership of individual sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153890,"EventID":"S1W-17228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all payments made to farmers who have participated in the GM crop trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all payments made to farmers who have participated in the GM crop trials.","AnswerText":"No payments have been made by the Scottish Executive to farmers for participating in GM crop trials.

    Contractual arrangements between the farmer and the biotech company are an entirely private matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153891,"EventID":"S1W-17229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what finance it is making available to the water authorities in 2001-02, specifying any resources ring-fenced for specific purposes including meeting statutory requiremen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what finance it is making available to the water authorities in 2001-02, specifying any resources ring-fenced for specific purposes including meeting statutory requirements, and what their external financial limits are.","AnswerText":"The finance being made available to the water authorities is set out in the latest Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive. In addition, £10 million is to be made available for the water charges relief scheme. Under resource budgeting, external financing limits are no longer set.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153892,"EventID":"S1W-17230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the budget for the Scottish Renewables Obligation for each year from 2000-01 to 2003-04, as referred to in Table 4.10 of T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the budget for the Scottish Renewables Obligation for each year from 2000-01 to 2003-04, as referred to in Table 4.10 of The Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The budget provision shown against the Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) is to cover the Fossil Fuel Levy in Scotland, which is set by the energy regulator each year to cover the cost of renewable energy projects operating under the SRO. The levy in the current year is 1.2% and is expected to rise to 2.1% over the next three years as more SRO projects are built and their costs fall to be met by the levy. That is why the provision shown in the budget rises over the next three years.

    However, this is not a cash provision, as the Fossil Fuel Levy is levied on all electricity suppliers by the energy regulator Ofgem, and used to offset the above market cost of renewable energy projects under the SRO. There is no Government cash expenditure involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153893,"EventID":"S1W-17231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the Energy Efficiency budget for each year from 2000-01 to 2003-04, as referred to in Table 4.10 of The Scottish Budget.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the Energy Efficiency budget for each year from 2000-01 to 2003-04, as referred to in Table 4.10 of The Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"The breakdown requested is as follows (£ million):

    Description

    2000-01

    2001-02

    2002-03

    2003-04

    Energy Saving Trust - domestic energy efficiency programmes in Scotland

    2.140

    2.140

    2.140

    2.140

    CCL Receipts - business energy efficiency with carbon Trust and renewable energy programmes

    N/A

    4.700

    2.000

    3.000

    Scottish Energy Efficiency Office - promotion and marketing

    0.081

    1.081

    1.081

    1.081

    Total

    2.221

    7.921

    5.221

    6.221

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153894,"EventID":"S1W-17232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the #24 million financial package allocated to address the impact of water charge rises on people with low incomes for 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the #24 million financial package allocated to address the impact of water charge rises on people with low incomes for 2001-02 to 2003-04, stating whether any additional money has been added to this since the consultation process, as referred to in page 189 of The Scottish Budget, was completed.","AnswerText":"The funding for the Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme is £24 million as announced originally. This funding will be allocated to providing reductions in water and sewerage charges from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2004.

    In 2001-02 the Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme will allocate £10 million to provide a reduction in water and sewerage charges to households in receipt of Council Tax Benefit whose charges exceed £180. These reductions will be backdated to 1 April 2001.

    Plans to allocate the remaining £14 million will be published in due course following analysis of data captured in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153895,"EventID":"S1W-17233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have recently been undertaken into GPs' workload.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have recently been undertaken into GPs' workload.","AnswerText":"A number of areas of current work cover aspects of GP workload. They are as follows:

    • The National Primary Care Research and Development Centre in Manchester is currently undertaking a survey which covers GP workload and which will have the ability to compare the position in Scotland with the rest of the UK

    • The Remote And Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) is currently looking at recruitment and retention in remote and rural areas

    • An initiative looking at reducing bureaucracy has identified a number of areas where workload and bureaucracy can be reduced and we are currently taking these forward with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee of the BMA

    Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) is an on-going information system which feeds back regular data on workload issues such as face to face clinical contacts between GPs and patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153896,"EventID":"S1W-17234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been to the NHS of providing paracetamol on prescription in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been to the NHS of providing paracetamol on prescription in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The table below sets out the cost to NHSScotland of paracetamol dispensed in the community over the period 1995-96 to 1999-2000.

    Financial Year

    Gross Ingredient Cost (£)

    Dispensing Fees (£)

    Total Cost (£)

    1995-96

    740,522

    721,494

    1,462,016

    1996-97

    744,958

    717,107

    1,462,065

    1997-98

    746,841

    710,215

    1,457,056

    1998-99

    805,643

    749,800

    1,555,443

    1999-2000

    952,438

    837,261

    1,789,699

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153897,"EventID":"S1W-17235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Italian Government regarding exchanging information about anti-globalisation activists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Italian Government regarding exchanging information about anti-globalisation activists.","AnswerText":"None. The Scottish Executive does not, as a matter of course, deal with exchanges of information with other countries about individuals who might be described as activists.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153898,"EventID":"S1W-17236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met a representative or representatives of the Ministry of Defence police and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met a representative or representatives of the Ministry of Defence police and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular contact with the Ministry of Defence Police about a range of issues, the most recent of which concerned proposals in the Armed Forces Bill considered by the previous UK Parliament for extending their jurisdiction.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153899,"EventID":"S1W-17237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has exchanged with UK and foreign security organisations regarding activists without criminal or civil convictions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has exchanged with UK and foreign security organisations regarding activists without criminal or civil convictions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not, as a matter of course, exchange information with other organisations about individuals who might be described as activists.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153900,"EventID":"S1W-17238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive with which organisations and countries it exchanges information regarding anti-nuclear activists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive with which organisations and countries it exchanges information regarding anti-nuclear activists.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not, as a matter of course, exchange information with other organisations or countries about individuals who might be described as activists.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153901,"EventID":"S1W-17239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the measures to address the impact of rises in water and sewerage charges on people with low income will be operational.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the measures to address the impact of rises in water and sewerage charges on people with low income will be operational.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have now completed changes to their billing software, and have begun rebilling beneficiaries of the Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme. Rebilling is expected to be completed by October. Reductions will be backdated to 1 April 2001 where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153902,"EventID":"S1W-17240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the answer to question S1W-16345 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001 represents its collective position.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the answer to question S1W-16345 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001 represents its collective position.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153903,"EventID":"S1W-17242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to sell any of its equity in Caledonian MacBrayne.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to sell any of its equity in Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer I gave on 2 July 2001 to question S1W-16345.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153904,"EventID":"S1W-17243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of female officers was at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad at 31 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage of female officers was at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad at 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"The information is provided in the following table, which shows the position as at 31 March 2001.

    Chief Constable

    %

    Asst.

    CC

    %

    Super-intendent

    %

    Chief

    Inspector

    %

    Inspector

    %

    Sergeant

    %

    Constable

    %

    Central

    0

    0

    0

    9.1

    2.7

    7.2

    17.6

    D&G

    0

    0

    0

    0

    10

    4.3

    22.4

    Fife

    0

    0

    0

    8.3

    2.6

    3.5

    19.7

    Grampian

    0

    0

    0

    9.5

    2.4

    11.1

    21.7

    L&B

    0

    0

    6.7

    8.7

    Inspector %

    Sergeant %

    Constable %

    Central

    0

    0.9 (1)

    0.2 (1)

    Dumfries and Galloway

    0

    0

    0.3 (1)

    Fife

    0

    0

    0.6 (4)

    Grampian

    1.2 (1)

    0

    0.3 (3)

    Lothian and Borders

    1.5 (2)

    0

    0.8 (16)

    Northern

    0

    0

    0.6 (3)

    Strathclyde

    0

    0.4 (4)

    0.9 (51)

    Tayside

    0

    0

    0.3 (3)

    SCS

    0

    0

    0.93 (1)

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153906,"EventID":"S1W-17245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14478 by Rhona Brankin on 12 April 2001, how many felling licences have been withdrawn in each of the past 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14478 by Rhona Brankin on 12 April 2001, how many felling licences have been withdrawn in each of the past 10 years.","AnswerText":"No felling licences have been withdrawn when landowners have failed to comply with the conditions in the licence. The Forestry Commission has, however, served 16 enforcement notices on landowners in these circumstances over the last five years.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153907,"EventID":"S1W-17246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers represented Scotland at the recent World Climate Change summit in Bonn.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers represented Scotland at the recent World Climate Change summit in Bonn.","AnswerText":"Scotland was represented in Bonn, along with the rest of the UK, by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, and the Minister for the Environment, the Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP. The Deputy Prime Minister also attended for part of the meeting. The UK delegation at the meeting included one of my officials from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153908,"EventID":"S1W-17247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hydro-electric power will be classified as renewable energy under the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and when the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will be a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hydro-electric power will be classified as renewable energy under the new Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and when the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) will be announced.","AnswerText":"Responses to our initial consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), or ROS, raised concerns about the future of Scotland's existing large hydro stations.

    We have accepted that additional support was required and have successfully argued that case with colleagues in the UK Government. I was therefore able to announce recently that we will extend support under ROS to refurbished hydro stations up to 20 megawatts in size, and also to support the building of new hydro stations of any size, subject to their obtaining the necessary consents. This additional support will secure continuation of the refurbishment of Scotland's existing large hydro stations, and represents good news for the engineering jobs dependent on that refurbishment work.

    Our final statutory consultation on the ROS was published on 3 August, and is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153909,"EventID":"S1W-17248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for an appointment to see a dermatologist in (a) each health board area and (b) Scotland as a whole.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for an appointment to see a dermatologist in (a) each health board area and (b) Scotland as a whole.","AnswerText":"The median waiting time for a first out-patient appointment with a Consultant in Dermatology, following referral by a General Medical Practitioner, in the year ended 30 June 2001, by health board of residence, is provided in the table.

    NHS Scotland: Median Waiting Times For A First Out-patient Appointment With A Consultant In Dermatology, Following Referral By A General Medical Practitioner, By Health Board Of Residence: Year Ended 30 June 2001.

    Health Board

    Median Wait (days)1

    Argyll and Clyde

    62

    Ayrshire and Arran

    91

    Borders

    68

    Dumfries and Galloway

    31

    Fife

    61

    Forth Valley

    114

    Grampian

    120

    Greater Glasgow

    56

    Highland

    44

    Lanarkshire

    60

    Lothian

    71

    Orkney

    43

    Shetland

    45

    Tayside

    29

    Western Isles

    35

    Scotland

    60

    Source: ISD, Scotland.

    Notes:

    1. Provisional.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153910,"EventID":"S1W-17249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on waiting lists to see dermatologists in (a) each health board area and (b) Scotland as a whole.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on waiting lists to see dermatologists in (a) each health board area and (b) Scotland as a whole.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital in-patient/day case treatment.

    The number of patients on the in-patient/day case waiting list in the specialty of dermatology on 31 March 2001, by health board of residence, is given in the table.

    NHS Scotland: Number Of Patients on In-patient/Day Case Waiting List in Specialty Of Dermatology On 31 March 2001, By Health Board of Residence.

    Health Board Of Residence

    Number Of Patients

    Argyll and Clyde

    88

    Ayrshire and Arran

    10

    Borders

    0

    Dumfries and Galloway

    0

    Fife

    3

    Forth Valley

    0

    Grampian

    17

    Greater Glasgow

    1

    Highland

    15

    Lanarkshire

    1

    Lothian

    9

    Orkney

    0

    Shetland

    0

    Tayside

    1

    Western Isles

    3

    Scotland

    148

    Source: ISD, Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153911,"EventID":"S1W-17250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the provision of dermatologists is in each health board area, expressed (a) numerically and (b) per capita.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the provision of dermatologists is in each health board area, expressed (a) numerically and (b) per capita.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table, which should be read in conjunction with the notes below. In particular, the figures do not reflect directly the availability of dermatology services, because in many instances doctors employed in one health board area also provide service in another. It should also be noted that at March 2001 the number of posts for Specialist Registrars currently training for a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in dermatology was increased from 14 to 17, a rise of 21% in the last year. Further information on the current Specialist Registrar establishment is contained in NHS HDL(2001) 63, which was published on 30 July 2001. A copy of this is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 15193).

    Dermatology Staff Employed by NHS Scotland by Health Board Whole Time Equivalent at 30 September 2000p
     

    WTE

    WTE per 100 000 population

    Total

    Consultants

    Training Grades

    Other Grades

    Total

    Consultants

    Training Grades

    Other Grades

    Scotland

    95.9

    44.5

    39.1

    12.3

    1.9

    0.9

    0.8

    0.2

    Argyll & Clyde

    6.4

    2.0

    3.0

    1.4

    1.5

    0.5

    0.7

    0.3

    Ayrshire & Arran

    4.9

    3.0

    1.0

    0.9

    1.3

    0.8

    		More than 80 people attended the event at Inverness. It was a highly successful meeting and many issues of interest and concern to the audience were raised.

    The remaining roadshows in Kilmarnock and Dundee will be held on 27 and 29 August, and we expect the costs to be similar to the Inverness roadshow. The costs will be met from existing budgets.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153914,"EventID":"S1W-17253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it took into account in deciding (a) the locations for its \"Budget Roadshows\" and (b) which organisations and interest groups to invite to them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it took into account in deciding (a) the locations for its \"Budget Roadshows\" and (b) which organisations and interest groups to invite to them.","AnswerText":"The roadshow locations were chosen, as last year, to reflect a mix of urban and rural areas outwith the central belt.

    We have endeavoured to invite people to represent the public, private and voluntary sectors in the areas surrounding the host town or city, whilst aiming for an appropriately sized group.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153915,"EventID":"S1W-17254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the haemophilus influen'ae type b (Hib) vaccine contains thiomersal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the haemophilus influen'ae type b (Hib) vaccine contains thiomersal.","AnswerText":"I refer to my answer to questions S1W-14694 and S1W-15962 on 22 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153916,"EventID":"S1W-17255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is in place to record how many older people have embarked on modern apprenticeships following the removal of the age restriction and what measures are in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is in place to record how many older people have embarked on modern apprenticeships following the removal of the age restriction and what measures are in place to encourage older people to do so.","AnswerText":"Modern Apprenticeships (MAs)for over 25s will be monitored through Scottish Enterprise's Corporate Training System. Scottish Enterprise is piloting MAs for this group across a range of occupational sectors: about 1,200 apprentices are expected to be involved in the pilot projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153917,"EventID":"S1W-17258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS medical physicists there currently are in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS medical physicists there currently are in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153918,"EventID":"S1W-17259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS medical physics technicians there currently are in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS medical physics technicians there currently are in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153919,"EventID":"S1W-17260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its Social Economy Review and whether its publication has been delayed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its Social Economy Review and whether its publication has been delayed.","AnswerText":"Scoping work for a review of the social economy is under way. The review itself will commence soon and I expect to publish a report by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153920,"EventID":"S1W-17261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the Scottish Community Investment Fund have been made to date and how much funding has been (a) raised since the fund was launched, (b) alloca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the Scottish Community Investment Fund have been made to date and how much funding has been (a) raised since the fund was launched, (b) allocated to projects and (c) spent on projects.","AnswerText":"We announced plans for a loan fund in November 1999. A small development team was established with three members of staff seconded from the Bank of Scotland and Scottish Enterprise to take work forward. The team have recently successfully concluded negotiations with the banks over the terms of the loan finance and Social Investment Scotland will be officially launched on 19 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153921,"EventID":"S1W-17262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, in the light of the report by the Aberlour Child Care Trust, the University of York, Extern, Children's Promise and The Childr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, in the light of the report by the Aberlour Child Care Trust, the University of York, Extern, Children's Promise and The Children's Society, Missing Out - Young Runaways in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In addition to the information which I gave in my answer to question S1W-15504 in May 2001, I am pleased to announce that we recently awarded funding of just under £100,000 over three years to Aberlour Child Care Trust's project "Running - Other Choices". This pilot project in Glasgow will assist young people to find solutions to the circumstances which have caused them to run away from home and to find alternatives to running.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153922,"EventID":"S1W-17263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government regarding the percentage of lottery money allocated to Scotland and how and where it is di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government regarding the percentage of lottery money allocated to Scotland and how and where it is distributed.","AnswerText":"The allocation of resources between Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom is a reserved matter. Scottish ministers provide policy direction as required to distributing bodies for the distribution of National Lottery funds in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153923,"EventID":"S1W-17264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all lottery money allocated from the New Opportunities Fund through public bodies in Scotland for good causes is being distributed for the purposes intended and n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all lottery money allocated from the New Opportunities Fund through public bodies in Scotland for good causes is being distributed for the purposes intended and not being held in reserve by the public body responsible or used to supplement resources for Executive-funded programmes.","AnswerText":"All funds distributed by the New Opportunities Fund in Scotland are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office and are strictly monitored and controlled in accordance with its accountability requirements. These funds are exclusively distributed in support of programmes that are additional to other sources of funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153924,"EventID":"S1W-17265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage local authorities to improve the collection of council house rent arrears in the light of the increase in total rent arrears report","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage local authorities to improve the collection of council house rent arrears in the light of the increase in total rent arrears reported in Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure 1999-2000 to 2001-02.","AnswerText":"In June 2000 the Accounts Commission and Scottish Homes published a report on Managing Rent Arrears. The report recommended actions that should be taken by both local authorities and registered social landlords to improve their management of rent arrears.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153925,"EventID":"S1W-17266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce the outcome of the initial consultation exercise, held last year, which asked for ideas on how the building control system in Scotland could b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce the outcome of the initial consultation exercise, held last year, which asked for ideas on how the building control system in Scotland could be improved.","AnswerText":"The working party set up to consider the responses to the initial consultation and to prepare proposals for a reformed system reported to me at the beginning of April this year. I have approved the issue of a detailed consultation document, based on that report, and this will be issued today.","AnswerDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153926,"EventID":"S1W-17267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it made at the European Union Agriculture Council meeting on 19 June 2001 in relation to the proposal of the Netherlands delegation on the transportation o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it made at the European Union Agriculture Council meeting on 19 June 2001 in relation to the proposal of the Netherlands delegation on the transportation of livestock.","AnswerText":"At the Scottish Executive's request, the UK delegation did not support the Netherlands proposal at the Agriculture Council on 19 June 2001. Further work is now being carried out on the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153927,"EventID":"S1W-17268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to redefine council tax bandings to take account of house price inflation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to redefine council tax bandings to take account of house price inflation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13768 on 14 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153928,"EventID":"S1W-17269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all developments to which article 3(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/266) app","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all developments to which article 3(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/266) applies must be completed within 14 consecutive days commencing on 23 July 2001.","AnswerText":"In order to benefit from the permitted development rights which existed under Class 7 of Schedule 1 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 prior to 23 July, development started before that date must be completed within 14 days of 23 July, not including 23 July itself. Effectively, the 14 day period ended at midnight on 6 August.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153929,"EventID":"S1W-17270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any work left uncompleted by 6 August 2001 under article 3(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any work left uncompleted by 6 August 2001 under article 3(2) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/266) will be subject to any of the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/244), no matter what the causes are of the non-completion of the work.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2001 (Scottish Statutory Instrument 2001/266) revoked and replaced the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/244) and specified a transitional arrangement applying to development started before it came into force.

    The transitional arrangement allows development under permitted development rights started before 23 July and completed within 14 days of that date to benefit from the permitted development rights which were in place prior to the new tighter controls coming into force. If such development is not completed within that timescale, any development carried out on or after 23 July will be subject to the planning controls which came into force on that date.

    The new planning legislation does not provide for an extension to the 14-day period described in the transitional arrangement, which runs consecutively without interruption. Enforcement action in relation to any breaches of planning control will be a matter for the planning authority to consider.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153930,"EventID":"S1W-17271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used when judging future planning appeals against refusals under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used when judging future planning appeals against refusals under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/244).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17270 in relation to the revocation and replacement of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/244).

    In relation to appeals against refusal of planning permission arising as a result of the new legislation, as with all planning appeals, each case will be judged on its individual merits and in accordance with the relevant legislation, development plan policy and national policy. National Planning Policy Guideline 19: Radio Telecommunications, published on 20 July 2001 by the Scottish Executive Development Department, and available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 15218) will be of particular relevance to radio telecommunications developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153931,"EventID":"S1W-17272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding Stagecoach UK Bus received in the last financial year to support the operation of bus services in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding Stagecoach UK Bus received in the last financial year to support the operation of bus services in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold the information requested. Allowance for local authority expenditure on subsidised bus services is included within the general local government settlement allocations. Authorities also receive support through the Rural Public Passenger Transport grant. However, the letting of contracts for the provision of socially necessary bus services is entirely a matter for individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153932,"EventID":"S1W-17273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding was paid in the last financial year to maintain bus services which Stagecoach UK Bus would otherwise not have operated for profitability reasons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding was paid in the last financial year to maintain bus services which Stagecoach UK Bus would otherwise not have operated for profitability reasons.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17272.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153933,"EventID":"S1W-17274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current position whereby patients who suffer from cystic fibrosis must pay prescription charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current position whereby patients who suffer from cystic fibrosis must pay prescription charges.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to review the current arrangements. It should also be noted that people with chronic illness, who are not exempt from prescription charges on medical grounds, often qualify for free prescriptions on other grounds.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153934,"EventID":"S1W-17275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the requirements are for a medical condition to qualify for an exemption from prescription charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the requirements are for a medical condition to qualify for an exemption from prescription charges.","AnswerText":"There is no process for the admission of further conditions to the list of charge-exempt medical conditions.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153935,"EventID":"S1W-17276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently diagnosed as suffering from cystic fibrosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently diagnosed as suffering from cystic fibrosis.","AnswerText":"The United Kingdom's Cystic Fibrosis Register is held and managed within the Tayside Institute of Child Health in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and the latest figures for the year 2000 show that there are 692 cystic fibrosis patients registered on this database, with 348 being 16 or under and 344 over the age of 16.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153936,"EventID":"S1W-17277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications it has received under the Rural Stewardship Scheme; what funding has been set aside for the implementation of the scheme, and what percentage of app","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications it has received under the Rural Stewardship Scheme; what funding has been set aside for the implementation of the scheme, and what percentage of applications are likely to receive funding, all in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The number of applications submitted for approval this year is 476. The total agri-environment budget for the current financial year is £30 million, subject to sterling/euro currency fluctuations. The percentage of applications which will receive funding is dependent on the relative merits of applications submitted.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153937,"EventID":"S1W-17278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which schools in the north east do not provide drug education programmes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which schools in the north east do not provide drug education programmes.","AnswerText":"Information at individual school level may be requested from education authorities. The following table, however, contains information at an education authority level.

    Local Authority

    No of Schools included in survey

    Number of schools which responded

    No of schools which provide drug education

    Aberdeen

    80

    78

    72

    Aberdeenshire

    180

    164

    160

    Dundee

    53

    53

    53

    Angus

    69

    69

    69

    Perth and Kinross

    90

    90

    88

    Moray

    54

    54

    53

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153938,"EventID":"S1W-17279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it uses any data gathered by the Family Fund Trust and, if so, for what purpose.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it uses any data gathered by the Family Fund Trust and, if so, for what purpose.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive receives bulletins of statistical data gathered by the Family Fund Trust, which it uses to inform policy development.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153939,"EventID":"S1W-17280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it reconciles the figure of 70,000 children lifted out of poverty given by the First Minister on 1 February 2001 in the debate on Working together for Scotland: A Pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it reconciles the figure of 70,000 children lifted out of poverty given by the First Minister on 1 February 2001 in the debate on Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government (Official Report, col.807) with the statement in the latest Household Below Average Income Survey by the Department of Works and Pensions that child poverty has fallen by 1% in Scotland since 1997.","AnswerText":"The First Minister's remarks on children in poverty referred to the change in the estimated number of children living in low income households between 1996-97 and 1998-99, a more detailed explanation of which was given in answer to question S1W-13002. The drop of one percentage point referred to in the question relates to the percentage point difference in the proportion of children in low income households in Scotland between 1997-98 and the latest 1999-2000 figures. The Households Below Average Income Survey results demonstrate steady progress in reducing the proportion of children living in low income households.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153940,"EventID":"S1W-17281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the Chancellor of the Exchequer is consulted on, or otherwise involved in, policy issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the Chancellor of the Exchequer is consulted on, or otherwise involved in, policy issues.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers work closely and constructively with their counterparts in the UK Government and, to that end, have regular discussions with United Kingdom Ministers on a wide range of subjects.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153941,"EventID":"S1W-17282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to reverse the anticipated population decline over the course of this century.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to reverse the anticipated population decline over the course of this century.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not operate any specific policies to influence the overall size or age structure of the population. Long-term planning aims to be sufficiently flexible to cope with change in these. However, our Framework for Economic Development in Scotland (laid before the Parliament in June 2000) is focused on instilling a greater economic dynamism that should attract skilled people to stay, return or settle here.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153942,"EventID":"S1W-17283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that nitrogen dioxide levels fall below an annual mean of 40 micrograms per cubic metre in towns and cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that nitrogen dioxide levels fall below an annual mean of 40 micrograms per cubic metre in towns and cities.","AnswerText":"The Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to carry out a review and assessment of air quality within their areas and take action where air quality objectives are unlikely to be met within a set timescale. These requirements are set out in more detail in The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In such cases the authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and draw up an action plan that sets out the steps it intends to take in pursuit of the objectives. The objective for NO2 is an annual mean of 40mg/m3 to be achieved by the end of 2005. To date two AQMAs have been declared in Scotland (Aberdeen and Edinburgh) with Glasgow expected to follow shortly. All three are based on traffic-related NO2 emissions.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153943,"EventID":"S1W-17284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that private sewage discharges comply with the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that private sewage discharges comply with the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.","AnswerText":"Without a consent from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, private sewage discharges, like any other discharge of "poisonous, noxious or polluting matter", would in all but exceptional cases - such as, in an emergency, to avoid danger to life and health - be illegal under the terms of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. It is for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to determine whether any individual private sewage discharge may be consented and, if so, what conditions should be placed on the consent under the terms of the 1974 Act to protect the environmental quality of the receiving waters.

    Where a private sewage discharge has no consent, or fails to comply with the conditions of its consent, any prosecution is a matter for the Procurator Fiscal.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153944,"EventID":"S1W-17285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the targets for recycling set out by The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) have not yet been met and when implementation of this directive will be a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the targets for recycling set out by The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) have not yet been met and when implementation of this directive will be achieved through the national waste strategy.","AnswerText":"The relevant data on the recovery and recycling of packaging waste are incomplete as some businesses have yet to submit data or are in the process of reviewing their previous estimates. It is therefore too early to say whether the United Kingdom has achieved its' packaging targets under the EC Packaging Directive. The position should be clearer towards the end of the year when a review of the data which is currently being undertaken is complete.

    Implementation of the directive is an ongoing process. The National Waste Strategy: Scotland identifies packaging waste as a priority waste stream. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 transpose the directive into UK law and these are enforced in Scotland by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153945,"EventID":"S1W-17286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop the recycling market.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop the recycling market.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17123 on 21 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153946,"EventID":"S1W-17288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) council tenants, (b) owner-occupiers and (c) private tenants will receive new central heating systems in each year of the operation of its central heating in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) council tenants, (b) owner-occupiers and (c) private tenants will receive new central heating systems in each year of the operation of its central heating installation programme, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested. Allocations of resources have been made for 2001-02, and allocations for future years will be made at the appropriate time, taking account of progress towards the target.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153947,"EventID":"S1W-17289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13129 by Jackie Baillie on 12 March 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority area of the 8,000 pensioner househ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13129 by Jackie Baillie on 12 March 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority area of the 8,000 pensioner households in the private rented sector that it anticipates will benefit from its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of this information by local authority area is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153948,"EventID":"S1W-17290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12618 by Jackie Baillie on 1 February 2001, how many pensioners in Glasgow will benefit from the central heating and insulation pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12618 by Jackie Baillie on 1 February 2001, how many pensioners in Glasgow will benefit from the central heating and insulation programme between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, broken down by tenure.","AnswerText":"The information is not available at this time, but the numbers will depend upon the approaches taken by Glasgow City Council in respect of council stock and the Managing Agent in respect of stock in the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153949,"EventID":"S1W-17291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost of installing a central heating system is and what proportion of pensioners do not currently have a central heating system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average cost of installing a central heating system is and what proportion of pensioners do not currently have a central heating system.","AnswerText":"We estimate that the package on offer can be installed at an average cost of £2,500 per dwelling. It will be for the managing agent, the local authorities and housing associations to ensure that this is achieved for their respective sectors. We estimate that 40,000 pensioners in the private sector do not have a central heating system or have a system which is wholly broken down and beyond repair.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153950,"EventID":"S1W-17292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how pensioners on low income will fund the installation of central heating in their home should the installation cost be higher than the #2,500 available under its centra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how pensioners on low income will fund the installation of central heating in their home should the installation cost be higher than the #2,500 available under its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"The grant for the heating system will cover the main living areas in the home; being the living room, the hall, the bathroom and the main bedroom(s). There will be no additional charge for this work if it exceeds £2,500, but a pensioner may pay to extend the system beyond these main living areas if he or she wishes to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153951,"EventID":"S1W-17293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of \"pensioner\" for the purposes of entitlement under its central heating installation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of \"pensioner\" for the purposes of entitlement under its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"A pensioner is a person who is aged 60 or over.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153952,"EventID":"S1W-17294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether elderly people who have central heating installed under its installation programme and who are owner-occupiers or private tenants will be eligible for a further g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether elderly people who have central heating installed under its installation programme and who are owner-occupiers or private tenants will be eligible for a further grant if they move to a new home that does not have central heating.","AnswerText":"Yes, further applications for grant will be accepted providing the applicant is using the house as their only or main residence.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153953,"EventID":"S1W-17295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which hospitals have been closed in each year since 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which hospitals have been closed in each year since 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information is contained in the following table:

    Year of Closure

    Health Board

    Hospital

    Date of closure

    1999

    Argyll & Clyde

    Bridge of Weir Hospital

    30/11/1999

     

    Argyll & Clyde

    Elderslie Hospital, Renfrewshire

    30/06/1999

     

    Forth Valley

    Bellsdyke Hospital, XXXXLarbert

    31/03/1999

     

    Greater Glasgow

    Knightswood Hospital, Glasgow

    31/12/1999

     

    Greater Glasgow

    Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow

    31/12/1999

     

    Greater Glasgow

    Rutherglen Maternity, Hospital Glasgow

    1999

     

    Lothian

    Gogarburn Hospital, Edinburgh

    07/05/1999

     

    Lothian

    Southfield Hospital, Edinburgh

    15/11/1999

     

    Lothian

    St Joseph's, Rosewell

    27/12/1999

    2000

    Ayrshire & Arran

    Ballochmyle Hospital, Mauchline

    09/08/2000

     

    Greater Glasgow

    Woodilee Hospital, Lenzie

    31/03/2000

     

    Highland

    Craig Dunain Hospital, Inverness

    17/07/2000

     

    Highland

    Craig Phadrig Hospital, Inverness

    17/07/2000

     

    Orkney

    Eastbank Hospital, Kirkwall

    31/03/2000

    2001

    Borders

    Dingleton Hospital, Melrose

    15/06/2001

     

    Greater Glasgow

    Cowglen Hospital, Glasgow

    01/04/2001

     

    Lanarkshire

    Bellshill Hospital, Bellshill

    04/06/2001

     

    Health Board Area

    Name of Hospitals Sold Since 1999

    (as at 14 August 2001)

    Sale Proceeds

    (£ million)

    Argyll & Clyde

    Bridge of Weir Hospital

    0.400

    Ayrshire & Arran

    Ayr County Hospital

    0.500

    Borders

    Dingleton Hospital, Melrose

    1.325

    Forth Valley

    Bellsdyke Hospital, Larbert

    Lochgreen Hospital, Falkirk

    2.611

    Grampian

    Daviot Hospital, Aberdeen

    0.750

    Greater Glasgow

    Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow (part disposal)

    Knightswood Hospital, Glasgow

    9.650

    Highland

    Craig Dunain Hospital, Inverness (part disposal)

    0.750

    Lothian

    Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

    Southfield Hospital, Edinburgh

    Leith Hospital, Edinburgh

    Gogarburn Hospital, Edinburgh

     

     

    12.194

    Tayside

    Dundee Royal Infirmary

    Part disposals:

    Windyridge House, Strathmartine Hospital, Dundee

    7 & 11Westmount, Sunnyside Hospital, Montrose

    Murray House and Field 'D', Murray Royal Hospital, Perth

    2 & 3 Dudhope Terrace, Dundee

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1.517

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153955,"EventID":"S1W-17297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Care Development Group will be published and, if this differs from the originally planned date, what the original date was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Care Development Group will be published and, if this differs from the originally planned date, what the original date was.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the terms of its remit, the Care Development Group will report to the Minister for Health and Community Care by the end of August. The Scottish Executive will arrange for the report to be published.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153956,"EventID":"S1W-17298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the Road Haulage Association regarding compensation in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, what interim respons","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the Road Haulage Association regarding compensation in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, what interim response it has given to any such representations and when it expects to issue a definitive response.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials have twice met with representatives of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) since the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis; the last occasion being on 11 June when the RHA submitted detailed evidence in support of hauliers' potential compensation claims as a result of lost business due to FMD.

    Receipt of this detailed evidence has been acknowledged pending the Executive being in a position to issue a definitive response.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153957,"EventID":"S1W-17299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date by the ministerial sub-committee set up to examine the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and address the issues arising; w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date by the ministerial sub-committee set up to examine the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and address the issues arising; when the sub-committee expects to announce definitive and comprehensive policy and resource decisions in connection with all outstanding compensation and market support issues, and what recommendations the sub-committee will make in relation to compensation payments for the livestock haulage sector.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Committee on Rural Development Sub-Group on Impacts of Foot-and-Mouth Disease has met on a regular basis over the past few months to review progress of the impact assessment work and to discuss action required to relieve immediate hardship and to begin the process of recovery. Since the establishment of the sub-group, measures amounting to over £30 million have been announced, including additional resources for the Enterprise Networks to provide help to businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease crisis.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153958,"EventID":"S1W-17300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the remarks made by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development regarding market collapse in industries affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the remarks made by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development regarding market collapse in industries affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at the meeting of the Transport and Environment Committee on 9 May 2001 (Official Report, col. 1795), what strategies have been formulated to stimulate urgently markets affected in this way.","AnswerText":"The most important step in tackling the effects of foot-and-mouth disease was to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible so that recovery measures could be introduced. The last reported case in Scotland was on 30 May, since when we have been able to remove most of the restrictions on access to the countryside for the benefit of tourism and have removed constraints on the movement of livestock as far as it is prudent to so do. We have also permitted a limited resumption of livestock markets from 20 August, with a more general re-opening of markets planned from 1 September. This will benefit many farmers and related businesses such as haulage companies. The European Commission has agreed to our proposals for a Private Storage Aid scheme for UK sheepmeat which will help to remove some of the anticipated surplus from the market later in the year. I am also pressing the case for the early resumption of exports of meat and livestock from Scotland which would represent a further important step in the recovery process. Businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak are also benefiting from the £30 million of financial support which we have announced over the past few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153959,"EventID":"S1W-17301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was of the 10,568 gigawatt-hours of electricity transferred to England and Wales in 1999-2000, as shown in Key Scottish Environment Statistics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was of the 10,568 gigawatt-hours of electricity transferred to England and Wales in 1999-2000, as shown in Key Scottish Environment Statistics.","AnswerText":"This is commercial information, and as such is a matter for the power companies concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153960,"EventID":"S1W-17302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to reduce the 33% of water supplies its Water Services Unit estimates is being lost through leakage and what targets it has set in this connect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to reduce the 33% of water supplies its Water Services Unit estimates is being lost through leakage and what targets it has set in this connection.","AnswerText":"The Executive will not approve new Water Orders or amendments to existing Water Orders for the abstraction of water for public water supplies unless the water authority can demonstrate that it has achieved the economic level of leakage for that supply. The Executive has no plans to set any targets for leakage reduction; it is considered that the overall drive for operational and capital efficiencies should provide the right incentives to achieve economic levels of leakage.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153961,"EventID":"S1W-17303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much extra revenue it expects each local authority to receive in fees from the renewal of bingo hall licences as a result of the Gaming Act (Variation of Fees) (No.2)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much extra revenue it expects each local authority to receive in fees from the renewal of bingo hall licences as a result of the Gaming Act (Variation of Fees) (No.2) (Scotland) Order 2001.","AnswerText":"The variation of fees is based on recommendations by the Gaming Board following a study of the board by the National Audit Office. It is designed to ensure that the licensing authorities (which in Scotland are the local authorities) recoup their costs without profit or loss, and without cross-subsidy between casino and bingo licensing. We have not calculated the specific revenue implications for local authorities, but expect the changes to be broadly neutral.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153962,"EventID":"S1W-17304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned from AEA Technology and when any such research wor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned from AEA Technology and when any such research work will be completed and published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has commissioned AEA Technology to undertake two studies:

    1. Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of a More Stringent AQS Objective for PM10 in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has received a draft final report for this study and will consider a dissemination strategy for this project on receipt of the final report.

    2. Climate Change: Projections of Energy and CO2 Emissions for Scotland. The Scottish Executive has received a final report for this study and is currently considering an appropriate dissemination strategy for the work.

    No information is held centrally regarding the commissioning of research to particular contractors by other agencies or non-departmental public bodies, other than for projects to which Scottish Executive contributes to directly.

    However, in the case of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, it is our understanding, following contact with the agency, that it has not commissioned AEA Technology for any current research. To contact other agencies or non-departmental public bodies would incur disproportionate costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153963,"EventID":"S1W-17305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned from AEA Technology on future energy use or carbon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned from AEA Technology on future energy use or carbon emission; when any such research will be completed, and whether it will publish any extracts, including statistics, from any completed research to assist in the identification of overall energy requirements in Scotland and past, current and future carbon production levels.","AnswerText":"The Executive commissioned AEA Technology in October 2000 to disaggregate the DTI UK energy and carbon dioxide projections to Scotland. The Scottish Executive has received a final report of this study, entitled Climate Change: Projections of Energy and CO2 Emissions for Scotland, and is currently considering an appropriate dissemination strategy for the work.

    With regard to the commissioning of research by other agencies or non-departmental public bodies, I refer the member to my answer to question S1W-17304.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153964,"EventID":"S1W-17306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned or undertaken into future energy use or carbon emi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any research which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned or undertaken into future energy use or carbon emission; when any such research will be completed, and whether it will publish any extracts, including statistics, from any completed research to assist in the identification of overall energy requirements in Scotland and past, current and future carbon emission levels.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17305. The Executive has not commissioned any other research on future energy use or carbon emission.

    With regard to the commissioning of research by other agencies or non-departmental public bodies, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17304.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153965,"EventID":"S1W-17307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish detailed responses and action points in relation to any studies that it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish detailed responses and action points in relation to any studies that it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have commissioned on energy use and carbon emission.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-17304, S1W-17305 and S1W-17306.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153966,"EventID":"S1W-17308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to increase export activity following the Lloyds TSB Scotland Business Monitor Report of spring 2001, which indicated a 23% decrease in export ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to increase export activity following the Lloyds TSB Scotland Business Monitor Report of spring 2001, which indicated a 23% decrease in export activity in the first quarter of 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, through Scottish Trade International (STI), is committed to helping Scottish exporters. STI's activities have, over the past five years, been directed by the Export Development Strategy for Scotland.

    The continuing need to ensure that companies in Scotland are able to realise the full benefits of trading in international markets will be a key theme of the Global Connections Strategy, which we will be publishing shortly. This will provide a focus for future international economic development activity.

    Official Scottish Manufactured Exports statistics are compiled by the Scottish Executive from data collected by the Office for National Statistics. They measure actual performance, and provide an estimate of the volume and value of export sales. Figures for the first quarter of 2001 showed an increase of 1.9% in real terms, in the level of manufacturing export sales compared with the previous quarter.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153967,"EventID":"S1W-17309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16249 by Rhona Brankin on 27 June 2001, what meetings have taken place between it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16249 by Rhona Brankin on 27 June 2001, what meetings have taken place between it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Ministry of Defence or any other department of Her Majesty's Government on suitable sites for the land storage of cut-out reactors from redundant nuclear submarines and when sites are expected to be selected.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on a wide range of issues. This includes the Interim Storage of Laid-up Submarines study, but such discussions have not included potential land storage sites. I understand that the MOD expects to invite industry to bring forward land storage proposals early next year. Only then would possible sites emerge.

    Discussions between the MOD and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other Government Departments are matters for those bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153968,"EventID":"S1W-17310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in respect of public safety, health and the environment in light of the recommendations on the disposal of toxic sludge containing carbon-14 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in respect of public safety, health and the environment in light of the recommendations on the disposal of toxic sludge containing carbon-14 in The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's Advice to Ministers on the Ministry of Defence's Radioactive Waste Management and Practices.","AnswerText":"The relevant recommendations in the report published by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) make it clear that the responsibility for reviewing waste characterisation and management arrangements rests with the Ministry of Defence.

    Before the waste can be disposed, the site operators will have to satisfy the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that the waste has been properly characterised, that the levels of radioactivity associated with the waste are accurately quantified and that these levels do not exceed the site's authorised limits for the disposal route used.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153969,"EventID":"S1W-17311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in respect of public safety, health and the environment in light of the recommendations on the arrangements for the transportation of irradia","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in respect of public safety, health and the environment in light of the recommendations on the arrangements for the transportation of irradiated uranium fuel from Rosyth to Sellafield in The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's Advice to Ministers on the Ministry of Defence's Radioactive Waste Management and Practices.","AnswerText":"The report published by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee makes clear that the transport of spent fuel is an issue for the Ministry of Defence to consider.

    The regulation of the transport of radioactive material (including waste) is a reserved matter for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The regulations are designed to ensure that the transport of radioactive material is carried out in such a manner as to safeguard public safety, health and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153970,"EventID":"S1W-17312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of manufacturing employment was in each quarter since 1979.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of manufacturing employment was in each quarter since 1979.","AnswerText":"The number of employee jobs in manufacturing in Scotland since 1981 are given in the following table:

    (Not seasonally adjusted)

    Year

    Quarter

    Employee Jobs

    (in thousands)

    Year

    Quarter

    Employee Jobs

    (in thousands)

    1981

    September

    479

    1991

    September

    360

     

    December

    474

    		 

    December

    354

    1982

    March

    463

    1992

    March

    350

     

    June

    455

    		 

    June

    346

     

    September

    448

    		 

    September

    338

     

    December

    439

    		 

    December

    327

    1983

    March

    429

    1993

    March

    323

     The AES estimates for Scotland were compiled by aggregating site level values, whether collected directly through the survey or estimated, for all workplaces in Scotland. The improved methodology developed for the ABI survey collects information from head offices and estimates are made for Scotland using imputation and modelling routines. More information on the differences between AES and ABI is given in \"The launch of the Annual Business Inquiry\" which was published in the May 2001 edition of Labour Market Trends.

    The change to ABI in 1998 resulted in a rise of about 110,000 employee jobs in Scotland but only a small number of these (about 8,500) were in the manufacturing sector. In the final results of the AES, the number of employees in manufacturing in Scotland was 316,000, 15.6% of Scotland's total employees. In the first results of the ABI the figure was 325,000, 15.2% of the Scotland total.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153972,"EventID":"S1W-17314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its analysis of the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme on individuals and on regions within Scotland will be completed and whether this analysis will ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its analysis of the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme on individuals and on regions within Scotland will be completed and whether this analysis will be published.","AnswerText":"An analysis of payments under the new scheme is being finalised and will be placed with the Parliament's Reference Centre next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153973,"EventID":"S1W-17315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme has met or is expected to meet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme has met or is expected to meet.","AnswerText":"The working group first met on 10 November 2000. Subsequent meetings were held on 15 December 2000, 23 February 2001 and 3 August 2001. The next meeting was scheduled for 21 August 2001, but because a number of industry representatives found that they could not in fact attend, it has been postponed to the end of August.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153974,"EventID":"S1W-17316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme finds that many crofters and farmers have suffered financial los","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme finds that many crofters and farmers have suffered financial loss as a result of the scheme, it will introduce a new scheme.","AnswerText":"Because I was able to negotiate the 90% safety net, any losses under the new scheme have been restricted to within 90% of the previous year's payments. There is no prospect of the EU agreeing to the introduction of a new scheme at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153975,"EventID":"S1W-17317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the work of the group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme is proceeding according to schedule and, if not, whether it will","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the work of the group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme is proceeding according to schedule and, if not, whether it will change the level at which the safety net will operate in 2002 from 80% to 90%. ","AnswerText":"I am grateful to members of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) Steering Group for the work they are doing reviewing the scheme. This work was held up initially until most of the payments had been finalised. It is now back on schedule.

    I believe there are good grounds to justify applying the 90% safety net in 2002. I will press Commissioner Fischler very hard indeed to agree to this.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153976,"EventID":"S1W-17319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the set of actions devised as a result of the study commissioned to map present and planned facilities providing public access to the internet refe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the set of actions devised as a result of the study commissioned to map present and planned facilities providing public access to the internet referred to in paragraph 4.8 of Information Age Government in Scotland - A draft common framework.","AnswerText":"The Executive will publish a digital inclusion strategy in the autumn and the actions detailed there will be informed by the work to map the locations of all facilities providing public access to the internet in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153977,"EventID":"S1W-17320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its departments and agencies and which Scottish public bodies do not have services available online; why no services are available online in each case, and when ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its departments and agencies and which Scottish public bodies do not have services available online; why no services are available online in each case, and when any such bodies will make their services available online.","AnswerText":"Provision of information is the biggest service provided by Government in Scotland. All Executive departments, Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies in Scotland make information available online. Other services are being developed. We are finalising a table detailing the current position and will place copies of this in the Parliament's Reference Centre as soon as it is available.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153978,"EventID":"S1W-17321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made and what advice it has given to Her Majesty's Government on public safety, health and environmental issues relating to the storing of rad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made and what advice it has given to Her Majesty's Government on public safety, health and environmental issues relating to the storing of radioactive waste at the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases and the nuclear installations at Dounreay and Chapelcross.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive contributes fully to the development of UK policy on radioactive waste management. The safe storage of radioactive waste at nuclear sites is a matter for the site operator and the regulatory bodies, operating within that wider policy framework and the relevant legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153979,"EventID":"S1W-17322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific monitoring responsibilities the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has in relation to radioactive waste stored at the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific monitoring responsibilities the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has in relation to radioactive waste stored at the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases and the nuclear installations at Dounreay and Chapelcross.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a general responsibility for protecting (and determining general levels of pollution in) the environment. SEPA does not monitor waste stored on site but undertakes a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme to determine the effects on the environment of radioactive discharges from nuclear installations. The results of the programme are reported annually in Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE). A copy of the latest RIFE report is available in the Parliament Information Centre (Bib. no. 146000).","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153980,"EventID":"S1W-17323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with and what advice it has given Her Majesty's Government on public safety, health and environmental issues relating to the transportation o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with and what advice it has given Her Majesty's Government on public safety, health and environmental issues relating to the transportation of radioactive waste from the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases.","AnswerText":"The regulation of the transport of radioactive material (including waste) is a reserved matter for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The regulations are designed to ensure that the transport of radioactive material is carried out in such a manner as to safeguard public safety, health and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153981,"EventID":"S1W-17324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities currently dispose of all or part of their waste streams through incineration.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities currently dispose of all or part of their waste streams through incineration.","AnswerText":"Four local authorities currently dispose of part of their waste streams through incineration - Dundee City, Angus, Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153982,"EventID":"S1W-17325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many waste incinerators it currently licenses; who the operators of these incinerators are; where each is located, and what amount of waste, in tonnes, has been incin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many waste incinerators it currently licenses; who the operators of these incinerators are; where each is located, and what amount of waste, in tonnes, has been incinerated at each plant in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which licenses waste incinerators; information on waste incinerator licences is available on public registers held by the agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153983,"EventID":"S1W-17326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new waste incinerators are currently being planned or built by local authorities, specifying the location in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new waste incinerators are currently being planned or built by local authorities, specifying the location in each case.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153984,"EventID":"S1W-17327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of recent safety and environmental issues at the Baldovie incinerator in Dundee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of recent safety and environmental issues at the Baldovie incinerator in Dundee.","AnswerText":"Environmental and safety regulation of specific sites are matters for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Executive recognises the continuing public concerns over the possible health effects of emissions from incinerators, particularly dioxins and heavy metals. To address these concerns, a number of recent epidemiological studies have investigated the incidence of various diseases in populations likely to be affected by these emissions. However, no convincing evidence of any such link has been established. The University of Dundee is currently carrying out a further epidemiological study and I await the findings of this.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153985,"EventID":"S1W-17328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consents local authorities are required to seek from it on the building of new waste incinerators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consents local authorities are required to seek from it on the building of new waste incinerators.","AnswerText":"Applications for planning permission for waste incinerators are a matter, in the first instance, for the local authority, as planning authority. Where the local authority is the developer or has an interest in the development, the Scottish ministers may become involved and may have to determine a planning application for such development, but this would depend on the circumstances of the case.

    If the incinerator is an energy from waste project, where the output would be 50MW or more, it would require the consent of the Executive under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. These consents have deemed planning consent.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153986,"EventID":"S1W-17329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have been given approval through their capital expenditure plans in each of the last three years to construct new waste incinerators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have been given approval through their capital expenditure plans in each of the last three years to construct new waste incinerators.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no role in the approval of local authorities' capital expenditure plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153987,"EventID":"S1W-17330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how fallen cattle are disposed of; if by incineration, how many licensed incineration sites there currently are, where each is located, and how many carcasses each site ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how fallen cattle are disposed of; if by incineration, how many licensed incineration sites there currently are, where each is located, and how many carcasses each site is expected to deal with annually.","AnswerText":"The Animal By-Products Order 1999 prescribes the following options for disposal of fallen cattle; incineration, rendering, knackery yard or hunt kennel or in limited circumstances burning or burial. Since July 1 there has been an EU requirement on all member states to carry out tests for BSE on all fallen cattle over 30 months old. All bovine carcasses that form part of the fallen stock survey are disposed of by incineration. The table shows the names and addresses of the businesses in Scotland awarded contracts by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The RPA is responsible for procuring disposal facilities throughout Great Britain.

    The annual number of carcasses each site is expected to deal with will be governed to a maximum of each individual site's authorisation as stipulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. This figure has been provided based upon an average weight of 520kgs per beast and the RPA ensure that no more than 90% of this figure is incinerated under their contracts.

    It is not possible to provide an accurate figure in respect of the number of fallen stock carcasses that each site is expected to deal with annually.

    Company name

    Address

    Authorised max. Throughput per week

    Hamilton (Irvine) Ltd

    Oldhall West Industrial Estate

    Irvine

    Ayrshire

    KA11 9DG

    140

    North East Incineration Services

    Tarnash House

    Tarnash

    Keith

    Banffshire

    AB55 5PB

    280

    Incineration Scotland

    Mosspark

    Annan Road

    Dumfries

    DG1 4PH

    192

    Sacone, Brechin

    The Abattoir

    Montrose Road

    Brechin

    Angus

    DD9 7PL

    161

    Sacone, Glasgow

    15/23 Westerburn Street

    Glasgow

    G32 6AT

    213

    SAC Aberdeen

    Mill of Craibstone

    Bucksburn

    Aberdeen

    AB2 9TS

    Dependant on hours of operation

    SAC Ayr

    Veterinary Science Division

    Auchincruive

    Ayr

    KA6 5AE

    Dependant on hours of operation

    Orkney Waste Disposal

    Chinglebraes Incinerator

    St. Ola

    Orkney

    KW15 1SE

    Dependant on hours of operation

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153988,"EventID":"S1W-17331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it has issued for the disposal of fallen cattle; to whom these contacts were awarded; how many tonnes each contractor has been asked to dispose of, and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts it has issued for the disposal of fallen cattle; to whom these contacts were awarded; how many tonnes each contractor has been asked to dispose of, and what the means and location of disposal are.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17330 on 30 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153989,"EventID":"S1W-17332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 25 January 2001 of a permanent personal medical services option in relation to the employment status of GPs, how many salaried GPs have be","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 25 January 2001 of a permanent personal medical services option in relation to the employment status of GPs, how many salaried GPs have been employed to date; where these GPs are located, and how many salaried GPs it expects to be employed by March 2002.","AnswerText":"There are currently 29 Personal Medical Services (PMS) salaried GPs. 16 in Grampian, nine in Lothian and four in Tayside. The total for those to be employed by March 2002 will be available shortly after the deadline of 31 December 2001 for applications to become PMS by 1 April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153990,"EventID":"S1W-17333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 25 January 2001 of a permanent personal medical services option in relation to the employment status of GPs, what resources have been made","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 25 January 2001 of a permanent personal medical services option in relation to the employment status of GPs, what resources have been made available to each health trust for the implementation of this initiative to date and what proportion of these resources have been spent or committed to date.","AnswerText":"A recurring investment programme of £4.5/6/8 million over the next three years has been made to NHS Boards for the development of Personal Medical Services (PMS) in Scotland. The table shows the breakdown of Personal Medical Services allocations for Year 1 (2001-02). NHS boards have until 31 of December 2001 to submit applications for PMS contracts, including the amount of investment they require.

    Health Board

    GMS Arbuthnott Allocation (%)

    Indicative Allocation (£)

    Argyll & Clyde

    8.51

    370,283

    Ayrshire & Arran

    7.52

    326,970

    Borders

    2.21

    95,948

    Dumfries & Galloway

    3.24

    141,017

    Fife

    6.48

    281,736

    Forth Valley

    5.31

    231,151

    Grampian

    9.68

    420,895

    Greater Glasgow

    19.02

    827,336

    Highland

    5.24

    228,078

    Lanarkshire

    10.68

    464,747

    Lothian

    14.12

    614,384

    Orkney

    0.00

    50,000

    Shetland

    0.00

    50,000

    Tayside

    7.99

    347,455

    Western Isles

    0.00

    50,000

    Scotland

    100.00

    4,500,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153991,"EventID":"S1W-17335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding convergence of the Scottish economy with the euro-'one area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding convergence of the Scottish economy with the euro-'one area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular contact with HM Treasury on a range of economic issues.

    UK membership of the single European currency is a reserved issue. Convergence between the UK economy and the economies of the single currency area is one of the five economic tests set out by the Chancellor, which will be assessed as part of any decision to join. Any assessment will be based on the UK economy as a whole.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153992,"EventID":"S1W-17336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-07-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current estimate is of the cost of preparing its departments for the possible introduction of the euro.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current estimate is of the cost of preparing its departments for the possible introduction of the euro.","AnswerText":"The cost of a changeover would depend on the timing, the overall approach and individual management decisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153993,"EventID":"S1W-17337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12456 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 February, what the current timetable is for the introduction of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill follo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12456 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 February, what the current timetable is for the introduction of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill following its consultation on the draft bill and when any amended version of the draft bill will be available for public scrutiny.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive remains committed to introducing the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament at the earliest opportunity. Over 3,500 responses were received during the extended consultation period for the draft Bill and Draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Copies are available at the Parliament's Reference Centre and at the Executive's library at Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh.

    The First Minister will be making a statement to Parliament on the Legislative Programme for the forthcoming year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153994,"EventID":"S1W-17338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each Local Volunteer Development Agency received under the Active Communities Initiative in 2000-01; how much each has received to date in this financial","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each Local Volunteer Development Agency received under the Active Communities Initiative in 2000-01; how much each has received to date in this financial year, and how much each will receive in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Local Volunteer Development Agencies (LDVAs) were not funded under the Active Communities Initiative in 2000-01. I announced in June that £300,000 would be made available in 2001-02 to engage the national network of LVDAs in delivering the Active Communities Initiative at local level across Scotland. I anticipate that each LVDA will receive some £10,000. Active Communities Initiative funding for the network will increase to £1 million in 2002-03, with each LVDA receiving some £30,000. These sums are in addition to the £31,500 that each LVDA already receives annually.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153995,"EventID":"S1W-17339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of administering the Active Communities Initiative was in 2000-01 and what the estimated cost is for 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of administering the Active Communities Initiative was in 2000-01 and what the estimated cost is for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The Active Communities Initiative is a UK initiative. Resources made available under the initiative are used to provide grants to voluntary organisations to promote volunteering and community involvement. The Scottish Executive invested £650,000 in the initiative in 2000-01 and £1.65 million will be spent in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153996,"EventID":"S1W-17340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the government portal for Scotland referred to in paragraph 4.5 of Information Age Government in Scotland - A draft common framework will be established.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the government portal for Scotland referred to in paragraph 4.5 of Information Age Government in Scotland - A draft common framework will be established.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is fully involved with UK Online, (which is widely regarded as a great success, now getting more than a million hits a week). Considerable effort continues to go into the development of Life Episodes with distinct Scottish content, within the UK online Portal. A separate Scottish portal remains under active consideration, and it will be launched when appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153997,"EventID":"S1W-17341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the government portal for Scotland referred to in paragraph 4.5 of Information Age Government in Scotland - A draft common framework has not been delivered in the sam","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the government portal for Scotland referred to in paragraph 4.5 of Information Age Government in Scotland - A draft common framework has not been delivered in the same timespan as UK online.","AnswerText":"The UK Online portal contains services and information of both Scottish and of general UK application. A separate Scottish portal remains under active consideration and will be launched when appropriate. Its development has to be complementary to the main UK Online site to deliver added value and avoid unnecessary cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153998,"EventID":"S1W-17342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the maturity of each of the websites offering devolved government services online and who is responsible for developing these sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the maturity of each of the websites offering devolved government services online and who is responsible for developing these sites.","AnswerText":"I refer you to the answer to question S1W-17320. The Executive has set down mandatory standards for public service sites, and provides assistance and guidance, although responsibility for the detailed content and development of each site rests with the relevant body.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":153999,"EventID":"S1W-17343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the websites offering devolved government services online utilise customer relationship management systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the websites offering devolved government services online utilise customer relationship management systems.","AnswerText":"The Students Awards Agency for Scotland is the only body within the Scottish Administration that currently utilises customer relationship management systems in delivering its online services. The agency has recently introduced facilities to allow students to track the progress of their application via its website. A basic support calculator and the ability to request duplicate award letters have also been introduced on the site. The agency is planning to introduce other web services in line with the Modernising Government initiative, including online applications, over the next 18 months.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154000,"EventID":"S1W-17344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a complete list of the devolved government services planned to be delivered online by the end of (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a complete list of the devolved government services planned to be delivered online by the end of (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17320.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154001,"EventID":"S1W-17345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population in (a) Scotland, (b) each parliamentary region and (c) each local authority area has home access to the internet and how the figure for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population in (a) Scotland, (b) each parliamentary region and (c) each local authority area has home access to the internet and how the figure for the whole of Scotland compares to the equivalent figure for (i) the USA and (ii) the European Union.","AnswerText":"(a) The latest statistics for Scotland as a whole show that 25% of households had access to the internet from home (Scottish Household Survey, October-December 2000).

    (b) Statistics are not currently available by parliamentary region.

    (c) Statistics are given in the table by local authority area.

    (i) The figure given for home internet access for the USA is 41% (August 2000) from the report Falling Through the Net by the US Department of Commerce, published October 2000.

    (ii) For the European Union as a whole, home internet access is an average of 28% (Eurobarometer, October 2000).

    Household access to the internet by local authority

    Local Authority

    Percentage with access

    Aberdeen City

    30

    Aberdeenshire

    30

    Angus

    23

    Argyll & Bute

    26

    Clackmannanshire

    25

    Dumfries & Galloway

    20

    Dundee City

    19

    East Ayrshire

    19

    East Dumbartonshire

    32

    East Lothian

    24

    East Renfrewshire

    35

    Edinburgh, City of

    28

    Eilean Siar

    23

    Falkirk

    22

    Fife

    22

    Glasgow City

    15

    Highland

    27

    Inverclyde

    20

    Midlothian

    22

    Moray

    23

    Information Age Government in Scotland: A draft framework, out to public consultation in order to elicit comments from the widest possible range of organisations and individuals; indeed the draft framework was widely praised in responses to that consultation. A number of contracts have been awarded by participants in e-government initiatives, and a number of these initiatives and projects have been supported by the Executive through the Modernising Government Fund. The Executive has also engaged in discussion of a range of modernising government issues with representatives of a number of private sector companies as well as public sector bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154009,"EventID":"S1W-17353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts for the implementation of future e-government initiatives are under consideration and when an announcement will be made on the tendering process to be used","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts for the implementation of future e-government initiatives are under consideration and when an announcement will be made on the tendering process to be used in each case.","AnswerText":"There are no contracts under consideration for possible future e- government initiatives. contracts and extensions to contracts for Modernising Government Fund initiatives are under active consideration.

    All Scottish Executive contract awards are conducted in a fair and even-handed manner and in accordance with any legal requirements, including European Community rules. In each case, the most appropriate tendering process is used. Contracts in connection with present or future e-government initiatives are no exception to these arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154010,"EventID":"S1W-17354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take in relation to the distribution to schools by Scottish Enterprise of Your World: Biotechnology & You which is sponsored by pro-G","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take in relation to the distribution to schools by Scottish Enterprise of Your World: Biotechnology & You which is sponsored by pro-GM organisations including Monsanto.","AnswerText":"I understand that the distribution of Your World: Biotechnology & You on a pilot basis was arranged by Scottish Enterprise after discussion with Learning and Teaching Scotland (the umbrella organisation for the Higher Still Development Unit) and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. Discussions are under way to determine whether the continued distribution would be useful to Scottish Students.

    The Biotechnology Institute, the American organisation which publishes Your World, is currently funded by contributions from foundations and non-profit making organisations, corporate grants and teacher subscriptions. In general no donor contributes more than 5% of the total funding of the institute. I understand the financial contributors to the institute do not have a role in reviewing, editing or approving the Your World issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154011,"EventID":"S1W-17355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population in (a) Scotland, (b) each parliamentary region and (c) each local authority area (i) live in areas where access to asymmetric digital s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population in (a) Scotland, (b) each parliamentary region and (c) each local authority area (i) live in areas where access to asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology is possible and (ii) have ADSL installed and how the figures for the whole of Scotland compares to the equivalent percentages in each European Union country and in Wales, Northern Ireland and each English region.","AnswerText":"BT is carrying out the upgrading of exchanges to allow access to ADSL on a commercial basis, based on the company's analysis of demand at a local level. Currently between 34% and 38% of households in Scotland are in areas served by ADSL-enabled exchanges, compared with an estimated 60% within the UK as a whole. Approximately 42% of the central belt population (Central, Lothian and Strathclyde) are served by an ADSL-enabled exchange. BT has indicated that the lower figure in Scotland reflects a relatively lower demand and higher deployment costs. Demand for ADSL is still very low in Scotland, the UK and across Europe as a whole.

    BT has an extensive copper-based local network, making them the only telco in Scotland in a position to offer their own ADSL product. However, ADSL is not the only higher-speed telecoms service available residentially. Cable modem is also available to a significant percentage of households, and broadband fixed wireless access licences are expected to be available shortly. Satellite coverage has potential for remoter areas, and BT has recently launched a UK-wide broadband satellite service from which the Highlands & Islands will be the first to benefit with service available from November.

    The 54 Scottish BT exchanges due to be ADSL-enabled by September are listed by parliamentary constituency:

    Scottish ADSL-Enabled Exchanges By End September 2001

    Constituency

    Exchange Name

    Aberdeen Central

    Denburn

    Lochnagar

    Aberdeen North

    Aberdeen North

    Balgownie

    Dyce

    Aberdeen South

    Kincorth

    Aberdeen West

    Ayr

    Ayr

    Clydebank and Milngavie

    Clydebank

    Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

    Cumbernauld

    Dumfries

    Dumfries

    Dunfermline West

    Dunfermline

  • An estimated 7,513 people, aged 65 years and over, were receiving intensive home care services (defined for this purpose as being in receipt of more than 10 hours service per week).
  • There were 14,139 residents, aged 65 years and over, in residential care homes for older people.
    • There were 18,578 residents, aged 65 years and over, in private nursing homes in Scotland.
    • Provisional information shows that there were 4,491 residents, aged 65 years and over, receiving long-stay NHS hospitals care in the specialty of Geriatric Medicine.
    • Provisional information shows that there were 5,652 residents, aged 65 years and over, in mental illness or learning disability specialties in NHS hospitals in Scotland. These specialties are not specifically for patients receiving long-term care. However, of the residents at 31 March 1998, 4,208 (74.5%) had been resident for six months or more.

    This information about various long-term care arrangements for older people in Scotland relates to 31 March 1999:

    • An estimated 7,724 people, aged 65 years and over, were receiving intensive home care services (defined for this purpose as being in receipt of more than 10 hours service per week).
    • There were 13,517 residents, aged 65 years and over, in residential care homes for older people.
    • There were 18,498 residents, aged 65 years and over, in private nursing homes in Scotland.
    • Provisional information shows that there were 4,292 residents, aged 65 years and over, receiving long-stay NHS hospital care in the specialty of Geriatric Medicine.

    Provisional information shows that there were 5,391 residents, aged 65 years and over, in mental illness or learning disability specialties in NHS hospitals in Scotland. These specialties are not specifically for patients receiving long-term care. However, of the residents at 31 March 1999, 3,898 (72.3%) had been resident for six months or more.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154013,"EventID":"S1W-17357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what testing has been carried out on the deer population since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what testing has been carried out on the deer population since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"No blood tests have been carried out on the deer population in Scotland. However, following reports from the public concerned about deer showing symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) a small number (figures not available) have been inspected by veterinary officers and none have been found to have FMD.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154014,"EventID":"S1W-17358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any reports of the foot-and-mouth virus in the deer population since February 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any reports of the foot-and-mouth virus in the deer population since February 2001.","AnswerText":"There have been no confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease in deer. A small number (figures not available) of deer with suspected symptoms were reported by the public. However, all cases were resolved locally and proved to be negative by veterinary inspection.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154015,"EventID":"S1W-17359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the export and home markets for venison do not suffer as a result of the restrictions imposed since the outbreak of foot-and-mo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the export and home markets for venison do not suffer as a result of the restrictions imposed since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises fully the impact which foot-and-mouth disease could have on this year's venison market both at home and abroad. The case for a recommencement of meat exports from Scotland will be pressed vigorously in Brussels.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154016,"EventID":"S1W-17361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve safety at the road/rail level crossing at Cornton, Stirling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve safety at the road/rail level crossing at Cornton, Stirling.","AnswerText":"Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes railway safety, are reserved matters. They are the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) within the UK Government.

    The Scottish Executive, however, is in regular contact with DTLR, the Health and Safety Executive and their Railways Inspectorate, Railtrack, the Rail Regulator and the British Transport Police on matters relating to rail safety in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154017,"EventID":"S1W-17362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary school (a) pupils and (b) staff in (i) Stirling, (ii) Clackmannanshire, (iii) Fife and (iv) Perth and Kinross have e-mail addresses at school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary school (a) pupils and (b) staff in (i) Stirling, (ii) Clackmannanshire, (iii) Fife and (iv) Perth and Kinross have e-mail addresses at school.","AnswerText":"Numbers of secondary school e-mail addresses are shown in the following table. The figures relate to the position nearly a year ago, and recent contacts with the four education authorities indicate that considerable progress has been made since then.

    Authority

    Pupils

    Teachers

    Stirling

    930 (16.2%)

    136 (30.4%)

    Clackmannanshire

    1,040 (33.8%)

    104 (42.8%)

    Fife

    1,860 (8.0%)

    365 (20.1%)

    Perth and Kinross

    4,567 (59.0%)

    349 (54.4%)

    Source: SEED Schools Census September 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154018,"EventID":"S1W-17363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and outside bodies have been sent copies of Striking the Balance - a new approach to debt management and the accompanying consultation questionnaire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations and outside bodies have been sent copies of Striking the Balance - a new approach to debt management and the accompanying consultation questionnaire.","AnswerText":"Copies of the report of the Working Group on a Replacement for Poinding and Warrant Sale, Striking the Balance - a new approach to debt management, together with a consultation questionnaire have been issued to some 600 organisations, bodies and individuals. A copy of the consultation list is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. In addition, copies of the report have been made available to all who requested it. The text of the report and consultation paper is available on the Scottish Executive website at:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/justice/stbf-00.asp","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154019,"EventID":"S1W-17364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which petrol stations in (a) Stirling, (b) Clackmannanshire, (c) Fife and (d) Perth and Kinross have successfully applied for assistance under the Rural Petrol Stations G","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which petrol stations in (a) Stirling, (b) Clackmannanshire, (c) Fife and (d) Perth and Kinross have successfully applied for assistance under the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme.","AnswerText":"No petrol stations in these areas have applied for assistance under the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154020,"EventID":"S1W-17365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The number of personal injury accidents in each of the last five years (1996-2000) on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes is as follows:

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1996

    1

    16

    13

    30

    1997

    3

    11

    20

    34

    1998

    3

    8

    20

    31

    1999

    1

    3

    19

    23

    2000

    1

    9

    29

    39

    Total

    9

    47

    101

    157

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154021,"EventID":"S1W-17366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A91 between (a) Stirling and Milnathort and (b) Milnathort and St Andrews in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A91 between (a) Stirling and Milnathort and (b) Milnathort and St Andrews in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form.

    It should be noted that the statistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    The table gives the numbers of injury road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the A91 between (a) Stirling (junction with the A905) and Milnathort (junction with the A911 and A922) and between (b) Milnathort (junction 8 of the M90) and St Andrews (junction with the A917) over the period 1996 to 2000 inclusive.

    Year

    Injury road accidents which occurred on the A91 between Stirling and Milnathort

    Injury road accidents which occurred on the A91 between Milnathort and St Andrews

    1996

    23

    32

    1997

    38

    30

    1998

    32

    37

    1999

    28

    27

    2000

    30

    30

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154022,"EventID":"S1W-17367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Environment Protection Agency spent on its recent management restructuring exercise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Environment Protection Agency spent on its recent management restructuring exercise.","AnswerText":"The non-recurring costs of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) recent restructuring exercise were £6,654.29, which was spent on consultancy services.

    There were no redundancy or compensation payments.

    Additional staff costs of approximately £1.8 million per annum will result from the recruitment of around 67 new staff to deal with additional responsibilities placed on SEPA by the Scottish Executive. These new responsibilities flow primarily from legislation. The majority of new staff will be recruited for front-line regulation duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154023,"EventID":"S1W-17368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has spent on redesigning its corporate logo.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has spent on redesigning its corporate logo.","AnswerText":"The approximate cost of in-house resources to redesign the logo was £77.50, this being the cost of the graphic designer for one day. It should be noted that the changes were of a minor nature and no external expenditure was incurred.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154024,"EventID":"S1W-17369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of staff the Scottish Environment Protection Agency employed in corporate and public relations in each of the past three years and how many are expected ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of staff the Scottish Environment Protection Agency employed in corporate and public relations in each of the past three years and how many are expected to be employed in each of the next two years.","AnswerText":"The numbers of staff employed or expected to be employed in the relevant years are set out in the following table.

    Year

    Total number of Staff in SEPA (full-time equivalent)

    Total number of staff in Communications

    1999

    686

    17

    2000

    752.5

    18

    2001

    805

    23

    2002

    909

    26

    2003

    919

    26

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154025,"EventID":"S1W-17370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the growth in teenage drinking reported in the National Centre for Social Research/National Foundation for Educational Research repor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the growth in teenage drinking reported in the National Centre for Social Research/National Foundation for Educational Research report Smoking, drinking and drug misuse among young people in Scotland in 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports a range of measures to tackle young people's drinking. Alcohol education in schools is an integral part of health education and personal and social development. This ensures that information about alcohol is given as part of a programme aimed at helping young people develop sound lifestyle choices and healthy living. We are also continuing to provide funding for agencies including the Health Education Board for Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland and DrinkWise who provide a range of information and advice on the dangers of under-age and excessive drinking and undertake a wide variety of preventative activities with schools and youth and community groups.

    The Executive is currently developing a national Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse. The need to address young people's drinking has emerged strongly during the Executive's consultation on the plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154026,"EventID":"S1W-17371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has made or plans to make into the circumstances surrounding the early retirement of the former Chief Executive of West of Scotland Water Authority","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has made or plans to make into the circumstances surrounding the early retirement of the former Chief Executive of West of Scotland Water Authority, Mr Ernie Chambers, and in particular into the severance payment made to him.","AnswerText":"Mr Chambers took early retirement as part of a restructuring at WoSWA which reduced the number of directors. He received standard early release terms. There are therefore no grounds for an investigation.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154027,"EventID":"S1W-17372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult the Independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments on the propriety of the appointment of the former Chief Executive of West of Sco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to consult the Independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments on the propriety of the appointment of the former Chief Executive of West of Scotland Authority, Mr Ernie Chambers, to a post with Beattie Media and what plans it has to issue guidance to public bodies such as West of Scotland Water Authority on senior managers taking up similar positions, where a percieved conflict of interest may arise in the future.","AnswerText":"The Independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments advises on the business appointment rules for crown servants. The Chief Executive of the West of Scotland Water Authority is not a crown servant. The post is therefore not covered by the business appointment rules for crown servants. His appointment is subject to ministerial approval but not all such appointments are bound by the business appointment rules.

    It is for an individual public body, as an employer, to determine the precise terms and conditions for its staff. The Executive is currently reviewing the framework for issuing guidance to public bodies following the public bodies review to ensure consistency in approach. This will cover a wide range of issues, including staff issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154028,"EventID":"S1W-17373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any potential for the liability of land managers to increase as a result of the access rights proposed in the draft Land Reform (Scotla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to any potential for the liability of land managers to increase as a result of the access rights proposed in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and whether it has any plans to review the provisions of the Occupier Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 in the light of this.","AnswerText":"It is not our intention that the liability of landowners in respect of those visiting their land should increase as a result of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. Our present view is that the existing law in respect of Occupiers' Liability, in particular the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960, will still be appropriate to cover the position after the Bill is in force. However, we are giving further careful consideration to that aspect of the Bill in the light of the recent consultation exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154029,"EventID":"S1W-17374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to raise public awareness of the health risks associated with passive smoking.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to raise public awareness of the health risks associated with passive smoking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working in conjunction with HEBS and ASH Scotland to explore the best means of raising awareness about the impact of passive smoking. A long-term media campaign, linked to other action at community and industry levels, is being devised. This is being informed by the results of a survey of customer attitudes to smoking in public houses and restaurants. The campaign will be multi-faceted, focusing on issues associated with smoking in the workplace and in the home as well as in places of entertainment such as pubs, restaurants, and clubs. The first phase of the campaign is expected to be launched later this year. HEBS and ASH Scotland are also collaborating to produce guidelines for local authorities on the development of tobacco policies in the workplace.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154030,"EventID":"S1W-17375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died in each of the last three years in fires known to be caused by cigarettes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died in each of the last three years in fires known to be caused by cigarettes.","AnswerText":"The information is not available from the statistics prepared by the General Register Office for Scotland. However, the table gives the number of fatalities caused by fires where the source of ignition was known to be smokers' materials, excluding matches and cigarette lighters.

    Year

    Number of fatalities in Scotland

    1997

    32

    1998

    36

    19991

    33

    Notes:

    1. 1999 figure is provisional.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154031,"EventID":"S1W-17376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has received from each local authority as a result of housing capital set-aside rules in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has received from each local authority as a result of housing capital set-aside rules in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not receive any money from local authorities as a result of the housing capital receipts set-aside rules.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154032,"EventID":"S1W-17377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16621 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, how much will be invested in the central heating programme from each source in each year o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16621 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, how much will be invested in the central heating programme from each source in each year of the programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is investing £26 million in 2001-02, £30 million in 2002-03 and £40 million in 2003-04. Allocations for the years beyond 2003-04 will be announced at the appropriate time. The Executive's investment will be supplemented by private sector resources invested as part of the stock transfer process, but it is not possible to quantify the extent of this investment at this time. The investment by the energy companies under their Energy Efficiency Commitment will follow from regulations to be made under the Utilities Act.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154033,"EventID":"S1W-17378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the appointment of the development workers to be funded under the KickStart programme has been delayed and when all of these development workers will be in post.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the appointment of the development workers to be funded under the KickStart programme has been delayed and when all of these development workers will be in post.","AnswerText":"Our aim has been to ensure that the KickStart programme is not "top down" in its approach and that it meets the diverse needs of voluntary and community groups around the country. This meant that we consulted widely, including with the Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs). The views of SIPs have strongly influenced the design of the programme and various changes have been made. For example, as a result of SIP views, KickStart will now run for an extra year, until March 2003, and with an increased allocation of £625,000.

    Most of the SIP clusters are in the process of recruiting their development workers and aim to have them in post between October and November.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154034,"EventID":"S1W-17379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that National Lottery monies allocated by the Community Fund are targeted at projects based in areas of social exclusion and why this ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that National Lottery monies allocated by the Community Fund are targeted at projects based in areas of social exclusion and why this has not happened to date.","AnswerText":"Policy responsibility for the National Lottery is reserved. Responsibility for distributing proceeds from the lottery rests with the Distributing Bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154035,"EventID":"S1W-17380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #5 million announced on 30 July 2001 for the installation of central heating in council homes in local authority areas where housing stock transfer is bei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #5 million announced on 30 July 2001 for the installation of central heating in council homes in local authority areas where housing stock transfer is being considered each of the relevant authorities will receive and over what timescale this money will be invested.","AnswerText":"Glasgow Council and Shetland Islands Council have been offered £4.795 million and £205,000 respectively this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154036,"EventID":"S1W-17381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #5 million announced on 30 July 2001 for the installation of central heating in council homes in local authority areas where housing stock transfer is being c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #5 million announced on 30 July 2001 for the installation of central heating in council homes in local authority areas where housing stock transfer is being considered comes from the previously announced #350 million funding for its central heating programme or from a different source.","AnswerText":"The £5 million announced on 30 July 2001 is part of the Scottish Executive's contribution to the overall programme and forms part of the overall budget of £26 million for 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154037,"EventID":"S1W-17382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15534 by Jackie Baillie on 30 July 2001, what legal advice it took before concluding that amendment 150 to the Housing (Scotland) B","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15534 by Jackie Baillie on 30 July 2001, what legal advice it took before concluding that amendment 150 to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, now incorporated in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, would comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive always seeks to act within the law and takes legal advice as appropriate. The policy of the Executive is, as a general rule, not to disclose that legal advice has been obtained on any particular matter, or to disclose the content or source of any such legal advice. There does not appear to the Executive to be any good reason to depart from that general policy in this particular case.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154038,"EventID":"S1W-17383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive many multi-cultural health officers are currently employed within the NHS, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive many multi-cultural health officers are currently employed within the NHS, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154039,"EventID":"S1W-17384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what vocational training in multi-cultural awareness is given to NHS medical staff and what qualifications are available in this area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what vocational training in multi-cultural awareness is given to NHS medical staff and what qualifications are available in this area.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change requires NHS boards to ensure that their staff are professionally and culturally equiped to meet the distinctive needs of people and family groups from ethnic minority communities. This commitment is underpinned by Learning Together, the Strategy for Education Training and Lifelong Learning which requires all NHS staff to have a personal development plan that should ensure that they are adequately trained in equality issues. The Equal Opportunities Policies Guideline which was published in January this year also made clear that training must include a high level of awareness of equal opportunities legislation and its application to selection and recruitment and employment within the Health Service. Application of the policy is a matter for individual NHSScotland employers locally.

    Information on the qualifications available in multi-cultural awareness is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154040,"EventID":"S1W-17385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are currently available for interpretation services within each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are currently available for interpretation services within each health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154041,"EventID":"S1W-17386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the devolved government services which can be accessed online and delivered electronically.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the devolved government services which can be accessed online and delivered electronically.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17320 on 29 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154042,"EventID":"S1W-17387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each website maintained by its departments and agencies and by other Scottish public bodies, specifying in each case the devolved government services","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each website maintained by its departments and agencies and by other Scottish public bodies, specifying in each case the devolved government services which can be accessed from the site and the transactions which can be completed over the internet.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17320 on 29 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154043,"EventID":"S1W-17388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it is taking, as part of its Digital Scotland initiative or otherwise, to ensure that the elderly are able to access and benefit from e-government de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it is taking, as part of its Digital Scotland initiative or otherwise, to ensure that the elderly are able to access and benefit from e-government developments.","AnswerText":"The Executive's 21st Century Government agenda is a citizen focussed approach aimed at providing better public services for everyone, in ways that meet the needs of users not the providers. Our efforts are geared towards benefiting all sectors of the population, regardless of age, background, status or location, and to including those most at risk of social exclusion. Key aims are to improve the accessibility and the responsiveness of services.

    The Scottish Executive is supporting the development of a multi-channel approach, including iDTV, internet and WAP and recognises that the telephone remains the most popular communication route for most purposes.

    The Executive has already provided £26 million in direct support through the Modernising Government Fund for more than 30 projects across Scotland which involve innovative ways of improving access to public services, including for example kiosks, one-stop shops and call centres. The potential contribution to social inclusion was one important criterion used in deciding which projects were successful in gaining funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154044,"EventID":"S1W-17389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring of the e-government strategies of the USA, Canada, Bra'il, Hong Kong and Ireland it undertakes; who carries out any such monitoring, and what specific e-g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring of the e-government strategies of the USA, Canada, Bra'il, Hong Kong and Ireland it undertakes; who carries out any such monitoring, and what specific e-government projects, ideas or developments in these countries have been or are being considered for implementation in Scotland, outlining the reason for the idea being adopted or rejected in each case where a decision has been made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive keeps in touch with e-government progress in a number of countries across the globe, including the USA, Canada, EC countries, the Far East and Australasia, either directly through the staff of its 21st Century Government Unit and its Digital Scotland Unit, or through access to the work of third parties such as Whitehall departments. This is achieved in a variety of ways including through checking internet sites, attending seminars, overseas visits, meetings with individuals and scanning the press.

    Most countries' strategies have broadly similar aims to the Executive and have identified similar problems and, as such, we actively seek to adopt good practice from their experiences.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154045,"EventID":"S1W-17390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the strategy outlined in e-government: a strategic framework for public services in the Information Age it has not adopted due to them being inappropriat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the strategy outlined in e-government: a strategic framework for public services in the Information Age it has not adopted due to them being inappropriate for Scotland.","AnswerText":"e-government: a strategic framework for public services in the Information Age provides a framework for planning and actions across the public sector and was developed with the co-operation of the devolved administrations with the objective that it can, as far as possible, be adopted as a common strategy.

    The Scottish Executive has not rejected any aspects of the framework as being inappropriate for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154046,"EventID":"S1W-17391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12765 by Angus MacKay on 7 March 2001, what progress it is making in revising the collection of statistics on electronic service de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12765 by Angus MacKay on 7 March 2001, what progress it is making in revising the collection of statistics on electronic service delivery; whether an updated estimate of the percentage of devolved government services currently delivered electronically is available, and what percentage of devolved government services it expects to be delivered electronically by the end of (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17320 on 29 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154047,"EventID":"S1W-17392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to the continuance of the Millennium Volunteers programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to the continuance of the Millennium Volunteers programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is looking at the future of the Millennium Volunteers Initiative in Scotland. A review group is being set up to assess the impact of the initiative, consider its relationship to the wider volunteering contribution made by young people and consider how best to promote, support and recognise young people's volunteering in the future. I expect the group to report to me by the end of October.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154048,"EventID":"S1W-17393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities will receive details of the initiative to support adult literacy projects which was announced on 2 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities will receive details of the initiative to support adult literacy projects which was announced on 2 July 2001.","AnswerText":"Circular ELLD 1/01, containing the details, was issued to local authorities on 17 July 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154049,"EventID":"S1W-17394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how voluntary bodies will benefit in the current financial year from its adult literacy initiative announced on 2 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how voluntary bodies will benefit in the current financial year from its adult literacy initiative announced on 2 July 2001.","AnswerText":"I announced that £18.5 million is being allocated through local authorities to Community Learning Strategy Partnerships over the next three years, including £2.7 million in the current financial year, to raise levels of adult literacy and numeracy in Scotland.

    Circular ELLD 1/01, issued on 17 July, makes clear that all local providers of adult literacy, including voluntary organisations, should have access to the new funding. All providers will need to demonstrate clearly their ability to make effective use of the funding and it will be for Community Learning Strategy Partnerships to decide and demonstrate collectively how the resources can be used to provide best value.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154050,"EventID":"S1W-17395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Qualifications Authority has made towards delivery of the 2001 examination results.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Scottish Qualifications Authority has made towards delivery of the 2001 examination results.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority provides me with regular updates on its progress towards delivery of the exams diet and candidates' results. I have today written to you in your role as Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee with a summary of the current situation, and I will lodge copies of that letter in the Parliament's Information Centre in order to assist all MSPs with enquiries they may receive.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154051,"EventID":"S1W-17396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public safety, health and environmental monitoring it undertakes in connection with radioactive waste stored at the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases and the nuclear in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public safety, health and environmental monitoring it undertakes in connection with radioactive waste stored at the Rosyth and Faslane naval bases and the nuclear installations at Dounreay and Chapelcross and whether any such monitoring varies according to the amount of intermediate and low level radioactive waste stored at these locations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not undertake monitoring of radioactive waste. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), however, undertakes a programme of environmental monitoring around nuclear sites. The monitoring is undertaken according to the nature and quantity of radioactivity discharged from nuclear sites. The detail of that programme is a matter for SEPA. I understand that the programme is reviewed on a regular basis and takes account of all relevant circumstances.

    The results of the monitoring programme are published annually in Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE). A copy of the latest RIFE report is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no.14600). That report contains an assessment of public dose around all nuclear sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154052,"EventID":"S1W-17397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government concerning the public safety, health and environmental implications of the storage of radioactive waste at th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government concerning the public safety, health and environmental implications of the storage of radioactive waste at the Rosyth naval base.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154053,"EventID":"S1W-17398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stretch of the A811 during the period 1990 to 1994.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stretch of the A811 during the period 1990 to 1994.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

    The following table gives the numbers of road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the A811 between its junction with the A81 and the centre of Stirling over the period 1990 to 1994 inclusive.

    It should be noted that the statistics provided are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    Year

    Injury road accidents which occurred on the A811 between its junction with the A81 and Stirling

    1990

    19

    1991

    15

    1992

    22

    1993

    11

    1994

    16

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154054,"EventID":"S1W-17399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16843 by Sarah Boyack on 3 August 2001, how many road accidents have occurred on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stretch of the A811 i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16843 by Sarah Boyack on 3 August 2001, how many road accidents have occurred on the Stirling to Ballat Cross stretch of the A811 in 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage-only accidents.

    STATS 19 returns have so far been received for the period from January to May 2001 inclusive. During that period four injury road accidents were identified as occurring on the A811 between its junction with the A81 and the centre of Stirling. This is a provisional figure as there may be additional injury accidents which occurred in those months but for which returns have not yet been received.

    It should be noted that this figure is based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. It may differ from any figure which the local authority would provide now, because it does not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154055,"EventID":"S1W-17400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many silent 999 calls from mobile phones the emergency services have received in each of the last three years, broken down by police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many silent 999 calls from mobile phones the emergency services have received in each of the last three years, broken down by police force area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154056,"EventID":"S1W-17401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle the problems associated with silent 999 calls from mobile phones.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle the problems associated with silent 999 calls from mobile phones.","AnswerText":"Arrangements to filter out "silent" emergency calls originating from mobile phones have been in place across the United Kingdom for about a year. Set procedures are applied to determine whether a "silent" call is inadvertent. Calls will continue to be connected to the police where there is any indication that assistance is required.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154057,"EventID":"S1W-17402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much direct or indirect financial support has been given to Continental Airlines to operate a service between Glasgow Airport and Newark, USA and whether any such mon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much direct or indirect financial support has been given to Continental Airlines to operate a service between Glasgow Airport and Newark, USA and whether any such money will be repayable in the event of the service being discontinued.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise assisted Continental Airlines during its first year of operation in 1998 on the Newark-Glasgow route with marketing support. This support, which is commercially confidential under the terms of the contract, would not be repayable if the service should discontinue now.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154058,"EventID":"S1W-17403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and where the net change of #25 million over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be made wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how and where the net change of #25 million over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be made within the transport budget and what projects will lose funding as a result, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The adjustments to the transport programme, which are to fund other Executive priorities, are set out in the table. The SPT adjustment will bring provision in line with payments due under the franchise and is not expected to affect operations and services. I am also confident that the small reductions made to the roads programme and on the Integrated Transport Fund will not have a significant impact on the delivery of our transport priorities. The additional funding will be used to fund a pilot scheme for Child Pedestrian Training and to assist with modernisation of the road haulage industry. Funding will be allocated to schemes across Scotland and is not broken down by local authority area.

    Programme

    2001-02

    (£ million)

    2002-03

    (£ million)

    2003-04

    (£ million)

    Motorways and Trunk Roads

    -

    -5

    -10

    Strathclyde Passenger Transport

    -

    -5

    -5

    Integrated Transport Fund

    -

    -

    -5

    Other Transport Programmes

    +1

    -

    +4

    Net Change

    +1

    -10

    -16

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154059,"EventID":"S1W-17404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authority transport programmes will be affected by the #25 million net change in the transport budget over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 announced by the Min","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authority transport programmes will be affected by the #25 million net change in the transport budget over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001.","AnswerText":"Local authority programmes will not be affected by the changes to the Executive's transport budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154060,"EventID":"S1W-17405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #5 million for road safety projects announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be allocated, broken down by local authority ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #5 million for road safety projects announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be allocated, broken down by local authority area and by project.","AnswerText":"The statement of 28 June committed £5 million for key priorities across the transport programme. We propose to allocate £25,000 of this money in the current year, and a further £200,000 in 2003-04 to a pilot Child Pedestrian Training scheme. No decisions have yet been taken on which areas will participate in the pilot projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154061,"EventID":"S1W-17406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #5 million for road safety projects announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be sourced in the light of the #25 million ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #5 million for road safety projects announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be sourced in the light of the #25 million net change in the transport budget over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04, broken down by local authority area, project and amount.","AnswerText":"The statement of 28 June committed £5 million for key priorities across the transport programme. This money has been allocated as part of the realignment of the Executive's overall budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154062,"EventID":"S1W-17407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated for rail services in each of the next three financial years; what projects will be supported, and how much each project will receive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated for rail services in each of the next three financial years; what projects will be supported, and how much each project will receive.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17142 on 16 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154063,"EventID":"S1W-17408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated for transport grants in each of the next three financial years; what projects will be supported, and how much each project will receive, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated for transport grants in each of the next three financial years; what projects will be supported, and how much each project will receive, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Funding for grant schemes across the transport programme was detailed in the Scottish Executive's Annual Expenditure Report published on 30 March 2001. The funding available to particular schemes and the amounts allocated to individual projects will continue to be announced as these decisions are taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154064,"EventID":"S1W-17409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, in both real and cash terms, was allocated to transport in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, in both real and cash terms, was allocated to transport in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information is set out in the table. It excludes expenditure by local authorities.

    Allocations (£ million)

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Cash terms

    215.6

    208.1

    253.5

    313.4

    985.3

    Real terms

    231.1

    216.8

    258.3

    313.4

    961.3

    Notes:

    1. Real terms figures are shown at 2000-01 baseline.

    2. Figures from 2000-01 include provision for Bus Fuel Duty Rebate.

    3. Figures from 2001-02 include provision for Rail Services in Scotland.

    4. Figures for 2001-02 onwards are stated in resource accounting terms.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154065,"EventID":"S1W-17410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total allocation through the Barnett formula for transport in Scotland was in each year since the formula's inception, in both real and cash terms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total allocation through the Barnett formula for transport in Scotland was in each year since the formula's inception, in both real and cash terms.","AnswerText":"The Barnett formula provides consequentials of increases in spending in comparable UK programmes. It is for Scottish ministers to allocate funding across all the Executive's programmes, including transport, within the resources available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154066,"EventID":"S1W-17411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the South of Scotland University Working Group to report and whether its report will be made public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the South of Scotland University Working Group to report and whether its report will be made public.","AnswerText":"The working group completed its consideration in May of this year. I expect to receive the report of the group's conclusions and recommendations shortly and will place a copy before the Parliament thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154067,"EventID":"S1W-17412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authorisation local authorities require from it in order to transfer a heritable asset to a not for profit organisation for no or a nominal consideration and what ru","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authorisation local authorities require from it in order to transfer a heritable asset to a not for profit organisation for no or a nominal consideration and what rules and conditions apply in relation to such transfers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-7981 on 31 July 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154068,"EventID":"S1W-17413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities require authorisation from it to lease out heritable property for a period of 99 years to any organisation for either a nominal or a full rent ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities require authorisation from it to lease out heritable property for a period of 99 years to any organisation for either a nominal or a full rent and, if so, what rules and conditions apply in relation to such authorisations.","AnswerText":"Local authorities only require ministers consent under section 12(7) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 if they wish to dispose of housing or housing land from their Housing Revenue Account at a full rent. For the criteria and disposals at less than best price I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-7981 on 28 June 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154069,"EventID":"S1W-17414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15199 by Ross Finnie on 18 June 2001, what the current status is of the Dumfries and Galloway economic recovery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15199 by Ross Finnie on 18 June 2001, what the current status is of the Dumfries and Galloway economic recovery plan.","AnswerText":"A working group comprised of officials from the local council and agencies as well as the Scottish Executive has met on several occasions to provide strategic co-ordination of the recovery plan. The announcements of extra Scottish Executive resources to alleviate hardship and assist recovery were influenced by these discussions. The group will continue to take stock of the progress in each of the main areas of the plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154070,"EventID":"S1W-17415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ministers from the National Assembly for Wales on how best to support rural areas to recover from outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ministers from the National Assembly for Wales on how best to support rural areas to recover from outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"There have been a number of discussions with ministers from the National Assembly for Wales about foot-and-mouth disease recovery. These include my regular meetings with the three UK Agriculture Ministers, which have recently focused on various aspects of foot-and-mouth disease, including recovery measures. The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Mr Alasdair Morrison, also hosted a meeting of UK Tourism Ministers in April, at which the main item for discussion was the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on the tourism industry, and the recovery measures which would be put in place, particularly those planned by the British Tourist Authority. In addition to these meetings, Executive officials have been keeping in regular contact with officials from the National Assembly for Wales on foot-and-mouth disease recovery issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154071,"EventID":"S1W-17416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the funding allocated to VisitScotland prior to 2 August 2001 in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has had to date on (a) the number of tour","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the funding allocated to VisitScotland prior to 2 August 2001 in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has had to date on (a) the number of tourists visiting and (b) the level of tourist spending in (i) Dumfries and Galloway and (ii) Scotland, compared in particular with the number of visitors and level of spending anticipated had this funding not been made available.","AnswerText":"The Executive is working with VisitScotland to monitor the effectiveness of the actions put in place to assist the tourism industry to recover from the effects of foot-and-mouth disease. It is not, however, possible at this time to make the assessment requested and Mr Mundell will appreciate that tourist demand is affected by a number of factors. Much of the funding provided prior to 2 August was also used to alleviate immediate hardship.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154072,"EventID":"S1W-17417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with health boards and NHS trusts about winter planning strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with health boards and NHS trusts about winter planning strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular discussions with NHS bodies about a range of issues, including winter planning. Discussions about winter planning have covered arrangements for flu immunisation; the role of social services and of primary care organisations in treating and caring for people at home; the importance of effective joint working between the NHS and local authorities; the need to reduce the number of patients waiting for discharge from hospital; the importance of adequate capacity in hospital critical care and high dependency units, and staff recruitment and retention.

    Health boards have provided draft winter plans to the Scottish Executive Health Department and these are being reviewed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154073,"EventID":"S1W-17418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to health boards and NHS trusts for winter planning strategy, particularly in relation to delayed discharge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to health boards and NHS trusts for winter planning strategy, particularly in relation to delayed discharge.","AnswerText":"Health boards were notified of their annual financial allocation for 2001-02 before the beginning of the financial year. Total resources across Scotland are up 8.1% on last year. Boards are expected to plan and manage the provision of health services, including responding to winter and reducing the number of patients waiting for discharge, within their overall allocation.

    In June of last year, I announced an additional £60 million for health boards to help address key priorities, including work on winter preparations and delayed discharges. This additional allocation has been built into health boards' allocations for the current and future years.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154074,"EventID":"S1W-17419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies are in place to deal with delayed discharge, particularly over the winter months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies are in place to deal with delayed discharge, particularly over the winter months.","AnswerText":"We have emphasised to local planning partners the importance of working together to tackle this issue, for the benefit of people living in their areas. Examples of local strategies which have been shown to work include joint rapid response teams to avoid inappropriate hospital admissions and joint supported discharge teams.

    At a Scottish level, the quarterly census of patients waiting for discharge provides accurate and consistent information about trends and reasons for waiting; this allows local planning partners to direct efforts at reducing delays. Additionally, we hold discussions with NHS organisations and local authorities about joint planning and working and are taking forward implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Future Group. Other actions are under discussion with the NHS and local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154075,"EventID":"S1W-17420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ScotRail concerning the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ScotRail concerning the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with ScotRail on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154076,"EventID":"S1W-17421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it plans to make available for the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it plans to make available for the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is contributing towards the cost of a study to examine in greater detail a number of options which arose out of an earlier indicative feasibility study for developing rail links connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports to the Scottish rail network and to each other.

    Until the outcome of this study is known, it would be premature to make any commitment about financial support for rail links to Glasgow Airport.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154077,"EventID":"S1W-17422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to facilitate the progress of the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to facilitate the progress of the Glasgow Airport direct rail link.","AnswerText":"On 25 July six invitations were issued to tender for the feasibility study referred to in my answer to question S1W-17421. Bids are due back in early September with a view to awarding the contract in time for work to start in November.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154078,"EventID":"S1W-17423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ScotRail concerning the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ScotRail concerning the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","AnswerText":"The development of local transport initiatives is the responsibility of the relevant local authority, and in the case of the Strathclyde area, SPTE. No approach has been made to the Scottish Executive by SPTE for funds or support for this project. On this basis, any discussion with ScotRail at this stage would serve no purpose.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154079,"EventID":"S1W-17424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it plans to make available for the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it plans to make available for the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is prepared to consider all public transport initiatives that will bring improved services to the public. The Glasgow north/south Crossrail scheme is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, and it is up to it to take matters forward and bid for funds. No approach has been made to the Scottish Executive by SPTE for financial support for the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154080,"EventID":"S1W-17425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to facilitate progress of the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to facilitate progress of the Glasgow north/south CrossRail scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17424.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154081,"EventID":"S1W-17426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been made by (a) it, (b) local authorities and (c) the NHS in Scotland over the last three years as a result of electronic procurement methods, in tota","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been made by (a) it, (b) local authorities and (c) the NHS in Scotland over the last three years as a result of electronic procurement methods, in total and as a proportion of procurement spending, and how these figures compare with the equivalent UK figures.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Procurement by local authorities is a matter for the individual body concerned.

    Savings announced by UK ministers in July this year were for UK central Government. They were based on a survey of the extent to which UK departments place orders by telephone, fax and other electronic means and of the extent to which invoices are paid through BACs and the Government Procurement Card. The Executive uses all of these methods in varying degrees and has done so for some time.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154082,"EventID":"S1W-17427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7913 by Sarah Boyack on 14 June 2000, what progress has been made in identifying the candidate Special Areas of Conservation to be ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7913 by Sarah Boyack on 14 June 2000, what progress has been made in identifying the candidate Special Areas of Conservation to be proposed to the European Commission.","AnswerText":"The Nature of Scotland, published by the Scottish Executive in March this year, affirms the Executive's belief that Scotland's nature is at the heart of our common wealth as a nation.

    As part of our commitment to Scotland's nature, the Executive is committed to working with people to achieve effective protection for our most special places for nature. The identification of areas as candidate Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Habitats Directive is a guarantee that these places will remain special.

    Sarah Boyack's answer identified a series of sites which would be the subject of consultation before Ministers decided whether they should be transmitted to the European Commission as new candidate Special Areas of Conservation. After considering the representations made by consultees, the Scottish Ministers have decided that the following sites should be selected as candidate Special Areas of Conservation:We gave the committee a wide remit (including health and public order as well as licensing law). We therefore tried to secure a committee that combined a broad range of interests with a manageable size. We chose members with immediate expertise of the licensed and drink trades, and the operation of the current licensing arrangements. We chose members to cover public health and clinical medicine, policing, and legal and judicial affairs. We also chose members to represent the voluntary sector, and the interests of young people. The committee will doubtless take representations from a still wider range of individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154084,"EventID":"S1W-17429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the liquor licensing review committee is scheduled to meet over the next 12 months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the liquor licensing review committee is scheduled to meet over the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"I understand that the committee met for the first time on 1 August 2001. It is for the committee to arrange its own programme of work.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154085,"EventID":"S1W-17430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to cover the costs of the liquor licensing review committee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to cover the costs of the liquor licensing review committee.","AnswerText":"The members of the committee are giving their time freely, but will receive travel and other reasonable expenses. We are able to meet those costs from within the Justice Department's existing budget allocation, and will set a precise figure when the committee has agreed its detailed programme of work and any associated visits.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154086,"EventID":"S1W-17431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its proposals for the future management of Scotland's freshwater fish and fisheries will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its proposals for the future management of Scotland's freshwater fish and fisheries will be published.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that I am launching the Green Paper, Scotland's Freshwater Fish and Fisheries - Securing their Future, today.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154087,"EventID":"S1W-17432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution Scotland will make to the United Kingdom targets to reduce the six-gas basket of greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels in the period 2008-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution Scotland will make to the United Kingdom targets to reduce the six-gas basket of greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels in the period 2008-12 as stated in Scottish Climate Change Programme.","AnswerText":"As stated in the Scottish Climate Change Programme (available on the Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/ccm.pdf), the Executive is committed to making an equitable contribution to the UK Kyoto target. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17165 which confirms that separate Scottish targets are not currently practical.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154088,"EventID":"S1W-17433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for consultation on the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission report Charity Scotland through to its response to the Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for consultation on the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission report Charity Scotland through to its response to the Commission.","AnswerText":"The Executive has invited public comment on the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission's recommendations. The consultation period ends on 30 September. The Executive will consider the comments received before preparing a full response to the report. In doing so it will also take account of the wider strategic review of the social economy, which is currently under way.

    It is anticipated that the Executive's response will be published early in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154089,"EventID":"S1W-17434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job title and salary has been given to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job title and salary has been given to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","AnswerText":"The job title of the Scottish Executive appointee (announced on 26 July 2001) to the British Embassy in Washington DC will be First Secretary (Scottish Affairs). Her salary is within the Scottish Executive Band C2 range £38,000-£53,064.

    The duties of the job will include promoting Scotland; providing information about Scotland; liaising with Scottish agencies working in the USA; outreach to Scottish-American organisations; assisting with the organisation of Scottish Executive sponsored events and visits to the USA and assisting with reciprocal visits by Americans to Scotland, and promoting educational, cultural and other exchanges between Scotland and the USA. The First Secretary (Scottish Affairs) will assist in the Embassy's involvement on behalf of the Scottish Executive in Tartan Day celebrations and will liaise with the organisers of Tartan Day events in Washington DC and elsewhere in the United States. She will also liaise with Scottish Parliament officials over visits to the USA by MSPs on official Parliamentary business (including Tartan Day 2002).

    The First Secretary (Scottish Affairs) will be part of the External Relations Division of the Finance and Central Services Department of the Scottish Executive. She will work within the Political and Public Affairs section of the Embassy reporting to the Ambassador on her work on behalf of the Scottish Executive. There are no plans to make a news digest available.

    The value of the post will be assessed after two years. The postholder will be able to utilise the support services of the British Embassy and the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154090,"EventID":"S1W-17435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job remit has been given to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job remit has been given to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154091,"EventID":"S1W-17436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will be directly responsible, both in Scotland and Washingt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will be directly responsible, both in Scotland and Washington DC.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154092,"EventID":"S1W-17437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will be responsible for facilitating (a) the involvement of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will be responsible for facilitating (a) the involvement of MSPs in Tartan Day 2002 and (b) business or cultural contacts between MSPs and US organisations.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154093,"EventID":"S1W-17438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available a monthly news digest summarising the US press coverage resulting directly from the work undertaken by the new Scottish Executive appointee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available a monthly news digest summarising the US press coverage resulting directly from the work undertaken by the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154094,"EventID":"S1W-17439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to monitor the success of the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 and what pla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to monitor the success of the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 and what plans there are to provide additional resources and staffing devoted to enhancing Scotland's profile in the USA.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154095,"EventID":"S1W-17440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will have in the organisation and planning of Tartan Day ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001 will have in the organisation and planning of Tartan Day 2002 and what liaison she will have with the Tartan Day committee.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154096,"EventID":"S1W-17441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) research, (b) administrative, (c) media-related and (d) other support will be available to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washing","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) research, (b) administrative, (c) media-related and (d) other support will be available to the new Scottish Executive appointee to the British Embassy in Washington DC announced on 26 July 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17434.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154097,"EventID":"S1W-17442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in preparing for the move to a single water authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in preparing for the move to a single water authority.","AnswerText":"Following interview processes, Ministers have decided to designate Professor Alan Alexander as the prospective Chair and Dr Jon Hargreaves as the prospective Chief Executive of the proposed new authority, Scottish Water, subject to the successful passage of the forthcoming Water Services Bill. Their appointments will only be confirmed when Parliament approves the passage of the Water Services Bill.

    Professor Alexander is currently Chair of West of Scotland Water. Dr Hargreaves is the Chief Executive of East of Scotland Water.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154098,"EventID":"S1W-17443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fixed site and (b) mobile unit speed cameras it currently funds, calibrates and maintains, broken down by police force area; how much it cost to fund, calib","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fixed site and (b) mobile unit speed cameras it currently funds, calibrates and maintains, broken down by police force area; how much it cost to fund, calibrate and maintain such cameras in 2000-01; how much was raised through fines by these cameras in this period and whether this money is retained by it or passed to HM Treasury.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is responsible for the maintenance for 94 Gatso and 45 loop or sub-surface sensor type speed camera sites on the trunk road network in the following police force areas:

    Site Name

    Local Authority Area

    Abhainn Clais An Eas and allt a'Mhuilinn

    Highland

    Achnahaird

    Highland

    Altnaharra

    Highland

    Ardnamurchan Burns

    Highland

    Ardvar and Loch a'Mhuilinn Woodlands

    Highland

    Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan

    Highland

    Berriedale and Langwell Waters

    Highland

    Borders Woods

    Scottish Borders

    Broubster Leans

    Highland

    Buchan Ness to Collieston

    Aberdeenshire

    Cape Wrath

    Highland

    Carsegowan Moss

    Dumfries & Galloway

    Cawdor Wood

    Highland

    Coille Mhór

    Highland

    Coyles of Muick

    Aberdeenshire

    Craighall Gorge

    Perth & Kinross

    Crieff Woods

    Perth & Kinross

    Dam Wood

    Highland

    Dinnet Oakwood

    Aberdeenshire

    Dogden Moss (Greenlaw Moor)

    Scottish Borders

    Dun Moss and Forest of Alyth Mires

    Perth & Kinross

    East Caithness Cliffs

    Highland

    Central

    7 loop sites

    Dumfries and Galloway

    13 sub-surface sensor sites

    Grampian

    28 Gatso sites

    Lothian and Borders

    45 Gatso sites

    Northern

    10 loop sites

    Tayside

    21 Gatso sites

     

    15 loop sites.

    The police have been supplied with cameras for both types of site. The Executive pays only for the maintenance of 21 cameras for Gatso sites held by Tayside, Grampian and Lothian & Borders police. The Executive does not meet the cost of maintaining any cameras for the sub-surface sensor sites.

    The cost paid by the Executive to maintain these cameras and sites in 2000-01 was £20,040. The cost of operating them is met by the police.

    In addition to these sites and cameras on the trunk road network, local authorities and police forces have cameras and camera sites on local roads.

    Figures are not held for fixed penalties and fine income generated by camera locations on the trunk road network alone. However, across Scotland in 1999, an estimated 51,000 police conditional offers were made for speeding offences which had been automatically detected, of which an estimated 83% were paid, (approximating to £1,705,000). Figures for 2000 are not yet available.

    Local authorities retain a 10% handling charge for fixed penalty notices, the remainder being remitted to the Treasury. In Glasgow, a pilot scheme allows the police and local authority to retain money raised through fixed penalties to fund additional enforcement activity.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154099,"EventID":"S1W-17444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the safety camera project being piloted by Strathclyde Police which allows them to retain the money raised through fixed-penalty speeding fines will be extended ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the safety camera project being piloted by Strathclyde Police which allows them to retain the money raised through fixed-penalty speeding fines will be extended to other police force areas.","AnswerText":"The extension of this project is currently being considered by the police, local authorities and other potential partners, the Executive and the United Kingdom government.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154100,"EventID":"S1W-17445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make any changes to planning procedures comparable to those announced for England by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make any changes to planning procedures comparable to those announced for England by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on 20 July 2001 following the consultation paper, Streamlining the processing of Major Projects Through the Planning System.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to introduce new procedures similar to those announced for England. The Inquiry Procedure Rules that were introduced in 1997 and amended in 1998 have allowed for more prompt and effective handling of planning inquiries in Scotland.

    We continue to develop distinctive Scottish initiatives aimed at streamlining the operation of the planning system, such as the review of strategic planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154101,"EventID":"S1W-17446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11220 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, what action it will take to ensure that health boards which had not complied with the term","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11220 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, what action it will take to ensure that health boards which had not complied with the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors by 1 August 2001 achieve this as soon as possible.","AnswerText":"The New Contract for Doctors in Training implemented on 1 December 2000 requires that NHS Trusts demonstrate clearly that all Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO) posts are fully compliant with the hours limits of the New Deal from 1 August 2001. Information contained within returns due from NHS Trusts at the end of August 2001 will show the level of progress that has been made.

    The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has confirmed to all NHSScotland Trusts that the UK agreement for Doctors in Training does not allow for any discretion in the achievement of PRHO compliance and that postgraduate Deans will be expected to enforce this requirement.

    The New Deal Implementation Support Group (ISG) formed as a partnership between the Scottish Executive Health Department and the Scottish Junior Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association continues to provide support to Trusts at local level in resolving issues of non-compliance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154102,"EventID":"S1W-17447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11219 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it intends to penalise those health boards which had not complied with the terms o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11219 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it intends to penalise those health boards which had not complied with the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors by 1 August 2001.","AnswerText":"I indicated in my answer to question S1W-11219 that incentives to secure compliance with the New Deal have been incorporated into the New Contract for Doctors in Training introduced on 1 December 2000. These take the form of incremental pay band multipliers which reward the most hard pressed junior doctors and financially penalise trusts that fail to take the necessary steps to reduce hours of work.

    I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17446 regarding the steps that are to be taken in respect of Pre-Registration House Officers (PRHO) posts deemed non-compliant in August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154103,"EventID":"S1W-17448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11220 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it will make additional funding available to health boards to ensure that the term","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11220 by Susan Deacon on 9 January 2001, whether it will make additional funding available to health boards to ensure that the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors are complied with.","AnswerText":"On 27 April 2001 I announced funding for an additional 375 junior doctors. This followed my announcement of 100 extra junior doctors on 28 June 2000. These will be targeted at areas with an identified need for additional resources.

    In 2001-02 health boards received an average increase in unified budgets of 6.5%, which represents a cash increase of over £270 million. In addition, boards are to receive average increases of 6.5% and 7.4% in 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively. It is the responsibility of health boards to determine local priorities for the use of these funds including meeting the targets and standards of the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154104,"EventID":"S1W-17449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set a new target date by which all health boards must comply with the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set a new target date by which all health boards must comply with the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","AnswerText":"No. The New Contract for Doctors in Training was introduced in December 2000. This requires that from 1 August 2001 all Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO) posts and from 1 August 2003 all Senior House Officer (SHO) and Specialist Registrar (SpR) posts must fully comply with the hours limits of the New Deal. Trusts which fail to meet this requirement will be in breach of contract.

    The New Deal Implementation Support Group (ISG), formed as a partnership between the Scottish Executive Health Department and the Scottish Junior Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association, continues to provide support to trusts at local level in resolving issues of non-compliance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154105,"EventID":"S1W-17450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to health boards to cover the cost of legal fees in the event that they are sued by junior doctors for non-compliance wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to health boards to cover the cost of legal fees in the event that they are sued by junior doctors for non-compliance with the terms of the New Deal for Junior Doctors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17446 which confirms that postgraduate deans will be expected to enforce the requirement that all Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO) posts comply with the hours and rest requirements of the New Deal from 1 August 2001. This will mean PRHO posts deemed non-compliant will be withdrawn from service delivery. Arrangements on the procedures for doing so will be subject to local discussion and negotiation between NHSScotland trusts and postgraduate deans.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154106,"EventID":"S1W-17451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which groups of NHS staff are routinely expected to work outwith the terms of their contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which groups of NHS staff are routinely expected to work outwith the terms of their contracts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) expects all employers locally to work within current employment and health and safety legislation. Compliance with contracted hours is a matter for individual Trust employers and is not information that is held centrally by SEHD.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154107,"EventID":"S1W-17452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Scotland's Freshwater ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Scotland's Freshwater Fish and Fisheries: Securing their future.","AnswerText":"The total cost to date, including design, printing, placing on the Executive website, distribution and launch, is £1,800.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154108,"EventID":"S1W-17453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14996 by Allan Wilson on 18 May 2001, how much financial assistance was given to the 2008 European nations football championship fe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14996 by Allan Wilson on 18 May 2001, how much financial assistance was given to the 2008 European nations football championship feasibility study by Scottish Enterprise, visitscotland, sportscotland and UK Sport.","AnswerText":"The financial assistance given to support the 2008 European Nations Football Championships feasibility study was as follows:

    Scottish Enterprise

    £15,000

    sportscotland

    £5,000

    visitscotland

    £5,000

    UK Sport

    £5,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154109,"EventID":"S1W-17454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent directions and guidance it has given to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the east coast main line franchise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent directions and guidance it has given to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the east coast main line franchise.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17492 on 28 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154110,"EventID":"S1W-17455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what transport infrastructure improvements are planned in the event of any bid for the 2008 European nations football championship being successful, outlining the expecte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what transport infrastructure improvements are planned in the event of any bid for the 2008 European nations football championship being successful, outlining the expected cost and timescale of each such project.","AnswerText":"No transport infrastructure improvements are planned at present. The Executive is presently considering the infrastructure issues raised by the outline stadia proposals for 2008 received by the Scottish Football Association from Scottish football clubs.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154111,"EventID":"S1W-17456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what infrastructure improvements will be made to the rail network between now and May 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what infrastructure improvements will be made to the rail network between now and May 2003.","AnswerText":"13 rail related projects have been supported by the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund, and Freight Facilities Grants have been awarded to eight schemes which involve rail freight. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has supported Edinburgh Crossrail through the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund, which has also contributed to funding for the re-opening of Beauly station.

    On 27 August I announced that the Scottish Executive is taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail route project in partnership with Strathclyde Passenger Transport.

    The SRA's Incremental Outputs Statement (IOS) Programmes will deliver network-wide infrastructure improvements. These include improvements at 40 stations initially throughout Scotland, and track and signalling projects planned in Fife, West Lothian and Ayrshire. Work on site is expected to start during the course of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154112,"EventID":"S1W-17457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether rail freight capacity on the west coast main line is sufficient to enable its targets on moving freight from road to rail to be met and what directions and guidan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether rail freight capacity on the west coast main line is sufficient to enable its targets on moving freight from road to rail to be met and what directions and guidance it will give to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding an increase in freight capacity, particularly in view of increased speed and reduced journey times of some freight trains.","AnswerText":"The development of rail freight is a reserved matter and as such is the responsibility of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). However, in April, the Scottish Executive commissioned consultants to carry out a study to take a strategic view of the potential for developing sustainable freight movements across the whole of Scotland. This will enable prioritisation of investment projects aimed at promoting a shift to sustainable modes, such as rail, inland waterway or sea. The outcome of this study will assist our discussions with the SRA when it draws up the Freight Strategy for Scotland as part of its GB Freight Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154113,"EventID":"S1W-17458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with English, Welsh and Scottish Railway and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire with regard to expanding the Eurocentral rail freight facilities","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with English, Welsh and Scottish Railway and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire with regard to expanding the Eurocentral rail freight facilities; what contribution such an expansion could make to its targets for moving freight from road to rail, and what representations it intends to make to the Strategic Rail Authority on this matter.","AnswerText":"No approach has been made to the Scottish Executive by either English Welsh (EWS) and Scottish Railways or Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire (SEL) about the expansion of rail freight facilities at the Eurocentral terminal. However, I understand that discussions are on-going between EWS and SEL on the development of Eurocentral.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154114,"EventID":"S1W-17459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which rail freight infrastructure schemes, excluding projects receiving track access or freight facilities grants, it wishes the Strategic Rail Authority to take forward ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which rail freight infrastructure schemes, excluding projects receiving track access or freight facilities grants, it wishes the Strategic Rail Authority to take forward in order to develop rail freight over the next 10 years and what other policies it has in place to develop rail freight.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17457 on 28 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154115,"EventID":"S1W-17460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers, excluding the use of track access and freight facilities grants, it has to encourage the Strategic Rail Authority to develop the rail infrastructure for rail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers, excluding the use of track access and freight facilities grants, it has to encourage the Strategic Rail Authority to develop the rail infrastructure for rail freight.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-17457.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154116,"EventID":"S1W-17461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources have been or will be made available to market Scotland as a tourist destination in (a) Zeebrugge and (b) Belgium in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources have been or will be made available to market Scotland as a tourist destination in (a) Zeebrugge and (b) Belgium in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The funding resources available to VisitScotland has been almost doubled since February 2000. It is for VisitScotland to decide its marketing priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154117,"EventID":"S1W-17462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget will be allocated to the marketing of Scotland as a tourist destination in Belgium and the Netherlands between now and May 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget will be allocated to the marketing of Scotland as a tourist destination in Belgium and the Netherlands between now and May 2002.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for VisitScotland. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154118,"EventID":"S1W-17463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategy exists, in connection with the marketing of Scotland as a tourist destination, to promote Robert Burns abroad; which organisations and individuals have bee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategy exists, in connection with the marketing of Scotland as a tourist destination, to promote Robert Burns abroad; which organisations and individuals have been involved in formulating any such strategy; what action has been taken in support of any such strategy, and what budget is made available annually to support any such strategy, detailing the amount spent in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and in 2001-02 to date","AnswerText":"The Executive is considering how best to develop a programme of events which, as part of the wider Scottish Tourism Strategy, will raise the profile and understanding of Burns both at home and abroad. We are currently consulting with a wide range of bodies local authorities, enterprise, cultural and tourism bodies as to how the Executive might contribute to their existing plans. Financial information is not available in the form requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154119,"EventID":"S1W-17464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training it has given its staff in the development of sustainability policies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training it has given its staff in the development of sustainability policies.","AnswerText":"A wide range of training opportunities are made available to Scottish Executive staff to ensure that they have the skills to enable them to support ministers in delivering the policy priorities of the Scottish Executive, including sustainable development.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154120,"EventID":"S1W-17465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training it plans to introduce to ensure that its staff have the necessary skills to ensure that sustainability issues are mainstreamed into the development of all i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training it plans to introduce to ensure that its staff have the necessary skills to ensure that sustainability issues are mainstreamed into the development of all its policies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17464.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154121,"EventID":"S1W-17466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to carry out a national environmental audit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to carry out a national environmental audit.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to carry out a Scottish environmental audit. From time to time the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage produce reports on various aspects of the Scottish environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154122,"EventID":"S1W-17467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to introduce an environmental action plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to introduce an environmental action plan.","AnswerText":"Working together for Scotland sets out the Scottish Executive's plans for sustainable development and the environment. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154123,"EventID":"S1W-17468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address any national shortage of consultant radiologists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address any national shortage of consultant radiologists.","AnswerText":"The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments. In March 2001 the specialist registrar establishment for radiology was increased from 76 to 88, meaning that the total number of specialist training posts in radiology has risen by almost 16% in the last year.

    We will consider whether further posts should be part of the targeted increase of 375 junior doctors for future years which I announced on 2 of April 2001. As I announced on 20 of June, Professor John Temple is chairing the fundamental review of workforce planning which was a commitment in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. This review will consider the many complex areas surrounding the supply of trained doctors to NHSScotland.

    Information from ISD Scotland for 30 of September 2000, which is the latest available, indicates that there were 16 consultant vacancies and no staff grade vacancies in the specialty of radiology, a reduction from 18 vacancies in the previous year. Vacancy data is collected for consultant and staff grades only. Information on waiting lists and waiting times for radiology is not currently available centrally, but we are testing how such information might be collected.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154124,"EventID":"S1W-17469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many radiology posts at all levels are currently vacant.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many radiology posts at all levels are currently vacant.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer to question S1W-17468.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154125,"EventID":"S1W-17470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how any national shortage of radiologists is affecting the relevant waiting times and waiting lists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how any national shortage of radiologists is affecting the relevant waiting times and waiting lists.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer to question S1W-17468.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154126,"EventID":"S1W-17471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for an ultrasound examination in each acute NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for an ultrasound examination in each acute NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154127,"EventID":"S1W-17472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to protect cancer patients from hospital-acquired infections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to protect cancer patients from hospital-acquired infections.","AnswerText":"Current infection control measures, plus the further steps announced on 6 August to establish standards and check compliance with them, will help protect cancer patients along with all NHS patients in Scotland. The measures I announced include a mandatory surveillance system to monitor key infections at local and national level, together with funding to increase the number of infection control nurses being trained.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154128,"EventID":"S1W-17473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all previously issued guidelines on infection control in hospitals have been fully implemented in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all previously issued guidelines on infection control in hospitals have been fully implemented in the NHS.","AnswerText":"NHS Trusts must ensure that they have adequate infection control arrangements in place, based on comprehensive guidance provided by the Health Department. I have recently outlined steps to establish new standards for infection control and compliance checking arrangements, to be overseen by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154129,"EventID":"S1W-17474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring the implementation of infection control teams in the NHS and, if so, when it will publish a report of its findings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring the implementation of infection control teams in the NHS and, if so, when it will publish a report of its findings.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland has infection control teams in place in all health board areas - I refer to the answer to question S1W-15462 on 14 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154130,"EventID":"S1W-17475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent infection control nurses there are per bed in each NHS hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent infection control nurses there are per bed in each NHS hospital.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154131,"EventID":"S1W-17476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a national database and standardised procedures for the collection and monitoring of data on infections caused by gram-positive bacteria.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a national database and standardised procedures for the collection and monitoring of data on infections caused by gram-positive bacteria.","AnswerText":"Dedicated systems of surveillance (with national databases) are either already in place or are being developed for infections caused by three gram positive organisms:

    • surveillance of MRSA, in line with my announcement of the Executive's response to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Infection on 6 August;
    • surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, which has been introduced to monitor the impact of new vaccines;

    enhanced surveillance of Mycobacter tuberculosis, which has been introduced to monitor the emergence of multiple resistance to antibiotics.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154132,"EventID":"S1W-17477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a clear and unambiguous definition of hospital-acquired infection for use by all NHS trusts is now in place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a clear and unambiguous definition of hospital-acquired infection for use by all NHS trusts is now in place.","AnswerText":"The recent report A framework for national surveillance of hospital acquired infection sets out the details of the new system to collect standardised, comparable data on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Scotland. The report, which has been disseminated to NHS Scotland, provides a standard definition of HAI which will form the basis for collection of data in the new national system.

    The report is available at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd. A copy has been placed in the Parliament's reference centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154133,"EventID":"S1W-17478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has commissioned on airport rail links; when any such studies (a) were commissioned and (b) will report, and what the cost will be of any such studies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has commissioned on airport rail links; when any such studies (a) were commissioned and (b) will report, and what the cost will be of any such studies.","AnswerText":"In August 2000, the Scottish Executive, the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the then Shadow Strategic Rail Authority jointly commissioned Booze, Allen and Hamilton to carry out an indicative financial and economic feasibility study to look at potential rail options for rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Booze, Allen and Hamilton produced their final report in March 2001.

    As I indicated in my answers to questions S1W-17421 and S1W-17422, the Scottish Executive is in the process of commissioning a more detailed study which will build on the initial scoping work carried out by Booze, Allen and Hamilton. The study is expected to take about eight months to complete.

    The cost of these studies is commercially restricted information.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154134,"EventID":"S1W-17479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the long-term implications are of the continuing decline in the Scottish birth rate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the long-term implications are of the continuing decline in the Scottish birth rate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish birth rate has been declining since 1960. This general trend is in line with the pattern in most other advanced industrial countries, although the birth rate in Scotland has declined more significantly than the rate for the UK as a whole. Actuarial predictions suggest that the Scottish birth rate will remain fairly constant over the next 20 years. As with any demographic trend, there will be a range of implications from the fall in the Scottish birth rate.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154135,"EventID":"S1W-17480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish birth rate is continuing to decline year on year; whether it is possible to reverse this trend; if so, whether it would be desirable to do so and, if so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish birth rate is continuing to decline year on year; whether it is possible to reverse this trend; if so, whether it would be desirable to do so and, if so, what steps it will take to achieve this.","AnswerText":"The birth rate in Scotland has been declining for a number of years, from 19.2 per 1,000 in 1960 to 10.4 per 1,000 in 2000 (figures from GRO Scotland), although it is predicted that the rate will remain fairly constant up to 2021. The birth rate has fallen over the same period across almost every advanced industrialised country as people exercise their private and personal choices over family sizes. The Scottish Executive does not consider it feasible or desirable to attempt to influence this trend.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154136,"EventID":"S1W-17481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) males and (b) females smoked in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) males and (b) females smoked in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The table shows the percentage of adults aged between 16-64 years who were regular cigarette smokers in 1995 and 1998. These data are from the Scottish Health Survey, which is carried out periodically and is used as the source for monitoring progress against the smoking reduction target set in Towards a Healthier Scotland. The next Scottish Health Survey is scheduled for 2002 and should be published in 2004.

    Year

    Males

    Females

    Total

    1995

    34%

    36%

    35%

    1998

    36%

    33%

    34%

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154137,"EventID":"S1W-17482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) male and (b) female schoolchildren smoked in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) male and (b) female schoolchildren smoked in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The table shows the percentage of 12-15 year olds who were regular smokers.

    Year

    Males

    Females

    Total

    1992

    10%

    13%

    11%

    1994

    11%

    13%

    12%

    1996

    14%

    14%

    14%

    1998

    11%

    13%

    12%

    2000

    8%

    13%

    10%

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154138,"EventID":"S1W-17483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes to ensure that the water authorities secure best value in their public works contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes to ensure that the water authorities secure best value in their public works contracts.","AnswerText":"The authorities are expected to take their decisions on expenditure with due regard to the principles of government accounting concerning the regularity, propriety and economy, efficiency and effectiveness of their proposals. Given the number of projects undertaken at any one time by the authorities, it would not be appropriate for the Executive to monitor each of these on an individual basis. Projects exceeding the delegated authority are required to be submitted to the Executive for approval.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154139,"EventID":"S1W-17484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to the water authorities to ensure that best value is obtained in their public works contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to the water authorities to ensure that best value is obtained in their public works contracts.","AnswerText":"Guidance to ensure that best value is obtained in contracts has been issued to the three water authorities. It is issued in the context of the Financial and Management Memorandum and Scottish Executive Finance Guidance notes. This guidance is reviewed periodically.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154140,"EventID":"S1W-17485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of different public works contract procedures used by the water authorities; what plans it has to review these procedures to ensure best pra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of different public works contract procedures used by the water authorities; what plans it has to review these procedures to ensure best practice, and whether it will issue guidance to introduce common practices across the authorities.","AnswerText":"As I mentioned in my answers to questions S1W-17483 and S1W-17484, water authorities are expected to take their decisions on expenditure with due regard to the principles of government accounting concerning the regularity, propriety and economy, efficiency and effectiveness of their proposals. It is for the water authorities to establish the best means of securing this.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154141,"EventID":"S1W-17486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to the proposed new single water authority on public works contracting procedures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to issue guidance to the proposed new single water authority on public works contracting procedures.","AnswerText":"Guidance is currently being prepared for Scottish Water. It will include, amongst other subjects that establish how the new authority will be run, guidance to ensure that decisions on expenditure are taken with due regard to the principles of government accounting concerning the regularity, propriety and economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154142,"EventID":"S1W-17487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in respect of which sites and locations it has received advice from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in respect of which sites and locations it has received advice from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) has issued a number of reports on a wide range of radioactive waste management issues containing advice to ministers. These can be found at:

    www.defra.gov.uk/rwmac/reports.htm

    In addition, RWMAC responds to consultations carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on proposals by operators for the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear licensed sites. The Scottish Executive is made aware of RWMAC's views in such cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154143,"EventID":"S1W-17488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee on the Rosyth and Dalgety Bay areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee on the Rosyth and Dalgety Bay areas.","AnswerText":"The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) submits advice to ministers on a wide range of radioactive waste management issues. The formal reports containing such advice can be found at:

    www.defra.gov.uk/rwmac/reports.htm

    The recently published RWMAC Report on Ministry of Defence Radioactive Waste Practices contains RWMAC's comments on a number of sites including Rosyth.

    The Scottish ministers have received no advice from RWMAC about Dalgety Bay.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154144,"EventID":"S1W-17489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify any areas where inadequate legislation has been identified under EC directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify any areas where inadequate legislation has been identified under EC directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora; whether it will detail any representations made by the European Commission to Her Majesty's Government on this matter; what the implications are for Scotland of any such representations; what action it plans to take to ensure compliance with the directive, and what its timetable is for any such action.","AnswerText":"The United Kingdom Government has received a Reasoned Opinion from the European Commission, alleging shortcomings in the regulations which implement the Habitats Directive in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. The UK Government is currently considering with the devolved administrations what response should be made to the Reasoned Opinion.

    The details of legal proceedings between the Commission and member states are confidential.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154145,"EventID":"S1W-17490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it gives to general practitioners regarding the prescription of potassium supplements to elderly people taking diuretics on a long-term basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it gives to general practitioners regarding the prescription of potassium supplements to elderly people taking diuretics on a long-term basis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has not issued formal guidance to general practitioners regarding prescription of potassium supplements to elderly people taking diuretics on a long-term basis as this is essentially a clinical decision dependent on the specific diagnosis, the clinical condition of the patient, concurrent treatment or drug therapies and the clinical assessment of the patient by their general practitioner.

    General advice on the long-term use of potassium supplements for elderly people taking diuretics on a long-term basis, is provided by a number of authoritative bodies including the British National Formulary (BNF); Scottish Medicines Resource Centre (SMRC); the Audit Commission Report entitled Supporting Prescribing in General Practice, and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) publication Number 35 on Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Failure due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and 49 on Treatment of Hypertension in Older People.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154146,"EventID":"S1W-17491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for the marketing in Ireland of Scotland as a holiday destination for summer, autumn and winter 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for the marketing in Ireland of Scotland as a holiday destination for summer, autumn and winter 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for VisitScotland. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154147,"EventID":"S1W-17492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it, the Strategic Rail Authority and Her Majesty's Government regarding the two-year extension to the existing GNER franchise for the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it, the Strategic Rail Authority and Her Majesty's Government regarding the two-year extension to the existing GNER franchise for the east coast main line.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of matters, including cross-border franchises.

    Under the Transport Act 2000, the Scottish ministers can give statutory Advice to the Strategic Rail Authority on cross-border franchises. They will do so in relation to the forthcoming negotiations on the East Coast Main Line franchise. Before the enactment of that Act, the Scottish ministers gave non-statutory advice to the SRA on the franchise in June 2000 (question S1W-8248).","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154148,"EventID":"S1W-17493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what infrastructure improvements are specified or anticipated to take place on the east coast main line within Scotland during the period of the two-year extension to the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what infrastructure improvements are specified or anticipated to take place on the east coast main line within Scotland during the period of the two-year extension to the GNER franchise.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Rail Authority envisage that benefits during the two-year extension to the GNER franchise will concentrate on better performance, rolling stock and passenger facilities throughout the East Coast Main Line.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154149,"EventID":"S1W-17494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a two-year extension of the GNER franchise for the east coast main line is in the best interests of Scotland and what the reasons are for its position on this mat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a two-year extension of the GNER franchise for the east coast main line is in the best interests of Scotland and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-17492.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154150,"EventID":"S1W-17495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to market Scotland in Ireland as a holiday destination in view of increased flights and reduced fares between them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to market Scotland in Ireland as a holiday destination in view of increased flights and reduced fares between them.","AnswerText":"The funding available to VisitScotland has been almost doubled since February 2000. It is for VisitScotland to decide its marketing priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154151,"EventID":"S1W-17496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to the City of Edinburgh Council for an alternative strategy to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme; when any such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to the City of Edinburgh Council for an alternative strategy to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme; when any such resources will be available, and whether any special conditions will be attached in respect of any such resources.","AnswerText":"The City of Edinburgh Council has applied for funding for part of its alternative strategy to the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme from the fourth round of the Public Transport Fund.

    I expect to make announcements on all bids to this round of the Public Transport Fund by the end of October.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154152,"EventID":"S1W-17497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources have been or will be made available to assist in the creation of a direct air link from Edinburgh to the USA.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources have been or will be made available to assist in the creation of a direct air link from Edinburgh to the USA.","AnswerText":"No additional resources are being made available by the Scottish Executive for the establishment of any direct air service between Edinburgh and the USA. However, a meeting was held with visitscotland and Scottish Enterprise on 3 August to agree a package which might secure a Continental Airlines' service between New York (Newark) and Edinburgh. Negotiations are progressing and a decision is expected from Continental within the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154153,"EventID":"S1W-17498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ever written to any Scottish football clubs asking whether they would consider leasing land to telecommunications companies for the purpose of erecting te","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ever written to any Scottish football clubs asking whether they would consider leasing land to telecommunications companies for the purpose of erecting telecommunications masts.","AnswerText":"No. The location of telecommunications apparatus is a matter in the first instance for the telecommunication companies, in line with their operational requirements. Their decisions on location are, of course, subject to the new planning controls.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154154,"EventID":"S1W-17499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what areas fisheries research vessels have been working in each week since 1 January 2001 and what assessments of fish stocks have been made as a result of such resea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what areas fisheries research vessels have been working in each week since 1 January 2001 and what assessments of fish stocks have been made as a result of such research.","AnswerText":"I have asked Professor Hawkins, Chief Executive of Fisheries Research Services to respond. His response is as follows:

    A summary of the activities of the two fisheries research vessels, Scotia and Clupea, is provided in the table. The output from the stock survey cruises, when combined with additional information from sampling at fish markets and surveys of discards on commercial vessels, provides the Scottish input to internationally co-ordinated assessment work by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. Recent assessments of particular relevance to Scotland are:

    Herring Assessment Working Group for the Area South of 62ºN 13-22 March 2001

    Working Group on Nephrops Stocks 3-11 April 2001

    Working Group on the Assessment of Demersal Stocks in the North Sea 19-28 June 2001

    and Skagerrak

    Working Group on the Assessment of Northern Shelf Demersal Stocks 14-23 August 2001

    Date

    Area

    Task

    Scotia

    5-14 January

    Firth of Forth, Firth of Tay, Moray Firth, Minches, Firth of Clyde, Solway Firth

    Sampling of water, bottom sediments and fish to assess the biological effects of pollutants

    18 January - 6 February

    North Sea - Firth of Forth to Shetland

    International trawling survey to assess the brood strengths of juvenile demersal fish stocks

    7 - 24 February

    N/A

    Annual refit

    25 February - 13 March

    North coast of Scotland, Minches, Outer Hebrides to 10° degrees W., North West of Ireland, Irish Sea

    International trawling survey to assess the brood strength of juvenile demersal fish stocks.

    17-28 March

    Statfjord oilfield, site midway between Shetland & Norway, site in German Bight, two sites between German Bight and Aberdeen.

    Sampling of water, plankton and fish, to assess the biological effects of pollutants.

    2-6 April

    Aberdeen Bay, Moray Firth, North Coast of Scotland

    Development of new sampling equipment, calibration of sonar systems.

    10 April - 1 May

    North of Scotland, Hebrides, West of Ireland, Celtic Sea

    International triennial mackerel egg survey --aimed at providing a spawning stock estimate for mackerel.

    4-18 May

    Northern North Sea, Faroe-Shetland Channel

    Hydrographic surveys and servicing of current meter/tide gauge moorings to investigate ocean climate change.

    19-23 May

    Firth of Forth, Moray Firth, East of Orkney

    Sampling of fish for evidence of disease and to assess the biological effects of hydrocarbons.

    7-29 June

    Fladen, Noup, North Minch

    Estimation of the distribution and abundance of Nephrops and to derive stock assessments for these areas.

    3-23 JulyHowever, the main cause of flooding at this location is considered to be due to upstream problems with local watercourses which are the responsibility of Inverclyde Council. The Executive is contributing to a study by Inverclyde Council into alleviation measures to deal with flooding problems.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154157,"EventID":"S1W-17502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16757 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, how and by whom the UK representatives on the EU Social Protection Committee will be informe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16757 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, how and by whom the UK representatives on the EU Social Protection Committee will be informed of Scottish Executive interests; what these interests are, and how these interests will be conveyed to the committee if these interests do not concur with those of the UK.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for liaison between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive on EU issues are set out in the Concordat on co-ordination of EU policy issues. Discussions with the UK Government on issues of interest to the Scottish Executive are normally conducted on a confidential basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154158,"EventID":"S1W-17503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority spent on improvement and repair grants for private sector houses in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and how much each is expected to spend in 2001-02,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority spent on improvement and repair grants for private sector houses in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and how much each is expected to spend in 2001-02, giving the figures in real terms in each case.","AnswerText":"The following table sets out actual expenditure by local authorities on improvement and repairs grants for private sector houses for 1999-2000. Figures are not available for expenditure in 2000-01 or for the local authorities estimated expenditure in 2001-02. Real terms figures can be calculated by applying the Treasury deflators (currently 2.5%) in the normal way.

    Local authority

    Expenditure (£000)

    Aberdeen City

    1,907

    Aberdeenshire

    388

    Angus

    506

    Argyll and Bute

    1,779

    Clackmannanshire

    267

    Dumfries & Galloway

    621

    Dundee City

    1,646

    East Ayrshire

    235

    East Dunbartonshire

    150

    East Lothian

    604

    East Renfrewshire

    151

    Edinburgh, City of

    2,848

    Eilean Siar

    3,461

    Falkirk

    495

    Fife

    419

    Glasgow City

    6,932

    Highland

    4,314

    Inverclyde

    489

    Midlothian

    53

    Moray

    557

    North Ayrshire

    767

    North Lanarkshire

    1,689

    Orkney Islands

    1,408

    Perth and Kinross

    1,083

    Renfrewshire

    1,879

    Scottish Borders

    947

    Shetland Islands

    320

    South Ayrshire

    310

    South Lanarkshire

    3,500

    Stirling

    Smoking Kills, the Executive is providing £8 million over three years for smoking cessation and prevention activities. This supports a range of initiatives including health board cessation services. Other Executive initiatives prior to July 2001 included the launch of the Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places, a review by the Lord Advocate of guidance on the use of children in test purchasing exercises, and support of pilot youth card schemes in Glasgow and Angus. Delivery of health education and promotion activities through Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) includes mass media advertising - for example the successful Blue sticks and Stinx campaigns and Smokeline.

    We have also made NRT and Zyban available on prescription and targeted a proportion of the Health Improvement Fund to enable a stepping up of smoking cessation and prevention activities.

    1 August 2001 onwards

    The Executive will continue to provide funding support for smoking cessation services and to HEBS for health education and promotion activities. Specific measures include the recently launched anti-smoking advertising campaign (Alien) targeted at young people, and further development of Smokeline to provide services to pregnant smokers and ethnic minority groups. A smoking cessation resource pack for health professionals, the development of health education and smoking cessation services for school-age children and a campaign to raise awareness of the risks of passive smoking are also in preparation. We will also continue to look at ways to improve enforcement of underage sales of tobacco. We will continue to support the activities of ASH Scotland. The Executive will continue to press the UK Government for the early reintroduction of a UK Bill to ban tobacco advertising and promotion.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154160,"EventID":"S1W-17505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any response it has made to Her Majesty's Government review of UK energy requirements as set out in En","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any response it has made to Her Majesty's Government review of UK energy requirements as set out in Energy Projections for the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive submission to the Energy Review is under preparation and will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre when it is issued to the Cabinet Office.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154161,"EventID":"S1W-17507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases under consideration by procurator fiscals offices were marked \"no proceedings\" due to a lack of resources in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases under consideration by procurator fiscals offices were marked \"no proceedings\" due to a lack of resources in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The following number of cases were marked \"no proceedings\" due to Procurator Fiscal staff shortages:

    1998-99

    Elgin 3

    Kirkcaldy 88

    Paisley 6

    1999-2000

    Elgin 1

    Kilmarnock 2

    2000-01

    Peebles 1

    No other cases were marked \"no proceedings\" on grounds relating to the resources of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154162,"EventID":"S1W-17508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage the proposal to construct an underpass at the Sheriffhall roundabout on the A720 Edinburgh city bypass is at and what its policy is in respect of this.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage the proposal to construct an underpass at the Sheriffhall roundabout on the A720 Edinburgh city bypass is at and what its policy is in respect of this.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to construct an underpass at the Sheriffhall Roundabout.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154163,"EventID":"S1W-17509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in considering proposals to reopen the Waverley line.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in considering proposals to reopen the Waverley line.","AnswerText":"Scottish Borders Council has appointed consultant Turner & Townsend to lead the project towards its next major stage. This is to seek parliamentary approval for the promotion, construction and reopening of the line to the central Scottish Borders.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154164,"EventID":"S1W-17510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients from each hospital in each health board area have been sent to a different hospital for a CT scan during the last year due to the non-availability of a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients from each hospital in each health board area have been sent to a different hospital for a CT scan during the last year due to the non-availability of a CT scanner through staffing constraints.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154165,"EventID":"S1W-17511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16943 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 August 2001, what measures it has taken to ensure, without causing unnecessary alarm, that groups know","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16943 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 August 2001, what measures it has taken to ensure, without causing unnecessary alarm, that groups known to be at risk from Gordon Johnstone, particularly the vulnerable elderly, are aware that he has not been recaptured since he absconded in July 2001 and that he should not be approached.","AnswerText":"Lothian and Borders Police have the lead responsibility for the recapture of Gordon Johnstone. We understand that the main approach used to inform the public has been through the media. Extensive information has been provided, highlighting the groups that might be at particular risk, including the elderly, coupled with warnings not to approach him.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154166,"EventID":"S1W-17512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16943 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 August 2001, whether it will place copies of the protocol on the release of information to the media a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16943 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 August 2001, whether it will place copies of the protocol on the release of information to the media about escaped or absconding prisoners in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    Yes. I am placing a copy of the media protocol agreed by ACPOS and SPS in the Parliament's Reference centre (Bib. no. 15579).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154167,"EventID":"S1W-17513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the children enrolled for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area for academic session 2001-02 have a Record of Needs and what each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the children enrolled for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area for academic session 2001-02 have a Record of Needs and what each of these figures represents as a percentage of the total number of pupils in the relevant sector in each area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available at this time. The annual School Census in September 2001 will collect information about school pupils for 2001-02, the results of which will be published in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154168,"EventID":"S1W-17514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the children enrolled for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area for academic session 2001-02 have special educational needs and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the children enrolled for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area for academic session 2001-02 have special educational needs and what each of these figures represents as a percentage of the total number of pupils in the relevant sector in each area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available at this time. The annual School Census in September 2001 will collect information about school pupils for 2001-02, the results of which will be published in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154169,"EventID":"S1W-17515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16697 by Ross Finnie on 9 August 2001, whether it will work with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the test that is used in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16697 by Ross Finnie on 9 August 2001, whether it will work with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the test that is used in the UK to examine compound animal feedstuffs for the presence of mammalian protein is validated to the satisfaction of EU requirements as soon as possible.","AnswerText":"The Executive is working with the UK Government to ensure that this important task is completed at the earliest possible opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154170,"EventID":"S1W-17516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give its official response to the aid package proposals for the Arbroath area submitted in January 2001 by Angus Council and other groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give its official response to the aid package proposals for the Arbroath area submitted in January 2001 by Angus Council and other groups.","AnswerText":"The First Minister responded to Angus Council and partners concerning the Arbroath Aid Package proposals in his letter of 11 May 2001. In addition I myself wrote to the council and to Scottish Enterprise Tayside about the Arbroath Aid Package proposals on 13 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154171,"EventID":"S1W-17517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE1865/2001 of 10 August 2001, whether it plans to transfer all of the staff from its Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in St","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE1865/2001 of 10 August 2001, whether it plans to transfer all of the staff from its Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in Stirling to the new office in Perth.","AnswerText":"Other than those transferring to other offices for reasons unrelated to this rationalisation, all existing staff in the Stirling office will be given the opportunity to transfer to the new office in Perth.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154172,"EventID":"S1W-17518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE1865/2001 of 10 August 2001, what the financial benefits will be of the closure of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE1865/2001 of 10 August 2001, what the financial benefits will be of the closure of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in Stirling.","AnswerText":"A number of options were considered and closing the Stirling, Dundee and Forfar offices and centralising functions in a new building at Perth was the most attractive. As well as being most efficient from an operational point of view, it will save around £100,000 in annual running costs, compared to not closing the Stirling office.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154173,"EventID":"S1W-17519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for it, Scottish farmers, rural communities and others in Scotland to give evidence to and participate in the inquiries into the foot-and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for it, Scottish farmers, rural communities and others in Scotland to give evidence to and participate in the inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak announced by Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"It will be for those taking forward each of the inquiries to determine who will be invited to provide evidence and information. One would expect a wide range of views to be sought but with variations in participation depending upon the remit of each inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154174,"EventID":"S1W-17520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it had in setting the terms of reference of the inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak announced by Her Majesty's Government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it had in setting the terms of reference of the inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak announced by Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been involved from the early stages of discussion about what format and direction post-FMD inquiries might take. The Executive has been fully consulted on the terms of reference for the Lessons Learned Review and the Royal Society Inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154175,"EventID":"S1W-17521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up a separate public review of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland in addition to the inquir","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up a separate public review of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland in addition to the inquiries announced by Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to set up a separate review of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland given the series of inquiries already announced, including a fully independent study by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154176,"EventID":"S1W-17522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking at a national level to advertise to potential students the merits of courses at further education colleges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking at a national level to advertise to potential students the merits of courses at further education colleges.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has taken several measures at national level which will have the effect of encouraging take-up of further education. These include the development of an all-age careers service and the establishment of the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI). SUfI, through its learndirect branded services, promotes a range of routes to lifelong learning in the national press and broadcasting media.

    Scotland's 46 further education colleges are autonomous bodies with a statutory responsibility for meeting local demand needs. These diverse needs are met by offering a large number of courses at different levels, in different modes (full-time and part-time), in a wide range of subjects. It is for colleges to advertise their prospectuses within the communities which they serve.

    Participation data for 1999-2000 shows that there were 434,435 enrolments in further education, in both colleges and higher education institutions, an increase of some 3% over the previous year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154177,"EventID":"S1W-17523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any skills shortages in the building industry in the light of current requirements and any increased demand which may result from housi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any skills shortages in the building industry in the light of current requirements and any increased demand which may result from housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"In January 2001 the Scottish Executive commissioned research designed to help maximise employment opportunities from housing stock transfer. The research will establish where construction skills gaps exist and what might be done to address them. A report is expected in September 2001 after which the Executive will consider the findings. The Executive maintains dialogue with the construction industry on skills and other issues through regular meetings with the Scottish Construction Industry Group. The group will be consulted on the research findings and appropriate action in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154178,"EventID":"S1W-17524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on continuing action to improve the delivery of the National Qualifications system and on its review of the future status of the Scottis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on continuing action to improve the delivery of the National Qualifications system and on its review of the future status of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerText":"I have today written to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and I will lodge a copy of my letter with the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    I am grateful to all the staff at SQA and everybody throughout Scottish education for the hard work and commitment that have enabled us to secure effective delivery of certification. It is important that work continues on the completion of this year's diet, and in particular the conduct of the appeals process. The interim appointments of the Chair, some board members, the Chief Executive and some staff who accepted the challenge of secondment to the SQA in this vital period were due to expire at the end of this month. I am grateful to all of them for agreeing to continue their current roles with SQA for several more months to maintain the focus and stability which is needed. I am especially grateful to the interim Chief Executive, Bill Morton, who has agreed to delay his return to his career with Scottish Enterprise until November. Over that period an open competition will be conducted to appoint a permanent Chief Executive.

    The appointment of a permanent Chief Executive will be necessary irrespective of the future status of the SQA. The Executive has begun an internal review of the options for future status. To avoid unnecessary disruption to the continuing work of the SQA, I will progress this review swiftly and announce the outcome early in the Autumn.

    Alongside work on the future of the SQA, the Executive is committed to work on simplification of the National Qualifications Framework, building on the lessons of the first two years. The National Exams Co-ordinator is leading work on implementation of the actions already agreed to achieve that and the preparation of consultation on possible further changes; and this will be the main focus of the next phase of his work.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154179,"EventID":"S1W-17525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13022 by Henry McLeish on 31 July 2001, whether any other employees of the Scottish Executive receive an employer's contribution to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13022 by Henry McLeish on 31 July 2001, whether any other employees of the Scottish Executive receive an employer's contribution to their pension exceeding 15% and, if so, which employees these are.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive pays employer's pension contributions in the form of Accruing Superannuation Liability Charges (ASLC's) for staff who are members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). The employer's contribution exceeds 15% for all staff earning in excess of £32,501 per annum.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154180,"EventID":"S1W-17526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16125 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, whether it will list the dates of the meetings held between its officials and the Confede","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16125 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, whether it will list the dates of the meetings held between its officials and the Confederation of United Kingdom Coal Producers, whether the interests of any particular companies were represented at these meetings and, if so, which ones.","AnswerText":"Executive officials engaged in the review of strategic planning met with COALPRO on 23 February and 20 April 2001. The meetings were arranged to discuss the position of opencast coal in that review of strategic planning. The views of COALPRO, as a national representative body, were being sought and not those of individual companies. The members of COALPRO who attended included individuals from Scottish Coal, I and H Brown, ATH Resources and J Fenton and Sons (Contractors) Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154181,"EventID":"S1W-17527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a fund for befriending and mentoring projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a fund for befriending and mentoring projects.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to introduce a specific fund for befriending and mentoring projects.

    However, the Executive have funded Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) to work with NHSScotland to re-energise, enhance and develop the role and contribution that volunteers bring to the delivery of health services. Health boards and NHS Trusts have responded favourably to this work and are actively seeking new opportunities to develop the role of volunteers. Work with primary care providers has demonstrated that the NHS's concept of volunteering can evolve from its traditional hospital-based service to an integrated service that can support a patient from home to hospital and back to home.

    In addition, and as indicated in the Scottish Health Plan, health boards are now required to develop access to independent advocacy services to support people in making decisions about their own health care.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154182,"EventID":"S1W-17528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it selected the members of its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it selected the members of its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group.","AnswerText":"The members of the Joint Implementation Group represent agencies whose involvement is central in the implementation of the National Cultural Strategy. However, the group does plan to invite representatives from other bodies to contribute to discussions on specific topics as and when required.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154183,"EventID":"S1W-17529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group is scheduled to meet over the next twelve months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group is scheduled to meet over the next twelve months.","AnswerText":"The Joint Implementation Group is scheduled to next meet on 14 January 2002. It is planned that the group meet every six months. However, no decision has been made as yet on the precise date of any subsequent meetings.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154184,"EventID":"S1W-17530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to cover the costs of its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to cover the costs of its National Cultural Strategy Joint Implementation Group.","AnswerText":"The costs of the group will be met from within existing running costs provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154185,"EventID":"S1W-17531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to reports that police forces have been secretly filming members of the Scottish Socialist Party at demonstrations and carrying out undercover survei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to reports that police forces have been secretly filming members of the Scottish Socialist Party at demonstrations and carrying out undercover surveillance of these and other protesters and whether it will give an assurance, if such activities have occurred, that they will not occur again.","AnswerText":"The use of covert surveillance is a matter for relevant public authorities, including police forces. Its use, oversight and associated complaints procedure is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000. Under section 23 of the 2000 Act, any person who is aggrieved by any conduct to which the Act applies may complain to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal if they believe that the conduct took place in relation to them or their property in challengeable circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154186,"EventID":"S1W-17532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to compensate any patients who have contracted cytomegalovirus through contaminated blood products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to compensate any patients who have contracted cytomegalovirus through contaminated blood products.","AnswerText":"If a court finds the NHS to be negligent or in breach of statute, the NHS accepts its liability to pay damages. However, the Executive upholds the general principle of successive administrations that the NHS does not pay compensation where there is no legal basis for it being found at fault.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154187,"EventID":"S1W-17533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a practice of flying the Saltire at Victoria Quay at all times.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a practice of flying the Saltire at Victoria Quay at all times.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to introduce such a practice. It is not our practice to fly any flags routinely, but only to mark special occasions in the calendar.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154188,"EventID":"S1W-17534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer when a practice of flying the Saltire from the Parliament's offices on George IV Bridge at all times will be introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer when a practice of flying the Saltire from the Parliament's offices on George IV Bridge at all times will be introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body's policy is to fly both the Saltire and the Union flag on Committee Chambers on certain specified days only. There are no current plans to change this policy although the Corporate Body has agreed to consider the issue of a parliamentary flag in the context of the Holyrood Arts Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154189,"EventID":"S1W-17535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers were employed in Scottish Prison Service prisons in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date and what the percentage turnover of prison","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers were employed in Scottish Prison Service prisons in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date and what the percentage turnover of prison officers was in each of these periods.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The figures are:

    Year

    No. of officers at 1 April

    % turnover in year*

    1999

    3,091

    2.9%

    2000

    2,893

    3.7%

    2001

    2,800

    2.0%

    *Turnover is based on voluntary resignations, and does not include retirals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154190,"EventID":"S1W-17536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers were employed at HM Prison Kilmarnock in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date and what the percentage turnover of prison officers w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers were employed at HM Prison Kilmarnock in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date and what the percentage turnover of prison officers was in each of these periods.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service does not hold such information. It is a matter for the operators, Premier Prison Services Limited.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154191,"EventID":"S1W-17537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rate of pay for prisoners in Scottish Prison Service prisons was in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rate of pay for prisoners in Scottish Prison Service prisons was in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The weekly rates of pay for prisoners are tabulated below.

    The actual amount paid to each prisoner depends on the type of work and response.

    (a) £3.40-£15.00

    (b) £3.40-£15.00

    (c) £4.80-£18.00","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154192,"EventID":"S1W-17538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rate of pay for prisoners in HM Prison Kilmarnock was in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the rate of pay for prisoners in HM Prison Kilmarnock was in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS have been advised by Premier Prison Services Ltd that the average weekly wage for prisoners has been approximately:

    1999-2000

    £21 per week

    2000-01

    £18 per week

    2001 to date

    £17 per week

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154193,"EventID":"S1W-17539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to help former trawlermen with their applications for compensation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) following the closure of the Ic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to help former trawlermen with their applications for compensation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) following the closure of the Icelandic fisheries in the 1970s and whether it will give details of any communication with the DTI on this matter.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry on 25 July offering all assistance in helping identify trawlermen who previously worked in Icelandic waters. I was very pleased that the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen on behalf of the Scottish Executive was able to provide the DTI with further evidence of activity by Scottish vessels in Icelandic waters between 1965 and 1979.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154194,"EventID":"S1W-17540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHSiS appointments with (a) consultants and (b) GPs patients failed to attend in each health board area and health trust in each of the last three years, expres","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHSiS appointments with (a) consultants and (b) GPs patients failed to attend in each health board area and health trust in each of the last three years, expressed as a percentage of all appointments in each case, and what the cost to the NHSiS of missed appointments was in each year.","AnswerText":"The only data held centrally on missed appointments is the number of first consultant out-patient appointments not attended. The percentage who did not attend for each of the last three years by health board area and health trust can be found on the Information and Statistics website (http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/ship/home.htm). The Scottish level is shown:

    Year to:

    Did Not Attend Rate of First Consultant Out-patient Appointments in Scotland

    Number of First Consultant Out-patient Appointments not attended in Scotland

    31 March 2001

    11.3%

    120,000

    31 March 2000

    11.3%

    129,000

    31 March 1999

    11.1%

    126,000

    Note: 2001 data is provisional.

    The average cost of a consultant out-patient appointment is £72, which would imply that the total cost to the NHS of these missed appointments could be as high as £8.6 million a year. In practice, the cost is likely to be less than this because clinics may schedule additional appointments to allow for failure to attend by a proportion of patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154195,"EventID":"S1W-17541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rehabilitation beds are available in each health board area for registered drug users, expressed on a per capita basis and as a ratio to the number of registered","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rehabilitation beds are available in each health board area for registered drug users, expressed on a per capita basis and as a ratio to the number of registered drug users in each area.","AnswerText":"Information in the form requested is not held centrally. The term "registered drug" user no longer exists and I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16963 on 8 August.

    Rehabilitation for those addicted to drugs is provided through a variety of services and in a variety of settings, many of which are community-based and do not involve residential care. Beds provided within the NHS and the voluntary sector for rehabilitation will also be available for anyone with a clinical need, including people from outwith the health board in which the beds are situated.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154196,"EventID":"S1W-17542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom drug action teams are accountable and whether there are any plans to measure their performance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom drug action teams are accountable and whether there are any plans to measure their performance.","AnswerText":"Drug Action Teams (DATs) are accountable to the Executive through annual corporate planning arrangements. They are required to report current and planned activity in their area to meet objectives across the four pillars of the drugs strategy and their own local targets, identifying direct spend on drugs issues. Their performance is assessed by the Executive and feedback is given. This year's DAT plans will be published on the Scottish Drug Misuse website: www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154197,"EventID":"S1W-17543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding the payment, as a matter of urgency, of sums owed by DEFRA to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding the payment, as a matter of urgency, of sums owed by DEFRA to auctioneers, valuers and others who were involved in the valuation and cull of livestock during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"We are in the process of making payments to valuers in Scotland on behalf of DEFRA. In other cases which are disputed we are in discussion with DEFRA about representations we have received, but final decisions are a matter for DEFRA.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154198,"EventID":"S1W-17544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has appointed a managing agent to administer its central heating programme in the private sector and, if so, who the agent is and what the total value is of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has appointed a managing agent to administer its central heating programme in the private sector and, if so, who the agent is and what the total value is of the grants to be administered by the agent.","AnswerText":"Eaga Partnership Ltd were appointed to administer the Central Heating Programme on 29 August 2001. Eaga were awarded the contract in accordance with EC public procurement rules. They will have a budget of £9 million for the programme in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154199,"EventID":"S1W-17545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who are currently on secondment to other organisations are having their salaries or other remuneration paid by (a) it and (b) the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who are currently on secondment to other organisations are having their salaries or other remuneration paid by (a) it and (b) the receiving organisation and what the total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund is.","AnswerText":"The number of staff currently on secondment to other organisations who are having their salary costs met by the Scottish Executive is 17. The number of staff currently on secondment who are having their salaries met by the receiving organisation is 91. The total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund in financial year 2001-02 will be £434,970.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154200,"EventID":"S1W-17546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who are currently on loan to other organisations are having their salaries or other remuneration paid by (a) it and (b) the recei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who are currently on loan to other organisations are having their salaries or other remuneration paid by (a) it and (b) the receiving organisation and what the total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund is.","AnswerText":"The number of staff currently on loan to other organisations is 35. Staff on loan move to the pay systems of the receiving organisation with full salary costs met by that organisation. There is no cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154201,"EventID":"S1W-17547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who were on loan to other organisations at any time in the period since May 1999 had their salaries or other remuneration while o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who were on loan to other organisations at any time in the period since May 1999 had their salaries or other remuneration while on loan paid by (a) it and (b) the receiving organisation and what the total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund was.","AnswerText":"The total number of staff on loan to other organisations at any time in the period May 1999 to date is 61. Staff on loan move to the pay systems of the receiving organisation with full salary costs met by that organisation. There is no cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154202,"EventID":"S1W-17548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who were on secondment to other organisations at any time in the period since May 1999 had their salaries or other remuneration w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the Scottish Executive staff who were on secondment to other organisations at any time in the period since May 1999 had their salaries or other remuneration while on secondment paid by (a) it and (b) the receiving organisation and what the total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund was.","AnswerText":"The number of staff on secondment to other organisations in the period May 1999 to July 2001 who have had their salary costs met by the Scottish Executive is 27. The number of staff on secondment to other organisations during this period who have had their salaries met by the receiving organisation is 126. The total cost to the Scottish Consolidated Fund was £1,068,990.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154203,"EventID":"S1W-17549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, given that (a) additional financial resources for schools, as described in the Scottish Executive Education Department's circular 5/2000, \"must be clearly seen t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, given that (a) additional financial resources for schools, as described in the Scottish Executive Education Department's circular 5/2000, \"must be clearly seen to be additional to existing planned education spending and to spending on individual schools\", (b) the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Directors of Finance and Education certified in their application for a grant for #416,000 on 18 December 2000 that the resources to be distributed to schools would be additional to existing or planned school budgets and (c) at the SBC Education Committee meeting on 30 January 2001 school budgets were reduced by #350,000, SBC is in breach of the terms of the award of the grant and, if so, what the consequences of such a breach are.","AnswerText":"It is not unprecedented for authorities to make adjustments, both up and down, to planned budgets for services during a financial year. The money to which circular 5/2000 refers has been allocated by the council to schools. The council has assured the Executive that this allocation is additional to the resources that would otherwise have been available to schools in the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154204,"EventID":"S1W-17550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury in relation to Glasgow City Council's housing debt in light of the proposed transfer of the council's housing stoc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury in relation to Glasgow City Council's housing debt in light of the proposed transfer of the council's housing stock to Glasgow Housing Association.","AnswerText":"The Executive has undertaken to ensure that, where proposals represent good value for money and are selected to proceed, resources will be made available to deal with any residual housing debt of those councils who transfer all their housing stock into community ownership. The arrangements for fulfilling this commitment are under discussion with individual councils and HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154205,"EventID":"S1W-17551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to the possible financial implications of the implementation of free personal care in Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to the possible financial implications of the implementation of free personal care in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the provision of free personal care for the older people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154206,"EventID":"S1W-17552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the figures of (a) #35 and (b) #63, as originally set by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 and revised by the Diligence Against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the figures of (a) #35 and (b) #63, as originally set by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 and revised by the Diligence Against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 as the level of net weekly earnings below which no reduction in respect of earnings arrestments may be made, would be currently if they had been updated in line with (i) average earnings and (ii) prices.","AnswerText":"The threshold below which all earnings are exempt from arrestment is set in relation to benefits. The level of £35 per week initially set out in the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 was approximately half way between the short-term supplementary benefit rate for a single person and that for a couple. The 1995 recalculation on the same basis used income support rates, which took the place of supplementary benefits. At current rates of income support the threshold would be £70 per week. The level of the 1987 and 1995 thresholds if they had been based on (i) average earnings and (ii) prices would be as shown in the following table. The Executive has revised the thresholds as part of its on-going diligence review and intends to propose revisions in due course.

    Average Earnings Index1

    Retail Price Index2

    £35

    £71.09

    £58.49

    £63

    £78.31

    £71.96

    Source of indices: Office for National Statistics.

    Notes:

    1. Not seasonally adjusted.

    2. All items.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154207,"EventID":"S1W-17553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the major developments in the canal system in Scotland, in particular the Millennium Link, what steps it is taking to ensure that the relevant authoritie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the major developments in the canal system in Scotland, in particular the Millennium Link, what steps it is taking to ensure that the relevant authorities have given adequate attention to the potential increased risks to the public in the area of water and leisure activity.","AnswerText":"British Waterways Scotland who manage Scotland's canals, including the Millennium Link project, have undertaken and are continuing to undertake a number of different initiatives which promote safe and responsible use of inland waterways including the offer of safety presentations to all schools within walking distance of the Forth & Clyde and Union canals.

    The Millennium Link project should not increase the potential risk to the public in the area of water and leisure activity as the project will only increase the length of the lowland canal system by 5 km to 110 km and most of this increase has been built away from significant centres of population. The major exception is the 1.7 km of new canal cut through Wester Hailes in Edinburgh. Here the design of the channel has taken particular account of the need to minimise risk and has been constructed to operate at the minimum possible depth of 1.1 m and side steps have been introduced where possible to create a shallow edge of 0.3 m. The expected increased usage of these canals including towpath activities such as walking, angling and cycling will also reduce the possibility of an accident going unnoticed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154208,"EventID":"S1W-17554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any of its agencies, keeps a record of art collections, owned by Scottish collectors or their executors, which are available for loan and, if so, whether a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any of its agencies, keeps a record of art collections, owned by Scottish collectors or their executors, which are available for loan and, if so, whether any such collections are currently on loan to, or in storage with, institutions in the UK outwith Scotland and, if not, whether it will consider maintaining such a record of privately owned art collections.","AnswerText":"We do not keep a record of privately owned art collections which are available for loan and have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154209,"EventID":"S1W-17555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not provide the specific information on issues relating to asylum seekers, refugees and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requested in questions S1O-2628, S1","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not provide the specific information on issues relating to asylum seekers, refugees and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requested in questions S1O-2628, S1W-6472, S1W-6475, S1W-3792, S1W-1981, S1W-1983, S1W-3650, S1W-3649, S1W-2542, S1W-1167, S1W-1166, S1W-142, S1W-163 and S1W-58 and whether the information requested in these questions was withheld at the request of Her Majesty's Government under paragraph 11 (a) of the Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the United Kingdom Government, Scottish Ministers and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales.","AnswerText":"Discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are normally conducted on a confidential basis. As stated in paragraph 11 of the Memorandum of Understanding, the principle that each administration will wish to ensure that the information that it supplies to others is subject to appropriate safeguards in order to avoid prejudicing its interests is strictly adhered to.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154210,"EventID":"S1W-17556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, how much (a) East Ayrshire Council and (b) South Lanarkshire Council requested in aid under ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, how much (a) East Ayrshire Council and (b) South Lanarkshire Council requested in aid under the Bellwin scheme in respect of the storms on Boxing Day 1998; whether the full amount requested, minus the relevant threshold, was paid, and, if not, what the reasons were for not paying the full amount requested.","AnswerText":"The Terms of the Bellwin Scheme are detailed in Finance Circular 9/2000, a copy of which is held in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. no. 14385). Under the scheme, the amount payable to a council facing an emergency is 85% of the eligible costs, after a deduction of a threshold which is unique to each council. 90% of this amount payable is paid to a council following approval of a claim by the Scottish Executive. The remaining 10% is paid following receipt by the Executive of an audited claim.

    East Ayrshire Council claimed costs of £561,537, of which 85% above the relevant threshold of £237,438 was eligible for payment. The sum of £243,352 (90% of amount payable) has been paid to date. An additional deduction of around £6,000 was made to the amount claimed, as the council had claimed for insurance excesses of greater than the £100 for damage to school buildings which is allowable under the scheme.

    South Lanarkshire Council claimed costs of £873,901 of which 85% above the relevant threshold of £567,166 was eligible for payment. The sum of £234,652 (90% of amount payable) has been paid to date.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154211,"EventID":"S1W-17557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, what the relevant threshold amounts deducted from the eligible costs agreed with East Ayrshi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, what the relevant threshold amounts deducted from the eligible costs agreed with East Ayrshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council were and what the reasons are for imposing such thresholds.","AnswerText":"The threshold amounts deducted from East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils' eligible costs were £237,438 and £567,166 respectively. Finance Circular 9/2000 (Bib. no. 14385) details the scope and background of the Bellwin Scheme including the reasoning behind the thresholds.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154212,"EventID":"S1W-17558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, whether it has received any requests from local authorities for the Bellwin scheme to be act","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16363 by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001, whether it has received any requests from local authorities for the Bellwin scheme to be activated since the scheme's use in respect of the storms on Boxing Day 1998 and what the reasons were for the decisions made in respect of any such requests.","AnswerText":"Since the activation of the Bellwin scheme in 1998, requests have been made to activate the scheme following the flooding in Edinburgh and Midlothian in April and November 2000, the subsidence due to the collapse of the limestone mines in the Ferniehill area of Edinburgh in December 2000, and the heavy snowfalls in Borders and South Lanarkshire in February 2001. Schemes have now been activated for all of these.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154213,"EventID":"S1W-17559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an upper age limit of 65 applies in respect of NHS respite and rehabilitation breaks for disabled people and, if so, whether there are any plans to review this li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an upper age limit of 65 applies in respect of NHS respite and rehabilitation breaks for disabled people and, if so, whether there are any plans to review this limit.","AnswerText":"The provision of short break or respite care services that are relevant and accessible to all sections of the community is a shared responsibility of local authorities, the NHS and housing agencies. In recognition of the importance of respite care we are providing local authorities with significantly increased resources over the next three years to develop an extra 22,000 weeks of short breaks a year across Scotland by 2003-04. The NHS may provide respite and rehabilitation care where there is a clinical need. There is no age limit to NHS care. An expert group under the Chief Medical Officer is currently looking at the journey of care for older people in hospitals and in the community to see what improvements can be made, and this group will also investigate allegations of ageism within the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154214,"EventID":"S1W-17560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of infringement of fisheries regulations the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency referred to the Procurator Fiscal in each of the last five years for whic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of infringement of fisheries regulations the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency referred to the Procurator Fiscal in each of the last five years for which figures are available and how many of the cases referred in each year resulted in prosecutions, broken down by court in each case.","AnswerText":"The table refers to the financial years 1996-97 until 2000-01 inclusive, and lists the number of cases sent to the Procurator Fiscal Service by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

    1996-97

    117

    1997-98

    117

    1998-99

    93

    1999-2000

    69

    2000-01

    74

    The following table shows the number of these cases which resulted in a prosecution and the sheriff court at which they were heard. Not all cases were dealt with in the same financial year in which they were referred to the Procurator Fiscal.

    Court

    Year Referred

     

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Arbroath

    		  

    2

    		  

    Ayr

    1

    		 

    1

    1

    1

    Banff

    60

    50

    44

    38

    30

    Campbeltown

    1

    4

    4

    1

    2

    Cupar

    1

    2

    		 

    1

    1

    Dingwall

    2

    		  

    1

    		 

    Dornoch

    3

    2

    		   

    Fort William

    2

    		  

    1

    2

    Kilmarnock

    		To date, funding has been called on to deliver the activities detailed in the Motorola Task Force's Action Plan. The Action Plan, submitted by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, was drawn up by local agencies to deliver an appropriate and comprehensive package of support.

    Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian has produced a monitoring report for the period 1 April - 31 July, which shows total costs to date of £1.4 million (£0.4 million actual; £0.6 million committed; £0.4 million absorbed). These figures cover the first four months following the announcement, during which time a significant portion of the workforce remained on-site.

    We will continue to provide additional resources to fund a range of training and supports over and above those provided by local agencies through their existing budgets. Over 800 people have secured alternative employment and 1,600 people are currently being supported through task force training.

    There are around 700 workers still to leave Motorola whose training and support needs are currently being addressed. This may result in further calls on funding which will be considered as they arise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154218,"EventID":"S1W-17564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland as at 17 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland as at 17 August 2001.","AnswerText":"The last confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland was on 30 May 2001. There have been no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland since that date.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154219,"EventID":"S1W-17565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to extend the use within the NHS of minimally invasive therapies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to extend the use within the NHS of minimally invasive therapies.","AnswerText":"Medical training in Scotland allows surgeons to make use of minimally invasive surgery wherever appropriate. The decision to adopt such an approach depends on the clinical condition of the patient and the outcome of the discussion between patient and clinician on the type of surgery best suited to treating the patient's condition.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154220,"EventID":"S1W-17566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are currently devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and community care of schi'ophrenic patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are currently devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and community care of schi'ophrenic patients.","AnswerText":"We do not collect information about the costs of treating specific conditions in mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154221,"EventID":"S1W-17567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of any staff shortages within the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent is of any staff shortages within the NHS.","AnswerText":"Information on vacancies for selected NHSScotland staff groups is collected annually by ISD Scotland. Latest figures show that as at 30 September 2000, 2.2% of consultant posts and 3.6% of medical staff grade posts were vacant for six months or more. At March 2000, 0.6% of all nursing posts had been vacant for over three months.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154222,"EventID":"S1W-17568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many acute beds there are in the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area; where these beds are located, and whether there are any plans to alter the number or location o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many acute beds there are in the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area; where these beds are located, and whether there are any plans to alter the number or location of such beds.","AnswerText":"Information on operational matters, such as acute bed numbers, is available from Ayrshire and Arran Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154223,"EventID":"S1W-17569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risks of spreading disease are associated with the transporting of contaminated clinical waste away from hospitals which do not have on-site incinerators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risks of spreading disease are associated with the transporting of contaminated clinical waste away from hospitals which do not have on-site incinerators.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland Trusts must comply with all statutes, standards, legislation and codes of practice in relation to waste management. Accordingly all NHSScotland Trusts have been provided with best practice management guidance to enable them to categorise, risk assess, segregate and operate clinical waste disposal procedures in keeping with the law and regulatory framework as monitored by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. This guidance recommends the measures to be taken to control the risks of infection, both within the NHS Trust environment and also where the waste has to be uplifted and transported to off-site disposal facilities.

    These recommended standards ensure the risks of spreading infection or disease are minimal in each step of the disposal process.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154224,"EventID":"S1W-17570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether on-site incinerators will be installed in all hospitals which do not currently have one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether on-site incinerators will be installed in all hospitals which do not currently have one.","AnswerText":"Installation of on-site incinerators is a matter for individual NHS Trusts. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154225,"EventID":"S1W-17571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to combat the problems associated with the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to combat the problems associated with the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.","AnswerText":"Following the launch of a UK Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy last year, the Executive issued publicity materials to increase awareness of this issue. These included posters and leaflets, which were circulated widely to GP practices, dental practitioners and pharmacists to help bring the issue to the attention of the general public. At that time, the Executive also issued a draft Action Plan for Scotland, covering issues such as surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use in human, animal and agricultural practice, and infection control. This document is currently being reviewed in the light of comments received, and a final version will be issued to a wide range of interests later this year.

    A sub-group of the Advisory Group on Infection produced proposals for the surveillance of Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) in Scotland. These formed the basis for the national surveillance system for Scotland, which was announced on 6 August. Proposals for the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns will follow later this year. The Executive is working with other UK Departments to take forward plans to tackle the issue of antimicrobial use in the animal field.

    The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is currently funding five research projects with a total value of £452,226 into the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154226,"EventID":"S1W-17572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have been prescribed ben'odia'epines for (a) more than one year, (b) more than two years, (c) more than five years and (d) more than 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have been prescribed ben'odia'epines for (a) more than one year, (b) more than two years, (c) more than five years and (d) more than 10 years.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154227,"EventID":"S1W-17573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health care associated infections were contracted by NHS patients in each year since 1992, broken down by the health care establishment in which they were contra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health care associated infections were contracted by NHS patients in each year since 1992, broken down by the health care establishment in which they were contracted.","AnswerText":"This information is not available. The new national surveillance system which I announced on 6 August will help to provide better information in the future on the incidence of health care associated infections across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154228,"EventID":"S1W-17574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make it illegal for mechanically recovered meat to be included in statistics detailing the meat content of food products such as sausages, pies and burger","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make it illegal for mechanically recovered meat to be included in statistics detailing the meat content of food products such as sausages, pies and burgers.","AnswerText":"On matters relating to food safety the Scottish Executive is advised by the Food Standards Agency. The agency is fully committed to ensuring that food manufacturers provide relevant and meaningful information for consumers.

    There have been increasing restrictions placed on production of ruminant mechanically recovered meat (MRM) and with effect from mid-August MRM production has been confined to pigs and poultry.

    Separate labelling of mechanically recovered meat in the ingredients list of pre-packed meat products has been a requirement since 1997. A recent agreement on a European definition of meat reinforces this labelling requirement, and in addition places mechanically recovered meat outside the definition for the purposes of the quantitative declaration of "meat" ingredients in meat products. The new definition has to be implemented by January 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154229,"EventID":"S1W-17575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health technology assessments the Health Technology Board for Scotland has completed since 1 April 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health technology assessments the Health Technology Board for Scotland has completed since 1 April 2000.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland has not yet completed a health technology assessment. It announced its first three assessment topics in January 2001 after wide consultation. Each assessment will take about one year to complete due to the large amount of evidence considered and the board's open and inclusive consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154230,"EventID":"S1W-17576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pieces of authoritative comment on National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal guidance the Health Technology Board for Scotland has publishe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pieces of authoritative comment on National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal guidance the Health Technology Board for Scotland has published since 1 April 2000.","AnswerText":"Since May 2001, The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has released Technology Appraisal Guidance on four topics. The Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) has published a comment on one of these topics and will deliver the other three, currently in preparation, on schedule.

    HTBS has also provided a one-off retrospective comment on the NICE Guidance on treatments for Alzheimer's disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154231,"EventID":"S1W-17577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Health Technology Board for Scotland technology assessments are currently on-going.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Health Technology Board for Scotland technology assessments are currently on-going.","AnswerText":"The Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) is currently conducting three Health Technology Assessments.

    These are in the areas of organisation of services for diabetic retinopathy screening, PET imaging for cancer management and prevention of relapse in alcohol dependence.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154232,"EventID":"S1W-17578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pieces of authoritative comment on National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal guidance the Health Technology Board for Scotland is currently","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pieces of authoritative comment on National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal guidance the Health Technology Board for Scotland is currently preparing for publication.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-17576.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154233,"EventID":"S1W-17579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Scottish Arts Council and (b) Scottish Ballet regarding any proposed change of role for Scottish Ballet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Scottish Arts Council and (b) Scottish Ballet regarding any proposed change of role for Scottish Ballet.","AnswerText":"The Executive has been in close touch with the company and the Scottish Arts Council in respect of recent events.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154234,"EventID":"S1W-17580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the role of Scottish Ballet does not change without a debate involving all interested parties and a discussion of the issue in the Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the role of Scottish Ballet does not change without a debate involving all interested parties and a discussion of the issue in the Parliament.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Scottish Arts Council to ensure that Scottish Ballet consults widely and that Scottish Ballet's plans are consistent with the overall five-year strategy for dance that the Scottish Arts Council is currently developing.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154235,"EventID":"S1W-17581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have implemented a free local bus travel scheme for elderly and disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have implemented a free local bus travel scheme for elderly and disabled people.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have discretionary powers to establish concessionary travel schemes for their areas, or jointly with other local authorities. I understand that Fife Council, Clackmannanshire Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council have established travel schemes which include an element of free local bus travel for elderly and people with disabilities.

    From October 2002 all pensioners and disabled people will benefit from free local bus travel within existing scheme boundaries for journeys outwith the morning peak.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154236,"EventID":"S1W-17582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities it has consulted or sought advice from in relation to implementation of a national scheme for free local bus travel for elderly and disabled peopl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities it has consulted or sought advice from in relation to implementation of a national scheme for free local bus travel for elderly and disabled people.","AnswerText":"The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) has signalled Scottish local authorities' agreement to enhance existing discretionary concessionary travel schemes to provide free local bus travel within existing scheme boundaries for journeys outwith the morning peak for the elderly and disabled people in October 2002. The Scottish Executive has made additional resources available to fund this enhancement.

    I have established an Implementation Working Group, comprising representatives from the Executive, CoSLA, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers and the bus industry, to advise on the detailed administrative implementation issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154237,"EventID":"S1W-17583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what target time is set by the Scottish Ambulance service for (a) arriving at the scene of a call-out and (b) delivering a patient to hospital if that is the outcome of a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what target time is set by the Scottish Ambulance service for (a) arriving at the scene of a call-out and (b) delivering a patient to hospital if that is the outcome of a call-out.","AnswerText":"In responding to emergency 999 calls the Scottish Ambulance Service aims to meet national response times targets for getting an ambulance to the scene of the call-out. These vary according to population density and are as follows:

    High Density - 95% reached within 14 minutes, 50% within seven minutes

    Medium Density - 95% reached within 18 minutes, 50% within eight minutes

    Sparse Density - 95% reached within 21 minutes, 50% within eight minutes

    The performance of the Scottish Ambulance Service in relation to these targets is reported in the service's annual report. A copy of the report for 1999-2000 was sent to each MSP.

    Once at the scene of a call-out, ambulance paramedic staff will use their judgement to decide what course of action is required, depending on the medical condition of the patient. In some cases, treatment at the scene will be appropriate, and in others the patient's needs will best be served by moving them to hospital as quickly as possible. There is therefore no set target time for delivering the patient to hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154238,"EventID":"S1W-17584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital beds there were in each hospital in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency in 2000, how many there are currently and how many of these are or were de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital beds there were in each hospital in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency in 2000, how many there are currently and how many of these are or were designated for elderly or geriatric patients.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the NHS in Lanarkshire Health Board. I have, therefore, asked the Chief Executive of the Lanarkshire Health Board to write to you with the details you have soughtrequested. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154239,"EventID":"S1W-17585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Clinical Resource and Audit Group, who its members are and what its annual funding is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Clinical Resource and Audit Group, who its members are and what its annual funding is.","AnswerText":"The remit and membership of the Clinical Resource and Audit Group can be found on the group's website www.show.scot.nhs.uk/crag. In 2001-02 the group has a budget of £3.146 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154240,"EventID":"S1W-17586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Common Services Agency and what its annual funding is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Common Services Agency and what its annual funding is.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Common Services Agency (CSA) is to provide, facilitate or co-ordinate essential national and regional services for the NHS in Scotland that are effective, efficient and provide value for money. In addition to its headquarters, the CSA is made up of the following Divisions:

    Central Legal Office

    Information & Statistics Division

    National Services Division

    Practitioner Services Division

    Public Health Institute of Scotland

    Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health Department

    Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

    Scottish Healthcare Supplies

    The CSA received a revenue allocation of £124.5 million for the financial year 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154241,"EventID":"S1W-17587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Health Technology Board for Scotland, who its members are and what its annual funding is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Health Technology Board for Scotland, who its members are and what its annual funding is.","AnswerText":"Full details of the Health Technology Board for Scotland's (HTBS) remit and membership can be found on the HTBS website at www.htbs.org.uk.

    It's budget for 2001-02 is £2 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154242,"EventID":"S1W-17588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network receives annually from (a) it and (b) private companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network receives annually from (a) it and (b) private companies.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02 the Clinical Resource and Audit Group grant to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was £810,000. SIGN receives no core funding from any private companies. However, it does seek sponsorship for its national meetings from private companies. In 2000-01 the total funding received was £15,000 covering 10 national meetings. The sponsorship pays for the hotel costs of the meeting and the company is allowed to have an information stand in the foyer.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154243,"EventID":"S1W-17589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Public Health Institute for Scotland and what its annual funding is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Public Health Institute for Scotland and what its annual funding is.","AnswerText":"The Public Health Institute of Scotland's remit is:

    \"to protect and improve the health of the people of Scotland by working with relevant agencies and organisations to increase our understanding of the determinants of health and ill health, help to formulate public health policy, and increase the effectiveness of the public health endeavour\".

    In July last year I announced the establishment of the institute with Health Improvement Fund monies of £1 million a year.

    Further information about the work of the institute can be obtained from its website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/phis","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154244,"EventID":"S1W-17590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and what its annual funding is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and what its annual funding is.","AnswerText":"The remit and membership of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland can be found on the board's website www.clinicalstandards.org.uk. In 2001-02 the board has a budget of £3 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154245,"EventID":"S1W-17591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, when it expects a Scottish Medicines Consortium to be established, what its remit will be and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, when it expects a Scottish Medicines Consortium to be established, what its remit will be and what (a) public and (b) private funding it will receive.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer has asked Professor David Lawson to develop proposals for a Scottish Medicines Consortium. Professor Lawson hopes to complete this work in September. Until then it is not possible to be precise about the remit or budget of the proposed consortium.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154246,"EventID":"S1W-17592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, when it expects the Chief Medical Officer to conclude the work on mapping the relationships b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, when it expects the Chief Medical Officer to conclude the work on mapping the relationships between the various bodies with an interest in clinical quality.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer expects to complete his review in November.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154247,"EventID":"S1W-17593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, whether the work on mapping the relationships between the various bodies with an interest in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15892 by Susan Deacon on 5 June 2001, whether the work on mapping the relationships between the various bodies with an interest in clinical quality covers the Public Health Institute for Scotland and the Common Services Agency and, if not, what relationship each of these bodies has with each of the Clinical Resource and Audit Group, the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and the possible Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer's review of Scotland's clinical effectiveness organisations includes consideration of the role of the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme, a unit of the Public Health Institute, and the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154248,"EventID":"S1W-17594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any joint research programmes completed or currently being carried out by two or more of (a) the Clinical Resource and Audit Group, (b) the Common ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any joint research programmes completed or currently being carried out by two or more of (a) the Clinical Resource and Audit Group, (b) the Common Services Agency, (c) the Health Technology Board for Scotland, (d) the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, (e) the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, (f) the Public Health Institute for Scotland and (g) individual local area drug and therapeutic committees (ADTCs) or groups of ADTCs.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154249,"EventID":"S1W-17595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total expenditure on energy efficiency measures was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total expenditure on energy efficiency measures was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"The Executive did not record information separately for each local authority on expenditure and improvements under the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) in the period April 1997 to March 1999. Information on local authorities as a whole for the period concerned is set out in the Executive's first HECA progress report to Parliament, published in May 2001 (Bib. no. 13715).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154250,"EventID":"S1W-17596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average expenditure on energy efficiency measures per assisted dwelling was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the peri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average expenditure on energy efficiency measures per assisted dwelling was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154251,"EventID":"S1W-17597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage improvement in energy efficiency was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage improvement in energy efficiency was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154252,"EventID":"S1W-17598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average level of energy efficiency improvement per assisted dwelling was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average level of energy efficiency improvement per assisted dwelling was reported by each local authority under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154253,"EventID":"S1W-17599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction in demand for energy was achieved as a result of measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in each local authority area in the period A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction in demand for energy was achieved as a result of measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in each local authority area in the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154254,"EventID":"S1W-17600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average reduction in demand for energy per assisted dwelling was achieved as a result of measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in each local ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average reduction in demand for energy per assisted dwelling was achieved as a result of measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in each local authority area in the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154255,"EventID":"S1W-17601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total housing stock in each local authority area benefited from energy efficiency measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total housing stock in each local authority area benefited from energy efficiency measures reported under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154256,"EventID":"S1W-17602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average saving on fuel bills per assisted dwelling was achieved as a result of energy efficiency measures reported under the Home Energy Efficiency Act 1995 in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average saving on fuel bills per assisted dwelling was achieved as a result of energy efficiency measures reported under the Home Energy Efficiency Act 1995 in each local authority area in the period April 1997 to March 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17595.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154257,"EventID":"S1W-17603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that children in Aberdeenshire Council area have access to swimming facilities as part of the school curriculum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that children in Aberdeenshire Council area have access to swimming facilities as part of the school curriculum.","AnswerText":"As announced by Nicol Stephen on 24 May, we shortly intend to conduct a review of swimming provision available to pupils in Scotland. This information will establish a comprehensive picture and will be used to consider what, if any, action should be taken across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154258,"EventID":"S1W-17604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce universal fortification with folic acid of all wheat flour.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce universal fortification with folic acid of all wheat flour.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department and the Food Standards Agency jointly conducted an initial public consultation between July and October 2000, following recommendations by the Committee on Medical Aspects on Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) on the fortification of wheat flour with folic acid. A summary a nalysis of the consultation responses has been published and is available on the websites of both the Scottish Executive and the Food Standards Agency.

    Based on this, and the results of additional research which is currently being carried out, ministers will have the opportunity to consider COMA's recommendations fully, prior to deciding on any plans to introduce fortification of wheat flour with folic acid.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154259,"EventID":"S1W-17605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a managing agent will be appointed to administer its central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a managing agent will be appointed to administer its central heating programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17544.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154260,"EventID":"S1W-17606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what languages other than English information about individual learning accounts is available to the general public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what languages other than English information about individual learning accounts is available to the general public.","AnswerText":"The national marketing of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) is the responsibility of the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), who took on this role when it came into being in October 2000. It initially concentrated on providing the required marketing material only in English. However, some of its call centre staff have non-English language abilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154261,"EventID":"S1W-17607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what formats other than text is information about individual learning accounts available to the general public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in what formats other than text is information about individual learning accounts available to the general public.","AnswerText":"The national marketing of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) is the responsibility of the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), who took on this role when it came into being in October 2000. It initially concentrated on providing the required marketing material only in text form but a text telephone is available in its call centre to assist the profoundly deaf.

    The ILA Centre, which is run by Capita Business Services Ltd, also has a role to play in making information available to the public. It offers a minicom service for people with hearing impairments. Additionally, Capita call centre operators complete forms on behalf of visually-impaired callers. The completed form is sent to the individual for a personal signature or the signature of an authorised person. Large-print versions of the forms can also be produced by Capita on demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154262,"EventID":"S1W-17608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publish information about individual learning accounts in languages other than English.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publish information about individual learning accounts in languages other than English.","AnswerText":"The Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) is currently evaluating the need for support in languages other than English for Individual Learning Accounts and other aspects of its business. If justified it will introduce such support as and when required.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154263,"EventID":"S1W-17609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publish information about individual learning accounts in formats other than text.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publish information about individual learning accounts in formats other than text.","AnswerText":"The Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) is working with the Royal National Institute for the Blind to improve accessibility for prospective Individual Learning Account users. SUfI is developing audio tapes and braille packs of selected documents. It is also working with LEAD (Linking Education and Disability) Scotland to develop its on-going strategy for supplementing existing services and for training of learning advisers in its call centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154264,"EventID":"S1W-17610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the relationships its ministers and officials have, in connection with the New Deal, with (a) Ministers and officials of Her Majesty's Government ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the relationships its ministers and officials have, in connection with the New Deal, with (a) Ministers and officials of Her Majesty's Government and (b) each of the organisations involved in delivering this programme.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including the New Deal. The Concordat establishing the framework for co-operation between Scottish and UK ministers has been in place since 1999. The Scottish Executive is also in regular contact with the organisations involved in delivering the New Deal.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154265,"EventID":"S1W-17611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the destinations of all those leaving each New Deal programme in each year since the inception of each programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the destinations of all those leaving each New Deal programme in each year since the inception of each programme.","AnswerText":"Information is available on the destinations of leavers from New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25+ and New Deal for Lone Parents on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00105-00ap). Data from this is shown as follows:

    New Deal for Young People

    Year

    Unsubsidised Employment

    Other Benefits

    Other Known

    Unknown

    1998

    3711

    1175

    1276

    1648

    1999

    8030

    2929

    5199

    5210

    2000

    8128

    3144

    5568

    6167

    2001

    3443

    1402

    2047

    2706

    Total

    23312

    8650

    14090

    15731

    Data from Jan-98 to May-01.

    ND25+

    Year

    Unsubsidised Employment

    Other Benefits

    Other Known

    Unknown

    1998

    264

    249

    454

    224

    1999

    1277

    1360

    7253

    840

    2000

    1488

    1655

    8704

    818

    2001

    644

    724

    3063

    338

    Total

    3673

    3988

    19474

    2220

    Data from Jul-98 to May-01.

    NDLP

    Year

    Left Income Support

    Still on income support

     

    Employment

    Other Benefits

    Ineligible

    Employment

    Withdrawn for other reasons

    Unknown

    Expenditure on skills and learning by the Enterprise Networks is expected to amount to £121.508 million in 2001-02. This figure excludes costs of administration.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154267,"EventID":"S1W-17613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have taken part in an employment training, skills or other related initiative in the last five years are now in work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have taken part in an employment training, skills or other related initiative in the last five years are now in work.","AnswerText":"Information on the current status of all such people is not available. However, data is collected on job outcomes following the completion of training programmes. For the Training for Work programme, the number of starts and the percentage of programme leavers gaining a job in each of the last five years is shown in the following table.

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99*

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Starts

    28,023

    26,596

    16,559

    16,304

    14,390

    Job Outcomes (%)

    38

    34

    45

    47

    44

    *Programme re-aligned to focus on 25 plus client group following introduction of New Deal 18-24.

    In addition, New Deal statistics for Scotland are published and available by visiting the Scottish Executive website at:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00105-00.asp.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154268,"EventID":"S1W-17614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the private sector training providers involved in delivering employment training, skills or other related initiatives, broken down by initiative, and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the private sector training providers involved in delivering employment training, skills or other related initiatives, broken down by initiative, and what relationship it has with such providers.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154269,"EventID":"S1W-17615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) the total number of people, (b) the long-term unemployed and (c) the young unemployed who left the unemployment register during the last year are c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) the total number of people, (b) the long-term unemployed and (c) the young unemployed who left the unemployment register during the last year are currently categorised as being in employment, broken down by parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"There is no available information on whether people who left the claimant count during the past year are currently in employment.

    Data on the total number of people who left the claimant count, where the reason for leaving at that time was that they had found work, are available on the NOMIS database through the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154270,"EventID":"S1W-17616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a motion of no confidence in its management having been passed by its security staff; if so, what actions have been taken to address the concerns r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a motion of no confidence in its management having been passed by its security staff; if so, what actions have been taken to address the concerns raised, what further actions will be taken to address the concerns raised and what steps are being taken to ensure that a similar situation does not arise again in the future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware that a motion of no confidence was passed at a union meeting attended by security staff in July but no concerns following the motion have been raised with Security Branch management.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154271,"EventID":"S1W-17617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what date the tendering process for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall began.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what date the tendering process for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall began.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The tendering process for the refurbishment of Barlinnie's B Hall began on 6 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154272,"EventID":"S1W-17618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies submitted tenders for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B Hall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies submitted tenders for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B Hall.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Four companies submitted tenders for the refurbishment contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154273,"EventID":"S1W-17619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the closing date was for the submission of tenders for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the closing date was for the submission of tenders for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The closing date for the submission of tenders was 4 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154274,"EventID":"S1W-17620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the contract for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall was signed and who the successful tenderer was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the contract for the refurbishment of HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall was signed and who the successful tenderer was.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The contract was signed on 19 June 2001. The successful tenderer was John Dickie Construction Limited, Burnfield Avenue, Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154275,"EventID":"S1W-17621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be of refurbishing HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be of refurbishing HM Prison Barlinnie's B hall.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The cost of refurbishment will be approximately £2.4 million including VAT.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154276,"EventID":"S1W-17622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the items currently in store in the part of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery that previously housed the Scottish Museum of Antiquities will be moved to the Gra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the items currently in store in the part of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery that previously housed the Scottish Museum of Antiquities will be moved to the Granton store and when this part of the gallery will be renovated to provide extended exhibition space for the gallery.","AnswerText":"The National Museums of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland are currently discussing matters relating to their joint occupation of the Findlay Building. However, as we have already made clear, funds to renovate the Findlay Building will not be provided before the National Galleries of Scotland have completed their two current priority projects, development of the Playfair Project and the Granton Collections Store.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154277,"EventID":"S1W-17623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how it plans to respond to the report of the Certification and Registration Working Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and how it plans to respond to the report of the Certification and Registration Working Group.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has given a commitment that the Social Work Services Inspectorate will undertake an up-to-date assessment of arrangements for certification and registration every year through its annual report.

    The report also makes recommendations for action by local authorities, health boards and Trusts, health professionals and voluntary organisations. The Scottish Executive is consulting on these recommendations and will decide in the light of responses received what action is required to improve arrangements for assessing the needs of people with visual impairment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154278,"EventID":"S1W-17624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will use its powers under the exceptions in section C5 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prohibit the transportation of cattle carcasses from England to Scotland for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will use its powers under the exceptions in section C5 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prohibit the transportation of cattle carcasses from England to Scotland for processing and destruction.","AnswerText":"The transportation of carcases of cattle culled under the Over Thirty Month Scheme into Scotland for rendering has been approved by the Executive, subject to the adherence to strict biosecurity controls. The risk of disease spread from this practice is judged to be extremely low. It follows that recourse to the terms of the Scotland Act to prohibit these operations is not envisaged.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154279,"EventID":"S1W-17625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures were used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to appoint the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group and whether the Nolan Committee principles releva","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures were used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to appoint the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group and whether the Nolan Committee principles relevant to such appointments were applied.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154280,"EventID":"S1W-17626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what outside interests are held by members of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group and whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has investigated whether any of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what outside interests are held by members of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group and whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has investigated whether any of the members are in receipt of an income from any other bodies involved in the nuclear industry.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154281,"EventID":"S1W-17627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all the organisations from whom the members of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group receive an income and the incomes that they receiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all the organisations from whom the members of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group receive an income and the incomes that they receive.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154282,"EventID":"S1W-17628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to local authorities about the extent to which parents of a disabled child may choose the mainstream school that they wish their child to at","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to local authorities about the extent to which parents of a disabled child may choose the mainstream school that they wish their child to attend.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any specific guidance on the extent to which parents of a disabled child may choose the mainstream school that they wish their child to attend. Parents of any child are entitled to make a placing request to their education authority as regards the school to be attended by their child. Placing requests for disabled children, in common with all other children, have to be considered under the framework in the Education Act 1980 (as amended), and education authorities can turn down those requests only for reasons set out in the legislation.

    However, section 15 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000 includes a requirement for education authorities to provide for all children in mainstream schools, except in certain specified circumstances. The Scottish Executive is currently preparing guidance for local authorities on this presumption in favour of mainstreaming.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154283,"EventID":"S1W-17629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to local authorities to assist them in ensuring effective access to school buildings for people with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to local authorities to assist them in ensuring effective access to school buildings for people with disabilities.","AnswerText":"From April 2000, the Scottish Executive Inclusion Programme is providing an additional £19 million over two years to assist education authorities in making schools more accessible to children with special educational needs. This funding can be used to ensure effective access to school buildings for children with disabilities, and authorities should use it to supplement use of their mainstream resources for accessibility.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154284,"EventID":"S1W-17630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has had or will have in relation to parents' ability to choose which mainstream sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has had or will have in relation to parents' ability to choose which mainstream school they wish their disabled child to attend.","AnswerText":"The application of the Disability Discrimination Act to education does not take effect until September 2002. The Act will increase the availability of educational opportunities and the choices for parents of school age children.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154285,"EventID":"S1W-17631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is available to parents of a disabled child in relation to the choice of a mainstream school for their child.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is available to parents of a disabled child in relation to the choice of a mainstream school for their child.","AnswerText":"Parents of disabled children can obtain advice in relation to the choice of a school primarily from their education authority. Parents and children can also obtain independent advice from the Enquire helpline, from the Disability Rights Commission, from the organisation Enable or from any other voluntary sector organisation or parents' group specialising in children with special educational needs. Education authorities should offer parents details of any such relevant sources of advice and support.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154286,"EventID":"S1W-17632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to local authorities on the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to school building.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to local authorities on the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to school building.","AnswerText":"The Disability Rights Commission is currently consulting on a Code of Practice about the implementation in schools of the provisions in the Act.

    The duty in Part IV of the Act (as amended) on education providers to plan for increased access to the physical environment of schools and the curriculum is devolved. Scottish ministers are considering how best to bring in this duty to plan to progressively improve the accessibility of the school environment, school information and the curriculum to disabled pupils, and they expect to announce their proposals shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154287,"EventID":"S1W-17633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a policy of decreasing the level of waste disposal by incineration in line with some other EU countries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a policy of decreasing the level of waste disposal by incineration in line with some other EU countries.","AnswerText":"The current level of municipal waste incinerated in Scotland is around 2%. The National Waste Strategy provides the framework for waste management policy in Scotland and, through the development of 11 area waste plans, will determine the best practicable environmental options for future waste management. A major objective of the strategy is to reduce the reliance on landfill, moving instead to options higher up the waste hierarchy i.e. reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and energy recovery. It would therefore be inappropriate to implement a policy of decreasing the level of waste disposal by incineration.

    The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) consultation paper issued by the Executive on 3 August 2001 sets out the policy on energy-from-waste as a source of renewable energy. Following initial consultation the Executive proposes not to support the conventional incineration of municipal waste. New, cleaner thermal technologies such as gasification and pyrolysis will be supported where these fit in with an integrated waste management system. This would involve thermal treatment only of the residues left once separation, recycling and composting has been carried out first.

    Copies of the consultation paper are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 15597).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154288,"EventID":"S1W-17634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any use of additional pollution abatement equipment at the Blue Circle cement factory near Dunbar, given that the factory combusts waste known as \"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any use of additional pollution abatement equipment at the Blue Circle cement factory near Dunbar, given that the factory combusts waste known as \"recycled liquid fuel\".","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154289,"EventID":"S1W-17635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether cement kilns when combusting waste known as \"recycled liquid fuel\" emit up to ten times more dioxins than purpose-built incinerators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether cement kilns when combusting waste known as \"recycled liquid fuel\" emit up to ten times more dioxins than purpose-built incinerators.","AnswerText":"There is no evidence to indicate that higher levels of dioxins are emitted when recycled liquid fuel is used to provide energy in cement kilns compared with emissions from purpose-built incinerators. The use of this type of fuel in cement kilns is treated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as a process of co-incineration falling within the scope of the EC Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive. That directive requires a dioxin limit of 0.1 nanogrammes per cubic metre for hazardous waste incinerators. This is the same limit that SEPA applies to purpose-built incinerators.

    The recycling of waste products into fuels that are useable in processes such as cement production reduces the demand for raw materials and helps to conserve fossil fuel resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154290,"EventID":"S1W-17636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the spillage of 6,000 litres of ha'ardous liquid fuel at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar last month, it is satisfied with production procedures at ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the spillage of 6,000 litres of ha'ardous liquid fuel at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar last month, it is satisfied with production procedures at the factory.","AnswerText":"The Executive is satisfied with the environmental and health and safety legislation which regulate the cement manufacturing process. Assessment of the effectiveness of pollution controls and health and safety procedures at particular sites is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154291,"EventID":"S1W-17637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will commis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will commission a study into the incidence of cancer or foetal abnormalities in or around the area.","AnswerText":"The Executive is satisfied with the monitoring procedures in place for measuring emissions from the Blue Circle factory at Dunbar and has no plans to commission such a study.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154292,"EventID":"S1W-17638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the cement production methods at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar give no cause for concern either to the health of those living in the vi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the cement production methods at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar give no cause for concern either to the health of those living in the vicinity or to those who occupy buildings built with cement from there.","AnswerText":"The Executive is satisfied with the monitoring procedures in place for measuring emissions from the Blue Circle factory at Dunbar and with the environmental and health and safety legislation which regulates the cement manufacturing process.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154293,"EventID":"S1W-17639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will comm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will commission an independent analysis of the production processes there and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to commission an analysis of the production processes at the Dunbar plant. The toxicity of substances used in building materials is controlled through environmental and health and safety legislation. Responsibility for assessing the effectiveness of monitoring procedures for emissions at particular sites lies with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and for occupational health matters with the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154294,"EventID":"S1W-17640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will comm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the report in the Sunday Herald on 19 August 2001 regarding toxin emissions in cement production at the Blue Circle factory near Dunbar, it will commission a study into any impact on cows' milk, farm crops and other food, whether for human or animal consumption, produced in and around the area.","AnswerText":"This area of work is now the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which informs me that it currently has no plans to commission a study of food and feedstuffs produced in the vicinity of the Blue Circle cement factory.

    However, I am advised that the FSA, in its role as a statutory consultee of the regulator SEPA (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency), will shortly be reviewing the operations carried out by Blue Circle at Dunbar in the context of the company's application for a permit under the terms of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000.

    If the agency has concerns about the impact of emissions on the foodchain, it will advise SEPA accordingly and will, if necessary, recommend that additional safeguards be instituted.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154295,"EventID":"S1W-17641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's recommended level is of authorised emissions of dioxins to air from cement factories burning waste known as \"recycled li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's recommended level is of authorised emissions of dioxins to air from cement factories burning waste known as \"recycled liquid fuel\" and what levels are recommended by the World Health Organisation and EU respectively.","AnswerText":"The use of substitute liquid fuel in a cement kiln is treated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as a process of co-incineration falling within the scope of the EC Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive. That directive requires a dioxin limit of 0.1 nanogrammes per cubic metre for hazardous waste incinerators.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not set standards for emissions from processes. WHO standards for dioxins are in terms of \"Tolerable Daily Intakes\" or \"TDIs\". The main source of these intakes is our food. The WHO currently recommends a TDI of between 1 and 4 picogrammes of dioxins per kilogramme of body weight. The European Union's Scientific Committee on Food defines its recommended limits on intake in terms of a \"Tolerable Weekly Intake\" which is currently set at 14 picogrammes of dioxins per kilogramme of body weight. For the UK, limits on intake are currently subject to consideration by the Food Standards Agency's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154296,"EventID":"S1W-17642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering outsourcing any further services concerned with the management of its estate and buildings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering outsourcing any further services concerned with the management of its estate and buildings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive commissioned a consultancy study in March this year to review the provision of facilities management services. The consultants were asked to advise on a range of potential options including the evaluation of different mixes of in-house and outsourced provision of these services. The Executive will consider these issues in detail in the light of the consultants' final report.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154297,"EventID":"S1W-17643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any transfer of its assets at Victoria Quay.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any transfer of its assets at Victoria Quay.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive commissioned a consultancy study in March this year to review the provision of facilities management services including those services currently provided in Victoria Quay. The consultants were asked to advise on a range of potential options including the evaluation of different mixes of in-house and outsourced provision of these services. One option involves a potential transfer of assets. The Executive will consider these issues in detail in the light of the consultants' final report.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154298,"EventID":"S1W-17644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16390 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001, who submitted each of the Freight Facilities Grant applications currently being considered an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16390 by Sarah Boyack on 2 July 2001, who submitted each of the Freight Facilities Grant applications currently being considered and what amount of funding is being sought in each application.","AnswerText":"Companies provide the information included in Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) applications on a commercial in confidence basis. I am therefore unable to provide this information. However, the details of any FFG awards made, including the level of funding, are published by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154299,"EventID":"S1W-17645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and for which projects, BP plc has received in Freight Facilities Grant to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and for which projects, BP plc has received in Freight Facilities Grant to date.","AnswerText":"BP were awarded a Freight Facilities Grant of £10.044 million in December 2000. This was for one project, which will allow BP to transfer fuel oils by rail from Grangemouth to various depots including Dumfries, Fort William, Lairg, Dyce and Kilmarnock.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154300,"EventID":"S1W-17646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15739 by Sarah Boyack on 24 May 2001, what the remit and membership is of each of the groups originally established as sub-groups o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15739 by Sarah Boyack on 24 May 2001, what the remit and membership is of each of the groups originally established as sub-groups of the National Transport Forum and of each of the new bodies involved in developing and delivering integrated transport policies; how many times each of these groups and bodies have met, and whether it will place copies of the agendas of forthcoming meetings and the minutes of meetings of these groups and bodies in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"A document, National Transport Forum for Scotland Sub-Groups: Remit, Membership, Number of Meetings, has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. no. 15585).

    The minutes of the meetings of the groups are matters covered by Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154301,"EventID":"S1W-17647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 13 June 2001 regarding the slaughter of feral goats near Moffat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 13 June 2001 regarding the slaughter of feral goats near Moffat.","AnswerText":"With apologies for the delay, I replied on 1 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154302,"EventID":"S1W-17648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 11 May 2001 regarding Mr Halliday of Caplefoot, Tundergarth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 11 May 2001 regarding Mr Halliday of Caplefoot, Tundergarth.","AnswerText":"I am sorry that I have not been able to reply to your letter of 11 May, but will do so as soon as the results of enquiries which are under way are known.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154303,"EventID":"S1W-17649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 23 May 2001 regarding Mr Sloan of Woodend Farm, Johnstonebridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 23 May 2001 regarding Mr Sloan of Woodend Farm, Johnstonebridge.","AnswerText":"I am sorry that I have not yet been able to reply to your letter of 23 May before now. I hope to be in a position to write to you soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154304,"EventID":"S1W-17650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 31 May 2001 regarding Mr Rennie of Stockholm Farm, Beattock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 31 May 2001 regarding Mr Rennie of Stockholm Farm, Beattock.","AnswerText":"I am sorry about the delay in replying to your letter, the subject matter of which is being investigated at present.

    I will write to you as soon as I can.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154305,"EventID":"S1W-17651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 15 June 2001 regarding Mr & Mrs Hutchison of Moffat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will respond to my letter of 15 June 2001 regarding Mr & Mrs Hutchison of Moffat.","AnswerText":"I replied to the member on 25 August and am sorry I was unable to do so sooner.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154306,"EventID":"S1W-17652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development will reply to my letter of 30 July 2001 regarding carbon emissions in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development will reply to my letter of 30 July 2001 regarding carbon emissions in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I replied to the member's letter of 30 July on 26 August.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154307,"EventID":"S1W-17653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was warned of a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease before the first outbreak in the UK and, if so, when, by whom, and what reason was given for such a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was warned of a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease before the first outbreak in the UK and, if so, when, by whom, and what reason was given for such a warning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive had no warning or expectation of a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease before the first outbreak in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154308,"EventID":"S1W-17654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the railway sleepers used for the cremation of animals slaughtered in the course of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak came from existing stocks held in Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the railway sleepers used for the cremation of animals slaughtered in the course of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak came from existing stocks held in Scotland prior to the outbreak of the disease and, if they did not, from where they were sourced, when they were ordered, and when they arrived in the UK.","AnswerText":"Information from the contractor engaged to construct pyres in Scotland during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak indicates that around 70,000 new softwood sleepers were used, 5,000 of which were imported from Austria and Belgium. This accounted for the wood used at just under 40% of the pyres, the remainder being supplied with forestry timbers sourced in Britain. It is not possible to identify what proportion of either of these materials was sourced from stock held in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154309,"EventID":"S1W-17655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3658 by Mr Jack McConnell on 28 June 2001, after how many years information regarding talks between Her Majesty's Government and it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3658 by Mr Jack McConnell on 28 June 2001, after how many years information regarding talks between Her Majesty's Government and it in 2000 prior to the Inter-Governmental Conference in Nice will cease to be confidential and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"No set deadline can be given for the release of any information arising from confidential discussions. The Scottish Executive's Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information recognises that the sensitivity of information will, generally, reduce over time. However, it is noted that consideration must be given to the harm arising from disclosure at the time the request is made, rather than by reference to when the relevant decision was taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154310,"EventID":"S1W-17656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 April 2001, on what grounds it is not its policy to disclose the times and dates of meetings with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 April 2001, on what grounds it is not its policy to disclose the times and dates of meetings with the Defence Diversification Agency in Scotland since its inception.","AnswerText":"Details of ministerial and official level meetings within government are internal matters for the parties concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154311,"EventID":"S1W-17657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the National Radiological Protection Board concerning the ha'ardous effects of mobile telephone masts grouped in close proximity to one ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the National Radiological Protection Board concerning the ha'ardous effects of mobile telephone masts grouped in close proximity to one another and what conclusions have emerged from these negotiations.","AnswerText":"The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, which was set up by the National Radiological Protection Board, has stated that \"the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be a small fraction of guidelines\".

    Because radiowaves spread out rapidly with distance from individual masts, the cumulative effect of a number of local masts will also add up to a small fraction of the relevant guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154312,"EventID":"S1W-17658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the National Radiological Protection Board concerning reduction of any ha'ardous effects of mobile telephone masts by means of resiting,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the National Radiological Protection Board concerning reduction of any ha'ardous effects of mobile telephone masts by means of resiting, establishing \"no entry\" safe 'ones and diminishing high frequency output.","AnswerText":"Information and general advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) was taken into account during the preparation of National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 19: Radio Telecommunications. In addition, the NRPB were specifically consulted on a draft of the NPPG.

    On siting and design, NPPG 19 requires \"operators to provide with their applications evidence that consideration has been given to siting and design options\". The NPPG also requires that the installation and operation shall meet ICNIRP guidelines on exposure to radiowaves for any area where the public might reasonably gain access. Reasonable steps must be taken to exclude the public from any areas where ICNIRP guidelines might be exceeded.

    Operational requirements, particularly the need to limit the spread of radiowaves between the \"cells\" covered by different masts mean that operators are required to restrict these emissions to the lowest levels commensurate with effective operation of the mast. This requirement is also referred to in the NPPG.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154313,"EventID":"S1W-17659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the sites of groups of more than two mobile telephone masts (a) within 500 metres of each other and (b) within 1,000 metres of each other.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the sites of groups of more than two mobile telephone masts (a) within 500 metres of each other and (b) within 1,000 metres of each other.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold this information. However the Radiocommunications Agency (an Executive Agency of the DTI) is currently finalising its plans for launching a UK-wide map-based facility called \"sitefinder\" which will provide details about all mobile telephone transmitters, including their location. This facility will be available to the public through the agency's website.

    The commitment to provide this facility was part of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones chaired by Sir William Stewart.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154314,"EventID":"S1W-17660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether statistics exist on clusters of any illnesses that could be attributable to the siting of mobile telephone masts, either singly or in groups, and, if so, whether ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether statistics exist on clusters of any illnesses that could be attributable to the siting of mobile telephone masts, either singly or in groups, and, if so, whether it will list the locations of such clusters.","AnswerText":"In compiling their report, the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) considered existing scientific evidence on the relationship between mobile phone technologies and a number of diseases and behavioural effects. The diseases that have received most scientific attention in this area are cancers.

    The Executive is not aware of the existence of any clusters of cancers or any other disease that could reasonably be attributed to the distribution of mobile phone masts in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154315,"EventID":"S1W-17661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any negotiations with the Ministry of Defence concerning the impact of possible relocation of 51 Brigade Headquarters from Perth and what its position ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any negotiations with the Ministry of Defence concerning the impact of possible relocation of 51 Brigade Headquarters from Perth and what its position is on the matter.","AnswerText":"Defence matters are reserved and there have been no negotiations between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Scottish Executive concerning the possible relocation of 51 Brigade HQ from Perth. I understand that a Regional Brigade Study is being carried out under the aegis of the Strategy for the Army but work is at an early stage and no proposals have yet been put to MoD ministers. Roles and responsibilities of brigades are being considered as is the location of the headquarters but results from this work are not likely until later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154316,"EventID":"S1W-17662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4122 by Sarah Boyack on 7 June 2000, whether it approved the sealing of an unauthorised outlet which has already discharged sewage ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4122 by Sarah Boyack on 7 June 2000, whether it approved the sealing of an unauthorised outlet which has already discharged sewage into Kilbarchan Burn as authorised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, given the possible risk when the screening device is blocked of sewage discharging through manhole covers, and what steps it will take to remedy such a situation.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154317,"EventID":"S1W-17663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Prison Estates Review will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Prison Estates Review will be published.","AnswerText":"I propose to consult on the published review later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154318,"EventID":"S1W-17664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the training given to newly recruited prison officers and (b) the in-service training given to prison officers at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the training given to newly recruited prison officers and (b) the in-service training given to prison officers at HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Newly recruited Scottish Prison Service prison officers spend one week at their establishment followed by five weeks at the Scottish Prison Service College. They are then deployed as officers, and are contractually obliged to complete the SVQ in Custodial Care within two years. New recruit and in-service training at HMP Kilmarnock is a matter for Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154319,"EventID":"S1W-17665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many misconduct reports were logged at HM Prison Kilmarnock in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many misconduct reports were logged at HM Prison Kilmarnock in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17666 on 6 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154320,"EventID":"S1W-17666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many misconduct reports were lodged at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many misconduct reports were lodged at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    This information is not readily available in the form requested. However, details of breaches of discipline committed by type, and by male and female prisoners and young offenders, are published annually in the SPS Annual Report. A copy of the Annual Report for 1999-2000 is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre and the SPS website. The Annual Report for 2000-01 is not yet published.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154321,"EventID":"S1W-17667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staffing levels have been at each house-block in each Scottish Prison Service prison for (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staffing levels have been at each house-block in each Scottish Prison Service prison for (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    Information in the form requested is not readily available and could not be produced except at disproportionate cost. SPS staffing figures are given in Appendix 7 of the SPS Annual Report for the years in question, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154322,"EventID":"S1W-17668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staffing levels have been at each house-block in HM Prison Kilmarnock for (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staffing levels have been at each house-block in HM Prison Kilmarnock for (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service does not hold such information. It is a matter for Premier Prison Services who operate the establishment.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154323,"EventID":"S1W-17669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many acts of self-harm were logged at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many acts of self-harm were logged at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Self-Harm 1999-2000

    Self-Harm 2000-01

    Self-Harm 01.04.01-31.08.01

    Aberdeen

    0

    18

    3

    Barlinnie

    31

    26

    4

    Castle Huntly

    0

    0

    0

    Cornton Vale

    81

    23

    21

    Dumfries

    9

    5

    4

    Edinburgh

    26

    11

    1

    Glenochil

    13

    20

    3

    Greenock

    27

    8

    2

    Inverness

    18

    12

    6

    Low Moss

    4

    1

    0

    Noranside

    0

    0

    0

    Perth

    16

    3

    0

    Peterhead

    14

    4

    1

    Polmont

    30

    29

    11

    Shotts

    27

    6

    4

    Zeist

    0

    0

    0

    Total

    		The numbers of acts of self-harm reported to SPS by Premier Prison Services Ltd, the operators of Kilmarnock have been:

    1999-2000: 20

    2000-01: 13

    2001 to date: 9","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154325,"EventID":"S1W-17671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16978 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 August 2001, how it intends to utilise the #17 million underspend in the Scottish Prison Service budge","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16978 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 August 2001, how it intends to utilise the #17 million underspend in the Scottish Prison Service budget for 2000-01.","AnswerText":"No final decisions have yet been taken on the allocation of End Year Flexibility accruing from 2000-01 budgetary underspends to any Scottish Executive Department/Agency. The Minister for Finance and Local Government hopes to announce these allocations shortly, following Cabinet agreement.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154326,"EventID":"S1W-17672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service is or has been locating possible sites for building private prisons and, if so, where these sites are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service is or has been locating possible sites for building private prisons and, if so, where these sites are.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Work is under way to identify possible sites for new prisons in the central belt.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154327,"EventID":"S1W-17673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a high incidence of staff bullying at HM Prison Kilmarnock and, if so, what action it is taking in response.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a high incidence of staff bullying at HM Prison Kilmarnock and, if so, what action it is taking in response.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS do not collect such information which is solely a matter for Premier Prison services Ltd, the operators of Kilmarnock.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154328,"EventID":"S1W-17674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details regarding the proposed operation of the Scottish Land Fund including its remit, functions, membership, responsibilities and jurisdiction.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details regarding the proposed operation of the Scottish Land Fund including its remit, functions, membership, responsibilities and jurisdiction.","AnswerText":"The operation of the New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund is a reserved matter for the Department of Culture Media and Sport. Can I invite the member to write to Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154329,"EventID":"S1W-17675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budgetary estimate it has made in respect of possible costs, including compensation to be paid, arising from implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budgetary estimate it has made in respect of possible costs, including compensation to be paid, arising from implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"In developing the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill for introduction to Parliament, the Executive will continue to consider all likely costs relating to access, the community right to buy and the crofting community right to buy.

    The Executive is required to publish a Financial Memorandum to accompany each Bill on its introduction to Parliament, which provides details of budgetary estimates following implementation. Estimated costs relating to the Land Reform Bill will be provided at that time for, inter alia, the set-up and maintenance of core path networks, and the costs of the community and crofting community rights to buy, including compensation. In relation to both rights to buy, costs will largely be dependent on the level of uptake.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154330,"EventID":"S1W-17676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofters, and what percentage of their total number, have purchased or own their own crofts; how many crofters have purchased their crofts from the state or publ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofters, and what percentage of their total number, have purchased or own their own crofts; how many crofters have purchased their crofts from the state or public sector since the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 came into force, either directly or through crofters' trusts, and what percentage the land so acquired has been of the total area of crofters' land held by the state or public sector.","AnswerText":"3,534 crofts are owned by crofters, representing 20% of all crofts.

    A total of 45 crofters have purchased their crofts directly from Scottish ministers since the enactment of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993. The land so acquired represented some 3% of the croft land in the ownership of Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154331,"EventID":"S1W-17677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17361 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2001, whether it has made any representations to the Department of Transport, Local Government a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17361 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2001, whether it has made any representations to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate, Railtrack, the Rail Regulator or the British Transport Police regarding safety at the road/rail level crossing at Cornton, Stirling.","AnswerText":"I have nothing further to add to the answer given to question S1W-17361.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154332,"EventID":"S1W-17678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17365 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2001, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes in e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17365 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2001, how many personal injury accidents occurred on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes in each year from 1990 to 1995.","AnswerText":"The number of personal injury accidents on the A92 between Tayport and Glenrothes in each year from 1990 to 1995 is as follows:

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1990

    0

    8

    4

    12

    1991

    1

    1

    14

    16

    1992

    1

    7

    20

    28

    1993

    1

    6

    23

    30

    1994

    2

    3

    18

    23

    1995

    2

    14

    16

    32

    Total

    7

    39

    95

    141

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154333,"EventID":"S1W-17679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce plans for the future of HM Prison Peterhead.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce plans for the future of HM Prison Peterhead.","AnswerText":"This is part of the Prison Estates Review on which I intend to consult later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154334,"EventID":"S1W-17680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities exist for Executive staff to gain work experience within European institutions and for members of the European civil service to gain work experience wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities exist for Executive staff to gain work experience within European institutions and for members of the European civil service to gain work experience with the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive staff may gain work experience within European institutions through the European Commission/Council Stagiare Scheme, the Detached National Expert scheme, the Bi-Lateral Civil Service Exchange scheme, loans to FCO to work in the United Kingdom Representational Office (UKRep) in Brussels, short-term exchanges to other EU administrations and opportunities to work as/assist Pre-Accession Advisers. Members of the European civil service have the opportunity to gain work experience with the Scottish Executive through participation in the Bi-Lateral Civil Service Exchange Scheme or though short-term exchanges organised between their own administrations and the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154335,"EventID":"S1W-17681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs were piloted prior to their introduction in June 2001 and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs were piloted prior to their introduction in June 2001 and, if so, what the results of any such pilots were.","AnswerText":"In 1999, Strathclyde police were involved in trials of drug recognition techniques and field impairment testing. An evaluation found that the techniques helped police in identifying those whose driving might be impaired through drugs. The research findings on the evaluation are published on the DTLR website at:

    http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/research17/index.htm","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154336,"EventID":"S1W-17682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs have been undertaken by the police since their introduct","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs have been undertaken by the police since their introduction in June 2001 and what percentage of drivers tested have failed such tests.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The level and manner of testing is an operational matter for Chief Constables.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154337,"EventID":"S1W-17683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to police surgeons taking part in joint paediatric/forensic examinations of children suspected of having been abused.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to police surgeons taking part in joint paediatric/forensic examinations of children suspected of having been abused.","AnswerText":"Chief Constables are responsible for recruiting and training police surgeons in their areas. A range of training is employed by Scottish forces. This includes study towards the Diploma in Forensic Medicine and the Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence, undertaking Forensic Medical Examiners Course, attending the Edinburgh Coloscopy Course and the Newcastle Child Abuse Facility, induction training with paediatric staff, development and advanced training on sexual assaults and child abuse and attendance at conferences of the Association of Police Surgeons.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154338,"EventID":"S1W-17684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police surgeons in each police force area are designated as able to take part in joint paediatric/forensic examinations of children suspected of having been abus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police surgeons in each police force area are designated as able to take part in joint paediatric/forensic examinations of children suspected of having been abused.","AnswerText":"The number of police surgeons currently trained and designated to take part in joint paediatric/forensic examination of children suspected of having been abused are:

    Central Scotland Police

    7

    Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

    4

    Fife Constabulary

    0*

    Grampian Police

    3

    Lothian and Borders Police

    7

    Northern Constabulary

    2

    Strathclyde Police

    5

    Tayside Police

    3

    * Fife Constabulary - The matter of joint paediatric/forensic examinations of children suspected of being abused is under consideration by a sub-committee of the Fife Child Protection Committee. Presently, such examinations are conducted by a qualified medical practitioner who is accompanied by the police surgeon.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154339,"EventID":"S1W-17685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been undertaken to identify improvements in schools which are attributable to the allocation of extra money announced on 6 December 2000 by the Minister f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been undertaken to identify improvements in schools which are attributable to the allocation of extra money announced on 6 December 2000 by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs.","AnswerText":"These additional resources for schools, amounting to £17.2 million, were for immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems within schools. It was a condition of payment of this grant that, by 29 June 2001, education authorities should publish locally information about what has been achieved through the allocation of these additional resources and that they should submit to the department a report listing for each school how much has been allocated to it and what that amount has been spent on.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154340,"EventID":"S1W-17686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted prior to attempts by Strathclyde Police to secure TV footage from the BBC and STV of the recent Govanhill protests in Glasgow and what its positi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted prior to attempts by Strathclyde Police to secure TV footage from the BBC and STV of the recent Govanhill protests in Glasgow and what its position is on the issue.","AnswerText":"No. The policing of the Govanhill protests, and the subsequent investigation to identify those responsible for the violence and disorder that occurred, are operational matters for Strathclyde Police.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154341,"EventID":"S1W-17687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for the education of any school-age children to be accommodated at Dungavel Detention Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for the education of any school-age children to be accommodated at Dungavel Detention Centre.","AnswerText":"The operation of Dungavel Detention Centre is the responsibility of the Home Office. I understand Premier Detention Services, who have been contracted by the Home Office to run the centre, have been in discussions with South Lanarkshire Council about the most appropriate way to provide education services for any school aged children at the centre. Officials of the Executive are liasing with the Home Office and South Lanarkshire Council regarding education provision in the centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154342,"EventID":"S1W-17688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for addressing the medical needs of residents of Dungavel Detention Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for addressing the medical needs of residents of Dungavel Detention Centre.","AnswerText":"The Home Office is responsible for the Immigration Detention Centre at Dungavel House. Discussion is taking place with Lanarkshire Health Board about appropriate arrangements for the medical needs of individuals held there.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154343,"EventID":"S1W-17689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many supervised attendance orders were imposed by courts during 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many supervised attendance orders were imposed by courts during 2000.","AnswerText":"In the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, a total of 2,401 supervised attendance orders were imposed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154344,"EventID":"S1W-17690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons served periods of custody due to non-payment of fines in 2000, giving the average time served and the average fine involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons served periods of custody due to non-payment of fines in 2000, giving the average time served and the average fine involved.","AnswerText":"Reliable figures for 2000 are not yet available. 1999 information is given in tables 29, 30, 32 and 33 of Prison Statistics Scotland, 1999 published by the Scottish Executive in 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11180).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154345,"EventID":"S1W-17691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be made available to groups such as the Fife Alcohol Advisory Service as a result of the new Plan for Action on alcohol misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be made available to groups such as the Fife Alcohol Advisory Service as a result of the new Plan for Action on alcohol misuse.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently considering the Plan for Action on alcohol misuse in the light of the views expressed during consultation earlier this year. As part of work towards the plan, we are developing a framework for alcohol misuse services which will assist in local planning and commissioning.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154346,"EventID":"S1W-17692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any involvement or discussions with the Stay Warm energy supply company concerning pensioners' heating payments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any involvement or discussions with the Stay Warm energy supply company concerning pensioners' heating payments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received information about the Staywarm product, but has not had any discussions with the company in relation to the product or pensioners' heating payments.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154347,"EventID":"S1W-17693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16509 by Rhona Brankin on 30 July 2001, how many licences applied for under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 wer","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16509 by Rhona Brankin on 30 July 2001, how many licences applied for under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 were refused in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"Statistics of this kind covering enquiries, requests for advice and unsuccessful applications are not collated. Whilst some information may be retrievable from the relevant files, this would provide only an incomplete picture and would be likely to incur disproportionate costs.

    As indicated in previous answers, detailed records are held in relation to all licences which are issued under section 16 of the Act.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154348,"EventID":"S1W-17694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the identities of all applicants for licences for the taking or destruction of ravens under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the identities of all applicants for licences for the taking or destruction of ravens under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.","AnswerText":"Publication of the identities of applicants for licences to kill or take ravens under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is exempt from the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 and there are no plans to change this.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154349,"EventID":"S1W-17695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 to allow for the disclosure of names and addresses of applicants for li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to amend the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 to allow for the disclosure of names and addresses of applicants for licences to kill (a) red squirrels, (b) ravens, (c) pigeons and (d) sparrows.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154350,"EventID":"S1W-17696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote the publication of information regarding control of pests including birds and whether such information will be placed in the public domain to enab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote the publication of information regarding control of pests including birds and whether such information will be placed in the public domain to enable those involved in land management to assess in what circumstances applications are likely to be granted in respect of particular species.","AnswerText":"Control of pests under the Pests Act 1954 does not require a licence. Under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which provides for the protection of all wild birds, four general licences are in force in Scotland which permit authorised persons to kill a range of birds referred to as pest species by certain means in certain circumstances. Individual licence applications in respect of these species are not required, but they are required under that Act for birds not covered by the four general licences.

    We intend to produce a range of pest control information leaflets which will be freely available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154351,"EventID":"S1W-17697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the predators of red squirrels are; what action it plans to take in order to control such predators; whether there is any justification for issuing licenses to kill ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the predators of red squirrels are; what action it plans to take in order to control such predators; whether there is any justification for issuing licenses to kill red squirrels and, if so, how many such licenses have been issued in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Predators of red squirrels include domestic dogs and cats, some members of the weasel and stoat family and some birds of prey. The main threats to red squirrels come from competition from grey squirrels and from habitat loss and fragmentation. Predation is not significant in the context of efforts to conserve the red squirrel. No action is therefore planned against red squirrel predators.

    Licences to kill or take red squirrels can be issued in terms of section 16(3) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). In each of the last 10 years the following licences have been issued:

    Licences Issued

    Animals Killed/Taken

    1990-93

    nil

    0

    1994

    1

    21

    1995

    1

    23

    1996

    1

    0

    1997

    1

    0

    1998-present

    nil

    0

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154352,"EventID":"S1W-17698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the review group that has been set up to consider the operation and possible reform of the commitment payments scheme instituted by the Doctors' an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the review group that has been set up to consider the operation and possible reform of the commitment payments scheme instituted by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body.","AnswerText":"No review group has been set up to look specifically at this area. The review of the commitment payment scheme in Scotland is being taken forward as part of the UK negotiations on the consultants' contract currently underway between the UK Health Departments and the British Medical Association (BMA). The Scottish Executive Health Department is fully involved in the UK negotiations.

    In order to ensure that any changes to the scheme are appropriate to Scottish needs, a Scottish consultation document Rewarding Commitment and Excellence in the NHS (Scotland) was published in April this year by the Scottish Executive Health Department. Responses were received from a range of sources, including NHS Trusts, Royal Colleges/Universities, the BMA, health boards and patients' representatives, and these are currently being considered by the department.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154353,"EventID":"S1W-17699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists practising in Scotland are not entitled to any payment under the commitment payments scheme because of (a) not achieving the #25,000 earnings threshold ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists practising in Scotland are not entitled to any payment under the commitment payments scheme because of (a) not achieving the #25,000 earnings threshold or (b) not having completed 10 years of service and what the estimated cost would be of extending the commitment payments scheme to such persons.","AnswerText":"In the year 2000-01, a total of 1,902 general dental practitioners in Scotland were eligible for consideration for commitment payments, subject to meeting the relevant commitment payments criteria.

    In 2000-01, an average of 139 dentists failed to meet the minimum gross earnings criteria of £25,000. An average of 45 dentists failed to meet the 10-year length of service criteria. An average of 33 dentists failed to meet both the minimum gross earnings criteria of £25,000 and the 10-year length of service criteria.

    In 2000-01, there would have been no additional cost of extending the scheme to such persons, as the commitment payment scheme for that year was subject to a cash limited budget of £20 million for Great Britain. The effect would have been to decrease the quarterly monies available to qualifying dentists.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154354,"EventID":"S1W-17700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the recommendation of the 3rd Report 2001 of the European Committee, Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy, that 'onal management committees should ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the recommendation of the 3rd Report 2001 of the European Committee, Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy, that 'onal management committees should have formal decision-making power.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive agrees with the European Committee's proposal that zonal management committees should be set up under a reformed Common Fisheries Policy. The committee's report recommends delegated decision-making powers only after an appropriate transition period. The Executive envisages zonal committees initially having an advisory role but that their scope and function should be subject to periodic review.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154355,"EventID":"S1W-17701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17195 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government on the issue of formal deci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17195 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government on the issue of formal decision-making powers being made available for regional management committees in the EU fishing industry and whether any meetings are scheduled to that end.","AnswerText":"None.

    As previously stated, the agreed UK position is supportive of the setting up of regional bodies, and that careful consideration should be given to what powers such bodies should have.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154356,"EventID":"S1W-17702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17196 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, whether it will specify exactly which groups and individuals, other than Fran' Fischler, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17196 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, whether it will specify exactly which groups and individuals, other than Fran' Fischler, she has spoken to on the matter of formal decision-making powers for fisheries regional management committees.","AnswerText":"I have discussed the matter of formal decision-making powers for fisheries regional management committees whenever relevant during my meetings this year with groups and individuals which discussed fisheries issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154357,"EventID":"S1W-17703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17197 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what member states will be attending the meeting of Fisheries Directors in mid-September,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17197 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what member states will be attending the meeting of Fisheries Directors in mid-September, what other international fisheries-related meetings are scheduled before the European Fisheries Council on 25 October 2001 and what nations will be represented at any such meetings.","AnswerText":"An informal meeting of Fisheries Directors is to be held on 11 September. I understand that representatives from all member states with fishing interests in the North Sea have been invited.

    Assuming the question refers to EU fisheries-related meetings, the Council of Ministers holds regular meetings at both working group and COREPER levels. Details of the EU meetings to be held before the European Fisheries Council on 22 October can be found on the Commission's "Europa" website at http://europa.eu.int/","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154358,"EventID":"S1W-17704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it passed a copy of the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition: PE242 on asylum seekers to the Home Office and, if so, whether it made any recommendation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it passed a copy of the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition: PE242 on asylum seekers to the Home Office and, if so, whether it made any recommendations about the content of the report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including asylum seekers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154359,"EventID":"S1W-17705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to address the issues identified by the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition PE242 on asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to address the issues identified by the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition PE242 on asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17706.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154360,"EventID":"S1W-17706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address problems faced by asylum seekers in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address problems faced by asylum seekers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have announced a number of significant developments in relation to asylum and refugee issues.

    Scotland is to have its own minister with responsibility for all devolved aspects of asylum issues. These include health, education, social work and police matters as they relate to asylum seekers.

    We made an announcement on 19 September about Social Inclusion Partnership involvement. The Glasgow Alliance will receive an extra £700,000 to develop projects in areas such as Sighthill and Barmulloch that will tackle community integration and improve local services.

    These projects will benefit both the established and the new asylum seeker population in Sighthill.

    We also announced on 20 September extra money to improve access to further education for basic English language classes. We announced new funding of £1.7 million in the current financial year, including £0.5 million to boost college provision specifically for asylum seekers.

    An "anti-bullying in Schools" newsletter will be available in October.

    The research study into the effects of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in Scotland is about to start.

    We are establishing the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum, which I will lead.

    We are establishing a unit within the Executive, whose sole task will be to deal with asylum seekers and with refugee integration issues: it will support ministers on the forum.

    This will provide a sound basis for the further consideration of asylum and refugee issues in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154361,"EventID":"S1W-17707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the National Asylum Support Service regarding any resourcing problems faced by those voluntary organisations involved in offering serv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the National Asylum Support Service regarding any resourcing problems faced by those voluntary organisations involved in offering services and assistance to asylum seekers in Scotland, as identified in the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition: PE242 on asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including asylum seekers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154362,"EventID":"S1W-17708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and the National Asylum Support Service regarding the issues concerning the voucher system for asylum seekers ra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and the National Asylum Support Service regarding the issues concerning the voucher system for asylum seekers raised in the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition: PE242.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including asylum seekers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154363,"EventID":"S1W-17709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) regarding the length of time clients are expected to stay in emergency accommodation while ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) regarding the length of time clients are expected to stay in emergency accommodation while awaiting a NASS decision on support in the light of the Social Justice Committee's response to Petition: PE242 on asylum seekers published in February 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including asylum seekers.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154364,"EventID":"S1W-17710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8632 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, what legislation permits financial details of the Skye Bridge contract to be subject to com","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8632 by Sarah Boyack on 14 August 2000, what legislation permits financial details of the Skye Bridge contract to be subject to commercial confidentiality.","AnswerText":"The contract documentation relating to the Skye Bridge project includes, as part of the main Concession Agreement between the Scottish ministers and Skye Bridge Limited, a confidentiality clause which requires both parties to the agreement to hold in confidence all documents and other information supplied by and on behalf of the other party.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154365,"EventID":"S1W-17711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an extension or replacement of the New Futures Fund when it expires in April 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an extension or replacement of the New Futures Fund when it expires in April 2002.","AnswerText":"I announced on 4 September 2001 that the New Futures Fund is to continue for a further three-year period from 1 April 2002 on the same basis as before.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154366,"EventID":"S1W-17712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 27(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 27(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The number of people with a charge proved in sheriff courts, where there was a bail aggravation under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, was 4,752 in 1997, 6,764 in 1998 and 6,741 in 1999. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available. Information is not held centrally on the number of prosecutions where a breach of bail by reoffending was libelled on the indictment or specified on the complaint but which did not result in a conviction.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154367,"EventID":"S1W-17713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last thre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act came into force on 30 September 1998. Between then and the end of 1999 a total of 71 persons were proceeded against in sheriff courts where their main offence was under this section. A charge was proved for 54 of these persons. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154368,"EventID":"S1W-17714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken in Scotland on genetically modified vaccines for animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken in Scotland on genetically modified vaccines for animals.","AnswerText":"Research on genetically modified vaccines for animals is required to be notified to the Scottish Executive and the Health and Safety Executive under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000. No such activities covered by these regulations have been notified for Scotland. However, some research is being undertaken on immune systems that could eventually lead to the development of such vaccines.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154369,"EventID":"S1W-17715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what security measures are in place to ensure that no genetically modified vaccines for animals are deliberately or accidentally used in Scotland without strict supervisi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what security measures are in place to ensure that no genetically modified vaccines for animals are deliberately or accidentally used in Scotland without strict supervision.","AnswerText":"Activities involving genetically modified micro-organisms are prohibited unless they comply with the Contained Use Regulations 2000 and relevant sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Applications must satisfy the regulatory authorities that the activity can be undertaken in conditions which are safe for humans and the environment.

    The prescribed conditions include the provision of risk assessments in relation to human health and safety and environmental protection; the establishment of a local safety committee to advise on risk assessments; classification of all activities into one of four categories related to the degree of risk; notification to the competent authority of an intention to use premises for genetic modification for the first time; notification to the competent authority of individual activities other than those defined as of no or negligible risk, and the preparation of an emergency plan for any reasonably foreseeable accident.

    Enforcement of the Contained Use Regulations is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. Their inspectors have extensive powers to enter premises and to require the production of relevant documentation.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154370,"EventID":"S1W-17716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what outstanding hours in lieu are owed to staff in each local and open prison establishment, listed by staff category and giving the totals for each establishment and th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what outstanding hours in lieu are owed to staff in each local and open prison establishment, listed by staff category and giving the totals for each establishment and the Scottish Prison Service as a whole.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The readily available information is as follows:

    Net TOIL Balance by Establishment at 1 August 2001

    Establishment

    Time off in Lieu (TOIL) Balance

    HMP Aberdeen

    9,861

    HMP Barlinnie

    4,452

    HMP Castle Huntly

    817

    HMP Cornton Vale

    2,797

    HM YOI Dumfries

    6,596

    HMP Edinburgh

    3,146

    HMP YOI Glenochil

    2,864

    HMP Greenock

    2,263

    HMP Inverness

    1,320

    HMP Low Moss

    1,509

    HMP Noranside

    1,648

    HMP Perth

    2,814

    HMP Peterhead

    7,833

    HMP Polmont

    4,699

    HMP Shotts

    3,760

    Total

    56,379

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154371,"EventID":"S1W-17717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many days have been lost through sickness in each local and open prison establishment, broken down by staff category, giving the totals for each prison and the Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many days have been lost through sickness in each local and open prison establishment, broken down by staff category, giving the totals for each prison and the Scottish Prison Service as a whole, in each of the last three years and this year to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows

    The information requested is not held in the format sought. The following data is taken from available material.

    There are currently (as at 23 September 2001) 141 staff absent; 28 report mental health conditions including stress and six are absent as a result of assault by prisoners.

    Establishment

    Average Number of Working Days lost through Illness

     

    Average no. of working days lost through illness

    1998-99

    Average no. of working days lost through illness 1999-2000

    Average no. of working days lost though Illness 2000-01

    Aberdeen

    8.2

    7.5

    10

    Barlinnie

    14

    10.6

    11

    Castle Huntly

    12.6

    9.1

    10.2

    Cornton Vale

    14.8

    11.8

    13

    Dungavel

    7.5

    13.4

    -

    Dumfries

    11.8

    13.4

    20.3

    Edinburgh

    9.8

    10.3

    11.9

    Friarton

    12.1

    13.6

    -

    Glenochil

    14.1

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17717.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154373,"EventID":"S1W-17719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff, broken down by staff category, are currently absent through illness in each local and open prison establishment, giving details of stress-related illness","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff, broken down by staff category, are currently absent through illness in each local and open prison establishment, giving details of stress-related illnesses or prisoner-related injuries, and what the total figures are for the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows.

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17717.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154374,"EventID":"S1W-17720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up to date figures available for staff turnover are, listed by staff category, for each local prison establishment and the Scottish Prison Service as a whol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up to date figures available for staff turnover are, listed by staff category, for each local prison establishment and the Scottish Prison Service as a whole.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The readily available information is as follows:

    Total SPS staff turnover for Period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 by pay band was:

    Pay Band

    A

    B

    C

    C+

    D

    D+

    E

    E+

    F

    F+

    G

    %

    9.90

    19.07

    12.09

    12.08

    24.33

    1.62

    5.43

    0.22

    6.02

    1.23

    9.02

    Percentage turnover is based on voluntary resignation: it does not include retiring employees.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154375,"EventID":"S1W-17721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current staff turnover is at HMP Kilmarnock in relation to the Scottish Prison Service as a whole.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current staff turnover is at HMP Kilmarnock in relation to the Scottish Prison Service as a whole.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS does not hold information on staff turnover at Kilmarnock. It is solely a matter for Premier Prison Services, the operators of the prison. Staff turnover in the Scottish Prison Service was 4.4% in the year to 31 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154376,"EventID":"S1W-17722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current rate of staff turnover is in the Scottish Prison Service compared to the five-year period prior to the introduction of the Staff Structure Review instiga","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current rate of staff turnover is in the Scottish Prison Service compared to the five-year period prior to the introduction of the Staff Structure Review instigated in March 1995.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154377,"EventID":"S1W-17723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide for the last three years and the current year to date, for each local prison establishment, the number of staff in each category and number of inm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide for the last three years and the current year to date, for each local prison establishment, the number of staff in each category and number of inmates, giving the staff/inmates ratio in each case.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information is not readily available and could not be produced except at disproportionate cost. Prisoner populations and staff in post figures are given in Appendices 2 and 7 of the SPS Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154378,"EventID":"S1W-17724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of inmates occupying each local prison establishment has been for each of the last three years, and for each month so far this year, indicating in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of inmates occupying each local prison establishment has been for each of the last three years, and for each month so far this year, indicating in each case in both numerical and percentage terms the variance in relation to each prison's recommended capacity.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information is not available in the form requested However, details of the average number of prisoners in each prison is published annually in the Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletins which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 11179, 11180, and 15640). The average design capacity for the last three financial years for each local prison is detailed in the table.
     

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Aberdeen

    157

    163

    163

    Barlinnie

    926

    943

    943

    Cornton Vale

    217

    217

    219

    Dumfries

    150

    150

    150

    Edinburgh

    543

    620

    597

    Greenock

    233

    238

    243

    Inverness

    107

    108

    108

    Kilmarnock

    0

    500

    532

    Perth

    527

    526

    550

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154379,"EventID":"S1W-17725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visits to each local prison establishment HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has made in each of the last three years and how much time he or his officials have spent","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visits to each local prison establishment HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has made in each of the last three years and how much time he or his officials have spent at each prison over the same period.","AnswerText":"There are nine local prisons in Scotland - Aberdeen, Barlinnie, Cornton Vale, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Greenock, Inverness, Kilmarnock and Perth.

    Each of Scotland's 17 prisons currently receives a full, formal inspection on a cyclical basis, every 3-and-a-half-to-4 years. Full inspections take between a week and a fortnight depending on size and complexity of the establishment, during which all aspects of the establishment are examined from the point of view of safety, decency, and the establishment's contribution to crime prevention.

    Full inspection reports are followed up in subsequent years by intermediate inspections. The Inspectorate also undertakes occasional studies on a theme common to all or several penal establishments. The most recent study "Punishment First - Verdict Later?", a review of conditions for Remand Prisoners at the end of the 20th Century involved visits to all prisons holding remand prisoners but is not included in the figures given below. Similarly, inspectorate time spent in assessing the establishments' readiness for Y2K has not been included.

    Visits to Local Prisons August 1998 - August 2001

    Establishment

    HMCIP

    Inspectors

    Total

    Aberdeen

    9

    37

    46

    Barlinnie

    8

    40

    48

    Cornton Vale

    7

    35

    42

    Dumfries

    8

    38

    46

    Edinburgh

    9

    44

    53

    Greenock

    9

    49

    58

    Inverness

    5

    20

    25

    Kilmarnock

    9

    73

    82

    Perth

    6

    14

    20

    Total

    70

    350

    420

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154380,"EventID":"S1W-17726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visits the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has made to each local prison establishment since his appointment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visits the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has made to each local prison establishment since his appointment.","AnswerText":"The information is not readily available and could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154381,"EventID":"S1W-17727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the daily average number of prisoners admitted to each local prison establishment has been for each month this year and for each of the last three years also express","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the daily average number of prisoners admitted to each local prison establishment has been for each month this year and for each of the last three years also expressed in per capita terms in relation to the population served by that prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information is not available in the form requested. However, details of the average number of prisoners admitted to Scottish prisons is published annually in the Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletins which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 11179, 11180, and 15640).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154382,"EventID":"S1W-17728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reception and (b) non-reception drug tests have been carried out on new inmates at each local prison in each of the last three years and this year to date, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reception and (b) non-reception drug tests have been carried out on new inmates at each local prison in each of the last three years and this year to date, and in the Scottish Prison Service as a whole, giving the figures also as a percentage of new inmates in each case.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    The readily available information is in the table:

    Prison

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Reception Tests

    Total Tests

    Reception Tests

    Total Tests

    Reception Tests

    Total Tests

    Reception Tests

    Total Tests3

    Aberdeen

    186

    779

    147

    904

    135

    1,079

    		 

    189

    Barlinnie

    		 

    2,868

    		 

    3,413

    100

    2,700

    		 

    705

    Dumfries1

    8

    2992

    2

    91

    17

    176

    		 

    91

    Edinburgh

    		 

    1,409

    		 

    2,604

    64

    2,014

    		 This information is not available. However, SPS has recently estimated that 46% of those released from prison custody return to prison within two years (Return to Custody in Scottish Prisons, SPS Research and Evaluation Services, 2001). Re-offending not resulting in prison custody is not included in that figure.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154384,"EventID":"S1W-17730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) residential, (b) operational and (c) other category prison officers based at each local and open prison have resigned from the Scottish Prison Service in eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) residential, (b) operational and (c) other category prison officers based at each local and open prison have resigned from the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last 12 months and how many in each category have resigned from the Scottish Prison Service as a whole in each of the last three years and the three years prior to the introduction of Staff Structure Review.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    Information in the form requested is not readily available and could not be produced except at disproportionate cost.

    SPS staff turnover figures by pay band are available and are given in answer to question S1W-17720.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154385,"EventID":"S1W-17731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when new resources will be made available to HM Prison Aberdeen in order to improve drug treatment facilities for inmates and what form these new resources will take.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when new resources will be made available to HM Prison Aberdeen in order to improve drug treatment facilities for inmates and what form these new resources will take.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    HM Prison, Aberdeen will benefit from expanded in-prison addictions casework provision from late autumn 2001. Short-term post-release support "throughcare" by SPS will become available offering facilitation support to address their housing, employment, education and training, personal finance and health needs in the period leading up to and for 12 weeks after release.

    Additional addictions nursing support is being introduced this autumn and support from psychologists is also now being made available to the prison to further develop the quality of treatment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154386,"EventID":"S1W-17732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to measure the performance of Drug Action Teams.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to measure the performance of Drug Action Teams.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17542.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154387,"EventID":"S1W-17733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it first became aware of the level of Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes' surplus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it first became aware of the level of Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes' surplus.","AnswerText":"The estimated sum receivable in respect of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes surplus is noted in the group's Report and Accounts which are presented annually, formerly to the UK Parliament and now to the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154388,"EventID":"S1W-17734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, public interest in the issues relating to the Scottish Transport Group Pension Sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, public interest in the issues relating to the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes and the winding up thereof outweighs any harm involved in disclosure of information and, if so, whether it will make public (a) all correspondence, records of verbal communication and other documents and communications between (i) the Executive and the trustees or their agents of the relevant pension schemes, (ii) the Executive and the Scotland Office and (iii) the Executive and Her Majesty's Government and (b) all advice which it has received in connection with the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes, the winding up thereof and the disposal of and entitlement to surplus funds therefrom.","AnswerText":"No. It would not be appropriate for the Executive to disclose information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including between the Scottish Executive and UK Government and between the Executive and the Scottish Transport Group and the Trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pensions schemes.

    The Scottish Executive recognises the level of public interest regarding this matter. In this respect the Scottish Executive is therefore maintaining a website (www.scotland.gov.uk/transport/stgpf) with information on the matter of the ex-gratia payments and will update this when there are substantial developments to report. In addition, once the criteria for distributing ex-gratia payments have been finalised, details will be published in national newspapers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154389,"EventID":"S1W-17735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has yet completed compiling a full list of eligible beneficiaries under the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes; if so on what date this list was complet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has yet completed compiling a full list of eligible beneficiaries under the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes; if so on what date this list was completed and, if not, what action is being taken in order to complete it.","AnswerText":"No. Following approval by the Finance Committee of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish ministers have issued indemnities to the trustees which enable them to proceed to wind up the pension schemes. Until the schemes are wound up, the trustees have a responsibility to keep confidential records about scheme members.

    The Executive is working closely with the trustees and is discussing whether it is possible for the trustees to make details of scheme members available to the Executive ahead of the formal wind-up of the pension schemes, in the light of the indemnities they have now obtained, and ministers' expressed intention to make ex-gratia payments to scheme members.

    In addition, the Executive has prepared and distributed a pro-forma to interested parties which enables potential beneficiaries to register their interest with the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154390,"EventID":"S1W-17736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward detailed proposals to the Parliament in relation to the winding up of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes and whether it anticipates ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward detailed proposals to the Parliament in relation to the winding up of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes and whether it anticipates that payments to beneficiaries or pensioners will be made (a) this year, (b) next year or (c) later.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will bring forward detailed proposals of the categories of beneficiaries and distribution arrangements when the Scottish Transport Group Dissolution Order is brought forward for the approval of the Scottish Parliament in the autumn. Subject to the Scottish Parliament's approval the Executive expects to be in a position to progress the making of ex-gratia payments to all eligible beneficiaries during the course of this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154391,"EventID":"S1W-17737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the justification is for the proposed distribution of the surplus of #250 million from the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes and whether part of the distribu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the justification is for the proposed distribution of the surplus of #250 million from the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes and whether part of the distributed surplus is to be used for a contingency fund in respect of indemnities against the risk of legal action based on the actions of trustees and, if so, whether in the event that there are no successful claims against that contingency fund, it will be the subject of a subsequent distribution to Scottish Transport Group pensioners.","AnswerText":"Upon wind-up the two Scottish Transport Group pension fund schemes are liable to taxation which is payable to the Inland Revenue. As I announced in Parliament on 29 November agreement has been reached between the Scottish Executive and UK Government that up to £118 million of any sums remaining should now be paid out to members of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes by means of ex-gratia payments. These are sums, payable as a lump sum rather than as an addition to pensions, which members of the schemes would not have otherwise been due under the rules which govern the pension schemes. Scottish ministers will distribute the ex-gratia payments as soon as possible after the pension schemes' trustees have discharged their obligation to wind-up the pension schemes. There is no intention that any part of sums paid to the Inland Revenue or HM Treasury, or retained by Scottish ministers to be used in making ex-gratia payments, will be used for a contingency fund against potential legal action.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154392,"EventID":"S1W-17738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its employees will be protected under TUPE regulations if further services are outsourced and whether these protections will match those which would apply to civi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its employees will be protected under TUPE regulations if further services are outsourced and whether these protections will match those which would apply to civil servants employed in England or Wales.","AnswerText":"The TUPE Regulations implement obligations under European law and apply in the same way throughout Great Britain. Therefore, if the regulations apply they will have the same effect whether the affected civil servants work in Scotland, England or Wales. Whether the regulations apply in any particular case will depend upon the particular circumstances of that case.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154393,"EventID":"S1W-17739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish social work services will have any involvement in assessing the suitability of Dungavel House as a detention centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish social work services will have any involvement in assessing the suitability of Dungavel House as a detention centre.","AnswerText":"The Home Office is responsible for the Immigration Detention Centre at Dungavel House, Strathaven, under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales will be responsible for inspection. However, the Immigration Service is currently consulting with the host authority, South Lanarkshire and Social Work Services Inspectorate regarding future arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154394,"EventID":"S1W-17740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any of its agencies or public bodies within its responsibility, will undertake any regular inspection of the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers at ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any of its agencies or public bodies within its responsibility, will undertake any regular inspection of the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers at Dungavel House when it begins use as a detention centre.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question 17739 on 4 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154395,"EventID":"S1W-17741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff have taken sick leave as a result of stress-related conditions, and how many sick days in total this represents, in each year since its inception an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff have taken sick leave as a result of stress-related conditions, and how many sick days in total this represents, in each year since its inception and whether the reasons for these conditions have been identified.","AnswerText":"In the 12-month period from 1 August 1999 to 31 July 2000, 82 officers took sick leave because of stress-related illnesses. These absences represented a loss of 3,402 working days.

    In the following 12-month period, 1 August 2000 to 31 July 2001, 73 officers took stress-related sick leave, representing a loss of 2,741.5 working days.

    As medical certificates do not always specify the cause of a stress-related illness, it is not possible to determine whether these absences result from problems at work or from personal or domestic difficulties.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154396,"EventID":"S1W-17742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what systems it has instituted to protect its staff against workplace bullying and, in particular, whether a confidential helpline is in place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what systems it has instituted to protect its staff against workplace bullying and, in particular, whether a confidential helpline is in place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a harassment policy in place. This includes bullying and applies to all staff working in the Executive. Well-established procedures exist for staff who feel that they are victims of workplace harassment or bullying to report and to have their case investigated. A confidential harassment helpline, staffed by trained councillors, is available to all staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154397,"EventID":"S1W-17743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its Security Branch management staff have had complaints lodged against them by other staff since amalgamation and, if so, what the nature of the complaint","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its Security Branch management staff have had complaints lodged against them by other staff since amalgamation and, if so, what the nature of the complaints have been, what grades the staff members who have had such complaints lodged against them are, how such complaints have been investigated and what the outcomes have been of the investigations into each of the complaints lodged.","AnswerText":"The information requested is an internal management matter. Under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, personnel records are exempt from the commitment to provide information.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154398,"EventID":"S1W-17744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is owed, in total, to its Security Branch staff in back pay and travel allowances, what grades of staff these monies are owed to, over what period of time these ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is owed, in total, to its Security Branch staff in back pay and travel allowances, what grades of staff these monies are owed to, over what period of time these monies have accrued, why this position has arisen, when these monies are to be paid and what steps have been taken regarding future arrangements.","AnswerText":"There is no money due to security staff in back pay. Management in the Scottish Executive became aware earlier this year that security staff had not been claiming payment for time spent travelling to work. Steps have been taken to ensure that security staff are fully aware that they are able to claim travel time and consequently they have been doing so since 1 April 2001. Management and the relevant trade union have recently issued joint guidance to security staff advising them how to make retrospective claims back to 1 April 1995. These claims will be paid as soon as possible after they have been received. Until such time as all of the claims are received, the total payments to be made will not be known.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154399,"EventID":"S1W-17745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many haemophiliacs have died in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many haemophiliacs have died in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I have written to you separately giving contact details to allow you to obtain the information requested in this and your other questions (S1W-17746, S1W-17747 and S1W-17748) through the Scottish Haemophilia Directors.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154400,"EventID":"S1W-17746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many haemophiliacs have died of treatment-acquired illnesses in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many haemophiliacs have died of treatment-acquired illnesses in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17745.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154401,"EventID":"S1W-17747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of haemophiliacs currently have a treatment-acquired illness or disability.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of haemophiliacs currently have a treatment-acquired illness or disability.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17745.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154402,"EventID":"S1W-17748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the potential appearance of treatment-acquired disease among haemophiliacs is monitored, given the experience gained from the appearance of hepatitis C as a treatment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the potential appearance of treatment-acquired disease among haemophiliacs is monitored, given the experience gained from the appearance of hepatitis C as a treatment-acquired disease among haemophiliacs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17745.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154403,"EventID":"S1W-17749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred during the period 1990 to 1995 on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred during the period 1990 to 1995 on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","AnswerText":"The number of road accidents on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84 during the period 1990 to 1995 is as follows:

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1990

    2

    11

    17

    30

    1991

    1

    9

    14

    24

    1992

    2

    8

    19

    29

    1993

    2

    12

    19

    33

    1994

    2

    8

    19

    29

    1995

    1

    7

    16

    24

    Total

    10

    55

    104

    169

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154404,"EventID":"S1W-17750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred during 2000 and so far during 2001 on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred during 2000 and so far during 2001 on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84.","AnswerText":"The number of road accidents on the Stirling to Lochearnhead stretch of the A84 during 2000 and so far in 2001 is as follows:

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    2000

    1

    7

    17

    25

    2001

    0

    1

    2

    3

    Total

    1

    8

    19

    28

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154405,"EventID":"S1W-17751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the increase in the number of appeals sent to the High Court Judiciary, as highlighted in the Criminal Appeal Statistics, Scotland, 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the increase in the number of appeals sent to the High Court Judiciary, as highlighted in the Criminal Appeal Statistics, Scotland, 2000.","AnswerText":"The most recent issue of Criminal Appeal Statistics, Scotland was published on 22 August 2001. The statistics relate to appeals against conviction, sentence or acquittal concluded in the High Court of Justiciary sitting in its appellate capacity during the year 2000.

    The statistics indicate that the overall total of such cases concluded during 2000 was in fact 2% lower than the total for 1999.

    It is open to any person convicted of a criminal offence in the district, sheriff or High Court to appeal to the High Court sitting in its appellate capacity against conviction alone, sentence alone or against both conviction and sentence. It is also open to the Crown to appeal against acquittal or against sentence in very limited circumstances.

    Crown appeals are comparatively rare. Defence appeals are far more common and are initiated on the basis of advice tendered to convicted persons by their legal representatives as to the prospects of a successful appeal. Such advice in any given case will take into account the whole circumstances of the case so far as relevant and the applicable law.

    One area in which there was an increase in appeal business between 1999 and 2000 concerned persons previously convicted of murder in the High Court and sentenced to life imprisonment who, following a decision of the High Court issued on 29 November 1996 in the case of Elliott v HM Advocate, appealed with a view to having the effective commencement date of such sentences \"backdated\" to the date on which they were first remanded in custody to await trial. The number of such appeals dealt with during 2000 was over 90, as compared with 21 during the previous year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154406,"EventID":"S1W-17752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals from the High, sheriff and district Courts concerned devolved issues and were on grounds relating to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals from the High, sheriff and district Courts concerned devolved issues and were on grounds relating to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the last two years and this year to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

    An indication of the extent to which the terms of the ECHR have been relied upon by accused persons and appellants in all Scottish criminal courts since 20 May 1999, when the Lord Advocate became subject to section 57(2) of the Scotland Act 1998, is given by the available statistics showing the number of \"devolution issues\" (within the meaning of Schedule 6 of the Scotland Act 1998) which have been intimated to the Lord Advocate. Rules 40.1 et seq of the Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules) 1996 as amended require written notice of intention to raise a devolution issue in any criminal proceedings in Scotland to be given to the Lord Advocate.

    Between 20 May 1999 and 31 December 1999, 164 devolution issues were intimated to the Lord Advocate. Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000 the figure was 821 and from 1 January 2001 to date the number of devolution issues intimated to the Lord Advocate was 172.

    The total number of devolution issues intimated to the Lord Advocate from 20 May 1999 to date is 1,157, of which 60 (or 5.2%) were decided against the Crown (where results are available).

    Since 2 October 2000 accused persons and appellants have been able, in terms of the Human Rights Act 1998, to rely upon convention rights arguments in criminal proceedings without any requirement to intimate their intention to the Lord Advocate. No statistics are available to indicate the number of cases in which convention rights arguments have been relied upon in this manner.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154407,"EventID":"S1W-17753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a response to the letter of 28 February 2001 from its Health Department Directorate of Finance to the acting director of finance at Grampian Prim","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a response to the letter of 28 February 2001 from its Health Department Directorate of Finance to the acting director of finance at Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust regarding the redevelopment of Chalmers Hospital, Banff, and, if so, what the response was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not yet received a reply to the letter of 28 February.

    The plans for the redevelopment of Chalmers Hospital will be included in the NHS Grampian Action Plan, phase 1 of which will be completed by the end of October. The Action Plan will set out how NHS Grampian will fulfil its commitment to deliver high quality, sustainable and accessible services. There are no plans to close Chalmers Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154408,"EventID":"S1W-17754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it now has on the circumstances and chain of infection which lead to the first case of foot-and-mouth disease recorded in Dumfries and Galloway and wheth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it now has on the circumstances and chain of infection which lead to the first case of foot-and-mouth disease recorded in Dumfries and Galloway and whether it will make this information public.","AnswerText":"The first case of foot-and-mouth disease in Dumfries and Galloway was confirmed on 1 March on the farm run by C M Kirkpatrick, Nether Place, Dryfesdale, Lockerbie. The infection has been traced to animals brought on to his premises from Longtown market. Information about all foot-and-mouth disease cases is recorded on the DEFRA website to which there is a link from the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154409,"EventID":"S1W-17755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the European Commission regarding possible banning of 70 to 79 millimetre mesh si'es for nephrops in the west of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the European Commission regarding possible banning of 70 to 79 millimetre mesh si'es for nephrops in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Measures to protect cod in waters to the west of Scotland next year were agreed in July. Nephrops fishermen will be able to continue to catch nephrops in these waters with nets of mesh sizes between 70 to 79 millimetre provided that no more than 5% of the catch consists of cod. This outcome emerged after a series of meetings between Commission officials, scientists, UK negotiators and industry representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154410,"EventID":"S1W-17756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made to Her Majesty's Government or the European Commission with respect to nephrops mesh si'es in the west of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made to Her Majesty's Government or the European Commission with respect to nephrops mesh si'es in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17755.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154411,"EventID":"S1W-17757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11828 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, when it expects it to reach a final conclusion on the recommendations in connection with t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11828 by Susan Deacon on 8 January 2001, when it expects it to reach a final conclusion on the recommendations in connection with the closure of emergency control rooms submitted by the Scottish Ambulance Service in December 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has now advised the Scottish Ambulance Service that it should prepare a full business case for the proposed changes to its emergency service control rooms following the recent review. The Executive expects to receive the full business case later this year, and will reach a final decision on the basis of this further information.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154412,"EventID":"S1W-17758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been received in each health board area for spending on mental health services since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been received in each health board area for spending on mental health services since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Since 1999-2000 health funding has increased from £4.9 billion to £5.9 billion in the current year and is due to rise to £6.9 billion in 2003-04. Health boards are given a unified budget to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. It is for boards to decide how best to utilise this funding to meet local and national priorities including mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154413,"EventID":"S1W-17759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether doctors or pharmacists could be charged with culpable and reckless conduct for dispensing amounts of methadone above the recommended levels which later result in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether doctors or pharmacists could be charged with culpable and reckless conduct for dispensing amounts of methadone above the recommended levels which later result in death.","AnswerText":"It is possible that charges of culpable and reckless conduct could be brought against doctors or pharmacists in these circumstances. However, any charges and subsequent prosecutions would be determined entirely by the specific circumstances surrounding each case.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154414,"EventID":"S1W-17760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the police have approved a police service parliamentary scheme and, if so, when the Executive will take a decision on the scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the police have approved a police service parliamentary scheme and, if so, when the Executive will take a decision on the scheme.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers support the development of appropriate arrangements for the exchange of information between the police service and members of the Scottish Parliament. The precise form of these arrangements is however a matter for police forces and MSPs to determine.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154415,"EventID":"S1W-17761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools there are in Scotland, broken down by local authority, and how many of these have offered technological studies to certificate level on an annu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools there are in Scotland, broken down by local authority, and how many of these have offered technological studies to certificate level on an annual basis since 1997. ","AnswerText":"According to the 2000 census, there are 449 secondary schools in Scotland. The distribution across each local authority is shown in the table. In 2000, 228 schools offered technological studies at Standard Grade, Intermediate 1 and 2, Higher Grade and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. The following tables provide details of the number of schools presenting pupils for examinations in technological studies since 1997 at these different levels. Information on the geographical spread of presenting schools is not held centrally.

    Secondary Schools in Scotland by Local Authority

    EA code

    Authority

    Publicly funded

    Independent

    Total

    100

    Aberdeen City

    13

    6

    19

    110

    Aberdeenshire

    16

    0

    16

    120

    Angus

    8

    1

    9

    130

    Argyll and Bute

    10

    1

    11

    150

    Clackmannanshire

    3

    1

    4

    170

    Dumfries & Galloway

    16

    2

    18

    Another distinguishing feature of this system is that the foreshore in Orkney and Shetland is treated in the same way as land above high water mark across the rest of Scotland. Consequently, it is possible for Udal titles to land to include the foreshore as property.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154418,"EventID":"S1W-17764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the relatives of owner-occupiers of farms and crofts preserve their rights to purchase, which currently prevail under the Udal Law system, in the Land Reform (Sco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the relatives of owner-occupiers of farms and crofts preserve their rights to purchase, which currently prevail under the Udal Law system, in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill as drafted.","AnswerText":"Section 52 of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which relates to the community right to buy, exempts family transfers from the provisions of the Bill. Similarly, section 76, which relates to the crofting community right to buy, exempts crofts worked by their owners or members of the owners' families. The Bill does not therefore affect any extant provisions of Udal Law in these areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154419,"EventID":"S1W-17765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to attract visitors to the Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands and whether specific regard is being given to any effect that the price o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to attract visitors to the Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands and whether specific regard is being given to any effect that the price of air travel to the islands may have on tourism.","AnswerText":"The Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are marketed by their respective Area Tourist Boards. They also benefit from the generic marketing carried out by VisitScotland and by the British Tourist Authority.

    The level of air fares on routes to the Western and North Isles is a commercial matter for airlines. The Scottish Executive is, however, committed to the maintenance of affordable links to islands communities. Our subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd results in lower costs to airlines than if the full economic costs were applied. In addition, the Glasgow-Barra air service and some inter-island routes within the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are already subsidised by the Executive. These measures benefit tourists.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154420,"EventID":"S1W-17766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of subsidy allocated to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd was in the current financial year and whether it intends to increase this amount.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of subsidy allocated to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd was in the current financial year and whether it intends to increase this amount.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is providing funding of up to £16.2 million in the current financial year for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to support the airport infrastructure at its 10 airports. No additional funding has been announced.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154421,"EventID":"S1W-17767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has produced a business plan and/or proposals to reduce landing charges in order to help to reduce air fares and to incr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has produced a business plan and/or proposals to reduce landing charges in order to help to reduce air fares and to increase air travel to Scotland's islands and, if so, whether it endorses such plans.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd prepares an annual budget and corporate plan which consider the company's priorities for future years. HIAL will continue to maintain its airport charges at levels which reflect their commitment to the maintenance of the air network in the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Executive endorses this approach.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154422,"EventID":"S1W-17768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointments of the Chief Executive and Chair of the new Scottish Water Authority announced on 8 August 2001 complied with the relevant principles in the repo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointments of the Chief Executive and Chair of the new Scottish Water Authority announced on 8 August 2001 complied with the relevant principles in the report of the Nolan Committee.","AnswerText":"The prospective Chair and Chief Executive of Scottish Water have been identified by interview processes involving an independent assessor, in line with guidance from Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). In respect of the post of Chair, which falls within the Commissioner's remit, OCPA gave prior approval to a closed competition; in the case of the Chief Executive, which falls outwith OCPA's remit, the same considerations applied.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154423,"EventID":"S1W-17769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations have adjustable shelves for disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations have adjustable shelves for disabled people.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154424,"EventID":"S1W-17770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations do not have access for disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations do not have access for disabled people.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154425,"EventID":"S1W-17771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take with regard to the announcement by Fife Health Board on 22 August 2001 of the death of a patient from Hepatitis B contracted from a doctor.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take with regard to the announcement by Fife Health Board on 22 August 2001 of the death of a patient from Hepatitis B contracted from a doctor.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-17772 and S1W-17908.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154426,"EventID":"S1W-17772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into Fife Health Board's handling of the recent case of the death of a patient from Hepatitis B contracted from a doctor.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into Fife Health Board's handling of the recent case of the death of a patient from Hepatitis B contracted from a doctor.","AnswerText":"An Incident Control Team was set up by Fife Health Board in February this year, when the first report of hepatitis B infection was received. A full investigation is currently under way and a report will be submitted to the board once the Incident Control Team have completed their enquiries. The report will then be assessed by the Health Department to see whether further action is needed.

    The Incident Control Team's report will also be considered by the Advisory Group on hepatitis (AGH). The AGH provides the UK Health Departments with expert advice on the prevention and control of viral hepatitis. The group will advise on whether any changes are needed to current guidance on screening NHS staff or on handling events of this kind.

    The Executive will take any appropriate action in the light of the group's advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154427,"EventID":"S1W-17773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances are given to GPs who are considering Personal Medical Services employment regarding their superannuation benefits.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances are given to GPs who are considering Personal Medical Services employment regarding their superannuation benefits.","AnswerText":"Guidance has been issued to Primary Care Trusts advising that existing superannuation benefits for GPs (both independent contractors and salaried) providing Personal Medical Services (PMS) under a pilot scheme remain unchanged for the period of the pilot.

    For permanent PMS schemes, there will be no change to the superannuation arrangements for GPs who provide PMS under a practice-based agreement. We are in discussions with SPPA over the position of permanent salaried PMS GPs.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154428,"EventID":"S1W-17774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of Countryside Management Agreements, and in particular Access Agreements, administered by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been since the inception of S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of Countryside Management Agreements, and in particular Access Agreements, administered by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been since the inception of SNH.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154429,"EventID":"S1W-17775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of establishing a core path network, whether extra countryside rangers would need to be employed as a result of the establishment of the networ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of establishing a core path network, whether extra countryside rangers would need to be employed as a result of the establishment of the network and, if so, what the estimated cost of the extra rangers would be.","AnswerText":"With regard to the cost of establishing core paths I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O - 3689.

    We anticipate that the implementation of a right of responsible access will require the employment of additional access officers and rangers, but this will vary from local authority to local authority. Scottish Natural Heritage is currently working on estimates of the additional staff required to implement a right of responsible access. The work of these staff will not be limited to core paths.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154430,"EventID":"S1W-17776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Community Right to Buy proposals in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, whether this right will be demand-led and, if so, what its policy will be if the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Community Right to Buy proposals in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, whether this right will be demand-led and, if so, what its policy will be if the Land Fund resources become exhausted and there is a backlog of applications.","AnswerText":"The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill places no limit on the number of land registrations which can be made by community bodies.

    The New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund is one possible source of funding for community land purchases. Any future allocations beyond the Land Fund's current £10 million budget can be considered in the light of experience of its operation.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154431,"EventID":"S1W-17777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofting communities there are and what the average si'e of a crofting community is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofting communities there are and what the average si'e of a crofting community is.","AnswerText":"The phrase "crofting communities" is a generic term, describing communities involved in crofting and located on or associated with crofting land. Like other communities, the areas and numbers of people included may be as wide as one decides e.g. one could talk about the crofting community of the Highlands and Islands, or of Skye, or Balmacara.

    The draft Land Reform Bill provides a means of defining a crofting community for the purposes of the Bill. It is not known how many communities in crofting areas could meet that definition or what the average size of such a community might be.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154432,"EventID":"S1W-17778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofters there currently are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofters there currently are.","AnswerText":"No exact figures are recorded, but we believe there are around 12,000 tenants and owner-occupiers of crofts, who together with families amount to around 30,000 people resident on crofts.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154433,"EventID":"S1W-17779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates will be the annual cost of upkeep of the proposed core path network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates will be the annual cost of upkeep of the proposed core path network.","AnswerText":"We propose to place a duty on local authorities to establish core paths following consultation. The cost of upkeep of core paths will depend on many factors including the extent of the network; the ratio of new to existing paths; the overall level of use; and the relative use by different categories of user. This uncertainty means that it is difficult to estimate at this stage, the likely annual cost of upkeep, but we have asked Scottish Natural Heritage to address this issue and to advise us in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154434,"EventID":"S1W-17780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any distinction is made between a bridleway and a footpath in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any distinction is made between a bridleway and a footpath in the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The draft Land Reform Bill makes no distinction between a bridleway and a footpath. However, under section 20 and 21 of the draft Bill, local authorities would have powers to delineate paths for particular purposes. For example, paths could be delineated for use by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders or any combination of these users. These powers would also allow core paths to be delineated for different use.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154435,"EventID":"S1W-17781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what compulsory purchase powers exist and whether it will detail each occasion on which such powers have been used in the last ten years, giving the cost in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what compulsory purchase powers exist and whether it will detail each occasion on which such powers have been used in the last ten years, giving the cost in each case.","AnswerText":"Compulsory purchase powers are contained in general Acts of Parliament. They are available to government departments, most government agencies, local authorities, bodies with statutory obligations, bodies subject to a regulator and other bodies who have obtained compulsory purchase powers by way of a Provisional Order.

    There is no central register providing information on the number, type, cost or use of compulsory purchase orders.

    Research aimed at establishing how the compulsory purchase system operates in Scotland and identifying ways of improving its operations, has recently been published by the Scottish Executive. A copy of the research entitled, Review of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation is available on the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154436,"EventID":"S1W-17782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage, it will consider extending Access Management agreements to cover salmon spawning grounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage, it will consider extending Access Management agreements to cover salmon spawning grounds.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage and Local Authorities have powers under Section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 to enter into management agreements to preserve or enhance the natural beauty of the countryside or to promote the enjoyment of the countryside by the public. These powers already apply in respect of salmon spawning grounds.

    The provision relating to access agreements in Section 13 of the 1967 Act could also apply in enabling access to areas used by salmon for spawning. The need for access agreements will disappear with the introduction of a right of responsible access and, therefore, our intention is to repeal that Section in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154437,"EventID":"S1W-17783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16824 by Jackie Baillie on 2 August 2001, whether, following stakeholder consultation, an appropriate local authority could be cons","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16824 by Jackie Baillie on 2 August 2001, whether, following stakeholder consultation, an appropriate local authority could be considered as a potential landlord for transfer of Scottish Homes properties within that local authority's area of operation.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are free to bid to acquire Scottish Homes' stock.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154438,"EventID":"S1W-17784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers by Jackie Baillie to questions S1W-16905 and S1W-16904 on 6 and 7 August 2001 respectively, whether the remit of the working group to look at the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers by Jackie Baillie to questions S1W-16905 and S1W-16904 on 6 and 7 August 2001 respectively, whether the remit of the working group to look at the detailed impact of the withdrawal of Section 54 (tax relief grant) on housing associations will include consideration of an alternative funding mechanism for major repairs.","AnswerText":"The working group will examine the impact of the withdrawal of section 54 grant and, in particular, the effect on repairs programmes. The group is not precluded from considering alternative mechanisms for funding such repairs programmes in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154439,"EventID":"S1W-17785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-16907 and S1W-16908 by Jackie Baillie on 9 August 2001, whether it will supply the information given broken down by local authori","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-16907 and S1W-16908 by Jackie Baillie on 9 August 2001, whether it will supply the information given broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Further to my answers given on 9 August on grants paid under section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 which relate to accounting periods ending in 1999-2000, the following table shows this information broken down by local authority area.

    Local authority area

    No. of awards

    Value of awards (£)

    Western Isles

    5

    13,896.70

    Caithness

    1

    34,867.80

    Shetland

    1

    19,461.40

    Dundee

    1

    154,213.02

    Lochaber

    1

    21,927.80

    Skye & Lochalsh

    1

    40,492.60

    Orkney

    1

    44,887.20

    Fife

    1

    15,314.20

    Renfrewshire

    6

    469,726.53

    East Renfrewshire

    1

    37,325.80

    Inverclyde

    3

    80,745.70

    North Lanarkshire

    4

    203,056.97

    South Lanarkshire

    3

    114","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154440,"EventID":"S1W-17786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16839 by Jackie Baillie on 3 August 2001, how many of the listed members of the (a) Housing Interests Group, (b) Working Group on S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16839 by Jackie Baillie on 3 August 2001, how many of the listed members of the (a) Housing Interests Group, (b) Working Group on Single Social Tenancy, (c) Short Life Right to Buy Working Group, (d) Working Group on Implementation of Part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, (e) Homelessness Task Force, (f) Single Housing Plans Group and (g) Scottish Homes Steering Group are paid officials of the organisations referred to and how many are board members, committee members or equivalent.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154441,"EventID":"S1W-17787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16839 by Jackie Baillie on 3 August 2001, whether payment in any form is made by it to the organisations or individuals listed in r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16839 by Jackie Baillie on 3 August 2001, whether payment in any form is made by it to the organisations or individuals listed in respect of their involvement in the various working groups and task forces.","AnswerText":"Apart from travelling expenses, which have been paid to only one individual from the lists, no payments are made to the organisations or individuals listed in respect of their involvement in the various working groups and task forces.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154442,"EventID":"S1W-17788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public buildings built under public procurement procedures funded by the public sector are subject, under good practice procedures, to construction standards whi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public buildings built under public procurement procedures funded by the public sector are subject, under good practice procedures, to construction standards which are more stringent than those imposed by legally required construction standards.","AnswerText":"Public sector clients will require buildings to satisfy Government policies on matters such as environmental performance or access for people with disabilities as they deem necessary in particular cases. The standards may exceed, or expand on, those set by the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations, which are the minimum standards applicable to all new buildings.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154443,"EventID":"S1W-17789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with, or corresponded with, Lanarkshire Health Board or Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in relation to adverse press reports ab","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with, or corresponded with, Lanarkshire Health Board or Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in relation to adverse press reports about the level of service provision and accommodation at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"Yes. I received a full report from the Chief Executive of Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust at the time the said articles first appeared, and my officials continue to closely monitor the position and liaise with the trust.

    Where there are matters that still require attention, the trust is urgently addressing them with its contractors. In many cases, however, the press articles have been exaggerated, inaccurate or refer to matters that were resolved by the trust several weeks before they were reported in the press. The people in Lanarkshire are now benefiting from an excellent new NHS hospital at Hairmyres that will serve them well into the 21st century.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154444,"EventID":"S1W-17790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a Charity Law Bill and, if so, when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a Charity Law Bill and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"After the report of the McFadden Commission was published on 9 May, we invited comments on the recommendations. This consultation will end on 30 September. In the meantime, the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) of the Cabinet Office has announced a review of the voluntary sector at a UK level. This may have relevance for Scotland. The consultation responses will therefore be considered alongside any recommendations from the PIU. We aim to publish a comprehensive response to the McFadden report as soon as possible thereafter. Any Bill that may follow this will have to take its place alongside other competing priorities in the legislative programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154445,"EventID":"S1W-17791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out, or intends to carry out, any investigation or research into restorative justice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out, or intends to carry out, any investigation or research into restorative justice.","AnswerText":"Restorative justice can be defined as the process whereby the parties involved in a specific offence collectively resolve how to deal with the aftermath. In particular, it aims to involve the victim and the offender in discussing the implications of the crime and possible forms of reparation.

    Elements of restorative justice appear in various current initiatives. The use of mediation and reparation services in certain cases of diversion from prosecution is an example of restorative justice in practice. We also expect many of the Youth Crime Review programmes to have strong restorative justice elements in the light of the increased emphasis on the victims of crime.

    The Scottish Executive funded and evaluated the SACRO Young Offenders Mediation and Reparation Project in Kirkcaldy in Fife. A report was published in 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154446,"EventID":"S1W-17792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current situation in terms of competition on routes between FirstGroup and Lothian Buses is in the best interests of public transport services and fare payi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current situation in terms of competition on routes between FirstGroup and Lothian Buses is in the best interests of public transport services and fare paying passengers in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not made an assessment of the competition on routes between First Group and Lothian Buses in Edinburgh. It is for the City of Edinburgh Council to develop its Local Transport Strategy and other relevant general policies in the light of public transport provision, and to consider whether it needs to act to improve matters using the powers available to it in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154447,"EventID":"S1W-17793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding FirstGroup's recent changes in relation to its bus services in Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding FirstGroup's recent changes in relation to its bus services in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Traffic Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that local bus services are operated under the terms of the Transport Act 1985 and associated regulations. In addition, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 provides powers for local authorities to make Quality Partnership schemes, or with the approval of Scottish ministers, Quality Contract schemes and the Executive would consider any such application timeously.

    However, I understand that the Office of Fair Trading has commenced an investigation under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998 into FirstEdinburgh's recent actions in the wider Edinburgh bus market area.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154448,"EventID":"S1W-17794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the shortest possible timescale is within which a quality contract scheme for bus operation could be implemented in Edinburgh following a request for such a scheme ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the shortest possible timescale is within which a quality contract scheme for bus operation could be implemented in Edinburgh following a request for such a scheme from the local authority.","AnswerText":"The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 provides for a Quality Contract to come into operation not earlier than six months from the date the contract was let, or an earlier date if that is specified in the proposed Quality Contract scheme. A proposed Quality Contract requires the approval of Scottish ministers before it can be implemented, and I would consider any such application timeously. The overall timescale for progressing a Quality Contract proposal, assuming that ministerial approval is forthcoming, is a matter within the control of the local authority concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154449,"EventID":"S1W-17795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce any emergency and/or amending legislation to allow quality contracts to be invoked quicker than would otherwise be the case in Edinburgh in vie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce any emergency and/or amending legislation to allow quality contracts to be invoked quicker than would otherwise be the case in Edinburgh in view of the current situation there.","AnswerText":"No. The Executive has already brought forward new powers under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 which enable local authorities to make Quality Contract schemes. As my answer to S1W-17794 makes clear, the timescale for progressing a Quality Contract proposal is a matter within the control of the local authority concerned, subject to ministerial approval.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154450,"EventID":"S1W-17796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the criteria established in 1996 for defining a trunk road or network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the criteria established in 1996 for defining a trunk road or network.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to review the criteria for defining a trunk road or network.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154451,"EventID":"S1W-17797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to consider representations regarding additions to or deletions from the trunk road network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to consider representations regarding additions to or deletions from the trunk road network.","AnswerText":"Any representation suggesting the alteration of the trunk road network will be considered on its merits.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154452,"EventID":"S1W-17798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding upgrading (a) the A70 and (b) the A71 to trunk road status.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding upgrading (a) the A70 and (b) the A71 to trunk road status.","AnswerText":"The Executive has received correspondence calling for improvements to both the A70 and A71 but no explicit demands for upgrading to trunk roads status.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154453,"EventID":"S1W-17799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it would require in order to decide to change the status of the A70 or A71 to a trunk road.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it would require in order to decide to change the status of the A70 or A71 to a trunk road.","AnswerText":"Any extension to the trunk road network would require Scottish ministers to conclude that a route should be added to the national system, after taking into consideration the statutory requirements set out in section 5 (2) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154454,"EventID":"S1W-17800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in procuring the construction of the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in procuring the construction of the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme.","AnswerText":"In partnership with East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils, we are currently considering taking forward the M77 jointly with Glasgow Southern Orbital (GSO) as a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) contract. Statutory schemes and orders have been made and land has been purchased covering the main requirements of the M77. Similarly, Scottish ministers have granted planning consent and confirmed a Compulsory Purchase Order for the GSO. Following an initial review of the PPP option, a list of contractors has been selected from whom tenders can be invited.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154455,"EventID":"S1W-17801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the construction of the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme will proceed to completion within the timetable laid out in Travel Choices for Scotland - Strategic Roa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the construction of the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme will proceed to completion within the timetable laid out in Travel Choices for Scotland - Strategic Roads Review.","AnswerText":"Subject to outstanding procedural matters being satisfactorily resolved, construction is planned to start in 2002-03 and, in line with the timetable laid out in Travel Choices for Scotland - Strategic Roads Review, I anticipate the work being completed in 2005.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154456,"EventID":"S1W-17802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the proposed Glasgow South Orbital Route and what its projected completion date is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the proposed Glasgow South Orbital Route and what its projected completion date is.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow Southern Orbital is being promoted as part of a joint scheme with the M77. I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-17800 and 17801.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154457,"EventID":"S1W-17803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Strategic Rail Authority will produce and publish for the Scottish Executive the rail freight strategy for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Strategic Rail Authority will produce and publish for the Scottish Executive the rail freight strategy for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) hope to publish their rail freight strategy for Scotland later this year. In April, the Scottish Executive commissioned consultants to carry out a study to take a strategic view of the potential for developing sustainable freight movements across the whole of Scotland. The outcome of this study will assist in the forthcoming discussions we are to have with the SRA to develop that strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154458,"EventID":"S1W-17804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been commissioned to inform rail freight policy and when the results of any such research will be made available to the Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been commissioned to inform rail freight policy and when the results of any such research will be made available to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"In April, the Scottish Executive commissioned consultants to carry out a study to take a strategic view of the potential for developing sustainable freight movements across the whole of Scotland. The outcome of this study will assist in the forthcoming discussions we are to have with the SRA to develop a Freight Strategy for Scotland, as part of its Great Britain Freight Strategy. The work is due to be completed in October and it is intended that a summary of the findings will be published thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154459,"EventID":"S1W-17805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14515 by Sarah Boyack on 9 April 2001, when an announcement will be made with regard to the funding of the proposed Larkhall to Mil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14515 by Sarah Boyack on 9 April 2001, when an announcement will be made with regard to the funding of the proposed Larkhall to Milngavie rail link.","AnswerText":"On 27 August, I announced that the Executive is taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail route project in partnership with Strathclyde Passenger Transport. Jointly we will provide £23 million to build the link. Discussions are now under way on the detailed implementation of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154460,"EventID":"S1W-17806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions are placed on convicted prisoners communicating by letter or telephone from prisons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions are placed on convicted prisoners communicating by letter or telephone from prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    All prisoners have the right to send and receive mail and to use telephones. That right is subject to the provisions of Part 7 of the Prisoners and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994 (as amended) which allow a wide range of restrictions to be imposed, primarily in the interests of good order and security and preventing criminal activity. The circumstances in which ordinary letters can be read by prison officers are set out in rule 51. Most of these restrictions apply equally to untried and convicted prisoners. Special provisions apply for legal and court correspondence. Prisoners' telephone calls can be logged, monitored and recorded under rule 54(2).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154461,"EventID":"S1W-17807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take now it has had time to consider the judgement of the English High Court in the case brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 involvi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take now it has had time to consider the judgement of the English High Court in the case brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 involving blood contaminated with the hepatitis C virus.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has instructed NHSScotland to enter into discussions with the legal representatives of any person who has raised an action of the same kind as the decision in the English High Court. These would be actions under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 where people have been infected with hepatitis C as a result of receiving blood from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service after 1 March 1988.

    These discussions will be with a view to reaching a settlement of those actions which are legally competent and where the relevant facts can be proved.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154462,"EventID":"S1W-17808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors Historic Scotland properties located in the north east of Scotland parliamentary region have received so far this year and how this figure compares with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors Historic Scotland properties located in the north east of Scotland parliamentary region have received so far this year and how this figure compares with the equivalent period in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to answer. His response is as follows.

    Listed in the table are the visitor numbers for Historic Scotland staffed sites in the north east of Scotland parliamentary region for the period 1 January to 31 August and for the comparable period over the last three years.

    Year

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Arbroath Abbey

    6,325

    6,623

    5,303

    11,461

    Balvenie Castle

    4,679

    6,077

    5,384

    4,615

    Claypotts Castle

    Closed

    375

    418

    Closed

    Corgarff Castle

    4,901

    5,025

    4,290

    3,065

    Edzell Castle

    9,228

    8,093

    7,462

    6,343

    Huntly Castle

    11,772

    11,214

    12,735

    10,901

    Kildrummy Castle

    6,701

    7,950

    8,028

    6,646

    Meigle Stones

    4,835

    4,441

    3,499

    3,764

    Tolquhon Castle

    4,179

    3,741

    3,317

    2,492

    Totals

    52,620

    53,539

    50,436

    49,287

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154463,"EventID":"S1W-17809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the recent #12 million schools repairs announcement by local authority, showing how much each local authority's allocation is per head","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the recent #12 million schools repairs announcement by local authority, showing how much each local authority's allocation is per head of population and per school, and whether it will give any equivalent figures for each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table. The distribution of the School Buildings Improvement Fund was not made on the basis either of the population or number of schools in each authority's area. It was made on the basis of the education element of the formula which is used for the allocation of capital consents for local authority non-housing programmes. The formula was drawn up in consultation with CoSLA. This is the first year in which the School Buildings Improvement Fund has been available.

    School Buildings Improvement Fund

    Amount per Head of Population

    Amount per School

    Scotland

    £2.35

    £4,195.80

    Aberdeen City

    £1.76

    £4,592.59

    Aberdeenshire

    £2.32

    £2,949.72

    Angus

    £2.53

    £4,000.00

    Argyll & Bute

    £2.93

    £2,600.00

    Clackmannanshire

    £2.35

    £4,750.00

    Dumfries & Galloway

    £2.31

    £2,533.83

    Dundee City

    £2.25

    £6,173.08

    East Ayrshire

    £2.45

    £4,933.33

    East Dunbartonshire

    £2.75

    £5,648.15

    East Lothian

    £2.30

    £5,121.95

    East Renfrewshire

    £2.66

    £7,242.42

    Edinburgh, City of

    £1.73

    £5,560.28

    Eilean Siar

    £3.90

    £2,000.00

    Drug-related deaths, by health board area, 1995-99

    Number and rate per 100,000 population*

    Health board

    area

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    No.

    Rate

    No.

    Rate

    No.

    Rate

    No.

    Rate

    No.

    Rate

    SCOTLAND

    251

    4.9

    267

    5.2

    263

    5.1

    276

    5.4

    340

    6.6

    Argyll & Clyde

    24

    5.5

    19

    4.4

    20

    4.7

    26

    6.1

    The council has also sought information from Scotland's FE colleges on the impact of foot-and-mouth disease, by issuing a circular letter to all colleges on 28 August which invited responses by 21 September. It will be for the council to determine what action, if any, to take, in light of the responses received.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154468,"EventID":"S1W-17814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council with regard to assisting higher educational institutions which have experienced unexpected","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council with regard to assisting higher educational institutions which have experienced unexpected losses as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Further Education Funding Council has kept the Scottish Executive advised of its actions - the consideration of this matter at the council's meeting on 5 July and the issue of a circular letter to colleges on 28 August seeking information on the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. However, the public funding of individual colleges remains the responsibility of the Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154469,"EventID":"S1W-17815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and function of its Correspondence Unit are. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and function of its Correspondence Unit are. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17817.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154470,"EventID":"S1W-17816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which minister has responsibility for the operation of its Correspondence Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which minister has responsibility for the operation of its Correspondence Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17817.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154471,"EventID":"S1W-17817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the guidelines issued to ministers with regard to response to letters from MSPs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the guidelines issued to ministers with regard to response to letters from MSPs.","AnswerText":"I am the minister responsible for the Correspondence Unit. Its function is to deal with correspondence written to ministers as described in the Good Practice Guide to Ministerial Correspondence, which is available to all members of the Scottish Executive and staff on the local intranet and in booklet format. Arrangements have been made for copies of the booklet to be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. No separate guidance has been issued to ministers. All ministers are made aware of the importance of providing comprehensive and timeous replies to correspondence.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154472,"EventID":"S1W-17818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold a public inquiry into the decision to prosecute for child sex abuse six men, the case against whom was halted at the High Court on 25 July 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold a public inquiry into the decision to prosecute for child sex abuse six men, the case against whom was halted at the High Court on 25 July 2001.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154473,"EventID":"S1W-17819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Crown Office is taking to inquire fully into the reasons for, and lessons to be learned from, the halting on 25 July 2001 at the High Court of the prose","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures the Crown Office is taking to inquire fully into the reasons for, and lessons to be learned from, the halting on 25 July 2001 at the High Court of the prosecution for child sex abuse of six men.","AnswerText":"The case was halted because one of the essential witnesses was deemed unfit to complete his evidence. The decision to do so was based upon an assessment by an experienced clinical psychologist. As is common in major cases, the Crown Office will consider whether any matters have arisen the further examination of which may be beneficial for future cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154474,"EventID":"S1W-17820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers recruited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority were requested to mark additional examination scripts this year and how many such scripts were involv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers recruited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority were requested to mark additional examination scripts this year and how many such scripts were involved.","AnswerText":"Specific arrangements for the allocation of scripts to markers are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.

    On 16 May the National Exams Co-ordinator asked Directors of Education to release existing markers from school to mark additional scripts for a number of subjects where there was a marker shortfall. The allocation of scripts to each marker depended on the subject concerned and on the number of markers recruited.

    The SQA's normal marker recruitment process continued in tandem with these contingency plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154475,"EventID":"S1W-17821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers marking additional examination scripts were allocated days away from the classroom in order to carry out this task and how many absence days in total th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers marking additional examination scripts were allocated days away from the classroom in order to carry out this task and how many absence days in total this accounted for in schools.","AnswerText":"I refer to my response to S1W-18720 on the allocation of additional scripts. Markers carried out additional marking either in their own time or, where schools were willing to release them, in school time. The Scottish Executive does not hold the information that you have requested. Arrangements for the release of teachers from schools to carry out marking are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154476,"EventID":"S1W-17822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of providing supply teachers to cover for teachers absent from school to mark additional examination scripts and whether all vacancies created by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of providing supply teachers to cover for teachers absent from school to mark additional examination scripts and whether all vacancies created by such absences were filled.","AnswerText":"Specific arrangements for the release of teachers from schools to carry out marking are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.

    I refer to my responses to questions S1W-17820 and S1W-17821 on the marking of additional scripts. Where teachers were released their centres to mark examination scripts, SQA met the cost incurred by the centres involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154477,"EventID":"S1W-17823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the cost of recruiting supply teachers to cover for teachers absent from school to mark additional examination scripts compares with the cost of paying teachers the a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the cost of recruiting supply teachers to cover for teachers absent from school to mark additional examination scripts compares with the cost of paying teachers the agreed rate per script, plus a small gratuity.","AnswerText":"Specific arrangements for the release of teachers from schools to carry out marking are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.

    The rate at which teachers are paid to mark examination scripts varies by subject and therefore a direct comparison with the costs of supply cover is difficult. The basis on which markers are paid, including the variation in script rates, is currently being reviewed by a group led by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154478,"EventID":"S1W-17824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Higher Still and (b) Standard Grade examination scripts were marked in total.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Higher Still and (b) Standard Grade examination scripts were marked in total.","AnswerText":"It is currently estimated that just under 2 million scripts for National Qualifications (including standard grade) were marked in 2001, however I will ask the Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154479,"EventID":"S1W-17825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total budget was available for marking (a) Higher Still and (b) Standard Grade examination scripts. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total budget was available for marking (a) Higher Still and (b) Standard Grade examination scripts. ","AnswerText":"Precise details of the marking process and its costs are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154480,"EventID":"S1W-17826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer when a report will be published on the current visit by representatives of the Holyrood Progress Group to Barcelona and whether that report will enable more specific cost ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer when a report will be published on the current visit by representatives of the Holyrood Progress Group to Barcelona and whether that report will enable more specific cost projections and a firm date for completion of the Parliament complex to be given.","AnswerText":"I understand that the delegation attending the meetings in Barcelona will report on their visit in the next edition of the Holyrood Progress Group's regular newsletter. These newsletters routinely include a section on both cost and programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154481,"EventID":"S1W-17827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Law of the Tenement to enable the resolution of disputes between owner-occupiers and local authorities where local authorities are the ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Law of the Tenement to enable the resolution of disputes between owner-occupiers and local authorities where local authorities are the majority landlord in tenement properties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission published its Report on the Law of the Tenement (Scot Law Com No 162) in 1998. Following the publication of the subsequent Report on Real Burdens (Scot Law Com No 181) in October 2000, the Executive asked the commission to update its recommendations on the law of the tenement to take account of its subsequent work on real burdens and title conditions. This is because the management of tenements is governed by rules and conditions set out as rights and real burdens in the relevant title deeds. The modernisation and simplification of the law on real burdens will rationalise the application and enforcement of burdens on all property, including tenements. Reforming the law relating to real burdens and title conditions first will mean that reform of the law of the tenement should be more straightforward.

    The Executive has just completed a consultation exercise based on the commission's draft Title Conditions Bill and the responses are currently being analysed. One of the issues which the consultation has highlighted are the problems which arise in relation to management, maintenance and repair in mixed tenure estates and blocks of flats where the local authority or other social landlord continue to have a significant holding.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154482,"EventID":"S1W-17828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance has been in the first quarter of 2001 in answering ministerial correspondence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance has been in the first quarter of 2001 in answering ministerial correspondence.","AnswerText":"In my reply to Mr McNulty's question (S1W-12613) answered on 22 December 2000 we undertook to report quarterly on the numbers of letters received by ministers and our performance in answering them. In the quarter January to March 2001, 3,960 letters were received for ministerial reply, of which 60% received a reply within 17 working days and 79% received a reply within 25 working days.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154483,"EventID":"S1W-17829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the arrangements for the review of Scotland's cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can supply further details about the arrangements for the review of Scotland's cities.","AnswerText":"Since the First Minister's announced that a Review of Scotland's Cities would be undertaken, the Executive has carried out preparatory work for the first phase of the work programme. The second phase of external discussion and consultation is now under way. A Sounding Board and Academic Panel have been established to inform and test the review's emerging thinking.

    Details of the members are as follows:

    Sounding Board

    Ms Oonagh Aitken, CoSLA

    Mr Bryan Beattie, Eden Court Theatre

    Professor David Begg, Robert Gordon University

    Ms Ann Clark, Highland Council

    Ms Susan Dalgetty, Edinburgh Evening News

    Mr Iain Dickson, George Watt & Stewart

    Ms Rani Dhir, Drumchapel Housing Co-operative

    Mr Matthew Farrow, CBI Scotland

    Mr Mike Galloway, Dundee City Council

    Mr Vincent Goodstadt, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee

    Professor Stuart Gulliver, University of Glasgow

    Mr Stephen Inch, Glasgow City Council

    Mr Donald McGougan, City of Edinburgh Council

    Mrs Lucy McTernan, SCVO

    Mr Mike Scott, Aberdeen City Council

    Mr Douglas Smith, Insignia Richard Ellis

    Mr Eddie Thompson, Morning Noon and Night

    Ms Lesley Thomson, Liddell Thomson

    Ms Tracey White, STUC

    Sir Alan Langlands, University of Dundee

    Dr Raymond Young, University of Glasgow

    Mr Alf Young, The Herald

    Academic Panel

    Professor Brian Ashcroft, Fraser of Allander Institute/University of Strathclyde

    Professor Liz Bondi, University of Edinburgh

    Professor Glen Bramley, Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot-Watt University

    Dr Nick Fyfe, University of Dundee

    Professor Stephen Graham, University of Newcastle

    Professor Stuart Gulliver, University of Glasgow

    Professor Cliff Hague, Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot-Watt University

    Mr Gerry Hassan, Demos

    Professor George Hazel, MacLean Hazel

    Professor Ade Kearns, University of Glasgow

    Professor Greg Lloyd, University of Dundee

    Mr Colin Mair, University of Strathclyde

    Mr James McCormack, Scottish Council Foundation

    Professor Alan McGregor, University of Glasgow

    Dr John McKendrick, Glasgow Caledonian University

    Professor Peter Roberts, University of Dundee

    Professor Michael Pacione, University of Strathclyde

    Professor Susan Smith, University of Edinburgh

    Professor Ivan Turok, University of Glasgow

    Dr Nick Williams, University of Aberdeen

    Additional members are likely to be invited to join both groups, to cover further specific issues, as the review develops.

    I intend to meet with council leaders collectively at internals during the process and each city will have the opportunity to make its case on the particular mix of problems and opportunities it faces.

    The review is planned to conclude in early 2002. It will be firmly set within the changing urban pattern of Scotland and will involve a fundamental review of the key long-term challenges and opportunities affecting Scotland's cities, with tangible and deliverable measures for progressing the emerging agenda.","AnswerDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154484,"EventID":"S1W-17830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17093 by Susan Deacon on 15 August 2001, what the findings were of the recent review of the sleep apnoea service provided by the Sl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17093 by Susan Deacon on 15 August 2001, what the findings were of the recent review of the sleep apnoea service provided by the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"I understand that, as a result of the review, decisions have now been made by NHS Lothian and by the other NHS Boards which send patients to the sleep apnoea service in Lothian. As a result, all patients should now be able to receive equipment for the treatment of sleep apnoea, in order of clinical priority.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154485,"EventID":"S1W-17831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decided on the amount to be allocated to each local authority in 2001-02 from the school buildings improvement fund announced on 22 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decided on the amount to be allocated to each local authority in 2001-02 from the school buildings improvement fund announced on 22 August 2001.","AnswerText":"The resources in the School Buildings Improvement Fund are being distributed to authorities on the basis of the education element of the formula which is at present used for the allocation of capital consents on non-housing programmes under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154486,"EventID":"S1W-17832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to identify and monitor the improvements in schools resulting from the money allocated to local authorities from the school buildings improvement","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to identify and monitor the improvements in schools resulting from the money allocated to local authorities from the school buildings improvement fund.","AnswerText":"The grant application form requires authorities to provide a summary of the projects on which expenditure has been incurred.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154487,"EventID":"S1W-17833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its school buildings improvement fund is for the current financial year only or whether further allocations are to be made for future years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its school buildings improvement fund is for the current financial year only or whether further allocations are to be made for future years.","AnswerText":"The arrangements announced at this stage for the School Buildings Improvement Fund cover financial year 2001-02. Arrangements for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be the subject of further consideration following the meeting I intend to have with local authority leaders on 31 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154488,"EventID":"S1W-17834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing issues relating to sentencing and remission of sentences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing issues relating to sentencing and remission of sentences.","AnswerText":"We continue to keep sentencing policies and arrangements under review and will bring forward proposals for change as appropriate. On 11 June I announced proposals for new arrangements for the sentencing and management of serious violent and sexual offenders. These proposals will be included in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154489,"EventID":"S1W-17835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce victim impact statements into Scottish courts and, if so, over what timescale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce victim impact statements into Scottish courts and, if so, over what timescale.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Strategy for Victims of Crime includes a commitment to pilot a victims' statements scheme. We shall be consulting on the proposed procedures for this scheme in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154490,"EventID":"S1W-17836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discontinue use of the term \"life imprisonment\" as a description of sentences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discontinue use of the term \"life imprisonment\" as a description of sentences.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to discontinue the use of the term life imprisonment as a description of sentences.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154491,"EventID":"S1W-17837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why only preselected invitees constitute the audience at its Budget Roadshows.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why only preselected invitees constitute the audience at its Budget Roadshows.","AnswerText":"Invitees to these events were not preselected.

    An open invitation was sent to various public, private and voluntary bodies in those areas. These organisations were asked to nominate representatives and recommend other local bodies which the Executive could extend an invite to. In this way a range of local interests, including political parties, were represented at each event.

    Asking for nominations also allowed the Executive to issue a written invitation and a copy of The Scottish Budget to each nominee prior to the event.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154492,"EventID":"S1W-17838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in preparing Scotland for the \"new economy\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in preparing Scotland for the \"new economy\".","AnswerText":"As noted by the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee report following its inquiry into the New Economy, the Scottish Executive has already taken significant steps to address issues connected to the new economy in Scotland. Today I am issuing the Executive's response to that report.

    One of the key issues highlighted by the report is telecommunications infrastructure across Scotland. The Executive has identified this as a priority issue and I am today announcing our strategy for making broadband connections more pervasive and affordable.

    Copies of both the Executive response and the broadband strategy are available on the Scottish Executive website. Copies have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154493,"EventID":"S1W-17839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-17668 and S1W-17536 on 28 August 2001 by Mr Jim Wallace, why these questions on HM Prison Kilmarnock were referred for answer by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-17668 and S1W-17536 on 28 August 2001 by Mr Jim Wallace, why these questions on HM Prison Kilmarnock were referred for answer by Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, when the Scottish Prison Service does not hold information on this prison; whether the Executive holds such information and, if it does not, whether it will obtain such information from Premier Prison Services in order that it is in the public domain.","AnswerText":"Paragraph 4.40 of the Framework Document governing the relationship between ministers and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), provides for parliamentary questions related to matters delegated to the SPS to be referred to the Chief Executive for a response.

    The SPS, as the customer of the services provided by the contractor, Premier Prison Services, seeks such information as is appropriate for monitoring the output performance of the contract. This does not include the sort of input information sought which is solely a matter for the contractor.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154494,"EventID":"S1W-17840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many questions to the Minister for Justice have been passed to Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), for answer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many questions to the Minister for Justice have been passed to Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), for answer.","AnswerText":"This information is provided in the SPS Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 7929). It is also available on the SPS website.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154495,"EventID":"S1W-17841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-social behaviour orders have been applied for to date by each local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-social behaviour orders have been applied for to date by each local authority.","AnswerText":"The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland has been commissioned by the Executive to undertake an annual exercise to determine the use being made of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). In the period from 1 April 1999, when ASBOs came into force, to 1 December 1999, some 15 ASBOs had been applied for, of which nine had been granted.

    Figures for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 were published in May 2001. They show that the number of ASBOs applied for had risen to 96; 52 of these were granted. The study did not break the figures down by local authority area. Copies of the report, entitled Monitoring the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14116).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154496,"EventID":"S1W-17842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned guidelines on home schooling will be available and how prescriptive they will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned guidelines on home schooling will be available and how prescriptive they will be.","AnswerText":"Draft guidance on the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home is being issued to interested parties for consultation shortly. The draft guidance will address a wide range of issues that were raised by education authorities and by home education organisations during initial consultation on the scope of the guidance. It will offer clarification of the legislative position and general advice on principles and procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154497,"EventID":"S1W-17843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned guidelines on home schooling will be common to all education authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned guidelines on home schooling will be common to all education authorities.","AnswerText":"The guidance on the circumstances in which children may choose to educate their children at home will be common to all education authorities. It will be issued under section 14 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000, which states that all authorities must have regard to any guidance issued under that section.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154498,"EventID":"S1W-17844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned guidelines for home schooling will require entry to premises used for home schooling by representatives of local councils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned guidelines for home schooling will require entry to premises used for home schooling by representatives of local councils.","AnswerText":"The draft guidance, which has been issued for consultation until March 2002, indicates that authorities do not have an automatic right of access to a home educating family's home. It recommends that where a family does not feel comfortable in allowing an education officer into their home, the authority should respect their views and arrange a meeting in a mutually acceptable location.

    Although it is recognised that the learning environment has a key bearing on the effectiveness of learning, authorities should, in the majority of cases, be able to assess the suitability of the education being provided without gaining access to the child's home.

    The draft guidance also suggests, however, that it is reasonable for authorities to be given access to the home educated child in order to adequately assess the child's progress and to satisfy themselves that the child is receiving a suitable education.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154499,"EventID":"S1W-17845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Healthy Living Centre Initiative project proposals have been submitted, where these proposals are based and which proposals have been successful to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Healthy Living Centre Initiative project proposals have been submitted, where these proposals are based and which proposals have been successful to date.","AnswerText":"The Healthy Living Centre application process consists of two stages, the first of which had a closing date of December 2000. There were 165 first stage applications in total. The New Opportunities Fund believes that these applications provide good geographical spread, both by health board and local authority areas. There have been 15 projects approved to date and details of these are on the fund's website at www.nof.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154500,"EventID":"S1W-17846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is represented on the committee that vets Healthy Initiative Living Centre project proposals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is represented on the committee that vets Healthy Initiative Living Centre project proposals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has observer status on the New Opportunities Fund's Scotland Healthy Living Centre Committee, which considers and makes decisions on applications from Scottish projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154501,"EventID":"S1W-17847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many cases the Scottish Qualifications Authority has failed to notify universities or colleges of potential undergraduates' results in the 2001 diet of results and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many cases the Scottish Qualifications Authority has failed to notify universities or colleges of potential undergraduates' results in the 2001 diet of results and how it proposes to address these cases.","AnswerText":"Specific arrangements in connection with exam results and appeals are a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and I will ask the Chair to write to you with a more detailed response to your query.

    The SQA does not pass results directly to higher education institutions but via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Prior to the issue of this summer's exam results, UCAS notified the SQA of the results that it would require for onward transmission to higher education institutions. The SQA supplied results to UCAS for those candidates on 4 August, three days ahead of schedule.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154502,"EventID":"S1W-17848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17501 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, when it expects to be in possession of the study into the alleviation of flooding at Black","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17501 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, when it expects to be in possession of the study into the alleviation of flooding at Blackstone Roundabout, Newark, Port Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is now in possession of the study undertaken by Inverclyde Council. The study confirms that the main cause of flooding at this location is due to upstream problems with local watercourses that are the responsibility of Inverclyde Council. It also confirms that there are no defects in the road drainage system.

    Measures to relieve flooding in the area have been identified and the council has confirmed that when completed these measures should reduce the likelihood of any encroachment of floodwater onto the A8 trunk road at Blackstone Roundabout, Newark, Port Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154503,"EventID":"S1W-17849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to establish how much is currently invested by it in Scotland through defence research contracts and what ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to establish how much is currently invested by it in Scotland through defence research contracts and what action the Executive is taking to encourage Her Majesty's Government to place further defence research contracts in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence and its agencies on a range of issues, including defence research contracts. Figures for expenditure in Scotland from defence research contracts are not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154504,"EventID":"S1W-17850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to secure the location of the proposed Army Foundation College in Dundee and what form these representations took.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to secure the location of the proposed Army Foundation College in Dundee and what form these representations took.","AnswerText":"I understand that consideration of these matters within the Ministry of Defence is at a very early stage. My officials will be keeping in touch with developments.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154505,"EventID":"S1W-17851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invitees attended the Budget Roadshows in (a) Kilmarnock and (b) Dundee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many invitees attended the Budget Roadshows in (a) Kilmarnock and (b) Dundee.","AnswerText":"67 people from across a broad range of public and private sector bodies attended the Budget Roadshow in Kilmarnock and 48 attended in Dundee.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154506,"EventID":"S1W-17852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Annex 3 of Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review, whether it has received recommendations from its Inquiry Reporters Unit in relation to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Annex 3 of Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review, whether it has received recommendations from its Inquiry Reporters Unit in relation to the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Draft Order Scheme, whether a decision letter has been issued and what the terms of any such decision letter are.","AnswerText":"The recommendations of the Inquiry Reporters Unit were received in 1997. The A1 Haddington to Dunbar Draft Order Scheme was considered in the Strategic Roads Review and on 4 November 1999 I announced our decision to proceed with the alternative "Expressway option". It follows that no decision letter relating to the Draft Order Scheme was issued.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154507,"EventID":"S1W-17853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, how the one-off savings accrued from a delay in project implementation can be allocate","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, how the one-off savings accrued from a delay in project implementation can be allocated to pay for on-going budgets such as the budget to meet the commitment to personal care for elderly people.","AnswerText":"Regional Selective Assistance is a demand-led scheme. The savings on the scheme's expenditure, as identified in the answer to question S1W-16761 answered on 17 July 2001, reflected existing commitments and the expected future flow of new cases. Anticipated commitments in respect of Regional Selective Assistance will therefore continue to be met.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154508,"EventID":"S1W-17854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will announce any underspend in the budget for 2000-01 and the implications of any such underspend for detailed budgets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will announce any underspend in the budget for 2000-01 and the implications of any such underspend for detailed budgets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18253 on 19 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154509,"EventID":"S1W-17855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether it will detail the projects whose implementation was delayed and the implicati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16761 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 17 July 2001, whether it will detail the projects whose implementation was delayed and the implications for project timescales.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17081 answered on 15 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154510,"EventID":"S1W-17856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will allocate to the planned Larkhall to Milngavie rail link; to which organisation that funding will be paid, and what rights of ownership and manage","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will allocate to the planned Larkhall to Milngavie rail link; to which organisation that funding will be paid, and what rights of ownership and management direction it will have in relation to the link as a result of this funding.","AnswerText":"The Executive is taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail route project in partnership with Strathclyde Passenger Transport and will allocate £16 million to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority as part of a joint £23 million package. All enhancements to the UK Railway network are added to Railtrack's Regulated Asset Base for maintenance and renewal.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154511,"EventID":"S1W-17857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish comprehensive NHS waiting list figures on a quarterly basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish comprehensive NHS waiting list figures on a quarterly basis.","AnswerText":"Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency will continue to publish waiting list data as at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154512,"EventID":"S1W-17858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residents of the Isle of Arran have, over the past two years, been diagnosed as suffering from breast cancer; whether this figure represents a disproportionate n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residents of the Isle of Arran have, over the past two years, been diagnosed as suffering from breast cancer; whether this figure represents a disproportionate number in relation to Scotland as a whole, and whether it represents an increase on previous years.","AnswerText":"In the most recent two years for which cancer registrations are available (1997 and 1998) there were nine cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the Isle of Arran, an average of 4.5 cases per year. This compares with an average of 4.1 cases per year for the previous eight years (1989-96) when there were 33 cases.

    Available data suggest that incidence for females resident on the Isle of Arran is higher, but not statistically significantly higher, than for Scotland as a whole.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154513,"EventID":"S1W-17859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the scheme where the receipts from speed camera fines are retained for investment in new cameras, which has been tested in the Strathclyde pol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the scheme where the receipts from speed camera fines are retained for investment in new cameras, which has been tested in the Strathclyde police force area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17444 answered on 29 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154514,"EventID":"S1W-17860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the joint headquarters established by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, the Scottish Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and HM Customs a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the joint headquarters established by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, the Scottish Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and HM Customs and Excise benefited from information provided by the Collection and Co-ordination Unit in Paisley.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17500 on 28 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154515,"EventID":"S1W-17862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution local intelligence and information makes to the effectiveness of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution local intelligence and information makes to the effectiveness of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.","AnswerText":"Local intelligence makes an important contribution to the work of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in tackling drug trafficking and other serious and organised crime. It helps provide a clearer picture of the extent of these activities and their impact on local communities, which in turn enables appropriate action to be taken against those responsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154516,"EventID":"S1W-17863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a close working relationship between the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and HM Customs and Excise in collecting local intelligence and information.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a close working relationship between the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and HM Customs and Excise in collecting local intelligence and information.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17500 on 28 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154517,"EventID":"S1W-17864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the co-ordination of local intelligence and information involving the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency will be developed in the absence of a Collection and Co-ordinat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the co-ordination of local intelligence and information involving the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency will be developed in the absence of a Collection and Co-ordination Unit in Paisley.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17500 on 28 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154518,"EventID":"S1W-17865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any reduction in resources available for the detection of illegal drugs within Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any reduction in resources available for the detection of illegal drugs within Scotland.","AnswerText":"No. The Minister for Finance and Local Government announced in his Budget Statement an extra £28 million for tackling drugs in Scotland. £11.78 million of this money will be spent measures over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 on a package of drug-related enforcement measures, including £5.92 million for the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154519,"EventID":"S1W-17866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any changes by Her Majesty's Government in resources available for the detection of illegal drugs have been discussed with Scottish ministers responsible for vari","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any changes by Her Majesty's Government in resources available for the detection of illegal drugs have been discussed with Scottish ministers responsible for various aspects of anti-drug policies.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers maintain contact with the UK Government on a range of drug matters. I recently met the Home Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Anti-Drugs Co-ordination to discuss drug-related issues of mutual interest, including the implementation of our respective drug strategies.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154520,"EventID":"S1W-17867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the removal of an HM Customs and Excise Detector Dog Unit will have any adverse effect on the Executive's campaign to reduce the impact of illegal drugs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the removal of an HM Customs and Excise Detector Dog Unit will have any adverse effect on the Executive's campaign to reduce the impact of illegal drugs.","AnswerText":"No. The establishment of regional HM Customs and Excise detector dog teams will benefit Scotland. These are highly mobile and flexible units, each trained in a wider range of skills than was previously available in the smaller, local teams. This means that Customs operations in Scotland now have access to dog teams trained not only in illegal drug detection, but also, for example, in tobacco and cash detection.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154521,"EventID":"S1W-17868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the priorities for spending within each of its departmental budgets and what consultation with outside bodies will take place during any such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the priorities for spending within each of its departmental budgets and what consultation with outside bodies will take place during any such review process.","AnswerText":"Spending priorities are kept under regular review. These are normally run within the cycle of UK spending reviews. To maximise the output from a fixed budget it is essential that priorities are regularly scrutinised to ensure that they both meet identified needs and are affordable. We consult outside bodies on the budget using the Annual Expenditure Report and the Budget Roadshows. Departments run consultations on a range of issues as required.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154522,"EventID":"S1W-17869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any requests it has received from local authorities for increased financial support in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any requests it has received from local authorities for increased financial support in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The total local government settlement allocations for the current financial year have been allocated in full as part of the overall three-year settlements for 2001-02 to 2003-04. The Minister for Environment and Rural Development announced on 10 May additional financial support of up to £2 million to assist Dumfries and Galloway Council in responding to foot-and-mouth disease. Additional financial support for any new burdens that arise during the settlement period is being discussed on a collective basis with local authorities through CoSLA.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154523,"EventID":"S1W-17870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many universities and further education colleges are in deficit and, in each case, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many universities and further education colleges are in deficit and, in each case, by how much.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Issues of funding and financial health are a matter for institutions themselves and the Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154524,"EventID":"S1W-17871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is given per student place to each academic institution in the higher and further education sectors and what plans there are to review these figures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is given per student place to each academic institution in the higher and further education sectors and what plans there are to review these figures.","AnswerText":"The funding of individual higher education institutions and colleges of further education in Scotland is a matter for their respective funding councils. For 2001-02, grant-in-aid by the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) will amount to almost £660 million. Grant-in-aid to the the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) for 2001-02 will amount to £410 million.

    This will support modest further growth in the higher education sector, increasing places to 120,700 (full-time equivalent), not including newly designated institutions and Open University places in Scotland, and will allow SHEFC to increase on the units of resource for teaching and research by 4%, the first real terms increase in almost 20 years. The Executive's increase in grant-in-aid allocation to SFEFC will support growth in college enrolments to over 460,000.

    Details of grant-in-aid allocated to individual institutions are available from the Scottish funding councils for further and higher education.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154525,"EventID":"S1W-17872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for sale and lease back schemes in respect of properties which it owns.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for sale and lease back schemes in respect of properties which it owns.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no current plans for the sale and lease back of properties which it owns.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154526,"EventID":"S1W-17873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to contain the cost of the administration of devolved government services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to contain the cost of the administration of devolved government services.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on administering the Scottish Executive is subject to the same rigorous scrutiny and control as other areas of the budget. Details of the target to contain spending on the administration by the Scottish Executive relative to the total Scottish budget are presented annually to Parliament in the supporting budget documents which accompany the Budget Bill. The latest figures for 2001-02 and the plans for future years show that total spending on administration as a proportion of the total budget is about 1%, the same as in 1997-98.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154527,"EventID":"S1W-17874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, after consultation, establish a model for the maximum number of housing units to be managed by a registered social landlord (RSL), as recommended in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, after consultation, establish a model for the maximum number of housing units to be managed by a registered social landlord (RSL), as recommended in the 3rd Report, 2000 of the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee, Housing Stock Transfer.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes will shortly issue a consultation paper setting out proposed criteria to be used in considering applications from social landlords wishing to be become RSLs. This will invite views on the registration procedures in respect of very large and very small prospective RSLs.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154528,"EventID":"S1W-17875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will only approve large-scale stock transfers proposals subject to guaranteed speedy progress to second stage transfers to community-based registered social la","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will only approve large-scale stock transfers proposals subject to guaranteed speedy progress to second stage transfers to community-based registered social landlords as recommended in the 3rd Report, 2000 of the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee, Housing Stock Transfer, and, if so, what its definition of \"guaranteed speedy progress\" will be.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the Scottish Executive's response to that report, we will examine business plans to assess whether they deliver further choices to tenants for more localised solutions which are best suited to individual transfer proposals, taking account of tenants' views.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154529,"EventID":"S1W-17876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of apprenticeships available in the construction industry and related trades in areas where stock transfer is being purs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of apprenticeships available in the construction industry and related trades in areas where stock transfer is being pursued.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17523 on 11 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154530,"EventID":"S1W-17877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that those who lend funds to organisations who have taken over housing stock following wholesale stock transfer do not wield undue i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that those who lend funds to organisations who have taken over housing stock following wholesale stock transfer do not wield undue influence on those organisations.","AnswerText":"Registered Social Landlords have a continuing obligation to meet Scottish Homes' Registration Criteria and Performance Standards, which are aimed at protecting their independence and ensuring that they can operate free from inappropriate influence.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154531,"EventID":"S1W-17878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15309 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001, what progress the Housing and Employment Working Group is making in identifying the mec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15309 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 May 2001, what progress the Housing and Employment Working Group is making in identifying the mechanisms required to maximise employment opportunities and inclusion benefits from future housing investment.","AnswerText":"The housing and employment working group report is being completed. The group intends to hold a seminar in the autumn at which the report will be considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154532,"EventID":"S1W-17879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of non-payment of charges by (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic water customers was in each water authority area in each year since 1996-97 and in the first","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of non-payment of charges by (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic water customers was in each water authority area in each year since 1996-97 and in the first quarter of 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Published audited information is only available for 1996-97 to 1999-2000. Figures for 2000-01 will be available shortly once the audited accounts for the three water authorities have been laid before Parliament.

    The figures in the table represent the provision for bad debt, split between domestic and non-domestic customers as charged to the accounts.

    Domestic bad debt
     

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    ESWA

    2.275

    3.125

    6.087

    5.822

    7.721

    WOSWA

    6.68

    9.746

    11.938

    14.528

    16.532

    NOSWA

    2.00

    2.6

    2.576

    3.966

    2.0

    TOTAL

    26.253

    Non-Domestic bad debt
     

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    ESWA

    1.945

    1.535

    1.266

    6.462

    6.060

    WOSWA

    4.817

    5.235

    6.343

    3.715

    5.744

    NOSWA

    3.538

    1.604

    0.596

    -0.202

    5.1

    TOTAL

    		I have been asked by the minister to respond. A programme of meter installation to non-domestic properties is currently under way. East of Scotland Water undertake this work through our own internal contracting organisation and through external contractors.

    Meters are often installed inside the customer's property as it is not physically possible to install a meter outside the property (due to the presence of other services or to avoid metering more than one customer's water supply).

    East of Scotland Water have recently put installation procedures in place to ensure that an appointment is made with customers to both carry out the survey, and to install the meter. This procedure ensures that the customer is given at least 72 hours notice prior to the meter installation.

    East of Scotland Water does not have a policy of knowingly entering private premises without prior consultation and consent from the owner of the property.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154535,"EventID":"S1W-17882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to which voluntary organisations it allocated grants in 2000-01, specifying the amount awarded in each case, and to which organisations it has allocated grants in 2001-02","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to which voluntary organisations it allocated grants in 2000-01, specifying the amount awarded in each case, and to which organisations it has allocated grants in 2001-02, specifying the amount offered in each case.","AnswerText":"The Executive has released today a database on direct grants to voluntary organisations in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154536,"EventID":"S1W-17883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-08-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that schools will be able to take full advantage of an advanced digital infrastructure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that schools will be able to take full advantage of an advanced digital infrastructure.","AnswerText":"Recommendations by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the feasibility of a broadband network for schools and the Executive's response to those recommendations are being published today on the Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk, and copies are being placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154537,"EventID":"S1W-17884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the DTZ Pieda research project on a community ownership information pack carried out on its behalf.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the DTZ Pieda research project on a community ownership information pack carried out on its behalf.","AnswerText":"The cost of the DTZ Pieda research project on preparing a community ownership information pack was £9,950 excluding VAT.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154538,"EventID":"S1W-17885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to reschedule the cancelled exhibition on the planned Fochabers/Mosstodloch bypass and what the reasons were for the cancellation of this exhibition.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to reschedule the cancelled exhibition on the planned Fochabers/Mosstodloch bypass and what the reasons were for the cancellation of this exhibition.","AnswerText":"It is planned that the exhibition in Fochabers will coincide with publication of the draft road orders for the Fochabers and Mosstodloch bypass in October.

    The cancellation of the exhibition accommodation that had been booked provisionally for September was to allow further work to be undertaken on the Environmental Statement that is required to be published at the same time as the road orders.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154539,"EventID":"S1W-17886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects work to commence on the lowering of kerbs in the High Street, Fochabers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects work to commence on the lowering of kerbs in the High Street, Fochabers.","AnswerText":"BEAR Scotland Ltd are currently carrying out the necessary design work to allow the works to commence this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154540,"EventID":"S1W-17887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any delays in issuing draft orders in relation to the planned Fochabers/Mosstodloch bypass and what the reasons have been for any such delays.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any delays in issuing draft orders in relation to the planned Fochabers/Mosstodloch bypass and what the reasons have been for any such delays.","AnswerText":"Progress with the preparation of the scheme is in line with the programme for a start of construction in 2003 that I announced following the Strategic Roads Review. It is now planned to publish draft road orders for the Fochabers and Mosstodloch bypass in October. It was earlier hoped that publication could take place in September.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154541,"EventID":"S1W-17888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15269 by Ross Finnie on 8 May 2001, whether the information requested on a breakdown of the payments made to farmers and crofters i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15269 by Ross Finnie on 8 May 2001, whether the information requested on a breakdown of the payments made to farmers and crofters in the Argyll and Bute constituency under the new Less Favoured Area scheme for this year is now available and, if so, whether it will now provide it and, if not, whether it has any plans in the future to collect this information.","AnswerText":"An analysis of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme for 2001 has been placed on the Scottish Executive website and is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. The data is broken down at Area Office, not constituency level.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154542,"EventID":"S1W-17889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation, including subordinate legislation, exists to control the exterior decoration of properties.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation, including subordinate legislation, exists to control the exterior decoration of properties.","AnswerText":"Planning legislation controls \"development\", which is defined in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as \"the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land\". The Act goes on to specify that the carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any building does not involve development, if it affects only the interior of the building or does not materially affect the external appearance of the building.

    The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, grants planning permission for the stone cleaning or painting of the exterior of any building or works except if the painting is for the purposes of advertisement, announcement or direction; or if the building or works are in a conservation area; or where the building is a listed building.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154543,"EventID":"S1W-17890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it expects to play in improving and maintaining affordable air links from the Highlands and Islands to major urban centres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role it expects to play in improving and maintaining affordable air links from the Highlands and Islands to major urban centres.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive funds the air services between Glasgow and Barra, Glasgow and Campbeltown and Glasgow and Tiree. In addition, our subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, which was some £15.1 million in 2000-01 or £55.77 per arriving passenger at HIAL's airports, results in lower costs to airlines than if the full economic costs of providing airport infrastructure services were applied.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154544,"EventID":"S1W-17891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to British Regional Air Lines about a possible reduction in air services between Inverness and Gatwick.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to British Regional Air Lines about a possible reduction in air services between Inverness and Gatwick.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive meets airlines on a regular basis to discuss a range of aviation matters. The issue of air services between Inverness and Gatwick is amongst those we have discussed with British Airways who recently acquired the British Regional Airlines Group. Regional air services are also among the issues we regularly discuss with the relevant UK and EC authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154545,"EventID":"S1W-17892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to address any animal welfare issues this autumn resulting from the animal movement restrictions and lack of auction sales and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to address any animal welfare issues this autumn resulting from the animal movement restrictions and lack of auction sales and whether it will provide any assistance for the purchase of additional fodder or other purposes.","AnswerText":"With the lifting of the small remaining infected area around Annan, the whole of Scotland now qualifies to be treated as foot-and-mouth disease free. This means that the movement and other controls which apply to our livestock sector are much less prohibitive than previously, allowing transactions by various means. Large numbers of livestock are now being moved as a result of private sales, video sales, sales by description and through collection centres and auction markets. In addition, the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme - Light Lambs should absorb large numbers of light and surplus lambs. In these circumstances I do not envisage the need to provide assistance for the purchase of additional fodder.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154546,"EventID":"S1W-17893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide for the disposal of venison carcasses and whether it will provide additional support for the marketing of Scottish wild venison throughout th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide for the disposal of venison carcasses and whether it will provide additional support for the marketing of Scottish wild venison throughout the UK.","AnswerText":"My officials have met with industry representatives and the department is looking at detailed options along with the Deer Commission for Scotland to support carcass disposal should that prove necessary. The Executive has already approved funding for a wild venison marketing initiative within the UK through the Marketing Development Scheme and will consider further applications should the industry wish to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154547,"EventID":"S1W-17894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the campaign to relocate the Scottish Arts Council to Inverness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the campaign to relocate the Scottish Arts Council to Inverness.","AnswerText":"The Executive's forthcoming quinquennial review of the Scottish Arts Council will consider and make recommendations to ministers on the most appropriate geographic location for that body.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154548,"EventID":"S1W-17895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service or non-departmental public body jobs have been relocated to Inverness since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service or non-departmental public body jobs have been relocated to Inverness since May 1999.","AnswerText":"There has been no transfer of Scottish Executive posts to Inverness since May 1999.

    Information on the number of staff employed in non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154549,"EventID":"S1W-17896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate civil servants to Inverness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate civil servants to Inverness.","AnswerText":"In line with the relocation policy, ministers consider a range of suitable locations when relocation opportunities arise. No particular areas of the country are targeted, nor are any ruled out. Inverness will be considered along with other locations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154550,"EventID":"S1W-17897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate any executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies either in whole or in part to Inverness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate any executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies either in whole or in part to Inverness.","AnswerText":"Following consideration of the appropriate operational locations for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, and in the context of the Executive's relocation policy, it is planned to locate a regional office of the new body in the Inverness area.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154551,"EventID":"S1W-17898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any recorded incidence of wind farms interfering with airport radar.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any recorded incidence of wind farms interfering with airport radar.","AnswerText":"The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for the regulation of safety in the UK civil aviation industry. The CAA is not aware of any incidents of wind farms interfering with the safe operation of air services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154552,"EventID":"S1W-17899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy and timetable is in relation to expanding digital television coverage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy and timetable is in relation to expanding digital television coverage.","AnswerText":"There is a UK-wide strategy to extend digital television coverage. The switch-over from the analogue signal is planned to take place between 2006 and 2010; this requires that viewers who can receive analogue television now must be able to receive the main free-to-air channels digitally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154553,"EventID":"S1W-17900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current coverage of (a) ultra high frequency digital and (b) analogue television is in terms of (i) land mass and (ii) percentage of population. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current coverage of (a) ultra high frequency digital and (b) analogue television is in terms of (i) land mass and (ii) percentage of population. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Independent Television Commission. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154554,"EventID":"S1W-17901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rape and sexual assault cases there were in each of the past five years and in how many of those cases the accused represented themselves in court.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rape and sexual assault cases there were in each of the past five years and in how many of those cases the accused represented themselves in court.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table. Data for the year 2000 is not yet available. Information on the number of instances where the accused represented themselves in court is not readily available, though these are believed to be relatively few in number.

    Persons called to court in Scotland where the main crime was rape or sexual assault 1995-99

    Main Crime

    Year

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    Rape

    43

    70

    65

    64

    56

    Sexual assault 1

    136

    122

    147

    142

    128

    Total

    179

    192

    212

    206

    184

    Notes:

    1. Includes assault with intent to rape and indecent assault.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154555,"EventID":"S1W-17902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16872 by Nicol Stephen on 22 August 2001, how much each local authority spent on special school fees in 2000-01 and what proportion","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16872 by Nicol Stephen on 22 August 2001, how much each local authority spent on special school fees in 2000-01 and what proportion of each authority's total special educational needs budget these figures represented.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154556,"EventID":"S1W-17903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16872 by Nicol Stephen on 22 August 2001, what advice it gives to local authorities with regard to budgeting for fees for schools f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16872 by Nicol Stephen on 22 August 2001, what advice it gives to local authorities with regard to budgeting for fees for schools for those with special educational needs.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not provide such budgeting advice to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154557,"EventID":"S1W-17904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1096 by Henry McLeish on 11 October 1999 and in the light of the recent announcement of redundancies at Viasystems' Tyneside plants","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1096 by Henry McLeish on 11 October 1999 and in the light of the recent announcement of redundancies at Viasystems' Tyneside plants and reports that it intends to close its UK operations, whether it plans to discuss issues relating to the award of regional selective assistance (RSA) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in particular the award of RSA to Viasystems' North Tyneside plant and any impact this had on Viasystems jobs in the Scottish Borders, and, if so, what concerns it will be conveying to the DTI.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive maintains regular contact with the Department of Trade and Industry with regard to the administration of Regional Selective Assistance and where necessary, discusses individual cases which may impact on employment in different regions of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154558,"EventID":"S1W-17905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish Borders residents formerly employed at Viasystems' Scottish Borders plants will be made redundant in the event of Viasystems' North Tyneside plant closi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish Borders residents formerly employed at Viasystems' Scottish Borders plants will be made redundant in the event of Viasystems' North Tyneside plant closing.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have access to individual firms' employee residence data. However, I understand that Scottish Enterprise Borders estimates that around 12 such individuals may be made redundant.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154559,"EventID":"S1W-17906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was used to pay off local authority housing debt as a result of housing capital set-aside rules in each year since 1996-97, broken down by local authority","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was used to pay off local authority housing debt as a result of housing capital set-aside rules in each year since 1996-97, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154560,"EventID":"S1W-17907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will own the proposed rail line from Larkhall to Milngavie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will own the proposed rail line from Larkhall to Milngavie.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17856.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154561,"EventID":"S1W-17908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the screening process for hepatitis B for NHS staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the screening process for hepatitis B for NHS staff.","AnswerText":"The Advisory Group on Hepatitis, which provides the UK Health Departments with expert advice on the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, is to review the recent incident in Fife, and current guidelines. The Executive will take any appropriate action in the light of the group's advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154562,"EventID":"S1W-17909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants have been made under the Challenge Competition Fund to each local authority for closed circuit television in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants have been made under the Challenge Competition Fund to each local authority for closed circuit television in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Since 1997 Scottish local authority areas have received funding for CCTV from the Executive. The breakdown is as follows:

    £000

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Total

    Aberdeen

    		 

    72,000

    		 

    50,000

    		 

    122,000

    Angus

    		 

    224,000

    		   

    224,000

    Argyll & Bute

    111,531

    71,000

    71,350

    		  

    253,881

    Borders

    95,963

    49,500

    42,000

    		 

    70,000

    257,463

    Clackmannshire

    53,250

    		  

    182,770

    		 

    236,020

    Dundee

    193,000

    		  

    33,000

    60,000

    286,000

    Borders 1996-97 (£)

    Eyemouth Town Centre

    47,963.75

    Hawick Town Centre

    48,000

    Total

    95,963.75

    Borders 1997-98 (£)

    Galashiels Town Centre

    11,500

    Kelso Town Centre

    38,000

    Total

    49,500

    Borders 1998-99 (£)

    Peebles Town Centre

    42,000

    Total

    42,000

    Borders 1999-2000 (£)

    Melrose Town Centre

    32,000

    Total

    32,000

    Borders 2001-02 (£)

    Selkirk

    30,000

    Duns

    40,000

    Total

    70,000

    East Lothian 1996-97 (£)

    Musselburgh Town Centre

    80,000

    Total

    80,000

    East Lothian 1997-98 (£)

    Haddington Town Centre

    80,000

    Total

    80,000

    East Lothian 1998-99 (£)

    A partnership board has been set up between scientists and leaders of the fishing industry which has identified and agreed upon suitable trials for the additional research money. The trials include both gear research projects and biological or stock research projects.

    The table sets out the details of the research projects agreed to date, organised by all three research organisations (Fisheries Research Services (FRS), North Atlantic Fisheries College (NAFC) and Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA)).

    It is important to note that some of the figures are estimates and are subject to a degree of variability. Until all the projects have been completed, the costs cannot be defined precisely. The Executive expects that the full amount will be spent in due course.

    Month/year

    Estimated cost

    (£000)

    Outline aim

    Organisation

    05/01

    42

    To assess the distribution, age structure and maturity of haddock around Rockall

    FRS

    05/01

    70

    Measure effect on catch of lifting bag, panel position and extension length in pair seines

    FRS

    06/01

    14

    Assess the selectivity of 110 and 120mm codends on a smaller trawler

    FRS

    07/01

    45.4

    Observe effect of square mesh panel colour on fish behaviour and measure effect on selectivity

    FRS

    12/01

    40.5

    Measure effect of extension length on trawl selectivity

    FRS

    08/01

    27

    Compare selectivities of 70 and 80mm codends of 4mm single and a 100mm codend of 5mm double twine (in Minches)

    FRS

    09/01

    .5

    Measure selectivity of 110 and 120mm codends on smaller trawler

    FRS

    12/01

    38

    Assess effect of grids and square mesh panels on cod haddock and saithe in Norwegian sector

    FRS

    10/01

    38

    Investigate abundance and distribution of monkfish around Rockall

    FRS

    10/01

    45.2

    As above around western continental shelf

    FRS

    10/01

    1997 - 27

    1998 - 18

    1999 - 20

    These represent an average of around 0.05% of the total number of pension recipients.

    Equivalent figures for the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) can only be obtained at disproportionate cost and information relating to other devolved public service pension schemes is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154567,"EventID":"S1W-17914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost to devolved public service pension schemes of a change in family benefits to allow a widow to continue to receive payments after r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost to devolved public service pension schemes of a change in family benefits to allow a widow to continue to receive payments after remarriage.","AnswerText":"The assessed cost in respect of each year of future service is 0.3% of the public service pay bill. If the change was also to apply in respect of all past service of current members, the further cost is assessed as 3% of the pay bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154568,"EventID":"S1W-17915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many college students (a) commenced, (b) completed and (c) passed courses in (i) printing, (ii) electronics, (iii) engineering and (iv) construction in each year sin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many college students (a) commenced, (b) completed and (c) passed courses in (i) printing, (ii) electronics, (iii) engineering and (iv) construction in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Some of the information requested is not held centrally, including data on completions. Graduate data is not available for further education (FE) courses, or yet for higher education (HE) courses for the academic year 1999-2000.

    The following information is available:

    Entrants to Further Education Courses in Further Education Colleges in Scotland by Specified Subject, 1997-98 to 1999-20001
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Printing

    383

    446

    451

    Electronics 2

    3,608

    3,494

    3,073

    Engineering 2

    16,132

    15,392

    15,608

    Construction

    15,077

    9,886

    11,220

    Source: Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) and Scottish Executive.

    Entrants to Higher Education Courses in Further Education Colleges in Scotland by specified subject, 1997-98 to 1999-20001
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Full-time

    Part-time

    Full-time

    Part-time

    Full-time

    Part-time

    Printing

    89

    165

    102

    121

    76

    118Number of pupils and teachers in publicly funded secondary schools with e-mail addresses in each Local Authority

    Local Authority

    Teachers with e-mail address

    % teachers with e-mail address

    Pupils with e-mail address

    % pupils with e-mail address

    Aberdeen City

    241

    24.6%

    2,099

    19.1%

    Aberdeenshire

    964

    77.1%

    10,384

    67.7%

    Angus

    548

    89.4%

    6,467

    89.7%

    Argyll & Bute

    23

    5.0%

    143

    2.6%

    Clackmannanshire

    104

    42.8%

    1,040

    33.9%

    Dumfries & Galloway

    821

    98.0%

    9,747

    99.9%

    Dundee City

    17

    2.2%

    0

    0.0%

    East Ayrshire

    37

    5.9%

    0

    0.0%

    East Dunbartonshire

    240

    35.8%

    1,210

    13.7%

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154572,"EventID":"S1W-17919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17473 by Susan Deacon on 29 August 2001, how the Clinical Standards Boards for Scotland will check compliance with standards for in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17473 by Susan Deacon on 29 August 2001, how the Clinical Standards Boards for Scotland will check compliance with standards for infection control in NHS hospitals and when this new system will start.","AnswerText":"The draft standards for infection control have been circulated widely for consultation and open meetings held in Perth and Glasgow. Pilot review visits are taking place later this month. The standards will then be revised in the light of feedback, and issued for NHS hospitals to undertake self-assessment prior to external review visits, by health care professionals and members of the public, taking place in the first quarter of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154573,"EventID":"S1W-17920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given during the selection of the members of the committee set up to review liquor licensing law to any impact which their age profile would have ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given during the selection of the members of the committee set up to review liquor licensing law to any impact which their age profile would have on the committee's ability to address effectively issues relating to drinking habits and culture amongst younger people and how it is intended that the committee will address such issues.","AnswerText":"We appointed the Chief Executive of Youthlink, Mr Simon Jaquet, as a member of the committee specifically to reflect the interests of younger people. How the committee now addresses these issues is for the committee itself to decide. The Committee will be able to take into account any relevant conclusions produced by the Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse in its forthcoming national Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154574,"EventID":"S1W-17921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new measures it is taking to narrow the gap in life expectancy between Glasgow and elsewhere in the UK shown by Office for National Statistics figures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new measures it is taking to narrow the gap in life expectancy between Glasgow and elsewhere in the UK shown by Office for National Statistics figures.","AnswerText":"The inequalities most recently highlighted in this report are well-known, long-standing and unacceptable. The Executive is committed to tackling the legacy of health inequalities, and has put this and social justice at the heart of its agenda and its spending priorities. We are determined to tackle the root causes of ill health - poverty, poor housing, low self-esteem, and lack of educational and economic opportunity.

    The details of our approach are set out in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, Social Justice: a Scotland where everyone matters and related publications available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154575,"EventID":"S1W-17922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action its Housing Improvement Task Force is taking to improve the rights of tenants in the private rented sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action its Housing Improvement Task Force is taking to improve the rights of tenants in the private rented sector.","AnswerText":"The Housing Improvement Task Force has a wide-ranging remit to look at issues of quality and condition in private sector housing. It has established a number of sub-groups including one which is considering matters relating to house conditions in the privately rented sector.

    Further details of the remit of the task force together with copies of all the papers submitted to the task force and its sub-groups can be found on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/hitf).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154576,"EventID":"S1W-17923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Audit Scotland's role is in determining whether local authorities are delivering Best Value and what criteria are used by Audit Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Audit Scotland's role is in determining whether local authorities are delivering Best Value and what criteria are used by Audit Scotland.","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission (on whose behalf it works) have played a central role since 1997 in developing the Best Value framework, in monitoring its implementation and in working closely with relevant inspectorates to secure a joined-up approach to Best Value scrutiny.

    In addition, Audit Scotland collect and assess a range of Statutory Performance Indicators each year, covering the full range of local authority services. These allow comparative assessment to be made about the impact of Best Value not only within an authority over time but between authorities at any one time.

    In assessing local authority performance, Audit Scotland looks for evidence against the following 10 criteria:

    • That members and officers show clear leadership on Best Value

    • That they are responsive to stakeholders

    • That they carry our Best Value reviews

    • That they have detailed and realistic plans to achieve their aims

    • That they make the best use of their staff

    • That they make the best use of their assets

    • That they have sound financial control and reporting

    • That they actively support continuous improvement

    • That they monitor and control overall performance

    That they have an effective approach to public performance reporting","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154577,"EventID":"S1W-17924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibilities its departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies have to deliver Best Value, how this objective is achieved and whether any c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibilities its departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies have to deliver Best Value, how this objective is achieved and whether any criteria applied and targets set are the equivalent of those for local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration has a statutory duty of: "ensuring that the resources of the Scottish Administration are used economically, efficiently and effectively". The Principal Accountable Officer appoints Accountable Officers, in both departments and other bodies, setting their designated duties. This includes ensuring value for money considerations are taken into account. We are currently considering how a duty of Best Value can be extended to cover all departments and agencies.

    A Ministerial Working Group on Best Value and Budget Review has been established to take forward Best Value across the Executive's expenditure. The remit of this group is to ensure the better use of public expenditure and more efficient delivery of services. The first series of reviews is underway. The group will report to Cabinet.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154578,"EventID":"S1W-17925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a minimum requirement in relation to the width of footpaths, where one exists, along the route of trunk roads in areas where a 30mph speed limit applies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a minimum requirement in relation to the width of footpaths, where one exists, along the route of trunk roads in areas where a 30mph speed limit applies.","AnswerText":"There is no minimum requirement in relation to the width of footpaths along trunk roads.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154579,"EventID":"S1W-17926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much the volume of traffic on the A78 trunk road has increased over the last 20 years, broken down into five-year periods, on the stretch of road between Stevensto","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much the volume of traffic on the A78 trunk road has increased over the last 20 years, broken down into five-year periods, on the stretch of road between Stevenston in the south and Skelmorlie in the north.","AnswerText":"Traffic volume data for the last 20 years, broken down into five-year periods, for the A78 between Stevenson and Skelmorlie is not available. However, the following is a comparison of data collected in August 1986 with data collected in August 2000:

    August 1986

    (Daily Average)

    August 2000

    (Daily Average)

    Growth 1986-2000

    (%)

    8,380

    8,742

    4.32

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154580,"EventID":"S1W-17927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents on the A78 trunk road have been reported over the last five years and how this compares with the number in the previous five-year period; what the loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents on the A78 trunk road have been reported over the last five years and how this compares with the number in the previous five-year period; what the locations were of these accidents, and what the costs were of these accidents in terms of attendance by emergency vehicles and damage caused to street furniture and adjacent properties by vehicle impact.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's accident database records data on personal injury accidents only. The number of personal injury accidents on the A78 trunk road over the last five years (1996-2000) is 496. This is lower than for the previous five-year period (1991-95) when a total of 524 personal injury accidents occurred.

    Information on the location and cost of each accident is not available. However, "Road Accidents in Scotland 1999", the Scottish Executive's National Statistics publication, gives the average total cost for an injury accident on a trunk road as £92,989.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154581,"EventID":"S1W-17928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue was obtained from non-domestic rates in Scotland in each of the last two years and what the total amount of non-domestic rates paid by businesses registe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue was obtained from non-domestic rates in Scotland in each of the last two years and what the total amount of non-domestic rates paid by businesses registered in Glasgow was in each of these years.","AnswerText":"The latest information available indicates that councils have contributed £1,496,647,482 to the Scottish non-domestic rates pool in 1999-2000 and have estimated contributions of £1,540,563,079 for 2000-01. Glasgow City Council's contribution was £239,192,865 in 1999-2000 and is estimated at £235,542,544 for 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154582,"EventID":"S1W-17929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-17365 and S1W-17678 by Sarah Boyack on 21 and 28 August 2001, what it is doing to reduce the number of personal injury accidents ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-17365 and S1W-17678 by Sarah Boyack on 21 and 28 August 2001, what it is doing to reduce the number of personal injury accidents on the Tayport to Glenrothes part of the A92.","AnswerText":"Actions to improve road safety on the Glenrothes to Tayport section of the A92 will include alterations to the Balfarg Junction and the construction of a roundabout at the A92/Markinch Road Junction. These two schemes are programmed to commence in October 2001 and in spring/early summer 2002 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154583,"EventID":"S1W-17930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that contracts and sub-contracts for modernisation work arising from the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer will be of a si'e that","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that contracts and sub-contracts for modernisation work arising from the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer will be of a si'e that enables not just large but also small- and medium-si'ed Glasgow-based companies to win such contracts.","AnswerText":"These are matters for the Glasgow Housing Association, which will set out its proposals in its business plan. This business plan will be subject to a value for money assessment undertaken by Glasgow City Council as part of its consideration of the transfer proposal.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154584,"EventID":"S1W-17931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17516 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 29 August 2001, what its response was to the Arbroath aid package proposals and whether it intends t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17516 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 29 August 2001, what its response was to the Arbroath aid package proposals and whether it intends to give any further response.","AnswerText":"The letters of 11 May and 13 June to which I referred in my earlier answer of 29 August provided detailed comments on the proposals contained in the Arbroath Aid Package and suggestions as to how these proposals could be taken forward by Angus Council and Scottish Enterprise Tayside. Since this exchange of correspondence took place, the First Minister met with the Member for Angus on 23 August to discuss measures to promote economic development in Angus, and Scottish Executive officials met with representatives of Angus Council and Scottish Enterprise Tayside on 3 September to discuss progress in implementing the Arbroath Aid Package proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154585,"EventID":"S1W-17932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available to each further education college to assist students with severe disabilities to pursue their studies in academic session 2000-01 and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available to each further education college to assist students with severe disabilities to pursue their studies in academic session 2000-01 and what funding is available to each college for 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Colleges may claim additional funding from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council for running courses for, or enrolling students with, a range of learning or other disabilities.

    Colleges may also use bursary funding to help support the additional travel and study costs faced by students with disabilities and special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154586,"EventID":"S1W-17933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available to staff in further education colleges to enable them to address the needs of students with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available to staff in further education colleges to enable them to address the needs of students with disabilities.","AnswerText":"A wide range of training opportunities is already available to staff in further education colleges which addresses the teaching of students with disabilities and supporting their special educational needs.

    In response to a recommendation of the Beattie Committee, which examined the needs of young people who require additional support to make the transition to post-school education and training or employment, the Scottish Executive is making funds available to establish and operate a National Co-ordinating Centre. The purpose of the centre is to improve, by the provision of advice, training and staff development, the expertise of staff in further education colleges in identifying, assessing and meeting the needs of students with disabilities and special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154587,"EventID":"S1W-17934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special advice services are available for young people with disabilities who are considering further education on leaving school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special advice services are available for young people with disabilities who are considering further education on leaving school.","AnswerText":"In response to the Beattie Committee Report, career service companies were asked to develop and co-ordinate multi-agency Inclusiveness projects. The development of key worker support for some of Scotland's most disadvantaged and vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 to 24, including those with disabilities, plays a vital role in these projects.

    Currently, young people with disabilities have access to informed and impartial careers advice to help them decide on the options available in employment, education or training through careers service companies. From April 2002, Careers Scotland will offer an accessible, forward-looking and responsive service to people of all ages and abilities.

    The four Scottish ACCESS Centres, based at Aberdeen, Motherwell and Stevenson Colleges and the University of Dundee, offer independent assessment and training facilities in the use of enabling information technologies for students with additional support needs. A new National Co-ordinating Centre housed at Stevenson College will support staff in all colleges to better meet the needs of students with disabilities.

    Additionally, SKILL, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities in Scotland, provides individual support and promotes opportunities to empower young people and adults with any kind of disability to realise their potential in further and higher education, training and employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154588,"EventID":"S1W-17935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the position of the General Register Office of Scotland that the village of West Kilbride in Ayrshire includes the area known as Seamill or whether S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the position of the General Register Office of Scotland that the village of West Kilbride in Ayrshire includes the area known as Seamill or whether Seamill should be a separate village in its own right. ","AnswerText":"Yes. Using the definition of settlement contained in the publication Scottish Settlements - Urban and Rural Areas in Scotland (a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre) - the General Register Office for Scotland has combined West Kilbride and Seamill into a contiguous urban settlement. Seamill also forms part of the historic Civil Parish of West Kilbride. There is no formal or legal definition of a village - place names are recognised on maps by Ordnance Survey on advice from councils.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154589,"EventID":"S1W-17936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether signage erected on the A78 trunk road on the boundary of West Kilbride at the commencement of the area known as Seamill should identify the area as West Kilbride ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether signage erected on the A78 trunk road on the boundary of West Kilbride at the commencement of the area known as Seamill should identify the area as West Kilbride or Seamill.","AnswerText":"It is for the local authority to determine which name appears on local boundary signing. The Scottish Executive's role is to ensure that all signs erected within the trunk road boundary comply with current regulations and guidelines and have no adverse effect on road safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154590,"EventID":"S1W-17937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has submitted advice to the Strategic Rail Authority on the extension to the east coast mainline passenger rail franchise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has submitted advice to the Strategic Rail Authority on the extension to the east coast mainline passenger rail franchise.","AnswerText":"At the end of last week I submitted advice to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) on the extension of the East Coast Mainline franchise, and I have requested the SRA to take account of the advice in discussions with GNER. The focus during the extension period will be to deliver early benefits for passengers in Scotland, such as better performance, rolling stock and passenger facilities.

    I am placing copies in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 15773).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154591,"EventID":"S1W-17938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make Drug Treatment and Testing Orders more widely available to courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make Drug Treatment and Testing Orders more widely available to courts.","AnswerText":"I can today announce that funding is being provided to the local authority areas of Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde for the purposes of establishing Drug Treatment and Testing Order schemes, leading to increased capacity for a further 200 Orders to be made from 2002-03. This will allow the sheriff courts at Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Arbroath, Forfar, Paisley and Greenock access for the first time to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154592,"EventID":"S1W-17939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-16226 by Jackie Baillie on 2 July 2001, when it will announce who will be the managing agents of its central heating installation programme ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-16226 by Jackie Baillie on 2 July 2001, when it will announce who will be the managing agents of its central heating installation programme and why the announcement has been delayed.","AnswerText":"Eaga Partnership Ltd were appointed to administer the Central Heating Programme on 29 August 2001. The appointment was made as soon as possible following a careful and thorough evaluation of the tenders received.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154593,"EventID":"S1W-17940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what types of central heating systems will require to be upgraded or replaced under its central heating installation programme and what funding will be made","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what types of central heating systems will require to be upgraded or replaced under its central heating installation programme and what funding will be made available to allow the work to be carried out, all broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested cannot be broken down by local authority area. Local authorities advise that there are about 23,000 council houses in Scotland with no form of central heating. Scottish Homes figures show that there are about 6,000 housing association properties without central heating. We estimate that there are 40,000 over 60s households in the private sector across Scotland without heating or with a heating system which is broken down and beyond repair. Householders in the private sector can choose from a range of gas, electric, oil or solid fuel systems, subject to constraints of cost and practicability. Tenants in the social rented sector have the same choice where it is reasonable and practicable for the landlord to do so. The programme will be widened in 2004 so that 20,000 local authority dwellings can be upgraded from partial central heating systems to whole-house systems. The Executive is investing £26 million in 2001-02, £30 million in 2002-03 and £40 million in 2003-04. Resources will also come from the investment produced by community ownership and from the energy companies under their Energy Efficiency Commitment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154594,"EventID":"S1W-17941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not met its target for the commencement of its central heating installation programme of 1 April 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not met its target for the commencement of its central heating installation programme of 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"The programme did begin as planned and we are paying grant for all heating systems installed in local authority dwellings since 1 April 2001. We will ensure that our commitment to provide every council and housing association tenant and everyone aged 60 or over in the private sector with a central heating system is met. We are also considering how the programme might be extended.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154595,"EventID":"S1W-17942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following the report of its Central Research Unit, Determination of the Source, Nature, Amount and Disposal Routes of Waste Electrical and El","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following the report of its Central Research Unit, Determination of the Source, Nature, Amount and Disposal Routes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Arising in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive commissioned this research to inform its consideration of the proposed European Community Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment. When the terms of the directive have been finalised and a potentially suitable means of implementing it is determined the Executive will carry out a more intensive study in the form of a Regulatory Impact Assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154596,"EventID":"S1W-17943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a producer responsibility for electrical and electronic products whereby producers bear the responsibility for the collection of end-of-lif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a producer responsibility for electrical and electronic products whereby producers bear the responsibility for the collection of end-of-life products and ensure that any waste is disposed of in an environmentally acceptable way.","AnswerText":"The Executive intends to introduce a system of producer responsibility when the terms of the proposed European Community Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment have been finalised. It is too early to say what the nature of this collection and treatment scheme will be, but industry and other interests will be fully consulted before the new measures are introduced.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154597,"EventID":"S1W-17944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what current and future targets have been set for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what current and future targets have been set for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment.","AnswerText":"There are no such targets. However, the proposed EC Directive currently under discussion on waste electrical and electronic equipment contains recycling targets of 50-80% within overall recovery targets of 7080%, depending on the nature of the waste product to be achieved within 46 months of the Directive coming into force.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154598,"EventID":"S1W-17945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on modernising the planning system in light of the issues raised in Planning Services: Third Annual Report of the Planning Audit Unit 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on modernising the planning system in light of the issues raised in Planning Services: Third Annual Report of the Planning Audit Unit 2000.","AnswerText":"The report highlighted six issues to be addressed by the Executive. Progress has been as follows:

    Most telecommunications developments have been removed from the scope of the General Permitted Development Order (GDPO) and brought within full planning control. This work has taken priority over reducing the complexity of the GPDO itself.

    The pro-forma for collecting development control performance data from local authorities has been revised. Performance against the revised targets will be measured from 1 October 2001.

    Work is on-going to revise the Town and Country Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1987. Work on this theme is also continuing as part of more general initiatives to modernise the planning system.

    A consultation paper on a new building standards system was issued in July 2001. It recommends that local authorities should make access to the building standards and planning systems as closely linked as possible, and that for certain small, simple projects joint planning/building warrant applications be considered. Responses are requested by 31 October 2001, with final proposals for a new system due next spring.

    As far as the issue of trunk roads and development control is concerned, all the action points from the Audit Report have been or are being acted upon.

    Planning Advice Note 40: Development Control has been revised and has been well received.

    The progress that has been made on these issues has been achieved in the context of the main thrust of the Executive's planning agenda this year which has included the review of strategic planning, a proposed consultation exercise on public involvement in the planning system and the preparation of a policy statement on design and quality.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154599,"EventID":"S1W-17946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the report and findings of the Consultation Control Working Group as referred to i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the report and findings of the Consultation Control Working Group as referred to in Planning Services: Third Annual Report of the Planning Audit Unit 2000.","AnswerText":"Twenty copies of the October 1999 report of the Conservation Controls Working Group have been deposited in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154600,"EventID":"S1W-17947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of whole-time equivalent general dental practitioners to population is in (a) each health board area and (b) each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of whole-time equivalent general dental practitioners to population is in (a) each health board area and (b) each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on the whole-time equivalent status for general dental practitioners is not collected centrally. The following tables show the ratio of GDP's to population in terms of headcount.

    Number of GDP's1 and population per GDP2 by Health Board

    Information as at 30 June 20013

    Health Board

    Number of dentists

    Population per GDP

    Ayrshire & Arran

    130

    2,872

    Borders

    37

    2,889

    Argyll & Clyde

    173

    2,448

    Fife

    131

    2,675

    Greater Glasgow

    403

    2,244

    Highland

    80

    2,608

    Lanarkshire

    195

    2,882

    Grampian

    161

    3,251

    Orkney

    8

    2,435

    Lothian

    352

    2,226

    Tayside

    161

    2,394

    Percentage of Scottish Domiciled Entrants to Pre-Clinical Dentistry Courses
     

    1999-2000

    1998-99

    1997-98

    Dundee University

    53.33%

    68.00%

    83.02%

    Glasgow University

    63.89%

    63.77%

    67.14%

    Notes:

    1. Source: Further and Higher Education Statistics, ELLD.

    2. Percentages have been rounded to two decimal places and show Scottish Domiciled entrants as a percentage of the total number of entrants to the individual university.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154604,"EventID":"S1W-17951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths of persons travelling on powered two-wheelers have occurred in each police force area in each of the last three years and to date in 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths of persons travelling on powered two-wheelers have occurred in each police force area in each of the last three years and to date in 2001.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. The following table gives the numbers of users of motorcycles (including motor scooters and motor cycle combinations) and mopeds who were reported by police forces as being fatally injured in accidents which occurred in each year. It is not possible to provide meaningful figures for 2001 to date, because the returns which the Executive has received so far relate to different numbers of months for different police forces.

    Riders and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds who were fatally injured in road accidents

    Police force

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Northern

    2

    2

    11

    Grampian

    7

    6

    6

    Tayside

    4

    2

    2

    Fife

    1

    1

    3

    Lothian & Borders

    5

    4

    6

    Central

    5

    2

    2

    Strathclyde

    6

    12

    10

    Dumfries & Galloway

    3

    1

    0

    Scotland

    33

    30

    40

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154605,"EventID":"S1W-17952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for assistance under the Scottish Land Fund have been received to date, broken down by (a) parliamentary region and (b) local authority area; how ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for assistance under the Scottish Land Fund have been received to date, broken down by (a) parliamentary region and (b) local authority area; how many have been successful; whether it will detail any successful applications, and what the total value is of successful bids so far.","AnswerText":"Details of applications to, and awards made, under the New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund are a reserved matter for the Department of Culture Media and Sport. Can I invite the member to write to Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154606,"EventID":"S1W-17953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 7 August 2001 by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic of a #36 million funding package to improve tourist a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 7 August 2001 by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic of a #36 million funding package to improve tourist and visitor facilities in the Highlands and Islands, what the source is of the #24 million funding from the private sector; how much of this is currently available; what funding the private sector will make available in each of the next three years; what individuals or businesses applying for assistance under this package will have to meet; whether any funding sought by an individual or business will require to be matched by that individual or business, and whether assistance received under this package will require to be repaid at any time.","AnswerText":"The source of the £24 million from the private sector will be the estimated 600 businesses who are expected to apply for assistance from the schemes over the next two-and-a-half years. Projects already approved total £6.1 million private sector contribution. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the private sector commitment will be made in the first two years of the programme and 40% in the third.

    All applicants will require to produce a business plan including a marketing plan. Successful applicants will have to commit to Investors in People, and be members of the VisitScotland quality assurance scheme and Green tourism business scheme, and be members of their Area Tourist Board.

    It is anticipated that the average level of private sector contribution will be two thirds of the total cost. Grants are not normally repaid if the conditions of offer of assistance are fulfilled.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154607,"EventID":"S1W-17954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current targets are for reducing the incidence of (a) heart disease, (b) cancers, (c) teenage pregnancies, (d) sexually transmitted diseases and (e) strokes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current targets are for reducing the incidence of (a) heart disease, (b) cancers, (c) teenage pregnancies, (d) sexually transmitted diseases and (e) strokes.","AnswerText":"Public health targets are set out in the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland (Cm 4269) which is available in Parliament's Reference Centre. If these very stretching targets are to be met by 2010, a concerted effort by a range of agencies as well as NHSScotland will be required.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154608,"EventID":"S1W-17955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all targets within the NHS that have been set since 1997 including those for waiting lists, waiting times and reducing the incidence of heart disea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all targets within the NHS that have been set since 1997 including those for waiting lists, waiting times and reducing the incidence of heart disease, cancer, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and strokes.","AnswerText":"The key national performance targets for NHSScotland are set out in Programmes for Government, Towards a Healthier Scotland, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change and Cancer in Scotland: Action for change, all of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154609,"EventID":"S1W-17956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the introduction of the VAT recovery scheme will have on renovation work carried out by Historic Scotland on Grade A listed churches.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the introduction of the VAT recovery scheme will have on renovation work carried out by Historic Scotland on Grade A listed churches.","AnswerText":"Grants are awarded by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottish ministers in support of repairs to the historic fabric of buildings regarded as being of outstanding historic or architectural importance. The Government's Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme will operate retrospectively from 1 April 2001 and will have the effect of reducing the rate of VAT on certain costs to 5%. The effect of the Listed Places of Worship Grants scheme will thus be to reduce the costs of such repairs, net of Historic Scotland grants, which fall upon the church authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154610,"EventID":"S1W-17957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Historic Scotland has taken action to implement the VAT recovery scheme for Grade A listed churches before the guidelines for its commencement were in place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Historic Scotland has taken action to implement the VAT recovery scheme for Grade A listed churches before the guidelines for its commencement were in place.","AnswerText":"The Government has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will operate retrospectively from 1 April 2001 and payments will commence in the financial year 2001-02. As the project costs borne by church authorities are thus reduced, Historic Scotland's grant support, which is based on the eligible costs of projects, falls to be reduced proportionately. I have asked my officials to re-consider the mechanism for achieving this.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154611,"EventID":"S1W-17958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of proposals for pilot projects in Manchester and London for night and weekend courts, whether it intends to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of proposals for pilot projects in Manchester and London for night and weekend courts, whether it intends to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Currently there are no plans to introduce night and weekend courts in Scotland. However, the Scottish Executive will note with interest any lessons to be learned from the pilot projects in England.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154612,"EventID":"S1W-17959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The agency's performance against its targets in 2000-01 was published in full in its Annual Report and Accounts laid before the Scottish Parliament in August. (Bib. no. 15417)

    For 2001-02 I have set the agency the following key performance targets:

    Quantitative targets

    • Achievement of a target income of £120,000 from new work or new customers.
    • Completion of 95% of all scientific tests and analyses within the timescales set by customers.
    • Improvement in the unit cost of the scientific work of the agency (cost per direct scientific hour).
    • Ensuring, as part of the agency's rolling programme of consultation of customers, that 95% of the customers for the services of the Official Seed Testing Station for Scotland are at least "satisfied".

    Milestone targets

    • Fulfilment of the Agency Service Level Agreement within the budget agreed with ERAD.

    Publication of a review of the scientific work of the agency 1997-2000 by 31 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154613,"EventID":"S1W-17960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Connecting Scotland: ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future.","AnswerText":"The total cost of producing and distributing the document Connecting Scotland: our broadband future was £6,252.93.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154614,"EventID":"S1W-17961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of those graduating from dental courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undertake dental vocational t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of those graduating from dental courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undertake dental vocational training.","AnswerText":"This information is not currently available in the form requested. The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education is currently working with ISD Scotland to map the characteristics and supply dynamics for the dental workforce in Scotland. This is a particularly complex task, and involves detailed analysis of data for those undertaking dental vocational training in Scotland. It is expected that the project will report in the next three to six months.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154615,"EventID":"S1W-17962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of dentists who completed their vocational training in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland working as dentists afterwards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of dentists who completed their vocational training in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland working as dentists afterwards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17961.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154616,"EventID":"S1W-17963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of non-Scottish students graduating from dental degree courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undert","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of non-Scottish students graduating from dental degree courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undertake dental vocational training.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17961.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154617,"EventID":"S1W-17964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of each public inquiry established since 1995 has been, including salaries, expenses, accommodation, printing and any other items.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of each public inquiry established since 1995 has been, including salaries, expenses, accommodation, printing and any other items.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally and could only be gathered at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154618,"EventID":"S1W-17965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether batches of blood and blood products produced before heat treatment was introduced in 1987 continued to be used to treat patients in the NHS after heat treated blo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether batches of blood and blood products produced before heat treatment was introduced in 1987 continued to be used to treat patients in the NHS after heat treated blood products were available and, if so, when they ceased being used.","AnswerText":"Factor VIII concentrates issued by SNBTS since December 1984 have been heat-treated. Initially this heat treatment was to 68ºC but SNBTS subsequently developed a new product able to withstand a more severe heat treatment to 80ºC.

    This new product first became available for routine use in late April 1987 but in order to establish patient tolerability it was phased into use carefully over a number of weeks. I understand that all haemophilia A patients in Scotland who were being treated with SNBTS Factor VIII were receiving the new product by early August 1987, by which time any residual use of the SNBTS 68ºC treated product had ceased.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154619,"EventID":"S1W-17966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport regarding any proposed European legislation which might lead to part privatisation of the Glasgo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport regarding any proposed European legislation which might lead to part privatisation of the Glasgow underground system.","AnswerText":"I am aware of the potential impact on the Glasgow underground of the Commission's proposal for an EU Regulation on Public Service Requirements and the Award of Public Service Contracts in Passenger Transport by Rail, Road and Inland Waterways. I highlighted the Glasgow situation when I addressed the EU Transport Council in Luxembourg in June as part of the UK delegation. The draft regulation has a long way to go through the EU process and the Executive will ensure that Scotland's interests are reflected through the UK stance throughout these negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154620,"EventID":"S1W-17967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assess the cost implications for the Glasgow underground system of the European draft legislation on tendering for public transport systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assess the cost implications for the Glasgow underground system of the European draft legislation on tendering for public transport systems.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE) has assessed the costs associated with tendering the Glasgow underground system in accordance with the latest draft of the European Commission's proposal for an EU Regulation on Public Service Requirements and the Award of Public Service Contracts in Passenger Transport by Rail, Road and Inland Waterways. SPTE consider that those costs could be disproportionate to any benefits which might be received. The Executive has no plans to conduct its own assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154621,"EventID":"S1W-17968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Clyde Shipyards Taskforce in securing the long-term future of and offsetting job losses at the BAe Systems shipyard at Scotstoun.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Clyde Shipyards Taskforce in securing the long-term future of and offsetting job losses at the BAe Systems shipyard at Scotstoun.","AnswerText":"The Clyde Shipyards Task Force, which is considering the immediate and longer term strategic issues facing the Clyde shipbuilding industry, has established four sub-groups to progress the following areas of work:

    • Strategy for the upper Clyde shipyards;
    • Strategy for skills;
    • Strategy for redundancy management; and
    • Strategy for wider community management.

    Work is well under way and the task force expects to report to ministers by December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154622,"EventID":"S1W-17969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the consultation last year on the physical punishment of children in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the consultation last year on the physical punishment of children in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We published our consultation paper in February 2000 and received 220 responses. Many incorporated the views of numbers of parents and children. We are grateful for all the careful thought and analysis that went into the responses. I have placed a full analysis in the Scottish Parliament's Reference Centre and on the Scottish Executive website.

    In our paper we did not propose a complete ban on physical punishment of children. We intend to retain the right of parents to reasonably chastise their children. But we propose a clearer definition of what is "reasonable" and further express restrictions on what is allowed. The responses we have received generally support this approach.

    Of the responses

    • 43% supported our proposals in general
    • 34% called for a complete ban on physical punishment
    • 17% did not support any change in the law, and argued for the right of parents to discipline their children as they see fit
    • 6% did not state clear views.

    Taking the responses as a whole, 77% of those who replied clearly supported further legal restrictions.

    A clear signal must be sent to parents and other adults caring for children that physical punishment must be kept within strict limits and only used as a last resort.

    Based on the views of those who commented, we will set out in statute the factors the courts must take into account when determining whether punishment was "reasonable". They will include:

    • the nature, context of the punishment;
    • its duration and frequency;
    • its physical and mental effects, and
    • the sex, age and state of health of the child.

    This will be a non-exhaustive list so that other factors could be taken into account depending on the circumstances of the case.

    We propose to prohibit absolutely blows to the head, shaking, and the use of implements. We also propose to ban physical punishment of children up to and including a certain age, and we propose this be the age of two. Up to this age, it is very doubtful that a child would understand why he or she was being punished, and if the child was in any imminent danger it should be possible for an adult to restrain or remove the child physically from the danger rather than punish him or her.

    Finally, in accordance with the overwhelming response by those involved in these services, we will prohibit corporal punishment in childcare centres, by childminders and in non-publicly funded pre-school centres. This is consistent with existing policy for schools and publicly funded pre-school centres and will provide welcome clarity for employees in these settings. The change in the law will not cover baby-sitters or nannies in the home. We believe that parents should have the right to set the ground rules for discipline in the home and that these should be observed consistently by all those who care for children in their own home.

    We will seek an early opportunity for legislation.

    The primary consideration in decisions about children is the welfare of the child, and we recognise the fundamental role of parents in this. We hope that our proposals will protect children and encourage all parents to reflect carefully on their right to administer punishment to their children.

    Physical violence is the antithesis of the behaviour we want to promote in children. If we want children to behave well, we should set them a good example. A child should have explanations, a clear disciplinary framework and sanctions other than physical punishment wherever possible. Our proposed changes should discourage casual or excessive use of physical punishment or its use for inappropriate purposes. If children receive a good example from thoughtful parents, this should help lessen levels of violence in society at large.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154623,"EventID":"S1W-17971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it has allocated to date to support local authorities, the police, health services and further and higher education as a result of the asylum seekers disp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it has allocated to date to support local authorities, the police, health services and further and higher education as a result of the asylum seekers dispersal programme.","AnswerText":"The asylum seekers dispersal programme is a matter for the Home Office since immigration and asylum are reserved. To date existing resources available to local authorities, the police, health services and further and higher education have covered the demands on devolved services arising from the asylum seekers dispersal programme. The position is, of course, being kept under review.

    In September 2001, I announced £700,000 in additional funding for communities across Glasgow, including asylum seekers and refugees. I also announced the Executive's intention to provide new funding of £1.7 million in the current financial year, and in future financial years, for further education colleges to support a package of new measures which will strengthen the ability of the colleges to provide further education, including language skills. That sum comprises £0.5 million to boost college provision specifically for asylum seekers.

    The package of measures will include the waiving of the residence and settlement criteria which, until now, have governed the ability of a college to claim funding and to reclaim the cost of waived fees; the provision of funding to allow colleges to provide books and support with travel, and a new discretion relating to asylum seekers which will allow colleges to approve continued studies beyond the level of basic courses.

    The decision of the Scottish Executive to provide £1.7 million in extra resources will ensure that existing budgets can continue to be used for their original purpose without detriment to Scottish students.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154624,"EventID":"S1W-17972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17505 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 28 August 2001, when it will issue its submission to the Energy Review to the Cabinet Office and, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17505 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 28 August 2001, when it will issue its submission to the Energy Review to the Cabinet Office and, if no exact date is known at this time, how it will inform MSPs when it has placed the submission in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"An initial paper from the Executive was submitted to the Energy Review Team on 13 September. It was also placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre on that date (Bib. No. 16141). It is our intention to follow that up with a further input later in the autumn, once the outcomes of the studies we have commissioned into Scotland's renewable resource and the electricity network are available to us.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154625,"EventID":"S1W-17973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Manufacturing Steering Group last met, when it next plans to meet and whether the group still has a contribution to make.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Manufacturing Steering Group last met, when it next plans to meet and whether the group still has a contribution to make.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group last met on 31 March 2000. The work of the group led to the establishment of the Manufacturing Image Group in June 2000 and the development of a number of initiatives as set out in Created in Scotland - the Way Forward for Scottish Manufacturing in the 21st Century. A key initiative has been our campaign to counter the prejudice and misconceptions which discourage many young people from considering employment opportunities in this sector. The campaign takes the form of locally held roadshows. It has recently been agreed to extend the pilot to Ayrshire, Glasgow and Angus this year.

    Other initiatives in Created in Scotland in the field of skills, financial assistance and advice are being taken forward by the Scottish Executive and the Enterprise Networks. For example, approximately 18,000 people are currently in training as part of the modern apprenticeships programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154626,"EventID":"S1W-17974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the report by Dr Andrew Walker of the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the cost in Scotland? and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the report by Dr Andrew Walker of the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the cost in Scotland? and what further action it plans to take.","AnswerText":"Measures are already in hand to tackle health care associated infection in Scotland. NHS Trusts must ensure that adequate infection control arrangements, based on Health Department guidance, are in place. At my request the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland is introducing new standards for infection control and cleaning services. Compliance will be monitored and verified. The new national surveillance system which I have announced will provide more reliable information on the incidence of health care associated infection.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154627,"EventID":"S1W-17975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17464 by Ross Finnie on 5 September 2001, what specific training is given to its staff on the development of sustainability policie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17464 by Ross Finnie on 5 September 2001, what specific training is given to its staff on the development of sustainability policies.","AnswerText":"No specific training is given to civil servants on developing sustainability policies - any more than it is for most other areas of policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154628,"EventID":"S1W-17976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Railtrack, or any other body, to ensure that the Cairn Gorm funicular railway is subjected to safety checks on the condition of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Railtrack, or any other body, to ensure that the Cairn Gorm funicular railway is subjected to safety checks on the condition of the rails; what safety checks have been made to date, and whether any relevant safety recommendations made in the report into the Kaprun funicular disaster in Austria will be implemented on the Cairn Gorm funicular railway prior to it opening for public use.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154629,"EventID":"S1W-17977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Highlands and Islands Enterprise to publish the findings of the second economic appraisal of the Cairn Gorm funicular railway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Highlands and Islands Enterprise to publish the findings of the second economic appraisal of the Cairn Gorm funicular railway.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154630,"EventID":"S1W-17978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #9.4 million limit on the amount of public money which Highlands and Islands Enterprise is authorised to spend on the Cairn Gorm funicular railway is breached","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #9.4 million limit on the amount of public money which Highlands and Islands Enterprise is authorised to spend on the Cairn Gorm funicular railway is breached by Highlands and Islands Enterprise's undertaking in the agreement under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1987 (former section 50) that it may choose to dismantle and remove the funicular and buildings and reinstate the site and, if so, whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be directed to remove this undertaking from the agreement.","AnswerText":"Any variation on the agreement under the terms of section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act as it applies to the Cairn Gorm funicular railway are a matter of discussion between Highlands and Islands Enterprise, CairnGorm Mountain (formerly Cairngorm Chairlift Company Ltd), Scottish Natural Heritage and Highland Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154631,"EventID":"S1W-17979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Highlands and Islands Enterprise estimates it would cost to carry out its undertaking under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1987 (form","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Highlands and Islands Enterprise estimates it would cost to carry out its undertaking under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1987 (former section 50) to dismantle and remove the Cairn Gorm funicular railway and buildings and reinstate the site.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154632,"EventID":"S1W-17980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any compensation will be offered to the Glenshee and Lecht Ski companies if they are adversely affected by the operation of the Cairn Gorm funicular railway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any compensation will be offered to the Glenshee and Lecht Ski companies if they are adversely affected by the operation of the Cairn Gorm funicular railway.","AnswerText":"Each individual ski resort, operating under local environmental conditions, has unique facilities to offer discerning skiing visitors, and will be subject, as with most Scottish businesses, to competing under free market forces. Any future request for assistance by the Glenshee and Lecht Ski companies will be considered in the first instance by the local enterprise companies.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154633,"EventID":"S1W-17981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the staff of the Cairngorms National Park will include individuals with expertise in wildlife ecology, conservation, landscape and experience of other national p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the staff of the Cairngorms National Park will include individuals with expertise in wildlife ecology, conservation, landscape and experience of other national parks or similar areas.","AnswerText":"It will be for the Cairngorms National Park Authority to determine the qualities required of park staff. However, to ensure it meets the park's statutory aims:

    of conserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of the area;

    of promoting sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;

    of promoting understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public,

    of promoting sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities, and

    the authority will no doubt seek to employ personnel with skills and competencies appropriate to these aims.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154634,"EventID":"S1W-17982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17272 by Sarah Boyack on 24 August 2001, how much allowance for expenditure on subsidised bus services is included within the gener","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17272 by Sarah Boyack on 24 August 2001, how much allowance for expenditure on subsidised bus services is included within the general local government finance settlement allocations in the current financial year, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"No allowance is specifically ear-marked for expenditure on subsidised bus services within the local government finance settlement. However, provision is made for this area of expenditure within each council's total grant allocation. It is for each council to determine its total expenditure on these services. Councils budgeted expenditure on subsidised bus services in the current year is shown in the following table:

    Budget Estimates 2001-02

    (£000)

    Aberdeen, City

    41

    Aberdeenshire

    1,310

    Angus

    556

    Argyll and Bute

    1,763

    Clackmannanshire

    486

    Dumfries and Galloway

    1,901

    Dundee

    658

    East Ayrshire

    541

    East Dunbartonshire

    669

    East Lothian

    552

    East Renfrewshire

    441

    Edinburgh, City

    -484

    Eilean Siar

    1,116

    Falkirk

    1,608

    Fife

    1,237

    Glasgow

    4,238

    Highland

    1,112

    Inverclyde

    617

    Midlothian

    598

    Moray

    430

    North Ayrshire

    642

    North Lanarkshire

    2,219

    Orkney the Controller of Audit's investigations, I will ask Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education to bring forward their planned inspection of the education authority functions within Scottish Borders Council.

    My department has recently received proposals from the council to transfer resources into their National Grid for Learning and Inclusion programmes for the current financial year. Their proposals were:

    A total of £358,000 to be transferred into the council's National Grid for Learning programme from resources which are currently uncommitted in the following programmes:

    Powershift grants (number of vehicles) for Liquid Petroleum Gas by Private and Commercial vehicles since 1997.

    Number of vehicles

    Local Authority

    Private

    Commercial

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Total

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Total

    Aberdeenshire

    0

    0

    2

    6

    0

    8

    0

    0

    6

    11

    0

    17

    Angus

    0

    0

    0

    2

    0

    Early Intervention

    £100,000

    Supporting Parents

    £ 10,000

    Classroom Assistants

    £198,000

    Support for Teachers

    £ 50,000

    Separately, £31,000 to be transferred from the Alternatives to Exclusion Programme into the Inclusion Programme.

    Before considering these transfers, I instructed my officials to seek assurances from the council that achievement of the key national objectives of each of the programmes concerned would not be prejudiced. The council has given these assurances; early intervention roll-out across the Borders will continue, and adult/pupil ratios will be below 1:15.

    I also asked my officials to seek assurance that the transfers would have no detrimental effect on existing levels of provision for children with special needs. The council has told my department that there will be no reduction to the council's Inclusion programme under the Excellence Fund. Indeed, £31,000 will be transferred into this programme from the Alternatives to Exclusion programme. to assist in maintaining existing levels of support for children with special educational needs.

    In the light of these assurances, approval to the transfers has been given.

    The council has also notified my department that in the light of the overspending on their education budgets which has recently come to light they are no longer able to resource their planned objective of providing a new autism unit at Howdenburn Primary School in this financial year. I have been assured that this proposal will be revisited when the council has completed its longer-term review of expenditure and provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154642,"EventID":"S1W-17990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how recycling is defined for the purpose of measuring the performance of local authorities in relation to the disposal of household waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how recycling is defined for the purpose of measuring the performance of local authorities in relation to the disposal of household waste.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Accounts Commission. I understand that the commission is currently reviewing performance indicators including the one for refuse recycling.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154643,"EventID":"S1W-17991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16545 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, whether it will collect interim information in relation to the number of heating units ins","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16545 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, whether it will collect interim information in relation to the number of heating units installed, broken down by housing sector, during each year of the central heating programme and whether it will place such information in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre at quarterly intervals.","AnswerText":"The information specified will be collected and a report will be published each year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154644,"EventID":"S1W-17992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an application for planning consent for a change of use of the accommodation at Dungavel House was made to South Lanarkshire Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether an application for planning consent for a change of use of the accommodation at Dungavel House was made to South Lanarkshire Council.","AnswerText":"No. South Lanarkshire Council advise that no application for planning permission was required because, in their opinion, the use of Dungavel House as a detention centre does not constitute a change of use in planning terms.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154645,"EventID":"S1W-17993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consultation has taken place with Historic Scotland regarding alterations to existing buildings and additional building works at Dungavel House.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consultation has taken place with Historic Scotland regarding alterations to existing buildings and additional building works at Dungavel House.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, to answer. His response is as follows:

    "Historic Scotland has not been consulted as the planning authority, South Lanarkshire Council do not consider that Listed Building Consent is required for works being carried out at Dungavel House."","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154646,"EventID":"S1W-17994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are likely to be made for South Lanarkshire Council social work department's involvement with residents of the Immigration Detention Centre at Dungavel ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are likely to be made for South Lanarkshire Council social work department's involvement with residents of the Immigration Detention Centre at Dungavel House.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for South Lanarkshire Council. Additional information is available in answers to questions S1W-17739 and S1W-17996.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154647,"EventID":"S1W-17995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement the Scottish Prison Service will have with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland in this financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement the Scottish Prison Service will have with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland in this financial year.","AnswerText":"The Home Office Immigration Service is responsible for refugees and asylum seekers and such matters are reserved. The Scottish Prison Service has housed such individuals, mainly in Greenock Prison. However, with effect from 3 September the process began of transferring such individuals from prison to the newly opened Dungavel Immigration Facility for which the Home Office is responsible.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154648,"EventID":"S1W-17996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17739 by Mr Jim Wallace on 4 September 2001, on what dates South Lanarkshire Council and the Social Work Services Inspectorate have","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17739 by Mr Jim Wallace on 4 September 2001, on what dates South Lanarkshire Council and the Social Work Services Inspectorate have met the Immigration Service to discuss future working arrangements in connection with the Immigration Detention Centre at Dungavel House and whether such meetings have included discussions in relation to any devolved functions other than social work.","AnswerText":"Officers and members from South Lanarkshire Council have met with representatives of the Immigration Service on a number of occasions in the last year to discuss safety, health and educational arrangements. Strathclyde Police and Lanarkshire Health Board and Primary Care Trust have also been represented at meetings. Social Work Services Inspectorate has been in correspondence and telephone discussions with the Immigration Service, Department of Health and South Lanarkshire Council about standards of care for children.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154649,"EventID":"S1W-17997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to promote milk.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to promote milk.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is actively promoting the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. Milk makes an important contribution to childrens' diets. Thus, £380,000 per annum is provided through the Health Improvement Fund as a top-up subsidy to support the provision of milk in primary schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154650,"EventID":"S1W-17998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to ensure that milk production is adequate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to ensure that milk production is adequate.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any shortage of milk at this stage but my officials are liasing closely with the Scottish milk industry to ensure the situation is kept under regular review.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154651,"EventID":"S1W-17999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17309 by Rhona Brankin on 21 August 2001, whether it is aware that Mellon Charles near Aultbea was sited as an example of a land st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17309 by Rhona Brankin on 21 August 2001, whether it is aware that Mellon Charles near Aultbea was sited as an example of a land storage site for cut-out submarine reactors in a report by Lancaster University for the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerText":"Yes, I am aware that it was an example among many that the Ministry of Defence considered in its review of options for the storage of reactor compartments. I understand that the role of the University of Lancaster was to undertake, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, a public consultation on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154652,"EventID":"S1W-18000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted on the implications for devolved matters of any proposals to permit trains carrying radioactive waste to travel at more than 45 mph.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted on the implications for devolved matters of any proposals to permit trains carrying radioactive waste to travel at more than 45 mph.","AnswerText":"There have been no such consultations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154653,"EventID":"S1W-18001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since 1999 local authorities and emergency services have carried out nuclear emergency drills in co-operation with UK agencies and where any such drills we","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since 1999 local authorities and emergency services have carried out nuclear emergency drills in co-operation with UK agencies and where any such drills were carried out.","AnswerText":"The following is a list of nuclear exercises since 1999 in which the emergency services, local authorities and other UK agencies have participated.

    Date

    Exercise Location

    Civil/Military

    1999

    2 June

    Faslane

    Military

    1 September

    Campbeltown/Faslane

    Military

    2 October

    Vulcan,Dounreay/Inverness

    Military

    20 October

    Hunterston B/East Kilbride

    Civilian

    26 October

    Rosyth/Glenrothes

    Military/Civilian

    9 December

    Chapelcross/Dumfries

    Civilian

    2000

    4 May

    Faslane

    Military

    10 May

    Dounreay/Inverness

    Civilian

    13 June

    Vulcan, Dounreay/Inverness

    Military

    14 June

    Scottish Police College, Tulliallan

    Civilian

    6 September

    Faslane

    Military

    18 September

    Torness (Communications only)

    My answer to question S1W-10834 gave an indicative figure of the possible final cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154658,"EventID":"S1W-18006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines relating to commercial confidentiality it follows when answering parliamentary questions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines relating to commercial confidentiality it follows when answering parliamentary questions.","AnswerText":"Answers to parliamentary questions are provided by reference to the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information. The terms of the exemptions in the Code for \"effective management and operations of the public service\", \"third party's commercial confidences\" and \"information given in confidence\" may therefore require to be considered when parliamentary questions raise commercial confidentiality issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154659,"EventID":"S1W-18007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17478 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, whether her answer to question S1W-10834 on 1 December 2000 breached commercial confidenti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17478 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, whether her answer to question S1W-10834 on 1 December 2000 breached commercial confidentiality rules.","AnswerText":"No. The estimated cost of a project prior to contract award is not normally disclosed as it affects the Scottish Executive's negotiating position. However, the figure quoted in my answer to question S1W-10834 was the Executive's assessment of the possible final cost once the contract was under way. It was based on the rates tendered for the work by the successful contractor Booz Allen and Hamilton.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154660,"EventID":"S1W-18008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the operation of civil legal aid.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the operation of civil legal aid.","AnswerText":"The operation of civil legal aid and its interaction with other parts of the justice system are kept under constant review. Necessary changes to the scheme, whether by primary or subordinate legislation, are presented to the Scottish Parliament for consideration and approval. The financial limits are generally increased on an annual basis in line with benefits increases.

    I await with interest the forthcoming report of the Justice Committee 1 into legal aid and will consider any proposals for change that the committee may recommend.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154661,"EventID":"S1W-18009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the eligibility rules for civil legal aid.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the eligibility rules for civil legal aid.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to change the three tests set out in the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986, namely probabilis causa, financial eligibility and reasonableness. The detailed financial tests are generally uprated annually in line with changes in social security benefits","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154662,"EventID":"S1W-18010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there were for civil legal aid in each of the last five years and how many applications were granted in each of these years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there were for civil legal aid in each of the last five years and how many applications were granted in each of these years.","AnswerText":"A detailed analysis of the applications for civil legal aid in each year is set out in the Annual Report of the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The board's report for 2000-01 was laid before the Parliament on 18 July.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154663,"EventID":"S1W-18011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review civil legal aid remuneration rates for solicitors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review civil legal aid remuneration rates for solicitors.","AnswerText":"My officials are presently in preliminary discussions with the Law Society of Scotland about civil legal aid remuneration.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154664,"EventID":"S1W-18012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it had to the review of tribunals recently undertaken by Sir Andrew Leggett.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it had to the review of tribunals recently undertaken by Sir Andrew Leggett.","AnswerText":"The review undertaken by Sir Andrew Leggatt dealt primarily with Tribunals operating in reserved areas. Officials of the Scottish Executive maintained contact with the Lord Chancellor's Department throughout the review process. They contributed information and advice to the review team about tribunals operating in reserved areas in Scotland, and the need to take account of the distinctive nature of the Scottish civil justice system.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154665,"EventID":"S1W-18013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to respond to the consultation paper Tribunals for Users published by the Lord Chancellor's Department on 16 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to respond to the consultation paper Tribunals for Users published by the Lord Chancellor's Department on 16 August 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not plan to issue a formal response to the consultation paper. Officials will, however, continue to discuss with relevant officials in the Lord Chancellor's Department, arrangements for taking forward consideration of the policy options and issues arising from the Leggatt Report. The purpose of this contribution will be to ensure that whatever proposals for change ultimately emerge serve the needs of the people of Scotland and are consistent with the principles of the Scottish civil justice system.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154666,"EventID":"S1W-18014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to carry out a review of Scottish tribunals which operate in devolved areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to carry out a review of Scottish tribunals which operate in devolved areas.","AnswerText":"There are at present no plans to conduct such a review.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154667,"EventID":"S1W-18015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the fire brigade has been called out to each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock, during (a) daytime and (b) night-time in each of the last thr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the fire brigade has been called out to each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock, during (a) daytime and (b) night-time in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Comprehensive information is not recorded centrally and could not be assembled except at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154668,"EventID":"S1W-18016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents took place at the Holmston roundabout in Ayr in each of the last 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents took place at the Holmston roundabout in Ayr in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The number of personal injury accidents in each of the last 10 years (1991-2000) on the A77 trunk road at Holmston Roundabout, Ayr is as follows:

    Year

    Fatal

    Serious

    Slight

    Total

    1991

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1992

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1993

    0

    0

    1

    1

    1994

    0

    0

    1

    1

    1995

    0

    0

    2

    2

    1996

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1997

    1

    0

    2

    3

    1998

    0

    0

    1

    1

    1999

    0

    2

    2

    4

    2000

    0

    0

    5

    5

    Total

    1

    2

    14

    17

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154669,"EventID":"S1W-18017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of hospital cleaners to patients has been in (a) Scotland as a whole and (b) each health board area in each of the past 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of hospital cleaners to patients has been in (a) Scotland as a whole and (b) each health board area in each of the past 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154670,"EventID":"S1W-18018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14011 by Neil Davidson on 21 March 2001, whether it is yet able to make a statement on the Lord Advocate's review of prosecution po","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14011 by Neil Davidson on 21 March 2001, whether it is yet able to make a statement on the Lord Advocate's review of prosecution policy in relation to test purchasing of age restricted goods by children.","AnswerText":"My review of prosecution policy in relation to test purchasing of age related goods is now complete and I am consulting with colleagues regarding the result. I intend to make an announcement on the matter shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154671,"EventID":"S1W-18019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations have had staff on loan from the Scottish Executive in the period May","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations have had staff on loan from the Scottish Executive in the period May 1999 to July 2001.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer provided to question S1W-17547, I can confirm that the following organisations had staff on loan from the Scottish Executive in the period May 1999 to July 2001:

    Audit Scotland

    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

    Cabinet Office

    Department of Trade and Industry

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Forestry Commission

    HM Treasury

    Home Office

    Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Office of Fair Trading

    OFSTED

    OFTEL

    Prime Minister's Office, Downing Street

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Scottish Court Service

    Scottish Environment Protection Agency

    Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

    Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154672,"EventID":"S1W-18020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations currently have staff on loan from the Scottish Executive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations currently have staff on loan from the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer provided to question S1W-17546 and not S1W-17547 as stated, I can confirm that the following organisations currently have staff on loan from the Scottish Executive:

    Cabinet Office

    Department of Trade and Industry

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Forestry Commission

    HM Treasury

    Home Office

    Office of Fair Trading

    OFTEL

    Prime Minister's Office, Downing Street

    Scottish Environment Protection Agency

    Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154673,"EventID":"S1W-18021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17545 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 17 staff whose salary costs it is meeting are on secondment to.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17545 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 17 staff whose salary costs it is meeting are on secondment to.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer provided to question S1W-17545, I can confirm that the organisations of the 17 staff currently on secondment whose salary costs are being met by the Scottish Executive are as follows:

    European Commission

    Glasgow Employer Coalition

    Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland

    Prince's Trust Volunteers Scotland

    Royal Society of Edinburgh

    Scottish Business in the Community

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Civic Forum

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Power

    Western Isles Council

    Young Scot

    The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all pay a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154674,"EventID":"S1W-18022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17545 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 91 staff whose salary costs the receiving organisation is meetin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17545 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 91 staff whose salary costs the receiving organisation is meeting are on secondment to.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer provided to question S1W-17545, I can confirm that the organisations of the 91 staff currently on secondment whose salary costs are met by the receiving organisation are as follows:

    Cairngorm Partnership

    Common Services Agency

    European Commission

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise

    Lord President's Office

    Lothian Health

    Meat Hygiene Service

    Public and Commercial Services Union

    Scottish Enterprise

    Scottish Archive Network Project

    Scottish Arts Council

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Criminal Records Office

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Football Association

    Scottish Natural Heritage

    Scottish Parliament

    Scottish University for Industry

    Sportscotland

    Strathclyde University

    The Household of HRH The Prince of Wales

    West Lothian NHS Trust

    The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all pay a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment with the balance met by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154675,"EventID":"S1W-18023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations any staff who have been on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001, and whose salary costs it has met, have been on secondment to.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations any staff who have been on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001, and whose salary costs it has met, have been on secondment to.","AnswerText":"The organisations of the staff on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001 whose salary costs are being met by the Scottish Executive are as follows:

    European Commission

    Glasgow Employer Coalition

    Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland

    Prince's Trust Volunteers Scotland

    Royal Society of Edinburgh

    Scottish Business in the Community

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Civic Forum

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Power

    Western Isles Council

    Young Scot

    The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all pay a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154676,"EventID":"S1W-18024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations any staff who have been on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001, and whose salary costs have been met by the receiving organisatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations any staff who have been on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001, and whose salary costs have been met by the receiving organisation, have been on secondment to.","AnswerText":"The organisations of the staff on secondment during the period July 2001 to September 2001, whose salary costs are being met by the receiving organisation are as follows:

    Cairngorm Partnership

    Common Services Agency

    European Commission

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise

    Lord President's Office

    Lothian Health

    Meat Hygiene Service

    Public and Commercial Services Union

    Royal Bank of Scotland Group

    Scottish Archive Network Project

    Scottish Arts Council

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Criminal Records Office

    Scottish Enterprise

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Football Association

    Scottish Natural Heritage

    Scottish Parliament

    Scottish Qualifications Authority

    Scottish University for Industry

    Sportscotland

    Strathclyde University

    The Household of HRH The Prince of Wales

    West Lothian NHS Trust

    The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all pay a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment with the balance met by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154677,"EventID":"S1W-18025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 27 staff who were on secondment during the period May 1999 to Ju","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 27 staff who were on secondment during the period May 1999 to July 2001, and whose salary costs it met, were on secondment to.","AnswerText":"The organisations of the staff on secondment during the period May 1999 to July2001, whose salary costs were met by the Scottish Executive, are as follows:

    Community Learning Scotland

    COSLA

    Fair Play Scotland

    Glasgow Employer Coalition

    Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland

    MacMillan Cancer Relief

    Prince's Trust Volunteers Scotland

    Quality Scotland

    Royal Society of Edinburgh

    Schlumberger

    Scotland Against Drugs

    Scottish and Newcastle

    Scottish Business in the Community

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Civic Forum

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Power

    Western Isles Council

    Young Enterprise Scotland

    Young Scot

    Scottish and Newcastle, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all paid a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment during the period stated.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154678,"EventID":"S1W-18026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 126 staff who were on secondment during the period May 1999 to J","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, which organisations the 126 staff who were on secondment during the period May 1999 to July 2001, and whose salary costs the receiving organisation met, were on secondment to.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer provided to question S1W-17548, I can confirm that the organisations of the 126 staff on secondment during the period May 1999 to July 2001 whose salary costs were met by the receiving organisation are as follows:

    Audit Scotland

    Cairngorm Partnership

    Child Support Agency

    Civil Service College in Scotland

    Common Services Agency

    CoSLA

    European Commission

    Fife Enterprise

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise

    Information Technology Services Agency

    IPMS

    Lord President's Office

    Lothian Health

    Meat Hygiene Service

    Public and Commercial Services Union

    Scottish and Newcastle

    Scottish Archive Network Project

    Scottish Arts Council

    Scottish Chambers of Commerce

    Scottish Council Development and Industry

    Scottish Criminal Records Office

    Scottish Enterprise

    Scottish Financial Enterprise

    Scottish Football Association

    Scottish Homes

    Scottish Natural Heritage

    Scottish Parliament

    Scottish University for Industry

    Sportscotland

    Strathclyde University

    The Household of HRH The Prince of Wales

    Water Industry Commissioners

    West Lothian NHS Trust

    Scottish and Newcastle, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry and Scottish Financial Enterprise all paid a contribution towards the salary costs of the secondment during the period stated.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154679,"EventID":"S1W-18027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the EC Regulations currently under consideration by the European Parliament on the award of public service contracts in passenger transport and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the EC Regulations currently under consideration by the European Parliament on the award of public service contracts in passenger transport and what representations it has made or plans to make to the European Parliament regarding these regulations.","AnswerText":"I have been working closely with the Department of Transport and the Local Regions (DTLR), which has the lead on this draft regulation. The Scottish Executive's position has been incorporated into the briefing DTLR has prepared for UK MEPs The draft regulation has a long way to go through the EU process and the Executive will ensure that Scotland's interests are reflected through the UK stance throughout these negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154680,"EventID":"S1W-18028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to make it possible for public transport operators to introduce through ticketing, especially for those travelling by rail and bus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to make it possible for public transport operators to introduce through ticketing, especially for those travelling by rail and bus.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive announced a five-point Action Plan on Through Ticketing on 18 March 2000. Since then the plan has been subsumed by the Transport Direct Initiative, in which the Scottish Executive is committed to playing a full part. Transport Direct is a UK national project which aims to deliver integrated traveller information and ticketing.

    The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 includes provision to enable local authorities to determine what ticketing arrangements should be made available in their area as regards local bus services, and to make a statutory ticketing scheme if it is not possible to make those arrangements available on a voluntary basis with bus operators.

    The Scottish Executive's consultation paper Strategic Priorities for Scotland's Passenger Railways makes clear that the Scottish Executive will encourage train operators to work with providers of local bus services to issue a single ticket to cover the use of bus and train.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154681,"EventID":"S1W-18029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the publication and launch of documents on a Sunday.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the publication and launch of documents on a Sunday.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the timing of publications are taken on a case-by-case basis but Sunday publications would be extremely rare.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154682,"EventID":"S1W-18030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to regulate the private security industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to regulate the private security industry.","AnswerText":"Following informal discussions earlier this year with the police associations, local government and representatives from the private security industry, a consultation paper is being issued today containing proposals to regulate the industry. The consultation paper is being given wide circulation. The closing date for responses is 14 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154683,"EventID":"S1W-18031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the local authority responsible for maintaining the Kincardine Bridge prior to the maintenance contract being awarded to AMEY Highways Ltd employed a full-time b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the local authority responsible for maintaining the Kincardine Bridge prior to the maintenance contract being awarded to AMEY Highways Ltd employed a full-time bridge attendant and, if so, whether this was a contractual obligation.","AnswerText":"During the term of the previous contract, Falkirk Council maintained Kincardine Bridge on behalf of Forth Local Authority Consortium (FLAC). A council employee was based full-time at the adjacent depot to undertake certain duties in connection with the bridge, the depot and the emergency bridging stock depot at Bandeath.

    There was no contractual requirement for FLAC to appoint a full-time bridge attendant.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154684,"EventID":"S1W-18032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a contractual obligation on AMEY Highways Ltd to employ a full-time bridge attendant in connection with the maintenance of the Kincardine Bridge; if so, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a contractual obligation on AMEY Highways Ltd to employ a full-time bridge attendant in connection with the maintenance of the Kincardine Bridge; if so, whether such an attendant has been employed, and, if not, why no such attendant has been employed.","AnswerText":"There was no requirement in the term road maintenance contracts for the South East Unit for AMEY Highways Ltd to employ a full-time bridge attendant in connection with the maintenance of the Kincardine Bridge.

    However, the contract requires weekly inspections of the Kincardine Bridge, which the Executive believe to be sufficient to enable any potential problems to be identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154685,"EventID":"S1W-18033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lighting to assist motorists has been operational on the Kincardine Bridge every night since AMEY Highways Ltd became responsible for the maintenance of the bridg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lighting to assist motorists has been operational on the Kincardine Bridge every night since AMEY Highways Ltd became responsible for the maintenance of the bridge and, if not, whether it will detail any dates when no lighting was provided, specifying the reason in each case.","AnswerText":"The road lighting on Kincardine Bridge is at the end of its useful life, much of it dating back to 1936 when it was first installed. AMEY Highways Ltd has experienced intermittent problems with the road lighting since they took over responsibility for maintenance of the bridge. On 11 May 2001, the system failed completely and an investigation attributed the problem to the outdated electrical equipment. Following repairs the lighting was restored on 28 July 2001. However, as a result of a fire on the timber jetty, the lighting was switched off on 3 August 2001 as a safety precaution at the request of the Fire Brigade. After further inspection and testing the lighting was restored on 5 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154686,"EventID":"S1W-18034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether permission to use salt for the purpose of clearing ice on the Kincardine Bridge has been sought by or given to AMEY Highways Ltd since they became responsible fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether permission to use salt for the purpose of clearing ice on the Kincardine Bridge has been sought by or given to AMEY Highways Ltd since they became responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.","AnswerText":"In winter certain major bridges are sprayed with the anti-icing chemical ethylene glycol rather than salt. During a short period pending the release of spraying equipment by the former maintenance organisation, AMEY Highways Ltd requested and were given permission to use de-icing salt on the bridge on a temporary basis for safety reasons in the event of adverse weather.

    The necessary equipment is now ready for winter maintenance of the bridge using ethylene glycol as a de-icing period.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154687,"EventID":"S1W-18035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any incidents on the Kincardine Bridge involving fire since AMEY Highways Ltd became responsible for the maintenance of the bridge and, if so, wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any incidents on the Kincardine Bridge involving fire since AMEY Highways Ltd became responsible for the maintenance of the bridge and, if so, what type of incidents these were; on what dates the incidents took place; whether staff were on site at the outbreak of the fire or had to attend the incident; whether the emergency services attended, and, if so, whether they had reason to contact the local authority formerly responsible for maintenance on the bridge about the incidents and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"There was a fire on the Kincardine Bridge on the evening of 3 August 2001 on the timber jetty in the vicinity of the central pier. An electrical fault is believed to have been the cause and there was local damage to timber members as a result.

    A member of the public using a mobile phone raised the alarm with the fire brigade and police who attended the incident. Emergency procedures are in place between Amey Highways Ltd and the emergency services and these were followed. Amey Highways Ltd staff went to the site on being contacted by the emergency services. I understand that the fire brigade also contacted others, including Falkirk Council and Forth Ports Plc.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154688,"EventID":"S1W-18036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how regularly and by whom locking bolts/pins and expansion joints were checked for the local authority responsible for maintenance on the Kincardine Bridge prior to the c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how regularly and by whom locking bolts/pins and expansion joints were checked for the local authority responsible for maintenance on the Kincardine Bridge prior to the contract being awarded to AMEY Highways Ltd and how regularly and by whom these points have been checked since.","AnswerText":"Prior to April 2001, when responsibility for maintenance of the Kincardine Bridge passed to AMEY Highways Ltd as part of the trunk road maintenance contracts, this responsibility lay with Falkirk Council on behalf of the Forth Local Authority Consortium. As part of his duties in connection with the Kincardine Bridge, adjacent depot and the emergency bridging stock depot at Bandeath, a Falkirk Council employee walked across the bridge each working day to check for obvious defects. This superficial inspection included the expansion joints. The moving components of the bridge's opening mechanism have been immobilised and unable to move since 1988. There is therefore no need to inspect them outwith the formal inspection cycle by specialist bridge staff. The frequency of checking for the locking bolts by Falkirk Council is unknown.

    AMEY Highways Ltd carry out weekly routine inspections for the carriageway, including the expansion joints, as part of their contractual duties. This frequency is considered adequate for this type of bridge component. The locking bolts will be inspected as part of the formal inspection regime for the structure.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154689,"EventID":"S1W-18037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any maintenance work will be required on the land erosion affecting an exposed pile at pier 19 of the Kincardine Bridge; whether it will give details of any such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any maintenance work will be required on the land erosion affecting an exposed pile at pier 19 of the Kincardine Bridge; whether it will give details of any such work; when this problem was first identified; whether it has been reported to it by any agencies since and, if so, by whom and on what dates; whether it will detail any damage that has been caused to the bridge; over what timescale any such damage has occurred; what the timetable is for any repair work; how much such repairs will cost; whether the cost has risen since the problem was first identified, and, if so, by how much in both percentage and real terms.","AnswerText":"A potential scour problem at pier 19 of the Kincardine Bridge was first identified some years ago, and both the Forth Local Authority Consortium and Amey Highways Ltd have subsequently monitored the situation. Scouring of the bed of a river is a complex process and it is often the case that scour holes can be refilled by changing river patterns. In 1999, the Forth Local Authority Consortium (FLAC) put forward a bid to undertake remedial works involving the installation of rock protection around the base of the pier. It was then agreed with FLAC that this should be programmed for the current financial year and the work is due to be undertaken by Amey Highways Ltd in January 2002.

    Whilst the erosion has partially exposed the piles below the pier, no structural damage has occurred as a result. The estimated cost of these measures is £50,000.

    In relative terms the type and cost of repairs today is no different than it would have been had the protection measures been required at an earlier stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154690,"EventID":"S1W-18038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17048 by Rhona Brankin on 13 August 2001, how many nominations for identification as bathing waters the Bathing Waters Review Panel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17048 by Rhona Brankin on 13 August 2001, how many nominations for identification as bathing waters the Bathing Waters Review Panel examined during 1998-99 and how many nominated sites were not subsequently identified as bathing waters due to (a) an insufficient number of people using the site and (b) a lack of information on the number of people using the site.","AnswerText":"80 nominations were received, but some bathing waters were nominated more than once, so that 66 individual bathing waters were nominated. The independent Bathing Waters Panel made recommendations resulting in 37 new identifications. Of those which were not recommended for identification, in 14 cases no evidence of use was supplied. In the remaining cases, either insufficient evidence was presented, or information which did not convince the panel either of its quality, or that it was representative. The knowledge, either personal or professional, and the considerations of individual members of the panel, which led to the final list of recommendations are not, of course, matters for the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154691,"EventID":"S1W-18039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17046 by Rhona Brankin on 13 August 2001, what plans it has to require information regarding the bathing water and the water qualit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17046 by Rhona Brankin on 13 August 2001, what plans it has to require information regarding the bathing water and the water quality record to be displayed at every beach that is used for bathing.","AnswerText":"While signage has been put in place at many bathing and recreational waters by organisations such as local authorities and water authorities, the Executive has no plans at present to require information on water quality to be displayed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154692,"EventID":"S1W-18040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's road network has a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's road network has a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.","AnswerText":"The percentage of Scotland's trunk road network which has a skidding resistance lower than the investigatory levels as set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges is 13.7%.

    Local roads are the responsibility of local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154693,"EventID":"S1W-18041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to identify any areas of Scotland's road network which have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to identify any areas of Scotland's road network which have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.","AnswerText":"The skidding resistance of the whole of the trunk road network is measured every two years. The results of the survey are then compared against the investigatory levels set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Those sections of trunk road which are below the investigatory level are then assessed further to consider whether they require to be put in a prioritised treatment programme.

    Local roads are the responsibility of local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154694,"EventID":"S1W-18042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being provided to bring any areas of Scotland's road network which have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being provided to bring any areas of Scotland's road network which have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges up to this standard.","AnswerText":"During 2000-01, £3.78 million was spent on applying skidding resistance treatments to the trunk road network. It is important to note that the fact that a section of road is below the investigatory level does not necessarily mean it is unsafe or requires immediate treatment.

    Local roads are the responsibility of local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154695,"EventID":"S1W-18043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that no local authority roads have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that no local authority roads have a level of skidding resistance lower than the investigatory level set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.","AnswerText":"It is entirely a matter for each council, as the local roads authority for its area, to take the appropriate action.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154696,"EventID":"S1W-18044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in measuring the prevalence of rough sleeping in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in measuring the prevalence of rough sleeping in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The current monitoring of the RSI target involves a three-stage assessment to be repeated annually. The stages are:

    1. A bi-annual (spring and autumn) prevalence assessment of the numbers of rough sleepers across Scotland, to be measured as a "snapshot" figure for a typical week.

    2. A bi-annual audit of direct access accommodation offered and available to rough sleepers. This work to be carried out alongside the prevalence assessment (above).

    3. A qualitative assessment of how demand and supply factors work together in various localities across Scotland.

    The first set of quantitative data was collected in one week in May. I am placing copies of the report on this exercise in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 15838).

    In summary the report indicates that during the study week an average 64 people each night were reported as sleeping rough in Scotland. The average in Glasgow was 23, with 19 in Edinburgh and 22 across all of the other 26 participating local authorities. This assessment will be repeated in October and a full report, including a qualitative assessment of supply of and demand for services in key authorities, will be produced in March of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154697,"EventID":"S1W-18045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for the development of the retail sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for the development of the retail sector.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises the importance the retail sector makes to the economy. We are committed to maintaining an efficient, competitive and innovative retail sector within a planning framework that supports the vitality and viability of town centres. This is reflected in our National Planning Policy Guidelines 8 -Town Centres and Retailing.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154698,"EventID":"S1W-18046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any cases of cement being produced in kilns which have been used to burn ha'ardous waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any cases of cement being produced in kilns which have been used to burn ha'ardous waste.","AnswerText":"Controls over the burning of waste in industrial processes, including the production of cement, is the responsibility of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). There is one cement kiln in Scotland, operated by Blue Circle near Dunbar. In law, the expression used to describe hazardous waste is "special waste". Blue Circle's plant uses recycled liquid fuel which is treated by SEPA as special waste. The Special Waste Regulations 1996 require SEPA to impose strict standards and controls.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154699,"EventID":"S1W-18047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce \"adopt-a-road\" type schemes involving voluntary organisations to combat problems with litter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce \"adopt-a-road\" type schemes involving voluntary organisations to combat problems with litter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to introduce such schemes in Scotland.

    It is for roads authorities to decide how roadside cleaning should be carried out, taking into account a number of factors such as traffic management and the health and safety of those carrying out the work. The overriding imperative is to ensure that when roadside cleaning, verge maintenance, etc, is carried out neither road users nor those undertaking the activity are placed at any risk or danger. For that reason the Executive does not believe the "adopt-a-road" model is suitable for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154700,"EventID":"S1W-18048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions or meetings it has had with other EU member states or European countries which operate national compensation schemes for losses incurred by fish farmers","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions or meetings it has had with other EU member states or European countries which operate national compensation schemes for losses incurred by fish farmers as a result of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish and what information it has about any such schemes.","AnswerText":"No such discussions or meetings have taken place. There has been no detailed research into national compensation schemes, but we understand that there is no common approach.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154701,"EventID":"S1W-18049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have been assessed as needing residential care are currently on the waiting list for such care in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have been assessed as needing residential care are currently on the waiting list for such care in each health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.

    However, some information is available for people waiting to be released from hospital into residential care. This was published in Patients ready for discharge in NHSScotland by ISD Scotland on 29 June 2001 and is available on:

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/scottish_health_statistics/subject/ready_for_discharge/april01.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154702,"EventID":"S1W-18050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is in each health board area for an elderly person to receive a residential care place once they have been assessed as requiring such a plac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is in each health board area for an elderly person to receive a residential care place once they have been assessed as requiring such a place.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154703,"EventID":"S1W-18051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each local authority area have been assessed as having the level of needs which requires the provision of intense and constant care in a residential se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each local authority area have been assessed as having the level of needs which requires the provision of intense and constant care in a residential setting.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. It is a matter for each local authority to determine in light of local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154704,"EventID":"S1W-18052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost of meeting the identified care needs of all people assessed as having the level of needs which requires the provision of intense a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost of meeting the identified care needs of all people assessed as having the level of needs which requires the provision of intense and constant care in a residential setting in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"This year we have allocated over £900 million to local authorities for community care. The actual expenditure on community care and each aspect of community care is for each local authority to determine in light of local circumstances. The allocations to each authority are set out in pages 7-13 of Grant Aided Expenditure 2001-02, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 12261)","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154705,"EventID":"S1W-18053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it allocated to each local authority in the current financial year for the care of people requiring intense and constant care in a residential setting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it allocated to each local authority in the current financial year for the care of people requiring intense and constant care in a residential setting.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to the question S1W-18052.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154706,"EventID":"S1W-18054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make additional funding available to local authorities for the provision of intense and constant care in a residential setting and, if so, what crit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make additional funding available to local authorities for the provision of intense and constant care in a residential setting and, if so, what criteria will be used to determine the amount of funding to be allocated to each local authority.","AnswerText":"The allocation to local authorities for community care this year, at £918 million, is £89 million above that for 2000-01. In addition, we are providing an additional £7.5 million to assist with residential and nursing home fees. The criteria for allocation to individual authorities are set out in Grant Aided Expenditure 2001-02, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 12261).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154707,"EventID":"S1W-18055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or the enterprise network support the proposals for the Fort William waterfront development, what financial assistance the enterprise network will provide to t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or the enterprise network support the proposals for the Fort William waterfront development, what financial assistance the enterprise network will provide to this scheme and whether the network will support and match fund any application for EU funding.","AnswerText":"Lochaber Enterprise has previously supported, and is willing to consider further, any request for financial assistance towards proposals for the development of Fort William Waterfront. The nature of financial commitments by any of the partners has yet to be agreed.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154708,"EventID":"S1W-18056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of treatment of Gulf War veterans was to the NHS in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) to date in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of treatment of Gulf War veterans was to the NHS in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) to date in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154709,"EventID":"S1W-18057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics are held within the NHS on the incidence of leukaemia amongst patients who served in the Gulf War.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics are held within the NHS on the incidence of leukaemia amongst patients who served in the Gulf War.","AnswerText":"No statistics are held within the NHS on the incidence of leukaemia amongst patients who served in the Gulf War.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154710,"EventID":"S1W-18058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information held on prisoners includes details of their previous and existing employment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information held on prisoners includes details of their previous and existing employment.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Not routinely on admission but for long-term prisoners this information is usually collected through our Sentence Management assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154711,"EventID":"S1W-18059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the current prison population is ex-service personnel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the current prison population is ex-service personnel.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service does not hold such information.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154712,"EventID":"S1W-18060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government on the number of ex-service personnel who are rough sleepers and what the outcome of any such representations","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government on the number of ex-service personnel who are rough sleepers and what the outcome of any such representations was.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17163 on 17 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154713,"EventID":"S1W-18061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to Her Majesty's Government's consultation on the European Commission's Environmental Action Programme, Environment 2010: Our Future, Ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to Her Majesty's Government's consultation on the European Commission's Environmental Action Programme, Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice.","AnswerText":"The Executive responded to Her Majesty's Government on the European Commission's 6th Environmental Action Programme, and in common with normal practice, it respects the confidentiality of the information exchanged.

    On 5 June 2001, my officials provided the clerk to the Transport and Environment Committee with a copy of all the responses on the Scottish Executive's consultation on the 6th Environmental Action Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154714,"EventID":"S1W-18062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many home economics teachers have been employed in schools in each year from 1994-95 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many home economics teachers have been employed in schools in each year from 1994-95 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of Home Economics teachers employed in each year is not available.

    The periodic Teacher Census estimates that in 1994-95 there were 1,251 (FTE) teachers in publicly funded secondary schools who recorded Home Economics as their main subject qualification. In 1998-99, there were an estimated 1,276 (FTE) teachers in publicly funded secondary schools who recorded Home Economics as their main subject qualification.

    This information was not collected in other years.

    As part of the Teacher Workforce Planning exercise the Scottish Executive have taken steps to improve the quality of data collected from local authorities this year. It is believed this will provide more accurate information on a range of areas, including subject coverage, on an annual basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154715,"EventID":"S1W-18063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools employed home economics teachers in each year from 1994-95 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools employed home economics teachers in each year from 1994-95 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154716,"EventID":"S1W-18064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the nutritional standards that school meals should meet; who sets these standards, and who monitors the standards achieved in this respect in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the nutritional standards that school meals should meet; who sets these standards, and who monitors the standards achieved in this respect in each school.","AnswerText":"Model Nutritional Guidelines for Catering Specifications were provided to local authorities together with Eating for Health, The Scottish Diet Action Plan, published by the Scottish Office in 1996. The implementation and subsequent monitoring of any arrangements put in place as a result of these guidelines is a matter for local authorities. However, we are currently considering what else needs to be done to ensure improved uptake and better quality.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154717,"EventID":"S1W-18065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum weekly level of structured physical exercise (a) primary and (b) secondary schools are expected to provide for pupils; how it encourages schools to provide t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum weekly level of structured physical exercise (a) primary and (b) secondary schools are expected to provide for pupils; how it encourages schools to provide this level of exercise, and how the level of exercise in each school is monitored.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the curriculum recommends one hour's physical exercise per week for all pupils up to the age of 16. The Scottish Executive has encouraged schools to promote physical exercise in recent years through a range of sport scotland initiatives which include: the TOPS programmes (resources for schools and training for teachers), the Active Primary Schools programme (being piloted in a number of education authorities) and the School Sport Co-ordinator programme (currently in over half of secondaries).

    Schools and local authorities also have to implement the national priorities for education, which were approved by the Scottish Parliament. These priorities stress the need to teach pupils respect for self and to equip them with the attitudes necessary to prosper in a changing society. Physical exercise and education can play a central part in making these priorities a reality.

    Local authorities are expected to have plans on the implementation of the national priorities in place by December 2001. Schools must do so by June 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154718,"EventID":"S1W-18066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations involved in the provision of school meals require staff employed in this area to have nutritional health qualifications and what qualifications are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations involved in the provision of school meals require staff employed in this area to have nutritional health qualifications and what qualifications are required in each case.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The organisation of, and contracting for, the school meals service is a matter for local authorities. The Model Nutritional Guidelines for Catering Specifications for the Public Sector in Scotland issued in 1996, as part of the Scottish Diet Action Plan, contain a number of general principles concerning the qualifications of staff. Amongst these is the suggestion that dieticians should be part of the formal advisory structure, in both the preparation and monitoring of specifications; that menus should be analysed by a dietician or nutritionist; and that training of all levels of staff should be delivered by suitably qualified staff, such as dieticians.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154719,"EventID":"S1W-18067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set up an MMR helpline and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set up an MMR helpline and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to set up an MMR helpline. However, in order to provide parents and health professionals with an accessible source of balanced information about MMR, new publicity materials have been developed. A leaflet, poster and discussion pack was issued to health professionals in September. The discussion pack is intended to allow health professionals and parents to consider any issues of concern together, and help parents make an informed choice about the health of their child.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154720,"EventID":"S1W-18068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information is supplied to parents about GPs offering single vaccines and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information is supplied to parents about GPs offering single vaccines and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Protection against measles, mumps and rubella in the UK is recommended through the combined MMR vaccine. This policy is based on independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Committee on Safety of Medicines, and was set out in letters from the Chief Professional Officers in the Scottish Executive Health Department to GPs and other health professionals on 22 December 2000 and 12 March 2001. Single vaccines leave children at risk of disease while they wait, unprotected between vaccines, for no additional benefit. They also expose children to an increased risk of local reactions at the injection site. An MMR discussion pack, leaflet and poster are being issued to health professionals in September. These materials will help inform discussion between GPs and parents on MMR and single vaccine issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154721,"EventID":"S1W-18069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in connection with the imposition of a public services obligation in respect of air routes between Inverness ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in connection with the imposition of a public services obligation in respect of air routes between Inverness and (a) Gatwick and (b) Heathrow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government about a wide range of matters, including the issue of access into the main hub airports for regional air services. The Executive is working with Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on how best the Inverness-Gatwick route can be safeguarded.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154722,"EventID":"S1W-18070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding flights between London hub airports and Inverness and which Scottish and UK ministers attended any","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding flights between London hub airports and Inverness and which Scottish and UK ministers attended any such meetings.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers, and officials meet with their counterparts in the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions on a regular basis about a wide range of matters, including the issue of access into main hub airports for regional air services.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154723,"EventID":"S1W-18071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the possession or use of knives there were in the City of Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the possession or use of knives there were in the City of Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The available information concerning crimes involving the possession of a knife is given in the following table:

    Crimes of possession of an offensive weapon recorded by the police in the City of Edinburgh

    Crime

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Possession of an offensive weapon1

    190

    213

    283

    408

    Having in a public place an article with a blade or point2

    142

    142

    158

    161

    Total

    332

    355

    441

    569

    Notes:

    1. Crimes of possession of penknives or other short bladed articles are normally recorded under this category but possession of offensive weapons other than knives will also be included.

    2. This crime category may include possession of articles that are not knives but have blades or sharp points but will not normally include possession of penknives or other short bladed articles.

    Crimes where a knife is used to threaten or injure will be recorded only under the relevant crime e.g. Serious Assault, Robbery etc and are not separately distinguished in the available statistics. The only exception is crimes of homicide, where the available information is given in the following table:

    Homicide victims1 in the City of Edinburgh, where the main method of killing is by a sharp instrument

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2

    6

    4

    Notes:

    1. Currently (as at November 2000) recorded as homicide victims.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154724,"EventID":"S1W-18072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to restrict the manufacture, supply and ownership of imitation weapons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to restrict the manufacture, supply and ownership of imitation weapons.","AnswerText":"Legislation on firearms is a reserved matter. The Government receives advice on firearms issues, including issues relating to replica and imitation firearms, which are defined in section 57(4) of the Firearms Act 1968, from the Firearms Consultative Committee. The committee is an independent body established by an Act of the UK Parliament to keep under review the workings of the Firearms Acts. Its 11th annual report is due to be submitted to the Home Secretary later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154725,"EventID":"S1W-18073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the (a) use, (b) presentation or (c) possession of imitation firearms there were in the City of Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the (a) use, (b) presentation or (c) possession of imitation firearms there were in the City of Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the table:

    Crimes and offences recorded by the police in the City of Edinburgh in which an imitation firearms was alleged to have been used

    Crime/offence

    1997

    1998

    1999

    Robbery

    1

    -

    -

    Firearms Act 1968 offences1

    -

    -

    1

    Petty Assault

    2

    1

    -

    Total

    3

    1

    1

    Notes:

    1. For example, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, commit a crime etc. and other miscellaneous firearms offences.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154726,"EventID":"S1W-18074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to have a representative in attendance at the meetings of the House of Lords committee inquiry into the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre and, if not,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to have a representative in attendance at the meetings of the House of Lords committee inquiry into the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre and, if not, how it plans to monitor the progress of the inquiry.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to have a representative of the Scottish Executive attend the sessions of the House of Lords Committee. The findings of the committee will be considered by the Crown Office, with a view to determining whether any further action need be taken by the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the investigation into the deaths.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154727,"EventID":"S1W-18075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in support of changing the threshold at which graduates start repaying their student loans and when it will m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in support of changing the threshold at which graduates start repaying their student loans and when it will make an announcement on the outcome of any negotiations with Her Majesty's Government on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including the repayment threshold for student loans.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154728,"EventID":"S1W-18076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Lothian Health Board regarding any decision by the board to limit the atypical drugs which GPs may prescribe to schi'ophrenia sufferers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Lothian Health Board regarding any decision by the board to limit the atypical drugs which GPs may prescribe to schi'ophrenia sufferers.","AnswerText":"The Executive has had no discussions with Lothian Health Board about limiting the atypical antipsychotic drugs which GPs may prescribe to their patients with schizophrenia.

    The use of these drugs depends on the clinical judgement of the clinicians concerned, taking into account advice and evidence about their use.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154729,"EventID":"S1W-18077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with schi'ophrenia in the Lothian area who are being treated in a community setting are able to access all appropriate medication via their GP.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with schi'ophrenia in the Lothian area who are being treated in a community setting are able to access all appropriate medication via their GP.","AnswerText":"GPs in Lothian are able to prescribe a range of drugs for patients with schizophrenia. However, the Lothian Drug Evaluation Panel has advised GPs in the Lothian area that treatment with some of these drugs should be initiated and supervised by a specialist.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154730,"EventID":"S1W-18078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many default notices have been served on AMEY Highways Ltd in respect of the contract for the maintenance of south west unit trunk roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many default notices have been served on AMEY Highways Ltd in respect of the contract for the maintenance of south west unit trunk roads.","AnswerText":"Six default notices have been issued to AMEY Highways Ltd, the Operating Company for the South West Trunk Road Unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154731,"EventID":"S1W-18079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has compared the level of service provided by AMEY Highways Ltd in respect of the maintenance of trunk roads with that provided by the local authorities previ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has compared the level of service provided by AMEY Highways Ltd in respect of the maintenance of trunk roads with that provided by the local authorities previously responsible for this work.","AnswerText":"The level of service required from Operating Companies in respect of the trunk road maintenance contracts is defined within the contract. Differing conditions of contract make direct comparisons with the previous operators difficult. However, work undertaken by the Performance Audit Group (Halcrow in association with PriceWaterhouseCoopers) shows that Amey Highways Ltd is performing at least as well as the previous operators at the same stage in the earlier contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154732,"EventID":"S1W-18080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in bringing forward a Scottish Diabetes Framework.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in bringing forward a Scottish Diabetes Framework.","AnswerText":"Good progress is being made towards fulfilling the commitment in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change to launch a Scottish Diabetes Framework in 2001. A consultation paper was issued in July by the Scottish Diabetes Framework Working Group and two open meetings were held in Polmont (31 August) and Glasgow (7 September). These meetings were attended by about 350 people including a significant number of patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154733,"EventID":"S1W-18081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the review of radioactive waste management policy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the review of radioactive waste management policy.","AnswerText":"Together with the United Kingdom Government and the other devolved administrations we are launching a public consultation which will lead to decisions on a long-term management strategy for radioactive waste. An initial consultation document, Managing Radioactive Waste Safely, seeks views on how to promote public debate, on a proposed programme for reaching decisions and on the form of an independent advisory body.

    I am arranging for copies of the consultation document to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The document may also be obtained from:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/views/views.asp.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154734,"EventID":"S1W-18082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will first allow access for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will first allow access for small- and medium-si'ed enterprise in rural areas to broadband facilities at prices comparable to that of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line in cities.","AnswerText":"Aggregated public sector procurement of telecommunications will be tested initially in two Pathfinder areas. Our aim is that, by guaranteeing a substantial volume of public sector demand, telecommunications companies are also encouraged to increase supply of higher bandwidth commercial services to the benefit of rural businesses. However, provision of services will be a commercial matter for the telecoms providers according to demand. The Executive recognises, however, that there may be benefit in steps to stimulate private sector demand. We will be working with the enterprise agencies and with DTI to develop measures to stimulate demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154735,"EventID":"S1W-18083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum technical service standards, in respect of (a) upstream bandwidth, (b) downstream bandwidth, (c) network latency, (d) internet protocol standard, (e) target ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum technical service standards, in respect of (a) upstream bandwidth, (b) downstream bandwidth, (c) network latency, (d) internet protocol standard, (e) target availability per annum, (f) mean time between failure and (g) mean time to repair, its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will deliver.","AnswerText":"Precise requirements are currently being determined and are expected to vary depending on service area. For example, requirements for a hospital will not be the same as for a GP or a school.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154736,"EventID":"S1W-18084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will come into operation in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will come into operation in rural areas outwith South of Scotland and Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"Aggregated procurement is a new approach which we are testing first in pathfinder areas. The procurement process is likely to be lengthy, and contracts will have to be fulfilled, before any formal evaluation and consideration of wider deployment can proceed. However, in the meantime, this will not preclude local authorities in other areas considering the potential benefits of a similar approach themselves. We will be keeping local authorities informed, via CoSLA, of the progress of the project.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154737,"EventID":"S1W-18085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will deliver access to broa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will deliver access to broadband facilities in the Banff & Buchan parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"The Executive will decide, in the light of experience in pathfinder areas and developments in the telecommunications market, at what stage and how it should support aggregated procurement in zones other than pathfinder areas. Lessons from pathfinders will be passed to other parts of Scotland such that partners may themselves pursue aggregation. We also expect that there will be some areas where the market will supply services without such action on the part of the public sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154738,"EventID":"S1W-18086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will deliver for private bu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its policy of 'onal aggregated public sector procurement for telecommunications, as set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will deliver for private businesses bandwidths of at least eight megabits per second downstream and at least 512 kilobits per second upstream in under half a second for internet protocol serviced connections to the internet.","AnswerText":"The Executive cannot specify speed, or capacity, of telecoms services to be made available to the private sector. This is a commercial matter for the telecoms providers and will depend upon demand. Our proposals for aggregated public sector procurement of telecoms connectivity aims to provide certainty and a volume of revenue to a supplier that should stimulate them also to provide more extensive and affordable services to businesses and individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154739,"EventID":"S1W-18087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that infectious salmon anaemia and viral haemorhagic septicaemia should be added to the list of diseases","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that infectious salmon anaemia and viral haemorhagic septicaemia should be added to the list of diseases contained in Article 3 of EC Decisions 90/424/EEC.","AnswerText":"Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) was added to the list of diseases in the Annex to Council Decision 90/424, by means of amending Decision 2001/572 dated 23 July 2001. The effect of this addition is that, in the event of further outbreaks of ISA, affected member states may, at their discretion, seek a financial contribution from the Community towards the cost of implementing a programme for the eradication and monitoring of this disease.

    We have no plans to request the addition of viral haemorhagic septicaemia to this list.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154740,"EventID":"S1W-18088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new steps it has taken or intends to take in response to the findings of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's Report on the Inquiry into Fuel Prices in R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new steps it has taken or intends to take in response to the findings of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's Report on the Inquiry into Fuel Prices in Remote Rural Areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's response to the committee's report was sent to its Convener on 27 August, after lengthy consideration.

    The report recognised that the tax-varying proposals being put forward to address the higher cost of fuel in rural areas are reserved to the UK Government. It also acknowledged that the Executive has already put into place many measures which will help to mitigate the effects of higher rural fuel prices. We have:

    • increased the Rural Transport Fund to £18 million over three years, funding some 380 new and improved public transport services;

    • used the Rural Petrol Station Grant scheme to fund structural improvements at 24 vital rural petrol stations;

    • increased funding in Scotland for the Powershift Liquefied Petroleum Gas vehicle conversion scheme by £900,000 over the next three years, and

    • introduced, with the UK Government and Shell UK, an initiative to deliver 23 new LPG outlets in rural areas.

    We will continue to press Scotland's interests on taxation, as on other reserved matters, through the Scotland Office and through direct contacts with UK ministers. We will also continue to develop effective measures of direct benefit to rural communities, and remain open to imaginative and innovative proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154741,"EventID":"S1W-18089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why lighting was active on Kincardine Bridge in daylight on the afternoon of 10 September 2001; on what dates and for what reason any similar situation has arisen since A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why lighting was active on Kincardine Bridge in daylight on the afternoon of 10 September 2001; on what dates and for what reason any similar situation has arisen since AMEY Highways Ltd took over the maintenance contract from April 2001, and why the bridge's \"magic eye\" system was not operational.","AnswerText":"Following recent repairs to electrical equipment on Kincardine Bridge, the road lighting was subject to extensive testing between 4 and 17 September 2001 to check the performance of the system. During this period the "magic eye" was de-activated and the lighting was on 24 hours a day. The tests confirmed that the system is operating satisfactorily and the "magic eye" has been re-activated.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154742,"EventID":"S1W-18090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appeal by West of Scotland Water in June 1996 against the consents for discharges into the River Esk lodged by Solway River Purification Board on 28 March 1996 w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appeal by West of Scotland Water in June 1996 against the consents for discharges into the River Esk lodged by Solway River Purification Board on 28 March 1996 will be determined.","AnswerText":"The department expect to be in a position soon to write to the water authority and to Scottish Environment Protection Agency to issue the Scottish ministers' decision. You will, therefore, appreciate that, at this stage, it is not appropriate for ministers to comment in any detail on the issues raised in the appeal.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154743,"EventID":"S1W-18091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the roles and responsibilities of it and Her Majesty's Government are in deciding what is a sport or recreation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the roles and responsibilities of it and Her Majesty's Government are in deciding what is a sport or recreation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and the UK Government have delegated the responsibility of deciding what is a sport to their respective sports councils. By its definition, recreation is an activity that promotes the refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment. What constitutes recreation therefore is down to the individual concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154744,"EventID":"S1W-18092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process is followed designating an activity as a sport or a recreation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process is followed designating an activity as a sport or a recreation.","AnswerText":"A formal recognition process is employed to identify those activities with which the Sports Councils wish to be associated and which, particularly given the finite resources available, the councils think should be developed by them. It does not determine an activity as a sport.

    The initial assessment of any application for recognition by the Sports Council should be the responsibility of the home country Sports Council in which the application originated. If the home country Sports Council concerned, following the initial assessment, considers it appropriate, a case is then presented by that council for further consideration by the five Sports Councils in the United Kingdom.

    In their assessment, the home country Sports Councils employ a range of criteria. These include physical skills; physical effort; accessibility; rules and organisation; strategy and tactics; essential purpose; physical challenge; risk; uniqueness of the activity; level of participation; and other considerations such as political, moral and ethical issues.

    There is no process involved in designating an activity as a recreation. By its definition, recreation encompasses a limitless range of activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154745,"EventID":"S1W-18093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all officially recognised sports and recreations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all officially recognised sports and recreations.","AnswerText":"Sports which are officially recognised by the home country Sports Councils are listed in the following table. There is no official list of recreations. Recreation is an activity that promotes the refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment. By its own definition, recreation is limitless.<","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154746,"EventID":"S1W-18094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16576 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what consultation sportscotland had with outside organisations before deciding not to make","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16576 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what consultation sportscotland had with outside organisations before deciding not to make representations on recognising pigeon racing as a sport.","AnswerText":"sportscotland, in line with the other home country Sports Councils, responds to formal applications for recognition of sports. To date no formal application has been received by sportscotland in respect of pigeon racing. Consequently no consultation has been carried out.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154747,"EventID":"S1W-18095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16576 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what criteria were used to determine that pigeon racing is not a sport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16576 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what criteria were used to determine that pigeon racing is not a sport.","AnswerText":"Recognition of sport is a matter for the home country Sports Councils using agreed criteria. These criteria are employed when a formal application for recognition as a sport is received. No formal application has been received by sportscotland in respect of pigeon racing.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154748,"EventID":"S1W-18096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of sportscotland is in designating an activity as a sport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of sportscotland is in designating an activity as a sport.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18092.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154749,"EventID":"S1W-18097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the official definition of a sport is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the official definition of a sport is.","AnswerText":"For the purposes of recognition as a sport, the UK Sports Councils define sport as an activity which requires physical skills, physical effort and physical challenge.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154750,"EventID":"S1W-18098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local loop unbundling will benefit the economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how local loop unbundling will benefit the economy.","AnswerText":"Local loop unbundling (LLU) can benefit the economy by being one of the delivery mechanisms for broadband access. LLU allows operators to offer "always on" higher speed services such as ADSL directly to business and residential customers in competition with BT's services. It also allows operators to offer wholesale ADSL access to service providers in competition with BT's wholesale products. Competition helps to reduce prices and increase choice for broadband access, the availability of which is seen as key to the development of the "e-economy". Oversight of local loop unbundling is an aspect of telecommunications regulation and is a reserved matter.

    LLU is only one of a number of delivery mechanisms for broadband. Cable modems, satellite, fixed wireless and 3G mobile can all offer broadband services with some having a wider geographic reach than current DSL technology. Services using some of these delivery mechanisms are now available while others are due to be rolled out in the near future.

    The Executive's broadband strategy, Connecting Scotland: our broadband future aims to stimulate providers to offer a wider range of higher bandwidth services to business and individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154751,"EventID":"S1W-18099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Operators can order unbundling services at any exchange in the UK. Since April 2001, BT has stated that it can resource any requests for unbundling on a "business as usual" basis. However, it is a commercial decision for operators where they want to place such orders.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154752,"EventID":"S1W-18100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"Oftel monitors BT's delivery of unbundling facilities throughout the UK on an on-going basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154753,"EventID":"S1W-18101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of the establishment of a Scottish committee of the Office of Communications (OFCOM) and how i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of the establishment of a Scottish committee of the Office of Communications (OFCOM) and how it will monitor the work of OFCOM as it relates to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including Scottish representation within OFCOM.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154754,"EventID":"S1W-18102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Scotland's interests are represented in the work of the Office of Communications (OFCOM).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Scotland's interests are represented in the work of the Office of Communications (OFCOM).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working to ensure Scotland's needs are represented within OFCOM. We are currently discussing Scotland's position with the UK Government and will have opportunity to comment formally during the consultation period planned for next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154755,"EventID":"S1W-18103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Criminal Records Office intends to take with regard to the four fingerprint officers presently under suspension as a result of the Shirley McKie ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Criminal Records Office intends to take with regard to the four fingerprint officers presently under suspension as a result of the Shirley McKie case.","AnswerText":"Formal responsibility for the civilian staff at the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) rests with Strathclyde joint police board. While therefore the decisions in respect of the four suspended officers will be for the joint board to take and to justify, the joint board will continue to work closely with the SCRO Executive Committee in deciding whether there are or are not grounds in this case for initiating formal disciplinary procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154756,"EventID":"S1W-18104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask to make a ministerial statement to the Parliament on the continuing efforts by Shirley McKie to obtain compensation from Strathclyde Police following ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask to make a ministerial statement to the Parliament on the continuing efforts by Shirley McKie to obtain compensation from Strathclyde Police following her acquittal on a charge of perjury at the High Court in Glasgow in May 1999. ","AnswerText":"The question of compensation from Strathclyde Police is a matter for Ms McKie and her legal representatives on the one hand and Strathclyde Police on the other.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154757,"EventID":"S1W-18105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on its commitment to address the rate of suicide amongst young men.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on its commitment to address the rate of suicide amongst young men.","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving the health of young people and working to reduce the rate of suicides among young people and we will report on progress in our forthcoming Social Justice Annual Report.

    We plan to issue widely in October 2001 our consultation document National Framework for the Prevention of Suicide and Deliberate Self-harm in Scotland. Copies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    In addition, our preparatory work continues for the introduction of a telephone helpline for people with low mood or depression. Arrangements for the launch will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154758,"EventID":"S1W-18106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-15829 lodged on 18 May 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-15829 lodged on 18 May 2001.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-15829 was answered on 26 September.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154759,"EventID":"S1W-18107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a Scottish Forestry Forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a Scottish Forestry Forum.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Forestry Commission to invite different groups with an interest in the social, economic and environmental benefits of forestry, to participate in a Scottish Forestry Forum. Key tasks of the forum will be to promote discussion about how to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of forestry in Scotland; to consider how Scottish forestry can best contribute to the wider rural development agenda in Scotland, and to ensure that successful progress is made in taking forward the Scottish Forestry Strategy. The forum will also have a role in disseminating information about implementation of the strategy; identifying areas where more effort is needed, and, when the time comes in three or four years time, assisting with the review of the strategy. The forum will probably meet about once a year and it will be supported by a steering group that will meet more frequently.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154760,"EventID":"S1W-18108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to ensure the accurate recording of violent incidents at HM Prison Kilmarnock over the last year and whether the Scottish Prison Service is mon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to ensure the accurate recording of violent incidents at HM Prison Kilmarnock over the last year and whether the Scottish Prison Service is monitoring the situation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    HMP Kilmarnock complies with the Scottish Prison Service incident reporting procedures in exactly the same way as all other Scottish establishments. This is monitored by both the Scottish Prison Service's Operations Directorate and their on-site Controller.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154761,"EventID":"S1W-18109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its timetable is for ending slopping out, broken down by prison.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its timetable is for ending slopping out, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"The timetable for ending slopping out is being considered as part of the Estates Review which is currently under way.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154762,"EventID":"S1W-18110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed at the headquarters of the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 1998 and how many were on (a) part-time and (b) full-time and, in eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed at the headquarters of the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 1998 and how many were on (a) part-time and (b) full-time and, in each category, (i) temporary and (ii) permanent contracts.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The following table shows the numbers as of April in each year.

    Angling

    Mountaineering

    Archery

    Movement and Dance, Exercise and Fitness

    Football

    Netball

    Athletics

    Orienteering

    Badminton

    Parachuting

    Basketball

    Petanque

    Billiards and Snooker

    Polo

    Bowls

    Quoits

    Boxing

    Racketball

    Canoeing

    Rambling

    Cricket

    Real Tennis & Rackets

    Croquet

    Riding

    Curling

    Roller Hockey

    Cycling

    Roller Skating

    Fencing

    Rounders

    Aeromodel Flying

    Rowing

    Gaelic Football

    Rugby League

    Gliding

    Rugby Union

    Golf

    Sailing/Yachting

    Gymnastics

    Shinty

    Handball

    Shooting

    Hang/Paragliding

    Skating

    Highland Games

    Skiing

    Hockey

    Softball

    Horse Racing

    Sombo

    Hovering

    Squash

    Hurling

    Sub Aqua

    April 1998

    April 1999

    April 2000

    April 2001

    Full Time Permanent

    199

    214

    209

    212

    Full Time Temporary

    34

    40

    35

    21

    Part Time Permanent

    5

    5

    7

    6

    Part Time Temporary

    1

    2

    2

    2

    Total

    239

    261

    253

    241

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154763,"EventID":"S1W-18111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the running costs of the Scottish Prison Service headquarters were in each year since 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the running costs of the Scottish Prison Service headquarters were in each year since 1998.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Financial Year

    Net Running Costs (£ million)

    1998-99

    11.9

    1999-2000

    12.0

    2000-01

    11.9

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154764,"EventID":"S1W-18112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, Edinburgh are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, Edinburgh are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee are in the first instance a matter for Buckingham Palace. However, as I indicated in the answer to question S1W-11479 on 22 June this year, The Queen will visit Scotland from 23 to 29 May 2002 and, as previously announced, will attend the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on 25 May 2002. I hope to be able to make a further statement to the Parliament before the end of the year giving details of The Queen's Golden Jubilee engagements both in Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154765,"EventID":"S1W-18113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, the Parliament are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, the Parliament are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002. ","AnswerText":"I expect that the Scottish Parliament will want to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Golden jubilee in 2002. The exact nature of any event is still to be discussed by the Parliamentary Bureau and any Bureau proposals will be brought forward in due course for the Parliament to consider.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154766,"EventID":"S1W-18114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh are planned between now and 31 December 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh are planned between now and 31 December 2001.","AnswerText":"By their nature, VIP visits tend to be arranged and confirmed at fairly short notice. Details of VIP visits and high profile events, however, are not normally made public until the arrangements have been finalised and have been agreed by the visitor or event organiser, ourselves and any other Government department involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154767,"EventID":"S1W-18115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to the Parliament are planned between now and 31 December 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to the Parliament are planned between now and 31 December 2001.","AnswerText":"The high-profile or VIP official visits to the Parliament of which my office is currently aware expected between now and 31 December 2001 are set out below. In addition, we expect that committees, individual MSPs or cross-party groups will receive distinguished visitors, such as ambassadors or members of other parliaments, from time to time.

    Day

    Date

    Visit

    Thurs

    27.09.01

    Visit by Rt Hon Dr Roberto Formigoni, President of the Northern Region of Lombardy

    Thurs

    27.09.01

    Scottish Peers Association

    Thurs

    27.09.01

    Chairs of the Gender Committees of the 3 Bosnian Parliaments

    Thurs to Sat

    27.09.01 to 29.09.01

    Conference of Women Parliamentarians (parliamentarians from Scotland, Westminster, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales)

    Wed

    03.10.01

    Delegation of politicians and officials from Vastra Gotaland

    Mon

    08.10.01

    Visit by a delegation from Indonesia

    Thurs

    25.10.01

    Visit by Ms Birgitta Dahl, Speaker of the Swedish Parliament

    Thurs

    25.10.01

    Visit by HE Michael L'Estrange, High Commissioner of Australia

    Tues and Wed

    06.11.01 to 07.11.01

    Visit by the Committee on Petitions, The European Parliament

    Thurs

    08.11.01

    Visit by Haldor Blandal, Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154768,"EventID":"S1W-18116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in respect of increased visits to the Parliament and Edinburgh by high profile or VIP visit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in respect of increased visits to the Parliament and Edinburgh by high profile or VIP visitors and tourists.","AnswerText":"£117,436 is being made available to Lothian and Borders Police this year for their Parliamentary Police Unit to supplement funding provided by the Parliament. The additional funding will enable Lothian and Borders to maintain an enhanced police presence in or around the area of the Parliament during periods in which the Parliament itself is in recess.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154769,"EventID":"S1W-18118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Railtrack regarding single track rail lines in the north east of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Railtrack regarding single track rail lines in the north east of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Railtrack on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154770,"EventID":"S1W-18119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations are engaged in the recovery of outstanding student loans in Scotland; when the contracts for such work were concluded, and what details of these contr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations are engaged in the recovery of outstanding student loans in Scotland; when the contracts for such work were concluded, and what details of these contracts are in the public domain.","AnswerText":"The Student Loans Company appointed the following companies for specific debt recovery services through a public procurement exercise conducted under the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) competition, the notice being published on 14 October 2000:

    Lewis Group Ltd

    Allied International Credit Ltd

    Legal and Trade Collections Ltd

    Pegasus International

    Scott and Company

    Regal Credit Consultants Ltd

    Wescot Credit Services

    Equifax PLC

    Commercial Collection Services

    Debt Managers Ltd

    OSI Collection Services","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154771,"EventID":"S1W-18120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of outstanding student loans in Scotland has been sold by it or by the Student Loans Company to commercial financial organisations in each of the last thr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of outstanding student loans in Scotland has been sold by it or by the Student Loans Company to commercial financial organisations in each of the last three years and what the total value was of any loans sold in each of these years.","AnswerText":"On 24 March 1998, the Government sold a portfolio of student loan debt with a value of £1.022 billion to Finance for Higher Education Ltd and on 23 March 1999 sold a second portfolio with a value of £1.030 billion to Honours Trustee Ltd. The loans were selected at random and included a representative proportion of loans to Scottish borrowers (approximately 10% by value).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154772,"EventID":"S1W-18121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish graduates have been advised that they face court action to recover outstanding student loans in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish graduates have been advised that they face court action to recover outstanding student loans in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The number of actions raised in Scottish courts in each of the last three financial years is:

    1998-99

    878

    1999-2000

    1,711

    2000-01

    1,834

    These figures relate to borrowers resident in Scotland at the time of the action. They will, therefore, include non-Scottish borrowers resident in Scotland at the time and will not include Scottish borrowers who were the subject of action outwith Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154773,"EventID":"S1W-18122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what joint action it plans to take with Her Majesty's Government to comply with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what joint action it plans to take with Her Majesty's Government to comply with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not consider any joint action is necessary to comply with the Charter in respect of the Scots language.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154774,"EventID":"S1W-18123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to increase the numbers of speakers of Scots and, if so, how this policy is being implemented.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to increase the numbers of speakers of Scots and, if so, how this policy is being implemented.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not formulated a policy on the number of speakers of Scots.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154775,"EventID":"S1W-18124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the number of speakers of Scots in (a) 2011 and (b) 2021.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the number of speakers of Scots in (a) 2011 and (b) 2021.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not set targets for the number of Scots speakers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154776,"EventID":"S1W-18125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Glasgow Housing Association has spent to date and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of this expenditure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Glasgow Housing Association has spent to date and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of this expenditure.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01, £3.401 million of New Housing Partnership resources was allocated to meet purchaser's pre-transfer costs in connection with the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock. The actual spend at 31 March 2001 was £3.043 million.

    A further £15 million has been earmarked for allowable transfer costs expected to occur after 31 March 2001 (actual spend as at 17 August £1.102 million). These resources are required for a variety of activities including tenant consultation, business planning and setting up local housing organisations, and will be recoverable in the event of a successful transfer.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154777,"EventID":"S1W-18126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money the Glasgow Housing Association has received to date; whether any of this money was ring-fenced for specific purposes, and, if so, what these purpo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money the Glasgow Housing Association has received to date; whether any of this money was ring-fenced for specific purposes, and, if so, what these purposes were.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to PQ S1W-18125.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154778,"EventID":"S1W-18127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new build homes for social renting in (a) Glasgow and (b) the rest of Scotland (i) were built over the last five years and (ii) are expected to be built over th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new build homes for social renting in (a) Glasgow and (b) the rest of Scotland (i) were built over the last five years and (ii) are expected to be built over the next five years as a result of grants to housing associations.","AnswerText":"The table shows the number of new build houses for social renting by housing associations that Scottish Homes approved in Glasgow City, and the rest of Scotland, over the five years to 2000-01 and the estimated number of approvals likely to be given in the current year. Information is not yet available for the number of houses approved for construction beyond this year.

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02 (estimated)

    Glasgow City

    642

    493

    643

    818

    1,032

    1,110

    Rest of Scotland

    2,684

    2,109

    2,418

    3,061

    3,423

    3,300

    Total

    3,326

    2,602

    3,061

    3,879

    4,455

    4,410

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154779,"EventID":"S1W-18128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much grant funding (a) was made available over the last five years and (b) is expected to be made available over the next five years to housing associations in (i) Gl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much grant funding (a) was made available over the last five years and (b) is expected to be made available over the next five years to housing associations in (i) Glasgow and (ii) the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The table shows the grant funding made available by Scottish Homes to housing associations for the construction of houses of all tenure types in Glasgow City and the rest of Scotland for the 5 years to 2000-01, and an estimate of the grant funding that will be made available in the current year. No figures are available yet for the funding levels beyond the current year.

    1996-97

    (£ million)

    1997-98

    (£ million)

    1998-99

    (£ million)

    1999-2000

    (£ million)

    2000-01

    (£ million)

    2001-02 (estimated) (£ million)

    Glasgow City

    71.04

    48.157

    46.745

    48.768

    53.817

    51.0

    Rest of Scotland

    179.539

    122.629

    116.7

    122.847

    127.316

    126.5

    Total

    250.579

    170.786

    163.445

    171.615

    181.133

    177.5

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154780,"EventID":"S1W-18129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money (a) was made available over the last five years and (b) is expected to be made available in the next five years in (i) Glasgow and (ii) the rest of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money (a) was made available over the last five years and (b) is expected to be made available in the next five years in (i) Glasgow and (ii) the rest of Scotland for improvement and repairs grants for private sector housing. ","AnswerText":"Since April 1996, the amount set aside for improvement and repairs grants has been for each local authority to determine. The table sets out the actual expenditure by local authorities on improvement and repairs grants for private sector houses, for Scotland and Glasgow for 1996-97 to 2000-01. The figures for 2000-01 are based on provisional outturn figures. No estimates are available for the local authorities estimated expenditure for the next five years.

    Year (£000s)

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Glasgow

    8,045

    6,240

    7,896

    6,932

    6,390

    Scotland

    70,931

    48,921

    44,628

    41,177

    39,572

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154781,"EventID":"S1W-18130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available its report on the responses to Assessing our children's educational needs: The Way Forward.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make available its report on the responses to Assessing our children's educational needs: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Copies of the responses to the Record of Needs consultation are in the Scottish Executive library. Ministers are currently considering the responses and it is expected that outline proposals for change will be published by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154782,"EventID":"S1W-18131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission on GM crop trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission on GM crop trials.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive welcomes the commission's report and, in particular, its cautious support for completion of the current farm scale evaluation programme. However, the detailed recommendations of the commission are currently being considered and a full response will be prepared and published later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154783,"EventID":"S1W-18132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring implementation of the recommendations in Eating for Health: A Diet Action Plan for Scotland and what monitoring reports are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring implementation of the recommendations in Eating for Health: A Diet Action Plan for Scotland and what monitoring reports are available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive liaises with key sectors identified in the Scottish Diet Action Plan in order to monitor its implementation and this will be further enhanced by the recent appointment of the Scottish Food and Health Co-ordinator. Formal reporting mechanisms include the Scottish Health Survey and publications from the Food Standards Agency, Health Education Board for Scotland and from Scottish Executive funded initiatives to improve Scotland's diet.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154784,"EventID":"S1W-18133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Thin Prep Pap test has been proven to be both cost and clinically effective.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Thin Prep Pap test has been proven to be both cost and clinically effective.","AnswerText":"In June 2000 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) indicated that, while Liquid Based Cytology (Thin Prep Pap test) was effective, further evidence was required on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the technique and that a programme of pilots should evaluate this. Further information will be available once the pilot studies in England and Scotland have been completed and have been evaluated further by NICE. This is likely to be in 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154785,"EventID":"S1W-18134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration and other matters were (a) received, (b) investigated and (c) found to be warranted and what subsequent action was taken by the C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration and other matters were (a) received, (b) investigated and (c) found to be warranted and what subsequent action was taken by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in Appendix 1 of the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 16262 and 16263). The report for 2000-01 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154786,"EventID":"S1W-18135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration were received by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in relation to Glasgow City Council and what the outcome w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration were received by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in relation to Glasgow City Council and what the outcome was of each complaint in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the Appendices to the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 16262 and 16263). The report for 2000-01 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154787,"EventID":"S1W-18136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in deciding whether a complaint of maladministration against a local authority is warrant","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in deciding whether a complaint of maladministration against a local authority is warranted.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in sections 2 and 3 of the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 16262 and 16263). The report for 2000-01 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154788,"EventID":"S1W-18137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a programme to help methadone dependent people reduce their dosage and eventually come off the drug.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a programme to help methadone dependent people reduce their dosage and eventually come off the drug.","AnswerText":"Guidance for clinicians on the prescribing of methadone is given in Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidance on Clinical Management.

    Following the publication of its Initial Guidance in shared Care Arrangements in February 2001, the Scottish Executive's Effective Interventions Unit is working with health and social care professionals, and the voluntary sector, to develop an effective model of integrated care for drug users. Substitute prescribing may be a component of treatment for many, although not all, drug users.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154789,"EventID":"S1W-18138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the additional resources for drug rehabilitation announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be used for rapid detoxificat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the additional resources for drug rehabilitation announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 will be used for rapid detoxification programmes.","AnswerText":"£3.1 million of the additional resources, announced on 28 June 2001, is being made available to health boards for drug treatment services. It is for them, and the local Drug Action Teams, to determine how that funding will be used, taking into account local and national priorities and targets.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154790,"EventID":"S1W-18139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish additional drug detoxification facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish additional drug detoxification facilities.","AnswerText":"It is for Drug Action Teams, in conjunction with local authorities, health boards and other key partner agencies, to determine what additional drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities are required locally, depending on local need and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154791,"EventID":"S1W-18140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any rapid detoxification clinics in Scotland and, if there are none, what plans it has to open such clinics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any rapid detoxification clinics in Scotland and, if there are none, what plans it has to open such clinics.","AnswerText":"There are no rapid detoxification clinics in Scotland at present. The Executive's Effective Interventions Unit is in the process of commissioning a research review to examine the evidence on the effectiveness of a range of treatments for opiate users, including residential and community detoxification. The results of this review will enable Drug Action Teams to consider whether such clinics offer best practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154792,"EventID":"S1W-18141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether methadone is prescribed to drug users primarily to reduce anti-social behaviour or because it is the most clinically effective treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether methadone is prescribed to drug users primarily to reduce anti-social behaviour or because it is the most clinically effective treatment.","AnswerText":"The decision to prescribe methadone, or any other pharmacological intervention, is made on clinical grounds based on the assessment of the nature and extent of the individual's problem drug use.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154793,"EventID":"S1W-18142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that clear protocols and guidance on the dispensing of methadone are established.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that clear protocols and guidance on the dispensing of methadone are established.","AnswerText":"Best practice governing substitute prescription of opiates, including guidance on dispensing, is set out in Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management (1999). There are no plans to review these guidelines. Decisions about the use of methadone as a treatment model are taken by clinicians on a case by case basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154794,"EventID":"S1W-18143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it receives information as part of the joint staffing watch survey on the number of staff employed by local authorities as graduate trainees or as sandwich year s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it receives information as part of the joint staffing watch survey on the number of staff employed by local authorities as graduate trainees or as sandwich year students.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not receive such information as part of the Joint Staffing Watch Survey (JSW). The JSW collects information on numbers of staff employed in local authorities broken down by department and salary band.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154795,"EventID":"S1W-18144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds information on the number of graduate traineeships or sandwich year places, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recogniti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds information on the number of graduate traineeships or sandwich year places, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recognition by an institute or other body, provided annually by (a) local authorities and (b) non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"See S1W-18149.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154796,"EventID":"S1W-18145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduate traineeships or sandwich year places, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recognition by an institute or other body, it p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduate traineeships or sandwich year places, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recognition by an institute or other body, it provides annually.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not offer a fixed number of vocational placements for students. Numbers vary depending on opportunities available each year. Sixty-one places have been provided so far this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154797,"EventID":"S1W-18146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds information on the average age of staff employed by local authorities under each of the departmental headings used in the joint staffing watch survey.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds information on the average age of staff employed by local authorities under each of the departmental headings used in the joint staffing watch survey.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold information on the average age of staff employed by local authorities under each of the departmental headings used in the Joint Staffing Watch Survey. However, information on age is held for teachers employed by local authorities. The Scottish Executive carries out a periodic census of teachers working in schools during a given week in September. Individual teachers provide a range of data, including their date of birth, which allows average age to be computed. Information on the average age of publicly funded school teachers is given in Table 3, page 3 of Teachers in Scotland: September 1998 published by the Scottish Executive in 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16320).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154798,"EventID":"S1W-18147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in partnership with local authorities and with higher and further education institutions to ensure that sufficient graduate traineeships and san","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in partnership with local authorities and with higher and further education institutions to ensure that sufficient graduate traineeships and sandwich year placements are available in future years in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recognition by an institute or other body.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local discussion and agreement as required.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154799,"EventID":"S1W-18148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has regarding the provision of graduate traineeships and sandwich year placements, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional rec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has regarding the provision of graduate traineeships and sandwich year placements, in fields where vocational experience is required for professional recognition by an institute or other body, within its own departments or in non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive aims to respond positively to any vocational placement requests it receives, from students or educational establishments. The Executive actively promotes student placements within its core departments and its agencies, and encourages managers to identify suitable places and projects wherever possible. NDPB participation is a matter for those organisations to consider.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154800,"EventID":"S1W-18149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has regarding the provision to higher education institutions of funding in respect of sandwich year students w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what policies the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has regarding the provision to higher education institutions of funding in respect of sandwich year students who are undertaking a period of full-time employment as part of their studies and whether any such funding may be passed on to the bodies employing such students or otherwise used to support the students.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) and Circular Letter HE 42/2000, available on SHEFC's website, gives details of which students SHEFC classifies as eligible for funding. It is for institutions to enter into their own agreements with employers for the provision of placements for sandwich course students. Funding from the council is for institutions to meet the direct and indirect costs of teaching and learning; it is for institutions to decide how they allocate resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154801,"EventID":"S1W-18150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students (a) graduated in each of the last three years and (b) are expected to graduate in each of the next three years from higher education courses in fields w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students (a) graduated in each of the last three years and (b) are expected to graduate in each of the next three years from higher education courses in fields which require them to undertake further vocational experience in order to achieve professional recognition by an institute or other body.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154802,"EventID":"S1W-18151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Scottish clinical trials of the Thin Prep Pap tests will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of the Scottish clinical trials of the Thin Prep Pap tests will be available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18133 .","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154803,"EventID":"S1W-18152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Thin Prep Pap tests will be made available to women across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Thin Prep Pap tests will be made available to women across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The evaluation of the findings of the Scottish Liquid Based Cytology pilot (Thin Prep Pap test) and consideration by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence of the English and Scottish pilot programmes will provide the necessary basis on which decisions can be made as to whether or not the new technology will be introduced into the cervical screening programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154804,"EventID":"S1W-18153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are proposals to use the Thin Prep Pap test to screen simultaneously for human papilloma virus, chlamydia and cervical cancer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are proposals to use the Thin Prep Pap test to screen simultaneously for human papilloma virus, chlamydia and cervical cancer.","AnswerText":"There are currently no proposals to use the Thin Prep Pap test to screen simultaneously for human papilloma virus, chlamydia and cervical cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154805,"EventID":"S1W-18154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to make chlamydia screening available for all males and females under 30.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to make chlamydia screening available for all males and females under 30.","AnswerText":"The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) has now considered the final evaluation report of the chlamydia screening pilot projects run in England over the year to August 2000 and has concluded that a universal national screening programme for chlamydia is not feasible at the present time. The emphasis should rather be on targeted programmes for particular groups. In this respect the national health demonstration project, Healthy Respect, will shortly pilot chlamydia testing in a range of settings to help achieve its headline target of an increase in the reported cases of chlamydia amongst young people by 2003 through raised awareness. This will underpin delivery of the longer-term target to decrease reported prevalence of this infection by 50% by 2010.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154806,"EventID":"S1W-18155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place to ensure that no NHS prescription class A drugs are available illegally.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place to ensure that no NHS prescription class A drugs are available illegally.","AnswerText":"The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and regulations made under the Act, provide the basis for preventing misuse of controlled drugs.

    There are measures in place to ensure that controlled drugs are prescribed and dispensed on the NHS in accordance with the statutory requirements. Guidance and advice on the principal legal requirements relating to the prescribing of controlled drugs is contained in the British National Formulary provided free to all doctors and pharmacists.

    If prescribed controlled drugs became available illegally, then this would be a matter for the police.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154807,"EventID":"S1W-18156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sent to the European Commission for their attention and comment a copy of the European Committee's 7th Report 2000, Report on a review of the impact of Eu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sent to the European Commission for their attention and comment a copy of the European Committee's 7th Report 2000, Report on a review of the impact of European list 1 designated disease Infectious Salmon Anaemia and list 2 disease Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia on the Scottish aquaculture industry and, if so, when it sent a copy of the report, whether it will place a copy of any reply from the Commission in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and, if no reply has been received, what explanation the Commission has given for the delay in replying and what representations it will be making to the Commission on this matter.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of Parliament to communicate to the European Commission recommendations of parliamentary committees which are directed towards the European Commission. I understand that this has been done. It will be for Parliament to decide how to deal with the response.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154808,"EventID":"S1W-18157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase training opportunities for classroom assistants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase training opportunities for classroom assistants.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154809,"EventID":"S1W-18158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the present position is in relation to the two Chhokar Inquiry reports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the present position is in relation to the two Chhokar Inquiry reports.","AnswerText":"I have received Sir Anthony Campbell's report into the process of prosecution decision making in the case. I have been advised that Dr Jandoo has now completed his report concerning the liaison which took place between the authorities and the Chhokar family, although Dr Jandoo has still to submit his report.

    On 10 September, the Minister for Justice and I were requested by Mr Anwar of the Chhokar Family Justice Campaign to delay publication of both reports until at least 10 October due to the poor health of a family member. We are both of the view that this is the right thing to do. As a consequence, it is now our intention to publish both reports shortly after the October recess.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154810,"EventID":"S1W-18164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in view of any increased security requirements in Edinburgh as a result of international te","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in view of any increased security requirements in Edinburgh as a result of international terrorism.","AnswerText":"Forces have sufficient funds to meet the existing policing requirements of their area and funding for the police service is currently at record levels. However, all forces continually review their requirements in light of local needs and circumstances. Where new pressures arise, the cost of which might distort the expenditure of the force concerned, there are provisions for Scottish ministers to consider the implications for that force's budget. That process is an on-going one.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154811,"EventID":"S1W-18165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much treated sewage sludge was applied to agricultural land last year and how much is expected to be applied this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much treated sewage sludge was applied to agricultural land last year and how much is expected to be applied this year.","AnswerText":"About 12,500 tonnes of dry solids were applied last year and it is estimated that about 30,500 tonnes of dry solids will be applied this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154812,"EventID":"S1W-18166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any health risks associated with treated sewage sludge and, if so, how any risks are minimised when sludge is applied to agricultural land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any health risks associated with treated sewage sludge and, if so, how any risks are minimised when sludge is applied to agricultural land.","AnswerText":"WRc's (Water Research Centre) Review of the Scientific Evidence relating to the Controls on the Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge reported in 1998. It concluded that there is no direct evidence in the UK of adverse human health effects resulting from the transmission of pathogens from sludge.

    In addition, UK Water Research Industry Limited (UKWIR) is currently carrying out research to characterise the risks associated with the beneficial use of sewage sludge in agriculture. This study will be the subject of an independent peer review by the Advisory Committee on Microbiology and Safety in Food.

    Risks are minimised when sludge is applied to agricultural land by complying with the sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, the associated Code of Practice and the "Safe Sludge Matrix". The matrix has been agreed between Water UK representing the water industry in the UK and the British Retail Consortium representing the major food retailers. It sets out the minimum acceptable level of treatment for any sewage sludge which is to be used in agriculture depending on the type of crop.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154813,"EventID":"S1W-18167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out into any health risks associated with treated sewage sludge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out into any health risks associated with treated sewage sludge.","AnswerText":"WRc's (Water Research Centre) Review of the Scientific Evidence relating to the Controls on the Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge reported in 1998. It concluded that there is no direct evidence in the UK of adverse human health effects resulting from the transmission of pathogens from sludge. In addition, UK Water Research Industry Limited (UKWIR) is currently carrying out research to characterise the risks associated with the beneficial use of sewage sludge in agriculture. This study will be the subject of an independent peer review by the Advisory Committee on Microbiology and Safety in Food.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154814,"EventID":"S1W-18168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the laws with regard to the treatment of sewage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the laws with regard to the treatment of sewage.","AnswerText":"The Water Environment and Water Services Bill, which we plan to introduce to Parliament next year, will provide a new structure to protect Scotland's water environment in a consistent and integrated manner. Measures in the bill, or related secondary legislation, may affect the treatment of sewage.

    We issued a consultation paper, Rivers, Lochs Coasts: the Future for Scotland's Waters, on 29 June, outlining our policy intentions for the Bill. The paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14576).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154815,"EventID":"S1W-18169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the laws with regard to the application of sewage sludge to land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the laws with regard to the application of sewage sludge to land.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive plans to incorporate the provisions of the Safe Sludge Matrix into revised regulations, which govern the application of sewage sludge on agricultural land. The matrix, which bans the use of untreated sewage sludge in agriculture and details restrictions on the use of two levels of treated sewage sludge, has been established following agreement between the water industry in the UK and the British Retail Consortium, which represents the food industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154816,"EventID":"S1W-18170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money each higher education institution received from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money each higher education institution received from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the amount of tuition fees paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to each Scottish Higher Education Institution for the academic years 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

    Higher Education Institution

    Tuition Fees Paid (£)

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Aberdeen University

    5,409,808

    4,469,918

    6,007,688

    Dundee University

    3,677,799

    3,165,072

    4,044,677

    Edinburgh College of Art

    652,754

    575,330

    725,740

    Edinburgh University

    6,432,803

    5,387,640

    7,604,141

    Glasgow Caledonian University

    7,469,667

    6,831,982

    7,994,697

    Glasgow School of Art

    774,539

    678,166

    1,012,510

    Glasgow University

    10,013,080

    8,563,230

    11,619,467

    Heriot-Watt University

    3,064,823

    2,588,278

    3,627,173

    Napier University

    5,188,464

    4,626,533

    		No reports have yet been published under the new methodology.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154818,"EventID":"S1W-18172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times in each of the last three years the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has taken back resources from a higher education institute because the qualit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times in each of the last three years the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has taken back resources from a higher education institute because the quality of provision was unsatisfactory.","AnswerText":"None. The first round of quality assessments ended in 1997-99, and the second began in 2000-01. No quality assessment reports have been produced in the last three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154819,"EventID":"S1W-18173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were detained in HM Prison Dungavel during each of the five years preceding its closure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were detained in HM Prison Dungavel during each of the five years preceding its closure.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The available information is given in table 4 of Prisons Statistics Scotland, 1997; 1998 and 1999 published by the Scottish Executive. Copies of these documents are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 11178, 11179, 11180).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154820,"EventID":"S1W-18174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whom it consulted on its proposals for the fluoridation of the public water supply and when its report on this consultation exercise will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whom it consulted on its proposals for the fluoridation of the public water supply and when its report on this consultation exercise will be published.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for this consultation have not yet been completed but will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154821,"EventID":"S1W-18175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the implementation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guideline No. 47, Preventing Dental Caries in Children at High Caries Risk: Tar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the implementation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guideline No. 47, Preventing Dental Caries in Children at High Caries Risk: Targeted prevention of dental caries in the permanent teeth of 6 to 16-year-olds presenting for dental care.","AnswerText":"Use of this guideline is being promoted through the work of the Scottish Council for Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Education and the Dental Health Services Research Unit in Dundee.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154822,"EventID":"S1W-18176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the number of serious asthma cases presented at accident and emergency departments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the number of serious asthma cases presented at accident and emergency departments.","AnswerText":"The best means of reducing emergency cases is to improve the management of asthma. The Executive endorses the recommendations of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network on self-management and is funding the Scottish Asthma Management Initiative, one aim of which is to help General Practitioners to identify suitable patients and devise self-management regimes. A newly approved project, \"Asthma Attack - Targeting Emergency Asthma Contacts in Children\", will be looking specifically at emergency cases involving children with a view to reducing the numbers of such cases.

    The Executive also provides grant funding to the National Asthma Campaign Scotland, which works to support people with asthma and encourage them to take control of the condition.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154823,"EventID":"S1W-18178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what definition of free personal care it is adopting. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what definition of free personal care it is adopting. ","AnswerText":"In line with the recommendations of the Care Development Group, the Executive will adopt a definition of personal care which endorses that recommended by the Royal Commission and includes psychological support and counselling as follows:

    Personal Hygiene

    Bathing, showering, hair washing, shaving, oral hygiene, nail care.

    Continence Management

    Toileting, catheter/stoma care, skin care, incontinence laundry, bed changing.

    Food and Diet

    Assistance with eating and assistance with special diets. Assistance to manage different types of meal services. Assistance with preparation of food.

    Problems of immobility

    Dealing with the consequences of not being able to move.

    Counselling and support

    Behaviour management, psychological support, reminding devices and safety devices.

    Simple treatments

    Assistance with medication (including eye drops), application of creams and lotions, simple dressings, oxygen therapy.

    Personal assistance

    Assistance with dressings, surgical appliances, prostheses, mechanical and manual aids. Assistance to get up and to go to bed. Transfers including use of a hoist.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154824,"EventID":"S1W-18179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17551 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 September 2001, whether it will give specific details of any representations it has made or plans t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17551 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 September 2001, whether it will give specific details of any representations it has made or plans to make to HM Treasury on the arrangements for the payment to it of the social security element of personal care. ","AnswerText":"The Executive will continue to have constructive discussions with the UK Government on all issues which may impact on UK responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154825,"EventID":"S1W-18180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions will be attached to any payment to write off the housing debt of Glasgow City Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions will be attached to any payment to write off the housing debt of Glasgow City Council.","AnswerText":"Where proposals represent value for money and proceed to transfer, the arrangements for dealing with any residual housing debt, are as follows:

    • the receipt from the transfer should be used to repay breakage costs associated with early debt repayment

    • where the receipt is greater than the breakage costs the balance should be used for repayment of debt principal

    • where the receipt is less than breakage costs the Executive will make additional resources available to cover the shortfall

    HM Treasury will make a one-off payment to cover the outstanding Public Works Loan Board debt principal.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154826,"EventID":"S1W-18181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with HM Treasury Ministers on the Barnett formula since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with HM Treasury Ministers on the Barnett formula since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK government on a wide range of issues including the Barnett formula.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154827,"EventID":"S1W-18182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that there is no shortfall in its budget as a result of any increase in the cost of construction of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that there is no shortfall in its budget as a result of any increase in the cost of construction of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood.","AnswerText":"The Draft Budget Document published on 20 September sets out how the Executive plans to fund increases in the costs of the Parliament up to 2003-04. The increase will be met from the Reserve.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154828,"EventID":"S1W-18183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of its inquiry into the effect of the application of the Arbuthnott formula and whether it will provide details of any data involved, broken ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of its inquiry into the effect of the application of the Arbuthnott formula and whether it will provide details of any data involved, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"I announced on 21 March the formation of a Standing Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir John Arbuthnott, to keep both the formula for the allocation of resources to NHSScotland and the information used to support the formula under review.

    To date the committee has met twice but has not yet reached any conclusions on the matters it is considering and therefore has neither reported to me nor made any recommendations to me. However, I understand, that one of the issues discussed at the committee's meeting earlier this month was how the work of the committee could be made public and it was agreed that the Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) website would be the most suitable vehicle for this purpose. The committee will therefore be publishing a newsletter, outlining its work, on SHOW, in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154829,"EventID":"S1W-18184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of agreed spending on Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative projects in each of the next five years, broken down by ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of agreed spending on Public/Private Partnership and Private Finance Initiative projects in each of the next five years, broken down by each of its departments and by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following tables set out the most recent figures available for estimated payments on Public/Private Partnerships and Private Finance Initiative projects for signed deals broken down sector by sector including local authorities. The annual public expenditure required to service these projects and their lifetime costs are matters of commercial confidentiality between the public sector bodies concerned and their contractors, therefore the figures are aggregated.

    FE/HE

    £ million

    2001-02

    4.2

    2002-03

    4.8

    2003-04

    4.9

    2004-05

    4.7

    2005-06

    4.7

    Health

    £ million

    2001-02

    38

    2002-03

    64

    2003-04

    85

    2004-05

    87

    2005-06

    87

    Justice

    £ million

    2001-02

    15

    2002-03

    15

    2003-04

    16

    2004-05

    16

    2005-06

    16

    Total Local Authorities

    £ million

    2001-02

    48.3

    2002-03

    68","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154830,"EventID":"S1W-18185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the progress of its involvement in the preliminary work being carried out on the Aberdeen western peripheral route and when it will make a decis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the progress of its involvement in the preliminary work being carried out on the Aberdeen western peripheral route and when it will make a decision on whether the project will be added to its road building programme. ","AnswerText":"The development of the proposed Aberdeen western peripheral is being taken forward by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils in the context of their planned Modern Transport System. As part of its support for that system, the Scottish Executive is extending the Central Scotland Transport Model (now the Transport Model for Scotland) to the north east. This will provide reliable and up to date transport data vital to the assessment of major transport projects. In light of this investment, it would be premature to make a decision on the Aberdeen western peripheral before the Transport Model for Scotland is functional.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154831,"EventID":"S1W-18186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when final out-turn figures will be available of its spending in 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when final out-turn figures will be available of its spending in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The accounts for 2000-01 are currently being audited and, as set out in statute, will be laid before Parliament no later than 31 December 2001. End-year flexibility entitlement is agreed with the Treasury on the basis of estimated outturn.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154832,"EventID":"S1W-18187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-17072 by Jim Wallace on 14 August 2001, whether it endorses the decision of the Scottish Prison Service to refuse prisoners in Scottish jail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1W-17072 by Jim Wallace on 14 August 2001, whether it endorses the decision of the Scottish Prison Service to refuse prisoners in Scottish jails permission to take part in the Scene of the Crime art exhibition in Edinburgh when prisoners from English and Welsh prisons are being allowed to take part. ","AnswerText":"I am aware that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) does support prisoner involvement in a number of exhibitions and competitions annually. However, the particular exhibition referred to was thought likely to cause considerable public offence. The view of SPS was that families of victims of crime in particular, but also members of the general public, could reasonably be expected to find this proposition distasteful. Prisoner art displayed in a Scene of the Crime exhibition to be woven into a Murder Mystery Tour by a well known crime writer was not considered an appropriate context for the display of prisoner art in Scotland.

    I am satisfied that the SPS reached a reasonable decision in these particular circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154833,"EventID":"S1W-18188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which years it has made funding provision for (a) the Ryder Cup and Euro 2008 bids and (b) the implementation of its National Cultural Strategy and how any such allo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which years it has made funding provision for (a) the Ryder Cup and Euro 2008 bids and (b) the implementation of its National Cultural Strategy and how any such allocations can be identified in its Annual Expenditure Reports. ","AnswerText":"The costs of the Ryder Cup bid were met from provision made in 2000-01 and 2001-02. This cannot be identified separately in the Annual Expenditure Reports. Provision for the additional programmes identified as part of the Ryder Cup bid was made each year of the spending period and forms part of the provision for sport and VisitScotland.

    In the case of Euro 2008, provision for the preparation of a bid will be met from provision made for this financial year. Funding implications of further commitments which may be made within the bid have yet to be identified.

    Funding for the implementation of the National Cultural Strategy is also being provided for each year of the spending period. However, allocations have been provided to a number of bodies including the Scottish Arts Council and the National Institutions and local authorities and cannot be identified specifically in the Annual Expenditure Reports.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154834,"EventID":"S1W-18189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the social work cost per prisoner was in each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock, in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the social work cost per prisoner was in each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock, in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    The social work cost per prisoner is not a figure that is kept by SPS because the needs of individual prisoners and therefore costs are extremely variable, dependent, for example, on whether they are subject to post-release supervision and their level of vulnerability.

    The cost of social work to all SPS establishments from 31 March 2000 to 1 April 2001 (the first year these figures were sought) amounted to over £2 million. The average prison population during this period within SPS establishments was approximately 5,600.

    The cost for social work at HM Prison, Kilmarnock is not included in this figure as it is not an SPS managed establishment.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154835,"EventID":"S1W-18190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what codes governed the procedures used in the recent appointment of a chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what codes governed the procedures used in the recent appointment of a chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The procedures governing the appointment were those set out in The Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.

    This is available from the website at:

    http://www.ocpa.gov.uk/leaflets/codeofpractice.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154836,"EventID":"S1W-18191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select the successful candidate for the recent vacancy for chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) and who carried out th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select the successful candidate for the recent vacancy for chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) and who carried out the interview.","AnswerText":"The following criteria were used to select candidates for interview and to determine their suitability for appointment. Copies of the criteria were provided to all applicants in advance of their application.

    Core criteria were that candidates must:

    • have management experience at a senior or board-equivalent level in the voluntary, public or private sectors

    • demonstrate leadership and motivation skills

    • demonstrate the ability to see the "bigger picture"

    • demonstrate the ability to think and plan ahead

    • demonstrate the ability to understand complicated issues

    • demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team

    • be an effective communicator at all levels with good listening and interpersonal skills

    • be able to take decisions on a collective basis

    • be confident and willing to challenge and test proposals on which the board must decide

    • demonstrate a strong personal commitment to the NHS

    • demonstrate an understanding of, and interest in, government health policies

    • be committed to engaging positively and openly with key partners and the public

    • be committed to the idea of public service accountability, honesty, openness and equality of treatment and opportunity

    • be able to spend around three days per week as Chair on the work of the board

    Desirable criteria were that candidates would have:

    • experience in serving in the voluntary sector, particularly in an organisation with links to the health sector

    • experience of other countries' approach to health education and improvement

    • specialist skills or knowledge relevant to HEBS

    Candidates were short-listed for interview by Trevor Jones (Chief Executive, NHS Scotland), Ken Thomson (Head of Health Improvement Strategy Division, Scottish Executive Health Department) and Alistair Dempster (Independent Assessor).

    Those interviewed were invited to prepare a four minute presentation on "Making Health Improvement a Reality". The presentations were delivered at interview.

    The interviews were conducted by those who selected the short-list

    As part of her induction as an independent assessor, Anne McLean attended the interviews as an observer but took no part in the interview process.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154837,"EventID":"S1W-18192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select candidates for (a) an initial shortlist and (b) a final shortlist for the post of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select candidates for (a) an initial shortlist and (b) a final shortlist for the post of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18191.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154838,"EventID":"S1W-18193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to health education the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland is required to have.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to health education the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland is required to have.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18191.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154839,"EventID":"S1W-18194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland declared any interests on being appointed and, if so, what those interests were.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland declared any interests on being appointed and, if so, what those interests were.","AnswerText":"In line with relevant guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA), all applicants for public appointments are required to declare any interests and to complete a question on their political activity. Neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for nor a bar to appointment. In line with OCPA guidance, and to ensure openness in the appointments process, details of a successful candidate's political activity and affiliation are given at the time an appointment is announced.

    A number of applicants for this post declared political activity, and affiliation and membership of political parties. The successful candidate's political affiliation was included in the announcement of her appointment and her application confirmed that she had no other relevant interests to declare.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154840,"EventID":"S1W-18195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the recent vacancy of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the recent vacancy of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"13 applications were received.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154841,"EventID":"S1W-18196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the vacancy for a chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland was advertised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the vacancy for a chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland was advertised.","AnswerText":"The vacancy was advertised from 20 April 2001 in The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday, the Aberdeen Press and Journal, The Herald and the Dundee Courier and Advertiser.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154842,"EventID":"S1W-18197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","AnswerText":"As set out in the information provided to all applicants, the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland has the following personal responsibilities:

    • providing leadership to the board

    • working with other board members to ensure that the board accepts collective responsibility for discharging its functions which will comprise:

    - setting the direction of the organisation within the overall policies and priorities of the Scottish Executive and NHSScotland, defining its annual longer-term objectives and agreeing plans to achieve them

    - setting financial targets for the board, monitoring the board's financial performance and deciding on action to meet financial targets

    - the appointment, appraisal and remuneration of senior staff

    • fully representing the board's activities, in an open and positive way, to:

    the public

    local authorities

    professional and advisory bodies

    the media

    all other interested parties

    • working with other health organisations and the Scottish Executive Health Department to make sure that there is a united approach to putting government health policy into practice

    • ensuring that there is an effective dialogue between the board and its key partners on its plans and performance, and that these are responsive to the needs of the public

    • developing an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive, other board members and staff of the organisation to fulfil the decisions of the board

    • encouraging all board members to work as a team to contribute to the organisation's work

    • making sure that all board members are effectively trained and developed and that their performance is formally reviewed on a regular basis

    • making sure that all board members follow the Standards of Conduct, Accountability and Openness of NHSScotland

    • making sure organisational values and aims are clearly explained, understood and applied throughout the whole organisation

    • making sure that the board sets up required committees such as audit and remuneration

    • chairing board meetings and meetings of committees of the board, making sure that they discuss the main current issues and policies with the available information to hand, and that they make decisions in an open and responsible way

    accountability to Scottish ministers through the Minister for Health and Community Care for the organisation's performance.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154843,"EventID":"S1W-18198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration package is of the post of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration package is of the post of chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"£15,708 per annum (currently under review).","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154844,"EventID":"S1W-18199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements are placed on chairpersons of the Health Education Board for Scotland with regard to attendance at meetings and other official engagements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements are placed on chairpersons of the Health Education Board for Scotland with regard to attendance at meetings and other official engagements.","AnswerText":"The chairperson is responsible for representing the board's activities in an open and positive way to the public, local authorities, professional and advisory bodies, the media and all other interested parties and for ensuring that there is an effective dialogue between the board and its key partners on its plans and performance, and that these are responsive to the needs of the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154845,"EventID":"S1W-18200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the period of appointment is of the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the period of appointment is of the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The period of appointment is from 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2005.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154846,"EventID":"S1W-18201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nursing posts there currently are in each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nursing posts there currently are in each Scottish prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Establishment

    WTE

    Aberdeen

    6

    Barlinnie

    35

    Cornton Vale

    15

    Dumfries

    5

    Edinburgh

    20

    Glenochil

    15

    Greenock

    7

    Inverness

    3

    Low Moss

    5

    Perth (inclusive of Castle Huntly and Noranside)

    24

    Peterhead

    6

    Polmont

    16

    Shotts

    14

    Total

    171

    Staffing levels at HMP Kilmarnock is a matter for the operators Premier Prison Services Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154847,"EventID":"S1W-18202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current design capacity is of each Scottish prison and what the average daily prisoner population was in each prison in the most recent year for which figures ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current design capacity is of each Scottish prison and what the average daily prisoner population was in each prison in the most recent year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information for 2000-01 is given in the table:

    Establishment

    Available Capacity

    Annual Average Capacity

    Aberdeen

    155

    173

    Barlinnie

    836

    969

    Castle Huntly

    151

    135

    Cornton Vale

    203

    190

    Dumfries

    110

    148

    Edinburgh

    579

    681

    Glenochil

    489

    480

    Glenochil YOI

    131

    129

    Greenock

    248

    269

    Inverness

    108

    126

    Kilmarnock

    548

    521

    Low Moss

    337

    308

    Noranside

    117

    116

    Perth

    543

    420

    Peterhead

    296

    291

    Polmont

    422

    392

    Shotts

    516

    518

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154848,"EventID":"S1W-18203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times disciplinary action has been taken against prisoners in (a) HM Prison Kilmarnock, (b) HM Prison Perth, (c) HM Prison Peterhead and (d) HM Prison Barlinnie ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times disciplinary action has been taken against prisoners in (a) HM Prison Kilmarnock, (b) HM Prison Perth, (c) HM Prison Peterhead and (d) HM Prison Barlinnie in the last year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    This information can be found in the SPS Annual Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154849,"EventID":"S1W-18204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17561 by Sarah Boyack on 6 September 2001, whether it will detail the work it is undertaking in conjunction with Highland Council a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17561 by Sarah Boyack on 6 September 2001, whether it will detail the work it is undertaking in conjunction with Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to safeguard the Inverness to Gatwick route and whether it is involved in any similar work in relation to the restoration of an Inverness to Heathrow route.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has supported the case by The Highland Council for the imposition of measures to ensure access to Gatwick from Inverness. The Minister for Transport and Planning wrote to the UK Government on 8 October with a formal request to impose a Public Service Obligation on the Inverness-Gatwick route and to implement measures which will secure the slots required to maintain the service. No similar work is being undertaken in relation to the restoration of an Inverness-Heathrow route.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154850,"EventID":"S1W-18205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with officials of the European Commission (EC) to discuss the future of the Scottish aquaculture industry and any measures which it wishes ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a meeting with officials of the European Commission (EC) to discuss the future of the Scottish aquaculture industry and any measures which it wishes the EC to take in order to promote the sustainable development of the industry.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in regular discussion with European Commission officials about measures designed to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture such as the review of the fish and shellfish health directives and the emerging fish welfare proposals, the operation of the EU/Norway salmon trade agreement and the Common Fisheries Policy, which embraces aquaculture development.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154851,"EventID":"S1W-18206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop Scotland's role in clinical drug trials.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop Scotland's role in clinical drug trials.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports the development of clinical drug trials within the NHS and is taking steps to enhance the capacity of NHSScotland to participate in such work.

    Within Scotland, the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive Health Department has established a Pharmaceutical Liaison Group comprising representatives of Information and Statistical Division of NHSScotland, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry and major pharmaceutical companies. The aim of the group is to explore shared areas of interest and concern with a view to creating an environment within which clinical trials can flourish to mutual benefit.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154852,"EventID":"S1W-18207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its consultation processes in respect of general ophthalmic services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its consultation processes in respect of general ophthalmic services.","AnswerText":"When the Executive is considering changes to Scottish primary or secondary legislation, and other relevant issues which will affect ophthalmic practitioners, it seeks the views of the optometric profession's representative bodies - the Association of Optometrists, the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, the Scottish Committee of Optometrists and others where relevant.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154853,"EventID":"S1W-18208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will endorse the guidelines issued by the College of Optometrists on recommended minimum re-examination intervals for patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will endorse the guidelines issued by the College of Optometrists on recommended minimum re-examination intervals for patients.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently seeking the views of the profession's representative bodies on the guidelines which should be applied in Scotland. These will be broadly in line with the college's guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154854,"EventID":"S1W-18209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Scotland have (a) applied for and (b) achieved the (i) ISO 14001 and (ii) eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) environment standard.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Scotland have (a) applied for and (b) achieved the (i) ISO 14001 and (ii) eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) environment standard.","AnswerText":"ISO 14001 and EMAS are voluntary schemes. ISO not a Government-run accreditation scheme and the Executive holds no data on applications and accredited sites. As an EC scheme EMAS is a reserved matter. Details of EMAS registered sites are held on the EMAS website www.emas.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154855,"EventID":"S1W-18210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it (a) made available in the last financial year and (b) will make available in the current financial year to help businesses achieve the ISO 14001 and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it (a) made available in the last financial year and (b) will make available in the current financial year to help businesses achieve the ISO 14001 and eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) environment standards and which organisations were involved in distributing any such resources.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18209.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154856,"EventID":"S1W-18211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is currently responsible for the auditing of businesses for the ISO 14001 and eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and the awarding of certification when these stan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is currently responsible for the auditing of businesses for the ISO 14001 and eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and the awarding of certification when these standards are achieved.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-18209.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154857,"EventID":"S1W-18212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what category of membership Scotland currently holds with the International Organisation for Standardisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what category of membership Scotland currently holds with the International Organisation for Standardisation.","AnswerText":"None. Membership of the International Organisation for Standardisation is open to the national standardisation body of a country and the member for the United Kingdom is the British Standards Institution.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154858,"EventID":"S1W-18213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information and support is being given to businesses in relation to ways to attain and maintain the ISO 14001 and eco-management audit scheme (EMAS) environmental st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information and support is being given to businesses in relation to ways to attain and maintain the ISO 14001 and eco-management audit scheme (EMAS) environmental standards and what public bodies are involved in providing such information.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-18209.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154859,"EventID":"S1W-18214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in each local authority area have (a) attained and (b) maintained the (i) ISO 14001 and (ii) eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) environment stand","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in each local authority area have (a) attained and (b) maintained the (i) ISO 14001 and (ii) eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) environment standard.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-18209.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154860,"EventID":"S1W-18215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 April 2001, how long it will be before details of meetings with the Defence Diversification Agenc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 April 2001, how long it will be before details of meetings with the Defence Diversification Agency can be made publicly available.","AnswerText":"Discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are conducted on a confidential basis. No set deadline can be given for the release of any information arising from such confidential discussions. Under the Scottish Executive's Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, including internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation is not released.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154861,"EventID":"S1W-18216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to question S1W-18001 lodged on 7 September 2001, what the greatest scale of nuclear emergency is in preparation for which drills have been carried out; what the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to question S1W-18001 lodged on 7 September 2001, what the greatest scale of nuclear emergency is in preparation for which drills have been carried out; what the nature of the supposed emergency was in this case, and what the outcome of the drill was.","AnswerText":"There is a comprehensive programme of exercises undertaken by MOD and civil agencies which are intended to test a range of scenarios. The largest scale exercise in Scotland in recent years took place at Faslane in November 1997. This involved over 7,500 participants over three days and postulated a fire leading to a radioactive leak from a submarine berthed at Faslane. A number of learning points emerged, as is the purpose of these exercises, and were referred to the appropriate organisations for follow-up action.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154862,"EventID":"S1W-18217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 10 August 2001 of a rationalisation of its agriculture and animal health offices in central Scotland, what consultation it undertook with ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 10 August 2001 of a rationalisation of its agriculture and animal health offices in central Scotland, what consultation it undertook with the farming community in the Stirling area prior to the decision to close its office in the town.","AnswerText":"There were no formal consultations with local farming communities about the rationalisation of the department's agricultural offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154863,"EventID":"S1W-18218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17518 by Ross Finnie on 29 August 2001, what the financial savings will be from closing each of its Environment and Rural Affairs D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17518 by Ross Finnie on 29 August 2001, what the financial savings will be from closing each of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in Dundee and Forfar.","AnswerText":"Keeping the Dundee office open, but closing those at Stirling and Forfar would incur additional annual running costs of around £110,000.

    Keeping the Forfar office open, but closing those at Stirling and Dundee was not considered to be a practical proposition and therefore no figures are available for this option.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154864,"EventID":"S1W-18219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff were directly involved in the monitoring of social inclusion partnerships in each year since each partnership was established.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff were directly involved in the monitoring of social inclusion partnerships in each year since each partnership was established.","AnswerText":"Two officials from Area Regeneration Division are directly involved in the monitoring of each Social Inclusion Partnership each year. In addition, they are supported by financial staff, administrative staff, senior managers and other professional staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154865,"EventID":"S1W-18220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review arrangements for the transportation of livestock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review arrangements for the transportation of livestock.","AnswerText":"European Community Directive 91/628EC which underpins the transport of animals legislation in this country is presently being reviewed. The Executive shall take every opportunity to press for stricter enforcement throughout the EU and for the highest possible standards to be built into the directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154866,"EventID":"S1W-18221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to re-opening local slaughterhouses and adopting a policy of transportation of carcasses only.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to re-opening local slaughterhouses and adopting a policy of transportation of carcasses only.","AnswerText":"Most areas of rural Scotland producing prime stock are generally well served by abattoirs. Although the financial viability of abattoirs is key, my department would be happy to consider proposals from commercial concerns for establishing alternative facilities under its capital and non-capital grant schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154867,"EventID":"S1W-18222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any implications for its plans to change the date of the next local authority elections arising from the incorporation of European Convention on H","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any implications for its plans to change the date of the next local authority elections arising from the incorporation of European Convention on Human Rights into Scots law.","AnswerText":"There are no implications as it is not considered that there is anything in the proposals put forward in this Bill which will infringe ECHR.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154868,"EventID":"S1W-18223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether rehabilitation in open prisons will be made available to female prisoners prior to their release as is the case with male prisoners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether rehabilitation in open prisons will be made available to female prisoners prior to their release as is the case with male prisoners.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS is currently evaluating the need for such a facility.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154869,"EventID":"S1W-18224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is liable for damage to organic farms and crops resulting from field trials of GM crops.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who is liable for damage to organic farms and crops resulting from field trials of GM crops.","AnswerText":"There are currently no provisions in Scots or UK law expressly covering liability for damage caused specifically from fields of genetically modified crops. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, there are powers to prosecute a consent holder where the conditions attached to a consent are breached. Liability in relation to negligence or nuisance would be a matter for the civil courts to determine.

    The European Commission is currently drafting an EU-wide environmental liability directive which will cover possible damage caused by the use of genetically modified organisms.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154870,"EventID":"S1W-18225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospice beds were available to the NHS in each of the last 10 years and how many are currently available, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospice beds were available to the NHS in each of the last 10 years and how many are currently available, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The total number of beds available to the NHS in voluntary hospices for adults in each of the last 10 years, and a breakdown of the current number of beds available in each health board area, are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

    Table 1

    Number of beds available to the NHS in voluntary hospices (for adults)

    Year

    total Number of Beds

    1992

    252

    1993

    254

    1994

    252

    1995

    256

    1996

    254

    1997

    250

    1998

    250

    1999

    270

    2000

    259

    2001

    243

    Table 2

    Number of beds in adult voluntary hospices in each Health Board Area in current year.

    Health Board

    Number of Beds

    Argyll and Clyde

    24

    Ayrshire and Arran

    20

    Borders

    		 

    Dumfries and Galloway

    		 

    Fife

    		 

    Forth Valley

    24

    Grampian

    		 

    Greater Glasgow

    74

    Highland

    10

    Lanarkshire

    20

    Lothian

    67

    Orkney

    		 

    Shetland

    		 

    Tayside

    		 

    Western Isles

    4

    Total

    		<","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154871,"EventID":"S1W-18226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it currently gives to hospices per hospice bed and what its estimate is of the cost to the NHS per bed of providing hospice beds itself.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it currently gives to hospices per hospice bed and what its estimate is of the cost to the NHS per bed of providing hospice beds itself.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to isolate the funding which relates purely to bed provision. Information on the costs of the specialist palliative care provided by NHSScotland is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154872,"EventID":"S1W-18227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the costs of running hospices was met by (a) grants and (b) charitable donations in each of the past 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the costs of running hospices was met by (a) grants and (b) charitable donations in each of the past 10 years.","AnswerText":"Since 1995-96, the earliest year for which figures are readily available, the total percentage of revenue funding provided to adult voluntary hospices in Scotland by health boards and through charitable donations is as follows.
     

    Total % NHS Revenue

    Funding

    Total % Charitable Donations

    1995-96

    43

    57

    1996-97

    42

    58

    1997-98

    43

    57

    1998-99

    40

    60

    1999-2000

    40

    60

    2000-01

    39

    61

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154873,"EventID":"S1W-18228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it gives to NHS funding bodies about the level of support that should be given to hospices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it gives to NHS funding bodies about the level of support that should be given to hospices.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for the funding of adult voluntary hospices remain as set out in Management Executive Letter (1994)104.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154874,"EventID":"S1W-18229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review policy on the relationship between the NHS and the hospice movement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review policy on the relationship between the NHS and the hospice movement.","AnswerText":"We welcome the close partnership between the NHS and the hospice movement in Scotland. The totality of specialist palliative care provision is currently being reviewed as part of the implementation of the Scottish Cancer Plan. That work will take account of the Scottish Executive's policy that palliative care has a role to play in respect of all progressive conditions, not just cancer.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154875,"EventID":"S1W-18230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated underspend of the Scottish Prison Service is in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated underspend of the Scottish Prison Service is in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"£8-12 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154876,"EventID":"S1W-18231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish Prison Service did not spend its allocated budgets for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and why resources available from the underspend were not reallocated to tack","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Scottish Prison Service did not spend its allocated budgets for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and why resources available from the underspend were not reallocated to tackle any issues of overcrowding and staff morale. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    The underspend in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 was primarily due to the timing of expenditure on committed capital projects, including investment in prisoner accommodation and improved staff facilities. In both years, the full underspend was carried forward into the following financial year as end-year flexibility funding and was therefore available for spending by SPS on the full range of its activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154877,"EventID":"S1W-18232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all projects in the Scottish Prison Service's capital building programme scheduled for completion in 2001-02 will be completed on schedule.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all projects in the Scottish Prison Service's capital building programme scheduled for completion in 2001-02 will be completed on schedule.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS anticipate that all projects in the SPS's capital building programme scheduled for completion in 2001-02 will be completed on schedule.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154878,"EventID":"S1W-18233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total fees will be paid for the employment of external consultants for the Scottish Prison Service's Estates Review.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total fees will be paid for the employment of external consultants for the Scottish Prison Service's Estates Review.","AnswerText":"The total estimated fees for scope of works are £100,000 (ex VAT).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154879,"EventID":"S1W-18234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide funding and facilities to address sexual behaviour problems among short- and long-term prisoners. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide funding and facilities to address sexual behaviour problems among short- and long-term prisoners. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS already provides accredited programmes called STOP 2000 to address sexual offending for long-term and short-term prisoners and for young offenders in several locations and facilities are constantly being improved.

    SPS is also in the process of developing a range of programmes for sexual offenders and is ensuring that such developments are in line with the recommendations in the Cosgrove and MacLean Reports. SPS expects to be able to achieve this within existing SPS resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154880,"EventID":"S1W-18235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources allocated to the Scottish Prison Service for its capital building programme in the current financial year are expected to remain unspent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources allocated to the Scottish Prison Service for its capital building programme in the current financial year are expected to remain unspent.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS anticipate that £8-12 million of the capital building programme in 2001-02 will be incurred in the next financial year due to the profile of construction expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154881,"EventID":"S1W-18236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give priority to the ending of slopping out in prisons and bring forward proposals to end this practice before 2005.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give priority to the ending of slopping out in prisons and bring forward proposals to end this practice before 2005.","AnswerText":"Slopping out is a priority issue being addressed by the Estates Review, which will contain options for ending this unacceptable practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154882,"EventID":"S1W-18237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in each local authority area qualify for central heating and insulation installation according to the criteria currently being used in its central heating","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in each local authority area qualify for central heating and insulation installation according to the criteria currently being used in its central heating programme. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities and housing associations have advised that they have the number of dwellings eligible for the central heating programme as set out in tables 1 and 2. The authorities not shown have no dwellings which lack central heating. Details on the housing association sector is not available by local authority area. We estimate that some 40,000 homeowners and private renters throughout Scotland are eligible for the programme but this figure cannot be disaggregated to local authority level.

    Table 1

    Local authority dwellings

    Council

    Dwellings

    Aberdeen

    83

    Angus

    6

    Argyll and Bute

    150

    Dundee City

    2,668

    East Ayrshire

    540

    East Dunbarton

    12

    East Lothian

    10

    East Renfrewshire

    650

    Edinburgh

    590

    Falkirk

    106

    Fife

    1,086

    Glasgow City

    12,138

    Highland

    40

    Inverclyde

    83

    Midlothian

    81

    Orkney

    126

    Renfrewshire

    637

    Shetland

    82

    South Lanarkshire

    3,200

    West Dunbarton

    545

    Total

    22,833

    Table 2

    Housing association dwellings

    Housing association

    Dwellings

    Abbeyfield Edinburgh

    8

    Abertay

    422

    10 education authorities in Scotland are already guaranteed financial support for school PPP projects under an arrangement which was agreed in 1998. Many pupils and teachers are already enjoying new or refurbished school accommodation as a result of that support and further projects which attracted that support are either under way or due to start soon.

    It is important to maintain the momentum and I shall, therefore, be providing more revenue support to local authorities in Scotland so that further school PPP contracts may be taken forward. As was the case in 1998, authorities who have proposals for school PPP projects will be invited to submit bids for the support which will be available. I envisage a date of 14 December 2001 for submission of the first round of bids, which should be in the form of outline business cases for the projects concerned. I would expect to respond to each bid and have made appropriate decisions before the end of April 2002.

    I shall reach a final decision on the level of financial support for this new round of PPP projects following the discussion I shall be having with council leaders on 31 October about the overall strategy for the improvement of school buildings. It is, however, likely to be similar to that which was made available for school PPP projects in 1998 and which is helping to fund building work on schools with a capital value of around £500 million.

    Full details of the new arrangements will be issued to local authorities in the form of full bidding guidance by the end of this month. Further advice on the level of support will be issued immediately following my meeting with council leaders on 31 October.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154886,"EventID":"S1W-18241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the growth of the community development finance sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the growth of the community development finance sector.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce the launch of Social Investment Scotland, a new loan fund for the social economy. Social Investment Scotland will provide loan finance and technical assistance to social economy organisations with the aim of stimulating wealth in disadvantaged communities by encouraging enterprise. The four Scottish clearing banks are providing loan finance of £3 million. The public sector is contributing £2 million to support the operational costs and development activity of the fund, to which I am making available £1,225,000 in grant over the next five years.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154887,"EventID":"S1W-18242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available for the grass roots development of football in each year since 1999; what the amount was of each grant awarded for this purpose, and to w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available for the grass roots development of football in each year since 1999; what the amount was of each grant awarded for this purpose, and to whom each grant was awarded.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

    sportscotland operate a number of grants programmes which are open to sports governing bodies and other organisations involved in the development of sport at all levels and the provision of sports facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154888,"EventID":"S1W-18243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior executives have left Scottish Enterprise during the past 12 months; how much was paid to them in the form of (a) retirement, (b) redundancy and (c) other ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior executives have left Scottish Enterprise during the past 12 months; how much was paid to them in the form of (a) retirement, (b) redundancy and (c) other termination of contract settlements; whether any of them received more than their statutory financial entitlement at the point of termination of contract and, if so, what amounts were paid in each case. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154889,"EventID":"S1W-18244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital in the period 1 January 2001 to 31 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital in the period 1 January 2001 to 31 August 2001.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 31 March 2001 show that the median waiting times for tonsillectomies at Vale of Leven Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital were 161 days and 55 days respectively.

    Waiting times for routine tonsillectomy operations have increased in recent months due to the need for these procedures to be undertaken with single-use, disposable instruments.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154890,"EventID":"S1W-18245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were waiting to have a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital as at 31 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were waiting to have a tonsillectomy at (a) Vale of Leven Hospital and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital as at 31 August 2001.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients waiting for in-patient and day case tonsillectomy treatment is not available centrally. Information on the number of patients waiting for in-patient and day case treatment is collected at specialty level only.

    On 30 June 2001, the numbers waiting for ENT inpatient or day case treatments of all kinds at the Vale of Leven Hospital and at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were 151 and 311 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154891,"EventID":"S1W-18246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing any recruitment difficulties arising from the image of the manufacturing industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing any recruitment difficulties arising from the image of the manufacturing industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is hosting a campaign called Make it in Scotland, which will challenge young people's perceptions of the manufacturing industry and better inform career choices. At the core of the campaign is a series of local roadshows for S2 pupils.

    Roadshows will involve young people from local and national companies running hands-on activities that will challenge perceptions of manufacturing. A website aimed at the pupils themselves, a teaching pack for schools and a branding initiative are also supporting the campaign.

    We are building on the successful pilot work undertaken in East Ayrshire in January-March 2001. In the 2001-02 session there will be an opportunity for S2 pupils in Ayrshire, Glasgow and Angus to attend a local roadshow. We plan to rollout the campaign nationwide for all S2 pupils in Scotland in the 2002-03 academic year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154892,"EventID":"S1W-18247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what standard penalty clauses have been included in its Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts and how many have been invoked since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what standard penalty clauses have been included in its Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts and how many have been invoked since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The Treasury Taskforce Standardisation of PFI Contracts has been available since July 1999. A copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16339). It is broadly indicative of the type of provisions contained within PFI contracts although the Executive's contracts predate it. Payments under a PFI contract are routinely adjusted to reflect performance against it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154893,"EventID":"S1W-18248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been managed by it and the Scottish Office in each of the last 10 years; what its estimate is of the cost savings made i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been managed by it and the Scottish Office in each of the last 10 years; what its estimate is of the cost savings made in each project compared with the public sector alternative, and what outstanding payments will be made in relation to each project in each of the next 15 years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive (and formerly the Scottish Office) has managed three Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects in the last 10 years: Skye Bridge (signed 1991); M6 (signed 1997); Kilmarnock Prison (signed 1997). The Executive's policy is that PFI should only be used where it represents best value for money. To test for value for money, bids received are compared to a Public Sector Comparator (PSC) which represents an estimate of the whole life cost of procuring of the specified services by conventional means.

    In the case of the Skye Bridge, a PSC was not calculated, as the project would not have gone ahead other than under private finance. Government guidance published in 1995 also accepted this as a reason for not producing a PSC.

    The following table shows the cost savings by comparing the PSC with the PFI bid for the M6 DBFO and Kilmarnock Prison projects.
     

    PSC (£ million)

    PFI (£ million)

    Saving (£ million)

    M6 DBFO

    210

    193

    17

    Kilmarnock Prison

    263

    130

    133

    Outstanding payments to be made in relation to each project are matters of commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154894,"EventID":"S1W-18249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Private Finance Initiative and (b) Public/Private Partnership contracts have been agreed in each of the last five years; how many were satisfactorily comple","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Private Finance Initiative and (b) Public/Private Partnership contracts have been agreed in each of the last five years; how many were satisfactorily completed, and in how many was compensation (i) claimed from and (ii) paid by contractors, detailing the reason, the amount and the project in each case.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of Private Finance Initiative contracts that have been agreed (signed) and satisfactorily completed (operational) in each of the last five years. Information on compensation is commercially confidential and being a matter for the public sector partners for each individual contract, is not held centrally. Relevant information on other forms of Public/Private Partnerships is not held centrally.

    Year

    Signed

    Operational*

    1996-97

    1

    4

    1997-98

    0

    8

    1998-99

    8

    7

    1999-2000

    8

    3

    2000-01

    6

    1

    *The reference date for operational projects has been taken as the date of financial close.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154895,"EventID":"S1W-18250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any financial penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any financial penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in (a) Private Finance Initiative and (b) Public/Private Partnership projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18247.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154896,"EventID":"S1W-18251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lanarkshire branch of Scottish Care has rescinded, or intends to rescind, its termination of its contract with North and South Lanarkshire Councils following ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lanarkshire branch of Scottish Care has rescinded, or intends to rescind, its termination of its contract with North and South Lanarkshire Councils following the recent agreement reached between the Executive, Scottish Care and CoSLA on the funding of private care home places and, if it does not, how many residents in private care homes will need to find alternative accommodation.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the councils concerned and for Scottish Care.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154897,"EventID":"S1W-18252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an investigation into why the average cost of providing a local authority residential care place for older people and people with dementia in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an investigation into why the average cost of providing a local authority residential care place for older people and people with dementia in the South Lanarkshire council area in both 2000-01 and 2001-02 was, according to the South Lanarkshire Joint Community Care Plan 2001-04 Summary of Expenditure 2000-01 and Purchasing Intentions 2001-02, more than double that for an independent or voluntary sector residential care place.","AnswerText":"It is for each council to demonstrate to electors and auditors that it is achieving Best Value in its use of resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154898,"EventID":"S1W-18253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2142,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":13,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can now give the allocation of End Year Flexibility by Department.\r\n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can now give the allocation of End Year Flexibility by Department.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the following table: copies of which will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    Budget

    underspend

    (A)

    EYF award

    (B)

    Difference

    (B minus A)

    £ million

    £ million

    £ million

    £ million

    Culture & Sport

    127

    5.7

    6.3

    0.6

    Education

    280

    86.5

    101.9

    15.4

    Enterprise & Lifelong Learning

    1,969

    38.4

    35.8

    -2.6

    Health

    5,506

    143.8

    159.4

    15.6

    Justice

    601

    52.2

    48.7

    -3.5

    Social Justice (including Executive Secretariat)

    667

    121.9

    131.4

    9.5

    Environment & Rural Affairs

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154899,"EventID":"S1W-18254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital patients categorised as delayed discharges are currently awaiting transfer to (a) local authority and (b) private residential or nursing homes and how m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital patients categorised as delayed discharges are currently awaiting transfer to (a) local authority and (b) private residential or nursing homes and how many additional bed spaces will now be made available as a result of the recent agreement reached between it, Scottish Care and CoSLA on the funding of private care home places, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Most recent figures from Information and Statistics Division's Patients Ready for Discharge in the NHSScotland show that, at 15 July 2001, there were 98 patients delayed in Scottish hospitals and awaiting a place in a local authority residential or nursing home and 425 delayed and awaiting a place in a private home. These can be broken down by health board area as follows:

    Health Board area

    No. delayed awaiting place in local authority residential or nursing home

    No. delayed awaiting a place in private residential or nursing home

    Argyll and Clyde

    19

    78

    Ayrshire and Arran

    1

    2

    Borders

    1

    -

    Dumfries and Galloway

    -

    -

    Fife

    11

    17

    Forth Valley

    10

    11

    Glasgow

    19

    94

    Grampian

    5

    12

    Highland

    1

    10

    Lanarkshire

    4

    37

    Lothian

    18

    125

    Orkney

    4

    -

    Shetland

    -

    -

    Tayside

    1

    15

    Western Isles

    4

    24

    Total

    98

    425

    Estimates of the number of beds made available as a result of the talks between the Executive, Scottish Care and CoSLA are not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154900,"EventID":"S1W-18255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it is giving the people of Gigha in relation to a community buy out for the island.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it is giving the people of Gigha in relation to a community buy out for the island.","AnswerText":"Gigha residents are considering whether to take forward the option of a community purchase. The Scottish Land Fund and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Community Land Unit are currently funding feasibility studies this, on behalf of the island's residents. This study will inform their decision, and has yet to be concluded.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154901,"EventID":"S1W-18256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15092 by Angus MacKay on 26 April 2001, whether its draft budget for 2002-03 is still based on the current rate of basic income tax","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15092 by Angus MacKay on 26 April 2001, whether its draft budget for 2002-03 is still based on the current rate of basic income tax.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive has no plans to use the tax-varying power for the term of this Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154902,"EventID":"S1W-18257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17277 by Ross Finnie on 24 August 2001, when decisions will be made on the 476 applications submitted this year under the Rural Ste","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17277 by Ross Finnie on 24 August 2001, when decisions will be made on the 476 applications submitted this year under the Rural Stewardship Scheme.","AnswerText":"Decisions will be made as soon as possible after the Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 come into force.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154903,"EventID":"S1W-18258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the members of the sounding board and academic panel established in connection with its review of cities were chosen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the members of the sounding board and academic panel established in connection with its review of cities were chosen.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18259.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154904,"EventID":"S1W-18259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms were used to try to ensure gender balance on the sounding board and academic panel established in connection with its review of cities and what assessment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms were used to try to ensure gender balance on the sounding board and academic panel established in connection with its review of cities and what assessment it has made of the appropriateness of the mechanisms used in the light of the final membership of the board and panel.","AnswerText":"In appointing the membership of the sounding board and the academic panel, the Scottish Executive sought to achieve a mix of experience, organisational affiliations, geographical coverage and gender. Unfortunately not all the women who were asked to participate were able to join.

    However, membership of these groups is not closed and we are currently seeking additional members in order to cover specific issues that arise as the review develops.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154905,"EventID":"S1W-18260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in securing joined-up working on initiatives aimed at preventing children becoming involved in youth crime. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in securing joined-up working on initiatives aimed at preventing children becoming involved in youth crime. ","AnswerText":"Every local authority has established multi-disciplinary teams involving the statutory and voluntary agencies concerned with juvenile justice. These teams are identifying areas of need and gaps in existing resources. They are also developing programmes to tackle offending behaviour using the £20 million the Executive is making available over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154906,"EventID":"S1W-18261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what real term increases in NHS spending and planned spending there were in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what real term increases in NHS spending and planned spending there were in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","AnswerText":"Information is not available on a quarterly basis. The available information on the resource based Departmental Expenditure Limit at 2000-01 prices is as follows:

    Year

    Initial plans (£ million)

    Final/current plans (£ million)

    Outturn (£ million)

    2000-01

    5,317

    5,506

    5,362

    2001-02

    5,755

    5,909

    		 

    The current plans for 2001-02 include the resources allocated to the Scottish Health Budget following the Chancellor's Budget in March and the end year flexibility funding, which were announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 and 19 September 2001 respectively, and various other transfers which are subject to parliamentary approval in the Autumn Budget Amendment.

    Information on earlier years is not available on a resource basis due to the change from cash to resource based budgeting.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154907,"EventID":"S1W-18262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what capital baseline for NHS investment was available to it in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what capital baseline for NHS investment was available to it in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","AnswerText":"Capital investment in NHSScotland continues to increase year on year.

    The resources made available for capital investment in NHSScotland in 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 totalled £138 million, £180 million, £238 million and £285 million respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154908,"EventID":"S1W-18263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its planned expenditure on NHS modernisation initiatives was in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its planned expenditure on NHS modernisation initiatives was in each quarter from November 1998 to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to making substantial increases in health spending for the duration of this Parliament to deliver sustainable improvements for patients across Scotland. Significant resources totalling £5.9 billion are being invested in NHSScotland in 2001-02.

    Certain elements of revenue expenditure and most capital investment including PPP/PFI is used for the delivery of new modern facilities, modernisation of existing facilities, modernisation of working practices or the purchase of modern medical equipment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154909,"EventID":"S1W-18264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned per capita spending in the NHS is for 2002-03 and 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned per capita spending in the NHS is for 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The planned per capita expenditure in the NHS for 2002-03 and 2003-04 is £1,258 and £1,345 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154910,"EventID":"S1W-18265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to speed treatment and shorten waiting times in the NHS particularly in the areas of heart disease, cancer and mental health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to speed treatment and shorten waiting times in the NHS particularly in the areas of heart disease, cancer and mental health.","AnswerText":"An extensive range of actions is under way or planned in the key priorities of cancer, heart disease and mental health which will assist in reducing waiting at every stage of the patient's journey through the NHS.Cancer in Scotland: Action for change, which was published in early July together with a significant new investment of £40 million dedicated to improving cancer care, set out a comprehensive range of measures designed to provide swifter, better diagnosis, treatment and care. The report is available on the Scottish Health On the Web (SHOW) website - www.show.scot.nhs.uk

    The CHD/Stroke Task Force Report, which was issued for consultation on 11 September, includes a number of recommendations which will assist further in ensuring the provision of speedy, high quality diagnosis and treatment across Scotland. This report is also available on SHOW.

    The Executive is tackling access and improvement issues in mental health through record investment. Last year, £520 million was invested in services both in hospital and in the community, a 9% increase on the previous year. This investment is targeted on providing better, more responsive mental health care.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154911,"EventID":"S1W-18266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure equal pay for work of equal value in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure equal pay for work of equal value in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is playing a full part in taking forward Agenda for Change - proposals for modernising the NHS pay system. These proposals aim to ensure that issues of equal pay for work of equal value are addressed and that all NHSScotland staff are rewarded fairly according to the work they do and the contribution they make.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154912,"EventID":"S1W-18267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce short-term contracts and promote family-friendly policies in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce short-term contracts and promote family-friendly policies in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Health Department issued guidance in 1999 to NHSScotland advising that temporary contracts should only be used in exceptional and defined circumstances. The Scottish Partnership Forum, which represents all NHS Scotland staff group has established a Guideline Development Group which is currently preparing further guidance and this is expected to issue next summer. The department has been monitoring the use of temporary contracts since 1999 on a regular basis.

    Our National Health committed NHSScotland to meeting or exceeding the best practice guidance on family-friendly policies which I launched to the service in January this year. Progress on implementing the policy will be made through the Staff Governance Standard and associated staff survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154913,"EventID":"S1W-18268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with the Department of Trade and Industry on changes to Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment legislation as it effects the N","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with the Department of Trade and Industry on changes to Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment legislation as it effects the NHS in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Employment law is a reserved matter. However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is currently consulting widely on its proposals to change the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations. Both the Scottish Executive and NHSScotland employers have been given the opportunity to put their views to the DTI.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154914,"EventID":"S1W-18269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to develop the NHS as a learning organisation and to promote lifelong learning for all staff there.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to develop the NHS as a learning organisation and to promote lifelong learning for all staff there.","AnswerText":"There are already provisions in place within NHSScotland's Learning Together Strategy that promotes lifelong learning for all NHSScotland staff. This strategy provides a framework for all staff to strengthen and improve upon existing practices that provides them with an opportunity to develop and further their careers in the health service.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154915,"EventID":"S1W-18270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to build career pathways and improve career development in the NHS. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to build career pathways and improve career development in the NHS. ","AnswerText":"We have appointed a dedicated NHSScotland SVQ/Modern Apprenticeship secondee to encourage all staff to take up formal qualifications that are workplace based and assessed.

    In addition to this, we have provided support funding for Return to Learn, a programme designed to widen the access to education and learning for all NHSScotland staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154916,"EventID":"S1W-18271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the Department of Health in England on workforce planning in the NHS; what steps are being taken to ensure that patient and servic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the Department of Health in England on workforce planning in the NHS; what steps are being taken to ensure that patient and service needs are the main drivers of workforce planning and development in the NHS, and what work in this area is presently being undertaken by the Scottish Integrated Workforce Planning Group.","AnswerText":"My department is in regular contact with the Department of Health on a number of issues, including workforce planning. The Scottish Integrated Workforce Planning Group (SIWPG) has identified a number of principles for effective workforce planning in NHSScotland. One of these principles is that the planning of services, driven by patient and service needs, should be integrated with workforce planning and planning for education and training. SIWPG has submitted its final report to the department, which makes a number of recommendations for establishing a robust infrastructure to enable the development of effective and comprehensive workforce planning. We will be announcing shortly the actions to be taken in response to the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154917,"EventID":"S1W-18272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which specialisms within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursing staff will be invited to participate in the Expert Group on acute services reviews.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which specialisms within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursing staff will be invited to participate in the Expert Group on acute services reviews.","AnswerText":"In Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, I set out my intention to establish an expert group to support and advise local NHS boards in managing changes in the configuration of services and to advise the Health Department on the appropriateness of local reconfiguration.

    I expect the expert group, details of which will be announced shortly, to include a wide range of community, clinical and public service experience. The members of the group will be drawn from general medical, surgical and nursing expertise, as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154918,"EventID":"S1W-18273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance has been issued by the NHS to ensure that there is full community representation and participation in the options appraisal exercises being undert","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance has been issued by the NHS to ensure that there is full community representation and participation in the options appraisal exercises being undertaken by health boards and NHS Trusts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believes that it is absolutely essential to engage communities and the public generally in the design of health care services, including option appraisal exercises. The new NHS Boards are committed to that principle. Formal advice to the NHS on involving the public in developing health services was provided by the then Scottish Office in 1975.

    In the Scottish Health Plan Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published in December last year, we gave a commitment to review guidance on formal NHS consultation to ensure that it meets the needs of a modern health care system, and takes into account the changes which have been made following Our National Health. This work is under way and further guidance will be issued in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154919,"EventID":"S1W-18274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken by the NHS on the merits or otherwise of locating day hospitals or ambulatory care and diagnostic centres in district general hospitals or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken by the NHS on the merits or otherwise of locating day hospitals or ambulatory care and diagnostic centres in district general hospitals or regional centres.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer's Acute Services Review Report, published in May 1998, endorsed the development of ambulatory care and diagnostic centres (ACADs), in suitable settings. The report indicated that such centres could respond to both primary and acute secondary care needs. It is for local health service providers to determine the most suitable location for any such developments, taking into account existing services in the area and the particular needs of their local populations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154920,"EventID":"S1W-18275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, how many of the staff on loan from it to other organisations at any time in the period f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17547 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, how many of the staff on loan from it to other organisations at any time in the period from May 1999 to date have been taken into the employment of the receiving organisation and have left the employment of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"The number of staff on loan to other organisations from May 1999 to date who have left the employment of the Scottish Executive to take up permanent employment with the receiving organisation is six.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154921,"EventID":"S1W-18276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, how many of the staff on secondment from it to other organisations at any time in the pe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17548 by Angus MacKay on 6 September 2001, how many of the staff on secondment from it to other organisations at any time in the period from May 1999 to date have been taken into the employment of the receiving organisation and have left the employment of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerText":"During the period May 1999 to date, five seconded staff have been taken into the employment of the receiving organisation and have left the employment of the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154922,"EventID":"S1W-18277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff it currently has on secondment from other organisations; from which organisations these staff are seconded, and at whose cost the relevant salaries are pai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff it currently has on secondment from other organisations; from which organisations these staff are seconded, and at whose cost the relevant salaries are paid.","AnswerText":"The total number of staff currently on secondment to the Scottish Executive from other organisations is 66. The seconding organisations are as follows:

    Aberdeenshire Council

    Angus Council

    Argyll and Bute Council

    Audit Scotland

    Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

    City of Edinburgh Council

    Common Services Agency

    Dundee City Council

    East Ayrshire Council

    East of Scotland Water Authority

    Edinburgh College of Art

    Falklands Islands Government

    Fife Council

    Fife Health Board

    Glasgow City Council

    Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

    Glasgow University

    Highland Council

    Islay & Jura Council for Voluntary Service

    Lanarkshire Careers Service

    Lanarkshire Primary Care Trust

    Lothian and Borders Police

    Lothian Health

    Mental Welfare Commission

    National Health Service

    North Lanarkshire Council

    Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company

    Perth and Kinross Council

    Perth Royal Infirmary

    Robert Gordon University

    Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

    Scottish Enterprise

    Scottish Enterprise Borders

    Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

    Scottish Homes

    Scottish Library and Information Council

    Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

    Scottish Natural Heritage

    South Ayrshire Council

    South Lanarkshire Council

    Stirling Council

    Summerhill Education Centre

    University of Dundee

    University of Sheffield

    University of Stirling

    Volunteer Development Scotland

    West Lothian Council

    Yorkhill NHS Trust

    Inward secondees normally continue to be paid by the employing organisation with the costs reimbursed, either fully or partially, by the Scottish Executive. Of these 66 inward secondments, 63 are fully reimbursed, one is partially reimbursed and two are seconded at no cost to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154923,"EventID":"S1W-18278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff it has had on secondment from other organisations since May 1999; from which organisations these staff were seconded; at whose cost the relevant salaries w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff it has had on secondment from other organisations since May 1999; from which organisations these staff were seconded; at whose cost the relevant salaries were paid, and how many of these secondees were given employment by the Executive having left the employment of the organisation they were originally from.","AnswerText":"The total number of staff on secondment to the Scottish Executive from other organisations during the period stated is 119. The organisations are as follows:

    Aberdeenshire Council

    Angus Council

    Argyll & Bute Council

    Audit Scotland

    Borders Primary Care Trust

    British Council

    Brodies Solicitors

    Cardonald College

    Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

    City of Edinburgh Council

    Common Services Agency

    CoSLA

    Dumfries and Galloway Council

    Dundee City Council

    East Ayrshire Council

    East of Scotland Water Authority

    East Renfrewshire Council

    Edinburgh College of Art

    Falklands Islands Government

    Fife Careers Ltd

    Fife Council

    Fife Health Board

    Glasgow City Council

    Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

    Highland Council

    House of Commons

    Islay & Jura Council for Voluntary Service

    Lanarkshire Careers Service

    Lanarkshire Primary Care

    Lothian and Borders Police

    Lothian Health

    Mental Welfare Commission

    National Health Service

    North Lanarkshire Council

    Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company

    Perth and Kinross Council

    Perth Royal Infirmary

    Project Management International

    Renfrewshire Council

    Robert Gordon University

    Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

    Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

    Scottish Enterprise

    Scottish Enterprise Borders

    Scottish Enterprise Glasgow

    Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

    Scottish Homes

    Scottish Library & Information Council

    Scottish Natural Heritage

    Scottish Power

    Shepherd & Wedderburn Solicitors

    South Ayrshire Council

    South Lanarkshire Council

    Stagecoach

    Stevenson College

    Stirling Council

    Strathclyde Euro Partnership

    Strathclyde Fire Board

    Strathclyde University

    Summerhill Education Centre

    The TASC Agency

    University of Aberdeen

    University of Dundee

    University of Glasgow

    University of Sheffield

    University of Stirling

    Volunteer Development Scotland

    West Lothian Council

    Yorkhill Hospital NHS Trust

    Inward secondees normally continue to be paid by the employing organisation with the costs reimbursed, either fully or partially, by the Scottish Executive. Of these 119 inward secondments, 113 were fully reimbursed, one was partially reimbursed and five were seconded at no cost to the Scottish Executive.

    Recruitment to the civil service is governed by the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. This stipulates a range of measures to ensure that all recruitment to the civil service is through fair and open competition. Conversion of an inward secondment to a permanent appointment is permitted only in exceptional circumstances and approval must be sought from the Commissioners in all cases. None of the inward secondments listed has been converted to a permanent appointment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154924,"EventID":"S1W-18279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and guidance it gives to schools in the public and fee-paying sectors on how school trips should be arranged and supervised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and guidance it gives to schools in the public and fee-paying sectors on how school trips should be arranged and supervised.","AnswerText":"Guidance on Safety in Outdoor Activity Centres was issued to local authorities and independent schools by the Scottish Office Education Department in October 1994. While aimed primarily at safety in outdoor activity centres it was made clear that the guidance was also relevant when planning visits to centres which provide other educationally related activities away from normal school premises.

    It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure that a wide range of continuing professional development opportunities are available for teachers.

    This should include a range of activities that ensures teachers are well equipped to fulfil their responsibilities, outside the school environment as well as within it.

    It is for the local authorities and schools to ensure that appropriate steps are taken for the arrangement and oversight of school trips taking account of guidance which is available and previous experience in this area.

    I shall, however, continue to review whether there is a need to update existing guidance, or further promote best practice.

    It has not been suggested to us that there is a lack of clarity in Scotland concerning the legal duties to children and parents, of schools and local authorities in respect of school trips. This has not, therefore, been under specific review.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154925,"EventID":"S1W-18280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in clarifying the legal duties to children and parents of schools, both in the public and fee-paying sectors, and of local authorities in respe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in clarifying the legal duties to children and parents of schools, both in the public and fee-paying sectors, and of local authorities in respect of school trips.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18279.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154926,"EventID":"S1W-18281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","AnswerText":"The Executive and the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority have observer status on the Health and Safety Commission's Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154927,"EventID":"S1W-18282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154928,"EventID":"S1W-18283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding adventure activities undertaken in the context of school trips.","AnswerText":"The Executive has observer status on the Health and Safety Commission's Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee which is serviced by and attended by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154929,"EventID":"S1W-18284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in Scotland have undergone inspection in the past three years by the Health and Safety Executive in connection with arrangements for school trips.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in Scotland have undergone inspection in the past three years by the Health and Safety Executive in connection with arrangements for school trips.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154930,"EventID":"S1W-18285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and guidance it gives on the training of teachers and other staff in the public and fee-paying sectors on health and safety issues affecting the arrangement ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and guidance it gives on the training of teachers and other staff in the public and fee-paying sectors on health and safety issues affecting the arrangement and supervision of school trips.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18279.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154931,"EventID":"S1W-18286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with Her Majesty's Government on promotion of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom to foreign investors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with Her Majesty's Government on promotion of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom to foreign investors.","AnswerText":"The Committee on Overseas Promotion (COP) is the formal organisation for the partnership between Invest-UK and all the national and regional inward investment agencies in the United Kingdom, including Locate in Scotland (LiS).

    COP has developed agreed procedures governing how the necessary degree of co-ordination, with regard to the handling of potential international mobile projects, is carried out on a day to day basis.

    The Scottish Executive, through LiS, keeps in contact with the UK Government to discuss inward investment-related issues at the regular meetings of COP.

    Additionally, LiS officials maintain regular contact with Invest-UK on a number of operational issues. For example, senior LiS officials will be attending the two day COP meeting in November to discuss likely forward trends and marketing strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154932,"EventID":"S1W-18287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Committee on Overseas Promotion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Committee on Overseas Promotion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18286.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154933,"EventID":"S1W-18288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received on consultations between Scottish Trade International and British Trade International on programmes aimed at meeting the needs of companies i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received on consultations between Scottish Trade International and British Trade International on programmes aimed at meeting the needs of companies in Scotland for the promotion of trade and inward investment.","AnswerText":"Scottish Trade International (STI) and Locate in Scotland (LiS), which are both joint ventures between the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise, have close working relationships with British Trade International, and its export and inward investment bodies - Trade Partners UK (TPUK) and Invest UK. Indeed, STI delivers all TPUK services in Scotland. This ensures that there is co-ordination of trade development and the promotion of foreign direct investment in Scotland.

    The Scottish Executive is also represented on the Board of British Trade International.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154934,"EventID":"S1W-18289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to support small- or medium-si'ed businesses considering development of their export businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to support small- or medium-si'ed businesses considering development of their export businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, through Scottish Trade International (STI), is committed to helping all Scottish exporters. STI's activities have, over the past five years, been directed by "The International Challenge" Export Development Strategy for Scotland, with its focus on small- and medium-sized companies. During this period, the target of assisting 500 companies to export for the first time was exceeded by more than 20%. A network of 13 Export Partnerships, bringing together the Local Enterprise Company, local authorities and Chambers of Commerce, was also created across Scotland, to provide co-ordinated support to companies at a local level.

    In 2000-01 alone, STI worked with over 1,100 companies in Scotland and as well as helping new exporters, also helped introduce existing exporters to 567 new markets. In addition, in the same year the Scottish Enterprise Network and Highlands & Islands Enterprise together engaged in around 2,500 export competitiveness projects.

    The continuing need to ensure that companies in Scotland are able to realise the full benefits of trading in international markets is a key feature of the Global Connections Strategy launched today. This will provide a focus for future international economic development activity.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154935,"EventID":"S1W-18290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have taken to encourage small- or medium-si'ed businesses considering development of their export businesses to make use of the services of Trade Partners UK a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have taken to encourage small- or medium-si'ed businesses considering development of their export businesses to make use of the services of Trade Partners UK and with what results. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Trade International (STI) delivers all Trade Partners UK services to companies in Scotland, and is the sole organisation to do so. The Trade Division of the newly formed Scottish Development International, which will encompass all Scottish Enterprise's overseas international development activities, will retain this responsibility.

    During 2000-01, STI delivered almost 400 TPUK services to firms in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154936,"EventID":"S1W-18291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in encouraging excellence in public services through quality and award schemes such as Charter Mark and Investor in People.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in encouraging excellence in public services through quality and award schemes such as Charter Mark and Investor in People.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to providing better public services for the people of Scotland. Quality schemes such as Charter Mark and Investors in People have a part to play, and the Executive facilitates the exchange of best practice and promotes quality schemes through its Quality Networks. The Executive itself is an Investor in People and we encourage Scottish public service providers who wish to attain these and other externally assessed accreditations. There were 56 Scottish Charter Mark winners in 2000, up from 44 the previous year. We want to ensure that the steady increase in Scottish organisations securing these accreditations continues and we are developing programmes to raise further the profile of quality schemes within the Scottish public service.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154937,"EventID":"S1W-18292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the interface between primary and secondary education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the interface between primary and secondary education.","AnswerText":"I announced on 20 September that I intend to revise the current system of assessment to ensure that a coherent integrated system is in operation in both primary and secondary schools. A key issue is the transition between primary and secondary school and the measures that I announced are designed to ensure an improved interface between primary and secondary school.

    Education authorities manage collaboration amongst associated schools' groups and there are good examples where joint planning and teaching of programmes in specific subjects has improved pupils' transition from P7 to S1. Recent revision of 5-14 guidelines, for example in Environmental Studies and Modern European Languages, should support and improve collaborative planning by identifying lines of progression more clearly.

    HM Inspectors of Education use published quality indicators to evaluate links between primary and secondary schools as part of school inspections. The School Improvement Framework will provide schools with information on their progress in meeting targets related to the National Priorities for education, also using quality indicators. This will allow better feedback on the learning and achievements of P7 pupils, ensuring more effective provision and support for pupils as they enter secondary school.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154938,"EventID":"S1W-18293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which projects in Clackmannanshire have received funding from the New Futures Fund in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which projects in Clackmannanshire have received funding from the New Futures Fund in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"One project - the Central Scotland Council on Alcohol project in Sauchie - has received funding.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154939,"EventID":"S1W-18294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is undertaking any review of the level of funding devoted to infertility services and, if so, when it expects to report on this work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is undertaking any review of the level of funding devoted to infertility services and, if so, when it expects to report on this work.","AnswerText":"We are currently undertaking a review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland. This review will cover, amongst other aspects, funding of infertility treatments by health boards. This work is an on-going process but initial results should be available in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154940,"EventID":"S1W-18295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the level of funding devoted to infertility services by each health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the level of funding devoted to infertility services by each health board.","AnswerText":"The latest available figures on amounts spent by Health Boards on infertility services are given in the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, which was published in February 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154941,"EventID":"S1W-18296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to providing a full range of treatments for infertility.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to providing a full range of treatments for infertility.","AnswerText":"In February 2000 we published the report of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland. The report recommended a set of criteria for NHS Funded assisted conception and, in our letter to the NHSScotland of 10 February 2000, health boards were asked to work towards implementing these recommendations, within existing resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154942,"EventID":"S1W-18297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any additional central funding has been made available in each of the last two years in respect of infertility services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any additional central funding has been made available in each of the last two years in respect of infertility services.","AnswerText":"Health boards have been asked to implement the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland within existing resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154943,"EventID":"S1W-18298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the planning application concerning Thornwood Community Park, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the planning application concerning Thornwood Community Park, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"No correspondence has been received by the Scottish Executive regarding development proposals at Thornwood Community Park, Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154944,"EventID":"S1W-18299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the planning application in respect of 24 Novar Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the planning application in respect of 24 Novar Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit has received 110 individual letters of objection to the proposal and 1 letter in its support. In addition, two petitions totalling 768 signatures have been submitted opposing the development and a further petition with 31 signatures was submitted in support of the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154945,"EventID":"S1W-18300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the (a) possession, (b) presentation and (c) use of imitation firearms there were in (i) Scotland and (ii) each police force area in each of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the (a) possession, (b) presentation and (c) use of imitation firearms there were in (i) Scotland and (ii) each police force area in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the tables:

    Crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland in which an imitation firearm was alleged to have been used: 1997

    Police force

    Crime/offence

    Serious

    Assault

    Robbery

    Reckless

    Conduct

    Firearms

    Act 1968

    offences1

    Petty

    Assault

    Other

    offences

    Total

    Northern

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    1

    2

    Grampian

    0

    0

    1

    2

    2

    0

    5

    Tayside

    0

    2

    0

    13

    1

    1

    17

    Fife

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		Crimes of possession of an offensive weapon recorded by the police in Scotland 1997

    Force

    Possession of an offensive weapon1

    Having in a public place an article with a blade or point2

    Total

    Central

    144

    55

    199

    Dumfries & Galloway

    175

    20

    195

    Fife

    258

    30

    288

    Grampian

    275

    105

    380

    Lothian & Borders

    372

    220

    592

    Northern

    165

    47

    212

    Strathclyde

    2,257

    1,287

    3,544

    Tayside

    433

    137

    570

    Scotland

    4,079

    		Age specific information on financial support paid to students aged under 18 in further education courses is only available for the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Details of the Education Maintenance Allowance Pilot scheme funded by the Scottish Executive are also shown.

    Bursary payments made by FE colleges to students under 18 on further education courses
     

    1998-99

    (£ million)

    1999-2000

    (£ million)

    Bursary payments made by FE colleges to students under 18

    9.2

    10.2

    Notes:

    Bursary expenditure is shown by financial year and includes exam fees, maintenance allowance, travel expenses, study expenses, books and equipment, residency costs and other unspecified support.

    The latest information available in respect of students on further education courses is for the academic year 1999-2000. Information for academic year 2000-01 will not be available until next spring.

    Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

    The Scottish Executive has been funding an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Pilot scheme in East Ayrshire since 1999. The money is paid to East Ayrshire Council who administers the EMA pilot in schools and colleges for 16 to 19-year-olds. The money that has been allocated to the two further education colleges in this pilot, Kilmarnock College and Ayr College is as follows:
     

    1999

    2000

    Kilmarnock College

    £121,706.25

    £172,129.36

    Ayr College

    £115,043.49

    £95,964.54

    Notes:

    From this year on, EMAs will be available to under 18's attending colleges in Glasgow, Dundee and West Dunbartonshire.

    The total EMA budget for 2001-02 is £10.2 million. However, this covers all schools and colleges in the pilot areas and includes for 16 to 19-year-olds.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154949,"EventID":"S1W-18304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students under 18 enrolled in (a) further and (b) higher education in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students under 18 enrolled in (a) further and (b) higher education in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The table shows the number of students under 18 enrolled in further and higher education for the academic years 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    Higher Education

    7,286

    7,151

    6,920

    Further Education - Vocational students

    67,331

    67,500

    70,325

    Further Education - Non Vocational students

    N/A*

    9,933

    11,731

    Sources:

    Higher Education Statistics Agency, Scottish Further Education

    Funding Council and Scottish Executive.

    Notes:

    *Age data was not collected for students on non-vocational courses until 1998-99, therefore figures for 1997-98 are not held centrally.

    Information for the most recent year (2000-01) is not yet available. This is because the information is collected after the end of each academic year. We have therefore included figures for 1997-98 to illustrate a three-year period.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154950,"EventID":"S1W-18305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for the development of the construction industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for the development of the construction industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive maintains regular dialogue with the industry on key issues through the Scottish Construction Industry Group. Two key issues that have been raised at recent meetings have been taking forward Rethinking Construction in Scotland and industry capacity. In response to a proposal from the Scottish Construction Industry Group and key industry stakeholders, the Executive has granted funding for a secondee to a short-term project to manage and promote knowledge on best practice and Rethinking Construction activities throughout Scotland. To help ensure capacity within the industry, the Executive in January announced up to £100,000 funding for research to help maximise employment opportunities from housing stock transfer. A report from the research is expected shortly after which the Executive will consider the findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154951,"EventID":"S1W-18306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with MagicStar Corporation (UK) regarding the development of the proposed MagicStar themepark and resort project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with MagicStar Corporation (UK) regarding the development of the proposed MagicStar themepark and resort project.","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Executive has had some initial contact with MagicStar Corporation about the proposed themepark and resort development project at Bishopton and we are aware of the development proposals, we have had as yet no discussions with MagicStar Corporation concerning these proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154952,"EventID":"S1W-18307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have undertaken into the economic impact of the establishment of the Parliament; what the conc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies have undertaken into the economic impact of the establishment of the Parliament; what the conclusions were of any such assessments and, if no assessments have been undertaken, what plans exist for one.","AnswerText":"No such assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Executive or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies. No plans exist to carry out such an assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154953,"EventID":"S1W-18308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with BAE Systems regarding the disposal of their site in Bishopton, in particular on meeting the objectives of the area's regional planning st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with BAE Systems regarding the disposal of their site in Bishopton, in particular on meeting the objectives of the area's regional planning strategy.","AnswerText":"The Bishopton working group was established by my predecessor in 1999 to look at the future use of the Royal Ordnance site at Bishopton. I understand that negotiations are currently on-going between the planning authority and BAE SYSTEMS on the appropriate development at Bishopton in the context of the finalised Structure Plan for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154954,"EventID":"S1W-18309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any funding, including regional development grants, which was given to BAE Systems to attract them to establish a plant at Bishopton.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any funding, including regional development grants, which was given to BAE Systems to attract them to establish a plant at Bishopton.","AnswerText":"No funding, including regional development grants, has been given to either BAE Systems, or its predecessor British Aerospace, to attract them to establish a plant at Bishopton. In 1989, however, British Aerospace was offered £2.8 million of Regional Selective Assistance for a project to manufacture ammunition at Bishopton. This was paid in full and the project completed in 1992.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154955,"EventID":"S1W-18310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase or decrease in the number of reported incidences of persons receiving infected blood transfusions in each of the last 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase or decrease in the number of reported incidences of persons receiving infected blood transfusions in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. However, reported and confirmed transfusion-transmitted infections are now rare. I have written to you separately giving contact details for the National Co-ordinator of Serious Hazards of Transfusion, which was set up in 1996, to monitor reports from hospitals across the UK on major transfusion related complications.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154956,"EventID":"S1W-18311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals are currently being considered to compensate victims of infection caused by receiving an infected blood transfusion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals are currently being considered to compensate victims of infection caused by receiving an infected blood transfusion.","AnswerText":"I announced on 29 August that, following consideration by the Scottish Executive of the judgement issued in the High Court in London in the case of A & Others v National Blood Transfusion Service and others, the Central Legal Office (CLO) has been instructed on behalf of NHSScotland to:

    identify analogous actions in which proceedings have been raised in Scotland in terms of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in which alleged transmission of the hepatitis C virus by blood product would appear to have occurred on, or after, the date the Act came into force on 1 March 1988.

    Where claims meet all of these criteria, CLO has been instructed to carry out substantive investigations with a view to establishing legal liability. These investigations would include consideration being given to the issue of prescription and limitation actions in terms of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154957,"EventID":"S1W-18312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any decrease in the donation of organs for either research or transplant following the disclosure of unauthorised organ retention.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any decrease in the donation of organs for either research or transplant following the disclosure of unauthorised organ retention.","AnswerText":"There has been a slight increase in the number of organ donors for transplantation in the period 1January 2001 to 31 August 2001 compared to the same period last year. Overall, however, there has been a decline in organ donation rates in recent years, and the Executive is currently considering what action can be taken to improve them.

    The information available suggests that there has been a drop in the number of hospital post-mortems, and it can therefore be assumed that there will have led to a decrease in the number of organs retained for research. The Executive is supporting the work of the Review Group on the Retention of Organs at Post-Mortem in devising a standard information leaflet and consent form regarding hospital post-mortems.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154958,"EventID":"S1W-18313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote best practice in the arrangement and oversight of school trips.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote best practice in the arrangement and oversight of school trips.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18279.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154959,"EventID":"S1W-18314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals for oral cancer surveillance and improved preventative services for the elderly have been developed following its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals for oral cancer surveillance and improved preventative services for the elderly have been developed following its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Proposals for oral cancer screening, involving both medical and dental settings, are at an advanced stage and should be submitted to Chief Scientist Office in the near future.

    The Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) Expert Group on the Health of Older People is considering means of improving the oral health of older people as part of a wider health review.

    The sub-group on oral health of the elderly, set up to support implementation of the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland and linking to the work of the CMO Group, is undertaking a review of the issues relevant to improving the oral health of the elderly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154960,"EventID":"S1W-18315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has developed proposals with health boards on the fluoridation of the water supply, as outlined in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has developed proposals with health boards on the fluoridation of the water supply, as outlined in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18174 on 28 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154961,"EventID":"S1W-18316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposals for the establishment of drop-in centres in the major cities and the enhanced use of mobile services will be sought, as outlined in its Action Plan fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposals for the establishment of drop-in centres in the major cities and the enhanced use of mobile services will be sought, as outlined in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive intends to discuss with the relevant NHS Boards/Primary Care Trusts the need for drop-in services in the major cities and specific proposals to respond to those needs. Similar action will be taken in relation to other areas where mobile services would be appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154962,"EventID":"S1W-18317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review and promotion of dental access schemes for rural areas, as proposed in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review and promotion of dental access schemes for rural areas, as proposed in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive intends to undertake a Scotland-wide review of the Scottish Dental Access Initiative in the near future to ascertain the effect to date and assist planning for the future. In the meantime, local NHS systems are being encouraged to make full use of the existing support available to increase access to dental services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154963,"EventID":"S1W-18318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many clinical assistant posts have been created for (a) orthodontics, (b) surgical dentistry and (c) paediatric dentistry, as outlined in its Action Plan for Dental ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many clinical assistant posts have been created for (a) orthodontics, (b) surgical dentistry and (c) paediatric dentistry, as outlined in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The commitment in An Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland to create clinical assistant posts in various specialties was intended to provide additional investment in continuing professional development for general dental practitioners (GDPs).

    Since the publication of the Action Plan, and in the light of the recommendations made by the Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body, considerable investment has been made in the continuing professional development of GDPs and specialists in dentistry in other ways, and therefore no additional clinical assistant posts in these areas have been created. The additional investment is £1.5 million by the end of this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154964,"EventID":"S1W-18319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of 120 dental students graduating annually from both dental schools, as set out in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland, is sufficient to s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target of 120 dental students graduating annually from both dental schools, as set out in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland, is sufficient to satisfy the level of demand and ensure access to treatment for all who wish it.","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving access to dental services in Scotland and increasing our targeted output of dental graduates is only one of several options. We are aware that further increases to the record number of dentists currently working in Scotland will not in itself ensure equal access to treatment across all parts of the country. This is why we are looking to expand the contribution that can be made by the professions complementary to dentistry and are also considering further ways to attract dentists to Scotland, particularly to work in remote and rural areas.

    The Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce will continue to monitor the situation regarding the provision of the dental workforce in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154965,"EventID":"S1W-18320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new dental therapy course and basic training courses for dental nurses in all areas have been established, as recommended in its Action Plan for Dental Servi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new dental therapy course and basic training courses for dental nurses in all areas have been established, as recommended in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"At present no dental therapist courses have been established. We are currently undertaking a feasibility study in Glasgow Dental Hospital and School to identify the costs and structures required to initiate a dental therapy course in Scotland.

    Through generalised support of dental nurse training there has been a considerable increase in the numbers of dental nurses obtaining dental nurse qualifications. In the last 12-month period I can confirm that we have met our target with 213 dental nurses newly qualified in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154966,"EventID":"S1W-18321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fee structure for specialist treatments such as orthodontics and sedation has been reviewed, as recommended in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fee structure for specialist treatments such as orthodontics and sedation has been reviewed, as recommended in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The narrative and fees for sedation, contained in the Statement of Dental Remuneration, have been reviewed to increase patient safety.

    The Executive is currently looking at how orthodontics should be delivered in future in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154967,"EventID":"S1W-18322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current deficiency in funding for the Dundee Dental School has been corrected in the light of the work on the funding of dental schools undertaken by the Nat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current deficiency in funding for the Dundee Dental School has been corrected in the light of the work on the funding of dental schools undertaken by the National Purchasing Unit in Sheffield and outlined in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review - Interim Report and Recommendations.","AnswerText":"Following work carried out by the National Purchasing Unit on behalf of the Scottish Executive, Dundee Dental School has received a substantial increase in funding over the last four years and is now fully funded to meet the cost of providing training to undergraduate dental students.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154968,"EventID":"S1W-18323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in taking forward the recommendation in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentist","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in taking forward the recommendation in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review - Interim Report and Recommendations, that the provision of basic education and training for dental hygienists and therapists should be planned and funded centrally using a similar structure to that which has been developed for dental students.","AnswerText":"Dental hygienist and therapist training is now planned centrally and we have agreed target numbers for Edinburgh Dental Institute, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School and Dundee Dental Hospital and School. This will be centrally funded in the same way as already developed for dental students.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154969,"EventID":"S1W-18324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is supporting the provision of 470 dental nurse student places and 30 dental technician student places for basic annual training, as recommended in the report","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is supporting the provision of 470 dental nurse student places and 30 dental technician student places for basic annual training, as recommended in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review - Interim Report and Recommendations.","AnswerText":"There has been considerable development and support for all of the professions complementary to dentistry. The Executive are currently developing a strategy for the education and training of these professions, which will be launched within the next two months.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154970,"EventID":"S1W-18327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the provision of services by NHS 24.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the provision of services by NHS 24.","AnswerText":"Significant consultation with the NHS in Scotland and patient representatives has resulted in the development of a service blueprint for NHS 24. The service has been established as a Special Health Board and is accountable to the Scottish Executive Health Department.

    NHS 24 will be available to callers 24 hours a day, every day of the year and will provide three core activities:

    nurse consultation and triage of patient symptoms;

    the provision of health information, locally and nationally, and

    will integrate with GP out-of-hours services, A&E departments and the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide a seamless service and simplify contact with the NHS for members of the public.

    NHS 24 will operate out of three contact centres located in the north-east, the west and the east of Scotland. Commissioning and recruitment for the first of the three contact centres is on target for its planned start in spring 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154971,"EventID":"S1W-18328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in providing NHS walk-in centres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in providing NHS walk-in centres.","AnswerText":"The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to launch a new generation of walk-in/walk-out hospitals (also known as ambulatory care and diagnostic centres) by 2002. Various parts of NHSScotland are currently developing such initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154972,"EventID":"S1W-18329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in spreading public information on how people can be helped to stay healthy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in spreading public information on how people can be helped to stay healthy.","AnswerText":"A vast amount of activity takes place at both national and local level with a view to providing the Scottish population with the information they need to help them become and stay healthy. At national level, the Health Education Board for Scotland undertakes a wide range of initiatives including, for example, the award winning "Big 3" (coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke) campaign for adults and the "Think About It" (smoking, drug misuse, alcohol misuse and sexual health) campaign for young people. This is complemented at local level by a broad variety of services offered by health board Health Promotion Departments ranging from the provision of leaflets/information/advice to the organising of exercise classes and healthy eating demonstrations. The Food Standards Agency provides advice on public health in connection with food standards and safety.

    All three organisations make extensive use of their websites as a way of getting the message across.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154973,"EventID":"S1W-18330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in tackling health inequalities and ill-health due to poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in tackling health inequalities and ill-health due to poverty.","AnswerText":"Tackling health inequalities is the overarching aim of our public health strategy, as set out in the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland and Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. Measures being taken to realise that aim include the network of Healthy Living Centres now being established, the Scottish Community Diet Project which works with low-income communities, a range of smoking, alcohol and drug misuse initiatives and the National Health Demonstration Projects in the priority areas of child health, sexual health, cancer and heart disease. Moreover, the Health Improvement Fund is investing an additional £100 million over four years in health improvement work.

    As well as addressing lifestyles and particular health topics, the Executive - in conjunction with partner organisations in Scotland and the UK Government - is also working to address the poor life circumstances that can contribute to ill health. Health is at the heart of the Executive's approach to social justice and actions across the whole range of its programmes (for example, Social Inclusion Partnerships) is contributing to the fight to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and well-being of all Scots.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154974,"EventID":"S1W-18331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the online dissemination of best practice in the field of public health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the online dissemination of best practice in the field of public health.","AnswerText":"Steady progress is being made in this area. The websites of the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health - www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scieh and the Health Education Board for Scotland - www.hebs.com are both used for this purpose.

    In addition, one of the key aims of the Public Health Institute of Scotland is to create an expanded evidence base for public health in Scotland to support policy and practice. This evidence base, when created, will appear on the PHIS website - www.show.scot.nhs.uk/phis.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154975,"EventID":"S1W-18332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing community legal services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing community legal services.","AnswerText":"I am awaiting the report of a broadly-based working group which I set up to consider how a community legal service might be developed for Scotland. I expect to receive that report at the end of October, and will consider the way forward once I have studied it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154976,"EventID":"S1W-18333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its spending plans are on community legal services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its spending plans are on community legal services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18332.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154977,"EventID":"S1W-18334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it provides directly or via other bodies to help deaf people access information on education, employment, local authority and library services by videotel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it provides directly or via other bodies to help deaf people access information on education, employment, local authority and library services by videotelephony.","AnswerText":"The Executive supports a number of organisations which aim to establish the needs of deaf people and develop strategies to meet identified local needs, including information access. The organisations work with other agencies to encourage development and arrange implementation of appropriate services.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154978,"EventID":"S1W-18335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the views of older people on the provision of public services are fully considered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the views of older people on the provision of public services are fully considered.","AnswerText":"We are committed to ensuring that older people have their say in the development of polices which affect them. Already through the work of the Care Development Group and the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on the Healthcare of Older People, older people have been able to present their views through a range of consultation methods such as newspaper advertisements, questionnaires, telephone surveys, public meetings and focus groups.

    We have established an Older People's Unit within the Executive to take forward the development of an over-arching strategy for older people across the Executive and are in discussion with a range of older people's organisations about appropriate mechanisms for consultation and involvement. In some areas older people are already working in partnership with local authorities and other agencies in the planning and delivery of public services.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154979,"EventID":"S1W-18336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to progress the work of the First Minister's Policy Unit on youth crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to progress the work of the First Minister's Policy Unit on youth crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive set up an Advisory Group on Youth Crime and, following its report, accepted all the group's recommendations. Work has begun on implementing them. In particular, this includes the allocation of £20 million over three years, from April 2001, to local authorities for the development of community-based programmes to reduce offending by persistent young offenders. The Scottish Executive has consulted widely with key interests on the implementation of the report and will be circulating a strategic framework for local authority activities before the end of the year. Scottish ministers are also considering the terms of a feasibility study into pilot schemes to divert 16 and 17-year-old minor offenders away from the adult criminal justice system.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154980,"EventID":"S1W-18337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in reducing (a) arrest rates and (b) crime rates among persons aged under 18 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in reducing (a) arrest rates and (b) crime rates among persons aged under 18 years.","AnswerText":"Statistics on these specific areas are not currently available to track progress. In Scotland, young people under 16 who offend are dealt with by the Children's Hearing system and those over 16 are normally prosecuted through the criminal justice system. However, recent trends from monthly statistical returns for the level of casework activity of Reporters, collected by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration, indicate that the number of young people detained in custody by the police aged under 16 has declined in recent years.

    Our aim is to significantly reduce the number young people involved in crime. The Children's Hearing system exists in part to divert those under 16 from the court system. It is generally regarded as successful and its aims receive broad-based support. This is why the Scottish Executive is developing a scheme to test, on a pilot basis, whether the offending behaviour of a significant number of 16 and 17-year-olds could be dealt with effectively within the Children's Hearing system. Also, earlier this year, the Scottish Executive announced a three-year £20 million investment programme to enable local authorities to set up multi-agency youth crime teams and to develop community-based programmes to reduce offending among persistent young offenders.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154981,"EventID":"S1W-18338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it makes available annually to assist in diverting youngsters from the criminal justice system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it makes available annually to assist in diverting youngsters from the criminal justice system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting social inclusion and citizenship for all young people. £20 million has been committed over the next three years to provide programmes to tackle persistent offending so that fewer young people will graduate to the adult criminal justice system. Drug use by children or their families has been identified as an important factor which affects offending behaviour. A further £18 million has therefore been allocated over the next three years to tackling drugs misuse by or affecting children, young people and families through the Changing Children's Services Fund.

    In addition, over the next three years, some £87 million will be spent on facilities and programmes for sport in schools and outdoor adventure through the New Opportunities Fund, with a particular emphasis on offering positive alternatives to youth crime and anti-social behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154982,"EventID":"S1W-18339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what year-on-year improvements in reducing the number of days lost through exclusions from school and truancy have been achieved since the target of reducing this number ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what year-on-year improvements in reducing the number of days lost through exclusions from school and truancy have been achieved since the target of reducing this number by a third was set.","AnswerText":"The level of unauthorised absence in both primary and secondary schools was stable between 1997-98 and 1999-2000.

    It is too early to identify trends in exclusion as the annual survey of exclusions so far covers only two years. However, although the number of temporary exclusions increased slightly between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, the number of days lost has gone down as a result of a reduction in the average length of an exclusion. The number of removals from register has also increased slightly but nearly half of these have not resulted in any break in attendance.

    The Discipline Task Group Report Better Behaviour - Better Learning makes recommendations which will assist local authorities in delivering year-on-year improvements in reducing exclusion and truancy. An action plan for implementation of the recommendations is being drawn up and I expect to publish it in a few weeks time.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154983,"EventID":"S1W-18340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pigs and (d) other animals in (i) Scotland, (ii) Dumfries and Galloway and (iii) Scottish Borders have been slaughtered under the Liv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pigs and (d) other animals in (i) Scotland, (ii) Dumfries and Galloway and (iii) Scottish Borders have been slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The Intervention Board Executive Agency operates the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme on behalf of all UK Agriculture Ministers. The Intervention Board advise me that (a) 40,808 sheep, (b) 10,558 cattle, (c) 45,972 pigs and (d) nine other animals have been slaughtered and compensation has been paid in Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, (a) 4,113 sheep, (b) 1,585 cattle and (c) 29 pigs have been slaughtered and compensation paid. In the Borders, (a) 3,539 sheep, (b) 609 cattle and (c) 544 pigs have been slaughtered and compensation paid.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154984,"EventID":"S1W-18341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the (a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pigs and (d) other animals slaughtered in Scotland under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme since the outbreak of foot-an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the (a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pigs and (d) other animals slaughtered in Scotland under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease were on farms (i) subject and (ii) not subject to Form A or D notices.","AnswerText":"The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is run, on behalf of UK Agriculture Ministers, by the Intervention Board Executive Agency. The Intervention Board advise me that they carry out checks on the disease status of holdings at several stages of applications to the scheme but do not keep statistics on farm status, which can change between application and collection.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154985,"EventID":"S1W-18342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will reply to my letter of 16 August 2001 regarding the restructuring of the Scottish water industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment and Rural Development will reply to my letter of 16 August 2001 regarding the restructuring of the Scottish water industry.","AnswerText":"A reply was sent on 28 September.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154986,"EventID":"S1W-18343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many candidates were interviewed for the position of (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of the new Scottish Water Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many candidates were interviewed for the position of (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of the new Scottish Water Authority.","AnswerText":"Three and two respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154987,"EventID":"S1W-18344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) community service orders, (b) probation orders, (c) supervised attendance orders and (d) custodial sentences were imposed in each of the past three years, br","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) community service orders, (b) probation orders, (c) supervised attendance orders and (d) custodial sentences were imposed in each of the past three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested on community service orders and probation orders is given in tables 7 and 13 of the Statistical Bulletin Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 1999-00; published by the Scottish Executive in November 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16387). Information on supervised attendance orders by local authority area, readily available only for 1999-2000 which was the first full year of national availability, is detailed in table 1. Information on custodial sentences is available by court rather than local authority. Figures for the three latest available years are shown in tables 2 to 4.

    Supervised attendance orders - Table 1

    Local authority

    1999-2000

    Aberdeen City

    88

    Aberdeenshire

    65

    Angus

    137

    Argyll & Bute

    13

    Clackmannanshire

    18

    Dumfries & Galloway

    179

    Dundee City

    235

    East Ayrshire

    201

    East Dunbartonshire

    10

    East Lothian

    14

    East Renfrewshire

    14

    Edinburgh, City of

    96

    Eilean Siar

    -

    Falkirk

    		<","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154988,"EventID":"S1W-18345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the basis for the funding of local authority criminal justice services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the basis for the funding of local authority criminal justice services.","AnswerText":"Following agreement between the Scottish Office and CoSLA, funding of mainstream local authority criminal justice services has, since April 1999, been based on a formula approach focused on workloads and needs factors. There are no plans to change this approach.

    However, with effect from 2002-03 financial year, funding will in future be provided to groupings of rather than individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154989,"EventID":"S1W-18346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to distribute the #6.3 million end year flexibility allocation to culture and sport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to distribute the #6.3 million end year flexibility allocation to culture and sport.","AnswerText":"Some of the £6.3 million end year flexibility allocation to culture and sport will be used to meet some of the costs of the National Galleries of Scotland's refurbishment of the Royal Scottish Academy building, and works in Holyrood Park. Ministers will announce the use of the balance of the funds in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154990,"EventID":"S1W-18347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of the current eligibility rules on civil legal aid in cases arising from the breakdown of marital or cohabitation relationshi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of the current eligibility rules on civil legal aid in cases arising from the breakdown of marital or cohabitation relationships.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board has been carrying out research on civil legal aid, including issues of eligibility. We await the results shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154991,"EventID":"S1W-18348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact that the recommendations of the recent review of tribunals by Sir Andrew Leggatt would have on the operation of tribunals in S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact that the recommendations of the recent review of tribunals by Sir Andrew Leggatt would have on the operation of tribunals in Scotland if implemented.","AnswerText":"The Leggatt Report concerned tribunals operating in reserved areas including some which have jurisdiction in Scotland. Assessment of the impact of the recommendations is primarily a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department and other Whitehall Departments. Scottish Executive officials are, however, in contact with the Lord Chancellor's Department and, with Scottish ministers, will be involved in discussion of the issues and options arising from the report.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154992,"EventID":"S1W-18349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued a consultation paper on the disbursement of funds to local authorities for the development of proposals designed to ensure compliance with the terms","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued a consultation paper on the disbursement of funds to local authorities for the development of proposals designed to ensure compliance with the terms of the EU landfill directive; if so, to whom this paper has been issued, and, if this does not include local authorities, whether it intends to consult local authorities on this issue.","AnswerText":"A guidance document for local authorities on the operation of the Strategic Waste Fund (SWF) is currently being prepared. The SWF is for local authorities to implement the findings of Area Waste Plans which are being developed as part of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland. The plans should include measures to comply with the EU landfill directive. An initial draft of the guidance document has been discussed with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Waste Advisers. It is intended that an amended draft be issued to all local authorities for comment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154993,"EventID":"S1W-18350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will play in any consultation on the disbursement of funds to local authorities for the development of proposals desi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will play in any consultation on the disbursement of funds to local authorities for the development of proposals designed to ensure compliance with the terms of the EU landfill directive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is being consulted on the development of a guidance document for local authorities on the operation of the Strategic Waste Fund. This is in its role as co-ordinator of the National Waste Strategy and constituent Area Waste Plans. The disbursement of funds to local authorities to assist with the implementation of the plans will be a matter for the Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154994,"EventID":"S1W-18351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in each year since 1990.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"The table shows the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in each year from 1990 to 1997, the most recent year for which cancer registration data are available :

    Year of registration

    Numbers of cases

    1990

    1,341

    1991

    1,350

    1992

    1,429

    1993

    1,725

    1994

    1,796

    1995

    1,876

    1996

    2,060

    1997

    1,905

    1998 registrations are provisional but currently stand at 1,784. Incidence is slightly inflated in 1996 due to the introduction of a standard definition of incidence data across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154995,"EventID":"S1W-18352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that increased life expectancy will result in an increase in the number of patients being diagnosed with prostate cancer and, if so, what plans it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that increased life expectancy will result in an increase in the number of patients being diagnosed with prostate cancer and, if so, what plans it has made to address this increase, particularly in terms of the number of consultant urologists.","AnswerText":"The numbers of men diagnosed with prostate cancer is expected to increase, due to the increased numbers of men in the older age groups.

    It is a matter for NHS boards to assess and provide for local needs, including the numbers of staff required for effective service delivery. For medical workforce planning, the number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154996,"EventID":"S1W-18353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant urologists were in post in (a) 1995 and (b) 2000 and how many it expects to be in post in 2005.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant urologists were in post in (a) 1995 and (b) 2000 and how many it expects to be in post in 2005.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of consultant urologists in post in 1995 and 2000 is shown in the following table, which should be read in conjunction with the notes. This shows an increase of 33.3% for Headcount and 32.3% for Whole Time Equivalent during this period.

    Robust projections on the number of consultant urologists that will be in post in 2005 are not available centrally. It is a matter for each NHS board to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery.

    Number of Consultant Urologists in post in 1995 and 2000

     

    1995

    2000

    Headcount

    36

    48

    WTE

    36.0

    47.6

    Notes:

    1. Source: Information and Statistical Division.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154997,"EventID":"S1W-18354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a centre of excellence in Scotland for the treatment of prostate cancer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a centre of excellence in Scotland for the treatment of prostate cancer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's strategy for all cancers is to ensure patients have access to the best care possible through multidisciplinary managed clinical networks involving clinicians drawn from among relevant disciplines.

    There are, therefore, no "centres of excellence" vested within particular institutions or facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154998,"EventID":"S1W-18355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of bridges have been assessed and strengthened where required to 44 tonnes carrying capacity since 1 January 1999 in accordance with European legislation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of bridges have been assessed and strengthened where required to 44 tonnes carrying capacity since 1 January 1999 in accordance with European legislation.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":154999,"EventID":"S1W-18356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to fund the #166 million estimated by the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland as needed to assess bri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to fund the #166 million estimated by the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland as needed to assess bridges in the local authority roads network and strengthen them when required to 44 tonnes carrying capacity in accordance with European legislation.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive support for local authorities' capital expenditure on roads and transport is included within the single capital allocation which covers all non-housing programmes. An extra £70 million is being allocated to local authorities over three years for capital investment in local roads and bridges. It is for local authorities to prioritise the upgrading of bridges and allocate the necessary funding from the resources available to them.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155000,"EventID":"S1W-18357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to expedite the programme of assessment and strengthening up to 44 tonnes carrying capacity of all bridges in the local authority road network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to expedite the programme of assessment and strengthening up to 44 tonnes carrying capacity of all bridges in the local authority road network.","AnswerText":"It is entirely a matter for each council, as the local roads authority for its area, to take the appropriate action.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155001,"EventID":"S1W-18358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people each local authority employed as home helps in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people each local authority employed as home helps in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18359.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155002,"EventID":"S1W-18359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours home helps employed by local authorities worked in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours home helps employed by local authorities worked in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information is detailed in the following table:

     

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Percentage Change 1999/1998

    Percentage Change 2000/1999

    No of Clients

    Solely from local authority

    74,198

    68,116

    63,290

    -8.2%

    -7.1%

    Solely from private/voluntary sector

    2,896

    4,130

    4,590

    42.6%

    11.1%

    Combination of provision1

    2,200

    1,812

    2,349

    -17.6%

    29.6%

    Total

    79,294

    74,058

    70,229

    -6.6%

    -5.2%

    Staff-Numbers

    Local authority employed staff (WTE)

    10,802

    10,158

    10,055

    0.8%

    -1.0%

    Private/voluntary sector

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    		  

    Staff - Total Direct Client Contact Hours

    		The Scottish Executive regularly receives monitoring information from Capita regarding the management of ILAs.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155009,"EventID":"S1W-18369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a sexual health strategy for Scotland, following the Health Education Board for Scotland's report Teenage Sexuality in Scotland, pu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a sexual health strategy for Scotland, following the Health Education Board for Scotland's report Teenage Sexuality in Scotland, published in 2000.","AnswerText":"The Executive has commissioned further research from the Health Education Board for Scotland to inform the development of a sexual health strategy. This is due to be completed next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155010,"EventID":"S1W-18370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps are being taken to meet the national target of reducing the pregnancy rate among 13 to 15 year olds by 20% by the year 2010.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps are being taken to meet the national target of reducing the pregnancy rate among 13 to 15 year olds by 20% by the year 2010.","AnswerText":"The £3 million Healthy Respect National Health Demonstration project, currently running in Lothian, has as one of its aims the reduction of unwanted teenage pregnancies. The project, which will be independently evaluated, seeks radically to transform teenage attitudes to sexual health and sexual relationships, with a particular focus on marginalised groups such as young people in care.

    In addition to measures taken by health boards and other interests at local level, the Executive is also funding the setting up by Brook in Scotland of four new advice centres for young people, the first of which is expected to open later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155011,"EventID":"S1W-18371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10739 by Susan Deacon on 27 November 2000, what success it had in increasing the uptake of donor cards following its TV advertising","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10739 by Susan Deacon on 27 November 2000, what success it had in increasing the uptake of donor cards following its TV advertising campaign; what further measures it has taken to encourage organ donation; how successful any such measures have been, and what additional measures it intends to take to raise awareness of an individual's rights with regard to organ donation.","AnswerText":"The number of organ donor leaflets requested from the Scottish Executive so far this year has already exceeded last year's total by over 31,000. The Scottish Executive has recently provided funding support towards a billboard and cinema advertising initiative organised by the Scottish Transplant Co-ordinators, which took place during Transplant Awareness Week.

    The Scottish Executive is currently considering a range of potential measures to raise public awareness about organ donation. We have asked the Scottish Transplant Group to develop a strategy to increase organ donation and I expect to be able to make an announcement once I have received its report later this year.

    One key way of helping to increase organ donation rates is for people who would be willing to donate organs to discuss their intentions with their family, so that the family is aware of those intentions if they are ever asked to decide whether organ donation should take place.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155012,"EventID":"S1W-18372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering a delay in the application of the Data Protection Act to the NHS in Scotland in line with that agreed in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering a delay in the application of the Data Protection Act to the NHS in Scotland in line with that agreed in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"All provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 are coming into force across the UK according to the timetables that have been set out in the legislation. There will be no delay in applying the Act to the NHS.

    There continues to be concerns about the impact of legislation and existing common law requirements on important NHS data processing, and equally importantly, it has become clear that the patient-centred service we wish to build requires us to build a different relationship between patients and service providers, one that gives patients more control over who sees their health records and for what reasons. No change is no longer an option but change must be carefully managed. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 provides the Secretary of State for Health with power to make specified uses of patient information a requirement in law in England and Wales. This is a largely transitional measure, intended to ensure that key activity can continue whilst changes to systems and working practices, that will permit the standards required by law, ethics and policy to be met, are made.

    In Scotland, we have been consulting on our own programme of change and expect the results of this consultation to be available later in the year. We are committed to ensuring that there is no disruption to essential NHS activity and have not dismissed legislation as an option.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155013,"EventID":"S1W-18373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of support it is giving to the Depression Alliance and the Depression Alliance Scotland and what structures it will put in place to ensure the continuation of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of support it is giving to the Depression Alliance and the Depression Alliance Scotland and what structures it will put in place to ensure the continuation of helplines and on-going support for people suffering from depression-related illnesses.","AnswerText":"Under section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, the Scottish Executive Health Department currently provides core grant funding to a wide range of voluntary bodies in the mental health field. This support helps Depression Alliance Scotland, and others such as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), the Samaritans and Stresswatch Scotland in a range of activities, including provision of telephone helplines to sufferers of a range of depression-related illnesses and to their carers.

    Work is also in hand to develop a national helpline for people with low mood and possible risk of suicide or self-harm.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155014,"EventID":"S1W-18374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the projected cost will be in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04 of the Parliament's new child care voucher scheme which will be available to MSPs and staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the projected cost will be in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04 of the Parliament's new child care voucher scheme which will be available to MSPs and staff.","AnswerText":"We estimate that the cost of the scheme will be up to around £200,000 per annum. Since the scheme is being introduced later this year, the cost in the current financial year will be considerably less.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155015,"EventID":"S1W-18375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how a partnership is defined for the purpose of applications to the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how a partnership is defined for the purpose of applications to the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve.","AnswerText":"A partnership is not specifically defined in the legislation governing suckler cow quota. The definition used is that given in section 1(1) of the Partnership Act 1890.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155016,"EventID":"S1W-18376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the eligibility rules governing applications to the sheep annual premium scheme quota national reserve and the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the eligibility rules governing applications to the sheep annual premium scheme quota national reserve and the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve are a reserved or a devolved matter and, if devolved, what plans it has to review the operation of these rules.","AnswerText":"Agriculture, as a whole, is a devolved matter. However, there are currently no plans to review either the eligibility criteria or the categories of the national reserves.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155017,"EventID":"S1W-18377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve eligibility rules regarding partnerships differ from rules on partnerships applied in relation to other quot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve eligibility rules regarding partnerships differ from rules on partnerships applied in relation to other quota reserves.","AnswerText":"The eligibility criteria for allocations of livestock quota from both the suckler cow premium scheme and the sheep annual premium scheme are identical and partnerships applying to either reserve are treated in exactly the same way.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155018,"EventID":"S1W-18378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a husband and wife who jointly own a farm are treated as a partnership for the purposes of the eligibility rules governing applications to livestock quota reserve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a husband and wife who jointly own a farm are treated as a partnership for the purposes of the eligibility rules governing applications to livestock quota reserves.","AnswerText":"It is up to the individuals involved to decide on how they wish to trade. It is true that, in Scotland, most husband and wife teams will form a partnership for the purposes of claiming subsidy. However, many prefer to trade as a sole producer with only the husband or the wife becoming directly involved in the farming enterprise. This remains a business decision which the couple must take. Once that decision has been taken the business will then claim subsidies either as a partnership or a sole producer regardless of issues such as marital status.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155019,"EventID":"S1W-18379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why producers moving from one constituent part of the UK to another take quota obtained from the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve with them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why producers moving from one constituent part of the UK to another take quota obtained from the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve with them.","AnswerText":"Since the introduction of livestock quotas in 1993, a system of ring fencing has been in place to protect the movement of quota away from sensitive areas. It is therefore not possible for producers taking a business decision to move from one constituent part of the UK to another to use their existing quota in a different ring-fence area, whether or not it was allocated from a National Reserve. Quota is however tradable and producers may sell the quota they hold relating to their original ring-fence designation and purchase quota relating to their new designation. Producers who receive quota from a National Reserve, however, must use their quota to claim premium for three years following its allocation before they can sell or temporarily lease it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155020,"EventID":"S1W-18380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules apply in relation to the transfer of suckler cow premium scheme quotas to the national reserve and, in particular, what percentage of quota is returned to the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rules apply in relation to the transfer of suckler cow premium scheme quotas to the national reserve and, in particular, what percentage of quota is returned to the national reserve when quotas are sold.","AnswerText":"The suckler cow premium scheme national reserve has to be created from existing quota and is supplied by quota siphoned from quota sold on the open market. In addition to siphons of quota, the reserve normally also receives quota removed from producers who have failed to use their quota either by claiming premium or leasing it to other producers or a combination of both.

    The UK currently operates a 15% siphon to quota transactions, the maximum permitted under EC legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155021,"EventID":"S1W-18381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have on the availability of quotas from the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve in 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have on the availability of quotas from the suckler cow premium scheme quota national reserve in 2002.","AnswerText":"It is thought unlikely that the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will have any serious impact on the availability of quota from the 2002 suckler cow premium national reserve.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155022,"EventID":"S1W-18382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Agricultural College plays in advising farmers on quota applications and whether the college acts as an agent of its Environment and Rural Affairs ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Agricultural College plays in advising farmers on quota applications and whether the college acts as an agent of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department or on a commercial basis when providing such advice.","AnswerText":"Many producers choose to use the services of agricultural consultants on a variety of business matters, including the claiming of EU subsidies. The Scottish Agricultural College offers a full range of such services for which they charge fees. When offering advice on business issues, including those relating to livestock quotas, the college does so purely on a commercial basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155023,"EventID":"S1W-18383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the provision of English language support to asylum seekers and other groups who require assistance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the provision of English language support to asylum seekers and other groups who require assistance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to working with the further education colleges to ensure adequate support to those who require assistance. That includes both asylum seekers and those in other categories who are new to Scotland. I am pleased to announce that the Executive intends to provide new funding of £1.7 million in the current financial year, and in future financial years, to support a package of new measures which will strengthen the ability of the colleges to undertake mainly language work. That sum comprises £0.5 million to boost college provision specifically for asylum seekers, and a further £1.2 million for other groups. The total sum of £1.7 million will be channelled through the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

    The package of measures will include the waiving of the residence and settlement criteria which until now have governed the ability of a college to claim funding and to reclaim the cost of waived fees; the provision of funding to allow colleges to provide books and support with travel; and a new discretion relating to asylum seekers which will allow colleges to approve continued studies beyond the level of basic courses.

    The decision of the Scottish Executive to provide £1.7 million in extra resources will ensure that existing budgets can continue to be used for their original purpose without detriment to Scottish students.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155024,"EventID":"S1W-18384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17943 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, whether there is any reason why it could not introduce a system of producer responsibi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17943 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, whether there is any reason why it could not introduce a system of producer responsibility for the collection and treatment of waste electrical and electronic products before the proposed European directive has been finalised.","AnswerText":"There is no legislative bar to doing so but business in Scotland could be disadvantaged through having to discharge a producer responsibility obligation from which its competitors elsewhere in the United Kingdom were exempt.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155025,"EventID":"S1W-18385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17943 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, whether it is aware that Sweden has introduced a system of producer responsibility for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17943 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, whether it is aware that Sweden has introduced a system of producer responsibility for waste electrical and electronic products within the last year.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155026,"EventID":"S1W-18386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of end-of-life waste electrical and electronic equipment have been disposed of in an non-environmentally acceptable way in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of end-of-life waste electrical and electronic equipment have been disposed of in an non-environmentally acceptable way in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"Data on the amounts of waste, electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) disposed of are not held centrally. A recent research report commissioned by the Executive and entitled The Determination of the Source, Nature, Amount and Disposal Routes of WEEE Arising in Scotland, that is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14595) estimated that some 42,000 tonnes of WEEE was produced in 2000. Much of this may have been landfilled although some will have been reused or recycled.

    There is no definition of what is an "environmentally acceptable" way in which to dispose of WEEE but the proposed EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment will prescribe treatment standards when it is introduced. In the meantime, it is an offence to dispose of any waste in a way that causes harm to human health or pollution of the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155027,"EventID":"S1W-18387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes will require.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes will require.","AnswerText":"The current expectation is that Communities Scotland, the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes, will require around 500 full-time equivalent staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155028,"EventID":"S1W-18388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed by Scottish Homes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed by Scottish Homes.","AnswerText":"Scottish Homes currently has an establishment of 567 full-time equivalent staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155029,"EventID":"S1W-18389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be transferred from the employ of Scottish Homes to the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be transferred from the employ of Scottish Homes to the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes.","AnswerText":"Around 470 full-time equivalent staff are expected to be transferred to the executive agency being set up to replace Scottish Homes.

    Some Scottish Homes staff will remain with the Scottish Homes Residuary Body.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155030,"EventID":"S1W-18390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the enhanced registration scheme has been introduced for 6 to 8 year olds in deprivation categories 5 to 7 which includes the requirement for fissure sealing the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the enhanced registration scheme has been introduced for 6 to 8 year olds in deprivation categories 5 to 7 which includes the requirement for fissure sealing the first molars of these children, as detailed in its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland, August 2000.","AnswerText":"We have concluded successfully discussions with the dental profession on the introduction of a caries prevention scheme for six and seven-year-olds in all deprivation categories which includes fissure sealing the first molars of these children. I will announce shortly further details of the introduction of this scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155031,"EventID":"S1W-18391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the additional #1 million made available this financial year as part of its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland has been allocated to enhance dental health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the additional #1 million made available this financial year as part of its Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland has been allocated to enhance dental health.","AnswerText":"Funding has been made available towards dentists continuing professional development and will be made available in respect of the caries prevention scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155032,"EventID":"S1W-18392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Waardenburg syndrome have been identified in each health board area in each of the last five years, specifying the ages at which cases have been identif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Waardenburg syndrome have been identified in each health board area in each of the last five years, specifying the ages at which cases have been identified.","AnswerText":"The information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155033,"EventID":"S1W-18393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of implementing its individualised educational programmes initiative has been to date and what criteria it intends to use to monitor the success of this pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of implementing its individualised educational programmes initiative has been to date and what criteria it intends to use to monitor the success of this project.","AnswerText":"The cost of the Executive's Individualised Educational Programmes (IEP) initiative - the "Success for All" project - is currently in the region of £170,000.

    The criteria being used to evaluate the success of the project are:

    the extent to which schools are able to use IEPs and the views of teachers regarding the value of them;

    the views of parents, pupils, voluntary agencies and others about their effectiveness,and

    evaluations of the in-service training carried out by the Success for All team.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155034,"EventID":"S1W-18394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15440 by Sarah Boyack on 11 May 2001, whether it will list the sources of the other public/private sector funding for the M74 north","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15440 by Sarah Boyack on 11 May 2001, whether it will list the sources of the other public/private sector funding for the M74 northern extension, specifying the amount of funding from each source.","AnswerText":"The £3 million of other public/private sector funding for the project has still to be secured. I have agreed with my partners in this project, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils that they will use their best endeavours to secure contributions from other public and private sector bodies as the project progresses. The councils are presently considering potential funding sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155035,"EventID":"S1W-18395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Housing Improvement Task Force are; what its remit is, and how many times it has met to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Housing Improvement Task Force are; what its remit is, and how many times it has met to date.","AnswerText":"The Housing Improvement Task Force is chaired by me and details of the membership and remit are given in the Scottish Executive News Release issued on 14 March (SE 0637/2001). Councillor Sheila Gilmour, Convener of Housing, Edinburgh Council has since joined the task force.

    The Housing Improvement Task Force met on 28 March 2001 and 10 September 2001. A number of sub-groups have been established and these have also met on a number of occasions.

    The Housing Improvement Task Force website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/hitf) has been set up to provide both access to the papers and the work of the task force and a mechanism for comment and to make views known. It also contains details of the membership and remit.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155036,"EventID":"S1W-18396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for pre-school education of children of asylum seekers and refugees.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for pre-school education of children of asylum seekers and refugees.","AnswerText":"The children of asylum seekers and refugees have, in principle, the same access to pre-school education as other children of pre-school age, resident in a local authority area. In academic year 2001-02, pre-school year children will be eligible for grant-funded education if they were born between 1 March 1997 and 28 February 1998. Children aged three will be eligible from the start of the term after their third birthday. Local authorities currently have the power to provide nursery education for all such children and from 1 April 2002 will be under a duty to secure this.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155037,"EventID":"S1W-18397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria children of asylum seekers and refugees have to meet in order to access pre-school education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria children of asylum seekers and refugees have to meet in order to access pre-school education.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18396.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155038,"EventID":"S1W-18398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what standards of performance are specified in the contracts for the management and maintenance of motorways and trunk roads in relation to closure of a motorway or trunk","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what standards of performance are specified in the contracts for the management and maintenance of motorways and trunk roads in relation to closure of a motorway or trunk road due to a road traffic accident.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive contracts with the new trunk road Operating Companies (OCs) contain procedures to address incidents that result in trunk road and motorway closures.

    The contracts require OCs to record all incidents where a trunk road is closed and they are required to initiate certain actions as soon as possible but not longer than predefined timescales following the notification of an incident that requires the closure or partial closure of a road. The contracts require the OCs to prepare an Emergency Response Plan that is issued to the emergency services. This plan contains information which enables the police, who would initiate a road closure, to call on the OCs to provide additional resources, if necessary, to assist the emergency services and maintain safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155039,"EventID":"S1W-18399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15671 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2001, whether the statement that the police would initiate a road closure means that it is the pol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15671 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2001, whether the statement that the police would initiate a road closure means that it is the police who are responsible for taking the decision to close a section of motorway or trunk road due to a road traffic accident and, if not, who is responsible.","AnswerText":"The police, who are normally first at the scene of a road traffic accident, have the power to close a section of motorway or trunk road if they deem there to be a hazard to other road users. They also have a duty to do so in certain circumstances to protect life and property.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155040,"EventID":"S1W-18400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 will come into force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 will come into force.","AnswerText":"In the absence of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament to annul, the Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 came into force on Friday 28 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155041,"EventID":"S1W-18401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a specific agri-environment scheme relating to land management in the proposed national park areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a specific agri-environment scheme relating to land management in the proposed national park areas.","AnswerText":"Farmers in National Parks will be eligible to apply to join the Rural Stewardship Scheme, but there are no plans to introduce a specific agri-environment scheme relating to land management in the proposed national park areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155042,"EventID":"S1W-18402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for licences under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the purposes of (a) preserving public health or public air safety, (b) pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for licences under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the purposes of (a) preserving public health or public air safety, (b) preventing the spread of disease, (c) preventing serious damage to livestock, (d) preventing serious damage to foodstuffs for livestock, crops or vegetables and (e) preventing serious damage to timber, fisheries or inland waters have been (i) granted and (ii) refused in each year since the Act came into force.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the member on 22 July enclosing three tables showing individual licences granted by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive under section 16 since 1990. My answer to S1W-16300 explained that comprehensive information is only readily available for the period since 1990. The tables I provided with my letter show licences by year, species and purpose. Copies of all three tables have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16175).

    Copies of relevant general licences were also enclosed with my letter. Copies of all general licences currently in force have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    In relation to statistics on refusals of licence applications, I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-16300 and S1W-17693.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155043,"EventID":"S1W-18403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any licences have ever been granted under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the purpose of controlling predators and, if so, what the specif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any licences have ever been granted under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the purpose of controlling predators and, if so, what the specific purpose of each licence was.","AnswerText":"The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes no specific provision for licences to control predators. Section 16 of the Act permits licences to be issued, in certain circumstances, for the purpose of conserving wild birds and wild animals and in order to prevent serious damage to livestock and fisheries.

    I wrote to the member on 22 July providing three tables showing licences granted by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive under section 16 since 1990. Cases involving predatory species, and the relevant section 16 purpose, can be determined from each table. Copies of the tables have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16175). My answer to question S1W-16300 explained that comprehensive information is only readily available for the period since 1990.

    A summary of individual licences under section 16 issued in respect of predatory species between 1990 and 2000 is given. Figures for the 2000-01 season have not yet been fully compiled.
     

    Licences

    Number Killed

    Purpose

    Ravens

    142

    710

    Preventing serious damage to livestock

    Pine Martens

    5

    0

    Otters

    3

    0

    Preventing serious damage to fisheries

    Cormorants

    382

    2,385

    Mergansers

    1,780

    Goosanders

    4,375

    Herons

    21

    Eider Ducks

    113

    General licences under section 16 also permit the control of certain common bird species with predatory behaviour, such as crows, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, greater and lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls. Copies of all general licences have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    No licence is required for the control of mammalian predators such as foxes, weasels, stoats or mink, which are not included on Schedule 5 of the Act, provided legitimate methods of killing are employed.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155044,"EventID":"S1W-18404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial provision its transport delivery plan will make for addressing any backlog in local authority road, lighting and bridge maintenance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial provision its transport delivery plan will make for addressing any backlog in local authority road, lighting and bridge maintenance.","AnswerText":"I announced on 28 September 2000 provision of £70 million to be included within the single allocation for local authority capital investment over the three years from 1 April 2001 to assist local authorities in tackling the backlog of repairs and maintenance to their roads. Local authorities also fund these costs from their revenue expenditure. It is for each authority to determine its expenditure and investment priorities across the range of its responsibilities, including for roads, lighting and bridges. Allocations beyond 1 April 2004 will be determined in the next Spending Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155045,"EventID":"S1W-18405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place or will be implemented to ensure that local authority roads are adequately maintained to provide a reliable and safe platform for all transpor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place or will be implemented to ensure that local authority roads are adequately maintained to provide a reliable and safe platform for all transportation modes including enhanced public transport service provision.","AnswerText":"In the 2000 Spending Review I allocated £70 million extra for local authorities to enable them to invest in repair and maintenance of roads and bridges.

    It is a matter for each council as the local roads authority to take the appropriate action for its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155046,"EventID":"S1W-18406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been made available to local authorities in order to address the requirements of the road traffic accident casualty reduction targets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been made available to local authorities in order to address the requirements of the road traffic accident casualty reduction targets.","AnswerText":"Local authorities receive a block allocation to meet all non-housing capital spending. It is for each local authority to decide spending priorities based on local needs. For 2001-02, the single allocation has been increased by 24% overall.

    The Scottish Executive made available additional resources, totalling £5.2 million, to enable local authorities to take forward a wide range of Safer Routes to School projects in 2000-01. Between 2001 and 2004 a further £16 million is being made available to local authorities to take forward cycling, walking and safer streets projects.

    The Executive announced on 4 September funding of £810,000 over six years for pilot child pedestrian training schemes. Local authorities have been invited to bid for funding to run pilot training schemes for five to seven-year-old children in selected primary schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155047,"EventID":"S1W-18407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Tayside Health Board to review its decision to withdraw acute services from Stracathro hospital now that the NHS Tayside budget deficit has been ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Tayside Health Board to review its decision to withdraw acute services from Stracathro hospital now that the NHS Tayside budget deficit has been written off.","AnswerText":"The pattern of acute hospital services in Tayside is a matter for the NHS board, in consultation with its planning partners and the people of Tayside. The decision to withdraw acute services from Stracathro was a clinical safety issue and was not taken on cost grounds. It is vital that health care services are sustainable, safe, and take account of local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155048,"EventID":"S1W-18408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Legal Aid Board with pilot schemes on different forms of access to legal services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Legal Aid Board with pilot schemes on different forms of access to legal services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board has considered a wide range of applications for pilot projects under Part V of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986, and will be making an announcement on the successful projects soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155049,"EventID":"S1W-18409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Legal Aid Board on developing proposals for a user-friendly community legal service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Legal Aid Board on developing proposals for a user-friendly community legal service.","AnswerText":"I am awaiting the report of a broadly-based working group, including the Scottish Legal Aid Board among other organisations, which I set up to consider how a community legal service might be developed for Scotland. I expect that report at the end of October, and will consider the way forward once I have studied it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155050,"EventID":"S1W-18410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on promoting methods for enhancing access to the civil justice system for disadvantaged members of the community or those with modest or moder","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on promoting methods for enhancing access to the civil justice system for disadvantaged members of the community or those with modest or moderate means through the delivery of more and better-targeted pro bono legal services.","AnswerText":"Pro bono legal services provided by solicitors and advocates are primarily an issue for the legal profession itself. Methods of improving access to civil justice more generally are being discussed by a broadly-based working group which I set up to consider how a community legal service might be developed for Scotland. I expect to receive its report at the end of October, and will consider the way forward once I have studied it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155051,"EventID":"S1W-18411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on the civil justice system of pro bono legal services provided by advocates and solicitors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on the civil justice system of pro bono legal services provided by advocates and solicitors.","AnswerText":"Pro bono services provided by advocates and solicitors are primarily a matter for the legal profession itself, and information on the extent of such activity is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155052,"EventID":"S1W-18412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage and support pro bono initiatives by advocates and solicitors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage and support pro bono initiatives by advocates and solicitors.","AnswerText":"Pro bono work by solicitors and advocates is first and foremost a matter for the legal profession.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155053,"EventID":"S1W-18413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage and support the active promotion of a strong pro bono culture in Scotland, commencing in the law faculties of universities and contin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage and support the active promotion of a strong pro bono culture in Scotland, commencing in the law faculties of universities and continuing through all levels of professional practice.","AnswerText":"Pro bono services provided by advocates and solicitors are primarily a matter for the legal profession itself. The content of law courses at Scottish universities is for the universities to determine, in consultation with the profession.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155054,"EventID":"S1W-18414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding a national pool of salaried locums to alleviate any difficulties encountered by general practitioners in rural practices both in obtaini","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding a national pool of salaried locums to alleviate any difficulties encountered by general practitioners in rural practices both in obtaining regular time off owing to on-call requirements and in securing locum cover.","AnswerText":"While we do not fund a national pool of salaried locums, schemes within the general practitioners (GP) contract already provide resources to enable GPs in rural practices to obtain regular time off and training and to secure locum cover. First, the Associate GP scheme funds single-handed rural GPs to employ a half-time associate to provide the opportunity for regular time off and training. Second, isolated rural GPs qualify for extra locum payments from the Out of Hours Development Fund to relieve out of hours workloads. In addition, we are actively exploring further initiatives to help promote recruitment and retention of GPs in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155055,"EventID":"S1W-18415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce incentives for general practitioners to enter and remain in rural practice. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce incentives for general practitioners to enter and remain in rural practice. ","AnswerText":"As an interim measure, pending the outcome of the negotiations on the GP contract, we are currently discussing with the profession in Scotland the introduction of a limited package of incentives aimed at GP recruitment and retention. Details will be announced when negotiations are complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155056,"EventID":"S1W-18416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce new contracts for rural health workers to address any shortage of rural general practitioners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce new contracts for rural health workers to address any shortage of rural general practitioners.","AnswerText":"The needs of rural areas will be taken closely into account in the forthcoming UK-wide negotiations to amend the GP contract. We will also learn from the work of the solutions group which the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative has established to examine specific recruitment and retention issues affecting staff across the full range of NHS work - including doctors. These include professional isolation and out-of-hours commitments associated with working in remote areas.

    Also, Personal Medical Services schemes allow different contractual arrangements to be tested. GPs can be salaried either by Primary Care Trusts or within practices or pilots can be practice-based. Earlier this year I announced an additional investment of £18.5 million to support the development of PMS. The extra resources were allocated to all health boards but the greatest share of resources went to those areas with high levels of deprivation and rural communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155057,"EventID":"S1W-18417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the specific needs of rural health workers will be addressed in future education and training courses for health workers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the specific needs of rural health workers will be addressed in future education and training courses for health workers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18269. There are already provisions in place within NHSScotland's Learning Together Strategy that promotes education, training and lifelong learning for all NHSScotland staff.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155058,"EventID":"S1W-18418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have been treated in (a) the private/independent sector and (b) hospitals outwith Scotland in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have been treated in (a) the private/independent sector and (b) hospitals outwith Scotland in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"(a) Reliable information on the number of NHS patients treated in private hospitals is not available centrally. However, the Information and Statistics Division, part of the Common Services Agency in NHSScotland, are currently working with the Scottish Executive, NHS Trusts, health boards and the private sector to resolve this issue.

    (b) The information is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155059,"EventID":"S1W-18419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether single vaccines and vaccinations administered outwith the UK were included in the recent statistics published by the Information and Statistics Division of the C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether single vaccines and vaccinations administered outwith the UK were included in the recent statistics published by the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency (ISD(s)13) on MMR immunisation uptake rates.","AnswerText":"The information on MMR vaccination uptake rates to 30 June 2001, published by ISD Scotland, do not include data on single vaccines. They do, however, include information on triple vaccines administered outwith the UK to children who moved to Scotland after being immunised elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155060,"EventID":"S1W-18420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle the issues identified in the Scottish Council Foundation report Beyond Disappointment: Building Better Communities with respect to t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle the issues identified in the Scottish Council Foundation report Beyond Disappointment: Building Better Communities with respect to the community of Govanhill, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Beyond Disappointment: Building Better Communities highlighted a number of key issues impacting on Govanhill. Glasgow City Council has provided a formal response to the Scottish Council Foundation. The priorities identified - tackling drugs, improving local employment opportunities and environmental standards - are being pursued by Glasgow City Council, in partnership with relevant agencies.

    Building strong and inclusive communities is at the heart of our Social Justice agenda. The Scottish Executive's Community Regeneration Statement, which will be published later this year, will set out what is being done to revive and empower communities across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155061,"EventID":"S1W-18421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the level of registration of interest in its central heating programme by households living in private rented housing in rural areas compar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the level of registration of interest in its central heating programme by households living in private rented housing in rural areas compared to the Scotland-wide average.","AnswerText":"Those who have registered an interest in the central heating programme to date were asked to give an address only. Of the total number of expressions of interest, some 30% are estimated to be from rural areas. There is no information on the number of expressions of interest from private renters in rural areas. Eaga's strategy to publicise the programme will take full account of home owners and private renters in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155062,"EventID":"S1W-18422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to publicise its central heating programme to those living in tied accommodation in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to publicise its central heating programme to those living in tied accommodation in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Our intention is that all eligible households should benefit from the Central Heating Programme. In February 2001 we published a guide to the programme inviting applications. The guide was widely distributed throughout Scotland. Eaga are now the Managing Agent and they will continue to ensure that the programme is publicised fully in all parts of the private sector across the country.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155063,"EventID":"S1W-18423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many leaflets publicising the central heating programme were made available for distribution in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many leaflets publicising the central heating programme were made available for distribution in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987 on 30 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155064,"EventID":"S1W-18424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to publicise the central heating programme to encourage the take-up of grants by pensioner households in private rented housing in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to publicise the central heating programme to encourage the take-up of grants by pensioner households in private rented housing in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Local authorities and housing associations are responsible for identifying eligible tenants. Eaga will be using a range of media to encourage applications from homeowners and private renters throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155065,"EventID":"S1W-18425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in private rented housing in each local authority area have registered an interest in the central heating programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in private rented housing in each local authority area have registered an interest in the central heating programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18421.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155066,"EventID":"S1W-18426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioner households in each local authority area live in fuel poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioner households in each local authority area live in fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"We have produced an all-Scotland estimate of the number of fuel poor households but the data does not permit disaggregation by local authority area.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155067,"EventID":"S1W-18427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether community policemen stationed in rural areas receive specific training due to the nature of their beat.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether community policemen stationed in rural areas receive specific training due to the nature of their beat.","AnswerText":"Community policing is intended to be delivered in a range of settings and the training provided to community police officers draws on rural as well as urban circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155068,"EventID":"S1W-18428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 relating to \"public nuisances\" empower local authorities to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris bl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 relating to \"public nuisances\" empower local authorities to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","AnswerText":"It may be possible for local authorities to use provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way in certain circumstances using powers under section 79(1)(a) and (e) of the Act. The precise application of the provisions in any particular case would ultimately be a matter for the courts to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155069,"EventID":"S1W-18429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have a statutory duty under the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have a statutory duty under the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","AnswerText":"Section 46(1) of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 imposes a clear duty on local authorities to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any public right of way which is wholly or partly within their area.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155070,"EventID":"S1W-18430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 contains provisions which can be used to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 contains provisions which can be used to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","AnswerText":"There are no provisions contained within the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 to compel landowners to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way. However, an occupier does owe a duty of reasonable care in respect of dangers on the land towards those who may be on their land.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155071,"EventID":"S1W-18431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have any powers to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have any powers to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way.","AnswerText":"Local authorities may have a duty themselves under section 46 the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way in certain circumstances. In addition it may be possible for local authorities to use provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to compel a landowner to clear landslip debris blocking a public right of way. The precise application of these provisions in any particular case could ultimately be a matter for the courts to decide.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155072,"EventID":"S1W-18432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16469 by Jackie Baillie on 24 August 2001, what provisions are likely to require to be made in secondary legislation in order to pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16469 by Jackie Baillie on 24 August 2001, what provisions are likely to require to be made in secondary legislation in order to protect any existing entitlement to the right to buy on the part of tenants whose houses are transferred to a registered social landlord which is exempt from the right to buy as a result of its charitable status.","AnswerText":"Secondary legislation will be required based on the provisions of section 11 of Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, to ensure that all tenants with secure tenancies or with assured tenancies with a preserved right to buy, before the introduction of the Scottish secure tenancy, can continue to exercise the right to buy on existing terms and conditions after the introduction of the Scottish secure tenancy.

    In addition, paragraph (13)17 of schedule 10 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, when commenced, will repeal the Preserved Right to Buy as set out in section 81A of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and the associated regulations. The Preserved Right to Buy applies to secure tenants whose houses are the subject of a disposal to a "private sector landlord" which is defined in the 1987 Act to include registered housing associations. At present, such tenants continue to have the right to buy even when the transferee landlord has charitable status. In order to achieve a similar result after the introduction of the Scottish secure tenancy, the intention is to use secondary legislation to continue the protection given to any pre-existing right to buy entitlement of tenants in houses which are transferred to a registered social landlord that had charitable status at Royal Assent of the 2001 Act.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155073,"EventID":"S1W-18433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S1O-3689 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 September 2001, what action it will take in relation to any leafle","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S1O-3689 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 September 2001, what action it will take in relation to any leaflets distributed by Scottish Natural Heritage which are based on the provisions of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill as consulted upon.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), produces a wide range of publications relating to natural heritage and to outdoor recreation. Editorial responsibility for these publications rests with SNH. However, where any reference is included to Executive policy, SNH would normally clear the text with us. I understand that SNH has not as yet produced any leaflets based on the provisions of the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155074,"EventID":"S1W-18434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of this year's total agri-environment budget will be available for the Rural Stewardship Scheme once the costs of all other agri-environment schemes have been m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of this year's total agri-environment budget will be available for the Rural Stewardship Scheme once the costs of all other agri-environment schemes have been met.","AnswerText":"It is not possible at this stage to say how much will be available for the Rural Stewardship Scheme because payments will be funded from modulation and it is too early to know how much will be raised by modulation of 2001 CAP payments.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155075,"EventID":"S1W-18435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for legal aid in the form of assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals have been received by the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for legal aid in the form of assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals have been received by the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each calendar month since January 2001; how many of the applications received in each month were from (a) employees pursuing actions and (b) employers defending actions, and how many applications of each type have been granted.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155076,"EventID":"S1W-18436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Legal Aid Board's total outlay in respect of grants for assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals has been since January 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Legal Aid Board's total outlay in respect of grants for assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals has been since January 2001.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155077,"EventID":"S1W-18437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information the Scottish Legal Aid Board has available to it on the general standard of complexity or difficulty of evidence presented at employment tribunal hearin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information the Scottish Legal Aid Board has available to it on the general standard of complexity or difficulty of evidence presented at employment tribunal hearings in order to assist it in deciding whether a case involves evidence of a difficult or complex nature.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The basic criteria to be applied are set out in The Advice and Assistance (Assistance by Way of Representation) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2001. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155078,"EventID":"S1W-18438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17371 by Ross Finnie on 22 August 2001, what investigations it plans to make into the circumstances surrounding the managerial rest","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17371 by Ross Finnie on 22 August 2001, what investigations it plans to make into the circumstances surrounding the managerial restructuring of West of Scotland Water Authority, including the severance package offered to its former Chief Executive Mr Ernie Chambers, given that this restructuring exercise took place after the intention to merge Scotland's three existing water authorities into a new single Scotland-wide authority had been announced.","AnswerText":"None, as my answer to question S1W-17371 made clear there are no grounds for such an investigation.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155079,"EventID":"S1W-18441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Food Standards Agency Scotland's algal Toxin Monitoring Box testing capacity is for (a) king scallops, (b) queen scallops and (c) mussels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Food Standards Agency Scotland's algal Toxin Monitoring Box testing capacity is for (a) king scallops, (b) queen scallops and (c) mussels.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised me that current testing capacity for the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory (FRS MLA) in Aberdeen, for offshore boxes, is 10 boxes per week (20 samples of king or queen scallops). This capacity is based on FRS MLA completing algal toxin analysis and reporting results to Food Standards Agency Scotland, within a guaranteed seven day turn-around. Mussels are harvested and analysed from mainly inshore sites and are not included in the offshore testing programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155080,"EventID":"S1W-18442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for each shellfish algal Toxin Monitoring Box subjected to a Food and Environment Act 1985 closure or to a shucking restriction during the first ni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for each shellfish algal Toxin Monitoring Box subjected to a Food and Environment Act 1985 closure or to a shucking restriction during the first nine months of 2001, the sampling dates and results for all tests from that box after the restriction was applied.","AnswerText":"The information requested is lengthy and I have asked the Food Standards Agency to send a copy of the information required directly to the member. A copy of this information will also be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16796).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155081,"EventID":"S1W-18443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sample collection and laboratory testing capacity of the Food Standards Agency Scotland has restricted the lifting of any Food and Environment Act 1985 closu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sample collection and laboratory testing capacity of the Food Standards Agency Scotland has restricted the lifting of any Food and Environment Act 1985 closure or shucking restriction imposed during 2001.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised me that the lifting of Food and Environment Protection Act Orders, and shucking restrictions placed for the harvesting of scallops, can be restricted in relation to sample collection through the need to await relevant reductions in algal toxin levels and due to poor weather conditions. There is a limit to laboratory testing capacity and this is taken into account when assessing priority for both lifting restrictions and the continued monitoring of open boxes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155082,"EventID":"S1W-18444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has ever been any risk of haemophiliacs contracting illnesses as a result of being treated with the blood plasma product Liberate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has ever been any risk of haemophiliacs contracting illnesses as a result of being treated with the blood plasma product Liberate.","AnswerText":"Liberate has been subject to a programme of safety surveillance since it was licensed in 1996. During this period there have been no reports of transmission of pathogenic virus infections (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV) and only two reports of mild allergy type reactions.

    The following statement is included in the product literature:

    Despite a good clinical record the nature of products prepared from human blood or plasma are such that the transmission of infectious agents, including pathogens of a hitherto unknown origin, cannot be excluded entirely.

    The development of antibodies to Factor VIII in recipients of Factor VIII concentrates can prevent the treatment from being effective. This is a serious complication of therapy in the treatment of haemophilia A. The frequency of such antibodies occurring in patients treated with Liberate (1.8% of patients treated) is substantially lower than with other plasma derived or recombinant products.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155083,"EventID":"S1W-18445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the regulations relating to si'e, style and positioning of road signs for tourist attractions in order to address the expense involved for tho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the regulations relating to si'e, style and positioning of road signs for tourist attractions in order to address the expense involved for those who have to provide the current brown signs.","AnswerText":"There is no requirement for tourist attractions to erect tourist signs. Where signs are proposed they must meet the specification of the relevant legislation. The legislation and associated guidance relating to the size, style and positioning of all road signs, including road signs for tourist attractions, are reserved. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DLTR) is currently consulting on amendments to the relevant secondary legislation, which is Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994. A copy of the consultation paper is on DTLR's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155084,"EventID":"S1W-18446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any financial support made available to Continental Airlines to operate a direct flight between Edinburgh and Newark, USA will be made available to a low cost ai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any financial support made available to Continental Airlines to operate a direct flight between Edinburgh and Newark, USA will be made available to a low cost airline or other carriers seeking to open up links with new destinations in Europe should Continental Airlines not proceed following the recent terrorist attacks in the USA.","AnswerText":"No additional resources have made been available by the Scottish Executive for the establishment of any direct air services between Edinburgh and the USA.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155085,"EventID":"S1W-18447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds or support will be made available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes to European destinations following the recent terrori","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds or support will be made available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes to European destinations following the recent terrorist attacks in the USA.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no specific budget provision for the promotion of international links. The Executive will continue to have discussions with its agencies (enterprise networks and VisitScotland) on how best any available funding can be deployed for the greatest benefit of the Scottish economy and tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155086,"EventID":"S1W-18448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the recent terrorist attacks in the USA will have on its strategy for tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the recent terrorist attacks in the USA will have on its strategy for tourism.","AnswerText":"The impact of the recent tragic events on the tourism industry will be taken into account in the review of our tourism strategy, which was already under way. On marketing, for example, VisitScotland has already indicated that changes will be made. We intend to present our proposals to a conference that is being organised by the industry on 19 November.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155087,"EventID":"S1W-18449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the report Connecting Scotland; our broadband future, whether the responsibility for upgrading existing services will lie with local telecommunications compan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the report Connecting Scotland; our broadband future, whether the responsibility for upgrading existing services will lie with local telecommunications companies; if so, how they will be financed and by whom and, if not, with whom the responsibility will lie.","AnswerText":"Availability and extension of services is a commercial matter for operators which we would expect to be dependent upon demand. The Executive's strategy, based on the aggregated procurement of public sector connectivity, aims to provide a volume of demand that will help providers make a business case regarding upgrading of existing services.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155088,"EventID":"S1W-18450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement in its report Connecting Scotland: our broadband future that competition must be encouraged, what measures it plans to take to ensure that local","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement in its report Connecting Scotland: our broadband future that competition must be encouraged, what measures it plans to take to ensure that local supply procured on a local basis is not monopolised by one company, given that BT plc is the prime owner of local loop technology.","AnswerText":"A formal procurement process has not yet commenced. The Scottish Executive is not in a position to anticipate the content of bidders' proposals. The procurement strategy is to ensure that the solutions procured are those which most appropriately meet the broadband strategy objectives.

    Telecommunications companies can take advantage of local loop unbundling and, more generally, it is open to telecommunications companies to offer solutions which involve purchase by themselves from BT. The Executive has also stated that it expects a range of technologies will be required to meet procurement needs in the Pathfinder areas, including, in some instances, solutions which bypass the copper local loop.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155089,"EventID":"S1W-18451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recommendations of Section 4 of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, whether it has any plans to introduce, or support the introduction of, compuls","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recommendations of Section 4 of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, whether it has any plans to introduce, or support the introduction of, compulsory sharing of capacity by cable and local loop suppliers with other tendering organisations.","AnswerText":"Regulation of the telecommunications market is a reserved matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155090,"EventID":"S1W-18452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to Section 5 of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, what steps it has taken to extend current knowledge of Scottish networks by establishing disclosure ag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to Section 5 of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, what steps it has taken to extend current knowledge of Scottish networks by establishing disclosure agreements with telecommunications companies in order to obtain information of a commercial-in-confidence nature.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications companies have, where they wished, provided information to us to inform our broadband strategy. A formal procurement process has not yet commenced.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155091,"EventID":"S1W-18453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the development of aggregated broadband procurement for the public sector, as outlined in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will be affected by the Governme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the development of aggregated broadband procurement for the public sector, as outlined in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will be affected by the Government Secure Internet and any related tendering process.","AnswerText":"The Government Secure Intranet (GSI), and any related tendering, is a matter for the Office of Government Commerce. We do not anticipate the GSI having an impact on aggregated procurement as anticipated in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future. That procurement is expected to focus on broadband connectivity.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155092,"EventID":"S1W-18454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the development of aggregated broadband procurement for the public sector, as outlined in its report Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will be affected by e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the development of aggregated broadband procurement for the public sector, as outlined in its report Connecting Scotland: our broadband future, will be affected by existing national agreements such as NHSnet and SuperJANET4.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland has contract arrangements under NHSnet until early 2004. NHSScotland will be exploring with the Digital Scotland Unit of the Scottish Executive, and with NHS suppliers, the options for procurement action before and after current NHSnet contracts expire.

    The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and the Scottish Further Education Funding Council are responsible for the provision of the SuperJANET network in Scotland, and for connections to all further education (FE) and higher education (HE) institutions in Scotland. The most recent FE/HE procurements were too far advanced, and too specialised, to be brought within the Executive's current plans for aggregation. However, the funding councils have agreed with Digital Scotland to seek to co-ordinate future procurements wherever possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155093,"EventID":"S1W-18455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with organisations such as the Information Policy Unit of the NHS in England, the Department of Health and the Office of the e-Envoy in order","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with organisations such as the Information Policy Unit of the NHS in England, the Department of Health and the Office of the e-Envoy in order to determine whether the proposals set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future will be affected by existing UK arrangements such as NHSnet and SuperJANET4.","AnswerText":"Health department officials have kept colleagues in Department of Health and the NHS Information Authority informed of the proposals set out in Connecting Scotland: our broadband future on the basis that existing contract arrangements will be sustained and will not constrain exploration of options for broadband delivery in the period leading up to the expiry of NHSnet contracts and beyond.

    SuperJANET4 is an academic network operated by the Joint Information Systems Committee on behalf of the UK's higher and further education communities. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and the Scottish Further Education Funding Council are members of the JISC and are responsible for the provision of the SuperJANET network in Scotland and the Scottish Executive has had discussions with UKERNA. The development of SuperJANET will not constrain the proposals set out in Connecting Scotland.

    Officials have had discussions with the Office of the e-Envoy, the Executive is represented on the OEE Broadband Stakeholder Group, and I have met the e-Envoy.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155094,"EventID":"S1W-18456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is spent by companies on research and development in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much is spent by companies on research and development in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on research and development by businesses in Scotland amounted to £393 million in 1999, the latest year for which figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155095,"EventID":"S1W-18457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to contribute funding to any university-based pilot projects on wave power; whether it will detail any such planned contributions, and what the reason","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to contribute funding to any university-based pilot projects on wave power; whether it will detail any such planned contributions, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"No. Renewable energy research and development funding is a reserved matter, and the programme is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. Many Scottish projects have benefited from this funding over the last decade, and should continue to do so as extra resources are devoted to the programme over the coming years. In recent weeks the Department of Trade and Industry has announced further support for Wavegen.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155096,"EventID":"S1W-18458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to schools regarding the cost to parents of school trips within Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to schools regarding the cost to parents of school trips within Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not provide advice to councils regarding the cost to parents of school trips within Scotland. This is a matter for local consideration and it would be for individual authorities to determine what advice should be available to schools in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155097,"EventID":"S1W-18459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to schools regarding the cost to parents of school trips overseas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to schools regarding the cost to parents of school trips overseas.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not provide advice to councils regarding the cost to parents of school trips overseas. This is a matter for local consideration and it would be for individual authorities to determine what advice should be available to schools in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155098,"EventID":"S1W-18460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage local authorities to increase the amount of money available to assist with the purchase of school uniforms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage local authorities to increase the amount of money available to assist with the purchase of school uniforms.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to change the current arrangements for clothing grants for school pupils which are entirely at the discretion of education authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155099,"EventID":"S1W-18461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Care Development Group's report and recommendations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Care Development Group's report and recommendations.","AnswerText":"I welcome the Care Development Group's report which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. I congratulate the members of the group for the excellent work they have done. They have come forward with a series of sound recommendations for the sustainable implementation of free nursing and personal care for all older people.

    The investment of £125 million we have already pledged enables us fulfil our commitment to implement free personal care beginning in April 2002.

    The group supports the principle of free personal care, welcomes the financial provision we have made and makes specific recommendations on the definition of personal care and on how assessing people's need for care must be built into the system for delivering personal and nursing care.

    • They have recommended a definition of personal care which is in line with that taken by the Royal Commission.

    • In defining personal care, the group has endorsed the need for people to continue to pay their own living and accommodation costs.

    • They have recommended the removal of all charges for personal care in community

    • For those in care homes currently meeting their own costs, the group has recommended that they should receive a payment of £90 per week for personal care and a further £65 per week if they need nursing care.

    We welcome all of these recommendations and believe they provide a fair and workable approach.

    The group also recommended further investment in improvements to services in the community to address the gaps and deficiencies that currently exist and to meet future demand for services from an increasingly older population.

    There is now a great deal of work for local authorities and others to do so that older people can benefit from the unprecedented investment we are making. I therefore intend to establish an Implementation Steering Group to begin work immediately with local authorities, the NHS and the independent sector to develop common arrangements that will enable free personal and nursing care to be delivered as an integral part of the care services older people need.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155100,"EventID":"S1W-18462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for restorative dental treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for restorative dental treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"In the year ended 31 March 2001, the median waiting time for a first out-patient appointment with a Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was 118 days.

    Restorative dental treatments carried out within the Hospital and Community Health Service settings are primarily undertaken on an out-patient basis, and information on waiting times for such treatments is not held centrally. At Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, no patient was admitted from the waiting list for in-patient or day case treatment in the specialty of Restorative Dentistry in the year ended 31 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155101,"EventID":"S1W-18463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of prescribing beta interferon through the NHS to those people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who it is considered could benefit f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of prescribing beta interferon through the NHS to those people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who it is considered could benefit from the drug.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Health Technology Board for Scotland to provide NHSScotland with a Scottish Comment on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on beta interferon and glatiramer when this is available. As with all medicines, the decision whether or not to prescribe beta interferon for an individual patient depends on the clinical judgement of the specialist concerned, in consultation with the patient. The specialist should take into account the risks and benefits of that treatment as indicated in advice provided by their local Area Drug and Therapeutic Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155102,"EventID":"S1W-18464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children identified as having Waardenburg Syndrome have a Record of Needs, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children identified as having Waardenburg Syndrome have a Record of Needs, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally. A minority of children with Waardenburg's Syndrome have serious hearing problems, and they would be treated in the same way as children who have hearing loss from other causes. Apart from hearing loss, children with this rare genetic condition do not usually have particular health problems.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155103,"EventID":"S1W-18465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all secondary legislation provided for under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the timetable for such legislation coming into force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all secondary legislation provided for under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the timetable for such legislation coming into force.","AnswerText":"The powers to make secondary legislation under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 are summarised in the Memorandum submitted to the Subordinate Legislation Committee at the time of the introduction of the Bill into Parliament on 18 December 2000 and the supplementary Memorandum submitted to the Committee following Stage 2 amendments. These Memoranda, which are obtainable through the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. Number 16392 and 16393), set out the frequency with which we expect these powers to be used. The precise timing of the use of these powers will be established as we proceed with the implementation of the Act in the next eighteen months and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155104,"EventID":"S1W-18466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing Improvement Task Force is the only group looking at the issue of sellers' surveys and, if not, whether it will give details of any other such groups, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing Improvement Task Force is the only group looking at the issue of sellers' surveys and, if not, whether it will give details of any other such groups, including their remit, membership and meetings held to date, and details of when the task force and any other groups are due to report.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Housing Improvement Task Force includes consideration of the likely effect of providing better information about the condition of the property as part of the house purchase process, taking account of proposals for sellers surveys and sellers packs.

    There are no other groups established by the Scottish Executive which are currently considering issues relating to sellers surveys.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155105,"EventID":"S1W-18467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether responses to its consultation paper A Modern Complaints System: Consultation Paper for Public Sector Ombudsmen in Scotland favoured the inclusion of enterprise ex","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether responses to its consultation paper A Modern Complaints System: Consultation Paper for Public Sector Ombudsmen in Scotland favoured the inclusion of enterprise external adjudicators in a \"one stop shop\", whether it intends to create such posts and, if so, (a) when the adjudicators will be appointed; (b) where they will be located; (c) what their salary scale will be; (d) to whom they will be responsible, and (e) when and how often they will report the details of their findings.","AnswerText":"The consultation paper, a copy of which I sent to each member, proposes that the External Complaints Adjudicators will be wound up and that complaints relating to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will instead be dealt with by the new Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman. The closing date for responses to the consultation paper is 8 October 2001 so it is too early to say whether the responses favour this proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155106,"EventID":"S1W-18468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish rehabilitation units for people with epilepsy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish rehabilitation units for people with epilepsy.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155107,"EventID":"S1W-18469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether selenium deficiency is a cause of any medical conditions and, if so, what conditions it causes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether selenium deficiency is a cause of any medical conditions and, if so, what conditions it causes.","AnswerText":"The only specific disease known to be linked to selenium deficiency is Keshan Disease, a disorder of the heart muscles primarily in children found in some areas of China where the soil is severely deficient in selenium. The Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) reviewed the nutritional implications of estimated selenium intakes in the UK and agreed that:

    selenium intakes and measurements of selenium status should continue to be monitored;

    further research should be encouraged to investigate whether the current levels of intake are adequate or whether the body adapts to changing intakes;

    there is currently no evidence of adverse health consequence from current intakes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155108,"EventID":"S1W-18470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the domiciliary eye test is available to all those who would benefit from the service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the domiciliary eye test is available to all those who would benefit from the service.","AnswerText":"NHS domiciliary visits are available to those who are eligible for NHS sight tests and who are unable to leave unaccompanied the place where they normally reside because of physical or mental illness or disability.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155109,"EventID":"S1W-18471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is currently being taken to encourage more people to state their intentions regarding organ transplantation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is currently being taken to encourage more people to state their intentions regarding organ transplantation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18371.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155110,"EventID":"S1W-18472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any statistics are available which provide evidence that a ban on tobacco advertising reduces the amount of tobacco smoked and consequently the death rate from sm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any statistics are available which provide evidence that a ban on tobacco advertising reduces the amount of tobacco smoked and consequently the death rate from smoking-related diseases.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16601 answered on 22 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155111,"EventID":"S1W-18473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were given a domiciliary eye test in each health board area in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were given a domiciliary eye test in each health board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of domiciliary sight tests paid for by health boards and Primary Care NHS Trusts in Scotland is collected by the Common Services Agency as part of the General Ophthalmic Services return. The domiciliary information collected is not published due to concerns about the robustness of the data. Figures by health board of the number of domiciliary sight tests paid are shown in the table for the years ending 31 March 1998 to 2001. Information for the year ending 31 March 1997 is not shown due to quality concerns.

    Number of domiciliary visits paid for by Health Boards and Primary Care NHS Trusts
     

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Argyll and Clyde

    1,894

    2,266

    2,100

    2,471

    Ayrshire and Arran

    2,071

    2,171

    2,381

    2,356

    Borders

    409

    275

    491

    423

    Dumfries and Galloway

    513

    425

    605

    841

    Fife

    849

    1,304

    1,464

    1,182

    Forth Valley

    1,116

    1,110

    1,375

    1,474

    Grampian

    1,491

    977

    The Effectiveness of Public Health Nursing: A Review of Systematic Reviews was commissioned by the Chief Scientist Office to inform the Review of the Contribution of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors to Improving the Public's Health. Its recommendations take account of the findings of the review of systematic reviews and were published in Nursing for Health in March 2001.

    In view of the wealth of evidence identified by The Effectiveness of Public Health Nursing: A review of Systematic Reviews, copies have been widely disseminated to practitioners and public health leaders and academics across NHS Scotland in order to inform clinical practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155113,"EventID":"S1W-18475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recognising rural health as a separate speciality in the undergraduate curriculum for medical students.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider recognising rural health as a separate speciality in the undergraduate curriculum for medical students.","AnswerText":"The content of the undergraduate medical curriculum is a matter for the General Medical Council (GMC), which is a body independent of government. Currently the GMC recommends that each university cover a core curriculum, encompassing the essential knowledge and skills and the appropriate attitudes to be acquired by the time of graduation. In addition, the core curriculum should be augmented by a series of special study modules, which allow students to study areas of particular interest. While it will not be possible or appropriate for all medical schools to provide training in rural health, it is already open to students and schools to access and provide this training on an individual basis.

    The GMC is reviewing its recommendations regarding undergraduate medical education at present and the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland represents the Scottish Executive's interests.

    In addition, the Scottish Executive is working with a range of organisations, including the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI), to develop measures to support and improve health care in rural areas. This includes RARARI's exploration of the scope for developing a multi-professional Faculty of Rural Health Care.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155114,"EventID":"S1W-18476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue has been raised by the sale of Bangour Village Hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue has been raised by the sale of Bangour Village Hospital.","AnswerText":"West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust is still in negotiations with the preferred bidder and no final sale price has been agreed.

    It is hoped that negotiations will be completed within the next two months.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155115,"EventID":"S1W-18477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to respond to the proposal by West Lothian Health Care NHS Trust and West Lothian Council with regard to the building of a new hospital for mental health pa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to respond to the proposal by West Lothian Health Care NHS Trust and West Lothian Council with regard to the building of a new hospital for mental health patients.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian's Mental Health Strategy proposes a major shift from hospital to community-based health care, which would see a reduction in the number of mental illness continuing care beds in West Lothian.

    NHS Lothian and its planning partners propose to build a substantial network of community services, which would include community psychiatric nursing, supported accommodation services and intensive home treatment services.

    A Criteria Submission for the development of a Mental Health After Care Service has been submitted to the Scottish Executive for approval. The proposal is for a joint service established by West Lothian Healthcare Trust and West Lothian Council, which combines care for this client group with the more dependant residents of a residential home at the cost of £3.4 million capital.

    The Criteria Submission is currently being circulated. It is anticipated that a response will be sent to the Trust within the next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155116,"EventID":"S1W-18478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate the possibility of setting up a centre based on the Son-Rise Program run by the Autism Treatment Centre of America.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate the possibility of setting up a centre based on the Son-Rise Program run by the Autism Treatment Centre of America.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no current plans to investigate the possibility of setting up a centre based on the Son-Rise Program.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155117,"EventID":"S1W-18479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to collate information regarding the cost of caring for and educating persons with an autistic spectrum disorder over their lifetime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to collate information regarding the cost of caring for and educating persons with an autistic spectrum disorder over their lifetime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to collate information about the cost of caring for and educating persons with an autistic spectrum disorder over their lifetime.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155118,"EventID":"S1W-18480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the take-up figures were for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in the most recent period for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the take-up figures were for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in the most recent period for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Figures published by Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency give the uptake of MMR for children aged up to 24 months at quarter ended 30 June 2001 as 87.8%.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155119,"EventID":"S1W-18481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places are available across Scotland for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places are available across Scotland for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155120,"EventID":"S1W-18482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places have been utilised for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places have been utilised for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155121,"EventID":"S1W-18483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Scotland are (a) drugs dependent and (b) alcohol dependent, broken down by age, gender and health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Scotland are (a) drugs dependent and (b) alcohol dependent, broken down by age, gender and health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The findings from a national prevalence study of problematic drug misuse, commissioned by the Executive, will be available shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155122,"EventID":"S1W-18484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16758 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, whether any revenue and capital resources within the health budget remain unallocated follow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16758 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, whether any revenue and capital resources within the health budget remain unallocated following the realignment of resources to support the implementation of free personal care.","AnswerText":"All resources within the health budget for 2001-02 are allocated to specific programmes. During the course of a financial year resources may become available due to savings or slippage in individual programmes and these are used to meet emerging pressures or fund new developments.

    Final allocations for 2002-03 and 2003-04 are subject to Parliament's approval of the relevant Budget Bills, however all resources have been allocated for specific purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155123,"EventID":"S1W-18485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16758 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, whether there are any as yet unallocated capital and revenue resources within budget heading","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16758 by Susan Deacon on 31 July 2001, whether there are any as yet unallocated capital and revenue resources within budget headings other than health.","AnswerText":"All resources within the budget for 2001-02 are allocated to specific programmes. During the financial year resources may become available due to savings or slippage in individual programmes. These are used to meet emergency pressures or fund new developments. The committee will have the chance to scrutinise any in-year changes to the allocation of resources in the autumn and spring budget revisions.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155124,"EventID":"S1W-18486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16764 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, when level III information on the social justice budget will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16764 by Jackie Baillie on 31 July 2001, when level III information on the social justice budget will be published.","AnswerText":"In response to question S1W-16746, we set out our revised Social Justice expenditure plans, following the Minister for Finance's budget statement on 28 June. On 20 September, the Executive published the draft budget for 2002-03, which sets out our expenditure plans down to level III for next year.

    Due to the presentational conventions for setting out budget information, it is not possible to include arrangements for the carry forward of underspends from one year to the next in detail as part of this publication. As such there are differences to those figures published in response to question S1W-16746. However, to assist the Social Justice Committee's consideration of phase 2 of the budget process, I have provided the committee with the detailed Social Justice budget set out in the budget consultation document but inclusive of the effect of agreed end year flexibility.

    These figures are dependent on final decisions on end year flexibility for social justice and will therefore likely be subject to further slight change. These changes will be published formally when revisions to this year's budget are put to the Parliament later in the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155125,"EventID":"S1W-18487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15496 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 1,081 offenders found guilty of driving whilst disqualif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15496 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 1,081 offenders found guilty of driving whilst disqualified in 1999 whose convictions did not result in custody, a community service order or admonition.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table.

    Number of offences of driving while disqualified with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the outcome was not custody, a community service order or admonition, 1999

    Main Penalty

    Number of offences

    Fine

    805

    Probation

    252

    Other1

    24

    TOTAL

    1,081

    1 Includes restriction of liberty order, remit to children's hearing, compensation order, absolute discharge and no order made.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155126,"EventID":"S1W-18488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving whilst disqualified in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving whilst disqualified in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those fines have been received to date.","AnswerText":"The available information, which relates to 1999, is given in the table. Information on the amount of money received to date in respect of these fines is not readily available.

    Fines imposed in Scottish courts where the offence was driving while disqualified , 1999

    Type of offence

    Amount of fine (£)

    £

    1-100

    101-200

    201-300

    301-400

    401-500

    Over 500

    No separate figure

    Total

    Average

    fine1

    Amount of fines levied by courts1

    Driving while disqualified

    106

    226

    219

    78

    103

    64

    9

    805

    325

    259,080

    Notes:

    1. Excludes fines for which no separate figure is given.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155127,"EventID":"S1W-18489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15495 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 10,669 offenders found guilty of driving without insuran","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15495 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 10,669 offenders found guilty of driving without insurance whose convictions did not result in custody, a community service order or admonition.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table.

    Number of offences of failing to insure against third party risks with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the outcome was not custody, a community service order or admonition, 1999

    Main Penalty

    Number of offences

    Fine

    10,288

    Probation

    312

    Other 1

    69

    Total

    10,669

    Notes:

    1 Includes restriction of liberty order, supervised attendance order, remit to children's hearing, caution, absolute discharge and no order made.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155128,"EventID":"S1W-18490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving without insurance in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those fi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving without insurance in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those fines have been received to date.","AnswerText":"The available information, which relates to 1999, is given in the table. Information on the amount of money received to date in respect of these fines is not readily available.

    Fines imposed in Scottish Courts where the offence was failing to insure against third party risks, 1999

    Type of offence

    Amount of fine (£)

    £

    1-100

    101-200

    201-300

    301-400

    401-500

    Over 500

    No separate figure

    Total

    Average fine(1)

    Amount of fines levied by Scottish courts(1)

    Failing to insure against third party risks

    4,876

    4,123

    942

    124

    83

    36

    104

    10,288

    141

    1,436,083

    Notes:

    1. Excludes fines for which no separate figure is given.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155129,"EventID":"S1W-18491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to close the \"digital divide\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to close the \"digital divide\".","AnswerText":"The Executive is launching today a strategy designed to achieve universal access to the internet and help close the digital divide in Scotland. The promotion of a digitally inclusive Scotland is a key element in our drive to create a socially just society.

    The strategy encompasses a range of measures including publishing details of over 700 existing facilities in Scotland where the public can gain access to the internet and a scheme to create over 1,000 extra access points to the internet, delivering comprehensive access across Scotland. We are also launching a search for two Digital Communities. The objective is to demonstrate how the internet can increase peoples' opportunities and improve quality of life, but at the same time to inform our further efforts to close the digital divide. This initiative will ensure that 2,000 households in two disadvantaged communities have access to the internet and are able to gain the skills to use it.

    The actions listed in the strategy will complement existing programmes, such as the Individual Learning Account scheme which offers individuals discounts of up to 80% on the cost of basic IT courses.

    Copies of the digital inclusion strategy are available on the Scottish Executive website (www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland). Copies have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155130,"EventID":"S1W-18492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the law on psychiatric injury.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the law on psychiatric injury.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ministers made a reference to the Scottish Law Commission on 4 July in the following terms:

    "To examine the law of Scotland relating to psychiatric injury caused by another person and to make recommendations as to possible changes in the law."

    This reference has now been accepted by the Commission. The Executive will consider any recommendations, and any resulting legislation would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155131,"EventID":"S1W-18493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the national strategy recommended in the Report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime which had a deadline for implementation no later than April 2001 has not yet bee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the national strategy recommended in the Report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime which had a deadline for implementation no later than April 2001 has not yet been issued for consultation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has accepted all the recommendations by the Advisory Group on Youth Crime and work has begun on implementing them. This includes the allocation of £20 million over three years, from April 2001, to local authorities for the development of community-based programmes to reduce offending by persistent young offenders. We will produce our proposals for a national framework for tackling youth crime by the end of 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155132,"EventID":"S1W-18494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amended timescale is for drawing up, issuing for consultation and implementing the national strategy as recommended in the Report of the Advisory Group on Yout","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the amended timescale is for drawing up, issuing for consultation and implementing the national strategy as recommended in the Report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18493.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155133,"EventID":"S1W-18495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places for juvenile offenders there currently are in secure accommodation, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places for juvenile offenders there currently are in secure accommodation, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155134,"EventID":"S1W-18496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1837,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":36,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies provide secure accommodation for juvenile offenders and how many places each currently provides, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies provide secure accommodation for juvenile offenders and how many places each currently provides, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155135,"EventID":"S1W-18497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions applied by each health board for accepting ophthalmic opticians as providers of general ophthalmic services include any duty to provide, where appr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions applied by each health board for accepting ophthalmic opticians as providers of general ophthalmic services include any duty to provide, where appropriate, domiciliary practice.","AnswerText":"No. Ophthalmic opticians are independent contractors and it is for them to decide in the circumstances of each case whether or not to undertake domiciliary visits to eligible people.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155136,"EventID":"S1W-18498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the likely composition of the new NHS bodies replacing health boards and trust boards does not currently include representatives from the Royal College of Nursing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the likely composition of the new NHS bodies replacing health boards and trust boards does not currently include representatives from the Royal College of Nursing.","AnswerText":"Our policy is to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to contribute appropriately to decision making in NHS Scotland, without favouring one profession or professional organisation over another.

    Specifically, all 15 new NHS Boards include - as a full member - the Staff Side Chair of the Area Partnership Forum. Staff Side Chairs are drawn from all staff groups and representative organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing.

    Additionally, to promote opportunities for clinicians to be involved in local decision making, each NHS Board is creating an Area Clinical Forum, which will bring together the chairs of all the local professional advisory committees, including the Nursing & Midwifery Committee. The Chair of the forum has a full seat on the NHS Board.

    Within the new structures, responsibility and accountability for direct patient care is still led at NHS Trust level. Trust boards have been replaced by a Trust Management Team, more closely focused around delivery of services to patients. All 28 Trust Management Teams must - by law - include a registered nurse or midwife as an Executive Director.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155137,"EventID":"S1W-18499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now include representatives from the Royal College of Nursing on the new NHS bodies replacing health boards and trusts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now include representatives from the Royal College of Nursing on the new NHS bodies replacing health boards and trusts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18498.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155138,"EventID":"S1W-18500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding for the retraining required by former nurses before returning to practice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding for the retraining required by former nurses before returning to practice.","AnswerText":"The issue of retraining and returning to practice is one of the important issues to be addressed at the Nurse Recruitment and Retention Convention I announced recently, which will be held on 19 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155139,"EventID":"S1W-18501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses currently employed by the NHS also undertake work for nursing agencies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses currently employed by the NHS also undertake work for nursing agencies.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. Individual NHS Trusts may, however, have this data as part of the information they need to comply with the Working Time Regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155140,"EventID":"S1W-18502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17479 by Susan Deacon on 24 September 2001, what the range of implications from the continuing decline in the Scottish birth rate w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17479 by Susan Deacon on 24 September 2001, what the range of implications from the continuing decline in the Scottish birth rate will be.","AnswerText":"As explained in the answer to question S1W-17479, actuarial predictions suggest that the Scottish birth rate will remain fairly constant over the next 20 years. Any changes that take place will be small and gradual and are therefore unlikely to have significant effects on economic and social structures.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155141,"EventID":"S1W-18503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17480 by Susan Deacon on 24 September 2001, why it does not consider it feasible or desirable to attempt to influence the trend in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17480 by Susan Deacon on 24 September 2001, why it does not consider it feasible or desirable to attempt to influence the trend in the Scottish birth rate.","AnswerText":"The decision of whether to have a family and how large that family should be is a personal one which, in a free and democratic society, cannot and must not be dictated by the state.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155142,"EventID":"S1W-18504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #3 million announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 for sport and culture will be spent on funding the bids for the 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #3 million announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001 for sport and culture will be spent on funding the bids for the 2009 Ryder Cup and the 2008 European Football Championships, how much has been spent to date and what the breakdown of this expenditure is.","AnswerText":"Approximately £100,000 has been spent from this allocation on bidding for the Ryder Cup.

    We are in discussion with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) about the costs associated with the preparation a bid for Euro 2008. We have identified a provisional budget of £500,000 for work in this financial year from the Major Events budget the detailed allocation of which will be agreed with the SFA. Any funding in future years would be dependent on whether Scotland bids to host the Euro 2008 finals.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155143,"EventID":"S1W-18505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to draw up a \"Domesday Book\", similar to the one recently announced by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to list all sporting facili","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to draw up a \"Domesday Book\", similar to the one recently announced by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to list all sporting facilities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"sportscotland are planning a major audit of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. This information together with that gathered from the recently published swimming pool refurbishment study will give us an overall picture of the condition of sports facilities in Scotland and, as with the planned Domesday Book in England, will assist with future planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155144,"EventID":"S1W-18506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it and the Scottish Athletics Federation will be represented at the forthcoming meeting between the UK Minister for Sport and UK Athletics to discuss issues arisi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it and the Scottish Athletics Federation will be represented at the forthcoming meeting between the UK Minister for Sport and UK Athletics to discuss issues arising from the performance of the UK athletics squad at the recent World Athletics Championships in Edmonton.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Athletics Federation view UK Athletics as the appropriate body to deal with this meeting from their sports point of view and have confidence in the abilities of their UK colleagues to address the issues raised.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155145,"EventID":"S1W-18507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all studies conducted and findings reached by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) to date in pursuit of its agreed targets and objectives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all studies conducted and findings reached by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) to date in pursuit of its agreed targets and objectives.","AnswerText":"Scientific studies conducted by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) are detailed in the Food Standards Agency's Food Research Programmes Annual Report. The first of these was published in October 2000 but did not contain specific Scottish research. The second report is due to be published later this month. There will in addition be a simplified report aimed at consumers. The report will be available through the agency's website (www.foodstandards.gov.uk). Summaries of individual studies commissioned by Food Standards Agency (Scotland) can be obtained from their Aberdeen office and in due course will be posted on the website which is currently being restructured. Consultations are also conducted to inform policy, the results of which are also available on the website.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155146,"EventID":"S1W-18508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what legislative action, and to what extent, road tolling has been devolved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what legislative action, and to what extent, road tolling has been devolved.","AnswerText":"The tolling of new roads in Scotland is allowed by Part II of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The right to levy tolls on the Forth, Erskine and Tay bridges is established by separate Acts specific to each bridge. Part III of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 permits a local authority to introduce a scheme for road user charging within its area. The Executive has no plans to seek powers for any other forms of road tolling during the lifetime of this Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155147,"EventID":"S1W-18509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16467 by Malcolm Chisholm on 1 August 2001, what criteria, including criteria relating to the health risks to children from oral co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16467 by Malcolm Chisholm on 1 August 2001, what criteria, including criteria relating to the health risks to children from oral contraception and from being excluded from this initiative, an NHS Trust will apply in deciding whether to issue a direction where an education authority and parents agree with the proposal from the health board to authorise school nurses to dispense emergency contraception on school premises; whether these criteria will be made known to the relevant organisations and individuals involved prior to consultation, and what influence any views expressed will have on a health board's decision on whether to issue a direction.","AnswerText":"The Executive's general guidance on the making of Patient Group Directions does not set criteria for Directions on particular subjects. An NHS board would be expected to take into consideration all relevant factors, including the range of views expressed in any consultation and any specific guidance on a particular subject. The Executive is not aware of any board intending to make a Direction in respect of school nurses and emergency contraception. The Executive is currently considering the content of specific guidance for use in any such case.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155148,"EventID":"S1W-18510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12709 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 February 2001, whether the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit has completed its Crime and Crimi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12709 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 February 2001, whether the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit has completed its Crime and Criminal Justice Research Programme for 2001-04 and, if it has, how much funding it is planning to devote to research on domestic violence issues in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"The new Crime and Criminal Justice Research Programme is likely to be published towards the end of the year. As with previous programmes, the new research programme will provide broad indications of those policy areas which might benefit from research. It is not always possible to anticipate specific needs. Domestic violence and domestic abuse more generally is likely to feature as a key policy area in the new research programme. It is not possible, however, to say at this time what specific research questions might have to be tackled and what amounts of funding might have to be devoted to such research over the next three years or so.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155149,"EventID":"S1W-18511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many treatment programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse it is currently funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many treatment programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse it is currently funding.","AnswerText":"The Executive provides funding to criminal justice social work services for the following programmes which focus solely on offenders convicted of domestic violence, as part of a probation order:

    Domestic Violence Probation Project (covering City of Edinburgh and Midlothian)

    Fergus Project (covering Angus)

    The Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders Intensive Probation Project (covering Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling), which is similarly funded by the Executive, also includes work with perpetrators of domestic violence but as part of a broader range of interventions.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155150,"EventID":"S1W-18512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11730 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 January 2001, what the outcomes have been of discussions with the End Child Prostitution and Pornogra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11730 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 January 2001, what the outcomes have been of discussions with the End Child Prostitution and Pornography Trafficking Campaign and of the public consultation exercise which was to take place earlier this year.","AnswerText":"In July 2001 the Scottish Executive and the UK Government jointly published proposals for amendments to the Sex Offenders Act 1997 following our review of the Act with interested groups, including ECPAT(UK). The consultation period for these ends on 19 October 2001. We have also consulted separately on related recommendations in the report of Lady Cosgrove's Expert Panel on Sex Offending. That consultation period ended last month. We will decide what legislative proposals to bring forward in the light of the responses to both these consultations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155151,"EventID":"S1W-18513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11534 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2000, whether there have been any further developments relating to research on vulnerable wit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11534 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2000, whether there have been any further developments relating to research on vulnerable witnesses and investigation of the treatment of sexual offence witnesses in court.","AnswerText":"Two research projects are currently being developed. The first will aim to collect data on the operation of the current law of evidence in sex offence cases, to provide a baseline for the future evaluation of the impact of any changes resulting from the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Bill. The second will aim to examine the use and effectiveness of the current provisions of the law of evidence in relation to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. It is intended to provide some base line data which could be used to assess the impact of any future changes in the law of evidence in relation to vulnerable witnesses and the impact of other provisions designed to support these witnesses during the prosecution process.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155152,"EventID":"S1W-18514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new refuge places have become available as a result of the #2 million funding announced in its press release of 14 May 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new refuge places have become available as a result of the #2 million funding announced in its press release of 14 May 2001.","AnswerText":"As stated in the press release, the £2 million funding has provided an additional 42 refuge places and replaced or upgraded a further 27 refuge places. This is the first year of a three-year £10 million package to increase and improve refuge provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155153,"EventID":"S1W-18515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what formula it is using to calculate the need for new refuge places in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what formula it is using to calculate the need for new refuge places in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regard to the amount of provision already available in the local authority area against the level deemed to be necessary by the 1991 CoSLA recommendations on refuge provision. The types of accommodation available against those deemed to be necessary, including the availability of special provision for women with specific needs, are also taken into account.

    With regard to the Refuge Development Programme, the Executive will approve bids in the first and second years for projects in areas where provision is most obviously lacking. Applications for the third year will be considered in 2002 in accordance with recommendations resulting from a planned review of the 1991 CoSLA recommendations. This review will be carried out by a Working Group of the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155154,"EventID":"S1W-18516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is compulsory for members of the judiciary once qualified.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is compulsory for members of the judiciary once qualified.","AnswerText":"The judiciary are independent of ministers and there is no requirement for compulsory training. In practice, however, all new appointees as Judges or Sheriffs have a period of induction training before sitting alone. This training includes sitting with other experienced colleagues and a residential induction course. The form and content will depend to some extent on the experience of the individual who may or may not have given previous service in a judicial capacity. The independent Judicial Studies Committee also provide new appointees with written materials and guidance on taking office.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155155,"EventID":"S1W-18517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often members of the judiciary are required to undertake refresher courses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often members of the judiciary are required to undertake refresher courses.","AnswerText":"The judiciary are independent of the executive and there are no formal requirements to undertake refresher training. The independent Judicial Studies Committee are responsible for judicial education and their future programmes do include provision for refresher courses every three years, together with local training initiatives and special courses on particular topics.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155156,"EventID":"S1W-18518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement abuse prevention schemes in schools as referred to in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement abuse prevention schemes in schools as referred to in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently awaiting the final evaluation of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust's "Respect" educational pilot project which was run in schools and youth groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow earlier this year. Careful consideration will be given to this evaluation and, if it is favourable, the Executive will consider how best to proceed with plans to implement this educational package in schools throughout Scotland.

    In addition, the Action Plan of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland contains a number of recommendations on work with children and young people. It is intended to refer the question of how these might be implemented to a working group established and appointed by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155157,"EventID":"S1W-18519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number and dates of meetings held by the National Group set up to oversee the implementation of the National Strategy to Address Abuse in Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number and dates of meetings held by the National Group set up to oversee the implementation of the National Strategy to Address Abuse in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland has had two meetings to date. The first meeting took place on Tuesday 12 June, and the second on Tuesday 25 September. The next meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 15 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155158,"EventID":"S1W-18520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12714 by Jackie Baillie on 5 February 2001, what the outcome has been of its evaluation of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust's \"R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12714 by Jackie Baillie on 5 February 2001, what the outcome has been of its evaluation of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust's \"Respect\" educational project.","AnswerText":"A draft evaluation report on the "Respect" educational pilot has been received by the department and is being considered prior to its completion. Subject to this it would then be intended to publish it as well as using it to inform future policy and practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155159,"EventID":"S1W-18521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11123 by Jackie Baillie on 23 November 2000, what progress has been made in relieving households of fuel poverty in each local auth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11123 by Jackie Baillie on 23 November 2000, what progress has been made in relieving households of fuel poverty in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The 2002 Scottish House Condition Survey will produce an estimate of the number of households in fuel poverty across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155160,"EventID":"S1W-18522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned, or plans to commission, any research into (a) the potential benefits to be derived from the cultivation of hemp and (b) the number of product","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned, or plans to commission, any research into (a) the potential benefits to be derived from the cultivation of hemp and (b) the number of products hemp can be used to produce. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Office commissioned several research projects on the potential of hemp as an industrial or novel crop in recent years. Brief information on these projects and others carried out in the UK are available on the DEFRA website. Further information may be found on the Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Application (IENICA) website.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155161,"EventID":"S1W-18523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether oil for use in the production of animal feed, bio-diesel fuel and food products can be produced by processing hemp oil and what information it holds on other prod","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether oil for use in the production of animal feed, bio-diesel fuel and food products can be produced by processing hemp oil and what information it holds on other products that can be produced from the hemp plant.","AnswerText":"Technically hemp oil could be used for these purposes, but for animal feed and biodiesel other materials, such as oilseeds, are more economically viable. Hemp oil use in the food sector would most likely be restricted to higher value products.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155162,"EventID":"S1W-18524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to respond to the report, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, produced by the Action Group for Languages.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to respond to the report, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, produced by the Action Group for Languages.","AnswerText":"I have today published my response to the recommendations made by the action group which set out to improve support for language education in Scottish schools. Copies of the response have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16335) and will be distributed widely within the education system and industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155163,"EventID":"S1W-18525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the establishment of community farms to produce hemp and assist in the production of any other environmentally-friendly products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the establishment of community farms to produce hemp and assist in the production of any other environmentally-friendly products.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no specific plans to support the establishment of community farms to produce hemp or any other environmentally friendly products. However, provided that the eligibility criteria are met under the Arable Area Payments Scheme, area aid is available for hemp production. Further information may be obtained from any of the local SEERAD Area Offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155164,"EventID":"S1W-18526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted about the impact the introduction of the proposed Aggregates Tax will have on the matters within its responsibility, whether it has made any rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted about the impact the introduction of the proposed Aggregates Tax will have on the matters within its responsibility, whether it has made any representations on the introduction of the tax and, if so, where details of such representations can be accessed by the public.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of issues, including tax issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155165,"EventID":"S1W-18527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds it plans to make available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes from England to destinations in Scotland following the recent","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds it plans to make available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes from England to destinations in Scotland following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no specific budget provision for the promotion of new direct air links. The Executive will continue to have discussions with its agencies (enterprise networks and VisitScotland) on how best any available funding can be deployed for the greatest benefit of the Scottish economy and tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155166,"EventID":"S1W-18528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of what has been spent to date on the preparatory work for a possible bid to host the European Football Championship in 2008.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of what has been spent to date on the preparatory work for a possible bid to host the European Football Championship in 2008.","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-17453 on 5 September set out the details of the contributions made by public bodies to the costs of the Euro 2008 feasibility study. The Executive has seconded Mr John Henderson to the Scottish Football Association as part of the team being assembled to prepare a detailed bid and is discussing the wider support for the bid with the SFA.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155167,"EventID":"S1W-18529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance it has set aside for the feasibility study into hosting the European Football Championships in 2008.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance it has set aside for the feasibility study into hosting the European Football Championships in 2008.","AnswerText":"The study into the feasibility of hosting the European Nations Football Championships in 2008 was completed in May of this year. The Executive was not involved in meeting the costs of the study. My response to question S1W-17453 on 5 September set out the contributions to the costs by public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155168,"EventID":"S1W-18530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what staff it has seconded or transferred to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation to assist with the feasibility study on a bid to host the Europe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what staff it has seconded or transferred to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation to assist with the feasibility study on a bid to host the European Football Championships in 2008.","AnswerText":"Following completion of the initial feasibility study in May, Mr John Henderson was seconded from the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Football Association to assist with the SFA's consideration of whether to bid for the 2008 event.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155169,"EventID":"S1W-18531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding for marketing will be made available to VisitScotland following the terrorist attack in the United States of America.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding for marketing will be made available to VisitScotland following the terrorist attack in the United States of America.","AnswerText":"We are urgently assessing the likely effect of the current world situation on the tourism industry. However, VisitScotland funding this year is at a record level. As an immediate measure, it is working on up-weighting spend in the UK domestic and European markets.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155170,"EventID":"S1W-18532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Railtrack on progress in taking forward the proposals set out in Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement and in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Railtrack on progress in taking forward the proposals set out in Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement and in particular those relating to (a) the Larkhall to Milngavie rail scheme, including the re-opening of the Maryhill to Anniesland chord, (b) re-opening of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine route and (c) electrification of the Edinburgh suburban line; whether it will report on the progress being made on each of those proposals, and what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure that Railtrack fulfill the commitments made in the statement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Railtrack on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155171,"EventID":"S1W-18533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received concerning the planning application in respect of Churchill Drive, Broomhill, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received concerning the planning application in respect of Churchill Drive, Broomhill, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"No representations have been received by the Scottish Executive about any planning application in Churchill Drive, Broomhill, Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155172,"EventID":"S1W-18534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of any television advertising it has undertaken since 1 July 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of any television advertising it has undertaken since 1 July 1999.","AnswerText":"The cost of television advertising undertaken by the Scottish Executive since 1 July 1999 to date is shown in the following table.

    Year

    Campaign

    Amount

    1999

    Domestic Abuse

    £346,941

    Fire Prevention

    £143,753

    Road Safety

    £508,638

    Historic Scotland

    £146,147

    2000

    Domestic Abuse

    £359,072

    Census

    £252,126

    Flu Campaign

    £772,790

    Alcohol Abuse

    £415,000

    Organ Donation

    £22,075

    Road Safety

    £949,309

    Historic Scotland

    £290,000

    2001

    Census

    £372,921

    Road Safety

    £164,500

    Travel Awareness

    £404,375

    Environment

    £640,576

    Flu Campaign

    £35,458

    Childrens Hearings

    £33,805

    Teacher Recruitment

    £78,905

    Total

    £5,936,391

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155173,"EventID":"S1W-18535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Minister for Environment and Rural Development learned about the provision of services to remote and rural communities during his visit to Canada in July.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Minister for Environment and Rural Development learned about the provision of services to remote and rural communities during his visit to Canada in July.","AnswerText":"My visit to Canada was designed to enable me to hear about and see many of the rural development activities under way in Canada, and in particular activities related to the delivery of services in rural areas. The visit was a very useful one, and I brought back many lessons and ideas about the delivery of services in rural communities. The Executive will be drawing on these as we take forward our commitment to ensuring that quality of services should depend on what you need, not where you are.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155174,"EventID":"S1W-18536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of launching, publishing and distributing its publication Communique: The Scottish Executive's Newsletter on Europe and External Relations issue o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of launching, publishing and distributing its publication Communique: The Scottish Executive's Newsletter on Europe and External Relations issue one - September 2001, and what budget has been allocated to the continued publication of the newsletter in each of the next two years.","AnswerText":"The first edition of Communiqué cost £1,615 to design, print and add to the Scottish Executive website. A total of 6,000 copies were produced. The cost of distribution to MSPs, Scottish MEPs, local authorities, European information centres, universities, the Consular Corps in Scotland, UK missions overseas and a range of public and private sector organisations in Scotland was £280.

    It is envisaged that approximately three issues a year may be published, but how often Communiqué is produced and how it is developed will be considered in light of feedback on the first issue, and reviewed regularly. No specific budget has yet been allocated for the publication given the scale of expenditure involved which can be met from the External Relations budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155175,"EventID":"S1W-18537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3760 by Ross Finnie on 13 September 2001, when it will publish the 3rd report from the economic impact assessment group on foot-and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3760 by Ross Finnie on 13 September 2001, when it will publish the 3rd report from the economic impact assessment group on foot-and-mouth disease.","AnswerText":"The 3rd Foot-and-Mouth-Disease Impact Survey is currently under way and the final report will be published on Wednesday 19 December.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155176,"EventID":"S1W-18538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be published in October, November or December this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be published in October, November or December this year.","AnswerText":"The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill issued for consultation on 22 February 2001. Over 3,500 responses have been received and, as indicated in my answer to question S1O-03734 on 13 September 2001, the Bill is now being prepared for introduction to the Scottish Parliament later this year. This is reflected in the latest Land Reform Action Plan Progress Report, which issued on 27 September 2001, copies of which have been sent to all MSPs and placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16399).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155177,"EventID":"S1W-18539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the review of Education for Work and Enterprise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the review of Education for Work and Enterprise.","AnswerText":"I am today chairing the first meeting of an Education for Work Review Group to assess the effectiveness of Education for Work activities in schools and the scope to improve them throughout Scotland. Membership of the group is drawn from a wide range of experienced practitioners in education and business. The review group will report in the summer of 2002. A copy of the review group membership and remit is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155178,"EventID":"S1W-18540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what constitutes a completed development under Article 3(2) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order 2001 (SSI 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what constitutes a completed development under Article 3(2) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/266).","AnswerText":"The Executive cannot provide authoritative interpretation of statute. That is a matter for the courts.

    It is our view, however, that for a mobile phone base station, for example, to be considered complete, no further operations that constitute development (within the meaning set out in section 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997) should remain to be carried out. In other words, for a base station under construction prior to 23 July to continue to benefit from the pre-23 July permitted development regime after that date, all works on the site involving development would have had to be carried out before 7 August.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155179,"EventID":"S1W-18541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Historic Scotland has been working with religious groups on the requirements under listed building and planning legislation in relation to the erection of teleco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Historic Scotland has been working with religious groups on the requirements under listed building and planning legislation in relation to the erection of telecommunications equipment, and, if so, whether any anomalies have been uncovered in the legislation in regard to such groups.","AnswerText":"Proposals to repair or adapt listed buildings which may affect their architectural character or quality including the erection of telecommunications equipment are normally subject to listed building control and require the submission of an application for listed building consent to the planning authority. However, places of worship are currently exempt from this control, under section 54 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Historic Scotland operates the Ecclesiastical Exemption Pilot Scheme with the agreement of the Scottish Churches Committee for dealing with proposals for works to the external fabric of buildings in ecclesiastical use which, were it not for this exemption, would require listed building consent. The arrangements apply to all such buildings irrespective of whether planning permission would , or would not, also be required.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155180,"EventID":"S1W-18542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3704 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 September 2001, when it expects CoSLA to complete its consultation on a code for rural school closur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3704 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 September 2001, when it expects CoSLA to complete its consultation on a code for rural school closures.","AnswerText":"CoSLA has been giving consideration to preparing a code of practice on school closures in response to a recommendation by the Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee. This has been a matter for CoSLA, and the Executive has not been engaged with them on it.

    I now understand that CoSLA has reached the view that the issues they were considering cannot be satisfactorily addressed through the provision of a code and has decided to abandon its work on the code of practice on school closures.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155181,"EventID":"S1W-18543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations it has made to any museums and galleries elsewhere in the UK which hold works of art in trust with a view to ensuring that any ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations it has made to any museums and galleries elsewhere in the UK which hold works of art in trust with a view to ensuring that any such items are displayed in public museums and galleries throughout Scotland and whether it will detail what powers it has in this matter.","AnswerText":"We have not made any such representations, nor do we have any powers in relation to such matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155182,"EventID":"S1W-18544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1270 by Mr Frank McAveety on 2 March 2001, how much of the Warm Deal budget has been spent to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-1270 by Mr Frank McAveety on 2 March 2001, how much of the Warm Deal budget has been spent to date.","AnswerText":"Local authorities spent almost £700,000 in Quarter 1 of the current financial year. Figures for Quarter 2 are not yet available. Eaga spent over £4 million up to 21 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155183,"EventID":"S1W-18545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #350 million announced for the central heating programme has been spent to date, what criteria have been used in allocating the investment and what plans ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #350 million announced for the central heating programme has been spent to date, what criteria have been used in allocating the investment and what plans it has for the programme over the next two years.","AnswerText":"Resources for the central heating programme have been allocated to ensure steady progress across all sectors of the stock. A total of £26 million has been allocated for 2001-02; £30 million has been allocated for 2002-03 and £40 million for 2003-04. Further resources will flow from community ownership and there will be investment by the power companies under the Energy Efficiency Commitment. Our plan is to ensure that by March 2004 all local authority stock lacking central heating has it and that, during 2004, all housing association stock lacking central heating has it. The programme will also be extended from 2004 so that local authorities can upgrade partial central heating systems to whole-house systems with priority being given to the elderly and disabled. The programme for the private sector will be completed by March 2006. The level of resources allocated will ensure that our plan is achieved.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155184,"EventID":"S1W-18546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive on what basis officials of BEAR Scotland Ltd advise MSPs who contact them directly that they are under an obligation not to communicate directly with M","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive on what basis officials of BEAR Scotland Ltd advise MSPs who contact them directly that they are under an obligation not to communicate directly with MSPs on any matters relating to trunk road maintenance contracts.","AnswerText":"The contract requires correspondence, sent directly to the Operating Companies by members of Parliament and members of the Scottish Parliament, to be referred in writing to the Scottish Executive and for the originator to be informed. The previous contracts contained similar conditions.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155185,"EventID":"S1W-18547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date towards achieving its objective of improving 100,000 houses suffering from dampness and condensation by 2003 through the Healthy Homes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to date towards achieving its objective of improving 100,000 houses suffering from dampness and condensation by 2003 through the Healthy Homes Initiative, as outlined in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.","AnswerText":"Over 96,000 homes were insulated in Scotland between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2001. We expect to substantially exceed our Programme for Government commitment to insulate 100,000 houses, and so tackle condensation and dampness, during the lifetime of this Parliament. A report on the Warm Deal in 2000-01 will be published later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155186,"EventID":"S1W-18548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a policy of encouraging crofters to purchase their crofts is being pursued.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a policy of encouraging crofters to purchase their crofts is being pursued.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive neither encourages crofters to purchase their crofts nor discourages them from doing so. We believe the decision about buying is a matter for the individual crofter, who is best able to judge where the balance of advantage lies in his/her own case.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155187,"EventID":"S1W-18549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #100 million announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 5 October 2000 to support home caring has been allocated.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #100 million announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 5 October 2000 to support home caring has been allocated.","AnswerText":"The new resources announced on 5 October 2000 were: £10 million for Hospital Discharge annually from 2000-01; £5 million for Equipment and Adaptations in 2000-01; £12 million for Extended Disregards and Loans for People Entering Residential Care annually from 2002-03; £24 million in 2001-02 rising to £48 million by 2003-04 for Home Care Services and £25 million annually from 2002-03 for Free Nursing Care in care homes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155188,"EventID":"S1W-18550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it will put in place to enable the effectiveness of the #100 million additional resources allocated to support home caring to be monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it will put in place to enable the effectiveness of the #100 million additional resources allocated to support home caring to be monitored.","AnswerText":"Following discussions with CoSLA, local authorities were invited to enter into local outcome agreements with the Executive and to provide draft agreements by 15 October with the aim of having final agreements in place by November. Monitoring of the arrangements will commence in March 2002 and progress will be evaluated from summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155189,"EventID":"S1W-18551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary organisations have entered into three-year funding arrangements with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) South Lanarkshire Council in each of the last th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary organisations have entered into three-year funding arrangements with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) South Lanarkshire Council in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155190,"EventID":"S1W-18552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17373 by Mr Jim Wallace on 22 August 2001, whether the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is likely to give rise to an increase in legal a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17373 by Mr Jim Wallace on 22 August 2001, whether the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is likely to give rise to an increase in legal actions against land managers under the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 and what advice or assurances it can give to land managers on this matter.","AnswerText":"We have always made clear our intention that the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill should not increase the liability of landowners towards those exercising access rights. Following consultation on the draft Land Reform Bill we are considering the need to give effect to this on the face of the Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155191,"EventID":"S1W-18553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17782 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 September 2001, whether access agreements and management agreements will be abolished under the propo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17782 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 September 2001, whether access agreements and management agreements will be abolished under the proposed Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and what the annual cost of such agreements has been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"As stated in the answer given to question S1W-17782, the need for access agreements will disappear with the introduction of the right of responsible access. Management agreements will continue to be provided for under section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967.

    With regard to the annual cost of access and management agreements as stated in the answer given to question S1W-17774, this is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155192,"EventID":"S1W-18554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter of 19 July 2001 regarding my constituent Mr A Beaton of Forglen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter of 19 July 2001 regarding my constituent Mr A Beaton of Forglen.","AnswerText":"Our records indicate that a reply to your letter of 19 July was sent to you on 28 August. I will, however, arrange for a further copy of my response to be sent to you.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155193,"EventID":"S1W-18555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":20,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the research required under section 28A of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 into the operation of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office in Edinburgh will be publish","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the research required under section 28A of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 into the operation of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office in Edinburgh will be published.","AnswerText":"The research report was laid in Parliament today. I intend to study the findings and conclusions very carefully, and will make a statement on my plans in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155194,"EventID":"S1W-18556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17710 by Sarah Boyack on 24 September 2001, what mechanisms are in place to allow MSPs to scrutinise the financial details of the S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17710 by Sarah Boyack on 24 September 2001, what mechanisms are in place to allow MSPs to scrutinise the financial details of the Skye Bridge contract in order to protect the interests of their constituents.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers are bound by the duty of confidentiality set out in the Concession Agreement with Skye Bridge Limited and cannot release details of the contract to members.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155195,"EventID":"S1W-18557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many in-patients there are in NHSiS hospitals currently and how many there were at the same point in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many in-patients there are in NHSiS hospitals currently and how many there were at the same point in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"The available information on the average number of inpatients occupying a bed in NHS hospitals is shown:

    Three months to:

    30 June 1997

    30,080

    30 June 1998

    28,734

    30 June 1999

    27,109

    30 June 2000

    26,214

    30 June 2001

    25,218

    Reduction reflects transfers from hospital into the community and changing patterns of care in acute hospitals with more patients treated as day cases. Over the same period the total number of patients receiving treatment as inpatients or day cases in acute specialities increased from 1,114,449 year ending 31 March 1997 to 1,179,039(provisional) year ending 31 March 2001 (an increase of 5.8%).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155196,"EventID":"S1W-18558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cleaners are working for the NHSiS currently and how many were at the same point in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cleaners are working for the NHSiS currently and how many were at the same point in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of cleaners working for NHSScotland is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155197,"EventID":"S1W-18559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer when the written answers search engine will again be fully functional.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer when the written answers search engine will again be fully functional.","AnswerText":"The written answers database and search engine was added to the redesigned website on 18 June. Towards the end of August, problems were encountered in loading the latest answers into that database. Extensive investigations have shown that this is a complex matter that has needed input from Parliament IT staff and the database product supplier.

    The written answers search engine has been fully functional as from 22 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155198,"EventID":"S1W-18560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how joint funding arrangements for the #36 million investment in Highlands and Islands tourism announced on 7 August 2001 will be broken down, in particular (a) how much ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how joint funding arrangements for the #36 million investment in Highlands and Islands tourism announced on 7 August 2001 will be broken down, in particular (a) how much public money is being committed, (b) from which budget such funds will be taken and (c) what amount of private capital has already been secured under this scheme.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155199,"EventID":"S1W-18561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria businesses will be required to meet to qualify for funding for tourism initiatives under the #36 million investment announced on 7 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria businesses will be required to meet to qualify for funding for tourism initiatives under the #36 million investment announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155200,"EventID":"S1W-18562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance will be given to Highlands and Islands Enterprise on how the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 should be spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance will be given to Highlands and Islands Enterprise on how the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 should be spent.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155201,"EventID":"S1W-18563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of private investment businesses will be required to make to enable them to attract public money under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of private investment businesses will be required to make to enable them to attract public money under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 and what ratio of public to private finance will apply to initiatives funded under the scheme.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155202,"EventID":"S1W-18564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the announcement on 7 August 2001 of #36 million for tourism initiatives, in what format, when and where the allocation of these funds will be published a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the announcement on 7 August 2001 of #36 million for tourism initiatives, in what format, when and where the allocation of these funds will be published and whether such information will be published distinctly from information about general expenditure on tourism in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155203,"EventID":"S1W-18565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a distinction will be drawn between job creation and job retention in any criteria for considering applications for funding under the #36 million investment in to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a distinction will be drawn between job creation and job retention in any criteria for considering applications for funding under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155204,"EventID":"S1W-18566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have met Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have met Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Ministers regularly meet with the Board and senior management of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Neither HIE nor the Department hold records on these meetings. Most recently, I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive in late August, the First Minister and the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic met with the Chief Executive in early August and the Deputy Minister and I met the Board and senior management in May this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155205,"EventID":"S1W-18567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the application process for people wishing to apply for funding under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the application process for people wishing to apply for funding under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 and where such details will be publicly available.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155206,"EventID":"S1W-18568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the responsibility lies within Highlands and Islands Enterprise for decisions on applications for funding under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the responsibility lies within Highlands and Islands Enterprise for decisions on applications for funding under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 and whether it will publish a list of the criteria under which these decisions will be made.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155207,"EventID":"S1W-18569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the deadline is for applications for funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 Aug","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the deadline is for applications for funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155208,"EventID":"S1W-18570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum amount of funding is that Highlands and Islands Enterprise may allocate to any one business under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives annou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum amount of funding is that Highlands and Islands Enterprise may allocate to any one business under the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155209,"EventID":"S1W-18571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an advertising campaign within the Highlands and Islands area to encourage applications in respect of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an advertising campaign within the Highlands and Islands area to encourage applications in respect of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 and, if so, how much money is being invested in that campaign and from which budget is the money allocated.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155210,"EventID":"S1W-18572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets and goals have been put in place to enable an assessment to be made of whether the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets and goals have been put in place to enable an assessment to be made of whether the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001 has had a successful and significant impact on the tourism sector in the Highlands and Islands and whether an analysis of any such assessment will be published.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155211,"EventID":"S1W-18573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the criteria used to establish the success or failure of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the criteria used to establish the success or failure of the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"No. This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155212,"EventID":"S1W-18574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish an annual report on the success of the schemes comprising the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish an annual report on the success of the schemes comprising the #36 million investment in tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"No. This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155213,"EventID":"S1W-18575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a proposal by VisitScotland to change its quality assurance criteria for the year 2003 and, if so, (a) whether it has made an estimate of how many ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a proposal by VisitScotland to change its quality assurance criteria for the year 2003 and, if so, (a) whether it has made an estimate of how many accommodation providers may lose a star in their ratings as a result and (b) whether businesses affected by the proposed change in criteria may apply now under the #36 million funding for tourism initiatives announced on 7 August 2001.","AnswerText":"The VisitScotland Quality Assurance Grading is being strengthened in line with the objectives of National Tourism Strategy. This may result in a change in star grading for a small number of businesses. Applications for funding under the £36 million tourism initiatives are an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise .","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155214,"EventID":"S1W-18576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised teaching materials for Technological Studies will be distributed to schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised teaching materials for Technological Studies will be distributed to schools.","AnswerText":"Learning and Teaching Scotland distributed the Standard Grade Technological Studies support materials to all Scottish secondary schools on Monday 20 August. A copy of these materials is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16397).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155215,"EventID":"S1W-18577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail in descending order the top 50 recipients of agriculture subsidy, showing the amounts awarded to each recipient in each of the last three years and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail in descending order the top 50 recipients of agriculture subsidy, showing the amounts awarded to each recipient in each of the last three years and expressing each amount as a percentage of the total overall subsidy awarded in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Details of the requested total payments per producer, in calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000, are given in the table. Also indicated is the percentage of the total overall subsidy payment for that year.

    Top 50 1998 payments

    % of 1998 total

    Top 50 1999 payments

    % of 1999 total

    Top 50 2000 payments

    % of 2000 total

    1

    £388,171.07

    0.0886%

    £391,830.71

    0.1030%

    £397,516.25

    0.1033%

    2

    £387,444.89

    0.0886%

    £366,434.05

    0.0963%

    £383,556.97

    0.0997%

    3

    £381,801.30

    0.0872%

    £358,261.03

    0.0942%

    £376,867.13

    0.0979%

    4

    £377,994.14

    0.0863%

    £355,577.14

    0.0935%

    £363,646.29

    0.0945%

    5

    £356,147.68

    0.0813%

    		No link has been established between the level of freshwater pearl mussel populations and the decline of salmon and sea trout numbers in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155217,"EventID":"S1W-18579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities on the production of schools option appraisals and whether the Appendices to the Schools Option Appraisal by Dumfries and Gal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities on the production of schools option appraisals and whether the Appendices to the Schools Option Appraisal by Dumfries and Galloway Council complies with any such guidance or is in a format appropriate for public consultation on school closures.","AnswerText":"Advice on option appraisal for potential Public/Private Partnership projects is contained in the HM Treasury publication Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government. I understand that Dumfries and Galloway Council has taken that advice into account in preparing an outline business case in connection with its proposals for the refurbishment of its school stock.

    Separate procedures apply under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 in relation to public consultation for a specific proposal to close a school. Such consultation would be required only after an authority had reached a view that it wished to pursue the possible closure of a particular school.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155218,"EventID":"S1W-18580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for the period since November 1999, the numbers, grades, salaries and career experience of staff appointed to the Improving Regulation in Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail, for the period since November 1999, the numbers, grades, salaries and career experience of staff appointed to the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit and the annual running costs of the unit.","AnswerText":"Since November 1999, the Improving Regulation in Scotland (IRIS) Unit has been overseen by one member of the senior civil service and run by one C1 and one B2, supported where necessary by further B2, B1 and administrative (Band A) staff. The running costs of the Unit are contained within those of the Enterprise and Industry Division, which for 2001-02 totals £881,921. Before being involved in the running of the Unit, staff must show they have the correct skills and experience for the task to which they are assigned.

    Current pay ranges for these posts are:

    SCS

    £53,534 - £87,598

    C1

    £34,000 - £43,699

    B2

    £18,375 - £24,282

    B1

    £14,178 - £20,647

    A3

    £11,495 - £14,466

    A2

    £10,735 - £12,813

    A1

    £10,000 - £11,625

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155219,"EventID":"S1W-18581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for the period since November 1999, the publications, advice notes and guidance on improving regulation in Scotland issued by or on behalf of the Im","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, for the period since November 1999, the publications, advice notes and guidance on improving regulation in Scotland issued by or on behalf of the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit internally to the Executive.","AnswerText":"The IRIS Report on Regulatory Concerns (January 2001), the Regulatory Impact Assessment Guide (May 2001), Report on the IRIS Unit for the Regulatory Summit (June 2001) and the Summit Summary (October 2001) have been published by the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit since November 1999 to date. All publications produced by the Unit can be found on the Unit's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/iris_pubs.asp.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155220,"EventID":"S1W-18582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its regulatory practices have been audited and evaluated by the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit since November 1999 and what the results were of any such a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its regulatory practices have been audited and evaluated by the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit since November 1999 and what the results were of any such audit and evaluation.","AnswerText":"The Improving Regulation in Scotland unit can make the most telling contribution by ensuring that the Scottish Executive takes fully into account the need for all regulations to be proportionate and fit for purpose. With this aim, the unit has assisted Scottish Executive Departments in the development of over 70 regulations and the drafting of Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been produced for each. The most important evaluation of regulations and regulatory practices, so far as the IRIS Unit is concerned, is that done by businesses themselves. Over 170 enquiries and complaints have been referred to the Unit to date. Of these, 67 related to reserved matters, 40 to devolved matters and 65 did not refer to specific policy areas but rather to regulatory mechanisms and principles for attention by the Scottish Executive and the UK Government. The comments made to the Unit seldom refer to any individual regulation, but the areas which give rise to the greatest number of concerns are: that the development of policy should involve more consideration of the impact on business; and difficulties with employment regulations and trading standards and their application. These comments have been discussed with the departments responsible and progress on these and other issues will be pursued by the IRIS Unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155221,"EventID":"S1W-18583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have taken place since November 1999 between the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit and the Department of Trade and Industry on removing unnecessary","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have taken place since November 1999 between the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit and the Department of Trade and Industry on removing unnecessary burdens on business and what the results of any such consultations have been.","AnswerText":"The Improving Regulation in Scotland unit has regular discussions with a number of Whitehall departments and in particular with Cabinet Office, which has responsibility for improving regulation at a UK level. Details of official level discussions within government are internal matters for the parties concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155222,"EventID":"S1W-18584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which regulations have been identified by the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit as either (a) being no longer necessary or (b) capable of simplification. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which regulations have been identified by the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit as either (a) being no longer necessary or (b) capable of simplification. ","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to S1W-18582, the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit has not identified any regulations as no longer necessary.

    The review of planning procedures is one example of the Scottish Executive taking steps to improve and simplify an area of particular relevance to businesses. All regulations introduced since devolution will be subject to formal review within 10 years of introduction through a Review Regulatory Impact Assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155223,"EventID":"S1W-18585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken to finalise appeals regarding Records of Needs has been for 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken to finalise appeals regarding Records of Needs has been for 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date. ","AnswerText":"The average times are 66 weeks in 1998-99, 74 weeks in 1999-2000 and 39 weeks in 2000-01 for the 13 completed so far. No appeals received in 2001-02 have yet reached decision. The number of appeals received in each year is 24, 32, 31 and 22 to date, respectively.

    The process is time consuming and the length of individual cases can be influenced by a variety of factors. Appeals go through the following stages:

    checking validity of appeal and gathering relevant documentation from all parties concerned, including, in certain cases, parents' reasons for appealing, and often allowing time for the submission of independent assessments;

    assigning appeal to an adviser to the Scottish ministers;

    scheduling investigations, usually involving observation of the child in school and meetings with the parents and relevant professionals;

    production of a detailed report on the case;

    circulation of the report and a period of consultation on it for both parties;

    collation of all comments on the report, and

    a decision made on the basis of all information available including the report and comments made on it.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155224,"EventID":"S1W-18586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals have been received regarding Records of Needs in 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals have been received regarding Records of Needs in 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received 24 appeals in 1998-99, 32 appeals in 1999-2000, 31 appeals in 2000-01 and has received 22 to date in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155225,"EventID":"S1W-18587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful appeals regarding Records of Needs there have been in 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date and what this figure is as a percentage of the number receiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful appeals regarding Records of Needs there have been in 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000 to date and what this figure is as a percentage of the number received.","AnswerText":"

    Year

    Decisions in the parents' favour

    As a % of appeals reaching decision

    1998-1999

    8

    40%

    1999-2000

    16

    64%

    2000-01

    7

    54% (excludes 7 still in progress)

    2001-02 no appeals yet reached decision

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155226,"EventID":"S1W-18588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the full terms of the contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd for the management and maintenance of the trunk ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the full terms of the contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd for the management and maintenance of the trunk road network and why BEAR Scotland Ltd are not permitted to communicate directly with MSPs on any representations which they may make on the trunk road maintenance contracts.","AnswerText":"In respect of access to the contract, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18616.

    In respect of communication between the company and members of the Scottish Parliament, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18546 on 10 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155227,"EventID":"S1W-18589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the target timescale is for completion of an appeal regarding a Record of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the target timescale is for completion of an appeal regarding a Record of Needs.","AnswerText":"There is no target timescale in legislation for completion of Record of Needs appeals referred to Scottish ministers. The time taken to complete individual cases can vary depending on a variety of factors.

    The Record of Needs process, including the appeal system, is currently under review and it is expected that outline proposals for change will be published by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155228,"EventID":"S1W-18590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Forum are, when it last met, what items were discussed at that meeting and what work it is currently undertaking.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Forum are, when it last met, what items were discussed at that meeting and what work it is currently undertaking.","AnswerText":"The organisations represented on the Aquaculture Forum are :

    Highland Council

    Argyll & Bute Council

    Shetland Islands Council

    Orkney Islands Council

    Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

    North Ayrshire Council

    Moray Council

    Scottish Quality Salmon

    British Marine Finfish Association

    Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers

    Shetland Salmon Farmers Association

    Orkney Fish Farmer's Association

    British Trout Association

    Seafish Industry Authority

    Association of the West Coast Fisheries Trusts

    Salmon and Trout Association

    Association of District Salmon Fishery Boards

    Scottish National Anglers Association

    Scottish Environment LINK

    Seafish Industry Authority

    Scottish Fishermen's Federation

    Crown Estate

    HIE

    SNH

    SEPA

    SEERAD

    Meetings are co-ordinated by Highland Council, who also provide the Secretariat.

    The forum last met in Inverness on 23 August, to discuss a joint response to the Executive's ongoing review of aquaculture regulation. Other issues currently being addressed include identification of new areas for aquaculture research, surveying public perceptions of fish farming, the carrying capacity of the marine environment, and contributing to the debate on a long-term strategic framework for aquaculture.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155229,"EventID":"S1W-18591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's current modelling technique for assessing the benthic impact of trade effluent and therapeutants from cage fish farms","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's current modelling technique for assessing the benthic impact of trade effluent and therapeutants from cage fish farms has been compared in the field against actual impacts from real cages and, if so, whether it will list the sites where the comparison was made and the result of the comparison.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155230,"EventID":"S1W-18592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Tripartite Working Group are, what the results of its work have been to date and when its work is programmed to be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Tripartite Working Group are, what the results of its work have been to date and when its work is programmed to be completed.","AnswerText":"The members of the Aquaculture Tripartite Working Group are: the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, the Association of West Coast Fisheries Trusts, Scottish Anglers National Association, Atlantic Salmon Trust and Scottish Quality Salmon.

    The group published a report and Concordat in July last year. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    As a result of the group's work, six area management agreements, including an umbrella agreement which will lead to five further agreements, have been signed.

    The work of the group is on-going.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155231,"EventID":"S1W-18593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group are, what the results of its work have been to date and when its work is programmed to be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group are, what the results of its work have been to date and when its work is programmed to be completed.","AnswerText":"Copies of the Group's first annual report, for 2000 have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16504) and membership is set out in Appendix 5. The Group is continuing to work on the tasks outlined in the report. No date has been set for their completion.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155232,"EventID":"S1W-18594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the details and cost of each item within its programme of research and development into aquaculture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the details and cost of each item within its programme of research and development into aquaculture.","AnswerText":"The individual items of work commissioned by the Scottish Executive from Fisheries Research Services are as follows:

    Project Code

    Description

    Start date

    End date

    Estimated costs 2001-02

    FC1183

    Evaluation of disinfectants against notifiable diseases, principally fish viruses

    Apr-00

    Mar-02

    £31,540

    FC1182

    Pathogenic IPN

    Apr-00

    Mar-03

    £88,315

    FC1181

    Disease susceptibility and immunology of cultured marine fish

    Apr-00

    Mar-03

    £41,290

    FC1184

    Diagnosis of emerging fish diseases

    Apr-00

    Mar-03

    £110,510

    FC1180

    Novel oral/immersion vaccine delivery systems for novel DNA vaccine formulations

    Apr-98

    Mar-03

    £67,584

    AE1158

    Impacts of salmon farming on wild fish populations

    Apr-00

    Mar-04

    £303,528

    FC1185

    		The Scottish Executive has however commissioned an £80,000 study to develop a large-scale strategic model covering the Scottish and North sea marine environment. The model will be used to examine nutrient enrichment and the potential for eutrophication in Scottish coastal waters. The consortium involved includes FRS and a report is expected in the spring.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155234,"EventID":"S1W-18596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on, and what conclusions have been reached from, the examination of areas of coastal waters where eutrophication is most likely, using the Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on, and what conclusions have been reached from, the examination of areas of coastal waters where eutrophication is most likely, using the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Fisheries Research Services' assessment tools, and when this work programme is to be completed.","AnswerText":"The work on reviewing the eutrophication status of coastal areas of Scotland is currently in progress and proceeding to schedule. The work programme is due to be completed for reporting in the early part of 2002, and its conclusions will be available shortly thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155235,"EventID":"S1W-18597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the sites included in the examination of areas of coastal waters where eutrophication is most likely, using the Scottish Environment Protection Agen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the sites included in the examination of areas of coastal waters where eutrophication is most likely, using the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Fisheries Research Services assessment tools, and what the results have been to date from each site.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently undertaking a review of all coastal waters around Scotland, as part of the UK's obligation to examine areas where eutrophication occurs, or may be likely to occur. This assessment is still to be completed, and so a list of sites cannot be provided at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155236,"EventID":"S1W-18598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions relevant to the development of sustainable aquaculture in Scottish waters have been reached as a result of the work of the Continuous Plankton Recording","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions relevant to the development of sustainable aquaculture in Scottish waters have been reached as a result of the work of the Continuous Plankton Recording project.","AnswerText":"The Continuous Plankton Recorder project (CPR), maintained by the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation, provides important information on the composition and abundance of algae present in the north east Atlantic. The data generated by this project are utilised as part of many assessments of the marine environment. Their particular relevance to the assessment of the environmental effects of aquaculture is in the observation of changes in coastal plankton and the influence of fluctuating oceanic currents on this process. A report using CPR data is being prepared on this question with regard to the issue of eutrophication in UK coastal waters. It is expected to be available in mid-2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155237,"EventID":"S1W-18599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by its fundamental review of aquaculture regulation and whether it will detail the organisations carrying out the review, the bodies consulte","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by its fundamental review of aquaculture regulation and whether it will detail the organisations carrying out the review, the bodies consulted, or to be consulted, during the progress of the review, the expected date for the completion of the review and the estimated cost of the review.","AnswerText":"The bodies consulted on the proposals I published on 29 June are listed in the table. My officials are currently considering their responses. I expect to receive their recommendations around the turn of the year. Work on the review is being discharged from within existing resources and no separate estimate of its cost has been made.

    Aquaculture Trade Associations

    Scottish Quality Salmon, Orkney Fish Farmers Association, Shetland Shellfish Growers Association, Shetland Salmon Farmers Association, Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, British Marine Finfish Association, British Trout Association

    Wild Salmonid Organisations

    Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Scottish Anglers National Association, Salmon and Trout Association, Atlantic Salmon Conservation Trust (Scotland), Atlantic Salmon Trust, Institute of Fisheries Management - Scottish Branch, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, Association of West Coast Fisheries Trusts, River Tweed Commissioners, Association of Scottish Stillwater Fisheries, Federation of Highland Angling Clubs and Associations, Orkney Fisheries Association, Orkney Trout Fishing Association, Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland

    Public bodies

    Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Marine Coastguard Agency, Crown Estate Commissioners, Highland & Islands Enterprise

    Local authorities

    Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, The Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council, Comhairle nan Eilan Siar, North Ayrshire Council

    Non-governmental Organisations

    WWF Scotland, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Wildlife & Countryside Link, Marine Conservation Society

    Other Organisations

    Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland, Firth of Clyde Forum, Scottish Coastal Forum, Shetland Seafood Quality Control Ltd, Scottish Landowners Federation, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Bidwells Property Consultants, Highland & Islands Aquaculture Forum, The Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Stirling University (Institute of Aquaculture), Rural Forum (Scotland), Skye Environment Centre.

    Four individuals.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155238,"EventID":"S1W-18600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on the development of a specification for an independent scientific review of any link between fin fish farming and shellfish poisoning syndrom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on the development of a specification for an independent scientific review of any link between fin fish farming and shellfish poisoning syndrome events, whether any experts have been appointed to undertake the work, and, if so, what the estimated cost and completion date are of the review.","AnswerText":"A specification for the review has been prepared and independent experts who may be prepared to carry out the review identified. Contracts have yet to be finalised but study specifications and background reports and other materials have been sent to these experts. It is expected that the reviewers will report in spring 2002. The estimated cost of these contracts is in the range of £10,000-£20,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155239,"EventID":"S1W-18601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any areas in which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies are currently infringing any European Union Directives or Regulation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any areas in which it or any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies are currently infringing any European Union Directives or Regulations; what the current status of any such infringements is, and whether any of them relate to the environment and, if so, how many.","AnswerText":"All Member States of the European Union are currently the subject of investigations by the European Commission regarding breaches of European law. The United Kingdom has a good record on such matters.

    There is one breach of European environmental law concerning Scotland where the European Court of Justice has issued a formal judgement against the UK's implementation of the EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC). In addition there are 2 environmental infraction cases concerning Scotland where a notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities that the cases have been referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission. For details of these cases I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3901 on 4 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155240,"EventID":"S1W-18602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact (a) climate change and (b) the lack of available food supply has had on fish stock levels in the North Sea.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact (a) climate change and (b) the lack of available food supply has had on fish stock levels in the North Sea.","AnswerText":"Fish stocks are highly variable and it is not yet possible to make direct or measurable linkages between fish stock abundance and climate change for North Sea stocks. As to food supply, there is no evidence that a lack of food availability has contributed to declining stocks although in localised areas, shortage of food may result in a lower abundance of fish.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155241,"EventID":"S1W-18603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the level of industrial fishing in the North Sea.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the level of industrial fishing in the North Sea.","AnswerText":"The level of industrial fishing in the North Sea is determined annually at the European Fish Council of Ministers in December. The Executive has been working with DEFRA and Danish counterparts to collect evidence of the impact of industrial fisheries on whitefish species. We will be discussing these findings with the European Commission with a view to making a case for cuts in industrial fisheries.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155242,"EventID":"S1W-18604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its rural policy and development research programme for 2001-02 includes a review of research into rural development and, if so, what the timetable for any such r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its rural policy and development research programme for 2001-02 includes a review of research into rural development and, if so, what the timetable for any such review will be.","AnswerText":"The Executive's rural policy and development research programme for 2001-02, published on 31 July 2001, includes a proposal to carry out a review of research on rural development. It is intended that this study will commence shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155243,"EventID":"S1W-18605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Glasgow City Council's proposal to demolish high rise blocks, outlined in its report Housing Plan 2001 Draft for Consultation - Preparing Togethe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Glasgow City Council's proposal to demolish high rise blocks, outlined in its report Housing Plan 2001 Draft for Consultation - Preparing Together for Glasgow's Future in Housing.","AnswerText":"We look forward to seeing the conclusions from the council's consultation in due course. Glasgow City Council has also recently decided to proceed to consultation on Glasgow Housing Association's transfer proposal, which includes proposals to undertake, in consultation with local communities, the demolition of up to around 11,000 existing houses by 2009. I would also draw attention to the Scottish Executive's recent announcement that if transfer proceeds additional resources of over £400 million will be made available for social housing in the city. Together with existing resources, this will support the provision of 13,000 additional houses of social rent in the city over the 10 years following transfers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155244,"EventID":"S1W-18606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to tackle any deterioration in the road conduct of cyclists with a view to protecting the interests and safety of pedestrians.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to tackle any deterioration in the road conduct of cyclists with a view to protecting the interests and safety of pedestrians.","AnswerText":"In the absence of any indicators to suggest that there is a significant problem in this area, I consider that existing remedies are adequate to address such problems as exist.

    Sections 28 to 32 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 list a number of cycling offences. Further, Section 129(5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 makes it an offence to cycle on a footway which has not been redetermined for use by both pedestrians and cyclists.

    It is of course a matter for the police and for Procurators Fiscal to proceed as they deem appropriate when any offence has been committed.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155245,"EventID":"S1W-18607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer has asked the Consortium to make recommendations to all health boards and their Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees about the formulary status of all newly licensed medicines, all new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. This advice should be promulgated as soon as practicable after the launch of the product involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155246,"EventID":"S1W-18608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place that ensure that the work of the Scottish Medicines Consortium is transparent and accountable.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place that ensure that the work of the Scottish Medicines Consortium is transparent and accountable.","AnswerText":"Membership of the Scottish Medicines Consortium has been drawn from across Scotland and includes lay members. The Consortium's recommendations to NHS Boards will be made public shortly after each meeting and will appear on a dedicated website.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155247,"EventID":"S1W-18609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many traffic incidents on the A90 from the Forth Road Bridge to Cramond Bridge have been related to the installation of traffic lights for the bus lane.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many traffic incidents on the A90 from the Forth Road Bridge to Cramond Bridge have been related to the installation of traffic lights for the bus lane.","AnswerText":"The A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge is classified as a local road. Traffic management and road safety measures on that section of road are therefore matters for the City of Edinburgh Council.

    Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage-only accidents.

    The traffic lights for the bus lane on the southbound side of the A90 came into operation on 1 August 2000. STATS 19 returns have so far been received for nine months since that date. The returns for those nine months show that 15 injury road accidents were identified as occurring on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge. The returns do not provide information about the causes of the accidents, nor do they distinguish between accidents on the southbound lanes and those on the northbound.

    It should be noted that this figure is based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155248,"EventID":"S1W-18610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to the Six Nations Committee and European Cup Ltd, Scottish Rugby Union, the BBC or other bodies regarding the suggeste","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to the Six Nations Committee and European Cup Ltd, Scottish Rugby Union, the BBC or other bodies regarding the suggested staging of fixtures in the Six Nations Championships on Friday nights. ","AnswerText":"None. The staging of fixtures in the Six Nations Championship is a matter for the Championship Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155249,"EventID":"S1W-18611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18071 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 September 2001, how many convictions resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a community service or","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18071 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 September 2001, how many convictions resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a community service order and (c) a fine (i) in each year since 1999 and (ii) broken down by offence.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.

    Persons with a charge proved for possession of an offensive weapon, Edinburgh (1), 1999

    Main Crime

    Total

    Custodial

    Sentence

    Community (2)

    Service Order

    Fine

    Other (3)

    Sentence

    Possession of an offensive weapon

    67

    18

    2

    28

    19

    Having in a public place an article with a blade or point

    96

    28

    16

    32

    20

    TOTAL

    163

    46

    18

    60

    39

    Notes:

    1. Convictions in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. There were no relevant convictions in City of Edinburgh District Court.

    2. Includes community service as a condition of probation.

    3. Includes probation (with no condition of community service), absolute discharge and admonition.

    In the 4 homicides recorded in City of Edinburgh in 1999 where the main method of killing was a sharp instrument, 2 accused persons have to date been convicted, both receiving a custodial sentence.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155250,"EventID":"S1W-18612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents have occurred in each month of each year since 1997 on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents have occurred in each month of each year since 1997 on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage-only accidents. The following table shows the number of injury road accidents identified as occurring on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge since the start of January 1997.

    Injury road accidents on the A90 from the Forth Road Bridge to Cramond Bridge by month, from January 1997

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001 (provisional)

    January

    -

    2

    2

    2

    2

    February

    5

    3

    -

    1

    2

    March

    -

    1

    1

    1

    n/a

    April

    -

    1

    1

    1

    2

    May

    -

    2

    3

    3

    1

    June

    2

    2

    -

    4

    n/a

    July

    -

    1

    2

    2

    n/a

    August

    2

    2

    3

    2

    n/aThe Scottish Executive is overseeing the largest hospital building programme that the NHS in Scotland has seen. We are committed to ensuring that the public in Glasgow and across Scotland has access to modern hospital facilities, which are capable of delivering effective health services in the 21st century.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155254,"EventID":"S1W-18616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the performance specification section of the motorway and trunk roads maintenance tender documentation cannot be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICe); ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the performance specification section of the motorway and trunk roads maintenance tender documentation cannot be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICe); whether it will place in SPICe a copy of the performance specification and key performance indicators which it requires tenders to meet, and whether copies of the tender documentation will be submitted to the Transport and the Environment Committee to inform its inquiry into the management and maintenance of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"Some of the tender documentation is specific to the operators submitting bids, and therefore is commercially confidential. However, I have now placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre the part of the specification which does not contain contract specific information, and therefore is not covered by commercial confidentiality (Bib. number 16573).

    It would be for the Transport and Environment Committee, once action before the courts has been determined, to request sight of tender documentation in accordance with the protocol established for sensitive papers relating to matters before a Committee. This protocol provides, in certain circumstances, for the Convenor of the Committee to have sight of the documents on a personal and confidential basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155255,"EventID":"S1W-18617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget is allocated and what expenditure is so far committed to the publication of Communique: The Scottish Executive's Newsletter on Europe and External Relations; ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what budget is allocated and what expenditure is so far committed to the publication of Communique: The Scottish Executive's Newsletter on Europe and External Relations; how many editions the newsletter is expected to run for; how many copies of each edition will be printed, and to what readership the newsletter is targeted.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18536 on 9 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155256,"EventID":"S1W-18618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18001 by Iain Gray on 25 September 2001, whether it will detail the purpose and nature of each exercise and the numbers of civilian","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18001 by Iain Gray on 25 September 2001, whether it will detail the purpose and nature of each exercise and the numbers of civilians and/or service personnel involved.","AnswerText":"All nuclear exercises postulate either a threat or actual release of radiation, not that this is deemed likely to occur, but because it provides the best test of procedures amongst the widest range of participants. Large numbers of civilian and service personnel are involved throughout the exercise programme, but as these "players" are taking part from a wide range of organisations at dispersed locations across Scotland, the actual numbers taking part are not readily available.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155257,"EventID":"S1W-18619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18058 by Iain Gray on 25 September 2001, whether it has any plans to record biographical information for all prisoners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18058 by Iain Gray on 25 September 2001, whether it has any plans to record biographical information for all prisoners.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    Yes, the SPS records essential biographical information on prisoners including date of birth, address, next of kin name, address and relationship, and if available, present employment. SPS is currently reviewing its computerised prisoner record system to take account of future needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155258,"EventID":"S1W-18620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17702 by Rhona Brankin on 19 September 2001, whether it will name the groups and individuals consulted on the matter of formal deci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17702 by Rhona Brankin on 19 September 2001, whether it will name the groups and individuals consulted on the matter of formal decision-making powers for fisheries regional management committees.","AnswerText":"I have had numerous such discussions and consultations. Normally this subject would be discussed as part of a wider agenda. Records are not held that would enable a precise response to the question.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155259,"EventID":"S1W-18621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors Historic Scotland properties located in (a) Stirling, (b) Clackmannanshire and (c) Fife have received in each year from 1999 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors Historic Scotland properties located in (a) Stirling, (b) Clackmannanshire and (c) Fife have received in each year from 1999 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to answer. His response is as follows.

    Listed in the table are the visitor numbers for Historic Scotland staffed sites in the Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife local authority areas for the calendar years 1999 and 2000 and for this calendar year to end August.

    Site

    1999

    2000

    2001

    To end of August

    Stirling

    Stirling Castle

    416,070

    430,362

    292,538

    Argyll's Lodging

    68,604

    64,712

    50,043

    Doune Castle

    20,083

    19,347

    15,292

    Inchmahome Priory

    16,565

    17,854

    14,069

    Total

    521,322

    532,275

    371,942

    Clackmannanshire

    Castle Campbell

    19,277

    18,667

    11,182

    Fife

    Aberdour Castle

    10,346

    8,174

    7,640

    Dunfermline Abbey

    10,291

    9,677

    7,092

    Inchcolm Abbey

    15,103

    The Phillips Inquiry underlined the importance of contingency planning and for the Government to be open and transparent about risks and uncertainty. This is addressed directly today through the publication of a draft contingency plan against the possibility that in the future BSE might be found in sheep. I welcome this step as part of the overall precautionary strategy in place for managing risk and protecting public health.","AnswerDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155261,"EventID":"S1W-18623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to launch, publish and distribute the Fisheries Research Services' Statistical Bulletin Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches 2000 and how many copies of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to launch, publish and distribute the Fisheries Research Services' Statistical Bulletin Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches 2000 and how many copies of the document have been sold to the public.","AnswerText":"Seven hundred copies of the report were published this year at a cost of £1406.00. Distribution costs were £183.91. HMSO sales to date are 43.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155262,"EventID":"S1W-18624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personnel in the education sector are qualified to undertake (a) speech therapy, (b) child psychological assessment and (c) assessment of special needs using the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many personnel in the education sector are qualified to undertake (a) speech therapy, (b) child psychological assessment and (c) assessment of special needs using the Gaelic language.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155263,"EventID":"S1W-18625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to launch, publish and distribute the digital inclusion strategy Digital Inclusion: Connecting Scotland's People.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to launch, publish and distribute the digital inclusion strategy Digital Inclusion: Connecting Scotland's People.","AnswerText":"The cost of launching, publishing, and distributing the document Digital Inclusion: Connecting Scotland's People was £4,640.88.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155264,"EventID":"S1W-18627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine applications from local authorities for funding under the New Housing Partnerships initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to determine applications from local authorities for funding under the New Housing Partnerships initiative.","AnswerText":"Decisions have still to be taken on the criteria for allocating further New Housing Partnership resources in the period 2002-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155265,"EventID":"S1W-18628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of the additional resources to be made available to local authorities to enable them to implement their new responsibilities under the Housin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of the additional resources to be made available to local authorities to enable them to implement their new responsibilities under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, particularly regarding the nature of the funding, the timescale for disbursement and the method of allocation.","AnswerText":"We are providing £10 million to help local authorities and registered social landlords implement the new Scottish secure tenancy, £27 million to help local authorities implement the homelessness provisions in the Act, £4.5m to help local authorities and registered social landlords implement the tenant participation provisions and up to £4.5m to help local authorities develop local housing strategies. Details of the Social Justice Committee budget, including the proposed expenditure linked to the implementation of the Housing Act, have recently been provided to the Social Justice Committee and are available on the Parliamentary website.

    Funding will be provided as grant aid and linked to the specific purposes for which the funding is being made available. The detailed arrangements for the allocation of this funding are currently under discussion.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155266,"EventID":"S1W-18629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information was made available to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body that led it to decide that the Minister for Parliament should be granted an Edinburgh Acco","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information was made available to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body that led it to decide that the Minister for Parliament should be granted an Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance under the Members' Allowances Scheme to either purchase or lease accommodation in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Members' Allowances Scheme provides for members whose main residence falls within certain constituencies to be eligible for an allowance of up to £9,446 (based on actual expenditure incurred) to cover costs associated with the rent or purchase of a property in Edinburgh. In accordance with the provisions of the scheme, members not automatically covered may apply to the SPCB to be considered for this allowance.

    The information supplied by the member concerned to the SPCB related to travel times, workload and attendance requirements as a Business Manager. Exact details of the application, like any other application made by an individual member to the SPCB concerning matters personal to that member, are confidential between the SPCB and the member.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155267,"EventID":"S1W-18630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs has any plans to visit St Mary's Episcopal Primary School to meet parents and teachers before January 2002","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs has any plans to visit St Mary's Episcopal Primary School to meet parents and teachers before January 2002.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to do so. Stirling Council is best placed to discuss the future arrangements for this school.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155268,"EventID":"S1W-18631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing a College of Justice which is more \"reflective of the diversity of society\" as set out in Judicial Appointments: An Inclusive ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing a College of Justice which is more \"reflective of the diversity of society\" as set out in Judicial Appointments: An Inclusive Approach and, in particular, in ensuring that there is an increase in the appointment of women and others from non-traditional backgrounds to Senators of the College.","AnswerText":"In March I announced the Executive's plans to establish an independent Judicial Appointments Board to advise the First Minister on the appointment of Judges of the Court of Session, Sheriffs Principal and Sheriffs. The board's remit will include an invitation to encourage more applications from female and ethnic minority candidates at all levels. Public advertisements for the Chairman and the lay membership of the board are being placed this month and the board should start operations early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155269,"EventID":"S1W-18632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in increasing the transparency and openness in the process for the appointment of Senators to the College of Justice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in increasing the transparency and openness in the process for the appointment of Senators to the College of Justice.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18631. The Judicial Appointments Board will be expected to interview all candidates before recommending people to the First Minister. No individual will be appointed unless the Board have so recommended.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155270,"EventID":"S1W-18633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of pressures on the judicial resources of the supreme courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of pressures on the judicial resources of the supreme courts.","AnswerText":"The Lord President of the Court of Session has responsibility for planning the programme of business for the Supreme Courts. In 1999 he made a case for an increase in the complement of Judges to 32 to cope with pressure of work and Ministers made the necessary resources available. The Supreme Courts remain under significant pressure and the position is kept under regular review by Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155271,"EventID":"S1W-18634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the need for additional judicial resources as a result of the demands made on the High Court of Justiciary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the need for additional judicial resources as a result of the demands made on the High Court of Justiciary.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18633.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155272,"EventID":"S1W-18635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will show any percentage increase in the number of (a) High Courts indictments, (b) solemn appeals, (c) judge sitting days, (d) judicial time devoted to first ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will show any percentage increase in the number of (a) High Courts indictments, (b) solemn appeals, (c) judge sitting days, (d) judicial time devoted to first instance criminal business and (e) judicial business devoted to criminal appeal work in the year up to 31 August compared with the two previous years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is included in the following table.

    1999-2000

    Actual

    Full year

    2000-2001

    Actual

    Full year

    01.04.01 to 31.08.01

    Actual

    To date

    01.04.01 to 31.08.01

    % change over the same period in 2000

    01.04.01 to 31.08.01

    % change over the same period in 1999

    High Court Indictments

    1478

    1343

    666

    +7

    +14

    Solemn Appeals

    930

    1038

    436

    -2

    +15

    Judge Sitting Days

    5079

    5597

    2144

    -3

    +12

    Judge days - First Instance Crime

    2225

    2802

    1053

    -13

    +12

    Judge days - Criminal Appeal work (including sifting)

    810

    717

    391

    +34

    +25

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155273,"EventID":"S1W-18636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effects of new business before the Outer House of the Court of Session on its judicial resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effects of new business before the Outer House of the Court of Session on its judicial resources.","AnswerText":"New Outer House business has stayed fairly constant over the last few years. It is the responsibility of the Lord President to allocate judicial resources in the Court of Session and this takes account of the level of business in the Outer House.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155274,"EventID":"S1W-18637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional sittings of the High Court of Justiciary were requisitioned by the Lord Advocate in terms of section 2(2) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional sittings of the High Court of Justiciary were requisitioned by the Lord Advocate in terms of section 2(2) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"This information is not readily available.

    However, in the year to 31 August 2001, the planned programme of five courts at the High Court in Glasgow and two courts at the High Court in Edinburgh has been supplemented by the regular use of additional courts as and when required by the Crown. The programme for the year 2002 provides for two courts at Glasgow and three at Edinburgh, throughout the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155275,"EventID":"S1W-18638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with the Glasgow High Court Users' Group on the allocation of resources for first instance criminal work in the High Court in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with the Glasgow High Court Users' Group on the allocation of resources for first instance criminal work in the High Court in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The user group is primarily concerned with the management of sittings of the High Court in Glasgow. It provides for an exchange of views among users, some of whom are Scottish Executive officials. But there is no direct discussion between the group on the one hand and say justiciary on the other.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155276,"EventID":"S1W-18639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the efficiency of disposing of business at sittings of the High Court of Justiciary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the efficiency of disposing of business at sittings of the High Court of Justiciary.","AnswerText":"The disposal of business within sittings of the High Court of Justiciary is reviewed each month on the basis of the available figures.

    The efficiency of disposal of cases at the High Court has additionally been the subject of a specific joint review by officials of the Justice Department of the Scottish Executive and of the Crown Office. Consideration is presently being given to the optimum way of conducting a more comprehensive review of High Court business.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Neil Davidson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155277,"EventID":"S1W-18640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications of the Scotland Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights for the business and judicial resources of the supr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications of the Scotland Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights for the business and judicial resources of the supreme courts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18633. In the further representations which the Lord President made to ministers last year he took account of the impact of the new legislation when requesting an increase in the complement of judges.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155278,"EventID":"S1W-18641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications for the business and judicial resources of the supreme courts of Senators taking up public duties on UK bodies or outwit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications for the business and judicial resources of the supreme courts of Senators taking up public duties on UK bodies or outwith Scotland.","AnswerText":"The loss of a judge or judges to public duties elsewhere in the UK or abroad is one of the factors which the Lord President will take into account in planning the supreme court programme. In the case of lengthy absences additional resources may be provided, recent examples of this being the trial of the Lockerbie bombing suspects and the Ladbroke Grove Rail Disaster Inquiry. The absence of the judges concerned led directly to an increase in the complement from 27 to 32.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155279,"EventID":"S1W-18642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what calls were made upon retired judges for sittings of the supreme courts in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what calls were made upon retired judges for sittings of the supreme courts in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"Retired judges sat on the following number of days:

    Calendar Year 1999

    299 days

    Calendar Year 2000

    456 days

    01 January 2001 to 31 August 2001

    215 days

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155280,"EventID":"S1W-18643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting period was for (a) a civil appeal, other than those sent for early disposal and (b) a solemn conviction appeal in the year up to 31 August 2001 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting period was for (a) a civil appeal, other than those sent for early disposal and (b) a solemn conviction appeal in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"
    Civil Appeal

    1999-2000

    31 term weeks

    2000-2001

    33 term weeks

    01.04.2001 to 31.08.2001

    32 term weeks

    Solemn Conviction

    1999-2000

    18 term weeks

    2000-2001

    20 term weeks

    01.04.2001 to 31.08.2001

    22 term weeks

    Term weeks do not include periods when the Court is not in session.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155281,"EventID":"S1W-18644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications for the business and judicial resources of the supreme courts of the settlement rate of cases in the Outer House of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the implications for the business and judicial resources of the supreme courts of the settlement rate of cases in the Outer House of the Court of Session.","AnswerText":"In programming the work of the Outer House the court proceeds on the assumption that the settlement rate will run at around 95%. This figure is monitored from time to time and has been fairly constant in recent years.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155282,"EventID":"S1W-18645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting period in term weeks was for (a) four day proofs and (b) proofs with an estimated duration of 10 days or more in the Outer House of the Court of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting period in term weeks was for (a) four day proofs and (b) proofs with an estimated duration of 10 days or more in the Outer House of the Court of Session in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"Four days Proofs

    1999-2000

    18 term weeks

    2000-2001

    20 term weeks

    01.04.2001 to 31.08.2001

    21 term weeks

    Information of the average waiting periods for proofs of 10 days or more is not held centrally.

    Proofs of this duration are fixed on an individual basis taking account of a range of factors. These include the availability of counsel, the urgency of the case and the court programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155283,"EventID":"S1W-18646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average availability of Outer House judges per term week was for (a) four day proofs and (b) business in the Outer House of the Court of Session in the year up t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average availability of Outer House judges per term week was for (a) four day proofs and (b) business in the Outer House of the Court of Session in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"The information sought is not readily available. The average number of judges sitting each week in the Outer House during term is as follows:

    1999-2000

    8

    2000-2001

    8

    01.04.2001 to 31.08.2001

    9

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155284,"EventID":"S1W-18647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil proofs could not proceed for want of a judge per term week in the Outer House of the Court of Session in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil proofs could not proceed for want of a judge per term week in the Outer House of the Court of Session in the year up to 31 August 2001 and the two previous years.","AnswerText":"The information sought is not readily available in term weeks, and the collated statistics for 1999-2000 do not identify civil proofs, but show all civil hearings unallocated. The following table shows (a) for 1999-2000 all civil hearings which did not settle and could not proceed owing to lack of judicial time and (b) for 2000-01 all civil proofs which did not settle and which could not proceed owing to the lack of judicial time.
     

    1999-2000

    (all Outer House hearings unallocated)

    2000-01

    (civil proofs unallocated)

    April

    0

    0

    May

    0

    0

    June

    0

    3

    July

    0

    0

    August

    0

    0

    September

    2

    3

    October

    2

    2

    November

    10

    0

    December

    1

    3

    January

    0

    0

    February

    0

    0

    March

    0

    0

    Total

    15 (all types)

    11 (proofs)

    No civil proofs have fallen for want of available judicial time during the period 01.04.2001 and 31.08.2001","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155285,"EventID":"S1W-18648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of the use of antibiotics in hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of the use of antibiotics in hospitals.","AnswerText":"Detailed information about the use of antibiotics in hospitals is not held centrally.

    The Executive has issued guidance to NHSScotland on the systems and processes, including monitoring, required to support the safe and effective use of antibiotics in primary and secondary care.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155286,"EventID":"S1W-18649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3843 by Susan Deacon on 27 September 2001, what measures are being taken to promote the better use of antibiotics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3843 by Susan Deacon on 27 September 2001, what measures are being taken to promote the better use of antibiotics.","AnswerText":"The Executive has orchestrated, or been involved in, a number of initiatives aimed at raising public and professional awareness of antimicrobial resistance and the appropriate use of antibiotics. These include:

    a high profile public awareness campaign, including distribution of posters and leaflets and media briefings;

    the development of an Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance for Scotland;

    several large professional conferences and symposia during the last 12 months, including one at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh;

    an approach by Deputy Chief Medical Officer to the Scottish Medical Schools to encourage adequate coverage of the issue in the medical curriculum;

    regular reviews by Prescribing Advisers of antibiotic prescribing by GPs, feedback on GP prescribing of antibiotics and computer system facilities to allow GPs to develop their own prescribing protocols for these drugs;

    a number of clinical guidelines, including Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines, to help doctors and dentists prescribe appropriately, and

    an undertaking (as part of the Scottish Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance) to work with Drug and Therapeutics Committees to ensure that policies are in place for the appropriate use of antibiotics, and that mechanisms are established to monitor them.

    similar initiatives are also being taken forward to encourage better use of antibiotics in veterinary practice and animal husbandry.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155287,"EventID":"S1W-18650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services in the NHS have been provided to help smokers quit smoking and to secure improved facilities in pubs and restaurants for non-smokers since the publication o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services in the NHS have been provided to help smokers quit smoking and to secure improved facilities in pubs and restaurants for non-smokers since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has provided £8 million over three years for smoking cessation and health education and prevention activities. This supports a range of initiatives including cessation services. Since April 2001 a full range of NRT products has been available on prescription. Smoking cessation was identified as a priority for investment from the £26 million Health Improvement Fund, and NHS Boards and Health Education Board Scotland (HEBS) have targeted resources in order to increase smoking cessation and prevention activities. HEBS are currently working on a smoking cessation resource pack for health professionals and development of health education and smoking cessation services for school age children.

    The Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places, which aims to promote good practice and extend consumer choice to have non-smoking areas in public places such as pubs and restaurants, was introduced in May 2000. Key players from the Scottish licensed and hospitality industry have signed up to the Charter, and some thirteen hundred businesses have adopted the Charter in its first year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155288,"EventID":"S1W-18651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to secure tougher enforcement of the law against sales of tobacco to children since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to secure tougher enforcement of the law against sales of tobacco to children since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working closely with CoSLA, and the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland to improvement enforcement of the Children and Young Person (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991. An enforcement protocol, for use by local authorities in carrying out their statutory responsibilities, will be finalised in light of the Lord Advocate's review of prosecution policy in relation to test purchasing of age restricted goods. That review is now complete and an announcement is expected shortly.

    In addition we are supporting pilot youth card schemes, in which proof of age is an integral part, in conjunction with COSLA, the Society of Chief Trading Standards Officers in Scotland and Young Scot.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155289,"EventID":"S1W-18652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a national physical activity strategy since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a national physical activity strategy since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Physical Activity Task Force was set up in June 2001 with the remit of producing a strategy for increasing physical activity levels amongst the Scottish population. This group will give a progress report by the end of this year with a draft strategy being planned for the spring of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155290,"EventID":"S1W-18653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to cut alcohol misuse and to create a new national committee to implement such a strategy since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to cut alcohol misuse and to create a new national committee to implement such a strategy since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is taking a range of measures to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland. Work is currently going on to develop a nationally recognisable proof of age card in conjunction with Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Young Scot. Funding is also being provided for Health Eduction Board for Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland and Drinkwise which raise awareness of alcohol misuse and undertake preventative activities with young people and community groups. Health education in schools is being improved in a number of ways and the Executive is also continuing to support the work of Alcohol Misuse Co-ordinating Committees which co-ordinate local prevention and treatment activities.

    The Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse (SACAM) was set up in 1999 to advise on the development of a national strategy. SACAM, which I chair, has taken a central role in advising on the development of the Executive's national Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems which we expect to publish by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155291,"EventID":"S1W-18654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a dental disease prevention from birth programme since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop a dental disease prevention from birth programme since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Dental Action Plan, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16538), was published in August 2000 and has a significant focus on dental disease prevention. The provision of free toothpaste and toothbrushes, underpinned by the allocation of £1 million from the Health Improvement Fund, forms a core element of the programme and is complemented in all NHS Board areas by educational materials.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155292,"EventID":"S1W-18655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement has been given for employers to apply for Scotland's Health at Work Award initiative accreditation since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement has been given for employers to apply for Scotland's Health at Work Award initiative accreditation since the publication of Towards a Healthier Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: a plan for action a plan for change included a commitment to increase funding for Scotland's Health at Work scheme to enable more employers to develop health promoting workplaces. Details will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155293,"EventID":"S1W-18656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the supplementary answer to question S1F-1259 by Henry McLeish on 27 September 2001, whether it will clarify the First Minister's answer in relation to homele","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the supplementary answer to question S1F-1259 by Henry McLeish on 27 September 2001, whether it will clarify the First Minister's answer in relation to homelessness, that \"the underlying trend is down\" and how this underlying trend was measured.","AnswerText":"The latest available information on homelessness applications in Scotland up to 31 March 2001 is given in tables 19 and 20 of the most recent edition of Housing Trends in Scotland, published on 27 September 2001. The bulletin is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16396) and at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00109-00.asp. The following table shows the total number of applications in each of the 3 years to March 2001. The number of applications in 2000-01 is lower than in each of the previous two years.

    Total homelessness applications 1998-99 to 2000-01

    Year

    All homelessness applications

    Percentage change on previous year

    1998-99

    45,723

    + 6.0%

    1999-2000

    45,945

    + 0.5%

    2000-01

    45,172

    - 1.7%

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155294,"EventID":"S1W-18657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18169 by Ross Finnie on 28 September 2001, what the timetable is for the incorporation of the Safe Sludge Matrix into the revised S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18169 by Ross Finnie on 28 September 2001, what the timetable is for the incorporation of the Safe Sludge Matrix into the revised Sludge (Used in Agriculture) Regulations 1989.","AnswerText":"It is planned to incorporate the matrix into revised regulations in early 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155295,"EventID":"S1W-18658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the third supplementary answer to question S1F-1256 by Henry McLeish on 27 September 2001, what representations it has made or is making to Her Majesty's Gove","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the third supplementary answer to question S1F-1256 by Henry McLeish on 27 September 2001, what representations it has made or is making to Her Majesty's Government in order to gain a public service obligation in respect of the Inverness to Gatwick air link.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports the case by The Highland Council for the imposition of measures to ensure access to Gatwick from Inverness. I am writing to the UK Government with a formal request to impose a Public Service Obligation on the Inverness-Gatwick route and to implement measures which will secure the slots required to maintain the service.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155296,"EventID":"S1W-18659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the (a) Crown Office, (b) Children and Central Government Education, (c) Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, (d) Environment, (e) Health, (f) Justic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the (a) Crown Office, (b) Children and Central Government Education, (c) Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, (d) Environment, (e) Health, (f) Justice, (g) Rural Affairs, (h) Scottish Executive Administration, (i) Social Justice, (j) Sport and Culture and (k) Transport level 3 expenditures under Departmental Expenditure Limits for 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive accounts are presently being audited and will be laid before Parliament by January 2002. I see no value in publishing unaudited data at this level of disaggregation. I will write to the Member of Galloway and Upper Nithsdale in January with the information once the audit is complete and place a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155297,"EventID":"S1W-18660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the UK's response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy was co-ordinated by it or by Her Majesty's Government and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the UK's response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy was co-ordinated by it or by Her Majesty's Government and where the official or officials who wrote the final draft is or are based.","AnswerText":"Parts of the UK response were drafted in London and parts of it were written in Edinburgh. Fisheries Ministers in all of the Fisheries Departments in the UK agreed the final draft, which fully reflects Scottish priorities. It was sent to the Commission in the normal way from the UK Government via the Permanent UK Representation in Brussels.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155298,"EventID":"S1W-18661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any occasions when it has submitted responses to consultation exercises being conducted by the European Commission direct to the Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any occasions when it has submitted responses to consultation exercises being conducted by the European Commission direct to the Commission.","AnswerText":"On no occasion has the Scottish Executive responded directly to the commission on a formal consultation exercise.

    In association with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Executive did contribute a joint discussion paper in relation to the commission's debate on governance in advance of its White Paper. The Executive has also directly provided the commission with factual information on numerous occasions.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155299,"EventID":"S1W-18662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-09-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there are any plans to provide an enhanced and accessible out of hours IT support service for MSPs.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there are any plans to provide an enhanced and accessible out of hours IT support service for MSPs.","AnswerText":"The IT Helpdesk has new extended opening hours for MSPs during sitting days:

    Tuesdays until 19.30

    Wednesdays until 21.30

    Thursdays until 21.30

    Further information can be found on SPEIR at http://intranet/speir/Temp/bits.htm

    The IT Helpdesk directly resolves most reported problems, such as account lookouts, password problems, email configuration, printer problems, advice on MS Office and Outlook, and remote access guidance.

    Proposals for further extending cover for members beyond these hours to weekends and during recess, and to include other IT support services, are under active consideration and are being assessed against current budgets.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155300,"EventID":"S1W-18663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make scottishparliamentlive.com available in a form which is readily accessible to Mac users.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make scottishparliamentlive.com available in a form which is readily accessible to Mac users.","AnswerText":"Scottish Parliamentlive.com webcasts the proceedings of the Scottish Parliament using the two main streaming platforms, Windows Mediaplayer and Realplayer. Users of both PCs and Apple Mac computers who have downloaded the appropriate players can view the streams. Guidance on how to optimise performance is available via the site's user guide and further assistance to users is available on request.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155301,"EventID":"S1W-18664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16676 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what monitoring takes place to ensure that all boxing authorities comply fully with the Am","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16676 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what monitoring takes place to ensure that all boxing authorities comply fully with the Amateur International Boxing Association's medical standards, as outlined in the Medical Handbook of Amateur Boxing.","AnswerText":"Every show held must send the result sheets (SME4 and SME4a) to the registrar who collates the information received and checks that medical advice is adhered to.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155302,"EventID":"S1W-18665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional safety measures have been introduced through the British Boxing Board of Control following the Paul Ingles fight and how information on these measures wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional safety measures have been introduced through the British Boxing Board of Control following the Paul Ingles fight and how information on these measures will be disseminated.","AnswerText":"The British Boxing Board of Control has jurisdiction over professional boxing in Great Britain. As for amateur boxing, medical standards are set by the Amateur International Boxing Association and these standards are adopted by the European body and subsequently by Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155303,"EventID":"S1W-18666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16678 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what level of qualification and expertise is required by the Official in Charge of Show, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16678 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what level of qualification and expertise is required by the Official in Charge of Show, attending doctors, referees and head coaches in order for them to carry the responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing.","AnswerText":"The Official in Charge of Show must be a referee or judge and referees must hold an Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd (ABS Ltd) referees certificate. When referees reach the age of 60 they must sit a further medical examination. Attending doctors must be a member of the British Medical Association and head coaches must hold an ABS Ltd coaches certificate.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155304,"EventID":"S1W-18667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16679 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, when the criteria outlined in the Coaching Certificate were (a) laid down and (b) last rev","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16679 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, when the criteria outlined in the Coaching Certificate were (a) laid down and (b) last reviewed and whether the criteria remain appropriate.","AnswerText":"The criteria outlined in the Coaching Certificate were laid down on 12 February 2000 when Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd (ABS Ltd) replaced the former Scottish Amateur Boxing Association and the Scottish Amateur Boxing Federation. The criteria are kept under review and updated as required. They will be reviewed by ABS Ltd's newly appointed National Coach for the Commonwealth Games and the Director of Development.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155305,"EventID":"S1W-18668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16679 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what level of qualification and expertise is required of those setting and monitoring the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16679 by Allan Wilson on 24 August 2001, what level of qualification and expertise is required of those setting and monitoring the requirements of the Coaching Certificate.","AnswerText":"Those involved in setting and monitoring the requirements of the Coaching Certificate must be working towards the Boxing Advanced Certificate or equivalent. In addition they must have worked with junior or senior boxers and have good management, written and oral skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155306,"EventID":"S1W-18669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the working group chaired by the Chief Medical Officer on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the working group chaired by the Chief Medical Officer on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis will be published.","AnswerText":"The working group, which was chaired by Professor Allen Hutchinson, has now presented its report to the Chief Medical Officer in England. Arrangements for publication of the report will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155307,"EventID":"S1W-18670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17973 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 26 September 2001, when the Manufacturing Steering Group next plans to meet and what contribution th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17973 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 26 September 2001, when the Manufacturing Steering Group next plans to meet and what contribution the group still has to make.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group was successful in identifying a number of initiatives to support manufacturing as set out in Created in Scotland. The Manufacturing Image Group has also taken forward key initiatives.

    Other initiatives are currently being actioned by the Scottish Executive and its agencies. Good progress has already been made, with some of the initiatives having been fully completed. The details of progress against each initiative is set out in a table which is on the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department website and will be updated on a quarterly basis. The members of the Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group will also be informed of progress.

    A new UK Manufacturing Summit is planned for later in the autumn and we plan to review the role of the Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group and the respective roles of the Executive and its agencies in the light of the emerging UK framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155308,"EventID":"S1W-18672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) assaults, (b) robberies and (c) other criminal acts have been committed against visitors to the City of Edinburgh in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) assaults, (b) robberies and (c) other criminal acts have been committed against visitors to the City of Edinburgh in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155309,"EventID":"S1W-18673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions police officers have (a) been issued with firearms and (b) responded to incidents involving arms on a monthly basis since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions police officers have (a) been issued with firearms and (b) responded to incidents involving arms on a monthly basis since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary annual statistical returns show that between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000, there were 141 operations in Scotland for which firearms were issued to the police, and between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001 there were 74 such operations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155310,"EventID":"S1W-18674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases relating to the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh were reported to the Procurators Fiscal in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases relating to the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh were reported to the Procurators Fiscal in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000 and how many cases were dealt with by (1) a warning letter or (2) a fixed penalty notice.","AnswerText":"Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service records relating to reports under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 do not distinguish between the different controlled drugs to which that section relates and the information is, accordingly, not available.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155311,"EventID":"S1W-18675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh have been brought in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh have been brought in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000 and in how many cases the prosecution was dealt with by (1) admonition, (2) fine, (3) community service order or (4) custody.","AnswerText":"Figures for the number of prosecutions for the possession of cannabis or cannabis resin cannot, from the information held centrally, be separately identified within the total number of prosecutions where the main offence was possession of drugs. The available information is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.

    Persons proceeded against where the main offence was possession of drugs, Edinburgh1, 1999Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change our commitment to work with NHSScotland to reduce waiting through increased investment and improved working practices. Reducing waiting times is a priority for the new NHS boards. I understand that NHS Lanarkshire is currently working to improve ophthalmology services across its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155314,"EventID":"S1W-18679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 30 June 2001 show that the median waiting time for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant in ophthalmology, following referral by a general medical practitioner, was 64 days.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155315,"EventID":"S1W-18680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of children in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency taking part in weekly physical activity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of children in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency taking part in weekly physical activity.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the curriculum recommends one hour's physical exercise per week for all pupils up to the age of 16. The Scottish Executive has encouraged schools to promote physical exercise in recent years through a range of sportscotland initiatives which include: the TOPS programmes (resources for schools and training for teachers), the Active Primary Schools programme (being piloted in a number of education authorities) and the School Sport Co-ordinator programme.

    Funding of £143,900 has been provided for school sport co-ordinators who cover 13 schools in South Lanarkshire, in which Clydesdale is located. Awards of £12,500 each have also been made to two independent schools in the area. South Lanarkshire has also benefitted from TOPS programme funding of £173,910, which will I'm sure help support the council's policy of encouraging physical activity in its schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155316,"EventID":"S1W-18681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there are national guidelines for school rationalisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there are national guidelines for school rationalisation.","AnswerText":"CoSLA has been working on preparation of a code of practice on school closures in response to a recommendation by the Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee. It has, however, recently decided that the issues it was considering could not be satisfactorily addressed through the provision of a code and has decided to abandon its work on the code of practice on school closures.

    CoSLA has subsequently written to my department advising of its decision and proposing a review of all legislation relating to school closures.

    I will, of course, give this proposal careful consideration before reaching a view.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155317,"EventID":"S1W-18682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that parents are consulted in any plans to rationalise schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that parents are consulted in any plans to rationalise schools.","AnswerText":"There is a statutory duty on education authorities to consult parents of children who attend schools which are the subject of specific closure or related proposals. The requirements are set out in the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155318,"EventID":"S1W-18685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency will benefit from its plans to introduce free personal care for the elderly.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Clydesdale parliamentary constituency will benefit from its plans to introduce free personal care for the elderly.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, everyone who currently contributes towards the cost of their personal care, whether at home or in a care home setting, will benefit from the introduction of free personal care. There will also be an expansion of personal care services in the community.

    Those who already have their care costs met from public funds will continue to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155319,"EventID":"S1W-18686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that wind farms are more widely developed in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that wind farms are more widely developed in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We are currently carrying out a final consultation on the detail of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), or ROS, which we hope to implement from January 2002. The ROS will place a statutory obligation on Scotland's electricity suppliers to provide a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources, and will encourage the building of many more renewable energy projects, including wind farms. The objective is to ensure that around 18% of Scotland's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2010.

    In addition, we have revised the National Planning Policy Guidelines on Renewable Energy, which now provide a planning framework within which developers and planning authorities can work together. These guidelines have been warmly welcomed by the renewables industry and local authorities alike.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155320,"EventID":"S1W-18687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sportscotland has received in each year since 1999 and what the source of the funding was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sportscotland has received in each year since 1999 and what the source of the funding was.","AnswerText":"The figures are as follows:

    Main Penalty

    Year

    1997

    1998

    1999

    Persons proceeded against

    538

    448

    401

    Persons with a charge proved

    518

    422

    375

    Of which given:

    Custody

    2

    16

    17

    Community service order2

    13

    10

    16

    Fine

    475

    367

    304

    Admonition

    24

    22

    28

    Other sentences3

    4

     

    1999-2000 (£ million)

    2000-01 (£ million)

    2001-02 (£ million)

    Grant-in-aid from the Scottish Executive

    10.109

    10.309

    12.5091

    Lottery Sports Fund

    24.093

    25.672

    23.82

    Course Fees

    1.853m

    2.065m

    Not yet known

    Other Operational Income (e.g. lease of premises)

    0.924

    1.128

    Not yet known

    Notes:

    1. An additional sum of up to £1 million is also being made available to sportscotland from amounts unspent from Scottish Executive Programmes in the previous financial year.

    2. This is based on a medium forecast (compared to a low of £21.6 million and a high of £26.3 million).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155321,"EventID":"S1W-18688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much sportscotland invested in promoting sporting opportunities for persons with disabilities in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much sportscotland invested in promoting sporting opportunities for persons with disabilities in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"For the last two years, sportscotland have awarded £30,000 development grant to Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) - a similar award will be made next year. In addition, sportscotland have a Youth Sport Co-ordinator for sport for people with a disability and a Governing Body Development Officer whose work, amongst other things, involves liaising with SDS. The former costs between £40,000 and £50,000 per annum and is paid through the Ready, Willing and Able Programme and the monies that come from Royal Mail (£30,000) to that programme. The cost of the latter is unmeasured. There is also the BP Amoco Tourfest, sponsored through sportscotland's Youth Sport Team, which directs funds towards the co-ordination of programmes specifically designed to promote sport for young people with a physical disability.

    Under the Lottery Sports Fund, five awards totalling £15,000 have been made from the Talented Athletes Programme and numerous others made from the Awards for All programme to projects relating to people with a disability.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155322,"EventID":"S1W-18689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost of sportscotland's administrative functions was in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost of sportscotland's administrative functions was in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"sportscotland's administrative costs in 1999-2000 were £393,038 and in 2000-01 were £323,628.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155323,"EventID":"S1W-18690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include a specific nursing voice on the new unified NHS boards in line with the provision of the Munich Declaration on nurses and midwives which urges th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include a specific nursing voice on the new unified NHS boards in line with the provision of the Munich Declaration on nurses and midwives which urges that relevant authorities ensure that there is a nursing and midwifery contribution to the decision-making process at all levels of policy development and implementation.","AnswerText":"Our policy is to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to contribute appropriately to the decision-making process in NHSScotland, without favouring one profession over another.

    Specifically, all 15 new NHS Boards include - as a full member - the Staff Side Chair of the Area Partnership Forum, to further reinforce the importance of partnership working.

    Additionally, each NHS Board is creating an Area Clinical Forum, which will bring together the chairs of all the local professional advisory committees, including the Nursing & Midwifery Committee. The Chair of the forum has a full seat on the NHS Board.

    Responsibility and accountability for direct patient care is still led at NHS Trust level. The trust board has been replaced by a trust management team, which must - by law - include a registered nurse or midwife as an Executive Director.

    On a national level, we plan to strengthen the role of nurses and midwives in policy development by establishing a new Nursing and Midwifery Forum, details of which will be discussed with the main professional, academic and staff representative bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155324,"EventID":"S1W-18691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a ban on landfill of (a) sorted combustible waste and (b) organic waste.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a ban on landfill of (a) sorted combustible waste and (b) organic waste.","AnswerText":"We plan to make regulations that will include a ban on the landfill of flammable and highly flammable waste as part of the implementation of the EC Landfill Directive. The draft regulations will be issued for public consultation shortly. The Executive also intends to introduce a system of landfill permits that will limit the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that may be landfilled.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155325,"EventID":"S1W-18692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff and what resources it has available in Washington D.C for the promotion of Scottish interests both exclusively and as part of a wider brief.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff and what resources it has available in Washington D.C for the promotion of Scottish interests both exclusively and as part of a wider brief.","AnswerText":"The full resources of the British Embassy in Washington D.C. are available to assist the Executive as well as other devolved administrations and the UK government as a whole, and within the Embassy, the Executive has a member of staff on assignment. In addition, Scottish Development International have an office in Virginia not far from Washington DC.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155326,"EventID":"S1W-18693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken following the breakdown of several 999 phone lines in the Highlands and Islands area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken following the breakdown of several 999 phone lines in the Highlands and Islands area.","AnswerText":"BT is responsible for the operation of the Public Switched Telephone Network which handles the 999 service in Scotland. I am advised that its immediate priority is to restore full service as soon as possible following any disruption. Following earlier failures, a range of initiatives has been put in place to improve the quality of service. These include:

    • improved lightning damage protection for exchange equipment;

    • installation of standby generators at all our exchange sites to ensure service continuity in the event of disruption to the public electricity supply;

    • introduction of power filters to eradicate failures due to mains electricity supply problems;

    • provision of alternative call routing, where possible, from the local exchange into the national network;

    • development of methods to reprogram an exchange, and to enable interception of 999 calls under exchange isolation conditions;

    • satellite telephones, ready for immediate deployment, to enable communication from the isolated exchange under major failure conditions;

    • introduction of an arrangement whereby BT can use a helicopter to deliver personnel and equipment to site; and

    mobile exchanges and ancillary equipment on permanent stand-by, to be deployed in the event of catastrophic failure.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155327,"EventID":"S1W-18694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has in place to ensure continuity of service in the event of the failure of 999 lines in the Highlands and Islands area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has in place to ensure continuity of service in the event of the failure of 999 lines in the Highlands and Islands area.","AnswerText":"BT is responsible for the operation of the Public Switched Telephone Network which handles the 999 service in Scotland. I am advised that it has built up contingency plans over many years to take account of known risks and unforeseen events. These include the use of a helicopter to transport BT people to site when no other means of access is possible.

    Under major failure conditions, when exchanges are isolated from the network due to cable damage or other faults, customers continue to be able to make calls to telephone lines served by the same exchange. By implementing a call re-routing process in the isolated exchange, 999 calls can be diverted to a dedicated telephone line in the exchange itself. Where a link to the national network can still be established, perhaps by a non-standard route, the call is automatically forwarded, via the dedicated telephone line, to 999 emergency service operators in Inverness.

    Where no network link is possible, a BT engineer will staff the dedicated line and take details of any emergency calls. These are passed to 999 emergency service operators in Inverness, using either a cellphone or a satellite telephone. BT has three satellite phones which are deployed from Inverness, Fort William and Edinburgh.

    In parallel with these engineering activities, BT advises the affected Emergency Authorities of the loss of access to the 999 service in all cases where the duration of the loss exceeds 30 minutes and the number of customers lines affected is more than 500 or 50% of the exchange capacity, whichever is the less. The BT Network Management Centre starts the reporting process within 15 minutes of detecting the loss of access to the 999 service if the failure reporting criteria have been reached. It provides update reports to keep all affected emergency authorities informed of progress. A final report is distributed when service has been restored.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155328,"EventID":"S1W-18695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work will commence on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar, and how the timescale now compares with the timescale given in Strategic Roads Review","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work will commence on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar, and how the timescale now compares with the timescale given in Strategic Roads Review - Scheme Decisions, the supplementary report to Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review.","AnswerText":"I announced in November 1999 that five schemes, including the A1, will proceed to construction over the next three years. I had envisaged that, subject to satisfactory progress on the completion of the necessary statutory procedures, construction could begin in 2001. However, that process has taken slightly longer than envisaged in 1999, due to a combination of objections which required to be considered fully and the impact of foot-and-mouth disease, which delayed ground construction work and topographical surveys.

    The necessary procedures were completed in August 2001 and tenders were promptly invited for the construction work. I hope to see that work start in summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155329,"EventID":"S1W-18696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology it used to assess the environmental impact of building slip roads to East Linton on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology it used to assess the environmental impact of building slip roads to East Linton on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not undertaken an environmental impact assessment of the slip roads at East Linton. Should their construction be promoted, this would require the preparation and publication of an Environmental Statement in accordance with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as amended by the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. This is mandatory for all new motorways and special roads.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155330,"EventID":"S1W-18697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to modify the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar to incorporate slip roads to East Linton.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to modify the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar to incorporate slip roads to East Linton.","AnswerText":"The statutory consents for the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway would not allow for the inclusion of slip roads to East Linton in the contract, which is currently being tendered.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155331,"EventID":"S1W-18698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why no public local inquiry was held on the proposal to construct the A1 Haddington to Dunbar expressway option as recommended in Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why no public local inquiry was held on the proposal to construct the A1 Haddington to Dunbar expressway option as recommended in Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review.","AnswerText":"When Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review was published in November 1999 public reaction to the expressway had not been tested by the publication of draft orders. Contrary to expectations, the orders subsequently published did not attract objections that would have made the holding of a public local inquiry necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155332,"EventID":"S1W-18699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar remain outstanding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar remain outstanding.","AnswerText":"None, I considered each objection and my decision is contained in a letter dated 13 June 2001 issued to each objector.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155333,"EventID":"S1W-18700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar were considered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar were considered.","AnswerText":"Prior to publication of the preferred route in June 1996 four alternatives were considered for the section between Haddington and East Linton, six around East Linton and two from East Linton to Dunbar. The preferred route and the Expressway were the two options considered under the Strategic Roads Review.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155334,"EventID":"S1W-18701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar will have on the community of East Linton and the surrounding areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar will have on the community of East Linton and the surrounding areas.","AnswerText":"The new road will remove 75% of current traffic including the majority of heavy goods vehicles from the residential area at the edge of the village reducing noise and fumes. A study into the effects of the new road on the level of passing trade in East Linton was carried out but concluded the impact was insufficient to threaten the existence of any single business.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155335,"EventID":"S1W-18702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alleviate any problems to the local community that may be caused by the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alleviate any problems to the local community that may be caused by the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar.","AnswerText":"High quality signing will be provided at either end of the new road to direct traffic to local destinations including East Linton and Scottish Tourist Board accredited attractions.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155336,"EventID":"S1W-18703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many respite care places have been provided since May 1999, broken down by (a) health board area and (b) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many respite care places have been provided since May 1999, broken down by (a) health board area and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following tables contain information on respite admissions:

    Respite Admissions - year to 31 March 2000

    Local Authority

    Residential Care Homes

    Private Nursing Homes1,2,3,4

    Total

    Aberdeen City5

    1,000

    210

    1,210

    Aberdeenshire5

    1,385

    235

    1,620

    Angus

    453

    38

    491

    Argyll & Bute

    672

    42

    714

    Clackmannanshire

    52

    23

    75

    Dumfries & Galloway

    664

    130

    794

    Dundee City

    1,102

    276

    1,378

    East Ayrshire5

    454

    169

    623

    East Dunbartonshire

    127Strategy for Carers in Scotland for supporting for carers and providing short breaks, doubling the resources previously available to authorities for these purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155339,"EventID":"S1W-18706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14063 by Malcolm Chisholm on 23 March 2001, what plans it now has for the care of mentally disordered offenders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14063 by Malcolm Chisholm on 23 March 2001, what plans it now has for the care of mentally disordered offenders.","AnswerText":"Our strategy remains for the care and other relevant agencies to work together to provide safe care, accommodation and support for mentally disordered offenders.

    The deadline for receipt of joint area progress reports on local implementation of the strategy has been extended to November this year at the request of the agencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155340,"EventID":"S1W-18707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects aimed at supporting young people with mental health problems it is currently funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects aimed at supporting young people with mental health problems it is currently funding.","AnswerText":"Services aimed at supporting young people with mental health problems are primarily provided through NHSScotland and local authority mental health services, for which the Scottish Executive is providing record levels of resources. Such services are provided directly or through voluntary sector bodies. In addition, Mental Illness Specific Grant goes to many projects at local level, that benefit people with mental health problems. These are not categorised according to client age.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155341,"EventID":"S1W-18708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects relating to the support of carers, families and partners of those suffering from mental health problems it is currently funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects relating to the support of carers, families and partners of those suffering from mental health problems it is currently funding.","AnswerText":"Projects aimed at supporting the carers, families and partners of people with mental health problems are primarily provided through local authorities and NHSScotland, often working with the voluntary sector. A wide range of such projects is currently running across Scotland, supported under a number of different initiatives. The Strategy for Carers in Scotland doubled, from April 2000, the resources available to local authorities to support carers, including carers of people with mental health difficulties. From April this year local authorities are also receiving significant new funding to expand short break services, which will benefit many people and their carers. Local authorities use these resources to meet local needs, including those of carers of people with mental health difficulties. Mental Illness Specific Grant also funds many projects which help people with mental health difficulties, their families and carers. In addition, through the Scottish Health Plan Our National Health and projects such as Allies in Change, we are promoting the involvement of mental health service users and their carers in service planning and delivery.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155342,"EventID":"S1W-18709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle mental health problems among young people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle mental health problems among young people.","AnswerText":"Our National Health sets out our ambition for the development of improved health services for children and young people. The Child Health Support Group are working to produce a framework against which agencies will plan and deliver improved care responses across the whole range of children's services.

    The planning and preventative measures for mental health needs will be further informed by the outcomes of the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme review which has been commissioned to examine current needs and provision. Their report is expected early next year. The Mental Health and Well Being Support Group will complement both these approaches and continue their work with the care agencies on the broad improvement agenda.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155343,"EventID":"S1W-18710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources were made available for the care of people with learning disabilities in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources were made available for the care of people with learning disabilities in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"Information about the expenditure on community care services for adults with learning disabilities and on children generally is contained in Tables 7.1 to 7.3 of Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000 published by the Scottish Executive in July 2001. A copy of this document is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 15335).

    Information about expenditure on services specifically for children with learning disabilities is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155344,"EventID":"S1W-18711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle the issue of homelessness for those with mental health problems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle the issue of homelessness for those with mental health problems.","AnswerText":"The Homelessness Task Force, which I chair, is considering, amongst other things, the need for improved housing provision, advice and support for the resettlement of people leaving institutions and other vulnerable groups.

    The Code of Guidance on Homelessness also identifies people with mental illness as potentially vulnerable, and therefore in priority need. In addition, action through the Rough Sleepers Initiative is targeted on people with complex needs, including those with mental health problems. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1F-1252 on 20 September 2001, in relation to health, including mental health, and homelessness issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155345,"EventID":"S1W-18712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is currently available for teachers with regard to dealing with children with special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is currently available for teachers with regard to dealing with children with special educational needs.","AnswerText":"There is a wide variety of training available for qualified teachers, ranging from university courses such as the Post-graduate diploma in special educational needs (SEN) and the Post-graduate certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) to courses/conferences/seminars run by local authorities, colleges and voluntary agencies in language and communication, moving and handling and Individualised Educational Programmes.

    Before qualifying, components within the core of courses of initial teacher education (ITE) consist, where appropriate, of inter-related units in special educational needs. Guidelines for initial teacher education in Scotland require teacher education institutions (TEIs) to prepare prospective teachers to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of SEN. In line with the guidelines, teaching pupils with SEN is also an option for specialist study within Bachelor of Education primary courses.

    The Report of the First Stage of the Review of ITE made two recommendations on special educational needs, these being;

    Students should be provided by their overall ITE programmes with clear models of best practice in collaborative approaches which can benefit children with SEN, and which can support classroom teachers in a better understanding of their own role, and

    TEIs should offer visits to schools specifically to enrich the ITE experience of SEN (given the variability of placement experience) subject to appropriate safeguards for the dignity of the children involved.

    The consultation on the report recently ended and responses are currently being analysed. An Action Plan to implement the work on this report will follow shortly and a copy of this will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155346,"EventID":"S1W-18713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure that all education authorities will develop policies to meet the health care needs of all pupils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to ensure that all education authorities will develop policies to meet the health care needs of all pupils.","AnswerText":"The Executive expects education authorities to develop policies on health education that will ensure that their health education programme effectively meets pupils' needs and develops pupils' ability to take responsibility for their health. To assist education authorities, Health Education 5 -14 National Guidelines have been published, together with Guidance for Teachers and Managers.

    Alongside this the Executive is encouraging education authorities to adopt a multi-agency approach to meeting the needs of the whole child, including through New Community Schools which bring together education, health, social work and other services for children and their families.

    The policies are monitored through annual reports and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education inspections of schools, including New Community Schools, which would include the planned programmes, procedures and provision of health education and the integration of services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155347,"EventID":"S1W-18714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is a signatory to the Munich Declaration on nurses and midwives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is a signatory to the Munich Declaration on nurses and midwives.","AnswerText":"I confirm that all Ministers of Health of member states in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO), including the United Kingdom, are signatories to the Munich Declaration: Nurses and Midwives - a Force for Health, which was issued by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on 17 June 2000 following the Second WHO Ministerial Conference on Nursing and Midwifery in Europe.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155348,"EventID":"S1W-18715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support a bid by the City of Inverness to be the European City of Culture in 2008 and, if so, what (a) practical and (b) financial assistance it will prov","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support a bid by the City of Inverness to be the European City of Culture in 2008 and, if so, what (a) practical and (b) financial assistance it will provide to support the bid.","AnswerText":"The Executive is pleased to support the costs of preparation of the proposed Highland bid for designation as European Capital of Culture 2008. We are making available £50,000 towards those costs in both this and the next financial year. This is in addition to support being given by VisitScotland and the Scottish Arts Council. My officials also stand ready in the event that the bid partners wish to discuss the bid during its preparation stages.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155349,"EventID":"S1W-18716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the relocation of the Scottish Arts Council to Inverness would assist any bid by the City of Inverness to become the European City of Culture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the relocation of the Scottish Arts Council to Inverness would assist any bid by the City of Inverness to become the European City of Culture.","AnswerText":"The most appropriate location for the Scottish Arts Council will be considered during the council's forthcoming quinquennial review and will be based on a range of criteria that will include the needs of the arts sector across all parts of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155350,"EventID":"S1W-18717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recently established Agriculture and Environment Working Group will consider the future provision and location of the Environment and Rural Affairs Department","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recently established Agriculture and Environment Working Group will consider the future provision and location of the Environment and Rural Affairs Department's network of local area offices.","AnswerText":"The Agriculture and Environment Working Group has a wide remit, including a review of the provision of environmental advice and guidance to farmers and crofters. This will include the guidance provided through the Environment and Rural Affairs Department's Area Offices, but it should be borne in mind that this is only one part of the role of staff in these offices. The working group has no remit to consider either the provision or location of local area offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155351,"EventID":"S1W-18718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Udal tenure of land will be recognised and preserved under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Udal tenure of land will be recognised and preserved under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17675. The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill does not make any specific provision in relation to Udal Law.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155352,"EventID":"S1W-18719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) powers and (b) plans it has to introduce legislation for the introduction of compulsory national identity cards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) powers and (b) plans it has to introduce legislation for the introduction of compulsory national identity cards.","AnswerText":"There are no immediate plans to introduce an identity card scheme in Scotland or, more widely, in the United Kingdom. The Executive is, and will continue to be, involved in discussions with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155353,"EventID":"S1W-18720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) powers and (b) plans it has to introduce legislation for the regulation of tobacco advertising.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) powers and (b) plans it has to introduce legislation for the regulation of tobacco advertising.","AnswerText":"Tobacco advertising is a devolved matter. The Executive is committed to achieving a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion in Scotland which is both effective and enforceable. We do not rule out Scottish legislation at some point, but consider that a UK-wide ban will enable a much more effective and comprehensive ban to be delivered. The UK Government has a manifesto commitment to legislate to effect a ban during the lifetime of the current Westminster Parliament and we have been pressing hard and consistently for this to be done as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155354,"EventID":"S1W-18721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the 2000-01 underspend in the health budget by subject area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the 2000-01 underspend in the health budget by subject area.","AnswerText":"Of the health budget of £5.5 billion in 2000-01 about £144 million was carried forward into the new financial year, all of which will be spent on better health and health services.

    The Scottish Executive Accounts will provide a detailed breakdown of the underspend. Audit Scotland are currently auditing the accounts and they will be laid before Parliament by January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155355,"EventID":"S1W-18722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what codes governed the procedures used in the recent appointment of chairperson to the proposed Scottish Water. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what codes governed the procedures used in the recent appointment of chairperson to the proposed Scottish Water. ","AnswerText":"The prospective Chair of the proposed Scottish Water was identified through procedures in line with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155356,"EventID":"S1W-18723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the period of appointment is of the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the period of appointment is of the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"No appointment can be made until Parliament approves the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. As announced on 8 August, we intend the initial appointment to last for three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155357,"EventID":"S1W-18724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements will be placed on chairpersons of the proposed Scottish Water with regard to attendance at meetings and other official engagements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements will be placed on chairpersons of the proposed Scottish Water with regard to attendance at meetings and other official engagements.","AnswerText":"The normal expectation would be that the chairperson would be absent from board meetings only in exceptional circumstances.

    The Water Industry (Scotland) Bill proposes a power for Scottish ministers to remove a non-executive member of the board, if that member has been absent from meetings of Scottish Water for a period longer than three months without the permission of Scottish Water.

    As far as other meetings and official engagements are concerned, it will be a key role of the chairperson to keep in regular contact with stakeholders, and to play a representative role for Scottish Water throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155358,"EventID":"S1W-18725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration package is of the post of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration package is of the post of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"No appointment can be made until Parliament has approved the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. As announced on 8 August, ministers intend that the initial appointment should be remunerated at a daily rate of £385, for three days a week in the first year, and for two days a week in the subsequent two years. There will also be pension entitlement equivalent to that currently available to existing water authority chairs.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155359,"EventID":"S1W-18726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"The Chair will be responsible for leading the board of Scottish Water, which will have specific responsibility for:

    establishing the overall strategic direction of Scottish Water within the policies and resources framework agreed with the responsible minister;

    ensuring the delivery of planned results by monitoring performance against agreed objectives and targets, and

    ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155360,"EventID":"S1W-18727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the vacancy for chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water was advertised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the vacancy for chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water was advertised.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17768, in which I made clear that the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments gave prior approval to a closed competition for the prospective chairmanship of Scottish Water. There were, therefore, no advertisements for the post.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155361,"EventID":"S1W-18728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the recent vacancy of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the recent vacancy of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"Three.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155362,"EventID":"S1W-18729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water declared any interests on being appointed and, if so, what those interests were.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water declared any interests on being appointed and, if so, what those interests were.","AnswerText":"No appointment can be made until Parliament approves the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. The candidate identified as ministers' preferred choice for appointment, Professor Alan Alexander, declared no interests in the relevant section of his application.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155363,"EventID":"S1W-18730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to the water service industry the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water is required to have.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what special expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to the water service industry the chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water is required to have.","AnswerText":"See S1W-18730.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155364,"EventID":"S1W-18731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select candidates for the (a) initial and (b) final shortlists for the post of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select candidates for the (a) initial and (b) final shortlists for the post of chairperson of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"No shortlisting took place. As agreed with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments, all three chairs of the existing water authorities were invited to apply and were interviewed.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155365,"EventID":"S1W-18732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select the successful candidate for the recent vacancy of chairperson to the proposed Scottish Water and who carried out the interview.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used to select the successful candidate for the recent vacancy of chairperson to the proposed Scottish Water and who carried out the interview.","AnswerText":"The interview panel consisted of:

    John Graham, Head of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department

    Andrew Cubie, Senior Partner, Fyfe Ireland WS (Independent Assessor)

    Deirdre Hutton, Chair, National Consumer Council (Independent Assessor)

    Candidates were assessed on their ability to demonstrate the following qualities and experience:

    A comprehensive and realistic understanding of the challenges facing the Scottish water industry in an increasingly competitive environment, and a clear vision of how they should be addressed in the interest of customers;

    a commitment to provide leadership to the new authority as a sustainable, competitive public sector organisation;

    ability to develop a constructive working relationship with ministers and their officials;

    an ability to communicate effectively with, and listen to, all stakeholders and to represent the organisation - media skills, presentation skills, experience of public meetings;

    an ability to harness the skills of, inspire and motivate board members in the interests of the authority;

    a track record in setting challenging targets for the authority's executive management and monitoring progress against them;

    a commitment to support executive management in their role, and a willingness to challenge their decisions and recommendations;

    a track record in securing the use of resources to their best advantage, achieving value for money;

    willingness to encourage innovation in business development, and

    a good understanding of strategic business planning and how it should be applied in a public sector business.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155366,"EventID":"S1W-18733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the proposed reopening of the cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the proposed reopening of the cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) served prohibition and enforcement notices on Sacone Environmental Ltd on 9 October 2001 in response to complaints about smoke and odour nuisance from the incinerator in Carntyne. The prohibition notice withdrew SEPA's authorisation for the incinerator until further notice. The enforcement notice requires the operator to take remedial action at the plant.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155367,"EventID":"S1W-18734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures necessary to the safeguarding of public health are in place at the proposed cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow and, if not, what action it will take","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures necessary to the safeguarding of public health are in place at the proposed cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow and, if not, what action it will take to ensure that such measures are in place before the incinerator's licence to operate is granted.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a Variation Notice to the current operators of the plant, requiring them to demonstrate that statutory environmental controls were in place, when ownership of the plant was transferred earlier this year. These controls have been the subject of rigorous risk assessment and are in place to safeguard public health. Following an investigation into complaints from local residents on 9 October, SEPA placed prohibition and enforcement notices on the plant. The prohibition notice withdrew SEPA's authorisation for the incinerator until further notice. The enforcement notice requires the operator to take remedial action at the plant. SEPA is currently awaiting receipt of the company's improvement plan and will not authorise operations to restart until they are satisfied that all the necessary improvements have been met.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155368,"EventID":"S1W-18735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other public bodies have taken responsible and appropriate action with regard to the application for a licence to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other public bodies have taken responsible and appropriate action with regard to the application for a licence to operate a cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The authorisation of industrial processes under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). However, in this case, I am aware that Sacone Environmental Ltd, the new owner of the Carntyne incinerator, applied to SEPA in June 2001 to have the original authorisation transferred to it. In response, SEPA issued a variation notice requiring the company to demonstrate that improvements had been made to enable the plant to comply with the authorisation's conditions. SEPA granted a limited recommissioning period to enable the plant to demonstrate that the improvements had been made.

    SEPA served prohibition and enforcement notices on Sacone Environmental Ltd on 9 October following complaints about smoke and odour from the incinerator, as explained in the answer to question S1W-18733.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155369,"EventID":"S1W-18736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what replacement funding will be provided to organisations following the conclusion of the Social Inclusion Partnership Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what replacement funding will be provided to organisations following the conclusion of the Social Inclusion Partnership Initiative.","AnswerText":"Following our recent decision to extend the life of the nine Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) who were former Regeneration Programmes and five other SIPs, no SIPs now have designations due to expire before 31 March 2004. It would be premature to prejudge at this stage the circumstances that might apply in 2004 and beyond.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155370,"EventID":"S1W-18737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when detailed guidance will be issued on the revenue fund costs to local authorities of the transitional housing benefit scheme under the Supporting People regime to be i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when detailed guidance will be issued on the revenue fund costs to local authorities of the transitional housing benefit scheme under the Supporting People regime to be introduced in 2003.","AnswerText":"The transitional housing benefit scheme will continue until April 2003 but it is hoped to provide local authorities with an indication of how much will be available to them for Supporting People by the end of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155371,"EventID":"S1W-18738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1878,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how police files containing information on individuals' criminal records are currently disposed of; whether it is satisfied with practice in this area, and whether it ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how police files containing information on individuals' criminal records are currently disposed of; whether it is satisfied with practice in this area, and whether it has any plans to review arrangements.","AnswerText":"Criminal conviction information is held by the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) Criminal History System. Under current policy, decisions on the retention and disposal of the information are based on one or more of a number of factors, for example the seriousness of the offence, the age of the person at the time of conviction and the number of years elapsed since the end of the sentence.

    A working group established by the SCRO Management Committee has been reviewing the existing policy. The aim is to develop arrangements which take account of, among other things, the Police Act 1997, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155372,"EventID":"S1W-18739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17763 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 September 2001, what specific areas of Udal law are distinct from Scots law on land tenure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17763 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 September 2001, what specific areas of Udal law are distinct from Scots law on land tenure.","AnswerText":"The primary difference between Udal and Feudal land law is that Udal land is held outright by the owner and is not subject to any superior interest, including the Crown. This difference will be removed by the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 which provides for the abolition of superior interests in Feudal land on the appointed day. Land will then be owned outright.

    Another distinguishing feature, is that under Udal law the foreshore in Orkney and Shetland is treated in the same way as land above the high water mark across the rest of Scotland. Consequently, it is possible for Udal titles to land to include the foreshore as property.

    Another distinctive feature of Udal land is that, unlike Feudal land, ownership may be transferred without the requirement of a written title. This difference will disappear once the Land Register becomes operational in Orkney and Shetland from 1 April 2003 as the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 provides that an acquirer of Udal land will only obtain a real right to the land on registration.

    The payment of skat, which is considered to be a form of land tax, is an incident of Udal land law. It has not been competent to create new skats since 1974 and both skat and feuduty will be extinguished on the appointed day.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155373,"EventID":"S1W-18740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether single drug sedation only may be used in general dental practice and, if so, whether such use is in accordance with the proposals outlined in the Scottish Interco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether single drug sedation only may be used in general dental practice and, if so, whether such use is in accordance with the proposals outlined in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) draft guideline on the safe sedation of children.","AnswerText":"Yes. Since 13 August 2001 only single drug use is allowed for sedation in general dental practice in Scotland. This is in line with the SIGN document, but as this document is only in a draft format, any direct comparisons are currently inappropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155374,"EventID":"S1W-18741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people have suffered from mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people have suffered from mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155375,"EventID":"S1W-18742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people registered as homeless have suffered from mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people registered as homeless have suffered from mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155376,"EventID":"S1W-18743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people registered as homeless have received treatment for mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people registered as homeless have received treatment for mental health problems since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155377,"EventID":"S1W-18744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and what percentage of, health board funding has been ring-fenced for mental health services in each year since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and what percentage of, health board funding has been ring-fenced for mental health services in each year since May 1999, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Funding for mental health services is not ring-fenced. NHS Boards are given a unified budget to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. It is for NHS Boards to decide how best to utilise this funding to meet local and national priorities including mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155378,"EventID":"S1W-18745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill will have a positive impact on water charges for island communities in the North of Scotland Water area, as stated in the Bill's P","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill will have a positive impact on water charges for island communities in the North of Scotland Water area, as stated in the Bill's Policy Memorandum, and what it estimates this impact will be.","AnswerText":"The main element of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill is the creation of Scottish Water as a single all-Scotland water and sewerage authority, with the key objective of providing services to customers across Scotland more efficiently than can be done by the existing three water authorities separately. Customers in the island communities currently served by North of Scotland Water (NSW) will benefit from this in the same way as other customers. In addition, and in common with other NSW customers, future increases in water charges will be lower than would have been the case as a result of the charge harmonisation across Scotland that will follow the creation of Scottish Water.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155379,"EventID":"S1W-18746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Her Majesty's Government regarding the amount of Scottish Block grant that will be available to it in 2002-03 following the deduction of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from Her Majesty's Government regarding the amount of Scottish Block grant that will be available to it in 2002-03 following the deduction of the Scotland Office budget for that year.","AnswerText":"The baselines for 2002-03 are set out in the Draft Budget Document I published on 20 September, and in the UK Estimates. Copies of this document are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 16314).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155380,"EventID":"S1W-18747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17762 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 September 2001, whether, given the precedence of Scottish law over Udal law, it is possible for adjac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17762 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 September 2001, whether, given the precedence of Scottish law over Udal law, it is possible for adjacent pieces of land to be subject to different laws.","AnswerText":"The general law of Scotland applies to land across Scotland. In areas where Udal tenure subsists, Udal land may differ from land held on feudal tenure, and it is therefore consistent with the law of Scotland for adjacent pieces of land in these areas to be held under different systems of land tenure.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155381,"EventID":"S1W-18748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Eaga Partnership (Scotland) will publish a replacement information leaflet on the central heating installation programme for pensioners in private rented accommodati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when Eaga Partnership (Scotland) will publish a replacement information leaflet on the central heating installation programme for pensioners in private rented accommodation and what further arrangements are in place to publicise this scheme to older people in private rented and owner occupied accommodation.","AnswerText":"A new leaflet will be available in November. Eaga are contracted to publicise the programme and will be doing so through a variety of media and by working with the many organisations who have access to the client group to develop referral mechanisms and strategic partnerships. A series of multi-agency seminars are planned over November and December and a series of media events will be undertaken over that time. A major promotional campaign will begin in February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155382,"EventID":"S1W-18749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2099,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cyclists have been charged with road traffic offences in Edinburgh since 1 May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cyclists have been charged with road traffic offences in Edinburgh since 1 May 1999.","AnswerText":"The available information, which is for calendar year 1999, is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.

    Persons proceeded against for road traffic offences involving bicycles, Edinburgh1, 1999

    Main offence

    Number of persons proceeded against

    Carelessly or inconsiderately riding a bicycle or tricycle

    2

    Drunk when riding a bicycle

    5

    Bicycles, other offences

    4

    Total

    11

    Notes:

    1. Prosecutions in Edinburgh Sheriff Court or City of Edinburgh District Court.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155383,"EventID":"S1W-18750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will retain social inclusion partnership status until March 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities will retain social inclusion partnership status until March 2004.","AnswerText":"Social Inclusion Partnerships with designations due to end in March 2004 are located in the following local authority areas:

    Argyll and Bute Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Dundee City Council, East Ayrshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, East Lothian Council, Falkirk Council, Fife Council, Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, Moray Council, North Ayrshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Borders Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council, and West Lothian Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155384,"EventID":"S1W-18751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a plan exists for life-cycle maintenance on the Erskine Bridge and, if so, what capital works are envisaged within the period of any such plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a plan exists for life-cycle maintenance on the Erskine Bridge and, if so, what capital works are envisaged within the period of any such plan.","AnswerText":"The need and timing of the maintenance required to the bridge is identified by the Operating Company through the inspection regime set out in the Maintenance Manual. These works will then be prioritised and programmed.

    The next major works currently planned are strengthening of the bridge deck to meet EC loading requirements and other minor improvements. A contract with an estimated value of £2.1 million is currently out to competitive tender. These works were identified following the national bridge assessment programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155385,"EventID":"S1W-18752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its plans to construct the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar without slip roads to East Linton in view of potential reductio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its plans to construct the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar without slip roads to East Linton in view of potential reduction in the tourism and retail sectors as outlined in the report by Roger Tym and Partners, A1 Haddington - Dunbar Expressway Economic Amendment of Passing Trade at East Linton.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155386,"EventID":"S1W-18753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the absence of slip roads to East Linton on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar results in greater national economic benefit than the provision ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the absence of slip roads to East Linton on the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar results in greater national economic benefit than the provision of slip roads as outlined in the report prepared by Roger Tym and Partners, A1 Haddington - Dunbar Expressway Economic Amendment of Passing Trade at East Linton.","AnswerText":"The net benefits of the slip roads measured as time and accident savings and the reduction in vehicle operating costs are less than the cost of building and maintaining the slip roads.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155387,"EventID":"S1W-18754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17215 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 August 2001, whether the figures on the total number of persons aged under 16 who were proceeded agai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17215 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 August 2001, whether the figures on the total number of persons aged under 16 who were proceeded against on indictments are now available for 2000.","AnswerText":"Complete and checked statistical information on court proceedings in 2000 is not yet available. On present plans it is hoped that finalised data will be available to meet requests for analysis by December this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155388,"EventID":"S1W-18755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh have been placed on the appropriate register of sex offenders in each month since the inception of the register.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh have been placed on the appropriate register of sex offenders in each month since the inception of the register.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155389,"EventID":"S1W-18756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed to monitor those people on the register of sex offenders who are currently residing in the City of Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed to monitor those people on the register of sex offenders who are currently residing in the City of Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Chief Constables, local authority Social Work Departments and other agencies and individuals who have a responsibility for public protection.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155390,"EventID":"S1W-18757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for administration the end year flexibility award of #24.8 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for administration the end year flexibility award of #24.8 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155391,"EventID":"S1W-18758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for culture and sport the end year flexibility award of #6.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for culture and sport the end year flexibility award of #6.3 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155392,"EventID":"S1W-18759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for education the end year flexibility award of #101.9 mill","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for education the end year flexibility award of #101.9 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155393,"EventID":"S1W-18760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for enterprise and lifelong learning the end year flexibili","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus Mackay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for enterprise and lifelong learning the end year flexibility award of #35.8 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155394,"EventID":"S1W-18761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for health the end year flexibility award of #159.4 million","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for health the end year flexibility award of #159.4 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155395,"EventID":"S1W-18762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for environment and rural affairs the end year flexibility ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for environment and rural affairs the end year flexibility award of #66.8 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155396,"EventID":"S1W-18763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for social justice the end year flexibility award of #131.4","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for social justice the end year flexibility award of #131.4 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155397,"EventID":"S1W-18764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for justice the end year flexibility award of #48.7 million","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for justice the end year flexibility award of #48.7 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155398,"EventID":"S1W-18765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for transport the end year flexibility award of #32.1 milli","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, where in the level 3 budget for transport the end year flexibility award of #32.1 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The supporting documentation for the autumn budget revision, that I will lay in Parliament in early November, will show the allocation of End Year Flexibility. This revision will come to the Finance Committee for scrutiny and approval.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155399,"EventID":"S1W-18766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in partnership with South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust to reduce waiting times for hip replacement operations in the Trust's area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in partnership with South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust to reduce waiting times for hip replacement operations in the Trust's area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive set out in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change our commitment to work with NHSScotland to reduce waiting through increased investment and improved working practices. Reductions in waiting times are a priority for the new NHS boards. I understand that NHS Greater Glasgow is currently working to develop and improve orthopaedic services across its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155400,"EventID":"S1W-18767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures additional to the Species Action Plan and the proposed management trial need to be taken to protect capercaillie from predation and, if so, what the addi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures additional to the Species Action Plan and the proposed management trial need to be taken to protect capercaillie from predation and, if so, what the additional measures should be.","AnswerText":"In addition to the actions set out in the Biodiversity Species Action Plan for capercaillie, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission, Caledonian Partnership, RSPB and others have developed a bid for funding from the EU LIFE Nature programme directed at enhancing capercaillie populations within and adjacent to capercaillie Special Protection Areas (SPAs). It is also likely that there will be a large scale demonstration project targeted at undesignated sites.

    I also announced in September the provision of £700,000 for the removal and marking of deer fences in Scotland through a scheme being administered by the Forestry Commission. An additional two capercaillie SPAs have also been submitted to the European Commission for classification.

    Additionally, a Scottish Statutory Instrument is currently before the Scottish Parliament which will include the capercaillie on Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This will provide capercaillie with greater protection by making it illegal to hunt the species, and will make offences punishable by increased penalties.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155401,"EventID":"S1W-18768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the capercaillie is facing possible extinction and, if so, what measures it will take to prevent its extinction","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the capercaillie is facing possible extinction and, if so, what measures it will take to prevent its extinction","AnswerText":"The decline of the capercaillie population, to around 1,000 individual birds, is undoubtedly serious. If the decline continues the future of the species in Scotland would be seriously threatened. It is widely recognised that the decline is related to climatic changes, and in particular to a series of cold wet springs. There are other contributory causes and the measures described in the answer to question S1W-18767 are designed to address some of these.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155402,"EventID":"S1W-18769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received representations from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) recommending that additional steps must be taken to p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received representations from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) recommending that additional steps must be taken to protect the capercaillie population and, if so, what response it will make to the proposal by the SGA that SNH should fund hillpacks on a twice annual basis in areas where capercaillie are resident.","AnswerText":"I understand that SNH has received a letter from the SGA seeking grant aid for foot-packs on a twice-yearly basis in areas where capercaillie are resident. SNH is taking action to enhance the capercaillie population through the Biodiversity Species Action Plan Steering Group, and by the development of the EU LIFE Nature project and large scale management trial. These include appropriate predator control in capercaillie areas, initially focused on Special Protection Areas, along with important management measures such as fence removal and habitat management. SNH has no plans to fund foot-packs specifically for the purpose of predator control in capercaillie areas, though use of dogs in fox control has not been ruled out in areas where this method is considered appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155403,"EventID":"S1W-18770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that caterers providing for schoolchildren have qualifications which include training in the health and nutritional content of food.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that caterers providing for schoolchildren have qualifications which include training in the health and nutritional content of food.","AnswerText":"The provision of the school meals service is a matter for the local authorities, and the Scottish Executive has no role in monitoring the qualifications of those involved in catering for that service. The Model Nutritional Guidelines for Catering Specifications for the Public Sector in Scotland issued in 1996 as part of the Scottish Diet Action Plan contain a number of general principles concerning the qualifications of staff. Amongst these is the suggestion that dieticians should be part of the formal advisory structure in both the preparation and monitoring of specifications; that menus should be analysed by a dietician or nutritionist, and that training of all levels of staff should be delivered by suitably qualified staff such as dieticians.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155404,"EventID":"S1W-18771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to enable parents concerned about the nutritional content of their children's school meals to find out exactly what is provided.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to enable parents concerned about the nutritional content of their children's school meals to find out exactly what is provided.","AnswerText":"The primary responsibility for the quality of school meals rests with authorities. Parents concerned about the nutritional content of school meals should in the first instance raise their concerns with the head teacher. School Boards and Parent Teacher Associations may also be prepared to assist in ensuring that the parent's concerns are addressed. In addition, parents can raise their concerns directly with the local authority.

    Direct responsibility for the safety of food served in schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland monitors the work of the food enforcement authorities to ensure that they are implementing the relevant food safety legislation within all registered food premises within their council area. Were there to be evidence that food safety had been compromised the FSA would respond quickly and a full investigation, through the local authority enforcement officers, would be carried out.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155405,"EventID":"S1W-18772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the nutritional content of school meals is monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the nutritional content of school meals is monitored.","AnswerText":"Education authorities are responsible for providing school meals and have local arrangements for monitoring their quality.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155406,"EventID":"S1W-18773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available to local authorities to allow them to meet any additional costs arising out of any National Joint Committee determinations on the pay","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available to local authorities to allow them to meet any additional costs arising out of any National Joint Committee determinations on the pay and conditions for nursery nurses.","AnswerText":"Provision towards general local authority pay and price inflation was included within the total local government settlement allocations for the three years 2001-02 to 2003-04, which were announced in December 2000. We would expect local authorities to meet from their overall budgets any net costs arising from the current evaluation of local government posts (including nursery nurse posts) and subsequent setting of rates of pay.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155407,"EventID":"S1W-18774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether housing land audits are a statutory or recommended component of structure and local planning, (b) how frequently housing land audits should be carried out, (c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether housing land audits are a statutory or recommended component of structure and local planning, (b) how frequently housing land audits should be carried out, (c) whether it monitors the performance of local authorities in auditing the Established or Effective Land Supply and (d) how recently each structure plan authority has carried out an audit of local authorities.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory requirement for planning authorities to conduct housing land audits. Planning Advice Note 38 Structure Plans: Housing Land Requirements, however, sets out the Scottish Executive's advice in relation to auditing the effective housing land supply and refers to such audits as an annual process. The Executive does not formally monitor planning authorities' housing land audit performance and so cannot indicate when each structure plan authority last conducted such an audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155408,"EventID":"S1W-18775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether it is within the competence of a local authority to acquire land compulsorily, to sell it to a developer under a \"back-to-back\" agreement; (b) whether it is a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether it is within the competence of a local authority to acquire land compulsorily, to sell it to a developer under a \"back-to-back\" agreement; (b) whether it is aware of, and will provide details of any circumstances in which such an agreement has been made.","AnswerText":"Under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 it is competent for a local authority to acquire land compulsorily and for someone else to undertake the development.

    We do not hold details of agreements entered into between local authorities and developers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155409,"EventID":"S1W-18776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the short-term changes to the operation of compulsory purchase within the existing legislative framework, as recommended in the report ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the short-term changes to the operation of compulsory purchase within the existing legislative framework, as recommended in the report Review of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation prepared by its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3788 on 20 September 2001. Detailed proposals have still to be worked up and it is therefore too early to comment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155410,"EventID":"S1W-18777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the areas for further investigation of changes to the operation of compulsory purchase, and possible legislation, as recommended in the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take on the areas for further investigation of changes to the operation of compulsory purchase, and possible legislation, as recommended in the Review of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation prepared by its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3788 on 20 September 2001. Detailed proposals have still to be worked up and it is therefore too early to comment.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155411,"EventID":"S1W-18778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Minister for Transport and Planning cancelled her meeting in early August with Councillor Andrew Hill of South Ayrshire Council to discuss road improvements at M","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Minister for Transport and Planning cancelled her meeting in early August with Councillor Andrew Hill of South Ayrshire Council to discuss road improvements at Maybole and around Turnberry, whether an alternative date for the meeting has been arranged and, if so, when and where that meeting will take place.","AnswerText":"I had hoped to visit South Ayrshire, at the invitation of Councillor Hill, earlier in the year to look at the problems arising from timber traffic on rural roads in the area. However, this visit had to be postponed due to other diary pressures. I will now be visiting the area on 19 November following a further invitation from Councillor Hill to discuss other transport issues and I would be happy to include Maybole and Turnberry in that discussion.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155412,"EventID":"S1W-18779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue a revised version of the table published in SPICe Research Paper 01/13 to show capital works on the Erskine Bridge, as well as the maintenance costs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue a revised version of the table published in SPICe Research Paper 01/13 to show capital works on the Erskine Bridge, as well as the maintenance costs and toll income, as advised by Lewis Macdonald in the Parliament on 6 September 2001 (Official Report, col. 2307).","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the Erskine Bridge Accounts, which are presented to Parliament each year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155413,"EventID":"S1W-18781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the social justice underspend of #121.9 million in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18253 by Angus MacKay on 19 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the social justice underspend of #121.9 million in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Accounts will provide this information. Audit Scotland are currently auditing the accounts and they will be laid before Parliament by January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155414,"EventID":"S1W-18782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now implement the recommendation contained in the 1st Report 2000, Inquiry into the Delivery of Local Economic Development Services in Scotland, by the En","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now implement the recommendation contained in the 1st Report 2000, Inquiry into the Delivery of Local Economic Development Services in Scotland, by the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, that there should be an ombudsman created to consider complaints made in respect of the enterprise network and, if not, whether it will (a) review the remit of the external adjudicator, (b) extend the remit of the external adjudicators to include issues such as malfeasance and (c) increase the powers of the external adjudicators to include the power to award compensation and to assess what compensation should be appropriate. ","AnswerText":"We are taking forward the recommendation to create an ombudsman to investigate complaints against the enterprise networks as part of our wider exercise to establish modern arrangements for public sector ombudsmen in Scotland. In July we published a paper, A Modern Complaints System, which set out detailed proposals, including the proposal that the External Complaints Adjudicators of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise would be wound-up and that the Enterprise Networks would fall within the remit of the proposed Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman. The main function of the new ombudsman will be to investigate claims of injustice resulting from maladministration.

    In his statement to Parliament last month the First Minister confirmed our intention to introduce the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman Bill later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155415,"EventID":"S1W-18783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in increasing the number of NHS intensive care unit beds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in increasing the number of NHS intensive care unit beds.","AnswerText":"For the period 1996 to 2000, the average number of funded general adult intensive care beds in Scotland each year was:

    1996

    112

    1997

    115.5

    1998

    121.5

    1999

    125

    2000

    132.5

    Information for 2001 will become available in May 2002.

    This progressive increase in intensive care bed numbers reflects the priority given by NHS Scotland to critical care. Critical care bed numbers are increased further during winter to respond to peak demand. During winter 2000-01, up to 160 beds were available on this basis.

    The Scottish Critical Care beds bureau provides online access for all Scottish intensive care units (ICU) to information about ICU beds. This enables different hospitals to share ICU resources should the need arise.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155416,"EventID":"S1W-18784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the A82.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the A82.","AnswerText":"The three-year programme of improvements to the motorway and trunk road network, which I announced on 27 March, included one major scheme on the A82. This project will improve capacity at the A82/A814 Dumbuck Junction, Dumbarton and allow further safety improvements at Milton Village. Preliminary work on the scheme will start in 2002-03. In addition, there are a range of routine and minor maintenance schemes in progress on the route.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155417,"EventID":"S1W-18785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the campaign by the Highland Council for improvements to the A82, in particular (a) the introduction of lay-bys and passing places to provide over","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the campaign by the Highland Council for improvements to the A82, in particular (a) the introduction of lay-bys and passing places to provide overtaking opportunities for the Loch Ness length of the road between Fort Augustus and Inverness, (b) removal of the \"pinch point\" created by traffic lights on the narrow length of road near Ardlui, (c) improvements to the narrow winding sections between Tarbert and Inverarnan at the northern end of Loch Lomond and between Fort William and Onich, (d) improvement to the Invermoriston-Fort Augustus section to address the high accident rate and (e) removal of the height restrictions that exist at the railway bridges at Crianlarich. ","AnswerText":"The three-year programme of motorway and trunk road improvements, which I announced on 27 March, does not include any major schemes between Loch Lomond and Inverness. However, minor maintenance and improvement schemes are being progressed, including works on new lay-bys at Abriachan and Temple Pier and a new footway between Invermoriston and Dalcataig Junction. The roads programme is under regular review and we will consider the case for further improvements, including the schemes being promoted by the Highland Council, in the context of competing priorities across the whole of the network.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155418,"EventID":"S1W-18786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives from the Highland Council to hear their case for improvements to the A82. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives from the Highland Council to hear their case for improvements to the A82. ","AnswerText":"I met representatives of the Highland Council, including the Lochaber Area Convener, when I visited the area in August. We discussed a range of transport issues, including the A82 trunk road, and the convener has since written to the department setting out his points in detail. I have no further plans to meet the council on this issue in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155419,"EventID":"S1W-18787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance has been in the second quarter of 2001 in answering ministerial correspondence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance has been in the second quarter of 2001 in answering ministerial correspondence.","AnswerText":"In my reply to Mr McNulty`s question (S1W-12613) answered on 22 December we undertook to report quarterly on the numbers of letters received by ministers and our performance in answering them. In the quarter April to June 2001, 3,607 letters were received for ministerial reply of which 64% received a reply within 17 working days, and 82% received a reply within 25 working days. This is an improvement on the first quarter of 2000 when 60% of letters received a reply within 17 working days and 79% received a reply within 25 working days.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155420,"EventID":"S1W-18788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Local Government (Elections) (Scotland) Bill will be introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Local Government (Elections) (Scotland) Bill will be introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has today introduced the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

    The Executive issued a draft of the Bill on 30 March and received over 80 responses to that consultation. I have today placed a copy of responses to the consultation, except those given in confidence, in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    Of the 31 councils that responded, 22 were in favour of both a move to four-year terms for councils and coincident local government and Scottish Parliament elections.

    Many responses to the consultation commented adversely on the draft provisions to combine local government elections with an extraordinary parliamentary election held for the Scottish Parliament. Although it was expected that this power would only be used exceptionally - one possible example might be where an extraordinary election fell only a few weeks before the due date - the Executive recognises the objection of councils that, as originally drafted, the power could be used more widely. We have therefore decided to drop the general power from the Bill but retain an option where an extraordinary election runs close to a local government election. The council tax setting date of 11 March has been raised as a suitable date and seems a sensible break point.

    A number of councils asked whether it would be possible to trial new electoral procedures similar to those run in England and Wales for the May 2000 local government elections. Accordingly, we have amended the Bill to provide for similar pilots to be run at local government elections in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155421,"EventID":"S1W-18789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Equal Opportunities Committee's 1st Report 2001, Inquiry into Gypsy Travellers and Public Sector Policies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the Equal Opportunities Committee's 1st Report 2001, Inquiry into Gypsy Travellers and Public Sector Policies.","AnswerText":"The Executive presented its response to the Parliament today.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155422,"EventID":"S1W-18790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17754 by Ross Finnie on 20 September 2001, when and in what form it will publish detailed information on the likely causes and cont","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17754 by Ross Finnie on 20 September 2001, when and in what form it will publish detailed information on the likely causes and contacts which resulted in the subsequent spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders following the first outbreak recorded on 1 March 2001 at the farm run by C M Kirkpatrick, Nether Place, Dryesdale, Lockerbie.","AnswerText":"Issues relating to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland are covered by the terms of reference of the Inquiries of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Both these bodies are completely independent of the Scottish Executive and will report to their respective councils, after which their findings will be made publicly available. The Scottish Executive itself has no plans to publish detailed information on the causes and spread of the disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155423,"EventID":"S1W-18791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected financial impact will be on local authorities of the introduction of the proposed aggregates tax in April 2002 and whether it has made additional monies","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected financial impact will be on local authorities of the introduction of the proposed aggregates tax in April 2002 and whether it has made additional monies available to local authorities in its financial allocation for the next two years.","AnswerText":"The financial impact for individual local authorities will depend on their purchasing policies. It is hoped that the tax will encourage all those who purchase aggregates, including local authorities, to use recycled aggregates and other alternative materials. There is no justification, therefore, for additional provision to be made to local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155424,"EventID":"S1W-18792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.2 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.2 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 regarding lack of appropriate work for prisoner rehabilitation in prisons and, in particular, about numbers of prisoners sitting in sheds with no work to do, workshops closed because staff were required for escort duty and the type of work undertaken in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    A response to this and the other points made in the association's Annual Report will be sent to the association shortly. A copy will be sent to the member.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155425,"EventID":"S1W-18793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.3 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.3 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 regarding the comments by visiting committees about the level of staff morale and that because of staff absences prisoners were locked up for longer periods.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18792.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155426,"EventID":"S1W-18794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.4 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.4 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 that the practice of prisoners eating in cells where there is in-cell sanitation could be successfully challenged under the European Convention on Human Rights and what contingency plans are in place should this occur.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18792.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155427,"EventID":"S1W-18795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.5 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.5 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 regarding the Scottish Prison Service's Estates Review consultation process, who the Prison Service will consult with and how long this consultation process will last.","AnswerText":"Completion of the Estates Review process has taken longer than originally anticipated but it is considered essential that the financial costings are independently evaluated. The findings will be published later this year and a period of consultation will follow.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155428,"EventID":"S1W-18796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.6 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 2.6 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 regarding suicide prevention; whether it shares the concerns of visiting committees that the practices of isolation in total silence, deprivation of conversation and companionship, and denial of access to music affect vulnerable prisoners held in anti-ligature cells, and, if so, what action it is taking to change these practices.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18792.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155429,"EventID":"S1W-18797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 3 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 3 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 on raising awareness and what action it is taking to raise public awareness of the existence and functions of prison visiting committees.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18792.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155430,"EventID":"S1W-18798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 4 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 4 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 on the independence of visiting committees; whether it shares the concern of the association that the independence of these committees may be compromised as prison governors allocate and control their financial resources, and, if so, what alternative procedures it plans to put in place.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    A response to this, and the other points made in the association's Annual Report, will be sent to the association shortly. A copy will be sent to the member.

    Most visiting committee costs relate to the travelling and other expenses of committee members. Most committee members are members of the local authority that appointed them, and their expenses are paid by their authority rather than SPS. The expenses of other members are paid by SPS, either by the relevant establishment or from a central budget. The functions of visiting committees are clearly laid down in section 8 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 and in the Prison Rules, which include provision for committee members to visit prisons, hear complaints from prisoners and report any matters of concern to the prison governor and the Scottish ministers. Current funding arrangements allow for these functions to be carried out and committee members are in no way prevented from carrying out their duties by lack of funds. Current financial arrangements do not compromise the independence of visiting committees, and we therefore have no plans to change them.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155431,"EventID":"S1W-18799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 5 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to Point of Concern 5 in the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2001 on appointments; whether it shares the concern of the association with regard to the process of appointments to visiting committees for young offenders, in particular regarding the role of governors of such institutions in proposing candidates, lack of systematic review of committee member performance and a culture of unchallenged re-appointment, and, if so, what alternative procedure it plans to put in place.","AnswerText":"A response to this and the other points made in the association's Annual Report will be sent to the association shortly. A copy will be sent to the member.

    Section 19(3) of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 (as amended) provides that the members of visiting committees for young offenders institutions shall be appointed by the Scottish ministers. In making these appointments, account is taken of the views of all relevant interests, including not only the governors of the institutions but the chairperson of each committee. I believe these procedures work well and have no plans to change them.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155432,"EventID":"S1W-18800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place for informing the Minister for Justice as to the views of prison visiting committees, whether these procedures require review and, if so, wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place for informing the Minister for Justice as to the views of prison visiting committees, whether these procedures require review and, if so, what plans it has to conduct such a review.","AnswerText":"Each visiting committee is required to submit an Annual Report to the Scottish ministers. In addition, a committee may at any time submit a report to the Scottish ministers on any matter which it thinks it expedient so to report. Such reports are usually submitted direct to ministers by the visiting committee concerned. There are no plans to review these arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155433,"EventID":"S1W-18801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical evidence it maintains on recidivism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical evidence it maintains on recidivism.","AnswerText":"Information on reconviction rates of offenders is available from the Scottish Offenders Index, a statistical database that covers all convictions in Scottish courts since 1989 apart from those where the main offence involved was a motor vehicle or minor statutory or common law offence. A statistical bulletin based on this information, Reconvictions of offenders discharged from custody or given non-custodial sentences in 1995, Scotland, was published in February 2001, and is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 11876).

    Information on re-incarceration rates for prisoners released from custody was published by the Scottish Prison Service in January in a research bulletin titled Return to custody in Scottish prisons, which is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 10938).

    Research is currently under way on recidivism amongst serious violent and sexual offenders. The outcome of this research will be reported in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155434,"EventID":"S1W-18802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive whether it will list for each year since the declaration of political affiliation became mandatory as part of the system of appointments to public bodi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive whether it will list for each year since the declaration of political affiliation became mandatory as part of the system of appointments to public bodies in Scotland (a) the total number of appointments made, (b) the number of appointees who declared a political affiliation and (c) the number of these appointees affiliated to each of the political parties in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Political activity declarations were introduced by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in 1996. The information they contain is monitored by the commissioner to ensure that all appointments are made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process. All appointments made under the terms and conditions of Commissioner's Code are subject to independent scrutiny. Independent Assessors are required to play a full and active part in the appointments process to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly. Ministers can only appoint individuals to posts on the recommendation of appointment panels whose membership must include at least one Independent Assessor.

    The following table details the requested information. However, the statistical data has not been collated in a way which enables it to be split into individual years. The table does, however, detail all appointments made up to 31 March 2001.

    As the table shows, the vast majority of appointees are not politically active. Only 137 out of a total of 1,015 (13.5%) undertook political activities in the five-year period prior to their appointment.

    Period

    No of New Appointments Made

    Total of New Appointees Declaring Political Activity

    New Appointees Affiliation to Political Parties

    CON

    LAB

    LD

    SNP

    Other

    1/7/96 - 31/3/97

    137

    12

    4

    7

    0

    1

    0

    1/4/97 - 31/3/98

    204

    20

    5

    14

    0

    1

    0

    1/4/98 - 30/9/98

    		sportscotland, the majority of which will be for repairs and maintenance to the National Centre, and £710,000 to the Scottish Arts Council. In the parliamentary debate on culture on 25 October, I gave a full account of our plans for the allocation to the Scottish Arts Council. I also stated in that debate that I am giving careful consideration to the paper submitted by the council on its deliberations further to the reports it commissioned on the feasibility of a national theatre for Scotland and the wider review of theatres. I look forward to making a statement shortly on the matter of theatre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155439,"EventID":"S1W-18807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidelines issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists concerning maternity units are being given equal weighting by all NHS bodies in rel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidelines issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists concerning maternity units are being given equal weighting by all NHS bodies in relation to the maternity unit reviews currently under way.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for assessing the needs of the local population and delivering the most appropriate configuration of maternity services to meet those needs lies with the individual NHS Boards.

    In conducting their reviews of maternity strategies, NHS bodies will take full account of the clear action points and recommendations in A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland as well as Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines and the views of health service staff, service users and local communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155440,"EventID":"S1W-18808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which prisons are currently overcrowded and what its plans are to address this issue.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which prisons are currently overcrowded and what its plans are to address this issue.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The following table displays the current prisoner population position in relation to available capacity as of Friday 5 October 2001.

    Establishment

    Current Available Capacity

    Current Population

    % of Available Capacity

    Aberdeen

    155

    205

    132.3%

    Barlinnie

    836

    1,106

    132.3%

    Cornton Vale

    203

    250

    123.2%

    Edinburgh

    579

    666

    115%

    Greenock

    248

    311

    125.4%

    Inverness

    108

    111

    102.8%

    Polmont

    422

    460

    109%

    A consultation on the Prisons Estates Review will issue shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155441,"EventID":"S1W-18809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were born in (a) West Renfrewshire, (b) Greenock and (c) Inverclyde in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were born in (a) West Renfrewshire, (b) Greenock and (c) Inverclyde in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the table.

    Number of live births, Scotland, 1997 to September 20011

     

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    20012 (Jan-Sept)

    Parliamentary Constituency

    West Renfrewshire

    774

    664

    714

    682

    483

    Greenock and Inverclyde

    731

    685

    699

    655

    498

    Council Area

    Inverclyde

    980

    910

    947

    863

    649

    1991 Census Locality3

    Greenock

    551

    531

    512

    489

    392

    Notes:

    1. Date of registration.

    2. Provisional.

    3.1991 Census localities are continuously built up areas of 500 or more residents based on amalgamations of adjoining densely populated postcodes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155442,"EventID":"S1W-18810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accident inquiries have been held in the past five years into the loss of the lives of crews of fishing vessels and whether it is informed of the recommend","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accident inquiries have been held in the past five years into the loss of the lives of crews of fishing vessels and whether it is informed of the recommendations made in such cases.","AnswerText":"Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs) in Scotland are a matter for the Procurator Fiscal Service. I understand that while statistics are collated on the number of FAIs held, these are not categorised in a way which permits the information requested to be provided.

    It is for the Sheriff involved to determine whether or not the findings of an inquiry are set out in writing. Determinations are not routinely copied to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155443,"EventID":"S1W-18812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses (a) have submitted applications and (b) have received funding under the (i) Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, (ii) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, (iii) Beef S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses (a) have submitted applications and (b) have received funding under the (i) Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, (ii) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, (iii) Beef Special Premium Scheme, (iv) Extensification Premium Scheme and (v) Arable Area Payment Scheme from April 1999 to date, broken down by each Environment and Rural Affairs Department area office in the Highlands and Islands area, and how many have applications currently under consideration. ","AnswerText":"The information you require for the 1999 and 2000 scheme year is shown. Information has not been supplied for the 2001 scheme year because the payment information is incomplete.

    ERAD Area Office

    AAPS

    AAPS

    Scheme year 1999

    Scheme year 2000

    applications received

    payments issued

    applications under consideration

    applications received

    payments issued

    applications under consideration

    Oban

    80

    80

    0

    80

    80

    0

    Elgin

    157

    157

    0

    150

    150

    0

    Ayr

    40

    40

    0

    37

    37

    0

    Inverness

    447

    447

    ERAD Highlands & Islands Area Office

    Scheme year 1999

    Scheme year 2000

    Oban

    114

    146

    Elgin

    21

    17

    Ayr

    6

    9

    Inverness

    255

    302

    Portree

    151

    175

    Benbecula

    302

    353

    Kirkwall

    90

    97

    Stornoway

    706

    835

    Lairg

    91

    132

    Thurso

    121

    160

    Lerwick

    319

    416

    Total

    2,176

    2,652

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155445,"EventID":"S1W-18814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total (a) forage and (b) arable area was covered by claims for area aid under the Integrated Administration and Control System in (i) 2000-01 and (ii) 2001-02 to dat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what total (a) forage and (b) arable area was covered by claims for area aid under the Integrated Administration and Control System in (i) 2000-01 and (ii) 2001-02 to date, broken down by each Environment and Rural Affairs Department area office in the Highlands and Islands area.","AnswerText":"The total hectarage declared on area aid applications in scheme years 2000 and 2001 is given in the table.

    ERAD Highlands & Islands Area Office

    2000

    forage (ha)

    2000

    arable (ha)

    2001

    forage (ha)

    2001

    arable (ha)

    Oban

    400,281.75

    1,363.33

    371,333.70

    1,294.50

    Elgin

    41,393.92

    4,812.07

    37,417.80

    2,282.40

    Ayr

    36,024.72

    523.17

    34,201.11

    514.95

    Inverness

    597,135.39

    25,122.56

    552,353.40

    12,200.00

    Portree

    106,633.52

    0

    52,461.15

    0

    Benbecula

    52,086.50

    691.92

    31,081.87

    656.12

    Kirkwall

    73,624.21

    4,040.90

    73,340.77

    3,808.90

    Stornoway

    ERAD Highlands & Islands Area Office

    2000 forage (ha)

    2000 arable (ha)

    Oban

    5,985.00

    3.70

    Elgin

    491.73

    13.21

    Ayr

    321.46

    0

    Inverness

    19,033.65

    32.61

    Portree

    6,862.50

    0.00

    Benbecula

    11,519.62

    101.17

    Kirkwall

    1,113.70

    16.63

    Stornoway

    36,604.92

    0.90

    Lairg

    6,682.82

    4.00

    Thurso

    6,629.38

    24.19

    Lerwick

    10,937.78

    0

    Total

    106,182.65

    196.41

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155447,"EventID":"S1W-18816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) cattle and (b) sheep and how much arable ground were claimed for under the (i) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, (ii) Beef Special Premium Scheme, (iii) Extensific","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) cattle and (b) sheep and how much arable ground were claimed for under the (i) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, (ii) Beef Special Premium Scheme, (iii) Extensification Premium Scheme, (iv) Sheep Annual Premium Scheme and (v) Arable Area Payment Scheme in 2000-01 and 2001-02 to date and how many (a) cattle and (b) sheep and how much arable land were claimed for under each scheme by small producers, broken down by each Environment and Rural Affairs Department area office in the Highlands and Islands area.","AnswerText":"The livestock numbers and arable land area in scheme years 2000 and 2001, for all Scottish producers, are given in tables 1 & 2. The 2001 figures are partial, as they include only information on the IACS applications processed so far. Table 3 shows "small producers" for scheme year 2000. These were assumed to be producers who earned a total of €1,250 or less in subsidy payments. Figures have not been provided for 2001 as processing is on-going.

    Table 1: 2000 scheme year

    ERAD Highlands & Islands Area Office

    Sheep

    Suckler cows

    Beef cows

    Arable land (ha) 1

    Oban

    329,557

    21,978

    10,319

    1,363.33

    Elgin

    43,881

    10,371

    5,809

    4,812.07

    Ayr

    35,986

    3,441

    2,559

    523.17

    Inverness

    276,663

    28,853

    17,046

    25,122.56

    Portree

    94,927

    2,662

    383

    0

    Benbecula

    43,862

    2,026

    352

    691.92

    Kirkwall

    		Plan for Action on Alcohol Misuse to approximately 160 interested organisations and networks in February 2001. The consultation paper gives a full list of those consulted and is held by the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 11112). The Executive also arranged separate consultations with children and young people and alcohol misusers and their families. We expect to publish the Plan for Action by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155451,"EventID":"S1W-18820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the placing of government contracts with Scottish shi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the placing of government contracts with Scottish shipyards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with both the Ministry of Defence and Department of Trade & Industry on a wide range of issues, including the placing of government contracts with Scottish shipyards.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155452,"EventID":"S1W-18821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Department of Trade and Industry concerning dismantlement programmes for redundant offshore platforms and other structur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Department of Trade and Industry concerning dismantlement programmes for redundant offshore platforms and other structures, the need for location of suitable sites for such operations and the training of personnel to carry out the work.","AnswerText":"Oil company decommissioning programmes must be submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for agreement; for projects off Scotland, DTI consults the Scottish Executive. In addition, the Executive participates with DTI in the Fabricators Support Group of Pilot, the high level Government/oil industry task force. The FSG meets regularly to discuss all issues surrounding offshore fabrication; at its most recent meeting in October the issues covered included prospects for company diversification into decommissioning activities, and workforce skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155453,"EventID":"S1W-18822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons were employed in the shipbuilding industry in 1996 and how many are currently employed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons were employed in the shipbuilding industry in 1996 and how many are currently employed.","AnswerText":"Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that 11,200 people were employed in the building and repairing of ships in Scotland in 1996. Employment in the sector was 8,900 in 1999 (latest available data).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155454,"EventID":"S1W-18823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from drivers of hearses concerning the toll payments on the Erskine Bridge and whether toll payments by drivers of hearses are compul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from drivers of hearses concerning the toll payments on the Erskine Bridge and whether toll payments by drivers of hearses are compulsory on other bridges where tolls are charged.","AnswerText":"The Executive has received two approaches on this issue, including the member's own letter of 2 October. Hearses are required to pay tolls on all four tolled bridges in Scotland. I understand that the toll collector has an informal arrangement with local funeral directors to allow prepayment of tolls due by hearses and funeral cars to minimise delay at the toll booths.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155455,"EventID":"S1W-18824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the technical specifications included in its central heating installation programme match Glasgow City Council's established technical standards and whether each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the technical specifications included in its central heating installation programme match Glasgow City Council's established technical standards and whether each property within Glasgow which receives central heating as part of the programme will need to be subsidised by the council by up to #700 per property.","AnswerText":"The guidance on the Central Heating Programme includes performance specifications for gas, oil and coal-fired wet central heating and electric storage heating systems. The specifications demand that all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and manufacturers' instructions are met. The specifications also set out design principles and methods of installation that are fully in accordance with recognised good practice standards. The technical standards put in place by Glasgow City Council must at least match these requirements.

    The Central Heating Programme provides that local authorities will receive grant of up to £2,500 per dwelling to install the heating and insulation package. Glasgow City Council have not advised us that they will have to add £700 of their own money to meet the cost in every case. They are free to do so if they wish. Eaga, the Managing Agent for the private sector, can install the heating and insulation package at an average cost of £2,500 per dwelling across all sectors of the stock.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155456,"EventID":"S1W-18825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of condensing boilers would be more efficient and beneficial to tenants than other options under its central heating installation programme and why ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of condensing boilers would be more efficient and beneficial to tenants than other options under its central heating installation programme and why provision of such boilers has not been specified within the programme for the private sector.","AnswerText":"The specification for the Executive's Central Heating Programme does not prevent the council from specifying condensing boilers in improvement works, providing they come within the £2,500 grant.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155457,"EventID":"S1W-18826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why technical specifications were not laid down in relation to safety measures required in connection with its central heating installation programme, in particular the p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why technical specifications were not laid down in relation to safety measures required in connection with its central heating installation programme, in particular the provision of a carbon monoxide detector and cold alarm, and whether it will now require provision of such detectors and alarms in the programme.","AnswerText":"The Executive included considerable detail on safety in the performance specification for gas central heating. The specification states that all gas central heating systems must be installed in accordance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation. It also states that landlords are wholly responsible for ensuring that Health and Safety legislation and regulations are complied with. Further advice is given on the need for landlords to ensure that all subcontractors, agents, operatives and other representatives adhere strictly to health and safety regulation and that all personnel involved in the scheme are suitably qualified. Local authorities and housing associations are required to install carbon monoxide detectors (except where the heating system is electric) fire detectors and cold alarms as a condition of receiving grant under the Central Heating Programme. Eaga must install these alarms in the private sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155458,"EventID":"S1W-18827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow City Council, as part of its Glasgow Action for Warm Homes policy, has specified the installation of condensing boilers for almost 10 years in order to ac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow City Council, as part of its Glasgow Action for Warm Homes policy, has specified the installation of condensing boilers for almost 10 years in order to achieve affordable fuel cost targets and whether the Scottish Executive will support the installation of condensing boilers as part of its central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"It is for Glasgow City Council to answer questions about its central heating policy. The specification for the Executive's Central Heating Programme does not prevent the council from continuing to specify condensing boilers in future improvement works, providing they come within the £2,500 grant or the council pays the balance itself.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155459,"EventID":"S1W-18828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether not installing condensing boilers under its central heating installation programme will result in higher running costs for tenants and lower savings in energy and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether not installing condensing boilers under its central heating installation programme will result in higher running costs for tenants and lower savings in energy and CO2 emissions in the future than would be the case if they were installed.","AnswerText":"It need not have this effect. The industry standard is the Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK database which categorises central heating systems by bands. Band D contains high efficiency non-condensing boilers with modulating burners which operate at efficiencies equal to some condensing boilers. The similar performance of some condensing and non-condensing boilers was influential in deciding to specify a minimum annual seasonal efficiency of 78% for gas fired boilers in the performance specifications for the central heating programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155460,"EventID":"S1W-18829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18217 by Ross Finnie on 1 October 2001, whether any consultations were undertaken with the local farming communities concerning the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18217 by Ross Finnie on 1 October 2001, whether any consultations were undertaken with the local farming communities concerning the closure of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department area offices in Dundee and Forfar.","AnswerText":"As I have previously indicated, there were no formal consultations with local farming communities about the rationalisation of the department's agricultural offices.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155461,"EventID":"S1W-18830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18218 by Ross Finnie on 1 October 2001, what the annual financial savings will be to its Environment and Rural Affairs Department f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18218 by Ross Finnie on 1 October 2001, what the annual financial savings will be to its Environment and Rural Affairs Department from closing its area office in Dundee.","AnswerText":"As I have previously indicated, keeping the Dundee Office open would incur additional annual running costs of around £110,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155462,"EventID":"S1W-18831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the advice upon which the decision to close its Environment and Rural Affairs Department area offices in Stirling, Dundee, and Forfar was taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the advice upon which the decision to close its Environment and Rural Affairs Department area offices in Stirling, Dundee, and Forfar was taken.","AnswerText":"No. It is not normal practice to actually publish advice, but the options considered can be summarised as follows:

    a.\tReorganisation into a single new building in Perth.

    b.\tAs (a) but retaining the Dundee Office.

    c.\tAs (a) but retaining the Stirling Office.

    d.\tNo new building, with alternative accommodation found in Perth and Dundee for displaced staff.

    Relocation to a single site in Perth was easily the most economical and attractive in terms of overall efficiency.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155463,"EventID":"S1W-18832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were employed in its Environment and Rural Affairs Department area offices in (a) Stirling, (b) Dundee and (c) Forfar in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were employed in its Environment and Rural Affairs Department area offices in (a) Stirling, (b) Dundee and (c) Forfar in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"Staff complements in the three offices in each of the past three years were as follows:

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Stirling

    18

    19

    25

    Dundee

    28

    29

    31

    Forfar

    2

    2

    2

    The staff in the Forfar Office are DEFRA employees.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155464,"EventID":"S1W-18833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether negotiations concerning consultant medical staff contracts will enable consultants to provide a service to a specific population and geographical area rather than","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether negotiations concerning consultant medical staff contracts will enable consultants to provide a service to a specific population and geographical area rather than in a specific building.","AnswerText":"Our National Health already sets out our commitment to developing services that are designed around patients, providing individuals and communities with access to the range of health services they need, when they need it.

    We will achieve this through a range of actions to modernise the delivery of services and change existing cultures. Good examples of this already exist in NHS Scotland; it is our intention to build on this good work and to share best practice to ensure that our services meet the needs of individuals and communities.

    These actions are not dependent on the new contract for consultant medical staff. However, negotiations between the UK Health Departments and the BMA are continuing and we are fully committed to agreeing a new contract which will provide a career and remuneration system that secures and rewards the full, long-term commitments of consultants to a patient centred NHS, in pursuit of better patient care.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155465,"EventID":"S1W-18834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with the Scottish Transport Group concerning a replacement programme for the older passenger ferries owned and managed by Caledonian M","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has held with the Scottish Transport Group concerning a replacement programme for the older passenger ferries owned and managed by Caledonian MacBrayne.","AnswerText":"Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd ceased to be part of the Scottish Transport Group in April 1990 and is now wholly owned by the Scottish ministers.

    We announced on 23 October details of two new vessels, the first for Mallaig-Armadale and the second for the Sound of Harris service between Leverburgh and Berneray. Delivery of these vessels will allow improvements to services on other routes, notably the redeployment of the ferry currently serving the Sound of Harris route to a new Sound of Barra service between Barra and Eriskay. Two further additions to the CalMac fleet, the MV Lochnevis and MV Hebrides, have come into service recently.

    We are considering the possible need for additional new vessels as part of our preparations for putting Caledonian MacBrayne's routes out to tender in line with EC State aids requirements.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155466,"EventID":"S1W-18835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with regard to the funding and implementation of the proposals for a national theatre company.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with regard to the funding and implementation of the proposals for a national theatre company.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18806.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155467,"EventID":"S1W-18836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the proposed national theatre company will be fully operational.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the proposed national theatre company will be fully operational.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18806.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155468,"EventID":"S1W-18837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent in relation to the New Deal from its inception to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent in relation to the New Deal from its inception to date.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    Total expenditure in Scotland on the New Deal up to August 2001 was £150 million. Details are shown in the table:

    ND18-24 £ (000)

    ND25+ £(000)

    ND Lone Parents £ (000

    ND Disabled People £ (000)

    ND Partners unemp'd £ (000)

    ND50+ £ (000)

    1997-98

    1,266

    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    1998-99

    17,330

    1,913

    1,557

    160

    -

    -

    1999-2000

    32,488

    11,486

    2,798

    459

    490

    165

    2000-01

    38,846

    10,688

    3,657

    570

    848

    1,183

    April-Aug 2001

    17,272

    5,068

    1,684

    175

    187

    208

    Total

    107,202

    29,155

    9,696

    1,364

    1,525

    1,556

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155469,"EventID":"S1W-18838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is taking to promote lifelong learning amongst those aged between 50 and 65 who are not in receipt of state benefits but who have retired early on sma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is taking to promote lifelong learning amongst those aged between 50 and 65 who are not in receipt of state benefits but who have retired early on small occupational incomes.","AnswerText":"The promotion of lifelong learning is a key function of learndirect scotland which is making access to learning easier for everyone, regardless of age. The learndirect scotland helpline provides information and advice on almost 70,000 learning opportunities. This includes details of courses that are eligible for Individual Learning Account incentives, which are available to every adult in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155470,"EventID":"S1W-18839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #7 million allowance to support colleges in financial difficulty announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 3 October 2001 will go ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #7 million allowance to support colleges in financial difficulty announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 3 October 2001 will go to North Glasgow College in Springburn.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Further Education Funding Council is responsible for allocating public funding to Scotland's further education colleges. The additional sum of £7 million being made available to the Funding Council by the Scottish Executive is part of an overall package of extra resources amounting to £15 million. This new money is further evidence of the commitment of the Executive to boosting facilities and financial health within the further education sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155471,"EventID":"S1W-18840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to aid any colleges adversely effected by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's financial recovery plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to aid any colleges adversely effected by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's financial recovery plan.","AnswerText":"Financial recovery plans, while requiring the approval of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, are the property and responsibility of the individual college concerned.

    The Scottish Executive has recently made available £15 million in additional funding to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, of which £7 million is intended to support colleges which have shown a determination to take the necessary action to secure their own long-term financial viability. Funding allocations to individual further education colleges are a matter for the Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155472,"EventID":"S1W-18841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children live in poverty according to the most recent figures available and whether it will show this figure using the headline measure recommended by the Statis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children live in poverty according to the most recent figures available and whether it will show this figure using the headline measure recommended by the Statistical Programme Committee of the European Community.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18843.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155473,"EventID":"S1W-18842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of a separate database to assist in the collection of statistics on poverty, as recommended in the First Report 1999-200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the establishment of a separate database to assist in the collection of statistics on poverty, as recommended in the First Report 1999-2000, Poverty in Scotland, by the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs; what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government on the development of such a database, and what the target date is for its implementation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive made a bid to HM Treasury's Evidence Based Policy Fund to fund a research project to develop a database of Scottish household income and a modelling capacity to address the increased need for income and poverty related analysis.

    The bid was successful and following a tendering process, the research contract was awarded to Stirling University in July 2001. The contractors are currently investigating the feasibility of combining existing datasets such as the Scottish Household Survey and the Family Resources Survey to provide a comprehensive base of Scottish information. The project is due to be completed in February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155474,"EventID":"S1W-18843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the process by which it arrives at a figure for the number of children currently in poverty, including the method of calculation and any other fact","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the process by which it arrives at a figure for the number of children currently in poverty, including the method of calculation and any other factors which may affect the final figure.","AnswerText":"The Social Justice Annual Report 2001 and its annex, entitled \"Indicators of progress: definitions, data, baselines and trends information\", were both published on 26 November 2001. They provide the latest data on the range of milestones used to measure child poverty.

    We are making improvements in data collection in a number of areas relating to the Social Justice Strategy. As I noted during the debate on the Social Justice Annual Report on 29 November 2001, we are not in a position to give numbers regarding children living in low income households because of technical difficulties with the Department for Work and Pensions' Family Resources Survey data. We are investing £230,000 to double the size of the sample in Scotland and have agreed a programme to change the way they generate Scottish information, in order that we can produce more detailed income data.

    A detailed description of the methodology used in calculating the low income figures is available in the Department for Work and Pensions' annual publication Households Below Average Income. The 1999-2000 publication was published on 13 July 2001 and a copy is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14722).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155475,"EventID":"S1W-18844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) the adult working age population and (b) its own staff are registered disabled.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) the adult working age population and (b) its own staff are registered disabled.","AnswerText":"Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995, there has been no centrally held register of disabled people. It is estimated that there are around 616,000 disabled people of working age in Scotland (19% of the working age population). Of these, 247,000 are in employment (7.6% of the working age population). (Source: Labour Force Survey summer 2000 estimate).

    The latest figure available for staff in the Scottish Executive who have a disability is 2.7% of the total staff. (Figure as at 1 October 2001). Staff are invited to self declare a disability in terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 but they are not required to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155476,"EventID":"S1W-18845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what palliative care provisions are currently available for non-cancer suffering patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what palliative care provisions are currently available for non-cancer suffering patients.","AnswerText":"Palliative care is currently provided by 14 adult voluntary hospices and a number of NHS Specialist Palliative Care Units, supporting the palliative care offered by primary care teams.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155477,"EventID":"S1W-18846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the cancer budget in each of the past five years and in 2001 to date was spent on palliative care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the cancer budget in each of the past five years and in 2001 to date was spent on palliative care.","AnswerText":"Cancer is a national priority for NHSScotland. NHS boards receive an annual revenue allocation. It is for NHS boards to determine how best to spend the resources allocated to them, to meet national priorities and address the health needs of their resident populations. Details of investment in specific cancer services by NHS boards are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155478,"EventID":"S1W-18847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is undertaking any reviews of the level of funding devoted to infertility issues and, if so, when the outcome of these reviews will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is undertaking any reviews of the level of funding devoted to infertility issues and, if so, when the outcome of these reviews will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not undertaking any review of the level of funding for infertility services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155479,"EventID":"S1W-18848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a full range of treatments for infertility will be available in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a full range of treatments for infertility will be available in each health board area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18296 on 4 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155480,"EventID":"S1W-18849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any potential overlap of remits between the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the Health Technology Board for Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any potential overlap of remits between the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the Health Technology Board for Scotland","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium will provide a single source of advice to local Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees using the evidence available at the time of marketing of new drugs. Once sufficient evidence is available, this initial national advice might be the subject of a more measured assessment by the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) or by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). HTBS carries out full health technology assessments based on evidence of use of health technologies, including drugs, in the NHS. HTBS also provides administrative and methodological support to the consortium.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155481,"EventID":"S1W-18850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and membership of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and membership of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer has asked Professor David Lawson to establish a Scottish Medicines Consortium to make recommendations to all NHS Boards and their Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees about the formulary status of all newly licensed medicines, all new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. This advice should be promulgated as soon as practical after the launch of the product involved. A number of individuals are being approached by the Chief Medical Officer to serve on the consortium. However, as this process is not complete a full list of members will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre as soon as it is available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155482,"EventID":"S1W-18851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future role of area drugs and therapeutics committees will be once the Scottish Medicines Consortium is established.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the future role of area drugs and therapeutics committees will be once the Scottish Medicines Consortium is established.","AnswerText":"Providing advice on new drugs at the time of their marketing is but one of the tasks currently carried out by Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees. The establishment of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will allow the local committees more time to provide this wider support to clinicians in their area.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155483,"EventID":"S1W-18852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards will be required to adhere to any recommendations made by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on NHS prescription drugs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether health boards will be required to adhere to any recommendations made by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on NHS prescription drugs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium will provide a single Scottish source of advice to local Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees and NHS Boards. Clinical freedom will still allow clinicians to make prescribing decisions using their skills and knowledge of individual patients. However, increasingly they will do this against a background of Scotland-wide advice and will, under clinical governance, have to justify any divergence from that national advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155484,"EventID":"S1W-18853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what patient groups currently receive palliative care services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what patient groups currently receive palliative care services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's policy, as set out in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, is that anyone suffering from a progressive illness should receive palliative care. While traditionally associated with cancer, palliative care can also help those suffering from progressive conditions such as end-stage heart failure, Parkinson's Disease, HIV/AIDS, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and vCJD.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155485,"EventID":"S1W-18854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the bodies and individuals with a statutory entitlement to object on scientific grounds to the designation of (a) Sites of Special Scientific Interes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the bodies and individuals with a statutory entitlement to object on scientific grounds to the designation of (a) Sites of Special Scientific Interest, (b) Special Protection Areas and (c) Special Areas of Conservation.","AnswerText":"Under S.28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Scottish ministers, the local authority and every owner and occupier of property within a proposed Sites of Special Scientific Interest are entitled to be consulted and to object to notification on scientific, or any other, grounds. There is no statutory entitlement to object to Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155486,"EventID":"S1W-18855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operating costs of the fisheries research vessel Scotia, operated by the Fisheries Research Services were in each of the last three years for which records are a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operating costs of the fisheries research vessel Scotia, operated by the Fisheries Research Services were in each of the last three years for which records are available.","AnswerText":"Operating costs per day at sea for FRV Scotia:

    1998-99: £5,474

    1999-2000: £5,098

    2000-01: £5,140","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155487,"EventID":"S1W-18856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17911 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, which of the 19 projects undertaken by the Fisheries Research Services involved the us","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17911 by Rhona Brankin on 18 September 2001, which of the 19 projects undertaken by the Fisheries Research Services involved the use of the fisheries research vessel Scotia.","AnswerText":"None of the 19 projects referred to in the answer to question S1W-17911, undertaken by the Fisheries Research Services (FRS), involved the use of the fisheries research vessel Scotia. The costs of Scotia have not been, and will not be, charged to the £1 million Partnership funds I announced earlier in the year. However, any appropriate data gathered by Scotia during routine FRS studies will be amalgamated with any relevant extra information obtained during the charter surveys undertaken under the aegis of the partnership board.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155488,"EventID":"S1W-18857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a right of appeal, or right to resubmit applications, in respect of vessels on behalf of which bids are submitted to the Fishing Vessels (Decommissi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a right of appeal, or right to resubmit applications, in respect of vessels on behalf of which bids are submitted to the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155489,"EventID":"S1W-18858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a statutory obligation on Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake consultations with local people when proposing to designate areas of land and sea as (a)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a statutory obligation on Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake consultations with local people when proposing to designate areas of land and sea as (a) Sites of Special Scientific Interests, (b) Special Protection Areas and (c) Special Areas of Conservation.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory obligation on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to undertake consultations with local people prior to notifying a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Similarly, there is no statutory obligation on SNH to undertake consultations with local people regarding Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155490,"EventID":"S1W-18859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases regarding the notification of an area of land as being of Special Scientific Interest were referred by Scottish Natural Heritage to the Advisory Committee ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases regarding the notification of an area of land as being of Special Scientific Interest were referred by Scottish Natural Heritage to the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest in each of the last five years and how many times the advisory committee found against Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has referred 21 notifications to the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (ACSSSI) since 1996. The table shows the number of cases regarding the notification of a Site of Special Scientific Interest which were referred to the ACSSSI in the five years from 1996 to 2000. Information for 2001, up to 11 October, is also provided. The statutory function of the ACSSSI is to provide advice to SNH regarding notifications and it is not possible to categorise this advice as simply for or against SNH. The table therefore shows a breakdown of ACSSSI responses under the following five categories:

    • ACSSSI agree with SNH case, notification scientifically soundly based and no modifications required;
    • ACSSSI agree with SNH case, notification scientifically soundly based but some adjustment to boundaries or citation could be considered;
    • ACSSSI agree with SNH case, notification scientifically soundly based but boundary modification recommended;
    • some doubts exist over the scientific case and re-examination on a different basis required to verify case before confirming, and
    • scientific case not made.

    ACSSSI responses 1996 - 11 October 2001

    Year

    No. cases referred to ACSSSI

    Agree with SNH case no modification required

    Agree with SNH case but adjustments to boundaries or citation could be considered

    Agree with SNH case, but boundary modification recommended

    Some doubts over overall case to be clarified by SNH before proceeding

    Case not made

    1996

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1997

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1998

    7

    4

    0

    2

    0

    1

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155491,"EventID":"S1W-18860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each Environment and Rural Affairs Department office area, how many applications have been made to date under the Rural Stewardship Scheme, broken down into (a) appl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each Environment and Rural Affairs Department office area, how many applications have been made to date under the Rural Stewardship Scheme, broken down into (a) applications not exceeding #1,000, (b) applications over #1,000 but not exceeding #10,000, (c) applications over #10,000 but not exceeding #50,000, (d) applications over #50,000 but not exceeding #100,000 and (e) applications over #100,000.","AnswerText":"Details of the applications made to date under the Rural Stewardship Scheme (2001) for each area office are given in the table.

    Area Office

    Not exceeding £1,000

    Over £1,000 but not exceeding £10,000

    Over £10,000 but not exceeding £50,000

    Over £50,000 but not exceeding £100,000

    Over £100,000

    Ayr

    -

    -

    21

    10

    10

    Benbecula

    -

    2

    -

    -

    -

    Dumfries

    -

    1

    18

    10

    2

    Dundee

    -

    -

    9

    6

    -

    Galashiels

    -

    1

    20

    20

    28

    Grampian

    -

    1

    54

    27

    17

    Hamilton

    -

    Birse Community Trust, Banchory.

    Cookson Tree Services, Forteviot, Perthshire.

    Cromartie Timber, Strathpeffer.

    Dundee City Council, Camperdown Park, Dundee.

    Dynamic Woods, Oakley, Dunfermline.

    Gilmour & Aitken, Alexandria.

    Lothian Trees and Timber, Cousland, Dalkeith.

    Mansfield Estates, Scone Palace, Perth.

    Martin Swan, Dawyck, Stobo.

    McConnel Wood Products, Penpont, Dumfriesshire.

    Rosehill Timber, Laurencekirk.

    T G Norman (Timber), Longtown, Carlisle.

    Woodschool, Ancrum, Jedburgh.

    Payments to sub-contractors for materials supplied to Trade Packages are the responsibility of the relevant, appointed Trade Package contractor.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155504,"EventID":"S1W-18873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Kemnay Quarries have been paid for the granite supplied by them for use in the new Parliament building.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Kemnay Quarries have been paid for the granite supplied by them for use in the new Parliament building.","AnswerText":"Payments from trade contractors, appointed by the SPCB, to their sub-contractors are normally a matter for the contractors concerned but, where difficulties arise, one of our principal concerns is to protect the sub-contractor and supply of materials. However, I understand from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group, that no payment has yet been made to Kemnay Quarries. The failure of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd to make payments in this respect was among the deciding factors in the decision to issue a notice of termination of contract on 26 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155505,"EventID":"S1W-18874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how much Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd have been paid to date for their services to Holyrood project.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how much Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd have been paid to date for their services to Holyrood project.","AnswerText":"Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were paid £854,000 (excl VAT) for work undertaken on design and specialist cladding services, which is now the property of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155506,"EventID":"S1W-18875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made under the Powershift programme to convert (a) private and (b) commercial vehicles to (i) liquefied natural gas and (ii) liquid petroleum g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made under the Powershift programme to convert (a) private and (b) commercial vehicles to (i) liquefied natural gas and (ii) liquid petroleum gas in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information was provided on 21 September, in response to a question by Mr Kenny MacAskill. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17986 on 21 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155507,"EventID":"S1W-18876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assessment of the cost implications for owners of residential and nursing homes of the changes in physical standards for care homes recently annou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assessment of the cost implications for owners of residential and nursing homes of the changes in physical standards for care homes recently announced by the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care as part of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and how it intends to take this into account in the determination of fees paid by local authorities for care places.","AnswerText":"Earlier this year, the Scottish Executive commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a firm of quantity surveyors, to undertake a national survey of physical standards in existing residential and nursing homes in Scotland. We also consulted on proposed draft physical standards.

    As a result of this work, the period within which existing providers should offer single rooms to those people who want them was extended from 2003 to 2007. We also made the installation of en-suite facilities in existing homes optional. These changes should enable existing providers to meet the new physical standards at minimal cost.

    The National Review Group which is to recommend care home fee levels from April 2002 is taking the new care standards into account in its work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155508,"EventID":"S1W-18877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any proportion of the revenue from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be allocated to it in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any proportion of the revenue from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be allocated to it in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"No. The Aggregates Levy comes into force in April 2002 and so the revenue from the Aggregates Levy will be allocated from 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155509,"EventID":"S1W-18878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Clinical Resource and Audit Group are conducting an inquiry into methadone deaths and, if so, when any inquiry report will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Clinical Resource and Audit Group are conducting an inquiry into methadone deaths and, if so, when any inquiry report will be published.","AnswerText":"The Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) is funding a national confidential enquiry into methadone related deaths.

    The enquiry report will be published once it has been reviewed and approved by the Clinical Effectiveness Programmes Sub-Group of CRAG.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155510,"EventID":"S1W-18879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to disperse civil service jobs to Dumfries and Galloway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to disperse civil service jobs to Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"Our policy on the location of public sector jobs involves examining a range of locations when possible moves are being considered. All Scottish local authorities and Local Enterprise Companies have been asked to supply information about suitable sites or development opportunities in their areas. All parts of Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, will continue to be considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155511,"EventID":"S1W-18880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support and develop equestrianism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support and develop equestrianism.","AnswerText":"sportscotland gave the Scottish Equestrian Association grant-in-aid of £16,500 and a payment of £800 for sports science costs in financial year 2000-01. Subject to a suitable application being received, the association should attract a similar amount of grant-in-aid in 2001-02. The association has also benefited from awards made through sportscotland's Junior Group and Performance Coach Development Lottery programmes totalling £48,330.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155512,"EventID":"S1W-18881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the business rate liability for indoor equestrian arenas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the business rate liability for indoor equestrian arenas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to review the business rate liability specifically for indoor equestrian arenas. All businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £10,000 or less benefit from a 2p reduction in the poundage this year.

    For businesses suffering financial hardship, local authorities can grant up to 100% relief from rates. The Scottish Executive pays 75% of the cost of this relief. For the period 1 April to 31 December 2001 the Scottish Executive is funding 95% of the cost of hardship relief for businesses occupying properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or less affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in rural local authority areas. In recognition of the exceptionally difficult conditions in the Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Border Council areas, the rateable value threshold has been raised (with retrospective effect from 1 April) to £50,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155513,"EventID":"S1W-18882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications (a) not exceeding #1,000, (b) over #1,000 but not exceeding #10,000, (c) over #10,000 but not exceeding #50,000, (d) over #50,000 but not exceeding ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications (a) not exceeding #1,000, (b) over #1,000 but not exceeding #10,000, (c) over #10,000 but not exceeding #50,000, (d) over #50,000 but not exceeding #100,000 and (e) over #100,000 have been approved to date under the Rural Stewardship Scheme, broken down by each Environment and Rural Affairs Department area office.","AnswerText":"No applications for the Rural Stewardship Scheme 2001 have yet been approved.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155514,"EventID":"S1W-18883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total funding available under the Rural Stewardship Scheme is in the current financial year and what funding will be made available in 2002-03.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total funding available under the Rural Stewardship Scheme is in the current financial year and what funding will be made available in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Rural Stewardship Scheme payments for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 financial years will be funded from modulation of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments in respect of 2001 and 2002 respectively. Since it is too early to know the total CAP payments for these years, the funding available for RSS cannot be established yet.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155515,"EventID":"S1W-18884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to rank the funding bids under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to rank the funding bids under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001.","AnswerText":"Applications will be considered in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001 (SSI 2001/332) and associated scheme documentation. They will be evaluated and ranked having regard to:

    the cost of the bid;

    the level of capacity to be removed;

    the level of recorded landings of white fish (cod, haddock, whiting and hake), nephrops and scallops by the vessel concerned during 1999 and 2000;

    the level of recorded fishing activity (days on fishing trips) by the vessel during 1999 and 2000, and

    whether or not the licence to be surrendered carries a scallop entitlement.

    The precise weight to be given to each of these factors in the evaluation process will be decided following analysis of decommissioning bids received.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155516,"EventID":"S1W-18885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the owners of fishing vessels who make an unsuccessful funding bid under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001 will be provided with a clea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the owners of fishing vessels who make an unsuccessful funding bid under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001 will be provided with a clear explanation as to why their bid was unsuccessful.","AnswerText":"The Regulations (The Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001) provide that applicants shall be notified, in writing, of the results of their application for decommissioning grant. The intention is to advise unsuccessful applicants why their grant bid has not been successful.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155517,"EventID":"S1W-18886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"power of well-being\" provisions to be granted to local authorities under its proposed Local Government Bill will create a duty to clear rubbish off the fores","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"power of well-being\" provisions to be granted to local authorities under its proposed Local Government Bill will create a duty to clear rubbish off the foreshore.","AnswerText":"The power of well-being will not place a specific duty on local authorities in this regard. We envisage the power as a general power to allow local authorities to do anything to promote or improve the well-being of their area, subject to certain safeguards. It will be for local authorities to decide how the power could best be used in responding to the needs and priorities of their area.

    Local authorities are principal litter authorities under section 86 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and have a duty, as respects their relevant land, to ensure that the land is, so far as is practicable, kept clear of litter and refuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155518,"EventID":"S1W-18887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11762 by Susan Deacon on 19 January 2001, what measures it is taking to retain experienced officers in useful employment within the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11762 by Susan Deacon on 19 January 2001, what measures it is taking to retain experienced officers in useful employment within the Scottish Ambulance Service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service has been successful in halving ill-health early retirements over the last six years and last year only 22 staff are recorded as having retired on ill-health grounds.

    In the event of illness, the Scottish Ambulance Service as a matter of policy looks to retain experienced staff by moving them to light or alternative duties, where this is practical. In addition, retraining may be considered if the individual has the potential to fill a vacant post.

    In a national context, the Health Department is about to conduct a literature review of manual handling, particularly looking at what has been successful and works. The results will inform the best way to help reduce these injuries which are a cause of a large percentage of early retirements and loss of experienced staff to the service. Health at Work guidelines and model policies to assist NHS organisations and employees to promote a safer working environment are currently in preparation. These are expected to include guidance on rehabilitation and manual handling and be available to the service by late summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155519,"EventID":"S1W-18888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11762 by Susan Deacon on 19 January 2001, what measures it is taking to reduce the costs associated with early retirement due to il","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11762 by Susan Deacon on 19 January 2001, what measures it is taking to reduce the costs associated with early retirement due to illness in the Scottish Ambulance Service. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18887 on 12 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155520,"EventID":"S1W-18889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges will benefit from the #15 million funding package announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 3 October 2001 and ho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further education colleges will benefit from the #15 million funding package announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 3 October 2001 and how much each will receive.","AnswerText":"All Scotland's incorporated further education colleges will benefit from the £15 million in new money which the Scottish Executive is making available to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. It is for the Funding Council to decide on the level of funding allocated to each college.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155521,"EventID":"S1W-18890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted or commissioned into selenium deficiency and any increased risk of coronary heart disease, depression or mental illness and what the result","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted or commissioned into selenium deficiency and any increased risk of coronary heart disease, depression or mental illness and what the result of any such research was.","AnswerText":"The Environment and Rural Affairs Department is currently funding an on-going programme of strategic research into the biological role of selenium and the effect of marginal selenium deficiency on human and animal health. This includes basic studies on thyroid function and heart disease, which will allow us to predict how selenium status affects health but will not directly demonstrate the relative risk of human disease in association with selenium deficiency.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155522,"EventID":"S1W-18891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the resources necessary to implement the free off peak local bus travel scheme for the elderly will be included in the local government finance settlement for 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the resources necessary to implement the free off peak local bus travel scheme for the elderly will be included in the local government finance settlement for 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Additional resources to fund the enhanced concessionary fare arrangements in 2002-03 and beyond were included within the general local government settlement allocations announced in December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155523,"EventID":"S1W-18892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland's share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be ring fenced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland's share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be ring fenced.","AnswerText":"Scotland's share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be added to the Scottish Executive DEL and is not ring-fenced.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155524,"EventID":"S1W-18893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Scotland's share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be and what it will be spent on.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Scotland's share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will be and what it will be spent on.","AnswerText":"Scotland will receive approximately £3 million per year from 2002-03 as part of the allocation by the Treasury of the proceeds of the Aggregates Levy. Decisions on how it will be spent have yet to be made.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155525,"EventID":"S1W-18894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the use of the revenue from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will have in improving the environment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the use of the revenue from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will have in improving the environment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18893.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155526,"EventID":"S1W-18895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of companies have taken on young people under the employment option of the New Deal for Young People since the New Deal's inception.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of companies have taken on young people under the employment option of the New Deal for Young People since the New Deal's inception.","AnswerText":"Employment Policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    This information is not collected. However, 13,800 employers in Scotland had signed up to the New Deal by the end of August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155527,"EventID":"S1W-18896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have moved into unsubsidised employment directly from the Gateway stage since the scheme's inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have moved into unsubsidised employment directly from the Gateway stage since the scheme's inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    Of the 39,461 people who have left the Gateway Stage of New Deal for Young People, 16,916 (43%) have moved into unsubsidised jobs. These figures are broken down by unit of delivery in the table.

    Unit of Delivery

    Number of young people leaving Gateway

    into unsubsidised employment

    Argyll & The Islands

    212

    Ayrshire

    1,616

    Borders

    254

    Caithness & Sutherland

    113

    Dumfries & Galloway

    442

    Dunbarton

    798

    Edinburgh, East & Mid Lothian

    1,370

    Fife

    1,348

    Forth Valley

    1,032

    Glasgow

    2,629

    Grampian

    824

    Inverness & Nairn

    175

    Lanarkshire

    2,589

    Lochaber

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155528,"EventID":"S1W-18897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have enrolled in the (a) employment (b) full-time education and training, (c) voluntary sector and (d) environmental task force options of the New Deal fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have enrolled in the (a) employment (b) full-time education and training, (c) voluntary sector and (d) environmental task force options of the New Deal for Young People since its inception, broken down by each unit of delivery.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations

    The figures requested, by Unit of Delivery, are as follows:

    Unit of Delivery

    Employment Option

    FTET Option

    Vol. Sector Option

    Env. Task Force Option

    Argyll & The Islands

    102

    80

    46

    144

    Ayrshire

    841

    979

    827

    637

    Borders

    136

    115

    169

    143

    Caithness & Sutherland

    39

    99

    23

    64

    Dumfries & Galloway

    279

    423

    188

    123

    Dunbarton

    255

    497

    188

    354

    Edinburgh, East & Mid Lothian

    420

    622

    		Spending on New Deal is funded from a Great Britain-wide budget which is determined by the level of unemployment, and the size of the client group. Actual spending over the period to August 2001 was £107 million for Scotland.

    As a demand-led programme, the significant fall in unemployment has resulted in the lower than initially anticipated spending to August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155530,"EventID":"S1W-18899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have (a) joined the New Deal for Young People and (b) moved into (i) subsidised and (ii) unsubsidised employment since the New Deal's inception, broken do","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have (a) joined the New Deal for Young People and (b) moved into (i) subsidised and (ii) unsubsidised employment since the New Deal's inception, broken down by unit of delivery.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    Figures requested by unit of delivery are noted in the table:

    Unit of Delivery

    No. of starts to New Deal YP

    Number into Subsidised jobs

    Number into Unsubsidised jobs

    Argyle and The Islands

    867

    49

    406

    Ayrshire

    7,626

    329

    3,338

    Borders

    1,117

    47

    551

    Caithness & Sutherland

    510

    25

    204

    Dumfries & Galloway

    2,192

    140

    942

    Dunbarton

    3,264

    122

    1,462

    Edinburgh, East & Mid Lothian

    5,739

    203

    2,557

    Fife

    6,116

    224

    2,619

    Forth Valley

    		http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2001_0347) was jointly commissioned by all the UK administrations. There are no plans for a separate review in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155533,"EventID":"S1W-18902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an investigation into the effectiveness of personal identity cards in combating and preventing crime in countries where such cards have been in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an investigation into the effectiveness of personal identity cards in combating and preventing crime in countries where such cards have been introduced.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to undertake such an investigation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155534,"EventID":"S1W-18903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences for shoplifting were recorded in each of the past three years in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences for shoplifting were recorded in each of the past three years in (a) Scotland and (b) each police force area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following publications:

    Table 4A, page 21 of the Statistical Bulletin Recorded Crime in Scotland, 1998 published by the Scottish Executive in March 1999, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16613).

    Table 4A, page 22 of the Statistical Bulletin Recorded Crime in Scotland, 1999 published by the Scottish Executive in April 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 7079).

    Table 4A, page 21 of the Statistical Bulletin Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2000 published by the Scottish Executive in April 2001, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 13119).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155535,"EventID":"S1W-18904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were convicted of shoplifting in each of the past three years and of those, how many were given (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a fine and (c) a caution or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were convicted of shoplifting in each of the past three years and of those, how many were given (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a fine and (c) a caution or admonishment, in (i) Scotland and (ii) each police force area.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.

    Persons with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the main offence was shoplifting, by police force area, 1997-99

    Year and Outcome

    Police force area

    Central

    Dumfries and Galloway

    Fife

    Grampian

    Lothian and Borders

    Northern

    Strathclyde

    Tayside

    Total

    1997

    Custody

    53

    30

    75

    104

    146

    34

    922

    139

    1,503

    Fine

    144

    38

    164

    595

    794

    126

    1,437

    402

    3,700

    Caution or admonishment

    48

    16

    26

    139

    220

    		In November 1999, the Scottish Executive did, however, publish the results of research into crime against business. The study looked at manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, hotels and restaurants and transport and telecommunications. Based on figures provided to the researchers, the cost of crime to Scottish businesses was estimated to have been in the region of £678 million in 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155537,"EventID":"S1W-18906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3826 by Angus MacKay on 27 September 2001, what specific measures will be introduced later this year for local elections to make it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3826 by Angus MacKay on 27 September 2001, what specific measures will be introduced later this year for local elections to make it easier for the visually impaired to vote and under which legislation this will be done.","AnswerText":"Section 13 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 provides for the display of a large-print version of the ballot paper and provision of a template to assist blind and partially sighted voters. These provisions currently apply to parliamentary elections only and secondary legislation to extend them to local government elections will be put before Parliament later this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155538,"EventID":"S1W-18907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15734 by Jackie Baillie on 22 May 2001, whether it has completed the review into Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15734 by Jackie Baillie on 22 May 2001, whether it has completed the review into Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation scheme.","AnswerText":"The review is unlikely to be completed until the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155539,"EventID":"S1W-18908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of its consultation paper Regulation of Skin Piercing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of its consultation paper Regulation of Skin Piercing.","AnswerText":"An analysis of responses to the Scottish Executive’s consultation document on skin piercing is being published today and is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre and on the Executive’s websites.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155540,"EventID":"S1W-18909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S1O-3848 by Jackie Baillie on 27 September 2001, whether it will now provide information on the performance ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S1O-3848 by Jackie Baillie on 27 September 2001, whether it will now provide information on the performance of each local authority in respect of home energy conservation.","AnswerText":"We will seek local authorities' views on the kind of data from their second progress reports under the Home Energy Conservation Act, which might be published at local authority level by the Executive. The second progress reports will cover the two years from April 1999 to March 2001 and are due to be submitted to the Executive at the end of January 2002. Authorities themselves must publish their reports in their entirety.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155541,"EventID":"S1W-18910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account is being taken of the costs associated with the analysis and disposal of Tributylin or Tryphenyltin coatings on boats under the Fishing Vessels Decommissioni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account is being taken of the costs associated with the analysis and disposal of Tributylin or Tryphenyltin coatings on boats under the Fishing Vessels Decommissioning (Scotland) Scheme 2001.","AnswerText":"Scheme guidance material makes clear that vessel owners should investigate the practicalities and costs of decommissioning, which will need to be covered by any decommissioning grant payable, before submitting a grant bid. Costs involved are likely to depend on the circumstances of the individual vessel concerned. Grant payments are subject to maxima set out in EC legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155542,"EventID":"S1W-18911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods of disposal it recommends for the decommissioning of fishing vessels painted with Tributylin or Triphenyltin coatings and what estimates it has of the costs ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods of disposal it recommends for the decommissioning of fishing vessels painted with Tributylin or Triphenyltin coatings and what estimates it has of the costs involved in such disposal.","AnswerText":"Scheme legislation and guidance material provides that vessels may be decommissioned by means of:

    • scrapping, or

    • permanent re-assignment to a purpose other than fishing e.g. placed in a museum, converted to a pleasure craft etc, or

    • permanent transfer to a third country.

    No particular methods of disposal are recommended, but the owners of vessels to be scrapped are required to ensure that the disposal meets regulatory, including environmental, requirements.

    Costs involved are likely to depend on individual vessel circumstances and are a matter for the vessels' owners.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155543,"EventID":"S1W-18912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to place restrictions on those who decommission fishing vessels in order to prevent them from buying other fishing vessels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to place restrictions on those who decommission fishing vessels in order to prevent them from buying other fishing vessels.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155544,"EventID":"S1W-18913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the recycling of beverage containers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the recycling of beverage containers.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently consulting on proposals to increase the recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste materials for 2002 from the existing targets of 56% recovery and 18% material-specific recycling to 61% and 20%, respectively. The consultation document has been posted on the Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/environment/pwc-00.asp. This will encourage the recycling of all packaging waste including beverage containers.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155545,"EventID":"S1W-18914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts have brought cleaning and catering services back in-house since the publication of Our National Health, a plan for action a plan for change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS Trusts have brought cleaning and catering services back in-house since the publication of Our National Health, a plan for action a plan for change.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change made clear that NHSScotland must achieve the best value in domestic services and that contracting out, while often appropriate, should no longer be seen as the norm.

    The vast majority of NHS Trusts already provide all or part of their cleaning and catering services in-house. Those Trusts which have outsourced their domestic services are reviewing these arrangements as the contract break points are reached. Since December 2000, one Trust has decided to take services back in-house.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155546,"EventID":"S1W-18915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the impact which the introduction of the aggregates tax may have on haulage companies that carry aggregates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the impact which the introduction of the aggregates tax may have on haulage companies that carry aggregates.","AnswerText":"The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. Assessment of the economic impact of the tax throughout the UK is a matter for HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155547,"EventID":"S1W-18916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of the impact on the supply and demand of recycled and secondary aggregates as a result of the introduction of the aggregates tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of the impact on the supply and demand of recycled and secondary aggregates as a result of the introduction of the aggregates tax.","AnswerText":"The aggregate tax is a reserved matter. Detailed questions on the impact of the aggregates tax should be directed to HM Treasury. Although no separate assessment of the impact of the tax has been undertaken in Scotland, it is expected that the supply and demand of recycled and secondary aggregates will increase.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155548,"EventID":"S1W-18917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14686 by Nicol Stephen on 4 May 2001, what progress is being made on how the e-Learning Foundation initiative on the provision of c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14686 by Nicol Stephen on 4 May 2001, what progress is being made on how the e-Learning Foundation initiative on the provision of computer equipment for young people might apply in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Executive remains very interested in models of private sector involvement to improve investment in and provision of e-learning. We are continuing to explore with the foundation how an extension of its activities into Scotland might bring about a step-change in access to e-learning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155549,"EventID":"S1W-18918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch of Victims of Crime: Info","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch of Victims of Crime: Information leaflet, and how many copies have been distributed.","AnswerText":"The cost for the design and printing of 150,000 copies of the Victim Information Leaflet was £17,028. This includes preparation for publishing it on the internet. There were no additional costs associated in the launch of the leaflet.

    As at 18 October, 138,310 copies of the leaflet had been distributed to MSPs, hospitals, local authorities, universities, colleges, police forces, Victim Support Scotland offices and other voluntary agencies. The cost for that distribution was £4,104.

    Prior to the publishing and launch of the Victim Information Leaflet, research was carried out with members of the public who had been victims of crime. This cost £11,818.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155550,"EventID":"S1W-18919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) why there has been a delay in responding to the Scottish Arts Council's submission for funding for a Scottish National Theatre and related projects and (b) when it pl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) why there has been a delay in responding to the Scottish Arts Council's submission for funding for a Scottish National Theatre and related projects and (b) when it plans to respond to the submission.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18806 on 1 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155551,"EventID":"S1W-18920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-17753 lodged on 23 August 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a substantive answer to question S1W-17753 lodged on 23 August 2001.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-17753 was answered on 12 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155552,"EventID":"S1W-18921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to provide all schoolchildren with their own personal e-mail accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to provide all schoolchildren with their own personal e-mail accounts.","AnswerText":"Pupils' e-mail addresses are provided by education authorities as part of the development of the National Grid for Learning in their schools. This development has been supported by £79.6 million from the Scottish Executive since 1999.

    The Executive wrote to all education authorities in March 2001 to make it clear that use of class rather than individual e-mail addresses may be appropriate for younger pupils in the light of concerns about Internet safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155553,"EventID":"S1W-18922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the light of the report by the Scottish Health Boards' Dental Epidemiological Programme, Dental Health of 12-year-olds in Greater Glasgow 2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the light of the report by the Scottish Health Boards' Dental Epidemiological Programme, Dental Health of 12-year-olds in Greater Glasgow 2000-01, that 60% of 12-year-olds examined in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area were found to have already experienced decay penetrating beyond the enamel surface of the teeth.","AnswerText":"The Action Plan for Dental Services, which was launched in August 2000, included a number of initiatives aimed at improving children's oral health. As well as a range of initiatives affecting pre-school children, the caries prevention scheme, aimed at young children, and including the fissure sealing of permanent molars, will be launched shortly. The new caries prevention scheme should in due course have a direct impact on dental disease in 12-year-olds by protecting the most vulnerable teeth in the most vulnerable children before the disease begins.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155554,"EventID":"S1W-18923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the recycling of beverage containers","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the recycling of beverage containers","AnswerText":"There are no targets for beverage containers as such. There are, however, recovery and recycling targets for the materials from which beverage containers are made. These are currently 56% recovery and 18% for material-specific recycling. The Executive is currently consulting industry on proposals to increase the targets for 2002 to 61% and 20%, respectively. The consultation document has been posted on the Executive's website at:

    www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/environment/pwc-00.asp.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155555,"EventID":"S1W-18924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received concerning the Thumbprint Signature Scheme, which is being used in Inverness to combat credit card fraud; whether it will endorse the use","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received concerning the Thumbprint Signature Scheme, which is being used in Inverness to combat credit card fraud; whether it will endorse the use of the scheme and the associated Thumbs Up campaign, and whether it will encourage all towns and cities to participate in the scheme.","AnswerText":"Whilst the Executive welcomes such a crime prevention initiative, the scheme relies upon the voluntary co-operation of the public and the support of the retail sector. We will be interested to see any evaluation of the effectiveness of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155556,"EventID":"S1W-18925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers to support the Thumbprint Signature Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers to support the Thumbprint Signature Scheme.","AnswerText":"This a matter for the banking sector to consider, in relation to the range of new technologies available and fraud prevention procedures currently in use or being developed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155557,"EventID":"S1W-18926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what percentage of the money allocated under the Rural Stewardship Scheme in the current and next financial years will be given to farms with land areas of (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much and what percentage of the money allocated under the Rural Stewardship Scheme in the current and next financial years will be given to farms with land areas of (a) less than 50 hectares, (b) between 50 and 100 hectares, (c) between 100 and 200 hectares, (d) between 200 and 400 hectares and (e) greater than 400 hectares.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to say how much, and what percentage of the money allocated under the Rural Stewardship Scheme, will be given to farms with land areas of (a) less than 50 hectares, (b) between 50 and 100 hectares, (c) between 100 and 200 hectares, (d) between 200 and 400 hectares and (e) greater than 400 hectares, in the current and future financial years, until the Rural Stewardship Scheme applications for each relevant year have been approved.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155558,"EventID":"S1W-18927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage NHS Trusts to identify patients with a high risk of developing osteoporosis and ensure that these patients are offered appropriate physiotherap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage NHS Trusts to identify patients with a high risk of developing osteoporosis and ensure that these patients are offered appropriate physiotherapy services","AnswerText":"There is not at present any reliable method of identifying patients at a high risk of developing osteoporosis, nor is there any evidence that physiotherapy can do anything to prevent it from developing. The only measures known to prevent the development of osteoporosis are exercise, low alcohol consumption, not smoking and a balanced diet with a higher consumption of calcium and vitamin D and lowered consumption of sodium, protein and caffeine. These are all measures which are actively promoted by the Executive, because they reduce the risks of developing many other conditions as well as osteoporosis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155559,"EventID":"S1W-18928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all stroke patients can be assured of receiving the appropriate level of physiotherapy services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all stroke patients can be assured of receiving the appropriate level of physiotherapy services.","AnswerText":"Patients who have suffered a stroke are assessed by the health care team and their needs identified in order that care can be provided by the appropriate members of the team.

    The Coronary Heart Disease/Stroke Task Force acknowledges the role which the Professions Allied to Medicine (PAM) make to our response to the care of people suffering from these conditions. The report is out for consultation, and the covering letter specifically invites comments about the ways in which the contribution of PAMs could be extended in future.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155560,"EventID":"S1W-18929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has, following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America and any consequential impact on golf tourism, to encourage the Scottish Tourist ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has, following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America and any consequential impact on golf tourism, to encourage the Scottish Tourist Board to promote golf in Scotland and particularly in Ayrshire. ","AnswerText":"The marketing of Scotland as a golf tourism destination is, and will continue to be, a high priority. VisitScotland is spending around £1.5 million this year. As a major golfing area, Ayrshire will feature strongly in this effort and, of course, the area is also heavily promoted by Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155561,"EventID":"S1W-18930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) will reply to the letter of 15 August 2001 from my constituent Mr Andrew S. Nobel from Newtonmore seeking the v","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) will reply to the letter of 15 August 2001 from my constituent Mr Andrew S. Nobel from Newtonmore seeking the views and support of SEERAD to \"Farms Mart\", a new on-line farming community business website.","AnswerText":"I regret that this letter does not appear to have been received by the Department. If Mr Nobel could re-send his letter to my office I will ensure that it is dealt with as a matter of urgency.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155562,"EventID":"S1W-18931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-16313 by Lewis Macdonald on 29 June 2001, when it intends to publish an overview of the responses to its consultation on new eviden","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-16313 by Lewis Macdonald on 29 June 2001, when it intends to publish an overview of the responses to its consultation on new evidence and policies for mobile phone masts.","AnswerText":"The overview of responses is now on the Scottish Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155563,"EventID":"S1W-18932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a progress report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland and their future work programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a progress report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland and their future work programme.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland has been a key mechanism for joined-up-thinking and action on sustainable development in the Scottish Executive. Since taking on the Environment portfolio and becoming Chair of the group in March this year I have been taking stock of the important progress so far. It is now time to push the sustainability agenda forward into the next phase.

    At its meeting on 12 September, the ministerial group agreed an action plan for the next four months to achieve this. The Scottish Executive will:

    Further strengthen the ministerial group by widening its ministerial membership and appointing a third external member.

    Develop and publish a clear statement of what sustainable development means for the Scottish Executive, and how it will work towards greater sustainability.

    Develop ways to measure progress towards sustainability in the light of the consultation on sustainable development indicators which closed on Friday 28 September.

    Set up a Sustainable Development Forum to build broad partnerships to work towards a sustainable Scotland. The forum, which will, in the first instance, operate until May 2003, will bring together the Scottish members of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, business, the trade unions, NDPBs and NGOs.

    We will do all this by January 2001 and further details will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155564,"EventID":"S1W-18933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when considering funding bids for new schools under the second phase of Public/Private Partnership.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when considering funding bids for new schools under the second phase of Public/Private Partnership.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 8/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre, includes a list of the criteria against which bids for revenue support for further school Public/Private Partnership proposals will be assessed. The list, in descending order of priority, is:

    • Affordability

    • Value for money

    • Deliverability

    • Management of issues that may impact on delivery

    • Project management structure

    • Project team

    • Realism of procurement timetable

    • Support for the project within the authority

    • Extent to which the estate management plan reflects or is likely to reflect the Executive's proposed long-term strategy for improving Scotland's school environment

    Approach to community use of school facilities, especially sports facilities and pitch provision, and the steps being taken to place this in the context of overall provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155565,"EventID":"S1W-18934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on night flights to and from Heathrow will have on the number of flights to and from Scottish airport","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on night flights to and from Heathrow will have on the number of flights to and from Scottish airports.","AnswerText":"There will be no immediate change to present arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155566,"EventID":"S1W-18935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether mutualisation has been or will be considered as an option for the water industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether mutualisation has been or will be considered as an option for the water industry.","AnswerText":"In his evidence to the Transport and Environment Committee on 28 February this year, the then Minister for the Environment, Sam Galbraith, said "Mutualisation has undoubtedly proved a successful model in many areas of service delivery, but I do not think that it is appropriate for the water industry in Scotland. It was one of the options considered and rejected in the 1997 review, and the reasons for its rejection then remain just as valid today." This remains the Executive's view.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155567,"EventID":"S1W-18936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the cost of its \"Learn to Let Go\" advertising campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the cost of its \"Learn to Let Go\" advertising campaign.","AnswerText":"Expenditure as at 30 September is shown in the table:
     

    £

    Media Costs (TV, Radio, Posters and Bus Backs)

    293,929

    Consultancy

    21,150

    Roadshow

    834

    Printing Costs (Posters and Leaflets)

    11,653

    Miscellaneous

    3,455

    Total

    331,021

    The Executive expects to spend a further £292,475 this financial year. Transport operators, who are jointly sponsoring the campaign, are meeting £164,000 of the total cost and one operator has provided the bus for the roadshows.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155568,"EventID":"S1W-18937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive for what period is Mr David Sibbald, its e-commerce advisor, contracted to work for it and what periods he has worked.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive for what period is Mr David Sibbald, its e-commerce advisor, contracted to work for it and what periods he has worked.","AnswerText":"David Sibbald is under contract to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department of the Executive to provide advice in connection with the recently published broadband strategy.

    David Sibbald entered into a six-month framework contract with the Executive which commenced on 6 September 2001. It was estimated that his advice and support would be required approximately four days per month and over the first part of the contract period this has been the case.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155569,"EventID":"S1W-18938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sum was initially allocated to the Motorola task force and what changes have been made since the initial allocation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sum was initially allocated to the Motorola task force and what changes have been made since the initial allocation.","AnswerText":"I announced in Parliament on 25 April that the Executive would set aside up to £10 million to fund measures which may be required by the closure of Motorola's Bathgate plant. Up to £10 million in total remains available.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155570,"EventID":"S1W-18939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any funding pledged for the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship which is unspent will be made available to VisitScotland or any other organisation for the mar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any funding pledged for the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship which is unspent will be made available to VisitScotland or any other organisation for the marketing of golf tourism","AnswerText":"Funds identified during the current year for the Ryder Cup bid have been fully allocated. The approach to future years will be discussed further with the Ryder Cup Committee and other parties in the light of the decision that the event will not come to Scotland until 2014. The marketing of Scotland as a golf destination will remain an important part of the overall tourism strategy throughout this period and will be funded accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155571,"EventID":"S1W-18940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of how much was spent on the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship and of the expenditure heads from which the money was spen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of how much was spent on the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship and of the expenditure heads from which the money was spent.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01 £104,177 was spent on the submission of the Ryder Cup bid, associated costs and consultancies.

    In 2001-02 £827,155 was spent on the Ryder Cup. Of this £646,500 was spent on supporting golf events and £180,655 was spent on consultancies and other bid expenses. Also, an additional amount of up to £118,000 is being spent by VisitScotland on Ryder Cup related golf tourism and up to £300,000 is being spent by sportscotland for junior golf development. These monies were allocated from the sport, VisitScotland and other arts and culture expenditure heads.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155572,"EventID":"S1W-18941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the Scottish Enterprise budget in the current financial year will be spent on a recovery programme following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the Scottish Enterprise budget in the current financial year will be spent on a recovery programme following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise plans to spend up to £9.5 million during 2001-02 in support of recovery programmes designed to combat the impact of foot-and-mouth disease. This represents 2.4% of Scottish Enterprise's current grant-in-aid allocation of £395 million.

    As its area of operations was worst affected by the outbreak, Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway will receive £5.5 million of Scottish Enterprise's planned spend on this subject. This represents an increase of 65% in the Local Enterprise Company's original budget of £9 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155573,"EventID":"S1W-18942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding pre-Article 226 letter infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding pre-Article 226 letter infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 2000/4034: EC Directive 76/160/EEC: Concerning quality of bathing water, (b) 2000/4976: Proposed development at Kingask Estate, St Andrews, (c) D(01) 141: Isle of Skye crossing: Public procurement, (d) D-310097: Implementation of EC Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment and (e) D(01) 53287: Qualifications for waste management.","AnswerText":"Correspondence between the Commission and a member state on an infraction case often forms part of a negotiation over complex and delicate issues, which will not necessarily lead to proceedings before the Court. It may harm the chances of reaching a satisfactory outcome to the negotiation, and thereby of avoiding Court proceedings, if the position of either party is made public at an early stage.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155574,"EventID":"S1W-18943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding Article 226 letter infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 98/5023","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding Article 226 letter infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 98/5023: Parallel imports of plant protection products in the UK (supplementary A226 letter), (b) 2000/2272: Transportation of Council Directive 99/32/EC relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain flammable liquid fuels, (c) 2001/00154: Council Directive 2000/27/EC introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases, (d) 2001/0055 Commission Directive 2000/24/EC on fixing minimum levels of pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal or plant origin, (e) 2001/0056: Directive 2000/15/EC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine, (f) 2001/0060: EC Directive 1999/91 relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, (g) 2001/0062: EC Directive 1999/51 adapting technical progress relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain dangerous substances and preparations (tin, PCP and cadmium), (h) 2001/0064: EC Directive 1993/35/EC concerning liability for defective products, (i) 2001/0065: Quality of water intended for human consumption, (j) 2001/0066: EC Directive 98/53/EC laying down sampling methods of analysis for the official control of levels of contaminents in foodstuffs, (k) 2001/0179: EC Directive 2000/5/EC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training, (l) 2001/0180: EC Directive 2000/42/EC on fixing of maximum residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, (m) 2001/0181: EC Directive 2000/45/ED establishing Community methods of analysis for the determination of vitamin A, vitamin E and tryptophan in feeding stuffs, (n) 2001/0182: EC Directive 2000/71/EC to adapt measuring methods, (o) 2001/0183: Directive 1994/4/EC relating to coffee and chicory extracts, (p) 2000/0184: EC Directive 1999/94/EC relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of passenger cars and (q) 2000/0185: EC Directive 98/27/EC on injunction of consumer interests","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question SIW-18942.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155575,"EventID":"S1W-18944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding the infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 97/2138: Use of hyper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the current position regarding the infraction proceedings initiated by the European Commission in respect of (a) 97/2138: Use of hyperchlorinated water in poultry-meat establishments, (b) 2000/0071 & 2000/0066: Implementation of Directives concerning additives in feedingstuffs, (c) 2000/0252: EC Directive 98/101/EC on batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances, (d) 2000/0605: EC Directive 98/81/EC on contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, (e) 2000/0607: Placing of biocidal products on the market and (f) 2000/2110: EC Directive 97/33/EC on operator number portability and carrier re-selection.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question SIW-18942.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155576,"EventID":"S1W-18945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in setting up the review of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) indicated in the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in setting up the review of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) indicated in the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning's guidance letter to SHEFC in November 2000.","AnswerText":"I am today announcing the commencement of a Review of Higher Education in Scotland with the issue of a first stage consultation paper. This paper focuses on the past performance of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) as part of its quinquennial review. It also invites comment on issues on the future context in which SHEFC could be expected to operate to inform a second stage, wider ranging consultation in the New Year. The review will be concluded around May 2002. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16611).","AnswerDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155577,"EventID":"S1W-18947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to sportscotland and the Scottish Sports Association regarding the reports that Scottish athletes may be denied the oppo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to sportscotland and the Scottish Sports Association regarding the reports that Scottish athletes may be denied the opportunity to represent Scotland in the 2002 Commonwealth Games because they no longer live or train in Scotland despite their registered nationality being Scottish, and the fact that they have previously represented Scotland and have met the appropriate national qualifying standard for their sport.","AnswerText":"None. The selection of the Scottish team is a matter for the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland. In choosing team members, they satisfy themselves that each athlete meets the set eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155578,"EventID":"S1W-18948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to sportscotland and the Scottish Sports Association to ensure that all sports have equal rules regarding nationality in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to sportscotland and the Scottish Sports Association to ensure that all sports have equal rules regarding nationality in order to represent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The eligibility issue cannot be dealt with by either sportscotland or the Scottish Sports Association as the jurisdiction in all cases is with separate international federations whose members are individual national governing bodies of sport. However, sportscotland is kept informed and the advice has been helpful in resolving cases where athletes have multiple nationality options.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155579,"EventID":"S1W-18949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide a \"diagnostic centre\" for children who are believed to have some form of autistic spectrum disorder, dyspraxia or attention deficit hyperacti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide a \"diagnostic centre\" for children who are believed to have some form of autistic spectrum disorder, dyspraxia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155580,"EventID":"S1W-18950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidelines to local authorities on minimum training requirement guidelines for staff recruited to provide support services to school-age children wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidelines to local authorities on minimum training requirement guidelines for staff recruited to provide support services to school-age children with special needs.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to issue such guidelines. The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Manual of Good Practice emphasises the need for appropriate training for all staff.

    All teachers should, as part of their Initial Teacher Education (ITE), receive some grounding in special educational needs. The Ministerial Continuous Professional Development committee is looking at Continuous Professional Development requirements for all teachers (but not support staff). An Education Inclusion sub-group of this committee is considering training requirements of teachers working with pupils with SENs. Teachers specialist qualifications are also being considered as part of the review of The Schools Scotland Code.

    In addition, the Scottish Executive provides over £5 million annually for in-service training of teachers and other staff working with children who have special educational needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155581,"EventID":"S1W-18951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on the duties and responsibilities of teaching staff in relation to the supervision or support of children with spec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on the duties and responsibilities of teaching staff in relation to the supervision or support of children with special needs during non-teaching periods of the school day. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has not issued guidance on this issue.

    Under the implementation agreement, A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, teachers are not expected to be routinely involved in the direct and regular supervision and support of pupils during non-teaching periods. These duties are usually undertaken by a range of support staff, including classroom assistants and special needs auxiliaries.

    However, the report of the Discipline Task Group makes it clear that schools should ensure shared responsibility between staff for supervision of pupils during non-teaching times of the day.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155582,"EventID":"S1W-18952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on permitting children with dyspraxia, autistic spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to be e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on permitting children with dyspraxia, autistic spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to be exempted from foreign languages study.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not issued guidance to exempt pupils with these special educational needs from foreign language study. Scottish ministers are committed to taking forward entitlement to language learning for all children and young people. Whether or not particular pupils with special educational needs study foreign languages is a matter for the pupils, parents and school to consider.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155583,"EventID":"S1W-18953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on the advance notice and information given to teachers about children joining their classes who have autistic spectr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to education authorities on the advance notice and information given to teachers about children joining their classes who have autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or dyspraxia.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not issued guidance specifically on this issue. However, the Manual of Good Practice for special educational needs, issued to all schools in 1999, stresses the need for properly planned and supported transitions of pupils with special educational needs from one school or class to another and this includes providing information to teachers and giving advance warning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155584,"EventID":"S1W-18954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) educational psychologists were employed by each local authority in each of the past three years and (b) posts for educational psychologists are currently vac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) educational psychologists were employed by each local authority in each of the past three years and (b) posts for educational psychologists are currently vacant in each authority. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table.

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Authority

    Staffing complement

    Unfilled vacancies

    Staffing complement

    Unfilled vacancies

    Staffing complement

    Unfilled vacancies

    Aberdeenshire

    17.5

    2.4

    15.5

    2

    17.5

    0

    Aberdeen City

    11.75

    0.1

    11.8

    0.2

    11.5

    1

    Angus

    7

    0

    7.4

    0

    7

    0

    Argyll & Bute

    6

    0

    5.8

    0.6

    6

    Financial Year

    Debt Owner

    Total Number of Actions Raised

    Decrees Obtained

    1998-99

    Student Loans Company Ltd

    878

    732

    First National Tricity Finance

    -

    -

    Honours Trustee Ltd

    -

    -

    1999-2000

    Student Loans Company Ltd

    1,257

    880

    First National Tricity Finance

    421

    306

    Honours Trustee Ltd

    33

    20

    2000-01

    Student Loans Company Ltd

    1,142

    774

    First National Tricity Finance

    404

    275

    Honours Trustee Ltd

    288

    201

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155586,"EventID":"S1W-18956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18120 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 27 September 2001, whether the operational procedures adopted by the Student Loans Company Ltd in re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18120 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 27 September 2001, whether the operational procedures adopted by the Student Loans Company Ltd in respect of the collection of loan debt sold to Finance for Higher Education Ltd and Honours Trustee Ltd are identical to those for the debt retained by the Student Loans Company Ltd and, if not, in what way do they differ. ","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Student Loans Company Ltd that there is no difference between the collections procedures which are applied to loans under the sold debt portfolios and those applied to the retained loans. Although occasional additional work has been carried out by the Student Loans Company Ltd on behalf of the owners of the sold portfolios, the procedures for actioning all accounts remain the same.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155587,"EventID":"S1W-18957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18121 by Ms Wendy Alexander on the 27 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the results of the court actions raised a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18121 by Ms Wendy Alexander on the 27 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the results of the court actions raised against graduates to recover student loans in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18956.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155588,"EventID":"S1W-18958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what plans it has to legislate to introduce a duty on education authorities to prepare and implement an accessibility strategy for disabled pupils in line with the Speci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what plans it has to legislate to introduce a duty on education authorities to prepare and implement an accessibility strategy for disabled pupils in line with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and, if it has no plans to legislate, how will it ensure that disabled pupils in Scotland are not disadvantaged in terms of access to schools, school facilities and the curriculum compared to children in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive published, on 9 October 2001, a consultation paper on the draft Education (Disability Strategies & Pupils' Records) Bill. This Bill will bring forward, in Scotland, a similar duty to that in sections 14 and 15 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. Education authorities and independent and grant-aided schools will be required to prepare accessibility strategies to progressively improve access for pupils with disabilities to the school environment, the curriculum and school information.

    A copy of the draft Bill is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16741) or on the Scottish Executive website (www.scotland.gov.uk) under consultations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155589,"EventID":"S1W-18959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take on its broadband rollout strategy following the recent visit to Finland by the First Minister and the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Le","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take on its broadband rollout strategy following the recent visit to Finland by the First Minister and the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. ","AnswerText":"The visit to Finland met a number of purposes, including informing our approach to broadband. On the latter, Finnish ministers confirmed the importance they place on ensuring that teachers are equipped to make best use of information and communication technologies. This echoes our own policies which exist alongside those stimulating the supply of broadband. We also heard, through a presentation on the Helsinki Virtual Village, of the potential of broadband wireless technologies for facilitating interaction within a neighbourhood community.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155590,"EventID":"S1W-18960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the route by which the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning recently travelled to Helsinki.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the route by which the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning recently travelled to Helsinki.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Lifelong Learning and I left Edinburgh to fly to Helsinki via Brussels, and returned to Edinburgh via Copenhagen.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155591,"EventID":"S1W-18961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who accompanied the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning on their recent visit to Finland; whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who accompanied the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning on their recent visit to Finland; whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs of the trip and from which expenditure heads were these costs met.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

    First Minister

    Flight

    £746.20

    Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

    Flight

    £746.20

    Subsistence

    £21.95

    Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister

    Flight

    £746.20

    Senior Press Officer

    Flight

    £746.20

    Head of Digital Scotland Unit

    Flight

    £724.86

    Subsistence

    £76.00

    Policy Unit Adviser on Broadband

    Flight

    £746.20

    Subsistence

    £75.90

    Consultant on Broadband

    Flight

    £724.86

    Subsistence

    £133.50

    The costs were met from the relevant ministerial and travel and subsistence costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155592,"EventID":"S1W-18962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) rapes and (b) attempted rapes have been reported to police in the city of Edinburgh in each year since 1997 and how many convictions were secured following s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) rapes and (b) attempted rapes have been reported to police in the city of Edinburgh in each year since 1997 and how many convictions were secured following such reports.","AnswerText":"Information in the format requested is not held centrally. The available information, on crimes of rape and assault with intent to rape which are recorded by the police, and on persons with a charge proved in court where the main offence was rape or assault with intent to rape, is given in the table.

    Rapes and assaults with intent to rape recorded by Lothian & Borders Police

    Crimes recorded and persons with a charge proved in court, 1997-20001

    Year and Crime

    Number of offences recorded by the police in:

    Number of persons with a charge proved2

    City of Edinburgh Council area

    Lothian & Borders Police Force area

    		 

    1997

    Rape

    95

    144

    6

    Assault with intent to rape

    28

    41

    3

    Total

    123

    185

    9

    1998

    Rape

    114

    151

    6

    Assault with intent to rape

    25

    36

    1

    Total

    139

    187

    7

    1999

    Rape

    60

    111

    		Following a preliminary enquiry, the SFA was advised on the procedure to follow in submitting their signing application for consideration in accordance with the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155596,"EventID":"S1W-18966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in the event of either no bid being submitted for the European Football Championship in 2008 or a bid being submitted but not being successful, what funding or support wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in the event of either no bid being submitted for the European Football Championship in 2008 or a bid being submitted but not being successful, what funding or support will be made available for (a) schools football, (b) football development and (c) full-si'e indoor training facilities. ","AnswerText":"Regardless of whether a bid is made to host the European Football Championship in 2008, we will continue to support the development of football at all levels including the provision of facilities.

    Since 1995, over £34 million of Lottery Sports Fund and Exchequer monies has been invested in football in Scotland. Sportscotland has allocated £7.6 million per annum to the schools/community strand of the sports facilities programme. Other programmes operated by sportscotland, including the Youth Sport, TOP and School Sports Co-ordinator programmes, also assist the development of football. Football is also a core sport in the Scottish Institute of Sport.

    There are questions about the financial viability of developing full-size indoor training facilities. However, the Scottish Football Academy strand of the Lottery Sports Fund has been allocated £6 million over three years to provide 60m x 40m indoor structures as an integral part of the individual training facilities eligible for support. The maximum award level has recently been increased to £1 million per project.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155597,"EventID":"S1W-18967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it plans to give to Scottish Football Partnership Ltd.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it plans to give to Scottish Football Partnership Ltd.","AnswerText":"I hope to make an announcement about the Scottish Football Partnership Ltd in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155598,"EventID":"S1W-18968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial support to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation for the development of a sports campus at Hampden Park.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial support to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation for the development of a sports campus at Hampden Park.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not directly operate a grants programme for the development of sports facilities. Any proposals for the development of facilities adjacent to the National Stadium, the future of which was secured by the Scottish Executive, should be discussed with the appropriate bodies at local level in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155599,"EventID":"S1W-18969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding (a) was received by each police force in each of the past three years, (b) is projected in each force for each of the next two years expressed per h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding (a) was received by each police force in each of the past three years, (b) is projected in each force for each of the next two years expressed per head of population in each police force area and (c) what the average funding was per head of population nationally.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table.

    Police Funding Per Head of Population
     

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Central

    £118.56

    £120.39

    £127.91

    Dumfries & Galloway

    £141.77

    £146.21

    £155.35

    Fife

    £111.56

    £118.87

    £125.60

    Grampian

    £116.29

    £120.24

    £130.82

    Lothian & Borders

    £146.33

    £150.20

    £158.22

    Northern

    £133.54

    £140.49

    £153.22

    Strathclyde

    £149.55

    £155.61

    £163.89

    Tayside

    £141.68

    £149.41

    £159.40

    Scotland

    £139.62

    £145.06

    £153.78

    The figures are based on Grant Aided Expenditure, which is the maximum level of expenditure supported b","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155600,"EventID":"S1W-18970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) police officers and (b) civillian staff are currently employed by each police force, expressed per head of population in each police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) police officers and (b) civillian staff are currently employed by each police force, expressed per head of population in each police force area.","AnswerText":"The number of police officers and civilians in each force at 30 September 2001, expressed per 1,000 population is shown in the following table.

     

     

    Force

    Estimated

    population

    No. of police

    officers

    No. per 1,000

    population

    No. of support staff

    No. per 1,000

    population

    Central

    278,000

    719

    2.58

    273

    0.98

    Dumfries &

    Galloway

    145,800

    474

    3.25

    269

    1.84

    Fife

    350,400

    883

    2.51

    311

    0.88

    Grampian

    523,400

    1,274

    2.43

    527

    1.00

    Lothian &

    Borders

    890,500

    2,646

    2.97

    1,033

    1.16

    Force

    Recruitment

    DNA Testing

    Central

    369

    63

    Dumfries & Galloway

    233

    40

    Fife

    435

    74

    Grampian

    676

    116

    Lothian & Borders

    1,442

    246

    Northern

    423

    72

    Strathclyde

    3,710

    634

    Tayside

    612

    105

    Total

    7,900

    1,350

    In addition, £117,000 has been allocated to Lothian & Borders Police to support its Parliamentary Policing Unit; and discussions are on-going with forces about the allocation of £1.0 million to support implementation of the National Intelligence Model and £0.1 million for analysis of drug driving samples. Some further sums were allocated across individual forces at various times during the year in connection with expenditure on a range of security measures.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155603,"EventID":"S1W-18973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received information about any inquiry by the Office of Fair Trading into the provision of pharmacy services in Scotland and, if so, what explanation it ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received information about any inquiry by the Office of Fair Trading into the provision of pharmacy services in Scotland and, if so, what explanation it has received for any such inquiry","AnswerText":"We are aware of the announcement made by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on 3 October that it will be undertaking a number of inquiries to explore how well markets are working for their customers.

    The OFT stated that the pharmacy study will examine the market for retail pharmacy services and, in particular, whether consumers are best served by the system that regulates where pharmacies can open.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155604,"EventID":"S1W-18974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether general practioners must provide the prostate-specific antigen test on request.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether general practioners must provide the prostate-specific antigen test on request.","AnswerText":"The National Screening Committee (NSC) recently considered the current policy for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and concluded it did not give clear guidance on how to deal with men asking for a PSA test where there are no symptoms nor family history of prostate cancer. The NSC recommended that if, after receiving full information about PSA test limitations and treatment side effects they wish to proceed, these men should have access to PSA testing facilities.

    Guidance is currently being issued to general practitioners and professional networks in Scotland informing them of this position.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155605,"EventID":"S1W-18975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of the information-gathering exercise on the provision of school swimming lessons, announced by the Deputy Minister for Education, Europ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of the information-gathering exercise on the provision of school swimming lessons, announced by the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs during the Members' Business debate on school swimming lessons on 24 May 2001.","AnswerText":"A swimming questionnaire is currently being piloted in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dumfries and Galloway. Comments on the structure and content will be used to produce a revised questionnaire which will be issued to all local authorities in November. I would expect to be able to announce the results early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155606,"EventID":"S1W-18976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the special railway administrators of Railtrack plc to ensure continuity of rail services in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the special railway administrators of Railtrack plc to ensure continuity of rail services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In October, I wrote to Railtrack's Administrators seeking assurances that Scotland's interests will be positively addressed during the period Railtrack is in administration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155607,"EventID":"S1W-18977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative course of action it plans to take should Glasgow City Council housing tenants vote against housing stock transfer","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative course of action it plans to take should Glasgow City Council housing tenants vote against housing stock transfer","AnswerText":"Should tenants in Glasgow decide that they do not wish to transfer their housing into community ownership, the housing will remain in the ownership of Glasgow City Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155608,"EventID":"S1W-18979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17550 by Jackie Baillie on 13 September 2001, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury about writing off Glasgow Cit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17550 by Jackie Baillie on 13 September 2001, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury about writing off Glasgow City Council's housing debt without any requirement for the council's housing tenants to vote for housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"On 18 September it was announced that the debt arrangements which apply to the housing transfer programme in England would be extended to Scotland (and Wales). These arrangements will only apply where a council transfers its housing stock into community ownership.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155609,"EventID":"S1W-18980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses in Glasgow will have central heating installed under the central heating installation programme in the financial years (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses in Glasgow will have central heating installed under the central heating installation programme in the financial years (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03. (c) 2003-04 and (d) 2004-05. ","AnswerText":"The City of Glasgow Council have been allocated resources under the Central Heating Programme which will allow them to install around 1,900 central heating systems in their own stock in 2001-02. Resources for future years will ensure that all council stock which currently lacks central heating receives it. The resources will come from the Glasgow Housing Association if the tenants vote in favour of stock transfer and from the Scottish Executive if they do not.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155610,"EventID":"S1W-18981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the health and safety arrangements in place at Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow are satisfactory.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the health and safety arrangements in place at Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow are satisfactory.","AnswerText":"The overall responsibility for health and safety arrangements at schools in Glasgow lies with Glasgow City Council, and the Scottish Executive does not have a monitoring role in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155611,"EventID":"S1W-18982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the inquiry by Fife Constabulary on Strathclyde Police Force's handling of the demonstration at Govanhill Pool on 7 August 2001 will be concluded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the inquiry by Fife Constabulary on Strathclyde Police Force's handling of the demonstration at Govanhill Pool on 7 August 2001 will be concluded.","AnswerText":"The investigation Fife Constabulary is conducting on behalf of the Regional Procurator Fiscal in Glasgow, into the conduct of a number of Strathclyde Police officers involved in policing the demonstrations, is expected to conclude in mid-December 2001. This timescale is, however, provisional in view of the large number of witnesses, both protestors and police officers, that require to be interviewed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155612,"EventID":"S1W-18983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that Glasgow City Council housing tenants receive independent advice concerning the council's proposed housing stock transfer to the Gl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that Glasgow City Council housing tenants receive independent advice concerning the council's proposed housing stock transfer to the Glasgow Housing Association.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01, £0.31 million of New Housing Partnership resources was made available for the provision of independent advice to tenants. A further £0.972 million has been made available to Glasgow City Council in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155613,"EventID":"S1W-18984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support a route development fund for air links to and from Scotland and, if so, what scheme is under consideration and, if not, what strategy ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support a route development fund for air links to and from Scotland and, if so, what scheme is under consideration and, if not, what strategy it has for the development of air links","AnswerText":"There are no specific plans for a route development fund. The Scottish Executive works in partnership with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators on how best any available funding can be deployed for the greatest benefit of the Scottish economy and tourism. The Scottish Executive continues to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155614,"EventID":"S1W-18985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in the recent re-appointment of two members to the board of VisitScotland whether any other candidates were considered at that time for nomination","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in the recent re-appointment of two members to the board of VisitScotland whether any other candidates were considered at that time for nomination to the board and, if so, how many were considered and by what means were they identified","AnswerText":"The re-appointments were made in accordance with the procedures set down in the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. Under the terms of the code, members can be re-appointed subject to a satisfactory performance appraisal of their first period of appointment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155615,"EventID":"S1W-18986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding Air Passenger Duty and its impact on tourism.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding Air Passenger Duty and its impact on tourism.","AnswerText":"Changes to Air Passenger Duty which directly benefit air services in the Highlands and Islands, and those services which carry passengers at the economy rate, were introduced in April 2001 following the Scottish Executive's representations to the UK Government. The Executive has no plans at this time to make further representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155616,"EventID":"S1W-18987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding the amount of Air Passenger Duty collected from passengers in Scotland and any consequential impact on the economy, visitor numbers and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding the amount of Air Passenger Duty collected from passengers in Scotland and any consequential impact on the economy, visitor numbers and transport strategy.","AnswerText":"Air Passenger Duty (APD) is paid by airlines to Customs and Excise and there is no geographical breakdown. Passengers travelling from airports in the Highlands and Islands do not pay APD.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155617,"EventID":"S1W-18988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the Scottish Road Safety Campaign has made to it on the issue of slow moving vehicles on primary roads and what subsequent representations it has mad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the Scottish Road Safety Campaign has made to it on the issue of slow moving vehicles on primary roads and what subsequent representations it has made or plans to make to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions on any necessary changes to existing legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Road Safety Campaign has made no such representations. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Government on a wide range of issues, including road safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155618,"EventID":"S1W-18989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many notices of intention to develop which involved the loss of playing fields, it has received from each local authority in each year since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many notices of intention to develop which involved the loss of playing fields, it has received from each local authority in each year since 1996.","AnswerText":"Since January 1996, 538 notices of intention to develop have been received from councils. However, categorisation for statistical purposes does not specifically identify those involving a loss of playing fields and retrieval of this information could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155619,"EventID":"S1W-18991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the virtual \"Accessible University\" in the north-east will be operational.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the virtual \"Accessible University\" in the north-east will be operational.","AnswerText":"I am advised that the \"3sixty University for Children and Communities\" is a project managed by the North Forum for Widening Participation in Higher Education and has been operating in Aberdeen and the surrounding area since last year. The project benefits from funding under Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's Wider Access Grant and is aimed at widening access to higher education for those from areas of low participation through the creation of a virtual \"Accessible University\". The detailed management of the project is a matter for the forum.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155620,"EventID":"S1W-18993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes due to the removal of staff for escort duty, as identified in the Visiting Commi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes due to the removal of staff for escort duty, as identified in the Visiting Committee of Polmont Young Offenders Institution Annual Report 1 April 2000-31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The following steps have been taken to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes:

    As part of the new SPS Staff Attendance System (SAS) brought in on 3 September 2001, a marked increase of staff is now allocated for escort duty.

    Also, as part of SAS, a new system was devised to draw staff from the Halls in the first instance rather than work parties.

    National recruitment is now underway and Polmont was given six staff in the first intake of recruits. They will be fully operational by the end of this month. Further recruits will be allocated to Polmont next year as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155621,"EventID":"S1W-18994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that young offenders are engaged in purposeful activity and that the provision of such activity is monitored, as identified in the Visit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that young offenders are engaged in purposeful activity and that the provision of such activity is monitored, as identified in the Visiting Committee of Polmont Young Offenders Institution Annual Report 1 April 2000-31 March 2001. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has made at Polmont significant investment to enhance the capabilities of the various workshops by the introduction of new machinery. Additionally, a paint finishing plant is being installed. This investment should provide further workplaces and training opportunities, as well as making work more interesting. Polmont has also introduced two further training areas, an Information Technology and Business Centre and Vocational Training Painting and Decorating. Both these areas will deliver quality and certificated training.

    As a result of the new staff attendance work patterns SPS introduced at Polmont on 1 October 2001, and if more contract work can be sourced, we hope to introduce a workshop efficiency scheme similar to those already established in some other SPS establishments, but without restricting numbers or insisting on full attendance throughout the working week. This would ensure that time for education programmes and PE is maintained. Production through each workshop is monitored on a weekly basis and used to compile annual report statistics on value of production. Polmont also intend to carry out daily monitoring of workshop attendance records.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155622,"EventID":"S1W-18995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made with regard to a replacement block at Polmont Young Offenders Institution, as identified in the Visiting Committee of Polmont Young Off","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made with regard to a replacement block at Polmont Young Offenders Institution, as identified in the Visiting Committee of Polmont Young Offenders Institution Annual Report 1 April 2000-31 March 2001. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    On 15 October 2001 the Scottish Prison Service announced that a contract to build a new houseblock at HM Young Offenders Institution, Polmont, at a cost of around £17 million had been awarded to Skanska Construction UK Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155623,"EventID":"S1W-18996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of funding in the National Library of Scotland was in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of funding in the National Library of Scotland was in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"The information is set out in the following table:

    Grant (£)

    Total Grant (£)

    Running Costs

    Capital Projects

    Purchase Grants

    1997-98

    8,614,000

    2,100,000

    1,103,000

    11,817,000

    1998-99

    8,724,345

    2,100,000

    958,000

    11,782,345

    1999-2000

    8,737,000

    2,100,000

    958,000

    11,795,000

    2000-01

    8,817,000

    2,100,000

    1,058,000

    11,975,000

    2001-02

    9,297,000

    200,000

    1,058,000

    10,555,000

    Total

    57,924,345

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155624,"EventID":"S1W-18997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) Argyll and Bute Council and (b) Highland Council spent on roads maintenance in the last financial year (i) in total and (ii) per mile. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) Argyll and Bute Council and (b) Highland Council spent on roads maintenance in the last financial year (i) in total and (ii) per mile. ","AnswerText":"The provisional outturn figures for 2000-01 for revenue spend on road maintenance by these local authorities are :

     

    Total

    Per kilometre1

    Argyll and Bute Council

    £5,960,000

    £2,581.98

    Highland Council

    £11,371,000

    £1,725.46

    Note:

    1. Road length as supplied by local authorities as at April 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155625,"EventID":"S1W-18998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) from what external sources any (i) financial and (ii) non-financial contributions to health care establishments have been received, (b) which establishments received ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) from what external sources any (i) financial and (ii) non-financial contributions to health care establishments have been received, (b) which establishments received any such contributions and (c) how much the financial contributions were and, in the case of non-financial contributions, how these were made, in each of the past five years. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155626,"EventID":"S1W-18999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into any impact on traffic flows which the formation of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will have on (a) the A84 betwee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into any impact on traffic flows which the formation of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will have on (a) the A84 between Callander and Lochearnhead and (b) the A85 between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned any research to look at the possible impact of the National Park on traffic flows.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155627,"EventID":"S1W-19000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) individuals and (b) organisations have made representations to it concerning the closure of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department local area offices in St","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) individuals and (b) organisations have made representations to it concerning the closure of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department local area offices in Stirling, Forfar and Dundee.","AnswerText":"Since the announcement about the rationalisation of our offices in Central Scotland was made on 10 August 2001, we have received formal representations from Dundee and Stirling Councils, the Angus Branch of the Scottish National Farmers Union and the following MSPs:

    Cathie Craigie MSP

    Bruce Crawford MSP

    Alex Johnstone MSP

    Keith Raffan MSP

    Iain Smith MSP

    Letters from two individual farmers have also been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155628,"EventID":"S1W-19001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Expert Group on Immunisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Expert Group on Immunisation.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Expert Group is as follows:

    To consider matters raised by the Health and Community Care Committee relating to vaccination against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) with particular reference to:

    describing the consequences of pursuing an alternative vaccination policy to MMR;

    reviewing evidence on the apparent rise in the incidence of autism, taking account of the current work of the Medical Research Council;

    describing the process of vaccine testing and the monitoring of adverse effects, and

    in all its work, having regard to the role and remit of the Joint \tCommittee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines Control Agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155629,"EventID":"S1W-19002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Expert Group on Immunisation; what qualifications and expertise each member has; what criteria were used to decide on the membership, and what ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Expert Group on Immunisation; what qualifications and expertise each member has; what criteria were used to decide on the membership, and what external interests each member has.","AnswerText":"Details of the members of the Expert Group are set out in the table. In addition, Dr Kenneth Aitken, Independent Consultant Child Clinical Neuropsychologist and Dr Gordon Bell, Lovaas Technique Adviser, have also been invited to join the group. A summary declaration of members' interests is currently being compiled and will be available in due course on the Expert Group's website.

    Some members were nominated by groups or professional bodies. Others were invited to participate on the basis of their professional standing and their capacity to connect appropriately to, for example, the work of the Medical Research Council or the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The selection of members also had regard to the range of issues raised by the Health and Community Care Committee.

    Jonathon Best

    Chief Executive of Yorkhill NHS Trust since February 2000. Previously Chief Executive at Lomond and Argyll NHS Trust.

    Dr Claire Bramley

    Epidemiologist, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.

    Dr Clare Brogan

    Lecturer in Psychology Glasgow Caledonian University. Nominated by the National Autistic Society.

    Dr David Cromie

    Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Immunisation Co-ordinator, Lanarkshire NHS Board.

    Mr Martyn Evans

    Director of the Scottish Consumer Council. Previous posts have included Visiting Professor of Law at the University of Strathclyde, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice for Scotland and the Director of Shelter (Scotland).

    The Very Reverend Graham Forbes

    Chairman. Provost, St Mary's Cathedral Edinburgh.

    Dr David Goldblatt

    Reader in Immunology at the Institute of Child Health, University College, London and a Consultant Paediatric Immunologist at Great Ormond Street Children's NHS Trust and member of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

    Mrs Gillian Hamer-Hodges

    Current chairperson of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC) National Group Forum, the NACC Scottish representative and a trustee.

    Mrs Jane Hook

    Chairperson of Scottish Society for Autism (SSA) and the Autism Alliance for Scotland. Co-founder of the Strathclyde Autistic Society. Member of Steering Group for the Public Health Institute of Scotland (PHIS) Needs Assessment for Autism.

    Pro","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155630,"EventID":"S1W-19003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Expert Group on Immunisation will present its findings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Expert Group on Immunisation will present its findings.","AnswerText":"The Expert Group will aim to report by 28 February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155631,"EventID":"S1W-19004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will arrange for meetings and the minutes of meetings of the Expert Group on Immunisation to be made public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will arrange for meetings and the minutes of meetings of the Expert Group on Immunisation to be made public.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Expert Group. Information about the group and its work will shortly be available on its website.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155632,"EventID":"S1W-19005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings of the Expert Group on Immunisation have taken place and what issues were discussed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings of the Expert Group on Immunisation have taken place and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"There have been three meetings of the Expert Group to date. The content of meetings is a matter for the Expert Group, having regard to its remit. Details of the group's work will be available on its website.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155633,"EventID":"S1W-19006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Expert Group on Immunisation will gather its evidence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Expert Group on Immunisation will gather its evidence.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Expert Group. I understand, however, that it has invited a number of medical experts and organisations to present evidence relevant to its remit. In addition, the views of other organisations and the general public were sought through national and local media advertisements.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155634,"EventID":"S1W-19007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will provide administrative support to the Expert Group on Immunisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will provide administrative support to the Expert Group on Immunisation.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Health Department at the Scottish Executive are providing the secretariat and administrative support to the Expert Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155635,"EventID":"S1W-19008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be of running the Expert Group on Immunisation broken down by (a) administration, (b) group member costs, (c) hospitality and (d) marketing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be of running the Expert Group on Immunisation broken down by (a) administration, (b) group member costs, (c) hospitality and (d) marketing.","AnswerText":"The Expert Group will be resourced to carry out its remit effectively. Expenditure incurred will be recorded in its report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155636,"EventID":"S1W-19009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all of the #10 million announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 6 August 2001 has now been allocated to schools and whether any lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all of the #10 million announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 6 August 2001 has now been allocated to schools and whether any local authorities have altered the criteria for distributing the money to schools in their area.","AnswerText":"Following checking of payment claims, a total of £9,707,500 was paid to authorities in late September and early October. The timing of credits to individual school accounts is a matter for the local authorities, but should have happened soon after the payments were made.

    The distribution to authorities was made on the basis of an amount per school according to various school roll bands in the primary, secondary and special school sectors. Authorities were advised that they might wish to be guided by that distribution scale in distributing the resources to schools. While it is a condition of grant that all schools will benefit, it is open to authorities to vary these amounts in order better to reflect local priorities and the local implications of such factors as very small schools, recent refurbishment, or other significant recent investments in particular schools or across schools for particular purposes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155637,"EventID":"S1W-19010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of primary and secondary pupils are currently recognised as having special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of primary and secondary pupils are currently recognised as having special educational needs.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table.

    Number of Pupils in Schools in Scotland with Special Educational Needs

    Primary

    Secondary

    Special

    Total

    SEN

    %

    Total

    SEN

    %

    Total

    Publicly Funded

    425,221

    15,732

    3.7

    317,704

    15,160

    4.8

    8,302

    Independent

    11,559

    258

    2.2

    17,537

    246

    1.4

    1,096

    Publicly Funded + Independent

    436,780

    15,990

    3.7

    335,241

    15,406

    4.6

    9,398

    Source: SEED School Census, September 2000.

    Note: All pupils in special schools have special educational needs but they are not attributed to primary or secondary year groups. It is, therefore, not possible to provide a percentage breakdown of these figures as requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155638,"EventID":"S1W-19011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of armed service personnel children in primary and secondary schools are currently recognised as having special educational needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of armed service personnel children in primary and secondary schools are currently recognised as having special educational needs.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155639,"EventID":"S1W-19012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the waiting times for a tonsillectomy were at the (a) Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley and (b) Vale of Leven Hospital, at 30 September 2001 or the most recent date ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the waiting times for a tonsillectomy were at the (a) Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley and (b) Vale of Leven Hospital, at 30 September 2001 or the most recent date for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 30 June 2001 show that the median waiting times for tonsillectomies at Vale of Leven Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital were 162 days and 59 days respectively.

    Waiting times for routine tonsillectomy operations have increased in recent months due to the need for these procedures to be undertaken with single-use, disposable instruments.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155640,"EventID":"S1W-19013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many firearm licenses were (a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) refused in each of the last three years, broken down by police force area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many firearm licenses were (a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) refused in each of the last three years, broken down by police force area. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table.

    Police force area

    Year

    Applications

    New firearm certificate

    Renewal of firearm certificate

    Granted

    Refused

    Granted

    Refused

    Central

    1998

    40

    3

    -

    -

    1999

    24

    -

    -

    -

    2000

    53

    -

    251

    -

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1998

    70

    -

    47

    1

    1999

    48

    -

    12

    -

    2000

    118

    -

    		The Home Office, in consultation with police forces and with Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary, will be carrying out a review of firearms licensing fees and efficiency over the coming year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155642,"EventID":"S1W-19015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information relating to firearm licence applications refused as a result of police enquiries are centrally collated to ease access by other police forces througho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether information relating to firearm licence applications refused as a result of police enquiries are centrally collated to ease access by other police forces throughout the UK.","AnswerText":"At present there is no central or national firearms licence application database covering all UK force areas. Each Scottish, and indeed UK, police force maintains its own standalone system. In Scotland, the Scottish Criminal Records Office receives and records details of firearm certificate holders located within the Scottish force areas. This information can then be accessed on-line by all Scottish police forces.

    The Police Information Technology Organisation is progressing the establishment of a National (UK) Firearms Certificate Holders Register. The National Firearms Certificate Holders Register Project Board, which includes representation from the Association of Police Officers in Scotland, is aiming for UK-wide implementation of the register by summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155643,"EventID":"S1W-19016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is from arrival to treatment for patients in NHS accident and emergency departments and what the average time was in 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is from arrival to treatment for patients in NHS accident and emergency departments and what the average time was in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting times for patients presenting at accident and emergency departments is not collected routinely, and is available only from data compiled from a week-long survey carried out each year. The results of the March/April 2001 survey will be published by the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency on 29 November 2001.

    The latest available information on waiting times in accident and emergency departments, compiled from the survey undertaken in March/April 2000, is available on the Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) website at

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/subject/AandE/01_01_a&.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155644,"EventID":"S1W-19017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any dispersal of patients from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in anticipation of the move to the infirmary's new premises.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any dispersal of patients from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in anticipation of the move to the infirmary's new premises.","AnswerText":"I understand from NHS Lothian that there are no plans to disperse any patients currently in the Royal Infirmary in anticipation of the commissioning of the new hospital at Little France. All of the specialities from the Royal Infirmary will relocate to the new Royal Infirmary over two phases, in 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155645,"EventID":"S1W-19018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether heart patients are being transferred from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether heart patients are being transferred from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"No. Both hospitals have Cardiology Departments, and I understand from NHS Lothian that there are no plans at this stage to change their configuration. Cardiac surgery is carried out only at the Royal Infirmary.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155646,"EventID":"S1W-19019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Royal Institute of British Architects regarding Valuing Good Design.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Royal Institute of British Architects regarding Valuing Good Design.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the professional body representing architects is the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). The Executive meets regularly with the RIAS on a wide range of matters affecting the profession in Scotland. This includes the development of policy on architecture, the overarching message of which is the value of good design.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155647,"EventID":"S1W-19020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to make an announcement outlining its policies on architecture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to make an announcement outlining its policies on architecture.","AnswerText":"The document A Policy on Architecture for Scotland was published on 5 October and I formally launched the policy on the same date at Dundee Contemporary Arts.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155648,"EventID":"S1W-19021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the report The Public Defence Solicitors' Office in Edinburgh: An Independent Evaluation, giving a breakdown of the costs for (a) research, inc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the report The Public Defence Solicitors' Office in Edinburgh: An Independent Evaluation, giving a breakdown of the costs for (a) research, including researchers' fees, (b) printing and production and, (c) time expended by (i) the Central Research Unit and (ii) the Scottish Legal Aid Board.","AnswerText":"The total contract for the evaluation of the public defender system was £362,115 across the 30 months of the project. Researcher's fees are not separately identified in this total since the contract costs were primarily for the engagement of the research team to undertake the evaluation. The printing and production costs were £8,956 for both the report and research findings. It is not possible to calculate the costs of time expended by the Central Research Unit and the Scottish Legal Aid Board since input varied across the duration of the project and detailed records of time input were not kept.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155649,"EventID":"S1W-19022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17713 by Mr Jim Wallace on 19 September 2001, how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) charged under section 50A of the Crimi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17713 by Mr Jim Wallace on 19 September 2001, how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) charged under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in each year since the Act came into force.","AnswerText":"Information on the numbers of people arrested and charged by the police is not held centrally. The number of offences under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, recorded by the police, was four in 1998, 386 in 1999 and 917 in 2000. The available information on persons with a main charge proved in court for this offence was given in reply to question S1W-17713 on 19 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155650,"EventID":"S1W-19023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to general practitioners regarding systems of documentation to support prescribing by nurses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to general practitioners regarding systems of documentation to support prescribing by nurses.","AnswerText":"The guidance issued to all nurse prescribers states very clearly the requirement to enter nurse prescribing information into the GP patient record, and that the timescales for doing this need to be agreed with the GP.

    The Scottish Executive has set up a steering group to take forward the extension of nurse prescribing. One of the members of that group is a general practitioner. Infrastructure to support the extension of nurse prescribing is one of the issues being considered by the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155651,"EventID":"S1W-19024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring any effect of prescribing by nurses on the maintenance of comprehensive patient records.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring any effect of prescribing by nurses on the maintenance of comprehensive patient records.","AnswerText":"The guidance issued to all nurse prescribers states very clearly the requirement to enter nurse prescribing information into the GP patient record and that the timescales for doing this need to be agreed with the GP. The detailed content of the patient record held by GPs is a matter for the GPs themselves.

    The Scottish Executive has set up a steering group to take forward the extension of nurse prescribing. One of the members of that group is a GP. Infrastructure to support the extension of nurse prescribing is one of the issues being considered by the group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155652,"EventID":"S1W-19025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to authorise prescribing nurses to use practice computer systems for producing prescriptions and, if so, when this will be introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to authorise prescribing nurses to use practice computer systems for producing prescriptions and, if so, when this will be introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has made a substantial investment in GP systems and in community nurse access to IT.

    The Scottish Executive has set up a steering group to take forward the extension of nurse prescribing. Infrastructure to support the extension of nurse prescribing is one of the issues being considered by the group. This will include consideration of the potential for computer generated prescriptions where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155653,"EventID":"S1W-19026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will receive the report of the Race Equality Advisory Forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will receive the report of the Race Equality Advisory Forum.","AnswerText":"The Forum presented its response to Ministers today.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155654,"EventID":"S1W-19027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what funding was provided to colleges for training in the construction industry, (b) which colleges received such funding and how much each received and (c) what meth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what funding was provided to colleges for training in the construction industry, (b) which colleges received such funding and how much each received and (c) what methodology was used to determine the sums involved, in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the funding of individual colleges of further education are a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC). The council is currently conducting studies into the supply of, and demand for, further education across four Scottish sectors, including construction. The results will be shared with the colleges, and others, to help inform decisions on how best to provide suitable and efficient further education so as to meet identified needs.

    Improving the matching of skills supply to demand in Scotland is a core function of the new Future Skills Scotland unit. With regard to the construction sector, Future Skills Scotland will draw upon the outcomes of the SFEFC studies and on labour market information and intelligence provided by the Construction Industry Training Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155655,"EventID":"S1W-19028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or proposes to take to support multi-skilling in the construction industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or proposes to take to support multi-skilling in the construction industry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3911 on 4 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155656,"EventID":"S1W-19029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what power local authorities have to make contributions to Nuclear Free Local Authorities and what information it has on the level of any such contributions made in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what power local authorities have to make contributions to Nuclear Free Local Authorities and what information it has on the level of any such contributions made in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to satisfy themselves, and their auditors, that any expenditure they incur is within their powers. The Scottish Executive holds no information on any contributions made by local authorities to Nuclear Free Local Authorities in the last three years.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155657,"EventID":"S1W-19030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides any financial or administrative assistance to Nuclear Free Local Authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides any financial or administrative assistance to Nuclear Free Local Authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides no financial or administrative assistance to Nuclear Free Local Authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155658,"EventID":"S1W-19031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on supplementing the sums paid to farmers in the current financial year under the sheep annual premium scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on supplementing the sums paid to farmers in the current financial year under the sheep annual premium scheme.","AnswerText":"I have discussed the financial impact of foot-and-mouth disease and loss of export markets on the sheep industry with other UK Agriculture Ministers on many occasions over the last six months. These discussions have covered a number of options, including the possibility of a national top up to the Sheep Annual Premium.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155659,"EventID":"S1W-19032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W -13759 by Mr Tom McCabe on 14 March 2001, whether any further meetings have been held or are planned as part of the public meetings","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W -13759 by Mr Tom McCabe on 14 March 2001, whether any further meetings have been held or are planned as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.","AnswerText":"No such \"Question and Answer\" meetings have been held since Mr McCabe's last response and there are no immediate plans for further meetings of this type. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister as well as other Scottish Executive ministers, nevertheless, will continue to visit communities on a regular basis to meet the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155660,"EventID":"S1W-19033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14589 by Mr Tom McCabe on 15 May 2001, whether it has now completed the competitive tendering process for its Question Time events","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14589 by Mr Tom McCabe on 15 May 2001, whether it has now completed the competitive tendering process for its Question Time events and, if so, which organisations have been successful. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials have sought bids from private sector bodies for a possible series of further Question Time events, but no decision has yet been taken to proceed with this initiative. If such a decision is taken, I shall write to the member.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155661,"EventID":"S1W-19034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with the Department of Trade and Industry and Consignia to ensure that any reduction in postal services do not disadvantage customers depende","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with the Department of Trade and Industry and Consignia to ensure that any reduction in postal services do not disadvantage customers dependent on the services provided by Post Office branches.","AnswerText":"The Post Office and postal services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155662,"EventID":"S1W-19035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in establishing the advisory bodies to Careers Scotland, as set out in Careers Scotland - The Way Forward.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in establishing the advisory bodies to Careers Scotland, as set out in Careers Scotland - The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"I chaired the first meeting of the shadow Ministerial Joint Supervisory Group on 27 August. We discussed the strategic barriers and opportunities presented by our vision for Careers Scotland, with a view to considering these at our next meeting.

    Additionally, the Enterprise networks have now appointed members to all 22 Local Advisory Boards of Careers Scotland in accordance with guidelines issued by the Executive.

    Full details of the Ministerial Joint Supervisory Group (Bib. number 16775) and Local Advisory Boards' membership, covering the Scottish Enterprise area (Bib number 16776) and Highlands and Islands (Bib. number 16778) have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155663,"EventID":"S1W-19036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland has not carried out a Health Technology Assessment on the results of the recently completed NHS pilot studies on liquid-base","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland has not carried out a Health Technology Assessment on the results of the recently completed NHS pilot studies on liquid-based cytology for cervical screening programmes.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19038.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155664,"EventID":"S1W-19037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland has not carried out a Health Technology Assessment on the cost effectiveness of introducing liquid-based cytology for cervic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Technology Board for Scotland has not carried out a Health Technology Assessment on the cost effectiveness of introducing liquid-based cytology for cervical screening programmes throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19038.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155665,"EventID":"S1W-19038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) when the report of the Health Economics Research Unit on its economic evaluation of the recently completed NHS in Scotland pilot studies on liquid-based cytology for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) when the report of the Health Economics Research Unit on its economic evaluation of the recently completed NHS in Scotland pilot studies on liquid-based cytology for cervical screening programmes will be published and (b) whether the report will be considered by the Health Technology Board for Scotland.","AnswerText":"Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an alternative method of taking cervical smears. Pilot studies in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK are examining the practicalities and cost-effectiveness of this method.

    The National Advisory Group on Cervical Screening will be considering a report from its steering group on the outcome of the Scottish cervical screening LBC pilot at its meeting in December. The report will include the findings of the Health Economics Research Unit's (HERU) economic evaluation of the pilot. Depending on the outcome of the group's considerations, the Health Technology Board for Scotland may wish to undertake an assessment on LBC for the cervical screening programme in collaboration with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

    All relevant evidence on the introduction of LBC, including the HERU evaluation findings, will be published when a decision on the new smear-taking method is made.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155666,"EventID":"S1W-19039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland will reach a decision on the introduction of liquid-based cytology for cervical screening programmes and, if not, whose ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland will reach a decision on the introduction of liquid-based cytology for cervical screening programmes and, if not, whose decision it will be.","AnswerText":"Any advice on the introduction of liquid based cytology into the cervical screening programme from either the Health Technology Board for Scotland or the National Institute of Clinical Excellence or the national Advisory Group on Cervical Screening, will be considered by the Scottish Executive. Relevant guidance will issue to NHSScotland when appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155667,"EventID":"S1W-19040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether venison produced in Scotland is inspected under any quality assurance system to ensure consumer confidence in the product.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether venison produced in Scotland is inspected under any quality assurance system to ensure consumer confidence in the product.","AnswerText":"Yes, farmed venison is subjected to quality assurance inspections and soon wild venison from land run by Forest Enterprise will also be inspected. However, other wild venison is not at present covered by a quality assurance scheme, although the Scottish Game Dealers and Processors Association are at present working on introducing a scheme which will include inspection by an accredited certification body.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155668,"EventID":"S1W-19041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Trusts can use \"winter pressure\" funding to allocate places in nursing and residential homes, alleviate delayed discharges from hospitals and ensure that pati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Trusts can use \"winter pressure\" funding to allocate places in nursing and residential homes, alleviate delayed discharges from hospitals and ensure that patients receive treatment in NHS hospitals.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards and Trusts, in collaboration with their local authority planning partners and others, are responsible for decisions about the use of the additional resources provided to NHSScotland to help respond to winter pressures. The resources can be used to purchase places in nursing and residential homes where appropriate. It is an important policy objective that all patients should be cared for in the surroundings most appropriate to their needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155669,"EventID":"S1W-19042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times and which police boards did not take up their full entitlement to police grant in each of the past three years and at what percentage below the grant-aided","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times and which police boards did not take up their full entitlement to police grant in each of the past three years and at what percentage below the grant-aided expenditure provision the budget of each board was set.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following tables (Figures given in).

    Force

    GAE Available £000

    Budget £000

    Difference £000

    % below GAE £000

    1999-2000

    Central

    £32,913

    £32,318

    £595

    1.8

    Fife

    £38,958

    £38,378

    £580

    1.5

    Northern

    £37,190

    £35,545

    £1,645

    4.4

    2000-01

    Central

    £33,468

    £33,132

    £336

    1.0

    Fife

    £41,652

    £41,036

    £616

    1.5

    Northern

    £39,014

    £38,214

    £800

    2.0

    2001-02

    Fife

    £44,010

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155670,"EventID":"S1W-19043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many flights have been taken by (a) ministers and (b) civil servants since 11 September 2001 and how many were with low cost carriers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many flights have been taken by (a) ministers and (b) civil servants since 11 September 2001 and how many were with low cost carriers.","AnswerText":"The number of flights undertaken by ministers and officials for the period 11 September 2001 through to 12 October 2001 is as follows:

    Return Flights

    One Way Flights

    Ministers

    30

    14

    Officials

    613

    82

    Five return flights were with low cost carriers.

    A low cost reservation service through the Scottish Executive's business travel agent commenced on 4 December 2000 and to date 100 return flights have been booked with low cost carriers.

    Business travel schedules of ministers and officials are frequently subject to change at short notice. Low cost carrier bookings are non-refundable and cannot be changed. The majority of Scottish Executive travel is with carriers with whom the Executive has negotiated discount rates and which meet business travellers' requirements on routes, schedules and flexibility.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155671,"EventID":"S1W-19044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants have been posted to Helsinki since May 1999, detailing their grade and the nature of their posting there. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants have been posted to Helsinki since May 1999, detailing their grade and the nature of their posting there. ","AnswerText":"Since May 1999, one Scottish Executive member of staff in Band B has completed a five-week attachment to the Ministry of the Interior, Department for Regional Development in Helsinki to assist with their contribution to the EU Urban Exchange Initiative. A further member of staff also in Band B has completed a three-month attachment to the same Department in Helsinki to assist with the administrative arrangements before and during the Tampere Informal and the Helsinki Millennium meeting.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155672,"EventID":"S1W-19045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants worked in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh at 1 April and 1 October in each year since 1997 and whether it holds information on how many of them travelle","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants worked in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh at 1 April and 1 October in each year since 1997 and whether it holds information on how many of them travelled to this office by (a) public transport, (b) car, (c) bicycle and (d) on foot.","AnswerText":"The figures are provided in the following table:

    Count of Civil Servants Working at Victoria Quay

    Selected dates 1 April 1997 to 1 October 2001

    Date

    Total

    1-April-97

    1,201

    1-October-97

    1,188

    1-April-98

    1,216

    1-October-98

    1,279

    1-April-99

    1,375

    1-October-99

    1,355

    1-April-00

    1,261

    1-October-00

    1,269

    1-April-01

    1,285

    1-October-01

    1,370

    The following are the results of a recent travel to work survey for staff travelling to Victoria Quay:

    (a) 35% used public transport,

    (b) 56% used a car or motorcycle,

    (c) 5% cycled and

    (d) 12% travelled by foot.

    As staff may have used more than one method of transport, e.g. public transport and foot, the total percentages add up to more than 100%.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155673,"EventID":"S1W-19046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh have obtained a Lothian Buses Ridacard with assistance from their employer, in each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh have obtained a Lothian Buses Ridacard with assistance from their employer, in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The total number of civil servants in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh who have obtained a Lothian Buses Ridacard, with a repayable loan from the Scottish Executive, in each year since 1997 is listed below. It should be noted, however, that the Scottish Executive no longer holds information for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 March 1997. The 1997 figure therefore represents Ridacards obtained from April to December 1997.

    1997 - 37 (from April 1997)

    1998 - 43

    1999 - 52

    2000 - 79

    2001 - 76 (to 31 October 2001).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155674,"EventID":"S1W-19047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the schemes available in each year since 1997 to encourage the use of public transport; what estimate it has made of the number of people who have ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the schemes available in each year since 1997 to encourage the use of public transport; what estimate it has made of the number of people who have used such schemes and whether there has been any increase in the number of people using public transport as a result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive works with transport authorities and transport operators to encourage the use of public transport through many initiatives. These include new and improved transport infrastructure, funding through the Public Transport Fund, Rural Transport Fund, Fuel Duty Rebate, and through ticket offers and our Learn To Let Go travel awareness campaign which is currently being evaluated.

    Evaluations of individual schemes and initiatives are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155675,"EventID":"S1W-19048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) absconded from hospitals and (b) were subsequently returned, whilst under section orders issued under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 in each of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) absconded from hospitals and (b) were subsequently returned, whilst under section orders issued under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 in each of the past three years, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information for patients not subject to a restriction order is not available centrally.

    Patients on a Hospital Order and Restriction Order become subject to the provisions of Part VI of the 1984 Act and are referred to as \"restricted patients\". The majority of restricted patients who abscond return to hospital within 24 hours. Because of issues of confidentiality under the Data Protection Act 1998, it is not possible to break the figures down by NHS Board area. In Scotland as a whole, the figures are as follows:

    1998

    15

    1999

    7

    2000

    11

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155676,"EventID":"S1W-19049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning a national adult literacy and numeracy agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning a national adult literacy and numeracy agency.","AnswerText":"There have been no recent representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155677,"EventID":"S1W-19050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13198 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 February 2001, whether it intends to proceed by primary or secondary legislation to incorporate the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13198 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 9 February 2001, whether it intends to proceed by primary or secondary legislation to incorporate the EC Landfill Directive into law and whether it will set out its timetable for consultation, the publication of the legislation and its passage through the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive intends to proceed by secondary legislation to implement the technical and operational aspects of the EC Landfill Directive 99/31/EC into law. An initial public consultation on these issues was completed earlier this year and the Executive is now preparing a second consultation paper with the aim of issuing this later in November. After a 12-week consultation period it is planned that the regulations will be laid before the Scottish Parliament in draft, and following the 40-day affirmative resolution procedure, the final regulations would be made in April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155678,"EventID":"S1W-19051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to prepare for the possible introduction of the euro and what assistance or advice is being made available to businesses to help them prepare fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to prepare for the possible introduction of the euro and what assistance or advice is being made available to businesses to help them prepare for a possible introduction.","AnswerText":"The euro currency was introduced as a formal retailing currency in 12 countries on 1 January 2002. The legacy currencies of each country will be withdrawn from circulation by no later than the end of February 2002.

    Scotland Europa, in conjunction with HM Treasury, is implementing a detailed programme, including workshops, conferences, publications and a telephone hotline to provide advice to Scottish businesses and raise awareness of the need to make appropriate preparations for the introduction of the currency.

    UK membership of the single currency is a reserved issue. The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out the government's policy on membership to the House of Commons in October 1997, which was restated by the Prime Minister in a statement to the House in February 1999.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155679,"EventID":"S1W-19053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it plans to provide to local authorities in 2002-03 to deal with any additional costs incurred by them as a result of the introduction of the Aggr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it plans to provide to local authorities in 2002-03 to deal with any additional costs incurred by them as a result of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18791 on 22 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155680,"EventID":"S1W-19054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #680 million announced by the Minister for Transport and Planning on 27 March 2001 for road improvements over the next three years will be used to pay the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #680 million announced by the Minister for Transport and Planning on 27 March 2001 for road improvements over the next three years will be used to pay the Aggregates Tax.","AnswerText":"The impact of the Aggregates Tax on roads schemes will vary depending on the quantities of newly quarried, recycled or exempt materials to be used in construction. It is not yet possible to estimate the impact on costs but we will monitor this as schemes come forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155681,"EventID":"S1W-19055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13521 by Susan Deacon on 12 March 2001, when it will publish the results of the review of progress towards the elimination of mixed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13521 by Susan Deacon on 12 March 2001, when it will publish the results of the review of progress towards the elimination of mixed sex hospital wards. ","AnswerText":"A review of progress towards the elimination of mixed sex wards by April 2002 is currently being conducted.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155682,"EventID":"S1W-19056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many conferences, seminars or away days for staff training or other internal matters it has held in each year since May 1999; what the annual cost was of these event","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many conferences, seminars or away days for staff training or other internal matters it has held in each year since May 1999; what the annual cost was of these events; how many were held in private venues as opposed to on its property and how many were held outwith Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155683,"EventID":"S1W-19057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed conversion of part-time ambulance stations to full-time operations and in particular, the stations in Peterhead and Fraserbur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed conversion of part-time ambulance stations to full-time operations and in particular, the stations in Peterhead and Fraserburgh. ","AnswerText":"Operational matters, including decisions on which ambulance stations should operate on a full-time basis, are for the Scottish Ambulance Service in the first instance. Health Department officials have discussed with Ambulance Service management the implications of converting to full-time operation a number of ambulance stations in Scotland, alongside other operational issues. The Ambulance Service will make decisions about these matters in light of information about patient care benefits, expected performance improvements, legal requirements, competing priorities and availability of resources.

    The Scottish Executive has allocated the Ambulance Service a total recurring revenue budget of £101.1 million in 2001-02, an increase of 5.8% on last year. For 2002-03, the service has been given an indicative allocation of £107.6 million - a further 6.3% increase.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155684,"EventID":"S1W-19058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it plans to make available to the Scottish Ambulance Service to deal with the increase in the number of 999 calls. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it plans to make available to the Scottish Ambulance Service to deal with the increase in the number of 999 calls. ","AnswerText":"Responding to 999 calls is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19057.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155685,"EventID":"S1W-19059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to end the practice of single manning ambulances.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or plans to take to end the practice of single manning ambulances.","AnswerText":"Staffing arrangements for ambulance vehicles is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19057.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155686,"EventID":"S1W-19060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court cases were cancelled in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and what the total cost of such cancellations was in each year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many court cases were cancelled in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and what the total cost of such cancellations was in each year.","AnswerText":"The following tables set out

    1. The number of criminal trials in the Sheriff Court which were called but which did not proceed to have evidence led on the date of calling. It separately identifies those which did not proceed because a plea was tendered and accepted.

    2. The number of Indictments registered in the High Court, separately identifying those which did not proceed because a plea was tendered and accepted on the day of trial. Information is not readily available on High Court cases which otherwise did not proceed on the day of trial.

    No information on the cost of cancellations is collected.

    Sheriff Court

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Solemn

    Summary

    Solemn

    Summary

    Trials called

    1,924

    41,251

    2,052

    40,800

    Trials called and adjourned to another day (inc. Arrest Warrants)

    618

    24,503

    592

    24,168

    As % of Trials Called

    32%

    59%

    29%

    59%

    Trials called - Guilty plea tendered (no evidence led)

    509

    8,858

    578

    9,205

    As % of Trials Called

    In total, Scottish Executive grant funding for the LVDA network in 2001-02 will be around £1.2 million. As a condition of grant, each LVDA is expected to secure match funding. It is incumbent on each LVDA to arrange match funding as part of its on-going business.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155689,"EventID":"S1W-19063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact that the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents Directive will have both generally and, in particular, on the farming ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact that the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents Directive will have both generally and, in particular, on the farming industry; what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government and the Commission on the proposed Directive, and what response it has received.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to health and safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155690,"EventID":"S1W-19064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average daily amount spent on purchasing food for school lunches is per pupil and what the average cost to pupils is for a school meal, broken down by lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average daily amount spent on purchasing food for school lunches is per pupil and what the average cost to pupils is for a school meal, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information contained in the annual Local Financial Returns to the Scottish Executive of expenditure by education authorities provides some information about total expenditure on, and income from, school meals. However, the information collected does not include the cost of purchasing food for school lunches nor the average cost to pupils for a school meal.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155691,"EventID":"S1W-19065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on early years services, excluding mainstream education, in each local authority area in each of the past three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on early years services, excluding mainstream education, in each local authority area in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"Local authorities provide a range of early years services. Information which separates mainstream and other service provision is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155692,"EventID":"S1W-19066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the (a) Baljaffrey to Carbeth and (b) Carbeth to Drymen stretches of the A809, in each of the past five years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the (a) Baljaffrey to Carbeth and (b) Carbeth to Drymen stretches of the A809, in each of the past five years. ","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

    The table gives the numbers of road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the stretch of the A809 between (a) the junction with the B8050 and the junction with the B821 and between (b) the junction with the B821 and the junction with the A811, over the period 1996 to 2000 inclusive.

    It should be noted that the statistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database, and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    Year

    Injury road accidents which occurred on the A809 between the junction with the B8050 and the junction with the B821

    Injury road accidents which occurred on the A809 between the junction with the B821 and the junction with the A811

    1996

    5

    8

    1997

    9

    8

    1998

    8

    9

    1999

    12

    3

    2000

    6

    5

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155693,"EventID":"S1W-19067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the Aberfoyle to Kilmahog stretch of the A821 in each of the past five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the Aberfoyle to Kilmahog stretch of the A821 in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

    The table gives the numbers of injury road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the stretch of the A821 between its junction with the A81 at Aberfoyle and its junction with the A84 at Kilmahog, over the period 1996 to 2000 inclusive. The figures also include any injury road accidents that occurred on the Loch Katrine spur section of the A821.

    It should be noted that the statistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database, and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    Year

    Number of injury road accidents that occurred on the A821 between its junction with the A81 at Aberfoyle and its junction with the A84 at Kilmahog

    1996

    5

    1997

    8

    1998

    8

    1999

    5

    2000

    4

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155694,"EventID":"S1W-19068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Her Majesty's Government to promote the claiming back of VAT by tourists and visitors to Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Her Majesty's Government to promote the claiming back of VAT by tourists and visitors to Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155695,"EventID":"S1W-19069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what groups have been set up by the National Group on Domestic Abuse in Scotland to explore particular issues relating to domestic abuse as recommended in the National St","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what groups have been set up by the National Group on Domestic Abuse in Scotland to explore particular issues relating to domestic abuse as recommended in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland and what the membership and remit of each group is. ","AnswerText":"Three working groups are currently being established, each chaired by a member of the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.

    Keir Bloomer will chair a group to produce a Prevention Strategy. Sheriff Pamela Bowman will chair a group reviewing relevant current legislation and Jannette Forman will chair a group to review the 1991 CoSLA recommendations for refuge places. The membership and remits will be finalised shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155696,"EventID":"S1W-19070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the annual progress report of the National Group on Domestic Abuse will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the annual progress report of the National Group on Domestic Abuse will be published.","AnswerText":"The National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland first met in June 2001. Its annual report will therefore be prepared in June 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155697,"EventID":"S1W-19071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to evaluate the progress of its domestic abuse strategy. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to evaluate the progress of its domestic abuse strategy. ","AnswerText":"The National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland will be reviewed in 2003 in accordance with the quantitative and qualitative measures described in the strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155698,"EventID":"S1W-19072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of all current legislation relating to domestic abuse as set out in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland will be completed and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of all current legislation relating to domestic abuse as set out in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland will be completed and what plans it has to bring forward proposals following this review. ","AnswerText":"As stated in my answer to question S1W-19069, a working group to review legislation is currently being established. It is expected to take about three months to complete its review. Further action will then be considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155699,"EventID":"S1W-19073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how organisations are being monitored to ensure that good practice guidelines and service standards in respect of domestic abuse are being put into practice as set out in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how organisations are being monitored to ensure that good practice guidelines and service standards in respect of domestic abuse are being put into practice as set out in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland to consider in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155700,"EventID":"S1W-19074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been carried out on the development of curriculum materials relating to violence against women as set out in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been carried out on the development of curriculum materials relating to violence against women as set out in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with the Zero Tolerance Trust to make its \"Respect\" package available to schools. As stated in my reply to question S1W-18518 on 9 October 2001, the Scottish Executive is currently awaiting the final evaluation of the pilot project.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155701,"EventID":"S1W-19075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been carried out on the development of teaching programmes and in-service teacher training in respect of violence against women.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been carried out on the development of teaching programmes and in-service teacher training in respect of violence against women.","AnswerText":"The breadth of primary and secondary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes does not permit detailed consideration of any one topic. The 1998 Guidelines, with which all courses of initial teacher education must comply, contain a set of competences which teachers are expected to have acquired by the end of their initial training course. Competences relating to personal and social development and health education offer the scope to address the issue of violence against women. These competences will be replaced, in autumn 2002, by the Benchmark Standard on ITE, which builds upon, and updates, the competencies on personal and social development, placing particular emphasis on teachers being able to impart a high regard for equality and social justice to their pupils. Courses are not prescriptive, however, and each training institution will develop its own programme within the context of the Guidelines.

    Earlier this year, the Executive funded a pilot of the \"Respect\" education package developed by the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust. Training for teachers and youth workers is included in the \"Respect\" package and was provided to all those involved in delivering the materials.

    It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that a wide range of continuing professional development opportunities is available for qualified teachers. I would expect training aimed at equipping teachers to deal with issues relating to violence against women, such as that provided through the \"Respect\" package, to be recognised as one such appropriate opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155702,"EventID":"S1W-19076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been funded into children who abuse other children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been funded into children who abuse other children.","AnswerText":"A Chance to Change: An Intervention With Young People Who Have Sexually Abused Others, was published in 1997 and summarised research into a project for children who had sexually abused other children. The research was jointly funded by the Scottish Office and Barnardos. There have also been a number of research studies on bullying.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155703,"EventID":"S1W-19077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects dealing with children who abuse other children it is currently funding.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects dealing with children who abuse other children it is currently funding.","AnswerText":"There are a wide range of services run by local authorities, health trusts and the voluntary sector which include provision for tackling sexually aggressive and abusing behaviour by children. There are also services dealing with non-sexual abuse by children. An example of this is the funding that the Executive provides to the Anti-Bullying Network, which aims to help schools combat all forms of bullying.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155704,"EventID":"S1W-19078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend programmes such as the Domestic Violence Probation Project in Edinburgh and Midlothian and the Fergus Project in Angus to other areas of Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend programmes such as the Domestic Violence Probation Project in Edinburgh and Midlothian and the Fergus Project in Angus to other areas of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Criminal justice social work services are provided by groupings of local authorities and they are currently finalising their strategic plans for the period 2002-05. A number of these plans include proposals for domestic violence programmes. The bids for Executive funding to support these programmes will be considered along with other bids which have been submitted, within the context of the national priorities set for criminal justice social work. It is hoped to inform the groupings of the outcome early in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155705,"EventID":"S1W-19079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the furnishing, running and staffing of new refuge places.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the furnishing, running and staffing of new refuge places.","AnswerText":"The Refuge Development Programme is providing £10 million for capital projects to increase and improve refuge provision. This may include furnishing. Funding for revenue costs are the responsibility of the local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155706,"EventID":"S1W-19080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) applied for refuge accommodation, (b) received such accommodation and (c) were refused a place in the last year for which figures are available, broke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) applied for refuge accommodation, (b) received such accommodation and (c) were refused a place in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Scottish Women's Aid Annual Reports provide a breakdown of requests for and provision of, information, support and refuge for each affiliated local group.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155707,"EventID":"S1W-19081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enlist the assistance of organisations such as Open Secret, Women's Aid and Zero Tolerance in the training of professionals such as judges, the polic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enlist the assistance of organisations such as Open Secret, Women's Aid and Zero Tolerance in the training of professionals such as judges, the police, teachers, local authorities and housing associations who come into contact with those who have experienced domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland will consider these matters in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155708,"EventID":"S1W-19082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any interruption to the regular monitoring of radiation levels in the environment, such as in locally produced milk, in the air, grass and in the v","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any interruption to the regular monitoring of radiation levels in the environment, such as in locally produced milk, in the air, grass and in the vicinity of the Hunterston nuclear power station in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155709,"EventID":"S1W-19083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) would be informed of any interruption to regular monitoring of radiation levels in the environment, such as in l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) would be informed of any interruption to regular monitoring of radiation levels in the environment, such as in locally produced milk, in the air, grass and in the vicinity of the Hunterston nuclear power station in Ayrshire and, if so, whether SEPA has made any representations to it on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19082.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155710,"EventID":"S1W-19084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what organisations which do not provide clinical services it funds to provide sexual health advice and (b) what level of funding each organisation has received in ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what organisations which do not provide clinical services it funds to provide sexual health advice and (b) what level of funding each organisation has received in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"Details of funding to such organisations are set out in the table.

    Organisation

    Funding received

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Family Planning Association

    £15,000

    £17,000

    £17,000

    Fertility Care Scotland

    £6,000

    £6,500

    £6,500

    Healthy Gay Scotland

    £93,000

    £183,320

    £135,136

    Positive Steps Partnership

    £30,000

    £232,000

    £315,000

    In addition, Lothian Health will receive £3 million over a three-year period to lead the demonstration project Healthy Respect. Launched late last year, the project aims to help young people develop a positive attitude to sexual matters and ultimately to reduce the rates of unplanned teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The Health Education Board for Scotland also takes initiatives in relation to sexual health, funded from its general allocation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155711,"EventID":"S1W-19085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its investigation into the failure to renew the Order under the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 to toll vehicles crossing the bridge has been completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its investigation into the failure to renew the Order under the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 to toll vehicles crossing the bridge has been completed.","AnswerText":"The investigation by the head of the Scottish Executive Development Department is now complete. Her conclusions and recommendations are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Executive action is being taken on all the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155712,"EventID":"S1W-19086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact that any current shortage of nurses may have on the delivery of (a) health care in general, (b) care for elderly people, (c) se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact that any current shortage of nurses may have on the delivery of (a) health care in general, (b) care for elderly people, (c) services for elderly people provided by long-term care facilities and (d) home health care services for elderly people. ","AnswerText":"No such assessment has been made. The current vacancy rate for all qualified nurses remains low at 0.5% for vacancies over three months.

    Facing the Future, the report of the 19 November 2001 Convention on Recruitment and Retention in Nursing and Midwifery was published in November 2001 along with an action plan to address long standing and emerging recruitment and retention issues at all grades and across all specialties within the nursing professions.

    I am personally chairing the Implementation Group which had its first meeting on 22 January 2002 and expect progress reports from the group members at the next meeting on 4 March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155713,"EventID":"S1W-19087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding (a) has been made available for the recruitment and support of student nurses in the current year and (b) will be made available for this purpose in the nex","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding (a) has been made available for the recruitment and support of student nurses in the current year and (b) will be made available for this purpose in the next two years.","AnswerText":"Forty-four million, six hundred thousand pounds is available for support of student nurses this year. £47.9 million will be available in 2002-03, and £51.4 million in 2003-04.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155714,"EventID":"S1W-19088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to make nursing a more attractive career option by funding the infrastructure necessary to provide high quality training facilities for student n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to make nursing a more attractive career option by funding the infrastructure necessary to provide high quality training facilities for student nurses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has contracts with institutions of higher education to provide nurse education and pays them an annual amount for the cost of the course, based on student numbers, but allowing for matters like accommodation requirements. The NHS either provides the accommodation or contract finance allows universities to provide their own accommodation and many improvements have been made since the contracts began.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155715,"EventID":"S1W-19089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to increasing the bursary and tuition support available to student nurses who are willing to work in under-served areas of the NHS in Sco","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to increasing the bursary and tuition support available to student nurses who are willing to work in under-served areas of the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"From autumn 2002, all nursing students will have their tuition fees paid for them and have living cost support by way of a non-means-tested bursary and dependants' allowance where necessary. The teaching institutions have local arrangements to assist students, through car loan schemes, student accommodation and ensuring that when possible, placements are arranged at locations convenient for the student. These arrangements should ensure that all students have the necessary support to undertake nursing studies in their chosen discipline and we have no plans to introduce different levels of support.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155716,"EventID":"S1W-19090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to increasing the funding available to graduate nurses for the completion of doctoral studies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to increasing the funding available to graduate nurses for the completion of doctoral studies.","AnswerText":"The funding of doctoral level studies in health science subjects is the responsibility of the Medical Research Council, which allocates funding for studentships to higher education institutions throughout the UK on an annual basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155717,"EventID":"S1W-19091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider any schemes that would allow graduate nurses to pay back any increased funding for the completion of their doctoral studies by working in under-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider any schemes that would allow graduate nurses to pay back any increased funding for the completion of their doctoral studies by working in under-served areas of the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"While we appreciate the benefits that postgraduate level study can bring, the primary aim of nursing education funding is to provide an adequate supply of registered nurses for NHSScotland. However, individual Trusts have discretion to support graduate nurses for doctoral studies and may take into account the placing of such staff in under-served areas when considering whether to fund staff for these studies.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155718,"EventID":"S1W-19092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made in the provision of winter snow clearance cover resulting from the appointment of new contractors to manage the maintenance of the trunk road","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made in the provision of winter snow clearance cover resulting from the appointment of new contractors to manage the maintenance of the trunk road network, broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"The winter maintenance specification, and level of service in the Scottish Executive contracts with the new trunk road Operating Companies, remains unaltered from that provided in the previous contracts.

    The Executive held a conference at Victoria Quay on 25 September entitled \"Ready for Winter - Winter Maintenance on Scotland's Roads\". The conference, which was attended by representatives from the Operating Companies, local authorities, the police, motoring organisations and other winter maintenance professionals, enabled the Executive to bring all those involved together to discuss issues relating to winter maintenance in order to provide the best possible service to the travelling public this winter.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155719,"EventID":"S1W-19093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Deputy Minister for Parliament in the debate on Special Educational Needs (Borders) (Official Report, Col. 3222), from which allocations ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Deputy Minister for Parliament in the debate on Special Educational Needs (Borders) (Official Report, Col. 3222), from which allocations under the Excellence Fund the virement of #358,000 has come, specifying the sums involved.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17989 on 14 September 2001, which sets out full details of the virement proposals, and I would particularly highlight the fourth paragraph which clarifies the position with the Inclusion Programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155720,"EventID":"S1W-19094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce the number of women being imprisoned. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce the number of women being imprisoned. ","AnswerText":"A ministerial group, which I chair, has been set up to tackle the specific issue of women's offending. It is looking at a range of measures to encourage the appropriate use of alternatives to custody for female offenders. The group is due to complete its work in December and will report shortly thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155721,"EventID":"S1W-19095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives to imprisonment are (a) in place and (b) planned in order to reduce the number of women imprisoned. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives to imprisonment are (a) in place and (b) planned in order to reduce the number of women imprisoned. ","AnswerText":"A broad range of community disposals are available across Scotland for both female and male offenders. These include probation, community service orders and supervised attendance orders for female and male fine defaulters who might otherwise be facing a custodial sentence. Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and Restriction of Liberty Orders are also currently available in a number of courts. We have provided funding for diversion from prosecution schemes to allow all procurators fiscal access to local schemes and made female accused one of the four target groups.

    We are now moving forward with plans for the national roll-out of Restriction of Liberty Orders by May next year, and I have announced the extension of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders to a further seven sheriff courts. We are also considering funding structured work for deferred sentences and further developments in the use of supervised attendance orders.

    The Ministerial Group on Women Offenders, which I chair, is looking at a range of measures to encourage the use of alternatives to custody specifically for women offenders.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155722,"EventID":"S1W-19096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific funding is available in its current budget for providing alternatives to imprisonment for women.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific funding is available in its current budget for providing alternatives to imprisonment for women.","AnswerText":"The total budget provided by the Executive for alternatives to custody amounts to £50.1 million in the present year. This funds a broad range of community disposals for both female and male offenders. With the exception of the programmes listed below, it is not possible to identify specific funding packages in respect of female accused/offenders:

    Turnaround Project in Glasgow (£141,321) for female drug misusing accused/offenders;

    Glasgow Intensive Support Services for Vulnerable Young Women (£30,000) - this funding is in respect of 16 to 17-year-olds and represents a funding contribution to a project which also deals with under 16s;

    South Ayrshire Intensive Probation Project for Women Offenders (£19,003).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155723,"EventID":"S1W-19097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many community placements were available for women prisoners in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001 to date, expressed also as a percentage of those imprisoned.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many community placements were available for women prisoners in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001 to date, expressed also as a percentage of those imprisoned.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The number of community placements for women prisoners were:

    1999-2000

    14

    2000-01

    15

    2001 to date

    18

    This represents an average of 10% of female prisoners.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155724,"EventID":"S1W-19098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, how long patients in each NHS board area will now have to wait, on average, to receive eq","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, how long patients in each NHS board area will now have to wait, on average, to receive equipment for the treatment of sleep apnoea.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to give an average waiting time in each area. Following assessment and diagnosis in their own areas, patients considered to be suffering from sleep apnoea are referred to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh. Decisions on the need for a CPAP machine are taken at that stage. Waiting times, therefore, differ, based on the length of time taken at the various stages of the process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155725,"EventID":"S1W-19099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, how \"clinical priority\" is defined with reference to sleep apnoea and whether all NHS boa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, how \"clinical priority\" is defined with reference to sleep apnoea and whether all NHS boards use the same definition.","AnswerText":"Definitions of clinical priority are a matter for clinicians. I understand from NHS Lothian that clinical priority in relation to sleep apnoea is defined by reference to risk categories. I further understand that this approach to clinical prioritisation has been shared with other NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155726,"EventID":"S1W-19100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, whether sufficient resources are accessible throughout Scotland to treat sleep apnoea ade","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17830 by Susan Deacon on 12 October 2001, whether sufficient resources are accessible throughout Scotland to treat sleep apnoea adequately.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS Boards to determine how best to spend the increased resources allocated to them, to meet national priorities and address the health needs of their resident populations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155727,"EventID":"S1W-19101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance will be issued to local authorities about considering the impact on TV reception of applications for planning permission before planning consent is gran","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance will be issued to local authorities about considering the impact on TV reception of applications for planning permission before planning consent is granted.","AnswerText":"Planning Advice Note 62: Radio Telecommunications (Bib. number 16043) contains advice on development proposals causing interference with radio telecommunications services, which includes television signals.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155728,"EventID":"S1W-19102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what its position is regarding the concerns expressed over the adequacy of the pri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what its position is regarding the concerns expressed over the adequacy of the prisoner food allowance and what is being done to address this issue. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The per capita food budget provides prisoners at Cornton Vale with three meals a day. Four choices are available at lunch and tea times including a \"Scottish Slimmers\" and \"healthy options\" choice. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily. All religious and dietary needs can also be catered for.

    The Cornton Vale catering team were this year awarded Charter Mark for the quality of their service.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155729,"EventID":"S1W-19103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what initiatives have been taken to provide a specialist regime for young women of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what initiatives have been taken to provide a specialist regime for young women offenders.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Skye House is due to open as a dedicated Young Offender Unit in November 2001.

    The facility will feature:

    A designated manager with specific responsibilities for young women offenders.

    A staff group specially selected and trained to work with young women offenders.

    An induction and assessment process aimed specifically at young women offenders.

    A regime aligned to meet identified needs.

    Increased access to educational opportunities.

    Support to assist in addressing offending behaviour, addictions, family problems and other matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155730,"EventID":"S1W-19104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, what improvements have been made to the prison's library facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, what improvements have been made to the prison's library facilities.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    A recent refurbishment of the library included repainting, the installation of new comfortable seating and carousel book display racks. Prisoners now have access to:

    2,000 books

    50 talking books

    100 video cassettes

    100 musical audio tapes

    50 CD roms

    five copies of Prison Rules & Directions

    two copies of Prison Rules (on floppy disc)

    All items are regularly changed and updated. Books not held, including any requested legal books/foreign language books are sourced through a partnership with Stirling District Council Library Services.

    Other recent additions are:

    • Citizen Advice Bureau information volumes 1 to 3 which are updated every month through the establishment's membership with the CAB.

    • A \"scanlab\" computerised system for book management comparable to any modern local authority library.

    • two PCs for prisoner access.

    • A TV/video combination of previewing videos.

    • A hi-fi system for pre-listening audio tapes.

    The number of borrowers presently stands at 249.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155731,"EventID":"S1W-19105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, how many \"lock-ups\" there were at the prison in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001 to dat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, how many \"lock-ups\" there were at the prison in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001 to date.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155732,"EventID":"S1W-19106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the A827 between Kenmore and Killin in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the A827 between Kenmore and Killin in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

    The table gives the numbers of road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the stretch of the A827 between the mid point of Killin and the mid point of Kenmore, over the period 1996 to 2000 inclusive.

    It should be noted that the statistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    Year

    Number of injury road accidents that occurred on the A827 between the mid point of Killin and the mid point of Kenmore

    1996

    6

    1997

    2

    1998

    9

    1999

    5

    2000

    4

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155733,"EventID":"S1W-19107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the A907 between (a) Causewayhead and Alloa and (b) Alloa and Dunfermline in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents have occurred on the A907 between (a) Causewayhead and Alloa and (b) Alloa and Dunfermline in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

    The table gives the numbers of road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns as occurring on the stretch of the A907 between (a) Causewayhead (junction with the A9) and Alloa (junction with the B9096); and between (b) Alloa (junction with the B9096) and Dunfermline (junction with the A823 at Pilmuir Street) over the period 1996 to 2000 inclusive.

    It should be noted that the statistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in the central statistical database, and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the local authority may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of the road and area concerned.

    Year

    Number of injury road accidents that occurred on the A907 between Causewayhead (junction with the A9) and Alloa (junction with the B9096)

    Number of injury road accidents that occurred on the A907 between Alloa (junction with the B9096) and Dunfermline (junction with the A823 at Pilmuir Street)

    1996

    10

    23

    1997

    16

    15

    1998

    9

    24

    1999

    11

    14

    2000

    7

    22

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155734,"EventID":"S1W-19108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to prevent any cutback to the activity of the Scottish Place-Names Survey at Edinburgh University which may result from the current financial pos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to prevent any cutback to the activity of the Scottish Place-Names Survey at Edinburgh University which may result from the current financial position of the survey.","AnswerText":"The funding of the Scottish Place-Names Survey is a matter for the University of Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155735,"EventID":"S1W-19109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the further integration of entrepreneurship into further education curriculums.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the further integration of entrepreneurship into further education curriculums.","AnswerText":"The curriculum offered by an further education (FE) college is a matter for the college's Board of Management to determine. The Scottish Executive has, however, issued guidance to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council emphasising the importance of developing a workforce of entrepreneurs and of promoting an entrepreneurial culture.

    The Funding Council's current corporate plan in turn emphasises the FE sector's strong role in promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship through the services provided for local business.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155736,"EventID":"S1W-19110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to increase female participation in Modern Apprenticeships in light of Blake Stevenson's report Mapping of Lifelong Learning Provision in Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to increase female participation in Modern Apprenticeships in light of Blake Stevenson's report Mapping of Lifelong Learning Provision in Scotland.","AnswerText":"All Modern Apprentices have employed status and so participation by males and females will reflect recruitment trends in specific sectors. There is scope to maximise Modern Apprenticeships in sectors with less of an apprenticeship tradition, and which have higher female employment rates. The Enterprise Network will be working with National Training Organisations to target increased uptake in these sectors. Initiatives like Make it in Scotland are being developed to raise awareness of job opportunities, including Modern Apprentices, for women in traditional sectors.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155737,"EventID":"S1W-19111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-9963 by Iain Gray on 12 October 2000, why the allocation to the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme for 2001-02 as outlined in the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-9963 by Iain Gray on 12 October 2000, why the allocation to the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme for 2001-02 as outlined in the draft budget for 2002-03 is #13.3 million rather than #19 million as previously indicated.","AnswerText":"The Mental Illness Specific Grant is £19 million for 2001-02. The Scottish Executive pays 70% of this funding (£13.3 million) through specific grant, with the remainder being met by local authorities from general budget provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155738,"EventID":"S1W-19112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the completed projects funded by the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme in 2000-01 were (a) eligible for mainstreaming and (b) actually mainstreamed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the completed projects funded by the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme in 2000-01 were (a) eligible for mainstreaming and (b) actually mainstreamed.","AnswerText":"Mental Illness Specific Grant supports many small projects in the community which benefit people with mental illness. Most of these projects provide a continuing service, and are not completed. Mainstreaming of projects into individual local authority budgets is a matter for local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155739,"EventID":"S1W-19113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of senior managers in each NHS Trust took the opportunity to be vaccinated against flu and whether it will publish the results of this exercise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of senior managers in each NHS Trust took the opportunity to be vaccinated against flu and whether it will publish the results of this exercise.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. As was the case last year, NHS systems across Scotland are encouraging their front-line staff to take advantage of flu vaccination arrangements in time for winter.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155740,"EventID":"S1W-19114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fact that a company is indigenous to Scotland is taken into account by economic development and enterprise agencies when assessing applications for assistance","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fact that a company is indigenous to Scotland is taken into account by economic development and enterprise agencies when assessing applications for assistance or qualification for grant or loan schemes. ","AnswerText":"Applications for assistance from foreign and indigenous firms are assessed against the same scheme criteria.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155741,"EventID":"S1W-19115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many shops there have been in Scotland in each of the last three years showing the percentage change year on year. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many shops there have been in Scotland in each of the last three years showing the percentage change year on year. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155742,"EventID":"S1W-19116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice has been issued to North of Scotland Water Authority, East of Scotland Water Authority and West of Scotland Water Authority on how they should deal ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific advice has been issued to North of Scotland Water Authority, East of Scotland Water Authority and West of Scotland Water Authority on how they should deal with pay negotiations in this financial year. ","AnswerText":"Guidance on Public Sector Pay for 2001-02 was issued to the Scottish Water Authorities in May 2001. This is approved annually by Scottish ministers and issued to all public sector organisations. The guidance for 2001-02 is available on the Scottish Executive website at:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/psp2001-01.asp.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155743,"EventID":"S1W-19117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance has been provided to North of Scotland Water Authority on how it might utilise any excess surplus funds which it generates. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance has been provided to North of Scotland Water Authority on how it might utilise any excess surplus funds which it generates. ","AnswerText":"No specific guidance is issued to Scottish water authorities on the use of surplus funds. Such funds are re-invested in the business, typically in support of major capital investment schemes to modernise the infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155744,"EventID":"S1W-19118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost for all women across Scotland to be tested for cervical cancer with the liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus test, compared to how much it ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost for all women across Scotland to be tested for cervical cancer with the liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus test, compared to how much it will cost for all women across Scotland to be screened with the cervical smear test.","AnswerText":"The recent Scottish pilot of liquid-based cytology (LBC) will provide the information needed to assess the practicalities and the cost-effectiveness of this alternative method of cervical smear taking. The cost of an LBC kit used in the pilot was £3.55 compared to the conventional smear cost of approximately 20p. The pilot studies will also take account of other costs associated with existing and LBC methods, including the cost of training and capital or lease costs for processing machinery.

    In England the pilot LBC studies are also looking at the feasibility of using human papilloma virus testing for the triage of mild or borderline smears. The costs associated with this test are not known. The Scottish Executive will consider the English pilot.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155745,"EventID":"S1W-19119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its evaluation is of what the proven detection rates would be if liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus tests were applied universally in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its evaluation is of what the proven detection rates would be if liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus tests were applied universally in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) is an alternative method of taking cervical smears. Pilot studies in Scotland are examining the practicalities and cost-effectiveness of this method and further pilot studies in England are also looking at the use of human papilloma virus testing for the triage of mild or borderline smears.

    Detection rates for cervical abnormalities and mortality from invasive cervical cancer are expected to be similar using the existing smear taking process or the LBC method.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155746,"EventID":"S1W-19120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many lives it estimates could be saved if liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus tests were applied universally in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many lives it estimates could be saved if liquid-based cytology/human papilloma virus tests were applied universally in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19119.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155747,"EventID":"S1W-19121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of the term \"Healthcare Associated Infection\". ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of the term \"Healthcare Associated Infection\". ","AnswerText":"The term \"Healthcare Associated Infection\" is generally used to refer to infections which may affect patients, staff and others in the full range of health care settings, not only in hospitals. Infections which may be associated with health care settings include urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, pneumonia, bloodstream and other infections. For the particular purpose of the surveillance of infections acquired in health care settings, NHSScotland will use the definition set out in the report of the Advisory Group on Infection's sub group on Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance. A copy of this report can be found at http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155748,"EventID":"S1W-19122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a comprehensive network of debt and housing advice services. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a comprehensive network of debt and housing advice services. ","AnswerText":"We are supporting the establishment of a national debtline service to be piloted in Fife early in the New Year, which will cover all aspects of money and debt advice. The Executive is working with advice agencies and other partners, including the financial sector, to improve the availability of debt and housing advice in Scotland. I have published the Facing up to Debt report which maps existing services and provides an assessment of demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155749,"EventID":"S1W-19123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, on average, were sleeping rough in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Glasgow, broken down on a nightly basis, for each year from 1997 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, on average, were sleeping rough in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Glasgow, broken down on a nightly basis, for each year from 1997 to date.","AnswerText":"As I indicated in reply to question S1W-18044, the report of a prevalence assessment conducted in May indicated that an average of 23 people were sleeping rough in Glasgow and 19 in Edinburgh. We intend to repeat this assessment bi-annually. One-night street counts carried out in Glasgow and Edinburgh in 1997 indicated 53 and 42 people sleeping rough.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155750,"EventID":"S1W-19124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its response to the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission report of May 2001. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its response to the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission report of May 2001. ","AnswerText":"We invited comments on the report's recommendations when it was published and the consultation period expired on 30 September.

    Initial indications from the consultation are that while the majority of respondents are content that the report of the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission correctly identifies current difficulties in the charitable sector, the solutions it suggests may require some refining before implementation. To do this we need to ensure that the voluntary sector and other key agencies have input to the development of both the policy and the legislation required to take forward the recommendations. We have therefore decided to set up a national advisory forum chaired by a senior official of the Justice Department on the implementation of the review of charity law. This will include representatives of the voluntary sector, key professionals, the existing regulatory bodies and officials. This advisory forum will take an overview of implementation issues and in particular advise us on the interaction between the Social Economy Review and the Charity Law Review. We also hope that it will be able to take on board the outcome of the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit's review of the voluntary sector initiated earlier this year.

    The advisory forum will have three sub-groups, consisting partly of key members of the groups itself, and partly of additional members having expertise in specific areas. These sub-groups will concentrate on the three areas of implementation - the definition of "charity"; the role and functions of CharityScotland; and the regulation of public charitable collections. The composition of the main group and of the three sub-groups will be announced in November.

    We expect to publish a full response to the consultation once the advisory forum has completed its deliberations.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155751,"EventID":"S1W-19125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable now is for completion of the new hospital facilities at Stonehouse, Lanarkshire. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable now is for completion of the new hospital facilities at Stonehouse, Lanarkshire. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20246 on 17 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155752,"EventID":"S1W-19126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the ambulance bases in the Clydesdale constituency, specifying which operate full-time and which part-time.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the ambulance bases in the Clydesdale constituency, specifying which operate full-time and which part-time.","AnswerText":"These are operational matters for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I understand that you have recently met the general manager of the service's West Central Division to discuss ambulance service provision in Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155753,"EventID":"S1W-19127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the ambulance bases in Clydesdale have only one ambulance and what arrangements for cover are made at these bases when this ambulance has been called out.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the ambulance bases in Clydesdale have only one ambulance and what arrangements for cover are made at these bases when this ambulance has been called out.","AnswerText":"These are operational matters for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19126.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155754,"EventID":"S1W-19128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the ambulance service in rural areas of Clydesdale has been able to meet the target waiting time in rural areas of 21 minutes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the ambulance service in rural areas of Clydesdale has been able to meet the target waiting time in rural areas of 21 minutes.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19126.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155755,"EventID":"S1W-19129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any areas of the Clydesdale constituency which it is not possible, in normal circumstances, for an ambulance to reach from its base within 21 minutes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any areas of the Clydesdale constituency which it is not possible, in normal circumstances, for an ambulance to reach from its base within 21 minutes. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19126.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155756,"EventID":"S1W-19130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how successful it has been in reducing junior doctors' hours and improving their working conditions. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how successful it has been in reducing junior doctors' hours and improving their working conditions. ","AnswerText":"I established the New Deal Implementation Support Group (ISG) in September 1999 as a partnership arrangement with the Scottish Junior Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) to work with NHSScotland Trusts in supporting their efforts to reduce hours of work for training grade staff. This work has been underpinned by the New Contract for Doctors in Training which introduced a contractual requirement for all Pre Registration House Officer (PRHO) posts to comply with the New Deal by 1 August 2001 and for Senior House Officer (SHO) and Specialist Register (SpR) posts by 1 August 2003.

    I recently announced that 97% of PRHO posts have now been declared by the ISG as New Deal compliant, which is a significant improvement on the 13% declared by the ISG in their March 2001 report. In particular, all PRHO grades training in the Glasgow area have been declared by junior doctors, trusts and the ISG as fully compliant with New Deal standards on hours of work and rest. The current position on compliance for SHO and SpR grades has yet to be confirmed. Completed returns from trusts are awaited, but trusts are aware of the August 2003 compliance deadline. It is anticipated returns will identify that progress has been made with these grades of doctors in training.

    In addition to the recruitment of an extra 100 junior doctors announced in June 2000, I also announced in April this year a commitment to employ 375 more junior doctors by 2003. This represents an increase of approximately 10% and I expect these additional resources to be used to best effect in targeting areas of hour's non-compliance.

    In relation to other issues such as accommodation, catering and security, UK national minimum standards have been agreed recently between the four UK Health Departments and the BMA. The ISG is currently in the process of undertaking visits to trusts to assess where variations from standards exist and to advise on necessary improvements. On completion of this assessment process, trusts will be invited to submit plans detailing how they are to address any shortfalls against standards and to submit on-going progress reports as appropriate to the Health Department on a six-monthly basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155757,"EventID":"S1W-19131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide funding for Glasgow's nationally important museum collections. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide funding for Glasgow's nationally important museum collections. ","AnswerText":"The National Cultural Strategy recognises the particular position of Glasgow and committed the Executive to work with Glasgow City Council to examine the circumstances of the museums and galleries in the city. We have already had preliminary discussions but it is now for the council to set out its own plans for the future of its museums and galleries as the basis of further discussions with the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155758,"EventID":"S1W-19132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail in descending order the top 50 recipients of Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme subsidy under the new scheme and the equivalent figures for the la","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail in descending order the top 50 recipients of Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme subsidy under the new scheme and the equivalent figures for the last year of the old scheme. ","AnswerText":"As the member may not appreciate, the producers receiving subsidy payments cannot be named due to EC restrictions on the release of data and further restrictions under the Data Protection Act 1998. Nevertheless, I have set out in the following table the amounts involved.

    No

    Less-Favoured Areas Support Scheme 2001

    Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances 2000

    No

    Less-Favoured Areas Support Scheme 2001

    Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances 2000

    1

    £ 97,780.80

    £ 107,855.83

    26

    £ 52,418.46

    £ 51,356.88

    2

    £ 97,070.25

    £ 86,504.20

    27

    £ 52,104.03

    £ 49,685.03

    3

    £ 77,853.78

    £ 85,837.71

    28

    £ 51,392.50

    £ 48,410.83

    4

    £ 77,253.94

    £ 80,368.11

    29

    £ 50,932.14

    £ 48,284.82

    5

    £ 75,658.10

    £ 77,","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155759,"EventID":"S1W-19133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount of agriculture subsidy paid to businesses under the Integrated Administration and Control System has been for each of the last three years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount of agriculture subsidy paid to businesses under the Integrated Administration and Control System has been for each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"A following table shows the average amount of subsidy paid to businesses, under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS), for the last two years.

    IACS Scheme Year

    Average Amount of Subsidy

    1999

    £19,963.52

    2000

    £20,313.06

    The schemes covered by IACS are Beef Special Premium Scheme including Extensification payments, Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, including Extensification payments, Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Arable Aid Payments Scheme and in 1999 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance, which was replaced in 2000 by the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme. Payments for schemes covered by IACS 2001 have not yet been completed and hence an average subsidy payment for 2001 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155760,"EventID":"S1W-19134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18577 by Ross Finnie on 11 October 2001, whether it will name each farm business on the list and give the number of jobs sustained ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18577 by Ross Finnie on 11 October 2001, whether it will name each farm business on the list and give the number of jobs sustained by each business. ","AnswerText":"For data protection reasons - both under the Data Protection Act 1998 and also EU legislation - the names of individual claimants cannot be released. Information on the number of jobs sustained by each business is set out in the following table:
     

    1998

    1999

    2000

    1

    11

    12

    12

    2

    6

    26

    6

    3

    10

    15

    15

    4

    17

    7

    1

    5

    15

    23

    17

    6

    15

    16

    15

    7

    4

    17

    9

    8

    10

    3

    15

    9

    13

    15

    26

    10

    		The land in question was owned by Scottish ministers and under the jurisdiction of Historic Scotland. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has concluded that this was not a satisfactory long-term arrangement, considering in particular the issue of responsibility for maintenance of the landscaped area. For this reason, we have agreed with Scottish ministers that the Parliament will buy this portion of land. The District Valuer has valued the land at £20,000 and this sum will be transferred to Historic Scotland from the Holyrood Capital Budget. The budget assigned to the landscape scheme will be transferred by the Scottish Executive to the Parliament. The transfer of the land and budget will take effect from 17th October 2001. In all other respects the work will proceed as planned.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155762,"EventID":"S1W-19136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by department and by project of the public funds paid and/or committed to organisations and projects based within the Craigmillar dist","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by department and by project of the public funds paid and/or committed to organisations and projects based within the Craigmillar district of Edinburgh over the last two financial years and of the funding commitments made in respect of the current and next financial year. ","AnswerText":"Information on Executive spending is not generally attributable to specific neighbourhoods. However, the available information is as follows:

    Identifiable Scottish Executive spending in Craigmillar.
     

    1999-2000

    (£ million)

    2000-01

    (£ million)

    2001-02

    (£ million)

    plans

    2002-03

    (£ million)

    plans

    Scottish Executive Development Department

    Social Inclusion Partnership Fund

    1.669

    1.755

    1.917

    1.971

    New Housing Partnership Fund

    3.305

    8.454

    11.559

    -

    Scottish Executive Justice Department

    CCTV

    0.040

    -

    0.096

    -

    Community Safety

    -

    0.018

    -

    -

    The recipient organisations are as follows:

    City of Edinburgh Council (SIP Fund),

    City of Edinburgh Council & Scottish Homes (NHP 1999-2002 resources),

    Magdalene Youth Project (Community Safety) and

    Thistle Foundation Estate & Craigmillar Partnership (CCTV).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155763,"EventID":"S1W-19137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that there is an independent investigation into the actions and conduct of Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to the designation of Sunart as a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that there is an independent investigation into the actions and conduct of Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to the designation of Sunart as a proposed site of special scientific interest and potential special area of conservation. ","AnswerText":"No. I am confident that Scottish Natural Heritage have conducted an open and constructive consultation process, and that no further independent investigation is necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155764,"EventID":"S1W-19138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make Sheriff Court buildings more accessible to the public. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make Sheriff Court buildings more accessible to the public. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Court Service is committed to providing full access to the courts where possible. However, the court estate is varied in age, scale and condition. Around 85% of the estate is listed. It is inevitable that there will be some areas where the court buildings cannot be made fully accessible due to insurmountable planning or technical constraints.

    Nevertheless, earlier this year, the Scottish Court Service appointed the Joint Mobility Unit, a specialist access consultant, to provide a comprehensive and detailed audit to establish the current compliance of the court estate with the Disability Discrimination Act. The results of the audit will inform plans for future investment in the estate to ensure compliance with the Act by the implementation date in October 2004.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155765,"EventID":"S1W-19139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is conducting any research into the number of defendants appearing at court in answer to eviction notices and debt claims. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is conducting any research into the number of defendants appearing at court in answer to eviction notices and debt claims. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Housing Research Programme has commissioned a study of mortgage arrears and repossessions. The research, which is currently at the fieldwork stage, is collecting details of repossession cases from a sample of court records in 1994 and 2000. The study is also exploring, through questionnaires and interviews, the experiences of people who have had serious arrears or have had their houses repossessed, and the policies and practices of lenders.

    The study is due for completion in spring 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155766,"EventID":"S1W-19140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to expedite the procedures in the Small Claims Court. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to expedite the procedures in the Small Claims Court. ","AnswerText":"Court procedures are regulated by the court and not by the Executive.

    However, I understand that a review of small claim procedure in the sheriff court by the Sheriff Court Rules Council has just been completed and that new procedure rules are being proposed. The approval of new rules is a matter for the Court of Session under section 32 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155767,"EventID":"S1W-19141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lay representatives are entitled to represent applicants under the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether lay representatives are entitled to represent applicants under the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act.","AnswerText":"In the Sheriff Court, rights of audience are generally restricted to the parties themselves or their legal representative, unless specific provision has been made in the primary legislation. The Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act makes no specific provision for lay representation.

    The approach taken in the Act requires that statutory notices to the debtor draw attention to the advisability of getting legal and other advice (such as advice on debt management). This should ensure that households facing mortgage repossession action secure appropriate advice and support at an early stage to help find a way through their difficulties and ultimately get back on their feet.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155768,"EventID":"S1W-19142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17978 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 20 September 2001, whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise's undertaking, in the agreement made und","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17978 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 20 September 2001, whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise's undertaking, in the agreement made under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1987, that it may choose to dismantle and remove the funicular and buildings and reinstate the site, breaches the #9.4 million limit on the amount of public money which Highlands and Islands Enterprise is authorised to spend on the Cairn Gorm Funicular railway.","AnswerText":"The capital investment figure relates to the capital cost of the funicular and has since been revised to include additional purchase of associated buildings. To date Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have invested £11.95 million in the total development. This does not include the cost of dismantling and removing the funicular and buildings and reinstating the site in the event of commercial failure. Any such costs will be a matter for discussion HIE, CairnGorm Mountain (formerly Cairngorm Chairlift Company Ltd), Scottish Natural Heritage and Highland Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155769,"EventID":"S1W-19143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in improving access to Executive procurement opportunities for small- and medium-si'ed businesses. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in improving access to Executive procurement opportunities for small- and medium-si'ed businesses. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has introduced a number of measures aimed at improving access to procurement opportunities. A website, www.scotland.gov.uk/procurement, was launched in November 1999. The site provides information on the types of goods and services the Executive procures and guidance for those wishing to sell to the Executive. In 2000, the Executive introduced an online \"business enquiry\" service (available through the website above). The business enquiry service provides an easy way for potential suppliers to register their interest in selling to the Executive.

    Also, UK ministers recently announced that bidders for Government contracts were no longer to be required to have three years audited financial accounts and were no longer to be required to assume unlimited liability in all cases. I am pleased to say that the Executive already operated on this basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155770,"EventID":"S1W-19144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in the commercialisation of basic research.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in the commercialisation of basic research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is strongly committed to improving the extent of commercialisation of research, as detailed in the:

    Report of the Knowledge Economy Taskforce, published in April 1999:

    (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w9/knec-00.htm);

    the Knowledge Economy Cross-Cutting Initiative Report :

    (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/ketf_ccr.pdf), published in February 2001, and

    A Science Strategy for Scotland (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/ssfs-00.asp) published in August 2001. The Scottish Executive's survey Intellectual Property Commercialisation in the Scottish Higher Education Sector, published in August 2001, indicates that the sector has already made encouraging moves in this direction, with most universities now having established technology transfer offices (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/reports/finalreport.asp).

    Commercialisation is supported by a variety of publicly funded initiatives, with our intention being to provide a pipeline of support at every stage along the path from university laboratory to full-scale production. These include the Scottish Enterprise/Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowships, Scottish Enterprise's Proof of Concept Fund; and the Executive's SMART, SPUR and TCS schemes, all of which have been started or enhanced since 1999. Last year, the Scottish Institute for Enterprise was established, with £4 million funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry to provide opportunities for scientists and potential scientific entrepreneurs to obtain the necessary management and business skills. It was recently awarded a further £2 million to expand its work.

    In my annual guidance letter last year, I encouraged the Scottish Higher Education (SHEFC) Funding Council to continue its work in promoting commercialisation and to ensure that funding streams reflected this. As a result, SHEFC has set up a new Knowledge Transfer Grant of around £6 million per year, and a joint SHEFC and Scottish Enterprise working group has also been established to consider how the two organisations can achieve greater complementarity in their policies for promoting commercialisation and innovation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155771,"EventID":"S1W-19145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to publish guidance in plain English for small- and medium-si'ed businesses on compliance with regulations issued by it or by other bodies on its","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to publish guidance in plain English for small- and medium-si'ed businesses on compliance with regulations issued by it or by other bodies on its behalf.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive tries to ensure that all guidance, including guidance on compliance with regulations, is in plain English. For example, the Good Business Practice Guidance on writing forms and guidance notes, Good Practice Guidance on Consultation and the Executive's training courses on effective writing all stress to officials the importance of using plain English. The Small Business Gateway in the Scottish Enterprise area and Business Information source in the Highlands and Islands area provide easy access (by phone, online or face to face) to a range of information, advice and support for anyone interested in setting up or expanding a business. Information is presented to meet the varying requirements of business, from a simple overview to detailed guidance. The material available from the Small Business Gateway includes simple to understand guides on key aspects of business labelled \"In a nutshell\". The need for further guides is kept under continuous review.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155772,"EventID":"S1W-19146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in strengthening small business development by (a) supporting managerial training and (b) creating more opportunities to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since September 1999 in strengthening small business development by (a) supporting managerial training and (b) creating more opportunities to increase equity for small- and medium-si'ed businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Management and Enterprise Council has received support from the Scottish Executive to map the current provision of management development training in Scotland as an aid to employers and individuals, including small- and medium-sized businesses.

    Scottish Equity Partners continues to manage the two venture capital schemes - Scottish Equity Partnership and Scottish Technology Fund (TSF) - set up by Scottish Development Finance as joint Public/Private Partnership. Both funds have now been substantially invested. Together with evaluation of a range of other public sector supported funds (Business Growth Fund, Eastern Scotland Investments, Strathclyde Investment Partnership) the current evaluation of STF will provide a basis for any future decisions on public sector investment in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155773,"EventID":"S1W-19147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of assistance are provided by it or by other bodies on its behalf to schools and colleges seeking to offer tuition in technical skills such as computer repair,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of assistance are provided by it or by other bodies on its behalf to schools and colleges seeking to offer tuition in technical skills such as computer repair, networking, web design, graphic art and computer programming. ","AnswerText":"Financial resources are provided by the Scottish Executive to schools through education authorities, and to further education (FE) colleges via the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The Executive places a high priority on ensuring that both school and college students have a wide range of opportunities to develop technical and information and communication technology related skills. For instance, £29 million is being provided to FE colleges over the period 1999-2002 specifically for investment in all aspects of ICT.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155774,"EventID":"S1W-19148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist teachers in incorporating information and communications technology into regular classroom practices. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist teachers in incorporating information and communications technology into regular classroom practices. ","AnswerText":"The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) Progress Report, published by the Executive in August 2001 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/nglr-00.asp, sets out the achievements in the first three years of the NGfL programme. In addition to the £80 million investment in infrastructure, these include assistance for more than 10,000 teachers so far to buy a computer for home use, development of a wide range of digital learning material and seminars to share best practice. All teachers in Scotland are also eligible for ICT training aimed at classroom practice through the New Opportunities Fund programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155775,"EventID":"S1W-19149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1807,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":53,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Preliminary Report on the Equality Strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Preliminary Report on the Equality Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive presented its response to the Parliament today.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155776,"EventID":"S1W-19150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its proposals for new mental health legislation following the Millan Committee's Report on the Review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its proposals for new mental health legislation following the Millan Committee's Report on the Review of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984.","AnswerText":"Our policy statement, "Renewing Mental Health Law" is being published today and copies have been placed in SPICe. The statement sets out our proposals for a new legislative framework, designed to respond to the needs, rights and aspirations of people in Scotland who use mental health services, as well as their carers and families.

    Our proposals reflect the great majority of the Millan Committee's recommendations, and were informed by the views of the Mental Health Legislation Reference Group, which we set up as a source of advice and expertise and by the consultative events arranged with interests in the mental health field.

    For the first time, mental health law will be based on explicit principles, reflecting concepts of equality, fairness and respect for service users and carers. A new mental health tribunal will be established, offering greater scrutiny of compulsory care, and the rights of patients will be strengthened, while having full regard to issues of public safety.

    As already announced, a new Mental Health Bill will be brought to the Scottish Parliament early next year, giving Scotland, when enacted, modern legislation, which reflects the priority the Scottish Executive has accorded to mental health.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155777,"EventID":"S1W-19151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the termination of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will lead to any additional costs in respect of the works the company was contracted ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the termination of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will lead to any additional costs in respect of the works the company was contracted to undertake in relation to the Holyrood Project. ","AnswerText":"Procurement options to replace Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd are being assessed following the recent contract termination. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that it is therefore not yet possible to determine if additional costs will be incurred, but that everything possible will be done to minimize such costs, if they arise.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155778,"EventID":"S1W-19152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the process of finding another contractor or contractors to undertake the work which Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) was contracted to undertake will giv","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the process of finding another contractor or contractors to undertake the work which Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) was contracted to undertake will give rise to any delay in the completion of the Holyrood Project. ","AnswerText":"The work involved in the cladding package for the MSP block, which Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were contracted to undertake has been re-sequenced in the building programme. The revised arrangements for this package are therefore unlikely to impact on the project completion date.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155779,"EventID":"S1W-19153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many other companies submitted a tender for the work awarded to Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK).","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many other companies submitted a tender for the work awarded to Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK).","AnswerText":"Of the five short-listed contractors invited to tender for the MSP block cladding package, only one company, other than Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, actually submitted a tender.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155780,"EventID":"S1W-19154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there was a performance bond or guarantee given by Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) in respect of the contract that it was awarded. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there was a performance bond or guarantee given by Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) in respect of the contract that it was awarded. ","AnswerText":"Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was contractually obliged to submit a performance bond, but failed to do so. This transgression by the contractor led to the issue of a \"notice of failure\". A parent company guarantee was provided only days before the company became insolvent.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155781,"EventID":"S1W-19155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, in view of the termination of the Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) contract, whether there is any prospect of recovering from Flour City any additional costs in r","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, in view of the termination of the Flour City Architectural Metals Ltd (UK) contract, whether there is any prospect of recovering from Flour City any additional costs in respect of the work awarded to it.","AnswerText":"Any additional costs directly attributable to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd's failure to meet contract terms, cannot be quantified for some time, but recovery will be actively pursued. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that, once identified, they will be formally notified to the appointed receiver, and it is not possible to predict the outcome of the ensuing process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155782,"EventID":"S1W-19156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, outlining any estimated quantifiable reductions that will result from current policies whic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, outlining any estimated quantifiable reductions that will result from current policies which are in operation. ","AnswerText":"Figures published in the Scottish Climate Change Programme (available on the Executive's website at www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/ccm.pdf) show that Scottish emissions of greenhouse gases fell by 3% over the period 1990-98. Figures for 1999 will be published in due course. Estimated quantifiable reductions from policies expected to lead to emission reductions are shown in Table 2 of the Programme.

    We plan to publish soon projections of Scottish CO2 emissions in the period to 2010 and to 2020.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155783,"EventID":"S1W-19157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scotland did not reduce CO2 emissions by the same proportion as England during the 1990s and what steps will be taken to ensure that Scotland makes a proportionate an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scotland did not reduce CO2 emissions by the same proportion as England during the 1990s and what steps will be taken to ensure that Scotland makes a proportionate and equitable contribution to the reduction in greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol. ","AnswerText":"Direct comparisons between emissions in England and Scotland must take account of factors such as differences in geography and energy mix. For example, Scottish emissions from the energy sector rose between 1990 and 1998 in contrast to those in England where they fell. This can be attributed mainly to increased Scottish exports of electricity to England (an activity which supports Scottish jobs) and to the significant shift from coal to gas generation in England over that period.

    Measures in place, and planned through the Scottish Climate Change Programme (available online at www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/ccm.pdf) and awareness raising initiatives, including our do a little: change a lot campaign (www.dochange.net), will ensure that Scotland makes an equitable contribution to the UK Kyoto commitment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155784,"EventID":"S1W-19158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it intends to develop at a national level for the proportion of all municipal waste (a) recycled, (b) going into landfill, (c) composted and (d) used to gene","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it intends to develop at a national level for the proportion of all municipal waste (a) recycled, (b) going into landfill, (c) composted and (d) used to generate energy as part of its strategy to meet the requirements of the landfill directive. ","AnswerText":"The issue of targets is being considered by the Recycling Targets Group, which has been established by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and is made up of representatives from SEPA, the Scottish Executive, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, local authorities, Audit Scotland and Recycling Market Development Scotland.

    The decision on any national targets for recycling, landfill, composting or energy recovery will be informed by the findings of this group and the area waste plans currently being developed as part of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland. The area waste plans will take into account the requirements of the landfill directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155785,"EventID":"S1W-19159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the expected timescale for the adoption of area waste plans covering the whole of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the expected timescale for the adoption of area waste plans covering the whole of Scotland.","AnswerText":"Consultation on the draft area waste plans is programmed to occur in most cases by the end of 2001, with the remainder by the end of the financial year. Once consultation has been completed, individual plans will be finalised. It is expected that area waste plans covering the whole of Scotland will be adopted in summer 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155786,"EventID":"S1W-19160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what relationship any targets set within area waste plans will have with the development of targets at a national level for recycling and reduction in the volume of waste","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what relationship any targets set within area waste plans will have with the development of targets at a national level for recycling and reduction in the volume of waste proceeding into landfill. ","AnswerText":"Any targets set within area waste plans will inform the development of policy at a national level, including targets where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155787,"EventID":"S1W-19161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18498 by Susan Deacon on 9 October 2001, how many Staff Side Chairs of the Area Partnership Forums of the 15 new NHS Boards are mem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18498 by Susan Deacon on 9 October 2001, how many Staff Side Chairs of the Area Partnership Forums of the 15 new NHS Boards are members of the Royal College of Nursing. ","AnswerText":"Of the 13 Staff Side Chairs of Area Partnership Forums who have so far been appointed to the 15 new NHS Boards, three are currently members of the Royal College of Nursing.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155788,"EventID":"S1W-19162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement on page 52 of A Forward Strategy for Agriculture regarding encouragement and funding of a pilot project involving medical and nutritional expert","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement on page 52 of A Forward Strategy for Agriculture regarding encouragement and funding of a pilot project involving medical and nutritional experts to determine whether increased consumption of berries has a pronounced health advantage, how much funding it intends to commit to this project and when this funding will be approved and allocated. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19163.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155789,"EventID":"S1W-19163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement on page 52 of A Forward Strategy for Agriculture regarding encouragement and funding of a pilot project involving medical and nutritional expert","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement on page 52 of A Forward Strategy for Agriculture regarding encouragement and funding of a pilot project involving medical and nutritional experts to determine whether increased consumption of berries has a pronounced health advantage, whether, given existing information on the health benefits of eating fruit and the World Health Organisation's recommended minimum daily allowance of fruit and vegetables, this project will concentrate on using existing knowledge to co-ordinate the berry industry, academics and medical experts with the aim of persuading people to eat more berries. ","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers are currently considering revised proposals for a pilot project, submitted by the Scottish Berry Group in July. You and other interested members will be informed of the outcome in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155790,"EventID":"S1W-19164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18456 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2001, what action it intends to take to encourage an increase in expenditure on research a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18456 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2001, what action it intends to take to encourage an increase in expenditure on research and development by businesses in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"We recognise that raising Scotland's performance on research and development is central to achieving a smart, successful Scotland. The Enterprise Networks are taking this forward, and one of the progress measures which we plan to use to guide their priorities is business investment in research and development as a proportion of GDP.

    Following publication in February 2001 of the Scottish Executive Report on the Knowledge Economy Cross-Cutting Initiative £7.5 million was allocated over three years for the expansion of existing innovation schemes (SMART/ SPUR, TCS and Faraday Partnerships). Greater commercialisation of research is being encouraged through a variety of initiatives including: the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's (SHEFC) £6 million Knowledge Transfer Grant; Royal Society of Edinburgh/Scottish Enterprise Enterprise Fellowships, and the Proof of Concept Fund to which the Executive has allocated an additional £19 million bringing that total to £30 million. Further proposals to support commercialisation will arise from SHEFC's Review of Research Funding.

    In addition, earlier this year, I commissioned a review of the RSA scheme, partly to consider what more we could do to support high technology projects and encourage growth in our knowledge based businesses. I expect to receive the report of the review in the course of next month and thereafter to announce some further related initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155791,"EventID":"S1W-19165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the proposal in A Science Strategy for Scotland to work with the Royal Society of Edinburgh to set up a Scottish Science Advisory Committee to advise on strat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the proposal in A Science Strategy for Scotland to work with the Royal Society of Edinburgh to set up a Scottish Science Advisory Committee to advise on strategic scientific issues, how many employees of new universities are members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Science Advisory Committee will have a broadly based membership and will not be restricted to members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Membership of the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a matter for that body.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155792,"EventID":"S1W-19166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to A Science Strategy for Scotland, what plans it has, in partnership with Her Majesty's Government, to seek funding from Europe and to take advantage of regiona","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to A Science Strategy for Scotland, what plans it has, in partnership with Her Majesty's Government, to seek funding from Europe and to take advantage of regional aid schemes in the same way that Greece, Spain and Ireland have. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working with the Enterprise Networks to increase the uptake of those European funding streams which aim to encourage research and development. The Executive will be working over the next six months with the UK Office of Science and Technology on FP6, the new framework for European aid for Research and Development. Scotland is well placed to take advantage of the funding streams presented by FP6, as it has a proven track record of excellence in many of the priority areas being put forward by the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155793,"EventID":"S1W-19167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it took to mark World Standards Day on 14 October, particularly in the context of this year's focus on \"The Environment and Standards: closer together\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it took to mark World Standards Day on 14 October, particularly in the context of this year's focus on \"The Environment and Standards: closer together\".","AnswerText":"None. Such events tend to be marked by standards bodies rather than governments.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155794,"EventID":"S1W-19168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the estimated #250 million cost of the M74 Northern Extension will be paid directly to Her Majesty's Treasury under the provisions of the Aggregate Tax and fr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the estimated #250 million cost of the M74 Northern Extension will be paid directly to Her Majesty's Treasury under the provisions of the Aggregate Tax and from what source this money will be found.","AnswerText":"Aggregate Tax will be paid as appropriate at the time of the construction of the road. We would expect the contractor responsible for constructing the M74 Northern Extension to design and construct it in a way that minimises the amount of Aggregate Tax due through the optimum use of recyclable materials.

    Any cost for the Aggregate Tax would be included in the tender price and would be shared between the Scottish Executive, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils in accordance with the agreed funding arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155795,"EventID":"S1W-19169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to expand the role of the physiotherapist service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to expand the role of the physiotherapist service.","AnswerText":"Physiotherapists are already expanding and developing their roles in response to the modernisation of NHSScotland, and the executive supports and encourages them to continue to do so.

    The Scottish Executive Health Department is currently developing a Strategy for Professions Allied to Medicine including Physiotherapists, which is looking at a number of key issues such as recruitment and retention, education and training.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155796,"EventID":"S1W-19170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure adequate levels of recruitment of physiotherapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure adequate levels of recruitment of physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"Physiotherapists make an important contribution to healthcare in NHSScotland and their numbers have increased by 7% over the last four years.

    The Scottish Executive Health Department is currently developing a Strategy for Professions Allied to Medicine including physiotherapists, which is looking at a number of key issues such as recruitment and retention, education and training.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155797,"EventID":"S1W-19171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been done into the level of savings to be achieved in the health and community care budget by effective use of physiotherapy services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been done into the level of savings to be achieved in the health and community care budget by effective use of physiotherapy services.","AnswerText":"No formal research has been undertaken. The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, states that improving the way the NHS responds to the needs of patients is a key priority for every part of the NHS. This includes making the best use of the skills of all members of the health care team, including physiotherapists and challenging traditional ways of working to improve the speed, responsiveness and quality of care. This work is already under way.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155798,"EventID":"S1W-19172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports equal access to physiotherapy services across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports equal access to physiotherapy services across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, has as one of its core aims the achievement of better, fairer access to services.

    Making best use of professional skills such as those in physiotherapy is key to providing patients with a more accessible more responsive service and the Scottish Executive is working with a wide range of individuals and organisations to make good practice the norm.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155799,"EventID":"S1W-19173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to refer the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Law Commission for its views. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to refer the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Law Commission for its views. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission has already expressed its views on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill during the extended consultation period for the draft Bill and Draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code earlier this year.

    Copies of the commission's response (number 2833), along with more than 3,500 other responses received, is available at the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17255) and at the Executive's library at Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155800,"EventID":"S1W-19174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what National Heritage Areas have been created under the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what National Heritage Areas have been created under the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. ","AnswerText":"No Natural Heritage Areas have been created under the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. Following the introduction of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 there is no intention to designate any Natural Heritage Areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155801,"EventID":"S1W-19175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether urban fringe areas can be included in Natural Heritage Areas or whether this would require legislative amendment to the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether urban fringe areas can be included in Natural Heritage Areas or whether this would require legislative amendment to the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. ","AnswerText":"Natural Heritage Area designation was intended to apply to large areas of land of outstanding natural heritage value. Such areas would be likely to have a wide range of nature conservation and landscape interests. Where an urban fringe area meets the relevant criteria it could be included in a Natural Heritage Area without amendment to the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155802,"EventID":"S1W-19176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is against the Scottish Ministerial Code for ministers to comment on the conduct of those charged with offences whose cases have not been dealt with by the cou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is against the Scottish Ministerial Code for ministers to comment on the conduct of those charged with offences whose cases have not been dealt with by the courts.","AnswerText":"There is no reference to this in the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155803,"EventID":"S1W-19177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representations have been received on proposed changes to the starting salary for mature graduates beginning a new teaching career. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representations have been received on proposed changes to the starting salary for mature graduates beginning a new teaching career. ","AnswerText":"We have received a number of representations from concerned individuals, and I have met with a number of students who would be affected by the proposed changes. I have also received a letter from the Deans of the Faculties of Education, and we have been in dialogue with the National Union of Students.

    I am convinced that the improvements we are implementing through the Agreement \"A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century\" are of significant benefit to probationer teachers and the profession, both now and in the long-term. However, I am aware of the concerns raised by those mature students studying now, and in particular that they have budgeted for their training under certain expectations and assumptions. With our partners in CoSLA and the teacher organisations we will give the issues they have raised our full consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155804,"EventID":"S1W-19178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any consultation has taken place or is planned to take place on proposed changes to the starting salary for mature graduates beginning a new teaching career. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any consultation has taken place or is planned to take place on proposed changes to the starting salary for mature graduates beginning a new teaching career. ","AnswerText":"The decision on whether or not to accept the proposed changes to pay for probationer teachers is one for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). The SNCT consists of representatives from the Scottish Executive, local authorities and teachers organisations. Scottish ministers will ensure that there is full consultation with our partners on the SNCT and will also consider all representations made to us.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155805,"EventID":"S1W-19179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rapes were reported in the last year for which figures are available and how many convictions were obtained, broken down by police area and division. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many rapes were reported in the last year for which figures are available and how many convictions were obtained, broken down by police area and division. ","AnswerText":"The available information, on the crimes of rape which were recorded by the police and on persons with a charge proved in court where the main offence was rape, is given in the following tables:

    Crimes of rape recorded by the police and persons with a charge proved in court1

    Police force area

    Number of offences recorded by the police, 1999

    Number of persons with a charge proved,19992

    Number of offences recorded by the police, 2000

    Scotland

    591

    27

    562

    Central

    5

    2

    14

    Dumfries & Galloway

    40

    1

    19

    Fife

    32

    2

    54

    Grampian

    82

    5

    60

    Lothian & Borders

    111

    8

    119

    Northern

    36

    1

    15

    Strathclyde

    218

    		The new Special Health Board for Education in NHSScotland, which I announced in June 2001, will, over a period of time, ensure suitable structures to support training for all groups of staff. Our National Health gave a commitment to improve our support and co-ordination of those aspects of workforce planning which need to be done centrally. The Executive is currently considering how to achieve this in the light of the report of the Scottish Integrated Workforce Planning Group.

    The Scottish Cancer Group are also considering all workforce requirements flowing from Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change which will include radiotherapy physicists since their work is primarily concerned with cancer treatment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155809,"EventID":"S1W-19183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish a Scientific Services Advisory Group. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish a Scientific Services Advisory Group. ","AnswerText":"A Science Strategy for Scotland, published by the Scottish Executive on 27 August 2001, (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/ssfs-00.asp), contained a commitment to establish an independent Scottish Science Advisory Committee under the auspices of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155810,"EventID":"S1W-19184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants have been awarded to local authorities for feasibility studies on the use of mobile CCTV cameras in crime and vandalism hotspots. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants have been awarded to local authorities for feasibility studies on the use of mobile CCTV cameras in crime and vandalism hotspots. ","AnswerText":"No grants have been made specifically for such feasibility studies. However, Perth and Kinross Council, and Dundee City Council, were awarded grants of £30,000 and £33,000 respectively in 2000-01 for mobile CCTV units through the \"Make Our Communities Safer\" CCTV Challenge Competition. The conditions of grant attached to each award require the councils to evaluate the effectiveness of the units within 18 months of becoming operational, and to submit the evaluations to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155811,"EventID":"S1W-19185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has given to the Glasgow Housing Association or to any other bodies for publicising the proposed transfer of the Glasgow City Council housing stock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has given to the Glasgow Housing Association or to any other bodies for publicising the proposed transfer of the Glasgow City Council housing stock.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01 the Glasgow Housing Association and Glasgow City Council spent a total of £2.7 million on communication and tenant consultation costs. A further £2.3 million has been earmarked for these costs in the current year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155812,"EventID":"S1W-19186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the absence of signs directing visitors to the stadium at Hampden Park.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the absence of signs directing visitors to the stadium at Hampden Park.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Football Association (SFA) wrote to the Scottish Executive asking if anything could be done to improve signing for Hampden Park from the road network. The SFA was provided with a copy of the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy, and advised to submit any application for signing through the trunk road Operating Company, Amey Highways. No application has yet been received from the SFA.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155813,"EventID":"S1W-19187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding the installation of signs directing visitors to the stadium at Hampden Park. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding the installation of signs directing visitors to the stadium at Hampden Park. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19186.

    If an application for signing Hampden Stadium is submitted, it will be considered by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155814,"EventID":"S1W-19188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) revenues it received from non-domestic rates in each of the years from 1996-97 to 2000-01 and (b) forecasts it has made of the revenues from such rates in each o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) revenues it received from non-domestic rates in each of the years from 1996-97 to 2000-01 and (b) forecasts it has made of the revenues from such rates in each of the years (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The amounts of non-domestic rates collected by councils on behalf of the Scottish Executive for the years 1996-97 to 2000-01 are shown in the following table:

    Year

    £ million

    1996-97

    1,332.1

    1997-98

    1,327.2

    1998-99

    1,435.9

    1999-00

    1,496.6

    2000-011

    1,541.0

    Note:

    1. Figures for 2000-01 are estimates based on latest information available.

    The assumptions about yield that have been used to forecast revenue from non-domestic rates for each of the years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 are £1,569 million, £1,577 million and £1,595 million respectively, as published in the Annual Expenditure Report 2001 - The Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155815,"EventID":"S1W-19189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals against non-domestic rates assessments are currently outstanding and on what grounds they were lodged.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals against non-domestic rates assessments are currently outstanding and on what grounds they were lodged.","AnswerText":"As at 30 June 2001 (the latest information available), there were 51,610 non-domestic properties with appeals arising from the 2000 Revaluation outstanding. The Scottish Executive holds no information on the grounds on which these appeals were lodged with the Assessors. Information is not held centrally on outstanding rolling roll appeals (appeals arising from a change in occupier, tenant or owner or due to a material change in circumstances), or appeals not yet settled following earlier revaluations. The Scottish Assessors advise that to date 5,565 appeals have been lodged as a consequence of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155816,"EventID":"S1W-19190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been granted in relief through the rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. since the first reported case of the d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been granted in relief through the rates relief scheme for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. since the first reported case of the disease. ","AnswerText":"The latest information available from councils indicates that £2,408,417 had been granted in rates relief for businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease at 31 August 2001. It is currently estimated that around £4.1 million will be granted in total to affected businesses by the end of the year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155817,"EventID":"S1W-19191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from universities regarding funding deficits. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from universities regarding funding deficits. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not received any formal representation from Scottish universities regarding specific funding deficits. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is responsible for monitoring the financial health of the higher education institutions it funds in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155818,"EventID":"S1W-19192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the programme for digital hearing aids on the NHS as recommended by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (Scotland).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the programme for digital hearing aids on the NHS as recommended by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (Scotland).","AnswerText":"The Good Practice Guidance on Adult Hearing and Fitting Services issued to NHSScotland in March 2001 recommends that digital aids should be supplied whenever clinical judgement indicates that they would provide benefit to the patient involved that would not be provided by other types of hearing aid.

    There are currently 11 different types of digital hearing aid included within the wide range of hearing aids available through central contracts arranged by Scottish Healthcare Supplies for NHSScotland. Having already introduced digital aids onto their contract range, NHSScotland is not involved in the pilot scheme currently being conducted in 20 sites in England. We will, of course, be interested to see the results of the studies as and when they become available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155819,"EventID":"S1W-19193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the total number of students who have registered appeals with the Scottish Qualifications Authority as a result of the 2001 examinatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the total number of students who have registered appeals with the Scottish Qualifications Authority as a result of the 2001 examination diet, broken down into (i) the number of papers appealed; (ii) the proportion of students who made appeals; (iii) the proportion of papers on which a result was appealed, and (iv) the number of appeals that have been completed to date, and whether it will publish comparative data for each of the preceding four years. ","AnswerText":"The administration of the appeals process is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and I will ask the chair to write to you with the details requested. The latest position on appeals will be included in the next quarterly report to the parliament at the end of November.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155820,"EventID":"S1W-19194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Prison Service officers would be required to assist HM Prison Kilmarnock staff should a prisoner disturbance occur and, if so, who would be responsible f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Prison Service officers would be required to assist HM Prison Kilmarnock staff should a prisoner disturbance occur and, if so, who would be responsible for meeting the cost of such assistance. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    All Scottish prisons, including HMP Kilmarnock, operate under a mutual aid arrangement. Each prison is responsible for the cost of resourcing this arrangement.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155821,"EventID":"S1W-19195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions Scottish Prison Service officers have been called to HM Prison Kilmarnock due to prisoner disturbances. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions Scottish Prison Service officers have been called to HM Prison Kilmarnock due to prisoner disturbances. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Scottish Prison Service staff have never been called upon to assist HM Prison Kilmarnock with prisoner disturbances.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155822,"EventID":"S1W-19196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments have been made by Premier Prison Services for the services of senior officers of the Scottish Prison Service in each month since the prison was opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments have been made by Premier Prison Services for the services of senior officers of the Scottish Prison Service in each month since the prison was opened.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    None. No senior officers of the Scottish Prison Service work for Premier Prison Services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155823,"EventID":"S1W-19197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost to the Scottish Prison Service of checking the design of HM Prison Kilmarnock with regard to security or for any other reason was taken into account in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost to the Scottish Prison Service of checking the design of HM Prison Kilmarnock with regard to security or for any other reason was taken into account in the price agreed with the construction company of the prison. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    No. In accordance with normal practice, the cost of the tendering process was not charged to any of the bidders.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155824,"EventID":"S1W-19198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any department of the Scottish Prison Service at any stage requested or required any change to the design of HMP Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any department of the Scottish Prison Service at any stage requested or required any change to the design of HMP Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    All bidders changed elements of their initially submitted design throughout the tender negotiation process to fulfil better the requirements of the Scottish Prison Service output specification.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155825,"EventID":"S1W-19199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service Estates Directorate was involved in checking the design of HM Prison Kilmarnock. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service Estates Directorate was involved in checking the design of HM Prison Kilmarnock. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155826,"EventID":"S1W-19200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Estates Directorate first had sight of plans for HM Prison Kilmarnock and how long this was before the start of the construction process.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Estates Directorate first had sight of plans for HM Prison Kilmarnock and how long this was before the start of the construction process.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Initial tenders were received by the Scottish Prison Service in December 1996 and construction started in November 1997.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155827,"EventID":"S1W-19201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate sites for the gypsy/traveller community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate sites for the gypsy/traveller community.","AnswerText":"Over the past 30 years, grants were made available to local authorities to provide sites for travellers. Pitch targets were also set to encourage councils to take advantage of the grant scheme. This has led to the provision of over 30 sites for travellers. The grant scheme was discontinued in December 1998.

    For the future, local authorities should consider the accommodation needs of Travellers in preparing their Local Housing Strategies. Communities Scotland, as regulator of the housing functions of local authorities, will regulate local authority sites for travellers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155828,"EventID":"S1W-19202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what specific encouragement it has given to women and others from non-traditional backg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what specific encouragement it has given to women and others from non-traditional backgrounds in respect of appointment to Senators of the College of Justice. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to making the judicial appointments process a more transparent and fair system for all who are interested in becoming Judges or Sheriffs. The appointment process which took place during the summer was the first in which Court of Session vacancies were publicly advertised and candidates were interviewed by a selection panel.

    Advertisements for the Chair and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board appeared in the press on 12 October 2001 and I expect the board to be in operation early next year. Part of the board's remit will be to consider ways of recruiting judges, sheriffs principal and sheriffs who are as representative as possible of the communities they serve, while always maintaining the principle of appointment on merit. I shall give guidance to the Board on the importance of attracting applications from groups which are currently under-represented on the judicial bench.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155829,"EventID":"S1W-19203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what discussions it has held with women members of the Scottish Bar and other members of the Facult","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what discussions it has held with women members of the Scottish Bar and other members of the Faculty of Advocates on encouraging appointments to the Supreme Courts of advocates from non-traditional backgrounds. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19202. The Scottish Executive is committed to encouraging applications for judicial appointments from groups which are under-represented on the judicial bench.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155830,"EventID":"S1W-19204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, (a) how many appointments to Senators of the College of Justice have been made since March 2001, (b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, (a) how many appointments to Senators of the College of Justice have been made since March 2001, (b) how many of those appointed were male, (c) how many of those appointed attended public schools, (d) how many of those appointed hold degrees from the Universities of Cambridge or Oxford and (e) how many of those appointed had a father or grandfather who held a legal qualification. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    (a)\t3

    (b)\t3

    (c)\t3

    (d)\t3

    (e)\tThis information was not collected from candidates.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155831,"EventID":"S1W-19205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18632 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, how many interviews it has (a) held with candidates for appointment to Senators of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18632 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, how many interviews it has (a) held with candidates for appointment to Senators of the College of Justice since March 2001 or (b) intends to hold.","AnswerText":"Nine candidates have been interviewed for appointment as Senator of the College of Justice since March 2001.

    No further interviews for Senator of the College of Justice have been arranged.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155832,"EventID":"S1W-19206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18635 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what steps it plans to take to remedy any deterioration in the progress of criminal app","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18635 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what steps it plans to take to remedy any deterioration in the progress of criminal appeal work as evidenced in the year up to 31 August 2001. ","AnswerText":"The programming of criminal appeal work is a matter for the Lord Justice General. Ministers will consider carefully any representations which the Lord Justice General might make to them in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155833,"EventID":"S1W-19207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18636 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what representations it has received since 1999 on the effects of new business before t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18636 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what representations it has received since 1999 on the effects of new business before the Outer House of the Court of Session on its judicial resources. ","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155834,"EventID":"S1W-19208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18642 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what steps it is taking to reduce the calls upon retired judges called for sittings of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18642 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what steps it is taking to reduce the calls upon retired judges called for sittings of the Supreme Courts.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the Lord President to decide when and for how long a retired judge should be used for sittings of the Supreme Courts.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155835,"EventID":"S1W-19209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18642 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what the date of retirement was for each of the retired judges called on for sittings o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18642 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what the date of retirement was for each of the retired judges called on for sittings of the Supreme Courts between 1 January 2001 and 31 August 2001.","AnswerText":"The services of five retired judges were called upon during the period 1 January to 31 August 2001. Their retirement dates are shown in the following table:

    The Hon Lord Caplan

    28-Jan-00

    The Hon Lord Cowie

    30-Sep-94

    The Rt Hon the Lord McCluskey

    07-Jan-00

    The Hon Lord Morison

    05-Jan-97

    The Hon Lord Weir

    05-Jan-97

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155836,"EventID":"S1W-19210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18643 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what the average waiting period was for (a) a civil appeal and (b) a solemn conviction ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18643 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what the average waiting period was for (a) a civil appeal and (b) a solemn conviction shown in calendar weeks.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and is not readily available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155837,"EventID":"S1W-19211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18645 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what discussions it has held with officials of the Supreme Courts, including the Keeper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18645 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what discussions it has held with officials of the Supreme Courts, including the Keeper of the Rolls, with regard to the waiting periods in calendar weeks for proofs with an estimated duration of 10 days or more in the Outer House of the Court of Session and the reckoning of the number of such cases. ","AnswerText":"Officials of the Supreme Courts including the Keeper of the Rolls were consulted and provided the information given in the answer to question S1W-18645. The programming of business in the Court of Session is the responsibility of the Lord President of the Court of Session.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155838,"EventID":"S1W-19212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, how many of the judges listed as sitting in each week in the Outer House were sitting a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18646 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, how many of the judges listed as sitting in each week in the Outer House were sitting as Commercial Cause judges or were otherwise unavailable to the courts administration to hear ordinary cause civil proofs.","AnswerText":"Information in the form requested is not readily available. At least one judge but not more than three judges are allocated to commercial business in any one week during term.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155839,"EventID":"S1W-19213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) when it last estimated the number of people who have access to the internet and what the results were, and (b) how many children are using the internet, broken down b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) when it last estimated the number of people who have access to the internet and what the results were, and (b) how many children are using the internet, broken down by age group. ","AnswerText":"Results from the Scottish Household Survey, for the first quarter of 2001, show an estimated 31% of people in Scotland aged five years and older had access to the internet for personal use. When disaggregated by age, 27% of 5 to 10-year-olds are estimated to access the internet for personal use. The corresponding figure for 11 to 18-year-olds is 51%.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155840,"EventID":"S1W-19214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the need to protect the identity of young users connecting to the internet through school systems and using school email addresses and wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the need to protect the identity of young users connecting to the internet through school systems and using school email addresses and what advice or guidance it has issued on the matter. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware of the potential risks to young people that can arise from the disclosure of personal information in e-mails and chatrooms. All schools were issued with an information pack \"ClickThinking - Personal Safety on the Internet\" in 1999, which encouraged effective risk assessment. The expert group that Jack McConnell established in March is reviewing this document to make sure that it reflects the latest technology and will report shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155841,"EventID":"S1W-19215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the National Hi-tech Crime Unit on its remit regarding cases which threaten the online safety of children. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the National Hi-tech Crime Unit on its remit regarding cases which threaten the online safety of children. ","AnswerText":"None. However, the Scottish Police Service is in regular contact with the National Hi-tech Crime Unit and Scottish forces have access to a team within the Unit dedicated to tackling computer related child abuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155842,"EventID":"S1W-19216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the 5-14 curriculum guidelines for information and communications technology, what steps it is taking to ensure that online safety topics are included wit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the 5-14 curriculum guidelines for information and communications technology, what steps it is taking to ensure that online safety topics are included within this subject area. ","AnswerText":"National 5-14 Guidelines for information and communications technology (ICT) and associated Guides for Teachers and Managers emphasise the need for education authorities and schools to ensure that appropriate measures for the safe use of ICT are in place and that personal safety programmes for pupils cover this important area. The Guides refer education authorities and schools to the Scottish Executive publication, ClickThinking, which provides detailed advice on using the internet safely. The Guides also advise that parents are engaged as partners by schools in the development of ICT for teaching and learning purposes including safe use of ICT.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155843,"EventID":"S1W-19217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it had had with Her Majesty's Government and other UK agencies on securing effective communication and co-operation on Internet crime within the UK. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it had had with Her Majesty's Government and other UK agencies on securing effective communication and co-operation on Internet crime within the UK. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Home Office on a wide range of Internet crime related issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155844,"EventID":"S1W-19218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agencies and organisations participate in the work of the Internet Crime Forum. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agencies and organisations participate in the work of the Internet Crime Forum. ","AnswerText":"The Internet Crime Forum (ICF) brings together representatives from government, law enforcement agencies, including the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, and the Internet industry. A list of those ICF members who have authorised disclosure of their details has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17128). Further information about the ICF is also available on the Forum's web site at:

    www.internetcrimeforum.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155845,"EventID":"S1W-19219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will be making to Her Majesty's Government on the Cyber Crime Convention of the Council of Europe. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will be making to Her Majesty's Government on the Cyber Crime Convention of the Council of Europe. ","AnswerText":"Representations have been made specifically on the legislative requirements for Scotland. The Scottish Executive and the Crown Office have been consulted at all stages in the drafting of this Convention. This consultation is continuing.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155846,"EventID":"S1W-19220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that law enforcement officers in Scotland have specialised training and increased resources to ensure a prompt and effective response to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that law enforcement officers in Scotland have specialised training and increased resources to ensure a prompt and effective response to reports of incidents involving children in Internet chat rooms. ","AnswerText":"Training on Internet Crime, including action to tackle \"grooming\" by paedophiles on the Internet, is already provided by the Police Service and by the Crown Office and both organisations are working together to identify further training needs in this area. Responsibility for ensuring that adequate police resources and training are applied to these tasks is primarily an operational matter for Chief Constables, who are fully aware of the importance of effective action. In taking action, Chief Constables will be able to draw on the increased funding we have made available to forces generally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155847,"EventID":"S1W-19221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases there were of intra-uterine transfusion to rectify rhesus incompatibility in each year from 1976 to 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases there were of intra-uterine transfusion to rectify rhesus incompatibility in each year from 1976 to 2001.","AnswerText":"The number of intra-uterine transfusions performed each year from 1976 to 2000 is shown in the following table which has been provided by ISD Scotland. Information for 2001 is not available centrally at present. It is understood that the majority of intra-uterine transfusions performed in Scotland are due to rhesus incompatibility.

    Intra-uterine Transfusion - Scotland:

    Number of procedures and patients 1976-2000

    Year of discharge 1,2

    Number of Intra-uterine Transfusions

    Year of discharge

    Number of Intra-uterine

    Transfusions

    1976

    10

    1989

    55

    1977

    4

    1990

    68

    1978

    3

    1991

    44

    1979

    0

    1992

    44

    1980

    8

    1993

    46

    1981

    6

    1994

    49

    1982

    2

    1995

    53

    1983

    1

    1996

    53

    1984

    5Scottish Crime Survey is too small to produce valid results for smaller geographical areas such as local authorities or police forces.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155850,"EventID":"S1W-19224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any figures from the 2000 Scottish Crime Survey have been approved for publication other than those already published in the Social Justice Annual Report Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any figures from the 2000 Scottish Crime Survey have been approved for publication other than those already published in the Social Justice Annual Report Scotland 2000 and in The 2000 Scottish Crime Survey: First Results. ","AnswerText":"Figures from the Scottish Crime Survey, in relation to domestic violence, have been published in the Action Plan-Preventing Violence against Women. Figures in relation to older people have been published in Older People in Scotland: Results from the First Year of the Scottish Household Survey. Other results are to be used in the Social Justice Annual Report: Scotland 2001, which will be published shortly, in relation both to drug misuse and fear of crime among the elderly. Results in relation to drug use have also being provided for inclusion in a joint Employment Service/Drug Action Team handbook on dealing with drug users. Results relating to drug use and to household victimisation have also been provided for publication by the Office for National Statistics.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155851,"EventID":"S1W-19225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the full results of the 2000 Scottish Crime Survey will be published. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the full results of the 2000 Scottish Crime Survey will be published. ","AnswerText":"A summary of the main results were published in December 2000 as The 2000 Scottish Crime Survey: First Results. Some results have also being published elsewhere and these are listed in my response to question S1W-19224.

    The Scottish Crime Survey contains a great deal of research material which is time-consuming and complex to analyse. Priority has, therefore, been given to providing material for the other publications already referred to. We are, however, currently conducting analyses of data on a range of issues covered by the survey and further publications may arise from this work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155852,"EventID":"S1W-19226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the full results of the 2000 Crime Survey have not yet been published. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the full results of the 2000 Crime Survey have not yet been published. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19225.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155853,"EventID":"S1W-19227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to EC Directive 94/63/EC, whether it plans to take forward discretions for small petrol stations where the service station is located in an area where vapour","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to EC Directive 94/63/EC, whether it plans to take forward discretions for small petrol stations where the service station is located in an area where vapour emissions are unlikely to contribute significantly to environmental and/or health problems.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering to what areas the derogation should apply in Scotland.

    Petrol stations within the size range 100 to 500m3 throughput, for which a derogation could be available, do not need to comply with the requirements of the Directive until the end of 2004. We will therefore make a decision in advance of this date and an announcement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155854,"EventID":"S1W-19228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about charges levied for petrol vapour recovery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about charges levied for petrol vapour recovery.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has asked the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to review the charging scheme which covers petrol vapour recovery processes and to propose options for achieving cost recovery. Any proposed changes to the existing charging scheme would be subject to public consultation and approval by the Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155855,"EventID":"S1W-19229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assisting social economy organisations to set up or expand their existing services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assisting social economy organisations to set up or expand their existing services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive launched Social Investment Scotland on 19 September. This new loan fund will assist social economy organisations by providing loan finance, business development support and technical assistance.

    A review of the Executive's current policies towards the social economy is currently under way. It will assess the potential of the social economy to contribute to Scottish Executive objectives, identify any strategic initiatives or changes to operational policy that are required to realise the potential of the social economy and set out key action points for the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155856,"EventID":"S1W-19230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to specific inclusiveness projects which are designed to improve the skills and employability of disadvantaged young people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to specific inclusiveness projects which are designed to improve the skills and employability of disadvantaged young people.","AnswerText":"Careers service companies and their partners have been allocated the following funding to take forward inclusiveness projects over the period 2001-04:

    Careers Service Company

    2001-04

    Lanarkshire

    £2,304,668.00

    Renfrewshire

    £1,200,000.00

    Ayrshire

    £975,000.00

    Borders

    £295,637.00

    Central

    £800,000.00

    Career Development Edinburgh and Lothian

    £1,850,000.00

    Tayside

    £859,268.00

    Dunbarton and Lomond

    £594,500.00

    Fife

    £1,105,899.00

    Glasgow

    £1,920,000.00

    Grampian (including Moray for year 1 only)

    £1,366,091.00

    Pan Highlands and Islands Project

    		 

    Highland

    £502,058.00

    Argyll

    £357,670.00

    Orkney

    £113,472.00

    Shetland

    £102,650.00

    Western Isles

    £142,350.00

    Moray (Years 2 and 3 only)

    £124,917.00

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155857,"EventID":"S1W-19231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average starting salary for a newly qualified teacher who was a mature student is expected to be next year for (a) primary school teachers and (b) secondary sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average starting salary for a newly qualified teacher who was a mature student is expected to be next year for (a) primary school teachers and (b) secondary school teachers and what the average starting salary for them is for the current year and has been for each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally, as the Scottish Executive does not employ teachers, nor do we pay their salaries direct.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155858,"EventID":"S1W-19232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent in 2001 on advertising costs to attract mature students to undertake teacher training courses. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent in 2001 on advertising costs to attract mature students to undertake teacher training courses. ","AnswerText":"The recent Teacher Recruitment Advertising Campaign has the twin objectives of improving the public perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career, and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession.

    Neither this campaign, nor any of the Executives teacher recruitment activity, is specifically aimed at attracting mature entrants to the profession. There have been no costs associated solely with attracting mature students. The overall cost of the Teacher Recruitment Advertising Campaign is £1.56 million over the two years.

    It should be noted that 70% of callers responding to the recent adverts and requesting further information on teaching and entry requirements were in the 25 to 44 age group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155859,"EventID":"S1W-19233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures have been taken to put into effect the statement in Learn to Teach in respect of newly qualified teachers that it is possible for mature students with r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures have been taken to put into effect the statement in Learn to Teach in respect of newly qualified teachers that it is possible for mature students with relevant previous experience to enter the salary scale at a higher point.","AnswerText":"The Learn to Teach brochure was an information paper given to those interested in teaching as a career. It predates the McCrone Report and the Agreement on a Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, and was replaced by our Teaching in Scotland material from June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155860,"EventID":"S1W-19234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the letter to me of 8 May 2001 from the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe, and External Affairs regarding school link courses, when the Deputy Ministe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the letter to me of 8 May 2001 from the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe, and External Affairs regarding school link courses, when the Deputy Minister expects to give a further response to me.","AnswerText":"A final reply was issued on 2 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155861,"EventID":"S1W-19235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers will make a decision on a uniform salary for all probationers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers will make a decision on a uniform salary for all probationers.","AnswerText":"The next meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers will be on 5 December 2001. This meeting will discuss the proposal from the Working Group on Conditions of Service on changes to pay for probationer teachers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155862,"EventID":"S1W-19236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when students will be informed of the decision of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers on a uniform salary for all probationers. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when students will be informed of the decision of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers on a uniform salary for all probationers. ","AnswerText":"All parties to the committee will ensure that information on any decisions taken will be disseminated as appropriate as soon as a decision is taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155863,"EventID":"S1W-19237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether full and inclusive consultation will take place between all parties, including students in training, on proposed changes to teachers' pay scales as they apply to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether full and inclusive consultation will take place between all parties, including students in training, on proposed changes to teachers' pay scales as they apply to probationary and recently qualified staff.","AnswerText":"The decision on whether or not to accept the proposed changes to pay for probationer teachers is one for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. This body includes the Scottish Executive, local authorities and teachers organisations, and we have been consulting closely with them.

    We have received a number of presentations from concerned students and others on this issue. We have also received a letter from the Deans of the Faculties of Education, and have been in dialogue with the National Union of Students.

    We are convinced that the improvements we are implementing through the agreement are of significant benefit to probationer teachers and the profession, both now and in the long-term. However, we are aware of the concerns raised by those mature students studying now, and in particular that they have budgeted for their training under certain expectations and assumptions. With our partners in COSLA and the teacher organisations we will give the issues they have raised our full consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155864,"EventID":"S1W-19238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment that any changes to teachers' pay scales as they apply to probationary and recently qualified staff will not disadvantage those already","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment that any changes to teachers' pay scales as they apply to probationary and recently qualified staff will not disadvantage those already in Post-Graduate Certificate of Education training.","AnswerText":"Teachers pay and conditions are agreed through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). The Scottish Executive, COSLA and the teacher organisations are all represented on the SNCT and all parties all contribute to collaborative decisions. The proposal for a single entry point for all probationer teachers for the period of their training year has come from a working group of the SNCT. Since the full SNCT have not yet considered this proposal no final decision has been taken. The full SNCT will consider the proposal at its next meeting in December.

    The Scottish Executive are convinced that the improvements being implemented through the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century are of significant benefit to probationer teachers and the profession, both now and in the long-term. However, we are aware of the concerns raised by those mature students studying now, and in particular that they have budgeted for their training under certain expectations and assumptions. With our partners in COSLA and the teacher organisations we will give the issues they have raised our full consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155865,"EventID":"S1W-19239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether introduction of a uniform salary for all probationers will impact on the current teacher recruitment campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether introduction of a uniform salary for all probationers will impact on the current teacher recruitment campaign.","AnswerText":"The recent Teacher Recruitment Advertising Campaign has the twin objectives of improving the public perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career, and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession.

    The success of the campaign in meeting its objectives will be judged firstly by monitoring the numbers of applicants for the 2002-03 academic session and secondly by checking changes in public perception reported through the System 3 survey later this month.

    The final decision on the introduction of a single entry point for all probationary teachers is one for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). The SNCT will consider this proposal at their next meeting in December.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155866,"EventID":"S1W-19240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether introduction of a uniform salary for all probationers will encourage mature students into the teaching profession.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether introduction of a uniform salary for all probationers will encourage mature students into the teaching profession.","AnswerText":"I believe that students and those considering teaching as a career recognise the very significant improvements in pay, conditions and opportunities adhered through the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, and will see the long-term benefits of joining a re-invigorated profession.

    I am convinced that the improvements we are implementing through the agreement are of significant benefit to probationer teachers and the profession, both now and in the long-term. However, I am aware of the concerns raised by those mature students studying now, and in particular that they have budgeted for their training under certain expectations and assumptions. With our partners in Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the teacher organisations we will give the issues they have raised our full consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155867,"EventID":"S1W-19241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Police STATS 19 form is the most accurate way of identifying the number and type of personal injuries that occur from road accidents, and whether any other re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Police STATS 19 form is the most accurate way of identifying the number and type of personal injuries that occur from road accidents, and whether any other record systems have been considered for use for this purpose. ","AnswerText":"The STATS 19 system, which is used throughout Great Britain, is designed to gather information for the production of statistics and to assist in the prevention of road accidents. It draws on the expertise of the police to collect information about key features of each accident known to them which occurs on a public road, involves one or more vehicles and results in the death or injury of one or more people. A considerable amount of detail is obtained about the circumstances of each accident. The STATS 19 records whether casualties' injuries were fatal, severe or slight.

    The system is kept under regular review. A National Statistics Quality Review of the STATS 19 started earlier this year, with the objectives of ensuring that the statistics are fit for purpose, and that improvements are identified and taken forward. It is being conducted by the Standing Committee on Road Accident Statistics, which includes representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland), the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the Scottish Executive. The review will consider, for example, whether outputs meet user needs, whether outputs are of adequate quality (eg in accuracy and timeliness), whether appropriate methods and best practice are used, and whether the burden on data suppliers is justified. Among the matters which will be considered are the STATS 19 definition of the severity of injury, the possibility of recording more information about casualties' injuries in the STATS 19 returns, the availability of health service information about casualties' injuries, the coverage of the health service statistics, and the relationship between the STATS 19 and health service classifications of the severity of casualties' injuries.

    Further information about the review may be obtained from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions Website, at the following address:

    http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/scras/qareview.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155868,"EventID":"S1W-19242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken, by it or on its behalf, to demonstrate to individuals and community groups in lower-income communities the relevance of information and com","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken, by it or on its behalf, to demonstrate to individuals and community groups in lower-income communities the relevance of information and communications technology to the lives and needs of those living in those communities. ","AnswerText":"One of the initiatives announced as a part of the Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland's People is specifically targeted at disadvantaged communities. We have launched a £3.5 million initiative to create two pilot \"digital communities\". 2000 households in each community will be provided with home-based access to the web; training; a community-based web portal with locally developed content; and activities to raise awareness of the benefits of getting online - increased access to education; jobs; shopping; entertainment; financial services; etc. Within these communities we aim to create a \"critical mass\" of web users - so increasing the benefits for each individual of getting online, raising skill levels, and creating a supportive environment.

    Within Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas in Scotland, the £1.5 million Digital Champions programme is providing a network of eight digital \"champions\". The Digital Champions are working to improve information communication technology (ICT) provision in SIP areas; initiating new ICT projects; spreading best practice on community access to the Internet and increasing the involvement of local people in the creation of Internet content. They are responsible for engaging local people in various initiatives and driving local activity forward.

    We are also working on a range of other initiatives as a part of the Digital Inclusion Strategy that will help to promote the benefits of the new technologies.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155869,"EventID":"S1W-19243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken, by it or on its behalf, to promote the training of people in information and communications technology as a contribution to strengthening l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken, by it or on its behalf, to promote the training of people in information and communications technology as a contribution to strengthening lower-income communities. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is implementing and developing a number of initiatives to promote information and communications technology (ICT) skills in disadvantaged communities. These include:

    Learndirect Scotland to help and encourage individuals to take direct action to improve their own skills and employment prospects. The Learndirect Scotland helpline and website provides access to over 69,000 learning opportunities. The Scottish University for Industry (UfI) is also developing a network of Learndirect Scotland branded learning centres to enable easier access to ICT learning within communities - 202 Learndirect Scotland centres have been created so far, of which 101 are located in areas of social exclusion. Scottish UfI Ltd has a target to create 300 centres by March 2002.

    Individual Learning Accounts which provide discounts of up to 80% on certain basic ICT skills courses.

    Many Further Education colleges which provide outreach facilities in the heart of disadvantaged communities, with ICT and on-line learning being used extensively to help students and organisations develop a culture of digital technology use. IT courses represent 20% of all enrolments in further education. The Scottish Executive is committed to securing an increase of 40,000 college places by 2002, and a significant proportion of these places are being targeted at those who are socially excluded or from low income backgrounds.

    The Executive, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has also launched £150,000 Uplift programme. Uplift is providing initial computer training for 60 to 70 people around the country who will in turn be able to pass on their skills to other members of their communities.

    Through the Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland's People we are also examining the feasibility of a range of other initiatives to promote digital inclusion in disadvantaged communities - one of which is a volunteering scheme. This scheme would seek to identify and recruit IT literate volunteers to share basic PC and web skills with those new to the web, within their local communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155870,"EventID":"S1W-19244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made, by it or on its behalf, of the capacity of information and communications technology to be a tool for change in lower-income communities, w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made, by it or on its behalf, of the capacity of information and communications technology to be a tool for change in lower-income communities, with particular reference to strengthening the internal operations and external outreach of community groups. ","AnswerText":"The Executive recently published our Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland's People which sets out how we intend to bridge the digital divide and achieve universal access to the internet by 2005. We see new technologies as making a key contribution to social justice - increasing opportunities for disavantaged individuals and disadvantaged communities. The strategy sets out action to develop awareness; access; support; skills; content; and community involvement.

    To assist community and voluntary sector groups we have made £1.5million available over three years for IT development in the voluntary sector. Last year, £500,000 was made available to a wide range of projects to develop Internet access, develop websites, and improve connectivity. The successful projects included £8,625 for One Parent Families Scotland to develop a website and interactive-group for lone parents and £56,815 to set up a new and improved digital telephone conference service for Scottish charities. Criteria for organisations to apply for this year's round of grants will be announced shortly.

    We have also contributed £432,000 to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Voluntary Sector Web Portal. The Portal will offer one-stop access to information about voluntary sector groups and services in Scotland, as well as facilitating communications between voluntary sector organisations and community groups.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155871,"EventID":"S1W-19245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider supporting a programme of placement of proficient information and communications technology (ICT) specialists charged with acting as agents of so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider supporting a programme of placement of proficient information and communications technology (ICT) specialists charged with acting as agents of social change and working closely with community leaders in lower-income areas, so as to increase the knowledge of community leaders of how ICT might be applied to address the needs of their communities. ","AnswerText":"Through the Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland's People we are implementing and developing a number of initiatives to promote digital inclusion in disadvantaged communities. These include:

    The £1.5 million Digital Champions initiative. This is a network of eight digital champions, who have responsibility for working with local partners to improve ICT provision and initiating new ICT projects in Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas.

    The Digital Communities initiative which will expend some £3.5 million in tackling digital inclusion by creating pilot \"digital communities\" to connect homes to the Internet in two disadvantaged areas of Scotland. The objective is to demonstrate how the internet can increase peoples' opportunities and improve quality of life, and at the same time to inform our further efforts to close the digital divide. The two communities chosen will be announced in March 2002.

    Existing initiatives include:

    The National Grid for Learning Scotland web portal - which has developed a Guide to Getting Communities Connected. This provides anyone who wants to use the internet to benefit their community with a rich source of information, links and contacts to facilitate this.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155872,"EventID":"S1W-19246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18542 by Mr Jack McConnell on 9 October 2001, what plans it has to offer guidance to local authorities on rural school closures in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18542 by Mr Jack McConnell on 9 October 2001, what plans it has to offer guidance to local authorities on rural school closures in view of the decision made by Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. ","AnswerText":"Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has subsequently written to my Department advising of its decision to abandon its work on the code of practice on school closures, and proposing a review of all legislation relating to school closures. I will give this proposal careful consideration before reaching a view.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155873,"EventID":"S1W-19247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16777 by Rhona Brankin on 9 August 2001, what attempts have been made to inform local authorities and others of the need to comply ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16777 by Rhona Brankin on 9 August 2001, what attempts have been made to inform local authorities and others of the need to comply with the 31 December 2001 deadline for removing all o'one depleting substances from refrigerators prior to their disposal. ","AnswerText":"Following discussions at official level with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities over the Summer, the Environment and Rural Affairs Department wrote on 14 September 2001 to local authorities, electrical retailers, second hand goods retailers, charitable and voluntary organisations and waste metal recyclers to inform them formally of this requirement. The letter also advised them to consult the Scottish Environment Protection Agency if they proposed to ship waste refrigerators abroad for disposal or store them pending the availability of suitable disposal capacity in the UK. Guidance on storage and treatment standards is being prepared and will be issued in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155874,"EventID":"S1W-19248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to ensure that the Scottish Science Library does not close.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to ensure that the Scottish Science Library does not close.","AnswerText":"The future of the Scottish Science Library is a matter for the Board of Trustees of the National Library of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155875,"EventID":"S1W-19249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people in Scotland who need a hearing aid have access to free digital hearing aids from the NHS in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people in Scotland who need a hearing aid have access to free digital hearing aids from the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"All people who need a hearing aid, and are clinically assessed as being able to benefit from a feature only available in digital instruments, should be supplied with free digital hearing aids from NHSScotland. The Executive is currently reviewing the action NHS Boards have taken to follow the guidance issued in March on good practice for fitting hearing aids.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155876,"EventID":"S1W-19250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make digital hearing aids available free from the NHS in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make digital hearing aids available free from the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Digital hearing aids are already available free from NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155877,"EventID":"S1W-19251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce central purchasing of digital hearing aids. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce central purchasing of digital hearing aids. ","AnswerText":"Central purchasing of digital hearing aids has been arranged through Scottish Healthcare Supplies for NHSScotland since June 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155878,"EventID":"S1W-19252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18868 on 12 October 2001, whether any members of the design team had reservations about the ability of Flour City Architectural Meta","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18868 on 12 October 2001, whether any members of the design team had reservations about the ability of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd to perform according to their contract. ","AnswerText":"Performance monitoring of all contractors is a normal on-going process of the management of the Parliament building project. As a result of this process, Design Team members began to have concerns about the performance of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd during May 2001. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that tangible assurances, in terms of recovery programmes and sample delivery dates, were subsequently provided by the contractor and work commenced on site in June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155879,"EventID":"S1W-19253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment that implementation of any changes to teachers' pay scales, as they apply to probationary and recently qualified staff, will be delayed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment that implementation of any changes to teachers' pay scales, as they apply to probationary and recently qualified staff, will be delayed so as not to affect the current intake of students and any applying this year for the 2002 intake.","AnswerText":"The proposal to have all probationer teachers paid on the probationer point for the period of their training year has come from a working group of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), so this is not solely a decision for the Scottish Executive, or for me as the Education Minister. The SNCT is not a free-standing organisation, but is a forum through which the Scottish Executive, COSLA and the teacher organisations reach collaborative decisions. No decisions will be taken until the full SNCT meets.

    I am convinced that the improvements we are implementing through the agreement are of significant benefit to probationer teachers and the profession, both now and in the long-term. However, I am aware of the concerns raised by those mature students studying now, and in particular that they have budgeted for their training under certain expectations and assumptions. With our partners in COSLA and the teacher organisations, we will give the issues they have raised our full consideration at the next meeting of the SNCT.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155880,"EventID":"S1W-19254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be to local authorities of paying for criminal record checks for staff and volunteers when the new arrangements begin next year and whether it wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be to local authorities of paying for criminal record checks for staff and volunteers when the new arrangements begin next year and whether it will make any assistance available to help meet these costs. ","AnswerText":"The relevant legislation makes the individual applicant or job seeker responsible for the payment of the appropriate fee. Prospective employers may reimburse the applicant but that would be entirely a matter for them to decide.

    We are making available £1 million per annum so that volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector may have criminal record checks carried out, without cost to them or to the voluntary organisations concerned. We are presently examining the possibility of extending free checks to such volunteers in the statutory sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155881,"EventID":"S1W-19255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the central registered body to be established under Part V of the Police Act 1997 will be operational. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the central registered body to be established under Part V of the Police Act 1997 will be operational. ","AnswerText":"Volunteer Development Scotland has agreed to act as the central registered body from January 2002 to assist the voluntary sector with Part V prior to the new certificates becoming available from April 2002. VDS is currently advertising to fill key posts within the central body.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155882,"EventID":"S1W-19256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16582 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 July 2001, when comprehensive information will be provided to voluntary sector organisations to assis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16582 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 July 2001, when comprehensive information will be provided to voluntary sector organisations to assist them in meeting their obligations under Part V of the Police Act 1997. ","AnswerText":"An information brochure on the new disclosure system is in the final stages of preparation and should be generally available within the next few weeks. In addition to this, the Scottish Criminal Record Office is setting up a series of seminars at various locations across Scotland for organisations considering becoming registered for the purposes of accessing the new system. The seminars will provide a more detailed insight into the new processes and will give organisations an opportunity to ask questions on particular matters which may concern them. A website will shortly be available to promote the new disclosure system on a wider basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155883,"EventID":"S1W-19257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the European Commission's recent proposal to make all medicines for livestock and horses available only on prescription will have on agricultural merchant bus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the European Commission's recent proposal to make all medicines for livestock and horses available only on prescription will have on agricultural merchant businesses. ","AnswerText":"This proposal forms part of a much wider set of proposals to amend and update the procedures for the authorisation and control of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. In its present form this particular proposal could prevent agricultural merchants supplying medicines intended for administration to food-producing animals. Veterinary medicines legislation is not devolved. But my officials are liasing closely with DEFRA colleagues to try to modify the proposals to allow a more flexible approach to be adopted to product distribution.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155884,"EventID":"S1W-19258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatrists specialising in the treatment of older people are currently employed in each health board area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatrists specialising in the treatment of older people are currently employed in each health board area. ","AnswerText":"The latest information available on the number of medical staff working in the specialty of Old Age Psychiatry is shown in the following table, which should be read in conjunction with the notes.

    Medical Staff directly employed by NHSScotland in Old Age Psychiatry

    Headcount as at 30 September 2000p, by Health Board and Grade

    Consultant

    Associate Specialist

    Staff Grade

    Registrar Grades1

    SHO2

    Hospital Practitioner3

    GMP (para 94 appt.)4

    Total

    Argyll & Clyde

    5

    -

    -

    1

    -

    -

    -

    6

    Ayrshire & Arran

    2

    -

    -

    1

    -

    -

    -

    3

    Borders

    1

    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    -

    -

    -

    1

    		Financial assistance for the development of specific renewable energy technologies is a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Funding for research and development, and capital grants for development of offshore wind technologies, is available from DTI for projects across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155886,"EventID":"S1W-19262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6643 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 June 2000, (a) whether the estimated costs of conveyancing and other legal fees in respect of the p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6643 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 June 2000, (a) whether the estimated costs of conveyancing and other legal fees in respect of the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock are now known and, if so, what those estimated costs are and (b) whether any contracts for legal services will be entered into outwith the council.","AnswerText":"£1.23 million has been earmarked for legal and conveyancing costs expected to arise in 2001-02. It is for Glasgow City Council to determine whether the work involved is to be carried out in house or externally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155887,"EventID":"S1W-19263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6807 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 May 2000, whether it would intervene in any plans to demolish housing stock in Glasgow that were n","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6807 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 May 2000, whether it would intervene in any plans to demolish housing stock in Glasgow that were not supported by the results of the consultations with tenant-led landlords, tenants and others. ","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding the Glasgow Housing Association's proposed demolition programme will be a matter for the Glasgow Housing Association in consultation with local housing organisations. Tenants will play a key role in developing proposals for demolition and new build in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155888,"EventID":"S1W-19264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be in place for the re-housing of tenants and owner-occupiers of any buildings demolished as part of the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be in place for the re-housing of tenants and owner-occupiers of any buildings demolished as part of the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","AnswerText":"Detailed arrangements for the re-housing of tenants affected by demolitions will be discussed and agreed at local level. Owner-occupier homes affected by demolitions will be purchased at the market level as estimated by the District Valuer. Where necessary arrangements will be made with owner occupiers to ensure that their housing needs are met.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155889,"EventID":"S1W-19265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7529 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 June 2000, whether there have been any changes in the composition of the panel of independent advi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7529 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 June 2000, whether there have been any changes in the composition of the panel of independent advisers approved by Scottish Homes for the purpose of providing independent advice to tenants in the housing stock transfer process.","AnswerText":"The table lists the approved members of Scottish Homes' panel of independent advisors as at 1 October 2001. Changes which have taken place since answer to question S1W-7529 on 16 June 2000 are annotated:

    Organisation

    Change

    Anne Flint & Associates

    Arneil Johnston

    		 

    Calvay Co-operative Ltd

    Not currently undertaking new commissions.

    HACAS Chapman Hendy Associates

    Merger between the Housing Association

    Consultancy and Advisory Service (HACAS) and Chapman Hendy Associates

    Cube HA

    		 

    Hill and Ritchie

    		 

    Housing Plus

    		 

    MRT Associates

    formerly Mason Rose-Troup Advisers

    Organisational Development and Support (ODS)

    		 

    Russell Rowbotham Associates

    		 

    Tenants Information Service (TIS)

    		 

    The new Housing Services

    		 

    Tenants' Participation and Advisory Service (TPAS)

    		 

    Waverley Housing Management

    		 

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155890,"EventID":"S1W-19266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether asylum seekers located in Glasgow will be permitted to vote in the ballot on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether asylum seekers located in Glasgow will be permitted to vote in the ballot on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","AnswerText":"Asylum seekers do not have individual tenancy agreements with Glasgow City Council, therefore, they will not be permitted to vote in the ballot on the proposed Glasgow housing transfer.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155891,"EventID":"S1W-19267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to provide translation services and otherwise assist those with language difficulties in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to provide translation services and otherwise assist those with language difficulties in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council has made arrangements to ensure that all relevant consultation material is printed in a range of languages.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155892,"EventID":"S1W-19268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the estimated cost is of providing any translation services in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the estimated cost is of providing any translation services in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock and (b) from which budget any such cost will be allocated.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council (GCC) is using its existing translation service to produce consultation material in relation to the proposed housing transfer. Any additional costs are included in resources allocated to GCC for tenant consultation under the New Housing Partnership programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155893,"EventID":"S1W-19269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what criteria registered social landlords may choose not to accept homeless applicants when requested to do so by local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what criteria registered social landlords may choose not to accept homeless applicants when requested to do so by local authorities.","AnswerText":"Section 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 sets out the duties of registered social landlords with respect to housing a homeless person when requested to do so by a local authority. Section 5(3) states that \"a registered social landlord must, within a reasonable period, comply with such a request unless it has a good reason for not doing so\". Section 5(7) enables Scottish ministers to issue guidance as to what constitutes a good reason. The relevant guidance is currently being drafted. It will be considered by the Homelessness Task Force and then issued for consultation before the section is commenced.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155894,"EventID":"S1W-19270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is currently estimated that the Glasgow Housing Association will be liable to pay in VAT in respect of its projected capital programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it is currently estimated that the Glasgow Housing Association will be liable to pay in VAT in respect of its projected capital programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18239.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155895,"EventID":"S1W-19271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent estimate is of the number of houses that would be demolished under the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent estimate is of the number of houses that would be demolished under the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.","AnswerText":"In its business plan the Glasgow Housing Association has stated that it intends to demolish an estimated 10,854 properties.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155896,"EventID":"S1W-19272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7529 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 June 2000, what expertise and skills are required of members of the panel of independent advisers ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7529 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 June 2000, what expertise and skills are required of members of the panel of independent advisers approved by Scottish Homes for the purpose of providing independent advice to tenants in the housing stock transfer process and what checks are made of their professional reputations and career records.","AnswerText":"Panel members are required to have expertise in finance, housing management, legal technical, and communication skills as well as experience in tenant consultation.

    Before being accepted onto the panel, applicants have to submit evidence of relevant experience, knowledge and skills, along with CVs of those individuals involved in providing advice. Applicants are interviewed by the Scottish Homes Community Ownership team.

    Regular reviews are undertaken to update information held on the personnel retained by Independent Adviser organisations, including any specialist sub-contractors that they may employ.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155897,"EventID":"S1W-19273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how members are appointed to the voluntary management committee of the Glasgow Housing Association and on what criteria candidates for appointment to the committee are se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how members are appointed to the voluntary management committee of the Glasgow Housing Association and on what criteria candidates for appointment to the committee are selected.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Glasgow Housing Association in line with the arrangements set out in its rules.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155898,"EventID":"S1W-19274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2340 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2001, (a) what types of jobs would be created through the potential net additional employme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2340 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 5 October 2001, (a) what types of jobs would be created through the potential net additional employment effect of housing stock transfer in Glasgow, (b) how many such jobs would be (i) full-time and (ii) part-time and (c) whether there would be any impact on Glasgow City Council's building DLO.","AnswerText":"It has been estimated the Glasgow housing transfer will create over 3,000 full-time jobs in the construction and other related industries. It is intended that contractual arrangements will be put in place between the Glasgow Housing Association and the Direct Labour Organisation in respect of continuing repairs and maintenance work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155899,"EventID":"S1W-19275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation, regulations and guidance relating to environmental protection and public safety a local authority must take into account when considering a planning ap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation, regulations and guidance relating to environmental protection and public safety a local authority must take into account when considering a planning application. ","AnswerText":"The planning system does not seek to duplicate controls in other legislation. A grant of planning permission does not remove the need for a developer to comply with other legislation dealing with environmental protection or public safety.

    General advice on the role of the planning system in controlling pollution and its relationship with a number of environmental control regimes is given in Planning Advice Note 51 - Planning and Environmental Protection. It includes advice on planning proposals which raise environmental protection issues and the considerations which a planning authority might regard as material.

    A number of requirements are placed on planning authorities in relation to these matters including:

    The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 governs the processing of applications, including the bodies which should be consulted by the planning authority in particular circumstances. These bodies include Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA);

    the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. Planning authorities must also consider whether an environmental impact assessment may be required. The Scottish Executive Development Department's Circular 15 of 1999 contains guidance on the legislation and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 58 contains advice on best practice in this regard;

    the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 also place obligations on planning authorities when considering proposals affecting European sites, as defined in the regulations. The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department has also published guidance in this regard;

    directions issued under planning legislation also require planning authorities to consult Scottish Natural Heritage regarding certain development in National Scenic Areas (Development Department Circular 9/1987) and aerodrome interests if developments are proposed in public safety zones or safeguarded areas (Development Department Circular 16/1982). These directions contain notification requirements so that in specified circumstances the planning applications may require to be notified to the Scottish ministers should the planning authority wish to grant planning permission;

    general notification directions (Development Department Circular 4/1997 as amended refers) set out the circumstances in which applications must be notified to the Scottish ministers. These directions include notification requirements in certain circumstances where SNH, SEPA or HSE have objected to a proposal. Notification allows the Scottish ministers to consider whether or not a planning application requires to be called in for their determination.

    The Executive produces National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPG) on a variety of topics. Such guidance may constitute a material planning consideration when determining a planning application. For example, the NPPGs on Flooding and on Opencast Coal and Related Minerals contain information on environmental impact and minimising impacts on the public. Planning Advice Notes also provide advice on best practice and further information on a number of subject areas. Lists of NPPGs and PANs, and the text of many of these documents are available at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning.

    The National Planning Policy Guidelines, Planning Advice Notes and circulars (including the guidance on the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994) referred to in this answer can be obtained from the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155900,"EventID":"S1W-19276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3351 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, whether it has any plans to include third party rights of appeal in the planning system. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3351 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, whether it has any plans to include third party rights of appeal in the planning system. ","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to do so. However, a range of measures to promote more effective public involvement in the planning system will be discussed in a consultation paper which has been issued this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155901,"EventID":"S1W-19277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16218 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, how it plans to secure more effective public involvement in the planning process. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16218 by Lewis Macdonald on 31 July 2001, how it plans to secure more effective public involvement in the planning process. ","AnswerText":"The Executive issued a consultation paper this month seeking views on a range of proposals aimed at securing more effective public involvement in planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155902,"EventID":"S1W-19278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors, or has carried out any research into, the effectiveness of measures to encourage public participation in the planning process, particularly the stat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors, or has carried out any research into, the effectiveness of measures to encourage public participation in the planning process, particularly the statutory requirements placed on local authorities by section 34 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has undertaken research specifically on the effectiveness of existing arrangements for advertising planning proposals. A copy of this is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 6475). The findings of the research are being taken into account in preparing a consultation paper on improving public involvement in planning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155903,"EventID":"S1W-19279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its leaflet A Guide to the Planning System in Scotland is made routinely available to those wishing to lodge an objection to a planning application or appear at ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its leaflet A Guide to the Planning System in Scotland is made routinely available to those wishing to lodge an objection to a planning application or appear at a public inquiry. ","AnswerText":"The purpose of the guide is to help those people whose contact with the planning service is intermittent or infrequent. It provides a broad overview only. While we have asked planning authorities to make the guide widely available, we do not require them to tell us what information they routinely make available to those wishing to lodge an objection to a planning application or appear at a public inquiry.

    Information on planning appeal procedures is contained in the booklet Planning Appeals in Scotland produced by the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU). Further information is available in Circular, SODD 17/1998 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Order Inquiries and Hearings: Procedures and Good Practice. The booklet and circular can be obtained from SEIRU and are also available on the Scottish Executive website. These documents are routinely supplied free of charge by SEIRU to anyone making representations about a planning appeal or seeking information about inquiries and hearings.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155904,"EventID":"S1W-19280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to members of the public who have lodged objections to a planning application to prepare for and appear at a public inquiry. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to members of the public who have lodged objections to a planning application to prepare for and appear at a public inquiry. ","AnswerText":"Information on planning appeal procedures is contained in the booklet Planning Appeals in Scotland produced by the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit. Further information is available in Circular, SODD 17/1998 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Order Inquiries and Hearings: Procedures and Good Practice. The booklet and circular can be obtained from SEIRU and are also available on the Scottish Executive website. These documents are routinely supplied free of charge by SEIRU to anyone making representations about a planning appeal.

    Professional advice may be obtained from Planning Aid (Scotland), an organisation run by volunteers from the planning profession. There is no financial assistance available to members of the public who appear as objectors at a planning inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155905,"EventID":"S1W-19281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the use of enforcement procedures under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, Part VI in regard to the breach of conditions attached to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the use of enforcement procedures under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, Part VI in regard to the breach of conditions attached to planning permissions. ","AnswerText":"Planning authorities in Scotland have the primary responsibility for taking whatever enforcement action may be necessary, in the public interest, in their administrative area.

    We collect statistics, on a six-monthly basis, from planning authorities including information on the number of Breach of Condition Notices issued. This information will be included in the next report of the Planning Audit Unit, which will be published early next year and will be available on the internet.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155906,"EventID":"S1W-19282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the impact of a development on a local community where permission has been granted following a public inquiry. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the impact of a development on a local community where permission has been granted following a public inquiry. ","AnswerText":"No. Once such decisions are made, the responsibility for checking on compliance with the permission or for any enforcement action rests with the planning authority for the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155907,"EventID":"S1W-19283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are legally obliged to apply bio-diversity principles when considering all planning applications and if so, when this obligation came into forc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are legally obliged to apply bio-diversity principles when considering all planning applications and if so, when this obligation came into force.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are not obliged by law to apply bio-diversity principles when considering planning applications. However, the National Planning Policy Guideline on Natural Heritage (NPPG 14) stresses the importance of safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity and states that planning authorities should provide for the conservation of biodiversity in development plans. It also stresses that planning authorities should have full regard to natural heritage matters when considering individual planning applications. We have also issued a Planning Advice Note, PAN 60, on Planning and Natural Heritage setting out the ways in which planning can improve biodiversity objectives.

    National Planning Policy Guidelines and Planning Advice Notes may, as far as they are relevant, be material considerations to be taken into account in development plan preparation and development control.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155908,"EventID":"S1W-19284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to meet the bio-diversity conventions agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to meet the bio-diversity conventions agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to the implementation in Scotland of the UK obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    Ministers agreed the establishment of the Scottish Biodiversity Group in 1996 to co-ordinate and take forward the UK Government's commitments, in Scotland, to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Full details of the work and objectives of the Scottish Biodiversity Group have been published in Biodiversity in Scotland: The Way Forward (1997), Action for Scotland's Biodiversity, 2000 and A Flying Start: Local Biodiversity Action in Scotland, 2001. A further report, commissioned on behalf of ministers, on the progress of the Scottish Biodiversity Group in its first five years, will be presented next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155909,"EventID":"S1W-19285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term studies have been carried out to monitor the quantity and types of ha'ardous emissions around landfill sites. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term studies have been carried out to monitor the quantity and types of ha'ardous emissions around landfill sites. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. However, the waste management licence conditions applied to landfill sites require the operator to carry out monitoring of emissions to water and air from the site. The results of this monitoring are available on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency public register.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155910,"EventID":"S1W-19286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received concerning the first report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on HM Prison Buckley Hall, Rochdale since i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received concerning the first report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on HM Prison Buckley Hall, Rochdale since it was transferred from the private to the public sector and what lessons it has learned from that report. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS does not normally receive reports on prisons from other jurisdictions and has not received the report referred to.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155911,"EventID":"S1W-19287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost implications would be of bringing HM Prison Kilmarnock back into the public sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost implications would be of bringing HM Prison Kilmarnock back into the public sector.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Like all contracts, costs of termination depends on many factors, including the reasons for such a decision and the point of time in the contract. Such costs would require detailed calculation by independent advisers, both financial and legal.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155912,"EventID":"S1W-19288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether it will publish an anonymised account of the full report of its internal investigation into the failure to renew the Erskine Bridge toll order, (b) what the s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether it will publish an anonymised account of the full report of its internal investigation into the failure to renew the Erskine Bridge toll order, (b) what the specific reasons are for its position on this matter and (c) how its position reflects its stated aims for open government. ","AnswerText":"We undertook during the debate on the Erskine Bridge Tolls Bill to publish the conclusions and recommendations of the investigation. We did so on 15 October. These cover what happened, and the next steps to avoid a recurrence. The publication of this information is in keeping with the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information. Publication of the full report or an anonymised version would not be in the public interest, as disclosure of this information would prejudice the effective conduct of personnel management in the Scottish Executive (Exemption 7 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155913,"EventID":"S1W-19289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers will have responsibility for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council, established under the Regulation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers will have responsibility for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council, established under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Health and Community Care will have responsibility for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, and the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs for the Scottish Social Services Council. Clearly, the remits of the two bodies are inter-related, and the sponsoring ministers will liase closely with each other and with other relevant ministers, and will have regular joint meetings with the Conveners and Chief Executives of the two bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Henry McLeish","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155914,"EventID":"S1W-19290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many existing adult mandatory life prisoners will be affected by the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001 and (b) when hearings under the Act in res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many existing adult mandatory life prisoners will be affected by the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001 and (b) when hearings under the Act in respect of such prisoners will be completed. ","AnswerText":"Four hundred and sixty-three existing adult mandatory life prisoners are affected by the transitional provisions of the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001, in as much as they will require to have a punishment part set at a hearing before the High Court of Justiciary. In addition, there are 24 such prisoners, who have the right under the Act, to waive their entitlement to a hearing, in which case their punishment parts will be deemed to have been fixed by other methods set out in the Act. The Scottish ministers are required to refer the cases of those affected to the High Court of Justiciary but arrangements for the hearings are the responsibility of the court. At this time the court is unable accurately to forecast when the hearings will be completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155915,"EventID":"S1W-19291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many spot checks have been carried out on imported beef this year; (b) how many cases of these revealed carcasses which still contained spinal chord, and (c) from","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many spot checks have been carried out on imported beef this year; (b) how many cases of these revealed carcasses which still contained spinal chord, and (c) from which countries was the meat in these cases imported. ","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that the Meat Hygiene Service no longer relies on spot checks of consignments of imported carcass beef. In light of SRM (portions of spinal cord) failures in consignments of beef from several other EU member states the MHS checks all consignments of imported carcass beef arriving at licensed cutting premises.

    Since the beginning of this year there have been 20 cases where consignments of carcass beef imported into the UK from other EU member states have been found with SRM attached. The cases involved different meat plants from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Republic of Ireland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155916,"EventID":"S1W-19292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken against meat importers, and the country of origin, of meat which the Meat Hygiene Service has identified as being unfit for human consumption. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken against meat importers, and the country of origin, of meat which the Meat Hygiene Service has identified as being unfit for human consumption. ","AnswerText":"Where consignments of carcass beef imported into the UK from other EU member states have been found with SRM (portions of spinal cord) attached, the Food Standards Agency has taken up the matter vigorously, in each case, with the authorities of the member state concerned, and reported the discovery to the European Commission. It is the responsibility of the relevant national authorities to ensure that meat plants in their territory comply with the EU rules. Seven of the plants have had their operating licences suspended as a result.

    Detail of the subsequent action taken in a number of the cases are set out in the following table:

    Consignments of Imported Carcass Beef Found to Contain SRM

    Date of Discovery

    Place of Discovery

    Finding

    Exporting Plant and Action Taken

    1) 17 January 2001

    ABP, Newry, County Down

    Spinal cord in two out of a consignment of 221 forequarters.

    Loblein Teterower Fleisch GmbH Landkreis Gustrow, Germany

    2) 17 January 2001

    ABP, Newry, County Down

    Spinal cord in one out of a consignment of 192 forequarters.

    Westfleische Lubbecke, Germany

    3) 29 January 2001

    Anglo Dutch Meats, Eastbourne, Sussex

    Spinal cord in one out of a consignment of 216 hindquarters.

    Oldenburg, Germany

    4) one February 2001

    Anglo Dutch Meats, Eastbourne, Sussex

    Spinal cord in one out of a consignment of 217 hindquarters.

    Versand Heinz Gausepohl Bakum, Germany

    5) two February 2001

    Northern Ireland

    Remnants of spinal cord in two out of a consignment of 230 fore and hind quarters.

    Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff, Co.Cavan, Republic of Ireland

    Operation of plant suspended indefinitely on 8 February.

    6) one March 2001

    Anglo Dutch Meats, Eastbourne, Sussex","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155917,"EventID":"S1W-19293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all processed food will be labelled by country of origin. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all processed food will be labelled by country of origin. ","AnswerText":"On matters of food safety and standards, the Scottish Executive is advised by the Food Standards Agency. Currently, the Food Labelling Regulations (1996) require particulars of the place of origin or provenance of a food to be shown, as failure to give such information might mislead the purchaser to a material degree as to the true origin or provenance of the food. The agency is committed to pressing for changes in EU rules to widen the requirement for origin labelling, particularly of processed foods.

    At present, the agency is in the process of revising voluntary guidance notes on place of origin which are being prepared for public consultation. The aim is to make sure the guidance addresses the issues which cause consumers the most concern.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155918,"EventID":"S1W-19294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inspections have been carried out on imported processed food including sausages, pies and pate since 1 July 1999. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many inspections have been carried out on imported processed food including sausages, pies and pate since 1 July 1999. ","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency advises that, since July 1999, there have been no recorded imports of meat or meat products arriving from third countries requiring inspection at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) in Scotland.

    Imports into Scotland from other member states, and through BIPs elsewhere in the UK, must comply with the general food safety requirements applicable to all food in Scotland and are not subject to further import inspections.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155919,"EventID":"S1W-19295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether inspections of imported processed meat since 1 July 1999 have found any disease or health ha'ards which would have affected consumers following consumption. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether inspections of imported processed meat since 1 July 1999 have found any disease or health ha'ards which would have affected consumers following consumption. ","AnswerText":"Imported processed meats are controlled under Products of Animal Origin legislation and imports from third countries are subject to documentary and physical checks.

    Consignments which do not satisfy either documentary or physical checks are required to be destroyed, re-exported or reprocessed. It is not necessary to show evidence of disease or health hazard if documentary checks show consignments do not comply with Community or national controls.

    In addition to the normal returns made by Border Inspection Posts, as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak new arrangements on the sharing of such information between the local authorities, Food Standards Agency and Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department on illegally imported meat products were agreed in April 2001.

    The Food Standards Agency advises that since 1 July 1999 there have been no notifications of consignments or illegally imported products into Scotland which would have posed an animal or public health hazard.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155920,"EventID":"S1W-19296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of imported meat is inspected. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of imported meat is inspected. ","AnswerText":"All imported meat and meat products are subject to inspection at Border Inspection Posts. These inspections consist of documentary checks on all consignments and additional physical checks on 20% of all consignments.

    Where beef is imported as carcasses into a licensed meat plant it will undergo a full physical check by Meat Hygiene Service inspectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155921,"EventID":"S1W-19297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why every carcass leaving an abattoir in the UK is inspected in the UK yet every imported carcass is not. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why every carcass leaving an abattoir in the UK is inspected in the UK yet every imported carcass is not. ","AnswerText":"Meat produced within the European Union must be produced to the standards required by the relevant EU laws. These are enforced by the individual member state, and require that carcasses are properly inspected at the slaughterhouse whether in the UK or another member state.

    In light of failures to properly remove specified risk material in consignments of beef imported from several EU member states, and following instruction from the Food Standards Agency, checks on carcass beef imports have been increased to 100%.

    Local authorities have also been advised to step up checks on bone-in-beef and sheep meat and the health marking of all meat in the premises they supervise.

    Meat imported from non-EU states is controlled by EU rules, which require that the meat must have been produced to standards at least equivalent to those required by the EU meat hygiene Directives. Again, carcasses must be inspected at the slaughterhouse of production.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155922,"EventID":"S1W-19298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether white noise generators are available to patients to alleviate tinnitus. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether white noise generators are available to patients to alleviate tinnitus. ","AnswerText":"White noise generators and other tinnitus masking devices are available to patients from NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155923,"EventID":"S1W-19299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consumption of genetically modified organisms can affect resistance to certain antibiotics. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consumption of genetically modified organisms can affect resistance to certain antibiotics. ","AnswerText":"I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there is no evidence to suggest that antibiotic resistance has occurred as a result of the consumption of genetically modified foods.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155924,"EventID":"S1W-19301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the resistance to herbicide of genetically modified crops can spread to other plant life. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the resistance to herbicide of genetically modified crops can spread to other plant life. ","AnswerText":"The genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops currently grown in Scotland are tolerant to only one specific herbicide. Cross-pollination with a related, sexually compatible species could produce a hybrid with the same tolerance. Separation distances around GM trials are designed to minimise this possibility although the expert advisory body, ACRE, is satisfied that such hybridisation does not pose a safety threat to the environment. Control of these plants is possible through the use of any method other than the application of the herbicide to which they are tolerant.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155925,"EventID":"S1W-19302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether food labels must state, where appropriate, that a product contains genetically modified ingredients. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether food labels must state, where appropriate, that a product contains genetically modified ingredients. ","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has advised me that current legislation requires all foods, or food ingredients, containing approved genetically modified (GM) soya, maize, additives or flavourings to be labelled. The rules extend to food supplied to mass caterers. Additionally, restaurants, cafes, bakers and delicatessens etc must ensure either through labels, notices or access to oral advice, that the final consumer can obtain information about any GM ingredients in the food on sale.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155926,"EventID":"S1W-19303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the herbicide used on the trial crop at Munlochy in the Black Isle has been tested and, if so, what the results were. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the herbicide used on the trial crop at Munlochy in the Black Isle has been tested and, if so, what the results were. ","AnswerText":"Yes. A detailed summary of the tests considered by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) when the herbicide, Glufosinate-ammonium, was first evaluated for safety and effectiveness in commercial use has been published. The tests led the ACP to recommend that the use of the pesticide, subject to the conditions imposed on its approval, posed no unacceptable risk to humans, wildlife, or the environment. These recommendations were agreed by ministers, and approvals for glufosinate ammonium-based pesticides were granted.

    A copy of Evaluation Document 33 Evaluation on HOE 39866 (Glufosinate-ammonium), published, September 1990 will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17170).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155927,"EventID":"S1W-19304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the weed killer glufosinate ammonium has on (a) genetically modified crops, (b) water sources and supplies, (c) other affected farm products and (d) farmland ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the weed killer glufosinate ammonium has on (a) genetically modified crops, (b) water sources and supplies, (c) other affected farm products and (d) farmland wildlife.","AnswerText":"Genetically modified crops have been bred to be resistant to Glufosinate-ammonium so that, when herbicides containing the compound are applied to them, they are not killed. Other crops, whether they are conventionally bred, or contain a genetic modification that does not confer resistance to the herbicide, will be killed by it if it is applied in sufficient quantity. A detailed summary of the data on the compound that were considered when approval for its use on non-GM crops was initially sought, including details of its effects on: water sources and supplies (b); other affected farm products (c); and farmland wildlife (d) is available in the published evaluation document on the compound.

    A copy of Evaluation Document 33 Evaluation on HOE 39866 (Glufosinate-ammonium), published September 1990, will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17170).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155928,"EventID":"S1W-19305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the cross-sector group referred to in Action 54 of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture will meet; whether the group will include any trade union representati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the cross-sector group referred to in Action 54 of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture will meet; whether the group will include any trade union representatives, and what strategy the Executive has to ensure gender balance within the group.","AnswerText":"No date has yet been arranged for a meeting of the cross-sector steering group referred to in Action 54 of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. The main trade union involved with the agriculture industry was offered the opportunity to contribute to the development of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. They did not submit a response to the consultation document, but I will continue to ensure that they are involved in the process.

    I am well aware of the contribution women make to Scotland's farming and food industries, and I will continue to try to ensure that this is reflected across the range of bodies established by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155929,"EventID":"S1W-19306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement any strategies in order to make the agriculture industry safer for workers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement any strategies in order to make the agriculture industry safer for workers.","AnswerText":"Health and safety in the workplace is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and remains the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155930,"EventID":"S1W-19307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement any strategies in order to make farm environments safer for children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement any strategies in order to make farm environments safer for children.","AnswerText":"Health and safety in the workplace is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and remains the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155931,"EventID":"S1W-19308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken any action to ban the use of organophosphates on farms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken any action to ban the use of organophosphates on farms.","AnswerText":"Veterinary medicines remain the responsibility of the Westminster Parliament. The marketing authorisations for organophosphate (OP) sheep dips has been suspended, pending satisfactory completion of plans being developed by marketing authorisation holders for closed systems for transferring OP dip concentrate from its container into the dip bath.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155932,"EventID":"S1W-19309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has relating to any current use of organophosphates on farms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has relating to any current use of organophosphates on farms.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155933,"EventID":"S1W-19310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average salary of a local authority employee was in each of the past five years (a) in Scotland as whole and (b) in each local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average salary of a local authority employee was in each of the past five years (a) in Scotland as whole and (b) in each local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155934,"EventID":"S1W-19311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Airdrie and Shotts constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Airdrie and Shotts constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155935,"EventID":"S1W-19312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155936,"EventID":"S1W-19313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155937,"EventID":"S1W-19314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the East Kilbride constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the East Kilbride constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155938,"EventID":"S1W-19315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Falkirk East constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Falkirk East constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155939,"EventID":"S1W-19316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Falkirk West constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Falkirk West constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155940,"EventID":"S1W-19317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Hamilton North and Bellshill constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Hamilton North and Bellshill constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155941,"EventID":"S1W-19318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Hamilton South constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Hamilton South constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155942,"EventID":"S1W-19319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155943,"EventID":"S1W-19320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155944,"EventID":"S1W-19321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it currently uses Consignia plc for its mail collection and delivery service in Edinburgh and what plans it has to consider using an alternative provider for this","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it currently uses Consignia plc for its mail collection and delivery service in Edinburgh and what plans it has to consider using an alternative provider for this service. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive uses a number of mail service providers, including Consignia plc, for the collection and delivery of mail within Edinburgh. The preferred method used is based on the service requirements and the most cost-effective method for that service.

    The Scottish Executive continually monitors the market to ensure that the best value for money is achieved. There are no current plans to consider using an alternative provider for the services that Consignia plc currently supply.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155945,"EventID":"S1W-19322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh Central constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh Central constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155946,"EventID":"S1W-19323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh East and Musselburgh constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh East and Musselburgh constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155947,"EventID":"S1W-19324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155948,"EventID":"S1W-19325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155949,"EventID":"S1W-19326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh South constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh South constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155950,"EventID":"S1W-19327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh West constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Edinburgh West constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155951,"EventID":"S1W-19328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Linlithgow constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Linlithgow constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155952,"EventID":"S1W-19329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Livingston constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Livingston constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155953,"EventID":"S1W-19330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Midlothian constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses have been announced in the Midlothian constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155954,"EventID":"S1W-19331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of its vehicles are fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of its vehicles are fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas. ","AnswerText":"Fifty-one per cent of the Scottish Executive's fleet of vehicles are currently dual fuelled and will run on either liquefied petroleum gas or unleaded petrol.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155955,"EventID":"S1W-19332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the proportion of its vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the proportion of its vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's fleet of dual fuelled vehicles will increase to 69% of the total fleet by March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155956,"EventID":"S1W-19333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of leased vehicles used by its departments and agencies for which it is responsible are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of leased vehicles used by its departments and agencies for which it is responsible are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not lease any of its vehicles. The Scottish Prison Service Agency currently leases 90 vehicles. None of these vehicles are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155957,"EventID":"S1W-19334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed (a) cost savings to date and (b) potential future cost savings relating to the purchase, conversion or leasing of vehicles by departments or agenc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed (a) cost savings to date and (b) potential future cost savings relating to the purchase, conversion or leasing of vehicles by departments or agencies for which it is responsible that are fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas. ","AnswerText":"The business case for the purchase of dual fuelled vehicles includes an assessment of likely costs and savings. It is estimated that a saving between some £190 and £480 will be realised in the lifetime of each vehicle. This takes into account the cost of conversion and the savings on fuel.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155958,"EventID":"S1W-19335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage public bodies to purchase or lease vehicles which are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage public bodies to purchase or lease vehicles which are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas. ","AnswerText":"The Executive's Scottish Energy Efficiency Office promotes the use of alternative vehicle fuels in the public and private sectors by funding the Powershift cleaner vehicle fuels programme which is run by the Energy Saving Trust. The Executive recognises both the financial and environmental benefits of such fuels and is currently converting its own fleet to liquefied petroleum gas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155959,"EventID":"S1W-19336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the utilisation by public bodies of vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the utilisation by public bodies of vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas. ","AnswerText":"No such monitoring is done by the Scottish Executive; this is a matter for the public bodies concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155960,"EventID":"S1W-19337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 22 August 2001 of #12 million of funding for schools under the Grants for Improvements in School Education (Scotland) Regulations 1998, (a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its announcement on 22 August 2001 of #12 million of funding for schools under the Grants for Improvements in School Education (Scotland) Regulations 1998, (a) what actual amount of funding was received by each school, (b) whether the school roll was the sole basis of distribution of the funds and (c) what the si'e was of each school's roll for the purpose of the distribution.","AnswerText":"The announcement on 22 August was about the School Buildings Improvement Fund, which provides for capital grants to education authorities under the Grants for School Improvements (Scotland) Regulations 1997 for expenditure on school buildings. These resources are being distributed to authorities on the basis of the education element of the formula, which is at present used for the allocation of capital consents on non-housing programmes under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Full details of the grant arrangements are set out in Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 6/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The following table shows the distribution of the grant for financial year 2001-02.

    School Buildings Improvement Fund

    Authorities

    £000

    Aberdeen City

    372

    Aberdeenshire

    528

    Angus

    276

    Argyll & Bute

    260

    Clackmannanshire

    114

    Dumfries & Galloway

    337

    Dundee City

    321

    East Ayrshire

    296

    East Dunbartonshire

    305

    East Lothian

    210

    East Renfrewshire

    239

    Edinburgh, City of

    784

    Eilean Siar

    106

    Falkirk

    321

    Fife

    827

    Glasgow City

    1,251

    Caring for Scotland: The Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland, which was published in March 2001. The National Review is due to report at the end of June 2002. Thereafter the issue of learning disability training will be addressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155962,"EventID":"S1W-19339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what effect the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directive will have on the economy and (b) what strategies it proposes to handle any effects of introd","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what effect the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directive will have on the economy and (b) what strategies it proposes to handle any effects of introduction of the directive. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no function in relation to the health and safety implications in the proposed European Commission's Physical Agents directive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155963,"EventID":"S1W-19340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to distribute to health boards resources from the #28 million to be spent on tackling drugs, announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Go","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used to distribute to health boards resources from the #28 million to be spent on tackling drugs, announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 28 June 2001.","AnswerText":"£3.1 million of the additional resources was identified for treatment. This is on top of the additional £10 million already allocated to health boards from the Spending Review.

    Of the £3.1 million, £1.1 million per annum has been allocated to health boards for 2002-03 and 2003-04 in line with the Arbuthnott Substance Misuse Formula. The remaining £0.9 million for this year has been subject to bids from health boards and successful boards will be notified of allocations shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155964,"EventID":"S1W-19341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to reduce the length of journeys for animals being transported for fattening and slaughter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to reduce the length of journeys for animals being transported for fattening and slaughter.","AnswerText":"The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 sets out the general provision for the welfare of animals in transit. There are no plans to review it at present.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155965,"EventID":"S1W-19342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to maintain the ban on export of live farm animals from Scotland and to replace such exports with meat and carcass exports. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to maintain the ban on export of live farm animals from Scotland and to replace such exports with meat and carcass exports. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to maintain the ban on exports of live farm animals from Scotland. The European Court of Justice has confirmed that a unilateral ban on live exports would be illegal.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155966,"EventID":"S1W-19343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental protection the 1,448 locations currently designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest will receive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental protection the 1,448 locations currently designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest will receive.","AnswerText":"All Sites of Special Scientific Interest receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and will continue to do so. Sites are also protected through contractual means such as management agreements between land managers and Scottish Natural Heritage. The Scottish Executive Policy Statement The Nature of Scotland proposes measures to improve the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155967,"EventID":"S1W-19344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14686 by Nicol Stephen on 4 May 2001, what progress has been made in the discussions about how the e-Learning Foundation's initiati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14686 by Nicol Stephen on 4 May 2001, what progress has been made in the discussions about how the e-Learning Foundation's initiative on the provision of computer equipment for young people might apply in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive remains very interested in models of private sector involvement to improve investment in and provision of e-learning. We are continuing to explore with the foundation how an extension of its activities into Scotland might bring about a step-change in access to e-learning.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155968,"EventID":"S1W-19345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the consultation on Protecting Our Rights: A Human Rights Commission for Scotland and when it expects to be able to inform the Parliament ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the consultation on Protecting Our Rights: A Human Rights Commission for Scotland and when it expects to be able to inform the Parliament of the outcome of the consultation process. ","AnswerText":"I am currently considering the outcome of the consultation exercise and options for the way forward. I will be discussing the issues with my ministerial colleagues, and intend to make an announcement around the end of the year.

    An analysis of the responses to the consultation exercise will be published on the Executive website shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155969,"EventID":"S1W-19346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were injured by fireworks in the City of Edinburgh in November of each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were injured by fireworks in the City of Edinburgh in November of each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The number of fireworks injuries dealt with by Edinburgh hospitals for the years 1997-2000 are shown in the following table:

    Year

    Total

    Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

    Royal Hospital for Sick Children

    Western General Hospital

    1997

    4

    1

    2

    1

    1998

    4

    -

    3

    1

    1999

    7

    5

    2

    -

    2000

    3

    -

    3

    -

    Source: Fireworks Injuries Survey.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155970,"EventID":"S1W-19347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its broadband strategy, it has information on how many telephone operators, other than British Telecom (BT), are installing Asymmetrical Digital Subs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its broadband strategy, it has information on how many telephone operators, other than British Telecom (BT), are installing Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line facilities within or adjacent to BT exchanges and what the location of each facility is. ","AnswerText":"Following requests from operators, BT has now completed build at six co-location sites across the UK. Work is on-going at a further 10 co-location sites.

    Work has been completed at 41 distant location sites and is on-going at a further six distant location sites across the UK.

    Once these sites have been handed over to the operators, they can install and operate their DSL equipment in accordance with their commercial roll out strategy.

    The Scottish Executive does not have details of which operators are involved in the process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155971,"EventID":"S1W-19348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether VisitScotland has made any agreement to make payment of any sum to Mr Rod Lynch; if so (a) what the amount of the sum is, (b) what such money would otherwise hav","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether VisitScotland has made any agreement to make payment of any sum to Mr Rod Lynch; if so (a) what the amount of the sum is, (b) what such money would otherwise have been spent on, (c) with whom the responsibility for any such payment lies and (d) whether there are any precedents of payments being made to an individual appointee to a post in a non-departmental public body or other executive agency who did not go on to take up post. ","AnswerText":"VisitScotland has made no agreement to any payment. The other questions do not therefore apply.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155972,"EventID":"S1W-19349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the European Commission regarding the conclusions of the report by the Spey Re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the European Commission regarding the conclusions of the report by the Spey Research Trust, The Effect of Distillery Cooling Water Discharge on Adult Salmon Run Time in the River Fiddich.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155973,"EventID":"S1W-19350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what checks and balances it intends to establish in relation to Historic Scotland and (b) how the built heritage will be protected, once the Historic Buildings Counci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what checks and balances it intends to establish in relation to Historic Scotland and (b) how the built heritage will be protected, once the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland has been abolished. ","AnswerText":"Through Historic Scotland, the Scottish Executive is currently consulting on the proposal to abolish the Historic Buildings Council of Scotland as part of the Review of Public Bodies. Historic Scotland is the part of the Scottish Executive which supports Scottish ministers in carrying out their statutory responsibilities for the protection and presentation of Scotland's built heritage. Historic Scotland is directly accountable to Scottish ministers and the checks and balances applied are the same as with any other equivalent Executive agency.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155974,"EventID":"S1W-19351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what processes will be put in place to enable Historic Scotland to seek external advice and to select external advisors once the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what processes will be put in place to enable Historic Scotland to seek external advice and to select external advisors once the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland has been abolished.","AnswerText":"Through Historic Scotland, the Scottish Executive is currently consulting on the proposal to abolish the Historic Buildings Council of Scotland as part of the Review of Public Bodies and also on the proposal that, if the council were abolished, expert advice would continue to be sought from external sources, but in a more focussed, more inclusive and less institutional way.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155975,"EventID":"S1W-19352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consumption of genetically modified organisms can cause allergic reactions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consumption of genetically modified organisms can cause allergic reactions.","AnswerText":"I am advised that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is unaware of any evidence suggesting a direct link between the symptoms of food allergy and any genetically modified (GM) food or ingredient.

    All GM foods are subject to a rigorous safety assessment before they can be marketed in the EU. The FSA is the UK competent authority for approving GM foods, and is advised on this subject by an independent body called the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). ACNFP considers potential allergenicity in its assessment of all GM and other novel foods.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155976,"EventID":"S1W-19353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh were (a) charged and (b) convicted of the sale of solvents to minors in each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh were (a) charged and (b) convicted of the sale of solvents to minors in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The available information shows that no persons were proceeded against, or convicted of, the sale of solvents to minors in Edinburgh sheriff court or district court between 1997 and 1999. Information for 2000 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155977,"EventID":"S1W-19354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh were (a) charged and (b) convicted of the sale of fireworks to minors in each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh were (a) charged and (b) convicted of the sale of fireworks to minors in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not separately identifiable in the data held centrally, from other crimes relating to the keeping and supply of explosives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155978,"EventID":"S1W-19355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have (a) retired or (b) resigned from Lothian and Borders Police Force in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) age profile and (iii) le","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have (a) retired or (b) resigned from Lothian and Borders Police Force in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) age profile and (iii) length of service and how many took early retirement in each year broken down similarly. ","AnswerText":"The information requested for Lothian and Borders Police is shown in the following table. Information on age profile and early retirements is not held centrally.

    Retirement

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    M

    F

    M

    F

    M

    F

    M

    F

    on completion of 25-30 years service

    34

    0

    42

    1

    15

    1

    24

    0

    on completion of over 30 years service

    10

    0

    0

    0

    24

    0

    13

    0

    on ill-health pension

    17

    5

    24

    8

    28

    4

    30

    5

    on gratuity

    0

    0

    0

     

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-/01

    Number of Recruits

    26

    32

    62

    189

    Number of long-term sick absences

    254

    251

    296

    254

    Note:
    Long-term sick absence is defined as sick leave of more than 28 calendar days.

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155984,"EventID":"S1W-19361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its broadband strategy, it has information on how many British Telecom operated telephone exchanges have installed Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its broadband strategy, it has information on how many British Telecom operated telephone exchanges have installed Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line equipment","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17355 on 1 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155985,"EventID":"S1W-19362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it currently costs to decommission a wooden fishing vessel in a way that conforms to all relevant environmental requirements. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it currently costs to decommission a wooden fishing vessel in a way that conforms to all relevant environmental requirements. ","AnswerText":"The costs involved are likely to vary according to circumstances including, for example, the proposed method of decommissioning and the characteristics of the vessel involved.

    Scheme guidance material made clear that the owners of fishing vessels considering bidding for decommissioning grant should explore the costs involved in decommissioning their vessel, and we expect those costs to be reflected in grant bids.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155986,"EventID":"S1W-19363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes and (c) local authority residential homes there currently are in (i) Scotland and (ii) each local autho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes and (c) local authority residential homes there currently are in (i) Scotland and (ii) each local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is contained in the following table:

    Number of Homes: at 31 March 2000

    Local Authority

    Private Residential

    Care Homes

    Private Nursing Homes

    Local Authority Residential

    Care Homes

    Aberdeen City

    3

    18

    18

    Aberdeenshire

    13

    33

    18

    Angus

    23

    12

    6

    Argyll & Bute

    26

    9

    9

    Clackmannanshire

    0

    2

    2

    Dumfries & Galloway

    23

    14

    2

    Dundee City

    8

    16

    15

    East Ayrshire

    16

    17

    6

    East Dunbartonshire

    3

    7

    1Figures giving the whole-time equivalent nursing posts in all SPS-run prisons were published in the answer to question S1W-18201. The figure for Kilmarnock was not included as the arrangements at Kilmarnock Prison are different. Under the contract, outputs for health care services are specified and, consequently, it is not a matter for SPS how many staff posts are involved. The contract is monitored to ensure that outputs are provided to the required standard.

    In relation to question S1W-18189 (social work costs), the same considerations as above apply to the provision of social work services at Kilmarnock. Costs of individual elements of the contract are not disclosed. As in the previous answer, the total cost of social work provision for SPS-run prisons for 2000-01 was £2.18 million for an average prison population within SPS prisons of 5,600. This approximates to an average annual cost per prisoner of £390.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155988,"EventID":"S1W-19365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the attendance rate at meetings was for each board member of the Health Education Board for Scotland in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the attendance rate at meetings was for each board member of the Health Education Board for Scotland in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Attendance rates for the last three full calendar years, as well as the current calendar year to date, are given in the table.

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155989,"EventID":"S1W-19366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18203 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the table in Appendix 5 to the Scottish Prison Se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18203 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 September 2001, whether it will give a breakdown of the table in Appendix 5 to the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts 1999-2000 on \"breaches of discipline committed and punishments awarded in establishments\" to show how many times disciplinary action was taken against prisoners in each prison, including HM Prison Kilmarnock, in 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The tables give details of the number of breaches of discipline committed and the punishments awarded in establishments during the financial year 2000-01.

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Member

    Possible

    Actual

    Possible

    Actual

    Possible

    Actual

    Possible

    Actual

    David Campbell1

    9

    9

    10

    10

    10

    9

    6

    6

    Margaret Alexander2

    9

    6

    10

    8

    10

    9

    2

    2

    Anne Carrie3

    4

    3

    10

    6

    8

    5

    Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change commits the Scottish Executive to developing a complaints process which is \"credible, easy to use, demonstrably independent and effective\".

    The revised NHS complaints procedure will continue to cover services provided by general practitioners and their out-of-hours services when it is introduced in 2002.

    A working group, which includes patient representatives, has been established to develop proposals for inclusion in a public consultation on a revised procedure. The group is currently considering responses to a consultation on the report of the independent evaluation of the NHS complaints procedure that issued in September.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155992,"EventID":"S1W-19369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans that would affect the independent advocacy function of multi-issue organisations such as Citi'ens Advice Bureaux.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans that would affect the independent advocacy function of multi-issue organisations such as Citi'ens Advice Bureaux.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no such plans. Under the terms of its Compact with the voluntary sector, the Executive is committed to recognising and supporting the sector's independence, including its right to comment on and challenge Government policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155993,"EventID":"S1W-19370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans that would impact on the ability to deliver advocacy services of (a) local authorities, (b) health boards and (c) trust-funded organisations that","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans that would impact on the ability to deliver advocacy services of (a) local authorities, (b) health boards and (c) trust-funded organisations that provide independent advocacy services across a range of issues. ","AnswerText":"Independent Advocacy - A guide for Commissioners, states that advocacy schemes, commissioned by health and social services, should be independent of the statutory and voluntary service sectors.

    Whilst service providing agencies clearly undertake a valuable role in providing direct representation (or advocacy) for individuals who rely on their support, there are times in an individual's life when they need, or want, someone to advocate for them who has no connection with them as a provider of services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155994,"EventID":"S1W-19371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane since 1 July","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane since 1 July 1999. ","AnswerText":"Ministers, or deputy ministers, with responsibility for education have not met with representatives of St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane on any occasion since 1 July 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155995,"EventID":"S1W-19372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of Community Learning Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of Community Learning Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions. ","AnswerText":"Ministerial colleagues and myself have met members of Community Learning Scotland board and/or staff at the following official meetings:

    Peter Peacock, October 1999, meeting with Community Learning Scotland Board

    Peter Peacock, January 2000, meeting with the Scottish Youth Work Partnership

    Jack McConnell, May 2000, Eurodesk anniversary

    Peter Peacock, September 2000, meeting with Scottish Youth Work Partnership

    Nicol Stephen, January 2001, meeting with Community Learning Scotland Board

    Nicol Stephen, May 2001, meeting with Scottish Youth Work Partnership

    Nicol Stephen, June 2001, meeting with Scottish Youth Parliament

    Nicol Stephen, August 2001, meeting with Community Learning Scotland -

    Youth Issues Unit

    Margaret Curran, September 2001, meeting with Scottish Community Development Alliance.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155996,"EventID":"S1W-19373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Independent Schools Tribunal since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Independent Schools Tribunal since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Independent Schools Tribunal is to hear appeals against notices of complaint served on independent schools. As no appeals have been received since July 1999, there has not been a need for the tribunal to be constituted and ministers have not met representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155997,"EventID":"S1W-19374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of Scottish Screen since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of Scottish Screen since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","AnswerText":"My predecessor, Allan Wilson, met representatives of Scottish Screen in May and October this year to discuss their programme of work. In addition, the following ministers have met representatives:

    Rhona Brankin\tOpening of Scottish Screen offices, discussion of annual corporate plans

    Nicol Stephen\t\tLaunch of Scottish Screen partnership with Skillset (National Training Organisation)

    Henry McLeish\tLaunch of Film Locations brochure

    Ms Wendy Alexander\tDiscussion of film studio proposal.

    This does not count attendance at film events, such as those of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155998,"EventID":"S1W-19375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","AnswerText":"Rhona Brankin, the then Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport, has met representatives of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland twice since 1 July 1999, on 22 November 1999 and 4 October 2000. I have arranged to meet representatives of the Board on 12 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":155999,"EventID":"S1W-19376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions. ","AnswerText":"Rhona Brankin, then Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport, attended the meeting of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland in November 1999. I met with representatives of the council last month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156000,"EventID":"S1W-19377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","AnswerText":"Rhona Brankin met with representatives of the Commission when she opened the Commission's Festival Exhibition on 6 August 1999. I met representatives of the Commission when I opened this year's Festival Exhibition on 21 August this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156001,"EventID":"S1W-19378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met representatives of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland since 1 July 1999 and on which occasions.","AnswerText":"Rhona Brankin, the then Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport, met representatives of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland on 26 June 2000. I met representatives of the commission on 27 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156002,"EventID":"S1W-19379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning the funding of playschemes for children with special educational needs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received concerning the funding of playschemes for children with special educational needs. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received representations from yourself, on behalf of your constituents, about summer playscheme provision for children with special educational needs in Renfrewshire.

    The Executive encourages local authorities to develop inclusive leisure and recreation policies for all children, including children with special educational needs.

    The New Opportunities Fund (NOF) can fund the provision of playschemes - including those for children with special educational needs - as part of its out-of-school care initiative.

    The NOF, PE and Sport in Schools initiative which is to come on stream next year, will also be supporting out of school hours programmes offering a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156003,"EventID":"S1W-19380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide additional funding and other forms of assistance for children with special educational needs in the current financial year. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to provide additional funding and other forms of assistance for children with special educational needs in the current financial year. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will provide an additional £1.3 million of funding this financial year through the Inclusion Programme, to support education authorities in making information and communication technology more accessible to pupils with special educational needs. This funding is in addition to £13 million already provided under the Inclusion Programme this year and also £7.4 million for special educational needs in-service training and Innovation Grants.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156004,"EventID":"S1W-19381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to the water authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on the design of wastewater treatment systems in order to ensure that b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to the water authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on the design of wastewater treatment systems in order to ensure that bathing waters are protected now and in the future under likely scenarios of climate change.","AnswerText":"Annex C of A Working Document for Dischargers and Regulators, published by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department in February 1998, provides guidance to the water authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on the design construction and operation of waste water collection systems and treatment plants. A copy of this document is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17088).

    No specific guidance has been given by the Executive to the Scottish water authorities and SEPA about the protection of bathing waters in the future under possible climate change scenarios.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156005,"EventID":"S1W-19382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraphs 5 and 8 of the First Report of the Law Reform Committee for Scotland (Cmnd 88, 1957), whether the position that a \"trespasser\" in Scots Law is ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraphs 5 and 8 of the First Report of the Law Reform Committee for Scotland (Cmnd 88, 1957), whether the position that a \"trespasser\" in Scots Law is \"not necessarily versans in illicito\" has changed since the publication of that report. ","AnswerText":"It is for the courts to interpret the law. The law of trespass continues to operate on the same basis as in 1957.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156006,"EventID":"S1W-19383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what age restrictions apply to the buying of pellets for use in air powered weapons and what action it will take to eliminate any inconsistencies in the law on the age of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what age restrictions apply to the buying of pellets for use in air powered weapons and what action it will take to eliminate any inconsistencies in the law on the age of persons to whom (a) air powered guns and (b) air pellets can be sold.","AnswerText":"The Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) specifies that a young person under the age of 17 cannot purchase a low-powered air weapon and/or ammunition for it.

    Firearms policy and legislation are reserved matters. However, the Scottish Executive is represented on the Firearms Consultative Committee, which is an independent statutory body established to keep under review the working of the provisions of the Firearms Acts, and to make recommendations to the Home Secretary for improving their working. The committee's latest annual report is due to be submitted to the Home Secretary shortly and will thereafter be laid before the UK Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156007,"EventID":"S1W-19384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that projects funded by the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme which are eligible for mainstreaming are actually mainstreamed. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that projects funded by the Mental Illness Specific Grant Scheme which are eligible for mainstreaming are actually mainstreamed. ","AnswerText":"We shall continue to issue guidance to local authorities that they regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of projects, and that those which are proven valuable and necessary in meeting needs locally should be considered for funding from authorities' mainstream social work expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156008,"EventID":"S1W-19385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to add slip roads to and from East Linton to the A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar once the expressway has been built. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to add slip roads to and from East Linton to the A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar once the expressway has been built. ","AnswerText":"Subject to considering matters arising from a detail design, I would expect the cost to be £1.84 million plus VAT at today's prices.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156009,"EventID":"S1W-19386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing, printing and distributing its document, A Policy on Architecture for Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing, printing and distributing its document, A Policy on Architecture for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The costs of publishing, printing and distributing the document A Policy on Architecture for Scotland are shown in the table:

    Breaches by Establishment

    Total

    Barlinnie

    1,509

    Aberdeen

    1,017

    Castle Huntly

    129

    Cornton Vale

    669

    Dumfries

    601

    Dungavel

    9

    Edinburgh

    1,154

    Friarton

    1

    Glenochil Prison

    1,381

    Glenochil YOI

    859

    Greenock

    741

    Inverness

    328

    Longriggend

    13

    Low Moss

    746

    Noranside

    65

    Perth

    1,669

    Peterhead

    406

    Polmont

    2,023

    Shotts

    3,575

    Private

    £

    Document design1 & web publishing

    5,422

    Printing

    2,968

    Postage2

    1,030

    Notes:

    1. includes £2,158 commission of photographic content

    2. estimated cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156010,"EventID":"S1W-19387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing, producing and distributing its report, Creating our Future: Minding our Past: National Cultural Strategy, First Annual Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of publishing, producing and distributing its report, Creating our Future: Minding our Past: National Cultural Strategy, First Annual Report.","AnswerText":"The total cost for design, printing and web conversion of the First Annual Report of the Creating our Future: Minding our Past: National Cultural Strategy was £3,175.25.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156011,"EventID":"S1W-19388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18905 by Mr Jim Wallace on 22 October 2001, what plans it has to start recording annual figures on the estimated impact of retail c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18905 by Mr Jim Wallace on 22 October 2001, what plans it has to start recording annual figures on the estimated impact of retail crime on businesses. ","AnswerText":"We have no plans to collect such information.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156012,"EventID":"S1W-19389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct the North of Scotland Water Authority (NOSWA) to make available immediately to residents in Dalfaber, Aviemore, details of the flood risk assessm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct the North of Scotland Water Authority (NOSWA) to make available immediately to residents in Dalfaber, Aviemore, details of the flood risk assessment which it commissioned from Earthtec on the risk of flooding of the proposed sewerage treatment plant in Dalfaber and the assessment of the alternative full site at Cambusmore and why NOSWA did not disclose these details to residents once they had received them.","AnswerText":"I understand that NOSWA received the final report on 4 October, analysed its content, and passed it to the member on 29 October, and to local community representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156013,"EventID":"S1W-19390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Preliminary Report on t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Preliminary Report on the Equality Strategy and how many copies were produced.","AnswerText":"The total cost of the Preliminary Report on the Equality Strategy was approximately £7,500. 1,500 copies were produced.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156014,"EventID":"S1W-19391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average lengths of waiting lists for angiograms currently are in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average lengths of waiting lists for angiograms currently are in each health board area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients waiting for angiograms is not available centrally. Information on the number of patients waiting for in-patient or day case treatment is collected centrally at specialty level only.

    The number of patients waiting for in-patient or day case treatment in the specialty of cardiology on 30 June 2001, by NHS Board of residence, is provided in the following table.

    NHSScotland: Number of Patients Waiting for In-patient/Day Case Treatment in the Specialty of Cardiology on 30 June 2001, by NHS Board of Residence.

    NHS Board

    Number Of Patients

    Argyll and Clyde

    139

    Ayrshire and Arran

    138

    Borders

    36

    Dumfries and Galloway

    86

    Fife

    66

    Forth Valley

    70

    Grampian

    210

    Greater Glasgow

    318

    Highland

    49

    Lanarkshire

    325

    Lothian

    324

    Orkney

    4

    Shetland

    14

    Tayside

    92

    Western Isles

    22

    Scotland

    1,901

    Source: ISD Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156015,"EventID":"S1W-19392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cardiology consultants there currently are in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cardiology consultants there currently are in each health board area.","AnswerText":"Cardiology services are in many situations provided by general physicians with a particular specialist interest in cardiology, who will be recorded for statistical purposes under general medicine. For this reason, although the following table shows those identified by their employers with cardiology as their main specialty, it does not show the overall contribution by consultants to cardiology services in every NHS Board area. For example, in Highland there are two consultants working at Raigmore Hospital who each do around 75% cardiology work, but are recorded as general physicians.

    Consultants Employed by NHSScotland with a Main Specialty of Cardiology

    Headcount at 30 September 2000
     

    Headcount

    Scotland

    50

    Argyll & Clyde

    -

    Ayrshire & Arran

    1

    Borders

    1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    2

    Fife

    2

    Forth Valley

    1

    Grampian

    4

    Greater Glasgow

    17

    Highland

    -

    Lanarkshire

    3

    Lothian

    16

    Orkney

    -

    Shetland

    -

    Tayside

    5

    Western Isles

    -

    Source","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156016,"EventID":"S1W-19393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the comments by the Lord Advocate on 24 October 2001 (Official Report, col. 3230), what its own definition of institutional racism is. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the comments by the Lord Advocate on 24 October 2001 (Official Report, col. 3230), what its own definition of institutional racism is. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has accepted the definition of institutional racism as set out by Sir William Macpherson in the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report. The Executive welcomes the definition in Dr Raj Jandoo's report which was formulated for the purposes of his report; it is straightforward and entirely compatible with the definition adopted by Macpherson.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156017,"EventID":"S1W-19394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any published evidence that wild fowl are at particular risk from lead poisoning and, if so, whether it will place a copy of such evidence in the Scottis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any published evidence that wild fowl are at particular risk from lead poisoning and, if so, whether it will place a copy of such evidence in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The poisoning of wildfowl from lead deposited through shooting is widely accepted as a serious problem. The Scottish Executive was consulted in July of this year on the possible restriction on the use of lead shot and the responses are being analysed.

    A number of reports have been published giving international summaries of the problem. The answer to question S1W-3574 gave a comprehensive list of relevant reports but copies of all these documents are not held centrally by the Executive. A further key report, titled Lead Poisoning in Waterbirds. International Update Report 2000 was published this year by Wetlands International. A copy has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17127).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156018,"EventID":"S1W-19395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many job losses there were and (b) how many jobs were created in the (i) Aberdeen Central, (ii) Aberdeen North (iii) Aberdeen South, (iv) Angus, (v) Banff and Buc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many job losses there were and (b) how many jobs were created in the (i) Aberdeen Central, (ii) Aberdeen North (iii) Aberdeen South, (iv) Angus, (v) Banff and Buchan, (vi) Dundee East, (vii) Dundee West, (viii) Gordon and (ix) West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituencies in each year since 1 July 1999. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156019,"EventID":"S1W-19396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to arrange a ministerial visit to the Ballinluig junction on the A9 Inverness to Perth trunk road in order to inspect the safety of the junction","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to arrange a ministerial visit to the Ballinluig junction on the A9 Inverness to Perth trunk road in order to inspect the safety of the junction. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to arrange a ministerial visit to the Ballinluig junction. However, officials have visited the site on many occasions to meet with local community representatives, Tayside Police and BEAR Scotland Ltd. Visits have included safety inspections, safety audits, and onsite meetings to discuss ways of increasing safety at the junction.

    In addition, I have met with various parties to discuss this matter including John Swinney MSP, local Community Council representatives and the Chief Constables of Tayside Police and the Northern Constabulary.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156020,"EventID":"S1W-19397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directives first published in April 1993.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directives first published in April 1993.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19339 on 17 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156021,"EventID":"S1W-19398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into the cost of construction of slip roads connecting the A9 northbound carriageway at the Ballinluig junction with the A827 Ballinluig t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into the cost of construction of slip roads connecting the A9 northbound carriageway at the Ballinluig junction with the A827 Ballinluig to Killin Road and what the outcome was of any such research. ","AnswerText":"In 1995 Tayside Regional Council carried out a review of options for providing grade separation of the Ballinluig junction, by providing slip roads connecting the northbound carriageway of the A9 to the A827 Ballinluig to Killin Road. This study took into account earlier work carried out by Acer Consultants in 1992, which considered the provision of low flow grade separation. The outcome of the Tayside Regional Council's study was that none of the options brought forward could be economically justified within the competing priorities of the trunk road programme at that time.

    At my request, consultants are now re-examining options for improving road safety at this junction, including those previously considered by Tayside Regional Council with a view to identifying and costing an improvement scheme that may be taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156022,"EventID":"S1W-19399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many orthopaedic consultants were employed at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the financial years (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 to date and whether the number of orthopaedic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many orthopaedic consultants were employed at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the financial years (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 to date and whether the number of orthopaedic consultants employed in these years was adequate for the provision of the orthopaedic service. ","AnswerText":"Information on staffing numbers is collected at a local level only, and is therefore not available in the form requested. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19400.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156023,"EventID":"S1W-19400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow Royal Infirmary's Orthopaedics Department has been understaffed at any time during the current year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow Royal Infirmary's Orthopaedics Department has been understaffed at any time during the current year.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of local NHS management to ensure satisfactory levels of service across all specialties and departments, within the increased resources available to the service.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156024,"EventID":"S1W-19401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the PFI project for the new passenger terminal at Inverness airport, (a) when the PFI project was entered into, (b) what advice was taken and from whom re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the PFI project for the new passenger terminal at Inverness airport, (a) when the PFI project was entered into, (b) what advice was taken and from whom regarding (i) the terms of the contract, (ii) the length of the contract and (iii) the ability to vary the contract; (c) what ability Highlands and Airports Limited (HIAL) has to obtain payments from franchise operators in the terminal; (d) what method of revenue raising is available to HIAL other than landing charges, and (e) whether it will make a copy of the contract available in SPICe, subject to the deletion of any commercially confidential details, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The information is as follows:

    The contracts for the Inverness Airport Terminal PFI project were signed on 4 February 1998.

    Advice was taken from:

    Dundas and Wilson - legal

    Ernst and Young - financial

    Scottish Airports Ltd - estates

    Thomas and Adamson - value for money of building costs and content of Service Level Agreement

    Scottish Office - value for money, finance issues and confirmation of PFI contract

    HM Treasury and its PFI Unit - policy matters

    Revenues and concessionaires in the terminal building pass to Inverness Air Terminal Ltd, the owner and operator of the building.

    HIAL's revenue flows from:

    Landing charges based on weight of aircraft

    Passenger charges based on arriving passenger numbers

    Aircraft parking

    On call charges

    Lease rentals

    Concessions

    Recovery of security costs

    Copies of the contract documentation to which Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) was a signatory are being made available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The contract documents which did not involve, and were not signed by, HIAL are regarded as commercially confidential under the terms of the contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156025,"EventID":"S1W-19403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods of disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses have been explored; what the preferred method of disposal is, and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods of disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses have been explored; what the preferred method of disposal is, and what outstanding tonnage of ash is yet to be disposed of.","AnswerText":"There are in the region of 2,000 tonnes of pyre ash at three sites in Scotland which require disposal. Disposal routes for the material throughout the UK were considered by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, the Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency. They considered all possible disposal options for the material arising from the large pyres, including re-incineration and on-site burial, and concluded that the best option is disposal at a licensed engineered landfill site.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156026,"EventID":"S1W-19404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to force the operators of the Garlaff Landfill Site to take ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses and whether ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to force the operators of the Garlaff Landfill Site to take ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses and whether it intends to use any such powers of enforcement.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers have powers under section 57 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to direct the holder of a waste management licence to accept and keep, or accept and treat or dispose of, controlled waste at specified places on specified terms. Ministers are considering whether or not to invoke these powers in relation to Garlaff Landfill site.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156027,"EventID":"S1W-19405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with East Ayrshire Council regarding the disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with East Ayrshire Council regarding the disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses. ","AnswerText":"Since the end of August, there have been extensive discussions between Scottish Executive officials and the East Ayrshire Council Director of Community Services about proposals for the disposal of the ash from the three pyre sites in the South of Scotland. These included meetings in Glasgow and Kilmarnock. I have also discussed the matter personally with the leader of the council, Councillor Drew McIntyre, and the First Minister met him on 1 November.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156028,"EventID":"S1W-19406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has identified Garlaff Landfill Site in East Ayrshire as a site for the disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has identified Garlaff Landfill Site in East Ayrshire as a site for the disposal of ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected cattle carcasses. ","AnswerText":"The best scientific advice is that ash from pyres across the country should be disposed of at licensed engineered landfill sites. There is material at two sites in Dumfries and Galloway and one in the Scottish Borders which requires disposal but there are no such sites in those areas. Following consultation with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, it was concluded that the Best Practicable Environmental Option is to dispose of the material at Garlaff Landfill site, the nearest suitable facility in Scotland.

    There is no risk of the material harbouring the foot-and-mouth virus. The transportation of the ash to a site outside Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders does not jeopardise any livestock either en-route or in the vicinity of the final disposal site.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156029,"EventID":"S1W-19407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the provision of speech therapy for children under 5 in the light of the British Stammering Association's Parental Awareness campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the provision of speech therapy for children under 5 in the light of the British Stammering Association's Parental Awareness campaign.","AnswerText":"We welcome the association's campaign to help raise awareness of this communication problem.

    Speech and language therapists play an important part in the treatment of stammering and their numbers have increased by 11% over the last four years.

    A Strategy for Professions Allied to Medicine, of which speech and language therapists are one group, is being developed which is looking at a number of key issues such as recruitment and retention, education and training.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156030,"EventID":"S1W-19408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of the beach management trials carried out at Whitesands, Troon and Ayr; whether it will extend the trials to other beaches and, if so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of the beach management trials carried out at Whitesands, Troon and Ayr; whether it will extend the trials to other beaches and, if so, which ones and what plans it has to establish beach management committees for any beach included in the trials.","AnswerText":"Research on the feasibility of protocols suggested for the proposed revision of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) was carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency at Troon, Ayr, Whitesands and Eyemouth during the 2000 bathing season. It was carried out in conjunction with similar studies by the Environment Agency in England & Wales, and with others elsewhere in Europe, at the request of the European Commission, and there are no plans to publish results. The need for beach management trials and plans for beach management committees will be considered further in connection with implementing the proposed revision.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156031,"EventID":"S1W-19409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Union in respect of Directive 76/160/EEC on the quality of bathing waters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Union in respect of Directive 76/160/EEC on the quality of bathing waters.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the bodies of the European Union on a wide range of issues including the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156032,"EventID":"S1W-19410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reassurances it has sought from UEFA and other international sporting bodies that any bid by the Scottish Football Association to host the European Football Champio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reassurances it has sought from UEFA and other international sporting bodies that any bid by the Scottish Football Association to host the European Football Championship in 2008 will not be influenced by the circumstances surrounding the recent bid by Her Majesty's Government to host the World Athletics Championships in 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not been in discussion with UEFA or any other international sporting body about the World Athletics Championships. I am aware, however, that the Scottish Football Association, as the body responsible for any bid which may be made for the European Championships, has raised the matter with UEFA.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156033,"EventID":"S1W-19411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reassurances it has sought from international sporting bodies that any bids to host international sporting events in Scotland in the future will not be influenced b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reassurances it has sought from international sporting bodies that any bids to host international sporting events in Scotland in the future will not be influenced by the circumstances surrounding the recent bid by Her Majesty's Government to host the World Athletics Championships in 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive made no such approaches to international sporting bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156034,"EventID":"S1W-19412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on any implications for any future bids to host international sporting events in Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on any implications for any future bids to host international sporting events in Scotland in the light of the circumstances surrounding the recent bid by Her Majesty's Government to host the World Athletics Championships in 2005 and the representations made by Richard Caborn MP, the Minister for Sport, to members of the International Association of Athletics Federations over the possible venue for these championships.","AnswerText":"No such representations have been made.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156035,"EventID":"S1W-19413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it costs the NHS to purchase a digital hearing aid. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it costs the NHS to purchase a digital hearing aid. ","AnswerText":"There are currently 11 different types of digital hearing aids available to NHSScotland through contracts centrally negotiated by Scottish Healthcare Supplies. The prices range from £120 to £535.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156036,"EventID":"S1W-19414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health funding, in addition to the annual budget assignment, was allocated to Lanarkshire Health Board in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000 and (d) 2000-01. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health funding, in addition to the annual budget assignment, was allocated to Lanarkshire Health Board in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000 and (d) 2000-01. ","AnswerText":"Lanarkshire Health Board received the following allocations in addition to the general allocation (unified budget from 1999-2000) issued at the start of the financial year.

    £ million

    1997-98

    36

    1998-99

    59

    1999-2000

    11

    2000-01

    26

    The variation from year to year reflects the ad hoc nature of additional allocations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156037,"EventID":"S1W-19415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the collection rate for non-domestic water charges as a percentage of the total amount billed was in each water authority in each year from 1995-96 to 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the collection rate for non-domestic water charges as a percentage of the total amount billed was in each water authority in each year from 1995-96 to 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The collection rate for non-domestic water charges as a percentage of the total amount billed is:
     

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    WOSWA

    97.7%

    97.4%

    96.6%

    95.21%

    90.81%

    ESWA

    98.5%

    98.1%

    97.8%

    96.5%1

    92.7%1

    NOSWA

    98.9%

    99.1%

    99.1%

    99.3%

    98.3%1

    Note:

    1. These figures are expected to rise to historic levels.

    Actual provision made for non-domestic bad debt was given in the answer to question S1W-17879 on 27 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156038,"EventID":"S1W-19416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appointment of the new Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice-General will be announced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the appointment of the new Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice-General will be announced.","AnswerText":"The appointment of the new Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice-General is made by Her Majesty The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156039,"EventID":"S1W-19417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many premises currently hold an off-trade liquor licence. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many premises currently hold an off-trade liquor licence. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in Table 3 of Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin CrJ/2001/3 - Liquor Licensing Statistics, 2000 - a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17139).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156040,"EventID":"S1W-19418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of its Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland are drawn from organisations representing the (a) on-trade and (b) off-trade licensed sectors. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of its Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland are drawn from organisations representing the (a) on-trade and (b) off-trade licensed sectors. ","AnswerText":"The Nicholson Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland includes one member each from the Brewers' and Licensed Retailers Association for Scotland (BLRAS) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA). The BLRAS provides on-trade representation and the SLTA provides both on and off-trade representation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156041,"EventID":"S1W-19419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which member of the Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland was appointed to represent the views of the off-trade licensed sector during their review of liquor lice","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which member of the Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland was appointed to represent the views of the off-trade licensed sector during their review of liquor licensing law.","AnswerText":"The licensed trade in general is represented by Maureen McKerrow of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and Gordon Millar of the Brewers' and Licensed Retailers Association of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156042,"EventID":"S1W-19420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any requests from industry bodies to be included in the membership of the Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland since membership was annou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any requests from industry bodies to be included in the membership of the Committee on Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland since membership was announced. ","AnswerText":"Since the membership of the Nicholson Committee was announced, the Scottish Retail Consortium has requested representation on the committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156043,"EventID":"S1W-19421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which company holds the contract to maintain the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which company holds the contract to maintain the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels.","AnswerText":"No single company holds such a contract. The refit works on each of the agency's vessels is subject to competitive tender annually.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156044,"EventID":"S1W-19422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels will enter dry dock for maintenance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels will enter dry dock for maintenance.","AnswerText":"Dry-docking for maintenance purposes is carried out on an annual basis. In this financial year Norna dry-docked on 9 October and Sulisker on 1 November. Vigilant and Westra will dry-dock on 16 January and 25 February respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156045,"EventID":"S1W-19423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost for each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels to be entered into dry dock for maintenance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost for each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels to be entered into dry dock for maintenance.","AnswerText":"The bids submitted by contractors on a commercial basis are confidential but can be in a range of £40,000 to £70,000 per vessel, depending on the specific works required.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156046,"EventID":"S1W-19424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels were last entered into dry dock for maintenance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's vessels were last entered into dry dock for maintenance.","AnswerText":"In the last maintenance round (2000-01) the dry-docking dates for the agency's vessels were as follows:

    Norna

    18.10.00

    Sulisker

    10.11.00

    Vigilant

    03.01.01

    Westra

    13.02.01

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156047,"EventID":"S1W-19425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from local authorities on any possible increase in road construction and maintenance costs following the introduction of the Aggrega","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from local authorities on any possible increase in road construction and maintenance costs following the introduction of the Aggregates Tax and what the estimated increase and additional costs would be for each authority.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any representations received from local authorities on any possible cost increases arising from the new Aggregates Tax.

    The financial impact for individual local authorities will depend on their purchasing policies. The aim of the new tax is to promote a change of behaviour amongst purchasers of aggregates, including local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156048,"EventID":"S1W-19426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on the amount of construction materials being imported as a result of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on the amount of construction materials being imported as a result of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax.","AnswerText":"Taxation is a reserved matter. Assessment of the impact of the Aggregates Levy throughout the UK is a matter for HM Treasury. The intention of HM Treasury is to tax imports of materials covered by the Aggregates Levy, but to exempt exports.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156049,"EventID":"S1W-19427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing boats fishing for shellfish within the six mile limit were boarded by officers of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and how many of these led to p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing boats fishing for shellfish within the six mile limit were boarded by officers of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and how many of these led to prosecutions in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Paul Du Vivier, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency to respond. His response is as follows:

    During the past five years the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency carried out 1,390 boardings, of fishing boats which were fishing for shellfish within the six mile limit. As a consequence of these boardings, five infringements of the rules were reported for prosecution. The table gives the details on a year by year basis.

    Year

    Fishing Vessel Boardings

    Cases Reported for Prosecution

    1997

    370

    -

    1998

    412

    -

    1999

    217

    1

    2000

    248

    3

    2001

    (up to 29/10/01)

    143

    1

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156050,"EventID":"S1W-19428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a developer is in breach of planning legislation in circumstances where construction has begun without obtaining planning permission and where retrospective plann","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a developer is in breach of planning legislation in circumstances where construction has begun without obtaining planning permission and where retrospective planning permission has been applied for but not yet granted, and what powers are available to local authorities to order work to cease on developments which have retrospective planning applications pending but not yet approved. ","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act (1997) (Section 123(1)) states that carrying out development without the required planning permission constitutes a breach of planning control.

    Planning authorities have the power to serve an Enforcement Notice, if appropriate, requiring the alleged breach to be remedied. The notice must, among other things, specify the matters which appear to the planning authority to constitute a breach of planning control, the steps which require to be taken, the date on which the notice takes effect and the period allowed for compliance with its' terms.

    In addition, where the planning authority considers it expedient that any \"relevant activity\" should cease before the expiry of the compliance period in the Enforcement Notice, it may also serve a Stop Notice prohibiting the carrying out of that activity on the land to which the Enforcement Notice relates, or any part of that land.

    A planning authority may also seek to restrain or prevent any breach of planning control, whether actual or threatened, by applying to the court for an interdict. Applications may be made either to the Court of Session or to the Sheriff.

    Guidance on the range of enforcement action available to planning authorities is outlined in the SODD Circular 4/1999: Planning Enforcement and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 54: Planning Enforcement. Copies of both documents are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 11121 and 1151 respectively).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156051,"EventID":"S1W-19429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that it meets the demand for experienced and skilled legal practitioners to support the needs of asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that it meets the demand for experienced and skilled legal practitioners to support the needs of asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"This is in the first instance an issue for the Law Society of Scotland. I understand that the society has written to the local faculties and associations to highlight the particular issues involved in asylum cases, has recently held a conference for practitioners on this subject and is planning a further training event for early 2002.

    However, the Executive has agreed to fund a pilot project under Part V of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 in which the Scottish Legal Aid Board will employ two suitably qualified solicitors to handle asylum casework in the Castlemilk and Sighthill areas of Glasgow and to develop local expertise in the relevant issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156052,"EventID":"S1W-19430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the estimated 141,000 tenants have applied under the central heating installation programme since April 2001 and how many have benefited.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the estimated 141,000 tenants have applied under the central heating installation programme since April 2001 and how many have benefited.","AnswerText":"We estimate that 23,000 local authority tenants, 6,000 housing association tenants and 40,000 pensioners who are private sector tenants or owner occupiers lack central heating. From April 2004 the programme will be extended to 20,000 local authority tenants to convert partial systems to whole house systems.

    Over 5,200 local authority tenants, 1,500 housing association tenants and 3,500 households in the private sector will benefit this year. Information on the programme will be collected and a full report will be published each year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156053,"EventID":"S1W-19431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to prevent materials exempt from the Aggregates Tax being incorporated into Private Finance Initiative and Design Build Finance and Operate pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to prevent materials exempt from the Aggregates Tax being incorporated into Private Finance Initiative and Design Build Finance and Operate projects.","AnswerText":"The Aggregates Tax is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive has no plans to prevent material exempt from the Aggregates Tax being incorporated into Public Finance Initiative or Design, Build, Finance and Operate projects. Where the Scottish Executive is the client it does not, as a rule, specify the provenance of the materials to be used. It is hoped, however, that contractors will choose materials, such as recycled aggregate, that come from more sustainable sources.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156054,"EventID":"S1W-19432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to protect the rural economy against the effect of any small quarry companies closing as a result of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to protect the rural economy against the effect of any small quarry companies closing as a result of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax.","AnswerText":"The Aggregates Tax is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive has no plans to provide additional assistance related to the tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156055,"EventID":"S1W-19433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the collection centrally of domestic water rates by the proposed single water authority would have on the revenue levels of local authorities. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the collection centrally of domestic water rates by the proposed single water authority would have on the revenue levels of local authorities. ","AnswerText":"The impact would depend on how any new arrangements compared with the various different agreements and collection arrangements that individual local authorities have in place now.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156056,"EventID":"S1W-19434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by local authority area of the #20 million allocated for the buying of books and equipment that was announced on 26 October 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by local authority area of the #20 million allocated for the buying of books and equipment that was announced on 26 October 2001.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the amounts allocated to each authority. A circular setting out full details of the grant arrangements will be issued shortly to local authorities and copies will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    Additional financial resources for schools

    Distribution to authorities

    £000

    Aberdeen City

    682

    Aberdeenshire

    973

    Angus

    440

    Argyll & Bute

    356

    Clackmannanshire

    193

    Dumfries & Galloway

    608

    Dundee City

    548

    East Ayrshire

    491

    East Dunbartonshire

    496

    East Lothian

    342

    East Renfrewshire

    412

    Edinburgh, City of

    1,343

    Eilean Siar

    141

    Falkirk

    539

    Fife

    1,386

    Glasgow City

    2,245

     

    1997-98

    £ million

    1998-99

    £ million

    1999-2000

    £ million

    2000-01

    £ million

    Running Costs

    17.0

    16.9

    17.7

    18.5

    Capital Costs

    1.3

    1.4

    1.6

    2.1

    Programme Costs

    18.7

    18.9

    19.9

    20.8

    Total Budget

    37.0

    37.2

    39.2

    41.4

    Running costs include all salary, superannuation and associated expenditure on buildings, travel, energy etc. A large proportion of the salary costs relate to people working directly for the benefit of the natural heritage.

    Capital costs include the purchase or improvement of assets, many of which directly support activities benefiting the natural heritage.

    Programme costs is direct expenditure enhancing and conserving the natural heritage via grants, site safeguard agreements and research contracts etc.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156062,"EventID":"S1W-19440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) Scotland and (b) the Highlands and Islands has access to digital TV coverage. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) Scotland and (b) the Highlands and Islands has access to digital TV coverage. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Independent Television Commission and I have asked them to write to you with the information requested.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156063,"EventID":"S1W-19441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions must be satisfied before analogue TV transmission is switched off and when this is expected to occur.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions must be satisfied before analogue TV transmission is switched off and when this is expected to occur.","AnswerText":"In the White Paper A New Future for Communications, the UK Government has set out tests which must be met before the analogue signal is fully switched to digital. Everyone who currently receives analogue television now must be able to receive the main free-to-air channels digitally. The target timetable for switch over is between 2006 and 2010.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156064,"EventID":"S1W-19442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the law in relation to rights of servitude and whether the power of feudal superiors and landowners in relation to the law of servitude and, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the law in relation to rights of servitude and whether the power of feudal superiors and landowners in relation to the law of servitude and, in particular, on denial of rights of access should be reformed.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to introduce a fundamental reform of the law relating to servitude rights, but the proposed Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill contains a number of consequential changes to the law on servitudes as a result of the reform of the law on real burdens. As drafted, the Bill will prevent the future creation of negative servitudes (which are usually restrictions on building for the protection of light or prospect), and will convert the few existing negative servitudes into real burdens. Servitudes which are expressly created by title deeds will have to be registered against both the burdened and the benefited properties. These servitudes which are constituted by registration will also no longer be restricted in type to the list of servitudes currently set out in a rule of law. The Bill will also make it clear that it is possible for a right to lead a pipe, cable or wire over land to be constituted as a positive servitude.

    The use of servitudes is not directly linked to feudal superiorities since a servitude is created for the benefit of a proprietor of land to exercise certain rights on or over adjoining land: it is not possible for a bare superiority to be the dominant tenement, or benefited property, in respect of a servitude. After the appointed day for feudal abolition, servitudes will remain an obligation enjoyed by one property in respect of another.

    Servitudes are separate from public rights of way. The law of servitudes is used to create rights for limited purposes, for example rights of access, not to deny rights of access.

    The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will provide a right of responsible access to land and inland water for recreation and passage. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides guidance on the rights and responsibilities of public access. It is intended that the Bill will be introduced in Parliament shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156065,"EventID":"S1W-19443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the European Commission in respect of the impact on the Scottish economy of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax at a flat rate l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the European Commission in respect of the impact on the Scottish economy of the introduction of the Aggregates Tax at a flat rate levy of #1.60 per ton, given the lower rate levied in some other European Countries. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19492.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156066,"EventID":"S1W-19445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the level of Aggregates Tax will have on local government finance and, in particular, whether it will cause increases to council tax and/or non-domestic rates","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the level of Aggregates Tax will have on local government finance and, in particular, whether it will cause increases to council tax and/or non-domestic rates as a result of potential building and maintenance costs to be met by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The financial impact of Aggregates Tax on local authorities will depend on their individual purchasing policies. The aim of the new tax is to promote a change of behaviour amongst purchasers by encouraging the use of recycled aggregates and other alternative materials in place of virgin quarried aggregates. It will have no impact on council tax.

    The non-domestic rate poundage is set by the Scottish Parliament, and there is no reason for this to change as a consequence of the Aggregates Tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156067,"EventID":"S1W-19446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many quarries there are in Scotland; what the name and location of each quarry is; how many quarries it anticipates will be in operation five years after the introduc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many quarries there are in Scotland; what the name and location of each quarry is; how many quarries it anticipates will be in operation five years after the introduction of the Aggregates Tax, and what consideration it has given to the impact of any closures of quarries on the environment. ","AnswerText":"Information on the number, names and locations of quarries in Scotland can be found in the British Geological Survey's Directory of Mines and Quarries 1998. A copy of this is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17129). We are not able to predict the economic impacts of a tax measure on individual quarries, and assessing the broader impact on the quarrying industry is the responsibility of HM Treasury. The Executive will be monitoring closely the extent to which the environmental objectives of the tax are achieved.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156068,"EventID":"S1W-19447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates bringing into force all of the provisions of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates bringing into force all of the provisions of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to question S1W-12490 on 29 January 2001, we will bring forward the commencement order in due course. The Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 is the first part of our programme of property law reform, and we will assess the appropriate date for commencement when the next Bill in the programme - the Title Conditions Bill - has been enacted. The consultation exercise on the draft Title Conditions Bill concluded on 23 July, and the responses to consultation are being analysed with a view to introduction as soon as an opportunity arises in the legislative programme. Due to the transitional arrangements that will have to be made, it is unlikely that either piece of legislation will be fully in effect until two to three years have elapsed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156069,"EventID":"S1W-19448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any possible benefits arising from the delayed introduction of all of the provisions of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 are outweighed by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any possible benefits arising from the delayed introduction of all of the provisions of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 are outweighed by the continued possession of powers of feudal superiors to extract payment from vassals in exchange for the grant of Minutes of Waiver.","AnswerText":"The delay is required in order to allow transitional arrangements to be put in place. Both the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Society of Scotland have suggested that commencement of the 2000 Act should be delayed for a period of at least two years to allow for these arrangements.

    It was always apparent that the provisions of the 2000 Act on feudal burdens might be affected by the proposed Title Conditions Bill. It would be unfair and undesirable to allow superiors to go to the expense and effort of identifying properties for which they could register notices to preserve burdens, when the position for feudal burdens might be amended by the Title Conditions Bill. We also undertook to reconsider certain aspects of the 2000 Act which were criticised during its passage. To implement Part 4 of the Act (on real burdens) now would ignore these legitimate concerns.

    It is possible at present for vassals to apply, under section 1 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970, to seek an order from the Lands Tribunal for Scotland to vary or discharge a land obligation. The Tribunal will grant such an order if it is satisfied that the burden is unreasonable, inappropriate, unduly burdensome or impedes some reasonable use of the land.

    Scottish ministers remain wholly committed to the reform of the land tenure system in Scotland and any delay is restricted to that which is essential in order to ensure an orderly and sensible transition.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156070,"EventID":"S1W-19449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed in the construction industry in each of the last four years and how many people it estimates will be employed in each of the four years foll","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed in the construction industry in each of the last four years and how many people it estimates will be employed in each of the four years following the introduction of the Aggregates Tax in 2002.","AnswerText":"The Labour Force Survey, run by the Office of National Statistics, shows that the number of people employed in the construction industry in Scotland (including employees, self-employed, and government trainees), is approximately 180,000. Forecasts compiled by independent sources estimate that construction employment in Scotland could grow by up to 10% over the next few years.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156071,"EventID":"S1W-19450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, where planning permission for the erection of residential property is granted and there is a privately-owned existing road or pathway, there should be a presump","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, where planning permission for the erection of residential property is granted and there is a privately-owned existing road or pathway, there should be a presumption in favour of a right of pedestrian and vehicular access and whether the law of servitude should be reformed accordingly.","AnswerText":"Planning applications for developments taking access from a trunk road must be assessed on their individual merits. Such proposals are likely to lead to an increase in the amount of traffic entering and leaving the trunk road. Road safety issues are extremely important and I do not accept that a blanket presumption in favour of a right of access in these circumstances would be appropriate. Development proposals that seek to take access from local roads are for planning authorities to consider.

    Regarding the law of servitude, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19442 on 12 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156072,"EventID":"S1W-19451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has any plans to make the Official Report available to MSPs on CD-ROM.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has any plans to make the Official Report available to MSPs on CD-ROM.","AnswerText":"Publication on CD-ROM of the archive edition of the Official Report of meetings of the Parliament, committees and written answers was approved by the SPCB on 26 June 2001. Initial development work is now being carried out; publication of the first edition is scheduled for June 2002. The CD-ROM will be available to MSPs, others in the Parliament, partner libraries and the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156073,"EventID":"S1W-19452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers in relation to ensuring that those wishing to pursue the Post Graduate Certificate of Ed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers in relation to ensuring that those wishing to pursue the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE Primary) and who are leaving other careers in industry or the public sector are not deterred from doing so by virtue of the initial entitlement to pay.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) is not a free-standing organisation, but is a forum through which the Scottish Executive, COSLA and the teacher organisations can reach collaborative decisions.

    There have been significant improvements in pay, conditions and opportunities for teachers arising from the Agreement on a Teaching Profession for the 21st Century.

    Negotiations on a range of issues relating to pay and conditions are continuing through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). Proposals from the SNCT Working Group on Conditions of Service relating to probationers will be considered at the next meeting of the SNCT on 31 January.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156074,"EventID":"S1W-19453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that those who wish to pursue a career in teaching by way of the Postgraduate Certificate of Education and who are leaving a career in the pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that those who wish to pursue a career in teaching by way of the Postgraduate Certificate of Education and who are leaving a career in the private or public sector are not deterred from doing so by reason of the level of starting salary.","AnswerText":"There have been significant improvements in pay, conditions and opportunities for teachers arising from the Agreement on a Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, in addition to the positive benefits of joining a re-invigorated profession.

    Negotiations on a range of issues relating to pay and conditions are continuing through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). A proposal from the SNCT Working Group on Conditions of Service that all probationers would start on the probationer point on the pay scale (£16,644 as from August 2002, rising to £18,000 from August 2003) will be considered at the next meeting of the SNCT on 31 January.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156075,"EventID":"S1W-19454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers in relation to attracting individuals from the public or private sector into the tea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers in relation to attracting individuals from the public or private sector into the teaching profession.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) is not a free-standing organisation, but is a forum through which the Scottish Executive, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the teacher organisations can reach collaborative decisions. Negotiations on a range of issues relating to pay and conditions are continuing through the SNCT.

    In these discussions we are conscious of the commitment of Scottish ministers to attracting a range of talented and committed individuals to the profession, from across the spectrum of Scottish society.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156076,"EventID":"S1W-19455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact of spending on retail products by tourists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact of spending on retail products by tourists.","AnswerText":"Latest available figures on the economic impact of tourist expenditure on retail products are from the 1998 Scottish Input-Output Tables, published by the Scottish Executive in June 2001.

    The total direct expenditure on retail products by tourists was £140 million in 1998. The additional Scottish output related to this expenditure was estimated at £85 million.

    Expenditure on retail products has been defined as purchases of Scottish made products (Input-Output groups 1 to 84, see www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/docs/io98.pdf for more details) and Scottish retail margins on both domestic output and imports.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156077,"EventID":"S1W-19456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken, or intends to undertake, into the particular problems of delivering goods purchased using e-retailing, particularly in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken, or intends to undertake, into the particular problems of delivering goods purchased using e-retailing, particularly in rural areas.","AnswerText":"E-retailing offers significant opportunities to rural residents, who will have increased choice of goods for purchase. Mail-order shopping, which faces the same delivery situation as e-retailing, is and has always been very popular in rural Scotland. There is therefore no apparent significant difficulty regarding delivery of goods purchased electronically to remoter parts of Scotland.

    Since January this year, the Scottish Household Survey has asked detailed questions about what the internet is used for currently and what it is likely to be used for in future. The results of these questions will be analysed and broken down by geographical area. This will help show whether residents of remoter areas shop online less than their urban counterparts. Results will be published after data analysis is completed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156078,"EventID":"S1W-19457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received about any difficulties encountered in recruiting staff when major new retail developments are opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received about any difficulties encountered in recruiting staff when major new retail developments are opened.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received one piece of correspondence on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156079,"EventID":"S1W-19458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to complete its review of A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism and whether, as part of that review, any current specific lack of reference to the retail se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to complete its review of A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism and whether, as part of that review, any current specific lack of reference to the retail sector will be addressed.","AnswerText":"The review will be completed by the end of the year. The Scottish Retail Consortium has contributed to the review. The outcome will highlight the central role that tourism businesses, including retail businesses, have in the continuing development of tourism.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156080,"EventID":"S1W-19459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what parts of A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism relate to the retail sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what parts of A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism relate to the retail sector.","AnswerText":"All of the actions contained in A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism, which relate to better marketing, improvement in quality and skills, and increased useage of IT will encourage additional visitors to come to Scotland. Additional visitors will benefit all businesses that depend on tourism, including retail businesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156081,"EventID":"S1W-19461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost was of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2000 to 2001 and how many copies have been produced.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost was of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2000 to 2001 and how many copies have been produced.","AnswerText":"The total cost of publishing and printing the English version of the Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2000 to 2001 was £30,862. The distribution costs were £2,450. The number of reports published was 2,500. Reports were distributed widely and, for example, were sent to organisations, representatives from which had appeared before committees as witnesses, to Scottish MPs and to international contacts.

    We will continue to review and assess the most cost-effective way of producing an annual report which fulfils its role of helping to inform the Scottish people of the Parliament's work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156082,"EventID":"S1W-19462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many racist incidents have been reported to the police since 11 September 2001 to date, broken down by police force area; how many of these incidents have been linke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many racist incidents have been reported to the police since 11 September 2001 to date, broken down by police force area; how many of these incidents have been linked to the current international situation, and how many racist incidents were reported to the police, broken down by police force area, in the same period last year. ","AnswerText":"The figures requested are not collected centrally. The latest available figures on racist incidents reported to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and racially aggravated offences recorded by the police are given in the following tables, but these do not cover the period since 11 September 2001.

    Racist incidents data collated by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary

    Police force area

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Scotland

    2,242

    2,731

    Central

    184

    153

    Dumfries & Galloway

    24

    57

    Fife

    186

    166

    Grampian

    103

    180

    Lothian & Borders

    552

    551

    Northern

    25

    75

    Strathclyde

    866

    1,241

    Tayside

    302

    308

    Racially aggravated offences 1 (including harassment and conduct) recorded by the police

    Police force area

    1999

    1998

    Scottish Office

    Department

    Campaign

    Spend

    Home

    Domestic Abuse

    £270,715

    Home

    Fire Prevention

    £164,312

    Health

    Nursing Recruitment

    £169,670

    Education

    Childrens Panels

    £70,500

    Historic Scotland1

    Historic Scotland

    £112,868

    Development

    Road Safety

    £308,862

    Constitution Group

    Scottish Parliament

    £434,750

    1999

    Scottish Office/Scottish Executive

    Department

    Campaign

    Spend

    Justice

    Domestic Abuse

    The work of MSPs and others representing prisoners will be facilitated by the decision. The relevant legislation is now the Data Protection Act (1998) which came into effect on 24 October 2001 and superseded the 1984 Act. The new Act updates and extends the scope of data protection provided by the 1984 Act and translates into United Kingdom legislation the 1995 European Union Directive on data protection.

    The action by the Scottish Prison Service has been taken to comply with the Data Protection Principles laid down by the 1998 Act, and is consistent with best practice, legal advice and is entirely in line with the spirit and intent of the Act. The new arrangements allow the Scottish Prison Service to continue to provide the information requested in accordance with the new legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156089,"EventID":"S1W-19469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision by the Scottish Prison Service with regard to the application of the Data Protection Act 1984 in relation to correspondence from MSPs on behalf of p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision by the Scottish Prison Service with regard to the application of the Data Protection Act 1984 in relation to correspondence from MSPs on behalf of prisoners is consistent with practice by other public bodies.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Prior to implementation of the new procedures, the Scottish Prison Service sought advice from a number of relevant bodies including the Office of the Information Commissioner. The tenor of that advice suggested that public bodies should all adopt such a procedure and we were told that many have done so.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156090,"EventID":"S1W-19470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made, or plans to make, of the impact of economic globalisation on the Scottish economy and whether it will publish the results of any such assessm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made, or plans to make, of the impact of economic globalisation on the Scottish economy and whether it will publish the results of any such assessment.","AnswerText":"Assessments of trends in the global economy are published regularly in the Executive's Scottish Economic Report. An assessment of the economic impact of the terrorist attacks was published by the Executive last month. Our policy approach was recently set out in Scotland: A Global Connections Strategy. It makes it clear that we want to see Scotland recognised as the most globally connected small nation in Europe.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156091,"EventID":"S1W-19471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replace Scottish Office Development Department circular 12/1996, to update the guidance on best practice in the use and content of planning agreement","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replace Scottish Office Development Department circular 12/1996, to update the guidance on best practice in the use and content of planning agreements and to provide guidance on the specimen wording of such agreements. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present. The recommendations of the research report The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements are still under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156092,"EventID":"S1W-19472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend sections 37 or 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 following the publication of The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend sections 37 or 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 following the publication of The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements by Colin Buchanan & Partners with Dundas & Wilson and Robert Turley Associates and commissioned by its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present. The recommendations of the research report The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements are still under consideration. Such amendments would require primary legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156093,"EventID":"S1W-19473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create the new legal mechanism proposed in paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8.3 of The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements by Colin Buchanan & Partners ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create the new legal mechanism proposed in paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8.3 of The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements by Colin Buchanan & Partners with Dundas & Wilson and Robert Turley Associates and commissioned by its Central Research Unit.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no such plans at present. The recommendations of the research report The Use and Effectiveness of Planning Agreements are still under consideration. The creation of such a mechanism would require primary legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156094,"EventID":"S1W-19474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the effectiveness of the use of American-style school buses to transport children to school. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the effectiveness of the use of American-style school buses to transport children to school. ","AnswerText":"At present there are no American-style buses in operation in Scotland. However, First Group have invited Scottish local authorities to participate in a pilot to evaluate the success of American-style buses. It is, however, for each authority to decide whether to accept the invitation.

    The Scottish Executive is kept informed about the pilot project, as an observer on the School Travel Advisory Group for England. I will consider the findings of the evaluation and will bring the findings of the evaluation to the attention of Scottish local authorities in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156095,"EventID":"S1W-19475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities to make greater use of American-style buses where such buses are found to have positive safety advantages over other types of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage local authorities to make greater use of American-style buses where such buses are found to have positive safety advantages over other types of school transport.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19474.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156096,"EventID":"S1W-19476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review legislation on embarkation and disembarkation of pupils from school transport so that, for example, ha'ard indicators must be displayed by a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review legislation on embarkation and disembarkation of pupils from school transport so that, for example, ha'ard indicators must be displayed by a bus while pupils are embarking or disembarking and following traffic may not overtake. ","AnswerText":"Policy and legislation on the lighting of vehicles and on road traffic offences are the responsibility of the UK Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156097,"EventID":"S1W-19477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18237 by Jackie Baillie on 8 October 2001, how many local authority and housing association tenants in the Glasgow Kelvin constitue","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18237 by Jackie Baillie on 8 October 2001, how many local authority and housing association tenants in the Glasgow Kelvin constituency will qualify for the central heating and insulation installation.","AnswerText":"The information contained in the reply to question S1W-18237 on 8 October 2001 cannot be shown on a constituency basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156098,"EventID":"S1W-19478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, where the public advertisements for the chairman and lay membership of the Judicial App","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, where the public advertisements for the chairman and lay membership of the Judicial Appointments Board are being placed and whether any equality indicators are being used to ensure that the composition of the board reflects gender and ethnic diversity.","AnswerText":"The advertisement for the chair and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board was placed in The Scotsman, The Herald and on the Scottish Executive website.

    The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that the membership of public bodies reflects all of Scottish society. The Executive has the following targets for appointing more people from under represented sections of society to public office:

    - to increase by 2002 the proportion of women appointees from the 1998 level of 47% to 50%

    - to increase by 2002 the proportion of bodies chaired by women from the 1998 level of 22% to 35%

    - to increase by 2002 the proportion of appointments held by people from an ethnic minority background from the 1998 level of 0.4% to 1.3%.

    The current targets were inherited from the Scottish Office ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156099,"EventID":"S1W-19479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans which would alter the minimum qualifications for teachers in pre-school education and the early years of primary school. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans which would alter the minimum qualifications for teachers in pre-school education and the early years of primary school. ","AnswerText":"On 1 October we launched a review of entry requirements to teacher training - of all types. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19480.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156100,"EventID":"S1W-19480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications would be for minimum teaching qualifications in pre-school education and the early years of primary school should the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications would be for minimum teaching qualifications in pre-school education and the early years of primary school should the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956 be repealed, as presently proposed. ","AnswerText":"The repeal of the pre-school provisions of the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956 - proposed and consulted upon in 2000 - will not of itself carry any implications for minimum teaching qualifications in pre-school education. The \"special qualification\" referred to in paragraph 5(2) of the Code is no longer offered in this form; and all courses leading to the B.Ed and PCGE qualifications now cover pre-school education. We will be issuing guidance to local authorities and others on the future deployment of teachers in early years services.

    We hope shortly to make an announcement more generally on the future of the Schools (Scotland) Code.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156101,"EventID":"S1W-19481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has been carried out over the proposals to repeal the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has been carried out over the proposals to repeal the Schools (Scotland) Code 1956. ","AnswerText":"My department issued a consultation document on 3 April 2000 seeking comments on the review of the code's provisions. I hope to make an announcement shortly on the future of the code.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156102,"EventID":"S1W-19482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism it has put in place to carry out the functions previously undertaken by the Higher Still Development Unit. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism it has put in place to carry out the functions previously undertaken by the Higher Still Development Unit. ","AnswerText":"The work of the former Higher Still Development Unit is being continued by Learning and Teaching Scotland who have a key role in supporting secondary education. Support for National Qualifications continues to be provided through the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Scottish Further Education Unit.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156103,"EventID":"S1W-19483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many further education colleges offer qualifications which are also available in the secondary school sector. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many further education colleges offer qualifications which are also available in the secondary school sector. ","AnswerText":"All bar two of Scotland's 46 further education colleges offer qualifications which are also available in the secondary school sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156104,"EventID":"S1W-19484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school students enrolled at a further education college in each of the last three years in order to sit Higher examinations. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many school students enrolled at a further education college in each of the last three years in order to sit Higher examinations. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156105,"EventID":"S1W-19485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the presentation rate was for candidates sitting Higher examinations in (a) further education colleges and (b) the secondary school sector, in each of the last thre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the presentation rate was for candidates sitting Higher examinations in (a) further education colleges and (b) the secondary school sector, in each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"The number of Higher entries for school and further education/other centres are set out in the table.

    Year

    Total Number of Higher Entries

    Secondary School Higher Entries

    Further Education and External Entries

    1997-98

    163,817

    157,332

    6,485

    1998-99

    160,919

    154,930

    5,989

    1999-2000

    163,517

    157,259

    6,258

    Higher refers to old SCE Highers and new National Qualifications at Higher level.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156106,"EventID":"S1W-19486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage was of Higher passes by students in (a) further education colleges and (b) the secondary school sector, in each of the last three years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage was of Higher passes by students in (a) further education colleges and (b) the secondary school sector, in each of the last three years. ","AnswerText":"The number of passes as a percentage of the number of entries for each sector are set out in the following table:

    Year

    Higher Passes in Secondary Schools (%)

    Higher Passes in Further Education and External Centres

    1997-98

    70.7%

    60.1%

    1998-99

    71.4%

    58.5%

    1999-2000

    74.3%

    60.1%

    Note: Higher refers to old SCE Highers and new National Qualifications at Higher level.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156107,"EventID":"S1W-19487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, businesses will pay a business rates surcharge in order to fund the small business rates relief scheme, broken down by local authority ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, businesses will pay a business rates surcharge in order to fund the small business rates relief scheme, broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19488.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156108,"EventID":"S1W-19488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, businesses will benefit from a reduction in their business rates following the implementation of the small business rates relief scheme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, businesses will benefit from a reduction in their business rates following the implementation of the small business rates relief scheme, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Based on the proposals put forward in May in the Scottish Executive Consultation Paper Rate Relief for Small Businesses, businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of £10,000 or less, subject to certain criteria, would benefit from a general rate relief scheme. The table shows the number of all non-domestic properties above and below the £10,000 rateable value threshold by local authority area. This provides an indication of the numbers and percentage of businesses likely to benefit from the scheme.

    Rateable Value of Business Properties by Local Authority Area.
     

    Number of business properties

    Number of businesses by rateable value (RV)

    Local authority area

    All RV's

    < £10,000

    % of total for area

    > £10,000

    % of total for area

    Aberdeen

    8,318

    4,379

    53%

    3,939

    47%

    Aberdeenshire

    8,742

    7,042

    81%

    1,700

    19%

    Angus

    4,438

    3,490

    79%

    948

    21%

    Argyll & Bute

    6,666

    5,659

    85%

    1,007

    15%

    Clackmannan

    1,363

     

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Number of first term leavers

    10,262

    10,744

    9,514

    10,350

    11,318

    September, S4, S5, S6 total

    136,378

    133,307

    130,383

    131,463

    133,731

    Percentage that left

    7.5%

    8.1%

    7.3%

    7.9%

    8.5%

    All senior secondary schools were required to introduce National Qualifications from August 1999, although the extent to which the new courses were taught varied.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156114,"EventID":"S1W-19494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and from what source, including grants from the European Union, Her Majesty's Government, the National Lottery, each further education college received in publ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and from what source, including grants from the European Union, Her Majesty's Government, the National Lottery, each further education college received in public funding in each of the past three years and will receive in the current year; what the total annual income from all sources was for each college, and how many students attended each college.","AnswerText":"On behalf of the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Further Education Funding Council allocates public funds to Scotland's further education colleges. Colleges may receive income from a variety of other sources including fees, commercial activity and the European Union. Details of total college income are not held centrally, although are published in the Annual Report and Accounts of each college.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156115,"EventID":"S1W-19495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for podiatry and chiropody services for (a) high-risk patients and (b) non high-risk patients, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for podiatry and chiropody services for (a) high-risk patients and (b) non high-risk patients, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The treatment of patients by a podiatrist or chiropodist is generally undertaken in a primary care setting by the Community Chiropody Service (CCS), or at sessions at NHSScotland hospitals, clinics or other health service facilities staffed by Professions Allied to Medicine (PAM). Information on waiting times for services provided by the CCS or by PAM is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156116,"EventID":"S1W-19496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors lead to a patient being classified as high-risk for the purposes of podiatry and chiropody.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what factors lead to a patient being classified as high-risk for the purposes of podiatry and chiropody.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to list all the high risk factors which would lead to referral for chiropody/podiatry. It is up to the individual clinician to determine the clinical priority based on their assessment of the patient.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156117,"EventID":"S1W-19497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statutory guidance for local authorities on educating children at home is not yet available and when it anticipates that the guidance will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the statutory guidance for local authorities on educating children at home is not yet available and when it anticipates that the guidance will be published.","AnswerText":"Statutory guidance on the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home is not yet available, because the issues that it requires to address are complex and have needed careful and detailed consideration. Draft guidance will, however, be issued to local authorities and other interest groups for consultation shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156118,"EventID":"S1W-19498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the residents of Colonsay on the tendering of ferry services to the island and what guidelines are in place to ensure that adequat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the residents of Colonsay on the tendering of ferry services to the island and what guidelines are in place to ensure that adequate consultation takes place before any decision is taken on the future provision of such services.","AnswerText":"In April last year we published Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services and used this as the basis for a wide consultation with users, including residents of Colonsay and others, on options for bringing Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry services into line with EC rules on maritime state aids. The Minister for Transport and Planning announced in January 2001 a package of provisional proposals to bring the Clyde and Western Isles ferry services into compliance with EC rules. As part of the proposals the minister gave a commitment to protecting levels of service and fares.

    Burness Corlett & Partners, Maritime Consultants, have been appointed to draft the Service Specification for the tender exercise. Over the summer the consultants met and discussed the Service Specification with key interests, including the relevant local authorities and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority; Trade Union representatives; the Scottish Parliament Transport and Environment Committee Reporters; CalMac Users Consultative Committee; the three Shipping Services Advisory Committees (which represent users), and the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership.

    The draft Service Specification will cover all aspects of the service, including minimum levels of service and fares. We will be consulting widely on the service specification in due course and I would urge all those with an interest, including residents of Colonsay, to participate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156119,"EventID":"S1W-19499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports putting island ferry services out to tender every five years or whether it will seek an exemption from relevant EC regulations. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports putting island ferry services out to tender every five years or whether it will seek an exemption from relevant EC regulations. ","AnswerText":"We are required to bring Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry services into compliance with EC rules on state aids and maritime cabotage. The Minister for Transport and Planning announced, in January, the Executive's proposals to bring the services into compliance and we have since been negotiating with the European Commission to agree a way forward. The five-year contract period is set out in the EC rules for Public Service Obligations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156120,"EventID":"S1W-19500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum level of service provision and fare guarantees will exist for the residents of Colonsay after the current tendering process on ferry services to the island ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum level of service provision and fare guarantees will exist for the residents of Colonsay after the current tendering process on ferry services to the island is concluded and what representations have been sought from the residents there to ascertain whether the proposals on service provision and fare guarantees which arise from the tendering process are acceptable to them.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19498.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156121,"EventID":"S1W-19501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken following the publication of the study by the Scottish Agricultural College Impact of Agricultural Practices and Catchment Characteristics on Ay","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken following the publication of the study by the Scottish Agricultural College Impact of Agricultural Practices and Catchment Characteristics on Ayrshire Bathing Waters. ","AnswerText":"In July this year, the Scottish Executive issued advice for farmers on the prevention of pollution at bathing waters, based on the conclusions of the study, to farmers in Ayrshire and on Bute. The advice is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14970).

    In the debate on the Agriculture Strategy for Scotland on 3 October, my colleague Ross Finnie announced the creation by the Scottish Executive, together with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, WWF Scotland, the Scottish Agricultural College and the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, of an advice co-ordination post at the college. One of the postholder's main tasks will be to collate and publicise advice on best practice in bathing water catchments, based on the research work by the college.

    Further work, building on the research, is currently under discussion with stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156122,"EventID":"S1W-19502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18370 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 October 2001, when the Healthy Respect National Health Demonstration project will produce an evalua","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18370 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 October 2001, when the Healthy Respect National Health Demonstration project will produce an evaluation report and whether this evaluation will form the basis for extending the project throughout the rest of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Healthy Respect National Health Demonstration project is being independently evaluated by the University of Aberdeen and it will report its findings by early 2004.

    The independent evaluation programme will identify implications for policy and practice and inform discussions about the best course of action to improve Scotland's health. A Scotland-Wide Learning Network is being established to help draw together and share lessons learned during the course of the Healthy Respect, Starting Well and Have a Heart Paisley national health demonstration projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156123,"EventID":"S1W-19503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all people who are prescribed methadone are given the option of detoxification and rehabilitation at regular intervals during the course of their treatment ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all people who are prescribed methadone are given the option of detoxification and rehabilitation at regular intervals during the course of their treatment ","AnswerText":"The nature and duration of treatment are determined on the basis of a patient's particular clinical needs and personal circumstances. Current clinical guidelines recognise that referrals to hospital, day care or residential care may be required in certain circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156124,"EventID":"S1W-19504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on community ownership extends to property owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and, in particular, to the communities on Rum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on community ownership extends to property owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and, in particular, to the communities on Rum.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's proposals, contained in the draft Land Reform Bill which provides for a community right to buy, extend to the whole of rural Scotland, including property owned by Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156125,"EventID":"S1W-19505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has cost Scottish Natural Heritage to manage Rum in each year since April 1992.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has cost Scottish Natural Heritage to manage Rum in each year since April 1992.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156126,"EventID":"S1W-19506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of the survey and research work carried out in relation to Rum by, or on behalf of, Scottish Natural Heritage from April 1992 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of the survey and research work carried out in relation to Rum by, or on behalf of, Scottish Natural Heritage from April 1992 to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19505.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156127,"EventID":"S1W-19507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16955 by Rhona Brankin on 8 August 2001, how many residential units have been built on the Isle of Rum in each year from 1957 compa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16955 by Rhona Brankin on 8 August 2001, how many residential units have been built on the Isle of Rum in each year from 1957 compared with the total annual population of the island in each year from 1957 for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19505.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156128,"EventID":"S1W-19508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the publication of the Discipline Task Force's Action Plan and whether any financial resources will be allocated to ensure that its re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the publication of the Discipline Task Force's Action Plan and whether any financial resources will be allocated to ensure that its recommendations are implemented. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is working with members of the Discipline Task Group and with local government organisations to complete an action plan, to be published shortly.

    Funding of implementation falls to the Executive and to local authorities, according to their responsibilities. An announcement about resources will be made when the action plan is launched.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156129,"EventID":"S1W-19509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards implementing the recommendations made by the Discipline Task Force in its report Better Behaviour - Better Learning.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards implementing the recommendations made by the Discipline Task Force in its report Better Behaviour - Better Learning.","AnswerText":"As indicated at the publication of the Discipline Task Group report in June, an action plan is being prepared in collaboration with Discipline Task Group members and local government organisations. This should be published shortly and will set out the timescale for implementation of the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156130,"EventID":"S1W-19510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16773 by Rhona Brankin on 31 July 2001, whether it has made any further progress in promoting social inclusion in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16773 by Rhona Brankin on 31 July 2001, whether it has made any further progress in promoting social inclusion in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Executive remains committed to promoting social inclusion across Scotland, including in our rural areas. Our understanding of rural social exclusion is being improved as a result of the Rural Poverty and Inclusion Working Group's report, Poverty and Social Exclusion in Rural Scotland, which was presented to ministers on 30 October. The report makes a number of practical recommendations for measuring the impact of, and tackling, poverty and social exclusion in rural areas. The Executive is already acting on the group's recommendations by taking forward work to improve data availability and to disaggregate existing data on a rural/urban basis. As far as is currently possible, we will provide an urban/rural breakdown of data in the second Social Justice Annual Report, which will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156131,"EventID":"S1W-19511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18491 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 24 September 2001, what specific steps it is taking to promote digital inclusion in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18491 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 24 September 2001, what specific steps it is taking to promote digital inclusion in rural areas.","AnswerText":"In September we published the Digital Inclusion strategy Connecting Scotland's people - this included initiatives which will promote digital inclusion in rural areas.

    The public access points initiative will expend some £5 million to create more than 1,000 additional public internet access points, and investment will be particularly focussed on areas of Scotland where access to the web is currently poor. The initiative will provide PCs with internet access in places where people already go - for example doctors' surgeries, shops and hairdressers. This will significantly improve public access to the web across much of rural Scotland. We expect to provide the first PCs early next year.

    In addition, the Digital Communities initiative will expend some £3.5 million in tackling digital inclusion by creating pilot \"digital communities\" to connect homes to the internet in two disadvantaged areas of Scotland. The objective is to demonstrate how the internet can increase peoples' opportunities and improve quality of life, but at the same time to inform our further efforts to close the digital divide. The two communities chosen will be announced in March 2002, one of which will be a rural community.

    As noted in the strategy, we are also examining the feasibility of a range of other initiatives to promote digital inclusion.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156132,"EventID":"S1W-19512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that young people living in rural areas have access to affordable public transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that young people living in rural areas have access to affordable public transport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Rural Public Passenger Transport grant provides support for scheduled services, many of which extend access to affordable public transport including to young people.

    In addition, the Rural Community Transport Initiative provides support for local community transport projects across rural Scotland. A number of Community Transport Projects are aimed at meeting the specific needs of young people.

    The Scottish Executive has also recently commissioned a research project titled Young People and Transport that will look at how we can best meet the specific public transport needs of young people in the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156133,"EventID":"S1W-19513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken by it, local authorities and the enterprise agencies to support and advise small businesses, such as village shops and post offices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken by it, local authorities and the enterprise agencies to support and advise small businesses, such as village shops and post offices.","AnswerText":"The provision of advice and support for small, medium and large businesses in Scotland is a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Executive continues to work closely with both these organisations to ensure easy access by new and existing small businesses, in all sectors, to the advice and support they need to develop and grow. Small businesses should contact the Small Business Gateway, in the Scottish Enterprise area or the Local Enterprise Company in the Highlands and Islands area, where business advisers can advise on all relevant sources of advice and support available, including from local authorities and the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156134,"EventID":"S1W-19514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15395 by Rhona Brankin on 10 May 2001, what progress it has made in improving the protection of Scotland's soil resource.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15395 by Rhona Brankin on 10 May 2001, what progress it has made in improving the protection of Scotland's soil resource.","AnswerText":"The recent study carried out by Stirling University on the development of a soil protection strategy for Scotland, which we are currently considering, recommended that the proposed Advisory Committee on Scottish Soils should review the available survey data as held by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI) and others. The MLURI are currently undertaking this exercise and expect to report early in the new year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156135,"EventID":"S1W-19515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how is it promoting the Powershift programme in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how is it promoting the Powershift programme in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Energy Saving Trust is responsible for publicising the Powershift programme throughout the UK, and does so in a number of ways. We have recently asked the trust to undertake increased promotion of the Powershift programme across Scotland, including in rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156136,"EventID":"S1W-19516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving safety on the A84 and A85 trunk roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving safety on the A84 and A85 trunk roads.","AnswerText":"The following progress has been made in improving safety on the A84 and A85 trunk roads:

    BEAR Scotland Ltd have proposals for improving the A84/A85 junction at Lochearnhead. The construction work is programmed for completion this financial year.

    The designs for village gateways for Lochearnhead have been completed and the signs should be erected by the end of December 2001.

    A contract for improving and upgrading the verge safety fences at various locations on the A84 and A85 has been awarded. These works will start in mid December and be complete by the end of the financial year.

    Minor alterations will be made to road signs and markings at Glen Ogle. The signs should be in place by the end of the year.

    Three improvement schemes at Glenogle are being designed for implementation in the future, subject to competing priorities and available funding.

    White lining and road marking treatments are currently being carried out on these routes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156137,"EventID":"S1W-19517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15542 by Rhona Brankin on 16 May 2001, what progress has been made in assessing the capacity of the national grid in northern Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15542 by Rhona Brankin on 16 May 2001, what progress has been made in assessing the capacity of the national grid in northern Scotland in order to ensure that Scotland can benefit fully from its renewable energy resources.","AnswerText":"The study commissioned to assess the capacity of the Scottish electricity network to connect increasing amounts of renewable generation has now been completed. The results of the study will be published shortly, along with a report into Scotland's renewable resource.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156138,"EventID":"S1W-19518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of Scotland's power that can be generated from renewable resources.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of Scotland's power that can be generated from renewable resources.","AnswerText":"Earlier this year, we commissioned an update of an earlier assessment of Scotland's potential renewable energy resource, which was published in 1993. This work has nearly been completed by the consultants, and I will be announcing its publication shortly, along with a linked report on the Scottish electricity network.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156139,"EventID":"S1W-19519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce the number of accidents caused by fireworks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce the number of accidents caused by fireworks.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3987 on 1 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156140,"EventID":"S1W-19520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13128 by Jackie Baillie on 12 March 2001, how many households in the private rented sector applied for Warm Deal grants in the 12 m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13128 by Jackie Baillie on 12 March 2001, how many households in the private rented sector applied for Warm Deal grants in the 12 months to 30 June 2001, how many such grants were awarded and what percentage of Warm Deal grants awarded during this period this represented.","AnswerText":"Eaga manage the Warm Deal for the private sector. They do not record applications by sector. They record the number of grants awarded. From 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 Eaga received 27,823 Warm Deal grant claims. 941 of these were for tenants in the private rented sector. This represents 3.4% of all grants awarded in that period.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156141,"EventID":"S1W-19521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect public sports grounds and playing areas from being used for building developments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect public sports grounds and playing areas from being used for building developments.","AnswerText":"The Executive seeks to protect and enhance the land and water resources required for the nation's sport and physical recreation through the planning system. It is part of local authorities' responsibility to take full account in their preparation of development plans, and development control decisions of the community's need, for recreational space and sporting facilities. Planning decisions must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan will therefore form the basis of decisions made by local authorities and Scottish ministers.

    National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space, states that there should be a presumption against redevelopment of playing fields or sports pitches and that planning permission should not be granted for their alternative use, unless it has been established that they will not be required in future by the school or community. For the purposes of NPPG 11 a playing field is defined as land of 0.4 hectares or more for any pitch sports, including any adjacent tennis courts and bowling greens, and athletic tracks.

    Under Article 15 of the General Development Procedure Order, sportscotland must be consulted on proposals for development on land last used as a playing field which has not subsequently been built on and development that is likely to prejudice the use of land as a playing field or lead to the loss of land used as a playing field. If a planning authority is minded to grant a planning permission, and sportscotland has made and maintained an objection to the application, the authority must notify the Scottish ministers who can then decide whether to call in the application for their own determination.

    Robust planning policies are required to safeguard established open spaces, playing fields and access routes where they contribute to local community needs and enjoyment. Local authorities should lead by example and generally resist development of open space and playing fields in their ownership.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156142,"EventID":"S1W-19522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist and develop local museums.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist and develop local museums.","AnswerText":"We have honoured our commitment in the National Cultural Strategy to provide resources of £250,000 for a national audit of all museum collections, buildings and services to establish their relative importance, the first of its kind in Europe. The final results of the audit are due in April 2002. However, an interim report was published on 25 October and included detailed findings relating to industrial museums and Glasgow City museums.

    In the first instance, the results of the audit will inform the distribution of our new Restructuring Fund of £3 million over three years, which is aimed at helping to put the local museum sector on a sounder financial footing.

    We are also progressively increasing our annual grant-in-aid to the Scottish Museums Council, the channel for the Executive's support to the non-national museum sector, from £940,000 in 2000-01 to £1,440,000 in 2003-04. The increase of £850,000 over three years (£100,000/£250,000/£500,000) is intended specifically for the development of Information and Communications Technology and education programmes in the non-national sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156143,"EventID":"S1W-19523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to install carbon monoxide monitors in all homes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to install carbon monoxide monitors in all homes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to install carbon monoxide detectors in all houses. The Central Heating Programme will provide carbon monoxide detectors for those households who are having gas, oil or solid fuel systems installed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156144,"EventID":"S1W-19524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many reports it has received from education authorities and independent schools of in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many reports it has received from education authorities and independent schools of inspections made on them by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerText":"There is no requirement for education authorities or independent schools to submit such reports to the Scottish Executive, and we have no record of having received any.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156145,"EventID":"S1W-19525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many communications or reports it has received from the Health and Safety Executive (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many communications or reports it has received from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of inspections made by the HSE of state and independent schools regarding adventure activities undertaken during school trips. ","AnswerText":"We have no record of having received any such communications or reports, and there is no requirement for such material to be submitted to the Scottish Executive by the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156146,"EventID":"S1W-19526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what statistics it has on accidents involving children attending state or independent sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what statistics it has on accidents involving children attending state or independent schools while undertaking adventure activities during school trips.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not collect such statistics.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156147,"EventID":"S1W-19527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what forms of monitoring are undertaken by it or on its behalf of Improvement Notices ser","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18284 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what forms of monitoring are undertaken by it or on its behalf of Improvement Notices served by the Health and Safety Executive concerning adventure activities in the context of school trips and what information it has received regarding the results of any such monitoring.","AnswerText":"Improvement notices served by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the responsibility of the HSE and are matters between the HSE and the body on which a notice is served. The Scottish Executive has no role in monitoring Improvement Notices served by the HSE in the context of school trips.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156148,"EventID":"S1W-19528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance is issued by it or on its behalf to state or independent schools on the preparation and requirements of risk assessment in respect of adventure a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance is issued by it or on its behalf to state or independent schools on the preparation and requirements of risk assessment in respect of adventure activities in the context of school trips. ","AnswerText":"The circular issued by the Scottish Office Education Department in October 1994, referred to in the answer to question S1W-18279 on 18 October 2001, stressed the importance of risk assessment by organisers when planning activity visits and noted that detailed advice on risk assessment can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156149,"EventID":"S1W-19529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18283 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many meetings of the Health and Safety Commission's Adventure Activities Industry Adv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18283 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, how many meetings of the Health and Safety Commission's Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee have been attended by Executive officials to date and what proportion of the total number of meetings of the committee this represents. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has been represented at one of the five meetings held since being invited to attend as observers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156150,"EventID":"S1W-19530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18283 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what the numbers, grades, salaries and career experiences are of Executive staff with res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18283 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, what the numbers, grades, salaries and career experiences are of Executive staff with responsibility for monitoring and advising on the implementation of recommendations made to state and independent schools by the Health and Safety Commission's Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee concerning adventure activities undertaken during school trips. ","AnswerText":"The role of the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC) is to provide advice to the Health and Safety Commission and guidance to the industry and it does not make recommendations direct to schools. Given this, there is no role for anyone within the Executive to monitor or advise on their implementation.

    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who provide the secretariat function, publish the AAIAC advice and literature. If that guidance is followed then the industry, and schools, will be complying with the health and safety legislation. It is the role of the HSE to ensure health and safety legislation is complied with.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156151,"EventID":"S1W-19531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18281 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, whether any changes have been made to advice and guidance issued by it or on its behalf t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18281 by Allan Wilson on 15 October 2001, whether any changes have been made to advice and guidance issued by it or on its behalf to state or independent schools in respect of adventure activities undertaken during school trips since the establishment of the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has issued no such guidance, but advice is available from the Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156152,"EventID":"S1W-19532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the development of fridge waste disposal processing plants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage the development of fridge waste disposal processing plants.","AnswerText":"The development of refrigerator disposal capacity in Scotland would complement the Executive's policies on sustainability and the Executive would therefore welcome any decisions by the waste management industry to set up plant here. The Executive also recognises, however, that this is a commercial decision for individual companies to make in light of their own assessments of the demand for such facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156153,"EventID":"S1W-19533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the numbers of fridges that will need to be disposed of in Scotland in each of the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the numbers of fridges that will need to be disposed of in Scotland in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Executive's research project The Determination of the Source, Nature, Amount and Disposal Routes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Arising in Scotland, published earlier this year, and available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14595) indicated that 224,000 domestic fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers were discarded in 1998-99. The UK Government has estimated a UK total of around 2.5 million. A 9% pro-rata apportionment to Scotland would be 225,000. This is the figure the Executive is using in its policy considerations.

    Annual arisings of 225,000 units equate to about 44 units per 1,000 of population. The Executive is not aware of any factors which will materially change this over the next five years.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156154,"EventID":"S1W-19534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will establish baseline figures for biodegradable waste products for each local authority with regard to meeting the EC Landfill Directive target for 2010.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will establish baseline figures for biodegradable waste products for each local authority with regard to meeting the EC Landfill Directive target for 2010.","AnswerText":"Following a public consultation the Scottish Executive announced, in May 2000, its intention to establish a system of tradable permits in order to meet the requirements in the Landfill Directive for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill. The allocation of baseline figures between local authorities, and the level of annual permits, will be established following a further consultation in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156155,"EventID":"S1W-19535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether new Public/Private Partnership schemes are eligible for funding from the Strategic Waste Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether new Public/Private Partnership schemes are eligible for funding from the Strategic Waste Fund.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156156,"EventID":"S1W-19536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that grants awarded from the Strategic Waste Fund represent best value for money.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that grants awarded from the Strategic Waste Fund represent best value for money.","AnswerText":"It will be for local authorities to ensure that expenditure of grant from the Strategic Waste Fund provides best value for money.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156157,"EventID":"S1W-19537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on best practice in respect of suitability for awards from the Strategic Waste Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on best practice in respect of suitability for awards from the Strategic Waste Fund.","AnswerText":"Yes. Draft guidance on the Strategic Waste Fund will be issued to local authorities for comment this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156158,"EventID":"S1W-19538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letter of 24 September 2001 regarding my constituent Mr R Stephen of Cairnbulg.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy Minister for Rural Development will reply to my letter of 24 September 2001 regarding my constituent Mr R Stephen of Cairnbulg.","AnswerText":"I replied to the member on 7 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156159,"EventID":"S1W-19539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what schemes have been implemented for the improvement of maternity services, including the upgrading of maternity units; how much has been spent on the improvement of m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what schemes have been implemented for the improvement of maternity services, including the upgrading of maternity units; how much has been spent on the improvement of maternity services in the Highland Health Board area over each of the last five years, and what the breakdown of this expenditure was for each year. ","AnswerText":"The Executive attaches a high priority to ensuring that the NHS offers high quality maternity services in all parts of Scotland. Among the comprehensive principles identified in the Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland, published in February this year, were safety, choice, quality and access. Within the guidelines set out in the framework, it is for the NHS locally, working with service users and planning partners, to determine what initiatives and investment are necessary to develop services in their areas. Information about the cost of service developments is not held centrally.

    Highland NHS Board carried out a review of maternity services throughout the Highlands earlier this year. The review was informed by wide public consultation with local communities. The review report, published in August, made 41 recommendations for developing Highland maternity services in line with the Scottish framework. NHS Highland has started to implement these recommendations, in consultation with service users and planning partners.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156160,"EventID":"S1W-19540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in bringing forward a Family Law (Scotland) Bill and when any such Bill will be introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in bringing forward a Family Law (Scotland) Bill and when any such Bill will be introduced.","AnswerText":"As announced in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government, we will bring forward a draft bill to reform family law. We intend to publish a draft in the second half of 2002. Such a Bill would be the subject of consultation and would be introduced when parliamentary time allows.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156161,"EventID":"S1W-19541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the illegal use of cocaine by young people has increased since 1997 and what the medical effects of cocaine abuse are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the illegal use of cocaine by young people has increased since 1997 and what the medical effects of cocaine abuse are.","AnswerText":"Information from the Scottish Misuse Database indicates an increase in the last five years in reported use among new clients attending drug services. In 1996-97, 78 (2.1%) of people under 25 attending services reported cocaine as one of their drugs of use. By 2000-01 this figure had risen to 231 (4.8%).

    Several serious medical problems can be associated with cocaine misuse, including increased risks of myocardial infarctions and stroke. Other problems can include paranoia and psychosis, damage to nasal passages, hypertension, increased body temperature and agitated delirium. Intravenous use carries all the health risks associated with injecting illegal drugs. Smoking crack cocaine can lead to lung damage and chest pain.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156162,"EventID":"S1W-19542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the full costs were of establishing Communities Scotland, including the costs of any external consultants for design purposes and (b) what the full costs will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the full costs were of establishing Communities Scotland, including the costs of any external consultants for design purposes and (b) what the full costs will be of winding up Scottish Homes. ","AnswerText":"The full costs of establishing Communities Scotland, including the costs of employing external consultants, was £70,000. No date has yet been set for the winding up of Scottish Homes and therefore it is not at this stage possible to predict what costs, if any, will be incurred.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156163,"EventID":"S1W-19543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the inspection schedule for manhole covers on the M8 by the trunk road contractors; (b) the criteria to determine whether a manhole cover on a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the inspection schedule for manhole covers on the M8 by the trunk road contractors; (b) the criteria to determine whether a manhole cover on a trunk road is inspected, and (c) the design standards for manhole covers on trunk roads. ","AnswerText":"The inspection schedule for the M8 motorway, which is unchanged from the previous trunk road contracts, covers all inventory items, including manhole covers. The trunk road contract requires that a safety inspection is undertaken every seven days with a further safety patrol undertaken every seven days between safety inspections. Detailed inspections are carried out annually to establish programmes of routine maintenance operations not requiring urgent execution.

    British Standard BS EN 124 refers to current design standards for new manholes and is covered in the manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works - Volume 1, Specification for Highway Works - Clause 507 - Chambers and Volume 3 and Highway Construction Details.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156164,"EventID":"S1W-19544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":16,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending its central heating initiative to homes where the only form of heating is provided by under-floor or warm air heating.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending its central heating initiative to homes where the only form of heating is provided by under-floor or warm air heating.","AnswerText":"For the next few years, the Central Heating Programme will focus entirely on the most vulnerable households: those lacking any form of central heating. We have already announced that the programme will be extended from 2004 so that 20,000 local authority dwellings can be upgraded from partial central heating systems to whole-house systems. The programme may be further widened thereafter and we will carefully consider the scope of any such extension so that help goes to those who need it most.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156165,"EventID":"S1W-19545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18719 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 October 2001, what powers it has to introduce legislation for the introduction of compulsory national","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18719 by Mr Jim Wallace on 30 October 2001, what powers it has to introduce legislation for the introduction of compulsory national identity cards. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive could introduce legislation for compulsory identity cards for purposes within the competence of the Parliament, although we have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156166,"EventID":"S1W-19546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mortgage repossession orders have been made in each court district in each quarter of 2001 to date. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mortgage repossession orders have been made in each court district in each quarter of 2001 to date. ","AnswerText":"The recorded figures for the number of mortgage repossession orders granted in each court district in each quarter of 2001 to date are shown in the following table:

    Court

    1q 2001

    2q 2001

    3q 2001

    Aberdeen

    10

    0

    89

    Airdrie

    97

    99

    84

    Alloa

    23

    16

    1

    Arbroath

    14

    17

    16

    Ayr

    38

    8

    11

    Banff

    7

    8

    6

    Campbeltown

    0

    1

    3

    Cupar

    15

    20

    3

    Dingwall

    8

    11

    3

    Dornoch

    		Bilingualism, Community Languages and Scottish Education, published in 1999, quotes 60 languages used in daily life, including community languages.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156169,"EventID":"S1W-19549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ethnic communities have convenient access to interpretation facilities and whether there are a sufficient number of interpreters available for each language.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether ethnic communities have convenient access to interpretation facilities and whether there are a sufficient number of interpreters available for each language.","AnswerText":"The Executive has convened a group to examine the provision of translation, interpreting and communication support across the public sector in Scotland.

    The group, which includes representatives from local government, health boards, the police, the Commission for Race Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Scottish Refugee Council, will report early next year and the report will include a consultative draft framework of standards.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156170,"EventID":"S1W-19550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to assist local authority social work departments in overcoming any delays in making alterations to the homes of people with disabilities who wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to assist local authority social work departments in overcoming any delays in making alterations to the homes of people with disabilities who wish to continue living in their own homes as an alternative to institutional care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provided an additional £5 million to assist with this in 2000-01. For the longer term, the Joint Future Group Report Community Care: A Joint Future recommended a strategic overview of equipment and adaptations services to result in a better-focused and more effective service for the user. A Strategy Forum which includes all key players has been established to modernise and improve services and produce a vision for the future. It will make recommendations in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156171,"EventID":"S1W-19551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct an audit of the extent of delays by local authorities in making alterations to the homes of people with disabilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct an audit of the extent of delays by local authorities in making alterations to the homes of people with disabilities.","AnswerText":"The Strategy Forum, which is referred to in the answer to question S1W-19550, will publish shortly the results of a survey of waiting times for local authority equipment and adaptations services which are assessed by social work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156172,"EventID":"S1W-19552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a comparative investigation into the lengths of time local authorities take to implement alterations to the homes of people with di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to undertake a comparative investigation into the lengths of time local authorities take to implement alterations to the homes of people with disabilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19551.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156173,"EventID":"S1W-19553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to simplify the administrative process for applications from people with disabilities in respect of alterations to their homes that will enable ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to simplify the administrative process for applications from people with disabilities in respect of alterations to their homes that will enable them to continue living in these homes.","AnswerText":"The Strategy Forum, which is referred to in the answer to question S1W-19550, is looking at new ways of working including self-assessment for simple solutions, and assessment by a wider range of assessors. These are measures which, in the context of overall modernisation and improvement of services, would simplify processes for people.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156174,"EventID":"S1W-19554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to investigate any delays in the provision of disability aids by the NHS and local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to investigate any delays in the provision of disability aids by the NHS and local authorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19550.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156175,"EventID":"S1W-19555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it is undertaking of the progress made by local authorities in establishing three-year funding packages for major voluntary sector groups within their ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it is undertaking of the progress made by local authorities in establishing three-year funding packages for major voluntary sector groups within their areas.","AnswerText":"The funding arrangements that exist between local authorities and voluntary organisations are a matter for the parties concerned. However, the Scottish Executive is committed to encouraging other funders to work towards a stable funding environment for the voluntary sector and its indicative three-year financial settlements for local authorities will make it easier for them, in turn, to offer three-year funding to voluntary groups.

    As part of the Executive's review of its funding for the voluntary sector, we intend to look at whether it is possible for all funders of the sector, including local authorities, to work together to ensure that they are operating in way that meets their own needs and the needs of the sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156176,"EventID":"S1W-19556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether people who have been assessed as requiring care in their own homes are eligible for direct payments for their care from local authorities. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether people who have been assessed as requiring care in their own homes are eligible for direct payments for their care from local authorities. ","AnswerText":"Direct payments are available to disabled people, aged 18 and over, who have been assessed as needing community care services, including care in their own homes.

    Direct payments can be used to purchase all community care services except permanent residential care. They can, however, be used to purchase temporary residential care subject to a maximum set down in regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156177,"EventID":"S1W-19557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the ratio of dentists to population in Scotland is less than in England. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the ratio of dentists to population in Scotland is less than in England. ","AnswerText":"Based on data held by the Department of Health and ISD Scotland, the ratio of all dentists providing services within the NHS is 48.94 per 100,000 population in Scotland and 43.81 per 100,000 population in England. These figures include dentists working in General Dental Services, Community Dental Services and Hospital Dental Services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156178,"EventID":"S1W-19558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the 53% of new dentists added to the dentists' register in the year 2000 who were drawn from abroad have received training, experience and qualif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the 53% of new dentists added to the dentists' register in the year 2000 who were drawn from abroad have received training, experience and qualifications to the same standard as graduates from Scotland's dental schools. ","AnswerText":"Entry to the Dentists Register is an issue for the General Dental Council. This body and such issues are reserved and dealt with through the Department of Health in England.

    Entering the Dentists Register in the UK is not the same as working in the UK. Entry to the register does not guarantee entry to the UK or a work permit to work here. Home Office permission must still be granted and immigration criteria satisfied, for dentists from outwith the European Economic Area (EEA). Dentists who qualify in the EEA are entitled to free movement within that area, including the UK.

    In Scotland, 98.3% of General Dental Practitioners trained in the UK, (91% in Scotland) 1.8% elsewhere (EEA including Ireland and overseas).

    The Scottish Executive Health Department is pursuing policies aimed at retaining Scottish graduates in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156179,"EventID":"S1W-19559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the discharge of all residents in long stay hospitals will be in accordance with NHS Management Executive Letter (1996) 22 or whether further guidelines for NHS T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the discharge of all residents in long stay hospitals will be in accordance with NHS Management Executive Letter (1996) 22 or whether further guidelines for NHS Trusts will be issued. ","AnswerText":"The arrangements set out in the 1996 guidance remain relevant in all respects.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156180,"EventID":"S1W-19560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional support and advice to carers in order to increase the uptake of the Direct Payments Scheme. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional support and advice to carers in order to increase the uptake of the Direct Payments Scheme. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to supporting carers and we are already making a difference to the lives of many. Under the Carers Strategy, we have doubled the resources available to local authorities to support carers, including the provision of advice and information as well as more practical support. From this April authorities are also receiving additional funds, over the next three years, to increase significantly the availability of short break services, benefiting many more carers and the people they care for.

    The Community Care and Health Bill, currently before Parliament, will increase the rights of carers to an assessment of their support needs. The Bill also proposes to extend the availablility of direct payments to all client groups and to place a duty on local authorities to offer direct payments as an element in the overall package of care. Increased access to direct payments will inevitably benefit many people requiring support and their carers, particularly when it comes to purchasing short breaks. Guidance from the Executive will accompany the Bill, covering a range of issues affecting carers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156181,"EventID":"S1W-19561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been a reduction of 9,065 people receiving home care over the two-year period from 1998 to 2000, as detailed on page two of the Scottish Community Care Sta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been a reduction of 9,065 people receiving home care over the two-year period from 1998 to 2000, as detailed on page two of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000. ","AnswerText":"There has been a move to providing more intensive home care over the two-year period from 1998-2000. Whilst there has been a reduction in the number of people receiving home care, the number of hours received by each client has increased from 5.1 hours per week in 1998 to 5.6 hours per week in 2000. Over the same time period the number of older people receiving intensive home care (more than 10 hours per week) has increased from 9.6 clients per 1,000 population in 1998 to 11.4 in 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156182,"EventID":"S1W-19562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities reduced their charges for residents in residential care homes for physically disabled people from a weekly charge of #750 in the year 1999 to #485 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities reduced their charges for residents in residential care homes for physically disabled people from a weekly charge of #750 in the year 1999 to #485 in the year 2000, as detailed on page 64 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerText":"There are very few local authority homes catering for physically disabled people. Table 4.7 in Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000 shows that there were three such homes open at the 1999 census and four at the 2000 census. The average weekly charge figures are therefore based on a very small number of homes and any changes e.g. homes opening or closing may have a significant effect on the average in this table.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156183,"EventID":"S1W-19563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of people receiving home care as detailed in table 5.1, page 65 of Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000 fell by 11,068 between the years 1998 and 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of people receiving home care as detailed in table 5.1, page 65 of Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000 fell by 11,068 between the years 1998 and 2000. ","AnswerText":"As noted in Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000, this reduction is likely to be due to re-classification of clients into other more appropriate client groups rather than a change in the way the service is provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156184,"EventID":"S1W-19564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities have reduced spending by #8 million on adult mental health problems in 1999-2000 compared with 1996-97, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Commu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities have reduced spending by #8 million on adult mental health problems in 1999-2000 compared with 1996-97, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000. ","AnswerText":"The 1996-97 information is not directly comparable with that for later years due to differences in the way the information is collected. Gross expenditure on services for adults with mental health problems increased by £15 million between 1997-98 and 1999-2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156185,"EventID":"S1W-19565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities spent #1,855,000 less in relation to substance misuse in 1999-2000 than in 1996-97, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why local authorities spent #1,855,000 less in relation to substance misuse in 1999-2000 than in 1996-97, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerText":"The level of spending in any one year across Scotland as a whole reflects decisions taken by individual local authorities as to their priorities for spending, based on their knowledge of local circumstances. We expect to see increasing figures in 2001-02 arising from the Executive's record investment in social work and, in particular, the £6.8 million we provided to local authorities in 2001-02 to expand drug rehabilitation services in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156186,"EventID":"S1W-19566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why net expenditure on social work for all Community Care Client groups fell by #44.97 million between 1996-97 and 1999-2000, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Comm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why net expenditure on social work for all Community Care Client groups fell by #44.97 million between 1996-97 and 1999-2000, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerText":"From 1997-98 onwards, this category excludes expenditure on nursing homes. The gross expenditure has increased by £21.3 million between 1997-98 and 1999-2000 (net expenditure increase of £12.6 million).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156187,"EventID":"S1W-19567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why net expenditure on social work for adult offenders has been reduced by #1.45 million between 1996-97 and 1999-2000, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why net expenditure on social work for adult offenders has been reduced by #1.45 million between 1996-97 and 1999-2000, as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerText":"In addition to monies drawn from GAE, the Scottish Executive provides 100% direct funding to local authorities for community-based criminal justice social work services. This is reflected in the Gross Expenditure figures as detailed on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156188,"EventID":"S1W-19568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what \"non-specific expenditure\" covers, as detailed in Table 7.1 on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000, and why it was reduced by #49.82 million betwe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what \"non-specific expenditure\" covers, as detailed in Table 7.1 on page 78 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000, and why it was reduced by #49.82 million between 1996-97 and 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"\"Non-specific expenditure\" covers:

    1. \"Service Strategy and Regulation\"

    Some specific areas covered here are: strategic information, research and planning, director of social work costs, registration and inspection team costs, etc.

    2. \"Social Service Management and Support Services\"

    Some costs included here are: personnel, finance, training, administration, etc.

    The level of spending in any one year across Scotland, as a whole, reflects decisions taken by individual local authorities as to their priorities for spending, based on their knowledge of local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156189,"EventID":"S1W-19569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition of \"social work supervision\" is and how it is assessed and monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition of \"social work supervision\" is and how it is assessed and monitored.","AnswerText":"Social work supervision is a broad term meaning supervision by a social worker. Its precise definition will depend on the statutory basis of the supervision which may be in respect of an adult or a child. There is a wide range of relevant orders and many of them may have additional specific conditions. The effectiveness of supervision is assessed according to the requirements of the order. The Social Work Services Inspectorate evaluates the effectiveness of services overall.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156190,"EventID":"S1W-19570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of social work supervision is available to (a) life sentence prisoners, (b) determinate sentence prisoners serving over four years, (c) registered sex offende","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of social work supervision is available to (a) life sentence prisoners, (b) determinate sentence prisoners serving over four years, (c) registered sex offenders and (d) determinate sentence prisoners serving less than four years who voluntarily seek supervision.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide a service for individuals in their area who, following release from prison or other form of detention, are required to be under supervision. In addition, local authorities provide an after-care service to anyone who asks for it within 12 months of their release. The level of this social work supervision is set out in the National Objectives and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System. Further guidance was also issued in November 1998 for those subject to extended sentence.

    Supervision depends on the nature of the offender and the nature of the offence. It includes advice, guidance and assistance on release from custody, as well as specific requirements for instance to undertake courses to address offending behaviour or live in a specific type of accommodation all designed to reduce the risk of re-offending and reintegrate the offender into the community. An offender released on licence may be subject to recall to custody if specific conditions are not kept.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156191,"EventID":"S1W-19571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health report Behavioural Patterns of Injecting Drug Users in Highland, what is being done to address the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health report Behavioural Patterns of Injecting Drug Users in Highland, what is being done to address the problem of methadone users who also continue to inject illegal substances.","AnswerText":"The report was commissioned by NHS Highland to provide them with accurate and contemporary information on drug misuse to assist service planning.

    We will, however, review the report. Current clinical guidelines provide advice on the management of patients where continued misuse of illegal drugs is suspected.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156192,"EventID":"S1W-19572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a protocol which includes guidelines on the testing of individuals in order to prevent the abuse of methadone prescriptions by those who co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a protocol which includes guidelines on the testing of individuals in order to prevent the abuse of methadone prescriptions by those who continue to inject illicit substances and therefore minimise the danger of death by overdose.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to introduce such a protocol. Current clinical guidelines already include advice on monitoring of patients, adjusting doses of prescribed substitute drugs where continued use of illegal drugs is confirmed, examination for physical signs of injecting and testing for misuse of illegal drugs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156193,"EventID":"S1W-19573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people on the methadone prescription programme are monitored to ensure that they are not exposing themselves to risk by continuing to take illegal drugs, whether","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people on the methadone prescription programme are monitored to ensure that they are not exposing themselves to risk by continuing to take illegal drugs, whether administered personally or by others.","AnswerText":"Statistics are not held centrally. Current clinical guidelines provide advice on patient monitoring and testing for signs of continued use of illegal drugs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156194,"EventID":"S1W-19574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the closure of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, will have on waiting times at accident and emergency departments in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the closure of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, will have on waiting times at accident and emergency departments in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The future provision of all acute hospital services in Glasgow is being considered within NHS Glasgow's Acute Services Review. The outcome of the review must include satisfactory proposals for accident and emergency services throughout the city.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156195,"EventID":"S1W-19575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, what its position is on the Scottish Law Commission's Report on Boundary Division Walls (R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SIW-15753 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 July 2001, what its position is on the Scottish Law Commission's Report on Boundary Division Walls (Report No. 163, page 1, paragraph 1.4, footnote 6), where the commission cited the case of Robertson v Scott 1886 13R 1127 to justify its opinion that this case was central to changing the law on march fence type divisions.","AnswerText":"The Executive considers reports of the Scottish Law Commission as a whole. As I have previously explained, the report recommended that it was not necessary to introduce legislation either to reform or restate the existing law on boundary walls. The Executive supports this view and does not plan to take any action in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156196,"EventID":"S1W-19576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since its introduction the right of children to give evidence to a commissioner under section 271 of the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 has","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since its introduction the right of children to give evidence to a commissioner under section 271 of the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 has been exercised.","AnswerText":"Statistics on this matter are not collected for the High Court. Since 1995, there have been six Sheriff Court applications to have evidence taken on commission under section 271. All of these were granted. It is not known how many of them related to child witnesses.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156197,"EventID":"S1W-19577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has (a) undertaken any review of the right of children to give evidence to a commissioner under section 271 of the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 sinc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has (a) undertaken any review of the right of children to give evidence to a commissioner under section 271 of the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 since its introduction, (b) identified any problems relating to this right and (c) taken any steps to encourage the exercise of this right.","AnswerText":"No, although the Executive intends to undertake research in connection with its forthcoming consultation paper on vulnerable witnesses. This will try to establish how often the measures available to assist such witnesses under section 271 are used, and the reasons for this. It is for the prosecution and defence to decide whether to make an application under section 271 in an individual case, and for the court to decide whether to grant such an application.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156198,"EventID":"S1W-19578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3930 by Susan Deacon on 25 October 2001, whether sufficient information is available to the public concerning the increased risk of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3930 by Susan Deacon on 25 October 2001, whether sufficient information is available to the public concerning the increased risk of melanoma associated with the use of artificial sun tanning apparatus.","AnswerText":"Health Education Board for Scotland provides a variety of information and advice for the public about reducing cancer risk. This information is available directly from their website www.hebs.scot.nhs.uk. NHS Boards also undertake dedicated awareness raising campaigns from time to time and have leaflets and information readily available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156199,"EventID":"S1W-19579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S10-3930 by Susan Deacon on 25 October 2001, what guidance it issues to the public concerning the increased risk of melanoma associated","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S10-3930 by Susan Deacon on 25 October 2001, what guidance it issues to the public concerning the increased risk of melanoma associated with the use of artificial sun tanning apparatus.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to PQ S1W-19578 on 14 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156200,"EventID":"S1W-19580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-10-31T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for treatment at accident and emergency departments in (a) Scotland and (b) the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for treatment at accident and emergency departments in (a) Scotland and (b) the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","AnswerText":"The latest available information on waiting times in accident and emergency departments, compiled from the survey undertaken in March/April 2000, is available on the SHOW website at:

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/subject/AandE/01_01_a&.pdf","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156201,"EventID":"S1W-19581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of clients seen by Health Visitors has reduced by 49,800 between 1997 and 2000, as detailed on page 7 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the number of clients seen by Health Visitors has reduced by 49,800 between 1997 and 2000, as detailed on page 7 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000.","AnswerText":"The nature of health visiting work has changed and will continue to change in line with the recommendations in Nursing for Health which will involve a more targetted programme of health visiting alongside a wider range of community focused activity.

    Starting Well is delivering a very intensive programme of health visiting within two deprived areas of Glasgow. The impact of that and the implications in terms of additional staff to replicate it remain to be evaluated. In the meantime, it is important to note that much of the intensive activity being delivered in the Starting Well Project is being delivered by community development workers, support workers and nursery nurses. All of this activity would not show up in recorded statistics in health visiting.

    The figures refer to the number of home visits made by health visitors and district nurses. This represents only part of the work that they do. Recent changes in practice has included increased activity in clinical based settings rather than home visits and this is not reflected in the figures. The figures also do not reflect an increasing shift in health visiting practice towards community and group based activities or that district nurses are increasingly working jointly with social work. The increasing complexity and intensiveness of activity carried out by district nurses and health visitors is not reflected in these numbers. The numbers of district nurses and health visitors have continued to increase year by year. There were 21.9 more whole-time equivalent health visitors in 1999 than in 1997. The number of district nurses rose by 141 during the same period. In Nursing for Health, we acknowledged that the current methods of recording activity are inadequate and do not reflect changing practices. Work is on-going to develop a more meaningful means of reflecting community nursing activity based on the development of an electronic primary health care patient record. Further details of proposals will be made public soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156202,"EventID":"S1W-19582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why 13,300 less clients were seen by a District Nurse in 2000 than in 1999, as detailed on page 7 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why 13,300 less clients were seen by a District Nurse in 2000 than in 1999, as detailed on page 7 of the Scottish Community Care Statistics 2000. ","AnswerText":"The figures refer to the number of home visits made by health visitors and district nurses. This represents only part of the work that they do. Recent changes in practice has included increased activity in clinical based settings rather than home visits and this is not reflected in the figures. The figures also do not reflect an increasing shift in health visiting practice towards community and group based activities or that district nurses are increasingly working jointly with social work. The increasing complexity and intensiveness of activity carried out by district nurses and health visitors is not reflected in these numbers. The numbers of district nurses and health visitors have continued to increase year by year. There were 21.9 more whole-time equivalent health visitors in 1999 than in 1997. The number of district nurses rose by 141 during the same period. In Nursing for Health, we acknowledged that the current methods of recording activity are inadequate and do not reflect changing practices. Work is on going to develop a more meaningful means of reflecting community nursing activity based on the development of an electronic primary health care patient record. Further details of proposals will be made public soon.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156203,"EventID":"S1W-19583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it intends to make available to local authorities for the implementation of Area Waste Plans beyond 2004. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it intends to make available to local authorities for the implementation of Area Waste Plans beyond 2004. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter to be considered in future spending reviews.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156204,"EventID":"S1W-19584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will be able to apply for funding to the Strategic Waste Fund once the Area Waste Plan relevant to their particular local area has been complet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will be able to apply for funding to the Strategic Waste Fund once the Area Waste Plan relevant to their particular local area has been completed.","AnswerText":"Draft guidance on applications to the Strategic Waste Fund will be issued to local authorities for comment in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156205,"EventID":"S1W-19585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the development of CFC recovery technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the development of CFC recovery technology.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not operate a specific programme which encourages the development of CFC recovery technology. The Executive has written to waste metal recyclers and industry to inform them of the forthcoming legislation and discussed the need for this technology with a number of industry representatives. In this way the Executive aims to ensure industry is aware of the new opportunities likely to arise from the legislation. It is up to industry to identify and take advantage of a business opportunity as a particular market presents itself in this way.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156206,"EventID":"S1W-19586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #50.4 million allocated to the Strategic Waste Fund will be the only provision available to help local authorities implement Area Waste Plans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #50.4 million allocated to the Strategic Waste Fund will be the only provision available to help local authorities implement Area Waste Plans.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19583.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156207,"EventID":"S1W-19587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates a shortage of teachers qualified to teach in Gaelic-medium education in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates a shortage of teachers qualified to teach in Gaelic-medium education in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Education authorities (EAs) are asked in the Executive's annual teacher workforce planning exercise to estimated their requirements for Gaelic-medium teachers. The following table shows information on estimated EA requirements for academic sessions 2001-02 and 2002-03 along with information on graduates in 2000-01 and estimates of those who will graduate in 2001-02.

    Student Graduates

    Education Authority Requirements

    Academic session

    Primary

    Secondary

    Academic session

    Primary

    Secondary

    2000-2001

    12

    3

    2001-2002

    19

    8

    2001-2002

    24

    2

    2002-2003

    22

    14

    Total

    36

    5

    Total

    41

    22

    In session 2001-02 there is a substantial increase in the numbers graduating from primary teacher training who will be able to teach in the Gaelic-medium. This is as a result of the funding 10 additional student places at Strathclyde University specifically to support primary Gaelic medium provision.

    The position in relation to secondary teachers is that teacher education institutions take the positive approach of interviewing all course applicants who would be able to teach in Gaelic-medium education.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156208,"EventID":"S1W-19588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any measures it is considering in relation to the traceability of sheep. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any measures it is considering in relation to the traceability of sheep. ","AnswerText":"Existing sheep identification and traceability requirements are set out in the Sheep and Goats Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2000. With the relaxation of movement arrangements from 1 September, including the opening of markets, a number of measures were introduced for disease control purposes, including the requirement for individual identification of sheep and for the recording of movements.

    Initially the arrangements from 1 September were restricted to one movement, including via a market, plus a further move direct to slaughter. The disease situation is being closely monitored and relaxations are made when it is considered safe to do so. As from 1 November a second movement of sheep has been permitted and the requirement for individual identification of sheep going to slaughter has been removed.

    Currently consideration is being given to the identification and traceability arrangements for the new lamb crop.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156209,"EventID":"S1W-19589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any consultation it has had with the livestock auction industry in relation to the traceability of sheep. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any consultation it has had with the livestock auction industry in relation to the traceability of sheep. ","AnswerText":"The livestock auction industry, as with other key industry sectors, have been represented at the regular FMD Stakeholder Meetings with Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department Officials, set up to discuss foot-and-mouth disease related measures - including sheep traceability issues. Additional meetings have also been held with representatives of the livestock auction industry to discuss issues of specific interest. They will continue to be consulted on future arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156210,"EventID":"S1W-19590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to traceability with regard to the prevention of outbreaks of contagious disease in animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to traceability with regard to the prevention of outbreaks of contagious disease in animals.","AnswerText":"Effective traceability is important in disease control terms, as it enables the speedy tracing of animals that could have been the source of infection or which have been in contact with the disease, thereby reducing the spread of disease by allowing control measures to be implemented swiftly. It does not in itself prevent outbreaks of disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156211,"EventID":"S1W-19591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any change between 1999-2000 and 2000-01 in the number of pensioners visiting galleries and museums and, if so, what this change was. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any change between 1999-2000 and 2000-01 in the number of pensioners visiting galleries and museums and, if so, what this change was. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156212,"EventID":"S1W-19592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people currently serve on more than one non-departmental public body (NDPB); what NDPBs these are; what remuneration each of these persons receive from each NDP","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people currently serve on more than one non-departmental public body (NDPB); what NDPBs these are; what remuneration each of these persons receive from each NDPB; whether any of these persons are politically affiliated, and how long each such person has served on each NDPB. ","AnswerText":"As at 1 December 2001, there were almost 1,100 appointees serving on NDPBs sponsored by the Scottish Executive. At the same date 56 people were serving on more than one non-departmental public body (NDPB). 75% of these 56 people had not declared any political activity in the five years prior to appointment. The appointments were made in compliance with the OCPA code. The following table shows the aggregate figures:

    Total appointees

    1,097

    Total number of people holding more than one appointment.

    56

    Percentage of people holding more than one appointment

    5%

    Total number of politically active people holding more than one appointment.

    14

    Percentage of politically active people holding more than one appointment

    1.3%

    The details requested about the 56 individuals is set out in the following table:

    Members on more than one public body

    Names of bodies involved

    Remuner-ation levels

    (£)

    Details of Party where political activity declared

    Appt from

    Appt to

    Ahmad, Mushtaq

    Central Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace

    South Lanarkshire Justice of the Peace Advisory Committee

    None

    Labour

    11/96

    06/01

    10/03

    11/04

    Alexander, Margaret

    Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

    National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

    0

    10,000

    None

    04/96

    04/99

    03/04

    09/02

    Blair, Ann (Kay)

    Scottish Legal Aid Board

    Scottish Ambulance Service Board

    7,600

    7,000

    None

    04/91

    04/99

    03/02

    03/03

    Borthwick, Ian

    Dundee City Justice of the Peace Advisory Committee

    Tayside University Hospital NHS Trust

    0

    7,000

    Independent Labour

    09/96

    04/99

    09/02

    03/03

    Burley, Lindsay

    Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education

    Scottish Advisory Committee on the Medical Workforce

    0

    0

    None

    02/97

    04/96

    09/02

    03/02

    Burnett, Gavin

    Scottish Hospital Trust

    Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board

    0

    298 (per day)

    None

    01/99

    05/91

    		www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicappoint.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156214,"EventID":"S1W-19594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the report Destination Retail: A Survey of Young People's Attitudes Towards a Career in Retailing by the Retail E-Commerce ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the report Destination Retail: A Survey of Young People's Attitudes Towards a Career in Retailing by the Retail E-Commerce Task Force of the Foresight Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Foresight Forum, co-ordinated by the Executive, oversees the implementation of the Foresight programme in Scotland. The forum is happy to work with all key stakeholders to establish how to take forward the recommendations arising from this report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156215,"EventID":"S1W-19595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the report @ Your Home: New Market for Customer Service and Delivery by the Retail Logistics Task Force of the Foresight Di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in response to the report @ Your Home: New Market for Customer Service and Delivery by the Retail Logistics Task Force of the Foresight Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Foresight Forum, co-ordinated by the Executive, oversees the implementation of the Foresight programme in Scotland. The forum is happy to work with all key stakeholders to establish how to take forward the recommendations arising from this report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156216,"EventID":"S1W-19596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or intends to take in conjunction with the retail industry in carrying forward the recommendations contained in the report The Retail Revolution","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or intends to take in conjunction with the retail industry in carrying forward the recommendations contained in the report The Retail Revolution: from a Nation of Shopkeepers to a World of Opportunities by the Retail and Consumer Services Panel of the Foresight Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Foresight Forum, co-ordinated by the Executive, oversees the implementation of the Foresight programme in Scotland. The forum is happy to work with all key stakeholders to establish how to take forward the recommendations arising from this report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156217,"EventID":"S1W-19597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is supporting or is intending supporting to promote Glasgow's status as the UK's second retail city.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is supporting or is intending supporting to promote Glasgow's status as the UK's second retail city.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, through its Enterprise Network, is committed to delivering sustainable local economic development. Specifically in relation to Glasgow and the retail sector, the local enterprise company is providing support in a number of ways: infrastructure improvements, partnership working with the private sector, marketing and promotion in partnership with the City Council and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156218,"EventID":"S1W-19598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it will make available to develop and implement the Priority Waste Stream Projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it will make available to develop and implement the Priority Waste Stream Projects.","AnswerText":"The Priority Waste Stream projects are being taken forward by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as part of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland (NWS). Additional grant-in-aid totalling some £16.5 million over the three-year period 2001-02 to 2003-04 was announced for SEPA as part of Spending Review 2000. This included additional funding for SEPA's work to implement the NWS. No ring-fenced funding has been allocated for the Priority Waste Stream Projects or any other specific initiative.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156219,"EventID":"S1W-19599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Priority Waste Stream Projects are due to commence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Priority Waste Stream Projects are due to commence.","AnswerText":"The Priority Waste Stream Projects are being taken forward by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as part of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland.

    Baseline studies to investigate the current position for several of the priority projects are being carried out by consultants appointed by SEPA. The work on newsprint, tyres and end-of-life vehicles commenced in July 2001 and that for construction and demolition waste commenced in September 2001.

    SEPA is currently reviewing its plans for the remaining projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156220,"EventID":"S1W-19600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are on target to meet the requirements of EC Regulation 2037/2000, regarding the removal of o'one depleting substances prior to the dismantling","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are on target to meet the requirements of EC Regulation 2037/2000, regarding the removal of o'one depleting substances prior to the dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and free'ers.","AnswerText":"The requirements referred to come into effect on 1 January 2002. Local authorities, or their agents, should already be able to remove ozone-depleting substances from refridgerator cooling circuits. However, they will not be able to meet the deadline for removing those trapped in insulation foams because the UK currently does not have the technology for treating such foams in an environmentally-secure manner. It is likely that discarded refrigerators will have to be stored or exported for treatment until Scottish facilities are available and the Executive is currently considering local authority funding issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156221,"EventID":"S1W-19601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make funds available to help local authorities to comply with EC Regulation 2037/2000 with regard to the removal of o'one depleting substances prior","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make funds available to help local authorities to comply with EC Regulation 2037/2000 with regard to the removal of o'one depleting substances prior to the dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and free'ers.","AnswerText":"The requirement to remove free ozone-depleting substances from domestic fridges and freezers (e.g. those in the cooling circuit) is an existing duty which local authorities already have to discharge. The requirement to remove trapped ozone-depleting substances (e.g. those in insulation foams) is a new one and funding issues are currently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156222,"EventID":"S1W-19602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17121 by Rhona Brankin on 30 August 2001, when it now expects all 11 Area Waste Plans to be completed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17121 by Rhona Brankin on 30 August 2001, when it now expects all 11 Area Waste Plans to be completed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19159 on 14 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156223,"EventID":"S1W-19603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the composition is of the Education Task Force associated with National Qualifications and what the rationale is for the allocation of places to it. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the composition is of the Education Task Force associated with National Qualifications and what the rationale is for the allocation of places to it. ","AnswerText":"The National Qualifications Task Group includes representatives from the schools sector, the further education sector, education authorities, Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

    Members are:

    Colin MacLean, National Exam Co-Ordinator (Chair)

    Margaret Clarke, Learning and Teaching Scotland

    Anton Colella, Scottish Qualifications Authority

    John Young, Scottish Qualifications Authority

    Ken Cunningham, Hillhead High School

    Margaret Doran, Stirling Council

    Tom Kelly, Association of Scottish Colleges

    John Laird, Scottish Further Education Unit

    George MacBride, Govan High

    Ken Muir, HM Inspectorate of Education

    Ian Ovens, Dundee College

    Gordon Keir, SEELLD

    Gillian Crosier, SEELLD

    Francesca Osowska, SEED

    Members were chosen because they represented the range of organisations responsible for delivery of National Qualifications.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156224,"EventID":"S1W-19604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the expectation of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that agricultural run-off will be the most important cause of river pollution over the next dec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the expectation of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that agricultural run-off will be the most important cause of river pollution over the next decade, why bathing waters are not referred to in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.","AnswerText":"A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture specifically mentions the significant role farmers have in tackling water pollution. Reducing potential threats to bathing waters is merely one manifestation of this role. Our strategy commits us to taking a joined-up approach to agriculture and environment policy, to ensuring better advice and guidance to farmers, and to identifying solutions which are good for the environment and good for business. The approach we are developing is not limited to the single issue of bathing waters but is valid and applicable across the whole range of issues where agriculture affects the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156225,"EventID":"S1W-19605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to alter the geographical boundaries of local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to alter the geographical boundaries of local authorities.","AnswerText":"Some minor boundary re-alignments may be implemented as a result of reports submitted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland earlier this year. Under the provisions of section 14 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the next statutory review of local authority boundaries is scheduled to be undertaken by the commission between 2004 and 2008.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156226,"EventID":"S1W-19606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to reduce the number of local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to reduce the number of local authorities.","AnswerText":"The next statutory review of local authority boundaries is scheduled to take place between 2004 and 2008.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156227,"EventID":"S1W-19607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the appointment of dedicated home safety officers in each local authority area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the appointment of dedicated home safety officers in each local authority area. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for each local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156228,"EventID":"S1W-19609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a \"Staff Charter\" for NHS staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a \"Staff Charter\" for NHS staff.","AnswerText":"Our National Health announced our intention to prepare a \"Staff Governance Standard\" and I launched this at the Scottish Partnership Conference on 25 January 2002. Under the Standard, NHS employees are entitled to be:

    well informed;

    appropriately trained;

    involved in decisions which affect them;

    treated fairly and consistently, and

    provided with an improved and safe working environment.

    Amongst other policies and agreements, the Staff Governance Standard will be underpinned by the Education and Lifelong Learning Strategy \"Learning Together\", the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy \"Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace\" and by the best practice guidance on people management produced by the Scottish Partnership Forum, which represents all staff groups.

    Performance against the standard will be assessed by the Scottish Partnership Forum and local partnership forums and form an integral part of the new performance and accountability framework. Boards will be expected to demonstrate that they are exemplar employers. Employers' progress towards meeting the standard will also be informed through staff surveys, the first of which requires to be completed by the end of March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156229,"EventID":"S1W-19610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to tackle the issue of abandoned motor vehicles following the joint announcement by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Region","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to tackle the issue of abandoned motor vehicles following the joint announcement by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs on 31 October 2001 of measures to address the issue. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is aware that abandoning valueless vehicles in the street and other places is a growing problem. We aim to make it easier for local authorities to react by reducing the notice periods which they are required to give before removing a vehicle, as follows:

    for vehicles of no apparent value, from seven days to 24 hours

    for vehicles of some apparent value, from 21 days to between seven and 14 days

    We intend that the shorter notice periods should apply irrespective of whether the vehicle has been abandoned on the highway or on private land.

    The judgement in many cases as to whether an apparently abandoned vehicle is valueless or not will, of course, be a subjective one. Nevertheless, allowing local authorities to react more quickly than they currently can will reduce the potential for vandals, and those attempting to salvage usable parts to render a nuisance into a potential hazard. The Executive is writing to local and police authorities and other interested parties seeking their views.

    The announcement referred to contains other measures to address the problem. These relate to vehicle licensing and registration, a reserved matter, and will apply to Great Britain.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156230,"EventID":"S1W-19611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Excellence Fund and Action Plan Funding initiatives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Excellence Fund and Action Plan Funding initiatives.","AnswerText":"The scope and operation of the Excellence Fund, which includes the programme for Education Action Plans, is currently under review by a working group comprising officials of the Scottish Executive Education Department and representatives of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland who are participating also on behalf of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I expect the group to make recommendations to me shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156231,"EventID":"S1W-19612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14085 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 March 2001, whether it will report on the progress being made in the national evaluation of the Ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14085 by Mr Jack McConnell on 29 March 2001, whether it will report on the progress being made in the national evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the reply of 29 March 2001, the three-year national evaluation started in April 2000. The evaluation team has met with the New Community Schools Ministerial Steering Group and with Scottish Executive officials on a number of occasions to report on progress with the early information collection and analysis stages of the evaluation. A detailed Interim Report is expected by the middle of 2002 with the final report being submitted in 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156232,"EventID":"S1W-19613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has received from the (a) Excellence Fund, (b) New Community Schools and (c) Action Plan Funding initiatives in each year since they were e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has received from the (a) Excellence Fund, (b) New Community Schools and (c) Action Plan Funding initiatives in each year since they were established.","AnswerText":"The New Community Schools and Education Action Plan Programmes are part of the Excellence Fund. Table 1 provides details of the total amounts allocated to authorities under the Excellence Fund in each year since it was established. Tables 2 and 3 provide separately details of the amounts for the New Community Schools and Education Action Plan Programmes which are included in the total Excellence Fund figures in Table 1.

    Table 1

    Local Authorities

    Excellence Fund

    1999-2000

    (£)

    Excellence Fund

    2000-01

    (£)

    Excellence Fund

    2001-02

    (£)

    Aberdeen City

    4,202,554

    6,122,317

    6,458,146

    Aberdeenshire

    4,429,347

    5,947,284

    7,091,568

    Angus

    2,080,356

    2,825,652

    3,198,425

    Argyll & Bute

    1,736,190

    2,188,064

    2,596,670

    Clackmannanshire

    1,039,818

    1,378,012

    1,878,082

    Dumfries & Galloway

    2,961,700

    3,724,975

    4,390,273

    Dundee City

    3,421,389

    4,1","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156233,"EventID":"S1W-19614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be made available to each local authority from the (a) Excellence Fund, (b) New Community Schools and (c) Action Plan Funding initiatives in each of the ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be made available to each local authority from the (a) Excellence Fund, (b) New Community Schools and (c) Action Plan Funding initiatives in each of the next four years.","AnswerText":"As indicated in my answer to question S1W-19611, the scope and operation of the Excellence Fund is currently under review. The review includes consideration of on-going commitments on local authorities arising from the fund. I shall announce the outcome of the review as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156234,"EventID":"S1W-19615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualifying offers for entry into the ranking list have been received under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualifying offers for entry into the ranking list have been received under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme.","AnswerText":"Subject to checks, which have still to be made on some applications, 197 eligible applications for grant under the Scottish scheme have been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156235,"EventID":"S1W-19616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total capacity of the whitefish fleet is represented by (a) the total number of applications made and (b) the qualifying offers for entry into the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total capacity of the whitefish fleet is represented by (a) the total number of applications made and (b) the qualifying offers for entry into the ranking list received under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme. ","AnswerText":"There is no fixed definition of, nor is the UK fleet segmented separately into \"the whitefish fleet\". It is also possible to interpret the question in a number of ways.

    In determining eligibility for access to the Scottish decommissioning scheme, we took account of actual and potential whitefish capacity (based on the category of fishing licence held) alongside EC requirements relating to decommissioning grant. Using the resulting catchment of eligible vessels as the baseline, the total number of applications received and qualifying bids received under the scheme represent, respectively, 40% and 36% (based on the tonnage of the vessels concerned.)","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156236,"EventID":"S1W-19617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value is of (a) the total number of applications made and (b) the qualifying offers for entry into the ranking list received under the fishing vessels decommissi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value is of (a) the total number of applications made and (b) the qualifying offers for entry into the ranking list received under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme. ","AnswerText":"The value of the total number of grant bids received under the scheme is just over £55 million. Subject to outstanding checks on information provided in application forms, the value of bids considered eligible, and to be included in the evaluation and ranking process, is a little under £50 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156237,"EventID":"S1W-19618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed on fishing vessels whose owners have made applications under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme, broken down by port of registration","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed on fishing vessels whose owners have made applications under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme, broken down by port of registration. ","AnswerText":"The Executive does not hold details of fishermen employed on individual fishing vessels.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156238,"EventID":"S1W-19619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the distribution is of fishing vessels whose owners have made applications under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme, broken down by port of registration. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the distribution is of fishing vessels whose owners have made applications under the fishing vessels decommissioning scheme, broken down by port of registration. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:In addition, in March 2001, the Scottish Executive launched the \"Close the Gap\" initiative with a range of partners including The Equal Opportunities Commission, Scottish Enterprise and STUC. This initiative is a bid to raise awareness of the gap between men and women's pay in all areas of enterprise and the economy and to encourage action to close it.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156240,"EventID":"S1W-19621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what trends have been identified in average salaries for male and female academic staff in higher education establishments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what trends have been identified in average salaries for male and female academic staff in higher education establishments.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.

    Staff pay is an issue for institutions to decide in collaboration with staff and their representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156241,"EventID":"S1W-19622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the average full-time salary for (a) female and (b) male academic staff at (i) the University of Aberdeen, (ii) the University of Glasgow, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the average full-time salary for (a) female and (b) male academic staff at (i) the University of Aberdeen, (ii) the University of Glasgow, (iii) the University of St Andrews, (iv) the University of Edinburgh, (v) the University of Dundee, (vi) Glasgow Caledonian University and (vii) the Glasgow School of Art.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.

    Staff pay is an issue for institutions to decide in collaboration with staff and their representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156242,"EventID":"S1W-19623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up a research group to look into any effects of using pesticides in the food chain. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up a research group to look into any effects of using pesticides in the food chain. ","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to ensure that all pesticides are safe to those who use them, to consumers of the treated produce and to the environment. In addition, the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) monitors the safety of food on sale. Its function is to plan a surveillance programme for pesticide residues in the UK food supply and to evaluate the results. Both committees are independent of Government.

    The PRC results are published on a regular basis. A copy of the latest Annual Report for year 2000 has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17241).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156243,"EventID":"S1W-19624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider commissioning any studies into the use of food additives and any possible side effects caused by their consumption. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider commissioning any studies into the use of food additives and any possible side effects caused by their consumption. ","AnswerText":"On matters of food safety and standards, the Scottish Executive is advised by the Food Standards Agency. Additives are only permitted if independent experts consider them to be safe and their use is justified. The Food Standards Agency actively checks on the amounts of individual food additives eaten by UK consumers, to ensure that they remain within safe limits. The details of this work is published and if any problems are found, appropriate action is taken to safeguard public health. Information about the Food Standards Agency's research on additives, including work to measure additive intake, is available in the Annual Review of Current Research Projects by the Working Party on Food Additives 2000, published on the agency's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156244,"EventID":"S1W-19625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research that has been carried out into myalgic encephalomyelitis, stating in what year and by whom any such research was carried out and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research that has been carried out into myalgic encephalomyelitis, stating in what year and by whom any such research was carried out and where any report of the findings may be accessed..","AnswerText":"Information on non-commercial health related research carried out in the last seven years is available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404). Policy on accessibility of research reports is a matter for individual research funders.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156245,"EventID":"S1W-19626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis since 1995 broken down by health board area, year and gender.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis since 1995 broken down by health board area, year and gender.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. However, estimated all-Scotland figures for patients seen by general practitioners for myalgic encephalomyelitis, based on a sample of Scottish general practices participating in the Continuous Morbidity Recording System for the years from 1999, are given in the table. Due to differences in code descriptors it is not possible to provide information for myalgic encephalomyelitis prior to 1999.

    Aberdeen

    4

    Inverness

    23

    Arbroath

    3

    Kirkwall

    5

    Ayr

    1

    Kirkcaldy

    6

    Ballantrae

    9

    Leith

    15

    Buckie

    12

    Lerwick

    13

    Banff

    22

    Newry

    3

    Berwick-on-Tweed

    1

    Oban

    6

    Campbeltown

    6

    Peterhead

    32

    Castlebay

    1

    Rothesay

    1

    Dumfries

    2

    Estimated number of patients seen by GPs for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

    Year

    January-December

    January-July

    1999

    5,800

    -

    2000

    8,000

    -

    2001

    -

    5,400

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156246,"EventID":"S1W-19627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what medical breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what medical breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is not aware of any recent significant advances in the treatment of ME in Scotland. The forthcoming report of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group in England is expected to produce good practice guidelines on the treatment of people with ME.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156247,"EventID":"S1W-19628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-01T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of every individual allocation of money it has made to Argyll and Bute Council in this financial year and for what purpose each such alloc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of every individual allocation of money it has made to Argyll and Bute Council in this financial year and for what purpose each such allocation was made.","AnswerText":"Allocations made to date are listed in the table. However, further allocations are likely to be made in this financial year.

    Purpose

    Amount Allocated

    (£ million)

    Aggregate External Finance

    121.880

    Capital Allocation

    12.463

    Better Neighbourhood Services Fund

    0.600

    Modernising Government Fund

    0.416

    Public Transport Fund

    1.750

    Strategic Waste Fund

    1.102

    Domestic Abuse Development Fund

    0.030

    Community Safer Projects

    0.008

    Offender Services

    0.446

    Rail Services (paid directly to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive)

    0.890

    Rough Sleepers Initiative

    0.114

    Funding to assist with costs of producing homelessness strategy

    0.056

    Housing Stock Transfer feasibility study

    0.050

    Warm Deal and Central Heating Initiative

    0.235

    Setting up of Supporting People programme

    0.034

    Housing Revenue Account Allocation

    1.607

    Hostels Grant

    0.135

    Local Housing Strategy preparation

    		In 1996 a contract was awarded to Coopers and Lybrand to provide financial advice on the Kilmarnock Prison PFI project. In 2000 a contract was awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers in respect of a feasibility study of broadband connectivity for schools.

    Information for the period prior to 1 April 1996 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156250,"EventID":"S1W-19631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to Grampian Health Board to enable it to make available the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs Enbrel (Etanercept) and Remicad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to Grampian Health Board to enable it to make available the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs Enbrel (Etanercept) and Remicade (Infliximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.","AnswerText":"The Executive is providing substantial resources to Grampian as part of the record investment we are making in NHSScotland. Grampian NHS Board's general funding allocation for 2001-02 is over £446 million - an increase of £21.3 million (5.5%) compared with last year. In each of the next two years it will receive further increases of at least 6.5% and 7.4%.

    It is for NHS Grampian to decide how to deploy these funds on the basis of its assessment of local need and priorities for investment. In determining expenditure on the prescription of drugs, the NHS Board will of course also take account of national guidance and professional clinical advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156251,"EventID":"S1W-19632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards currently make available the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs Enbrel (Etanercept) and Remicade (Infliximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid art","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards currently make available the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs Enbrel (Etanercept) and Remicade (Infliximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16712 on 1 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156252,"EventID":"S1W-19633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17239 by Ross Finnie on 21 August 2001, whether all local authorities have completed rebilling those on low incomes under the Water","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17239 by Ross Finnie on 21 August 2001, whether all local authorities have completed rebilling those on low incomes under the Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme.","AnswerText":"Following the amendment of billing software, a number of local authorities have rebilled eligible households under the Water and Sewerage Reduction Scheme. It is anticipated that the remaining local authorities will complete the task in the near future with reductions backdated to 1 April 2001 where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156253,"EventID":"S1W-19634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1908,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":4,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to implement the proposals on the registration of births, deaths and marriages in Scotland outlined in the consultation paper Civil Registration in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to implement the proposals on the registration of births, deaths and marriages in Scotland outlined in the consultation paper Civil Registration in the 21st Century.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General has today published his proposals arising from the consultation Civil Registration in the 21st Century. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Some proposals can be implemented without legislation. The Registrar General will take these forward as soon as possible. Other proposals will require primary or secondary legislation, which will be announced and brought forward when a suitable opportunity arises.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156254,"EventID":"S1W-19635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what pilot projects have been, or are being, conducted whereby paramedics deliver clot-busting drugs before patients are taken to hospital for emergency treatment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what pilot projects have been, or are being, conducted whereby paramedics deliver clot-busting drugs before patients are taken to hospital for emergency treatment.","AnswerText":"Medical research in the UK and overseas shows clearly that treatment with thrombolytic (clot-dissolving) drugs is an effective way of reducing or avoiding long-term damage from heart attack, and that effectiveness is greatest when the drugs are administered very quickly after a heart attack has occurred. Consequently there is considerable clinical interest in the potential role of ambulance paramedic staff in providing thrombolytic drugs before a patient is transferred to hospital.

    With support from the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative, the Scottish Ambulance Service is undertaking a pilot project on pre-hospital thrombolysis in rural areas. The project is looking at joint working between the ambulance service and general practice and will provide research evidence on the effectiveness of pre-hospital thrombolysis.

    Pilot projects may have been undertaken elsewhere in the UK and overseas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156255,"EventID":"S1W-19636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risks there are to patients from the use of clot-busting drugs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what risks there are to patients from the use of clot-busting drugs.","AnswerText":"There are risks associated with almost all medicines. There are a number of thrombolytic (clot-dissolving) drugs with specific side effects and contra-indications. For example, some patients suffer bleeding. Before a decision to administer a thrombolytic agent is taken, patients are assessed for these risk factors.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156256,"EventID":"S1W-19637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the delivery of clot-busting drugs by paramedics before patients are taken to hospital for emergency treatment. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the delivery of clot-busting drugs by paramedics before patients are taken to hospital for emergency treatment. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-19635 on 16 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156257,"EventID":"S1W-19638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the effectiveness of clot-busting drugs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the effectiveness of clot-busting drugs. ","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    The National Research Register (NRR) records that there are over 300 research projects in the UK into thrombolytic or clot busting drugs. Of these, 14 are in Scotland, five of which are on-going and are being funded or supported by CSO. Details of these projects are available from the NRR, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156258,"EventID":"S1W-19639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust annually to run the community thrombosis service in Angus, whereby paramedics deliver clot-busting drugs bef","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust annually to run the community thrombosis service in Angus, whereby paramedics deliver clot-busting drugs before patients are taken to hospital for emergency treatment. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Tayside. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156259,"EventID":"S1W-19640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether heart attack patients in Angus who are not suitable for treatment with clot-busting drugs will be at greater risk of death or permanent disability following the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether heart attack patients in Angus who are not suitable for treatment with clot-busting drugs will be at greater risk of death or permanent disability following the proposed closure of the Coronary Care Unit at Stracathro Hospital. ","AnswerText":"Decisions about the future of the Coronary Care Unit at Stracathro Hospital are, in the first place, the responsibility of NHS Tayside. In making these decisions I expect NHS Tayside to be guided by the latest available evidence and by current good practice, including evidence on clinical risks associated with the treatment of heart attack patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156260,"EventID":"S1W-19641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2005 by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000, whether it has any plans to revise its approach to ensuring availability of skilled labour i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2005 by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000, whether it has any plans to revise its approach to ensuring availability of skilled labour in Glasgow in light of the concerns expressed by the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow in The Herald on 4 October 2001.","AnswerText":"In January 2001 the Scottish Executive commissioned research designed to help maximise employment opportunities from the housing stock transfer. The research will establish where construction skills gaps exist and what might be done to address them. The report has now been submitted to the Executive and is due for publication shortly. The Executive is considering its findings.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156261,"EventID":"S1W-19642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-18538 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 October 2001, whether The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be published in November. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-18538 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 October 2001, whether The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be published in November. ","AnswerText":"The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will be introduced to the Parliament shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156262,"EventID":"S1W-19643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the issue of site ownership was a factor in the decision to choose Galashiels over Irvine as a base for the relocated jobs in the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the issue of site ownership was a factor in the decision to choose Galashiels over Irvine as a base for the relocated jobs in the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.","AnswerText":"Relocation decisions are based on a range of issues including costs, quality and efficiency of service, economic factors such as unemployment, availability and suitability of property and staff, transport issues and the position of staff concerned and the individual requirements of each organisation. Further criteria to be taken into account will depend on the organisation itself and the nature of the work in question.

    In relation to the proposal from North Ayrshire for the relocation of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, one of the property factors did relate to timetable risks associated with site ownership. This was taken into account in the decision making process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156263,"EventID":"S1W-19644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the explanation given by the Minister for Finance and Local Government in his interview with the Irvine Times published on 2 November 2001 for the decision to re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the explanation given by the Minister for Finance and Local Government in his interview with the Irvine Times published on 2 November 2001 for the decision to relocate jobs from the Scottish Public Pensions Agency to Galashiels rather than Irvine is consistent with the previous explanation given by its officials to North Ayrshire Council. ","AnswerText":"Relocation decisions are based on a range of issues including costs, quality and efficiency of service, economic factors such as unemployment, availability and suitability of property and staff, transport issues, and the position of staff concerned. Further criteria to be taken into account will depend on the organisation itself and the nature of the work in question.

    In my interview I indicated that a range of factors was taken into account in deciding where the Scottish Public Pensions Agency should be sited. Scottish Executive officials also met with North Ayrshire Council to explain the range of factors taken into account. Each case is considered on its merits.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156264,"EventID":"S1W-19645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service jobs it plans to relocate to North Ayrshire as part of its commitment to decentralising government departments and what the timescale is for any su","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil service jobs it plans to relocate to North Ayrshire as part of its commitment to decentralising government departments and what the timescale is for any such relocation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19681 on 19 November. No specific areas of Scotland are targeted, and none are ruled out when office relocations are considered. North Ayrshire will continue to be considered as a potential relocation site.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156265,"EventID":"S1W-19646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in producing and providing support and teaching materials for schools for the new National Qualifications; what its timetable is for the compl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in producing and providing support and teaching materials for schools for the new National Qualifications; what its timetable is for the completion and provision of this material, and whether this timetable is on schedule.","AnswerText":"The Executive, in consultation with the National Qualifications Task Group (NQTG), has agreed a programme of work for this financial year with Learning and Teaching Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Scottish Further Education Unit. Some materials are already available and other elements will be delivered throughout the remainder of the year.

    The NQTG has also been considering any gaps in this programme, and an announcement will be made in the near future about additional support work to be funded this year.

    In addition, the NQTG is also considering the likely need for support in relation to the impact of other work that it is progressing, for example in relation to the subject reviews and the Assessment Consultation exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156266,"EventID":"S1W-19647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what programmes exist for serious sex offenders serving sentences of more than four years and in which prisons these programmes are delivered. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what programmes exist for serious sex offenders serving sentences of more than four years and in which prisons these programmes are delivered. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    CORE STOP 2000 is the predominant Sex Offender programme used in Scotland for prisoners serving more than four years. Also available are the Cognitive Skills and Anger Management programmes along with a number of locally developed initiatives. The CORE STOP 2000 is being delivered at HM Prison Barlinnie and HMP Peterhead, with an adapted version being delivered at HM Prison & Young Offenders Institute Polmont.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156267,"EventID":"S1W-19648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychologists are employed or contracted to the Scottish Prison Service for the treatment of sex offenders and in which prisons they are based. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychologists are employed or contracted to the Scottish Prison Service for the treatment of sex offenders and in which prisons they are based. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Psychologists throughout the Scottish Prison Service cover a number of areas, but those with a significant input to the treatment of sex offenders are:

    HMP Peterhead\t4

    HMP Barlinnie\t4

    HMP & YOI Polmont\t4.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156268,"EventID":"S1W-19649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the governor of each prison establishment had been in his or her present position as at 31 October 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the governor of each prison establishment had been in his or her present position as at 31 October 2001.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information requested is given in the following table.

    Establishment

    Date of Appointment

    Aberdeen

    01.10.011

    Barlinnie

    01.10.01

    Castle Huntly

    14.02.00

    Cornton Vale

    30.07.01

    Dumfries

    03.07.99

    Edinburgh

    13.03.00

    Glenochil

    18.06.01

    Greenock

    23.07.01

    Inverness

    24.01.00

    Low Moss

    22.10.01

    Noranside

    24.09.011

    Perth

    26.04.99

    Peterhead

    01.10.01

    Polmont

    01.06.96

    Shotts

    01.10.01

    Note:

    1. Acting Governor.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156269,"EventID":"S1W-19650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been a rise from 273.4 in 1998 to 802.9 whole-time equivalents in 1999 in the number of NHS nurses whose specialty is classified as \"other\" as opposed to a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been a rise from 273.4 in 1998 to 802.9 whole-time equivalents in 1999 in the number of NHS nurses whose specialty is classified as \"other\" as opposed to a more specific specialty according to SKIPPER (3) published by the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency and whether it will give a more detailed breakdown of the specialities or areas within which those nurses classified as \"other\" work.","AnswerText":"The number of nursing staff whose specialty was classified as "other" at 30 September 1999 and 30 September 2000 was incorrectly recorded in the latest release of SKIPPER. The following table shows the correct data for nursing staff by specialty and qualification. The figures underlined are those which have been corrected. The data in SKIPPER will be corrected upon the next release of the package in January 2002.

    The specialties of those classified as "other' is not known centrally.

    Nursing and Midwifery staff employed in NHSScotland by location, qualification and specialty 1

    Whole Time Equivalent: at 30 September

    1990 8

    1995

    1997

    1998

    1999

    20002

    All Nursing & Midwifery staff 3,4

    52 284.1

    52 416.2

    51 472.4

    51 073.8

    51 353.0

    51 228.2

    Senior Nurse Managers 5

    595.1

    190.8

    133.9

    117.9

    102.6

    63.9

    Hospital Specialties

    45 837.9

    45 850.2

    44 886.9

    44 366.1

    44 446.7

    44 147.1

    Qualified

    		All responses are currently being analysed by an independent consultant, Mr Geoff Peart. He will submit his report to the Executive at the end of January 2002 and his report will be published.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156273,"EventID":"S1W-19654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sections of trunk road were (a) opened and (b) significantly upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sections of trunk road were (a) opened and (b) significantly upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979. ","AnswerText":"The information is set out in the following table:

    1979

    12

    1980

    13

    1981

    11

    1982

    16

    1983

    14

    1984

    5

    1985

    9

    1986

    18

    1987

    15

    1988

    8

    1989

    7

    1990

    12

    1991

    10

    1992

    8

    1993

    8

    1994

    8

    1995

    6

    1996

    3

    1997

    3

    1998

    3

    1999

    6<","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156274,"EventID":"S1W-19655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many significant upgrades to sections of trunk roads it is currently planning in order to increase capacity. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many significant upgrades to sections of trunk roads it is currently planning in order to increase capacity. ","AnswerText":"Trunk roads are improved to bring benefits of greater safety, improved environmental conditions, a better service to road users, including public transport, and social benefits that flow from better transport. Of the 63 schemes in the motorway and trunk road programme announced for the period to March 2004, 38 will involve road layout or cross sectional changes which will produce some increase in capacity.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156275,"EventID":"S1W-19656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many miles of trunk road were (a) created and (b) substantially upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many miles of trunk road were (a) created and (b) substantially upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979. ","AnswerText":"The information on the miles of trunk road created, or substantially upgraded, to increase capacity is not available. Public road lengths for trunk roads, on a year by year basis, is contained in Chapter 5 Table 5.1 of the Editions of Scottish Transport Statistics copies of which have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156276,"EventID":"S1W-19657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on the enhancement of the trunk road network in each year since 1979. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on the enhancement of the trunk road network in each year since 1979. ","AnswerText":"Information is not available on the proportion of the trunk road budget spent on the enhancement of the network. Expenditure on the network as a whole, including new construction, improvements and routine maintenance, for each year is as follows.

    Year

    Spend

    (£ million)

    1979-80

    83

    1980-81

    91

    1981-82

    104

    1982-83

    110

    1983-84

    106

    1984-85

    119

    1985-86

    119

    1986-87

    115

    1987-88

    130

    1988-89

    131

    1989-90

    163

    1990-91

    199

    1991-92

    201

    1992-93

    230

    1993-94

    231

    1994-95

    247

    1995-96

    225

    1996-97

    203

    The information requested is given in the following table.

    ESTABLISHMENT

    AWARD

    DATE

    Aberdeen

    Investors in People (IIP)

    December 1998

    Barlinnie

    IIP

    Bronze SHAW Award

    August 2000

    Castle Huntly

    IIP

    December 1998

    Cornton Vale

    IIP

    Charter Mark

    December 1999

    August 2001

    Dumfries

    IIP

    Bronze SHAW Award

    Silver SHAW Award

    Gold SHAW Award

    March 1999

    September 1998

    October 1999

    November 2000

    Edinburgh

    IIP

    October 1999

    Glenochil

    IIP

    January 2000

    Greenock

    IIP

    Bronze SHAW Award

    January 1999

    July 2001

    Inverness

    IIP

    Charter Mark

    November 2000

    The following figures relate to studies supported corporately by SPS. Figures for locally supported studies are not collated centrally.

    Qualification

    Estblishment

    Number of Staff

    Professional Diploma in Management

    Glenochil

    2

    Diploma in Management Studies

    Aberdeen

    1

    Barlinnie

    2

    Cornton Vale

    1

    Edinburgh

    1

    Glenochil

    1

    Greenock

    2

    Polmont

    1

    Low Moss

    1

    Penninghame

    1

    Perth

    3

    Shotts

    1

    HQ

    1

    NEBS Management Diploma

    Barlinnie

    1

    Edinburgh

    2

    Glenochil

    The supply of this information would incur disproportionate cost to the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156280,"EventID":"S1W-19661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sex offenders undertook the Stop programme at (a) HM Prison Barlinnie and (b) HM Prison Polmont in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) so far in 2001. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many sex offenders undertook the Stop programme at (a) HM Prison Barlinnie and (b) HM Prison Polmont in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) so far in 2001. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The CORE STOP 2000 programme was not available until the year 2000. Numbers undertaking this programme are:

    HMP Barlinnie

    2000

    9 prisoners completed

    HMP Barlinnie

    2001

    Course not completed as yet

    HMP & YOI Polmont

    2001

    New course not completed as yet

    Prior to the CORE STOP 2000 programme being introduced there were a number of interventions aimed at sex offenders being delivered but the numbers undertaking them were not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156281,"EventID":"S1W-19662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sex offender programmes are operated at HM Prison Saughton; if so, whether it will detail the programmes which are operated and how many prisoners undertook them","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sex offender programmes are operated at HM Prison Saughton; if so, whether it will detail the programmes which are operated and how many prisoners undertook them in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) so far in 2001 and, if no programmes are operated, why this was and what plans it has to start such programmes. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    No CORE STOP 2000 sex offender programmes are being operated as a suitable prisoner group has not yet been identified, but Edinburgh prison is able to deliver such programmes when such a group is identified.

    Prior to the CORE STOP programme being introduced there were a number of interventions at Edinburgh and a number of other establishments, aimed at sex offenders, but the numbers undertaking them were not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156282,"EventID":"S1W-19663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison visiting committees have made representations to it or the Scottish Prison Service on the treatment of sex offenders in prisons since 1997; whether it wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison visiting committees have made representations to it or the Scottish Prison Service on the treatment of sex offenders in prisons since 1997; whether it will detail any such representations, and what the outcomes were of any such representations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS has no record of any prison visiting committee having made representations since 1997 on the treatment of sex offenders in prisons.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156283,"EventID":"S1W-19664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the Investors in People (IiP) programme in each prison and when IiP status was awarded to each prison. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the Investors in People (IiP) programme in each prison and when IiP status was awarded to each prison. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information requested is given in the following table.

    Establishment

    Recognition Date

    HMP Aberdeen

    15 December 19981

    HMP Castle Huntly

    15 December 1998

    HMP Noranside

    12 January 1999

    HMP Greenock

    12 January 1999

    HM YOI Dumfries

    9 March 1999

    HMP Low Moss

    12 May 1999

    HM YOI Polmont

    1 June 1999

    HMP Peterhead

    7 June 1999

    HMP Shotts

    21 July 1999

    Note:

    1. HMP Aberdeen was re-assessed in July 2001 and is on a "Retention of Recognition" programme

    Establishment

    Recognition Date

    HMP Edinburgh

    27 October 1999

    HMP Cornton Vale

    15 December 1999

    HMP Glenochil

    11 January 2000

    HMP Perth

    10 July 2000

    HMP Barlinnie

    23 August 2000

    HMP Inverness

    21 November 2000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156284,"EventID":"S1W-19665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior management staff are currently employed at the headquarters of the Scottish Prison Service and how many of these have had work experience within a prison","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior management staff are currently employed at the headquarters of the Scottish Prison Service and how many of these have had work experience within a prison in the last (a) one, (b) three and (c) five years. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The number of staff at SPS Headquarters at Band G or above as at 1 November 2001 was 63.

    The remainder of the information sought is not readily available and could not be produced except at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156285,"EventID":"S1W-19666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is planning to introduce in areas where peak-time concessionary fares for bus travel are available to pensioners and/or disabled people in order to ensur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is planning to introduce in areas where peak-time concessionary fares for bus travel are available to pensioners and/or disabled people in order to ensure that any such fares continue to be available following the introduction of free off-peak bus travel for pensioners and disabled people. ","AnswerText":"The Executive's objective is to ensure that, as a minimum, free local off-peak bus travel (for eligible groups) is introduced for travel wholly within the boundaries of the participating local authorities in any given scheme area, after 09:30 weekdays and all day Saturday/Sunday. The Executive is working with Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the bus industry to deliver this commitment on a voluntary basis. Local authorities will still, however, be able to arrange peak-time concessionary travel on a local basis if they so wish.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156286,"EventID":"S1W-19668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many digital hearing aids have been distributed by Highland Health Board in each of the past three years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many digital hearing aids have been distributed by Highland Health Board in each of the past three years. ","AnswerText":"The following numbers of digital hearing aids were drawn off the central Scottish Healthcare Supplies contract by NHS Trusts in the Highland NHS Board area since the contract started in June 1999.

    June 1999 to December 1999 - Nil

    January 2000 to December 2000 - 15

    January 2001 to September 2001 - 32","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156287,"EventID":"S1W-19669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) paediatricians and (b) psychiatrists have undergone specific training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) paediatricians and (b) psychiatrists have undergone specific training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"All doctors working as consultants or specialist registrars in paediatrics or psychiatry will be members of, respectively, either the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health or the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The membership examinations for both institutions require a knowledge of child and adolescent mental health, and theoretical knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will be included.

    Information is not collected on those staff who undertake any specific additional training in ADHD. However, all consultants in the specialty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will have received training in the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with ADHD during their higher specialist training.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156288,"EventID":"S1W-19670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the establishment, remit and budget of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the establishment, remit and budget of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"Planning meetings about the establishment of a Scottish Medicines Consortium are under way. It is hoped that an announcement about its remit and budget will be made early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156289,"EventID":"S1W-19671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified psychiatric nurses are currently employed on the NHS 24 helpline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified psychiatric nurses are currently employed on the NHS 24 helpline.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 is in the process of recruiting staff at present. The only criterion is that the nurses should be Registered General Nurses. If individuals hold a psychiatric qualification this would be \"additional\" rather than a core requirement.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156290,"EventID":"S1W-19672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that special educational needs training is a core unit within teacher training courses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that special educational needs training is a core unit within teacher training courses.","AnswerText":"Core curricular time is already devoted to special educational needs in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. In addition, training for special educational needs is being examined in the review of ITE which began earlier this year. The first stage of the Review has now been completed, and the Executive plans to publish its associated Action Plan in the near future.

    Training to meet special educational needs is also a key element of teachers' continuing professional development (CPD). The CPD framework is also currently under review and the Educational Inclusion Sub Group of the Ministerial Strategy Committee on CPD is looking at inclusion issues, including special educational needs. Recommendations will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156291,"EventID":"S1W-19673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it first learned of Scottish Amicable's decision to make 430 compulsory and voluntary job cuts at its headquarters at Craigforth, Stirling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it first learned of Scottish Amicable's decision to make 430 compulsory and voluntary job cuts at its headquarters at Craigforth, Stirling.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19674.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156292,"EventID":"S1W-19674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with representatives of Scottish Amicable or the Prudential to discuss the 430 job losses at the headquarters of Scottish Amicable in Craigforth,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with representatives of Scottish Amicable or the Prudential to discuss the 430 job losses at the headquarters of Scottish Amicable in Craigforth, Stirling, and whether it will make available any papers or documents referred to at these meetings.","AnswerText":"The Executive met with senior officers of both Scottish Amicable and their parent company, Prudential Assurance, on 31 October. The discussion covered Prudential's decision to rebrand all Scottish Amicable products and to make further efficiency savings within the group. This meeting was convened on the understanding that commercial confidentiality would be respected. Following the public announcement of Prudential's intentions on 2 November, the scope of that discussion is now effectively in the public domain, including the company's pledge to retain Craigforth as a major business centre with more than 2,000 employed there.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156293,"EventID":"S1W-19675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Commission in opposition to the draft Physical Agents Directive on vibration and place copies of any such representat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Commission in opposition to the draft Physical Agents Directive on vibration and place copies of any such representations in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre or, if it will not make direct representations, whether it will make such representations to Her Majesty's Government and place copies of these in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to the Health and Safety implications in the proposed European Commission's Physical Agents Directive. Therefore representations to the European Commission will be a matter for the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156294,"EventID":"S1W-19676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings will result from the establishment of NHS Highland to replace Highland NHS Board, Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Highland Primary Care NHS Trust in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what savings will result from the establishment of NHS Highland to replace Highland NHS Board, Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Highland Primary Care NHS Trust in the current and in each of the next two budgetary years and whether it will place a breakdown of such savings in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The establishment of Highland NHS Board as a single forum for strategic leadership is intended to provide for the efficient, effective and accountable governance of health services in the Highlands. It is about encouraging the local NHS to spend better by focusing more on health outcomes and people's experience of the service.

    It will be for Highland NHS Board to determine how best to realise the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services it provides. Further details of how it plans to do this should be sought from the NHS Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156295,"EventID":"S1W-19677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17592 by Susan Deacon on 6 September 2001, when it will publish the review by the Chief Medical Officer on the mapping of the relat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17592 by Susan Deacon on 6 September 2001, when it will publish the review by the Chief Medical Officer on the mapping of the relationship between the various bodies with an interest in clinical quality.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer held a series of four regional workshops to inform his review of the relationship between the various organisations with an interest in clinical effectiveness. The discussion document Integrating Scotland's Clinical Effectiveness Organisations issued to inform this process was published on the Clinical Resource and Audit Group's website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/crag/. A formal consultation document will be issued shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156296,"EventID":"S1W-19678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in dealing with unemployment in North Ayrshire. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in dealing with unemployment in North Ayrshire. ","AnswerText":"The unemployment rate in North Ayrshire has been reduced by 7.2% over the last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156297,"EventID":"S1W-19679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what practical measures it will consider taking to attract employment to North Ayrshire. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what practical measures it will consider taking to attract employment to North Ayrshire. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and local agencies are committed to securing sustainable employment opportunities for North Ayrshire. In recognition of the challenges facing the area, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire has been awarded an additional £4.7 million over the past two years to implement their \"Ayrshire Strategy for Jobs\". In the past year, the creation of some 450 jobs in the area have been announced by companies which have worked closely with local and national agencies.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156298,"EventID":"S1W-19680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its plans for the dispersal of civil service jobs will extend to all areas of the country.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its plans for the dispersal of civil service jobs will extend to all areas of the country.","AnswerText":"Around 34,000 staff are employed in the range of public services covered by the Scottish Executive's relocation policy; around two-thirds of these are already located outwith Edinburgh.

    Two objectives govern relocation decisions. First, the location of organisations should promote efficiency and effectiveness. Second, subject to the first objective, the work of the Scottish Executive and related bodies should be close to the communities they serve. When relocation is being considered, no parts of the country are targeted, nor are any ruled out. Each relocation decision is viewed on its own merits and a decision is taken about where each organisation should be situated, based on the relevant factors in each case.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156299,"EventID":"S1W-19681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to any timetable it has for the dispersal of civil service jobs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in relation to any timetable it has for the dispersal of civil service jobs. ","AnswerText":"We have made good progress. The Education and Lifelong Learning Department is now wholly located in Glasgow, the Food Standards Agency has been set up in Aberdeen and the Public Guardian's Office has been set up in Falkirk. Following my announcement of 1 December last year on the forward programme, the First Minister announced on 6 March that the National Office of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the offices of the Scottish Social Services Council will be located in Dundee. The commission's regional office for the area will also be located in the Dundee HQ. Locations under consideration for the other five regional offices are Inverness, Aberdeen, Paisley, Hamilton/East Kilbride and East Lothian. I announced on 17 July that the Scottish Public Pensions Agency will be located in the Galashiels area.

    In line with my statement of 1 December last year, the following organisations are in the programme of relocation reviews - the Health Education Board for Scotland, the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland, sportscotland and the Scottish Arts Council and Registers of Scotland.

    Rolling the relocation programme forward, I can announce today that we will examine relocation options for Scottish Natural Heritage which has a forthcoming lease break in a property in Edinburgh. A decision on this will be made by mid 2002.

    Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education has been restructured as an Executive Agency, and its locations will be examined with a decision by mid 2003.

    These organisations will be examined on a case-by-case basis, with the aim of finding the best location for each organisation, within the context of the relocation policy. The position of staff will be a consideration, as will the costs and benefits of moves. As part of the process, the organisations concerned will continue to consider how most efficiently to conduct their work in line with the most up to date practices and use of technology. There will be opportunities for representations to be made about different locations and full consultation with the organisations concerned and with the relevant trade unions.

    We have also been examining where to locate the headquarters of the new body, Scottish Water, in the light of our relocation policy. We expect to take a decision on this shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156300,"EventID":"S1W-19682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for the selection of destinations for the relocation of civil service jobs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for the selection of destinations for the relocation of civil service jobs. ","AnswerText":"Relocation decisions are based on a range of issues including costs, quality and efficiency of service, economic factors such as unemployment, availability and suitability of property and staff, transport issues, and the position of staff concerned. Further criteria to be taken into account will depend on the organisation itself and the nature of the work in question.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156301,"EventID":"S1W-19683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether areas with above average levels of unemployment will be given priority in the dispersal of civil service jobs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether areas with above average levels of unemployment will be given priority in the dispersal of civil service jobs. ","AnswerText":"Local economic conditions, such as levels of unemployment, are included in the range of factors taken into account when relocation decisions are taken. No one factor has primacy over others; the relocation of each organisation is considered on its own merits.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156302,"EventID":"S1W-19684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18877 by Ross Finnie on 2 November 2001, what revenue it expects to be allocated from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund in 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18877 by Ross Finnie on 2 November 2001, what revenue it expects to be allocated from the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"I have nothing to add to the answer given to question S1W-18893 on 2 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156303,"EventID":"S1W-19685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17971 by Jackie Baillie on 1 October 2001, how the #0.5 million funding to boost college provision specifically for asylum seekers ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17971 by Jackie Baillie on 1 October 2001, how the #0.5 million funding to boost college provision specifically for asylum seekers will be spent, broken down by individual colleges, over the current financial year and over future financial years.","AnswerText":"Allocations to individual colleges, for the current and future financial years, will be made by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

    The additional resources are intended to cover the cost of waiving course fees, providing essential books and assisting asylum seekers with the costs of travelling to college.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156304,"EventID":"S1W-19686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has provided to education authorities on how to deal with teaching materials concerning genetically modified crops.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has provided to education authorities on how to deal with teaching materials concerning genetically modified crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not provided any specific guidance to education authorities on how to deal with teaching materials concerning genetically modified crops.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156305,"EventID":"S1W-19687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authorisation it has given to companies involved with genetically modified (GM) crops or pro-GM organisations regarding the distribution of information on GM crops t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authorisation it has given to companies involved with genetically modified (GM) crops or pro-GM organisations regarding the distribution of information on GM crops to schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not given authorisation to any such companies regarding the distribution of information on GM crops to schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156306,"EventID":"S1W-19688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any material that it has authorised that can be distributed to schools on the use of genetica","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any material that it has authorised that can be distributed to schools on the use of genetically modified crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not authorised materials for distribution to schools on the use of genetically modified crops.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156307,"EventID":"S1W-19689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to civil emergency planners and local authorities regarding potential terrorist threats to nuclear material stored or used at Sellaf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to civil emergency planners and local authorities regarding potential terrorist threats to nuclear material stored or used at Sellafield, Torness, Hunterston, Dounreay, Faslane, Chapelcross, Rosyth and Coulport.","AnswerText":"Security and safety precautions at nuclear sites are kept under regular review and in the light of the recent terrorist attacks in the USA all relevant precautions are presently being scrutinised. It is not our policy to disclose details of security measures taken at civil nuclear sites.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156308,"EventID":"S1W-19690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to civil emergency planners and local authorities regarding the length of warning times which should be given to enable the evacuati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has issued to civil emergency planners and local authorities regarding the length of warning times which should be given to enable the evacuation of the general public from affected areas in the event of a terrorist attack on Sellafied or Dounreay.","AnswerText":"The licensed operators of all nuclear sites are required to prepare an emergency plan. These plans and those of other key agencies, such as the police and the local authorities, cover a range of scenarios. In the event of a terrorist attack on either Sellafield or Dounreay, resulting in an off-site emission, a decision would be made by the Incident Commander on whether to evacuate the general public in the immediate vacinity or to advise them to shelter indoors until a range of factors including the extent of any release and the prevailing weather was established.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156309,"EventID":"S1W-19691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has calculated what length of warning people in Dumfries and Galloway would require to enable a safe public evacuation in the event of a terrorist attack on th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has calculated what length of warning people in Dumfries and Galloway would require to enable a safe public evacuation in the event of a terrorist attack on the nuclear installation at Sellafied.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19690.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156310,"EventID":"S1W-19692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of comments made by Chief Superintendent David Johnstone of Strathclyde Police in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald on 2 November 2001 that, in a context of li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of comments made by Chief Superintendent David Johnstone of Strathclyde Police in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald on 2 November 2001 that, in a context of limited resources, the force had failed the people of Ardrossan, whether additional resources will be made available to U Division of Strathclyde Police in order to ensure that crime and disorder in the town is tackled.","AnswerText":"The provision of resources and deployment of police officers within a force area is of course an operational matter for chief constables and divisional commanders who will take account of local issues and circumstances.

    Over the past six months, the number of incidents in the Ardrossan North area reported to the police has fallen by almost 50%. However, in light of local concerns, I understand that significant additional patrols have recently been deployed to the area and that the situation there is being closely monitored.

    As regards resources, the Scottish Executive provides police grant that covers 51% of eligible police expenditure up to a cash limit. It is for police authorities to set the budgets for individual forces. The resources provided to Strathclyde Joint Police Board enabled the setting of a budget of £370.9 million for 2001-02, an increase of nearly £19 million over 2000-01. Police numbers in Strathclyde rose again in 2001, continuing the upward trend of the previous two years, and at the end of September 2001 stood at 7,298.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156311,"EventID":"S1W-19693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there is no repetition on the wider motorway network of the traffic gridlocks recently experienced by drivers on the M8.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there is no repetition on the wider motorway network of the traffic gridlocks recently experienced by drivers on the M8.","AnswerText":"The trunk road maintenance contracts require the Operating Companies to carry out safety inspections of the trunk road network to ensure, as far as is reasonable, that incidents similar to those recently experienced on the M8 motorway causing severe traffic delays are kept to a minimum.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156312,"EventID":"S1W-19694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18665 by Allan Wilson on 26 October 2001, what specific additional safety measures have been introduced through the British Boxing ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18665 by Allan Wilson on 26 October 2001, what specific additional safety measures have been introduced through the British Boxing Board of Control following the Paul Ingles fight and how information on these measures will be disseminated.","AnswerText":"As stated in my answer on 26 October, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) has jurisdiction over professional boxing in Great Britain. To obtain the requested information, I therefore suggest you contact either the BBBC direct or the two main promoters of boxing in Scotland (ie Alex Morrison at Morrison's Gym, 197 Swanston Street, Glasgow and Tommy Gilmour at the St Andrew's Sporting Club, Holiday Inn Glasgow City, Bothwell Street, Glasgow).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156313,"EventID":"S1W-19695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish full details of the income and expenditure of the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish full details of the income and expenditure of the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the last two years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is required to prepare accounts each year in accordance with section 16 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. SQA's accounts for 1999-2000 were laid in Parliament on 21 June 2001 (SE/2001/130) and its accounts for 2000-01 will be laid shortly. The SQA makes its accounts freely available to the public after they have been laid in Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156314,"EventID":"S1W-19696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social work assistants have been employed by each local authority in each of the last five years, and what financial and other support is available for social wo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social work assistants have been employed by each local authority in each of the last five years, and what financial and other support is available for social work assistants to enable them to gain appropriate qualifications.","AnswerText":"Figures on employment of social work assistants have only been collated in a consistent manner since 2000. In 2000, 799 whole time equivalent social work assistants were employed throughout Scotland.

    £2.2 million specific grant funding is awarded each year to local authorities to improve the quality of social work service provision of training for relevant staff. This would include social work assistants.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156315,"EventID":"S1W-19697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers specialising in childcare have been employed by each local authority in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers specialising in childcare have been employed by each local authority in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Figures for social workers specialising in childcare should not be considered in isolation, as many local authorities also have generic social workers who provide services to more than one client group, including children. Table 1 therefore shows the number of social workers in Scotland by client group in each of the years 1996, 1999 and 2000. Comparable figures for 1997 and 1998 are not available because they were not collected on a consistent basis due to classification changes.

    Table 1: Staff of Local Authority Social Work Services, 1996 - 2000

    Social Workers by Client Group1: Whole Time Equivalents

    Client group

    Number of Staff (WTE)

    1996

    1999

    2000

    Children

    1,447

    1,580

    1,577

    Generic2

    652

    894

    811

    Other3

    1,973

    1,814

    1,764

    All client groups

    4,072

    4,288

    4,152

    Notes:

    1. Includes Senior Social Workers and Main Grade Social Workers.

    2. Generic provision represents staff who provide services to more than one client group.

    3. "Other" client groups covers services for adults and services for offenders.

    Table 2 shows the figures for social workers specialising in childcare by local authority for each of the three years. The differing patterns reflect the extent to which social workers are identified by local authorities as specialist or generic. Some councils have changed their approach to classification over the period covered by the statistics. The proportion of generic provision which relates to children's services is not known.

    Table 2: Staff of Local Authority Social Work Services, 1996 - 20003

    Social Workers Specialising in Childcare1, 2: Whole Time Equivalents

    Local Authority

    Specialising in C","AnswerDate":"2002-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156316,"EventID":"S1W-19698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for social workers specialising in childcare were vacant in each local authority in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for social workers specialising in childcare were vacant in each local authority in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information on social work vacancies was collected for the first time in the October 2000 staffing census. These figures are provided in the following table.

    Staff of Scottish Local Authority Social Work Services, 2000

    Social Workers Specialising in Childcare1,2: Staff and Vacancies (Whole Time Equivalents)

    Local Authority

    Total Staff (WTE)

    Vacancies (WTE)

    Aberdeen City

    106

    6

    Aberdeenshire3

    90

    n/a

    Angus

    35

    2

    Argyll & Bute

    3

    0

    Clackmannanshire

    16

    2

    Dumfries & Galloway

    43

    6

    Dundee City

    62

    0

    East Ayrshire

    32

    8

    East Dunbartonshire

    16

    1

    East Lothian

    29

    0

    East Renfrewshire Next year we will review both adoption and fostering legislation. The review will include consideration of how to encourage more people to adopt or foster vulnerable children.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156318,"EventID":"S1W-19700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of composting bins issued by local authorities, whether it has issued any guidelines on benchmark figures for the amount of compost produced per bin that shou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of composting bins issued by local authorities, whether it has issued any guidelines on benchmark figures for the amount of compost produced per bin that should form the basis of statistical calculations.","AnswerText":"No. However, various studies have been carried out to investigate the amount of waste diverted from the waste collection service as a result of home composting. Several local authorities used their share of the Executive's £3 million grant for recycling and composting in 2000-01 to encourage home composting. The Executive has asked authorities to assess the impact of the projects supported by the grant on the amount of waste diverted from landfill.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156319,"EventID":"S1W-19701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide substantive answers to questions S1W-17798, S1W-17799, S1W-17802 and S1W-18076.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide substantive answers to questions S1W-17798, S1W-17799, S1W-17802 and S1W-18076.","AnswerText":"The answers to these questions were given on the following dates:

    S1W-17798 - 6 November 2001

    S1W-17799 - 6 November 2001

    S1W-17802 - 1 October 2001

    S1W-18076 - 6 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156320,"EventID":"S1W-19702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the core funding arrangements for women's refuges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the core funding arrangements for women's refuges.","AnswerText":"The Action Plan in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland contains a series of recommendations about access to services, including refuge provision by Women's Aid. The national Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland was established in June 2001 with a remit to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan over three years. A consideration of resourcing will be part of this remit.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156321,"EventID":"S1W-19703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the request from Aberdeenshire Council to stop-up the right of way at Philorth Avenue/Witchhill Road, Fraserburgh, which was submitted on 8 May 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the request from Aberdeenshire Council to stop-up the right of way at Philorth Avenue/Witchhill Road, Fraserburgh, which was submitted on 8 May 2000, and whether there are any plans to hold a local inquiry into this matter. ","AnswerText":"Aberdeenshire Council advertised the Aberdeenshire Council (Philorth Avenue, Fraserburgh) Stopping Up Order 2000 on 10 September 1999. There were sustained objections to the Order and in May 2000 it was passed to Scottish ministers for consideration.

    The Order was promoted under section 68(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. To stop up a road under section 68(1) the council must demonstrate that the road is either \"dangerous\" or \"unnecessary\". There has been correspondence on this matter between the council and the Executive since May 2000 and currently we await further information from the council.

    At this stage, it is not known whether or not a Public Local Inquiry would be an appropriate means to resolve this Order.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156322,"EventID":"S1W-19704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18922 by Susan Deacon on 23 October 2001, what plans it has to target the promotion of better dental care specifically at 12-year-o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18922 by Susan Deacon on 23 October 2001, what plans it has to target the promotion of better dental care specifically at 12-year-olds. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive have no specific plans to target 12-year-olds with health promotion programmes beyond those already offered in health services throughout Scotland. 76% of children in this age group in Glasgow are registered with a general dental practitioner. Through targeting younger children from six years of age onwards and making payments to dentists for preventive treatments will reduce dental disease in 12-year-olds considerably. Research would suggest that programmes such as the enhanced capitation and preventive scheme recently introduced into NHS dental services this year, could reduce dental disease in 12-year-olds by up to 50%.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156323,"EventID":"S1W-19705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3939 by Mr Jack McConnell on 25 October 2001, whether the adoption policy review will make recommendations to Her Majesty's Governm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3939 by Mr Jack McConnell on 25 October 2001, whether the adoption policy review will make recommendations to Her Majesty's Government on new parental leave rights for new adoptive parents. ","AnswerText":"I expect the report of Adoption Policy Review Group to address issues relating to post-adoption services. However, changes to the existing regulations that govern parental leave, including those for adoptive parents, is a reserved employment matter being taken forward by the UK Government. I would therefore not expect the review group to make recommendations on this.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156324,"EventID":"S1W-19706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review safety on the A90 at Friarton Bridge following the recent fatal accident there. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review safety on the A90 at Friarton Bridge following the recent fatal accident there. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit will meet with Tayside Police to determine the circumstances of the accident and consider whether immediate remedial measures need to be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156325,"EventID":"S1W-19707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16820 by Susan Deacon on 26 October 2001, whether a timetable has been set for the Scottish Ambulance Service to develop a business","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16820 by Susan Deacon on 26 October 2001, whether a timetable has been set for the Scottish Ambulance Service to develop a business case including proposals for the implementation of priority-based dispatch. ","AnswerText":"I understand from the Scottish Ambulance Service that the board is scheduled to consider the full business case for priority-based dispatch at the beginning of 2002. The Executive expects to receive the full business case following that meeting, and will reach a final decision as soon as possible thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156326,"EventID":"S1W-19708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19123 by Jackie Baillie on 26 October 2001, what methodology is used in one-night street counts of people sleeping rough in Glasgow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19123 by Jackie Baillie on 26 October 2001, what methodology is used in one-night street counts of people sleeping rough in Glasgow. ","AnswerText":"The current approach to the monitoring of the RSI target is detailed in my reply to question S1W-18044 on 11 September 2001. Full details of the methodology being employed are contained in the report referred to in that reply, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 15838).

    The gender and age breakdown of the people found to be sleeping rough is also provided in that report at an all Scotland level. The second set of quantitative data was collected in October and the next report will include a breakdown by gender and age at local authority level for both the May and October exercises.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156327,"EventID":"S1W-19709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19123 by Jackie Baillie on 26 October 2001, what the gender and age breakdown was of people sleeping rough in the one-night street ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19123 by Jackie Baillie on 26 October 2001, what the gender and age breakdown was of people sleeping rough in the one-night street counts in Glasgow in each year from 1997 to date. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19708.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156328,"EventID":"S1W-19710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of increasing police numbers overall by (a) 500, (b) 1,000, (c) 1,500, (d) 2,000, (e) 2,500 and (f) 3,000, and what the increase in si'e of each po","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of increasing police numbers overall by (a) 500, (b) 1,000, (c) 1,500, (d) 2,000, (e) 2,500 and (f) 3,000, and what the increase in si'e of each police force would be under an equitable distribution of these increases. ","AnswerText":"Estimated figures for the information requested are shown in the following table.

    Force

    Number of Additional Officers

    Central

    23

    47

    70

    94

    117

    140

    Dumfries and Galloway

    15

    30

    44

    59

    74

    89

    Fife

    28

    55

    83

    110

    138

    165

    Grampian

    43

    85

    128

    171

    214

    257

    L&B

    91

    182

    274

    365

    456

    547

    Northern

    27

    54

    80

    107

    As at:

    Central

    Dumfries and Galloway

    Fife

    Grampian

    Lothian and Borders

    Northern

    Strathclyde

    Tayside

    Total

    31/3/90

    630

    348

    755

    1,103

    2,482

    631

    6,886

    1,012

    13,847

    30/9/90

    642

    348

    760

    1,127

    2,477

    634

    6,835

    1,018

    13,841

    31/3/91

    638

    360

    756

    1,137

    2,452

    629

    6,792

    1,047

    13,811

    30/9/91

    		Anyone acquiring Udal land after the commencement date of the Land Register in Orkney and Shetland on 1 April 2003 will be able to obtain a real right only by registration in the Land Register. Existing proprietors' rights will not be affected. The Keeper has discretion under section 4(1) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 as to what evidence is acceptable in a particular case. He has not yet set a policy on what evidence he will require for the registration of Udal land. However, he has begun research on the implications of Udal law, and will take into account any available information as to current practice in the transmission of Udal land.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156332,"EventID":"S1W-19714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to businesses for them to translate sales and marketing material into foreign languages.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to businesses for them to translate sales and marketing material into foreign languages.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International, which is a joint venture between the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise, delivers a Market Access Programme to companies in Scotland. The programme offers support to companies seeking to develop international business opportunities. As part of this programme, assistance is available to companies for initial foreign language interpretation and translation requirements where this is deemed appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156333,"EventID":"S1W-19715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) procurators fiscal and (b) deputy procurators fiscal are currently employed in each sheriffdom and how many were employed in each sheriffdom at 31 March and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) procurators fiscal and (b) deputy procurators fiscal are currently employed in each sheriffdom and how many were employed in each sheriffdom at 31 March and 30 September in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"The figures since September 1996 are as shown in the following tables. Records for dates before that are not broken down by sheriffdom. Since many staff are employed part-time, the figures given here are on a whole-time equivalent basis, which represents the most accurate statement of the resource. The figures are, however, "snapshots" of numbers on particular dates and do not necessarily reflect average numbers of staff in post over given periods.

    Procurators Fiscal:
     

    9/96

    3/97

    9/97

    3/98

    9/98

    3/99

    9/99

    3/00

    9/00

    3/01

    9/01

    GHI

    12

    13

    12

    12

    12

    13

    12

    10

    12

    12

    13

    TCF

    9

    10

    10

    10

    9

    9

    9

    9

    9

    8

    9

    L&B

    5

    5

    Grampian, Highland and Islands

    £3,123,000

    Tayside, Central and Fife

    £4,856,000

    Lothian and Borders

    £4,570,000

    Glasgow

    £7,525,000

    North Strathclyde

    £3,762,000

    South Strathclyde

    £4,165,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156336,"EventID":"S1W-19718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs would be of increasing (a) procurator fiscal and (b) deputy procurator fiscal numbers overall by (i) 10, (ii) 20, (iii) 30, (iv) 40 and (v) 50 and what the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs would be of increasing (a) procurator fiscal and (b) deputy procurator fiscal numbers overall by (i) 10, (ii) 20, (iii) 30, (iv) 40 and (v) 50 and what the increase in numbers would be in each sheriffdom under an equitable distribution of these increases.","AnswerText":"There are 49 Fiscal offices in Scotland. Each of these is headed by a single procurator fiscal who holds a commission from the Lord Advocate. All of these appointments are made from within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The salary and associated employment costs of these procurators fiscal varies according to the grading of the post and the experience and personal performance of the post holder. The average total employment costs per procurator fiscal at the level of regional office (of which there are six) is £100,000; at the upper level office (of which there are 12) is £75,000; at the lower level office (of which there are 26) is £60,000. The depute fiscal grade is the entry grade for those pursuing a legal career in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The average full employment cost of a new depute fiscal is £27,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156337,"EventID":"S1W-19719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any police forces are currently operating under full strength and, if so, which forces and by how many officers they are under strength. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any police forces are currently operating under full strength and, if so, which forces and by how many officers they are under strength. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. From 1 April 1996 the controls previously exercised by ministers over police force numbers were removed. Since then it has been entirely for chief constables in consultation with police authorities to decide on staffing levels within the resources available to them. The numbers of officers in Scottish forces reached record levels in 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156338,"EventID":"S1W-19720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budgetary provision is for the employment of police officers both in total and broken down by police force in the current financial year. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budgetary provision is for the employment of police officers both in total and broken down by police force in the current financial year. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156339,"EventID":"S1W-19721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to consult on the procedures of a victim's statements scheme in accordance with the commitment given in the Scottish Strategy for Victims.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to consult on the procedures of a victim's statements scheme in accordance with the commitment given in the Scottish Strategy for Victims.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the consultation document on the procedures for a victims' statement scheme is being published today. Copies are being sent to a range of voluntary and statutory agencies. It is also available through the Parliament's Reference Centre and it will be available on the Scottish Executive website. The consultation period will end on 14 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156340,"EventID":"S1W-19722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to BAE SYSTEMS plc concerning the transfer of the Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to BAE SYSTEMS plc concerning the transfer of the Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in dialogue with the company on a number of issues, of which this is one.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156341,"EventID":"S1W-19723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be lost in Ayrshire as a result of the transfer of the BAE SYSTEMS plc Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be lost in Ayrshire as a result of the transfer of the BAE SYSTEMS plc Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","AnswerText":"This remains to be determined by the company. I understand that the transfer of the Nimrod programme may not have any net impact on jobs in Ayrshire since it will allow Prestwick to concentrate on increased work for Airbus and Boeing.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156342,"EventID":"S1W-19724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is currently making to BAE SYSTEMS plc in opposition to the transfer of the Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is currently making to BAE SYSTEMS plc in opposition to the transfer of the Nimrod programme from Prestwick to Chadderton, Greater Manchester.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19722 on 7 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156343,"EventID":"S1W-19725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures exist to guarantee the provision of public transport services when bus companies go into liquidation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures exist to guarantee the provision of public transport services when bus companies go into liquidation.","AnswerText":"Local public transport authorities are required to secure the provision of public passenger transport services which are not provided on a commercial basis. Where a bus operator goes out of business at short notice local public transport authorities will endeavour to ensure that alternative services are provided, either commercially or by way of subsidy. In such circumstances the authority will work closely with the Traffic Commissioner who has the power to waive standard registration notice periods where that would be in the public interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156344,"EventID":"S1W-19726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to guarantee the provision of bus services in Renfrewshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to guarantee the provision of bus services in Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"I understand that Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) have been working closely with the bus industry and the Traffic Commissioner to ensure that bus services affected when DART Buses went out of business are replaced, either on a commercial basis or with the provision of subsidy. I understand that the vast majority of affected services were replaced at short notice, and with relatively little inconvenience to the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156345,"EventID":"S1W-19727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make additional finance available to end delayed discharge in the Argyll and Clyde Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make additional finance available to end delayed discharge in the Argyll and Clyde Health Board area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believes that people requiring care should be looked after in the setting most appropriate to their needs. It is important that, where patients remain in NHS hospital beds after clinical decisions have been reached that they are ready for discharge, NHS Boards and Trusts and their local authority planning partners work together to ensure that they move as soon as possible to a more appropriate setting.

    NHS Boards and local authorities have been provided with substantial additional resources in 2000-01 and in 2001-02 to help reduce the number of people experiencing delayed discharge. It is for these organisations to work together to achieve this objective. This applies in Argyll and Clyde NHS Board area as elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156346,"EventID":"S1W-19728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any hospital overcrowding resulting from any seasonal increase in illness during the winter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any hospital overcrowding resulting from any seasonal increase in illness during the winter.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland, along with its planning partners in the local authority and voluntary sectors, have prepared robust plans to deal with the increase in hospital and other health care-related activity typically associated with winter. These plans include provision for additional hospital beds and for extra community places where demand justifies this.

    In making these plans, the NHS and its partners have been able to draw on previous experience in managing the effect of winter. They also have available to them substantial additional resources, including a further £11 million specifically for winter announced in mid-September.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156347,"EventID":"S1W-19729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to use the Health Care International hospital in Clydebank in order to alleviate any pressure on health services in the Argyll and Clyde Heal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to use the Health Care International hospital in Clydebank in order to alleviate any pressure on health services in the Argyll and Clyde Health Board area.","AnswerText":"Argyll and Clyde NHS Board is responsible for ensuring that appropriate health care arrangements are made for people resident in the board's area. Any decision to use independent providers of health care services would be a matter for the board.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156348,"EventID":"S1W-19730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds have been made available to local authorities for emergency planning in the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds have been made available to local authorities for emergency planning in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"Funding to local authorities for emergency planning is provided annually through the Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) process.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156349,"EventID":"S1W-19731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds have been made available to local authorities for civil defence measures in order to prepare for potential emergencies following the attack on 11 Se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds have been made available to local authorities for civil defence measures in order to prepare for potential emergencies following the attack on 11 September 2001.","AnswerText":"Civil Defence Grant to Scottish local authorities which was provided direct from the Executive under the appropriate Scottish Regulations ceased with the signing of the Civil Defence (Grant) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 in March this year. Financial support for local authorities for the emergency planning work which they carry out continues to be provided but is paid, more appropriately (and as requested by the local authorities) through normal GAE mechanisms.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156350,"EventID":"S1W-19732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have emergency planning officers in post and how many of these have met with their military liaison officers since 11 September 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have emergency planning officers in post and how many of these have met with their military liaison officers since 11 September 2001.","AnswerText":"All 32 local authorities have emergency planning officers. Meetings with military liaison officers take place under the auspices of the eight strategic regional emergency planning groups. These groups have been meeting to review local emergency planning arrangements since the events of 11 September.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156351,"EventID":"S1W-19733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what emergency planning exercises, other than those involving nuclear scenarios, have taken place in each year since 1990, (b) in what locations any such exercises ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what emergency planning exercises, other than those involving nuclear scenarios, have taken place in each year since 1990, (b) in what locations any such exercises have taken place, (c) what the purpose of each such exercise was, (d) what organisations took part in each exercise and (e) how many staff were involved in each exercise. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156352,"EventID":"S1W-19734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times were for tonsillectomies at 31 October 2001 at (a) the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley and (b) the Vale of Leven District General Hosp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times were for tonsillectomies at 31 October 2001 at (a) the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley and (b) the Vale of Leven District General Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19012 on 8 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156353,"EventID":"S1W-19735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age is of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers, broken down by subject area in the case of secondary teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age is of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers, broken down by subject area in the case of secondary teachers.","AnswerText":"The information available on the average age of (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers can be obtained from Table 5 and Table 11 of the statistical bulletin Teachers in Scotland: September 1998, published in March 2000, which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16320).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156354,"EventID":"S1W-19736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3959 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 November 2001, whether it will consider consulting Her Majesty's Government on the feasibility of deduc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3959 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 November 2001, whether it will consider consulting Her Majesty's Government on the feasibility of deducting fines from benefit in the interest of avoiding custodial sentences.","AnswerText":"The courts may at present apply to the Department for Work and Pensions under the Fines (Deductions from Income Support) Regulations 1992 to allow for a deduction from the personal allowance of a single claimant. Decisions on whether a fine should be repaid in this way, and how much the weekly repayment should be, rest with the Department for Work and Pensions.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156355,"EventID":"S1W-19737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were against suppliers of fireworks in respect of sales to underage children in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were against suppliers of fireworks in respect of sales to underage children in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecutions resulted in a conviction in each year.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not separately identifiable from other crimes relating to the keeping and supply of explosives in the data held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156356,"EventID":"S1W-19738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were against persons alleged to have injured others with fireworks in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecutions resul","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were against persons alleged to have injured others with fireworks in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecutions resulted in a conviction in each year.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156357,"EventID":"S1W-19739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported incidents involving injuries sustained from fireworks in each of the last five years involved (a) minors and (b) adults as (i) the alleged perpetrators ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported incidents involving injuries sustained from fireworks in each of the last five years involved (a) minors and (b) adults as (i) the alleged perpetrators and (ii) the victims of the incidents.","AnswerText":"The age profile of those suffering injuries caused by fireworks, for the last five years is shown in the following table.

    Age Group (Yrs)

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    All Ages

    83

    57

    60

    82

    66

    <13

    24

    23

    31

    27

    28

    13-15

    23

    10

    10

    15

    16

    16-20

    15

    3

    8

    6

    5

    21+

    21

    21

    11

    34

    17

    Source: Fireworks Injuries Survey. The annual fireworks injuries survey, carried out by ISD Scotland on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), contains information on patients treated at accident and emergency departments or Burns/Plastic Surgery Units in Scotland during the period mid-October to early November, encompassing 5 November.

    It is not possible to provide information about perpetrators and/or victims of these incidents. The data do not allow further disaggregation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156358,"EventID":"S1W-19740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents involving injuries sustained from fireworks have occurred (a) prior to 5 November, (b) on 5 November and (c) after 5 November in each of the last five ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents involving injuries sustained from fireworks have occurred (a) prior to 5 November, (b) on 5 November and (c) after 5 November in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number of reported injuries prior to, on, and after 5 November, for the past five years is shown in the following table.

    Date of Injury

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Before 5 Nov

    41

    15

    13

    15

    29

    On 5 Nov

    25

    21

    34

    38

    31

    After 5 Nov

    17

    21

    13

    29

    6

    Total

    83

    57

    60

    82

    66

    Source: Fireworks Injuries Survey. The annual fireworks injuries survey, carried out by ISD Scotland on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), contains information on patients treated at A&E Departments or Burns/Plastic Surgery Units in Scotland during the period mid-October to early November, encompassing 5 November.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156359,"EventID":"S1W-19741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents involving damage to property caused by fireworks have been reported in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents involving damage to property caused by fireworks have been reported in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156360,"EventID":"S1W-19742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were of persons alleged to have damaged property with fireworks in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecutions resulted","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many prosecutions there were of persons alleged to have damaged property with fireworks in each of the last five years and (b) how many such prosecutions resulted in a conviction in each year.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156361,"EventID":"S1W-19743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported incidents of damage to property caused by fireworks in each of the last five years involved (a) minors and (b) adults as alleged perpetrators of the inc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported incidents of damage to property caused by fireworks in each of the last five years involved (a) minors and (b) adults as alleged perpetrators of the incidents.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156362,"EventID":"S1W-19744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of damage to property with fireworks occurred (a) prior to 5 November, (b) on 5 November and (c) after 5 November in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of damage to property with fireworks occurred (a) prior to 5 November, (b) on 5 November and (c) after 5 November in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156363,"EventID":"S1W-19745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of injuries caused by fireworks to (a) domestic pets and (b) other animals were reported in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of injuries caused by fireworks to (a) domestic pets and (b) other animals were reported in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156364,"EventID":"S1W-19746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of injuries caused by fireworks to (a) domestic pets and (b) other animals were reported (i) prior to 5 November, (ii) on 5 November and (iii) after 5","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of injuries caused by fireworks to (a) domestic pets and (b) other animals were reported (i) prior to 5 November, (ii) on 5 November and (iii) after 5 November in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156365,"EventID":"S1W-19747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, and what percentage of the population, are currently served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Inverness Cancer Centres","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people, and what percentage of the population, are currently served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Inverness Cancer Centres.","AnswerText":"The populations served and percentages for each of Scotland's five cancer centres are as follows.

    Centre

    Population

    % of total

    Aberdeen

    565,320

    11.1

    Dundee

    385,500

    7.5

    Edinburgh

    1,386,700

    27.1

    Glasgow

    2,541,300

    49.7

    Inverness

    235,780

    4.6

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156366,"EventID":"S1W-19748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many linear accelerators are currently available for use for cancer treatments per million of the populations served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many linear accelerators are currently available for use for cancer treatments per million of the populations served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Inverness Cancer Centres.","AnswerText":"The answer given to question S1W-19747 provides information on the populations served by each of the five cancer centres. The number of linear accelerator and the number per million population served are as follows.

    Centre

    No. Linear accelerators

    No. per m.pop

    Aberdeen

    2

    3.5

    Dundee

    2

    5.2

    Edinburgh

    5

    3.8

    Glasgow

    7 (8 by December 2001)

    2.8 (3.2)

    Inverness

    1

    4.3

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156367,"EventID":"S1W-19749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologists there currently are per million of the populations served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Gl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologists there currently are per million of the populations served by the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Inverness Cancer Centres.","AnswerText":"Cancer services in Scotland are delivered by clinicians working within three regional managed clinical networks. The whole-time equivalent (WTE) of oncologists working within a particular cancer centre area and the ratio of these to the local population is therefore not an indicator of the level of patient access to these highly specialised services.

    The following table shows the latest available WTE of consultant oncologists working within the areas covered by the three regional cancer networks. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

    Consultant Medical and Clinical Oncologists Employed in NHSScotland

    Whole-Time Equivalent and Rate per 1,000,000 Population: 30 September 2000p
     

    Whole-Time Equivalent

    per 1,000,000 Population

     

    Total

    Medical Oncologists

    Clinical Oncologists

    Total

    Medical Oncologists

    Clinical Oncologists

    Scotland

    45.4

    11.0

    34.4

    8.9

    2.2

    6.7

    North1

    12.8

    3.2

    9.6

    10.8

    2.7

    8.1

    West2

    19.1

    3.9

    15.2

    7.5

    1.5

    6.0

    South East3

    13.5

    3.9

    Cancer Scenarios: An aid to planning cancer services in Scotland in the next decade was published by the Executive in May 2001. It sets out projected patient numbers and looks at possible future influences on cancer services and models these to provide a foundation on which to plan care for people with cancer.

    Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change was launched in July 2001, setting out a clear strategy and future direction for cancer services in Scotland.

    On 6 November the first annual Implementation/investment plans to support implementation of Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change, and totalling more than £10 million, were published. More than £5 million has been allocated to West of Scotland regional cancer services to secure additional oncologists and other specialists, more specialist nurses and professions allied to medicine as well as support staff. Replacement and additional equipment to secure more rapid diagnosis and treatment will also become available during the coming months as these plans are put into place. All of these plans and investments - which are over and above existing local and national investment in cancer services - are aimed at improving access to cancer services.

    Detailed national and regional plans are available on both the Scottish Executive and Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) websites - www.scotland.gov.uk and www.show.scot.nhs.uk. Copies have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    So far as radiotherapy treatment is concerned investment of more than £10 million has already seen the building and commissioning of the new Beatson Oncology Centre out-patient linear accelerator facilities at Gartnavel Hospital. Two of the planned three new linear accelerators are up and running and the third is expected to come on line within the next few weeks. In addition, the on-going linear accelerator modernisation programme, funded by the Scottish Executive, is now in its third wave. This will see a further two linear accelerators and a replacement tracking system commissioned in Glasgow during 2002-03.

    A £44 million capital building programme is planned to provide a new Cancer Centre for the West of Scotland, which it is anticipated will be sited at Gartnavel Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156369,"EventID":"S1W-19751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS consultant oncologists in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area were (a) invited to participate and (b) participated in the membership of the Scottish Cancer G","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS consultant oncologists in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area were (a) invited to participate and (b) participated in the membership of the Scottish Cancer Group. ","AnswerText":"The employing authority of individual professional members of the Scottish Cancer Group (SGC) was not taken into consideration when planning its restructuring. Nor was it the intention to have individual representation from each and all of the professions or disciplines involved in cancer care or from every geographic area.

    All SCG members are expected to communicate freely with their colleagues across cancer networks, the voluntary sector and among patients and to ensure appropriate feedback to the group.

    Full details of the membership of the Scottish Cancer Group have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Membership is also available through Scottish Health on the Web at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156370,"EventID":"S1W-19752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS consultant oncology posts are currently vacant.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS consultant oncology posts are currently vacant.","AnswerText":"Apart from recent staffing changes in Greater Glasgow NHS Boards, we are not aware of any other consultant oncology vacancies in NHSScotland.

    I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19753.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156371,"EventID":"S1W-19753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS consultant oncology posts there currently are in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area and how many are anticipated to become vacant in the ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for NHS consultant oncology posts there currently are in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area and how many are anticipated to become vacant in the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"Information on consultant vacancies is collected annually by ISD Scotland.

    This data does not reflect recent staffing changes in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board area, where there are currently three vacant consultant oncology posts which are subject to the normal process for filling vacancies. In addition, interviews will shortly be held for two newly created consultant oncology posts in Greater Glasgow.

    Information on anticipated future vacancies cannot be predicted with any accuracy, because these are affected by individual decisions to retire or move to another post.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156372,"EventID":"S1W-19754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust or Greater Glasgow Health Board on any implications for patients awaiting or undergoin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust or Greater Glasgow Health Board on any implications for patients awaiting or undergoing investigations or treatments, and on emergency planning for such patients, at the Gynaecological Oncology Department at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, following the resignation of Dr Tim Habeshaw. ","AnswerText":"As a consequence of the (then rumoured) impending resignations of three consultant oncologists, the Chief Executive of North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust was asked by the Chief Medical Officer on 2 November 2001 to confirm that local plans were in hand to ensure continuity of services for all patients with cancer, regardless of tumour type or hospital/centre of referral and treatment.

    A further full report subsequently requested, on my behalf, was received as requested from Mr Divers, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board. The report sets out a clear timetable of action to ensure continuity of cancer services in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156373,"EventID":"S1W-19755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations have been made to the managers of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust regarding an action plan for cancer services in the Trust's area;","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations have been made to the managers of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust regarding an action plan for cancer services in the Trust's area; what reports, briefing or information it has received on the nature, dates and efficacy of the actions undertaken by the managers there regarding any such plan and what assessment has been made by it or on its behalf of the nature, timescale or efficiency of these actions.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19754.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156374,"EventID":"S1W-19756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to establish a regional cancer advisory group for the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to establish a regional cancer advisory group for the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.","AnswerText":"The West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group involves Argyll & Clyde, Ayrshire & Arran, Forth Valley and Lanarkshire NHS Board areas as well as Greater Glasgow.

    I understand that the proposed structure and membership of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group is the subject of current discussions with these NHS Boards, trusts and health care professionals and other staff and that arrangements are expected to be finalised in the near future.

    Once fully established, membership details for all three Regional Cancer Advisory Groups in North, South East and West of Scotland will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Details will also be made available through the Scottish Health on the Web website (www.show.scot.nhs.uk).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156375,"EventID":"S1W-19757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what national guidance is issued to health boards regarding the numbers of new patients to be accepted for referrals for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncolo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what national guidance is issued to health boards regarding the numbers of new patients to be accepted for referrals for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologist. ","AnswerText":"NHS management are responsible for planning services required to meet the assessed needs of their respective patient populations.

    From time to time professional bodies, such as the Royal Colleges, may make recommendations for the provision of services by their members within particular clinical specialties. Any such recommendations are expected to be taken into account by NHS Boards when planning local services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156376,"EventID":"S1W-19758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new patient referrals were accepted for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologist based at the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new patient referrals were accepted for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologist based at the (a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow and (e) Inverness Cancer Centres in each year since 1994. ","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally in the format requested. To provide a proxy indicator of activity, the table shows, by cancer centre, the number of referrals per consultant oncologist (whole-time equivalent) in NHSScotland for the years ending March 1995 to 2001.

    Years ending

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    20011

    Scotland

    166

    189

    210

    221

    218

    237

    Aberdeen

    92

    163

    161

    184

    158

    170

    Dundee

    320

    336

    278

    311

    345

    289

    Edinburgh

    273

    271

    266

    232

    213

    239

    Glasgow

    109

    121

    172

    197

    		The details of a college's indebtedness and the cost and source of funds to service debt will be set out in the audited annual accounts. College accounts for 2000-01 are required to be laid before the Parliament by 30 April 2002, and those for 2001-02 by 30 April 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156380,"EventID":"S1W-19762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to reduce the number of special advisors to the First Minister.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to reduce the number of special advisors to the First Minister.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 as amended by the Civil Service (Amendment) Order in Council 1999, which is still in force, up to 12 special advisers can be appointed by the First Minister. There are no current plans to change that order.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156381,"EventID":"S1W-19763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Fife Council can, on grounds of commercial confidentiality, withhold information concerning any rental income it pays in respect of premises sublet from any MSP's","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Fife Council can, on grounds of commercial confidentiality, withhold information concerning any rental income it pays in respect of premises sublet from any MSP's constituency office and whether individuals will have the right to access such information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Whether Fife Council would decide to release such information, or withhold it on grounds of commercial confidentiality, is a matter for the council.

    The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill would, if enacted, provide individuals with a right of access to information, balanced by provisions intended to ensure that commercially sensitive information is afforded appropriate protection. Consideration of whether information would be disclosed would be made on a case by case basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156382,"EventID":"S1W-19764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what shrieval appointments have been made in each year since l997 of any individuals known to have been members of (a) the Scottish National Party, (b) the Labour Party, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what shrieval appointments have been made in each year since l997 of any individuals known to have been members of (a) the Scottish National Party, (b) the Labour Party, (c) the Conservative and Unionist Party (d) the Liberal Democrats or (e) any other political party.","AnswerText":"This information is not collected from candidates for judicial appointments.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156383,"EventID":"S1W-19765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs of special advisers to the First Minister were for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01, what the estimated total costs of such advisers are for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs of special advisers to the First Minister were for the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01, what the estimated total costs of such advisers are for the financial years 2001-02 and 2002-03 and whether it will provide a breakdown of such costs and estimated costs. ","AnswerText":"The total cost for the financial year 1999-2000 is £398,062 and for 2000-01 it is £560,843. Details are:

     

    Salary

    ERNIC

    16% Pension Contribution

    Total

    1999-2000

    £310,530

    £37,847

    £49,685

    £398,062

    2000-01

    £440,884

    £49,842

    £70,117

    £560,843

    It is not possible to estimate the total costs for the years 2001-02 and 2002-03 as the number of special advisers in post from time to time is a matter for the First Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156384,"EventID":"S1W-19766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its special advisers have any entitlement to terminal payments in the event of termination of their employment and what the full details of any such entit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its special advisers have any entitlement to terminal payments in the event of termination of their employment and what the full details of any such entitlements are. ","AnswerText":"In accordance with the terms of their employment, special advisers are entitled to a severance payment in the event of termination of employment without notice. The amount of entitlement is currently calculated as follows:

    Advisers whose appointment is terminated within six months of appointment receive one month's salary regardless of age.

    Advisers under age 34 when appointment terminates receive three months salary.

    Advisers aged 34 on termination of appointment receive a severance payment at a rate half-way between three months' pay and the appropriate over 35 rate.

    Advisers aged 35 or over receive three months pay if appointment terminates during the first year of service and thereafter an extra one month's pay for each completed year of service after the first, subject to a maximum of six months' pay.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156385,"EventID":"S1W-19767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether former special advisers to it, following termination of employment, are immediately eligible for any appointment to posts in non-governmental organisations or fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether former special advisers to it, following termination of employment, are immediately eligible for any appointment to posts in non-governmental organisations or for other appointments within the recommendation, gift or nomination of the Executive or First Minister. ","AnswerText":"The contract of employment for special advisers states that in certain circumstances Advisers should obtain the agreement of the Crown before accepting any offer of employment outside the civil service which would start within two years of leaving Crown employment.

    In common with other members of the public, there is nothing to prohibit former special advisers from applying for an appointment to a public body. All such appointments are made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process, which is subject to independent scrutiny.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156386,"EventID":"S1W-19768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive, any local authority enterprise company or other agency or public body have instructed (a) Thompsons Solicitors and Solicitor Advocates or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive, any local authority enterprise company or other agency or public body have instructed (a) Thompsons Solicitors and Solicitor Advocates or (b) Digby Brown Solicitors to carry out legal or other services and what the (i) nature of instruction and (ii) remuneration paid or to be paid was in each case.","AnswerText":"Neither Thompsons Solicitors and Solicitor Advocates nor Digby Brown Solicitors has been instructed to carry out legal or other services on behalf of the Executive.

    The procurement of legal and other services by local authorities, Local Enterprise Companies and other public bodies is a matter for the individual body concerned and central records are not held by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156387,"EventID":"S1W-19769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase fees payable to the Registers of Scotland in respect of applications for registration under (a) the Land Register and (b) the General","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase fees payable to the Registers of Scotland in respect of applications for registration under (a) the Land Register and (b) the General Register of Sasines.","AnswerText":"The fees payable to the Registers of Scotland in respect of such applications and its various information services are the subject of periodic review. The fees applicable to such applications were set in the Fees in the Registers of Scotland Order 1995 (SI 1995/1945) on the basis of an ad valorem scale. That scale bases the fee level for recording and registration on the value of the property transaction, thus maintaining such fee levels in line with the property market and inflation.

    The fees for recording, registration and information services were the subject of a consultative review in 1998 which led to the Fees in the Registers of Scotland Amendment Order 1999 (SI 1999/1085). That Order left the ad valorem scale for the recording and registration fees in question unchanged.

    The fees which the agency may charge are set at a level to meet its operating costs, but also to ensure that conveyancing costs in Scotland are kept as low as possible. This policy is consistent with section 25 of the Land Registers (Scotland) Act 1868 which requires that the amount of fees payable shall not be greater than is reasonably sufficient for defraying the expenses of the Registers of Scotland, including the expenses of the improvement of the systems of registration and recording.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156388,"EventID":"S1W-19770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether there are any guidelines on (i) how many computers schoolrooms should be equipped with, (ii) the minimum network requirements of supporting such provision and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether there are any guidelines on (i) how many computers schoolrooms should be equipped with, (ii) the minimum network requirements of supporting such provision and (iii) best practice in respect of educational use of computers and (b) how many schools are not currently operating within any such guidelines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not issue guidelines on how computers should be deployed in schools or on the associated support arrangements. These are matters for local decision by schools and education authorities in the light of teaching and learning policies and available resources. In 1998, to help support information and communications technology (ICT) planning, all schools and authorities were issued with Scottish Schools: Using the Superhighways, a guide to ICT and development planning.

    Information about best practice in the use of ICT is available from a wide range of sources, including The Use of ICT in Learning and Teaching, published by HM Inspectorate of Education in 2000 and available on the internet at http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/teachers/ICTLT.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156389,"EventID":"S1W-19771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools currently have broadband internet access. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools currently have broadband internet access. ","AnswerText":"This information is not currently available. However, results of the latest School Survey of Information and Communication Technology, carried out in October 2000, were published in a Scottish Executive Statistical News Release on Wednesday 28 November 2001. This is a sample survey, the results of which will show the percentage of schools that have access to the internet and/or internet email via a broadband connection.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156390,"EventID":"S1W-19772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for rolling out the Scottish Schools Digital Network to all schools. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for rolling out the Scottish Schools Digital Network to all schools. ","AnswerText":"Proposals for a national schools' intranet, currently known as the Scottish Schools Digital Network (SSDN), will be discussed at a conference planned for December. Following the conference, it is hoped to begin the procurement process for the SSDN early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156391,"EventID":"S1W-19773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further or higher education institutions offering teacher training courses include epilepsy awareness and epilepsy first aid training as a part of the curriculum. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which further or higher education institutions offering teacher training courses include epilepsy awareness and epilepsy first aid training as a part of the curriculum. ","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the form requested. Each individual training course develops its own particular programme of study in line with the Guidelines for Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. These guidelines require that teachers are prepared to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well-being. The guidelines are not prescriptive and do not set out a specific range of medical conditions.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156392,"EventID":"S1W-19774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the coverage of area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the coverage of area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships.","AnswerText":"We currently have no plans to review the coverage of the Social Inclusion Partnerships programme beyond its present 48 partnerships.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156393,"EventID":"S1W-19775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it endorses the definition of the expression \"school of the future\" contained in Dumfries and Galloway Council's Schools Option Appraisal document.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it endorses the definition of the expression \"school of the future\" contained in Dumfries and Galloway Council's Schools Option Appraisal document.","AnswerText":"This document is a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to comment on particular aspects of it.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156394,"EventID":"S1W-19776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a scheme equivalent to the Small School Support Fund operated by the Department for Education and Skills. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a scheme equivalent to the Small School Support Fund operated by the Department for Education and Skills. ","AnswerText":"There are significant differences in school management arrangements north and south of the Border, and the Scottish Executive does not mirror the detailed school funding arrangements which apply in England.

    There are currently no proposals to extend the scope of the Excellence Fund to provide for a Small Schools Fund. Authorities in Scotland have considerable flexibility in their use of resources, and are free to make their own arrangements for the support of small schools according to particular local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156395,"EventID":"S1W-19777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools were closed in each of the past five years, broken down by school name and location. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools were closed in each of the past five years, broken down by school name and location. ","AnswerText":"The number of schools closed in each of the past five calendar years is shown in Table 1, and the school details are listed in Table 2. The tables cover both local authority and independent schools, and include schools that have merged to form new schools and also in a small number of cases where a separate educational unit (such as a Gaelic unit) has been integrated into a school. Where a school had both a primary department and a secondary department, it has been included in both categories. The information is derived from the annual Scottish Executive Education Department school opening and closing exercise.

    Table 1

    Year

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    (to June)

    Primary

    35

    14

    14

    13

    23

    7

    Secondary

    6

    4

    11

    3

    4

    3

    Special

    3

    3

    8

    4

    4

    4

    Total

    44

    21

    33

    20

    31

    14

    Table 2

    Education A","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156396,"EventID":"S1W-19778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be made available to local authorities for the storage of domestic refrigerators and free'ers following the introduction of EC Regulation 203","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be made available to local authorities for the storage of domestic refrigerators and free'ers following the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000 which requires the removal of CFCs from these appliances before they are dismantled or disposed of.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises that local authorities are faced with the new cost of storing discarded domestic refrigeration equipment until such time as the United Kingdom acquires the technology to remove ozone-depleting substances from insulation foam in an environmentally-secure manner. The funding issues are currently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156397,"EventID":"S1W-19779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a facility to deal with the removal of CFCs from domestic refrigerators and free'ers before they are dismantled or disposed of.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a facility to deal with the removal of CFCs from domestic refrigerators and free'ers before they are dismantled or disposed of.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plans to establish such facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156398,"EventID":"S1W-19780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial or other assistance will be available to assist commercial industries and local authorities to establish a facility to deal with the removal of CFCs from d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial or other assistance will be available to assist commercial industries and local authorities to establish a facility to deal with the removal of CFCs from domestic refrigerators and free'ers before they are dismantled or disposed of.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not propose to offer any specific assistance for this purpose. The United Kingdom does not currently have the facilities to remove ozone-depleting substances from insulation foams, from which it follows that there is a gap in the market which industry may be able to exploit. It is up to individual companies to identify and take advantage of a business opportunity which presents itself in this way. Issues of funding for local authorities are currently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156399,"EventID":"S1W-19781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has issued to local authorities on the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000 which requires the removal of CFCs prior to the dismantling or disposal of d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has issued to local authorities on the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000 which requires the removal of CFCs prior to the dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and free'ers.","AnswerText":"The Executive wrote to local authorities, the waste management industry and others with an interest on 14 September 2001 informing them of the new requirements and advising them of the consequent implications for the collection and disposal of used refrigerators.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156400,"EventID":"S1W-19782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17239 by Ross Finnie on 21 August 2001, whether it will consider any further measures to reduce water and sewerage charges for low ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17239 by Ross Finnie on 21 August 2001, whether it will consider any further measures to reduce water and sewerage charges for low income households.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of affordable water charges. That is why it introduced the current transitional relief scheme. Considerable further work is needed on the affordability of water and sewerage charges in the longer term. I have therefore accepted the Water Industry Commissioner's (WIC's) recommendation for further research in this area. Further details of the WIC's work can be found in chapter 24 of his Strategic Review of Charges published earlier this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156401,"EventID":"S1W-19783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to direct that there be a full inquiry into the running of the health service throughout the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to direct that there be a full inquiry into the running of the health service throughout the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4093 on 15 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156402,"EventID":"S1W-19784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which hospitals currently make use of isolation wards as a measure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infection; if none do, what plans it has to introduce such w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which hospitals currently make use of isolation wards as a measure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infection; if none do, what plans it has to introduce such wards and, if such wards do exist, what plans it has to increase their number, and what criteria are applied in deciding whether to establish such wards.","AnswerText":"These are operational issues for the NHS but hospitals are expected to follow the guidance contained in the Scottish Infection Manual (1998). This makes clear that trusts require to provide suitable accommodation for the clinical care of patients with hospital-acquired infection. The nature and extent of isolation facilities required in a hospital should be assessed as part of a formal risk assessment required by Health and Safety at Work legislation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156403,"EventID":"S1W-19785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been conducted into the costs involved in using isolation wards as a measure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infection and, if so, wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been conducted into the costs involved in using isolation wards as a measure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infection and, if so, what these costs are.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research to improve both the health of the people of Scotland and the services provided by the NHS. CSO is not funding any research on the costs of isolation wards. It is, however, funding a number of research projects on drug resistant organisms. Details of these projects are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156404,"EventID":"S1W-19786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the question S1W-1021 by Ross Finnie on 10 September 1999, whether achievement of the target of incinerating 60% of meat and bonemeal stocks pro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the question S1W-1021 by Ross Finnie on 10 September 1999, whether achievement of the target of incinerating 60% of meat and bonemeal stocks produced under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme by March 2002 is on schedule.","AnswerText":"As at week ending 4 November 2001 some 287,800 tonnes of meat and bonemeal (MBM) produced from animals rendered under the Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme has been incinerated. The Rural Payments Agency currently has some 4,100 tonnes of incineration capacity available per week, with a further plant undergoing commissioning. When complete this will bring the weekly capacity to well over 5,000 tonnes.

    The total quantity of MBM arising from animals slaughtered and rendered under the scheme between May 1996 and March 2002 is expected to be about 100,000 tonnes more than was assumed when the target was set. Notwithstanding that, present projections indicate that the target can be met but its achievement depends critically on the amount of MBM produced between now and 31 March 2002 and the effective performance of the contracted incineration facilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156405,"EventID":"S1W-19787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the question S1W-17624 by Ross Finnie on 6 September 2001, how many tonnes of carcasses of cattle culled under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the question S1W-17624 by Ross Finnie on 6 September 2001, how many tonnes of carcasses of cattle culled under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme have been transported from England for rendering in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Since the Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme recommended in July 2001 some 10,500 tonnes of carcase material has been transported from abattoirs in England for rendering in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156406,"EventID":"S1W-19788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts have been awarded by the Rural Payments Agency for the rendering or incineration of cattle under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme in Scotland and wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts have been awarded by the Rural Payments Agency for the rendering or incineration of cattle under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme in Scotland and what gate fees have been negotiated with each company.","AnswerText":"Following competitive tenders, contracts have been awarded to the following companies in Scotland for the rendering or incineration of cattle under the Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme:

    Rendering

    William Forrest & Son (Paisley) Ltd, Motherwell

    Incineration of carcase materials from abattoir

    Sacone Environmental Ltd, Brechin

    Chinglebraes Gasifiers, Orkney

    Incineration of casualty cattle

    North East Incineration, Keith

    Hamilton (Irvine) Ltd, Irvine

    Incineration Scotland, Dumfries

    Chinglebraes Gasifiers, Orkney

    Gate fees vary from plant to plant, the details of which are a matter of commercial confidentiality.

    Separate contracts have been awarded for the collection, sampling and disposal of fallen cattle, as required under the BSE Monitoring (Scotland) Regulations 2001. Details of the businesses concerned were provided in the answer given to question S1W-17330 on 20 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156407,"EventID":"S1W-19789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will grant or seek aid, under article 4 of the EEC Council Regulation No 26 of 1962 on rules of competition in agricultural products in respect of potatoes oth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will grant or seek aid, under article 4 of the EEC Council Regulation No 26 of 1962 on rules of competition in agricultural products in respect of potatoes other than starch potatoes in order to support the potato industry in Scotland and, in particular, in the Montrose area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish potato industry has not sought assistance under this regulation and we have no plans to offer financial support to an industry that has traditionally been self-sufficient.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156408,"EventID":"S1W-19790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill on existing legislation on deer or any other species whose conservation or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill on existing legislation on deer or any other species whose conservation or control is regulated by statute.","AnswerText":"As with any new Bill, Scottish Executive lawyers have checked the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill for potential impacts on other legislation in order that any consequential amendments may be brought forward if necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156409,"EventID":"S1W-19791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any financial support is currently available to blind people to allow them to be accompanied by an aide or companion on public transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any financial support is currently available to blind people to allow them to be accompanied by an aide or companion on public transport.","AnswerText":"Local authorities operate discretionary concessionary travel schemes under the provisions of the Transport Act 1985. Those provisions enable authorities, if they so wish, to provide concessionary travel arrangements to people accompanying blind travellers. Central government support for concessionary travel arrangements is made available through the local authority Grant Aided Expenditure settlement.

    In addition, the national free concessionary travel scheme for blind people in Scotland - a voluntary partnership between the Scottish Executive, local authorities, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and rail, bus and ferry companies - provides free travel concessions for all journeys within Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156410,"EventID":"S1W-19792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be for (a) the Executive, (b) the existing individual water authoriti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be for (a) the Executive, (b) the existing individual water authorities and (c) Scottish Water in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, which provides estimates of the costs of the merger as far as they are available.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156411,"EventID":"S1W-19793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how any cost in excess of its estimated #3 million for merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be funded.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how any cost in excess of its estimated #3 million for merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be funded.","AnswerText":"As the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill states, the Scottish Executive will make a grant of £3 million to the water authorities as a contribution to the costs of transition. Costs in excess of this will be borne by the water authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156412,"EventID":"S1W-19794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be available to (a) the Parliament, (b) the three water authorities a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be available to (a) the Parliament, (b) the three water authorities and (c) the public.","AnswerText":"Estimates have already been supplied in the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. Audited figures will be available in the water authorities' accounts published next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156413,"EventID":"S1W-19795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when (a) the Transport and the Environment Committee and (b) water authority staff will be publicly informed whether any redundancies are expected and, if so, how many th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when (a) the Transport and the Environment Committee and (b) water authority staff will be publicly informed whether any redundancies are expected and, if so, how many there will be in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04, should the three water authorities amalgamate into the proposed Scottish Water. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish water industry must become substantially more efficient over the next four years, with inevitable cuts in staffing levels, regardless of whether Scottish Water is created or not. Broad estimates of voluntary redundancies under existing water authority schemes have already been made available to the committee and to water authority staff. The approach under Scottish Water will be a matter for its management to consider if and when it comes into being.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156414,"EventID":"S1W-19796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18745 by Ross Finnie on 30 October 2001, whether it will give comparative figures of the projected water charges over the next five","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18745 by Ross Finnie on 30 October 2001, whether it will give comparative figures of the projected water charges over the next five years for average Shetland domestic and commercial consumers (a) under the proposed Scottish Water and (b) under the existing water authority if Scottish Water is not established.","AnswerText":"As announced on the 12 November, I have agreed the revenue caps as advised by the Water Industry Commissioner. This means that provided the case for the creation of Scottish Water is agreed by Parliament, I expect domestic charges not to increase in the north next year. Domestic charges cannot be determined for the four-year period as a whole, however the Water Industry Commissioner's assessment that there will be no significant changes in the north is a reasonable one.

    Comparative figures cannot be given for the non-domestic sector owing to the differing natures of bills resulting from variety in size and type of businesses served.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156415,"EventID":"S1W-19797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what benefits in terms of improved cancer care or swifter, better diagnosis and treatment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what benefits in terms of improved cancer care or swifter, better diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients were put forward by or on behalf of the Greater Glasgow NHS Board to support spending on endoscopic equipment and staff as outlined in Cancer In Scotland: Action For Change, National Implementation/Investment Plan 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Evidence points to the fact that Scotland's cancer record would improve substantially with more rapid diagnosis and earlier treatment, in particular, where surgery is the treatment of choice. Securing faster diagnosis and shorter waiting times are therefore among the highest priorities for the Scottish Executive's cancer strategy. Building capacity through enhanced endoscopy capability should particularly impact on gastro-intestinal cancers, which are potentially curable by surgery when detected at an early stage.

    The expected benefits to be derived from the investments planned, including milestones, targets and responsible leads, are included in the published document available on www.scotland.gov.uk or from www.show.scot.nhs.uk. Copies of the plans have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156416,"EventID":"S1W-19798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what assessment it made of any representations made by or on behalf of Greater Glasgow NH","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what assessment it made of any representations made by or on behalf of Greater Glasgow NHS Board to support the spending on endoscopic equipment and staff as outlined in Cancer In Scotland: Action For Change, National Implementation/Investment Plan 2001-02 in terms of whether they would result in improved cancer care or swifter, better diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.","AnswerText":"For too long decisions had been made in apparent isolation from those responsible for delivering cancer services and, as indicated on 3 July 2001, at the launch of Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change, it was confirmed that the Scottish Executive would in future be guided by NHSScotland in planning and investment decisions required for these services. The Scottish Cancer Group was tasked to bring forward investment plans to support implementation of Cancer in Scotland by end September 2001.

    Proposed implementation/investment plans were prepared within each of the north, south east and west of Scotland regional cancer advisory group areas. They were subsequently endorsed by the Scottish Cancer Group first in draft form at their meeting on 14 September and subsequently in their final form on 19 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156417,"EventID":"S1W-19799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what information it holds on consultations with, and recommendations made by, oncologists","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18265 by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001, what information it holds on consultations with, and recommendations made by, oncologists on budget items included in Cancer In Scotland: Action For Change, National Implementation/Investment Plan 2001-02. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cancer Group (SCG) membership includes two oncologists as well as Dr Anna Gregor, Chairman and Lead Clinician for Cancer Services in Scotland who is also a practising oncologist.

    To advise and inform the development of the strategic agenda, all SCG members are expected to communicate freely with their colleagues across cancer networks, the voluntary sector and among patients and to ensure appropriate feedback to the group.

    In addition, I understand that regional planning processes included input from oncologists and other specialities with an interest in cancer services, as evidenced by the broad range of investment plans announced last month.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156418,"EventID":"S1W-19800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date and by whom it was first informed that Railtrack plc was being considered for administration.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date and by whom it was first informed that Railtrack plc was being considered for administration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been in regular contact with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions on a wide range of issues, including the decision to place Railtrack plc into administration, and regular contact continues on issues arising from that decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156419,"EventID":"S1W-19801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of reported incidences of mites and varroa disease in the bee population in each of the past five years, giving the most appropriate are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of reported incidences of mites and varroa disease in the bee population in each of the past five years, giving the most appropriate area breakdown available.","AnswerText":"Incidence of Varroa destructor in Scotland (number of infested apiaries) is as follows:

    Numbers of infested apiaries1

     

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001 (to 23 Oct.)

    Dumfries & Galloway (plus part of Borders region)

    9

    		 

    4

    4

    8

    Fife/Perthshire

    		 

    8

    16

    12

    15

    Argyll and Bute

    		   

    1

    		 

    Total

    9

    8

    20

    17

    23

    Notes:

    1. The numbers of infested apiaries in the table are following detection of Varroa destructor in samples submitted by SEERAD bees officers and findings of the mite in samples of bee debris submitted for analysis at SASA by beekeepers. Some apiaries in the table may have been recorded as infested in previous seasons.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156420,"EventID":"S1W-19803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation equivalent to the Animal Health Bill which has been introduced in England and Wales. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation equivalent to the Animal Health Bill which has been introduced in England and Wales. ","AnswerText":"I believe that changes to Animal Health Legislation will be necessary in the light of experience gained during the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. However, a Scottish Bill will not be introduced before industry and other interests have been consulted fully about its possible content.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156421,"EventID":"S1W-19804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established a mechanism to provide small businesses with practical, sector-specific advice and information on compliance with legislation and regulations r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established a mechanism to provide small businesses with practical, sector-specific advice and information on compliance with legislation and regulations relating to environmental issues. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is part of the sponsor group for a UK-wide initiative called \"Netregs\" that will develop sector-specific, web-based, environmental regulation compliance tools for small-and-medium sized businesses.

    A variety of guidance documents are produced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for individual regulatory regimes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Rhona Brankin","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156422,"EventID":"S1W-19805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time has been for giving (a) substantive answers to all written parliamentary questions and (b) substantive answers to written parliamentary qu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time has been for giving (a) substantive answers to all written parliamentary questions and (b) substantive answers to written parliamentary questions which received a holding answer, since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In the light of the provisions of the Parliament's Standing Orders, ministers aim to answer parliamentary questions for written answer within 14 days (or 28 days for those lodged in the seven days before, or during, a period of recess of more than four days). The Executive publishes regular audits of performance which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The latest published audit, which covers the period April to June 2001, showed that the proportion of questions answered ahead of, or on time, was just over 70%. For the equivalent period in 2000 the proportion was 51%.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156423,"EventID":"S1W-19806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many assessments of carers' needs were made by each local authority in the last year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many assessments of carers' needs were made by each local authority in the last year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The needs of carers may be assessed in different ways, either as part of the assessment of the person they care for or through a separate assessment. We are working with local authorities to develop consistent information on assessment of carers.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156424,"EventID":"S1W-19807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties it has placed, or plans to place, on local authorities to identify and assess the needs of individual carers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what duties it has placed, or plans to place, on local authorities to identify and assess the needs of individual carers.","AnswerText":"Local authorities currently have a statutory duty to carry out an assessment for any carer who requests it, when they are assessing the person the carer looks after. Official guidance makes clear that authorities are expected to ensure that they make carers aware of their right to assessment as a routine part of assessment of the person they care for. New provisions in the Community Care and Health Bill currently before Parliament will extend carers' entitlement to an assessment by giving them the right to request an assessment at any time. We intend to issue clear guidance to local authorities and other agencies to ensure carers are aware of their new independent right to assessment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156425,"EventID":"S1W-19809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to prevent the spread of mites and varroa disease in the bee population.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to prevent the spread of mites and varroa disease in the bee population.","AnswerText":"All bee movements to non-infected islands from within the Statutory Infected Area (SIA) are prohibited. As a result, on 8 December 2000 the SIA was extended to cover the whole of mainland Scotland and the Isle of Bute. By this action it is hoped that we will maintain a source of varroa free bees.

    In addition, we continue to monitor the varroa situation throughout Scotland by testing samples submitted by beekeepers for signs of varroa. However, it is generally accepted that the spread of varroa throughout mainland Scotland is inevitable.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156426,"EventID":"S1W-19810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to health boards regarding the additional #18.6 million for improvements to general medical practices announced by the Minister for Health and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to health boards regarding the additional #18.6 million for improvements to general medical practices announced by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 13 June 2001. ","AnswerText":"A Scottish Executive News Release (SE1410/2001) on 13 June 2001, referred to an investment of £18.5 million for Personal Medical Services. This additional investment was announced on 19 February 2001. At the same time boards were informed of their indicative allocations by letter, which included guidance on the application and funding arrangements in relation to Personal Medical Service pilot schemes. Updated, comprehensive guidance was published by the Scottish Executive Health Department in May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156427,"EventID":"S1W-19811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #18.6 million announced on 13 June 2001 for improvements to general medical practices will go directly to the practices themselves. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #18.6 million announced on 13 June 2001 for improvements to general medical practices will go directly to the practices themselves. ","AnswerText":"The money will go to practices in support of a contract, agreed locally, which will deliver enhanced services to the practice population. We have provided £18.5 million of additional investment over three years for Personal Medical Services pilot sites. This is enabling GPs and their teams to focus on the clinical needs of their patients, by testing out more flexible ways of providing existing and additional services, and the best use of professional skills. Personal Medical Services pilots are being used to improve access to primary care services, reduce inequalities and address recruitment and retention problems, particularly in remote, rural and deprived areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156428,"EventID":"S1W-19812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of compulsory redundancies, if any, that will result from the creation of Scottish Water. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of compulsory redundancies, if any, that will result from the creation of Scottish Water. ","AnswerText":"The existing water authorities do not have any programme of compulsory redundancies. Staffing policy under Scottish Water will be a matter for its management to consider if and when it comes into being.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156429,"EventID":"S1W-19813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of staff who will take voluntary retirement as a result of the creation of Scottish Water in each of the financial years 2001","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of staff who will take voluntary retirement as a result of the creation of Scottish Water in each of the financial years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish water industry must become substantially more efficient over the next four years, with inevitable cuts in staffing levels, whether Scottish Water is created or not. I understand that under existing water authority redundancy schemes there have been so far over 1,100 expressions of interest from employees, although it is unlikely that all of these will lead to actual redundancies. The approach under Scottish Water will be a matter for its management to consider if and when it comes into being.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156430,"EventID":"S1W-19814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explicit responsibility it or any of its non-departmental public bodies or executive agencies have for monitoring accidental and non-accidental major injury statisti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explicit responsibility it or any of its non-departmental public bodies or executive agencies have for monitoring accidental and non-accidental major injury statistics and, if no body has this responsibility, what plans it has to start monitoring such statistics.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department has this responsibility in the context of monitoring statistical returns from the NHS generally in order to detect major trends. Other departments and bodies also have an interest, for example, the Health and Safety Executive, the Scottish Trauma Audit Group and NHS Boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156431,"EventID":"S1W-19815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make the monitoring of accidental and non-accidental major injury statistics a responsibility of (a) NHS Trusts or (b) the proposed unified NH","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make the monitoring of accidental and non-accidental major injury statistics a responsibility of (a) NHS Trusts or (b) the proposed unified NHS Boards.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19814.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156432,"EventID":"S1W-19816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage and support the establishment of a nurse education programme in trauma rehabilitation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to encourage and support the establishment of a nurse education programme in trauma rehabilitation.","AnswerText":"Education Institutions do not provide specific trauma rehabilitation programmes in Scotland. However, they provide programmes that relate to rehabilitation. Post-registration education and training is the responsibility of NHS trusts as employers. They work directly with educational providers to develop new programmes to match their education and training needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156433,"EventID":"S1W-19817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that prevention of, and rehabilitation from, major injury receives a high profile in the interests of public health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that prevention of, and rehabilitation from, major injury receives a high profile in the interests of public health.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change confirmed the Executive's commitment to working with others to move the focus of health policy and health services from treatment to prevention.

    While occupational health and safety is a reserved matter, it has a strong bearing on many devolved areas, such as health, local government, transport and the environment. The Executive has been tackling this broad agenda in partnership with the UK government, Scottish local authorities, NHSScotland, the CBI, the TUC, the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce, Scotland's Health at Work, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and others. This joint activity includes, for example, the Revitalising Health and Safety initiative; Securing Health Together - a long-term occupational strategy for Scotland, England and Wales; Towards a Safer, Healthier Workplace, the occupational health and safety strategy for NHSScotland, and Tomorrow's Roads - safer for everyone, a strategy to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents in Great Britain by 40% by 2010. The Health and Safety Executive is also contributing to the Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilot, led by the Department of Work and Pensions.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156434,"EventID":"S1W-19818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19461 on 12 November 2001, what the total costs were of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Parliament Annual Report ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19461 on 12 November 2001, what the total costs were of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2000 to 2001 in languages other than English.","AnswerText":"A further 1,000 copies of the Annual Report were published in Gaelic. These were distributed among various Gaelic organisations as well as schools, colleges and universities who use the document as part of their teaching programme. The total cost of publishing and printing the Gaelic version was £14,093. (Distribution costs were included in the figure given for the English version).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156435,"EventID":"S1W-19819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has had any discussions with the chairman or other representatives of the Scottish Arts Council regarding the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture has had any discussions with the chairman or other representatives of the Scottish Arts Council regarding the future of its director.","AnswerText":"Yes, the Chairman of the Scottish Arts Council keeps me generally informed about developments affecting the council and its role. All employment arrangements are matters for the council, and it is the council which employs the director.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156436,"EventID":"S1W-19820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates, for each contract area, it received the relevant information required under Schedule 3, Part 4, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Term Contract for Management and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates, for each contract area, it received the relevant information required under Schedule 3, Part 4, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Trunk Road Network. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156437,"EventID":"S1W-19821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to health boards on the provision of digital hearing aids. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to health boards on the provision of digital hearing aids. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive issued Good Practice Guidance for Adult Hearing Aid Fitting and Services (HDL (2001) 19) on 2 March 2001.

    This is available on Scottish Health on the Web which can be found at www.show.scot.nhs.uk","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156438,"EventID":"S1W-19822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been supplied with digital hearing aids since May 1999, broken down by health board area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been supplied with digital hearing aids since May 1999, broken down by health board area. ","AnswerText":"The following numbers of digital hearing aids, listed by NHS Board area, were drawn off the central Scottish Healthcare supplies contract by NHS Trusts in Scotland since the contract began in June 1999, up to the end of September 2001.

    Argyle and Clyde

    9

    Ayrshire and Arran

    42

    Borders

    2

    Dumfries and Galloway

    12

    Fife

    4

    Forth Valley

    3

    Grampian

    6

    Greater Glasgow

    168

    Highland

    47

    Lanarkshire

    140

    Lothian

    232

    Orkney

    Nil

    Shetland

    Nil

    Tayside

    45

    Western Isles

    Nil

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156439,"EventID":"S1W-19823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the availability of digital hearing aids. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the availability of digital hearing aids. ","AnswerText":"There are now 11 types of digital hearing aid included within the wide range of hearing aids available through central contracts arranged by Scottish Healthcare Supplies for NHSScotland. This compares to only one type available in June 1999.

    I would also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19821 on 12 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156440,"EventID":"S1W-19824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discontinue the issuing of analogue hearing aids and issue digital hearing aids instead.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to discontinue the issuing of analogue hearing aids and issue digital hearing aids instead.","AnswerText":"Both analogue and digital hearing aids are available to NHSScotland through Scottish Healthcare Supplies, part of the Common Services Agency. The Executive has no plans to change this arrangement.

    The question as to whether individual patients should receive analogue or digital aids is a matter for the clinical judgement of the clinician involved, taking due account of the Good Practice Guidance for Adult Hearing Aid Fitting and Services issued by the Executive on 2 March this year.

    I would also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19821 on 12 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156441,"EventID":"S1W-19825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the findings of the Review of Audiology Services Working Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the findings of the Review of Audiology Services Working Group.","AnswerText":"The findings of the Review of Audiology Services Working Group are expected to be published in the autumn of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156442,"EventID":"S1W-19826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to implement those aspects of the Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group not concerned with proportional representation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to implement those aspects of the Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group not concerned with proportional representation. ","AnswerText":"If we judge it appropriate to announce some decisions earlier than others then we shall do so. The majority of the recommendations dealing with widening access to council membership are for bodies other than the Executive to take forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156443,"EventID":"S1W-19827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimates are of the rate of return on capital in schools funded wholly or partly through the Private Finance Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimates are of the rate of return on capital in schools funded wholly or partly through the Private Finance Initiative.","AnswerText":"Information on individual projects is commercially confidential. However, the estimated average pre-tax Project Internal Rate of Return for those projects for which full financial information is held by the Scottish Executive is 7.01% (real) and 9.61% (nominal).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156444,"EventID":"S1W-19828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the relationship between class si'e and examination results.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the relationship between class si'e and examination results.","AnswerText":"No assessment has been made of the impact of class sizes on examination results in Scotland. As part of the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, the Scottish Executive has agreed to commission research into the correlation between class sizes and attainment.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156445,"EventID":"S1W-19829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that persistent young offenders are brought before the courts more speedily than at present. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that persistent young offenders are brought before the courts more speedily than at present. ","AnswerText":"Most offenders under 18 are not subject to criminal proceedings. There is a presumption that cases reported against offenders under the age of 16 will be dealt with by the Reporter to the Children's Panel unless there are compelling reasons in the public interest to take criminal proceedings. Further, offenders aged 16 and 17 who are subject to a supervision requirement may also be dealt with by the Reporter.

    In the event that court proceedings are taken against a persistent young offender, there are at present no special provisions to expedite the case. However, consideration is being given to the priority accorded to cases against child offenders (i.e. those under 16).

    In addition, the committee set up under Sheriff Principal John McInnes is to examine the operation of the summary justice system. It is hoped that increased efficiency of the summary courts will impact upon the speed at which all offenders, including persistent young offenders, are brought before the courts.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156446,"EventID":"S1W-19830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for improving the educational attainment of children in care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for improving the educational attainment of children in care.","AnswerText":"Our social justice milestone is that all young people leaving local authority care should achieve at least English and Maths standard grades.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156447,"EventID":"S1W-19831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the actual cost was to the NHS in each of the past five years of patients failing to keep appointments and what steps it is taking to reduce these occurrences. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the actual cost was to the NHS in each of the past five years of patients failing to keep appointments and what steps it is taking to reduce these occurrences. ","AnswerText":"Information is not available centrally on the cost to the NHS of patients failing to keep appointments. Information is available on the numbers of patients who did not attend their first out-patient appointment with a consultant, and on the average cost of a consultant out-patient attendance. This information is published on the Information and Statistics Division website at:

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/SHS2000/M5.pdf

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/Scottish_Health_Statistics/subject/Costs/2001/index.htm

    The Executive believes that best progress in reducing the number of patients failing to attend their NHS appointments will be achieved through improved communications between the NHS and patients and by re-designing services around patients. This is now being actively taken forward by a senior NHSScotland working group.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156448,"EventID":"S1W-19832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many multiple sclerosis sufferers there currently are in the Banff and Buchan parliamentary constituency. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many multiple sclerosis sufferers there currently are in the Banff and Buchan parliamentary constituency. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-12859 and S1W-15296 on 9 February 2001 and 4 May 2001 respectively, which made it clear that information on multiple sclerosis in individual areas is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156449,"EventID":"S1W-19833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4059 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, whether it has ever been consulted by, or instigated consultation with, the Strategic Rail","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4059 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, whether it has ever been consulted by, or instigated consultation with, the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of the UK rail modernisation fund to railway investment projects in Scotland and, if so, whether it will detail in each case when the consultation took place, the project concerned and who instigated the consultation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156450,"EventID":"S1W-19834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on Healthcare of Older People will be published. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on Healthcare of Older People will be published. ","AnswerText":"The report of the Expert Group on Healthcare of Older People Adding Life to Years is currently being finalised and will be published early in the new year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156451,"EventID":"S1W-19835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18697 and S1W-18699 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, why, if a letter was issued to each objector to the proposed A1 expresswa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18697 and S1W-18699 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, why, if a letter was issued to each objector to the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar, no local public inquiry was established as recommended in Travel Choices for Scotland: Strategic Roads Review. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18698 on 26 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156452,"EventID":"S1W-19836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19385 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, how much it would cost to modify the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19385 by Sarah Boyack on 8 November 2001, how much it would cost to modify the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar to incorporate slip roads to and from East Linton prior to it being completed. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18697 on 26 October 2001. If slip roads could be included within the proposed contract as the result of a successful promotion of a further Variation Scheme, then the costs of including the work in the new contract could fall in the range of £2 to £6 million, depending on the impact of the change of contract specification on the contractors operations.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156453,"EventID":"S1W-19837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18695 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, whether the delay to the start of the construction of the proposed A1 expressway between ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18695 by Sarah Boyack on 26 October 2001, whether the delay to the start of the construction of the proposed A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar would be any longer than it currently is expected to be if a local public inquiry was held. ","AnswerText":"Yes, a public local inquiry would result in a 12 to 18 month delay to the present rate of progress.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156454,"EventID":"S1W-19838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is being made for access by emergency vehicles stationed in East Linton to the A1 expressway and what the cost of such provision will be. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is being made for access by emergency vehicles stationed in East Linton to the A1 expressway and what the cost of such provision will be. ","AnswerText":"Emergency vehicles will be able to access the new A1 eastwards to Dunbar and westwards to Haddington at Traprain Road. The estimated cost of this provision is £34,000 at today's prices.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156455,"EventID":"S1W-19839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken regarding petition: PE270 by Andrew Baker on behalf of the A1 East Lothian Steering Group. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken regarding petition: PE270 by Andrew Baker on behalf of the A1 East Lothian Steering Group. ","AnswerText":"The Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament agreed to pass the petition to me and I took it into account during my consideration of all the objections and representations on the draft variation orders for the A1 Expressway.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156456,"EventID":"S1W-19840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for the establishment of a second pilot drug court now that referrals are being made to the drug court in Glasgow. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for the establishment of a second pilot drug court now that referrals are being made to the drug court in Glasgow. ","AnswerText":"A second pilot drug court will be established in Fife. The plans are for it to be in operation by summer of 2002. It will follow the Glasgow model building on the experience of establishing the Glasgow Drug Court.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156457,"EventID":"S1W-19841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter that my constituent, Councillor Eli'abeth McLardy, wrote to her on 26 July 2001 regarding attempt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter that my constituent, Councillor Eli'abeth McLardy, wrote to her on 26 July 2001 regarding attempts by another of my constituents to obtain an electric wheelchair.","AnswerText":"The letter does not appear to have been received but if the member wishes to send another copy it will be given prompt attention.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156458,"EventID":"S1W-19842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14638 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 April 2001, how it will monitor the implementation of the recommendations made in Sensing Progress.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14638 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 April 2001, how it will monitor the implementation of the recommendations made in Sensing Progress. ","AnswerText":"Social Work Services Inspectorate will monitor what progress has been made by local authorities in implementing the recommendations made in Sensing Progress through their annual visits to all local authorities in Scotland and the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services will record this in his annual report.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156459,"EventID":"S1W-19843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale has been set for improving and upgrading the A8000. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale has been set for improving and upgrading the A8000. ","AnswerText":"The A8000 is a local road and therefore the responsibility of City of Edinburgh Council. I understand that the council will be holding public exhibitions of its plans beginning on 4 December at Kirkliston, and moving on to South Queensferry and Edinburgh before Christmas. Progress thereafter will depend on public reaction to the plans and the necessary Compulsory Purchase and Roads Orders.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156460,"EventID":"S1W-19844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the increase in traffic flows on the A8000 that will result from the opening of a ferry route from Rosyth to the continent in each year f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the increase in traffic flows on the A8000 that will result from the opening of a ferry route from Rosyth to the continent in each year from its opening until 2010. ","AnswerText":"Expected traffic flows on this local road will be a factor considered by City of Edinburgh Council as part of its plans for improvement of the road. However, information provided to the Executive in confidence as part of the application for freight facilities grant suggests that ferry traffic will have a minimal impact on this road.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156461,"EventID":"S1W-19845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the increase in traffic flow on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton in each year until 2010. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of the increase in traffic flow on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton in each year until 2010. ","AnswerText":"The A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton is classified as a local road. This is therefore a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council to address.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156462,"EventID":"S1W-19846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve and upgrade the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve and upgrade the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton. ","AnswerText":"The A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Barnton is classified as a local road. Plans to improve or upgrade that section of road are therefore matters for the City of Edinburgh Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156463,"EventID":"S1W-19847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it has taken and representations it has made, specifying where appropriate to whom and on what date, in order to secure and protect the future delivery of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it has taken and representations it has made, specifying where appropriate to whom and on what date, in order to secure and protect the future delivery of the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link and whether any equivalent actions or representations have been taken or made in respect of the Stirling to Alloa rail link.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government, the Strategic Rail Authority, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and the rail industry about a wide range of issues. During these contacts we have stressed the importance of continuing development on these projects to Railtrack's administrator, the Strategic Rail Authority and colleagues in the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156464,"EventID":"S1W-19848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any discussions it has had on vertical integration of the rail network since Railtrack plc went into administration, specifying with whom and on wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any discussions it has had on vertical integration of the rail network since Railtrack plc went into administration, specifying with whom and on what date.","AnswerText":"Since Railtrack plc went into administration I have had a number of meetings with relevant bodies and individuals at which the subject of vertical integration of the rail network was amongst those discussed.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156465,"EventID":"S1W-19849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to determine and influence the future delivery of rail services in Scotland and what use it has made of these powers in the context of consultation an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to determine and influence the future delivery of rail services in Scotland and what use it has made of these powers in the context of consultation and negotiation with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.","AnswerText":"On 31 March 1998, Henry McLeish MP, then the minister responsible for Transport at the Scottish Office, announced in the House of Commons that a range of important responsibilities for the operation of railways in Scotland would be transferred to the Parliament and Scottish ministers. These responsibilities were to be delivered within the revised GB regulatory framework, which was subsequently implemented in the Transport Act 2000.

    The responsibilities have been transferred to the Parliament and the Scottish ministers through provisions in the Transport Act 2000 and Orders made under sections 30 and 63 of the Scotland Act 1998.

    The Scottish ministers are now responsible for issuing to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) Directions and Guidance for the franchise providing passenger rail services that start and end in Scotland. They have the power to issue Directions and Guidance for Scottish sleeper services provided by the same franchise, to issue advice to the SRA on other cross-border services, and to fund the SRA to enable it to pay for the franchise providing Scottish passenger services. They also have responsibility for the administration of freight facilities grants and track access grants in Scotland, working within the rules of the schemes agreed at GB level for these subsidies, and for appointing the Chair of the Rail Passengers' Committee for Scotland. The reports of that committee and of the Rail Passengers' Council will be laid before the Parliament.

    The Parliament has legislative competence over the provision of grants for passenger rail services. It also has competence over the rail responsibilities of Strathclyde PTA/E and of any new such bodies which might be established in Scotland, subject to these falling within the overall framework of the new railway regulatory structure. The final provision of the rail devolution settlement to be implemented will give the Parliament legislative competence over the promotion and construction of railways in Scotland.

    Ministers' regular meetings with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions take place within the context of all of these powers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156466,"EventID":"S1W-19850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many lorry miles have been removed so far per year as a consequence of projects approved under the Freight Facility Grant scheme and whether it will provide details o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many lorry miles have been removed so far per year as a consequence of projects approved under the Freight Facility Grant scheme and whether it will provide details of each of these projects and rank them in order of pound/pence per mile/kilometre of support received under the scheme.","AnswerText":"Projects awarded grant under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme will remove a total of 13.4 million lorry miles from Scotland's roads each year. Details of each of these projects in order of grant cost per lorry mile removed is shown in the table.

    Company

    Total Amount of FFG Awarded

    (£)

    Lorry Miles Removed from Scotland's Roads Each Year

    Date of Award

    WH Malcolm1

    246,000

    872,000

    December 2000

    Iggesund Paperboard

    693,000

    479,000

    December 2000

    JG Russell Transport Ltd

    3,045,000

    2,040,000

    August 1997

    Forth Ports plc

    81,000

    87,000

    March 2000

    HJ Banks & Co Ltd

    873,000

    1,080,000

    July 1999

    BP Oil UK Ltd

    10,044,000

    3,675,000

    December 2000

    LAW Mining Ltd

    2,548,000

    1,673,000

    September 1999

    ST Services Ltd

    874,000

    400,000

    March 2000

    The plans are then scrutinised by the Performance Audit Group and, if necessary, amended or clarified before the Scottish Executive consents to the plans. There is no specified time limit within which the Scottish Executive is required to approve the plans.

    The Winter Maintenance Plans were consented to by the Scottish Executive on the following dates:

    Operating Company / Unit

    Date Approved

    BEAR Scotland Ltd

    North East Unit

    16 October 2001

    BEAR Scotland Ltd

    North West Unit

    10 October 2001

    AMEY Highways Ltd

    South East Unit

    5 October 2001

    AMEY Highways Ltd

    South West Unit

    2 October 2001

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156468,"EventID":"S1W-19852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what treatment programmes are currently operated by the Scottish Prison Service for convicted perpetrators of domestic abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what treatment programmes are currently operated by the Scottish Prison Service for convicted perpetrators of domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    There are a range of programmes/activities available for offenders to enable them to address their offending behaviour. Although not all offence specific, they would be suitable for domestic violence, e.g. Cognitive Skills, Anger Management, Problem Solving and Relationship Skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156469,"EventID":"S1W-19853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it now has any plans to set up specialised domestic abuse courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it now has any plans to set up specialised domestic abuse courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to implementing the Action Plan in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. This will include a review of legislation and legal processes. A working group has recently been set up to consider this review and will meet for the first time next month.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156470,"EventID":"S1W-19854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow children access to counselling services before giving evidence at a criminal trial.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow children access to counselling services before giving evidence at a criminal trial.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has set up a group to implement the recommendations of the Lord Advocate's Working Group on Child Witness Support. One of the recommendations seeks to clarify the roles of those making decisions relating to therapy before court proceedings. A draft code of practice on the provision of therapy to child witnesses prior to criminal trials and children's hearings court proceedings is at present the subject of consultation within the Executive. Thereafter the code will be passed to outside agencies and bodies for wider consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156471,"EventID":"S1W-19855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to health boards regarding the impact on public health of domestic abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to health boards regarding the impact on public health of domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland, prepared by the Scottish Partnership, is applicable to NHS services in Scotland and includes a detailed plan of action and guidelines for all agencies involved in tackling domestic abuse. This sets out the expectation that health services will participate in local multi-agency groups charged with preparing local strategies and developing practice guidelines and service standards.

    Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change set out the Scottish Executive's commitment to developing guidelines to help health professionals recognise when women are experiencing domestic abuse and to ensure that they are given sensitive support and advice.

    A short life working group is currently preparing this guidance, which is aimed at all health care workers. The guidance will acknowledge domestic abuse as a major public health issue and recognise its impact on the health of women and their families, particularly children. It will outline the role and responsibilities of NHS Boards and assist health care staff in recognising indicators of domestic abuse and responding appropriately. The guidance will help health boards and health professionals discharge their responsibilities to implement our national strategy on domestic abuse.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156472,"EventID":"S1W-19856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the reasons for cases involving violence against women failing to reach court and what reasons were highlighted by any such resear","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the reasons for cases involving violence against women failing to reach court and what reasons were highlighted by any such research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned research into the reasons for cases involving violence against women failing to reach court. I would, however, refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19180 on 15 November 2001 concerning research into and reasons for rape cases failing to reach court.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156473,"EventID":"S1W-19857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of violence against women were reported in the last year for which figures are available and how many convictions were obtained, broken down by police area","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of violence against women were reported in the last year for which figures are available and how many convictions were obtained, broken down by police area.","AnswerText":"The most relevant information available is given in Table 1 of the statistical bulletin Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 1 April - 31 December 1999, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17267). Incidents of domestic abuse are defined as those involving \"any form of physical, non-physical, or sexual abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship, committed either in the home or elsewhere. This relationship will be between partners (married, co-habiting or otherwise) or ex-partners.\" The figures therefore exclude other crimes of violence committed against women.

    The bulletin does not present information on those convicted but Tables 1, 14 and 15 give information on the numbers of perpetrators referred to the Procurator Fiscal by police force area.

    The statistics collected centrally on crimes recorded by the police and persons proceeded against at court do not include information about the victims and cannot, therefore, distinguish crimes of violence against women.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156474,"EventID":"S1W-19858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the relationship between alcohol and substance abuse and violence against women.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the relationship between alcohol and substance abuse and violence against women.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research specifically into the relationship between alcohol and substance abuse and violence against women. However, there are a small number of on-going and recently completed research projects in the UK into the relationship between alcohol and violence, details of which are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156475,"EventID":"S1W-19859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the Strategic Review of Charges in the Scottish Water Industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the Strategic Review of Charges in the Scottish Water Industry.","AnswerText":"Last month, the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland, Alan Sutherland, submitted advice to me as a result of his Strategic Review of Charges. This advice is set out below.

    After careful consideration, I have decided to accept the commissioner's advice. The commissioner has also made a number of further recommendations, with which I am broadly content and on which I will take forward discussions with him. The commissioner has a legal duty to publish his advice and ministers' response to it and has made the full text of all the relevant material available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    The advice I have accepted is as follows:

    i) Revenue Cap for the three Scottish water authorities

    The revenue cap profile for the three Scottish water authorities in the event that the Scottish Parliament does not approve Scottish Water is given in Table 1.

    Table 1: Revenue cap for the three Scottish water authorities

    Water Authority

    Projected Revenue

    2001-02

    (£ million)

    2002-03

    2003-04

    2004-05

    2005-06

    Total Increase

    Actual

    Real

    East

    249.3

    11.8%

    10.3%

    11.9%

    2.7%

    41.7%

    28.4%

    North

    232.0

    12.4%

    11.4%

    6.0%

    2.5%

    36.0%

    23.2%

    West

    352.2

    10.5%

    11.9%

    14.3%","AnswerDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156476,"EventID":"S1W-19860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding educating children who have been permanently excluded from state schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding educating children who have been permanently excluded from state schools.","AnswerText":"Circular 2/98 Guidance on Issues Concerning Exclusion from School, provides comprehensive guidance on the issues surrounding exclusions from school, including the continuing obligation on local authorities in respect of excluded children, and the need to arrange alternative education provision.

    We are currently updating the guidance contained in Circular 2/98 in the light of recent legislation and the recommendations of the Discipline Task Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156477,"EventID":"S1W-19861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether research has been carried out into the use of methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether research has been carried out into the use of methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    CSO is aware of two on-going and 10 recently completed research projects in the UK into the use of methylphenidate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Details of these projects are available from the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156478,"EventID":"S1W-19862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to prescribe selenium supplements to people suffering from diabetes and obesity. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to prescribe selenium supplements to people suffering from diabetes and obesity. ","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156479,"EventID":"S1W-19863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures will be put in place to ensure that expenditure of public money on community land buy outs represents best value for money or delivers public benefits.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures will be put in place to ensure that expenditure of public money on community land buy outs represents best value for money or delivers public benefits.","AnswerText":"Funding to assist community land purchases under the right to buy provisions of the forthcoming Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is likely to come from a variety of sources, both public and private. Where public funds are involved, the usual checks for value for money and public benefits will be applied.

    The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill states, in section 58, that ministers shall not consent to the community body proceeding to buy the registered land unless they are satisfied that what they propose to do with the land is compatible with the sustainable use and development of the land, and that the proposed purchase is in the public interest.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156480,"EventID":"S1W-19864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how expenditure of public money under the Scottish Land Fund is audited. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how expenditure of public money under the Scottish Land Fund is audited. ","AnswerText":"Details of the audit procedures exercised in relation to the New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund are a reserved matter for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Can I invite the member to write to Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156481,"EventID":"S1W-19865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it will make available to local authorities in Level Playing Field Support for Public/Private Partnership projects in (i) the current financial year and (i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it will make available to local authorities in Level Playing Field Support for Public/Private Partnership projects in (i) the current financial year and (ii) 2002-03. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities will receive £34,279,000 in the current year and £39,976,000 in 2002-03 in Level Playing Field Support for Public/Private Partnership projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156482,"EventID":"S1W-19866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of traffic using the new continental ferry from Rosyth could be carried to and from the port by rail if a rail link is created.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of traffic using the new continental ferry from Rosyth could be carried to and from the port by rail if a rail link is created.","AnswerText":"We understand that there would be no capacity constraints on carrying ferry traffic to and from the port by rail if a rail link was made between the proposed ferry terminal and the existing dockyard rail line. It should also be noted that the proposed ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge is a roll-on/roll-off service and it is our understanding that the traffic that it is planned to carry will be drawn in the main from the road.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156483,"EventID":"S1W-19867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the snow-and-ice clearing specifications within the BEAR Scotland Ltd trunk road contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the snow-and-ice clearing specifications within the BEAR Scotland Ltd trunk road contract.","AnswerText":"A copy of the BEAR's Winter Maintenance Plan has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre for reference purposes together with an electronic version of Volumes 3 and 4 of the Operating Companies contract which detail the management requirements and specifications for works including winter maintenance operations. The other volumes contain commercially sensitive information.

    In addition, copies of the Safe Winter Driving leaflet which provide details of the level of service are distributed widely.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156484,"EventID":"S1W-19868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties are contained in the BEAR Scotland Ltd trunk road contract for failure to clear snow and ice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties are contained in the BEAR Scotland Ltd trunk road contract for failure to clear snow and ice.","AnswerText":"BEAR's performance is reviewed and monitored continuously by the Performance Audit Group who report to the Scottish Executive. If the contractor fails to perform there are a range of sanctions that the Scottish Executive could take.

    The Scottish Executive can issued default notices to BEAR to ensure the level of service is maintained.

    In addition, monies can be withheld where it is considered appropriate to do so.

    If any Operating Company consistently and irretrievably failed to meet its contractual obligations, the Scottish Executive has the right to invoke \"step in rights\" and appoint another organisation to carry out the works. Any additional costs incurred would be recovered from the Operating Company.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156485,"EventID":"S1W-19869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has responsibility for monitoring compliance by BEAR Scotland Ltd with the requirements of its trunk road contract. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has responsibility for monitoring compliance by BEAR Scotland Ltd with the requirements of its trunk road contract. ","AnswerText":"BEAR Scotland Ltd's performance is reviewed and monitored continuously by the Performance Audit Group (PAG), an independent body, appointed by the Scottish Executive. PAG monitors technical and financial competence by audits and inspections and reports to the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156486,"EventID":"S1W-19870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of any monitoring of BEAR Scotland Ltd's compliance with its contract for trunk roads in the Highlands between 7 and 10 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of any monitoring of BEAR Scotland Ltd's compliance with its contract for trunk roads in the Highlands between 7 and 10 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive routinely commission detailed reports to aid management of BEAR's contract. These reports may well have contractual or commercial implications. Consequently publication is not appropriate. However, a report on the first year of operation of the new contracts will be published in the summer as indicated in the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 26 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156487,"EventID":"S1W-19871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on specialist cancer services in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area of meeting previously unmet needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact on specialist cancer services in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area of meeting previously unmet needs.","AnswerText":"There are a variety of ways in which needs assessments are informed. For cancer services these include,

    the Scottish Executive's on-going modernisation programme for radiotherapy treatment equipment. This programme has already seen three new linear accelerators sited in the new Beatson Oncology Centre facility at Gartnavel Hospital:

    a preparatory assessment of chemotherapy needs for breast, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers was carried out by the previous Scottish Cancer Group (SCG). This work is shortly to be taken forward by the current SCG and will inform service planning in the future;

    Cancer Scenarios: an aid to planning cancer services in the next decade was published by the Scottish Executive in May of this year;

    the Royal College of Radiologists, which includes radiation oncology, published two reviews in 1999, one on workforce needs and one on linear accelerator needs, and

    in 1999, the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (SMASAC) undertook an assessment of radiology equipment needs.

    The Scottish Executive expects that the advice of Royal Colleges and other professional advisory bodies be taken into account when local NHS providers are planning the delivery of services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Susan Deacon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156488,"EventID":"S1W-19872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice, guidance or instructions it has given North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board on planning for handling the caseloads of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice, guidance or instructions it has given North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board on planning for handling the caseloads of the clinical oncologists retiring from the Glasgow cancer service and what reports it has received from the trust and the board on their planning for handling these caseloads.","AnswerText":"This is the responsibility of Dr Adam Bryson, Director of the Beatson Oncology Centre who announced on 18 January 2002 the revised arrangements being put in place to secure continuity of outreach specialist services across the west of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156489,"EventID":"S1W-19873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice, guidance or instructions it has given North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board on the placement of recruitment advertise","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice, guidance or instructions it has given North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board on the placement of recruitment advertisements in medical journals or other media for (a) locum consultant clinical oncologists and (b) permanent consultant clinical oncologists and what reports it has received from the Trust and the Board on the recruitment campaign and, in particular, the placing of the recruitment advertisements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19754 on 29 November 2001.

    In addition, I understand that advertisements have already been placed in relevant medical journals and that efforts are also being made to contact services across Europe and further afield to identify appropriate potential applicants.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156490,"EventID":"S1W-19874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information or reports it has received on investigations made in respect of the recruitment of consultant clinical oncologists from Hong Kong or Australia as locum c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information or reports it has received on investigations made in respect of the recruitment of consultant clinical oncologists from Hong Kong or Australia as locum consultants for the Glasgow cancer service. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19873.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156491,"EventID":"S1W-19875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information or reports it has received from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board in respect of the placement of contracts wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information or reports it has received from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board in respect of the placement of contracts with any medical recruitment agencies for the recruitment of locum or permanent consultant clinical oncologists for employment in the Glasgow cancer service.","AnswerText":"NHS Glasgow has confirmed that it will use all means necessary to secure the appropriate professionals to fill cancer posts. The Executive has not received any information or reports from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust or Greater Glasgow NHS Board regarding the use of medical recruitment agencies at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156492,"EventID":"S1W-19876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether a copy of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether a copy of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156493,"EventID":"S1W-19877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18874 on 12 October 2001, (a) what the breakdown of costs was for the work undertaken on (i) design and (ii) specialist cladding ser","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18874 on 12 October 2001, (a) what the breakdown of costs was for the work undertaken on (i) design and (ii) specialist cladding services which amounted to #854,000 in total and (b) whether all invoices and documents relating to the work undertaken will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"A full analysis of the payments made to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, for the design and specialist cladding for the MSP block, has been undertaken. The following detailed breakdown can now be provided:

    Description

    Amount

    Warehouse facilities & equipment

    £24,250.00

    Site facilities, equipment & supplier visit costs

    £56,623.80

    Design & engineering

    £352,500.00

    Site Management Team

    £236,250.00

    Transport, communications & site housekeeping

    £49,136.50

    Overheads & profit

    £161,721.00

    Sub Total

    £880,481.30

    Less 3% retention

    (£26,414.44)

    Total Payments

    £854,066.86

    The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156494,"EventID":"S1W-19881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19315 on 26 October 2001, whether a copy of the valuation made by the District Valuer showing how the land currently being developed","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19315 on 26 October 2001, whether a copy of the valuation made by the District Valuer showing how the land currently being developed in the landscape scheme associated with the new Parliament building at Holyrood was valued will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"Arrangements are being made to place the District Valuer's report in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156495,"EventID":"S1W-19882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18872 on 12 October 2001, whether all the timber supplied by the businesses named in that answer has been received and whether all t","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18872 on 12 October 2001, whether all the timber supplied by the businesses named in that answer has been received and whether all this timber was supplied to the required quality and specification.","AnswerText":"The timber is being held by the suppliers ready for collection for kiln drying. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that the timber was procured in accordance with the specification.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156496,"EventID":"S1W-19883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18956 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 November 2001, when the contract awarded to the Student Loans Company Ltd to administer the debt p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18956 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 November 2001, when the contract awarded to the Student Loans Company Ltd to administer the debt portfolio on behalf of private owners ends, and whether the terms of the administration and collection arrangements could be altered upon renewal of the contract.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of both debt sales, concluded in March 1998 and March 1999, the Student Loans Company remains responsible for the administration of debt and the collection of repayments for at least the first five years of private ownership.

    The administration arrangements can be altered upon renewal of the contracts or before, but the collection arrangements are specified in the Regulations which govern the provision of student loans.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156497,"EventID":"S1W-19884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address any skills shortage in the oil and gas industry. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address any skills shortage in the oil and gas industry. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware of current skills shortages in the oil and gas industry through involvement with the government/industry PILOT Task Force. Future Skills Scotland has a key role in matching skills supply to employer demand and the unit has plans to carry out a skills audit of the oil and gas sector in the first half of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156498,"EventID":"S1W-19885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether accelerated weathering tests will be carried out on the laminated wood and completed window units which were to be supplied by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether accelerated weathering tests will be carried out on the laminated wood and completed window units which were to be supplied by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; which company will conduct any such tests, and whether any unsatisfactory test result will reduce the sum paid to Flour City for the units and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"Following liquidation, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will not supply laminated wood and completed window units for the new Parliament building. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the successful supplier of the windows element of the cladding package will be responsible for the provision of materials and units, weather tested to approved standards, however they are constructed. If laminated wood were to be selected, accelerated weather testing would be required.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156499,"EventID":"S1W-19886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the tender document submitted by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the tender document submitted by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156500,"EventID":"S1W-19887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what process it prioritises projects seeking support under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme and on what criteria such prioritising is based. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by what process it prioritises projects seeking support under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme and on what criteria such prioritising is based. ","AnswerText":"There are a number of variables that are considered when prioritising Freight Facilities Grant applications. The principal criteria used are a comparison of the grant cost with the environmental benefits that will be secured, the actual level of grant sought taking account of the available resources and an assessment of the relative strategic importance of the projects under consideration which takes account of input from the Strategic Rail Authority where appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156501,"EventID":"S1W-19888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has commissioned to date on rail or road freight flows and what information it has on (a) current rail and road flows and (b) projected flows for the rema","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has commissioned to date on rail or road freight flows and what information it has on (a) current rail and road flows and (b) projected flows for the remainder of this parliamentary session in (i) each parliamentary region and (ii) each parliamentary constituency. ","AnswerText":"In April 2001 the Scottish Executive commissioned consultants to carry out a study to take a strategic view of the potential for developing sustainable freight movements across the whole of Scotland. The study is expected to be completed and published early this year.

    The Scottish Executive does not hold information on current or projected rail and road flows in each parliamentary region and constituency. The information which is held by the Scottish Executive on rail and road freight is given in tables 3.1 to 3.8, 8.4 and 8.5 of Scottish Transport Statistics published by the Scottish Executive in 2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 15770).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156502,"EventID":"S1W-19889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of any scarcity of rail signalling resources on the development of rail projects in Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of any scarcity of rail signalling resources on the development of rail projects in Scotland and on what dates, to whom and on what specific issues were any such representations made. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government about a wide range of issues related to railways.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Sarah Boyack","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156503,"EventID":"S1W-19890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the land currently occupied by British Aerospace, formerly Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd in Scotstoun, Glasgow, has been sold and, if so, what implications this will h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the land currently occupied by British Aerospace, formerly Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd in Scotstoun, Glasgow, has been sold and, if so, what implications this will have for employment in the shipbuilding industry.","AnswerText":"No land or property currently occupied by BAE SYSTEMS in Scotstoun has been sold to date.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156504,"EventID":"S1W-19891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ballot on housing stock transfer in Glasgow will take place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ballot on housing stock transfer in Glasgow will take place.","AnswerText":"The date for the ballot on the proposed housing stock transfer is a matter for Glasgow City Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156505,"EventID":"S1W-19892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question to S1W-15240 by Susan Deacon on 24 May 2001, how it plans to address any concerns of parents with children diagnosed with Attention Def","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question to S1W-15240 by Susan Deacon on 24 May 2001, how it plans to address any concerns of parents with children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who have been prescribed methylphenidate other than through the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network 52 Guidelines.","AnswerText":"There is already provision for such concerns to be addressed, in the first instance by discussion with the prescribing clinician. If parents are still not satisfied it is open to them to seek resolution through the NHS complaints procedure.

    Section 1.4 of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 52 on Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People makes it clear that its good practice guidance should not be construed as including all proper methods of care or excluding all other acceptable methods of care aimed at the same results. Doctors may use their own clinical judgement in any given case, though they are advised to ensure that any significant departures from the guideline are fully documented in the case notes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156506,"EventID":"S1W-19893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #415 million allocated to Glasgow City Council for new social housing building in Glasgow will be allocated to the council if council house tenants vote again","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #415 million allocated to Glasgow City Council for new social housing building in Glasgow will be allocated to the council if council house tenants vote against housing stock transfer and, if not, to whom this money will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The announcement on 27 September made it clear that the additional funding for re-provisioning and demolition costs in Glasgow was subject to the transfer proceeding.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156507,"EventID":"S1W-19894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any delay by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in sending past examination papers for Standard Grade and Higher Still examinations to the publishers","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there was any delay by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in sending past examination papers for Standard Grade and Higher Still examinations to the publishers of past papers; what steps it took to address any such delay, and how many (a) schools and (b) school pupils were affected by any such delay. ","AnswerText":"The production of past examination papers is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and we will ask the chair to write to you responding in detail to the points raised.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156508,"EventID":"S1W-19895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology is used for establishing the number of police officers employed by individual police forces and what account is taken of the number of police officers em","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology is used for establishing the number of police officers employed by individual police forces and what account is taken of the number of police officers employed by individual forces on long-term sick leave.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. It is for chief constables in consultation with police authorities to decide on staffing levels within the resources available to them.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156509,"EventID":"S1W-19896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases have been prosecuted at the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh in each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases have been prosecuted at the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The number of persons called to the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh in the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 were 417, 388, 447 and 375 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156510,"EventID":"S1W-19897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many criminal offences committed by children were reported to the Reporter to the Children's Panel for Edinburgh and what action was taken on each case in each year s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many criminal offences committed by children were reported to the Reporter to the Children's Panel for Edinburgh and what action was taken on each case in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration is responsible for statistics relating to the children's hearings system. National statistical bulletins for 1997-2000 are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16799). I have asked the Principal Reporter to respond with available data on Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156511,"EventID":"S1W-19898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Special Advisers or other civil servants can be expected to help ministers with constituency correspondence, accounts relating to the costs of constituency office","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Special Advisers or other civil servants can be expected to help ministers with constituency correspondence, accounts relating to the costs of constituency offices or other constituency matters. ","AnswerText":"Civil servants are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code. Special Advisers are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the model contract for Special Advisers, which incorporates the Civil Service Code, although they are exempted from the provisions of the code which require political objectivity and impartiality.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156512,"EventID":"S1W-19899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations exist with regard to the involvement of civil servants working directly for ministers in constituency matters and what sanctions exist should these regu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations exist with regard to the involvement of civil servants working directly for ministers in constituency matters and what sanctions exist should these regulations be breached by ministers or civil servants. ","AnswerText":"The Civil Service Management Code sets out the rules for civil servants. Disciplinary arrangements are a matter for the Scottish Executive within the framework set out in this code. The code is available at:

    www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/managementcode/csmc.pdf.

    Ministers are responsible for justifying their conduct to Parliament in line with the separate Scottish Ministerial Code. This is available at:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc03/smic-00.htm.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156513,"EventID":"S1W-19900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the statements made in Scotland on Sunday on 11 November 2001 regarding the involvement of special advisers in assisting the former First Min","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the statements made in Scotland on Sunday on 11 November 2001 regarding the involvement of special advisers in assisting the former First Minister in relation to his constituency accounts. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to investigate.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156514,"EventID":"S1W-19901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what civil servants and/or special advisers reported directly to the former First Minister and, of those, which worked with him from Friday 2 November to Monday 5 Novembe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what civil servants and/or special advisers reported directly to the former First Minister and, of those, which worked with him from Friday 2 November to Monday 5 November in relation to his constituency accounts. ","AnswerText":"Nine Special Advisers reported directly to the former First Minister prior to and during the period 2-5 November with terms and conditions remaining the same throughout. Regarding those who may have worked with him in relation to his constituency accounts, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19898.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156515,"EventID":"S1W-19902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of St Mary's RC Primary School, Bannockburn, or St Mary's RC P","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of St Mary's RC Primary School, Bannockburn, or St Mary's RC Primary School, Kildean, Stirling, since 1 July 1999. ","AnswerText":"Ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have not met with representatives of St Mary's RC Primary School, Bannockburn, or St Mary's RC Primary School, Kildean, Stirling on any occasion since 1 July 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156516,"EventID":"S1W-19903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what information it has received about (i) any fixed Sheep Annual Premium (SAP) to be agreed by the Agriculture Council of the European Union on 20 November 2001 and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what information it has received about (i) any fixed Sheep Annual Premium (SAP) to be agreed by the Agriculture Council of the European Union on 20 November 2001 and (ii) the year in which any such SAP would first be payable, and (b), should any such SAP not be payable in 2002, what plans it has to compensate crofters and farmers for hardship caused by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. ","AnswerText":"I attended the Agriculture Council on 20 November in the expectation that changes would be agreed to the EU sheepmeat regime. Unfortunately, negotiations foundered but there were positive elements contained in the latest Presidency proposal which I have supported and which I hope can be agreed soon in order for changes to come into effect from next year.

    A very important element for Scottish producers was the proposed move to a flat rate premium payable from the year 2002. The rate proposed was 21 euros per eligible ewe, plus seven euros for LFA producers. A national envelope would also be established payable at one euro per ewe which might be targeted to suit particular Scottish needs.

    The move away from a deficiency based calculation will provide producers with more financial certainty about the level of income accruing from this particular source, and it is estimated that SAP payments will increase by around £24 million in respect of 2002 compared with 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156517,"EventID":"S1W-19904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative or administrative changes are planned to enable local authorities and police forces to retain money raised from speed and traffic camera enforcement and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative or administrative changes are planned to enable local authorities and police forces to retain money raised from speed and traffic camera enforcement and when any such changes will be introduced.","AnswerText":"We are examining what legislative or administrative changes might be required to enable local authorities and police forces to retain money from fixed penalty notices to improve road safety.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156518,"EventID":"S1W-19905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of court rooms in the High Court building in Edinburgh from two to three and what effect any such increase will have on the resou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of court rooms in the High Court building in Edinburgh from two to three and what effect any such increase will have on the resources available to the High Court or any agencies which utilise the building. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to increase the number of courtrooms in the High Court Building in Edinburgh. The refurbishment of the former Sheriff Court House in the Lawnmarket to provide accommodation for the High Court in Edinburgh was completed in 1997 and already provides four courtrooms for use by the High Court.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156519,"EventID":"S1W-19906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The level of funding provided to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council since 1997 is as follows:

    1997-98

    (£ million)

    1998-99

    (£ million)

    1999-2000

    (£ million)

    2000-01

    (£ million)

    2001-021

    (£ million)

    2002-031

    (£ million)

    2003-041

    (£ million)

    551

    574

    599

    609

    660

    676

    698

    Notes:

    These are the proposed spending plans for the next three years, and exclude any additional funding transferred to SHEFC from other bodies in respect of newly designated institutions (Bell College, UHIMI and the Open University).","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156520,"EventID":"S1W-19907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to each further education college in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been provided to each further education college in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    College

    Overall Funding

    1997-98

    (£ million)

    Overall Funding

    1998-99

    (£ million)

    Overall Funding

    1999-2000

    (£ million)

    Overall Funding

    2000-01

    (£ million)

    Aberdeen College

    17,241,100

    16,755,800

    18,593,553

    22,990,267

    Angus College

    4,729,900

    4,879,650

    5,573,199

    6,978,876

    Anniesland College

    5,056,000

    5,258,650

    5,989,852

    7,237,595

    Ayr College

    5,585,000

    5,803,608

    6,741,197

    8,436,411

    Banff & Buchan College of Further Education

    4,676,600

    4,660,050

    5,392,707

    6,426,805

    The Barony College

    1,306,300

    1,261,650

    1,","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156521,"EventID":"S1W-19908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of its meeting with Dr Andrew Walker and Pharmacia on 12 October 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of its meeting with Dr Andrew Walker and Pharmacia on 12 October 2001.","AnswerText":"The department gained a better understanding of Dr Walker's study and in response set out a series of co-ordinated measures ministers had introduced for tackling healthcare associated infection which is much wider than the use of new antibiotics.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156522,"EventID":"S1W-19909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve its strategy on dealing with hospital acquired infection in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acquired Infection - W","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve its strategy on dealing with hospital acquired infection in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the cost in Scotland ? ","AnswerText":"Dr Walker's study was on the costs of hospital acquired infection (HAI). The Executive has already put in place a series of co-ordinated measures to combat HAI. That includes a mandatory framework for national surveillance of HAI and the implementation by the Clinical Standards Board of standards for infection control, cleaning services and decontamination of reusable medical devices. Hospitals are expected to meet these standards and the Clinical Standards Board will report on their performance.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156523,"EventID":"S1W-19910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor specifically the death rate of patients from hospital acquired infections in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acqui","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor specifically the death rate of patients from hospital acquired infections in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the cost in Scotland ? ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15384 on 10 May 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156524,"EventID":"S1W-19911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which aspects of its hospital acquired infection strategies it plans to change in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which aspects of its hospital acquired infection strategies it plans to change in the light of the report by Dr Andrew Walker Hospital Acquired Infection - What is the cost in Scotland ?","AnswerText":"The report provided a better estimate of the costs of hospital acquired infection (HAI) but measures have already been introduced to ensure the NHS tackles the issue more effectively. These include the guidance in the Scottish Infection Manual, the recommendations in the report on managing the risks of Healthcare Associated Infection, the introduction of a national framework for HAI surveillance and the implementation of standards for infection control cleaning services and the decontamination of reusable medical devices which the NHS will be expected to meet.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156525,"EventID":"S1W-19912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to put together an over-arching national strategy addressing the issues surrounding hospital acquired infection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to put together an over-arching national strategy addressing the issues surrounding hospital acquired infection.","AnswerText":"We have already put in hand a rigorous quality improvement process with a number of elements designed to tackle healthcare associated infection. This includes:

    - the detailed guidance in the Scottish Infection Manual,

    - implementing the recommendations of the working group on managing the risk of hospital acquired infection (HAI),

    - implementation of Clinical Standards Board standards for infection control, cleaning services and decontamination of reusable medical devices,

    - implementation of a mandatory national system of surveillance for HAI, and

    - the development of a Scottish action plan as part of the UK antimicrobial resistance strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156526,"EventID":"S1W-19913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many isolation rooms and wards there were in each of the last five years in NHS hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many isolation rooms and wards there were in each of the last five years in NHS hospitals.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for individual NHS Boards.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156527,"EventID":"S1W-19914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the community. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the community. ","AnswerText":"Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses no particular risk in the community because the population at large is much less susceptible to infection than the hospital in-patient population. Infection due to MRSA is uncommon outside hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156528,"EventID":"S1W-19915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds for care of the elderly there were in each of the last five years in NHS acute hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds for care of the elderly there were in each of the last five years in NHS acute hospitals.","AnswerText":"Beds in acute specialties are not designated for specific age groups so it is not possible to identify separately the number of beds provided for care of the elderly. However, beds in NHS hospitals for geriatric assessment can be identified. The average daily number of beds which were staffed and were available for the reception of geriatric assessment in-patients and day cases are shown as follows:

    Year ending 31 March

    1997

    3,452

    1998

    3,707

    1999

    3,634

    2000

    3,603

    2001 (provisional)

    3,484

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156529,"EventID":"S1W-19916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to include microbiology in undergraduate medical training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to include microbiology in undergraduate medical training.","AnswerText":"The undergraduate medical curriculum is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC), which is a reserved body, independent of Government. Tomorrow's Doctors, the GMC document which medical schools use to guide their curriculum development, has moved away from subject-based to a topic-based and patient-centred curriculum. Within that students are expected to come to understand the balance in the ecosystem between microbiological systems and higher life forms, between man and his environment. The GMC, as the body regulating all medical education regularly inspects medical schools to check their compliance with these recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156530,"EventID":"S1W-19917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms it plans to use to educate the public about hospital acquired infections and about how such infections are spread.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms it plans to use to educate the public about hospital acquired infections and about how such infections are spread.","AnswerText":"The public can help tackle hospital acquired infection by following standard advice about cleanliness and hygiene already prominently displayed in NHS hospitals. In addition, the need for any further measures is for discussion at national and local level, including the role of hospital infection control teams.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156531,"EventID":"S1W-19918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations it plans to adopt to stop the spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in private nursing homes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations it plans to adopt to stop the spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in private nursing homes. ","AnswerText":"Every nursing home is required to have effective policies and procedures to control and prevent the spread of infection. When private nursing homes are being inspected, checks are made to establish that these are in place and being followed. All nursing homes are inspected at least twice a year

    From 1 April 2002, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care will regulate all care homes to national standards (including, for example, hygiene) set by Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156532,"EventID":"S1W-19919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18955 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 November 2001, whether the debt owners have changed since 31 March 2001 and, if so, who the presen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18955 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 November 2001, whether the debt owners have changed since 31 March 2001 and, if so, who the present debt owners are and how much is owned by each company. ","AnswerText":"The debt owners have not changed since 31 March 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156533,"EventID":"S1W-19920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments it has made, or have been made on its behalf, of the effects of the draft Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) O","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments it has made, or have been made on its behalf, of the effects of the draft Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2001 and the draft Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 on judicial expenses likely to be recovered by successful claimants of damages for reparation for personal injuries.","AnswerText":"Judicial expenses are fixed by the Court of Session by Act of Sederunt. The effects of these Orders on the tables of judicial expenses are for the Court. The Lord President's Advisory Committee on solicitors' fees is aware of the proposed changes, is engaging in discussions with the Law Society of Scotland and will advise the Lord President on revised tables of fees taking into account the effects of the orders and new procedure rules in summary causes.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156534,"EventID":"S1W-19921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what comparative assessments have been made in respect of the recovery of judicial expenses between claimants of damages for reparation for personal injuries in England a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what comparative assessments have been made in respect of the recovery of judicial expenses between claimants of damages for reparation for personal injuries in England and Wales and in Scotland following the coming into force of the draft Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2001 and the draft Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001. ","AnswerText":"No comparative assessments have been made with England and Wales. Judicial expenses relate to the work done under the relevant procedures and reflect a fair level of remuneration for that work.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156535,"EventID":"S1W-19922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or have been held on its behalf, with the Rules Council of the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court Rules Council on the likely effects of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or have been held on its behalf, with the Rules Council of the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court Rules Council on the likely effects of the draft Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2001 and the draft Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive is represented on the Sheriff Court Rules Council and provides the Secretariat to that Council. The Sheriff Court Rules Council has taken account of the potential effect of the Orders in the course of its review of the summary cause and small claim rules. There have been no discussions with the Court of Session Rules Council but regular contact is maintained between officials in the Court of Session and of the Justice Department.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156536,"EventID":"S1W-19923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1752,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":57,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the aims and remit of the child protection review are and what plans for consultation there are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the aims and remit of the child protection review are and what plans for consultation there are.","AnswerText":"The aims and remit of the child protection review are:

    Aims

    To promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children, and to improve the services for children who experience abuse or neglect.

    Remit

    To review, throughout Scotland, the practice of medical, nursing, social work, police, children's reporters', education and other public, voluntary and private sector staff to examine how well these:

    identify those children who may be being abused or neglected;

    reduce such abuse and neglect;

    meet these children's needs, and

    make plans for the future well being of these children.

    To review how well agencies work together and public and professional confidence in these services.

    To review how well professionals work together and public and professional confidence in the way they work.

    To identify best practice.

    To learn lessons from international developments in this field.

    To report and make recommendations to improve professional working and the regulatory framework in which professionals operate.

    Consultation

    A letter seeking the views and comments of individuals and agencies involved in child protection will shortly be sent out. In addition a website is to be launched that, as well as providing information on the review, will offer anyone the opportunity to have their say. The review team is also carrying out a number of initiatives, in partnership with voluntary agencies, designed at getting the views of children and parents. A consultative group has been formed that represents a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies involved in child protection in Scotland. The review team is carrying out individual discussions with experts in child protection and children and parents will be consulted as part of the audit.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156537,"EventID":"S1W-19924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been employed on adult literacy projects in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been employed on adult literacy projects in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156538,"EventID":"S1W-19925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to promote direct air links with Canada. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to promote direct air links with Canada. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, in partnership with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators, continues to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland to Canada and other destinations for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156539,"EventID":"S1W-19926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount spent by visitors to Scotland from Canada was in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount spent by visitors to Scotland from Canada was in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    Year

    Average Spend (in 2000 prices)

    1997

    £504

    1998

    £447

    1999

    £502

    2000

    £655

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156540,"EventID":"S1W-19927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors there were from Canada to Scotland in each year since 1999 to date. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors there were from Canada to Scotland in each year since 1999 to date. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    Year

    Number of Trips

    1999

    119,000

    2000

    145,500

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Morrison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156541,"EventID":"S1W-19928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors to Scotland arrived in (a) a Scottish airport and (b) elsewhere in the United Kingdom on a direct flight from Canada in each year since 1997. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many visitors to Scotland arrived in (a) a Scottish airport and (b) elsewhere in the United Kingdom on a direct flight from Canada in each year since 1997. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Office of National Statistics' Information Passenger Survey, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority, may be able to provide information on visitors arriving at/departing from airports in Scotland/UK. Contact details are as follows:

    ips@ons.gov.uk

    www.caaerg.co.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156542,"EventID":"S1W-19929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the statistical information on hospital-acquired infection collated by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health is communicated ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the statistical information on hospital-acquired infection collated by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health is communicated to, and acted on, by hospitals. ","AnswerText":"Regular feedback from the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) to NHS boards and hospitals of centrally analysed local and national data about hospital infections is a key component of the new national surveillance framework announced in July 2001. Information began to be collected in October 2001. Analysed information will begin to flow from SCIEH to NHS boards and hospitals from the beginning of April this year. Local NHS managers are responsible for ensuring that information is reviewed and where necessary acted on. The new standards for NHSScotland for infection control, cleaning services and decontamination of reusable medical devices which are being introduced by the Clinical Standards Board will help ensure this happens.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156543,"EventID":"S1W-19930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation dealing with wildlife issues before May 2003. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation dealing with wildlife issues before May 2003. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1F-1341 on 1 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156544,"EventID":"S1W-19931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage citi'ens to undertake to donate their organs after their death. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage citi'ens to undertake to donate their organs after their death. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is working with the Scottish Transplant Group, UK Transplant and patient's interest groups to develop a national publicity campaign aimed at raising awareness of organ donation and transplantation. We have supported various promotional activities in the past and are always open to new and innovative proposals. We are also, as a matter of course, involved in the on-going provision of supplies of organ donor leaflets, as well as providing information in support of individual independent initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156545,"EventID":"S1W-19932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it plans to make to the Ministry of Defence on the future use of Glencorse Barracks. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it plans to make to the Ministry of Defence on the future use of Glencorse Barracks. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including the future of Glencorse barracks.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156546,"EventID":"S1W-19933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Community Care Plans currently recognise the needs of deafblind children and adults. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Community Care Plans currently recognise the needs of deafblind children and adults. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not collate the level of detail requested. However, each local authority is required to publish a community care plan which takes a broad view of the needs of vulnerable adults in their area and how they are going to be met. These plans are a matter of public record.

    Community Care Plans link to children's plans. They cover the transition between adult and children services by taking into account the future needs assessment of children who will turn 18 during the life of the Community Care Plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156547,"EventID":"S1W-19934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd have been in breach of their obligations in respect of their duties in relation to the trunk road network. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd have been in breach of their obligations in respect of their duties in relation to the trunk road network. ","AnswerText":"BEAR's contract is complex and detailed and minor breaches will inevitably occur. However, there are set procedures for rectification of more serious failures. The first step of this procedure is to issue a default notice to BEAR to ensure the level of service is maintained.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156548,"EventID":"S1W-19935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether those provisions of its contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd which govern the position in the event of the company's failure to perform its obligations have been made ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether those provisions of its contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd which govern the position in the event of the company's failure to perform its obligations have been made public and are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-18588 and S1W-18616 on the 11 October 2001 by the former Minister for Transport and Planning. As much of the contract as may be considered not to contain sensitive commercial information has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156549,"EventID":"S1W-19936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd have been in breach of their obligations under their contract in respect of the provision of clearing and gritting of trunk roads in the Highlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd have been in breach of their obligations under their contract in respect of the provision of clearing and gritting of trunk roads in the Highlands, in particular on the 8 and 9 November 2001. ","AnswerText":"BEAR's contract is complex and detailed and minor breaches will inevitably occur. There are set procedures for rectification of more significant breaches. The first step of this procedure is to issue a default notice to BEAR to ensure the level of service is maintained.

    The Scottish Executive has not issued default notices in relation to BEAR's performance concerning winter maintenance on 8 and 9 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156550,"EventID":"S1W-19937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd need to be reviewed and what penalties the Executive would incur should it decide to cancel the contract on the grounds of non","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd need to be reviewed and what penalties the Executive would incur should it decide to cancel the contract on the grounds of non-performance by BEAR Scotland Ltd.","AnswerText":"The contracts with BEAR Scotland Ltd have been awarded for a period of five to seven years and do not need to be reviewed. The contractual performance of the Operating Companies on all four contracts is monitored on an on-going basis by Halcrow in association with PricewaterhouseCoopers (the Performance Audit Group) and the Scottish Executive. There are a range of corrective measures and financial sanctions within the contracts which the Scottish Executive can consider in the event of unsatisfactory performance by the Operating Company. Having exhausted these, the Scottish Executive can terminate the contract if serious non-performance continues to be identified. Costs would be incurred in relation to securing a new Operating Company.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156551,"EventID":"S1W-19938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which provisions of its contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd that are currently undisclosed will require to be made public on request under the Freedom of Information (Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which provisions of its contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd that are currently undisclosed will require to be made public on request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. ","AnswerText":"The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill has yet to complete its passage through the Parliament. In keeping with the approach under other statutory Freedom of Information regimes, it is envisaged that all requests for information would be considered on a case-by-case basis and, as such, it is not possible to anticipate whether any particular information relating to the Executive's contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd would be disclosed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156552,"EventID":"S1W-19939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial penalties will be incurred by Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Ltd should the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary be unable to accept patients on t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial penalties will be incurred by Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Ltd should the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary be unable to accept patients on the planned dates of transfer from the Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital and the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"Should the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh be unable to accept patients as planned through any fault of the private sector provider of the facility, the financial penalties that will be incurred are those detailed in the Addendum to the Full Business Case, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17393).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156553,"EventID":"S1W-19940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lothian NHS Board has advised it of any delay in transferring the sterilising centre from the City Hospital to the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lothian NHS Board has advised it of any delay in transferring the sterilising centre from the City Hospital to the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"The sterilising centre is on target to transfer to the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on 28 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156554,"EventID":"S1W-19941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate a Private Finance Initiative contract, such as Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Ltd's contract to build the new Edinburgh Royal ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate a Private Finance Initiative contract, such as Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Ltd's contract to build the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where funds have been transferred from the revenue budget to the capital budget as a result of an increase in the price of construction.","AnswerText":"The risk of increased construction cost is transferred to the private sector as part of the Private Finance Initiative contract, therefore revenue payments against the agreed contract are fixed by the contract.

    Any changes in the design of the building, agreed between the trust and their private sector partner since contract close, will result in an increase in the annual revenue cost to the trust. Any such increases are included in the trust's financial plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156555,"EventID":"S1W-19942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to seek an exemption for Glasgow Underground from the draft European Transport Regulation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to seek an exemption for Glasgow Underground from the draft European Transport Regulation.","AnswerText":"As stated in the answer to question S1W-17966, Ms Boyack highlighted the Glasgow situation when she addressed the EU Transport Council in Luxembourg in June as part of the UK delegation. The case for Glasgow Underground being exempted is supported by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who are leading on these discussions within the EU.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156556,"EventID":"S1W-19943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies are in place to develop ferry and shipping services from the port of Rosyth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies are in place to develop ferry and shipping services from the port of Rosyth.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has fully supported the plans to introduce a ferry link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge and the recent successful application for Freight Facilities Grant to fund the project. The Scottish Executive and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions are also pressing urgently for clearance from the European Commission for an extension of the Freight Facilities Grant scheme to short sea shipping.

    The Rosyth 2000 proposals envisaged the former naval dockyard at Rosyth being developed as a port with particular emphasis being placed on shipping services to continental Europe. The main focus at present is on establishing the Rosyth to Zeebrugge service.

    The UK-wide ports policy paper, Modern Ports: A UK Policy (a copy is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre - Bib. number 9874), provides a clear strategy for ports to provide safe, sustainable and successful operations for the transport network and as contributors to the local and national economy. The Executive also liases closely with the key local and national agencies with an interest in the transport and economic infrastructure of the port of Rosyth.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156557,"EventID":"S1W-19944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the Executive's range of powers in relation to short sea shipping. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the Executive's range of powers in relation to short sea shipping. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including short sea shipping.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156558,"EventID":"S1W-19945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to support and enhance the transport and economic infrastructure of the port of Rosyth. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to support and enhance the transport and economic infrastructure of the port of Rosyth. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19943.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156559,"EventID":"S1W-19946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of (a) St Mary's Primary School, Bo'ness, (b) St Mary's Primar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have met representatives of (a) St Mary's Primary School, Bo'ness, (b) St Mary's Primary School, Duntocher, or (c) St Mary's Primary School, Alexandria, since 1 July 1999. ","AnswerText":"Ministers or deputy ministers with responsibility for education have not met with representatives of (a) St Mary's RC Primary School, Bo'ness, (b) St Mary's Primary School, Duntocher, or (c) St Mary's Primary School, Alexandria on any occasion since 1 July 1999.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156560,"EventID":"S1W-19947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explanation it has received from Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust on the reasons for the incidence of senior management departures, following the recent resignatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explanation it has received from Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust on the reasons for the incidence of senior management departures, following the recent resignations of the Trust's Directors of Nursing, Planning and Estates and the Medical Director in the past two months, and what plans it has to meet the trust to ensure that appropriate primary care services are being delivered throughout the Trust area.","AnswerText":"These are matters for the trust. I understand from the trust that the departures are unrelated; appointments have already been made to two of the posts mentioned and an appointment to the post of Medical Director will be made as soon as possible.

    It is for the trust to ensure that high quality primary care services continue to be available for the people of Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156561,"EventID":"S1W-19948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the study into the national and local prevalence of problem drug misuse in Scotland will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the study into the national and local prevalence of problem drug misuse in Scotland will be published.","AnswerText":"The report, funded by the Scottish Executive, and undertaken by the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow in conjunction with the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, is being published today. Copies of the report have been made available to the Parliament's Reference Centre and a copy can be found on the national drugs website at http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/prevalence.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156562,"EventID":"S1W-19949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Scotland's manufacturing performance over the period of the four quarters up to 2001Q2 compares with the (a) north west, (b) north east, (c) Yorkshire, (d) East Midla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Scotland's manufacturing performance over the period of the four quarters up to 2001Q2 compares with the (a) north west, (b) north east, (c) Yorkshire, (d) East Midlands and (e) West Midlands regions of England.","AnswerText":"Up to date quarterly Scottish manufacturing performance is measured using the Scottish Executive's Quarterly Scottish Gross Domestic Product estimates. Figures are not produced for the regions of England which allow comparison with Scotland's manufacturing performance over the period in question.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156563,"EventID":"S1W-19950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18467 by Angus MacKay on 8 October 2001, whether it is now able to say whether the responses to its consultation paper A Modern Com","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18467 by Angus MacKay on 8 October 2001, whether it is now able to say whether the responses to its consultation paper A Modern Complaints System: Consultation Paper for Public Sector Ombudsmen in Scotland favoured the inclusion of enterprise external adjudicators in a \"one stop shop\", if so, whether it intends to create such posts and, if so, (a) when the adjudicators will be appointed; (b) where they will be located; (c) what their salary scale will be; (d) to whom they will be responsible, and (e) when and how often they will report the details of their findings.","AnswerText":"As Mr MacKay explained in the answer given to question S1W-18467 on 8 October 2001, the consultation paper proposed that the External Complaints Adjudicators will be wound up and that complaints relating to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will instead be dealt with by the new Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman. The responses to the consultation paper supported this proposal. Our conclusions on this matter will be made clear when legislation is brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156564,"EventID":"S1W-19951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have registered for a pay out from the Transport Operative Pension Scheme. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have registered for a pay out from the Transport Operative Pension Scheme. ","AnswerText":"A pro-forma issued by the Scottish Executive has been completed by some 4,000 potential beneficiaries. It was issued to confirm basic details such as current addresses and not to register a claim.

    The Executive will publicise the details of distribution arrangements to identify potential beneficiaries and, following verification of pension records, we will write to each individual with details of proposed payments.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156565,"EventID":"S1W-19952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been approached by the Scottish Football Association, or any other body, for financial support to complete safety improvements at the National Stadium, Ham","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been approached by the Scottish Football Association, or any other body, for financial support to complete safety improvements at the National Stadium, Hampden and, if so, what level of support has been requested. ","AnswerText":"At its meeting in September, the Board of sportscotland considered an application from the Scottish Football Association for funding from the Sports Facilities Programme of the Lottery Sports Fund. sportscotland approved an award of £1.2 million towards safety improvements to the East Stand, and its associated approaches, of the national stadium.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156566,"EventID":"S1W-19953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in supporting the bid by the Scottish Football Association to host the European Football Championships in 2008. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in supporting the bid by the Scottish Football Association to host the European Football Championships in 2008. ","AnswerText":"The First Minister explained in his statement to Parliament on 23 January 2002 that, having considered carefully the practicalities, costs and benefits of staging Euro 2008, the Executive supports a potential joint bid with the Republic of Ireland. Executive officials are presently in consultation with the Irish Government and the SFA.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156567,"EventID":"S1W-19954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the Scottish Football Association, or any other organisation, towards hosting the final of the 2002 European Champions League tournament. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the Scottish Football Association, or any other organisation, towards hosting the final of the 2002 European Champions League tournament. ","AnswerText":"None directly linked to staging the event, but the Scottish Executive's key contribution to the Hampden rescue package helped to ensure that the National Stadium has UEFA five star rating and is capable of hosting such a prestigious event.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156568,"EventID":"S1W-19955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR Scotland Ltd have gritted any metal bridge structures with salt based products since 1 April 2001, and, if so, which bridges, on what da","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR Scotland Ltd have gritted any metal bridge structures with salt based products since 1 April 2001, and, if so, which bridges, on what date, who authorised such gritting, and why permission was given on each occasion.","AnswerText":"Glycol is normally applied instead of salt as a precautionary treatment when ice or light snow is expected on two bridges with metal decks; the A898 Erskine Bridge and A9 Kessock Bridge.

    Salt has been used on one occasion since 1 April 2001, when the Kessock Bridge was treated in this way on 8 November. Glycol had been applied to the bridge during the previous evening but further snow and the freezing conditions rendered this treatment ineffective. When this exceptional situation occurs at Kessock Bridge the procedure is to apply a light spread of salt to provide safe movement for traffic. This action was undertaken on the instruction of BEAR Scotland Ltd's winter maintenance duty manager and is in line with the practice that was followed before 1 April 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156569,"EventID":"S1W-19956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it stated that BEAR Scotland Ltd were \"theoretically able to cope\" with winter roads problems as reported in the Press and Journal on 14 November 2001 and, if so,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it stated that BEAR Scotland Ltd were \"theoretically able to cope\" with winter roads problems as reported in the Press and Journal on 14 November 2001 and, if so, whether this statement applies to any of the other winter contract provisions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive approved a Winter Maintenance Plan which was scrutinised by the Performance Audit Group. This plan shows that BEAR is capable of complying with the requirements of the contract. Given the unpredictability of winter conditions, no provider of road maintenance services could guarantee to keep all roads for which they were responsible, clear at all times. The plan is based on contractual obligations and trunk road winter maintenance best practice. The requirements are broadly unchanged from previous contracts.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156570,"EventID":"S1W-19957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the Economic Impact section (paragraph 12.0) of the Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease by the Director of Lifelong Care at Scottish Borders Council ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the Economic Impact section (paragraph 12.0) of the Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease by the Director of Lifelong Care at Scottish Borders Council dated 7 November 2001, with particular reference to the financial consequences for the Borders economy of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and the downturn in electronics production there which the report estimates will represent a total loss of #71 million to the local economy, representing 7% of Borders Gross Demestic Product over the next year.","AnswerText":"In recognition of the challenges facing the Borders economy, the Scottish Executive has worked closely with local agencies and provided significant funding for the actions identified in their Foot-and-Mouth Recovery Plan. The figures cited in the question are taken directly from the Borders Foot-and-Mouth Recovery Plan, which was presented to the Executive in May of this year. The Executive continues to monitor the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak nationally. The Scottish Executive's Impact Assessment Group has undertaken three surveys of non-agricultural businesses - in April, June and October. The first two surveys have already been published and the third survey results will be published on 19 December.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156571,"EventID":"S1W-19958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate the Borders area for priority investment in the light of (a) Signum Circuits, Selkirk, going into receivership with resulting redundancies and (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate the Borders area for priority investment in the light of (a) Signum Circuits, Selkirk, going into receivership with resulting redundancies and (b) the Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease by the Director of Lifelong Care at Scottish Borders Council dated 7 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is fully aware of the challenges facing the Borders economy, and works closely with local agencies to help create sustainable employment opportunities. In recognition of this, Scottish Enterprise Borders have been awarded an additional £6.096 million for the period 1999-2002 to further support economic development in the area. The Executive has also worked closely with local agencies on planning for recovery from the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and has provided significant funding for the actions identified in their Foot-and-Mouth Disease Recovery Plan.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156572,"EventID":"S1W-19959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities currently ensure that community care assessments of deafblind children and adults are carried out by specialists in dual-sensory impairment. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities currently ensure that community care assessments of deafblind children and adults are carried out by specialists in dual-sensory impairment. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, one of the recommendations in the Sensing Progress report was that local authorities should review their assessment arrangements for people who have a sensory impairment to ensure that assessments are carried out speedily and that wider needs are considered whenever necessary.

    Social Work Services Inspectorate will monitor the recommendations in their next round of visits, and the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services will record what progress has been made in his next Annual Report.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156573,"EventID":"S1W-19960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the number of households within the Banff and Buchan constituency currently living in fuel poverty. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the number of households within the Banff and Buchan constituency currently living in fuel poverty. ","AnswerText":"Figures on the number of fuel poor households cannot be disaggregated to constituency level.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156574,"EventID":"S1W-19961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hospitals have a policy of testing for pregnancy all female patients under 16 years of age who attend hospital due to abdominal or stomach pains and, if so, wheth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether hospitals have a policy of testing for pregnancy all female patients under 16 years of age who attend hospital due to abdominal or stomach pains and, if so, whether it will provide details of this policy, whether it supports the adoption of such a policy, and what guidance or advice it has issued, or plans to issue, to health boards on this matter. ","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any policy of this kind and we would not support its adoption. There will be occasions where it may be clinically appropriate to test for pregnancy, however we would expect this to be conducted overtly in line with the guidance A guide to consent to examination, investigation, treatment or operation which was issued to the NHSScotland in 1992.

    This guidance sets out that a patient has a right under common law to give or withhold consent prior to a procedure being carried out. This is a basic principle of health care and covers all procedures. The guidance does however give examples of where a procedure may be undertaken without first obtaining the patient's consent, for example; for lifesaving procedures where the patient is unconscious and cannot indicate his or her wishes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156575,"EventID":"S1W-19962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations or communities in (a) Stirling district and (b) Clackmannanshire applied for funding in 2002-03 under the (i) Rural Challenge Fund, (ii) Rural Stra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations or communities in (a) Stirling district and (b) Clackmannanshire applied for funding in 2002-03 under the (i) Rural Challenge Fund, (ii) Rural Strategic Support Fund and (iii) Local Capital Grants Scheme and how many such applications were successful, for which projects and at what level of funding.","AnswerText":"The Rural Challenge Fund, Rural Strategic Support Fund and Local Capital Grants Scheme are the three elements which together make up the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund. The Fund is operated by an annual bidding process, and the closing date for applications to the 2002-03 round was 12 October 2001.

    An analysis of bids received shows no applications from the Clackmannanshire area under any of the three schemes. The following bids have been received from projects in the Stirling district.

    Scheme

    Project Title

    Amount Applied For

    Rural Challenge Fund

    Lochearnhead Schoolhouse

    £34,700

    McLaren Community Crèche

    £50,000

    Falls of Dochart Retirement Home

    £50,000

    Development of Gartmore House Training Centre

    £50,000

    Total Requested

    £184,700

    Local Capital Grants Scheme

    Menzies Hall, Fintry

    £40,000

    Gargunnock Community Centre

    £6,500

    Kinbuck Village Hall

    £30,000

    Total Requested

    £76,500

    Rural Strategic Support Fund

    SVA Rural Satellite Capacity Building Project

    £30,486

    Total Requested

    £30,486

    All bids received are currently being assessed and an announcement will be made early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156576,"EventID":"S1W-19963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to encourage the development of swimming lessons for children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to encourage the development of swimming lessons for children.","AnswerText":"As agreed at the debate on this issue on 24 May, an audit of current levels of swimming provision is under way. A questionnaire seeking a wide range of information has been sent to local authorities and will provide an up-to-date picture of opportunities available for school pupils. Responses are expected early this month. We will announce the findings of this survey and any subsequent action thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156577,"EventID":"S1W-19964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18669 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 October 2001, when it will announce arrangements for publishing the report on chronic fatigue syndr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18669 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 October 2001, when it will announce arrangements for publishing the report on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and when will it publish its response to that report. ","AnswerText":"It will be for the Chief Medical Officer in England to announce arrangements for publication of the report. The Executive will then decide whether to adopt or adapt its good practice guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156578,"EventID":"S1W-19965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18748 by Jackie Baillie on 30 October 2001, whether copies of the Eaga Partnership (Scotland) leaflets publicising the central heat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18748 by Jackie Baillie on 30 October 2001, whether copies of the Eaga Partnership (Scotland) leaflets publicising the central heating installation programme for pensioners in private rented accommodation will be made available to MSPs.","AnswerText":"They will be made available to MSPs.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156579,"EventID":"S1W-19966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure is for appealing against decisions taken by the Eaga Partnership (Scotland) in regard to assessing whether individual applications meet the requirement","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure is for appealing against decisions taken by the Eaga Partnership (Scotland) in regard to assessing whether individual applications meet the requirements for inclusion in the central heating programme for pensioners. ","AnswerText":"An unsuccessful applicant can appeal to Eaga against the decision. The case will be reviewed by Eaga's Manager for Scotland who had no part in the original decision.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156580,"EventID":"S1W-19967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18839 and S1W-18840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 November 2001, what action it is taking to assist the Scottish Further Education F","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18839 and S1W-18840 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 November 2001, what action it is taking to assist the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to ensure that individual further education colleges in financial difficulty can secure long-term financial viability.","AnswerText":"In October this year I made available an additional £7 million to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, to be used to support colleges which have shown a determination to take the necessary action to secure their long-term financial viability.

    Allocation of the £7 million to individual further education colleges is a matter for the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156581,"EventID":"S1W-19968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the reorganisation of Glasgow's further education colleges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the reorganisation of Glasgow's further education colleges.","AnswerText":"A consultation exercise following the publication of the recent report by the consultants KPMG has now been completed. It will be for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow colleges, who commissioned the report, to consider the responses to the consultation exercise and the case for subsequent action.

    The Boards of Management at two separate groups of Glasgow colleges are currently exploring the possibility of merger. These groups comprise (a) Glasgow College of Building and Printing, Central College of Commerce and Glasgow College of Food Technology, and (b) Stow College and North Glasgow College.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156582,"EventID":"S1W-19969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3971 by Lewis MacDonald on 1 November 2001, what organisations and individuals will be consulted on the proposals aimed at securing","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3971 by Lewis MacDonald on 1 November 2001, what organisations and individuals will be consulted on the proposals aimed at securing more effective public involvement in planning.","AnswerText":"A consultation paper is being widely distributed to a range of interests, including planning authorities, regular users of the planning system, community councils, the Citizen Advice Bureau and equality groups. The Executive is also actively promoting full public participation by placing an easy read consultation paper and questionnaire in planning offices and public libraries, and on the internet. It is also proposed to hold seminars for special groups; ensure contact with appropriate organisations through the Scottish Civic Forum, and appoint consultants to assist in generating feedback from members of the public.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156583,"EventID":"S1W-19970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3993 by Sarah Boyack on 1 November 2001, whether it will ensure that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, as the promoting au","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3993 by Sarah Boyack on 1 November 2001, whether it will ensure that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, as the promoting authority for the Partick Interchange project, will consult local residents and elected members as well as the groups it has already consulted.","AnswerText":"Consultation on individual Public Transport Fund projects is a matter for the promoting authority, in this case Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.

    However, I have been assured by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority that a public consultation exercise is being planned once key legal and contractual issues have been resolved.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156584,"EventID":"S1W-19971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to deal with staff shortages as a result of the three consultants' resignations that have taken place at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to deal with staff shortages as a result of the three consultants' resignations that have taken place at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-19754 (26 November 2001), S1W-19873 (28 December 2001) and S1W-19874 (28 December 2001).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156585,"EventID":"S1W-19972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its short-, medium-and long-term plans are for resourcing (a) the Beatson Oncology Unit and (b) the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its short-, medium-and long-term plans are for resourcing (a) the Beatson Oncology Unit and (b) the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"Cancer is one of three clinical priorities for the Scottish Executive and for NHSScotland. The Executive is committed to year-on-year increases in the unified budget allocations made to NHS boards. From within these allocations, local NHS management are responsible for planning service provision to meet the needs of their resident populations, including provision for tertiary services from specialist centres such as the Beatson Oncology Centre. Greater Glasgow NHS Board was allocated an initial unified budget of more than £846 million for this year with indicative unified budget allocations of £907.9 million for 2002-03 and £982.3 million for 2003-04.

    In addition, an additional £40 million is being invested across Scotland over this and the next two years specifically for cancer services. Plans designed to secure improvements in these services, for example, through more rapid diagnosis and shorter waiting times, were announced on 6 November 2001. Of more than £10 million being invested this financial year, more than £5 million will secure improvements in Glasgow and the West of Scotland cancer services.

    Plans to build a new cancer centre in Glasgow are also being progressed, for which £44 million investment has also been set aside.

    Implementation/investment plans are available on www.scotland.gov.uk and www.show.scot.nhs.uk and copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156586,"EventID":"S1W-19973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact there will be on patient services as a result of the current situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact there will be on patient services as a result of the current situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19754 on 26 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156587,"EventID":"S1W-19974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its powers and Historic Scotland's powers are in relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its powers and Historic Scotland's powers are in relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. ","AnswerText":"The powers of the Scottish ministers, in relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 are to designate by order the sites of historic wrecks in Scottish waters (sections 1(1) and 1(2)) and to grant licences to carry out diving and salvage operations on such sites (section 1(5)). Historic Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Executive, advises Scottish ministers and supports them in the exercise of these powers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156588,"EventID":"S1W-19975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has into the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has into the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites. ","AnswerText":"Officials of Historic Scotland, which is an agency of the Scottish Executive, attend meetings of the Advisory Committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156589,"EventID":"S1W-19976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to secure an order under section 1 (4) of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 where designation of a wreck site is a matter of immediate urgency and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to secure an order under section 1 (4) of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 where designation of a wreck site is a matter of immediate urgency and what criteria are applied when considering whether such designation is a matter of immediate urgency. ","AnswerText":"Where designation of a wreck site under section 1(1) and 1(2) of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 is a matter of immediate urgency Scottish ministers may dispense with the consultation provided for in section 1(4) and proceed to make the order. The criterion applied when considering whether such designation is a matter of immediate urgency would be where there was real concern that the wreck would be damaged or looted before the designation order came into force.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156590,"EventID":"S1W-19977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Studentship Scheme will be administered from academic year 2002-03 onwards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Studentship Scheme will be administered from academic year 2002-03 onwards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Studentship Scheme (SSS) provides awards for Scottish domiciled students undertaking advanced postgraduate study in the Arts and Humanities. The SSS is currently administered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). From academic year 2002-03, funding for the scheme (approximately £1.6 million per year) will be transferred from SAAS to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). This will enable SHEFC to contract out to the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) for the provision of these awards in line with the arrangement which applies in England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156591,"EventID":"S1W-19978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1770,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a progress report on the 2005 electronic service delivery targets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a progress report on the 2005 electronic service delivery targets.","AnswerText":"We have today published our first progress report on electronic service delivery which shows that the Executive, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies already provide over 60% of their services online. Unsurprisingly, most of these relate to the provision of information, but some transactions are already fully electronically enabled, and many more are planned. We have also published a revised, more strategic version of our 21st Century Government Action Plan. Both documents are available on our 21st Century Government website and copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156592,"EventID":"S1W-19979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which members representing Scottish interests are on the GB-wide review of non-native species; what information it has on the complete membership of this review group, an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which members representing Scottish interests are on the GB-wide review of non-native species; what information it has on the complete membership of this review group, and what the remit of the group is.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Non-Native Species Policy Group is to offer advice to ministers of the UK Government, National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive on the effectiveness of current statutory and non-statutory procedures for dealing with the introduction and establishment of non-native species. The group will also advise on: examples of best practice within the UK and abroad; the main vectors for the introduction and control of non-native species; proposals for improving measures to limit the ecological and economic impact of non-native species in GB, and organisations who might take forward any recommended measures. The findings of this review are expected to be with ministers by summer 2002.

    Policy and scientific staff from the Executive serve on this group which is chaired by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Scottish interests are further represented through Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

    Some 20 organisations serve on this group, representing trade associations, nature conservation/advisory bodies, NGOs and other Government Departments.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156593,"EventID":"S1W-19980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made to health boards regarding the provision through the NHS of ferrels for crutches.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made to health boards regarding the provision through the NHS of ferrels for crutches.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not made any specific recommendations to NHS Boards regarding the provision through the NHS of ferrels for crutches.

    NHS Trusts have a general duty to ensure that all crutches are fitted with ferrels that are in a good state of repair.

    Patients are made aware that if ferrels wear out then the department that issued them has responsibility for replacement.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156594,"EventID":"S1W-19981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representations have been made to it on funding a 50 metre swimming pool in either Aberdeen or Dundee and, if so, what response it has given, or plans to give","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representations have been made to it on funding a 50 metre swimming pool in either Aberdeen or Dundee and, if so, what response it has given, or plans to give, to such representations.","AnswerText":"The City of Aberdeen and Dundee City Councils held preliminary discussions with sportscotland and Scottish Swimming about 50 metre swimming pools. sportscotland has not received any funding applications for any such proposals.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156595,"EventID":"S1W-19982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have taken legal action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to address specific probl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have taken legal action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to address specific problems relating to giant hogweed in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156596,"EventID":"S1W-19983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new salaried dentist posts it has approved in the Grampian Health Board area since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new salaried dentist posts it has approved in the Grampian Health Board area since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Three full-time and one part-time salaried dentist posts have been approved.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156597,"EventID":"S1W-19984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17949 by Susan Deacon on 18 September 2001, whether the sub-group of the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce will c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17949 by Susan Deacon on 18 September 2001, whether the sub-group of the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce will consider funding a recruitment campaign in other European Union countries to attract dentists to work in the north-east of Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The recruitment of NHS staff is a matter for NHS Boards and there are currently no plans for the Executive to specifically fund a recruitment campaign. The Recruitment and Retention sub-group of the Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce is looking at all aspects of the recruitment and retention of dentists and is expected to report to the main committee early in 2002. I also refer the member to the answer to given question S1W-20031 on 18 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156598,"EventID":"S1W-19985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce special payments to dental practitioners working in rural areas similar to the \"Golden Hello\" packages introduced to help doctors in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce special payments to dental practitioners working in rural areas similar to the \"Golden Hello\" packages introduced to help doctors in such areas. ","AnswerText":"Discussions are under way with the dental profession on improved support for dentists in remote areas.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156599,"EventID":"S1W-19986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the union of the crowns. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the union of the crowns. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16294 on 28 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156600,"EventID":"S1W-19987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided, or plans to provide, any financial support to any rail projects associated with the BP Amoco plant at Grangemouth, which projects these are, and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided, or plans to provide, any financial support to any rail projects associated with the BP Amoco plant at Grangemouth, which projects these are, and what safety mechanisms have been built into the conditions for any such financial support to protect the public interest in the light of the recent announcement of job losses at the plant.","AnswerText":"A Freight Facility Grant (FFG) award totalling £9.7 million was made in September 1999 to TDG Nexus for the development of rail freight facilities at Grangemouth. The main flow of traffic to be handled by the facility was as regards the production of polyethylene and polypropylene at the BP Amoco plant. An award of £10 million was also made in December 2000 to BP Oil UK Ltd for the transportation of fuel by rail from Grangemouth to various locations in Scotland.

    The conditions attached to FFG awards include provision for Scottish ministers to require the repayment of the whole, or part, of any grant already paid if the project is not completed or targets not met.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156601,"EventID":"S1W-19988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) NHS dentists and (b) NHS dental practices there currently are in (i) Scotland and (ii) each parliamentary constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) NHS dentists and (b) NHS dental practices there currently are in (i) Scotland and (ii) each parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"

    Number of NHS dentists and NHS dental practices in each parliamentary constituency; by region

    At 30 September 2001

    Central Scotland region

    Number of NHS dentists

    Number of NHS dental practices

    Code

    Parliamentary constituency

    04

    Airdrie & Shotts

    24

    10

    14

    Coatbridge & Chryston

    27

    11

    15

    Cumbernauld & Kilsyth

    22

    6

    24

    East Kilbride

    32

    14

    33

    Falkirk East

    20

    7

    34

    Falkirk West

    30

    12

    48

    Hamilton North & Bellshill

    47

    13

    49

    Hamilton South

    		","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156602,"EventID":"S1W-19989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the post of Inspector of Salmon Fisheries still exists and, if so, whether the post has undergone any material changes in the last 12 months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the post of Inspector of Salmon Fisheries still exists and, if so, whether the post has undergone any material changes in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"The post of Inspector was created under provisions in the Fishery Board (Scotland) Act 1882, which was repealed by the Salmon Act 1986.

    The title was retained until earlier this year, when the separate posts of Inspector and Head of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Branch were merged to lead the reinforced Branch in delivering the Green Paper agenda.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156603,"EventID":"S1W-19990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. ","AnswerText":"The arrangements for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee are in the first instance a matter for Buckingham Palace. As the then First Minister indicated in the answer to question S1W-16461, on 22 June 2001, The Queen will visit Scotland from 23 to 29 May 2002 and, as previously announced, will attend the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on 25 May 2002. A further announcement giving details of The Queen's Golden Jubilee engagements in Edinburgh, and elsewhere in Scotland, will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156604,"EventID":"S1W-19991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a consultative committee to consider and report on the registration of same sex partnerships. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a consultative committee to consider and report on the registration of same sex partnerships. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to establish such a committee.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156605,"EventID":"S1W-19992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR Scotland Ltd have made any direct contact with journalists, press organisations, MPs or MSPs in respect of the trunk road maintenance co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR Scotland Ltd have made any direct contact with journalists, press organisations, MPs or MSPs in respect of the trunk road maintenance contracts; if so, on what date and whether in each case prior permission was sought from the Executive to make such contact, and where within the roads maintenance contracts the Executive is given authorisation to grant such permissions.","AnswerText":"Since October Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR Scotland Ltd have issued media statements and responded to media requests for factual information from Scottish daily and local newspapers, Sunday newspapers, news agencies and broadcast media.

    Two statements regarding collapsed manholes on the M8 were issued to MSPs on 29 October 2001 and 15 November 2001.

    In all cases this contact was made with the prior knowledge of the Scottish Executive. Media requests for information regarding matters of policy or finance continue to be handled by the Scottish Executive.

    The Conditions of Contract allow the Scottish Executive to vary the contracts.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156606,"EventID":"S1W-19993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch of Benefits from the Warm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch of Benefits from the Warm Deal in Scotland 2000-01: A Report by the Scottish Executive and how many copies were distributed.","AnswerText":"The cost was £1,800. Eight hundred copies were distributed and a further 200 are available to meet requests.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156607,"EventID":"S1W-19994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representatives will be at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representatives will be at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001.","AnswerText":"Scotland's interests at the November Health Council were represented by the UK delegation led by my Whitehall colleague, the Minister of State for Health, who represented all parts of the United Kingdom.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156608,"EventID":"S1W-19995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, as an input into the discussions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship at the meeting of the EU Health C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, as an input into the discussions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001, and whether it will detail to whom these representations were made, where, when, by whom and by what means.","AnswerText":"Scotland's interests at the November Health Council were represented by the UK delegation, led by my Whitehall colleague, the Minister of State for Health, who represented all parts of the United Kingdom. Scottish ministers make regular representations to the UK Government on a range of issues, but specific discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are conducted on a confidential basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156609,"EventID":"S1W-19996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, on the implications for public health of, and any additional demands placed on the health service caused ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, on the implications for public health of, and any additional demands placed on the health service caused by, the over-prescribing of antibiotics and antimicrobials in human medicine, as an input into the discussions at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001, and whether it will detail to whom these representations were made, where, when, by whom and by what means.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19995.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156610,"EventID":"S1W-19997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, on combating stress and depression related problems, as an input into the discussions at the meeting of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, on combating stress and depression related problems, as an input into the discussions at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001, and whether it will detail to whom these representations were made, where, when, by whom and by what means.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19995.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156611,"EventID":"S1W-19998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, regarding allaying concerns about radiation levels from mobile phones and base stations of third generati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, either directly or indirectly, regarding allaying concerns about radiation levels from mobile phones and base stations of third generation GSM phones, as an input into the discussions at the meeting of the EU Health Council in Brussels starting on 15 November 2001, and whether it will detail to whom these representations were made, where, when, by whom and by what means.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19995.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156612,"EventID":"S1W-19999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase investment in the collection and correlation of climate data throughout Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase investment in the collection and correlation of climate data throughout Scotland. ","AnswerText":"As part of the Scottish Climate Change Programme, work is on-going to improve Scottish climate change data to understand better the contribution we are making in Scotland to emissions savings and the possible impacts of climate change. The Executive has commissioned and published a significant amount of research, the findings of which is disseminated widely and can be accessed on the Executive's climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange. Research requirements for 2002-03 are currently under review.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156613,"EventID":"S1W-20000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the economic impact of climatic change in the Moray Firth area resulting in wetter winters, warmer summers and sea level rises, as predicted ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the economic impact of climatic change in the Moray Firth area resulting in wetter winters, warmer summers and sea level rises, as predicted in the recent research conducted by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. ","AnswerText":"Research into Potential Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change in Scotland was published by the Executive in October 2001. This research will assist local decision makers in consideration of policy responses to adapt to the anticipated impacts of climate change in their communities. In addition, a significant amount of research into the likely effects of climate change in Scotland has been published by the Executive to inform local decision making, the findings of which have been disseminated widely and are available on the Executive's climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange/. Guidance designed to help local authority chief executives respond to the challenge of climate change was issued in August.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156614,"EventID":"S1W-20001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the economic impact of decreasing snow fall and increasing rainfall on the Cairngorms and other areas which are substantially dependent on wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the economic impact of decreasing snow fall and increasing rainfall on the Cairngorms and other areas which are substantially dependent on winter sports, as predicted in the recent research conducted by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. ","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise continue to incorporate relevant independent research into their overall economic development strategy, where appropriate. This includes studies such as those by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156615,"EventID":"S1W-20002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to design and implement a coastal 'one management plan to address rising sea levels and demographic changes around the Scottish coasts, as predicted in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to design and implement a coastal 'one management plan to address rising sea levels and demographic changes around the Scottish coasts, as predicted in the recent research conducted by the Tyndall Centre for Research.","AnswerText":"National Policy Planning Guidelines are in place on planning and flooding and coastal planning. A number of planning authorities have already considered the need to develop shoreline management plans which take account of the effects of rising sea levels on existing and future developments.

    The Scottish Coastal Forum is currently developing a strategy for the integrated management of Scotland's coast which will address the issue of rising sea levels.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156616,"EventID":"S1W-20003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and timescale is of the investigation into the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and timescale is of the investigation into the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4093 on 15 November 2001.

    I have asked the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board to complete the review by end of the current calendar year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156617,"EventID":"S1W-20004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the urgent measures are which have been put in place to deal with issues at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the urgent measures are which have been put in place to deal with issues at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","AnswerText":"A raft of measures are being set in place including:

    new management arrangements including a dedicated joint Management Board;

    a high level external clinical support team;

    an organisational development programme, and

    full-time senior management support for doctors and other professionals to help better develop west of Scotland cancer services based on managed clinical networks regionally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156618,"EventID":"S1W-20005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking as a result of the report by the Greater Glasgow NHS Board into the situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking as a result of the report by the Greater Glasgow NHS Board into the situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20004.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156619,"EventID":"S1W-20006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the new Joint Management Board at the Beatson Oncology Unit will operate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the new Joint Management Board at the Beatson Oncology Unit will operate.","AnswerText":"The joint management board will be multi-disciplinary in nature with members drawn from across the Beatson Oncology Centre, senior management representatives from the North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust and NHS Greater Glasgow. It will report to the Chief Executive of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156620,"EventID":"S1W-20007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #250,000 allocated by the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust in April to ease pressure on staff at the Beatson Oncology Unit in Glasgow has been spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #250,000 allocated by the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust in April to ease pressure on staff at the Beatson Oncology Unit in Glasgow has been spent.","AnswerText":"I have been advised by the trust that this funding was invested to secure:

    five administrative staff to improve secretarial support;

    five additional nursing staff, one to improve bed management and the remainder to enhance chemotherapy services, and

    junior doctor banding to facilitate the provision of additional specialist registrar support at the Beatson Oncology Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156621,"EventID":"S1W-20008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing posts are vacant at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing posts are vacant at the Beatson Oncology Unit.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156622,"EventID":"S1W-20009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently on the waiting list for the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently on the waiting list for the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital in-patients and day cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156623,"EventID":"S1W-20010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a consultation at the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a consultation at the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Information on waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant, following referral, is collected at speciality level only.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156624,"EventID":"S1W-20011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants are based within the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants are based within the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust as local service providers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156625,"EventID":"S1W-20012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours per week consultants at the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow work and what average time is taken to carry out consultations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours per week consultants at the Immunology Clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow work and what average time is taken to carry out consultations.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20011.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156626,"EventID":"S1W-20013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds are available at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow for patients referred by the Immunology Clinic.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds are available at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow for patients referred by the Immunology Clinic.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20011.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156627,"EventID":"S1W-20014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young (a) men and (b) women are currently undergoing industrial apprenticeships in (i) Renfrewshire and (ii) Scotland and what the comparable figures were for 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young (a) men and (b) women are currently undergoing industrial apprenticeships in (i) Renfrewshire and (ii) Scotland and what the comparable figures were for 1996. ","AnswerText":"There are currently 940 men and 242 women undergoing Modern Apprenticeships which are supported by Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire, and 14,911 men and 3,941 women doing so across Scotland. Figures are not available for 1996.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156628,"EventID":"S1W-20015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in the constituency of West Renfrewshire will benefit from the Central Heating Programme and when improvements under the programme will be undertaken ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in the constituency of West Renfrewshire will benefit from the Central Heating Programme and when improvements under the programme will be undertaken in those households. ","AnswerText":"This information is not available on a constituency basis. Six hundred and thirty seven houses owned by Renfrewshire Council are eligible for the Central Heating Programme. The council have been given resources to install central heating and insulation in 140 of them this year. The other houses will all be improved by March 2004. Over 450 private sector householders in the Renfrewshire postcode area have applied to Eaga for a grant and those who are eligible should receive central heating this financial year. Other private households will be dealt with as they apply and Eaga will be publicising the programme to encourage them to do so.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156629,"EventID":"S1W-20016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Structural Fund grants have been made available to current projects in Renfrewshire and what the estimated (a) average and (b) total value is in (i) euros a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what European Structural Fund grants have been made available to current projects in Renfrewshire and what the estimated (a) average and (b) total value is in (i) euros and (ii) pounds sterling of each such grant.","AnswerText":"114 European Structural Funds grants have been made to current projects in Renfrewshire amounting to a total of £21,703,857, an average of £190,385 per project. This equates to approximately €34,726,171 at an average of €304,616 per project. As all grants are paid in sterling we have assumed an average rate of €1.6 to £1. A detailed list of current projects is shown in the following table.

    Project

    £ Grant Awarded

    Objective 2 Western Scotland 1997-99 ERDF

    		 

    First Business Programme

    628,000

    Renfrewshire Business Incubation Centre - Capital

    1,438,012

    Renfrewshire - Business Incubation Centre

    238,500

    International Development of SMEs

    729,638

    Phoenix Business Park, Paisley

    1,047,044

    Inchinnan Business Park - Decontamination/Site

    337,050

    West of Scotland Trade & Export Partnership

    1,280,695

    Gilmour St. Station, Paisley - Regeneration Ph.1

    987,000

    Paisley Town Centre Regeneration

    2,137,500

    Paisley Sheriff Court Streetscape

    204,500

    Paisley Visitor Information Project

    134,735

    Paisley Learning Centre - Ph. 2 Revenue

    205,953

    Barrhead Internet Café - Capital

    30,000

    Barrhead Internet Café - Revenue

    173,086The task force is currently preparing its draft report which will reflect these issues and its remit \"to consider the immediate and longer term strategic issues facing the Clyde shipbuilding industry, particularly naval, and to identify the changes necessary to ensure a competitive industry to exploit future opportunities.\" The draft report and recommendations will be considered at the next meeting of the task force on 7 December.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156632,"EventID":"S1W-20019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19048 by Susan Deacon on 9 November 2001, how many restricted patients who absconded in each year from 1998 to 2000 (a) did not ret","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19048 by Susan Deacon on 9 November 2001, how many restricted patients who absconded in each year from 1998 to 2000 (a) did not return to hospital within 24 hours and (b) did not return to hospital at all within the period of their restriction order. ","AnswerText":"The figures are as follows:

    1998

    (a)

    3

    (b)

    None

    1999

    (a)

    3

    (b)

    None

    2000

    (a)

    4

    (b)

    None

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156633,"EventID":"S1W-20020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government, or has received, in support of amending existing seat belt legislation in relation to school transport. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government, or has received, in support of amending existing seat belt legislation in relation to school transport. ","AnswerText":"The issue of seat belt legislation is a reserved matter.

    The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including legislation on seat belts.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156634,"EventID":"S1W-20021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is considering to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school by contract buses and coaches. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is considering to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school by contract buses and coaches. ","AnswerText":"Such vehicles are subject to the safety and other requirements set out in road vehicle legislation. It is open to authorities to specify further requirements in school transport contracts if that seems appropriate to them according to particular local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156635,"EventID":"S1W-20022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4094 by Sarah Boyack on 15 November 2001, what specific powers Scottish ministers have in relation to the rail industry in Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4094 by Sarah Boyack on 15 November 2001, what specific powers Scottish ministers have in relation to the rail industry in Scotland; whether it has received any representations regarding these powers from any government agency or external organisation and, if so, who the representations were from, on what date the representations were received and why the representations were made. ","AnswerText":"For the specific powers that Scottish ministers have in relation to the rail industry in Scotland, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19849 on 12 December 2001.

    As to the second part of this question, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4094 on 15 November 2001. I receive representations from a wide range of interests about this and other issues relating to the rail industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156636,"EventID":"S1W-20023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had consultations with Her Majesty's Government on the Railway Modernisation Fund and whether it was informed in these consultations whether this fund was e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had consultations with Her Majesty's Government on the Railway Modernisation Fund and whether it was informed in these consultations whether this fund was either in the process of being wound down or had ceased to operate. ","AnswerText":"I understand from the Executive's discussions with the UK Government that future arrangements for investing and promoting private investment in the railway will be set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan which is to be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156637,"EventID":"S1W-20024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from any organisation or individual regarding the winding down or cessation of the Railway Modernisation Fund and, if so, on what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from any organisation or individual regarding the winding down or cessation of the Railway Modernisation Fund and, if so, on what date and from whom. ","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any such representations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156638,"EventID":"S1W-20025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the number of hospital dental consultants employed in (a) restorative dentistry, (b) oral and maxillofacial surgery and (c) orthodontics in t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the number of hospital dental consultants employed in (a) restorative dentistry, (b) oral and maxillofacial surgery and (c) orthodontics in the Grampian Health Board area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department does not make national recommendations on staffing levels as they would cut across local responsibilities and would undermine boards' and trusts' ability to provide a modern, flexible service matched to local needs. It is for NHS boards and trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective delivery of service outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156639,"EventID":"S1W-20026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will allocate to Grampian Health Board to ensure that the full complement of hospital dental consultants is recruited. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will allocate to Grampian Health Board to ensure that the full complement of hospital dental consultants is recruited. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is investing record resources in NHSScotland and in Grampian. It is for NHS Grampian to determine how best to deploy these resources in accordance with their assessment of local needs and priorities and in the best interests of patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156640,"EventID":"S1W-20027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to health boards covering remote and rural areas to ensure that people in these areas have access to general dental practitioners whic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to health boards covering remote and rural areas to ensure that people in these areas have access to general dental practitioners which is adequate and to the same standard as in the rest of the UK. ","AnswerText":"Treatment by general dental practitioners is funded from the NHS general dental services budget which is demand-led. The Executive is in discussion with the dental profession on improved support for dentists in rural areas. These will inform the way forward in respect of these dentists.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156641,"EventID":"S1W-20028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the NHS treatments available from general dental practitioners. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the NHS treatments available from general dental practitioners. ","AnswerText":"Discussions are under way with the dental profession on extending the range of treatments which may be given by general dental practitioners under NHS general dental services to non-registered patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156642,"EventID":"S1W-20029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that there is a sufficient number of dental graduates and whether any such plans include the provision of a new dental school.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that there is a sufficient number of dental graduates and whether any such plans include the provision of a new dental school.","AnswerText":"The number of dentists working in Scotland has increased constantly over the last 30 years and by 300 in the last eight years, and we are committed to increasing numbers further. The Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce (SACDW) advise on the most effective way to achieve this. Increasing the student intake is only one of the various options that the committee considers. There are currently no plans for a new dental school in Scotland.

    The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education is currently working with ISD Scotland to map the characteristics and supply dynamics of the dental workforce, based on our current annual target output of 120 dental graduates per year. Once this information is available, SACDW will consider the findings and will recommend on the most appropriate method to increase the number of dentists working in primary care in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156643,"EventID":"S1W-20030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult with the organisations representing the dental profession on whether there is a need to establish two-year post graduate training availability in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult with the organisations representing the dental profession on whether there is a need to establish two-year post graduate training availability in all health board areas to encourage graduates to work in all areas of Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Two-year postgraduate training in dentistry, known as General Professional Training (GPT), has been the subject of discussions with the profession on several occasions in the past. It is also regularly discussed with representatives of the dental profession at meetings of the national Dental Committee of the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) and also of the regional Dental Committees of that organisation.

    Postgraduate medical and dental education in Scotland is organised on a regional basis along the lines of the postgraduate medical deaneries. Each region covers several NHS Board areas. All regions in Scotland except one have formal GPT schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156644,"EventID":"S1W-20031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reverse its policy of not recruiting dentists from overseas in order to address any shortage of dentists. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reverse its policy of not recruiting dentists from overseas in order to address any shortage of dentists. ","AnswerText":"There is no policy which restricts NHS Boards from recruiting dentists from overseas into Scotland. We are committed to increasing in the number of dentists working in primary care in Scotland. The Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce are currently examining the most effective way to achieve this, and recruiting dentists from overseas is only one of several options.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156645,"EventID":"S1W-20032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial assistance to the local health board or other appropriate organisation within the Grampian region to help attract dentists to the regio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial assistance to the local health board or other appropriate organisation within the Grampian region to help attract dentists to the region. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is investing record resources in NHSScotland and in Grampian. It is for NHS Grampian to determine how best to deploy these resources in accordance with their assessment of local needs and priorities and in the best interests of patients. I understand that NHS Grampian are investigating advertising overseas to attract dentists to the area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156646,"EventID":"S1W-20033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of places at dental schools in order to address any current shortage. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of places at dental schools in order to address any current shortage. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20029.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156647,"EventID":"S1W-20034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places there are at each dental school in the current year, and were in each of the last three years, and what the ratio was of applications to places available","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places there are at each dental school in the current year, and were in each of the last three years, and what the ratio was of applications to places available in each year. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table. The number of applications dropped in 2001 because the closing date for entry was brought forward from 15 December to 15 October. The Dental Schools continue to receive more than sufficient applications to ensure that they can select students of high quality.

    Year

    Dundee Dental School

    Glasgow Dental School

    Applications

    Admissions

    Ratio

    Applications

    Admissions

    Ratio

    2001

    319

    59

    5.4:1

    258

    74

    3.5:1

    2000

    391

    59

    6.6:1

    309

    71

    4.4:1

    1999

    420

    53

    7.9:1

    389

    67

    5.8:1

    1998

    403

    53

    7.6:1

    393

    65

    6.0:1

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156648,"EventID":"S1W-20035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is required to establish a postgraduate training facility for dentistry in the Grampian region. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is required to establish a postgraduate training facility for dentistry in the Grampian region. ","AnswerText":"A postgraduate dental facility has existed for many years at the Foresterhill complex in Aberdeen and will be upgraded and expanded over the next few months. Local general dental practitioners are very interested in and participate regularly in postgraduate activity at the centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156649,"EventID":"S1W-20036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance has been given in the last 10 years towards the establishment of a postgraduate training facility for dentistry or towards any other initiative aimed at ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance has been given in the last 10 years towards the establishment of a postgraduate training facility for dentistry or towards any other initiative aimed at increasing the level of training opportunities for dental graduates, broken down by health board area. ","AnswerText":"Postgraduate medical and dental education has been managed by the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) on behalf of the Scottish Office/ Scottish Executive since 1993 and is managed on a regional, rather than on an NHS Board basis. Details of allocations to postgraduate dental education by region are only available from 1995-96 and are detailed in the following table.

    2001-02

    £000

    2000-01

    £000

    1999-20001

    £000

    1998-99

    £000

    1997-98

    £000

    1996-97

    £000

    1995-96

    £000

    West Region

    3,306

    3,090

    2,944

    1,698

    1,569

    1,469

    1,356

    South East Region

    2,124

    2,150

    2,062

    927

    792

    763

    729

    East Region

    1,409

    1,074

    977

    624

    584

    565

    466

    North/North east Region

    684

    691

    608

    		Vocational Training (VT) provides a year of supervised experience in general dental practice. Recruitment to VT schemes in Grampian is good and interest is growing. Following the VT year, postgraduate advisers assist the trainees to find appropriate placements in the CDS or HDS if they wish it, therefore creating ad hoc GPT arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156651,"EventID":"S1W-20038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants there are in (a) restorative dentistry, (b) oral and maxillofacial surgery and (c) orthodontics in each health board area in the current financial y","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants there are in (a) restorative dentistry, (b) oral and maxillofacial surgery and (c) orthodontics in each health board area in the current financial year, and were in each of the last three years, expressed in (i) numerical terms and (ii) as a ratio of consultants to head of population in the health board area.","AnswerText":"Provisional Information on staff numbers at 30 September 2001 is not yet available. The information requested for the years 1998 to 2000, apart from maxillofacial surgeons who are not separately identified, is shown in Tables 1 and 2. Maxillofacial surgeons will be identified separately in data collected from September 2001 onwards. The tables should be read in conjunction with the following notes.

    Consultants in these dental specialties can and do offer services to patients from health board areas other than the one at which they are based. It should therefore be noted that the ratio of consultants to head of population does not necessarily reflect the level of consultant service available in any area. Treatments provided by consultants in a particular board may be provided by other grades of staff in other boards, which further distorts comparisons between boards based on these statistics.

    Table 1 - Consultants in Selected Dental Specialties by Health Board

    Headcount at 30 September

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Restorative Dentistry

    Oral Surgery

    Orthodontics

    Restorative Dentistry

    Oral Surgery

    Orthodontics

    Restorative Dentistry

    Oral Surgery

    Orthodontics

    Scotland

    21

    25

    24

    22

    27

    27

    21

    25

    26

    Argyll & Clyde

    -

    -

    2

    - According to the annual reports of Family Mediation Scotland, the number of referrals in each of the last three years were:

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Court of Session

    16

    Nil

    Nil

    Sheriff Court

    125

    112

    78

    Referrals are also made by the courts to Comprehensive Accredited Lawyer Mediators (CALM) but no figures are currently available.

    References to mediators are also made by solicitors, other advice agencies and parties themselves. Again no figures are available for CALM, but Family Mediation Scotland received the following referrals from these sources.

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Solicitors

    386

    304

    312

    Other agencies

    197

    287

    248

    Parties

    2,912

    2,402

    1,589

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156658,"EventID":"S1W-20045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the public purse of resolving custody/access cases in each of the last three years including (a) payments made by the legal aid board, (b) the admini","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the public purse of resolving custody/access cases in each of the last three years including (a) payments made by the legal aid board, (b) the administrative costs incurred by the board in processing these payments and (c) the costs borne by the courts' administration in hearing the cases.","AnswerText":"Detailed information on the payments in such cases by, and the associated administrative costs of, the Scottish Legal Aid Board are matters for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. This information, and that on the costs borne by the courts, is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156659,"EventID":"S1W-20046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been granted to the Befriending Network (Scotland) since May 1999. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been granted to the Befriending Network (Scotland) since May 1999. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not fund this organisation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156660,"EventID":"S1W-20047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits are of the befriending and mentoring services offered by the member organisations of Befriending Network (Scotland) and whether it has any plans to ens","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits are of the befriending and mentoring services offered by the member organisations of Befriending Network (Scotland) and whether it has any plans to ensure the continuation of this umbrella organisation. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans specifically in relation to the Befriending Network (Scotland). However, national voluntary organisations are free to seek financial support from the Scottish Executive's direct grant schemes. Details of how voluntary organisations can apply for funding can be found in the leaflet A Guide for the Voluntary Sector to Scottish Executive Grants, which is available from the Scottish Executive and the Parliament's Reference Centre. General advice on funding for the voluntary sector is available from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156661,"EventID":"S1W-20048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out into the benefits of befriending and mentoring and whether it has a strategy to ensure the future of befriending and mentoring in the vo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out into the benefits of befriending and mentoring and whether it has a strategy to ensure the future of befriending and mentoring in the voluntary sector. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not carried out research into the benefits of befriending and mentoring and does not have a specific strategy to ensure the future of befriending and mentoring in the voluntary sector. However, the Executive recognises that befriending and mentoring are key components of the volunteering opportunities that are available in Scotland. The Executive's Active Communities Initiative seeks to support and promote volunteering and community involvement generally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156662,"EventID":"S1W-20051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Article 3 of the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revision) will have any implications for independent historical and archae","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Article 3 of the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revision) will have any implications for independent historical and archaeological associations in Scotland and what steps it will take to ensure that such associations do not suffer any adverse consequences as a result of Article 3.","AnswerText":"Article 3 of the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revision) recently signed by the UK Government seeks to ensure that archaeological excavations and prospecting are undertaken in a scientific manner by qualified, specially authorised persons. The most recent summary of the Government's view was that expressed in reply to a House of Commons Parliamentary Question on 13 July by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:

    \"In broad terms, current measures in place in the UK already meet the Convention's requirements. The Government does not believe that additional legislation, requiring a licensing system, is necessary to fulfil Article 3. Much archaeological work is already controlled through existing mechanisms. There may be scope for developing a voluntary Code of Conduct for those who wish to undertake archaeological work outside the existing systems of control.\"

    I believe that there will continue to be an important role for voluntary historical and archaeological associations in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156663,"EventID":"S1W-20052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness, has been obtained by the relevant local authority, or any other public body or agency, and if so ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness, has been obtained by the relevant local authority, or any other public body or agency, and if so whether a copy of the valuation will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"Any arrangements concerning the valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness would be for The Highland Council as the education authority responsible for the management of the school. Such arrangements do not involve the Scottish Executive or any public body or agency for which the Scottish Executive may have responsibility.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156664,"EventID":"S1W-20053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the recommendation in page 31, paragraph 33 of The Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group regarding a review of legislation to allow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the recommendation in page 31, paragraph 33 of The Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group regarding a review of legislation to allow local authorities to use information and communication technologies to streamline the conduct of council business. ","AnswerText":"This and the other Kerley recommendations are currently being considered by the Ministerial Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156665,"EventID":"S1W-20054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to lower the current age limit of 21 years for those standing for election to local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to lower the current age limit of 21 years for those standing for election to local authorities.","AnswerText":"Lowering the age limit for standing for local authority elections is included among the Kerley recommendations, which are currently being considered by the Ministerial Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156666,"EventID":"S1W-20055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why the answer did not specify what representations had been made to the European Union.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why the answer did not specify what representations had been made to the European Union. ","AnswerText":"Although relations with the European Union are a reserved matter, the Scottish Executive is in regular and frequent contact with its institutions about matters concerning the implementation of devolved responsibilities. Contact on the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) is particularly frequent in view of on-going discussions on its proposed revision. It would not be possible to detail all these contacts.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156667,"EventID":"S1W-20056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19408 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why there are no plans to publish the results of the research undertaken during the 2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19408 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why there are no plans to publish the results of the research undertaken during the 2000 bathing season by the Scottish Environmental Agency in respect of the proposed revision of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC). ","AnswerText":"As the answer to question S1W-19408 on 9 November 2001, stated, the research described was undertaken for the European Commission. It is for that body to decide on publication. A copy of the report has, however, been obtained from the Commission and is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17704).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156668,"EventID":"S1W-20057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, when it last made contact with the European Union in respect of the Bathing Waters Direc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, when it last made contact with the European Union in respect of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC).","AnswerText":"As I said in reply to question S1W-20055, contact with the institutions of the European Union on the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) is particularly frequent. These contacts are by letter, telephone, fax and e-mail as well as in face-to-face meetings. The last meeting of a Scottish Executive official with officials of the European Commission on the directive was on 12 November. On this occasion the Scottish Executive official was attending a workshop hosted by the European Commission's Directorate General for the Environment, to consider the economic cost-benefit appraisal of possible measures in the proposed revision of the directive. The workshop brought together a number of consultants and technical experts from the UK and from France and the Netherlands.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156669,"EventID":"S1W-20058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, to whom, and by which departments or non-departmental public bodies, its most recent rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, to whom, and by which departments or non-departmental public bodies, its most recent representations were made to the European Union in respect of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC). ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20057 on 20 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156670,"EventID":"S1W-20059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, regarding what issues its most recent representations were made to the European Union in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, regarding what issues its most recent representations were made to the European Union in respect of the Bathing waters Directive (76/160/EEC). ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20057 on 20 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156671,"EventID":"S1W-20060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the North of Scotland Water Authority has complied with Annex B, Flood Risk Assessment: A Generic Format and Standard, in particular paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 10, o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the North of Scotland Water Authority has complied with Annex B, Flood Risk Assessment: A Generic Format and Standard, in particular paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 10, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's document Planning Authority Protocol Development at Risk of Flooding: Advice and Consultation in respect of its flood risk assessment of possible locations for wastewater treatment works at Aviemore.","AnswerText":"In the first instance, this is a matter for the North of Scotland Water Authority (NoSWA) to resolve with the planning authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as part of the planning process. I understand that you have written to NoSWA's Chief Executive requesting this information and she will respond to you directly in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156672,"EventID":"S1W-20061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4905 by Lewis Macdonald on 15 November 2001, whether it has received any representations from organisations in, or residents of, St","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4905 by Lewis Macdonald on 15 November 2001, whether it has received any representations from organisations in, or residents of, Stirling, Clackmannanshire or Perth and Kinross regarding its consultation document Review of Strategic Planning.","AnswerText":"Yes. We have received four representations from the Stirling area; two from Clackmannanshire, and five from Perth and Kinross on the proposals in the Review of Strategic Planning consultation paper.

    All responses are available for viewing in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156673,"EventID":"S1W-20062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether prison visitors to establishments run by the Scottish Prison Service are subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether prison visitors to establishments run by the Scottish Prison Service are subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    To improve security and speed up entry at Barlinnie and Edinburgh a Visitor Identity System is in place which involves taking an electronically scanned image of a visitor's right index finger and a digital image of their face.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156674,"EventID":"S1W-20063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether prison visitors to prisons run by private companies are subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether prison visitors to prisons run by private companies are subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the operators, Premier Prison Services.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156675,"EventID":"S1W-20064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scots law allows or prohibits the practice of fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken of visitors to penal establishments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scots law allows or prohibits the practice of fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken of visitors to penal establishments.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS have a legal duty to keep in custody prisoners who have been committed to prison by the courts. The Visitor Identity Systems described in the answer to question S1W-20062, have been introduced in implement of that legal duty, as a security measure to prevent prisoners from leaving the prison disguised as visitors and to help enforce the power contained in the 1994 Prison Rules, by ensuring that persons who have been prohibited from visiting are prevented from entering the prison.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156676,"EventID":"S1W-20065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the practice of fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken of visitors to penal establishments complies with the provisions of the European Conventio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the practice of fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken of visitors to penal establishments complies with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS considers that the Visitor Identity Systems described in answer to question S1W-20062 do not breach the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156677,"EventID":"S1W-20066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether employees of local authorities who carry out duties within Dungavel Detention Centre have been subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether employees of local authorities who carry out duties within Dungavel Detention Centre have been subject to fingerprinting and/or photographic records being taken.","AnswerText":"Immigration matters are reserved and are the responsibility of the Home Office Immigration Service; this includes the running of Dungavel Detention Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156678,"EventID":"S1W-20067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19584 by Jackie Baillie on 14 November 2001, what the 60 languages are and how many speakers of each language use it as their first","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19584 by Jackie Baillie on 14 November 2001, what the 60 languages are and how many speakers of each language use it as their first language. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The report referred to in the previous answer is available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17796).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156679,"EventID":"S1W-20068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19584 by Jackie Baillie on 14 November 2001, for which languages there are qualified interpreters and how many interpreters are ava","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19584 by Jackie Baillie on 14 November 2001, for which languages there are qualified interpreters and how many interpreters are available for each language.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.

    The Executive commissioned a literature review of research, policy and practice relating to translating, interpreting and communication support services across the public sector in Scotland earlier this year. The final report will be published shortly but will not provide detailed information about the availability of qualified interpreters by language.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156680,"EventID":"S1W-20069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many public sector jobs have been transferred to the private sector as a result of a private finance initiative or public private partnership contract in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many public sector jobs have been transferred to the private sector as a result of a private finance initiative or public private partnership contract in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the bodies concerned. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156681,"EventID":"S1W-20070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priority is given to cycling within its education policies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what priority is given to cycling within its education policies.","AnswerText":"Cycling has its place within the health education curriculum and may be discussed in other areas such as environmental studies. However, as with the rest of the curriculum, priority given to individual aspects is for each education authority to determine.

    Many primary schools do undertake cycle training. A study earlier this year - A review of the Take-up of Cycle Training in Scottish Schools - indicated that of the 85% of schools who are offered training, two out of three accepted. In total circa 31% of children complete a cycle training course during the year.

    The Executive also supports the Safer Routes to Schools initiative. The aim of this initiative is to encourage more children to walk, cycle or take public transport to and from school.

    Finally, the Scottish School Travel Advisory Group is currently developing a strategy to reduce the reliance on car travel for the school run and thus increase the use of other modes including walking, cycling and public transport. Their report is due in the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156682,"EventID":"S1W-20071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision of cycling activities and qualified cycle personnel currently exists in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision of cycling activities and qualified cycle personnel currently exists in schools.","AnswerText":"In September the Scottish Executive published A Review of the Take-up of Cycle Training in Scotland. This publication provides information on training activities in each local authority area. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156683,"EventID":"S1W-20072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make on-road cycle training available to all school children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make on-road cycle training available to all school children.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cycle Training Scheme, overseen by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, recommends that on-road training should be provided where possible. The safety of children being trained is paramount. Police and local authority Road Safety Units are responsible for carrying out risk assessment on any roads to be used for on-road training and for decisions on whether it is appropriate to conduct on-road training in any particular case. The scheme will continue to be promoted in schools throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156684,"EventID":"S1W-20073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects have been set up using European Structural Funds grants in Renfrewshire in each of the past four years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects have been set up using European Structural Funds grants in Renfrewshire in each of the past four years.","AnswerText":"The total number of projects based in Renfrewshire awarded European Structural Funds grants over the past four years is 180. Projects have been approved under the Western Scotland Objective 2 Programme (European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund), the Urban Community Initiative (ERDF and ESF), Objective 3 and Objective 4 (ESF). The breakdown per year is as follows:

    1997

    36

    1998

    53

    1999

    51

    2000

    40

    2001

    38 (to date)

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156685,"EventID":"S1W-20074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance has been made available to (a) Inverclyde Council and (b) Renfrewshire Council in respect of flooding and related problems in each of the last ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance has been made available to (a) Inverclyde Council and (b) Renfrewshire Council in respect of flooding and related problems in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"All of the flood prevention schemes (FPS) taken forward by Inverclyde Council and Renfrewshire Council under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, have been supported by the Executive and all received financial assistance.

    Flood prevention grant, at the rate of 50% of scheme costs, has been offered to

    (a) Inverclyde Council for:

    Earnhill Road, Gourock FPS

    Year 2001-02

    Grant £116,000

    (b) Renfrewshire Council for:

    Moredun FPS, Paisley

    Year 2000-01

    Grant £600,000

    Collier Street, FPS, Johnston

    Year 2001-02

    Grant £543,000

    I understand Renfrewshire Council will be submitting a grant application for the River Gryffe, Crosslee, Houston Flood Prevention Scheme during the course of this financial year.

    In addition, local authorities' annual expenditure settlements include an element for flood prevention activities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156686,"EventID":"S1W-20075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been (a) received and (b) approved for (i) Objective 2 and (ii) Objective 3 funding and how many payments have been made in respect of success","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been (a) received and (b) approved for (i) Objective 2 and (ii) Objective 3 funding and how many payments have been made in respect of successful applications in each month since January 2000. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    Western Scotland

    Objective 2 Programme

    Projects received 185

    Projects Approved 128

    East of Scotland Objective 2 Programme

    Projects received 240

    Projects approved 199

    South of Scotland Objective 2 Programme

    Projects received 91

    Projects approved 59

    Objective 3 Programme

    Projects received 1,492

    Projects approved 941

    Payments made to successful applicants

    2001

    Objective 2

    Objective 3

    March

    2

    66

    April

    0

    56

    May

    0

    47

    June

    3

    152

    July

    0

    102

    August

    7

    72

    September

    15<","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156687,"EventID":"S1W-20076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14638 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 April 2001, when it will publish the results of its check on the implementation of the recommendati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14638 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 April 2001, when it will publish the results of its check on the implementation of the recommendations made in Sensing Progress.","AnswerText":"The Social Work Services Inspectorate will monitor local authorities progress in implementing the recommendations of Sensing Progress and the Chief Inspector of Social Work will record this in his 2002 annual report, a publication date for which has not yet been fixed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156688,"EventID":"S1W-20077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Enterprise Companies will be covered by the new ethical standards regime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how Local Enterprise Companies will be covered by the new ethical standards regime.","AnswerText":"As a result of the review of the Enterprise Network last year, it was announced that Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) would change to wholly owned bodies of Scottish Enterprise (SEn) and Highland and Island Enterprise (HIE) whilst retaining company status.

    SEn and HIE will apply the statutory Code of Conduct to the LECs through their operating contracts and impose uniform standards throughout the network. They could also seek advice from the Standards Commission's Chief Investigating Officer in the event of a complaint about a LEC member even though the commission would not be able to impose any sanctions, and we will encourage them to do so. SEn and HIE will have the authority to appoint or dismiss LEC members.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156689,"EventID":"S1W-20078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the agreed spending by each local authority on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the agreed spending by each local authority on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next 25 years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20080 on 12 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156690,"EventID":"S1W-20079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the total agreed spending on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next 25 years, broken d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the total agreed spending on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next 25 years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information is not currently held centrally on the basis of local authority area. However, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20080 on 12 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156691,"EventID":"S1W-20080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of its agreed spending on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next 25 years, broken down by","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of its agreed spending on public private partnership and private finance initiative projects in each of the next 25 years, broken down by department.","AnswerText":"The most recent figures on estimated revenue payments under Private Finance Initiative projects in cash terms for signed deals for the next 25 years are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18064). The information is shown by sector. Information on other forms of partnership is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156692,"EventID":"S1W-20081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of disposed car tyres are disposed of in landfill sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of disposed car tyres are disposed of in landfill sites.","AnswerText":"Information on the website of the Used Tyre Working Group (available at www.tyredisposal.co.uk) indicates that in the UK, in 1999, about 28% of used tyres were disposed of in landfill sites.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156693,"EventID":"S1W-20082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a responsibility on tyre producers for the disposal of tyres in an environmentally acceptable way.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a responsibility on tyre producers for the disposal of tyres in an environmentally acceptable way.","AnswerText":"Under forthcoming regulations a ban on disposal of tyres to landfill will be phased in from July 2003. The Scottish Executive is also developing legislation dealing with End of Life Vehicles (ELV). This will apply to cars and light commercial vehicles and will require producers to recover 85% by average weight of an ELV by 2006. It is likely that vehicle manufacturers will look to tyres to help them meet this requirement. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be responsible for ensuring that recovery is carried out to high standards of environmental acceptability.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156694,"EventID":"S1W-20083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it aims to introduce a total ban on the disposal of tyres in landfill sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it aims to introduce a total ban on the disposal of tyres in landfill sites.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive intends to phase in a ban on the disposal of tyres to landfill from July 2003. A consultation on proposed regulations to implement these and other controls on landfills will be issued shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156695,"EventID":"S1W-20084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what goals it has for the recycling of vehicles which have reached the end of their useful life.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what goals it has for the recycling of vehicles which have reached the end of their useful life.","AnswerText":"The Executive aims to make regulations later this year to introduce the following:

    for all vehicles, a re-use and recovery target of 85% and a re-use and recycling target of 80%, both expressed as average weight per vehicle and year;

    for vehicles produced before 1 January 1980, a re-use and recovery target of 75% and a re-use and recycling target of 70%, both expressed as average weight per vehicle and year, and

    by 1 January 2015, for all vehicles, a re-use and recovery target of 95% and a re-use and recycling target of 85%, again expressed as average weight per vehicle and year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156696,"EventID":"S1W-20085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of vehicles which have reached the end of their useful life are subsequently recycled.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of vehicles which have reached the end of their useful life are subsequently recycled.","AnswerText":"In 1999 an average of 77% of the total weight of end-of-life vehicles in the UK was re-used, recycled or recovered, with the remaining 23% being landfilled.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156697,"EventID":"S1W-20086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of waste paper is currently recycled.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of waste paper is currently recycled.","AnswerText":"Waste paper is produced in many different forms by a wide range of public and private sector organisations as well as householders. Information on the percentage of total waste paper currently recycled is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156698,"EventID":"S1W-20087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a responsibility on producers of packaging for disposing of packaging in an environmentally acceptable way","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a responsibility on producers of packaging for disposing of packaging in an environmentally acceptable way","AnswerText":"Producer responsibility for packaging is already in place. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 require most manufacturers and users of packaging materials and products to ensure the recovery of 56% and recycling of 18% of the packaging materials which they handle. It is proposed to increase these targets to 61% and 20%, respectively, from 2002. There are no plans to extend producer responsibility to the disposal of the balance of packaging waste not recovered, although all holders of waste have a duty of care to ensure it is disposed of properly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156699,"EventID":"S1W-20088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of packaging is currently recycled.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of packaging is currently recycled.","AnswerText":"The latest year for which firm data are available is 2000. During that year the UK recovered 41.9% of packaging materials and this included 36.4% recovered by recycling.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156700,"EventID":"S1W-20089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any percentage drop in tourist visitor numbers and, if so, what the drop was in (a) Scotland and (b) each tourist board area between (i) 1999-2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any percentage drop in tourist visitor numbers and, if so, what the drop was in (a) Scotland and (b) each tourist board area between (i) 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and (ii) the equivalent period in 2000-01 and 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested in respect of Scotland will be available shortly. The information requested with regard to Area Tourist Boards areas is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156701,"EventID":"S1W-20090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any drop in tourist income and, if so, what the drop was, expressed as a figure and as a percentage, in (a) Scotland and (b) each tourist board ar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any drop in tourist income and, if so, what the drop was, expressed as a figure and as a percentage, in (a) Scotland and (b) each tourist board area between (i) 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and (ii) the equivalent period in 2000-01 and 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested in respect of Scotland will be available shortly. The information requested with regard to Area Tourist Board areas is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156702,"EventID":"S1W-20091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available for tourism promotion (a) in Scotland and (b) to each area tourist board in (i)1999-2000 (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available for tourism promotion (a) in Scotland and (b) to each area tourist board in (i)1999-2000 (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland is the national organisation with the remit to promote Scotland as a tourist destination. Its marketing budget for the last three years is as follows:

    1999-2000

    £8 million

    2000-01

    £9.5 million

    2001-02

    £18 million

    Information on Area Tourist Boards marketing budgets is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156703,"EventID":"S1W-20092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for an independent inquiry into the recent failed prosecution of Andrew Aspinall. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for an independent inquiry into the recent failed prosecution of Andrew Aspinall. ","AnswerText":"There are no plans to hold an independent inquiry into the prosecution of Mr Aspinall. I am awaiting a report from the Procurator Fiscal at Linlithgow into the circumstances of this case, and will consider whether any further action requires to be taken. This may include referring the matter to the High Court of Justiciary in terms of section 123 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156704,"EventID":"S1W-20093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the investigation, prosecution and trial of Andrew Aspinall. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the investigation, prosecution and trial of Andrew Aspinall. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156705,"EventID":"S1W-20094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time for an appointment with an audiologist has been in (a) 1999-2000 (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date, broken down by health board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time for an appointment with an audiologist has been in (a) 1999-2000 (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date, broken down by health board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156706,"EventID":"S1W-20095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what current and future target waiting times it has set for an appointment with an audiologist. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what current and future target waiting times it has set for an appointment with an audiologist. ","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change sets out the Executive's commitment to ensuring that the patient's journey through the NHS is as swift and responsive as possible, and includes a number of waiting times targets in the priority areas of cancer and coronary heart disease.

    Although I have no present plans to set national waiting times targets for audiology, reducing waiting is a key priority for NHS Boards and they are currently developing local waiting time standards to reflect local clinical priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156707,"EventID":"S1W-20096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory duties local authorities have for the gritting of roads and pedestrian routes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory duties local authorities have for the gritting of roads and pedestrian routes. ","AnswerText":"As local roads authorities, councils have a general duty under section 1 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to maintain local roads in their area. Section 34 of the 1984 Act also places a duty on councils to \"take such steps as they consider reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads\".","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156708,"EventID":"S1W-20097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10083 by Susan Deacon on 24 October 2000, whether the standard set by the Clinical Standards Board of one breast care nurse per 150","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10083 by Susan Deacon on 24 October 2000, whether the standard set by the Clinical Standards Board of one breast care nurse per 150 breast cancers has been reviewed and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland have recently carried out assessments of breast cancer services across Scotland on which a national report is expected to be published early in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156709,"EventID":"S1W-20098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses were employed as breast care nurses by each NHS Trust in (a) 1999-2000, and (b) 2000-01. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses were employed as breast care nurses by each NHS Trust in (a) 1999-2000, and (b) 2000-01. ","AnswerText":"Breast care nurses are employed by NHS Trusts. Information on the numbers employed by each trust can be obtained from individual trusts. The names and addresses of all trusts are available on the Scottish Health on the Web site at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156710,"EventID":"S1W-20099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard set by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland for the number of breast nurses is being met by each NHS board and trust. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard set by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland for the number of breast nurses is being met by each NHS board and trust. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20097.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156711,"EventID":"S1W-20100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requests it has received for funding for research into the early discharge of patients with drains still in place (a) after all surgery and (b) after breast cancer ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requests it has received for funding for research into the early discharge of patients with drains still in place (a) after all surgery and (b) after breast cancer surgery in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    CSO received no requests for funding research into these issues during 2000-01.

    A three-year research project funded by CSO's Health Services Research Committee is under way, based at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate a specialist nurse-led model of early discharge from hospital following axillary clearance surgery for breast cancer will measure impact on patients and carers, cost effectiveness, efficacy and acceptability from primary and secondary care perspectives. This project is due to end in December 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156712,"EventID":"S1W-20101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for research on the early discharge of patients from hospitals in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and on applications for discharge in 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for research on the early discharge of patients from hospitals in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and on applications for discharge in 2001-02. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned any research on this topic since 1999 and has no immediate plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156713,"EventID":"S1W-20102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9585 by Susan Deacon on 25 September 2000, whether there is an adequate supply of radiographers to fill current established posts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9585 by Susan Deacon on 25 September 2000, whether there is an adequate supply of radiographers to fill current established posts.","AnswerText":"The number of qualified radiographers in post in NHSScotland has increased by 4% since 1997. The vacancy rate for qualified radiographers has also increased marginally to 1.1% at 31 March 2001 for posts vacant for three months or more.

    I announced at the Nursing and Midwifery Convention on 19 November my intention to create Scotland's first NHS Centre for recruitment and retention of staff for the whole of NHSScotland as one of a number of measures to address the workforce needs of NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156714,"EventID":"S1W-20103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9585 by Susan Deacon on 25 September 2000, whether the 10 extra consultant posts have all been successfully filled; whether the tar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9585 by Susan Deacon on 25 September 2000, whether the 10 extra consultant posts have all been successfully filled; whether the target for eight out of the 10 new consultants to be employed in the specialities of radiology and histopathology has been achieved, and how many trainee radiographers there were in 2000-2001.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not currently available.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156715,"EventID":"S1W-20104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) observed and (b) expected cases of breast cancer there have been in the postcode areas G31, G32, G33 and G34 of Glasgow in each year since 1987 to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) observed and (b) expected cases of breast cancer there have been in the postcode areas G31, G32, G33 and G34 of Glasgow in each year since 1987 to date.","AnswerText":"The table shows the observed and expected number of female breast cancer registrations in postcode areas G31, G32, G33 and G34 for the years 1987 to 1998, based on age-specific rates for Scotland, all ages: 1987-98.

    Year

    G31

    G32

    G33

    G34

    Observed

    Expected

    Observed

    Expected

    Observed

    Expected

    Observed

    Expected

    1987

    16

    14.7

    20

    23.2

    17

    21.8

    4

    5.0

    1988

    17

    14.9

    23

    23.5

    18

    22.1

    5

    5.1

    1989

    15

    15.3

    33

    24.2

    		Any x-ray examination inevitably results in exposure to radiation. However, risks associated with mammography are very low and controlled by rigorous quality assurance checks.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156717,"EventID":"S1W-20106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available to upgrade mammogram equipment so that women are protected from (a) any risk of radiation and (b) specifically any risk of radiation t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available to upgrade mammogram equipment so that women are protected from (a) any risk of radiation and (b) specifically any risk of radiation to the heart.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20105.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156718,"EventID":"S1W-20107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be research commissioned into analysing any extra pressures placed on the primary care sector as a result of patients being discharged early from hosp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be research commissioned into analysing any extra pressures placed on the primary care sector as a result of patients being discharged early from hospital with drains still in place. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20100.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156719,"EventID":"S1W-20108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mammogram screening units used in NHS hospitals are over 10 years old. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mammogram screening units used in NHS hospitals are over 10 years old. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) currently has two x-ray mammography machines that are over 10 years old (12 years) but by the end of this financial year all x-ray mammography units in the SBSP will have new generation x-ray mammography equipment which is under 10 years old.

    Information is not held centrally about individual items of equipment within NHS hospitals. This information is available directly from NHS Trusts. Names and contact details of Chief Executives are available from www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156720,"EventID":"S1W-20109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses there have been in each parliamentary constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses there have been in each parliamentary constituency since May 1999, broken down by employing organisation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156721,"EventID":"S1W-20110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to commission research into the link between housing conditions and the number of winter deaths.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to commission research into the link between housing conditions and the number of winter deaths.","AnswerText":"Excess winter deaths have many and complex causes. But insofar as they may be related to cold and damp houses they will be tackled by the Central Heating Programme. We have already conducted a study of the feasibility of research on the health effects of the Central Heating Programme and are now commissioning a major study of the associations between the two.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156722,"EventID":"S1W-20111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is given to young people with multiple disadvantages to access job opportunities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is given to young people with multiple disadvantages to access job opportunities.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.

    The New Deal for Young People was the first plank of the Government's welfare to work programme. The initial period on the programme, called the Gateway, has been re-designed to allow earlier identification of issues which may prevent the young person from taking full advantage of the programme. Locally, the Employment Service have a number of initiatives designed to engage with unemployed young people who are suffering from various forms of disadvantage in looking for work. Assistance is also available to disadvantaged young people through the New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Disabled People.

    The Training for Work (TfW) programme, although targeted at jobless adults aged 25 and over, also offers help to particular groups of young people seeking to develop their job related skills. These groups include young people aged 18 to 24 who are lone parents or who have a disability, including learning difficulties. Last year 402 young people joined TfW and so far this year 225 have participated in the programme.

    In addition, in Scotland, the New Futures Fund helps unemployed young people who are facing serious disadvantage, such as homeless and drug misuse, in looking for work. Through intensive support and guidance individual projects are funded through this programme to help young people overcome their disadvantage and move towards the labour market.

    Following the recommendations of the Beattie Committee Report the Scottish Executive provided an additional £22.6 million over the period April 2001 to March 2004 to career service companies to develop, manage and co-ordinate multi-agency inclusiveness projects to assist disadvantaged young people between the ages of 16 and 24 in seeking further education, training and employment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156723,"EventID":"S1W-20112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the experiences of young people who have left the care system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the experiences of young people who have left the care system.","AnswerText":"In 1999, we commissioned the University of York Social Work Research and Development Unit to undertake a two-year study of the way local authorities in Scotland are discharging their duties and powers to promote throughcare and aftercare services for young people.

    The study is nearing completion. We would hope to publish the findings early in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156724,"EventID":"S1W-20113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people who left the care system went into (a) full-time employment, (b) further education, (c) higher education and (d) government training schemes, in eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people who left the care system went into (a) full-time employment, (b) further education, (c) higher education and (d) government training schemes, in each of the past five years.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally about outcomes for care leavers, but one of our social justice milestones is to halve the proportion of 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, training and employment. There are several initiatives under way to address this, often aimed specifically at young people from disadvantaged groups. These include widening access to further and higher education, New Deal 18-24 and New Future Fund projects.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156725,"EventID":"S1W-20114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of young people who left the care system in each of the past five years had gained (a) three or more standard grades at level 3 or above and (b) at least ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of young people who left the care system in each of the past five years had gained (a) three or more standard grades at level 3 or above and (b) at least one higher certificate. ","AnswerText":"We have not previously collected statistical information on the educational attainment of young people in care. However, this will change from next year and data will be available in 2002-03. In addition, authorities will be required from next year to report on educational attainment of children in their care as one of their statutory performance indicators issued by the Audit Commission. Improvement to educational attainment is also a performance measure in the new National Priorities Framework.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156726,"EventID":"S1W-20115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people who left the care system in each of the past five years were given advice and assistance under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, broken down by loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people who left the care system in each of the past five years were given advice and assistance under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"There were around 3,800 children who left local authority care in the year to 31 March 2000.

    Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 authorities must, unless they are satisfied the young person's welfare does not require it, advise, guide and assist young people living in their area who were looked after by a local authority when the young person ceased to be of school age or at any subsequent time up to the age of 19. This responsibility may continue up to the age of 21 if the young person so requests and the local authority agrees. The type of local authority support available can include assistance in cash or in kind and help with accommodation. Information is not held centrally on the numbers of young people who receive this assistance.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156727,"EventID":"S1W-20116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have been involved in 'partnering workshops' since 1 April 2001 and, if so, (a) on what dates and where each workshop to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd or BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have been involved in 'partnering workshops' since 1 April 2001 and, if so, (a) on what dates and where each workshop took place; (b) what organisations were represented by how many persons on each occasion; (c) what the agenda was for each workshop and (d) what the cost was to the public purse for these workshops, to the nearest pound, in total and for each individual event, broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has held Partnering Workshops with Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR Scotland Ltd. A joint workshop was held for the South East and South West Units on 31 May and 1 June 2001 at the Norton House Hotel, Ingliston. The workshops for the North East Unit and North West Unit were held on 12 and 13 September respectively at the Windlestrae Hotel, Kinross.

    The organisations represented and participant numbers at each workshop were as follows:

    South East/South West

    Scottish Executive staff

    7

    Performance Audit Group

    3

    Amey Highways Ltd

    9

    W A Fairhurst

    1

    North East

    Scottish Executive staff

    7

    Performance Audit Group

    5

    BEAR Scotland Ltd

    8

    North West

    Scottish Executive Staff

    9

    Performance Audit Group

    5

    BEAR Scotland Ltd

    9

    The agenda for each workshop included the following topics:

    contract processes and objectives

    communications between organisations

    practical ideas to improve works

    working together to maintain roads

    safety improvements

    understanding other organisations aspirations and objectives

    establishment of working relations

    identification of future benefits for road users

    development of working relationships.

    The total cost to the Scottish Executive for the four days of the workshops was £5,178. The cost to the Executive for the SE/SW event was £3,178. The cost for the NE and the NW was £1,000 for each event.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156728,"EventID":"S1W-20117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each year since 1997, (a) how much funding was granted (i) in total to social inclusion partnerships in Edinburgh and (ii) to each such partnership, (b) how many pri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, for each year since 1997, (a) how much funding was granted (i) in total to social inclusion partnerships in Edinburgh and (ii) to each such partnership, (b) how many private companies were formed using such funding, (c) how many private companies formed using such funding have gone into insolvent liquidation, what the names of any such companies were and with which social inclusion partnership each was associated and (d) what monitoring took place of any such companies and what action was taken subsequent to insolvent liquidation. ","AnswerText":"Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP) were launched in 1999, and there are five in Edinburgh. South Edinburgh and Edinburgh Youth SIP were newly designated in April 1999. North Edinburgh was previously a Priority Partnership Area designated as a SIP in April 1999. Edinburgh Strategic Programme was previously a Regeneration Programme and was designated as a SIP in April 1999. Craigmillar was previously a Priority Partnership Area and was designated as a SIP in April 2000.

    SIP Fund allocations to each of the SIPs in the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 are as follows:

    Social Inclusion Partnership

    1999-2000

    (£000)

    Allocation

    2000-01

    (£000)

    Allocation

    2001-02

    (£000)

    Allocation

    North Edinburgh

    2,877

    2,590

    2,551

    Craigmillar

    -

    1,755

    1,916

    Strategic Programme

    1,178

    550

    589

    South Edinburgh

    740

    990

    1,229

    Edinburgh Youth

    205

    567

    634

    Total

    5,000

    6,452

    6,919

    Responsibility for day to day oversight of the deployment of these funds falls to the grant recipient for Edinburgh SIPs, the City of Edinburgh Council. They advise us that no private companies were formed using SIP funds, and it therefore follows that no such companies have gone into liquidation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156729,"EventID":"S1W-20118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for announcing appointments to the membership of a public body, when this process was introduced and on how many occasions since its introduction the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for announcing appointments to the membership of a public body, when this process was introduced and on how many occasions since its introduction the process has not been followed. ","AnswerText":"The process for announcing appointments to public bodies was introduced across the UK Government as part of the Nolan reforms in 1996 and was revised in 2001. The code published by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) requires all appointments to be announced in an appropriate way as described in the code. It has been the responsibility of each department of the Scottish Executive - previously each department of the Scottish Office - to ensure compliance with the OCPA Code in relation to appointments made to NDPBs sponsored by that department.

    In June 2001, the Executive announced the following plans for changes to the internal administration of the appointments process in the document Public Bodies: Proposals for Change: \"A central unit in the Executive will in future oversee most of the standard elements of the appointments process (such as issuing information packs, acknowledging applications, convening appointments panels) in respect of most of the bodies sponsored by the Executive. The aims will be to bring a greater consistency of approach, and to make the process smoother for applicants and more efficient by maximising economies of scale\".

    The Executive also announced in January 2002 that, in future, the declared public activity of every member of every public body will be published in the Executive's annual report on public appointments.

    Detailed records of the procedure, followed in the announcement of the thousands of appointments made since 1996, are not held centrally. However, in preparation for the internal changes described above, and the publication of comprehensive details of political activity, the Executive's Public Appointments Unit has recently audited the data on political activity of current members of NDPBs. They have discovered that in most cases the correct procedures have been followed. However, I regret to say that they have discovered that in 411 individual cases, the political activity declaration was not completed and so the correct procedure for announcing these appointments was not followed. We have contacted all the individuals concerned and virtually all of them have now submitted completed political activity declaration forms. Six declarations remain outstanding. One of these individuals has been out of the country for three months and the other five have been difficult to contact.

    I am extremely concerned that the correct procedure for announcing appointments was not followed by officials in every case and have raised this matter with the Permanent Secretary. He has, in turn, instructed the Heads of the Executive Departments to ensure that the correct procedures are followed in every respect in future. In addition, the central Public Appointments Unit is being strengthened in line with the announcement referred to above. It will be given the task of ensuring compliance with the OCPA Code and in due course the code published by the Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments. This Executive is completely committed to ensuring that our procedures for making public appointments are transparent and fair and that people are appointed on merit.

    The collection of the missing political activity declaration forms does affect the aggregate information about the political activity of appointees serving on NDPBs sponsored by the Executive, published in reply to question S1W-18802 on 19 November 2001. Until all the outstanding political activity declarations have been received, we are unable to provide final figures showing how many individuals currently in post have been politically active. Nonetheless, I wish to be as open as possible on this matter and the following table provides the breakdown of political activity as at today's date:

    No of Appointees

    No of Appointees who have declared political activityAll media outlets were contacted. Simultaneously, a copy was dispatched to be placed on the Scottish Executive's website. Due to a fault with the system there was a delay before the press release could be placed on the website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156731,"EventID":"S1W-20120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the position of interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was advertised.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the position of interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was advertised.","AnswerText":"The position was not advertised. The previous Chair tendered his resignation on health grounds with effect from the end of May 2001.

    In such circumstances guidance allows for an appointment to be made from within the existing members of the council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156732,"EventID":"S1W-20121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a selection process for the position of interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council took place. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a selection process for the position of interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council took place. ","AnswerText":"Both vice-chairs, unofficial appointments which had been made by the council itself from among the members, were interviewed for the interim position.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156733,"EventID":"S1W-20122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment of Esther Roberton as interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was approved by ministers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment of Esther Roberton as interim Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was approved by ministers.","AnswerText":"Yes. By both myself and the First Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156734,"EventID":"S1W-20123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the position of Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was advertised. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the position of Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was advertised. ","AnswerText":"Adverts were placed in The Scotsman, The Herald, The Financial Times and Times Educational Supplement and appeared on 6 July 2001. A copy of the advert was also placed on the Scottish Executive's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156735,"EventID":"S1W-20124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a selection process for the position of Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council took place. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a selection process for the position of Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council took place. ","AnswerText":"Yes, in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156736,"EventID":"S1W-20125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date Esther Roberton was appointed as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what date Esther Roberton was appointed as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. ","AnswerText":"She was appointed Chair with effect from 1 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156737,"EventID":"S1W-20126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment of Esther Roberton as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council required ministerial approval. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment of Esther Roberton as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council required ministerial approval. ","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156738,"EventID":"S1W-20127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the announcement of Esther Roberton's appointment as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was made. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the announcement of Esther Roberton's appointment as Chair of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council was made. ","AnswerText":"16 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156739,"EventID":"S1W-20128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public bodies Esther Roberton has been appointed to since May 1997 and what the remuneration is for each position. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what public bodies Esther Roberton has been appointed to since May 1997 and what the remuneration is for each position. ","AnswerText":"The following table details the requested information.

    Name of NDPB

    Position

    Period

    Remuneration (£)

    Scottish Further Education Funding Council

    Member

    March 1999 - October 2001

    4,746, increased to 4,884 from 04/01

    Scottish Further Education Funding Council

    Chair

    November 2001 - October 2005

    31,464

    Fife NHS Board (formerly Fife Health Board)

    Chair

    April 2000 - April 2004

    15,000 increased to 26,000 from 1/10

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156740,"EventID":"S1W-20129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals hold two or more appointments to public bodies; when they were appointed to each body, and what remuneration each such person receives for each appo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals hold two or more appointments to public bodies; when they were appointed to each body, and what remuneration each such person receives for each appointment. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19592.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156741,"EventID":"S1W-20130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards of adult literacy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve standards of adult literacy.","AnswerText":"I published the Adult Literacy Team's report in July. It provides a comprehensive strategy for raising levels of adult literacy and numeracy in Scotland.

    Funding of £22.5 million between now and 2004 will enable an initial 80,000 people to be helped.

    £18.5 million of this is being allocated through local authorities to Community Learning Strategy Partnerships where all providers can access the funding. The remainder will be used to establish a national \"Development Engine\" or centre of excellence, eight pathfinder projects and a national training programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156742,"EventID":"S1W-20131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently excluded from school in each local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently excluded from school in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The most recent figures for exclusions from school were published by the Scottish Executive on 15 February 2001, and cover the academic year 1999-2000. Copies of the News Release Exclusions from Schools, 1999/2000 are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 11531).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156743,"EventID":"S1W-20132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the introduction of light rapid transit systems in Glasgow and Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the introduction of light rapid transit systems in Glasgow and Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The development of local transport initiatives, such as light rapid transit systems is the responsibility of the relevant local authority, or in the case of the Strathclyde area, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority. However,l public transport proposals such as these may be also eligible for financial support from the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund or the Integrated Transport Fund.

    City of Edinburgh Council was awarded £6.5 million by the Scottish Executive in October last year to develop proposals for a North Edinburgh light rapid transit system.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156744,"EventID":"S1W-20133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how much of the #90 million package announced on 19 September 2001 by Susan Deacon will be made available to NHS trusts in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board Area for the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how much of the #90 million package announced on 19 September 2001 by Susan Deacon will be made available to NHS trusts in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board Area for the purpose of writing off debt and (b) how much debt is attributable to each hospital in the area.","AnswerText":"Greater Glasgow NHS Board received £13,583,000 for the purpose of writing off brought forward accumulated deficits at the following NHS Trusts:

    North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust £9,491,000

    South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust £4,092,000

    In addition, the board received £2,150,000 as a contribution towards the extra costs involved in managing winter pressures.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156745,"EventID":"S1W-20134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the number of deaths resulting from cardiomyopathy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the number of deaths resulting from cardiomyopathy.","AnswerText":"We have made clear that clinicians should be alert to those at higher risk of sudden death because of a significant family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. GPs should refer those patients to a cardiologist for investigation.

    Recent scientific evidence suggests that implantable defibrillators may help prevent sudden death in high risk patients, but these findings need to be confirmed. This new evidence has led the National Screening Committee, which advises the UK Health Departments on screening programmes, to commission further work. We will consider the committee's advice in due course.

    I gave a commitment in the members' debate on 14 November that we would investigate ways of increasing awareness of the condition within primary care. For those families in which a particularly serious form of the disease occurs, the Scottish Molecular Genetics Consortium is considering the possibility of including tests in its molecular genetics service.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156746,"EventID":"S1W-20135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #3.5 million funding for development of services in Post Offices has been allocated and spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #3.5 million funding for development of services in Post Offices has been allocated and spent.","AnswerText":"The Executive received a funding consequential of £3.5 million as a result of money being allocated in England for the support of pilots of Government General Practitioners and Internet Learning and Access Points. All funding consequentials contribute to a block allocation to the Executive which was part of the Strategic Spending Review. The outcome of this process was that specific funding was not allocated for support of the Post Office network in Scotland, which is a reserved matter.

    The Executive is keeping in touch with the pilots in England and is keen to learn the lessons from these pilots and their likely impact in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156747,"EventID":"S1W-20136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to roll out Government General Practitioner and Internet Learning Access Points pilot projects in rural post offices as recommended in R5.12 of the repo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to roll out Government General Practitioner and Internet Learning Access Points pilot projects in rural post offices as recommended in R5.12 of the report by the Scottish National Rural Partnership, Services in Rural Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive aims to provide information to the public through a broad range of media and is monitoring closely the development of the Post Office led Government General Practitioner (now known as Your Guide) project which is at pilot stage. Officials have visited the pilot to see the project first hand. No decision has yet been taken, but a further meeting with the Post Office and DTI will take place later this year to discuss the potential for rolling out this project in Scotland.

    There are already 700 Public Internet Access Points in Scotland. The New Year will see the launch of the Executive's Public Internet Access Point Initiative which aims to create over 1,000 new access points in areas of Scotland where internet provision is currently poor.

    The Executive is also supporting, through the Modernising Government Fund, a separate trial of public information points using kiosks with touch screen technology. This trial is based on simple to read information and contact details supplied by StartHere and Dumfries and Galloway Council and kiosks will be housed in a number of urban and rural locations across the council's area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156748,"EventID":"S1W-20137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a progress report on the investigation by public agencies of using existing rural outlets or networks such as Post Offices as a means of providing l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a progress report on the investigation by public agencies of using existing rural outlets or networks such as Post Offices as a means of providing local information and advice services as recommended in R1.8 of the report by the Scottish National Rural Partnership, Services in Rural Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to improving access to all government services, including those provided by public agencies. Public agencies are encouraged to take a broad view of the way in which they provide advice and services to best meet the needs of their customers. This includes using rural outlets and networks such as post offices, public libraries and information centres where they consider this to be appropriate.

    The Scottish National Rural Partnership (SNRP) has been tasked with taking forward the monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations in Services in Rural Scotland. The SNRP will be reporting progress to ministers next summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156749,"EventID":"S1W-20138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been made about the location of the headquarters of Scottish Water, and, if so, where that location will be.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been made about the location of the headquarters of Scottish Water, and, if so, where that location will be.","AnswerText":"Following careful consideration of a number of possible sites, ministers have decided that, should Parliament approve the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, the Headquarters of Scottish Water will be in Castle House, Dunfermline. This currently houses staff of the East of Scotland Water Authority. It is expected that the Headquarters function will consist of a small core of around 50 people only, with the vast majority of Scottish Water staff located in other existing water authority premises around the country.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156750,"EventID":"S1W-20139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy. ","AnswerText":"Learndirect scotland, the Scottish Executive's flagship lifelong learning initiative can help people to gain the skills they need to pursue the career of their choice. Advisors on the freephone helpline can help people to identify their learning needs, and guide them towards the course and learning method that best suits them.

    Prospective learners can also visit the learndirect scotland website or visit a learndirect scotland learning centre. Whichever service learners select, they will have access to a database of over 70,000 learning opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156751,"EventID":"S1W-20140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to use the Marriage (Scotland) Bill to the advantage of the tourism industry in Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to use the Marriage (Scotland) Bill to the advantage of the tourism industry in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"VisitScotland already markets Scotland as a romantic setting for a wedding. Romance is one of the themes of the current winter campaign. In their future campaigns, VisitScotland will take account of the arrangements introduced by The Marriage (Scotland) Bill, which will be of benefit to our tourism industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156752,"EventID":"S1W-20141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4069 by Iain Gray on 15 November 2001, whether the Lord Advocate was consulted formally on the recent appointments of Lord Presiden","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4069 by Iain Gray on 15 November 2001, whether the Lord Advocate was consulted formally on the recent appointments of Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General.","AnswerText":"The First Minister took account of the views of the Lord Advocate before making a nomination to the Prime Minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156753,"EventID":"S1W-20142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19092 by Sarah Boyack on 12 November 2001, how many (a) individuals and (b) organisations were present at the \"Ready for Winter ? W","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19092 by Sarah Boyack on 12 November 2001, how many (a) individuals and (b) organisations were present at the \"Ready for Winter ? Winter Maintenance on Scotland's Roads\" conference at Victoria Quay on 25 September 2001; whether it will provide full details of the agenda under discussion on the day; whether any contractor or contract area was identified as being ill-prepared for winter maintenance obligations on conclusion of the event, and what the names of any such contractors or contract areas were. ","AnswerText":"Approximately 100 individuals, representing 42 organisations, were present at the \"Ready for Winter - Winter Maintenance on Scotland's Roads\" conference on 25 September 2001.

    The agenda included the following:

    Working with an Operating Company

    A Winter's Tale; community expectations

    Road User's Perspective

    NADICS Developments

    Developments in Met Office - Technology

    Winter Maintenance Risk and Liability

    Winter Maintenance Planning and Operation in Norway

    Group Workshops and Discussions

    On conclusion of the event it was agreed that further liaison between the Operating Companies, local authorities and the police is vitally important in order to develop and deliver the best possible service to users of both trunk and local roads.

    Forums to enhance liaison and communications between the Scottish Executive, Operating Companies, local councils and the police have recently been held at Victoria Quay for each of the four trunk road operating company areas. Meetings have also taken place at operational level between representatives of these organisations to discuss winter maintenance plans in detail.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156754,"EventID":"S1W-20143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants were allocated indirectly to voluntary organisations in 2001-02 and what the amount of the grant was in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants were allocated indirectly to voluntary organisations in 2001-02 and what the amount of the grant was in each case.","AnswerText":"The Executive has released today, a database on indirect grants to voluntary organisations in 2001-02. A total of £304 million has been awarded, almost £35 million more than was awarded in the previous financial year. Copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156755,"EventID":"S1W-20144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the current maximum number of remote access users is that may be connected to the Parliament's IT network at any one time.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the current maximum number of remote access users is that may be connected to the Parliament's IT network at any one time.","AnswerText":"In the answers to this question, S1W-20145 and S1W-20146, remote access is taken to encompass all forms of secure dial-in to the Parliament's IT network.

    The Parliament's network is currently configured to allow a maximum of 58 remote access users to connect at the same time. Since May of this year the highest number of concurrent users on the system has been 20. IT Services keep the use and performance of the secure access systems under review to ensure sufficient capacity is available to meet requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156756,"EventID":"S1W-20145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many calls and complaints have been logged to the Parliament's IT Helpdesk concerning any failures of the remote access service since 1 January 2001. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many calls and complaints have been logged to the Parliament's IT Helpdesk concerning any failures of the remote access service since 1 January 2001. ","AnswerText":"Remote access difficulties which were caused by technical problems at the Parliament accounted for around 1.5% of all calls to the IT Helpdesk in the period 1 January 2001 to 23 November 2001. Of the 145 such calls, the main problems were: faulty remote access security tokens, faulty 0845 dial-in, server downtime (where several calls by users all related to the same incidents).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156757,"EventID":"S1W-20146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps will be taken to ensure a reliable and enhanced service for remote access users of the Parliament's IT network.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps will be taken to ensure a reliable and enhanced service for remote access users of the Parliament's IT network.","AnswerText":"Currently there are some 400 users enabled to connect to the Parliament's network remotely. A number of constituency and local offices successfully use this service regularly. As part of on-going service enhancement, an end to end review of the remote access service has been initiated.

    Phase 1, aimed at identifying improvements that can be made from the Parliament site is complete and the recommendations are currently being implemented. Phase 2 concerns the suitability of external telecomm equipment and services currently used to access the Parliament's network remotely, this study is in progress following on-site inspection of some constituency offices and recommendations are in preparation. Phase 3 will concern the provision of user guidance and training to assist remote users in utilising the service to best advantage.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156758,"EventID":"S1W-20147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any unallocated finance from the Strategic Waste Fund has been included in year-end flexibility figures for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any unallocated finance from the Strategic Waste Fund has been included in year-end flexibility figures for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and is anticipated to be included in 2001-02. ","AnswerText":"The Strategic Waste Fund was established in November 2000 for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy. There was no unallocated provision in 2000-01. Decisions on any unallocated provision in the current financial year will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156759,"EventID":"S1W-20148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any unallocated year-end finance carried forward in the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any unallocated year-end finance carried forward in the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and anticipated to be carried forward in 2001-02. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20147.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156760,"EventID":"S1W-20149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what applications have been received for grants from the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what applications have been received for grants from the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02. ","AnswerText":"The Strategic Waste Fund was established in November 2000 for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy. There were therefore no applications in 1999-2000. In 2000-01 32 applications from local authorities were received for a share of £3 million for recycling and composting projects. All 32 were awarded grants. In 2001-02 one application has been received to date. That was from Argyll and Bute Council. An award was made in September 2001 towards its waste management Public/Private Partnership project.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156761,"EventID":"S1W-20150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for Energy Action Scotland for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for Energy Action Scotland for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.","AnswerText":"For each of the three years concerned, Energy Action Scotland (EAS) have been sponsored by the Scottish Executive. They have been set targets of securing and investing private sector resources to improve home energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty and of enrolling local authorities as members of EAS. They received funding of £100,000 from the Executive in 1999-2000 and £102,500 in 2000-01 and will receive funding of £105,000 in 2001-02 if they meet their targets.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156762,"EventID":"S1W-20151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been, or will be, received by Energy Action Scotland in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been, or will be, received by Energy Action Scotland in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20150.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156763,"EventID":"S1W-20152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the statement released by email directly to a selection of ministers and MSPs by Amey Highways Ltd on 15 November 2001, whether the company's motorway mai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the statement released by email directly to a selection of ministers and MSPs by Amey Highways Ltd on 15 November 2001, whether the company's motorway maintenance programme \"has met the exacting standards laid down by the Scottish Executive\"; how many default notices have been issued to the company since 1 April 2001; why any such notices were issued in each case, and what impact any such notices have had on the extent to which Amey Highways Ltd meets the standards required by the Executive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and the Performance Audit Group (Halcrow Group Ltd in association with PricewaterhouseCoopers) monitor the performance of Amey Highways in order to see if this performance meets the standards required by the trunk road contract. Where contract obligations are not met, there is a provision within the contract for a Default Notice to be issued and/or for money to be withheld. A Default Notice identifies a specific issue where an Operating Company is not meeting its contractual obligations and requires the Operating Company to set in train a programme to remedy the situation. To date seven Default Notices have been issued to Amey Highways in South East Unit and 12 to South West Unit. They have been issued in respect of management issues such as compliance of computer systems and operational issues such as cutting of grass verges.

    Default Notices are taken very seriously by the Operating Company and are therefore an effective tool in ensuring that performance is improved. However, in a contract as large and diverse as the trunk road maintenance contracts it is most unlikely that the contractor would at all times meet all of its contractual requirements. Whilst the issue of Default Notices is disappointing, it should not be seen as indicating a general underperformance of the Operating Company.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156764,"EventID":"S1W-20153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of (a) each individual allocation of money that it has made to Moray Council in the current financial year and (b) the purpose of each such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of (a) each individual allocation of money that it has made to Moray Council in the current financial year and (b) the purpose of each such allocation.","AnswerText":"Allocations made to date are listed in the following table. However, further allocations are likely to be made in this financial year.

    Purpose

    Amount Allocated (£ million)

    Aggregate External Finance

    97.450

    Capital Allocation

    5.300

    Modernising Government Fund

    0.310

    Grant to help tackle the backlog of repairs to schools and improve information technology facilities.

    0.459

    School Buildings Improvement Fund

    0.206

    Domestic Abuse Development Fund

    0.011

    Offender Services

    0.388

    Rough Sleepers Initiative

    0.096

    Funding to assist with costs of producing homelessness strategy

    0.056

    New Housing Partnership Funding

    1.618

    Warm Deal and Central Heating Initiative

    0.040

    Setting up of Supporting People programme

    0.033

    Housing Revenue Account Allocation

    1.848

    Hostels Grant

    0.195

    Local Housing Strategy preparation

    0.030

    Core Social Inclusion Partnership Funding

    0.447

    It is not possible to break this down between individual contractors or contracts because PAG is a dedicated unit operating across the whole of the trunk road network.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156767,"EventID":"S1W-20156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority charges for a market operator's licence and for how long the licence is valid in each case. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority charges for a market operator's licence and for how long the licence is valid in each case. ","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally. In setting fees for market operators, and certain other licensing activities contained in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, local authorities are required from time to time to ensure that the total fees received meet the cost of exercising such functions. The duration of such licences is for the local authority to determine subject to a maximum duration of three years.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156768,"EventID":"S1W-20157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust to ensure that the Eating Disorder Service at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth does not close as the result of any co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust to ensure that the Eating Disorder Service at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth does not close as the result of any cost cutting measures. ","AnswerText":"It is for the board to consider their position in light of local needs and planned best responses to those needs, against the background of expectation set out in the original Framework for Mental Health and the support group forward agenda which includes specific attention on the creation/expansion of eating disorder services.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156769,"EventID":"S1W-20158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19413 by Susan Deacon on 9 November 2001, how many digital hearing aids available through contracts negotiated by Scottish Healthca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19413 by Susan Deacon on 9 November 2001, how many digital hearing aids available through contracts negotiated by Scottish Healthcare Supplies have been issued to patients in each year since 1999 and what proportion of all hearing aids issued to patients this represents in each year.","AnswerText":"The latest figures from Scottish Healthcare Supplies show that for the period from June 1999 up to the end of September 2001 a total of 710 digital hearing aids were drawn off the central contract.

    Digital aids became available via the central contract in June 1999. Since then, the proportion of the total hearing aids issued each year that were digital aids is as follows:

    June 1999 to December 1999 0.5%

    January 2000 to December 2000 0.6%

    January 2001 to September 2001 1.4%","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156770,"EventID":"S1W-20159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS funding for audiology services will be increased and, if so, at what rate in each year for which estimates have been made.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS funding for audiology services will be increased and, if so, at what rate in each year for which estimates have been made.","AnswerText":"The Executive is providing substantial additional resources to NHSScotland. The allocations given to NHS Boards increased on average by 5.5% in 2001-02 and will increase on average by 6.9% and 7.8% in 2002-03 and 2003-04. It is for NHS Boards to decide how to deploy these funds on the basis of their assessment of local needs and priorities for investment. In determining local priorities, NHS Boards take account of national priorities and guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156771,"EventID":"S1W-20160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the letter to me from the Minister of State for Employment Relations and the Regions, of 16 November 2001 copied to the Minister for Enterprise and Lif","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the letter to me from the Minister of State for Employment Relations and the Regions, of 16 November 2001 copied to the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to request that part of the #17 million grant to be recovered from Viasystems as a result of the closure of its north Tyneside plant be used for investment in the manufacturing industry in the Scottish Borders.","AnswerText":"Questions relating to the recovery of grant paid towards the Viasystems facility in the North East of England are entirely a matter for DTI. Manufacturing projects in the Borders area can be supported from the Executive's own budget through schemes such as Regional Selective Assistance and Invest for Growth.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156772,"EventID":"S1W-20161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which environmental organisations and projects in the West of Scotland have benefited from revenue raised from landfill tax in each year since 1999 and how much each suc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which environmental organisations and projects in the West of Scotland have benefited from revenue raised from landfill tax in each year since 1999 and how much each such organisation or project received.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for ENTRUST, the regulator of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156773,"EventID":"S1W-20162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid in total since 1999 to date in landfill tax by each local authority in the west of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid in total since 1999 to date in landfill tax by each local authority in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for HM Customs and Excise. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156774,"EventID":"S1W-20163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4, Planning and Reporting Requirements, of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4, Planning and Reporting Requirements, of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network were complied with in full by Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd for each contract area, and, if not, which particular aspects of the contract were not complied with, broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to given question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156775,"EventID":"S1W-20164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific mechanisms have been put in place to ensure \"cross boundary co-operation,\" as specified in section 11.4 on snow clearance of carriageways and hardshoulders","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific mechanisms have been put in place to ensure \"cross boundary co-operation,\" as specified in section 11.4 on snow clearance of carriageways and hardshoulders of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network, by Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd in respect of each contract area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156776,"EventID":"S1W-20165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any alternatives to mainstream schooling for pupils with special educational needs. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any alternatives to mainstream schooling for pupils with special educational needs. ","AnswerText":"There is a broad range of provision for pupils with special educational needs. This includes local authority mainstream and special schools, special units attached to mainstream schools, independent special schools and grant-aided special schools. Some children may have split placements in mainstream and specialist provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156777,"EventID":"S1W-20166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18479 by Malcolm Chisholm on 8 October 2001, what plans it has to initiate any data collection exercises in respect of the cost of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18479 by Malcolm Chisholm on 8 October 2001, what plans it has to initiate any data collection exercises in respect of the cost of caring for and educating people with an autistic spectrum disorder over their lifetime. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18479 on 15 October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156778,"EventID":"S1W-20167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the decision of the General Medical Council's Preliminary Proceedings Committee in respect of the complaint against Dr Peter John Mansfield regarding th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what implications the decision of the General Medical Council's Preliminary Proceedings Committee in respect of the complaint against Dr Peter John Mansfield regarding the practice of giving children single vaccinations instead of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccination will have for the administering of such vaccines in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"None. The decision of the General Medical Council relates to an individual health professional. It has no substantive bearing on immunisation policy.

    Immunisation policy is informed by expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Their advice remains that MMR is the safest and most effective way to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella. Single vaccines are not recommended, in place of MMR, as there is no evidence of benefit and a clear risk of harm.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156779,"EventID":"S1W-20168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics regarding the numbers of people diagnosed with a mental illness it uses when formulating policy and apportioning budgets in respect of mental illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics regarding the numbers of people diagnosed with a mental illness it uses when formulating policy and apportioning budgets in respect of mental illness.","AnswerText":"The allocation of resources between NHS boards in Scotland takes into account the age and sex structure of the population and the influence of deprivation on the need for healthcare. This information is based on statistical evidence about the use made of services by different population groups. Statistics on admissions to hospital by people diagnosed with a mental illness show, for example, that people living in deprived areas make significantly greater use of mental illness services that people living in more affluent areas. The methods of analysis and the data used are explained in the reports on Fair Shares for All that were produced by the Arbuthnott Committee on resource allocation. It is then for NHS boards and local authorities to determine how best to use the resources made available to them to best meet the needs of local populations, including the needs of people with mental illness.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156780,"EventID":"S1W-20169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Discharge Protocol for Mentally Disordered Offenders will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Discharge Protocol for Mentally Disordered Offenders will be published.","AnswerText":"The Protocol was issued as a draft for consultation in August, with responses requested by 18 October. These require to be considered carefully, and it is not clear when a final version will be available.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156781,"EventID":"S1W-20170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17248 by Susan Deacon on 21 August 2001, what the average out-patient waiting times were to see a dermatologist in each health boar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17248 by Susan Deacon on 21 August 2001, what the average out-patient waiting times were to see a dermatologist in each health board area for the years ending (a) 30 June 1999 and (b) 30 June 2000.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant in dermatology, following referral by a General Medical Practitioner, in the years ended 30 June 1999 and 30 June 2000, by NHS Board of residence, are provided in the table.

    NHSScotland: Median Waiting Times For A First Out-patient Appointment With A Consultant In Dermatology, Following Referral By A General Medical Practitioner, By NHS Board Of Residence: Years Ending 30 June 1999 and 30 June 2000.

    NHS Board

    30 June 1999

    Median Wait (Days)

    30 June 2000

    Median Wait (Days)

    Argyll and Clyde

    67

    56

    Ayrshire and Arran

    43

    62

    Borders

    61

    55

    Dumfries and Galloway

    39

    21

    Fife

    63

    64

    Forth Valley

    102

    102

    Grampian

    95

    106

    Greater Glasgow

    51

    61

    Highland

    60

    64

    Lanarkshire

    41

    53

    Lothian

    52

    Research Governance Framework Document recently published by the Chief Scientist Office.

    At UK level, details of non-commercial drug trials, along with details of all other non-commercial research activity, are recorded on the National Research Register, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156783,"EventID":"S1W-20172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18206 by Susan Deacon on 26 October 2001, whether it plans to publish a report on the activities, findings and recommendations of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18206 by Susan Deacon on 26 October 2001, whether it plans to publish a report on the activities, findings and recommendations of the Pharmaceutical Liaison Group. ","AnswerText":"The group is an informal forum designed to allow unfettered discussion of matters of shared interest to the Health Department, NHSScotland and pharmaceutical interests. It has not been established with any formal remit that would lead the Executive to publish the Pharmaceutical Liaison Group's discussions, its findings or recommendations. Additionally, it is anticipated that matters of commercial sensitivity will be discussed, making publication inappropriate.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156784,"EventID":"S1W-20173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a further random selection of farms in order to carry out blood sampling of sheep this winter to confirm the elimination of foot-and-mouth di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a further random selection of farms in order to carry out blood sampling of sheep this winter to confirm the elimination of foot-and-mouth disease. ","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive has already carried out an extensive and comprehensive programme of serological testing of sheep in Scotland which established that the national flock is foot-and-mouth disease free.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156785,"EventID":"S1W-20174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17736 by Sarah Boyack on 24 October 2001, whether it can now specify a date on which payments to members of the Scottish Transport ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17736 by Sarah Boyack on 24 October 2001, whether it can now specify a date on which payments to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes are likely to commence; how much is likely to be paid, and whether the number of years' service will be taken into account when calculating the amounts payable.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Executive's timetable for the payment process to begin is dependent upon the formal wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes by the trustees.

    It is expected that payments will reflect levels of benefit entitlements reflecting individuals contributions and years of service. The Scottish Executive believe that this will be a fair and reasonable basis for distribution.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156786,"EventID":"S1W-20175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive at which meetings of the EU Council of Ministers it has (a) been present and (b) spoken during formal sessions since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive at which meetings of the EU Council of Ministers it has (a) been present and (b) spoken during formal sessions since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The information is given in the table.

    Scottish ministers attend council meetings as members of the United Kingdom delegation and speak when appropriate.

    Scottish Minister's Attendance at Council

    1 July 1999 - November 2001

    Year

    Date

    Council

    Minister

    1999

    24- 25 Sep

    Informal meeting of Ministers of Education (Finland)

    Sam Galbraith

     

    26 Oct

    Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)

    John Home Robertson

     

    22 Nov

    Fisheries Council (Brussels)

    John Home Robertson

     

    13 Dec

    Environment Council (Brussels)

    Sarah Boyack

     

    14 Dec

    Agriculture Council (Brussels)

    Ross Finnie

     

    16 Dec

    Fisheries Council (Brussels)

    John Home Robertson

    2000

    17-18 Mar

    Informal Council for Ministers of Lifelong Learning (Portugal)

    Nicol Stephen

     

    20 Mar

    Agriculture Council (Brussels)

    Ross Finnie

     

    08 Jun

    Education Council (Luxembourg)

    Nicol Ste","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156787,"EventID":"S1W-20176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a financial contribution to Humboldt University in Germany on a similar basis to contributions recently made by the Irish and Manx Governments in ord","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a financial contribution to Humboldt University in Germany on a similar basis to contributions recently made by the Irish and Manx Governments in order to allow the continuation of Celtic Studies courses there.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156788,"EventID":"S1W-20177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes for younger people who are looked after or accommodated by local authorities. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes for younger people who are looked after or accommodated by local authorities. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities who have a duty under the Children (Scotland) Act to safeguard and promote the welfare of every child looked after by them.

    Community Learning Strategy Partnerships are required to analyse the needs of local communities in planning provision of community based education facilities. This analysis of local needs should include consideration of the requirements and appropriate provision of community-based resources for all young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156789,"EventID":"S1W-20178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments have been made of the benefits, including development of self-esteem and confidence, of activity programmes and residential breaks for younger people who","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessments have been made of the benefits, including development of self-esteem and confidence, of activity programmes and residential breaks for younger people who are looked after or accommodated by local authorities. ","AnswerText":"As part of good management practice, it is for local authorities to evaluate the outcomes for children who use their services or services purchased by the local authority on their behalf.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156790,"EventID":"S1W-20179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for teenage mothers and their babies. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for teenage mothers and their babies. ","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-20184 set out the support we provide for activity programmes and residential breaks for children and young people. We also provide a range of support for teenage mothers and babies through Sure Start Scotland. There is no single model of support as the needs of children and parents will vary. Sure Start Scotland supports a range of activities which provide opportunities for parents to acquire skills; to promote self-esteem and personal confidence and to enable parents to assist the development of their children.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156791,"EventID":"S1W-20180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes assisting younger people who are looked after or accommodated by local authorities. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes assisting younger people who are looked after or accommodated by local authorities. ","AnswerText":"We are promoting the development of advocacy services for children looked after by local authorities through the Children's Services Development Fund (£13.6 million over three years from 1999-2000) and through grant aid for Who Cares? Scotland (£122,640 in the current financial year). This year, we have also awarded £120,000 grant to Fostering Network to take forward a mentoring project for age 16 to 19-year-old careleavers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156792,"EventID":"S1W-20181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes for teenage mothers and their babies. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes for teenage mothers and their babies. ","AnswerText":"The answer given to question S1W-20179 gives details of our Sure Start Scotland initiative, which provides support to teenage mothers and their babies, among others.

    In addition, we have also awarded a project grant of £50,000 for 2001-02 to Big Brothers and Sisters to assist them in developing a network of mentoring projects throughout Scotland. Big Brothers and Sisters provides mentors for children or young people from one-parent families.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156793,"EventID":"S1W-20182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for socially, economically, behaviourally or emotionally disadvantaged children and youn","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for socially, economically, behaviourally or emotionally disadvantaged children and young people. ","AnswerText":"The answer given to question S1W-20184 sets out the resources being made available for out of school hours childcare and learning and study support, including activity programmes and residential breaks. Study support can be particularly helpful to disadvantaged pupils, particularly from older age groups, in providing them with access to facilities for study and challenging activities that might not otherwise be available to them. Similarly, the distribution formula for allocating childcare resources to local authorities takes account of comparative deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156794,"EventID":"S1W-20183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes for socially, economically, behaviourally or emotionally disadvantaged children and young people. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support befriending programmes for socially, economically, behaviourally or emotionally disadvantaged children and young people. ","AnswerText":"My answer to question S1W-20181 on 17 December 2001 gives details of our support to Big Brothers and Sisters to develop a network of mentoring projects throughout Scotland. In addition we provide support to some 32 national voluntary youth organisations to enable them to offer opportunities for personal and social development and friendship in disadvantaged areas that might otherwise lack such opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156795,"EventID":"S1W-20184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for children and young people. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to support activity programmes and residential breaks for children and young people. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is providing funding of over £27 million for study support and out of school hours learning over the period 1999-2002. In addition the New Opportunities Fund is investing £23.6 million of lottery resources over the same period for out of school hours learning projects. As well as support for homework, coursework and the development of key skills, the programmes provide for creative ventures in the arts field and a full range of sports, including football, shinty, badminton and swimming, and adventurous outdoor activities such as sailing, canoeing, orienteering, abseiling, hill walking and cycling. Many of these activity programmes are provided on a residential basis at weekends and during the Easter and summer breaks.

    A further £8 million is being made available over 2001-04 to local authorities to enable them to support the most fragile existing out of school childcare provision in disadvantaged areas. This is additional to £49 million already allocated to local authorities in the last comprehensive spending review for childcare support. The New Opportunities Fund is also making £25.3 million available for out of school childcare projects over 1999-2003, which is being enhanced by up to £7 million to provide further support in disadvantaged areas. An additional £14 million will be made available by the New Opportunities Fund over 2002-06 for a range of childcare provision, including out of school care.

    In addition, Community Learning Strategy Partnerships are required to analyse the needs of local communities in planning provision of community-based education facilities. This analysis of local needs should include consideration of the requirements and appropriate provision of community-based resources for all young people.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156796,"EventID":"S1W-20185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grounds were given by Historic Scotland when seeking ministerial approval to grant consent to the application by the John Muir Birthplace Trust to make alterations ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grounds were given by Historic Scotland when seeking ministerial approval to grant consent to the application by the John Muir Birthplace Trust to make alterations to the John Muir birthplace in Dunbar, a listed building. ","AnswerText":"Listed Building Consent for the works at the John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar has not been granted by Scottish ministers; consent for the works has been given by East Lothian Council as planning authority.

    Prior to issuing the consent, East Lothian Council notified the application to ministers under the requirements of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Notification permits ministers to consider whether an application raises issues, such as national planning policy matters, which merit its being called-in for determination by them rather than the planning authority. In this instance, ministers decided on the basis of the information before them, including advice from their officials in Historic Scotland, that it would be appropriate to leave the decision on the application to East Lothian Council. Advice given by civil servants to ministers is confidential.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156797,"EventID":"S1W-20186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight was given to (a) the scheme as notified to East Lothian Council including overseas objections and (b) the objection submitted by the Scottish Civic Trust in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what weight was given to (a) the scheme as notified to East Lothian Council including overseas objections and (b) the objection submitted by the Scottish Civic Trust in particular when considering the request by Historic Scotland to grant consent to the application by the John Muir Trust to alter the John Muir birthplace in Dunbar. ","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers did not grant consent for the works to the John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar. Consent was given by East Lothian Council as planning authority. The decision not to call in the application for decision by ministers was made after careful study of the relevant issues.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156798,"EventID":"S1W-20187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it approved alterations to the John Muir birthplace in Dunbar, a listed building, without holding a public enquiry or further public consultation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it approved alterations to the John Muir birthplace in Dunbar, a listed building, without holding a public enquiry or further public consultation. ","AnswerText":"The application for Listed Building Consent for the proposed alterations to the John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar was granted consent by East Lothian Council as planning authority, not Scottish ministers. Following routine notification of the application to ministers by the council and full consideration of the relevant issues, ministers determined that they were content to leave the decision on the application to the council.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156799,"EventID":"S1W-20188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and whether it has been in communication with Her Majesty's Government over the United Kingdom's ratification of the convention, including the timing of ratification.","AnswerText":"The Executive fully supports the United Nations Aarhus Convention, and it is in close contact with Her Majesty's Government over the UK's ratification of the Convention, including the timing of ratification.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156800,"EventID":"S1W-20189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will facilitate implementation of the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Partic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will facilitate implementation of the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and, if so, how any such implementation will be achieved.","AnswerText":"The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will, if enacted, facilitate implementation of the United Nations Aarhus Convention. This will be achieved through the power in the bill to introduce regulations compliant with the convention.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156801,"EventID":"S1W-20190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will enable implementation of Article 5 of the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Publ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill will enable implementation of Article 5 of the United Nations Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters relating to the collection and dissemination of environmental information.","AnswerText":"Implementation of Article 5 of the United Nations Aarhus Convention is already being delivered through existing administrative and legislative means. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill is therefore not needed to enable implementation of Article 5.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156802,"EventID":"S1W-20191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding will be made available to assist with any extra workload for primary care services following any possible adoption throughout all NHS trusts and boards of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding will be made available to assist with any extra workload for primary care services following any possible adoption throughout all NHS trusts and boards of the measures subject to the pilot study at Ninewells Hospital in respect of nurse-led early discharge of patients with drains still in place. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20100.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156803,"EventID":"S1W-20192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on prescribing infliximab in each of the last three years, broken down by health board area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on prescribing infliximab in each of the last three years, broken down by health board area. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16712 on 1 August 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156804,"EventID":"S1W-20193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the funding of agencies that provide non-housing debt advice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the funding of agencies that provide non-housing debt advice.","AnswerText":"Working with COSLA, advice agencies and other partners, including the financial sector, the Executive is supporting a pilot project which will ensure that people get free, high quality telephone debt advice. No specific guidance has been issued to local authorities on the funding of local debt advice agencies, which is a matter for each authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156805,"EventID":"S1W-20194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the computer systems referred to in Section 4.2 (i), (ii) and (iii) of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Tru","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the computer systems referred to in Section 4.2 (i), (ii) and (iii) of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network (a) are compatible with each computer system operated by Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd across each contract area; (b) are compatible with the Executive's computer system, and (c) received written consent from the Director on the appropriate date, and what the reasons are for the position in each case, all broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156806,"EventID":"S1W-20195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have enough plant resource in place to meet the requirements of Section 5 of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have enough plant resource in place to meet the requirements of Section 5 of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network for each contract area, and, if not, how much plant resource to meet the requirements of Section 5 remains outstanding, broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156807,"EventID":"S1W-20196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have had with Railtrack Plc as required by Section 11.11 of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contact Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have had with Railtrack Plc as required by Section 11.11 of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network since 1 April 2001; what date each contact was made, and what reason was given for each contact, all broken down by contract area. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156808,"EventID":"S1W-20197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Section 13, of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network was complied with in full by Amey Highwa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Section 13, of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network was complied with in full by Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd for each contract area; which date each contract area complied with Section 13, and whether any particular aspects remain outstanding, broken down by contract area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20202 on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156809,"EventID":"S1W-20198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it issues to local authorities on how public consultation should be structured regarding planning applications for waste management facilities, materials recy","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it issues to local authorities on how public consultation should be structured regarding planning applications for waste management facilities, materials recycling facilities and energy from waste plants.","AnswerText":"There are no separate statutory requirements for public consultation on planning applications for such proposals. The Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 sets out the basic statutory requirements for consultation on planning applications. Additional consultation may be required where, for example, environmental impact assessment is involved or development is contrary to the development plan.

    In November, we published a consultation paper Getting involved in Planning which contains a number of proposals aimed at encouraging more effective public participation in the planning system. Responses to the consultation, which runs until the end of March 2002, will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156810,"EventID":"S1W-20199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is required to conduct an environmental assessment prior to any application for planning permission being granted for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is required to conduct an environmental assessment prior to any application for planning permission being granted for waste management handling facilities and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"No. The environmental impact assessment process associated with planning applications is co-ordinated by the planning authority. The responsibility for preparing the environmental statement rests with the applicant. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is consulted by the planning authority when evaluating the environmental statement.

    These procedures are set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. These regulations implemented Council Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156811,"EventID":"S1W-20200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will reply to my letter of 17 October 2001 regarding my constituent Mrs M Buchan of Peterhead.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will reply to my letter of 17 October 2001 regarding my constituent Mrs M Buchan of Peterhead.","AnswerText":"A response was sent to the member on 27 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156812,"EventID":"S1W-20201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will reply to my letter of 17 October 2001 regarding my constituent Ms S MacDonald of Mintlaw.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs will reply to my letter of 17 October 2001 regarding my constituent Ms S MacDonald of Mintlaw.","AnswerText":"A response was sent to the member on 27 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156813,"EventID":"S1W-20202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, for the period 7 to 9 November 2001, it will give details of the daily records of winter maintenance on trunk roads in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire that BEAR Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, for the period 7 to 9 November 2001, it will give details of the daily records of winter maintenance on trunk roads in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire that BEAR Scotland Ltd is required to keep under section 3.3 of Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Term Contract for Management and Maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road Network in respect of (a) treatment records, (b) trunk road blockages giving lengths and times, (c) ice detection records, (d) weather forecasts and actual weather experienced, (e) accidents resulting from winter conditions, (f) response times achieved, (g) complaints by members of the public and trunk road users and the action taken, (h) constructional plant and equipment downtime and software faults, (i) quantities of de-icing materials used in stock and on order for each depot, (j) constructional plant and equipment deployment records and driver/operator logs, (k) output from gritter on-board data loggers and (l) salting decisions.","AnswerText":"It would be excessively time consuming and costly to obtain information from the Operating Companies at the level of detail requested, but I have undertaken to publish a report by the Performance Audit Group on the first year of operation of the new contracts in line with the recommendation of the Auditor General.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156814,"EventID":"S1W-20203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19203 by Ian Gray on 16 November 2001, what discussions it has held with women members of the Scottish Bar and other members of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19203 by Ian Gray on 16 November 2001, what discussions it has held with women members of the Scottish Bar and other members of the Faculty of Advocates on encouraging applications for appointments to the senior judiciary from advocates from non-traditional backgrounds since 12 October 2001.","AnswerText":"There have been no meetings. The Judicial Appointments Board to be established in the New Year will be asked to examine ways of attracting candidates for judicial posts from a wider background.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156815,"EventID":"S1W-20204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19204 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, (a) how many more appointments to the senior judiciary have been made since October 2001; (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19204 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, (a) how many more appointments to the senior judiciary have been made since October 2001; (b) how many of those appointed were male; (c) how many of those appointed attended public schools; (d) how many of those appointed hold degrees from the Universities of Cambridge or Oxford, and (e) how many of those appointed had a father or grandfather who held a legal qualification.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    (a) 3

    (b) 2

    (c) 3

    (d) none

    (e) this information is not requested from candidates for appointment.

    I am aware that the father of the current Lord President was a sheriff but no other information is available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156816,"EventID":"S1W-20205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19205 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, how many interviews or meetings have been held with candidates for appointment to the senio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19205 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, how many interviews or meetings have been held with candidates for appointment to the senior judiciary since March 2001.","AnswerText":"The only interviews or meetings with candidates for the office of Senator of the College of Justice have been those referred to in the reply to question S1W-19205 on 16 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156817,"EventID":"S1W-20206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants has not been paid for its report on cladding materials for the new Parliament building. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants has not been paid for its report on cladding materials for the new Parliament building. ","AnswerText":"I understand that the report referred to in the question was the result of a contract between Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and STATS Specialist Engineering, Materials and Environmental Consultants. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that payment has not yet been made for this report, which was in connection with the MSP building cladding contract, due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156818,"EventID":"S1W-20207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why Spittal stone was selected for cladding for the new Parliament building in preference to Weydale stone, given that Weydale stone does not change colour or de-laminate","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why Spittal stone was selected for cladding for the new Parliament building in preference to Weydale stone, given that Weydale stone does not change colour or de-laminate when in contact with water. ","AnswerText":"The selection of Spittal stone for cladding the MSP office building, in preference to Weydale stone, was on the grounds that its darker colour suited the aesthetic requirements of the project. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the results of the testing of Spittal stone must remain commercially confidential, as they could potentially impact upon the future business of the supplier concerned.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156819,"EventID":"S1W-20208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether proof of fitness for purpose has been sought for the Spittal stone ordered for wash basin surrounds in the new Parliament building. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether proof of fitness for purpose has been sought for the Spittal stone ordered for wash basin surrounds in the new Parliament building. ","AnswerText":"No order has yet been placed for wash basin surrounds within the new Scottish Parliament building. Spittal stone suits the aesthetic requirements of the project however, and is tried and tested in the horizontal plane. I understand, from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group, that fitness for purpose of the material chosen for wash basin surrounds will need to be demonstrated by the successful contractor.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156820,"EventID":"S1W-20209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer why a tendering process was not followed in relation to obtaining all stone cladding materials for the new Parliament building.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer why a tendering process was not followed in relation to obtaining all stone cladding materials for the new Parliament building.","AnswerText":"All procurement in respect of the new Scottish Parliament building is carried out in accordance with EC public procurement regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156821,"EventID":"S1W-20210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness Stone Industries Ltd has been paid for stone supplied for the new Parliament building. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness Stone Industries Ltd has been paid for stone supplied for the new Parliament building. ","AnswerText":"I understand that Caithness Stone Industries Ltd have not yet been paid in connection with the MSP building cladding contract. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that this is due to the financial difficulties of the contractor, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, who have now gone into receivership. The matter is now in the hands of the official receiver.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156822,"EventID":"S1W-20211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness flagstone ordered from Caithness Stone Industries Ltd is costed at #500 per square metre. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether Caithness flagstone ordered from Caithness Stone Industries Ltd is costed at #500 per square metre. ","AnswerText":"I refer Ms MacDonald to my answer to question S1W-20206 today and confirm that information held by the Parliament, relating to specific financial arrangements between the Parliament's contractors and their sub-contractors, is commercially confidential.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156823,"EventID":"S1W-20213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in total will be employed by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in total will be employed by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the two bodies. However, it is expected that approximately 500 people will be employed by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and approximately 36 by the Scottish Social Services Council. In addition, approximately 15 staff are likely to be employed to carry out work for both bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156824,"EventID":"S1W-20214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job vacancies have been advertised at the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council and where any such vacancies were a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what job vacancies have been advertised at the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council and where any such vacancies were advertised. ","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive posts for both the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council were advertised in The Guardian, The Herald, The Scotsman, the Dundee Courier and the Aberdeen Press and Journal.

    Other posts and the processes for filling them are matters for the two bodies themselves.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156825,"EventID":"S1W-20215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people currently employed by local authority social work departments will be transferred to (a) the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and (b) the Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people currently employed by local authority social work departments will be transferred to (a) the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and (b) the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerText":"Two hundred and twenty-six such staff have indicated an initial preference to transfer to the Commission.

    Staff transferring to the Scottish Social Services Council were previously employed by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. No local authority staff will be transferring to the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156826,"EventID":"S1W-20216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1916,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people will be employed by (a) the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and (b) the Scottish Social Services Council in each of the salary ranges (i) u","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people will be employed by (a) the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and (b) the Scottish Social Services Council in each of the salary ranges (i) under #10,000, (ii) from #10,001 to #15,000, (iii) from #15,001 to #25,000 and (iv) over #25,000 gross per annum.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care will mainly employ staff transferring from local authority and NHS board registration and inspection units. These staff will transfer on existing salary levels.

    The Scottish Social Services Council is employing staff who were previously employed by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. These staff have also transferred on existing salary levels.

    The chief executives of the council and the commission have salaries of over £25,000. The salaries of other new staff are for the bodies themselves.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156827,"EventID":"S1W-20217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the new contract for the BAE SYSTEMS Govan yard will affect the skills base and jobs at the Scotstoun shipyard.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the new contract for the BAE SYSTEMS Govan yard will affect the skills base and jobs at the Scotstoun shipyard.","AnswerText":"The new Alternative Landing Ship Logistics contract was signed on 19 November by BAE SYSTEMS Marine for the Clyde yards. Whilst a substantial part of the work will be carried out at Govan, the increasingly integrated nature of the company's two Clyde yards and the increased flexibility and mobility of its workers will have positive benefit for workers at both Scotstoun and Govan. In addition, whilst all steel production will be carried out at Govan, all manufacturing work will be carried out at the manufacturing centre of Excellence at Scotstoun.

    In total, the contract will sustain up to 600 jobs on the Clyde and a further 200 among outside contractors when construction is at its peak. It will provide continuity in workload until construction of the Type 45 Destroyers gets under way. Taken together with the latter, it will provide a secure base of work for the Clydeside yards for some time to come.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156828,"EventID":"S1W-20218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane will have its annual recurrent grant for 2001-02 determined. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane will have its annual recurrent grant for 2001-02 determined. ","AnswerText":"Ministers will determine the annual recurrent grant for St Mary's Episcopal Primary School, Dunblane, as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156829,"EventID":"S1W-20219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what has been (a) the experience in business, aviation and tourism and (b) the political affiliation of all board members of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd since 199","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what has been (a) the experience in business, aviation and tourism and (b) the political affiliation of all board members of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd since 1997. ","AnswerText":"There are currently five part-time members on the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) and one full-time member. All have business experience, two have aviation experience and none has any direct involvement in tourism. The three former members since 1997 all had business experience and one had aviation experience. Under the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code, applicants for public appointments are not obliged to declare details of their political affiliations which are a private matter. None of the present or former members undertook political activity in the five-year period prior to their appointment.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156830,"EventID":"S1W-20220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria have to be met by anyone appointed to the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria have to be met by anyone appointed to the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. ","AnswerText":"The criteria used when selecting members to the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) are:

    Skills

    Analytical and strategic skills;

    Effective presentational, communication and negotiating skills;

    Ability to provide inspiration and motivation for the HIAL Board, and

    *Ability to speak Gaelic.

    Knowledge

    Broad knowledge of Highlands and Islands issues;

    Knowledge of aviation/transport issues, and

    *Knowledge of NDPBs/Nationalised Industries and the Public Policy Framework.

    Experience

    Proven experience at a senior level in the areas of business, finance, local government (aviation/transport).

    Qualifications

    Qualifications and/or experience in relevant subjects and issues such as business, finance, local government (aviation or transport).

    * Desirable criteria (the remainder are necessary criteria).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156831,"EventID":"S1W-20221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants are employed in primary schools in 2001-02, broken down by local authority area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants are employed in primary schools in 2001-02, broken down by local authority area. ","AnswerText":"The number of classroom assistants employed by education authorities in 2001-02 is not available. The latest returns for the Excellence Fund show that at March this year education authorities employed 2,663 FTE classroom assistants. A breakdown by authority is set out in the following table.

    Authority

    Classroom Assistants 2000-01 (FTE)

    Aberdeen City

    124

    Aberdeenshire

    108

    Angus

    49

    Argyll & Bute

    23

    Clackmannanshire

    21

    Dumfries & Galloway

    64

    Dundee

    64

    East Ayrshire

    69

    East Dunbartonshire

    80

    East Lothian

    31

    East Renfrewshire

    70

    Edinburgh

    147

    Eilean Siar

    5

    Falkirk

    88

    Fife

    156

    The cumulative spend on the renewable energy sector by Scottish Enterprise over the last three years, plus that already approved for 2002-03, is in excess of £1 million. This includes the cost of encouraging Scottish companies to diversify into renewable energy opportunities in general, through a series of seminars/roadshows which reached 160 companies.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156834,"EventID":"S1W-20224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive for which commercial and industrial sectors (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise have planned, or are planning, to develop strategies and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive for which commercial and industrial sectors (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise have planned, or are planning, to develop strategies and what level of resources has been allocated to each such sector strategy. ","AnswerText":"The Enterprise Network's activities in the commercial and industrial sectors stem directly from the Executive's strategy A Smart, Successful Scotland, whose key themes are Growing Businesses, Learning and Skills, and Global Connections. In addition, Highlands and Islands Enterprise discharges its responsibility for social development through the strategic theme of Strengthening Communities.

    Resource allocations made by the networks in response to this strategic framework are not normally specific to individual sectors. They relate to the opportunities and need for activities such as training, product development, marketing, business start-up, property provision and business development finance across a wide range of sectors.

    However, Scottish Enterprise currently has in place specific strategies for the following industrial sectors:
     

    Total Spend

    (£ million)

    Over Period of

    Announced in 1999

    Biotechnology

    38

    5 years

    Semi-Conductors

    46

    5 years

    Food and Drink

    27

    5 years

    Announced in 2000

    		  

    Optoelectronics

    31

    5 years

    Creative Industries

    25

    5 years

    Forest Industries

    15

    3 years

    Announced in 2001

    Tourism

    11 per annum

    -

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156835,"EventID":"S1W-20225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to monitor the number of companies, value of sales and level of employment associated with the renewable energy sector. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to monitor the number of companies, value of sales and level of employment associated with the renewable energy sector. ","AnswerText":"No such monitoring is currently undertaken. However, one of the principal objectives of our policy to promote renewable energy is to help Scottish companies to benefit from the increasing opportunities arising from the exploitation of Scotland's huge potential in this field. We will continue to work closely with both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on this, with the aim of increasing the many hundreds of jobs in Scotland already dependent on the design, installation and maintenance of renewable energy schemes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156836,"EventID":"S1W-20226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the expansion of the renewable energy sector in terms of job numbers and value to the economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the expansion of the renewable energy sector in terms of job numbers and value to the economy.","AnswerText":"We have no specific targets in place, but we are confident that the Executive's policies to promote renewable energy will drive a significant expansion in this important sector.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156837,"EventID":"S1W-20227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise are promoting the development of renewable energy as part of their strategies for key commercial and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise are promoting the development of renewable energy as part of their strategies for key commercial and industrial sectors.","AnswerText":"Both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have commissioned studies into the wider economic benefits that could be derived in their respective areas from the development of Scotland's renewable energy resource.

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise is currently working with a number of clients to take forward renewable energy projects. In particular, it is assisting Vestas establish a wind turbine manufacturing base in Argyll and is progressing the Marine Energy Test Centre project in conjunction with the Executive, Scottish Enterprise and other public sector partners. The latter project is proposed for Orkney and, if confirmed, will assist the development of the marine energy industry in Scotland.

    In addition, Scottish Enterprise took a roadshow round Scotland last year encouraging companies to consider diversifying into renewable energy systems. Several of these companies are now pursuing opportunities for new business.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156838,"EventID":"S1W-20228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that firms involved in the design, development and manufacture of renewable technology benefit from any increased demand created by t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that firms involved in the design, development and manufacture of renewable technology benefit from any increased demand created by the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","AnswerText":"We have been working with Scottish Enterprise to encourage Scottish companies to diversify into the manufacturing opportunities which are arising from development of renewable energy sources under the Executive's proposed Renewables Obligation (Scotland). A roadshow on the subject was well attended by companies, and several of them are now pursuing opportunities for new business. We will continue to promote the renewables industry, to attract investment to Scotland and to help Scottish companies take advantage of this new business opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156839,"EventID":"S1W-20229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the potential market opportunities for firms stemming from the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the potential market opportunities for firms stemming from the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","AnswerText":"No such assessment has been made, but we expect the proposed Renewables Obligation (Scotland) to create a significant new demand for renewable energy systems and equipment, and ancillary services. We expect that the entrepreneurial determination and technical expertise of the Scottish renewable energy industry will enable it to exploit the considerable opportunities which this demand will create.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156840,"EventID":"S1W-20230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter of 29 September 2001 regarding the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will reply to my letter of 29 September 2001 regarding the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review.","AnswerText":"A reply was sent by the Scottish Prison Service on 2 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156841,"EventID":"S1W-20231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the collapse of Atlantic Telecom and the discontinuance of telephone lines and numbers for subscribers and to whom and when","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the collapse of Atlantic Telecom and the discontinuance of telephone lines and numbers for subscribers and to whom and when any such representations were made.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive was in discussion with the Department of Trade and Industry and Oftel from 8 November 2001 regarding the potential switch-off of the Atlantic Telecom fixed wireless network on 25 November 2001. As soon as it became apparent that there was no possibility of a buyer being found for the fixed wireless network, we began looking at potential options for minimising disruption to Atlantic customers.

    On 24 November 2001, the Scottish Executive and Department of Trade and Industry agreed to pay for the Atlantic fixed wireless network to remain open until 2 January 2002. The network will continue to provide the same limited service of incoming calls, outgoing emergency and toll free calls as has been provided since 10 November 2001. This should give alternative operators, including BT, time to provide customers with a new telephone service and new number.

    We are also paying for a messaging service, which will give former Atlantic customers the opportunity to leave a voicemail message on their old line publicising their new number.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156842,"EventID":"S1W-20232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on the nutritional content of school meals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on the nutritional content of school meals.","AnswerText":"In 1996, the Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health made a number of recommendations and included nutritional guidelines targeted primarily at pre-school and school age children. Education authorities and schools have been implementing these recommendations to varying degrees. In February 1999 the Her Majesty's Inspectorate report Drug and Nutritional Education identified good practice and areas where action was needed.

    In addition, the Scottish Consumer Council and the Health Education Board for Scotland jointly published their research School Meals Service in Scotland, on 19 November which covers a number of issues. The Food in Schools Conference which was held in May 2001, and was supported jointly by the Scottish Executive, the Food Standards Agency, the Scottish Consumer Council and the Health Education Board for Scotland also reported on 19 November. The main outcome from the conference was agreement on the need for a national strategy for school meals to include standards for nutritional content and dining facilities within a framework which eliminates the stigma associated with free school meals.

    To take this agenda forward I recently announced, together with the Ministers for Health and Community Care and Social Justice, the establishment of an expert panel to make recommendations for wide ranging improvements in the delivery of school meals. Chaired by a Director of Education, the panel's remit will be provide Scottish ministers with fully costed recommendations, and an implementation and monitoring strategy to:

    Establish standards for the nutritional content of school meals

    Eliminate the stigma attached to free school meals and improve take up

    Improve the presentation of school meals

    The expert panel will include representatives from a wide range of sectors and stakeholders and it will operate in a consultative and participatory manner to ensure that the views of key groups such as parents, children and young people are taken into account. The panel is expected to report in the autumn of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156843,"EventID":"S1W-20233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on any stigma attached to the current free school meals system. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on any stigma attached to the current free school meals system. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156844,"EventID":"S1W-20234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it is allocating to making improvements in the school meals system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it is allocating to making improvements in the school meals system.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156845,"EventID":"S1W-20235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what categories of children will benefit from the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what categories of children will benefit from the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives.","AnswerText":"The Fruit Plus initiative is a Glasgow City Council/Greater Glasgow Health Board initiative. It aims to provide a piece of fruit three days a week for pre-school nurseries and primary schools in Glasgow. The funding and timescale of the initiative are a matter for the local authority and the health board.

    Smartcard initiatives are being introduced across a number of local authorities in Scotland, including developments in Aberdeen, Angus, Argyll and Bute and Glasgow that are supported through the Modernising Government Fund. The current focus of these developments is youth and education services, primarily secondary schools.

    A steering group chaired by the Scottish Executive with membership from local authority Chief Executives has been set up to put in place a framework for smartcards. Early tasks for the group will be to identify the categories of service most appropriate to smartcards, the likely costs of delivering smartcards and the timescale for such projects across the Scottish public sector.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156846,"EventID":"S1W-20236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives for school children will cost in each year for which estimates are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives for school children will cost in each year for which estimates are available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20235.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156847,"EventID":"S1W-20237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives for school children are expected to last.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the Fruit Plus and Smart Card initiatives for school children are expected to last.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20235.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156848,"EventID":"S1W-20238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1212 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 13 September 1999, whether it now has any plans to maximise the take-up of free school meals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1212 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 13 September 1999, whether it now has any plans to maximise the take-up of free school meals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156849,"EventID":"S1W-20239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1600 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 September 1999, to what extent the recommendations of the Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Healt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1600 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 September 1999, to what extent the recommendations of the Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health have been implemented in catering services for pre-school and school age children.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156850,"EventID":"S1W-20240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1600 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 September 1999, what reports it has received from HM Inspectorate of Education on nutritional standa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1600 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 30 September 1999, what reports it has received from HM Inspectorate of Education on nutritional standards for school meals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156851,"EventID":"S1W-20241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14438 by Mr Jack McConnell on 18 June 2001, whether there has been any progress in its discussions with CoSLA on improving the take","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14438 by Mr Jack McConnell on 18 June 2001, whether there has been any progress in its discussions with CoSLA on improving the take-up of free school meals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156852,"EventID":"S1W-20242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4376/2001 of 19 November 2001, whether the matters considered by the expert panel on school meals will include making school meals free","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4376/2001 of 19 November 2001, whether the matters considered by the expert panel on school meals will include making school meals free for all school children.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20232.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156853,"EventID":"S1W-20243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18802 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will provide information on the number and percentage of applicants for publi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18802 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will provide information on the number and percentage of applicants for public appointments who declared any political activity.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available. All applications for public appointments are considered very carefully against the criteria for the appointment in question. As the political activity declaration makes clear, neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment. Information on the political activities of applicants is not collated centrally. The Commissioner for Public Appointments does not require this information. Most applications are retained for only a very short period and then destroyed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156854,"EventID":"S1W-20244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants to tenants by local authorities for the upgrading and repair of social housing can be used to pay off council tax arrears.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants to tenants by local authorities for the upgrading and repair of social housing can be used to pay off council tax arrears.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156855,"EventID":"S1W-20245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what developments there have been with regard to upgrading the A8000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what developments there have been with regard to upgrading the A8000.","AnswerText":"The A8000 is a local road and therefore the responsibility of City of Edinburgh Council. I understand that a public exhibition of the council's plans was held in Kirkliston on 4 and 5 December, and will move to South Queensferry and Edinburgh over the next two weeks. Progress thereafter will depend on the public reaction to the plans and the necessary Compulsory Purchase and Roads Orders.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156856,"EventID":"S1W-20246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund the rebuilding of the Stonehouse Hospital; whether it is actively considering a private finance model for this project, and when it expects the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund the rebuilding of the Stonehouse Hospital; whether it is actively considering a private finance model for this project, and when it expects the rebuilding work to commence.","AnswerText":"The Health Department assessed the business case received from Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust for the redevelopment of part of the Stonehouse Hospital site.

    The business case indicated that there was potential to procure this development through a Public/Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative and, in approving the business case, the trust was asked to fully explore this option.

    It is a matter for Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust to determine a suitable timetable for this project.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156857,"EventID":"S1W-20247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions were reached following its review of the Excellence Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions were reached following its review of the Excellence Fund.","AnswerText":"The scope and operation of the Excellence Fund is currently under review by a working group comprising officials of the Scottish Executive Education Department and representatives of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland who are participating on behalf of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). I expect the group to report its conclusions to ministers and to COSLA within the next few weeks and an announcement will be made about the outcome of the review as soon as practicable thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156858,"EventID":"S1W-20248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific lessons were learned in its review of the Excellence Fund by studying the Standards Fund administered by the Department of Education and Employment in Engl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific lessons were learned in its review of the Excellence Fund by studying the Standards Fund administered by the Department of Education and Employment in England.","AnswerText":"As indicated in my reply to question S1W-20247, the Excellence Fund is currently under review. General account is being taken of the Standards Fund administered by the Department for Education and Skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156859,"EventID":"S1W-20249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for clinical trials of beta interferon similar to those announced for England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for clinical trials of beta interferon similar to those announced for England and Wales.","AnswerText":"Along with the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales, the Executive is taking part in discussions with the drug manufacturers to consider a range of options under which drugs for multiple sclerosis might be available on the NHS. One option is a \"risk sharing\" scheme and until these discussions, which are at an early stage, are concluded detailed information cannot be provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156860,"EventID":"S1W-20250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding a proposal by Consignia to end second post deliveries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding a proposal by Consignia to end second post deliveries.","AnswerText":"Consignia and postal services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including matters relating to Consignia.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156861,"EventID":"S1W-20251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial help is to be made available to the City of Edinburgh Council for any expenditure incurred following the flooding in April and November 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial help is to be made available to the City of Edinburgh Council for any expenditure incurred following the flooding in April and November 2000.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that City of Edinburgh Council is eligible for a payment of £150,792 under the Bellwin Scheme. The scheme was activated on 29 August 2001 following representation from the council on costs directly associated with the immediate aftermath of the severe flooding in April and November 2000.

    City of Edinburgh Council's costs were primarily revenue costs for removing fallen trees and debris, land drainage works and the evacuation of a nursing care home.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angus MacKay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156862,"EventID":"S1W-20252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":71,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its annual report on drug misuse in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its annual report on drug misuse in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our first Annual Report is being published today. This document reports on progress with the implementation of the Scottish Executive's Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. The report sets out progress across all strands of our Drugs Strategy, from April 2000, and it outlines further action for the future. I am pleased to say that we are making solid and steady progress in tackling this blight on Scottish communities, although it will take some time for our record levels of investment to translate into new and expanded services for drug misusers.

    Copies of the report have been made available to the Parliament's Reference Centre, and it has also been published on the Scottish Executive's website.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156863,"EventID":"S1W-20253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the introduction of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines for renal services in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the introduction of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines for renal services in the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is an independent body, and decisions on proposals for the introduction of guidelines are a matter for the SIGN Council to consider. They are always willing to consider topics for new guidelines, but would need to consider how these could be fitted into the existing programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156864,"EventID":"S1W-20254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate the prevention and management of renal disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate the prevention and management of renal disease.","AnswerText":"Prevention of renal disease needs to concentrate on the main causes, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). In relation to diabetes, the Executive has developed a Scottish Diabetes Framework which covers prevention and early detection, as well as a section on kidney problems. Reduction of hypertension is dealt with in the CHD/Stroke Task Force report, currently out for consultation, and our national demonstration project, Have a Heart Paisley. Work on Scotland's diet, especially reducing the amount of salt in food, also plays a significant role. Initiatives to reduce high blood pressure will be beneficial in relation to renal disease as well as to CHD.

    The standards being developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish Renal Association will ensure that the management of renal disease continues to be of the highest quality. These are currently the subject of consultation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156865,"EventID":"S1W-20255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current remit is of the renal sub-group of the NHS Acute Services Review and what plans it has to implement any recommendations the sub-group has made or may mak","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current remit is of the renal sub-group of the NHS Acute Services Review and what plans it has to implement any recommendations the sub-group has made or may make.","AnswerText":"Renal disease was a major focus of attention during the Acute Services Review. The views of the Renal Disease Sub-Group were incorporated in the Report of the Review, which was published in June 1998. The Sub-Group ceased to exist once it had reported to the Acute Services Group, which has been responsible for implementation of the main recommendations of the review.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156866,"EventID":"S1W-20256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the study into the costs and feasibility of a heavy duty cable network to take electricity from wind farms and wave energy devices from the Highlands and Island","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long the study into the costs and feasibility of a heavy duty cable network to take electricity from wind farms and wave energy devices from the Highlands and Islands to English markets will take.","AnswerText":"We understand that this study, which has been commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, is due to report shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156867,"EventID":"S1W-20257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it concluded that the Statement of Practice did not apply to staff transfers under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations associated with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it concluded that the Statement of Practice did not apply to staff transfers under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations associated with the trunk road maintenance contracts tendering process, as referred to in paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 to the submission by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities referred to in the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contracts: An Examination of the Competition for the Maintenance and Management of the Trunk Road Network; how it came to this conclusion, and what bodies or organisations it liased with during the decision-making process that led to this conclusion.","AnswerText":"After careful examination, the Scottish Executive concluded that the Statement of Practice did not apply. The Scottish Executive was not the employer of the public sector workers involved, nor did the Scottish Executive or its predecessors ever employ them.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156868,"EventID":"S1W-20258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was \"no obligation on it to protect occupational pensions\", as referred to in paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 to the submission by the Convention of Scottish Local A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was \"no obligation on it to protect occupational pensions\", as referred to in paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 to the submission by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities referred to in the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contracts: An Examination of the Competition for the Maintenance and Management of the Trunk Road Network, and what impact this position has had, or will have, on those local authority staff affected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member the answer given to question S1W-20257. The Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Regulations 1981 do not apply so as to transfer contract terms in relation to membership of occupational pension schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156869,"EventID":"S1W-20259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed by EAGA Partnerships (Scotland) since it was awarded the contract. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed by EAGA Partnerships (Scotland) since it was awarded the contract. ","AnswerText":"Eaga have installed over 150 central heating systems in the private sector since its appointment on 29 August. Over 3,500 heating systems will be installed by Eaga by March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156870,"EventID":"S1W-20260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are waiting for orthodontic treatment and what the current average waiting times for such treatment are in each health board area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are waiting for orthodontic treatment and what the current average waiting times for such treatment are in each health board area. ","AnswerText":"Most orthodontic treatments carried out within hospital and community health settings are undertaken on an out-patient basis. Information on waiting lists and waiting times for such treatments is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156871,"EventID":"S1W-20261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for orthodontic practitioners (a) exist and (b) are vacant in each health board area. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for orthodontic practitioners (a) exist and (b) are vacant in each health board area. ","AnswerText":"The following table shows orthodontist posts in NHSScotland hospitals and vacancy information for hospital consultants, together with information on the number of NHS General Dental Services orthodontic practitioners. The data are shown as headcount.

    Orthodontists by Health Board - Staff in Post and Vacancy Information","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156872,"EventID":"S1W-20262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for clinical oncologists (a) exist, (b) are vacant and (c) are currently funded by charities in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts for clinical oncologists (a) exist, (b) are vacant and (c) are currently funded by charities in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the latest available data held centrally on the headcount of staff in post at 30 September 2000 (provisional) for those doctors whose speciality is recorded as clinical oncology. Vacancy information for consultant and staff grade clinical oncologists show there were no vacant posts at 30 September 2000. Vacancy information for other grades is not available centrally.

    Information on the number of posts funded by charities is not available centrally but is held by local NHS management. Contact details for NHS management personnel is available on www.show.scot.nhs.uk.

    Cancer services in Scotland are delivered by clinicians working within three regional managed clinical networks. The number of oncologists working within a particular NHS board area is therefore not an indicator of the level of local patient access to these highly specialised services.

    Clinical Oncologist directly employed by NHSScotland1

    Headcount at 30 September 2000 (provisional)

     

    Hospital Orthodontists (at 30/09/2000)

    NHS General Dental Services Orthodontic Practitioners in Post4,5,6

     

    Consultants in Post

    Consultant Vacancies1,2

    Other Grades in Post3

    30/09/2000

    30/09/2001

    Scotland

    26

    2

    50

    70

    70

    Argyll & Clyde

    2

    0

    2

    7

    8

    Ayrshire & Arran

    2

    0

    1

    5

    5

    Borders

    1

    0

    0

    1

    1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1

    0

    1

    0

    0

     

    All Grades

    Consultant

    Associate Specialist

    Staff

    Specialist Registrar

    Senior House Officer

    Scotland

    74

    38

    1

    2

    21

    12

    Argyll & Clyde

    1

    1

    -

    -

    -

    -

    Ayrshire & Arran

    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    Borders

    1

    1

    -

    		On 21 November, there was also an announcement about the introduction of a caries prevention scheme, including fissure sealing and preventative work, for six and seven-year-olds in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156874,"EventID":"S1W-20264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to support the installation of more solar heating systems in Scotland. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to support the installation of more solar heating systems in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The funding of research and development with respect to renewable energy is a reserved matter; the budget is held by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). But we work hard to ensure that Scottish companies and other bodies with an interest in this field are made aware of the availability of this funding, and are encouraged to develop good quality proposals. The results of the second call for proposals from the domestic solar and photovoltaics field trial were announced by DTI recently, with four out of the 18 successful UK projects located in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156875,"EventID":"S1W-20265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed, or plans to assess, the potential energy savings and contribution to the reduction of climate change gases resulting from an increase in the use","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed, or plans to assess, the potential energy savings and contribution to the reduction of climate change gases resulting from an increase in the use of solar technology for domestic heating purposes.","AnswerText":"Whilst no such assessment has been carried out, the Executive's commitment to promoting renewable energy embraces a wide spectrum of technologies. We will continue, working within a UK framework for energy research and development, to encourage support for a range of renewable technologies in Scotland, including solar heating.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156876,"EventID":"S1W-20266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures to encourage the use of solar heating systems in new buildings will be included in plans it has to revise building regulations. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures to encourage the use of solar heating systems in new buildings will be included in plans it has to revise building regulations. ","AnswerText":"The measures in the latest amendment to the building standards regulations will improve energy efficiency in all new buildings, but do not prescribe how the standards must be met. Solar heating is encouraged through its inclusion in the calculation of energy ratings that are required to be produced for new dwellings.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156877,"EventID":"S1W-20267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will represent Scotland at the North Sea Conference in March 2002 and whether Scotland will be represented in its own right. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will represent Scotland at the North Sea Conference in March 2002 and whether Scotland will be represented in its own right. ","AnswerText":"Matters involving international relations, as well as many of the individual issues likely to be discussed at next year's North Sea Conference, are reserved to Westminster. The Scottish Executive is, however, contributing to the preparations for the conference where policy has been devolved. We are currently considering arrangements for attendance at the conference by ministers and officials.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156878,"EventID":"S1W-20268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the population of (a) cormorants, (b) goosanders and (c) red breasted mergansers was in each year since 1994, also expressed as a percentage of the 1994 figures. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the population of (a) cormorants, (b) goosanders and (c) red breasted mergansers was in each year since 1994, also expressed as a percentage of the 1994 figures. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held directly by the Executive. The following estimates and commentary have been supplied by Scottish Natural Heritage. Data are available separately for breeding pairs and for the peak wintering population.

    Breeding Population:

    Figures for the breeding population of goosander are available only for the year 1987, when the estimated population in Scotland was about 1,443 breeding pairs. In 1997, when the survey was repeated on a sample selection of the river lengths surveyed in 1987, no significant change in the breeding population was estimated to have taken place.

    Red breasted mergansers breed in coastal areas and no reliable estimate of the breeding population has ever been obtained.

    Breeding cormorants have only been censused fully in the years 1985-87 and more recently for Seabird 2000, although figures for this latter survey are not yet compiled. Overall trends for cormorant populations, where detailed surveys of individual colonies are undertaken, show that declines in population have occurred.

    Wintering Population:

    Counts for wintering populations are available from Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts, though for all species these are not complete surveys, especially for red-breasted merganser and cormorant which are predominantly coastal dwelling birds. However, WeBS data showing peak counts for Scotland as a whole are provided for each species in the following tables. The proportional change from 1994 is also shown as well as the month in which the peak population was counted.

    The populations of red breasted merganser and goosander wintering in Scotland are thought to include birds from breeding grounds in Scandinavia and continental Europe. The proportion of birds from these areas has not been determined.

    Cormorant

    Year

    Peak count

    (during September to March period)

    Percentage of 1994 figure

    Month of peak count

    1994-95

    3,001

    100%

    January

    1995-96

    3,796

    126%

    November

    1996-97

    2,873

    96%

    December

    1997-98

    2,578

    86%

    October

    1998-99

    2,147

    72%

    September

    1999-2000

    2,826

    94%

    October

    Goosander

    Year

    Peak count

    (during September to March period)

    Percentage of 1994 figure

    Month of peak count

    1994-95

    1,157

    100%

    February

    1995-96

    1,473

    127%

    December

    1996-97

    1,303

    113%National Cultural Strategy includes a key priority to develop wider opportunities for cultural access. Increasing access to the arts is therefore a priority for the Executive and audience development is an important aspect of this. Scottish funding bodies and public sector arts providers are aware of this emphasis and the Scottish Arts Council, as part of its £0.5 million lottery funding scheme for audience and sales development, is exploring ways to market arts events to all possible audiences including those affected by social exclusion. The local authorities' contribution is being considered by a working group of the Executive and COSLA with a view to developing guidelines setting out best practice.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156888,"EventID":"S1W-20278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on marketing arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on marketing arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20277.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156889,"EventID":"S1W-20279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.","AnswerText":"In awarding to the Scottish Arts Council £15.2 million in additional funding over the period of the spending review, the Executive made clear the importance it attached to work in disadvantaged areas. This reflects our priorities set out in the National Cultural Strategy, which was launched last year. It included a key priority to maximise the social benefits of culture. The First Annual Report on the implementation of the strategy published on 25 October set out a wide range of actions taken and planned to maximise culture's contribution to promoting social justice. We will continue to work with the local authorities and the council to maximise the benefit of the arts in these communities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156890,"EventID":"S1W-20280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on targeting arts events to socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20279.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156891,"EventID":"S1W-20281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new au","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support and encouragement it gives, or plans to give, to funding bodies for the arts in respect of offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new audiences among socially and economically disadvantaged people and communities.","AnswerText":"The Executive set out its priorities for the arts and culture in the National Cultural Strategy which was launched last year. It included a key priority to maximise the social benefits of culture. The Scottish Arts Council is exploring the aspect of audience development and its important role in the social justice agenda. The Executive announced on 25 October that additional support would be given to audience development initiatives aiming to bring people into contact with the arts. I am delighted to say that this year an additional £50,000 is being devoted specifically for this purpose and a further £50,000 to projects which promote access and participation in the arts and culture by socially excluded groups. Plans for these initiatives are being taken forward by the Scottish Arts Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156892,"EventID":"S1W-20282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new audiences am","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or instructions it issues, or plans to issue, to funding bodies for the arts on offering incentives to artists and arts companies to target new audiences among socially and economically disadvantaged citi'ens and communities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20281.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156893,"EventID":"S1W-20283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to revise the list of diseases that qualify for an exemption from prescription charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to revise the list of diseases that qualify for an exemption from prescription charges.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so. We will, however, shortly be commissioning research into the evidence available on the patient charging systems and what effect they have on the equity of access for and use of treatment; this research will help inform any future policy decisions on the charging systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156894,"EventID":"S1W-20284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider adding Crohn's Disease to the list of diseases exempt from prescription charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider adding Crohn's Disease to the list of diseases exempt from prescription charges.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to do so. We will, however, shortly be commissioning research into the evidence available on the patient charging systems and what effect they have on the equity of access for and use of treatment; this research will help inform any future policy decisions on the charging systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156895,"EventID":"S1W-20285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replace the criteria for assessing diseases that currently apply for exemption from prescription charges with criteria which have more regard to the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replace the criteria for assessing diseases that currently apply for exemption from prescription charges with criteria which have more regard to the clinical needs of chronically ill patients. ","AnswerText":"None. We will, however, shortly be commissioning research into the evidence available on the patient charging systems and what effect they have on the equity of access for and use of treatment; this research will help inform any future policy decisions on the charging systems.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156896,"EventID":"S1W-20286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its Social Justice Annual Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its Social Justice Annual Report.","AnswerText":"The Social Justice Annual Report 2001 will be published on Monday 26 November 2001. Copies of the full report and the accompanying technical volume are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the Scottish Executive's website www.scotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jackie Baillie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156897,"EventID":"S1W-20287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take before May 2003 to relocate more public sector jobs to Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take before May 2003 to relocate more public sector jobs to Glasgow.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19681 on 19 November 2001. No specific areas of Scotland are targeted, and none are ruled out when office relocations are considered. Glasgow will continue to be considered as a potential relocation site.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156898,"EventID":"S1W-20288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests it has received, or representations have been made to it, by or on behalf of community councils for reductions in local speed limits and how many such ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests it has received, or representations have been made to it, by or on behalf of community councils for reductions in local speed limits and how many such requests or representations have resulted in any reduction in speed limits in each of the years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156899,"EventID":"S1W-20289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which community councils have made requests or representations to it to reduce local speed limits that have not resulted in any reduction in speed limits on roads in the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which community councils have made requests or representations to it to reduce local speed limits that have not resulted in any reduction in speed limits on roads in their areas.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20288.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156900,"EventID":"S1W-20290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used in assessing whether a speed limit should be 40, 30 or 20 miles per hour and what criteria are used when considering any requests or representatio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used in assessing whether a speed limit should be 40, 30 or 20 miles per hour and what criteria are used when considering any requests or representations for reductions in speed limits.","AnswerText":"The criteria used by the Scottish Executive in determining speed limits on trunk roads are set out in Scottish Office Industry Department Circular 1/93, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17782). Requests and representations for reductions in speed limits are considered in accordance with the criteria. The Executive commends the use of the criteria to local roads authorities for application to decisions concerning speed limits on local roads. It is, however, for each authority to decide whether or not to apply the criteria in any particular case.

    On 17 August 2001 the Executive issued revised guidance to local authorities on 20 mph speed limits. Scottish Executive Development Department Circular 6/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17781), provides advice on the setting of mandatory and advisory 20 mph speed limits.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156901,"EventID":"S1W-20291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to promote better management and treatment of osteoporosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to promote better management and treatment of osteoporosis.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS Boards to determine the services which are required to meet the needs of their local population within available resources. Guidance to help boards devise their strategies for osteoporosis was issued by the Health Department in 1997 in the form of a Scottish Needs Assessment Programme report. This gave the conclusions of a group of experts drawn from within the NHS on suitable measures for the prevention, detection and management of osteoporosis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156902,"EventID":"S1W-20292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18314 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, (a) when the proposals for oral cancer screening will be submitted to the Chief Scientis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18314 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, (a) when the proposals for oral cancer screening will be submitted to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) and when the CSO is expected to reply and make recommendations, (b) when the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on the Health of Older People will end its consideration of means to improving the oral health of older people and make recommendations, (c) when the sub-group on oral health of the elderly will complete its review of issues relevant to improving the oral health of the elderly, (d) what proposals relating to dental health are currently under consideration, (e) how many reviews are currently taking place on dental health issues and (f) how many further proposals will have to be considered or reviews undertaken before decisions are made and guidance issued.","AnswerText":"An Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland launched in August 2000, outlined a number of proposals to improve oral health in Scotland, including the health of older people. A number of these have now been carried forward as part of the implementation process. Proposals for oral cancer screening have been submitted to the Chief Scientist Office and are currently under consideration.

    The Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on the Healthcare of Older People has completed a review of the issues associated with the health of older people, including oral health. The oral health sub-group has reported to the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group. Publication of the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on the Healthcare of Older People is expected early in 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156903,"EventID":"S1W-20293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the curriculum for trainee architects includes effective person-centred training on the requirements of the Disability Discriminat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the curriculum for trainee architects includes effective person-centred training on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that affect their profession. ","AnswerText":"It is for higher education (HE) institutions themselves to determine the content of programmes they offer. Ministers have no powers of intervention. Where HE institutions' programmes are intended to lead to recognition by a professional body, it is common practice for the institution to consult the body concerned about programme content. Regulation of the profession of architect is a reserved matter. The Architects Registration Board, the independent regulator for the profession in the UK, has a statutory duty to oversee the validation process for universities' architecture programmes as part of its regulatory duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156904,"EventID":"S1W-20294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the curriculum for postgraduate qualification for architects includes person-centred training on the requirements of the Disabilit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the curriculum for postgraduate qualification for architects includes person-centred training on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that affect their profession.","AnswerText":"It is for higher education institutions themselves to determine the content of programmes they offer. Ministers have no powers of intervention. I understand that, where higher education institutions' programmes are intended to lead to recognition by a professional body, it is common practice for the institution to consult the body concerned about programme content. Regulation of the profession of architect is a reserved matter. The Architects Registration Board, the independent regulator for the profession in the UK, has a statutory duty to oversee the validation process for universities' architecture programmes as part of its regulatory duties.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156905,"EventID":"S1W-20295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available to ensure that architects are trained on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that affect their profession.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available to ensure that architects are trained on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that affect their profession.","AnswerText":"The allocation of funds to individual higher education institutions is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). Ministers are explicitly prevented from attaching conditions to the grant to SHEFC by reference to particular institutions or programmes of study, including curriculum content.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156906,"EventID":"S1W-20296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to develop their career in the Merchant Navy. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to develop their career in the Merchant Navy. ","AnswerText":"learndirect scotland provides a freephone helpline with trained advisors to provide information and guidance on learning opportunities to improve an individual's career prospects. Searches of the database of learning opportunities, which can also be accessed on the world-wide web, can be configured by subject, highlighting online and distance learning opportunities in that subject area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156907,"EventID":"S1W-20298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Needs Assessment Report on autistic spectrum disorders by the Public Health Institute of Scotland will be published and what course of action it will then take w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Needs Assessment Report on autistic spectrum disorders by the Public Health Institute of Scotland will be published and what course of action it will then take with regard to the report's recommendations","AnswerText":"The Needs Assessment Report on Autistic Spectrum Disorders is expected to be published at the end of December 2001.

    We will wish to consider the report's recommendations carefully, particularly in relation to setting up the national network for autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156908,"EventID":"S1W-20299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replicate the initiative by Lothian Health Board by ensuring that an Adult Autism Co-ordinator is appointed in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to replicate the initiative by Lothian Health Board by ensuring that an Adult Autism Co-ordinator is appointed in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The same as you? recommended that health boards and local authorities should identify a named professional who will be responsible for improving local services for people with autism and for linking local services to the national network. It is the responsibility of agencies locally to identify the named professional.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156909,"EventID":"S1W-20300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there is a sufficient number of qualified and knowledgeable psychiatrists in autism and Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that there is a sufficient number of qualified and knowledgeable psychiatrists in autism and Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"The report of the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme review on autism and Asperger's syndrome is expected to be submitted in January 2002. It will inform future decisions by the Executive on the organisation of services for this important care group, including workforce planning for child and adolescent psychiatrists.

    Within this context, local action is a matter for individual NHS boards, working in partnership with local agencies on the basis of their appreciation of the need for local service provision. A multi-disciplinary approach, developed in the Scottish Borders NHS Board area with voluntary, social care and educational partners and support from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Development Fund, provides a working example of good practice for other areas to consider in the management of their services.

    The understanding, assessment and collaborative management of autism and Asperger's syndrome is part of the training pathway for all consultant psychiatrists.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156910,"EventID":"S1W-20301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that general practitioners are qualified to give a diagnosis of autism or Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that general practitioners are qualified to give a diagnosis of autism or Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"General practitioners, like other professionals, are encouraged to look at their own personal learning needs and the health needs of their patients and to seek training in specific areas accordingly. Guidance and assistance is available from the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education via the postgraduate Directors of General Practice Education. Each GP already receives an annual Postgraduate Education Allowance to support an agreed amount of training.

    In addition, revalidation by the General Medical Council and clinical governance now make explicit requirements for all doctors to provide evidence of their continuing competence.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156911,"EventID":"S1W-20302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Housing Improvement Task Force will publish its \"issues\" report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Housing Improvement Task Force will publish its \"issues\" report.","AnswerText":"The current intention is that the task force will meet towards the end of January 2002 to consider an issues report based on the first stage of its work. I hope that it will be possible to publish the report for wider consultation shortly thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156912,"EventID":"S1W-20303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for each individual local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 for each individual local authority.","AnswerText":"Local authorities were asked to set challenging but achievable targets for improving home energy efficiency over 10-15 years from April 1997. They have set their own targets accordingly, but these may change over time.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156913,"EventID":"S1W-20304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer who the receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd is and whether that receiver has also been appointed as receiver in respect of the parent company of Flour C","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer who the receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd is and whether that receiver has also been appointed as receiver in respect of the parent company of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; what contact the Parliament or principal contractor for the Holyrood Project has had with the receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; when any such contact was made, and whether copies of any correspondence relating to any such contact will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow. The appointed receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd. is D. J. Manning. The appointment is only in respect of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and not the parent company, which was still trading as at 1 March 2002. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the Holyrood Project Team and the Project Construction Managers, Bovis Lend Lease Scotland Ltd, were in contact with the appointed receiver to exchange relevant information, immediately following the demise of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156914,"EventID":"S1W-20305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, whether a claim under the guarantee provided by the parent company has been made or will be made. ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, whether a claim under the guarantee provided by the parent company has been made or will be made. ","AnswerText":"A claim will be considered once the extent of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd's liability becomes clear.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156915,"EventID":"S1W-20306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the sum of #854,000 paid to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd in respect of the work undertaken on design and specialist cladding services was paid in one ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the sum of #854,000 paid to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd in respect of the work undertaken on design and specialist cladding services was paid in one or more payments, and on what date or dates the payments were made. ","AnswerText":"The amount paid to Flour City Architectural Metals involved five separate payments. The dates and amounts (excl. VAT) are given below.

    12 March 01

    194,000

    23 April 01

    68,366

    01 June 01

    139,671

    14 June 01

    252,185

    16 July 01

    199,845

    Total

    854,067

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156916,"EventID":"S1W-20307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, what the name was of the parent company who provided the guarantee; whether the guarantee was to have bee","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, what the name was of the parent company who provided the guarantee; whether the guarantee was to have been given by a particular time or date; what obligations the guarantee covered, and whether the guarantee included a provision in respect of a liability for any monetary sum, and, if so, what that sum was.","AnswerText":"The Parent Company Guarantee was provided by Flour City International Inc and was requested due to the failure of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd to provide a Performance Bond.

    No deadline was given for the provision of a Parent Company Guarantee. The Parent Company Guarantee covered any breach of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd's obligations or duties under the contract. The guarantor would then, without delay, procure the remedying of any breach of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd's obligations, failing which, the guarantor would pay to the employer and/or assign the amount of losses, damages, costs and expenses which may be incurred by the employer, by reason of any default on the part of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.

    No monetary sum can yet be attributed to any breach of contract by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156917,"EventID":"S1W-20308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what concerns were expressed and by whom, and in particular what matter the Design Team expressed concern","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what concerns were expressed and by whom, and in particular what matter the Design Team expressed concern about in May 2001.","AnswerText":"Concerns were expressed by EMBT/RMJM in May 2001 that receipt of certain technical information from Flour City was \"considerably overdue\".","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156918,"EventID":"S1W-20309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether an independent inquiry will be carried out into the appointment of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether an independent inquiry will be carried out into the appointment of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.","AnswerText":"I am aware of no grounds for, or plans to carry out, an independent inquiry into the appointment of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156919,"EventID":"S1W-20310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what assurances were provided, by whom and on what dates; whether the documentation regarding these assur","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what assurances were provided, by whom and on what dates; whether the documentation regarding these assurances will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether the \"recovery programmes\" and the \"sample delivery dates\" will be published, and what work commenced on site in June 2001.","AnswerText":"The Convenor of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that Flour City Architectural Metals (FCAM) (UK) Ltd's Project Manager provided assurances over design information dates to our Construction Manager, on 17 May 2001. FCAM (UK) Ltd also presented a recovery programme, which anticipated delivery of a window sample on 22 June 2001. FCAM (UK) Ltd started work on site in June 2001 that mainly involved design work, surveys, initiating the procurement of materials and assembled units, and issuing installation method statements. The Parliament has received legal advice that related documentation should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as it may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156920,"EventID":"S1W-20311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1840,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report and recommendations of the Review of Legal Advice and Information Provision in Scotland Working Group will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report and recommendations of the Review of Legal Advice and Information Provision in Scotland Working Group will be published.","AnswerText":"The Review of Legal Advice and Information Provision in Scotland Working Group is today publishing its report. I very much welcome the publication of the report and look forward to reading it in detail and considering its findings. I greatly value the hard work and dedication of the members of the working group over the last year.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156921,"EventID":"S1W-20312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report for 2000-01 will be published; whether its publication has been delayed and, if so, why.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report for 2000-01 will be published; whether its publication has been delayed and, if so, why.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts for 2000-01 is expected to be published within the next few weeks in accordance with section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156922,"EventID":"S1W-20313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review will be published.","AnswerText":"It is expected that the consultation paper on the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review will be published early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156923,"EventID":"S1W-20314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers (a) in total and (b) at each Scottish Prison Service prison left the service in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) to date this","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers (a) in total and (b) at each Scottish Prison Service prison left the service in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) to date this year, broken down by those aged (1) under 35 and (2) over 35.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    Prison Officers who have left the service, broken down by those aged under 35 and 35 and over.

    Apr 1998 - Mar 1999

    Apr 1999 - Mar 2000

    Age upon Leaving

    Age upon Leaving

    Establishment

    Under 35

    35 & Over

    Total

    Under 35

    35 & Over

    Total

    Aberdeen

    5

    1

    6

    1

    1

    2

    Barlinnie

    4

    10

    14

    10

    13

    23

    Castle Huntly

    0

    1

    1

    1

    3

    4

    Cornton Vale

    3

    4

    		Based on the average number of staff employed the figures for 2000-01 were:

    Retirement through age

    0.80%

    Ill Health

    0.30%

    Other reasons

    8.00%

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156925,"EventID":"S1W-20316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers provided social work services within prisons; what the distribution of these social workers was between prisons, and what the ratio of social wor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers provided social work services within prisons; what the distribution of these social workers was between prisons, and what the ratio of social workers to prisoners was in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) to date in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The available information is as follows:","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156926,"EventID":"S1W-20317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of social work services was to the Scottish Prison Service in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) to date in the current financial year i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of social work services was to the Scottish Prison Service in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) to date in the current financial year in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms at current prices.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The cost to SPS of Social Work services was:

    Establishment

    No. of Social Workers as at 30 November 2001

    Ratio of Social Workers to Prisoners as at 30 November 2001

    Aberdeen

    3

    1:67.3

    Barlinnie

    11

    1:96.5

    Castle Huntly

    2

    1:65.0

    Cornton Vale

    3.5

    1:75.7

    Dumfries

    1.5

    1:80.0

    Edinburgh

    5

    1:125.2

    Greenock

    3.5

    1:90.9

    Inverness

    2

    1:59.5

    Low Moss

    2

    1:168.5

    Noranside

    2

    1:56.0

    Perth

    6

    1:79.7

    Peterhead

    5

    1:57.8

     

    (i)

    (ii)

    (a)

    £1.9 million

    £2.0 million

    (b)

    £2.0 million

    £2.1 million

    (c)

    £2.1 million

    £2.1 million

    (d)

    Figures not available

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156927,"EventID":"S1W-20318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected cost of social work services to the Scottish Prison Service is for the current financial year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected cost of social work services to the Scottish Prison Service is for the current financial year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The estimated cost is between £2 and £2.5 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156928,"EventID":"S1W-20319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of prison inmates received alcohol counselling and rehabilitation in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) to date this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of prison inmates received alcohol counselling and rehabilitation in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) to date this year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    This information requested is not available. The Scottish Prison Service Addictions Process provides a single gateway for all substance misuse presentations, including alcohol. The aim is that all who present will be offered an assessment, resulting in an individualised care plan. This will address the range of needs identified, including those that are alcohol related.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156929,"EventID":"S1W-20320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners provided a medical service in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners provided a medical service in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    Prior to November 2000 medical services were provided through a variety of contractual arrangements. The number of GPs was variable and not recorded. Since November 2000 medical services have been provided under contract to provide a specified service.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156930,"EventID":"S1W-20321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of prisoners to general practitioners was in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of prisoners to general practitioners was in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20320 18 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156931,"EventID":"S1W-20322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of general practitioners who provided a prison medical service was in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01, broken down by prison. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of general practitioners who provided a prison medical service was in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01, broken down by prison. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156932,"EventID":"S1W-20323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners previously providing a prison medical service have gone on to employment with Medacs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners previously providing a prison medical service have gone on to employment with Medacs.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    All medical practitioners who had an individual contract of employment with the Scottish Prison Service on 1 November 2001 had their contracts transferred to Medacs, in accordance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156933,"EventID":"S1W-20324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners Medacs provides to prisons, how these general practitioners are distributed between prisons, and what the ratio of these general practition","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners Medacs provides to prisons, how these general practitioners are distributed between prisons, and what the ratio of these general practitioners is to prisoners, broken down by prison. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information is not collected by SPS. It is for the contractor to arrange to provide the outputs specified in the contract.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156934,"EventID":"S1W-20325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms at current prices of providing general practitioner services to prisons in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000 and (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms at current prices of providing general practitioner services to prisons in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000 and (iii) 2000-01. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    On account of the variety of arrangements in place prior to 2000-01 exact costs are not available. Annual costs are estimated to have been about £1.3 million.

    In November 2000, a single contract was awarded for the provision of medical services to SPS, the costs of which are commercially confidential.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156935,"EventID":"S1W-20326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11578 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 December 2000, whether data is now collected on the prevalence of speech and language difficulties am","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11578 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 December 2000, whether data is now collected on the prevalence of speech and language difficulties among the prison population and, if so, what data has been collected.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    Yes, data relating to needs assessment is currently being collected via referrals to speech therapy at Polmont Young Offenders Institute.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156936,"EventID":"S1W-20327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7645 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 September 2000, what the average daily population of penal establishments is projected to be in each of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7645 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 September 2000, what the average daily population of penal establishments is projected to be in each of the next three financial years, broken down into (a) privately operated penal establishments, (b) Scottish Prison Service establishments and (c) legalised police cells.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    The average daily population in the next three financial years is projected to be:

    2002-03

    6,400

    2003-04

    6,500

    2004-05

    6,700

    The prisoner population projections do not distinguish between privately operated penal establishments, Scottish Prison Service establishments and legalised police cells.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156937,"EventID":"S1W-20328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10762 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what financial allocation was made (a) in total and (b) to each local authority for cr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10762 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what financial allocation was made (a) in total and (b) to each local authority for criminal justice social work in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Financial allocations to local authorities for 2001-02 for offender services totalled £44,855,716. Allocations to individual local authorities are detailed in the following table. Additional sums to allow for procurement of IT equipment will be notified shortly.

    Allocations by authority 2001-02

    Local Authority

    Total

    2001-02

    (£)

    Aberdeen City

    2,737,306

    Aberdeenshire

    1,075,465

    Angus

    888,882

    Argyll & Bute

    445,987

    City of Edinburgh

    3,959,960

    Clackmannanshire

    441,109

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1,177,127

    Dundee City

    2,311,743

    East Ayrshire

    954,952

    East Dunbartonshire

    368,815

    East Lothian

    497,568

    East Renfrewshire

    376,618

    Falkirk

    1,018,283

    Fife

    3,206,108

    Glasgow City

    8,961,247

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156938,"EventID":"S1W-20329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staff turnover has been at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 2000-01 and (b) to date in the current year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the staff turnover has been at each Scottish Prison Service prison in (a) 2000-01 and (b) to date in the current year.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information requested is shown in the following table.

    Establishments

    2000-01

    01/04/01 to 01/10/01

    Aberdeen

    5

    6

    Barlinnie

    35

    19

    Castle Huntly

    5

    1

    Cornton Vale

    21

    16

    HM YOI Dumfries

    6

    4

    Edinburgh

    40

    31

    YOI Glenochil

    16

    15

    Greenock

    13

    9

    Inverness

    5

    11

    Low Moss

    3

    9

    Noranside

    2

    		The information requested is shown in the following table.

    Ratio of Prisoners to Uniformed Staff in the SPS

    Establishment

    01/04/01

    HMP Aberdeen

    1.5:1

    HMP Barlinnie

    2.1:1

    HMP Castle Huntly

    2.5:1

    HMP Cornton Vale

    1.1:1

    HM YOI Dumfries

    1.1:1

    HMP Edinburgh

    1.8:1

    HMP YOI Glenochil

    1.4:1

    HMP Greenock

    2.0:1

    HMP Inverness

    1.4:1

    HMP Low Moss

    2.6:1

    HMP Noranside

    1.9:1

    HMP Perth

    1.2:1

    HMP Peterhead

    1.5:1

    HMP Polmont

    1.4:1

    HMP Shotts

    1.0:31

    HMP Zeist

    		The following table sets out the number of unruly certificate remands for 1999 and 2000 where the child was under the age of 16. Figures to date this year are not yet available.

    1999

    2000

    < 24hrs

    < 48hrs

    3 to 7 Days

    > 7 Days

    Total

    < 24hrs

    < 48hrs

    3 to 7 Days

    > 7 Days

    Total

    Aberdeen

    0

    0

    Barlinnie

    0

    0

    Corton Vale

    0

    0

    Dumfries

    		Eligibility for Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), which is a matter for the Inland Revenue, does not depend solely on income. SPS have been notified of 48 members of staff to receive WFTC, of whom 25 are prison officers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156942,"EventID":"S1W-20333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what valuation was received for the former HM Prison Penninghame prior to its first being offered for sale; what offers were received by the first deadline; why none of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what valuation was received for the former HM Prison Penninghame prior to its first being offered for sale; what offers were received by the first deadline; why none of the offers received were accepted; what offers were received the second time the prison was offered for sale, and what the final sale price was. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The valuation was provided to SPS by the Valuation Office Agency on a confidential basis, as were the offers. The Scottish Executive does not publish valuation data. The sale price was £275,000 and was recorded with the title deeds in the Land Register.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156943,"EventID":"S1W-20334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what valuation was received for the former HM Prison Dungavel prior to its being offered for sale and what the final sale price was. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what valuation was received for the former HM Prison Dungavel prior to its being offered for sale and what the final sale price was. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The valuation was provided to SPS by the Valuation Office Agency on a confidential basis. The Scottish Executive does not publish valuation data. The sale price was £450,000 and was recorded with the title deeds in the Land Register.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156944,"EventID":"S1W-20335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken regarding any possible sale of the former HM Prison Longriggend.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken regarding any possible sale of the former HM Prison Longriggend.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS has conducted a sales campaign following which we hope to sell the property as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156945,"EventID":"S1W-20336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated monthly cost is of maintaining the estate of the former HM Prison Longriggend.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated monthly cost is of maintaining the estate of the former HM Prison Longriggend.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    About £5,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156946,"EventID":"S1W-20337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since May 1999 it has made media announcements outwith the facilities in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh; what venues were used, and what the total cost w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since May 1999 it has made media announcements outwith the facilities in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh; what venues were used, and what the total cost was of these announcements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive makes announcements in venues appropriate for the nature of the announcement, for example: in Parliament; at events or conferences; through visits to organisations or projects throughout the country, and through news releases, as well as through press conferences. The main venue for press conferences is the Media Centre in St Andrews House, although Victoria Quay and other Scottish Executive buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow are used from time to time.

    Generally events such as these do not incur cost to the Scottish Executive beyond normal running costs and no central record is kept of them.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156947,"EventID":"S1W-20338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conference facilities it has within its premises and where they are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conference facilities it has within its premises and where they are.","AnswerText":"There are a range of meeting facilities within Scottish Executive buildings. These are intended to support a range of meetings, discussions, seminars and conferences.

    The main meeting facilities in the Executive's larger buildings are set out in the following table.

    Victoria Quay

    Edinburgh

    A suite of 12 conference rooms, seating between 15 and 100 people.

    St Andrew's House

    Edinburgh

    Six conference rooms seating between six and 16 people, conference style (or up to 40 people where adjacent rooms are combined). In addition there are two media rooms seating up to 40 and 100 people in theatre style only.

    Saughton House

    Edinburgh

    One conference room seating 25 people, conference style.

    Pentland House

    Edinburgh

    Two conference rooms seating 20 and 25 people, conference style.

    Meridian Court

    Glasgow

    Two conference rooms seating 20 and 30 people, conference style.

    Europa Building

    Glasgow

    Three conference rooms seating 30, 35 and 35 people, conference style.

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156948,"EventID":"S1W-20339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of its press and communications budget spending in each of the past two years and what the projected spending is for each of the next tw","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of its press and communications budget spending in each of the past two years and what the projected spending is for each of the next two years.","AnswerText":"As a consequence of devolution, since 1999 the Scottish Executive has strengthened the resources devoted to media and communications in order to respond to the much higher level of public and media interest in the work the Executive is doing than was the case for The Scottish Office. There has in particular been an increase in the number of press officers to support the work of cabinet and deputy ministers, from some 20 in 1999 to over 40 today, as well as the development of a news based component to the Scottish Executive website and continuing spending on publicity and other communication functions.

    The out-turn for spending in the Media and Communications Group budget (covering running costs but not publicity spend) was £1.966 million in 1999-2000 and £2.007 million in 2000-01. Based on spend to date, we expect the outturn in 2001-02 to be of the order of £3 million. No firm budget is in place as yet for 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156949,"EventID":"S1W-20340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of patient safety within the NHS in Scotland is adequate and whether this standard compares favourably with the standard of patient safety within the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of patient safety within the NHS in Scotland is adequate and whether this standard compares favourably with the standard of patient safety within the NHS in England.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland has a widely recognised reputation for the quality and safety of its patient care. This is demonstrated in the work of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and the leading edge work being carried out by our other clinical effectiveness organisations. However, at present there are no direct ways of comparing standards of patient safety in England and Scotland.

    There would, however, be merit in pooling patient data from the two countries to provide more useful information for the benefit of Scottish and English patients. That is why we endorsed the principles of the Department of Health report An Organisation with a Memory (www.doh.gov.uk/orgmemreport/) and have initiated discussions with the Department of Health to ensure that their new National Patient Safety Agency can also work for the benefit of Scottish patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156950,"EventID":"S1W-20341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of NHS Trusts have achieved accreditation under the National Health Service (Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme) (Scotland)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of NHS Trusts have achieved accreditation under the National Health Service (Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/54), as amended.","AnswerText":"There are three levels at which accreditation can be attained under the NHS Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme, and these can only be attained incrementally. Currently it is for individual NHS Trusts to decide when they wish to apply for accreditation.

    To date, 24 NHS Trusts have applied for Level 1 accreditation. Ten assessments have been undertaken, with six Trusts (60%) obtaining Level 1 status.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156951,"EventID":"S1W-20342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adverse incidents have been recorded in hospital admissions, expressed also as a percentage of all admissions; how many patients have died or been seriously inju","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adverse incidents have been recorded in hospital admissions, expressed also as a percentage of all admissions; how many patients have died or been seriously injured as a result of such incidents involving medical devices; how many patients are reported to have experienced serious adverse reactions to drugs administered by physicians; how many written complaints have been made about aspects of clinical treatment in hospitals, and how much has been paid out in settlements of clinical negligence claims by the NHS, all in each of the past three years.","AnswerText":"The number of written complaints about aspects of clinical treatment in hospitals can be found at:

    http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/complaints/index.htm.

    The rest of the information is not held centrally but I will write to the member with the details of possible sources for the information when this has been located. I will place a copy of my letter in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156952,"EventID":"S1W-20343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a Scottish equivalent of the National Patient Safety Agency which has been established in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a Scottish equivalent of the National Patient Safety Agency which has been established in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20340.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156953,"EventID":"S1W-20344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value of the former Scottish Bus Group pension schemes was at 31 March 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the value of the former Scottish Bus Group pension schemes was at 31 March 2001.","AnswerText":"During the debate on motion S1M-2486 on 29 November 2001, I announced that the sum receivable by Scottish Bus Group Limited in respect of pension scheme surpluses at 31 March 2001, after deduction of tax at 35%, is estimated at £168 million.

    The Scottish Transport Group Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2001 will be laid before the Scottish Parliament shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156954,"EventID":"S1W-20345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing any problems experienced by local authorities when taking enforcement action against Houses in Multiple Occupation which are operating without a lice","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing any problems experienced by local authorities when taking enforcement action against Houses in Multiple Occupation which are operating without a license. ","AnswerText":"In line with the recommendation of the research commissioned by the Scottish Office on the discretionary licensing schemes, the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000 which introduced mandatory licensing throughout Scotland, made explicit provision for authorised officers to the licensing authority to have powers of entry and search of unlicensed premises. The lack of a power of this nature was identified as a particular weakness in the previous discretionary licensing schemes, which prevented local authorities from obtaining information to be used as evidence for the prosecution of an owner who failed to apply for a licence when one was required or continued to operate after a refusal of a license.

    The Guidance on the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, which was issued by the Scottish Executive also drew the attention of local authorities to the need to establish good relations with the police and procurator fiscal and suggested that local authority officials might want to meet the procurator fiscal to discuss any possible problems. It specifically referred to Reports to Procurator Fiscal - A Guide for Non-Police Reporting Agencies first published by the Crown Office in 1999 which gives guidance on the information that should be provided in reports to the procurator fiscal.

    The Scottish Executive has also provided advice on the Houses in Multiple Occupation licensing scheme to allow the Crown Office to update and reinforce its guidance to procurator fiscals. The procurator fiscals are responsible for deciding whether to prosecute cases referred to them by local authorities, subject to guidance issued by the Crown Office on timescales for taking and implementing decisions on cases.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156955,"EventID":"S1W-20346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Procurators Fiscal require varying types and levels of evidence from tenants and landlords prior to prosecution and, if so, what the reasons are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Procurators Fiscal require varying types and levels of evidence from tenants and landlords prior to prosecution and, if so, what the reasons are.","AnswerText":"In considering a report of an offence in relation to houses in multiple occupation, as in considering any report of any offence, procurators fiscal are under a duty to be satisfied that there is evidence available which is sufficient in law to prove the offence. Further information is given in the Prosecution Code and no special requirements apply in relation to houses in multiple occupation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156956,"EventID":"S1W-20347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the time taken for cases of enforcement action against Houses in Multiple Occupation to reach court.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the time taken for cases of enforcement action against Houses in Multiple Occupation to reach court.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20345.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156957,"EventID":"S1W-20348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions of consent granted for the planting of genetically modified oilseed rape at Roskill Farm, Munlochy, Ross-shire included any requirement that the ge","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions of consent granted for the planting of genetically modified oilseed rape at Roskill Farm, Munlochy, Ross-shire included any requirement that the genetically modified proportion of the crop be a quarter of the si'e of the control crop; what the reasons are for the position on this matter, and whether any such requirement has any impact on the efficiency of food production.","AnswerText":"The crop of genetically modified oilseed rape comprises just under 15 hectares of the 40 hectare field with the conventional control crop growing in the remainder of the field. The consent which applies to releases of this particular genetically modified crop does not permit more than 15 hectares to be released on an individual site. Identical sampling methods and equal numbers of control points are used in both parts of the field.

    The farm scale evaluation programme is not concerned with the efficiency of food production. The programme is designed to assess the impact on biodiversity of the agricultural practices associated with growing genetically modified crops.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156958,"EventID":"S1W-20349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase in the cost of enforcing regulations on businesses since the establishment of the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any increase in the cost of enforcing regulations on businesses since the establishment of the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit.","AnswerText":"The cost of enforcing any regulation falls upon the enforcement agency concerned. The attention of the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit (IRIS) is on the impact of regulations upon businesses, charities and the voluntary sector. The cost of enforcing any regulation does not come within the remit of the unit, except to the extent that any costs are passed onto business. In that circumstance, the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process is designed to bring these costs into account and to provide ministers, before any regulation is introduced, with as full a picture as possible of the likely costs for business, charities or the voluntary sector. Since the full RIA process is only required where an additional burden is identified, the IRIS Unit cannot say if there has been a net increase or decrease for business in the cost of enforcing regulations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156959,"EventID":"S1W-20350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas its Sexual Health Strategy will cover. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas its Sexual Health Strategy will cover. ","AnswerText":"This remains under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156960,"EventID":"S1W-20351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its Sexual Health Strategy will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its Sexual Health Strategy will be published.","AnswerText":"The first stage of the strategy, which consisted of a survey of existing sexual health services and their effectiveness, has now been completed. This will inform the development of the next stage, which is now under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156961,"EventID":"S1W-20352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce one-stop clinics for sexual health.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce one-stop clinics for sexual health.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are expected to provide a full range of sexual health services. It is for boards to plan how such services are provided on their assessment of local needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156962,"EventID":"S1W-20353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18316 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, when it will discuss the need for dental services drop-in centres in the major cities wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18316 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, when it will discuss the need for dental services drop-in centres in the major cities with relevant NHS Boards and Primary Care Trusts.","AnswerText":"We are in discussion with one NHS Board about their plans for a drop in centre and have approved recently two emergency dental service pilots which include provision for the treatment of unregistered patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156963,"EventID":"S1W-20354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the full health effects of water fluoridation will be taken into account in its consultation process on water fluoridation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the full health effects of water fluoridation will be taken into account in its consultation process on water fluoridation.","AnswerText":"The Executive will take appropriate account of all relevant issues raised by individuals and organisations who contribute to the oral health consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156964,"EventID":"S1W-20355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to ensure that there is no waiting list for people with drug and alcohol problems who want detoxification and rehabilitation care and support","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to ensure that there is no waiting list for people with drug and alcohol problems who want detoxification and rehabilitation care and support.","AnswerText":"Reducing waiting for all patients is a key priority for the Scottish Executive and NHS Scotland. We have committed, over this and the next two financial years, an extra £13.1 million and £21 million for drug treatment and drug rehabilitation services respectively. The delivery of these new and improved services is being co-ordinated by the local Drug Action Teams.

    The Executive's Plan for Action on alcohol problems will be published shortly. The plan will identify action to improve current support and treatment services for people with alcohol problems, with the aim of delivering equitable, accessible and inclusive services for the future.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156965,"EventID":"S1W-20356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the proposals by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Enterprise for a containerport in Scapa Flow to develop ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the proposals by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Enterprise for a containerport in Scapa Flow to develop shipping transportation businesses between North America, Europe, the Far East and the UK.","AnswerText":"The Executive maintains close liaison with the locally led initiative of Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Orkney Enterprise which is investigating the market for a container transhipment terminal at Scapa Flow. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has contributed to the costs of investigating this proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156966,"EventID":"S1W-20357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed NHS Boards will put agreements in place with education authorities relating to the administration of medicines in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed NHS Boards will put agreements in place with education authorities relating to the administration of medicines in schools.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the administration of medicine in schools was issued on 4 September. The guidance emphasises the need for co-operation between education authorities and NHS boards to ensure that adequate provision is made for the administration of medicine and refers to the NHS planning process as a suitable mechanism. The means for education authorities and health boards to reach agreement on this issue are therefore in place.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156967,"EventID":"S1W-20358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps can be taken, in the interests of protecting children's human rights, to ensure that they are not confronted by abusers at hearings of children's panels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps can be taken, in the interests of protecting children's human rights, to ensure that they are not confronted by abusers at hearings of children's panels.","AnswerText":"Abusers, either alleged or proven, cannot attend a Children's Hearing unless that person holds parental rights over the child in question. In that event, the hearing must balance the human rights of the parent and child. This can be achieved through the Children's Hearing sitting separately to listen to the views of each party and ensuring that no meeting takes place between the child and the abuser.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156968,"EventID":"S1W-20359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds statistics on child protection that show the number of abused (a) male and (b) female children, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) relationship of abuser to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds statistics on child protection that show the number of abused (a) male and (b) female children, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) relationship of abuser to abused and (iii) specific category of abuse and whether it will make any such information publicly available.","AnswerText":"National statistics on child protection are compiled and published annually by the Scottish Executive, using data supplied by local authorities about children who have been referred to them because of concerns that they have been abused or may be at risk of abuse. Statistics for the year ended 31 March 2000 were published on 23 October 2001 and are available on the Scottish Executive website (www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00114-00.asp). This provides a breakdown by primary known/suspected abuser, category of abuse and a breakdown by gender for all children referred for child protection enquiries.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156969,"EventID":"S1W-20360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects are currently being funded that aim to work with men who are violent to women but who have not been through the criminal justice process.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects are currently being funded that aim to work with men who are violent to women but who have not been through the criminal justice process.","AnswerText":"The Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund is supporting a project to encourage agencies in Edinburgh to tackle male violence by working with men who have abused or are abusing their partners. This pilot is to encourage services, both statutory and voluntary, which already work with men to adopt good practice in terms of addressing men's abusive behaviour.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156970,"EventID":"S1W-20361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many exclusion orders were (a) applied for and (b) granted in the last year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many exclusion orders were (a) applied for and (b) granted in the last year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"No figures are collected centrally for exclusion orders under either Part II of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or section 4 of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection)(Scotland) Act 1981.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156971,"EventID":"S1W-20362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any issues have been identified that prevent exclusion orders from being applied for.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any issues have been identified that prevent exclusion orders from being applied for.","AnswerText":"The Executive has identified a number of problems with exclusion orders and matrimonial interdicts under the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, and these are referred to in the white paper Parents and Children. Some have been addressed by the Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001, and others will be dealt with in the forthcoming draft Family Law Bill. The National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland has set up a working group to review existing legislation relating to domestic abuse, and this is expected to complete its work next year.

    Research on the effectiveness of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 is on-going and research work on exclusion orders has been identified as a priority for 2002-03. The Multi Disciplinary Review of Child Protection which is currently under way will include consideration of Exclusion Orders where they have been used in the cases the team will be auditing.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156972,"EventID":"S1W-20363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to review the use of exclusion orders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to review the use of exclusion orders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20362.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156973,"EventID":"S1W-20364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often domestic violence and/or child sexual abuse was cited in contact disputes in the last year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often domestic violence and/or child sexual abuse was cited in contact disputes in the last year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156974,"EventID":"S1W-20365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to review legislation and procedures with a view to improving the conviction rate for rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to review legislation and procedures with a view to improving the conviction rate for rape.","AnswerText":"We are currently legislating through the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Bill to provide greater protection for victims of rape and sexual assault when they give evidence in court. We also keep the criminal law under review. The Lord Advocate has made a reference to the High Court seeking clarification of the law on rape, following the ruling in the Lord Abernethy rape case. We need to await the outcome of this reference before we are in a position to consider whether changes may be required in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156975,"EventID":"S1W-20366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to encourage private companies to support and provide services for employees suffering from domestic abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to encourage private companies to support and provide services for employees suffering from domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"The Good Practice Guidelines in the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland contains a section on employment practices. It asks employers to develop a domestic abuse policy as part of the human resources function of the organisation and to undertake preventive work with employees. The National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156976,"EventID":"S1W-20367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has obtained in relation to the distribution of the Scottish Bus Group employee pension funds; whether these funds are liable to public general taxa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has obtained in relation to the distribution of the Scottish Bus Group employee pension funds; whether these funds are liable to public general taxation and, if so, under what income and corporation taxes statutes or other statutory provisions; whether ex gratia payments made to former members of the fund are liable to tax and, if so, whether this applies in respect of payments in excess of #30,000 and, if so, at what rate.","AnswerText":"It would be inappropriate for the Executive to provide information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including between the Scottish Executive and legal advisers.

    I can confirm that UK tax law applies on the wind-up of occupational pensions schemes, including the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes. The Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 applies. For tax purposes, beneficiaries will be responsible for reporting the receipt of the ex-gratia payments to the Inland Revenue in the normal manner. The tax payable on payments made to beneficiaries will depend on the personal tax circumstances of individuals.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156977,"EventID":"S1W-20368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any legal rulings in respect of double taxation which are applicable to the Scottish Bus Group employee pension fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any legal rulings in respect of double taxation which are applicable to the Scottish Bus Group employee pension fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such ruling.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156978,"EventID":"S1W-20369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the range of locations currently covered by the definition of tourist attractions for the purposes of the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signpost","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the range of locations currently covered by the definition of tourist attractions for the purposes of the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy; whether it has any plans to review this matter; in particular, why golf courses are not considered to be tourist attractions under the terms of that definition, and whether the lack of tourist signposting for golf courses has any impact on the Executive's strategy for the promotion of golf to visitors.","AnswerText":"A tourist attraction/facility is broadly defined, for signing purposes, as being a permanently established destination or facility that attracts or is used by visitors to an area and which is open to the public without prior booking during its normal working hours. Examples of the types of tourist attractions/facilities eligible for signing under this definition are historic buildings, gardens, leisure complexes, beaches, ancient monuments, historic churches, zoos, picnic sites etc.

    The importance of golf as a major tourist attraction in Scotland is recognised. However, golf clubs must, through the local tourist board, take appropriate steps to develop a marketing strategy and inform the public of the golf course through advertising material. As the majority of golf courses are used mainly by their members and require pre-booking for any visitors they are not normally considered suitable for tourist signposting.

    The Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy was introduced in 1998 following wide consultation with interested parties, including the Scottish Tourist Board, to ensure a consistent approach across the trunk road network. There are no proposals to review this policy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156979,"EventID":"S1W-20370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses when considering the relocation of (a) its departments and (b) non-departmental government bodies to locations outside Edinburgh or Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses when considering the relocation of (a) its departments and (b) non-departmental government bodies to locations outside Edinburgh or Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The criteria to be taken into account will vary according to the circumstances of the organisation under review. The policy states (question S1W-1558 refers) that the location of public sector jobs should promote efficiency and effectiveness and that, subject to that, the Executive will seek opportunities to locate jobs as close as possible to the communities they serve.

    A number of general criteria were set out in the letter sent to local authorities and Local Enterprise Companies in December last year, seeking information from them about potential location opportunities in their area. This made clear that ministers will take into account a range of financial and non-financial factors in reaching their decision, including economic factors relating to the areas concerned, such as unemployment levels and other indicators of deprivation, costs, transport links, disabled access, staff and personnel issues and environmental considerations. A range of specific issues which relate to the organisation under review, will also be taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156980,"EventID":"S1W-20371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19645 by Angus Mackay on 19 November 2001, what locations within North Ayrshire are being considered for relocation of civil servic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19645 by Angus Mackay on 19 November 2001, what locations within North Ayrshire are being considered for relocation of civil service jobs from Edinburgh and Glasgow; what discussions are taking place with North Ayrshire Council on this matter, and what criteria will be used to reach any final decision on the matter.","AnswerText":"The Executive wrote to all local authorities and local enterprise companies in December last year seeking information about relocation opportunities in local areas. We received a number of responses, including information about opportunities in North Ayrshire, which will continue to be considered. Following the announcement on 19 November 2001 on the progress of the policy (question S1W-19681) we will write again to provide details of the likely requirements of the new bodies in the programme.

    The relocation policy states that when the Scottish Executive establishes a new unit or agency, or where an existing unit is merged or otherwise reorganised, there should be a presumption against location in Edinburgh. It also states that where a significant property break point is reached - for example, the termination of an existing lease - relocation options outside Edinburgh will be considered. In each case, ministers will look at alternative locations. The criteria to be taken into account will vary according to the circumstances of the organisation under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156981,"EventID":"S1W-20372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19660 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, whether it will provide the information requested in respect of each year to date for which","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19660 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, whether it will provide the information requested in respect of each year to date for which the supply of such information would not incur disproportionate costs to the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    As of Tuesday, 18 December 2001, the Scottish Prison Service houses approximately 251 convicted sex offenders who have been placed on the sex offender register who are serving four years and over. Their location is:

    Prison

    2001

    Shotts

    3

    Polmont

    8

    Peterhead

    187

    Perth

    3

    Kilmarnock

    5

    Glenochil

    31

    Edinburgh

    6

    Cornton Vale

    2

    Barlinnie

    5

    Aberdeen

    1

    Total

    251

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156982,"EventID":"S1W-20373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the wind-up of Atlantic Telecom Group plc and its subsidiaries will have on the Executive's broadband strategy and what steps it is taking to address any such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the wind-up of Atlantic Telecom Group plc and its subsidiaries will have on the Executive's broadband strategy and what steps it is taking to address any such effect.","AnswerText":"At the time Atlantic Telecom went into administration, it was not a provider of broadband services.

    We have asked DTI to consider the potential for changes in the regulatory framework and other measures to ensure that, in the event of similar circumstances arising in the future, disruption to telecoms services will be minimised.

    The Executive recognises the potential of fixed wireless access to deliver broadband services and we have been in separate discussions with the Radiocommunications Agency on how to maximise the benefit to Scotland of the forthcoming allocation of spectrum at 3.4GHz. We shall be working closely with the Radiocommunications Agency on strategy for delivery of further spectrum as it becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156983,"EventID":"S1W-20374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affiliation of and (b) remuneration received by e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affiliation of and (b) remuneration received by each appointee was.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156984,"EventID":"S1W-20375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to the board of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, or its predecessor body, in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affili","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to the board of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, or its predecessor body, in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affiliation of and (b) remuneration received by each appointee was.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156985,"EventID":"S1W-20376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to the board of the East of Scotland Water Authority in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affiliation of and (b) remuneration r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appointments have been made to the board of the East of Scotland Water Authority in each year since 1997 and what the (a) party affiliation of and (b) remuneration received by each appointee was.","AnswerText":"Details of appointments to East of Scotland Water Authority since 1997 are listed in the tables. Appointees are required to declare any activities on behalf of a political party or similar organisation undertaken in the previous five years. These details are given in the tables. Levels of remuneration for board members are detailed in the authority's annual accounts, which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Bib. numbers are listed in the tables:

    Appointments to East of Scotland Water Authority from 1997

    Name

    Period

    Political Activity

     

    None in 1997

    		 

    Cllr Robert Cairns (Chair)

    1998 to date

    Labour

    Cllr David Hamilton

    1999 to date

    Labour

    Robin Bell

    1998 to date

    None

    Susan Warren

    1999 to date

    None

    Prof Paul Jowitt

    1999 to date

    None

    David Bleiman

    1998 to date

    Labour

    Jeanette Burness

    1998 to date

    Labour

    Cllr Tom Dair

    1998 to date

    Labour

    John Broadfoot

    1998 to date

    None

    Roy Summers

    1999 to date

    		1. NHS Lothian:

    (i) Lothian NHS Board (formerly Lothian Health Board):

    Name

    Capacity

    Party political affiliation

    Annual remuneration

    Appointment from

    Appointment end

    Current appointments:

    Mr Brian Cavanagh

    Chair of NHS Board

    Labour

    £35,000

    07/01

    07/05

    Professor Patricia Peattie

    Member

    none

    £7,000

    04/99

    03/03

    Mr Michael Walker

    Member

    none

    £7,000

    04/99

    03/03

    Dr Jackie McDonald

    Chair of Area Clinical Forum

    none

    £7,000

    09/01

    09/03

    Mr Eddie Egan

    Staff Side Chair of Area Partnership Forum

    Labour

    £7,000

    09/01

    09/05

    The individual SIPs have advised us that the position on appointments in each SIP is as follows:

    South Edinburgh: There are 21 Partnership Board members, although a total of 26 people have served on the board since the SIP's designation.

    Edinburgh Youth: There are nine Partnership Board members, although a total of 12 people have served on the board since the SIP's designation.

    North Edinburgh: There are 13 Partnership Board members, although a total of 17 people have served on the board since the SIP's designation.

    Edinburgh Strategic Programme: There are 10 Partnership Board members, although a total of 14 people have served on the board since the SIP's designation.

    Craigmillar: There are 10 Partnership Board members, although a total of 15 people have served on the board since the SIP's designation.

    Each SIP has advised us (a) that no formal declaration of party affiliation is sought or made when SIP Board members are appointed and (b) that board members do not receive any remuneration for fulfilling that role.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156993,"EventID":"S1W-20386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18907 by Jackie Baillie on 2 November 2001, whether its review of the Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation scheme has been completed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18907 by Jackie Baillie on 2 November 2001, whether its review of the Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation scheme has been completed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has now concluded its review of the Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation (GRO) scheme, which included detailed discussion with the European Commission. As a result of these discussions the commission has given formal approval that the GRO scheme is compatible with state aid rules. I have asked Communities Scotland to consider proposals for funding projects under the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156994,"EventID":"S1W-20387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mature entrants to teaching are currently studying at teacher training institutions and what the average cost of the remuneration of these teachers in their firs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many mature entrants to teaching are currently studying at teacher training institutions and what the average cost of the remuneration of these teachers in their first year in teaching will be (a) with mature entrants' enhancement and (b) under the terms of the McCrone settlement.","AnswerText":"At the start of session 2001-02 there were around 1,000 initial teacher education students aged between 25 and 39 years old who, under the existing Salary Placement Regulations, may have been entitled to be placed at some point above the bottom on the main teachers' scale. There were also around 300 students aged 40 or over who may have been able to enter teaching at the top of the pay scale. This is out of a total initial teacher education final year student body of approximately 2,500.

    In comparison with the most recent pay scale before improvement through the Agreement on a Teaching Profession for the 21st Century, and using the current Salary Placement Regulations, the average pay for a new entrant to teaching aged 25 to 39 would have been £18,030. The corresponding figure for a new entrant aged over 40 was £23,313.

    Under the proposal which is for consideration by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, all probationers would be placed on the probationer point of £16,644 from August 2002. This rises to £17,226 from January 2003 and £18,000 from August 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156995,"EventID":"S1W-20388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been reached on the Lord Advocate's review of prosecution policy in respect of proceedings for alleged sales of age restricted goods based on tes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been reached on the Lord Advocate's review of prosecution policy in respect of proceedings for alleged sales of age restricted goods based on test purchasing by children.","AnswerText":"I have decided to revise current prosecution policy to allow children to test purchase tobacco in a pilot scheme. A pilot will be conducted and will last at least one year. As well as tobacco, children may be used for other test purchases of age restricted goods.

    This decision follows a comprehensive review of the current policy and an examination of the practice in England where test purchasing is presently allowed; it also involved a consultation exercise. A wide range of views were received from a broad range of organisations including the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, ASH Scotland and children's welfare organisations.

    The issues are finely balanced. Of paramount importance is the safety and welfare of individual children. Detailed guidelines will be issued to ensure the safety of children who do the test purchasing and to ensure that evidence is gathered in such a way as to avoid the necessity of children giving evidence in court. I am satisfied that these arrangements will ensure that no child is put at risk and that children are not put needlessly through the trauma of having to give evidence in court.

    The pilot will be assessed once sufficient data has been received to allow conclusions to be drawn. That assessment will consider not only the effectiveness of prosecution but also any detrimental effects on the children who have conducted the test purchasing.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156996,"EventID":"S1W-20389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations P & O North Sea Ferries has made to it regarding a Freight Facilities Grant application for the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service; whether it is awar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations P & O North Sea Ferries has made to it regarding a Freight Facilities Grant application for the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service; whether it is aware of any representations P & O North Sea Ferries has made to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions or the European Commission regarding this application and what responses it has made to any such representations.","AnswerText":"There have been no representations made by P & O North Sea Ferries to the Scottish Executive about the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service. The question of representations to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions or to the European Commission is a matter for those two bodies.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156997,"EventID":"S1W-20390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what relevance the Disney Management Programme has to the Scottish Borders tourist industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what relevance the Disney Management Programme has to the Scottish Borders tourist industry.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156998,"EventID":"S1W-20391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods are available for relevant officials from enterprise agencies to have access to the Disney Management Programme other than by attending in person.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods are available for relevant officials from enterprise agencies to have access to the Disney Management Programme other than by attending in person.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":156999,"EventID":"S1W-20392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what officials from enterprise agencies have had access to the Disney Management Programme in person and how much such access cost (a) per local enterprise agency area an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what officials from enterprise agencies have had access to the Disney Management Programme in person and how much such access cost (a) per local enterprise agency area and (b) nationally.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157000,"EventID":"S1W-20393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the public purse of the 10-day trip organised by Scottish Enterprise Borders to Disneyland to attend the Disney Management Programme. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to the public purse of the 10-day trip organised by Scottish Enterprise Borders to Disneyland to attend the Disney Management Programme. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157001,"EventID":"S1W-20394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it will provide to the police or to other criminal justice agencies regarding the prevention of any potential criminal activities following the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it will provide to the police or to other criminal justice agencies regarding the prevention of any potential criminal activities following the introduction of the euro in other European countries in January 2002.","AnswerText":"The resources made available to police forces and other criminal justice agencies by the Scottish Executive are not directly linked to the costs of tackling specific criminal activities. Criminal justice agencies across the UK are of course fully apprised of the potential for criminal activity linked to the introduction of the euro.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157002,"EventID":"S1W-20395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will give to retailers on preventing any potential fraud following the introduction of the euro in other European countries in January 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will give to retailers on preventing any potential fraud following the introduction of the euro in other European countries in January 2002.","AnswerText":"Retailers will wish to note the excellent advice that is available from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB) on this issue.

    The Bank of England has run a series of counterfeit detection training sessions for a number of organizations, including representatives of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

    The ECB has produced a training kit on the security features of the euro notes and there is information on the ECB website on the security features of the notes and images of all the coins. The ECB training kits have been supplied to those members of the BRC who indicated that they would accept euros. These tended to be larger retailers.

    In addition, the BRC have issued 5,000 leaflets to their members, mainly smaller retailers, entitled \"A retailers guide to accepting the Euro as a foreign currency\".

    Scotland Europa, in conjunction with HM Treasury, is implementing a detailed programme, including workshops, conferences, publications and a telephone hotline to provide advice to Scottish businesses and raise awareness of the need to make appropriate preparations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157003,"EventID":"S1W-20396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the numbers of beneficiaries under the Millennium Volunteer Programme will not be artificially inflated by lower cost matchmakers being favoured o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the numbers of beneficiaries under the Millennium Volunteer Programme will not be artificially inflated by lower cost matchmakers being favoured over more specialist and expensive placement providers.","AnswerText":"Each application for support under the Millennium Volunteers initiative is treated on individual merit. There is no bias that gives advantage to the matchmaker approach.

    Applications for support are made to the voluntary sector consortium that manages the scheme. They assess applications against the principles of the scheme and make recommendations to the Scottish Executive. The awards of grant are made by the Executive.

    A review group is currently looking at how the Millennium Volunteers Initiative has operated and how best to support volunteering by young people. I expect to receive their report in the spring.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157004,"EventID":"S1W-20397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE 1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, whether it is on target to provide a free nursery place for all three-year-olds whose parents want it by April","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE 1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, whether it is on target to provide a free nursery place for all three-year-olds whose parents want it by April 2002.","AnswerText":"We are currently on target to achieve this commitment. Some local authorities have already reached the necessary level of provision. Our efforts will now be focused on discussions with those authorities that may have the greatest difficulty in reaching the target.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157005,"EventID":"S1W-20398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE 1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, whether Scottish Borders Council will have sufficient staff to meet the requirements of providing a free nurse","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE 1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, whether Scottish Borders Council will have sufficient staff to meet the requirements of providing a free nursery place for all three-year-olds whose parents want it by April 2002.","AnswerText":"The council have been allocated the necessary resources to meet the requirement. Not all staff involved in the delivery of funded pre-school education are employed by local authorities. Local authorities have been given the lead role in developing pre-school education services in their area and may secure places either directly or by commissioning partners in the voluntary and private sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157006,"EventID":"S1W-20399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its Press Release SE1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, how many three-year-olds currently have a free nursery place, broken down by education authority and also expre","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its Press Release SE1745/2000 of 14 June 2000, how many three-year-olds currently have a free nursery place, broken down by education authority and also expressed as a percentage of the total number of three-year-olds in each authority.","AnswerText":"The number of children aged three who are in receipt of funded pre-school education in the 32 local authorities in the summer term of academic year 2000-01 is shown in the following table. The table also shows the numbers expressed as the participation rate of eligible population. The equivalent information relating to academic year 2001-02 will be available by July 2002.

    Spring Term 2000-01

    Three-year-olds

    Children provided with places

    Participation Percentage

    Eligible Children

    Aberdeen City

    1,745

    75%

    2,320

    Aberdeenshire

    2,293

    100%

    2,293

    Angus

    917

    75%

    1,215

    Argyll and Bute

    912

    96%

    947

    Clackmannanshire

    539

    94%

    571

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1,342

    81%

    1,666

    Dundee

    1,558

    93%

    1,679

    Politically sensitive matters in this context, are matters of political interest other than those connected with factual or routine operational issues.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157010,"EventID":"S1W-20403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the minutes of the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland and any of its sub-groups will be made publicly available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the minutes of the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland and any of its sub-groups will be made publicly available.","AnswerText":"No, but we will post progress reports on the Scottish Executive website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157011,"EventID":"S1W-20404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been given to local authorities to help fund the revenue costs of an increased number of refuge places as a result of the funding made ava","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been given to local authorities to help fund the revenue costs of an increased number of refuge places as a result of the funding made available for capital projects.","AnswerText":"We have the full support of COSLA to ensure that local authorities provide the funding necessary to support the extra refuge spaces. The Local Government Spending Review 2000 provides an extra £1.2 billion in support for local government over the next three years - an increase of 10.5% in real terms. This should enable all local authorities to provide the necessary support for all women's refuges. All bids submitted for funding from the Refuge Development Programme were required to indicate plans for sustainability.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157012,"EventID":"S1W-20405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether some local authorities do not require the owners of houses in multiple occupation to seek planning consent for houses which are occupied by five persons or less w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether some local authorities do not require the owners of houses in multiple occupation to seek planning consent for houses which are occupied by five persons or less while other local authorities require owners to seek planning consent for houses which are occupied by three persons or over, and if so, what the reasons are for this difference in policy.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 (the 1997 Order) specifies in Class 9 that, among other things, changes in the level of occupancy of a house between the following groups: a single person, people living together as a family and up to five residents living together, do not constitute development and do not, therefore, require planning permission. Class 9 of the 1997 Order does not, however, apply to flats.

    Beyond the specific provisions of Class 9 of the 1997 Order, it is for planning authorities to consider whether an application for planning permission is required for an increase in the level of occupancy. Determination as to whether an increase in the level of occupancy of a dwelling constitutes a material change of use amounting to development which requires planning permission depends on the impact of that increase on the amenity and environment of the surrounding area. Planning authorities may specify their policies in relation to multiple occupancy in their local plans.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157013,"EventID":"S1W-20406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the arrangements for planning consent in respect of houses in multiple occupation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the arrangements for planning consent in respect of houses in multiple occupation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans at present to change the arrangements for planning consent in respect of houses in multiple occupation, but it will continue to keep the matter under review in the light of experience with the implementation of licensing under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157014,"EventID":"S1W-20407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to altering planning or other regulations to prevent trees cutting off daylight from nearby residential properties and what action it pla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to altering planning or other regulations to prevent trees cutting off daylight from nearby residential properties and what action it plans to take on this issue.","AnswerText":"The planning system is intended to control \"development\" of the built environment, not the growth of trees and hedges, and we have no plans to change the system in that respect.

    The Executive issued a consultation paper in January 2000 to try to gauge the extent of problems with high boundary trees and hedges. Having considered the responses, I announced the Executive's intention on 31 January 2001 to introduce a statutory remedy of last resort in relation to nuisance high hedges. The remedy would involve complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues had been exhausted. It was made clear, however, that no commitment could be given at that stage as to when legislation might be brought forward. In view of its substantial legislative programme, the Executive cannot at present give a commitment on when legislation on high boundary trees and hedges might be brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157015,"EventID":"S1W-20408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the timescales and efficacy of the measures set out in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the timescales and efficacy of the measures set out in the report by Mr Tom Divers, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board, relating to the continuity and improvement of cancer services for users of the West of Scotland cancer service.","AnswerText":"These are issues which will be monitored as the action plan is implemented through local NHS management, the new Beatson Joint Management Board and the Project Monitoring and Review Group.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157016,"EventID":"S1W-20409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assistance in terms of resources or additional service planning or provision is bei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assistance in terms of resources or additional service planning or provision is being given to support the measures set out in the report by Mr Tom Divers, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board, relating to the continuity and improvement of cancer services for users of the West of Scotland cancer service.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the published Action Plan, a variety of additional resources and support arrangements are being established including:

    a dedicated Joint Management Board

    an external clinical support team

    a project monitoring and review group

    dedicated organisational development support

    a full time senior manager

    £2.4 million of the additional funding announced on 6 November for implementation of the cancer plan is going directly to Glasgow out of a total of more than £5 million for the West of Scotland cancer services.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157017,"EventID":"S1W-20410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19756 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, when it expects the first meeting of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19756 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, when it expects the first meeting of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group to be held.","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the West of Scotland Cancer Advisory Group is expected to take place on 20 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157018,"EventID":"S1W-20411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19760 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what guidance, advice or instructions it has given to ensure the participation of oncolo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19760 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what guidance, advice or instructions it has given to ensure the participation of oncologists and other specialist medical and nursing staff, together with patients, in the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group.","AnswerText":"Guidance on the role, structure and function of Regional Cancer Advisory Groups is set out in NHS HDL (2001) 71 issued on 13 September 2001. This is also available on www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157019,"EventID":"S1W-20412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service over the next 10 years.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are responsible for planning service provision to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.

    Cancer Scenarios: an aid to planning cancer services in the next decade was published by the Scottish Executive in May of this year. It is available on www.scotland.gov.uk and www.show.scot.nhs.uk.

    First year national and regional cancer investment plans to implement Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change were launched on 6 November 2001. These are also available from the above websites.

    This year, West of Scotland cancer services will see additional investment of more than £5 million, of which £2.4 million is going directly to services in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157020,"EventID":"S1W-20413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to the number of general practitioner referrals to the service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20412.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157021,"EventID":"S1W-20414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to resulting pressures on waiting times for out-patient consultations and for investigative treatments.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to Question S1W-20412.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157022,"EventID":"S1W-20415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to resulting pressures on new referral caseloads for oncologists working in the service.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20412.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157023,"EventID":"S1W-20416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to the number of treatment machines currently in service and those planned.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20412 on 11 December and to the information provided in my answer to question S1W-19750 on 26 November in relation to the on-going radiotherapy equipment modernisation programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157024,"EventID":"S1W-20417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to the number of in-patient beds available to the service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to Question S1W-20412.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157025,"EventID":"S1W-20418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19871 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, what assessment has been made of the impact of unmet needs on service provision levels of the West of Scotland cancer service in relation to the required numbers of oncologist and specialist medical and nursing staff.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20412.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157026,"EventID":"S1W-20419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Ayrshire and Arran Health Board have refused to prescribe Inflaximab to any patients within their catchment area on the recommendation of an NHS consultant and, i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Ayrshire and Arran Health Board have refused to prescribe Inflaximab to any patients within their catchment area on the recommendation of an NHS consultant and, if so, whether such refusal infringes a patient's rights under the Human Rights Act 1998. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Ayrshire and Arran Health Board.

    Health boards determine their prescribing policy on new medicines, taking into account local needs and advice from their Area Drugs and Therapeutic Committee. The Scottish Medicines Consortium will provide advice to local Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees about new drugs. In addition, some new medicines will be evaluated by the Health Technology Board for Scotland. The advice of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence is also made available publicly.

    The human rights legislation does not confer a right to treatment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157027,"EventID":"S1W-20420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures it intends to implement to eradicate child poverty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional measures it intends to implement to eradicate child poverty.","AnswerText":"The Social Justice Annual Report sets out programmes and policies of the Scottish Executive and the UK Government, which will help to move towards our shared goal of ending child poverty in a generation. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20286 on 23 November announcing the publication of the report. Securing better outcomes and life chances for all children is a key priority for the Executive. We have recently announced the establishment of a new Cabinet Sub-Committee on Children's Services, to be chaired by the First Minister. In addition, the Scottish Executive announced on 26 November 2001 a £250,000 boost to breakfast service provision in Scotland's most disadvantaged areas. Breakfast is important for children to help them to concentrate and learn in school as well as meeting their physical needs.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157028,"EventID":"S1W-20421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19734 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, why that answer refers to the answer to question S1W-19012 by Susan Deacon on 8 November","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19734 by Susan Deacon on 20 November 2001, why that answer refers to the answer to question S1W-19012 by Susan Deacon on 8 November 2001 which gives figures on the median waiting times for tonsillectomies at the (a) Royal Alexandria Hospital, Paisley and (b) Vale of Leven Hospital as at 30 June 2001 when S1W-19734 sought this information as at 31 October 2001 and whether it will now provide that information.","AnswerText":"Information on waiting times for in-patient and day case treatment is compiled on a retrospective basis from patient discharge records and is published quarterly. The latest available information is for the year ending 30 June 2001, and figures for that period were provided in response to question S1W-19012. Information for the year ending 30 September 2001 should be available later this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157029,"EventID":"S1W-20422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Review of Educational Psychologists and to whom the review will report and when.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of the Review of Educational Psychologists and to whom the review will report and when.","AnswerText":"The review is in its final stages and the report will be put to ministers soon. The members are:

    Eleanor Currie

    Chair - Director of Education, East Renfrewshire Council

    Gordon Jeyes

    ADES - Director of Children's Services, Stirling Council

    Gerry McGeoch

    ADSW - Housing and Social Work Services, Clackmannanshire Council

    Ian Liddle

    ASPEP (Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists)

    Fergal Doherty

    EIS (Educational Institute of Scotland)

    Graeme King

    BPS-SDEP (British Psychological Society - Scottish Division of Educational Psychology)

    Jane Hook

    SEN Parent/Chair of Scottish Society for Autism

    Lorraine Dilworth

    SEN Parent/ISEA (Independent Special Education Advice)

    Patricia Cairns

    Headteacher - Firhill High School, Edinburgh

    Marie Wallace

    Headteacher - Drummore Primary School, Glasgow

    Patricia Jackson

    Consultant Paediatrician - Community Child Health, Edinburgh

    Kay Tisdall

    Children in Scotland

    Bill Sadler

    SSLA (Scottish Support for Learning Association)

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157030,"EventID":"S1W-20423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently participating in home-based learning, broken down by (a) local authority area, (b) age and (c) gender.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently participating in home-based learning, broken down by (a) local authority area, (b) age and (c) gender.","AnswerText":"This information is not yet available. The Scottish Executive has recently undertaken a statistical survey to collect data on the number of children who are educated outwith school. The results will be published later this month and will provide data by local authority area on two groups of children - (1) those for whom education is provided outwith school because they are unable, due to certain circumstances, to attend school, and (2) those educated at home as a result of parental choice. This is the first time that data has been collected on the latter group of children. Age and gender data has not been collected and will therefore not be available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157031,"EventID":"S1W-20424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists are specialists in autism, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists are specialists in autism, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Data is not collected centrally on the allocation of responsibilities within services or on an educational psychologist's professional levels of specialist expertise. However, educational psychologists will have an understanding of autism and those dealing particularly with autism will have appropriate training.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157032,"EventID":"S1W-20425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the control of Japanese knotweed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the control of Japanese knotweed.","AnswerText":"No specific guidance has been issued. General queries on this topic are received from time to time, from both individuals and organisations, and information is provided to enquirers as required.

    Local authorities already have powers to take action where knotweed poses a threat to the local amenity of an area. Action may also be taken by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in pursuance of its general duty to \"secure the conservation and enhancement of ... the natural heritage of Scotland\". SNH has recently completed An Audit of Alien Species in Scotland (Review No. 139, SNH, 2001) which provides an assessment of the threat posed by knotweed. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has a role in providing guidance on the use of herbicides and the disposal of waste contaminated with knotweed.

    Partnerships involving the above statutory bodies, the owners and occupiers of affected property and other interested parties are therefore the most appropriate mechanism for dealing with specific knotweed problems at a local level. Advice issued by the Executive reflects that position.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157033,"EventID":"S1W-20426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19630 by Angus Mackay on 26 November 2001, whether (a) it or (b) the Scottish Prison Service awarded any contract to Pricewaterhous","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19630 by Angus Mackay on 26 November 2001, whether (a) it or (b) the Scottish Prison Service awarded any contract to PricewaterhouseCoopers in relation to the Prison Services Estates Review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service awarded a contract (late 2000) on behalf of the Scottish Executive Justice Department to PricewaterhouseCoopers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157034,"EventID":"S1W-20427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary question to question S1O-4155 by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 2001, what stage its discussions with the Ministry of Defe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary question to question S1O-4155 by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 2001, what stage its discussions with the Ministry of Defence on wind farms in tactical low flying areas have reached.","AnswerText":"Discussions between ourselves and the Ministry of Defence are at an early stage. It is clearly important that the situation be clarified quickly, although it would be inappropriate to give details of these discussions until we have something substantive to report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157035,"EventID":"S1W-20432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the next meeting of the British-Irish Council will take place; which country will host the meeting, and whether the issue of drug misuse will be on the agenda.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the next meeting of the British-Irish Council will take place; which country will host the meeting, and whether the issue of drug misuse will be on the agenda.","AnswerText":"The next summit level meeting of the British-Irish Council will be hosted by Jersey in April 2002, and will focus on the issue of Knowledge Economy. Following that, we look forward to hosting a summit in Scotland in autumn 2002 on the subject of social inclusion, in conjunction with our colleagues in the National Assembly for Wales

    The British-Irish Council held its second summit meeting in Dublin on 30 November. The main focus of that meeting was the issue of drugs misuse, and how co-operation in this area might be developed within the British-Irish Council. The meeting was a useful and constructive one. It is clear that the other council members share the Executive's commitment to protecting young people from the problems of drugs in our communities. There will be reports to future summits on the practical progress being made by members on tackling drugs matters together.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157036,"EventID":"S1W-20433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total visitor attendance figures were at art galleries and museums in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and what the estimated figures are for (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total visitor attendance figures were at art galleries and museums in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and what the estimated figures are for (i) 2001-02 and (ii) 2002-03. ","AnswerText":"The number of visitors to the National Galleries of Scotland and National Museums of Scotland in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and the first six months of 2001-02 are set out in the table.

     

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02 (Q1+Q2)

    National Galleries of Scotland

    962,142

    1,049,652

    684,358

    National Museums of Scotland

    788,134

    1,015,494

    680,020

    The Executive has asked the national galleries and museums to include target figures for visitor numbers for forward years in future Corporate Plans. This year's corporate planning exercise for the national institutions has not yet been finalised so target figures for visitor numbers are not yet available.

    Local galleries and museums are the responsibility of local authorities and information on visitor numbers for them is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157037,"EventID":"S1W-20434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all bids made for major sporting events to be held in Scotland in the future.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all bids made for major sporting events to be held in Scotland in the future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recently bid for the Ryder Cup golf tournament and the event is to be held in Scotland in 2014. The Executive is presently assisting the Scottish Football Association with consideration of whether to bid for the European Nations Football Championships in 2008. Successful bids have been made by governing bodies/local authorities for the European Junior Swimming and Diving Competition in 2003, the European Cross Country Championships in 2003 and the World Bowls Championships in 2004. The Executive is also aware that a number of other bids have been made or are being considered, including a joint bid by the Scottish Rugby Union and the Irish Rugby Football Union for the Rugby World Cup in 2007.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157038,"EventID":"S1W-20435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new regulations are to be introduced governing the installation of smoke alarms in new build houses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new regulations are to be introduced governing the installation of smoke alarms in new build houses.","AnswerText":"Regulations already exist that require the installation of smoke alarms in new dwellings.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157039,"EventID":"S1W-20436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent assessment has been made of the impact of closed circuit television systems on levels of street crime in (a) Scotland and (b) the parliamentary constituency ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent assessment has been made of the impact of closed circuit television systems on levels of street crime in (a) Scotland and (b) the parliamentary constituency of West Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"Since 1996 the Scottish Executive has awarded funding of over £10 million to more than 160 public CCTV systems throughout Scotland. There has been no national assessment of the effect of those systems on levels of street crime and I am not aware of any systems funded from this programme which are operating in West Renfrewshire. However, from 1 April 2001 we are introducing a new funding programme worth £12 million over the next three years which will include provision for CCTV. A proposal has been included within the Scottish Executive new research agenda for an evaluation of the new funding arrangements which will also include a review of the systems approved under the existing funding scheme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157040,"EventID":"S1W-20437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to police forces concerning the stopping of motorists who use hand-held mobile phones whilst driving their vehicles.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to police forces concerning the stopping of motorists who use hand-held mobile phones whilst driving their vehicles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any such guidelines but the then Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions issued general guidance in 1998 on the risks of using a mobile phone while driving, which makes it clear that, if using a mobile phone results in careless or dangerous driving, it can lead to prosecution.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157041,"EventID":"S1W-20438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to health boards concerning the psychiatric treatment of detained patients and their rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to health boards concerning the psychiatric treatment of detained patients and their rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.","AnswerText":"No specific guidance has been issued on this issue.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157042,"EventID":"S1W-20439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19833 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, why the information requested in questions S1O-4059 and S1W-19848 was not provided in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19833 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, why the information requested in questions S1O-4059 and S1W-19848 was not provided in the answers to those questions on 8 and 23 November respectively and what the cost of providing each of those answers was.","AnswerText":"Questions S1W-19833, S1O-4059 and S1W-19848 were answered adequately. As the member will be aware, it is not usual to provide details of discussions between ministers and third parties.

    The estimated cost of answering each of the member's questions is as follows:-

    S1W-19833

    £65

    S1O-4059

    £120

    S1W-19848

    £60

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157043,"EventID":"S1W-20440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19848 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, (a) on what dates since 1 March 2001 it has had meetings at which the subject of vertica","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19848 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, (a) on what dates since 1 March 2001 it has had meetings at which the subject of vertical integration of the rail network was discussed and (b) with which relevant bodies and individuals each such meeting was held, where and who instigated each such meeting.","AnswerText":"There is nothing further to add. As the member will be aware, it is not usual to provide details of discussions between ministers and third parties.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157044,"EventID":"S1W-20441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19833 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, whether it will give specific details on whether it has ever been consulted by, or insti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19833 by Sarah Boyack on 23 November 2001, whether it will give specific details on whether it has ever been consulted by, or instigated consultation with, the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of the UK rail modernisation fund to railway investment projects in Scotland and, if so, whether it will detail in each case when the consultation took place, the project concerned and who instigated the consultation.","AnswerText":"No. As the member will be aware, it is not usual to provide details of discussions between ministers and third parties.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157045,"EventID":"S1W-20442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many councillors from the City of Edinburgh City Council have been appointed to non-departmental public bodies, Social Inclusion Partnerships or other publicly remune","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many councillors from the City of Edinburgh City Council have been appointed to non-departmental public bodies, Social Inclusion Partnerships or other publicly remunerative posts in each year since 1997 and what the (a) posts and (b) remuneration received were in each case.","AnswerText":"Edinburgh City Councillors appointed to non-departmental public bodies are listed in the table below:<","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157046,"EventID":"S1W-20443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any record is kept of councillors who (a) are nominated for and (b) take up remunerated posts on boards and organisations in local authorities adjacent to their o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any record is kept of councillors who (a) are nominated for and (b) take up remunerated posts on boards and organisations in local authorities adjacent to their own; if so, whether it will give details of any such nominations or appointments in each year since 1997, and, if not, whether it will establish such a record.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and there are no plans to keep such records.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157047,"EventID":"S1W-20444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures or legislation are currently in place, or are planned, to facilitate and expedite the obtaining of statutory powers to build light rail schemes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures or legislation are currently in place, or are planned, to facilitate and expedite the obtaining of statutory powers to build light rail schemes. ","AnswerText":"At present, any proposals for new railways in Scotland require parliamentary approval at Westminster using either a \"light railways Order\" under the Light Railways Acts 1896 and 1912 or the powers of the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936.

    As part of the package of measures for railways devolution, it was agreed that the Scottish Parliament should have legislative competence over the approval of the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland. To achieve this, the Scottish ministers and the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions have instructed the preparation of a draft Order under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998. This will involve creating an exception to the reservation of rail transport in the Scotland Act.

    Once the Scottish Parliament has legislative competence over the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland, parliamentary permissions will be granted using the Parliament's Private Bill procedure. Guidance for promoters wishing to bring a Private Bill before the Scottish Parliament has been issued and can be viewed at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/cttee/private-01/gprb-c.htm.

    Arrangements for cross-border projects are already provided for under section 24 of the Transport and Works Act 1992. In these circumstances, railway projects which cross the border are likely to be subject to Private Bill procedure before Westminster.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157048,"EventID":"S1W-20445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reports by the Performance Audit Group, referred to in Annex E of the Report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contract: An Examination ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reports by the Performance Audit Group, referred to in Annex E of the Report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The New Trunk Road Contract: An Examination of the Competition for the Maintenance and Management of the Trunk Road Network, will be made publicly available and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"No. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157049,"EventID":"S1W-20446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria the Minister for Transport and Planning used when considering the validity of objections to the draft orders for the construction of the A1 Haddington to Du","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria the Minister for Transport and Planning used when considering the validity of objections to the draft orders for the construction of the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway.","AnswerText":"All the objections lodged against the draft orders were considered to be valid.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157050,"EventID":"S1W-20447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the decision taken by the Minister for Transport and Planning that there was no need to hold a public enquiry relating to the construction of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the decision taken by the Minister for Transport and Planning that there was no need to hold a public enquiry relating to the construction of the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway. ","AnswerText":"The consideration given by the Scottish ministers' was contained in their decision letter of 13 June 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157051,"EventID":"S1W-20448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the specifications will be for the construction of access roads for emergency vehicles to the proposed A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the specifications will be for the construction of access roads for emergency vehicles to the proposed A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway.","AnswerText":"Access roads will be provided in both east and westbound directions from Traprain road. They will be designed by the successful tenderer and be of appropriate construction, gated, secured and for emergency vehicle use only.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157052,"EventID":"S1W-20449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18697 by Sarah Boyack on 30 October 2001, whether the bid for the work on the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway has been accepted ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18697 by Sarah Boyack on 30 October 2001, whether the bid for the work on the A1 Haddington to Dunbar Expressway has been accepted and whether the final contracts have been agreed.","AnswerText":"No, the five contractors selected to tender for the work are due to return their bids on 19 December 2001. The award of contract is expected in the first quarter of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157053,"EventID":"S1W-20450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18698 and S1W-19839 by Sarah Boyack on 30 October and 23 November 2001, what objections were received to the draft orders for the c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18698 and S1W-19839 by Sarah Boyack on 30 October and 23 November 2001, what objections were received to the draft orders for the construction of the A1 Expressway between Haddington and Dunbar.","AnswerText":"A summary of the objections received to the draft orders was contained in the Scottish ministers' decision letter of 13 June 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157054,"EventID":"S1W-20451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards the targets set for the reduction in deaths from cervical cancer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making towards the targets set for the reduction in deaths from cervical cancer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's headline target is to reduce the age standardised mortality rate from all cancers in people under age 75 by 20% between 1995 and 2010.

    Scottish Cancer Registry data shows that in 1995 the European age standardised mortality rate for cervical cancer in Scotland was 4.6 per 100,000. In 2000 this had fallen to 3.5.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157055,"EventID":"S1W-20452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths from cervical cancer were recorded in each year since 1995, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths from cervical cancer were recorded in each year since 1995, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table.

    Name

    NDPB

    Party political affiliation

    Appt from

    Appt to

    Remuneration

    Iain Whyte

    National Galleries of Scotland

    Conservative

    04/98

    03/02

    none

    Kingsley E F Thomas

    Scottish Advisory Committee on Drugs Misuse (declassified 1/9/01)

    Labour

    01/00

    12/02

    none

    Daphne Sleigh

    Scottish Homes

    Conservative

    09/90

    03/99

    7,464

    Elizabeth Maginnis

    General Teaching Council For Scotland

    Labour

    03/93

    01/99

    none

    Donald Anderson

    VisitScotland

    Labour

    12/98

    09/05

    7,628

    Marilyne A Maclaren

    Central Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace (Scotland)

    Liberal Democrat

    12/96

    10/01

    none

    Deaths from malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri1, by health board of residence, 1995-2000

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Scotland

    147

    138

    144

    145

    122

    117

    Argyll and Clyde

    14

    11

    16

    18

    12

    7

    Ayrshire and Arran

    13

    10

    11

    9

    13

    14

    Borders

    2

    1

    4

    1

    2

    3

    Dumfries and Galloway

    4

    		A college may, though, at its own discretion waive the fees of any student on any course, regardless of whether the college is able to reclaim the cost from SFEFC.

    The charging policy on leisure courses offered by local authorities is entirely a matter for them.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157057,"EventID":"S1W-20454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the sale of Compound Semiconductor Technologies and why Scottish Enterprise has supported the sale under the terms agreed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the sale of Compound Semiconductor Technologies and why Scottish Enterprise has supported the sale under the terms agreed.","AnswerText":"Commercial decisions relating to investment in Compound Semiconductor Technologies are a matter for the founding shareholders of the company, namely Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157058,"EventID":"S1W-20455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where and on what date the advertisement for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk was placed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where and on what date the advertisement for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk was placed.","AnswerText":"The vacancy was filled by Mrs Anne Smith, who had appeared before the ad hoc Selection Board, which met in June 2001. The board considered that Mrs Smith was fitted for appointment. In accordance with the procedure laid down by section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998, acting as First Minister I decided to recommend her when this vacancy arose.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157059,"EventID":"S1W-20456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20455.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157060,"EventID":"S1W-20457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk were interviewed and on how many occasions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk were interviewed and on how many occasions.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20455.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157061,"EventID":"S1W-20458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the applicants who were unsuccessful at the June 2001 meeting of the interim Selection Board applied for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the applicants who were unsuccessful at the June 2001 meeting of the interim Selection Board applied for the judicial vacancy arising from the appointment of Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk. ","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20455.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157062,"EventID":"S1W-20459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants to the June 2001 meeting of the interim Selection Board for judicial appointment (a) were women, (b) were from an ethnic minority, (c) held a degree f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants to the June 2001 meeting of the interim Selection Board for judicial appointment (a) were women, (b) were from an ethnic minority, (c) held a degree from the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford, (d) had an ascendant who holds or has held judicial office in Scotland and (e) attended a State school. ","AnswerText":"There were 17 applications for the vacancies for Senators of the College of Justice advertised in March 2001 (excluding applicants who subsequently withdrew). The breakdown of the applicants requested is as follows:

    (a)

    13

    4

    Male

    Female

    (b)

    0

    Candidates from an ethnic minority

    (c)

    5

    11

    1

    Hold a degree from the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford

    Do not hold a degree from the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford

    Information not held

    (d)

    1

    16

    Has family members who hold or have held judicial office in Scotland

    Information not held

    (e)

    4

    12

    1

    Attended a state secondary school

    Did not attend a state secondary school

    Information not held

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157063,"EventID":"S1W-20460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to implement funding for a national top-up to existing budgets of agri-environmental schemes under Article 51 of the rural development regulation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to implement funding for a national top-up to existing budgets of agri-environmental schemes under Article 51 of the rural development regulation EC 1257/1999.","AnswerText":"We already pay a higher rate for certain stock removal than is supported by EC co-financing and fund that through a \"national top-up\".","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157064,"EventID":"S1W-20461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has under the rural development regulation EC 1257/1999 to top-up agri-environmental schemes funds and whether it can do so without securing European match","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has under the rural development regulation EC 1257/1999 to top-up agri-environmental schemes funds and whether it can do so without securing European match funding to cover the additional funding.","AnswerText":"Funding for agri-environment schemes is set out in the Rural Development Plan for Scotland which was approved by the EC in December 2000. Any additional funding for measures within the plan, whether state-aided or co-financed, would require the approval of the EC. Article 47(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 which stipulates that the Community contribution to co-financed elements of agri-environment schemes shall be 75% in areas covered by Objective 1 and 50% elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157065,"EventID":"S1W-20462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19427 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, of the fishing vessels fishing for shellfish within the six-mile limit which were (a) bo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19427 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, of the fishing vessels fishing for shellfish within the six-mile limit which were (a) boarded by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and (b) reported for prosecution, how many were (i) boarded when at sea, (ii) boarded when alongside a pier, and (iii) lying at a mooring and what fishing methods was used by each boat in each category including (1) diving, (2) fishing with nets, (3) fishing with creels and (4) fishing with dredges in each of the last five years for which figures are available. ","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Paul Du Vivier, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency to respond. His response is as follows:

    All 1,390 boardings referred to in my previous answer were carried out at sea. The table provides details of the fishing methods used on a year by year basis.

    Year

    Method

    Boardings

    Prosecutions

    1997

    Diving

    nil

    		 

    Nets

    239

    		 

    Creels

    72

    		 

    Dredges

    59

    		 

    1998

    Diving

    9

    		 

    Nets

    219

    		 

    Creels

    107

    		 

    Dredges

    77

    		 

    1999

    Diving

    3

    1

    Nets

    149

    		 

    Creels

    38

    		 

    Dredges

    27

    		 

    2000

    The first action programme in Scotland came into force in December 1998 in the Balmalcolm NVZ in Fife. A further NVZ was designated in May 2000 in the Ythan catchment. A proposed action programme for the Ythan NVZ, based on the recommendations from the Scottish Agricultural Pollution Group, was put out to consultation on 5 February 2001. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17496).

    The proposed Ythan action programme represents a significant improvement of the first action programme. For example, it includes extensions to the periods when slurry manure must not be applied to sandy or shallow soils and requires a fertiliser and manure plan to be prepared and used each year. We have been in discussion with stakeholders about modifications to the detail of these proposals. I expect to make the regulations shortly to bring the action programme into force.

    Written guidance on how to comply with the action programme rules will be provided for all farmers including guidance on CD-ROM for those who wish it.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157069,"EventID":"S1W-20466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to enable the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to tackle diffuse pollution directly.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to enable the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to tackle diffuse pollution directly.","AnswerText":"Our recent consultation paper, Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters sets out proposals for improved control of diffuse pollution to be included in the forthcoming Water Environment and Water Services Bill. A copy of the paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 14576).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157070,"EventID":"S1W-20467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network operates in an independent manner and how it will ensure that it continues to do so.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network operates in an independent manner and how it will ensure that it continues to do so.","AnswerText":"Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is a network of clinicians and other health care professionals, including all the medical specialties, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, professions allied to medicine, patients and health service management. Although the Scottish Executive Health Department funds SIGN, it is an independent intercollegiate body based at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. There are no plans to alter this arrangement.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157071,"EventID":"S1W-20468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has provided a single national focus for health professionals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has provided a single national focus for health professionals.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to Question S1W-20469.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157072,"EventID":"S1W-20469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how successful the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network have been in providing guidance to health professionals; whether this guidance has been acted upon effectiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how successful the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network have been in providing guidance to health professionals; whether this guidance has been acted upon effectively, and what evidence there is of the clinical and cost effectiveness of this guidance and that patients are accessing the most suitable treatments.","AnswerText":"The clinical guidelines produced by Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which are based on the most up-to-date published evidence, are of international renown. One of the accepted strengths of SIGN guidelines, apart from their technical excellence, is the wide professional ownership that follows from the intercollegiate nature of SIGN. So far SIGN has published 54 guidelines.

    Local NHS organisations and clinicians are expected to take the advice in the guidelines and adapt them as local protocols. This advice is also being built into integrated care pathways and managed clinical networks and into the standards developed by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland.

    SIGN Guidelines therefore make a significant contribution to improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care by ensuring that Scottish clinicians have ready access to a single source of high quality, up-to-date evidence-based advice.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157073,"EventID":"S1W-20470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities can consult with community councils over the allocation of Common Good Funds and, if so, what action it is taking, or plans to take, to encourag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities can consult with community councils over the allocation of Common Good Funds and, if so, what action it is taking, or plans to take, to encourage such consultation.","AnswerText":"Under current legislation, local authorities have stewardship of Common Good Funds and it is at their discretion as to how they consult on these funds.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157074,"EventID":"S1W-20471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and other environment bodies under its control, consult on any proposals they have with local individu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and other environment bodies under its control, consult on any proposals they have with local individuals, community councils and other local community groups.","AnswerText":"Applications to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for permits under the various regulatory regimes that it operates must be advertised in at least one local newspaper. Applications are also placed on SEPA's public register. This allows interested individuals and any local community groups the opportunity to view an application and to make representations to SEPA within a specified period.

    In carrying out its natural heritage functions, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has a statutory duty to take appropriate account of the interests of owners and occupiers of land and local communities. The Executive's policy statement in March 2001 - the Nature of Scotland - proposes that, when new Sites of Special Scientific Interests are notified, SNH will consult the owners and occupiers of the site, local authorities, community councils and other specified stakeholders about the proposal.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157075,"EventID":"S1W-20472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on whose initiative Tessa Jackson left office as Director of the Scottish Arts Council; whether any severance payment has been made to Ms Jackson and, if so, how much the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on whose initiative Tessa Jackson left office as Director of the Scottish Arts Council; whether any severance payment has been made to Ms Jackson and, if so, how much the payment is, from which budget it has been made and with whose approval.","AnswerText":"Ms Jackson's resignation from the Scottish Arts Council has been a matter for herself and the council. Whilst the terms of the settlement are also a matter for those parties, approval was obtained from Scottish ministers. The costs will be borne by the council's Operating Costs budget.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157076,"EventID":"S1W-20473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many redundancies in Forest Enterprise Scotland are likely following the annual Harvesting and Marketing Review.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many redundancies in Forest Enterprise Scotland are likely following the annual Harvesting and Marketing Review.","AnswerText":"Consultations with staff and the trade unions on the timber harvesting review have not been concluded and it is therefore too soon to speculate on staffing implications.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157077,"EventID":"S1W-20474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the incidence of lung disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the incidence of lung disease.","AnswerText":"Smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable disease and ill health in Scotland. The Executive's comprehensive range of measures to reduce smoking levels will help reduce the incidence of lung disease.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157078,"EventID":"S1W-20475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance has been issued to retailers regarding the sale of refrigerators in light of the advice issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance has been issued to retailers regarding the sale of refrigerators in light of the advice issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157079,"EventID":"S1W-20476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each health board has spent on computer network software licences in the current year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each health board has spent on computer network software licences in the current year.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157080,"EventID":"S1W-20477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19889 by Sarah Boyack on 26 November 2001, why it did not provide a detailed response to the question and how much it spent on answ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19889 by Sarah Boyack on 26 November 2001, why it did not provide a detailed response to the question and how much it spent on answering the question.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-19889 was answered adequately. As the member will be aware, it is not usual to provide details of discussions between ministers and third parties.

    The estimated cost of answering the member's question S1W-19889 is £60.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157081,"EventID":"S1W-20478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its project on the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its project on the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change.","AnswerText":"The findings of research entitled An Exploration of Regional Climate Change Scenarios for Scotland were published on 9 February and are available on the Executive's climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange. More detailed UK scenarios are expected to be published by the UK Climate Impacts Programme early next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157082,"EventID":"S1W-20479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change project will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change project will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20478.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157083,"EventID":"S1W-20480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the detailed climate change model for Scotland will be made available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the detailed climate change model for Scotland will be made available.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20478.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157084,"EventID":"S1W-20481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers local authorities have in respect of appointing litter wardens and what resources are available to authorities to help meet the cost of making such appointmen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers local authorities have in respect of appointing litter wardens and what resources are available to authorities to help meet the cost of making such appointments.","AnswerText":"Under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, littering is an offence and local authorities have the power under section 88 of the same Act to appoint litter wardens. The general revenue grant the Scottish Executive provides to local authorities covers the full range of local authority services and it is up to individual authorities how they then allocate those resources.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157085,"EventID":"S1W-20482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authority litter wardens have to issue penalties to those who litter public places.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what authority litter wardens have to issue penalties to those who litter public places.","AnswerText":"Local authority officers (litter wardens) are authorised to issue fixed penalty notices for littering by section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157086,"EventID":"S1W-20483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence led to the suspension of Individual Learning Accounts on 23 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence led to the suspension of Individual Learning Accounts on 23 November 2001.","AnswerText":"Following the discovery of irregularities by officers from the Department of Employment and Skills' special investigations unit, police were called in to investigate alleged fraud and theft involving Individual Learning Accounts. This led to the immediate closure of the scheme in England, which they had previously forewarned would cease on 7 December.

    There was a risk that the irregularities discovered might have led to false claims on the Scottish scheme and therefore, as a precautionary measure to protect public money, I decided to temporarily suspend payments to learning providers under the Scottish scheme on Friday 23 November. These claims are currently being validated. Once this process is completed, we expect to re-open the system for new claims.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157087,"EventID":"S1W-20484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what systems were in place to track any false claimants of Individual Learning Accounts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what systems were in place to track any false claimants of Individual Learning Accounts.","AnswerText":"Initial checks are undertaken by the Individual Learning Account (ILA) Centre to ensure that the learning provider, the individual learner and the learning provided are all eligible for ILA purposes. Requests for payment are then made to Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise who undertake sample checks of such claims and authorise the release of funds to meet these claims.

    In addition, the Executive, in consultation with enterprise network auditors, investigates individual complaints about specific learning providers. If complaints are upheld, payments may be withheld and can be clawed back if already paid.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157088,"EventID":"S1W-20485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides in rural areas to activities to divert young people from offending behaviour.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides in rural areas to activities to divert young people from offending behaviour.","AnswerText":"Local authorities and others in rural areas have access to a range of support measures already in place, or being introduced. These include our current Youth Crime Review investment of £23.5 million over three and a half years. Every local authority will carry out an audit of demand and resource so the area's needs can be identified and met. In addition, up to £21.75 million of the £87 million total available nationally for sport and physical education from the New Opportunities Fund has been earmarked for schemes intended to divert young people from offending behaviour. Furthermore, the community education grant scheme of over £1 million supports voluntary youth organisations who operate throughout Scotland, including rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157089,"EventID":"S1W-20486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive a response from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit following its meeting with Tayside Police to determine whether remedial safety m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive a response from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit following its meeting with Tayside Police to determine whether remedial safety measures need to be implemented on the A90 at Friarton Bridge.","AnswerText":"The Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit has reported that discussions with Tayside Police about the fatal accident on the A90 at Friarton Bridge in November 2001 did not identify any road defect or requirement for specific engineering measures to be undertaken. Notwithstanding this report, BEAR Scotland Ltd has been asked to investigate the Friarton Bridge area in general, as part of the annual trunk road safety programme, to determine whether any measures could be introduced to improve safety at this location.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157090,"EventID":"S1W-20487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to promote the teaching of countryside based skills such as gamekeeping in schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to promote the teaching of countryside based skills such as gamekeeping in schools.","AnswerText":"The detailed management and delivery of the curriculum in Scotland rests with education authorities and schools. To support the role of schools and education authorities, advice and guidance on the curriculum is provided by the Scottish Executive and other agencies. National guidelines on the 5-14 curriculum for environmental studies provide schools with the opportunity to promote the teaching and learning of skills associated with the countryside. There are also opportunities within the National Qualifications framework for the development of such skills.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157091,"EventID":"S1W-20488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to protect rural schools from the threat of closure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to protect rural schools from the threat of closure.","AnswerText":"The principal responsibility for school provision in rural and urban areas lies with the education authorities. There are statutory consultation requirements which authorities must undertake where they propose to close a school. This ensures that there is a full opportunity for all relevant issues surrounding any proposed closure of a school to be aired and considered.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157092,"EventID":"S1W-20489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17603 by Mr Jack McConnell on 14 September 2001, what progress has been made with the review of swimming provision available to sch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17603 by Mr Jack McConnell on 14 September 2001, what progress has been made with the review of swimming provision available to school pupils with particular regard to any findings in respect of such provision in the Aberdeenshire Council area.","AnswerText":"A questionnaire seeking quantitative and qualitative information is with local authorities and should provide an up-to-date picture of opportunities available for school pupils. Responses are expected during December after which we will be in a position to consider if any action is required.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157093,"EventID":"S1W-20490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of publishing, printing and distributing (a) its Social Justice Report 2001: A Scotland Where Everyone Matters and (b) the supplements to that report an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of publishing, printing and distributing (a) its Social Justice Report 2001: A Scotland Where Everyone Matters and (b) the supplements to that report and how many copies of each have been printed. ","AnswerText":"The publication and printing of the Social Justice Annual Report 2001 cost £25,293. The publication and printing of its supplements cost £3,646. Distribution of all three documents has so far cost £3,521. 6,000 copies of the main report were produced, 4,000 summary leaflets and 500 technical companions.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157094,"EventID":"S1W-20491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response time to letters from MSPs should be achieved by the Procurator Fiscal service and what arrangements it is making to ensure that MSPs get timeous replies. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response time to letters from MSPs should be achieved by the Procurator Fiscal service and what arrangements it is making to ensure that MSPs get timeous replies. ","AnswerText":"The response time is 20 working days. Correspondence response times are monitored and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service achieves exemplary performance. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20492 for the response times achieved in correspondence with a particular Procurator Fiscal.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157095,"EventID":"S1W-20492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the delay in replying to my letters concerning Mr John Doyle sent to the Procurator Fiscal's office in Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the delay in replying to my letters concerning Mr John Doyle sent to the Procurator Fiscal's office in Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"There was no delay. The letter of 2 July 2001 was acknowledged on 3 July. It related to an on-going investigation. On 22 August 2001 a letter was sent to the constituency office address intimating the outcome of the investigation and the decision in relation to the case. Evidently it did not reach Michael Russell because he wrote again on 25 September 2001. The Procurator Fiscal replied to that letter on 4 October 2001, addressing that letter also to the constituency office. On 27 November 2001 a letter was received from Mr Doyle, from which it was clear that the information sent on 22 August and 4 October had not been passed on to him. The Procurator Fiscal replied to him and sent a copy to Michael Russell on 28 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157096,"EventID":"S1W-20493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S1O-4155 by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 2001, whether it has any plans to review its policy on ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S1O-4155 by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 2001, whether it has any plans to review its policy on new nuclear power stations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive position, which was made clear both in response to that question and in our September submission to the UK Energy Policy Review, remains unchanged. We take the view that no decisions on policy about the future of nuclear energy, and its necessary regulatory framework, can be taken before the results of the UK consultation on future radioactive waste management policy are available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157097,"EventID":"S1W-20494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19542 by Jackie Baillie on 26 November 2001, what the breakdown was of the #70,000 spent on establishing Communities Scotland, incl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19542 by Jackie Baillie on 26 November 2001, what the breakdown was of the #70,000 spent on establishing Communities Scotland, including payments to outside consultants.","AnswerText":"I have asked Bob Millar, chief executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    The expenditure on establishing Communities Scotland amounted to £69,756.65 made up as follows:

    Design and creation of new website

    £39,543.00

    Office signage

    £17,738.98

    Development of name and logo

    £12,474.67

    Total

    £69,756.65

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157098,"EventID":"S1W-20495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19542 by Jackie Baillie on 26 November 2001, which external consultants were employed to help establish Communities Scotland; what ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19542 by Jackie Baillie on 26 November 2001, which external consultants were employed to help establish Communities Scotland; what specific help the consultants provided, and whether the consultants gained the contract through open competition.","AnswerText":"I have asked Bob Millar, chief executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    The following consultants were employed to help establish Communities Scotland for the purposes shown: Sunrise Solutions Scotland - To design and create a new web site. Faulds advertising - To develop a name and logo for Communities Scotland. Both sets of consultants were appointed through open competition.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157099,"EventID":"S1W-20496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs.","AnswerText":"The Executive's first Annual Report on Drug Misuse, published on 23 November, highlights a wide range of actions to help young people stay away from drugs. Some examples are:

    (a) in 2000-01, 97% of Scottish schools provided drug education;

    (b) the publication of the School Drug Safety Team's Guidelines for the Management of Incidents of Drug Misuse, and the provision of £3 million over three years from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2004 to implement the recommendations of the team's second report;

    (c) the allocation of around £18 million over the same three-year period as above to support the Changing Children's Services Fund, which includes the provision of prevention and treatment facilities for under 16s as a priority area;

    (d) through Scotland Against Drugs, we have supported many community-based projects designed to divert young people away from drug misuse, towards healthy and positive lifestyles, and

    (e) the Health Education Board for Scotland \"Think About It\" campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the risks of heroin to young people.

    The Annual Report also records progress on other aspects of our drug strategy, including enforcement work, which will help to stifle the availability of drugs to young people in Scotland. In addition, statutory and voluntary bodies across Scotland are engaged in local prevention initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157100,"EventID":"S1W-20497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent in the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent in the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"A Policy Unit review of expenditure on drugs, published by the Executive in October 2000, estimated that around £22.6 million was spent per annum on prevention in 1999-2000 and in 2000-01. This included schools and health education, grants and research, community education, and health promotion.

    It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these figures for Inverclyde.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157101,"EventID":"S1W-20498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent per head of population in the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent per head of population in the financial years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"We estimate that around £22.6 million per annum was spent on prevention throughout Scotland, in 1999-2000 and 2000-01. On a per head of population basis, this equates to £4.42 per person per annum. However, if the calculation is based on 0 to 16-year-olds, the figure rises to £21.27 per person.

    It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these figures for Inverclyde. To do so would require a specific study, which would be time-consuming and costly. Prevention work includes not only direct expenditure for tackling drug misuse, but also generic expenditure, where a proportion of service time is related to additions work covering drugs, alcohol and tobacco.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157102,"EventID":"S1W-20499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be spent in the financial year 2001-02 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be spent in the financial year 2001-02 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"We estimate that around £29.6 million will be spent on prevention in Scotland in 2001-02. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of this figure for Inverclyde.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157103,"EventID":"S1W-20500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be spent per head of population in the financial year 2001-02 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be spent per head of population in the financial year 2001-02 on measures to prevent young people becoming involved with drugs in (a) Inverclyde and (b) throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"We estimate that £29.6 million will be spent in 2001-02 across Scotland, which equates to £5.79 per head of population, and £27.86 per head if the calculation is based on 0 to 16-year-olds.

    It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these figures for Inverclyde.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157104,"EventID":"S1W-20501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the level of resources allocated to local authority and health board areas to combat drug abuse will reflect the findings of its research, Estimating National an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the level of resources allocated to local authority and health board areas to combat drug abuse will reflect the findings of its research, Estimating National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland, published on 15 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The prevalence report shows that the level of Executive funding for drug treatment services is broadly in line with the level of problem drug use in NHS Board areas. Prevalence estimates, along with other relative indicators of need, will be taken into account in the future allocation of drug treatment resources.

    Grant Aided Expenditure to local authorities, through which funding for drug rehabilitation is allocated, is in accordance with an established formula which takes several factors into account, including population and deprivation.

    Scotland's Drug Action Teams have been provided with three-year budgets, to enable them to plan and deliver local services with a degree of stability and confidence. We have no plans to reallocate these resources within the current Spending Review period.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157105,"EventID":"S1W-20502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) complaints procedures are available to the public and (b) disciplinary procedures are in place in respect of members of staff at Scottish Natural Heritage. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) complaints procedures are available to the public and (b) disciplinary procedures are in place in respect of members of staff at Scottish Natural Heritage. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) publishes its complaints procedure as part of its Natural Standards Charter and is available to the public on the SNH Website (www.snh.org.uk) or on request from SNH.

    Disciplinary procedures for staff members are in place as part of the SNH Code of Conduct.

    Copies of the Natural Standards Charter and the SNH Code of Conduct have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 18069 and 18070).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157106,"EventID":"S1W-20503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of any (a) code of conduct and (b) complaints procedures that relate to staff of Scottish Natur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of any (a) code of conduct and (b) complaints procedures that relate to staff of Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20502.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157107,"EventID":"S1W-20504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what teleradiology facilities are available to patients in Stornoway, to which mainland hospital any such facilities are linked and whether the current operation of any s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what teleradiology facilities are available to patients in Stornoway, to which mainland hospital any such facilities are linked and whether the current operation of any such service is successful.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to modernising health services. That includes the introduction of new technology where appropriate, and in particular where it supports the key objectives of raising standards, improving access and reducing inequalities.

    Facilities at Stornoway are for the Western Isles NHS Board to determine. I understand from the board that there is a successful teleradiology link between the hospitals in Stornoway and Benbecula which enables radiologists in Stornoway to review and interpret digital images sent electronically from Benbecula. I am not aware of similar links to date with mainland Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157108,"EventID":"S1W-20505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education and Young People will consider visiting Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, Fife in the near future.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education and Young People will consider visiting Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, Fife in the near future.","AnswerText":"I hope that it may be possible to visit the school at some point in the future should the opportunity to do so arise.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157109,"EventID":"S1W-20506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Minister has responsibility for fisheries following the ministerial reshuffle.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which Minister has responsibility for fisheries following the ministerial reshuffle.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Environment and Rural Development has overall responsibility for all fisheries issues, and takes day-to-day responsibility for sea fisheries and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development takes day-to-day responsibility for aquaculture and freshwater fisheries.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157110,"EventID":"S1W-20507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department considered that it did not need a quality:price ratio when assessing tenders for trunk road maintenance contracts, as reported in paragraph","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department considered that it did not need a quality:price ratio when assessing tenders for trunk road maintenance contracts, as reported in paragraph 1.51 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157111,"EventID":"S1W-20508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department's initial assessment was that it was not clear that each bidder's tendered final quality proposals for trunk road maintenance contracts ful","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department's initial assessment was that it was not clear that each bidder's tendered final quality proposals for trunk road maintenance contracts fully met the required quality threshold, as reported in paragraph 1.62 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157112,"EventID":"S1W-20509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department clarified aspects of each bidder's quality proposals with the knowledge of the initial results of the financial assessment of bids, as repo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its Development Department clarified aspects of each bidder's quality proposals with the knowledge of the initial results of the financial assessment of bids, as reported in paragraph 1.63 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157113,"EventID":"S1W-20510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was no opportunity for bidders for trunk road maintenance contracts to offer innovative proposals from the outset of the contracts involving any change in the l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was no opportunity for bidders for trunk road maintenance contracts to offer innovative proposals from the outset of the contracts involving any change in the level of service or the work specifications, as reported in paragraph 2.14 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157114,"EventID":"S1W-20511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Development Department has on any occasion (a) stepped in to remedy any default in respect of non-compliance by any operating company with any aspect of its t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Development Department has on any occasion (a) stepped in to remedy any default in respect of non-compliance by any operating company with any aspect of its trunk road maintenance contract, (b) recovered any costs incurred by taking such action from the operating company and (c) claimed an additional 12.5% in addition to any such costs from the operating company as permitted by the terms of the contract outlined in paragraph 2.24 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts and, if so, whether it will give specific details of each occasion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157115,"EventID":"S1W-20512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.25 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what internal guidance it has established to help clarify circumstances where contract te","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.25 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what internal guidance it has established to help clarify circumstances where contract termination may be warranted, why such guidance was not established at the outset of the contracts and on what date the development of any such guidance was completed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157116,"EventID":"S1W-20513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.26 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether its Development Department has levied any lane occupation charges on any companie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.26 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether its Development Department has levied any lane occupation charges on any companies operating trunk roads maintenance contracts at any time since 1 April 2001 and, if so, whether it will give details of (a) each company involved, (b) (i) the amount and (ii) the date and (c) the default that resulted in each such charge.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157117,"EventID":"S1W-20514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.35 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, why Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd did not meet the initial performance requir","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.35 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, why Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd did not meet the initial performance requirement of the trunk roads maintenance contracts to have ready a computerised management information system by 1 April 2001.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157118,"EventID":"S1W-20515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the financial sanctions taken against the companies operating the trunk roads maintenance contracts referred to in paragraph 2.36 of Audit Scotland's The ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the financial sanctions taken against the companies operating the trunk roads maintenance contracts referred to in paragraph 2.36 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what the value of each sanction was; in respect of which contractor each sanction was taken, and what the reasons were for taking such sanctions and not terminating the contracts.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157119,"EventID":"S1W-20516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) proposes to use to eradicate mink from the Western Isles; what alternative methods were considered; why these alternatives we","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) proposes to use to eradicate mink from the Western Isles; what alternative methods were considered; why these alternatives were discounted; whether the methods chosen will be adequate and, if not, what plans it has to enhance them; how it will ensure value for money in the #1.65 million public funding for the Hebridean Mink Project, and whether it has any plans to consider combining the proposed methods of SNH with those used by the Icelandic Government to remove mink from the vicinity of their eider farms whereby dogs are used to locate individual animals at which point they are removed by either shooting or digging out.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked that they respond to you accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157120,"EventID":"S1W-20517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) raven, (b) bu''ard and (c) dotterell population was in each of the past five years and what the predicted populations are for each of the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) raven, (b) bu''ard and (c) dotterell population was in each of the past five years and what the predicted populations are for each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The information sought is either unavailable or not available in the requested format, and is not held centrally by the Executive. The following estimates and commentary have been supplied by Scottish Natural Heritage or derived from published sources.

    Raven and Buzzard:

    There is no national population census for ravens or buzzards either on a Scottish or UK basis. However, both species are monitored through the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) published by the British Trust for Ornithology, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which provides population trends for a range of common and widespread birds. The latest available data is derived from the 1999 BBS which covers the period 1994-99. During this period the abundance of buzzards in Scotland increased by 44%, with ravens showing a 19% rise. The BBS analysis records only the increase in buzzards as a statistically significant change.

    Dotterel:

    The latest UK population estimate for the dotterel, which is based on a 1999 survey, was 630 breeding males, of which all but one was in Scotland and only two outwith the Highlands. Such estimates are not prepared annually and no census data is available for the period requested.

    General:

    Estimates of future population levels of birds are not normally made. This is because of the impracticality of predicting the influence of external factors, such as the weather, on breeding success.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157121,"EventID":"S1W-20518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on maintaining (a) local authority and (b) trunk roads in the Mid Scotland and Fife parliamentary constituency in each of the past three years, br","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on maintaining (a) local authority and (b) trunk roads in the Mid Scotland and Fife parliamentary constituency in each of the past three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on local authority roads expenditure is not held centrally. Information on trunk roads expenditure is not recorded on the basis of either parliamentary regions or local authority areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157122,"EventID":"S1W-20519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sale of Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd will enhance the commercialisation of university research and, if so, in what ways.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sale of Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd will enhance the commercialisation of university research and, if so, in what ways.","AnswerText":"The decision by European Digital Capital, Intel Capital and Global Edge Capital to put significant investment into Compound Semiconductor Technologies (CST) is a demonstration of market confidence in the successful commercialisation of CST's research. Such partnerships between academia, the Enterprise Networks and the private sector bring together innovation in research and development with access to finance and commercial experience and expertise.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157123,"EventID":"S1W-20520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it, or any other bodies on its behalf, have held regarding the decision to sell Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd and what parties attended any such m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it, or any other bodies on its behalf, have held regarding the decision to sell Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd and what parties attended any such meetings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not a partner in Compound Semiconductor Technologies (CST) and therefore has not been involved in the discussions regarding investment in the company. However, such meetings have been held between the founding shareholders in CST, namely Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde and Chair and Chief Executive of CST. These discussions have been professionally advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Maclay Murray & Spens solicitors.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157124,"EventID":"S1W-20521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money Scottish Enterprise, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow have each invested in Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd in each year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money Scottish Enterprise, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow have each invested in Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd in each year since it was formed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise/Scottish Enterprise Glasgow's original funding was £3.4 million, which was reduced by a contribution of £2 million ERDF funding. A further loan of £400,000 was made available to the company while an investment package was put in place. In addition, the universities provided staff and equipment for Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd, in which they retain ownership, to facilitate commercial collaboration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157125,"EventID":"S1W-20522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the decision to pass Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd into private ownership.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the decision to pass Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd into private ownership.","AnswerText":"Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd has developed successfully as a centre of excellence for the commercialisation of research in optoelectronics and now needs to attract new investment to undertake further development and commercialisation activities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157126,"EventID":"S1W-20523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect wild plants and their habitats.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect wild plants and their habitats.","AnswerText":"A variety of action to protect wild plants and their habitats is on-going through Biodiversity Species and Habitats Action Plans. Special protection is provided for species and habitats of particular concern by the EU Habitats Directive and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

    The Executive's policy statement The Nature of Scotland proposes additional measures for the effective deterrence, detection and punishment of wildlife crime. Plants will be given protection from reckless, as well as from intentional, damage and the courts will have the option of imposing custodial sentences for some offences.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157127,"EventID":"S1W-20524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it provides to prospective homeowners who currently rent from a registered social landlord or local authority on the maintenance requirements of owning a hom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it provides to prospective homeowners who currently rent from a registered social landlord or local authority on the maintenance requirements of owning a home.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has published a booklet, Your right to buy your home, which all prospective homeowners considering the right to buy option are encouraged to read. This contains a section on the additional costs of buying your home, including advice on the repair, maintenance and associated responsibilities attached to buying a property. This booklet is available from landlords, local citizens' advice centres and the Scottish Executive.

    The Scottish Executive has also recently published two further booklets which are specifically aimed at prospective house purchasers including those who currently rent from a registered social landlord or local authority:

    Thinking about buying attempts to answer many of the questions potential homebuyers are confronted with, including advice on the responsibilities which come with ownership.

    We are all responsible provides relevant advice to homeowners who share repair and maintenance responsibilities with their neighbours.

    Both booklets have been sent to local authorities, issued to a variety of interested organisations (with further copies available from the Scottish Executive) and have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157128,"EventID":"S1W-20525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure any valuations of large scale voluntary transfers by Communities Scotland make provision for irrecoverable costs associated with any rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure any valuations of large scale voluntary transfers by Communities Scotland make provision for irrecoverable costs associated with any repairs to owner-occupiers' property held in common with rented housing association stock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Bob Millar, chief executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    Communities Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Homes, commissions from a panel of professionally qualified independent valuers valuations of the rented housing stock to be transferred.

    To date no provision has been made in any of the valuations for the non-recovery of owners' contributions as private properties are not part of the core stock being sold.

    Although this has been raised by acquiring landlords, Communities Scotland take the view that it is inappropriate to include costs in the valuation which do not directly relate to the stock being valued for sale.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157129,"EventID":"S1W-20526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether receipt of state benefits will be one of the criteria used to determine the contribution to expense of works of any applicant for improvement grants under Part 6","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether receipt of state benefits will be one of the criteria used to determine the contribution to expense of works of any applicant for improvement grants under Part 6 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and, if so, what percentage of owners of former local authority housing stock bought under Right to Buy meet this criterion.","AnswerText":"Part 6 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 made a number of reforms to the improvement and repairs grants, including provision for the introduction of a test of applicant's resources to determine the level of grant awarded. During the passage of the act, we promised consultation on the proposed test of resources before Parliament scrutinise the statutory instruments implementing the arrangements.

    We have set up a working group with members drawn from local authorities, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Communities Scotland (formerly Scottish Homes) and the Chartered Institute of Housing to advise on the implementation of Part 6 and in particular on the introduction of the arrangements for the test of resources. This group has had two meetings to date and will consider the content of the consultation on the test of resources and, among other things, will examine the \"passporting\" of those on certain benefits to full grant award.

    We do not routinely collect data on the percentage of owners of former local authority housing stock in receipt of benefits.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157130,"EventID":"S1W-20528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the grant-aided funding of specialist schools will continue beyond 2002-03.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the grant-aided funding of specialist schools will continue beyond 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Ministers are currently considering funding arrangements for the seven grant-aided special schools beyond this date.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157131,"EventID":"S1W-20529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the funding provision under the National Grid for Learning to (a) specialist schools and (b) specialist schools in the voluntary sector was in (i) 2000-01 and (ii) 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the funding provision under the National Grid for Learning to (a) specialist schools and (b) specialist schools in the voluntary sector was in (i) 2000-01 and (ii) 2001-02 and will be in 2002-03, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Grants to local authorities under the National Grid for Learning programme of the Excellence Fund are determined on the basis of pupil numbers. It is up to each local authority to decide how to allocate resources among all its schools, including special schools and units.

    In addition to the £8.2 million annual subsidy which the seven grant-aided special needs schools will receive in 2001-02 as a recurrent grant, and which can be used for the maintenance and replacement of information communication technology (ICT) equipment, they also share £0.5 million per year in capital support. This is available, among other purposes, for ICT development.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157132,"EventID":"S1W-20530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction decrees were granted, and how many of these were in respect of anti-social behaviour, in the periods (a) April to June 2001 and (b) July to September 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction decrees were granted, and how many of these were in respect of anti-social behaviour, in the periods (a) April to June 2001 and (b) July to September 2001, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not yet available. The number of eviction decrees granted against local authority tenants during the period April to June of 2001 will be available later this month and will be published in the next Quarterly Housing Statistics on 18 December. A copy of the bulletin, HSG/2001/6, Housing Trends in Scotland, Quarter Ending 30 June 2001 will be available from the Parliament's Reference Centre. Statistics for the July to September 2001 quarter are expected to available in early March 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157133,"EventID":"S1W-20531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19105 by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001, what steps it is taking to monitor the incidence and frequency of \"lock-ups\" at HM Prison a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19105 by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001, what steps it is taking to monitor the incidence and frequency of \"lock-ups\" at HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Cornton Vale and at all prisons and young offenders institutions.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS intend to keep records only of lock-up due to a cellular confinement punishment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157134,"EventID":"S1W-20532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14979 by Iain Gray on 11 June 2001, what plans it has to introduce legislation to provide greater protection for hutters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14979 by Iain Gray on 11 June 2001, what plans it has to introduce legislation to provide greater protection for hutters.","AnswerText":"A consultation paper published by the Executive on 15 December last year invited views on whether in principle the Executive should seek to promote legislation to give greater protection to hutters, and on the detailed provisions required if such legislation were to be introduced. Over 300 responses were received to the consultation, some of which arrived after the closing date on 9 March.

    Ministers are considering the most suitable way forward in the light of the consultative response and a statement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157135,"EventID":"S1W-20533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The new trunk road contracts, and what action it plans to take as a result.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, The new trunk road contracts, and what action it plans to take as a result.","AnswerText":"I welcome the Auditor General's authoritative report which he agreed to undertake at my predecessor's invitation earlier this year. In particular, his conclusion that overall the department implemented these large and important contract competitions fairly, properly and with due regard to value for money, and reached the right contract decisions, is helpful. He noted that the new contracts should provide annual savings of some £15 million and that winning bids were £121 million lower than the second placed bids over a five-year contract period. He also noted that the number of staff affected was significantly less than predicted earlier with 218 staff transferring to the new road operators and 85 reported to have been made redundant.

    The department has learned important lessons from what was a difficult and complex process and the Auditor General has provided recommendations on how to improve future tender competitions. These will be examined in detail. He has also suggested that a report be published on the first year of operation of the new contracts. The Performance Audit Group and the department have been closely monitoring the new road operators' performance and I plan to publish a report from the Performance Audit Group next summer.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157136,"EventID":"S1W-20534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether 50 inmates at Glenochil Young Offenders Institution have been decanted to the young offenders institutions at Dumfries and Polmont due to staff shortages as a re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether 50 inmates at Glenochil Young Offenders Institution have been decanted to the young offenders institutions at Dumfries and Polmont due to staff shortages as a result of the new staff attendance system and, if so, what action it plans to take, and when, to address this situation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    A number of young offenders were relocated not as a result of the new staff attendance system, whose effects are beneficial, but as part of the normal operational management of SPS to free up staff for deployment elsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157137,"EventID":"S1W-20535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have been recipients of Individual Learning Account payments in each of the last two years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have been recipients of Individual Learning Account payments in each of the last two years. ","AnswerText":"The following learning providers based in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have been recipients of Individual Learning Account payments in each of the last two years:

    2000-01

    Clackmannan College

    Clackmannanshire Council Training Unit

    Ezee-IT Ltd.

    Gartmore House Computer Training

    Horton Grange (Scotland) Ltd.

    JHP Training (Stirling)

    Learning IT Ltd.

    Vocational Portfolio Development

    Volunteer Development Scotland

    2001-02

    Central Training Services Ltd.

    Clackmannan College

    Clackmannanshire Council Training Unit

    Ezee-IT Ltd.

    Freight Transport Association

    Gartmore House Computer Training

    Horton Grange (Scotland) Ltd.

    Inversnaid Photography Centre

    Learning IT Ltd.

    Mari Group Ltd.(Scotland Division)

    Online University

    Safelift Training

    Vocational Portfolio Development

    Volunteer Development Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157138,"EventID":"S1W-20536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value was of Individual Learning Account payments to learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value was of Individual Learning Account payments to learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"The total of Individual Learning Account payments to learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire in each of the last two years is as follows:

    2000-01:\t£17,004

    2001-02:\t£269,662.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157139,"EventID":"S1W-20537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE4920/2001 of 23 November 2001, which learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have had Individual Learning Account payments to t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE4920/2001 of 23 November 2001, which learning providers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire have had Individual Learning Account payments to them suspended. ","AnswerText":"The temporary suspension is a blanket one, affecting all learning providers with current claims in the system.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157140,"EventID":"S1W-20538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the latest feasibility study conducted by Steer Davies Gleave into the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry route cost. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much the latest feasibility study conducted by Steer Davies Gleave into the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry route cost. ","AnswerText":"The Scotland Office, in consultation with the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive, commissioned Steer Davies Gleave to assess the costs and benefits of re-introducing a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle and to carry out a full transport appraisal. The fee paid for this study was £18,600.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157141,"EventID":"S1W-20539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the explanation is for the increase in the number of fiscal fines issued during the period October 2000 to September 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the explanation is for the increase in the number of fiscal fines issued during the period October 2000 to September 2001.","AnswerText":"Crown Office statistics show no discernible increase over this period. Natural fluctuations occur dependent on the numbers of cases suitable for Procurator Fiscal fines.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157142,"EventID":"S1W-20540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2234,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases there were in which accused persons had been committed for trial and for which indictments had not been issued as at 1 November 2001 and how many such cas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases there were in which accused persons had been committed for trial and for which indictments had not been issued as at 1 November 2001 and how many such cases there were as at 1 November 2000. ","AnswerText":"The time limits for the service of indictments following full committal contemplate such service at any time up to 11 months thereafter. During that time, the cases are investigated and prepared. Except in relation to potential High Court cases, such cases are not brought to the central attention of Crown Office until preparation is complete. The particular statistic sought as regards November 2000 is not recorded and could not be reconstructed except by diverting substantial resources. The same is true of the statistic for November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157143,"EventID":"S1W-20541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19401 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 November 2001, who the principal shareholders of Inverness Air Terminal Ltd are and what lease renta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19401 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 November 2001, who the principal shareholders of Inverness Air Terminal Ltd are and what lease rentals and concessions provide income to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. ","AnswerText":"The shareholder of Inverness Air Terminal Limited is Noble PFI Fund Limited.

    The lease rentals that provide income to Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd at Inverness Airport are those relating to airline offices and check-in and concourse areas. No concessions provide income to Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd. at Inverness Airport.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157144,"EventID":"S1W-20542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19401 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 November 2001, whether the Private Finance Initiative contract relating to the new terminal at Inver","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19401 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 November 2001, whether the Private Finance Initiative contract relating to the new terminal at Inverness, or any other contract, requires Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to charge a minimum landing charge per passenger at Inverness and, if so, what that charge is.","AnswerText":"Neither the Private Finance Initiative nor any other contract requires Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd to charge a minimum landing charge per passenger at Inverness Airport.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157145,"EventID":"S1W-20543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19730 by Iain Gray on 20 November 2000, how much has been allocated to each council for emergency planning through the Grant Aided ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19730 by Iain Gray on 20 November 2000, how much has been allocated to each council for emergency planning through the Grant Aided Expenditure process in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The table shows the amount allocated to each local authority under the Civil Protection element of the Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) assessment.

    Civil Protection

    Local Authority

    GAE

    2001-02

    (£000)

    Aberdeen City

    161

    Aberdeenshire

    150

    Angus

    97

    Argyll & Bute

    86

    Clackmannanshire

    67

    Dumfries & Galloway

    96

    Dundee City

    140

    East Ayrshire

    104

    East Dunbartonshire

    82

    East Lothian

    76

    East Renfrewshire

    76

    Edinburgh, City of

    163

    Eilean Siar

    89

    Falkirk

    114

    Fife

    190

    Glasgow City

    249

    Additional functionality currently under consideration for the Prisoner Records system may contain data on individual prisoners progress in programmes and interventions, as well as information in terms of initial needs assessments but the details have still to be determined.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157153,"EventID":"S1W-20551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18215 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 October 2001 and with reference to parliamentary question 12187 answered by Her Majesty's Governme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18215 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 1 October 2001 and with reference to parliamentary question 12187 answered by Her Majesty's Government on 12 November 2001, what consultations it has had with Her Majesty's Government as to what areas are covered by confidentiality and what the reasons are for any difference in policy between it and Her Majesty's Government on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a good relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the sharing of information between us is frequent. We received advice from the MoD on the answer given to the Scottish Executive question on 1 October. I am advised that the MoD considered the precise terms of the question that was answered by Her Majesty's Government on 12 November and decided that a more detailed answer could be given. There is no difference in policy between the Scottish Executive and the MoD on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157154,"EventID":"S1W-20552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the military/civilian nuclear exercise at Rosyth/Glenrothes on 10 October 2001, (a) how successful the exercise was, (b) what kind of incident it was p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the military/civilian nuclear exercise at Rosyth/Glenrothes on 10 October 2001, (a) how successful the exercise was, (b) what kind of incident it was predicated upon, (c) what organisations took part and (d) how many people from each organisation were involved.","AnswerText":"The conduct of the exercise and the lessons learned are still under review by the various organisations which participated. It is, however, possible to reply now from the perspective of the Scottish Executive.

    (a) The exercise was seen to be of value in that a number of new as well as experienced staff from across the Executive were involved at the off-site centre and in the Scottish Executive's Emergency Room and that lessons were learned which will improve practice in future.

    (b) The exercise postulated a fire on a nuclear submarine which was contained within the hull and did not result in a release into the atmosphere.

    (c) Scottish Executive emergency planning staff from Justice, Health, Energy, Agriculture along with staff from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Food Standards Agency took part.

    (d) Approximately 15-20 staff from the Scottish Executive participated at some time during the exercise.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157155,"EventID":"S1W-20553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities are currently subject to investigation by the Accounts Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities are currently subject to investigation by the Accounts Commission.","AnswerText":"The last local authority subject to an investigation was Scottish Borders Council due to their Education Department overspend.

    Auditors appointed on behalf of the Accounts Commission make preliminary enquiries into local authority accounts on matters brought to their attention either as a result of the audit or by concerned parties. If warranted these will be reported to the Controller of Audit to consider the need for a more formal investigation.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157156,"EventID":"S1W-20554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to apply for EU subsidy for school milk for secondary school children and how much any such subsidy could be in total. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to apply for EU subsidy for school milk for secondary school children and how much any such subsidy could be in total. ","AnswerText":"£1.2 million was paid in EC school milk subsidy to primary schools in Scotland in year ended August 2001. The UK has member state discretionary powers to apply for subsidy under the EC School Milk Subsidy Scheme in respect of schoolchildren in secondary schools. It is not possible to give accurate figures on how much subsidy could be paid as this would depend on take-up levels of the scheme both by education authorities and individual schools. However, 100% take-up by secondary schools in Scotland could result in an estimated total subsidy of £2.5 million.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157157,"EventID":"S1W-20555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who represented it at the most recent EU Fisheries Council Meeting and what the outcome was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who represented it at the most recent EU Fisheries Council Meeting and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20681 on 6 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157158,"EventID":"S1W-20556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 45,475 no proceedings in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 45,475 no proceedings in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2000.","AnswerText":"The figures are not broken down by crime and the information is accordingly not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157159,"EventID":"S1W-20557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 16,356 fiscal fines in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 16,356 fiscal fines in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2000.","AnswerText":"The figures are not broken down by crime and the information is accordingly not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157160,"EventID":"S1W-20558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 18,275 fiscal warnings in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown by (a) crime and (b) offence of the 18,275 fiscal warnings in 2000, as referred to in chart 2 of Criminal proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2000.","AnswerText":"The figures are not broken down by crime and the information is accordingly not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157161,"EventID":"S1W-20559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many no proceedings have taken place in the criminal justice system in each the past 10 years, broken down by crime/offence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many no proceedings have taken place in the criminal justice system in each the past 10 years, broken down by crime/offence.","AnswerText":"Overall numbers of cases marked \"no proceedings\" are published in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Annual Reports and (for the last five years) included in the Services' Submission to the Justice 2 Committee. They are not, however, broken down by crime and that information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157162,"EventID":"S1W-20560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for local authorities in respect of their library book provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for local authorities in respect of their library book provision.","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for local libraries lies solely with local authorities. In Scotland, standards for public library services were introduced by COSLA in 1986 and revised in 1995. Under these standards the target for the lending of adult books is 280 items per thousand population, and for children's books 100 items per thousand population.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157163,"EventID":"S1W-20561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage more use of public library facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage more use of public library facilities.","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for local libraries lies solely with local authorities. The Executive is funding the Scottish Library and Information Council with £110,000 in 2001-02. £11.5 million is available through the New Opportunities Fund for the Public Library Network to link all public libraries to the internet.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157164,"EventID":"S1W-20562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses in deciding whether to recommend the prescription of particular pharmaceutical products on the NHS. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses in deciding whether to recommend the prescription of particular pharmaceutical products on the NHS. ","AnswerText":"When a medicine receives a UK marketing authorisation, either from the Medicines Control Agency or the European Medicines Evaluation Authority, it becomes prescribable on the NHS unless it is added to Schedule 10, or in certain circumstances, Schedule 11 to the NHS (General Medical Services)(Scotland) Regulations 1995, which regulate the terms on which doctors provide general medical services under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. Amendments to Schedules 10 and 11 are made by Statutory Instrument.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157165,"EventID":"S1W-20563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals process against its decisions on the approval of medical products is in place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals process against its decisions on the approval of medical products is in place.","AnswerText":"When a medicine receives a UK marketing authorisation, either from the Medicines Control Agency or the European Medicines Evaluation Authority, it becomes prescribable on the NHS unless it is added to Schedule 10, or in certain circumstances, Schedule 11 to the NHS (General Medical Services)(Scotland) Regulations 1995, which regulate the terms on which doctors provide general medical services under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. Amendments to Schedules 10 and 11 are made by Statutory Instrument.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157166,"EventID":"S1W-20564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision on whether beta interferon should be available on prescription will be made.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision on whether beta interferon should be available on prescription will be made.","AnswerText":"Beta interferon is available on NHS prescription and its use depends on the clinical judgement of the specialist concerned, informed by advice and evidence about its use.

    The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) are preparing advice for health professionals on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of beta interferon. In the case of the HTBS, their advice will be based on the NICE guidance but providing a Scottish view. NICE expect to be able to issue definitive advice later this month.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157167,"EventID":"S1W-20565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what specific difficulties in fully meeting operational requirements Amey Highways Ltd an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what specific difficulties in fully meeting operational requirements Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have each experienced and what remedial action in respect of each difficulty has been taken to date by (a) it and (b) the contractor.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157168,"EventID":"S1W-20566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what specific resources (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have lacked \"fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what specific resources (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR (Scotland) Ltd have lacked \"for full operations in some areas\" and what remedial action has been taken to date by (i) it and (ii) the contractor in respect of each such lack of resources.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157169,"EventID":"S1W-20567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what routine work has not been done to the level or standard required by (a) Amey Highway","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.37 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what routine work has not been done to the level or standard required by (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR (Scotland) Ltd and what remedial action has been taken by (i) it and (ii) the contractor in respect of each such occurrence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 26 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157170,"EventID":"S1W-20568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.39 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what monies have been withheld from (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR (Scotland) Ltd in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.39 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what monies have been withheld from (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR (Scotland) Ltd in respect of any failure to meet trunk road maintenance contractual requirements.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 26 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157171,"EventID":"S1W-20569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.40 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts of November 2001, (a) what problems were identified, (b) which such problems remain unreso","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.40 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts of November 2001, (a) what problems were identified, (b) which such problems remain unresolved and (c) whether its Development Department (i) is confident that improvements are being made and (ii) expects to see the delivery of better value for money in respect of the quality of service provided by (1) Amey Highways Ltd and (2) BEAR Scotland Ltd. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157172,"EventID":"S1W-20570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it intends to make regarding support for rural schools in Aberdeenshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it intends to make regarding support for rural schools in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"All our policies for schools are directed towards ensuring that all children in rural areas benefit from school provision of the highest quality. It is, however, for Aberdeenshire Council to consider what specific measures may be needed to support schools in its area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157173,"EventID":"S1W-20571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it intends to make regarding the refurbishment of rural schools in Aberdeenshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it intends to make regarding the refurbishment of rural schools in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for proposals for the refurbishment of schools in its area. The Scottish Executive makes substantial resources available to all authorities to help them take forward their school building programmes, including allocations of consent to incur capital expenditure, the New Deal for Schools capital grant, the School Buildings Improvement Fund capital grant, and support for school Public/Private Partnership projects. Following Jack McConnell's meeting with council leaders on 31 October we are taking forward with COSLA the establishment of a group to deliver a long-term school building investment strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157174,"EventID":"S1W-20572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on facilitating competitive landing fees at Scottish Airports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on facilitating competitive landing fees at Scottish Airports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had no recent discussions with the UK Government about landing fees at Scottish airports.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157175,"EventID":"S1W-20573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to reduce the number of road accidents resulting in deaths in the Grampian police area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to reduce the number of road accidents resulting in deaths in the Grampian police area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to working towards GB casualty reduction targets for 2010, one of the aims of which is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by 40% against the average for the years 1994-98. As part of this strategy the Executive's Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit will continue to develop a programme of engineering measures to address specific accident types at locations on trunk roads identified by the annual interrogation of the accident database. It will also be examining, in the light of recent research, what other general measures may be taken on the trunk road network to improve safety.

    In addition, the Executive, as trunk road authority, is participating with Grampian Police, local authorities and other interested parties within the Grampian Police area to develop a safety camera cost recovery scheme in line with Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157176,"EventID":"S1W-20574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents resulting in deaths have occurred on trunk roads in the Grampian police area (a) in the current year to date and (b) in each of the last three ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents resulting in deaths have occurred on trunk roads in the Grampian police area (a) in the current year to date and (b) in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The number of road accidents resulting in deaths that have occurred on trunk roads in the Grampian Police area in the current year and in each of the last three years is as follows: -

    Year

    No of Fatal Accidents

    1998

    13

    1999

    3

    2000

    12

    2001(Jan - Oct)

    8

    Total

    36

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157177,"EventID":"S1W-20576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulatory procedures will be contained in the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulatory procedures will be contained in the Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill will codify and reform the rules governing the constitution, validity and enforcement of non-feudal real burdens on property which will remain following abolition of the feudal system. Real burdens are conditions and restrictions on the use of land which are imposed in title deeds when land is sold. They are therefore used as a means of the private regulation of land. This contrasts with the public regulation of land contained in planning and environmental legislation.

    The Bill will not impose any specific regulatory procedures.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157178,"EventID":"S1W-20577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the membership of the Summary Justice Review Committee and when the committee will begin its work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the membership of the Summary Justice Review Committee and when the committee will begin its work.","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the committee took place today. The membership of the committee is:

    Chairman

    Sheriff Principal John McInnes

    Members

    Mr Jim McColl

    Chief Executive, Clyde Blowers Ltd

    Professor Peter Duff

    Aberdeen University

    Sheriff Brian Lockhart

    Sheriff at Glasgow

    Mr Tim Huntingford

    Chief Executive, West Dunbartonshire Council

    Mr Tom Dysart

    Procurator Fiscal's Office, Glasgow

    Mr Robin Christie

    Stipendiary Magistrate, Glasgow District Court

    Mrs Phyllis Hands

    District Courts Association

    Mrs Helen Murray

    Justice of the Peace, Perth Commission Area

    Chief Constable David Strang

    Chief Constable, Dumfries and Galloway

    Mr David McKenna

    Chief Executive, Victim Support Scotland

    Mr Cliff Binning

    Scottish Courts Service

    Mr Alistair Duff

    McCourts Solicitors, Edinburgh. The Law Society of Scotland

    Secretariat

    Secretary: Mr Hugh Dignon, Scottish Executive Justice Department

    COSLA and the Commission for Racial Equality have also been invited to nominate members of the committee and are expected to do so in December.

    The remit of the committee is:

    To review the provision of summary justice in Scotland, including the structures and procedures of the Sheriff Courts and District Courts as they relate to summary business and the inter-relation between the two levels of court, and to make recommendations for the more efficient and effective delivery of summary justice in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157179,"EventID":"S1W-20578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average cost is of detaining (a) a young offender for 10 days and (b) an adult offender for 11 days.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average cost is of detaining (a) a young offender for 10 days and (b) an adult offender for 11 days.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The current average cost per prisoner place for 2001-02 is £32,600.

    The target cost per prisoner place for 2001-02 is £32,600 which is about £89 a day. The total average costs of detaining young and adult offenders are not separately identifiable.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157180,"EventID":"S1W-20579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government and the European Commission to obtain full less favoured areas support to Aberdeenshire hill farmers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government and the European Commission to obtain full less favoured areas support to Aberdeenshire hill farmers.","AnswerText":"I announced improvements to the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme for 2002 on 29 November. These were achieved following detailed discussions with the European Commission, supported by the UK Government and industry representatives. The measures help farmers in all parts of Scotland's less favoured areas.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157181,"EventID":"S1W-20580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to maintain the regional structure of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to maintain the regional structure of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). SEPA abolished its Regional Management Structure on 1 April 2001, but intends to retain all of its 22 local offices. The three regional boards, established under statute, remain in being.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157182,"EventID":"S1W-20581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the status of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's chemistry laboratory in Dingwall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the status of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's chemistry laboratory in Dingwall.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The Scottish Executive is not responsible for determining the status of SEPA's laboratories.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157183,"EventID":"S1W-20582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the workload of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's chemistry laboratory in Dingwall.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the workload of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's chemistry laboratory in Dingwall.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The Executive does not decide the distribution of work amongst SEPA's laboratories.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157184,"EventID":"S1W-20583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's regional laboratories to undertake any contract analysis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's regional laboratories to undertake any contract analysis.","AnswerText":"Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is permitted to accept contract analysis work, provided it does not detract from the exercise of SEPA's statutory functions or ability to meet corporate objectives.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157185,"EventID":"S1W-20584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the 5-14 school-by-school attainment information given to schools for inclusion in their indi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the 5-14 school-by-school attainment information given to schools for inclusion in their individual school handbooks and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not publish school-by-school 5-14 Attainment Level information. The information would not give valid school by school comparisons.

    The Scottish Executive does, however, publish 5-14 Attainment Level information by subject, stage and local authority.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157186,"EventID":"S1W-20585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-11-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Executive's Annual Report on Drug Misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of publishing, printing and distributing the Scottish Executive's Annual Report on Drug Misuse.","AnswerText":"The Annual Report on Drug Misuse cost £2,366 to publish, £4,373 to print, and £2,173 to distribute, giving an overall cost of £8,912.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157187,"EventID":"S1W-20586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations have received funding for animal welfare purposes over the last three years, how much such funding each organisation received and how the funding was ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations have received funding for animal welfare purposes over the last three years, how much such funding each organisation received and how the funding was spent in each case. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has not provided funding to organisations for animal welfare purposes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157188,"EventID":"S1W-20587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be carrying out any random foot-and-mouth disease testing on sheep flocks over the winter period in order to protect against any re-emergence of the disea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be carrying out any random foot-and-mouth disease testing on sheep flocks over the winter period in order to protect against any re-emergence of the disease.","AnswerText":"We have conducted extensive testing for foot-and-mouth disease of sheep flocks in all parts of Scotland, concentrating on Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. All tests were negative and all of Scotland has been declared foot-and-mouth disease free. The current veterinary advice is that further testing in Scotland is not considered necessary.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157189,"EventID":"S1W-20588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any research into links between domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any research into links between domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse.","AnswerText":"No. Some relevant research has, however, been carried out in the USA and, to a lesser extent, in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157190,"EventID":"S1W-20589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to take any particular measures in respect of aggressive or violent adults who abuse both their families and their animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to take any particular measures in respect of aggressive or violent adults who abuse both their families and their animals.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans for measures in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157191,"EventID":"S1W-20590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation on the prevention of cruelty to animals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation on the prevention of cruelty to animals.","AnswerText":"There is already extensive legislation dealing with animal welfare. We will keep that under review.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157192,"EventID":"S1W-20591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the outcome of the recent criminal proceedings against Andrew Aspinall, what measures it plans to take to avoid any repetition of the circumstances that ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the outcome of the recent criminal proceedings against Andrew Aspinall, what measures it plans to take to avoid any repetition of the circumstances that led to this outcome in future cases involving abused young people.","AnswerText":"I have now received a report from the Procurator Fiscal at Linlithgow into the circumstances of this case. Having considered this report I have decided to refer the case to the High Court of Justiciary in terms of section 123 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. This will enable the points of law raised by the case to be addressed by the High Court.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157193,"EventID":"S1W-20592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) in total and (b) in each local authority area were arrested in the Strathclyde police force area in each of the last three years for contravening loca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) in total and (b) in each local authority area were arrested in the Strathclyde police force area in each of the last three years for contravening local byelaws banning drinking in public places.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people arrested for contravening byelaws banning drinking in designated places is not centrally collected. The available information on the numbers of such offences recorded by the police is given in the table. In general, an offence will be recorded for each person arrested.

    Offences recorded by the police for contravening byelaws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in designated places, 1998 to 2000

    Area

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Strathclyde police force area

    9,006

    7,534

    9,748

    Argyll & Bute Council

    104

    92

    191

    East Ayrshire Council

    273

    266

    207

    East Dunbartonshire Council

    162

    115

    227

    East Renfrewshire Council

    114

    46

    156

    Glasgow City Council

    3,818

    3,355

    5,359

    Inverclyde Council

    590

    538

    256

    North Ayrshire CouncilAs part of implementation of the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, the Scottish Executive intends to review the current patterns of business and skills advice and training for agricultural businesses, to ensure that these best meet the needs of the industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157197,"EventID":"S1W-20596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to maintain the status of small farms in Ayrshire as sustainable businesses. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to maintain the status of small farms in Ayrshire as sustainable businesses. ","AnswerText":"Farms in Ayrshire, as elsewhere in Scotland, benefit from public support through a wide range of schemes funded by the Scottish Executive and the European Commission.

    The Farm Business Development Scheme, for example, supports farmers with the development of additional income generating opportunities so strengthening the sustainability of the farming business.

    It is, of course, for each individual business to decide how to maximise their potential for prosperity. The Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, published in July this year, set out a series of actions through which the farming industry could build a financially sustainable future, and the action which the Scottish Executive would take to support this.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157198,"EventID":"S1W-20597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is undertaking in order to enhance capacity-building and self-sufficiency in rural communities in Ayrshire and improve social inclusion in such commu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is undertaking in order to enhance capacity-building and self-sufficiency in rural communities in Ayrshire and improve social inclusion in such communities.","AnswerText":"The Executive has a range of activities, over and above local initiatives by its partners, to address social injustice wherever it occurs in Scotland. In Ayrshire there are four Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP), with the East Ayrshire Coalfields Area SIP in particular covering rural parts of the area. The SIP in Girvan also does outreach work to its surrounding rural communities and in North Ayrshire the SIP is moving on to take a more strategic look at exclusion across the area. Each partnership receives £60,000 from the Executive specifically for supporting community involvement and to build capacity and confidence in these excluded communities. We also have Kickstart, a programme to enhance the uptake of funding in our disadvantaged areas, by helping communities to help themselves.

    In addition, we have provided the Coalfields Regeneration Trust with £4.5 million over the last three years to support local activities in local coalfield communities, including those in Ayrshire. Communities Scotland is promoting and supporting a wider role for Registered Social Landlords, both in urban and in rural areas, through the provision of funding, information, advice and guidance.

    Scottish Rural Partnership Fund (SRPF), which is operated by an annual biding process, offers grant aid to rural communities to build community capacity and help communities to find local solutions to local problems. The closing date for applications to the 2002-03 round was 12 October 2001 and the bids received are currently being assessed. These include seven bids from the North, South and East Ayrshire areas combined. An announcement regarding successful projects will be made early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157199,"EventID":"S1W-20598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time permanent jobs have been advertised for secondary school teachers in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) subject and (b) local authority a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time permanent jobs have been advertised for secondary school teachers in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) subject and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Advertising of jobs for school teachers is a matter for local authorities. The information requested on advertised posts is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157200,"EventID":"S1W-20599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount spent on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes was in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) 1999-2000. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount spent on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes was in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) 1999-2000. ","AnswerText":"The total amounts spent on the Organic Aid and Farm Woodland Premium Schemes in 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 are detailed in the table. As 2001 is the first year of operation of the Rural Stewardship Scheme, there were no payments for this scheme in the years specified.

    Scheme

    Year

    Amount

    Organic Aid Scheme

    1997-98

    £146,000

    1998-99

    £194,000

    1999-2000

    £1,226,000

    Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

    1997-98

    £2,400,000

    1998-99

    £2,850,000

    1999-2000

    £3,400,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157201,"EventID":"S1W-20600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount spent on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes was in each year since the introduction of modulation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount spent on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes was in each year since the introduction of modulation.","AnswerText":"The total amount of expenditure up to 31 October 2001 on these schemes since modulation came into operation on 1 January 2001 is as follows:

    Organic Aid Scheme

    £2,528,783

    Rural Stewardship Scheme

    £ nil

    Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

    £467,889

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157202,"EventID":"S1W-20601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it expects to save on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes as a result of the introduction of modulation. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it expects to save on the (a) Organic Aid, (b) Rural Stewardship and (c) Farm Woodlands Premium schemes as a result of the introduction of modulation. ","AnswerText":"There will be no saving of money as a result of the introduction of modulation. On the contrary, modulation will mean that in the period up to 2006 about £114 million will become available for new commitments under agri-environment and woodland schemes than would otherwise have been the case.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157203,"EventID":"S1W-20602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to appoint a minister with specific responsibility for the Highlands and Islands.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to appoint a minister with specific responsibility for the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for Highlands and Islands Enterprise continues to lie with the Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning. However, other ministers including the Minister for Environment and Rural Development and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport will also take a particular interest in Highlands and Islands issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157204,"EventID":"S1W-20603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.40 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any new working methods have been identified and proposed by (a) Amey Highways Lt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.40 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any new working methods have been identified and proposed by (a) Amey Highways Ltd and (b) BEAR Scotland Ltd and what the timescale for implementation is in each case.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 26 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157205,"EventID":"S1W-20604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.44 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, why its Development Department considered that it was not necessary to take any special m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.44 of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, why its Development Department considered that it was not necessary to take any special measures to protect the staff of its existing providers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157206,"EventID":"S1W-20605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November 2001, on what date the value of each Scottish Transport Group pension fund at 31 March 2001","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November 2001, on what date the value of each Scottish Transport Group pension fund at 31 March 2001 will be available; what the estimate is of the value of each fund at 31 March 2002, and whether any increases in the value of each fund following 31 March 2000 will accrue to the fund members or to Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"Publication and timing of publication of the Report and Accounts for both Scottish Transport Group pension schemes, which detail the scheme balances, are matters for the Trustees. The Scottish Transport Group Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2001, which will include a reference to the net surplus in the pension schemes, were presented to the Scottish Parliament on 14 December 2001. No estimates have been made by the Executive of the funds as at 31 March 2002.

    Under the rules of the schemes the sums remaining in the pension schemes on wind-up fall to the UK Exchequer. As I announced in the Parliament on 29 November, Scottish ministers have secured for distribution the full amount of the estimated increase in the net surplus between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001, an additional £18 million, by agreement with Treasury Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157207,"EventID":"S1W-20606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November, whether the information provided was available to it before 18 December 2000 and, if so, o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November, whether the information provided was available to it before 18 December 2000 and, if so, on what date and whether the ex-gratia payments to Scottish Transport Group pension schemes members that it announced on the 18 December 2000 were discussed at any meeting of the Cabinet and, if so, on what dates.","AnswerText":"I understand that the Report and Accounts of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes for the year ended 31 March 2000 were published by the trustees prior to 18 December 2000. Publication and timing of publication is a matter for the trustees.

    It would be inappropriate to provide information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including the proceedings of Scottish Cabinet.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157208,"EventID":"S1W-20607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many domestic properties in the Highlands and Islands area currently receive a 50% discount on their council tax and what the total value of this discount is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many domestic properties in the Highlands and Islands area currently receive a 50% discount on their council tax and what the total value of this discount is.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of dwellings, at 3 September 2001, in the Highlands and Islands area subject to 50% discounts. The table also shows the council tax income that would be raised if no discounts applied.
     

    Dwellings

    Additional Value

    Highland

    6,685

    £2,892,806

    Eilean Siar

    1,255

    £373,873

    Orkney

    706

    £203,999

    Shetland

    638

    £176,583

    Total

    9,284

    £3,647,260

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157209,"EventID":"S1W-20608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its Agricultural Holdings Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish its Agricultural Holdings Bill.","AnswerText":"I plan to publish a draft Agricultural Holdings Bill for consultation in spring 2002. The timetable for the Bill will depend on the outcome of consultation and the availability of parliamentary time.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157210,"EventID":"S1W-20609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Community Right to Buy and Crofting Community Right to Buy elements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will come into effect.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Community Right to Buy and Crofting Community Right to Buy elements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will come into effect.","AnswerText":"The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 27 November. The Bill's timetable thereafter is a matter for the Parliamentary Bureau. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent, secondary legislation will need to be prepared and passed by Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157211,"EventID":"S1W-20610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether management and maintenance of trunk roads has become a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether management and maintenance of trunk roads has become a less customer-oriented service under the new trunk roads maintenance contracts and what the reasons are for the position on this matter. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157212,"EventID":"S1W-20611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether unit costs for maintaining the whole road network are ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether unit costs for maintaining the whole road network are likely to rise, even if it achieves lower unit costs for the trunk roads, and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157213,"EventID":"S1W-20612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any projected rise in costs of managing and maintainin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any projected rise in costs of managing and maintaining the local road network will have any impact on other public services and, if so, whether it will give details of (a) each service affected and (b) any financial impact on each service in each local authority area. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157214,"EventID":"S1W-20613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any objectives of it and local authorities in respect ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, whether any objectives of it and local authorities in respect of social inclusion, decentralisation of services and rural development have been compromised and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157215,"EventID":"S1W-20614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what provision it has made to prevent any situation arising in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annex A of Audit Scotland's The new trunk road contracts, what provision it has made to prevent any situation arising in which different organisations would have gritters and snow-clearing lorries attempting to travel on, but not being able to treat, each other's roads, in order to reach and start work on their own roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20533, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157216,"EventID":"S1W-20615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annexe A of The new trunk road contracts, what its position is on the separate designations of roads for the purposes of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.10 of the Appendix to Annexe A of The new trunk road contracts, what its position is on the separate designations of roads for the purposes of determining the responsibility and funding available for the maintenance of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to Question S1W-20533, in response to publication of the Auditor General's report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157217,"EventID":"S1W-20616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any submission it made to the consultation exercise by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the use of national symbols on vehicle reg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any submission it made to the consultation exercise by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the use of national symbols on vehicle registration plates in Scotland; when any such submission was made, and what feedback it has received since.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including vehicle number plates. The Executive welcomes the DVLA consultation and has made clear the view of Scottish ministers that people should have the freedom to display national symbols provided there are no overriding safety implications.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157218,"EventID":"S1W-20617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications will be for the police and the courts of prosecuting motorists who have displayed Scottish national symbols on vehicle registration plates and whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications will be for the police and the courts of prosecuting motorists who have displayed Scottish national symbols on vehicle registration plates and whether it is aware of any guidance issued to the police and the courts on this matter in advance of the outcome of the consultation by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any direct implications for the police or courts in connection with this matter. The Scottish Executive has not issued any guidance along the lines described.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157219,"EventID":"S1W-20618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what international comparative studies of educational attainment Scotland is currently participating in.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what international comparative studies of educational attainment Scotland is currently participating in.","AnswerText":"Scotland participated in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment in 2000, which assessed the reading, mathematics and science attainment of 15-year-olds. The results will be published on 4 December 2001. We have agreed to participate in the second phase of PISA in 2003. It reports in late 2004. We are also participating in the Progress in Reading Literacy Study, run by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Attainment, which assessed the reading attainment of nine-year-olds in 2001. It will report late in 2002. We have decided to participate in the IEA Trends in Mathematics and Science Study which will take place in 2003 and will report in late 2004.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157220,"EventID":"S1W-20619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at the Waste Summit hosted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 21 November 2001 and, if so, by whom.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was represented at the Waste Summit hosted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 21 November 2001 and, if so, by whom.","AnswerText":"The Waste Summit was convened to discuss waste management in England. The Executive was invited to send a representative on 21 November as an observer (as were the other devolved administrations). The Head of the Recycling and Waste Team, Environment and Rural Development Department attended.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157221,"EventID":"S1W-20620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4388/2001 of 21 November 2001, when it expects the first licenses to be issued for lamb exports from (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4388/2001 of 21 November 2001, when it expects the first licenses to be issued for lamb exports from (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) the Scottish Borders.","AnswerText":"The legislation permitting the slaughter of lambs from approved slaughter premises in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders was introduced on 3 December. Licences for movements to slaughter were subsequently issued that day.

    The first export health certificates were issued on 4 December for shipment on 6 December.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157222,"EventID":"S1W-20621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to question S1W-8880, S1W-8892 and S1W-8893 by Henry McLeish on 16 August 2000, how much public money has been expended to date on refurbishment, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to question S1W-8880, S1W-8892 and S1W-8893 by Henry McLeish on 16 August 2000, how much public money has been expended to date on refurbishment, training and other support in respect of the proposed call centre at Claridge Mill, Selkirk.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Enterprise Borders Annual Report 2000 states that £670,000 has been spent on the refurbishment and training costs at Claridge Mill, Selkirk.

    Since then, Scottish Enterprise Borders has assisted the company to recruit and train individuals who have been affected by large redundancies by providing training for three individuals, up to a total cost of £7,020. Scottish Enterprise Borders has also contributed 50% funding for training, assessing and testing 11 of the call centre employees who are currently working to acquire their European Computer Driving Licence, at a cost of £3,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157223,"EventID":"S1W-20622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its News Release SE1784/1999 of 27 December 1999, how many of the 160 projected call centre jobs at the refurbished Claridge Mill in Selkirk have now been sec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its News Release SE1784/1999 of 27 December 1999, how many of the 160 projected call centre jobs at the refurbished Claridge Mill in Selkirk have now been secured.","AnswerText":"The call centre company based at Claridge Mill currently employs 26 staff. A further eight individuals have been offered places and are due to start on 7 January.

    Given the current marketplace, it has taken longer than planned to secure contracts that provide for the employment of a larger number of staff. The company is currently in discussion with a number of potential clients, which if concluded successfully will lead to a rapid increase in the number of employees at the site.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157224,"EventID":"S1W-20623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies were responsible for undertaking the annual maintenance of fisheries protection vessels Norna and Sulisker in 2001 and whether the maintenance contracts w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies were responsible for undertaking the annual maintenance of fisheries protection vessels Norna and Sulisker in 2001 and whether the maintenance contracts were completed within their quoted time scale and budget.","AnswerText":"Norna's refit was completed by MMS Ship Repair and Dry Dock Company Ltd within the agreed timescale and budget.

    Sulisker's refit was completed by Dunston (Ship Repairers) Ltd within the allocated time and budget. However, she was not in service for a further seven days due to delays on work by specialist engineering and fire control contractors who had been directly contracted by Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency to undertake additional works while the vessel was in refit.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157225,"EventID":"S1W-20624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to local authorities concerning the care and security of unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have been dispersed to Scotland and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to local authorities concerning the care and security of unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have been dispersed to Scotland and what information it has on the numbers of such children.","AnswerText":"Immigration and asylum are reserved matters. The Home Office advise that around 1,560 unaccompanied children aged 17 or under applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in the first two quarters of 2001. The most recently published UK information is for 2000 and can be found in Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2000 at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The Scottish Executive does not hold separate information for Scotland.

    Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 local authorities have duties towards all children in their areas irrespective of immigration status. Comprehensive guidance on these duties was issued to local authorities in preparation for implementation of the Act in 1997. It is also available from The Stationery Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157226,"EventID":"S1W-20625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children received a statement of educational needs in the West Renfrewshire parliamentary constituency area in 2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children received a statement of educational needs in the West Renfrewshire parliamentary constituency area in 2000.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the table.

    Number of pupils with a Record of Needs attending schools in the West Renfrewshire constituency area

    Sector

    Total

    Primary

    Secondary

    Special

    West Renfrewshire

    314

    74

    109

    131

    Source: SEED School Census, September 2001.

    Notes:

    1. The above figures are for the number of pupils that had an open Record of Needs as at September 2000 and not the number of new records opened in that year.

    2. The figures relate to children who are educated in schools in the West Renfrewshire constituency, which may be different from the number who actually live in the constituency.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157227,"EventID":"S1W-20626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have indicated a wish to participate in the proposed electoral pilot schemes under the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill and what criteri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have indicated a wish to participate in the proposed electoral pilot schemes under the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill and what criteria will be used to assess these schemes.","AnswerText":"No local authority has yet formally indicated that it wishes to take part in the proposed electoral pilot schemes. Guidance to councils about how to participate in the schemes will be issued early in the New Year. A number of councils have indicated informally their desire to use this provision.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157228,"EventID":"S1W-20627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made on whether additional funding will be required to meet the costs of anti-terrorism measures required since 11 September 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made on whether additional funding will be required to meet the costs of anti-terrorism measures required since 11 September 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular contacts with police forces about a range of matters, including funding, and the implications of the events of 11 September are still under review. However, some additional resources have already been made available as a result of measures taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157229,"EventID":"S1W-20628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) seasonal workers are currently employed in the agricultural industry and what percentage of the (i) agricultural and (ii) to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) seasonal workers are currently employed in the agricultural industry and what percentage of the (i) agricultural and (ii) total workforce each of these figures represents.","AnswerText":"Data from the Annual Labour Force Survey (Autumn 2000 - Summer 2001) show that the number of full-time workers employed in the agricultural industry is 51,000, which accounts for 89.5% of employment in agricultural industry. The number of part-time workers employed in agricultural industry is 6,000, which accounts for 10.5% of employment in agricultural industry.

    Figures for seasonal employment in agricultural industry are not held centrally.

    As percentages of the total work force in each category, the proportions working in agricultural industries are: full-time employment 2.8%; part-time employment 1.0%, and total employment 2.4%.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157230,"EventID":"S1W-20629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have had their operations carried out in hospitals in other European Union member states in the past 12 months. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have had their operations carried out in hospitals in other European Union member states in the past 12 months. ","AnswerText":"Last year, around 1,100 patients from all parts of the United Kingdom received their treatment overseas under the long established EC reciprocal arrangements. Separate figures for Scotland are not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157231,"EventID":"S1W-20630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to health boards and NHS primary care trusts regarding the commissioning of NHS operations in other European Union member states. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to health boards and NHS primary care trusts regarding the commissioning of NHS operations in other European Union member states. ","AnswerText":"No such guidelines have issued to NHS Boards, which are responsible for commissioning health services in Scotland, or to NHS Trusts. However, the Scottish Executive and NHSScotland keeps under review the potential contribution all providers of healthcare can make to the care and treatment of Scottish NHS patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157232,"EventID":"S1W-20631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce waiting times for services by allowing NHS primary care trusts to commission health services from other European Union member states.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce waiting times for services by allowing NHS primary care trusts to commission health services from other European Union member states.","AnswerText":"Scottish NHS primary care trusts are not responsible for commissioning health services, and consequently we have no such plans. However, we have announced a number of waiting times targets which will help to reduce waiting in the NHS, and this remains our top priority. We are establishing a national waiting times unit to ensure that available capacity in the NHS in Scotland and spare capacity in the independent health care sector are used to best effect to reduce waiting for NHS patients. We have no immediate plans to purchase health care capacity outside Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157233,"EventID":"S1W-20632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage breastfeeding amongst those sectors of the population where the incidence is low. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage breastfeeding amongst those sectors of the population where the incidence is low. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Plan Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change and A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland make clear the Scottish Executive's commitment to promoting breastfeeding across Scotland. The Scottish Breastfeeding Group and the Health Education Board for Scotland are working to promote, support and sustain breastfeeding, including sponsoring the recent World's best baby food advert .

    The National Breastfeeding Adviser is working with NHS Boards to encourage and increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding through, for example, the UNICEF Baby Friendly initiatives. A priority of the Health Improvement Fund is to support work to improve children's diet, which includes breastfeeding. In addition, breastfeeding initiatives are part of a number of Social Inclusion Partnership programmes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157234,"EventID":"S1W-20633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been made available for the training of teachers in educational courses designed to tackle drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been made available for the training of teachers in educational courses designed to tackle drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.","AnswerText":"Guidelines for initial teacher education courses in Scotland require that courses prepare teachers entering the profession to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well being. The guidelines are not prescriptive and each training institution develops their own programme.

    It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities is available for qualified teachers. This should include a range of activities that ensures teachers are well prepared to deal with such issues as drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.

    Separately, training has been made available for primary teachers by Scotland Against Drugs, which is supported by the Scottish Executive. This will be extended to secondary school teachers in the next year with an additional financial contribution from the Executive. The final amount has yet to be agreed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157235,"EventID":"S1W-20634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the total spending on Scottish schools by (a) it, (b) local authorities, (c) Her Majesty's Government and (d) any other sources in ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the total spending on Scottish schools by (a) it, (b) local authorities, (c) Her Majesty's Government and (d) any other sources in each of the past two years.","AnswerText":"Planned direct expenditure on school education by the Scottish Executive totalled £141 million in 2000-01 (including a planned carry forward of £59 million as part of the funding package for the teachers' pay settlement) and is planned to be £131 million in 2001-02. Provisional expenditure by local authorities on school education in 2000-01 was £2,752 million and is planned to be £2,953 million in 2001-02. This totals £2,893 million and £3,084 million respectively.

    The Scottish Executive does not hold details of any UK Government expenditure, nor funding from any other source, on Scottish schools.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157236,"EventID":"S1W-20635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it currently provides for hearing assessments and services to health boards where there is a higher than national average number of people aged ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it currently provides for hearing assessments and services to health boards where there is a higher than national average number of people aged over 60.","AnswerText":"The Executive is providing substantial additional resources to NHSScotland. The allocations given to NHS Boards increased on average by 5.5% in 2001-02 and individual allocations show an increase on average by 6.9% and 7.8% in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The formula used to determine funding takes account of, amongst other factors, the influence of age on the relative healthcare needs of each NHS Board's population.

    However, it is for NHS Boards to decide how to deploy funds on the basis of their assessment of local needs and priorities for investment. In determining local priorities, NHS Boards take account of national priorities and guidance.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157237,"EventID":"S1W-20636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14769 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what the membership of the working group on the review of audiology services is; what the s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14769 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, what the membership of the working group on the review of audiology services is; what the scope of this review is, and when the working group will report and to whom.","AnswerText":"The membership of the Audiology Services Working Group is as follows:

    Mr Gordon McHardy

    Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

    Dr Jackie Grigor

    Audiology Department

    Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

    Mr Forbes Lauder

    Senior Chief PMT Audiology

    Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley

    Dr John Irwin

    Consultant Audiological Physician

    Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

    Mrs Christine G De Placido

    Senior Chief PMT Audiology

    Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

    Mr John Crowther

    Consultant ENT Surgeon

    The Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

    Professor Stuart Gatehouse

    MRC Institute of Hearing Research

    Royal Infirmary, Glasgow

    Dr Sheila Beck

    Public Health Project Manager

    Public Health Institute of Scotland, Glasgow

    Ms Moira Milligan

    Scottish Healthcare Supplies, Edinburgh

    Mr Stuart Smith, Director

    RNID Scotland

    Mr Bob Stock, Chairman

    Scottish Executive

    Dr David Breen

    Consultant in Public Health Medicine

    Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board

    Dr Peter Craig

    Chief Scientist Office

    Scottish Executive

    Miss Susan Scott

    Occupational Therapy Adviser

    Scottish Executive

    Mrs Anne McQueen

    Hearing aid user, Dundee

    		 

    The adequacy of services will be judged in relation to a wide range of factors including staffing; structure of the service; population served; waiting times; clinic facilities; equipment; liaison with other agencies, and the knock-on demands of screening initiatives.

    The working group is due to report to the Scottish Executive in the autumn 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157238,"EventID":"S1W-20637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what waiting time targets it has set for paediatric hearing assessments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what waiting time targets it has set for paediatric hearing assessments.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change sets out the Executive's commitment to ensuring that the patient's journey through the NHS is as swift and responsive as possible, and includes a number of waiting times targets in the priority areas of cancer and coronary heart disease.

    Although the Scottish Executive has no present plans to set national waiting times targets for paediatric hearing assessments, reducing waiting is a key priority for NHS Boards and they are currently developing local waiting time standards to reflect local clinical priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157239,"EventID":"S1W-20638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the efficacy of the Direct Access System for hearing aid provision assessments.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the efficacy of the Direct Access System for hearing aid provision assessments.","AnswerText":"There are currently no arrangements for the formal monitoring by the Executive of the Direct Access System. However, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20636. The answer outlines the scope of the wide ranging review of audiology services currently under way which will include review of the referral systems.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157240,"EventID":"S1W-20639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of the health-related services required by those with hearing deficiencies is adequate and what plans it has to improve such services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of the health-related services required by those with hearing deficiencies is adequate and what plans it has to improve such services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20636 on 18 December 2001. The answer outlines the scope of the wide-ranging review of audiology services currently under way.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157241,"EventID":"S1W-20640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome of the review of the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health being undertaken by two NHS managers was and, in particular, what staff movem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome of the review of the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health being undertaken by two NHS managers was and, in particular, what staff movements the review has resulted in.","AnswerText":"The review of Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) was conducted on behalf of the Common Services Agency. The review of the structure of SCIEH is on-going and is the subject of consultation with staff. Interim management arrangements have been made, including the appointment of an Interim General Manager, Acting Clinical Director and Human Resources Manager, who will work with existing staff within SCIEH to review current methods and ensure the recommendations in the review are put in place. The Director of SCIEH has relinquished his role in SCIEH and is currently on project work outwith the organisation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157242,"EventID":"S1W-20641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to police forces regarding the provision of sufficient numbers of community police officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to police forces regarding the provision of sufficient numbers of community police officers.","AnswerText":"None. The deployment of police officers to particular tasks is an operational matter for chief constables and divisional commanders in light of local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157243,"EventID":"S1W-20642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been given to police forces in the current financial year to ensure that there are adequate numbers of community police officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding has been given to police forces in the current financial year to ensure that there are adequate numbers of community police officers.","AnswerText":"Funding is allocated to forces in total and is not earmarked for specific purposes. It is for chief constables to allocate resources according to priorities and demands in their force area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157244,"EventID":"S1W-20643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on community policing in each year since 1997, broken down by police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on community policing in each year since 1997, broken down by police force area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157245,"EventID":"S1W-20644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many community police officers there currently are in each police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many community police officers there currently are in each police force area.","AnswerText":"Figures are not held centrally on the numbers of community police officers. In any case, forces will vary deployment of their officers to meet local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157246,"EventID":"S1W-20645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of community police officers in reducing crime.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of community police officers in reducing crime.","AnswerText":"While there have been no formal evaluation studies on the impact of community policing, this is one of the aspects of policing routinely considered by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary during its primary inspections of forces.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157247,"EventID":"S1W-20646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it plans to take to increase the number of community police officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it plans to take to increase the number of community police officers.","AnswerText":"Funding for the police service in Scotland is at record levels. Police officer numbers in Scotland have also reached record levels in the current year. But the deployment of police officers to particular tasks, like community policing, is an operational matter for chief constables and divisional commanders who will take account of local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157248,"EventID":"S1W-20647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3160 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, whether it will (a) provide an update of figures on the take-up of Individual Learning","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3160 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 March 2001, whether it will (a) provide an update of figures on the take-up of Individual Learning Accounts and (b) outline any plans to encourage further take-up.","AnswerText":"By 19 November, a total of over 245,000 accounts had been opened for people in Scotland and nearly 110,000 had used them for some learning. The target of 100,000 opened accounts was reached in June this year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157249,"EventID":"S1W-20648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12737 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the key characteristics of Individual Learni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12737 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 February 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the key characteristics of Individual Learning Account holders, including age group, gender, occupation, area of residence and type, subject and level of learning undertaken.","AnswerText":"Surveys of 1,000 Individual Learning Account (ILA) members in Scotland who had used their account and approximately 150 who had yet to undertake learning were conducted by MORI over the period September 2000 to February 2001. Key findings were as follows:

    57% were female.

    56% were aged between 31 and 50, and 23% were aged 51 or older.

    40% were management/professional workers; 9% were process workers and 6% were retail and customer services workers.

    24% worked within small companies and 2% were labour market returners.

    62% of those receiving 80% discounts were undertaking introductory ICT courses.

    36% of those receiving 80% discounts were undertaking introductory English/communications courses, 1% were undertaking introductory maths/numeracy courses.

    13% were working towards a degree-level qualification.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157250,"EventID":"S1W-20649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6482 by Henry McLeish on 16 May 2000, what progress has been made by the Trade Union Working Party on Lifelong Learning in respect ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6482 by Henry McLeish on 16 May 2000, what progress has been made by the Trade Union Working Party on Lifelong Learning in respect of enhancing the involvement of trade unions in the broad lifelong learning agenda in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Trade Union Working Party on Lifelong Learning, inaugurated in August 2000, meets on a quarterly basis. It provides a forum for trade union input to a wide range of lifelong learning issues and makes a valuable input to the development of Executive policy in this area.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157251,"EventID":"S1W-20650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring learndirect scotland undertakes of the number of people with disabilities who use its services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring learndirect scotland undertakes of the number of people with disabilities who use its services.","AnswerText":"Learndirect scotland monitors the number of people with disabilities who have declared this when they have contacted the freephone helpline. To date this totals approximately 800 callers (0.46% of all callers) in 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157252,"EventID":"S1W-20651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by Her Majesty's Government on any amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Bill since the resolution of the Parliament on the Bill on 24 October","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by Her Majesty's Government on any amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Bill since the resolution of the Parliament on the Bill on 24 October 2001.","AnswerText":"Yes. Ministers and officials from the Scottish Executive, the Scotland Office and the Home Office are regularly discussing the Proceeds of Crime Bill as it passes through its parliamentary stages at Westminster. This includes discussion of amendments affecting Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157253,"EventID":"S1W-20652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what processes it has in place to consult the Parliament on any changes to Bills following approaches by Westminster Departments in accordance with paragraph 17 of Devolu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what processes it has in place to consult the Parliament on any changes to Bills following approaches by Westminster Departments in accordance with paragraph 17 of Devolution Guidance Note 10: Post Devolution Primary Legislation Affecting Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed to keeping the Parliament informed by means of supplementary memoranda of any significant changes to Bills during their passage at Westminster in relation to devolved matters. If such changes are made which are not covered by the terms of the original Sewel Motion, the Executive will seek the Parliament's consent to these changes by means of a further Sewel Motion.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157254,"EventID":"S1W-20653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any discussions it has had, and with whom, regarding any amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Bill subsequent to the resolution of the Parliament on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any discussions it has had, and with whom, regarding any amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Bill subsequent to the resolution of the Parliament on the Bill on 24 October 2001.","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials from the Scottish Executive, the Scotland Office and the Home Office are regularly discussing the Proceeds of Crime Bill as it passes through its parliamentary stages at Westminster. This includes discussion of amendments affecting Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157255,"EventID":"S1W-20654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it gave, or has given, its approval for amendments to be tabled at Westminster to the Proceeds of Crime Bill which will give mandatory powers for sheriffs in rela","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it gave, or has given, its approval for amendments to be tabled at Westminster to the Proceeds of Crime Bill which will give mandatory powers for sheriffs in relation to confiscation orders. ","AnswerText":"Yes. Scottish ministers agreed the Government amendments providing for mandatory confiscation powers in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157256,"EventID":"S1W-20655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19753 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, how many vacancies for NHS consultant oncologist posts there now are in the Greater Glas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19753 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, how many vacancies for NHS consultant oncologist posts there now are in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board area.","AnswerText":"Based on information provided by local NHS management, there is currently one vacant post in the existing consultant oncologist establishment. Three further consultant posts will become vacant over the next two to three months as resignations take effect. Four new, additional consultant posts also require to be filled, funded from the additional cancer services investment plans announced by Susan Deacon on 6 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157257,"EventID":"S1W-20656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received from the Greater Glasgow NHS Board or the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust on the progress in advertising for, and recruitment of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received from the Greater Glasgow NHS Board or the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust on the progress in advertising for, and recruitment of, replacements for those consultant oncologists who have announced their resignations from service with the Trust.","AnswerText":"Information provided by local NHS management indicates that there have been five expressions of interest in the six posts advertised.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157258,"EventID":"S1W-20657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, when the first meeting of the expert group on acute services reviews will be held.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, when the first meeting of the expert group on acute services reviews will be held.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, set out the intention to establish an expert group to support and advise NHS Boards in managing the changes in the configuration of services and advising the Health Department of the appropriateness of local reconfiguration.

    Details of the expert group will be announced early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157259,"EventID":"S1W-20658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, which specialisms within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursing staff h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, which specialisms within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursing staff have been invited to send a representative to the first meeting of the expert group on acute services reviews.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, set out the intention to establish an expert group supporting and advising local NHS Boards in managing changes in the configuration of services and advising the Health Department of the appropriateness of local reconfiguration.

    The expert group, details of which will be announced early in the New Year, will have representatives who cover a wide range of community, clinical and public service experience.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157260,"EventID":"S1W-20659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, which representatives from within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18272 by Susan Deacon on 15 October 2001, which representatives from within general, medical and surgical practice and among nursing staff in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board area have been invited to the first meeting of the expert group on acute services reviews.","AnswerText":"Our National Health set out the intention to establish an expert group supporting and advising local NHS Boards in managing changes in the configuration of services and advising the Health Department of the appropriateness of local reconfiguration.

    The expert group, details of which will be announced early in the New Year, will have representatives who have a wide range of community, clinical and public service experience from across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157261,"EventID":"S1W-20660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to New Lanark Conservation Trust in its bid to secure World Heritage Site status for New Lanark.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to New Lanark Conservation Trust in its bid to secure World Heritage Site status for New Lanark.","AnswerText":"The nomination for New Lanark was prepared by Historic Scotland and submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by the then First Minister for Scotland, the late Donald Dewar MSP, on behalf of the UK Government in June 2000. Official designation of New Lanark as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO took place in a meeting in Helsinki on 14 December 2001. The New Lanark Conservation Trust is responsible for the restoration, management and presentation of the village. The trust currently receives financial support annually from Historic Scotland, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157262,"EventID":"S1W-20661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a register of pensioners' groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a register of pensioners' groups.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with national pensioners' organisations and there are no plans to establish a national register of pensioners' groups.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157263,"EventID":"S1W-20662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in expanding the number of community schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in expanding the number of community schools.","AnswerText":"Sixty-two projects involving over 400 schools are supported by the New Community School pilot programme at present. Last month we announced that £30.6 million would be provided to local authorities over the next two years to support roll out of the new community school approach across all schools in Scotland. We have recently written to authorities inviting them to submit their plans for using these resources which are additional to, and separate from, provision under the pilot programme.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157264,"EventID":"S1W-20663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link.","AnswerText":"On 27 August, the Executive announced it would be taking forward the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link in partnership with Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) with the Executive providing £16 million of the £23 million total. The Executive is currently in discussions with SPT to explore options to keep the project moving forward without Railtrack involvement.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157265,"EventID":"S1W-20664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the training available to teachers so that the appropriate support is provided to children suffering from illnesses such as asthma and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the training available to teachers so that the appropriate support is provided to children suffering from illnesses such as asthma and epilepsy.","AnswerText":"Guidelines for initial teacher education courses in Scotland, which are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18071), require that courses prepare teachers entering the profession to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well being. The guidelines are not prescriptive and each training institution develops their own programme.

    Good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools, which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 15847), recommends that school staff should have general awareness training of a number of medical conditions.

    It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure a wide range of Continuing Professional Development opportunities is available for teachers. This should include a range of activities that ensures teachers are well prepared to deal with pupils' health issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157266,"EventID":"S1W-20665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times and on what dates the Ministerial Working Group considering the report of the Working Group on Renewing Local Democracy met in the period from 1 September","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many times and on what dates the Ministerial Working Group considering the report of the Working Group on Renewing Local Democracy met in the period from 1 September 2000 to 31 November 2001 and which ministers attended each meeting.","AnswerText":"Three meetings of the Ministerial Working Group on Renewing Local Democracy were held during the period from 1 September 2000 to 30 November 2001 on 3 October, 13 November and 13 February. The membership of the committee was announced in July 2000 and comprised the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, the Minister for Finance and Local Government, the Minister for Parliament, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and the Minister for Rural Development.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157267,"EventID":"S1W-20666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names of its Special Advisers are, including those working for the First Minister; what the cost is of their collective employment, and whether any positions re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the names of its Special Advisers are, including those working for the First Minister; what the cost is of their collective employment, and whether any positions remain to be filled and, if so, what the anticipated cost of filling them is.","AnswerText":"The team of Special Advisers at present comprises the following seven people:

    Mike Donnelly

    Jeane Freeman

    Sam Ghibaldan

    Tom Little

    Rachel McEwen

    Polly McPherson

    Andy Rowe

    The estimated salary cost for these seven advisers for a 12 month period would be £386,588, plus national insurance and pension contributions of £107,542, at present salary levels.

    The estimated actual cost in the current financial year (2001-02) covering salary, national insurance and pension contributions for all advisers, including the advisers in post earlier in the financial year, is £787,793.

    If and when further Special Adviser appointments are made within the statutory limit of 12 further announcements will be made.

    In keeping with standard practice individuals' salary details are not revealed. I will publish the anticipated annual cost from time to time.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157268,"EventID":"S1W-20667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be taken to address the increase in the number of people who were proceeded against for the motor vehicle offence of driving while disqualified.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be taken to address the increase in the number of people who were proceeded against for the motor vehicle offence of driving while disqualified.","AnswerText":"A Home Office review of a number of road traffic offences, including driving while disqualified, is currently being carried out and the consultation period has now ended. Although road traffic law is reserved, the Scottish Executive has been involved in discussions with the Home Office and the Department of Transport Local Government and Regions from the outset of this review and will continue to be closely involved in all future stages.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157269,"EventID":"S1W-20668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the lifting of the 20 day movement ban on cows and sheep imposed as a result of the foot-and-mouth ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the lifting of the 20 day movement ban on cows and sheep imposed as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.","AnswerText":"The operation of the 20 day movement restriction in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive and was introduced on veterinary advice as a necessary part of our foot-and-mouth disease control strategy. The Executive is currently reviewing this measure in consultation with the Scottish livestock industry interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157270,"EventID":"S1W-20669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation as included in its submissio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation as included in its submission to the European Commission on this proposal.","AnswerText":"The submission to the European Commission does not include social and economic information.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157271,"EventID":"S1W-20670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation it considered before deciding to submit the propos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation it considered before deciding to submit the proposal to the European Commission.","AnswerText":"European Court of Justice rulings have determined that socio-economic factors cannot be taken into account when considering the designation of Natura sites. Once a site has been submitted to the European Commission, socio-economic factors can be and are taken into account in the management of these areas. Social and economic issues which were raised during the consultation will be taken into account in further discussions on management of the site.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157272,"EventID":"S1W-20671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the scientific basis was for its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the scientific basis was for its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation.","AnswerText":"Shetland Voes have been identified as a discrete type of Large Shallow Inlet and Bay using definitions published by the European Commission and by the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee for the purpose of the Habitats Directive.

    The criteria used to assess Special Areas of Conservation were published in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report number 270. Application of these criteria, using a range of ecological information from surveys undertaken over 35 years, has demonstrated that Sullom Voe meets the published definition of a Large Shallow Inlet and Bay, and qualifies as the most suitable candidate for selection on the basis of its area of qualifying habitat and the range and ecological richness of its biotopes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157273,"EventID":"S1W-20672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations and individuals were consulted before it submitted to the European Commission its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conserv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations and individuals were consulted before it submitted to the European Commission its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation and which of these were given the opportunity to see and comment on the full scientific documentation on which the proposal is based.","AnswerText":"Formal consultation documents were sent to all owners and occupiers and other interested parties in September 2000.

    The covering letter included in the consultation package offered further details to all consultees if they wished, and a copy of the full scientific justification was issued to any consultees who requested it, including the Shetland Islands Council.

    Sullom Voe Candidate Special Area of Conservation

    List of Consultees

    Consultee

    A. Owners and Occupiers

    Mr Peter Brown

    Ms Jeanette Spall

    Ms Ruby Brown

    Ms Ingrid Laurenson

    Mr Allan Ridland

    Mr Charlie Laurenson

    Mr Alex JB Williamson

    Mr AL Ratter

    Mr Roy Dickens

    Mr John Robertson

    Mr Peter Ratter

    Mr Bob Jamieson

    Mr Gerry Ramsay

    Mr John Scollay

    Mr Bruce Stephen

    Mr Ian Peterson

    Mr AT & KP Doull

    Mr M Ernie Peterson

    Mr Billy Johnson

    Ms Mabel Rendall

    Ms Angela Mowat

    Mr Stuart Balfour

    Mr James Hall

    Mr Frank Anderson

    Mr WD Williamson

    Mr & Mrs J&J Manson

    Ms Mira Irvine

    Mrs Ina O'Neil

    Mr Chris Laurenson

    Messrs Adam & Derek Hunter

    Ms Elma Manson

    Mr Brydan Nicolson

    Mr A Hawick

    Mr Bertie Johnson

    Mr J Manson

    Dianne & Mark Bryant

    Mr R Johnson

    Mr RC Hawick

    Mr G Robertson

    Mr WH Manson

    Year

    Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland approved development programme

     

    £ million

    1992-93

    282.6

    1993-94

    306.6

    1994-95

    319.5

    1995-96

    325.0

    1996-97

    304.0

    1997-98

    210.3

    1998-99

    199.8

    1999-2000

    209.5

    2000-01

    215.8

    2001-02

    213.01

    2002-03

    214.51

    2003-04

    To be confirmed

    Note:

    1. Estimates.

    Year

    Scottish Homes own stock capital investment

     

    £ million

    1992-93

    75.3

    1993-94

    75.0

    1994-95

    61.7

    Year

    Housing associations or co-ops for rented housing

    Housing associations or co-ops for low cost home ownership

    Other housing providers grant-funded by Communities Scotland

     

    £ million

    £ million

    £ million

    1992-93

    42.6

    33.5

    83.4

    1993-94

    47.4

    38.9

    90.2

    1994-95

    58.3

    37.2

    120.4

    1995-96

    61.6

    73.0

    102.6

    1996-97

    54.2

    48.0

    109.3

    1997-98

    50.8

    28.3

    68.2

    1998-99

    66.8

    22.0

    76.5

    1999-2000

    95.7

    11.6

    Year

    Housing associations or co-ops for rented housing

    Housing associations or co-ops for low cost home ownership

    Other housing providers grant-funded by Communities Scotland

     

    £ million

    £ million

    £ million

    2001-02

    100.01

    8.41

    9.31

    Note:

    1. Estimates.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157278,"EventID":"S1W-20677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to publish responses to its consultations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to publish responses to its consultations.","AnswerText":"It is Scottish Executive policy to lodge a copy of all responses to consultation papers (apart from any marked \"confidential\") with the Scottish Executive library for public access.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157279,"EventID":"S1W-20678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information which is presently confidential it plans to release as a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information which is presently confidential it plans to release as a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to predict what information will be made available as a result of the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. Consideration of whether requested information would be disclosed will be on a case-by-case basis.

    The bill will, if enacted, establish a statutory right of access to all information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities. The right of access would be enforced by an independent Scottish Information Commissioner, who would consider appeals and have powers to order the disclosure of information. The bill would replace the non-statutory Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information.

    In relation to information held by the Scottish Administration relating to the formulation or development of policy, the bill provides that, once a policy decision has been taken, any statistical information used to provide an informed background to that decision is not to be regarded as exempt from disclosure.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157280,"EventID":"S1W-20679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new material will be available to the public as a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill in relation to (a) background information on police work and f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new material will be available to the public as a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill in relation to (a) background information on police work and financing; (b) the background to local authority decisions; (c) the administration of the courts, including issues of staffing and resources; (d) information held by health trusts, for example on local performance and response times for ambulances; (e) the spending of health bodies; (f) league tables of school exam results, and (g) historical information on tenders for public contracts.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to predict what new information, including in relation to the matters listed, will be made available as a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. Consideration of whether requested information would be disclosed will be on a case-by-case basis.

    The Bill will, if enacted, establish a statutory right of access to all information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities. The right of access would be enforced by an independent Scottish Information Commissioner, who would consider appeals and have powers to order the disclosure of information. The Bill would replace the non-statutory Code of Practice on Scottish Executive Information.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157281,"EventID":"S1W-20680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the average fine of #313 for drink-driving offences acts as a deterrent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the average fine of #313 for drink-driving offences acts as a deterrent.","AnswerText":"It is for the courts to determine the appropriate sentence taking into account the circumstances of each individual case. The maximum penalties available for drink driving are a fine of up to £5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months. Convicted drivers are also liable to mandatory disqualification for at least 12 months (the average in 2000 being 22 months). The combination of these sanctions - particularly disqualification - does make for a significant deterrent.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157282,"EventID":"S1W-20681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 November 2001.","AnswerText":"My officials attended the council as part of the UK Delegation.

    The council discussed a Commission proposal to extend the fourth Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP IV) for a further year as a transitional measure pending the outcome of the Common Fisheries Policy review next year. MAGP IV sets targets for reducing capacity and effort of EU fishing fleets and is due to expire at the end of this year. The UK supported the Commission in its proposals to extend targets into 2002 and to tighten the rules on public aid for vessel modernisation and construction, in order to ensure that such aid does not increase capacity beyond the set limits. However, there was disagreement among member states about the way forward and this issue is likely to be reconsidered at the December council.

    The council discussed the difficult negotiations with the North Atlantic coastal states about setting a total allowable catch for blue whiting for 2002, taking account of scientific advice that this stock is being heavily over-fished and is therefore at risk of collapse. The Commission was given a steer by ministers to seek to negotiate an agreed TAC at a further meeting of coastal states next month in order to secure sustainable exploitation of this stock.

    The council received a report from the Commission on monitoring of enforcement of CFP rules in Community waters and noted the Commission's concerns about variations across members states in the level of enforcement and penalties for infringements. The Commission will be bringing forward proposals to address these concerns as part of the CFP Review.

    The council agreed a restructuring package for that part of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets which formerly fished in Moroccan waters, following the termination of the fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco. The UK and several other member states made it clear that they expect Spain and Portugal to ensure that any residual vessels modernised with EU funds under this package will not fish in EU waters. There was also agreement on a renewed fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania.

    The Commission reported to ministers on an outline timetable for dealing with the reform of the CFP during 2002. The commission also reminded members of the importance of ratifying as soon as practicable the UN agreement on straddling stocks.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157283,"EventID":"S1W-20682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the intended implementation date is for the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the intended implementation date is for the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).","AnswerText":"The statutory consultation, which closed recently, raised a number of detailed and complex technical issues which need to be addressed. Consequently, we now intend to introduce the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) on 1 April 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157284,"EventID":"S1W-20683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what in-year adjustments it has made to the performance targets set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what in-year adjustments it has made to the performance targets set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The performance targets for the agency were announced on 5 June 2001 but since then, the agency has redirected its resources to increase the level of verification of pelagic landings and to focus more effort on combating non-compliance of the landing declaration regulations. In recognition of these changed priorities I have amended two targets as follows:

    Sea Fisheries Inspectorate
     

    Original Target

    Revised Target

    Catches physically inspected and checked against landing declarations by over 10 metre vessels.

    47%

    45%

    Cost per catch inspection.

    £92

    £102

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157285,"EventID":"S1W-20684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government on behalf of Scottish farmers who are concerned about the effect which the ban by the Depa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government on behalf of Scottish farmers who are concerned about the effect which the ban by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on carbofuran, carbosulphan and chlorfenvinphos chemicals will have on the vegetable growing and related sectors.","AnswerText":"No representations have been made as the Scottish Executive was involved in the decision to undertake a review of anticholinesterase compounds. The review was announced in May 1998. Approval holders were invited to submit data in support of their products by September 1999. They chose not to submit data on products containing carbofuran and chlorfenvinphos and consequently existing approvals were revoked with effect from late 1999. The phase out period for the revoked products expires on 31 December 2001. Carbosulfan was supported by the approval holders and is under evaluation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157286,"EventID":"S1W-20685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the Government Actuary to determine the rate of return expected from the investment of a sum awarded as damages for future pecunia","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held with the Government Actuary to determine the rate of return expected from the investment of a sum awarded as damages for future pecuniary loss in an action of damages for personal injury and when it will bring forward an order prescribing an assumed rate of return on investment of damages.","AnswerText":"The Executive has now received advice from the Government Actuary on determining the rate of return to be expected from the investment of such sums. The advice is being considered and a decision on the rate and the timing of an order prescribing the rate will be taken in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157287,"EventID":"S1W-20686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many injuries to (a) children and (b) adults were caused by fireworks in (i) October and (ii) November 2001 and what the cost of treating the injuries was to the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many injuries to (a) children and (b) adults were caused by fireworks in (i) October and (ii) November 2001 and what the cost of treating the injuries was to the NHS. ","AnswerText":"Data on injuries caused by fireworks in October and November 2001 are currently being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry. Details are expected to be published in February or March 2002.

    Information on the cost of treating these injuries is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157288,"EventID":"S1W-20687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many injuries to animals were caused by fireworks in (a) October and (b) November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many injuries to animals were caused by fireworks in (a) October and (b) November 2001.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157289,"EventID":"S1W-20688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spends annually on cancer research and how much is spent by charitable organisations on cancer research.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spends annually on cancer research and how much is spent by charitable organisations on cancer research.","AnswerText":"Within the Scottish Executive Health Department, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland and, as such, is the main departmental funder of NHS-related research.

    The CSO spends £8.4 million annually on cancer research. The amount spent by charitable organisations on cancer research in Scotland is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157290,"EventID":"S1W-20689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many scientists are employed in cancer research.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many scientists are employed in cancer research.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157291,"EventID":"S1W-20690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration has been given to matching funds provided by charities for cancer research.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration has been given to matching funds provided by charities for cancer research.","AnswerText":"Cancer is a research priority and the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is always willing to consider research partnership proposals from the voluntary sector.

    The Scottish Executive recognises and supports the work of charities and voluntary organisations, all of which have a shared purpose in common with us - to secure continuous improvements in outcomes, in treatment, care and quality of life for patients. CSO supports explicitly their research activities in the NHS through its Support Fund.

    The Scottish Executive and several large cancer research charities are partners in the recently formed National Cancer Research Institute that is exploring wide ranging collaborative activity.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157292,"EventID":"S1W-20691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to set up a rehabilitation service for people who have lost their hearing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to set up a rehabilitation service for people who have lost their hearing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20636 on 18 December 2001, which outlines the scope of the wide-ranging review of audiology services currently under way. This will include a review of liaison with other agencies and the services provided.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157293,"EventID":"S1W-20692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how people who have lost their hearing are given information and advice in relation to the availability of appropriate aids, adaptations and on-going support.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how people who have lost their hearing are given information and advice in relation to the availability of appropriate aids, adaptations and on-going support.","AnswerText":"Information and advice should be provided by the audiology clinic at the point of diagnosis.

    I also refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-20691 and S1W-20636 today and 18 December respectively. The latter outlines the scope of the wide-ranging review of audiology services currently under way.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157294,"EventID":"S1W-20693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there currently are in the NHS for hearing therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there currently are in the NHS for hearing therapists.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157295,"EventID":"S1W-20694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce registers for people who are deaf and for people who are suffering from temporary deafness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce registers for people who are deaf and for people who are suffering from temporary deafness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to introduce registers but I would refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20236 on17 December 2001, which outlines the scope of the wide-ranging review of audiology services currently under way.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157296,"EventID":"S1W-20695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there currently are for audiologists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there currently are for audiologists.","AnswerText":"Information from ISD Scotland for 30 September 2000, which is the latest available, indicates that there were no consultant vacancies and no staff grade vacancies in the specialty of audiological medicine in NHSScotland. Vacancy data is collected for consultant and staff grades only.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157297,"EventID":"S1W-20696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a hearing test, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a hearing test, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not available centrally. Information on waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant, following referral, is collected at specialty level only.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157298,"EventID":"S1W-20697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which health board areas can people buy digital hearing aids at a reduced rate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which health board areas can people buy digital hearing aids at a reduced rate.","AnswerText":"Digital hearing aids are available to NHSScotland through contracts centrally negotiated by Scottish Healthcare Supplies, an NHS body and division of the Common Service Agency. Aids sourced through these contracts are not available for sale to patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157299,"EventID":"S1W-20698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was no time limit or inherent provision for review on the restrictions brought into force by the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why there was no time limit or inherent provision for review on the restrictions brought into force by the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No.3) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/111).","AnswerText":"There is no requirement to put a time limit on the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No 3) Order. The restrictions have been reviewed regularly and a number of relaxations have been made. These relaxations have been made as soon as veterinary advice has indicated that it was safe to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157300,"EventID":"S1W-20699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No.3) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/111) has been revoked and, if so, whether it will state what subo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No.3) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/111) has been revoked and, if so, whether it will state what subordinate legislation revoked this Order and, if it has not been revoked, why not.","AnswerText":"The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Declaratory (Controlled Area) (Scotland) (No 3) Order 2001 has not been revoked. There is still a possibility that there could be latent disease in some sheep flocks in the north of England and the south of Scotland. However, if the disease position is maintained early in the New Year then it is hoped that the whole of Great Britain will become free of foot-and-mouth disease and the country's Controlled Area status will be able to be removed by early February.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157301,"EventID":"S1W-20700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the 20 day rule on livestock movement has not lapsed despite Scotland being foot-and-mouth disease free.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the 20 day rule on livestock movement has not lapsed despite Scotland being foot-and-mouth disease free.","AnswerText":"This restriction is still necessary to ensure that any disease which may be latent and undetected in livestock, which could be introduced onto a holding by an animal movement will have time to incubate and be identified before any animal leaves that holding and thus greatly reduces the risk of the disease spreading to other farms.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157302,"EventID":"S1W-20701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 20 day rule on livestock movement will lapse once Scotland ceases to be designated as a controlled area for foot-and-mouth disease purposes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 20 day rule on livestock movement will lapse once Scotland ceases to be designated as a controlled area for foot-and-mouth disease purposes.","AnswerText":"The current foot-and-mouth disease movement and other restrictions are under review. When Scotland ceases to be designated as a controlled area the existing movement control regime will be relaxed. However, veterinary advice is that some form of animal movement restriction will still be required in the short term. Discussions and negotiations are currently taking place with the industry on how this can be implemented and industry practices adapted.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157303,"EventID":"S1W-20702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the 20 day rule on livestock movement provided for in the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 (SI 1983/1950) was extended to other orders currently in force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the 20 day rule on livestock movement provided for in the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 (SI 1983/1950) was extended to other orders currently in force.","AnswerText":"The 20 day rule on livestock movements was one of a range of measures introduced to control the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Whilst we continue to relax a number of measures the 20 day rule is one of the licence conditions under which animals are allowed to move between farms, and to and from markets, and continues to be an essential part of our successful disease control strategy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157304,"EventID":"S1W-20703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that local authorities contiguous to cities are consulted on and participate in the review of the cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that local authorities contiguous to cities are consulted on and participate in the review of the cities.","AnswerText":"All local authorities neighbouring Scotland's cities will have the opportunity to meet with ministers as part of the review process.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157305,"EventID":"S1W-20704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place as part of its review of the cities, where these meetings took place and which local authorities attended.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place as part of its review of the cities, where these meetings took place and which local authorities attended.","AnswerText":"The Cities Review Sounding Board contains representatives from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland Councils. The Sounding Board has met three times in Edinburgh.

    The Cities Review Team visited the following cities:

    Aberdeen and met representatives from Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council;

    Dundee and met representatives from Dundee City Council;

    Edinburgh and met representatives from Edinburgh City Council;

    Glasgow and met representatives from Glasgow City Council;

    Inverness and met representatives from Highland Council.

    Ministers have visited the following cities:

    Aberdeen and met representatives from Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council;

    Dundee and met representatives from Dundee City Council;

    Edinburgh and met representatives from Edinburgh City Council;

    Glasgow and met representatives from Glasgow City Council;

    Inverness and met representatives from Highland Council.

    Ministers also intend to hold meetings with those authorities they have not yet met which neighbour Scotland's cities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157306,"EventID":"S1W-20705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take account of the interaction between cities and their surrounding areas as part of the review of the cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take account of the interaction between cities and their surrounding areas as part of the review of the cities.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Cities Review states that the review process will take account of the interaction between the cities and their surrounding areas.

    Ministers intend to meet with the cities neighbouring authorities, to listen to any issues that they wish to raise.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157307,"EventID":"S1W-20706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what comparisons exist between the exam results achieved by primary schools of less than 150 pupils and those with more than 150 pupils and what any such comparative res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what comparisons exist between the exam results achieved by primary schools of less than 150 pupils and those with more than 150 pupils and what any such comparative results show for each local authority area.","AnswerText":"

    In June of each year, the Scottish Executive conducts a survey to collect information on the highest 5-14 attainment level achieved by publicly funded primary and secondary pupils in reading, writing and mathematics. This survey provides a "snapshot" of the position as at the date of the survey.

    The following table shows the percentage of pupils in P3, P4, P6 and P7 who had achieved or exceeded the expected 5-14 attainment level for their stage in reading, writing and mathematics, as at June 2001. The results are broken down by those schools that had less than 150 pupils and those with 150 or more pupils, and by local authority.

    5-14 Attainment of pupils in primary schools with less than 150 pupils and those with 150 or more pupils, in reading, writing and mathematics, by local authority, as at June 2001.

    Pupils attaining or exceeding expected levels by the end of the stage.

    Publicly funded schools only.

    Percentage of P3, P4, P6, P7 pupils attaining or exceeding minimum 5-14 levels for their stage

    Local Authority

    No. of pupils in School

    No. of Schools

    Reading

    Writing

    Mathematics

    Scotland

    <150

    959

    79.5%

    70.4%

    78.8%

    150+

    1,258

    79.9%

    70.3%

    79.3%

    Aberdeen City

    <150

    *

    *

    *

    *

    150+

    48

    79.2%

    		The re-opening of Beauly Station is a matter for Railtrack and Health and Safety Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157310,"EventID":"S1W-20709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with the Minister for Environment and Rural Development to discuss the Protectio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with the Minister for Environment and Rural Development to discuss the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill prior to the Stage 3 debate on the Bill, and, if so, whether the minister will grant such a request.","AnswerText":"A request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with officials was made in November and that meeting took place on 13 December. The association subsequently asked whether I could attend that meeting also but other engagements prevented me from doing so. I have, however, asked officials to report the discussions of that meeting to me.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157311,"EventID":"S1W-20710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the Scottish Hill Packs Association to discuss the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill prior to the Stage 3 debate on the B","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the Scottish Hill Packs Association to discuss the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill prior to the Stage 3 debate on the Bill.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to meet with the Scottish Hill Packs Association, nor have I been asked by them to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157312,"EventID":"S1W-20711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of patients who have been prescribed Isotretinoin since 1999 suffer from mild or moderate acne.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of patients who have been prescribed Isotretinoin since 1999 suffer from mild or moderate acne.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157313,"EventID":"S1W-20712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to recommend that independent research be carried out to establish how Isotretinoin functions in the human body and to determine what chemically-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to recommend that independent research be carried out to establish how Isotretinoin functions in the human body and to determine what chemically-induced changes in the brain and in other parts of the body arise from ingesting the drug.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    The CSO has no plans for research into Isotretinoin but would be pleased to consider research proposals, which would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157314,"EventID":"S1W-20713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on whether dentists can refuse to treat a patient on the basis that the patient is deaf.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on whether dentists can refuse to treat a patient on the basis that the patient is deaf.","AnswerText":"We are committed to an NHS offering access to all. Whilst general dental practitioners are independent contractors and can choose whether to treat individual patients, it is regrettable if they refuse to treat a patient on such a basis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157315,"EventID":"S1W-20714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any amendments which it may bring forward for Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill will deal solely with technical matters and, if not, what ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any amendments which it may bring forward for Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill will deal solely with technical matters and, if not, what the scope of any amendments will be.","AnswerText":"The Executive remain neutral in relation to the policy of this Bill except where it cuts across Executive policy, has a financial implication for the Executive or is deemed to be unworkable in law. On consideration of the Bill, as amended at Stage 2, I can confirm that any amendments that the Executive consider are required at Stage 3 will be technical in nature.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157316,"EventID":"S1W-20715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will not afford any assistance to MSPs, in particular with the drafting of amendments, in respect of Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will not afford any assistance to MSPs, in particular with the drafting of amendments, in respect of Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Generally, the Executive does not provide assistance to MSPs in respect of the drafting of amendments on Private Members Bills. In this instance, the Executive is providing limited assistance on technical matters. All MSPs are free to seek assistance from the Committee Clerk in preparing amendments to the Bill.

    In response to a question from the Convenor of the Rural Development Committee, (Official Report, 4 December, Col 2576) I said that the Executive would work with you to agree an amendment which defined pest species covered by the Bill. That offer remains available to you.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157317,"EventID":"S1W-20716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that any amendments it intends to bring forward to the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill for Stage 3 will be lodged as soon as possible to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that any amendments it intends to bring forward to the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill for Stage 3 will be lodged as soon as possible to allow all interested parties and groups time to consider them, to consult with their MSPs and to contribute to any consideration of issues relating to such amendments at Stage 3.","AnswerText":"Yes. We are considering the Bill as amended at Stage 2 and confirm that we will bring forward any Executive amendments as soon as we can.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157318,"EventID":"S1W-20717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19775 by Nicol Stephen on 21 November 2001, why, in light of its involvement in the Personal ICT project on classrooms of the futur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19775 by Nicol Stephen on 21 November 2001, why, in light of its involvement in the Personal ICT project on classrooms of the future announced on 23 November 2001, it would not be appropriate for it to comment on aspects of Dumfries and Galloway Council's \"school of the future\" concept.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed in Working Together for Scotland to support and evaluate \"Future School\" projects, which encourage local authorities and schools to explore new ways of delivering learning and teaching to meet the needs of their pupils. We are also committed to dialogue with local authorities to develop school estate strategies that will take a forward-looking view of future infrastructure needs.

    We have not been approached by Dumfries and Galloway Council on specific learning and teaching or infrastructure proposals for the future. We are willing to discuss with the council any such proposals they wish to submit to the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157319,"EventID":"S1W-20718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the maximum distance primary schoolchildren should travel from home to school each day.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the maximum distance primary schoolchildren should travel from home to school each day.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has issued no guidance on maximum distances for home to school travel. Under provisions in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education authorities provide free school transport for pupils attending their designated school where that school is beyond a certain distance from home.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157320,"EventID":"S1W-20719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation it has carried out of the educational standards in, and classroom environment of, primary schools with (a) one teacher and (b) two teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation it has carried out of the educational standards in, and classroom environment of, primary schools with (a) one teacher and (b) two teachers.","AnswerText":"We have not carried out such an evaluation. A sample of one and two teacher schools are included each year in the annual inspection programme carried out by HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE). HMIE publishes a report on every school inspection, which includes an evaluation of the standard of attainment and accommodation in the school.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157321,"EventID":"S1W-20720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19774 by Ms Margaret Curran on 21 November 2001, whether the present coverage of the Social Inclusion Partnership programme meets t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19774 by Ms Margaret Curran on 21 November 2001, whether the present coverage of the Social Inclusion Partnership programme meets the needs of any groups or individuals suffering from social exclusion in rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"A network of 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) has been established in both urban and rural areas across Scotland. The network includes both area-based partnerships, and partnerships which are tackling exclusion in particular groups.

    SIPs are broadly-based partnerships between the local authority and other public agencies such as the LEC; local health boards, the voluntary and private sectors, and have the local community at their heart. They are expected to target existing spending programmes more effectively on tackling social exclusion at a local level. In addition, we are making a total of £176 million core funding from the Social Inclusion Partnership Fund available to support their activities over the three years to March 2004.

    Some of the SIPs cover areas that can be described as a mix of rural and urban. Others are addressing the problems of exclusion in rural areas. For example:

    Argyll and Bute SIP

    East Ayrshire Coalfields Area SIP

    Highland Well-being Alliance SIP

    Moray Youthstart SIP

    Scottish Borders SIP.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157322,"EventID":"S1W-20721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation will take place regarding proposed revised placements on the salary scale for new teachers based upon their level of experience, what criteria will be ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation will take place regarding proposed revised placements on the salary scale for new teachers based upon their level of experience, what criteria will be applied to inform decisions on such placements and when any proposed changes will be made known.","AnswerText":"New salary placement arrangements are being devised by the Conditions of Service Working Group of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). This body includes representatives of the Scottish Executive Education Department, local authorities and teacher organisations. All parties have received a significant number of representations on this issue and members of the SNCT met a delegation of mature students on 5 December 2001.

    New salary placement regulations are expected to be put before the next meeting of the SNCT on 31 January 2002 for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157323,"EventID":"S1W-20722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs would be of transitional arrangements for mature student teachers (a) currently in years 2, 3 and 4 of their Bachelor of Education degree course and (b) c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs would be of transitional arrangements for mature student teachers (a) currently in years 2, 3 and 4 of their Bachelor of Education degree course and (b) currently undertaking postgraduate courses, so that they will not be financially disadvantaged by any changes instigated under the McCrone settlement and when any such arrangements could be implemented.","AnswerText":"The cost of transitional arrangements would depend upon their nature and to whom they would be paid. No such decisions have been taken. The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers will meet on 31 January 2002 to give further consideration to salary placement regulations and transitional arrangements for those currently on courses of initial teacher education in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157324,"EventID":"S1W-20723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to measure compliance by NHS Trusts in the labelling of medicinal products and associated package leaflets as required by Council Directive ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to measure compliance by NHS Trusts in the labelling of medicinal products and associated package leaflets as required by Council Directive 92/27/EEC. ","AnswerText":"Requirements for the provision of drug information leaflets to patients are reserved matters which come under the remit of the Medicines Control Agency. Directive 92/27/EEC was incorporated into UK law by the Medicines (Marketing Authorisations etc) Regulations 1994 and the Scottish Executive supports its aim of ensuring that patients receive full and useful information.

    There is no formal procedure in place to measure compliance with these requirements in the NHS. Pharmacists are expected to comply with the requirements and standards laid down by their professional body, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157325,"EventID":"S1W-20724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19778 by Rhona Brankin on 21 November 2001, in light of the announcement made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aff","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19778 by Rhona Brankin on 21 November 2001, in light of the announcement made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that #6 million will be allocated to English local authorities to help with the storage of old refrigerators and free'ers, when it will make an announcement regarding additional funding to Scottish local authorities.","AnswerText":"My reply to question S1O-4233 on 6 December 2001, confirmed that the Executive will provide additional funding to Scottish local authorities for the remainder of this financial year and that I would announce the allocations once firmer costs had been identified. That is still the position, but I hope to have more information shortly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157326,"EventID":"S1W-20725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what inquiries it has made regarding how much it will cost local authorities to store domestic refrigerators and free'ers following the introduction of EC Regulation 2037","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what inquiries it has made regarding how much it will cost local authorities to store domestic refrigerators and free'ers following the introduction of EC Regulation 2037/2000.","AnswerText":"I confirmed on 6 December in response to question S1O-4233 on 6 December 2001, that financial assistance would be available for local authorities. With a view to ensuring that our estimates of their needs are as accurate as possible we wrote to them on the same day asking them for feedback on the prices they have been quoted. We are also taking cognisance of prices being quoted by the waste management industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157327,"EventID":"S1W-20726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis it plans to allocate funds for occupational health and safety services to health boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis it plans to allocate funds for occupational health and safety services to health boards.","AnswerText":"Funds for occupational health are allocated to NHS health boards on the basis of the Arbuthnott formula.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157328,"EventID":"S1W-20727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a policy based on the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protection of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a policy based on the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The conclusions reached by the Rural Development Committee recorded in these paragraphs in the Stage 1 Report relate to the use of terriers underground and the activities of the Scottish Hill Packs. The Executive neither propose to implement a policy nor introduce measures to give effect to those conclusions. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill has undergone amendment at Stage 2 to cater for pest control exceptions, reflecting the views of the committee. That legislation, as determined at Stage 3 and ultimately interpreted by the courts, will determine what use of dogs is permitted and what constitutes an offence.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157329,"EventID":"S1W-20728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will introduce to put into effect the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will introduce to put into effect the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20727.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157330,"EventID":"S1W-20729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the port of Rosyth will not become a gateway for illegal drugs imports following the introduction of the proposed ferry service ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the port of Rosyth will not become a gateway for illegal drugs imports following the introduction of the proposed ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. ","AnswerText":"Fife Constabulary, in discussion with other enforcement agencies, is taking steps to ensure that, following the introduction of the proposed ferry service, a commensurate level of policing would be in place at the port to counter the assessed threat posed by criminal and other interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157331,"EventID":"S1W-20730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) procedures are in place for identifying and dealing with, and (b) facilities are available for dealing with and working with any prisoners who have autistic spec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) procedures are in place for identifying and dealing with, and (b) facilities are available for dealing with and working with any prisoners who have autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The SPS operates a system of induction and sentence management for prisoners. This, together with the health checks carried out on admission, aims to identify prisoners with serious problems as a result of, for example, autism. Education staff working in prisons draw up individual learning plans for and with prisoners. A diagnosis of autism would result in particular care being taken to engage the learner appropriately.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157332,"EventID":"S1W-20731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks in order to protect mussel farms have been (a) received from and (b) granted to (i) the Shetland Islands, (ii)","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks in order to protect mussel farms have been (a) received from and (b) granted to (i) the Shetland Islands, (ii) the Orkney Islands, (iii) Argyll and Bute, (iv) the Western Isles and (v) the Highland Council area in each year from 1998 to date.","AnswerText":"No applications have been received from the Orkney Islands, the Western Isles or the Highland Council Area since 1998.

    One license has been applied for and issued to the Shetland Islands in 2001-02.

    In Argyll and Bute, the following figures apply:

    1997-98

    2 applications

    2 licences issued

    1998-99

    5 applications

    4 licences issued

    1999-2000

    2 applications

    2 licences issued

    2000-01

    2 application

    2 licence issued

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157333,"EventID":"S1W-20732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any site visits or local consultations in regard to licences to kill or remove eider ducks in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any site visits or local consultations in regard to licences to kill or remove eider ducks in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (c) Argyll and Bute, (d) the Western Isles and (e) the Highland Council area during 2001 or whether any such visits or consultations are planned in the next six months.","AnswerText":"One site visit has been carried out in 2001. Such visits are always made on the first occasion an area is the subject of an application.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157334,"EventID":"S1W-20733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures for site inspection and local consultation are used in the determination of whether to issue licences to kill or remove eider ducks for the protection of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures for site inspection and local consultation are used in the determination of whether to issue licences to kill or remove eider ducks for the protection of mussel farms.","AnswerText":"Site inspections are carried out on every occasion when the application is the first in respect of an area. They are undertaken by a representative of the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory and the local Scottish Natural Heritage officer.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157335,"EventID":"S1W-20734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what tests it applies in relation to licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks to protect mussel farms and what scientific advice it has received as to determini","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what tests it applies in relation to licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks to protect mussel farms and what scientific advice it has received as to determining the level of damage which could be caused to such farms.","AnswerText":"An assessment is made of the site development, including standing stock, production levels, staff presence on site and site situation. Records of predation, and evidence of non-lethal measures and anti-predator devices used are considered. Applicants are required to maintain records of temporal and spacial distribution of predator species and to produce these for inspection.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157336,"EventID":"S1W-20735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, when considering licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks in order to protect mussel farms, what assessment it gives to alternative measures to protect mussel ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, when considering licence applications to kill or remove eider ducks in order to protect mussel farms, what assessment it gives to alternative measures to protect mussel farms and how it determines whether these alternatives are successful.","AnswerText":"Non-lethal deterrents must have been employed before a licence is granted. Historical evidence, or that seen during a site inspection, is considered. Advice on non-lethal methods is provided to applicants and may be followed up if subsequent applications are received.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157337,"EventID":"S1W-20736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of the eider duck population; how many and what proportion of these are found in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (c) Argyll ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of the eider duck population; how many and what proportion of these are found in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (c) Argyll and Bute, (d) the Western Isles and (e) the Highland Council area, and what the local population changes in each of these areas have been over the past 25 years.","AnswerText":"The most recently published estimate of the eider duck population - 77,500 wintering in Great Britain, including 66,000 in Scottish inshore coastal waters - is for the period 1986-92. The totals and proportions for Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Moray Firth and the west coast of Scotland are set out in the table. Data for the administrative regions of Highland Council and Argyll and Bute are not available.

    Area

    Population

    Proportion

    Trend

    Shetland Islands

    7,000

    10.6%

    Declining

    Orkney Islands

    6,000

    9.1%

    Not known

    Western Isles

    6,000

    9.1%

    Not known

    Moray Firth (only part of Highland Council area)

    2,500

    3.8%

    Not known

    West coast of Scotland (includes Argyll & Bute)

    9,000

    13.6%

    Probably increasing

    The population in the UK is resident, although winter numbers may be enhanced by variable numbers of birds originating from the large north-west European population.

    Limited evidence suggests an increase in the population up to at least the late 1980s, apart from in Shetland, where marked declines in the population have occurred (from a maximum of 16,500 in 1977 to an estimated 5,700 in 2001).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157338,"EventID":"S1W-20737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what species of eider duck are found in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (c) Argyll and Bute, (d) the Western Isles and (e) the Highland Council area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what species of eider duck are found in (a) the Shetland Islands, (b) the Orkney Islands, (c) Argyll and Bute, (d) the Western Isles and (e) the Highland Council area.","AnswerText":"The species of eider found in all parts of the UK is the common eider (Somateria mollissima).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157339,"EventID":"S1W-20738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road inspectors the Performance Audit Group, which monitors performance in the trunk road maintenance contracts, employs on the ground to physically monitor roa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road inspectors the Performance Audit Group, which monitors performance in the trunk road maintenance contracts, employs on the ground to physically monitor road gritting and snow clearing performance on trunk roads in the Highland Council area (a) on week days and (b) at weekends and what hours these inspectors work.","AnswerText":"The Performance Audit Group employs eight field engineers for the whole trunk road network to monitor network conditions and maintenance activities including winter maintenance. Four field engineers, two in each of the North West and North East operating regions, are deployed during normal working hours. From time to time, outwith these normal working hours, they undertake specific assignments. Parts of the Highland Council area fall within both the North West and North East Units.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157340,"EventID":"S1W-20739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate or any department within the Crown Office have been consulted on the proposed Stirling to Alloa Rail link and, if so, on what dates and for wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate or any department within the Crown Office have been consulted on the proposed Stirling to Alloa Rail link and, if so, on what dates and for what reasons. ","AnswerText":"It would be inappropriate for the Executive to provide information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including between the Scottish Executive and legal advisers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157341,"EventID":"S1W-20740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted on, or is aware of, any plans by the Strategic Rail Authority to locate any personnel in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted on, or is aware of, any plans by the Strategic Rail Authority to locate any personnel in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The effective management of the resources of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), including the deployment of its staff, is a matter for the SRA's Executive Board. The SRA have not informed the Executive of any plans to relocate staff to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157342,"EventID":"S1W-20741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the board of management at Caledonian MacBrayne in relation to the current industrial dispute in the Clyde divisio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the board of management at Caledonian MacBrayne in relation to the current industrial dispute in the Clyde division, in particular to ascertain whether they have considered making any economies to their management operations, structure, directors' bonuses and termination payments, and what plans it has to seek to make a ministerial statement on these matters.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to make a statement on matters relating to the general management of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd.

    Scottish Executive officials kept in close touch with the company throughout the recent industrial dispute on the Clyde with the objective of ensuring that adequate lifeline ferry services were maintained. We also funded connecting bus services to help foot passengers use the sailings that the company continued to provide to Arran and Bute.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157343,"EventID":"S1W-20742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor the outcome of the campaign by VisitScotland to promote shopping holidays in Edinburgh and Glasgow; whether any such monitoring will include ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor the outcome of the campaign by VisitScotland to promote shopping holidays in Edinburgh and Glasgow; whether any such monitoring will include an analysis of the income generated by the promotion, including any increase in the tax revenue to Her Majesty's Treasury, and whether it will seek any additional payments from Her Majesty's Government in respect of tourism as a result. ","AnswerText":"Responsibility for devising, delivering and assessing marketing campaigns is an operational matter for VisitScotland. I look forward to receiving VisitScotland's assessment of this new and innovative campaign.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157344,"EventID":"S1W-20743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role and remit of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport with regard to VisitScotland and the British Tourist Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role and remit of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport with regard to VisitScotland and the British Tourist Authority.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport is responsible for setting strategic objectives for visitScotland. The Minister for Culture, Media and Sport within the UK Government has similar responsibility in respect of the British Tourist Authority. Westminster ministers are required to consult Scottish Executive ministers before taking decisions that will affect BTA activity in respect of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157345,"EventID":"S1W-20744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role and remit of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport with regard to transport and training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role and remit of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport with regard to transport and training.","AnswerText":"Transport and training are the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning. However, Executive ministers work closely together on all areas where there are cross-cutting issues.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157346,"EventID":"S1W-20745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what si'e of budget and (b) how many (i) staff and (ii) non-departmental public bodies, indicating the location of the offices for these staff and bodies, each Minis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what si'e of budget and (b) how many (i) staff and (ii) non-departmental public bodies, indicating the location of the offices for these staff and bodies, each Minister is currently responsible for.","AnswerText":"Details on Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) including budgets, staff numbers and office locations are contained in the annual publication Public Bodies. This document is considered the best means by which to present this type of information in a useful and meaningful way. The current edition of the document is available from www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango and the 2001 edition will be published shortly.

    The number of NDPBs for which each minister is currently responsible is set out in the following table. Implementation of the recommendations contained in Public Bodies: Proposals for Change is continuing and these numbers are likely to change as part of the on-going review process.

    Minister

    No. of NDPBs

    Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice

    401

    Minister for Education and Young People

    382

    Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning

    10

    Minister for Environment and Rural Development

    18

    Minister for Finance and Public Services

    2

    Minister for Health and Community Care

    323

    Minister for Social Justice

    3

    Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport

    11

    Notes:

    1. Includes 32 Justices of the Peace Advisory Committees.

    2. Includes 32 Children's Panels.

    3. Includes 15 health boards.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157347,"EventID":"S1W-20746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uniformed police (a) establishment and (b) strength was in each division of each police force in each of the years 1991 to 2001 and what the population of each d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uniformed police (a) establishment and (b) strength was in each division of each police force in each of the years 1991 to 2001 and what the population of each division area was in each year, giving details of any boundary changes.","AnswerText":"Information on police officer numbers at this level of detail is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157348,"EventID":"S1W-20747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uniformed police (a) establishment and (b) average attendance is per shift in each division of each police force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the uniformed police (a) establishment and (b) average attendance is per shift in each division of each police force.","AnswerText":"Information on police officer numbers at this level of detail is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157349,"EventID":"S1W-20748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place for people to apply for free central heating and insulation under its Central Heating Programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place for people to apply for free central heating and insulation under its Central Heating Programme.","AnswerText":"A guide to the Central Heating Programme encouraging applications has been published for the private sector and widely distributed across Scotland. Eaga has also set up a freephone number for applications and enquiries. Further publicity material will be issued shortly. Local authority and housing association tenants will be contacted by their landlords, who are responsible for implementing the programme in these sectors of the stock.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157350,"EventID":"S1W-20749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average length of time elapses between (a) the submission of an application for, and (b) installation of, free central heating and insulation under its Central Heati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what average length of time elapses between (a) the submission of an application for, and (b) installation of, free central heating and insulation under its Central Heating Programme.","AnswerText":"For private sector households the average length of time is currently about eight weeks.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157351,"EventID":"S1W-20750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19757 by Susan Deacon on 21 November 2001 and the announcement of Dr Adam Bryson's appointment to the Beatson Oncology Centre, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19757 by Susan Deacon on 21 November 2001 and the announcement of Dr Adam Bryson's appointment to the Beatson Oncology Centre, whether it is seeking information from the managers of the North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust or the Greater Glasgow NHS Board regarding the levels and trends of new patient referrals accepted or planned for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologist in the Trust and board areas.","AnswerText":"This information will derive from on-going monitoring of the situation.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157352,"EventID":"S1W-20751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19757 by Susan Deacon on 21 November 2001 and the announcement of Dr Adam Bryson's appointment to the Beatson Oncology Centre, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19757 by Susan Deacon on 21 November 2001 and the announcement of Dr Adam Bryson's appointment to the Beatson Oncology Centre, whether guidance will be issued by it or on its behalf regarding the numbers of new patients to be accepted for referrals for each whole-time equivalent NHS consultant oncologist at the Centre.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-20750 and S1W-20757 on 4 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157353,"EventID":"S1W-20752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Clyde Shipyards Task Force will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Clyde Shipyards Task Force will be published.","AnswerText":"We are currently finalising the Clyde Shipyards Task Force report following the group's last meeting, and will send it to the printers before Christmas with a view to publishing it in January.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157354,"EventID":"S1W-20753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to the consultation exercise by the Department of Trade and Industry on the European Commission's proposal for a new Council regulation on stat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to the consultation exercise by the Department of Trade and Industry on the European Commission's proposal for a new Council regulation on state aid to the coal industry.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter entirely within the remit of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scottish Executive is not a statutory consultee although we have been kept fully informed of the Commission's proposals by the Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157355,"EventID":"S1W-20754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many ex-offenders were offered employment by local authorities on their release in each of the past three years, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many ex-offenders were offered employment by local authorities on their release in each of the past three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. As independent corporate bodies, it is for local authorities to determine those officers that should be appointed for the proper discharge of their functions and, in doing so, act within the law.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157356,"EventID":"S1W-20755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18893 by Ms Margaret Curran on 26 November 2001, who will be allocated the #415 million earmarked for Glasgow City Council should t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18893 by Ms Margaret Curran on 26 November 2001, who will be allocated the #415 million earmarked for Glasgow City Council should the tenants of Glasgow vote against the wholesale housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"As a result of the agreement between the Scottish Executive and HM Treasury, if local authorities transfer their entire housing stock into community ownership, the Treasury will contribute to the costs of debt repayment. This will enable Scottish Executive funds to be freed up for further investment. If the transfer does not proceed these funds will not be available.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157357,"EventID":"S1W-20756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #415 million allocated to Glasgow City Council for new social housing building is allocated on the basis of housing need and, if so, why this money will only","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #415 million allocated to Glasgow City Council for new social housing building is allocated on the basis of housing need and, if so, why this money will only be allocated should the tenants vote for wholesale housing stock transfer. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20755.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157358,"EventID":"S1W-20757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following the visit by the Minister for Health and Community Care to the Beatson Oncology Centre on 5 December 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following the visit by the Minister for Health and Community Care to the Beatson Oncology Centre on 5 December 2001.","AnswerText":"I announced on 6 December 2001 that Dr Adam Bryson, would take over as Medical Director of the Beatson Oncology Centre to provide greater impetus and focus to implementing the agreed Action Plan. Dr Bryson is reporting directly to Mr Tom Divers, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow, but the Executive is keeping in close touch and monitoring the situation.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157359,"EventID":"S1W-20758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives will be made available to attract consultants to the vacant posts at Beatson Oncology Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives will be made available to attract consultants to the vacant posts at Beatson Oncology Centre.","AnswerText":"All posts are available subject to the terms and conditions of service for consultants employed by the NHSScotland. Dr Adam Bryson and the Management Team will work meticulously through the raft of issues which the consultants and other senior clinical staff within the Beatson Oncology Centre have raised.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157360,"EventID":"S1W-20759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group are and how many of them are employed by the Beatson Oncology Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group are and how many of them are employed by the Beatson Oncology Centre.","AnswerText":"The West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group is chaired by Mr Tom Divers, Chief Executive NHS Greater Glasgow. The Regional Lead Clinician is Dr Harry Burns, Director of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow.

    There are more than 60 members drawn from across NHS Argyll and Clyde, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Greater Glasgow, NHS Lanarkshire, Managed Clinical Network leads, the voluntary sector, patient representation and representatives of regional services such as breast screening and cancer surveillance.

    There are three members from the Beatson Oncology Centre,

    Dr N Reed, Clinical Director

    Professor J Cassidy, Academic Oncology

    Ms C Hutchison, Consultant Nurse Oncologist

    Full details of the membership of the North, South East and West of Scotland RCAGs will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    Guidance on the role, structure and function of Regional Cancer Advisory Groups is set out in NHS HDL (2001) 71 issued on 13 September 2001. This is available online at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157361,"EventID":"S1W-20760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which cancer specialities are not being provided due to the current vacancies at the Beatson Oncology Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which cancer specialities are not being provided due to the current vacancies at the Beatson Oncology Centre.","AnswerText":"Specialist services for all cancers continue to be provided by the Beatson Oncology Centre.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157362,"EventID":"S1W-20761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the number of student radiographer places throughout Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the number of student radiographer places throughout Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive Health Department takes account of supply and demand indicators for the Professions Allied to Medicine (PAMs) in NHSScotland in order to influence the Higher Education Sector in the allocation of PAMs pre-registration student places. This includes the number of student radiographer places in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157363,"EventID":"S1W-20762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student radiographer places there were at Glasgow Caledonian University in each academic year from 1996-97 to 2001-2002 and how many places are planned for 2002-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student radiographer places there were at Glasgow Caledonian University in each academic year from 1996-97 to 2001-2002 and how many places are planned for 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Data on radiography student places is not held centrally. However, Glasgow Caledonian University has supplied the following figures (which include diagnostic and therapeutic radiography).

    Academic year

    No of FTE student places in radiography

    1996-97

    55

    1997-98

    55

    1998-99

    55

    1999-2000

    55

    2000-01

    55

    2001-02

    67

    Academic year

    No of anticipated FTE student place in radiography

    2002-03

    67

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157364,"EventID":"S1W-20763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student radiographers completed their course at Glasgow Caledonian University in each academic year from 1996-97 to 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student radiographers completed their course at Glasgow Caledonian University in each academic year from 1996-97 to 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Data on radiography student places is not held centrally. However, Glasgow Caledonian University has supplied the following figures (which include diagnostic and therapeutic radiography).

    Academic year

    No of FTE students successfully completing radiography course

    1996-97

    27

    1997-98

    32

    1998-99

    44

    1999-2000

    41

    2000-01

    43

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157365,"EventID":"S1W-20764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the resignation of the four consultant staff at the Beatson Oncology Centre has had or will have on the waiting list for referral to a cancer specialist.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the resignation of the four consultant staff at the Beatson Oncology Centre has had or will have on the waiting list for referral to a cancer specialist.","AnswerText":"NHS local management has advised that:

    all clinics currently serviced by consultants based at the Beatson have been reviewed. Over the next six months, prior to substantive appointments being made, interim arrangements will be put in place so that new patients will be a priority to be seen at outreach clinics taking place within their local NHS board area;

    there is no formal waiting list for medical oncology and it is not envisaged there will be an impact on this, and

    radiotherapy waiting times are currently reducing as the new machines funded by the Scottish Executive come on stream.

    I am pleased to confirm that the radiotherapy equipment modernisation programme continues and it is hoped this downward trend will continue. Two new, additional, linear accelerators are expected to be commissioned during the course of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157366,"EventID":"S1W-20765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the number of linear accelerators allocated to the Beatson Oncology Centre has been calculated and what scope there is for increasing their number.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the number of linear accelerators allocated to the Beatson Oncology Centre has been calculated and what scope there is for increasing their number.","AnswerText":"Information about the background to planning cancer services was outlined in the answer given to question S1W-19750.

    The linear accelerator (and related radiotherapy equipment) modernisation programme has been, and continues to be, developed by the Scottish Executive Health Department in consultation with Cancer Centre Directors and relevant staff drawn from across Scotland.

    Three new linear accelerators are installed at the Gartnavel Hospital site, giving a total of eight now available. Two further (additional) linear accelerators are to be purchased and installed there during 2002.

    Beyond that, the plans for further replacement and additional radiotherapy equipment will continue to be brought forward via the modernisation programme and within the context of the business planning process for the development of Phase 2 of the new West of Scotland Regional Cancer Centre at Gartnavel.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157367,"EventID":"S1W-20766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to the number of prisoners held at HM Prison Corntonvale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to the number of prisoners held at HM Prison Corntonvale.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    Skye House has recently been reopened which has increased the available capacity. In addition, work is under way to consider better use of the current available accommodation as well as to look at options for providing additional accommodation. The SPS will take decisions in the light of operational requirements.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157368,"EventID":"S1W-20767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurse vacancies there currently are at the HM Prison Corntonvale medical centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurse vacancies there currently are at the HM Prison Corntonvale medical centre.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    None.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157369,"EventID":"S1W-20768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the timetable for the operation and evaluation of time out centres being piloted in Glasgow as alternatives to prison for women offenders is on target and when it","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the timetable for the operation and evaluation of time out centres being piloted in Glasgow as alternatives to prison for women offenders is on target and when it will publish any evaluation report.","AnswerText":"Work is under way on drawing up a specification for the centre and the tendering process is expected to take about six months. The timetable thereafter will be largely determined by the identification of suitable premises. The centre will be evaluated but it is too early to say when the report might be published.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157370,"EventID":"S1W-20769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places are currently available and how many are planned for the future at the time out centres being piloted in Glasgow as alternatives to prison for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential places are currently available and how many are planned for the future at the time out centres being piloted in Glasgow as alternatives to prison for women offenders.","AnswerText":"When it begins operation, the Time Out centre in Glasgow is expected to have six to 12 residential places. The development of further centres will depend upon the success of the Glasgow pilot.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157371,"EventID":"S1W-20770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many remand prisoners were held in HM Prison Corntonvale in each of the past three months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many remand prisoners were held in HM Prison Corntonvale in each of the past three months.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The average number of remand prisoners per month was:

    September

    35

    October

    40

    November

    35

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157372,"EventID":"S1W-20771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many remand prisoners are currently being held in excess of the number of places at the new remand centre at HM Prison Corntonvale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many remand prisoners are currently being held in excess of the number of places at the new remand centre at HM Prison Corntonvale.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The average number of remand prisoners in November was 35. The capacity of the newly opened Ross House is 51.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157373,"EventID":"S1W-20772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former Scottish Ministers have claimed lump sum payments or pensions after leaving ministerial office since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former Scottish Ministers have claimed lump sum payments or pensions after leaving ministerial office since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Five former Scottish ministers and junior ministers who left office prior to 27 November 2001 have been paid the lump sum grant to which they are entitled on ceasing to hold office. Ministers and junior ministers who left office on 27 November will be paid their entitlements once the required three week period from ceasing to hold office has elapsed.

    The previous First Minister is in receipt of a pension payable immediately on his ceasing to be First Minister.

    Pensions payable under the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme are not a matter for Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157374,"EventID":"S1W-20773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the method by which teachers are appointed to Catholic schools is in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the method by which teachers are appointed to Catholic schools is in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerText":"It is the view of the Scottish Executive that the procedure for appointment of teachers to Catholic schools under section 21 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 does not breach the European Convention of Human Rights. However, decisions on compliance of the actions of individual schools with the convention are a matter for the courts.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157375,"EventID":"S1W-20774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7052 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000, what the (a) net revenue expenditure on roads maintenance and (b) gross capital expenditure o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7052 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000, what the (a) net revenue expenditure on roads maintenance and (b) gross capital expenditure on the structural maintenance of roads were in respect of each local authority in 2000-01.","AnswerText":"The following tables show provisional figures provided by each local authority at (a) for the net revenue expenditure on roads and winter maintenance; and at (b) the gross capital payments for expenditure for structural maintenance of roads, in 2000-01.

    (a)

    Roads and Road Lighting

    Provisional Outturns 2000-01

    Road Maintenance

    (£000)

    Winter Maintenance

    (£000)

    Aberdeen, City

    3,725

    1,505

    Aberdeenshire

    6,817

    3,546

    Angus

    2,522

    1,280

    Argyll and Bute

    5,960

    1,891

    Clackmannanshire

    543

    256

    Dumfries and Galloway

    5,609

    1,123

    Dundee

    2,297

    1,062

    East Ayrshire

    3,739

    1,207

    East Dunbartonshire

    2,475

    658

    East Lothian

    1,862

    720Under the Single Status Agreement negotiated between local authority employers and relevant trades unions, the pay and conditions of almost all local government employees are being reviewed. A consequence of the agreement is that terms and conditions, including hourly rates of pay, will be set locally, taking account of the relative value placed upon jobs and the pay budget set by individual authorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157381,"EventID":"S1W-20780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of staff working on Opportunities and Choices in order to increase the level of work carried out by that project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of staff working on Opportunities and Choices in order to increase the level of work carried out by that project.","AnswerText":"As of October 2000 the Scottish Executive has been fully staffed for the work on Opportunities and Choices. The project involves other agencies, notably Scottish Enterprise who have recently allocated additional resources to increase the level of work involved.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157382,"EventID":"S1W-20781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet given a substantive answer to question S1W-19393, lodged on 25 October 2001, and when it will do so.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet given a substantive answer to question S1W-19393, lodged on 25 October 2001, and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"Question S1W-19393 was answered today.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157383,"EventID":"S1W-20782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes have the discretion to distribute sums to members or their dependants in addition to the sums that they c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes have the discretion to distribute sums to members or their dependants in addition to the sums that they currently propose to distribute.","AnswerText":"The administration of the Scottish Transport Group (STG) pension schemes and the securing of benefits under the schemes are entirely matters for the trustees of the scheme. On wind-up of the STG pension schemes, and the dissolution of the Scottish Transport Group, any sum remaining in the group will fall to the UK Exchequer. Scottish ministers have, however, secured the distribution of up to £118 million by way of ex-gratia payments to former members of the STG Pension Schemes.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157384,"EventID":"S1W-20783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any correspondence between it and the trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and, if it will not, under which provision of the C","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any correspondence between it and the trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and, if it will not, under which provision of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information a decision not to publish any such correspondence would be based.","AnswerText":"No. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to disclose information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice given in confidence including between the Executive and the Scottish Transport Group and the Trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes. The provisions of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access are relevant.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157385,"EventID":"S1W-20784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discretion under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information to place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any correspondence","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discretion under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information to place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any correspondence passing between it and the trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has discretion under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information not to release information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice or where any information was given in confidence.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157386,"EventID":"S1W-20785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will have any further discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding amounts to be distributed to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will have any further discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding amounts to be distributed to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes or their dependants and any amounts from those schemes to be paid to Her Majesty's Government and/or the Inland Revenue.","AnswerText":"As I announced in the Parliament on 29 November, Scottish ministers have secured for distribution, to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes, an additional £18 million by agreement with Treasury Ministers. This means that up to £118 million will now be distributed to beneficiaries. I have no plans to discuss this further with Treasury Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157387,"EventID":"S1W-20786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, regarding its proposals for the regulation of the aquaculture industry announced on 6 December 2001, why the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development did no","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, regarding its proposals for the regulation of the aquaculture industry announced on 6 December 2001, why the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development did not announce those proposals in his speech to the Aquaculture Strategy for Scotland conference on 5 December 2001.","AnswerText":"At the time of my speech, a letter outlining how I propose to take forward the conclusions of the review of regulation was being sent to the Transport and the Environment Committee, whom I was due to meet on 12 December. This afforded Parliament the opportunity to be fully informed of my proposals in advance, and ahead of any other interests.

    Details were then published on the Executive website and publicised in a news release the following day.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157388,"EventID":"S1W-20787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it is having with oil companies over targets set for energy production involving renewable energy; which oil companies have been involved in any such dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it is having with oil companies over targets set for energy production involving renewable energy; which oil companies have been involved in any such discussions, and when any such discussions took place.","AnswerText":"The Executive's published objective is that by 2010 renewable energy will account for 18% of Scottish electricity supply. This will be delivered by the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) which is already stimulating demand for renewable energy development, and some manufacturing opportunities. The PILOT taskforce on which the Executive is represented has conducted a Diversification/New Business Study into renewable energy diversification opportunities open to oil companies. The Executive and Scottish Enterprise, along with DTI, are now promoting these opportunities to a range of companies including the oil and gas sector. Discussions between the Executive and oil companies about individual renewable projects are subject to commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157389,"EventID":"S1W-20788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its working arrangements are for responding to MSPs seeking factual and policy information directly from officials in its departments and when these arrangements wer","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its working arrangements are for responding to MSPs seeking factual and policy information directly from officials in its departments and when these arrangements were instituted.","AnswerText":"From 23 April 2001, the Scottish Executive business directory has been available electronically to MSPs, their assistants and Parliament staff. Guidance on usage is available on the front page of the directory which links into more detailed guidance for both MSPs and Executive staff. MSPs and their staff are asked to use the directory to identify the appropriate member of the Executive's staff to contact direct for factual information, but are asked to do so only after alternative available sources have been explored. Inquiries about policy matters should continue to be directed to the relevant minister.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157390,"EventID":"S1W-20789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in enhancing the quality and availability of foreign language teaching in primary and secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in enhancing the quality and availability of foreign language teaching in primary and secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive response to the recommendations made by the Action Group for Languages in its report, Citizens of a Multilingual World, outlined proposals to support language education in primary and secondary schools. The response, available from the Parliament's Reference Centre under Bib. numbers 10393 (report) and 16335 (response), set out how the Scottish Executive would provide additional financial support to local authorities to secure improvements in quality and availability of foreign language education.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157391,"EventID":"S1W-20790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what entitlement primary and secondary school pupils have to foreign language teaching.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what entitlement primary and secondary school pupils have to foreign language teaching.","AnswerText":"The Action Group for Languages outlined its recommendation that pupils should have an entitlement to foreign language learning. This entitlement, which comprises 11 elements, was accepted in full by the Scottish Executive in its published response to the report. Both the report, Citizens of a Multilingual World, and the Scottish Executive response are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 110392 and 16335 respectively). To promote awareness of the entitlement, the Scottish Executive is developing information leaflets for pupils and their parents which will be distributed early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157392,"EventID":"S1W-20791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that teachers are adequately supported in delivering foreign language classes within primary and secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that teachers are adequately supported in delivering foreign language classes within primary and secondary schools.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20789.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157393,"EventID":"S1W-20792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18770 by Mr Jack McConnell on 22 October 2001, whether it plans to make it a statutory obligation for caterers providing school mea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18770 by Mr Jack McConnell on 22 October 2001, whether it plans to make it a statutory obligation for caterers providing school meals to comply with the Model Nutritional Guidelines for Catering Specifications for the Public Sector in Scotland issued in 1996 as part of the Scottish Diet Action Plan. ","AnswerText":"I recently announced, together with the Ministers for Health and Community Care and Social Justice, the establishment of an expert panel to make recommendations for wide ranging improvements in the delivery of school meals. Chaired by a Director of Education, the panel's remit will be to provide Scottish ministers with fully costed recommendations, and an implementation and monitoring strategy to:

    establish standards for the nutritional content of school meals;

    eliminate the stigma attached to free school meals and improve take up, and

    improve the presentation of school meals.

    The expert panel will include representatives from a wide range of sectors and stakeholders and it will operate in a consultative and participatory manner to ensure that the views of key groups such as parents, children and young people are taken into account. The panel is expected to report in the autumn of 2002 and I look forward to receiving their recommendations, which will be given careful consideration.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157394,"EventID":"S1W-20793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18064 by Mr Jack McConnell on 25 September 2001, whether it plans to introduce a statutory obligation on education authorities to p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18064 by Mr Jack McConnell on 25 September 2001, whether it plans to introduce a statutory obligation on education authorities to provide school food of a nutritional quality which complies with the model nutritional guidelines issued with Eating for Health: Diet Action Plan for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20792.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157395,"EventID":"S1W-20794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18772 by Mr Jack McConnell on 30 October 2001, how many education authorities have local arrangements for monitoring the nutritiona","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18772 by Mr Jack McConnell on 30 October 2001, how many education authorities have local arrangements for monitoring the nutritional quality of school meals; what those arrangements are, and how parents may access information about them.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157396,"EventID":"S1W-20795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18771 by Mr Jack McConnell on 20 November 2001, how parents who are concerned about the quality of food served in schools can obtai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18771 by Mr Jack McConnell on 20 November 2001, how parents who are concerned about the quality of food served in schools can obtain information about nutritional standards, particularly in circumstances where the caterers used by local authorities to prepare school food do not have that information.","AnswerText":"I have nothing to add to the answer given by Mr McConnell on 20 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157397,"EventID":"S1W-20796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund further new projects in the National Health Service through the Private Finance Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund further new projects in the National Health Service through the Private Finance Initiative.","AnswerText":"NHS trusts and boards are expected to fully examine all procurement options in developing capital projects. Such options include the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which is a form of Public/Private Partnership (PPP). However, the only projects which will succeed as PPP/PFI, will be those that are both affordable to the NHS trust or board and deliver better value for money than an equivalent publicly funded solution.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157398,"EventID":"S1W-20797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund further new projects in the education sector through the Private Finance Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund further new projects in the education sector through the Private Finance Initiative.","AnswerText":"We have invited local authorities to submit bids for financial support for school Public/Private Partnerships which they may be considering taking forward. Full details of the bidding arrangements are set out in Scottish Executive Education Department circular 8/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157399,"EventID":"S1W-20798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving the employment prospects of single parents.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving the employment prospects of single parents.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, New Deal for Lone Parents has helped almost 13,300 lone parents to find work by September 2001.

    The Scottish Executive launched in July a new £24 million package of initiatives which aims to encourage lone parents into Scotland's universities and colleges by making it easier for them to meet the childcare costs that prevent many from taking that vital first step to jobs and better incomes. An estimated 6,500 students could benefit from this overall package of support.

    Also one of the key aims of the Scottish Executive's Childcare Strategy, which includes funding for local authorities of almost £50 million between 2001-02 and 2003-04, is to ensure that affordable, accessible, good quality childcare is available to all parents, including single parents, to enable them to take up employment and training opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157400,"EventID":"S1W-20799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up to date waiting list times are for people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse to obtain a place in a residential care home, broken down by local author","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up to date waiting list times are for people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse to obtain a place in a residential care home, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157401,"EventID":"S1W-20800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) Strathclyde Passenger Transport and (c) South Lanarkshire Council following the decision by Railtrack ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) Strathclyde Passenger Transport and (c) South Lanarkshire Council following the decision by Railtrack plc not to support the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently in discussions with interested parties to explore options for keeping the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension project moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157402,"EventID":"S1W-20801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Railtrack plc following its decision not to support the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Railtrack plc following its decision not to support the Larkhall to Milngavie rail extension.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Railtrack on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157403,"EventID":"S1W-20802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the workforce at DAKS Simpson, Larkhall, following the withdrawal of interested parties from a potential buyout.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the workforce at DAKS Simpson, Larkhall, following the withdrawal of interested parties from a potential buyout.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are working closely with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire to ensure support is being provided to those affected through the local response team in conjunction with the Executive's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment framework.

    The team is presently meeting the workforce to explain the support and advice that will be available. The support can include: full job centre services, one to one counselling, comprehensive information packs, access to high-quality training, seminars on skills such as CV writing and starting up a business, and access to IT facilities. A job shop will be set up at the plant from 7 January.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157404,"EventID":"S1W-20803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in relation to support for the textile industry and, in particular, on ensuring the maintenance of a textile man","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in relation to support for the textile industry and, in particular, on ensuring the maintenance of a textile manufacturing base in Larkhall.","AnswerText":"Textile manufacturing is a devolved matter, but I maintain regular contact with the UK Government on a range of industry matters.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157405,"EventID":"S1W-20804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enhance public transport in Clydesdale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to enhance public transport in Clydesdale.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03764.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157406,"EventID":"S1W-20805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the setting of a non-domestic rate of 47.8% for 2002-03 will place Scottish businesses at any competitive disadvantage to businesses in England and Wales and how ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the setting of a non-domestic rate of 47.8% for 2002-03 will place Scottish businesses at any competitive disadvantage to businesses in England and Wales and how the Scottish rate compares with the rates proposed for (a) England and (b) Wales in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"No. We propose to increase the Scottish poundage rate by 1.7% to 47.8p for 2002-03 in line with the retail price index. The poundage rate in England and Wales will also increase by the same amount to 43.7p and 43.3p respectively.

    Rates bills are a product of poundage rate and rateable values. Rateable values have been increasing faster in England than in Scotland. Small businesses in Scotland also benefit from a 2p discount which is not available in England or Wales.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157407,"EventID":"S1W-20806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why applicants for university places are asked to disclose their parents' occupation and what discussions it has had with universities on this issue.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why applicants for university places are asked to disclose their parents' occupation and what discussions it has had with universities on this issue.","AnswerText":"The content of the application forms is a matter for the universities themselves and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the body through which all applications for university places are routed. The UCAS application form includes a question on occupational background which the guidance to applicants explains is used by UCAS for the purpose of monitoring equal opportunities. The information is used by UCAS in anonymised form for statistical purposes, such as the compilation of comparative data on application and entry rates from specific social groups. UCAS advises applicants that the information is not passed to institutions until after the selection process is complete.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157408,"EventID":"S1W-20807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and the Strategic Rail Authority on the Scotrail franchise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and the Strategic Rail Authority on the Scotrail franchise.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty's Government and with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including the ScotRail Franchise.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157409,"EventID":"S1W-20808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18975 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 November 2001, whether it has yet set a date to announce the results of the information-gathering e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18975 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 November 2001, whether it has yet set a date to announce the results of the information-gathering exercise on the provision of school swimming lessons.","AnswerText":"We are currently pursuing some outstanding responses to the questionnaire issued to local authorities on 16 November. I will report on the outcome of the questionnaire early next year once all responses have been analysed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157410,"EventID":"S1W-20809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bone densitometry machines there currently are and whether it will give a breakdown of (a) the machine type, (b) the scanning type (whole or part body), (c) whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bone densitometry machines there currently are and whether it will give a breakdown of (a) the machine type, (b) the scanning type (whole or part body), (c) whether they are used for clinical or research purposes and (d) the location of each machine and, in the case of mobile services, the health board area which each machine serves and how their use is divided.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157411,"EventID":"S1W-20810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct access general practitioners currently have to bone densitometry machines in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct access general practitioners currently have to bone densitometry machines in each health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157412,"EventID":"S1W-20811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost of a scan by a bone densitometry machine currently is, broken down by machine type and health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost of a scan by a bone densitometry machine currently is, broken down by machine type and health board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157413,"EventID":"S1W-20812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give comparative details of any guidelines issued by health boards on eligibility for a bone densitometry scan, broken down by health board area and machi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give comparative details of any guidelines issued by health boards on eligibility for a bone densitometry scan, broken down by health board area and machine type.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157414,"EventID":"S1W-20813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alterations, at which locations, have been carried out to the carriageway or signage on the A737 trunk road during 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alterations, at which locations, have been carried out to the carriageway or signage on the A737 trunk road during 2000-01.","AnswerText":"In addition to routine and cyclic maintenance works, alterations have been carried out to the A737 trunk road in 2000-01 as follows:

    Road and footpath reconstruction and drainage works in Beith from Roebank to the B777.

    Carriageway resurfacing and footpath upgrading from Monkcastle to Dalgarven.

    Carriageway reconstruction and widening and formalisation of existing roundabout layout at Roadhead.

    Accident Investigation and Prevention works which include provision of ramps at Linwood Interchange, traffic lights in Kilwinning and signing alterations at the A737/B787 Howwood Junction.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157415,"EventID":"S1W-20814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1811,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alterations, at which locations, have been carried out to the carriageway or signage on the stretch of the A78 trunk road between Stevenston and West Kilbride since ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alterations, at which locations, have been carried out to the carriageway or signage on the stretch of the A78 trunk road between Stevenston and West Kilbride since January 1997.","AnswerText":"In addition to routine and cyclic maintenance works, alterations carried out to the A78 trunk road on this section of the trunk road since 1997 include the following:

    Junction improvements at Parkhouse Road/Sorbie Road, Ardrossan.

    Junction improvements at Sharphill Road/Dalry Road, Saltcoats.

    Traffic calming measures in Seamill, Ardrossan and Stevenston which include pedestrian refuges, nibbings, improved road markings and appropriate gateway signing.

    Pedestrian island and right turn lane at North Crescent Road/Witches Linn Junction in Ardrossan.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157416,"EventID":"S1W-20815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it is currently giving to befriending and mentoring services which assist people with health, social and educational difficulties and what future f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it is currently giving to befriending and mentoring services which assist people with health, social and educational difficulties and what future funding it plans to make available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not currently fund these services and has no plans specifically in relation to befriending and mentoring services. However, national voluntary organisations are free to seek financial support from the Scottish Executive's direct grant schemes. Details of how voluntary organisations can apply for funding can be found in the leaflet A Guide for the Voluntary Sector to Scottish Executive Grants, which is available from the Scottish Executive and the Parliament's Reference Centre. General advice on funding for the voluntary sector is available from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157417,"EventID":"S1W-20816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-20257 and S1W-20258 by Lewis MacDonald on 6 December 2001, whether the contractual protection of the pension rights of local auth","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-20257 and S1W-20258 by Lewis MacDonald on 6 December 2001, whether the contractual protection of the pension rights of local authority staff in its tender process for the new trunk road maintenance contracts could have been improved.","AnswerText":"No. In line with an undertaking given by the former Minister of Transport and Planning, we are exploring whether payment can be made directly to employees who were transferred to the new Operating Companies under TUPE terms.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157418,"EventID":"S1W-20817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rights to education can be exercised by the children of asylum seekers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rights to education can be exercised by the children of asylum seekers.","AnswerText":"Under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000, every child of school age has a right to be provided with school education by an education authority. This includes children of asylum seekers within their area. Education authorities have a duty to provide adequate and efficient school education for their area.

    In relation to pre-school education, the children of asylum seekers have the same access to pre-school education as other children of pre-school age, resident in a local authority area. Local authorities currently have the power to provide nursery education for all such children and from April 2002, will be under a duty to secure a pre-school place for all three- and four-year-olds whose parents wish it.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157419,"EventID":"S1W-20818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children of asylum seekers are currently in full-time school education and what special provision has been made for them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children of asylum seekers are currently in full-time school education and what special provision has been made for them.","AnswerText":"Comprehensive information on the numbers of asylum seeker children currently in full-time school education is not held centrally. Special provision for asylum seeker children is made according the needs of the children and might include, for example, the appointment of teachers of English as an additional language. Details of the special provision made are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157420,"EventID":"S1W-20819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what access to further education is available to the children of asylum seekers or asylum seekers themselves.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what access to further education is available to the children of asylum seekers or asylum seekers themselves.","AnswerText":"In September, the Scottish Executive announced an additional, annual £0.5 million to assist colleges' provision of basic English courses for asylum seekers. At their discretion, colleges may also offer access to part-time vocational courses and support for the cost of books and travel.

    These arrangements also extend to the dependants of those seeking asylum.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157421,"EventID":"S1W-20820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in relation to the economic and environmental impact of the introduction of the aggrega","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in relation to the economic and environmental impact of the introduction of the aggregates tax and the date of the tax's introduction.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the aggregates tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157422,"EventID":"S1W-20821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the introduction of the aggregates tax is in the best interests of businesses and in particula","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the introduction of the aggregates tax is in the best interests of businesses and in particular does not create additional costs for rural businesses or lead to the redirection of resources to main employment centres.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20820.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157423,"EventID":"S1W-20822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the introduction of the aggregates tax will lead to any increase in the level of imports of finished stone products and whether this will have an adverse effect o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the introduction of the aggregates tax will lead to any increase in the level of imports of finished stone products and whether this will have an adverse effect on Scottish businesses.","AnswerText":"The levy will apply to imports, while exports will be exempt. The Executive, therefore, does not expect to see a large increase in the level of imported finished stone products.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157424,"EventID":"S1W-20823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the postponement of the introduction of the aggregates tax in Northern Ireland will place Scottish industry at any competitive disadvantage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the postponement of the introduction of the aggregates tax in Northern Ireland will place Scottish industry at any competitive disadvantage.","AnswerText":"Assessment of economic impacts of taxation measures is a matter for HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157425,"EventID":"S1W-20824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Northern Ireland's retention of a share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will place Scottish communities at any disadvantage by impacting on Scotland's a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Northern Ireland's retention of a share of the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will place Scottish communities at any disadvantage by impacting on Scotland's ability to retain a sufficient share of the fund.","AnswerText":"No, £3 million has been allocated to the Assigned Budget from 2002-03 through the Barnett formula.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157426,"EventID":"S1W-20825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it plans to make available to businesses to mitigate any adverse affects of the introduction of the aggregates tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding it plans to make available to businesses to mitigate any adverse affects of the introduction of the aggregates tax.","AnswerText":"Most of the revenues raised from the levy will be returned to business through a 0.1 percentage point cut in employers National Insurance Contributions. The Executive has no plans to provide additional support in connection with the aggregates tax.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157427,"EventID":"S1W-20826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been reached on whether to establish a Scottish Human Rights Commission, following the consultation exercise which ended on 30 June 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been reached on whether to establish a Scottish Human Rights Commission, following the consultation exercise which ended on 30 June 2001.","AnswerText":"The majority of consultation respondents favoured establishing a separate Scottish Human Rights body. The analysis of the consultation exercise can be found on the Scottish Executive website.

    I am pleased to announce that Scottish ministers have decided in principle to establish a Scottish Human Rights Commission. Its key functions will be promotion, education and awareness raising of human rights; providing guidance to public authorities; providing a source of advice, as required, to the Scottish Parliament on legislation after introduction; general monitoring and reporting in relation to law and practice, and investigating and reporting on generic or sectoral human rights issues in relation to public policy. More detailed proposals will be published in the course of next year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157428,"EventID":"S1W-20827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how much public funding the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) made available to (a) the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; (b) the Scottish National Part","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how much public funding the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) made available to (a) the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; (b) the Scottish National Party; (c) the Scottish Green Party, and (d) the Scottish Socialist Party as a result of their representation in the Parliament in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and how much each party will receive from the SPCB in 2001-02 and 2002-03.","AnswerText":"In 1999-2000 and 2000-01 the parties were entitled to claim the following amounts:
     

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

    £90,000

    £97,470

    Scottish National Party

    £175,000

    £179,550

    Scottish Green Party

    £5,000

    £5,130

    Scottish Socialist Party

    £5,000

    £5,130

    As required under the Scottish Parliament (Financial Assistance for Registered Political Parties) Order 1999 (passed by the Westminster Parliament), funding for the qualifying political parties is calculated on a relevant amount for a period multiplied by the number of members of the Parliament who are connected with that party. The relevant amount this current financial year is £5,248. Based on the existing membership of the respective parties in the Parliament, each party is entitled to claim up to the following maximum amounts for 2001-02:
     

    2001-02

    Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

    £99,712

    Scottish National Party

    £183,680

    Scottish Green Party

    £5,248

    Scottish Socialist Party

    £5,248

    In 2002-03 the maximum amount which the respective parties are entitled to claim will be the calculation of £5,248 uprated by the retail price index for March 2002 for each member associated with that party in the Parliament.

    Payments are only made when the relevant parties submit a claim. Under the Order each qualifying political party must provide an independent audit certificate of all claims made for financial assistance at the end of each financial year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157429,"EventID":"S1W-20829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving air guns there were in each of the past 10 years, broken down by those committed by persons aged (a) under 16 and (b) 16 and over and what rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving air guns there were in each of the past 10 years, broken down by those committed by persons aged (a) under 16 and (b) 16 and over and what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government on the control of such weapons.","AnswerText":"Crimes and offences recorded by the police in which an air weapon was alleged to have been used in Scotland over each of the past ten years are given in the following table.

    Year

    1991

    1992

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Number of recorded crimes and offences

    1,192

    1,159

    1,036

    1,005

    1,139

    1,060

    783

    666

    612

    570

    Number as % of all recorded firearms crimes

    62

    59

    58

    56

    66

    64

    66

    68

    59

    61

    The above information is not collected centrally by age. However, information has been available since 1994 on the number of crimes and offences cleared up by the police in which an air weapon was alleged to have been used and an accused was identified, and this is given in the following table.

    Age

    1994

    1995

    		Further roll-out of higher bandwidth services in central Scotland will be a commercial matter for the providers and will depend upon demand. The Executive is working with the enterprise agencies to develop a Scottish programme of demand stimulation measures under the DTI fund for innovative uses of broadband.

    Finally, the Executive is taking forward aggregated public sector procurement in the Highlands and Islands and the south of Scotland as a means of extending broadband access in those areas. The Executive will consider the need for and timing of the roll out of this approach more widely across Scotland, taking into account progress in pathfinder areas and the extent that operation of the market is increasing access to broadband services.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157431,"EventID":"S1W-20832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether the difference in height between the genetically modified oil-seed rape and the nor","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether the difference in height between the genetically modified oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape it is being compared with in the GM field trial at Roskil Farm on the Black Isle may itself cause differences in biodiversity associated with the plants.","AnswerText":"The scientists overseeing these trials across the UK will note any major differences between crops over the entire cropping cycle and will consider these as part of their final analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157432,"EventID":"S1W-20833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, why there is a difference in heights between the genetically modified oil-seed rape and the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, why there is a difference in heights between the genetically modified oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape it is being compared with in the trial at Roskil farm on the Black Isle.","AnswerText":"The relative heights of crops at farmscale evaluation sites is not a matter of safety or regulatory concern and is not measured by the Scottish Executive or our GM Inspectorate. The scientists who are overseeing these trials will consider whether any differences are significant as part of their final analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157433,"EventID":"S1W-20834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether the genetically modified oil-seed rape being trialed at Roskil farm on the Black Is","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether the genetically modified oil-seed rape being trialed at Roskil farm on the Black Isle is based on a different variety to the non-GM crop it is being compared with in the trial and, if so, why, and whether any other trials are being conducted using this method.","AnswerText":"The farmscale evaluation programme does not compare the GM crop with a non-GM variety. It is designed to compare the effect on biodiversity of the agricultural practices required to grow herbicide-tolerant GM crops with conventional agricultural practices. The conventional variety used on each trial site is selected by the farmer to represent what would traditionally be grown in a particular area but the variety itself is not pertinent to the methodology of the trial. Different growers participating in the evaluations around the UK will select appropriate varieties for their area and any varietal differences are nullified by the number of sites involved.

    The conventional oilseed rape which has been planted at Munlochy is a variety with the trade name Royal. Like the GM variety, it is a fully restored hybrid.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157434,"EventID":"S1W-20835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether it will make representations to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4268 by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001, whether it will make representations to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission seeking a scientific opinion as to whether the differences in height between the genetically modified oil-seed rape and the normal oil-seed rape in the trial at Roskil farm on the Black Isle could adversely affect the comparison of biodiversity between the two.","AnswerText":"No. The reported difference in height between crops at Munlochy does not raise any safety or regulatory issues of concern to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The conduct of the farmscale evaluations is determined by an independent Scientific Steering Committee who will determine in the context of the whole UK trial programme whether such differences are significant in their final analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157435,"EventID":"S1W-20836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many district nurses were employed in each quarter from 1 April 1996 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many district nurses were employed in each quarter from 1 April 1996 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The table shows the whole time equivalent of district nurses in post at 30 September in each of the years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Staff in post data on a quarterly basis is not available centrally. Data for the year 2000 are the latest available.

    District Nurses directly employed by NHSScotland

    Whole time equivalent
     

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000p

    Scotland1

    1,780.0

    1,800.0

    1,853.0

    1,941.0

    1,935.8

    Grade G and above

    1,008.3

    1,001.7

    1,011.8

    1,027.3

    1,018.4

    Below Grade G

    771.7

    798.0

    840.7

    913.4

    917.4

    p provisional

    Notes:

    1. includes health visiting and district nursing teaching staff working in the field without a DN qualification. The category "Grade G and above" gives a broad indication of those staff with a DN qualification.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157436,"EventID":"S1W-20837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much, and by what percentage, each health board budget increased in each of the past five years (a) in total and (b) per capita and what the cumulative increase w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much, and by what percentage, each health board budget increased in each of the past five years (a) in total and (b) per capita and what the cumulative increase was over this period.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:

    Health Board

    1996-97

    Total Budget Increase

    (£ 000)

    1996-97

    Total Budget Increase

    %

    1996-97

    Per Capita Increase

    (£)

    1996-97

    Per Capita Increase

    %

    Argyll & Clyde

    20,297

    6.0

    51

    6.6

    Ayrshire & Arran

    12,074

    4.3

    33

    4.5

    Borders

    4,955

    5.7

    47

    5.8

    Dumfries & Galloway

    8,848

    7.3

    62

    7.6

    Fife

    10,249

    4.0

    34

    4.7

    Forth Valley

    3,534

    1.7

    11

    1.5

    Grampian

    19,974

    5.2

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157437,"EventID":"S1W-20838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapists were employed in each quarter from 1 April 1998 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available and what the average (a) waiting time","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapists were employed in each quarter from 1 April 1998 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available and what the average (a) waiting time and (b) si'e of waiting list was for appointments with physiotherapists in each quarter, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The table shows the headcount and whole time equivalent of physiotherapists in post at 30 September in each of the years 1998, 1999 and 2000. Staff in post data on a quarterly basis are not available centrally, nor is information relating to physiotherapists regarding waiting times or waiting lists.

    Physyiotherapists directly employed by NHSScotland by NHS Board

    Headcount and Whole Time Equivalent at 30 September
     

    Headcount

    Whole Time Equivalent

     

    1998

    1999

    2000P

    1998

    1999

    2000P

    Scotland

    2,065

    2,142

    2,160

    1,659.9

    1,737.1

    1,748.6

    Argyll & Clyde

    134

    136

    134

    108.1

    111.3

    110.3

    Ayrshire & Arran

    159

    160

    172

    128.8

    132.4

    140.9

    Borders

    48

    49

    50

    33.0

    38.3

    38.1

    Number of GP Posts1 by Health Board Area

    Information as at 1 October 2001p

    Number of GP posts2

    Number of GPs "in post"

    Vacated posts3

    Posts per 100,000 population4

    Number

    As percentage of all GP posts

    Scotland

    3 804

    3 762

    42

    1.1

    74

    Argyll & Clyde

    325

    322

    3

    0.9

    77

    Ayrshire & Arran

    264

    263

    1

    0.4

    71

    Borders

    86

    86

    -

    -

    80

    Dumfries & Galloway

    135

    134<","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157440,"EventID":"S1W-20841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has had on the effectiveness of the separation of the Access Fund into four discrete areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has had on the effectiveness of the separation of the Access Fund into four discrete areas.","AnswerText":"Since 1990, Access Funds, now known as Hardship Funds, have been allocated to institutions on the basis of the number of students enrolled on further education, higher education and postgraduate courses. The further education allocation is now administered by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The funds for higher education students are provided by SAAS. Institutions are no longer allowed to transfer money between their sectoral allocations, to ensure that the Executive's relative priority for support of students in higher and further education is reflected in the actual distribution to students.

    In addition, from this year, the Mature Students Bursary Fund (MSBF) has been introduced for full-time higher education students. MSBF is separate from Hardship Funds and is targeted, in particular, at students with childcare costs.

    We have received representations from some institutions seeking greater flexibility in the use of the funds. We are currently considering whether some flexibility should be introduced between MSBF and Hardship Funds for higher educarion students during the period MSBF is being phased in.

    I have also, in my letter of policy guidance, asked the Scottish Further Education Funding Council this week to consider how the further education student support system might be simplified, to ease administrative burdens, and improved so funds are better targeted to achieve our principal policy objectives of focusing on students in greatest need and aligning as far as appropriate and possible the student support arrangements in further education and higher education.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157441,"EventID":"S1W-20842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase access to hardship funds for part-time higher education students.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase access to hardship funds for part-time higher education students.","AnswerText":"Part-time higher education students studying at least 50% of a full-time course have the same access to hardship funds as full-time students. The Executive has no plans to change these arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157442,"EventID":"S1W-20843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend support to part-time higher education students to assist travel, study and childcare expenses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend support to part-time higher education students to assist travel, study and childcare expenses.","AnswerText":"We have no current plans to provide further support to part-time higher education students. Support for higher education students is principally focused on full-time students since they generally have less opportunity than part-time students to support themselves while studying. Part-time higher education students studying at least 50% of a full-time course can apply for a £500 loan each year towards study related costs, including travel. Unlike full-time students, they may also be able to retain their entitlement to income related benefits while studying.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157443,"EventID":"S1W-20844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Qualifications Authority will publish its accounts for 2000-01 and where they will be publicly accessible.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Qualifications Authority will publish its accounts for 2000-01 and where they will be publicly accessible.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). However, the SQA normally makes its audited annual accounts available on request after they have been laid in Parliament. It is expected that the 2000-01 accounts will have been laid by 21 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157444,"EventID":"S1W-20845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements it sets non-departmental public bodies for publication of accounts and what means it recommends for making such accounts open and accessible.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements it sets non-departmental public bodies for publication of accounts and what means it recommends for making such accounts open and accessible.","AnswerText":"All non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) with budgetary responsibilities are required to produce annual accounts. These should be drawn up in accordance with best commercial practice, including for example, an operating/income and expenditure account; a balance sheet or statement of assets and liabilities; a flow of funds statement.

    Accounts and Annual Reports are the main vehicles by which NDPBs regularly inform Parliament and the public about their expenditure and activities. NDPBs are required to make them publicly available, for example through libraries and public body websites.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157445,"EventID":"S1W-20846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the annual accounts for the Scottish Qualifications Authority were published for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the annual accounts for the Scottish Qualifications Authority were published for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). However, the SQA normally makes its audited annual accounts available on request after they have been laid in Parliament. I will arrange for the chairman of the SQA to respond to your request for information.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157446,"EventID":"S1W-20847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any restrictions prevent local authorities from using (a) the Excellence Fund, (b) special needs funding, (c) grants for pre-schools education and (d) funding fro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any restrictions prevent local authorities from using (a) the Excellence Fund, (b) special needs funding, (c) grants for pre-schools education and (d) funding from Sure Start Scotland to benefit Gaelic-medium education.","AnswerText":"Education authorities are expected to provide Gaelic-medium education where there is a substantial demand for it. There are no restrictions on authorities using these funds to benefit Gaelic-medium provision, consistent with their overall objectives.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157447,"EventID":"S1W-20848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve the availability, funding and promotion of basic language fluency courses for people who are considering taking up Gaelic-medium teach","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve the availability, funding and promotion of basic language fluency courses for people who are considering taking up Gaelic-medium teacher training courses.","AnswerText":"We are considering in conjunction with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) the proposals contained in the SQA report on Gaelic Immersion Courses.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157448,"EventID":"S1W-20849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Grampian Health Board is unable to fund the use of all drugs which have been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and what the reasons are ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Grampian Health Board is unable to fund the use of all drugs which have been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and what the reasons are for the board's position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Executive expects NHS Grampian to follow the guidance on drugs from the Health Technology Board for Scotland. The board also has to manage within the resources made available. The Executive is providing substantial funding to NHS Grampian as part of record investment in NHSScotland. Grampian's general funding allocation for 2001-02 is over £453 million. The NHS Board has received an increase of £21.3 million (5.5%) compared with last year and in each of the next two years the increases will be at least 6.5% and 7.4%.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157449,"EventID":"S1W-20850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that any notional charge on capital under the resource accounting and budgeting system will not result in health boards being required ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that any notional charge on capital under the resource accounting and budgeting system will not result in health boards being required to cut back on service delivery.","AnswerText":"The introduction of the resource accounting and budgeting system has not changed the way NHS Boards account for capital. NHS Boards are given an annual general allocation to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. It is for boards to determine how to manage and deliver local health care services to meet these needs within the funds available. In the current year all NHS Boards received increases in their unified budgets of at least 5.5%, more than twice the rate of inflation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157450,"EventID":"S1W-20851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to provide support for the community hospital network in the Grampian area and whether it will ensure that there will be no cutback in community","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to provide support for the community hospital network in the Grampian area and whether it will ensure that there will be no cutback in community hospital provision in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Executive is providing substantial resources to NHS Grampian as part of the record investment we are making in NHSScotland. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20849 for the details. The formula under which funding is allocated to NHS Boards takes full account of the extent to which the populations they serve are based in rural areas. It is for each board to determine how funding should be used to provide health services which best reflect local needs and priorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157451,"EventID":"S1W-20852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake research into the provision of maternity services in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake research into the provision of maternity services in rural areas.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards have conducted local maternity service reviews, which take account of the various geographical and demographic features of their particular area. The Scottish Executive is currently auditing NHS Board strategies against the principles laid out in A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland. A working group will meet in early 2002 to consider the appropriate configuration of models of acute and intra-partum maternity care for Scotland.

    The Scottish Executive set up the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative to explore issues affecting the full range of health services in rural Scotland. A recently formed sub-group has been created to look specifically at maternity services in remote and rural settings.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157452,"EventID":"S1W-20853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that health boards receive the necessary level of funds to meet any expected growth in demand on a per capita basis for their services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that health boards receive the necessary level of funds to meet any expected growth in demand on a per capita basis for their services.","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are given an annual allocation to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. NHS Boards received an average increase in unified budget of 6.5% in the current year. Increases to individual boards ranged from a minimum of 5.5% to a maximum of 9.8%. It is for boards to determine, within the funds available, how to manage and deliver local health care services including meeting any expected growth in demand.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157453,"EventID":"S1W-20854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the funding allocated to Grampian Health Board so that the health board is able to fill all consultant vacancies at a time when it is in a pos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the funding allocated to Grampian Health Board so that the health board is able to fill all consultant vacancies at a time when it is in a position of budget deficit.","AnswerText":"None. Grampian NHS Board has been allocated £453.154 million of revenue resources in the current year, an increase of 5.5% over the equivalent budget for 2000-01. It is for the board to decide how best to meet the health care needs of their resident population from within the resources available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157454,"EventID":"S1W-20855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what vacant posts at the Scottish Qualifications Authority have been advertised internally only over the past three months and under what criteria it was decided to adopt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what vacant posts at the Scottish Qualifications Authority have been advertised internally only over the past three months and under what criteria it was decided to adopt such an approach to these posts.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). However, SQA's Management Statement and Financial Memorandum requires the SQA to operate a recruitment system that is based on fair and open competition. I will arrange for the chairman to respond.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157455,"EventID":"S1W-20856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it approved (a) the internal advertisement and appointment to vacant senior posts at the Scottish Qualifications Authority and (b) the criteria for deciding that ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it approved (a) the internal advertisement and appointment to vacant senior posts at the Scottish Qualifications Authority and (b) the criteria for deciding that such posts be treated in this way.","AnswerText":"The recruitment processes adopted to fill posts within the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) are a matter for that body. However, under its Management Statement and Financial Memorandum the SQA is required to operate a recruitment system that is based on fair and open competition. In addition, the approval of the Scottish Executive is required for the grading and creation of posts at director level and for the appointment of the Chief Executive.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157456,"EventID":"S1W-20857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18850 by Susan Deacon on 23 November 2001, on what date it expects to place a full list of the members of the Scottish Medicines Co","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18850 by Susan Deacon on 23 November 2001, on what date it expects to place a full list of the members of the Scottish Medicines Consortium in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"Two meetings to agree how a Scottish Medicines Consortium should operate have taken place. A list of the members of the consortium will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre if they are agreed at a meeting to be held on 8 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157457,"EventID":"S1W-20858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when minutes of meetings of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when minutes of meetings of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be published.","AnswerText":"The minutes of the Scottish Medicines Consortium's meetings will be published on the Consortium's website following their approval at the consortium's next monthly meeting. They will also be available from the consortium on request.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157458,"EventID":"S1W-20859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether agendas of meetings of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be published in advance of such meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether agendas of meetings of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be published in advance of such meetings.","AnswerText":"Agendas of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will not be published in advance of its meetings. However, minutes of the consortium's meetings will be published on its website.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157459,"EventID":"S1W-20860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17591 by Susan Deacon on 6 September 2001, what budget has been allocated to the Scottish Medicines Consortium and what the source ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17591 by Susan Deacon on 6 September 2001, what budget has been allocated to the Scottish Medicines Consortium and what the source of funding is for that budget.","AnswerText":"The work of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will be funded through support from the Health Technology Board for Scotland and through drawing on the expertise and skills of Scotland's network of local Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157460,"EventID":"S1W-20861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20218 by Nicol Stephen on 6 December 2001, on which dates the annual recurrent grant for St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunb","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20218 by Nicol Stephen on 6 December 2001, on which dates the annual recurrent grant for St Mary's Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane was determined in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"The annual recurrent grant for St Mary's Episcopal Primary School, Dunblane was determined on the following dates in each of the last four years:

    1998-1999

    11-Nov-98

    1999-2000

    22-Nov-99

    2000-2001

    21-Sep-00

    2001-2002

    06-Dec-01

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157461,"EventID":"S1W-20862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19777 by Nicol Stephen on 5 December 2001, what the reasons were for the closure of the four primary schools in the Stirling area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19777 by Nicol Stephen on 5 December 2001, what the reasons were for the closure of the four primary schools in the Stirling area.","AnswerText":"The decisions to close the schools concerned were the responsibility of Stirling Council. The Scottish Executive had no role in that process and does not hold information on the reasons for the closures.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157462,"EventID":"S1W-20863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19986 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 November 2001, what steps it will take in considering whether or not plans should be put in place to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19986 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 November 2001, what steps it will take in considering whether or not plans should be put in place to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.","AnswerText":"We are currently focussing attention on the major celebrations in prospect next year to mark Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee. Plans for celebration of the anniversary in 2003, if appropriate, would be considered in due course in liaison with Buckingham Palace and relevant Whitehall departments and interests.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157463,"EventID":"S1W-20864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the local area offices of the proposed Scottish Water will be based; how much they will cost to establish, and how many people will work at each base.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the local area offices of the proposed Scottish Water will be based; how much they will cost to establish, and how many people will work at each base.","AnswerText":"These will be operational matters for Scottish Water.

    However, in my answer to question S1W-20138 on 20 November 2001, I indicated that the vast majority of Scottish Water staff would be located in existing water authority premises around the country.

    In relation to costs and staffing, I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-19792, S1W-19794 and S1W-19795 on 21 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157464,"EventID":"S1W-20865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many redundancies resulting from efficiency savings are anticipated at management level and above in each water authority following the creation of the proposed Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many redundancies resulting from efficiency savings are anticipated at management level and above in each water authority following the creation of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"There will inevitably be a significant reduction in management posts when the three existing water authorities are merged into a single management structure. The exact number of these posts and how they will be filled are operational matters for the prospective Board of Scottish Water, and its approach will be developed over time.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157465,"EventID":"S1W-20866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any advice has been received from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any advice has been received from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157466,"EventID":"S1W-20867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) domestic and (b) commercial customers each water authority has had in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) domestic and (b) commercial customers each water authority has had in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The figures, acquired from the water authorities, are as follows:

    Domestic & Non Domestic Customers

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    Domestic

    Non Domestic

    Domestic

    Non Domestic

    Domestic

    Non Domestic

    Domestic

    Non Domestic

    EoSWA

    686,000

    53,500

    690,000

    53,500

    700,000

    53,500

    705,000

    53,500

    NoSWA

    505,278

    51,379

    507,665

    51,560

    513,564

    50,203

    513,501

    49,370

    WoSWA

    1,010,000

    70,800

    1,019,000

    71","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157467,"EventID":"S1W-20868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charities in each water authority area have had their water supply cut off for non-payment of water bills in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) 2001","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many charities in each water authority area have had their water supply cut off for non-payment of water bills in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) 2001-02.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish water authorities. I understand from them that their records show that no charities in any water authority area have had their water supply withdrawn for non-payment of water bills in 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, or to date in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157468,"EventID":"S1W-20869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the board of the proposed Scottish Water will report to the Parliament, ministers and the general public.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the board of the proposed Scottish Water will report to the Parliament, ministers and the general public.","AnswerText":"Section 50 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill requires Scottish Water to publish an annual and half-yearly report, and send copies of these reports to Scottish ministers and the Scottish Parliament. Directions under section 49 of the Bill will impose further public accountability requirements on Scottish Water. Initial drafts of these Directions have been submitted to the Transport and Environment Committee.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157469,"EventID":"S1W-20870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any difficulties exist between BEAR (Scotland) Ltd and Fife Council, when it first became aware of any such difficulties and what action it has undertaken to reso","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any difficulties exist between BEAR (Scotland) Ltd and Fife Council, when it first became aware of any such difficulties and what action it has undertaken to resolve them.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive was not aware of any difficulties between BEAR Scotland Ltd and Fife Council until 29 November 2001 when it was advised that Fife Council was withdrawing its sub-contracting operations, including winter operations, for BEAR with effect from 7 December 2001.

    Executive officials immediately contacted BEAR to identify the measures that required to be implemented in order to address the operations previously undertaken by Fife Council. These measures have been implemented and BEAR are now carrying out all winter and other operations previously sub-contracted to Fife Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157470,"EventID":"S1W-20871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether developments reported in The Courier on 6 December 2001 in respect of Bear (Scotland) Ltd and Fife Council will have any impact on delivery of contracted provisio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether developments reported in The Courier on 6 December 2001 in respect of Bear (Scotland) Ltd and Fife Council will have any impact on delivery of contracted provisions for winter under the trunk roads maintenance contract and what action it has taken to ensure that no disruption will occur.","AnswerText":"BEAR Scotland Ltd has mobilised sufficient resources to address the winter and other maintenance operations previously carried out by Fife Council on BEAR's behalf. BEAR has assured the Executive that no disruption to services will occur.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157471,"EventID":"S1W-20872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether residual bottom ash from incineration or energy from waste plants can be classified as recycled material and, if so, what the criteria are for making such a class","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether residual bottom ash from incineration or energy from waste plants can be classified as recycled material and, if so, what the criteria are for making such a classification.","AnswerText":"Residual bottom ash from incineration or energy from waste plants can be processed and used as an aggregate substitute. Bottom ash is a controlled waste and therefore any storage, transportation and treatment of the ash must be carried out in accordance with Waste Management Licence requirements.

    As a by-product of the incineration process this material would usually be referred to as a \"secondary aggregate\" rather than a \"recycled aggregate\". \"Recycled aggregates\" would usually refer to aggregates that have been used previously in construction.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157472,"EventID":"S1W-20873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bank and agency nurses have been used at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee over the last year and what the cost of using such nurses was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many bank and agency nurses have been used at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee over the last year and what the cost of using such nurses was.","AnswerText":"The information you have asked for has been provided for 2000-01 for Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust of which Ninewells hospital forms a part. Information on individual hospitals use of bank and agency nurses is not available centrally but may be available directly from the trust.

     

    Number (Average Whole Time Equivalent)

    Cost

    Bank Nurses

    32.31

    £634,139

    Agency Nurses

    18.41

    £782,114

    Source: ERBOD (via the Scottish Standard Payroll System), ISD Scotland.

    Note:

    1. On any given day an average of 32.3 bank nurses and 18.4 agency nurses were employed by the trust.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157473,"EventID":"S1W-20874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing posts are currently vacant at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing posts are currently vacant at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157474,"EventID":"S1W-20875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16412 by Susan Deacon on 8 August 2001, how much the NHS spent on using bank and agency nurses over the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16412 by Susan Deacon on 8 August 2001, how much the NHS spent on using bank and agency nurses over the last year.","AnswerText":"The amount spent on bank and agency nurses in 2000-01 was £24,953,662 and £19,028,372 respectively. To place this in perspective, the combined cost of bank and agency nurses represents just under 3.5% of the nursing and midwifery pay bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157475,"EventID":"S1W-20876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the use of bank and agency nurses in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce the use of bank and agency nurses in the NHS.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland employers are expected to employ staff on a permanent basis. Where the use of bank and agency nurses is necessary, employers are to apply the criteria in the Accounts Commission for Scotland Report Temporary Measures which was published in February 2000. The criteria are:

    flexible rota management;

    asking part-time staff to work extra hours;

    sharing staff across wards or departments;

    appointing a bank nurse;

    offering overtime to existing staff;

    appointing an agency nurse.

    It is also recognised that action must be taken to provide nurses and midwives with career appointments in Scotland. With this in mind, Facing the Future, the Report of the Convention on Recruitment and Retention in Nursing and Midwifery, has recognised a need for; an increase in employment opportunities in Scotland; greater commitment to meeting continuing professional development needs; and innovative schemes to provide flexibility, choice and options in working practices. The network of Workforce Centres announced at the conference will help develop the current and future shape of the nursing workforce on the basis of sound principles and research. To boost the pool of nurses the Scottish Executive is funding a recruitment campaign to reach the care workforce at regional and national level. In addition, guidance on family friendly policies was issued to NHSScotland in January to help employers in their efforts to encourage new recruits and to retain staff who wish the opportunity to balance work with family commitments.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157476,"EventID":"S1W-20877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to date for free central heating installation in the Highland Council area under its central heating installation programme; how man","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to date for free central heating installation in the Highland Council area under its central heating installation programme; how many of these applications have been processed; how many installations have been carried out, and how many have been refused on grounds of cost.","AnswerText":"There have been 255 applications from the relevant postcode area. 170 of these are eligible and are to receive their package of measures shortly. Another 46 applications are to be assessed. No applications for the Central Heating Programme are rejected on grounds of cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157477,"EventID":"S1W-20878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly people in the Highland Council area have been unable to receive free NHS dental treatment in the past 12 months because of a lack of dental surgeons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly people in the Highland Council area have been unable to receive free NHS dental treatment in the past 12 months because of a lack of dental surgeons.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. We are aware that there are access problems to NHS dentistry in Highland and will be meeting the Primary Care Trust to discuss the situation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157478,"EventID":"S1W-20879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to re-appraise the Arbuthnott Index relating to mortality rates among people under 65 as one of the key indicators for the provision of health board fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to re-appraise the Arbuthnott Index relating to mortality rates among people under 65 as one of the key indicators for the provision of health board funding under the Arbuthnott formula.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to re-appraise any of the key indicators of the Arbuthnott Index. The mortality rate among people under 65 has long been recognised as a good indicator of the relative health of the population living in different areas of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157479,"EventID":"S1W-20880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funds will be made available for mental health services specifically for the provision of collective advocacy services; when any such funds will be mad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funds will be made available for mental health services specifically for the provision of collective advocacy services; when any such funds will be made available, and how much any such funding is likely to be.","AnswerText":"The provision of all forms of advocacy services are the responsibility of local NHS Boards and their local authority partners to support from within their existing allocations. This of course includes those with mental health needs.

    The recently published Renewing Mental Health Law Policy Statement recognises that NHSScotland and their local authority care partners should work together to provide support to \"collective\" advocacy groups. It is for these agencies to decide what support is needed in light of local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157480,"EventID":"S1W-20881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001, whether all the recommendations in the Report of the Advisory Group on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001, whether all the recommendations in the Report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime will be implemented in full and what the amended timescale is for such implementation.","AnswerText":"We have already implemented most of the Youth Crime Advisory Group's recommendations. The Action Programme to Reduce Youth Crime 2002 to be published in January will set out how we intend to take this important agenda forward.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157481,"EventID":"S1W-20882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001, how the national framework for tackling youth crime will relate to the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001, how the national framework for tackling youth crime will relate to the \"Action Programme\" referred to by the Minister for Education and Young People on 6 December 2001 (Official Report, Col 4635).","AnswerText":"The Action Programme provides a national framework for priority action over the coming year. It will cover the development of national objectives, standards and measures for youth justice practitioners and outcome measures for programmes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157482,"EventID":"S1W-20883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001 and to the Action Programme on the youth justice system referred to by t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-18493 and S1W-18494 by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2001 and to the Action Programme on the youth justice system referred to by the Minister for Education and Young People on 6 December 2001(Official Report, Col 4635), how the Action Programme and the recommendations made by the Report of the Advisory Group on Youth Crime will be (a) co-ordinated, (b) progressed and (c) funded.","AnswerText":"The Action Programme will be co-ordinated and progressed by the Scottish Executive with the help of a multi-agency Youth Justice Steering Group. A three-year £23.5 million investment was made in early 2001 to implement the recommendations by the Youth Crime Advisory Group. The need for any additional funding will be kept under review.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157483,"EventID":"S1W-20884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current planning regulations for the location of wind farms so that the regulations take account of their proximity to inhabited areas and the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current planning regulations for the location of wind farms so that the regulations take account of their proximity to inhabited areas and the possible environmental sustainability of such developments.","AnswerText":"There are no separate planning regulations for wind farm developments. Guidance on such proposals is contained in National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments. We have no current plans to review NPPG 6 which was published in November 2000. A copy of NPPG 6 is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18113). A revised Planning Advice Note (PAN) 45: Renewable Energy Technologies will be published shortly. PAN 45 will complement the policy framework set out in NPPG 6 by providing advice on good practice and other relevant information.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157484,"EventID":"S1W-20885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of its current research projects into wind energy production and whether it will consult with Her Majesty's Government into the possibili","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of its current research projects into wind energy production and whether it will consult with Her Majesty's Government into the possibility of extending the national grid so that it can link into wind energy developments in the west of Scotland and the Highlands.","AnswerText":"We published two reports on Scotland's renewable energy resource on 10 December. The first outlined the huge scale of that resource, including onshore and offshore wind, marine energy and biomass. The second, related, report, into the Scottish electricity grid, found that there is enough existing capacity to allow our renewable energy targets under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) to be met. Both reports are available on the Scottish Executive website.

    In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry recently initiated a concept study on a sub-sea electricity interconnector between north west Scotland, particularly the Western Isles, and the UK mainland. We await the outcome of that study with interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157485,"EventID":"S1W-20886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what publicly accessible specialist facilities for the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of dry cell and car batteries currently exist and where such facilities","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what publicly accessible specialist facilities for the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of dry cell and car batteries currently exist and where such facilities are located, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"No specialist facilities for the disposal or recycling of dry cell and car batteries currently exist in Scotland. Dry cell and car batteries that are collected and stored at metal recycling sites in Scotland are typically consigned to specialist facilities in England and Wales.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157486,"EventID":"S1W-20887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the investigations into the use of lead solder in drinking water pipe-work in domestic residences and when it will publish any reports on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the investigations into the use of lead solder in drinking water pipe-work in domestic residences and when it will publish any reports on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health published a report detailing the findings of Stage 1 of the survey, in November 2000.

    The data for Stage 2 of the survey has been collected and is being analysed. A report will be published in the new year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157487,"EventID":"S1W-20888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requests for funding it has had from South Lanarkshire Council for the creation of a secondary school special needs unit within South Lanarkshire and what funding i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requests for funding it has had from South Lanarkshire Council for the creation of a secondary school special needs unit within South Lanarkshire and what funding it has made available for this purpose.","AnswerText":"We have no record of a request from South Lanarkshire Council for funding for the creation of a specific secondary school special needs unit. The authority is responsible for funding school building work, including work for special needs provision, from the general resources available to it.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157488,"EventID":"S1W-20889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Public/Private Partnership contract for the new Wishaw Hospital requires Lanarkshire Health Board or the relevant NHS Trust to maintain a specific bed occupa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Public/Private Partnership contract for the new Wishaw Hospital requires Lanarkshire Health Board or the relevant NHS Trust to maintain a specific bed occupancy in the hospital and whether the board or the trust could face any financial penalties should they fail to do so.","AnswerText":"Neither Wishaw Hospital nor Lanarkshire NHS Board are required to maintain specific bed occupancy nor would either face any financial penalties if they failed to do so.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157489,"EventID":"S1W-20890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and advice have been issued to businesses and the tourist industry in relation to the introduction of the euro currency in January 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and advice have been issued to businesses and the tourist industry in relation to the introduction of the euro currency in January 2002.","AnswerText":"Detailed advice on business preparation for the euro is available from Scotland Europa. They are, in conjunction with HM Treasury, implementing a detailed programme, including workshops, conferences, publications and a telephone hotline to provide advice to Scottish businesses and raise awareness of the need to make appropriate preparations for the introduction of the currency.

    Scotland Europa also has responsibility for administering the activities of the Scottish EuroForum. The forum brings together major commercial and public sector organisations to share information and help provide practical advice to Scotland's business community in its preparation for the introduction of the euro. It is supported by the Scottish Executive, with additional support from the private sector. VisitScotland are members of the forum.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157490,"EventID":"S1W-20891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was recovered by NHS Trusts or health boards from motorists following their admission to hospital for treatment following a road traffic accident in each year s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much was recovered by NHS Trusts or health boards from motorists following their admission to hospital for treatment following a road traffic accident in each year since 1997, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-16138 on 15 June 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157491,"EventID":"S1W-20892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been for driving without insurance annually since 1997 (a) nationally and (b) broken down by each Sheriff Court district.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been for driving without insurance annually since 1997 (a) nationally and (b) broken down by each Sheriff Court district.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.

    Offences of driving without insurance proved in court, 1997-2000

    Sheriff Court

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Aberdeen

    963

    994

    970

    778

    Airdrie

    452

    346

    472

    422

    Alloa

    109

    89

    91

    110

    Arbroath

    175

    229

    158

    195

    Ayr

    497

    448

    373

    472

    Banff

    89

    90

    157

    89

    Campbeltown

    40

    		An estimated 70% of Scotland's businesses will benefit from rates relief. For those businesses, rates are a higher proportion of costs than for larger businesses. Our aim is to spread the burden of rates more fairly.

    Rate relief will be available to businesses, occupying a single property with a rateable value up to and including £10,000 as outlined in the table.

    Rateable Value

    Percentage Relief

    Less than £3,000

    50%

    £3,000 to < £4,000

    40%

    £4,000 to < £5,000

    30%

    £5,000 to < £6,000

    20%

    £6,000 to < £7,000

    10%

    £7,000 £ £10,000

    5%

    Businesses occupying properties with rateable values greater than £10,000, and up to and including £25,000, will pay the standard poundage rate. Businesses occupying properties with rateable values above £25,000 will pay a slightly higher poundage.

    We will also introduce rate relief measures for rural communities which address commitments made in the Scottish Executive's A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture document and recommendations made in the Scottish National Rural Partnership's Report Services in Rural Scotland. In particular, a new rate relief scheme for farm diversification projects; an extension to the existing rural (village shops) relief scheme to singly owned pubs, singly owned garages and shops selling mainly food; extension of agricultural exemption to farm buildings used for machinery rings, contract and share farming enterprises; and exemption of Automatic Telling Machines (ATMs) located in designated rural areas from non-domestic rates. Implementation of these rural rate relief measures will require primary legislation but it is our intention to include provisions in the next Local Government Bill.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157493,"EventID":"S1W-20894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the Strategic Rail Authority or the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions regarding direct acc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the Strategic Rail Authority or the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions regarding direct access to the Channel Tunnel from Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including European and international rail services using the Channel Tunnel.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157494,"EventID":"S1W-20895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking, or intends to take, to improve air links with Brussels following the collapse of Sabena.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking, or intends to take, to improve air links with Brussels following the collapse of Sabena.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, in partnership with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators, continues to encourage the development of commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland to Brussels and other destinations for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy. There are currently daily services operated by BMI and British European between Edinburgh and Brussels, and daily services operated by Ryanair between Prestwick and Brussels (Charleroi).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157495,"EventID":"S1W-20897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether education advisers working for local authorities received an increase in pay consistent with the increase awarded to teachers earlier this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether education advisers working for local authorities received an increase in pay consistent with the increase awarded to teachers earlier this year.","AnswerText":"No, not all. The pay and conditions of service for education advisers is currently under review by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Psychologists and Advisers working group. They expect to make recommendations to the full SNCT on 28 February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157496,"EventID":"S1W-20898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy that education advisers working for local authorities should receive salary increments and enhancements in line with those awarded to teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy that education advisers working for local authorities should receive salary increments and enhancements in line with those awarded to teachers.","AnswerText":"The pay and conditions of service for education advisers is currently under review by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Psychologists and Advisers working group. They expect to make recommendations to the full SNCT early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157497,"EventID":"S1W-20899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities regarding pay and conditions of education advisers employed by them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities regarding pay and conditions of education advisers employed by them.","AnswerText":"Guidance has not been given to local authorities as the pay and conditions of service for education advisers is currently under review by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Psychologists and Advisers working group. They expect to make recommendations to the full SNCT early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157498,"EventID":"S1W-20900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any circumstances in which education advisers employed by local authorities should be paid substantially less than the senior school managers and princ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any circumstances in which education advisers employed by local authorities should be paid substantially less than the senior school managers and principal teachers whom they support and advise.","AnswerText":"The pay and conditions of service for education advisers is currently under review by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Psychologists and Advisers Working Group. They expect to make recommendations to the full SNCT early in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157499,"EventID":"S1W-20901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources and new equipment have been allocated to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the period since 21 March 2001 following the review of imaging facilities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources and new equipment have been allocated to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the period since 21 March 2001 following the review of imaging facilities.","AnswerText":"I am advised by Greater Glasgow NHS Board that in excess of £3 million has been invested in imaging equipment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary since March 2001. This includes a new ultrasound scanner, a new CT scanner, refurbished X-ray facilities, the replacement of screening equipment and a gamma camera.

    In addition, the Cancer Plan for Greater Glasgow indicates that almost £1 million capital and £0.4 million revenue of extra resources will be invested in imaging services across the city in 2001-02.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157500,"EventID":"S1W-20902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet given a substantive answer to question S1W-19800, lodged on 7 November 2001, and when it will do so.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet given a substantive answer to question S1W-19800, lodged on 7 November 2001, and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19800 on 3 January 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157501,"EventID":"S1W-20903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to police each of the farms involved in the GM farm-scale trials currently taking place at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to police each of the farms involved in the GM farm-scale trials currently taking place at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157502,"EventID":"S1W-20904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Sites of Special Scientific Interest are located within 10 km of the GM farm-scale trials at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what Sites of Special Scientific Interest are located within 10 km of the GM farm-scale trials at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) undertake detailed examination of the environmental risk assessment submitted by the applicant for each proposed release site to ensure that the GM crop will pose no special threat to protected sites. This assessment includes consideration of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the vicinity of the proposed release site. SNH are satisfied that no SSSIs are directly threatened by any of the current farm-scale evaluations in Scotland.

    The following SSSIs are located within 10 km of the four GM farm-scale evaluations:

    Grid reference

    Nearest village

    List of SSSIs within 10 km

    NJ 753 346

    Rothienorman

    Wartle Moss

    Gight Woods

    Red Moss, Oldtown

    Windy Hills

    NJ 747 307

    Daviot

    Wartle Moss

    Pitcaple and Legatsden Quarries

    Hill of Barra

    NJ 756 274

    Daviot

    Pitcaple and Legatsden Quarries

    Red Moss, Oldtown

    Wartle Moss

    Hill of Barra

    NH 654 545

    Munlochy

    Roskill

    Munlochy Bay

    Dam Wood

    Monadh Mor

    Beauly Firth

    Braelangwell Wood

    Cromarty Firth

    Drummondreach Wood

    Longman and Castle Stuart Bays

    Lower River Conon

    Rosemarkie to Shandwick Coast

    The Dens

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157503,"EventID":"S1W-20905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what herbicides and other chemicals are being used in the GM farm-scale trials at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what herbicides and other chemicals are being used in the GM farm-scale trials at Daviot, Rothienorman and Munlochy.","AnswerText":"The variety of GM oilseed rape currently being grown in the farm scale trials in Scotland has been modified to be tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (LibertyÔ). The Scottish Executive does not hold details of other chemicals and herbicides used by the farmers since this is not a requirement of the deliberate release consent.

    Other crop treatments that the farmers choose to use will be commercially available, with necessary regulatory approvals for use in UK agriculture.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157504,"EventID":"S1W-20906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken arising from the discovery of GM contamination in wild mai'e in Mexico.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken arising from the discovery of GM contamination in wild mai'e in Mexico.","AnswerText":"The recently published research on this issue will be referred to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) for expert advice. When ACRE present their advice the Scottish Executive will consider it in the context of the farm scale evaluation programme and of policy development on GM crops generally.

    Scottish Executive policy towards GM crops places priority on the protection of human health and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157505,"EventID":"S1W-20907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal road accidents there have been involving an uninsured driver in each year from 1997 to date (a) nationally and (b) broken down by either (i) local authori","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal road accidents there have been involving an uninsured driver in each year from 1997 to date (a) nationally and (b) broken down by either (i) local authority area or (ii) Sheriff Court, as appropriate.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157506,"EventID":"S1W-20908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents there have been which involved an uninsured driver in each year since 1997 (a) nationally and (b) broken down by either (i) local authority area","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents there have been which involved an uninsured driver in each year since 1997 (a) nationally and (b) broken down by either (i) local authority area or (ii) Sheriff Court, as appropriate.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157507,"EventID":"S1W-20909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any impact studies have been carried out on the effects on the voluntary sector of withdrawal of water and sewerage charges relief.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any impact studies have been carried out on the effects on the voluntary sector of withdrawal of water and sewerage charges relief.","AnswerText":"The water authorities have estimated that it would cost the generality of their customers just over £11 million a year at today's prices were they to continue to provide reliefs on water charges for the voluntary and charitable sectors. It follows that the phased withdrawal of reliefs will ultimately result in these sectors paying increased charges of just over £11 million a year at current charge prices.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157508,"EventID":"S1W-20910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19430 by Jackie Baillie on 25 November 2001, how many households have benefited from its central heating programme to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19430 by Jackie Baillie on 25 November 2001, how many households have benefited from its central heating programme to date.","AnswerText":"Eaga have installed 208 central heating systems in the private sector and are on target to install 3,550 systems by 31 March. Information is currently being collected in the social rented sector. All indications show that local authorities and housing associations are also on target to install central heating systems in around 6,800 dwellings by 31 March.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157509,"EventID":"S1W-20911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote and support guided busways.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote and support guided busways.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has awarded £6.093 million from the Public Transport Fund to City of Edinburgh Council's West of Edinburgh Busways project. This project includes two sections of guided busway.

    The promotion of guided busways schemes is a matter for individual transport authorities and the Scottish Executive will consider any such proposals alongside other potential public transport improvements.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157510,"EventID":"S1W-20912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome is of the review of Community Learning Scotland as announced on 21 June 2001 by the Minister for Finance and Local Government in his statement to the Par","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome is of the review of Community Learning Scotland as announced on 21 June 2001 by the Minister for Finance and Local Government in his statement to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"A comprehensive review has been undertaken of the current role of Community Learning Scotland (CLS). This review has included responses from key stakeholders including CLS.

    The Scottish Executive is fully committed to community learning and development as a means of engaging with young people, promoting social inclusion, developing individuals and communities and promoting lifelong learning.

    All of the functions currently undertaken by CLS are required to support delivery of the Scottish Executive's policy. Strengthening of the youth dimension of community learning is required to reflect its place as one of our priority areas.

    Ministers have decided that CLS's community learning, adult learning and training, validation and endorsement functions will transfer to Communities Scotland. The youth remit and Eurodesk will transfer to the non-governmental organisation Youthlink Scotland. CLS will cease to exist as an Executive non-domestic public body with effect from 1 April 2002.

    I will work together with the Minister for Social Justice and the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning and other colleagues to ensure we co-ordinate and actively promote all aspects of community learning and development.

    The adult and community learning functions that are transferring to Communities Scotland will be central to the work that the new agency, as part of the Scottish Executive, will be doing to empower communities and to build the capacity of communities to be directly involved in local decisions and the management and delivery of services in their area.

    Scottish ministers are committed to raising the profile of youth issues with emphasis on effective support to practitioners in the field. The remit given to Youthlink is a challenging one and will require the strengthening of links between the statutory and voluntary sectors. I will be seeking views soon on priority areas for development of youth work in Scotland.

    Wendy Alexander, Iain Gray and I are also pleased to announce that a "Development Engine" to help drive forward the Executive's new initiative to raise levels of adult literacy and numeracy will be created in line with the recommendation in the recent report Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland, within Communities Scotland.

    This will provide a new specialist focus on research and development in adult literacy and numeracy while ensuring effective co-ordination with national developments on community learning in general. Communities Scotland will work closely with a range of bodies and organisations in this regard. Raising levels of adult literacy and numeracy is crucial to promoting community learning and development, and wider goals on social justice and a competitive economy.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157511,"EventID":"S1W-20913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the provision of training for members of local authority licensing boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the provision of training for members of local authority licensing boards.","AnswerText":"We shall consider any recommendations the Nicholson Committee might make in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-09-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157512,"EventID":"S1W-20914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its position is that local authority licensing boards should have the power to impose a ban on drinking in public designated areas or streets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its position is that local authority licensing boards should have the power to impose a ban on drinking in public designated areas or streets.","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to amend the provisions in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 which provides local authorities with general powers to introduce bylaws which, for example, may ban drinking in public designated areas or streets.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157513,"EventID":"S1W-20915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 so that licensed premises and the licensee are covered by separate three-year licences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 so that licensed premises and the licensee are covered by separate three-year licences.","AnswerText":"We have put in place an independent committee, led by Sheriff Principal Nicholson, to carry out a fundamental review of Scotland's liquor licensing law and practice. The committee has received submissions on this issue. The committee is expected to report early in 2003 and we await its recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157514,"EventID":"S1W-20916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the funding arrangements of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the funding arrangements of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.","AnswerText":"The possibility of a review has been discussed by officials with the Director General, but no final decision on this matter has yet been made.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157515,"EventID":"S1W-20917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place with officials of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority in the last year and what was discussed at any such meetings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place with officials of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority in the last year and what was discussed at any such meetings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive meet representatives of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority and Executive regularly to discuss a range of issues affecting public transport in their area.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157516,"EventID":"S1W-20918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation has been carried out in order to determine whether Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPT) has been meeting its statutory duties and what effect ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation has been carried out in order to determine whether Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPT) has been meeting its statutory duties and what effect the current funding arrangements have had on SPT's ability to do so.","AnswerText":"No such evaluation has been carried out.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157517,"EventID":"S1W-20919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority or from the local authorities represented on it regarding funding and what responses ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority or from the local authorities represented on it regarding funding and what responses it has given in each case.","AnswerText":"SPT have welcomed the Executive's decisions to increase capital allocations by 43% for the three years to 31 March 2004, to support through grant and borrowing consent the £23 million Larkhall to Milngavie rail projects and to provide £14 million from the 4th round of the Public Transport Fund to buy new, and refurbish existing, rolling stock. The Chair of the Authority and officials of the Executive have expressed concerns about the level of funding following re-organisation of local government in 1996. As to a response, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20916 on 18 February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157518,"EventID":"S1W-20920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many parliamentary questions it has responded to in each six-month period since its inception and what the average time taken to reply to parliamentary questions was","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many parliamentary questions it has responded to in each six-month period since its inception and what the average time taken to reply to parliamentary questions was in each six-month period.","AnswerText":"Official records on the total number of written parliamentary questions answered daily have only been maintained since April 2001. The number of questions which have been answered substantively in each month from April to September 2001 is as follows:

    Month (2001)

    Number of questions answered

    April

    760

    May

    891

    June

    546

    July

    412

    August

    728

    September

    662

    Information on the number of parliamentary questions due for answer and answered each month from May 1999 is available in the Audits of Parliamentary Questions published by the Scottish Executive quarterly, copies of which are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    The average times taken to reply to parliamentary questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, work is proceeding on the development of management information linked to the new electronic PQ tracking system which was introduced earlier in the year. It is hoped that, once complete, the system will be able to provide detailed information such as the average time taken to respond.

    In the light of provisions of the Parliament's Standing Orders, ministers aim to answer parliamentary questions for written answer within 14 days (or 28 days for those lodged in the seven days before, or during, a period of recess of more than four days).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157519,"EventID":"S1W-20921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of issuing a holding answer to a parliamentary question and how many holding answers it has issued in each six-month period since its inceptio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of issuing a holding answer to a parliamentary question and how many holding answers it has issued in each six-month period since its inception.","AnswerText":"The estimated cost of issuing a holding answer is £2.20, based on the average gross salary of the officials involved, accommodation, establishment and overhead costs.

    Official records on the total number of holding answers issued to written parliamentary questions have only been maintained since April 2001. The number of holding answers which have been issued in each month from April to September 2001 is as follows:

    Month (2001)

    Number of holding answers

    April

    265

    May

    226

    June

    103

    July

    149

    August

    155

    September

    159

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157520,"EventID":"S1W-20922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many items of official correspondence it has received from MSPs in each six-month period since its inception and what information it holds on the length of time it h","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many items of official correspondence it has received from MSPs in each six-month period since its inception and what information it holds on the length of time it has taken to respond to such correspondence.","AnswerText":"The available information is shown in the following table. Between July 1999 and June 2000, information was gathered from each Scottish Executive Department's own database and the information for MPs and MSPs was not disaggregated. Since July 2000 all information is obtained from the electronic ministerial correspondence system. The introduction of an electronic system, operative across the Executive since July 2000, has improved delivery and monitoring of performance.

    Correspondence from MSPs and MPs:

    Period

    Correspondent

    Number of letters

    % replies issued within 17 working days

    % replies issued within 25 working days

    1 Jul 1999-31 Dec 1999

    MSPs and MPs

    3,141

    35%

    N/A

    1 Jan 2000-30 Jun 2000

    MSPs and MPs

    3,420

    35%

    N/A

    1 Jul 2000-31 Dec 2000

    MSPs only

    3,223

    38%

    N/A

    1 Jan 2001-30 Jun 2001

    MSPs only

    3,700

    59%

    80%

    1 Jul 2001-31 Dec 2001

    MSPs only

    3,624

    62%

    82%

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157521,"EventID":"S1W-20923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14451 by Mr Tom McCabe on 6 April 2001, on how many occasions before 10 July 2000 and since 22 March 2001 it has asked back-bench M","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14451 by Mr Tom McCabe on 6 April 2001, on how many occasions before 10 July 2000 and since 22 March 2001 it has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in order to enable it to make an announcement or for any other purpose; whether it will provide a list of such questions, including the date on which they were lodged and the MSP who lodged them, and whether it can provide similar details of any (a) oral and (b) First Minister's questions lodged on the same basis since May 1999.","AnswerText":"Due to limited storage space available, central records for individual written parliamentary questions which include details of occasions when the Scottish Executive "has asked back-bench MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions", are held for a maximum period of 18 months. The following 139 questions were lodged between 27 March to 30 November 2001. Oral parliamentary questions and First Minister's questions are not used for this purpose. From 7 January 2002, all questions initiated by the Executive in order to make an announcement will be identified as such in the Business Bulletin.

    PQ ID (S1W-)

    MSP

    Date Lodged*

    14552

    Dr Elaine Murray

    27/3/01

    14582

    Scott Barrie

    28/3

    14612

    Robert Brown

    29/3

    14753

    Pauline McNeill

    3/4

    14765

    Cathy Peattie

    3/4

    14766

    Scott Barrie

    3/4

    15188

    Bristow Muldoon

    19-20/4

    15190

    Pauline McNeill

    19-20/4

    15191

    Paul Martin

    19-20/4

    15338

    Mr John McAllion

    26/4

    15346

    		","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157522,"EventID":"S1W-20924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20400 by Lewis MacDonald on 10 December 2001, why it did not give its reasons for preventing Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20400 by Lewis MacDonald on 10 December 2001, why it did not give its reasons for preventing Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd from responding directly to enquiries from MSPs and MPs as requested and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"The reason for not permitting the Operating Companies from responding directly to enquiries from MSPs and MPs was made clear in my answer to question S1W-20400. This condition was included in the contract to clearly define areas of responsibility between the Scottish Executive and the Operating Companies in respect of dealings with MSPs and MPs.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157523,"EventID":"S1W-20925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20401 by Lewis MacDonald on 10 December 2001, why it did not give its reasons for preventing Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20401 by Lewis MacDonald on 10 December 2001, why it did not give its reasons for preventing Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR (Scotland) Ltd from responding directly to enquiries from the media as requested and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"The reason for precluding the Operating Companies from responding directly to enquiries from the media was confirmed in my answer to question S1W-20401. This condition was included in the contract to clearly define areas of responsibility between the Scottish Executive and the Operating Companies in respect of dealings with the media. However, the Operating Companies are now permitted to respond directly to the media on factual or operational matters, as indicated in my answer to question S1W-19992. The Executive remains responsible for responding to the media on matters of policy or finance.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157524,"EventID":"S1W-20926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that businesses in Edinburgh do not experience recruitment difficulties due to high housing costs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that businesses in Edinburgh do not experience recruitment difficulties due to high housing costs.","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that higher than average housing costs are causing significant recruitment difficulties for businesses in Edinburgh. Living costs are only one factor which can cause recruitment difficulties. Skills shortages can also have a significant impact.

    Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian works in partnership with the business community to support the continued supply of skilled labour to meet company growth plans. This ranges from programmes of graduate recruitment and retention, to harnessing the potential of people currently outwith the labour market. Linking these people to known areas of demand from the private sector is a core task of programmes such as New Deal and Skillseekers.

    Communities Scotland offer a range of low cost home ownership schemes which provides affordable opportunities in owner occupation to meet local needs. In addition to this the City of Edinburgh Council have adopted an Affordable Housing Policy which proposes that a proportion of new homes within major development sites will be affordable.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157525,"EventID":"S1W-20927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private sector houses, showing separately those built for rent and (b) public sector houses, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) housing association","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) private sector houses, showing separately those built for rent and (b) public sector houses, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) housing association, were built in Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The tables present separately (a) the total number of private sector new dwellings of that were completed in Edinburgh in each calendar year from 1997 to 2000, and (b) the total number of social sector dwellings that were completed in Edinburgh in each financial year from 1996-97 to 2000-01. Each table contains the latest years for which the information is available. Information on the number of private sector dwellings that were built specifically for rent is not held centrally.

    New Housebuilding in Edinburgh

    (a) Private Sector New Dwellings Completed: 1997 to 2000 (Calendar)

    Period

    PrivateSector

    1997

    1,325

    1998

    2,562

    1999

    2,457

    2000

    1,144

    New Housebuilding in Edinburgh

    (b) Public Sector New Dwellings Completed: 1996-97 to 2000-01 (Financial)

    Year

    Public Sector

    Housing

    Local

    Associations

    Authority

    1996-97

    546

    -

    1997-98

    559

    -

    1998-99

    345

    -

    1999-2000

    569

    -

    2000-01

    424

    		From a land use planning perspective, National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 3: Land for Housing notes that planning authorities may properly take account of the need for affordable housing when formulating their development plan policies. The Executive has no planning policy specific to Edinburgh. NPPG 3 is currently being reviewed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157527,"EventID":"S1W-20929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are expected to move residence to Edinburgh over the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are expected to move residence to Edinburgh over the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General for Scotland's 1998 based population projections assume that net migration (the balance between inflows and outflows) into Edinburgh City for the years 2000-01 to 2015-16 will be 950 people per year. Assumptions for the 2000 based population projections are currently under consideration with a view to publication in February 2002. It is likely that the assumed level of net migration into Edinburgh City in these projections will be higher than the 1998 based projections.

    The Registrar General's population projections are trend based projections rather than forecasts. They give an indication of how the population of Scotland will change if recent past trends continue. They cannot take account of the uncertain effects of future decisions on employment and housing.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157528,"EventID":"S1W-20930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new (a) public sector and (b) private sector homes will be constructed in Edinburgh in each of the next five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new (a) public sector and (b) private sector homes will be constructed in Edinburgh in each of the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not forecast new housebuilding by local authority area. Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian Councils are currently consulting on a draft structure plan covering the period 2000-15. The plan considers the need for new housebuilding in Edinburgh and the Lothians and how much of these might be built in Edinburgh. Copies of the draft can be obtained from any of the councils. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 provides for Scottish ministers to require local authorities to prepare local housing strategies. These will be based on an assessment of housing need and will set out local authorities' strategies for meeting this need over the following five-year period.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157529,"EventID":"S1W-20931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were convicted of assault on a police officer in Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were convicted of assault on a police officer in Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.

    Persons with a charge proved for assaulting a police officer1, Edinburgh2, 1997-2000

    Year

    Number

    1997

    258

    1998

    335

    1999

    265

    2000

    259

    Notes:

    1. Where the main offence was an offence under section 41(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

    2. Edinburgh Sheriff Court and City of Edinburgh District Court.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157530,"EventID":"S1W-20932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many speed cameras were located in Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many speed cameras were located in Edinburgh in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has funded three speed cameras on the trunk road network in the City of Edinburgh area, which were installed in 1997. Other cameras in Edinburgh are a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157531,"EventID":"S1W-20933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to assist sheep producers in the crofting counties to develop production procedures that enable them to operate in all areas of sheep production.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to assist sheep producers in the crofting counties to develop production procedures that enable them to operate in all areas of sheep production.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides underpinning support to all parts of the Scottish sheep industry via various methods, including direct payments to producers, and by funding initiatives relating to improving sheep health and genetics, animal traceability and marketing. Some specific measures such as the Ram Purchase Scheme, Highlands and Islands Sheep Strategy, and Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme are aimed specially at communities in the Highlands and Islands. It is, however, for individual producers to seek advice from relevant advisory organisations in order to develop production procedures which suit their own individual farming circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157532,"EventID":"S1W-20934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Performance Audit Group has taken in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area in each of the last three months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Performance Audit Group has taken in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area in each of the last three months.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20936.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157533,"EventID":"S1W-20935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Performance Audit Group last made a report to it in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Performance Audit Group last made a report to it in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20936.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157534,"EventID":"S1W-20936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested a report from the Performance Audit Group in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area in the last three months; what da","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested a report from the Performance Audit Group in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area in the last three months; what date any such request was made, and what response it received.","AnswerText":"The Performance Audit Group (PAG) carries out auditing and monitoring of the activities of the Operating Company, BEAR Scotland Ltd, across the entire North East Unit, which includes Fife. However, the auditing and reporting is not carried out on a local authority boundary basis. A report, prepared by PAG, covering the first year of operation of the trunk road maintenance contracts will be published in summer 2002.

    In the week ending 7 December 2001 PAG was asked to report on the mobilisation by BEAR Scotland Ltd of the new operational depot at Lochgelly from which operations in Fife are undertaken. This audit was prompted by Fife Council's decision to terminate its sub-contract to undertake winter and other operations for BEAR on 7 December 2001. The PAG report confirmed BEAR's capability to undertake those winter maintenance activities previously sub-contracted to Fife Council.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157535,"EventID":"S1W-20937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in each of the last six months on the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract in the Fife","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in each of the last six months on the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract in the Fife area and what action it has taken in response to each representation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware of only a limited number of representations regarding the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of the trunk road maintenance contract in the Fife area. These are as follows:

    Early in the contract Fife Council raised concerns about the level of liaison between themselves and BEAR. Measures were implemented to improve liaison.

    An MSP wrote about unfinished work at the Bankhead Interchange. BEAR addressed this work.

    Several maintenance problems, including verge maintenance and street lighting, were identified by a local councillor in the Dundee Courier. All these issues have been resolved.

    A resident north of Glenrothes wrote in October to complain about the maintenance of a footpath. It was not possible to identify the footpath in question.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157536,"EventID":"S1W-20938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it has received on the adequacy of the gritting programme for trunk roads in the Fife area on 10 and 11 December 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it has received on the adequacy of the gritting programme for trunk roads in the Fife area on 10 and 11 December 2001.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are unaware of any representations having been received concerning the adequacy of the gritting programme for trunk roads in the Fife area on 10 and 11 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157537,"EventID":"S1W-20939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) gritters and (b) snow blowers and how many other types of machinery were available for use on trunk roads in the Fife area on (i) 10 December 2001, (ii) 3 D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) gritters and (b) snow blowers and how many other types of machinery were available for use on trunk roads in the Fife area on (i) 10 December 2001, (ii) 3 December 2001, (iii) 26 November 2001 and (iv) the same dates in 2000.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive records indicate that the number of dedicated gritters available for use on trunk roads in the Fife area on the dates requested are as follows:

    Date

    Gritter Numbers

    Date

    Gritter Numbers

    26 November 2000

    5

    26 November 2001

    5

    3 December 2000

    5

    3 December 2001

    5

    10 December 2000

    5

    10 December 2001

    6

    Both the previous and current trunk road operator had/have access to resources in addition to dedicated gritters for the trunk roads.

    Snowblowers are likely to be required less often on the trunk roads in the Fife area and therefore no snowblowers are dedicated to these routes. However, both the previous and current trunk road operators had/have access to such equipment if required.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157538,"EventID":"S1W-20940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Fife Council in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Fife Council in respect of the trunk roads maintenance contract for the Fife area.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials have had a number of discussions with Fife Council including meetings on 9 and 10 August and 18 and 31 October, to discuss trunk road maintenance contract topics.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157539,"EventID":"S1W-20941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of students recruited to primary teacher training courses in each year since 1994.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of students recruited to primary teacher training courses in each year since 1994.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the numbers of students recruited to primary teacher training courses in each year since 1994.

    Intakes to Primary Courses of Initial Teacher Education

    1994-95

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01*

    2001-02*

    BEd

    754

    824

    755

    640

    648

    649

    708

    745

    Postgraduate Certificate in Education

    255

    315

    322

    273

    272

    346

    335

    745

    Total

    1,009

    1,139

    1,077

    913

    920

    995

    1,043

    1,490

    Note:

    * figures are provisional

    Intakes to Secondary Courses of Initial Teacher Education

    1994-95

    1995-96

    1996-97

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01*

    2001-02*

    BEd

    182

    362

    381

    377

    400

    367

    329

    368

    Postgraduate Certificate in Education

    1191

    1003

    892

    902

    863

    1005

    991

    1116

    Total

    1,373

    1,365

    1,273

    1,279

    1,263

    1,372

    1,320

    1,484

    Note:

    * figures are provisional","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157541,"EventID":"S1W-20943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of children under five years old in nursery places in each education authority in each year since 1994.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of children under five years old in nursery places in each education authority in each year since 1994.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the percentage of children under five years old in nursery places in each education authority for 2001. This was the first year for which an integrated census covering both pre-school education and daycare centres was carried out. Prior to that, figures for pre-school education centres were collected separately, and annually, from the figures from daycare services, which we collected on a three-yearly cycle. From previous data sets it is not possible to consistently identify nurseries and bring together the pre-school and daycare data for the period in question. Percentage of children in each local authority attending centres describing themselves as nurseries in the week of 29 January 2001

    Age at 29 January 2001

    Under 1 year old

    1 year old

    2 years old

    3 years old

    4 years old

    Scotland

    4

    8

    15

    56

    89

    Aberdeen City

    7

    17

    24

    64

    96

    Aberdeenshire

    2

    4

    12

    29

    73

    Angus

    1

    4

    10

    42

    85

    Argyll & Bute

    		The Medicines Control Agency continuously monitors the safety of all medicines. If new side effects are detected, the product information is updated to ensure it contains all of the available information to aid the safe use of the medicine. The adverse reactions known to be associated with Roaccutane treatment are fully described in the product information, which consists of a Summary of Product Characteristic for healthcare professionals and a Patient Information Leaflet for patients.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157560,"EventID":"S1W-20962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) on what basis the assets of each water authority were valued on formation in 1996, (b), if different methods of valuation were used for each authority, what the reas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive (a) on what basis the assets of each water authority were valued on formation in 1996, (b), if different methods of valuation were used for each authority, what the reasons were for using different methods and (c) what the value of the total assets of each authority was at that date.","AnswerText":"The basis for determining the values attributed to fixed assets on formation are set out in the accounting policies note in the notes to the accounts of each of the new water authorities.

    The net asset values on creation as shown in the water authorities' annual accounts were:
     

    £ million

    East of Scotland Water Authority

    254.704

    West of Scotland Water Authority

    402.903

    North of Scotland Water Authority

    270.147

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157561,"EventID":"S1W-20963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what method of valuation it plans to use for valuing the assets of the proposed Scottish Water at 1 April 2002 and how it plans to ensure that any such valuation represe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what method of valuation it plans to use for valuing the assets of the proposed Scottish Water at 1 April 2002 and how it plans to ensure that any such valuation represents a true and fair view of the organisation's position at that date.","AnswerText":"The basis of valuation to be applied in valuing the fixed assets transferred to the proposed Scottish Water is primarily a matter for the Board of Scottish Water and is a matter that will be discussed with the board in due course. The basis and resultant values will be subject to scrutiny by the auditors of Scottish Water who will be required to express an opinion on whether the accounts show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at the balance sheet date.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157562,"EventID":"S1W-20964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any legal issues have been identified in respect of transfer of PFI projects in the water industry in preparation for the formation of the proposed Scottish Water","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any legal issues have been identified in respect of transfer of PFI projects in the water industry in preparation for the formation of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"No. We are satisfied that the provisions being set out in the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill relating to the transfer of property and assets will cover contractual rights and duties and liabilities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157563,"EventID":"S1W-20965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any problems have been anticipated in respect of the transfer of PFI projects in the water industry in preparation for the formation of the proposed Scottish Wate","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any problems have been anticipated in respect of the transfer of PFI projects in the water industry in preparation for the formation of the proposed Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20964.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157564,"EventID":"S1W-20966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its members or officials has attended any meetings of the partnership between the shadow form of Scottish Water and the trade unions and, if so, (a) on wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its members or officials has attended any meetings of the partnership between the shadow form of Scottish Water and the trade unions and, if so, (a) on what dates those meetings were held, (b) what the outcomes of any such meetings were and (c) whether it will publish minutes of the meetings.","AnswerText":"No, these meetings are arranged and attended by the Scottish Water Transition Partnership Group comprising water authority Human Resources staff and Union representatives.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157565,"EventID":"S1W-20967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on water charges will be for the financial year 2001-02 in the (a) East of Scotland Water Authority, (b) North of Scotland Water Authority and (c) West o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on water charges will be for the financial year 2001-02 in the (a) East of Scotland Water Authority, (b) North of Scotland Water Authority and (c) West of Scotland Water Authority should (i) 50%, (ii) 30% and (iii) 15% of the anticipated efficiency savings of #135 million not be achieved.","AnswerText":"This information can be derived from the Water Industry Commissioner's Strategic Review of Charges held in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17271).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157566,"EventID":"S1W-20968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to section 47 of Chapter 45, Part IV of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 and section 28 of Part 3 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, what types of premises ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to section 47 of Chapter 45, Part IV of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 and section 28 of Part 3 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, what types of premises are entitled to a supply of water free of charge by virtue of having such an entitlement prior to 16 May 1949 and what the annual cost is of providing such a supply to the public purse. ","AnswerText":"Premises receiving a free supply of water are generally farm properties connected to aqueducts running between water sources and treatment works. Such supplies were often provided to land owners when aqueducts were being constructed as part of the deal for allowing the aqueduct to cross their land. The annual cost of providing these supplies is a matter for the water authorities. This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157567,"EventID":"S1W-20969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18938 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 26 October 2001, how much of the #10 million allocated has been spent by the Motorola Task Force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18938 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 26 October 2001, how much of the #10 million allocated has been spent by the Motorola Task Force.","AnswerText":"Expenditure reports from Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothian for the period 1 April 2001 - 17 December 2001 show total costs to date of £3.0 million. Total spending in respect of the work of the Motorola Taskforce on the Action Plan is anticipated to rise to £4.1 million

    In my statement to Parliament on Thursday 20 December 2001 following announcement of the NEC redundancies, I announced that the Executive will provide £6 million to the West Lothian Strategic Action Plan for economic development in the area.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157568,"EventID":"S1W-20970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15941 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 May 2001, how many of the \"initial expressions of interest\" in the Motorola facility it has follo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15941 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 18 May 2001, how many of the \"initial expressions of interest\" in the Motorola facility it has followed up, and what the current status of each of those expressions of interest is.","AnswerText":"A small number of speculative enquiries have been received to date but there have been no firm offers acceptable to Motorola. Scottish Development International, in conjunction with Chesterton Blumenauer Binswanger, the property agents appointed by Motorola, continues to market the facility on a worldwide basis. It is for the company, not the Scottish Executive, to pursue expressions of interest in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157569,"EventID":"S1W-20971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-19322, S1W-19323, S1W-19324, S1W-19325, S1W-19236, S1W-19327, S1W-19328, S1W-19329 and S1W-19330, by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 Nove","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-19322, S1W-19323, S1W-19324, S1W-19325, S1W-19236, S1W-19327, S1W-19328, S1W-19329 and S1W-19330, by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 November 2001, and to question S1W-5623 by Henry McLeish on 10 April 2000, at what date it ceased to collect and hold such information centrally. ","AnswerText":"The information provided in response to question S1W-5623 was collected from reports in the daily Scottish newspapers. In November 2001, we reviewed the robustness of this information and considered that as the Executive could not vouch for its accuracy or completeness it should not form the basis of the responses to questions S1W-19322 to 19330. But I apologise for not explaining that in the answers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157570,"EventID":"S1W-20972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from individuals and organisations concerning the potential for elderly people, including those suffering from dementia and from ment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from individuals and organisations concerning the potential for elderly people, including those suffering from dementia and from mental health problems, to be exploited by \"cold-callers\".","AnswerText":"No such representations have been received.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157571,"EventID":"S1W-20973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to monitor the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd over the winter months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to monitor the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd over the winter months.","AnswerText":"The Performance Audit Group (PAG) is appointed by the Scottish Executive to audit and monitor the activities of BEAR Scotland Ltd. BEAR's physical performance is monitored and audited throughout the year by PAG's Field Engineers. During winter months PAG pays particular attention to reviewing BEAR's strategic planning as described in their Winter Maintenance Plan. This involves monitoring the management of BEAR's plant and labour resources and the deployment of these resources. PAG communicates its observations to the Executive by means of various reports either periodically or as particular matters arise.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157572,"EventID":"S1W-20974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the recommendations in the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland on (a) psychological interventions and (b) eating diso","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the recommendations in the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland on (a) psychological interventions and (b) eating disorders are implemented by health boards and trusts.","AnswerText":"The new guidance published is designed to show agencies what needs to be in place where and when to provide good psychological interventions and eating disorder services.

    The workforce skills, recruitment, training and retention issues are recognised and are under active consideration. Meantime, the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, the Scottish Health Advisory Service and others will consider and report on local responses and progress in delivering the care and support needed in each case added to which will be the reviews under the new Performance Assessment Framework which will include consideration of progress made by agencies across the mental health agenda.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157573,"EventID":"S1W-20975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for the creation of locally based specialist eating disorder services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for the creation of locally based specialist eating disorder services.","AnswerText":"It is for health services and local authorities to work together to organise eating disorders services that meet the assessed needs of their area. To aid local considerations we have published a template for the best organisation of eating disorder services.

    The template guidance acknowledges the specialist support networks, knowledge and advice available through organisations such as the Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group, Health Education Board for Scotland and other specialist voluntary and professional organisations. Planners are also encouraged to respond positively to the views of service users and carers whose insights are particularly relevant in the planning of services.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157574,"EventID":"S1W-20976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE4934/2001 of 27 November 2001, whether it intends to use Scotland's share of the #1 billion extra funding for health to improve the deliver","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE4934/2001 of 27 November 2001, whether it intends to use Scotland's share of the #1 billion extra funding for health to improve the delivery of public services in general and, if so, what criteria it will use for allocating this funding and when it will announce where the funding is to be allocated.","AnswerText":"Cabinet will take decisions in the New Year on the allocation of the additional resources Scotland received as a result of the Pre-Budget Report.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157575,"EventID":"S1W-20977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are working with the Cabinet Office Centre for Management and Policy Studies on a wide range of projects, including the Policy Makers' Knowledge Pool, to encourage exchange of best practice throughout the UK Government and devolved administrations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157576,"EventID":"S1W-20978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Performance and Innovation Unit's Strategic Futures Project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Performance and Innovation Unit's Strategic Futures Project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently has no input to this work.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157577,"EventID":"S1W-20979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Social Exclusion Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Social Exclusion Unit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is responsible for tackling social exclusion in Scotland. We understand that the knowledge pools being planned by the Social Exclusion Unit are still in development.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157578,"EventID":"S1W-20980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Excellence in Policy Making Network.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it is making to the work on knowledge pools undertaken by the Excellence in Policy Making Network.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are working with the Cabinet Office Centre for Management and Policy Studies on a wide range of projects, including the Policy Makers' Knowledge Pool, to encourage exchange of best practice throughout the UK Government and devolved administrations.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157579,"EventID":"S1W-20981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held, or are planned, with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding its Strategic Plan in so far as it relates to rail services for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held, or are planned, with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding its Strategic Plan in so far as it relates to rail services for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including the Strategic Plan in so far as it relates to rail services for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157580,"EventID":"S1W-20982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further research has been commissioned, or is contemplated, on the effects on health of mobile phone masts further to the Stewart Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further research has been commissioned, or is contemplated, on the effects on health of mobile phone masts further to the Stewart Report.","AnswerText":"The research programme suggested by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones will cost some £7 million, with £3.5 million coming from Government being matched by £3.5 million from the mobile phone industry. The Scottish Executive has agreed to contribute £150,000.

    The selection of projects has been in the hands of the independent Programme Management Committee (PMC) chaired by Sir William Stewart. No representations on membership of the PMC have been made.

    I understand an announcement of the results of projects to be funded under the first call for research proposals will be made soon. A second call has also recently been announced. The current membership of the PMC and other useful information can be found at website http://www.doh.gov.uk/mobilephones/research/index.htm.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157581,"EventID":"S1W-20983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specialisms in Scotland have been invited to participate in the scientific management committee assessing research proposals on the effects on health of mobile phone","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specialisms in Scotland have been invited to participate in the scientific management committee assessing research proposals on the effects on health of mobile phone masts further to the Stewart Report.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20982.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157582,"EventID":"S1W-20984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by it regarding participation in the scientific management committee assessing research proposals on the effects on health of mobile p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by it regarding participation in the scientific management committee assessing research proposals on the effects on health of mobile phone masts further to the Stewart Report.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20982.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157583,"EventID":"S1W-20985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed by it under the New Deal for Young People.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed by it under the New Deal for Young People.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, its Agencies and Associated Departments currently employ 24 young people under the 18-24 element of the New Deal programme. A further 31 individuals are currently employed under the 25+, 50+ and Lone Parent elements of the programme.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157584,"EventID":"S1W-20986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to increase the number of people employed by it under the New Deal for Young People.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to increase the number of people employed by it under the New Deal for Young People.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is keen to offer as many New Deal opportunities as possible and it meets with the Employment Service on a regular basis to promote its New Deal jobs. Recently the Executive held a very successful New Deal recruitment campaign in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The competition attracted 164 applications and 47 of those individuals were selected for appointment, (19 from the 18-24 element of the programme).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157585,"EventID":"S1W-20987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the length of time taken by the planning system to deliver improvement schemes for Scotland's motorways and other strategic roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the length of time taken by the planning system to deliver improvement schemes for Scotland's motorways and other strategic roads.","AnswerText":"The time taken to process motorways and strategic roads schemes from inception to delivery depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the proposals, the number of objections received, the time taken at any public local inquiry and the need for any subsequent discussion, for example with landowners. Information on the time taken in all such cases is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157586,"EventID":"S1W-20988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to fast-track road scheme procedures for areas affected by traffic congestion.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to fast-track road scheme procedures for areas affected by traffic congestion.","AnswerText":"Action is taken to anticipate significant milestones in the progress of a road scheme and to accelerate processes, for example by identifying potential dates for a public inquiry. There are no plans to reduce rights of public, business or other interests to examine and comment on the road scheme proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157587,"EventID":"S1W-20989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the views of businesses, local enterprise companies and other social partners are given due weight in decisions about the provis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the views of businesses, local enterprise companies and other social partners are given due weight in decisions about the provision of new roads.","AnswerText":"The Executive actively seeks the views of business, local enterprise companies and other interests as part of the on-going process of consulting on major road projects. Recently there were public exhibitions of proposals for the Eastern Relief Road at Kincardine and the Fochabers- Mosstodloch Bypass on the A96. Business, industry, local enterprise companies and community interests are also closely involved in the transport corridor studies on the A8/M8, A80/M80 and the M74.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157588,"EventID":"S1W-20990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it sets for local authorities in the determination of major industrial, commercial and residential planning applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it sets for local authorities in the determination of major industrial, commercial and residential planning applications.","AnswerText":"The performance targets targets set for planning authorities are detailed in National Planning Policy Guideline No1: The Planning System. They include the target of determining 80% of major applications within four months.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157589,"EventID":"S1W-20991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it sets for local authorities in the determination of minor industrial, commercial and residential planning applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it sets for local authorities in the determination of minor industrial, commercial and residential planning applications.","AnswerText":"No specific targets are set for minor applications. The general targets of 80% of all planning applications to be determined within two months, and 85% within three months, apply.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157590,"EventID":"S1W-20992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made in the current financial year for campaigns against drink driving.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made in the current financial year for campaigns against drink driving.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign for the production of key road safety education materials and publicity campaigns. In the current financial year the campaign expects to spend about £200,000 on drink drive publicity and research into attitudes to drinking and driving.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157591,"EventID":"S1W-20993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made in the current financial year for campaigns against drugged driving.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made in the current financial year for campaigns against drugged driving.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign for the production of key road safety education materials and publicity campaigns. In the current financial year the campaign expects to spend about £180,000 on drug driving publicity.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157592,"EventID":"S1W-20995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pursue discussions with gas and electricity suppliers regarding the impact of the way in which their staff and any contracted staff deal with elderly peop","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pursue discussions with gas and electricity suppliers regarding the impact of the way in which their staff and any contracted staff deal with elderly people and people suffering from dementia and other mental health problems so that their approach is sympathetic, respectful and in the best interests of the customer, particularly when they are dealing with a request to change supplier. ","AnswerText":"Regulation of the energy supply markets is a reserved matter.

    Energywatch is responsible for monitoring the behaviour and practices of companies in the marketplace and, with the Office of Gas and Electrical Markets, has a specific responsibility to have regard to the interests of vulnerable adults, including the disabled, the chronically sick and the elderly.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157593,"EventID":"S1W-20996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions, or intends to have discussions, with Her Majesty's Government on the issue of the potential for \"cold callers\" to exploit elderly people ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions, or intends to have discussions, with Her Majesty's Government on the issue of the potential for \"cold callers\" to exploit elderly people and people suffering from dementia and other mental health problems.","AnswerText":"Consumer protection is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including consumer protection.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157594,"EventID":"S1W-20997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20231 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 December 2001, (a) how much it will cost to support the Atlantic fixed wireless network until 2 Ja","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20231 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 6 December 2001, (a) how much it will cost to support the Atlantic fixed wireless network until 2 January 2002, (b) how the sum will be split between it and the Department of Trade and Industry, (c) what the arrangements are with the Department of Trade and Industry to provide such support and (d) how much the messaging service will cost.","AnswerText":"A maximum of £550,000 has been made available to keep the Atlantic Telecom fixed wireless network running until 2 January 2002. The Scottish Executive and Department of Trade & Industry have agreed to split the final costs equally.

    The cost of the messaging service is negligible and covered by overall running costs.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157595,"EventID":"S1W-20998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to date for free central heating installation in the Scottish Borders area under its central heating programme; how many of these ap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to date for free central heating installation in the Scottish Borders area under its central heating programme; how many of these applications have been authorised, and how many installations have been carried out.","AnswerText":"There have been 116 applications from the Borders area. Seventy-three of these are eligible and are to receive their package of measures shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157596,"EventID":"S1W-20999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction in rail freight transport has taken place between Scotland and Europe since the SNCF restricted the number of freight trains passing through the Channel Tu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction in rail freight transport has taken place between Scotland and Europe since the SNCF restricted the number of freight trains passing through the Channel Tunnel on 7 November 2001. ","AnswerText":"Rail freight is a reserved matter. I understand, however, that incoming rail freight to Great Britain using the Channel Tunnel has been less than one third of the level prior to 7 November. However, information on the impact on through traffic between Scotland and continental Europe is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157597,"EventID":"S1W-21000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional road transport has been generated in Scotland by SNCF's restriction on the number of freight trains passing through the Channel Tunnel since 7 November 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional road transport has been generated in Scotland by SNCF's restriction on the number of freight trains passing through the Channel Tunnel since 7 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157598,"EventID":"S1W-21001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial cost there has been to Scottish firms as a result of SNCF's restriction on the number of trains passing through the Channel Tunnel since 7 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial cost there has been to Scottish firms as a result of SNCF's restriction on the number of trains passing through the Channel Tunnel since 7 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157599,"EventID":"S1W-21002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to achieve relaxation of the restrictions on freight train traffic imposed on the Channel Tunnel by SNCF on 7","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to achieve relaxation of the restrictions on freight train traffic imposed on the Channel Tunnel by SNCF on 7 November 2001.","AnswerText":"Both rail freight and European and international rail services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of rail issues, including freight services.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157600,"EventID":"S1W-21003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-20441 and S1W-20439 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001 and given that it is \"not usual to provide details of discussions betw","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-20441 and S1W-20439 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001 and given that it is \"not usual to provide details of discussions between Ministers and third parties\", how it decides what information will be disclosed when this circumstance arises.","AnswerText":"Decisions on whether or not to disclose information, including details of discussions between ministers and third parties, are considered in the context of the Executive's policy of extending access to official information. This policy is supported by the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, which provides that information should be released except where disclosure would not be in the public interest, as specified in Part II of the code.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157601,"EventID":"S1W-21004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20441 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001 and given that it is \"not usual to provide details of discussions between Ministers an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20441 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001 and given that it is \"not usual to provide details of discussions between Ministers and third parties\", how many written parliamentary questions seeking answers relating to such discussions (a) have fallen into this category, (b) received answers to the information requested, (c) did not receive the information requested over the previous six month period, broken down by question number, subject of question and the Department providing the answers.","AnswerText":"Information in the form requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the member will be aware that all written answers are published in the Written Answers Report available on the Parliament's website.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157602,"EventID":"S1W-21005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether vehicles transporting ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses are washed so as to prevent the risk of diseased material spreading ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether vehicles transporting ash derived from the pyres of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses are washed so as to prevent the risk of diseased material spreading to a previously disease-free area.","AnswerText":"The pyre ash being transported from the three mass burn sites used during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders is material resultant from the cremation of animals which did not have foot-and-mouth disease but were on farms contiguous to an infected premises. The ash is being disposed of at a suitably licensed engineered landfill site in accordance with advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

    Although the material presents no foot-and-mouth disease risk, as a precaution, the loaded vehicles are washed and disinfected as they leave the burn sites and are again washed and disinfected as they leave the landfill site once they have been emptied.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157603,"EventID":"S1W-21006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the waste material derived from foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses is being burnt at temperatures high enough to kill any toxins produced by the carcasses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the waste material derived from foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses is being burnt at temperatures high enough to kill any toxins produced by the carcasses.","AnswerText":"The pyre ash generated by the three mass burn sites used during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders is material resultant from the cremation of animals which did not have foot-and-mouth disease but were on farms contiguous to an infected premises.

    The pyres achieved an extremely efficient burn rate and analysis of the ash has shown that the material poses no environmental or public health risk if disposed of at a suitably licensed engineered landfill site.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157604,"EventID":"S1W-21007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding to be made available to local authorities in October 2002 in respect of the introduction of concessionary travel for the elderly will be ring-fenced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding to be made available to local authorities in October 2002 in respect of the introduction of concessionary travel for the elderly will be ring-fenced.","AnswerText":"No. The additional resources have been made available in the general local government settlement from 2002-03 and were distributed through the Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) system. GAE allowances are not intended in general to determine councils' local policy choices, but to form part of the needs-based local government settlement distribution formula.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157605,"EventID":"S1W-21008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money in the form of grants from the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage has been paid to the owners of Glen Feshie Estate in the Cairngorm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money in the form of grants from the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage has been paid to the owners of Glen Feshie Estate in the Cairngorms since 1967.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage, which was founded in 1992, and its predecessor bodies have not awarded any grants to the owners of Glenfeshie Estate.

    The Forestry Commission whose records date back to 1976 has awarded grants as follows;

    Year

    Total Paid

    Per Year

    1976

    237.04

    1977

    237.04

    1978

    581.08

    1979

    2,441.08

    1980

    612.88

    1981

    2,132.48

    1982

    2,442.86

    1983

    2,442.86

    1984

    2,442.86

    1985

    2,442.86

    1986

    1,226.96

    1987

    10,502.48

    1988

    1,991.36

    1989

    2,408.00

    1997

    17,187.60

    1998

    13,000.38

    <","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157606,"EventID":"S1W-21009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the representations made by Helmsdale Community Council to Highland Primary Health Care NHS Trust regarding a lack of general practitione","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the representations made by Helmsdale Community Council to Highland Primary Health Care NHS Trust regarding a lack of general practitioner services in the area and what action will be taken on this matter.","AnswerText":"Questions as to the adequacy of the provision of general medical services in any area are for the Scottish Medical Practices Committee in conjunction with Islands NHS Boards and Primary Care Trusts. I understand that the vacancy created when the GP who provided services to Helmsdale left earlier this year was filled on 1 September 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157607,"EventID":"S1W-21010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock.","AnswerText":"Occupational health and safety is a reserved matter.

    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) now plans to undertake follow-up work to look more closely at individual worker histories at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd in Greenock. The Scottish Executive has already expressed a willingness to help with that research, which will have to take account of factors unrelated to work.

    HSE will also encourage all semiconductor companies operating in the UK to initiate studies of their workforces. Again, the Scottish Executive will support that work, appropriately.

    The Scottish Executive is committed to working with the industry, through Scottish Enterprise and Electronics Scotland, in order to ensure the long term sustainability of the electronics industry as a whole in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157608,"EventID":"S1W-21011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the report by Steer Davies Gleave Evaluation of the Rural Transport Fund; what action has been taken to implement any of the report's recommendations, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the report by Steer Davies Gleave Evaluation of the Rural Transport Fund; what action has been taken to implement any of the report's recommendations, and, in particular, what action it has taken, or proposes to take, regarding the Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive received the Steer Davies Gleave evaluation of the Rural Transport Fund in January 2001.

    The evaluation made a number of recommendations across a range of issues, and the Scottish Executive has responded by implementing a number of these. In particular the distance criterion for support to Rural Petrol Stations for installation of LPG tanks and dispensers has been reduced from 30 to 15 miles.

    The Scottish Executive is also co-operating with the work of the Scottish National Rural Partnership to improve a number of aspects of life in rural areas including those that are transport related.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157609,"EventID":"S1W-21012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to prepare local GPs and other health service professionals to deal with any increase in workload resulting from the publication of the Health an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to prepare local GPs and other health service professionals to deal with any increase in workload resulting from the publication of the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive recognised that NHS staff throughout Scotland, particularly GPs in and around Greenock, might be consulted following the publication of the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock. As such, the Scottish Executive ensured that they were aware of this study, and had the information they might need to deal with specific concerns or symptoms presented by patients.

    NHS Boards do not need to make special arrangements for healthcare delivery based on this report. Cancer in Scotland, published in July 2001, sets out a comprehensive range of measures designed to provide swifter, better diagnosis, treatment and care.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157610,"EventID":"S1W-21013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a further study to establish any causal link between the working environment and cancer rates in the semiconductor industry should be carried out without delay fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a further study to establish any causal link between the working environment and cancer rates in the semiconductor industry should be carried out without delay following the publication of the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock, and who should be involved in the design of any such study.","AnswerText":"Occupational health and safety is a reserved matter, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has already initiated the planning of follow-up work to look more closely at individual employment and exposure histories in relevant current and former workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd in Greenock. This further research will seek to establish cause. The Scottish Executive has already indicated a willingness to help design and complete that research, particularly as it will have to take into account factors unrelated to work.

    HSE will also encourage all semiconductor companies operating in the UK to initiate studies of their workforces.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157611,"EventID":"S1W-21014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or intends to have, with Her Majesty's Government on European Union proposals for an EU standard for the construction of buses in so far as t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or intends to have, with Her Majesty's Government on European Union proposals for an EU standard for the construction of buses in so far as they relate to the numbers of persons permitted to stand on scheduled buses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including European Union proposals.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157612,"EventID":"S1W-21015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the views of the non-unionised workforce will be taken into account in any action it undertakes as a result of the Health and Safety Executive's r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the views of the non-unionised workforce will be taken into account in any action it undertakes as a result of the Health and Safety Executive's report Cancer Among Current and Previous Workers at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock.","AnswerText":"Occupational health and safety is a reserved matter.

    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has already outlined to the workforce its plans to take action as a result of its study into cancer at National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Greenock. HSE will also seek the approval of the workforce for a detailed protocol, when it has been developed.

    There is a dedicated helpline for workers and ex-employees, to help them to contact HSE directly with their views and concerns. There will be regular direct contact with the workforce by HSE as further work is progressed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157613,"EventID":"S1W-21016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its further proposals for improving the criminal justice system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its further proposals for improving the criminal justice system.","AnswerText":"We will publish today a White Paper, Making Scotland Safer: Improving the Criminal Justice System covering proposals across a broad range of criminal justice matters. These include provisions to strengthen the use of community-based disposals, including restriction of liberty orders, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and Supervised Attendance Orders; proposals for clarifying the law on the physical punishment of children; new powers to improve the information available to courts in relation to the sentencing of sex offenders; proposals for the setting up of 16 to 17-year-old youth crime pilots and our intent to provide a legislative base to underpin key elements of the Scottish Strategy for Victims.

    Along with the new arrangements for the treatment of serious violent and sexual offenders announced in June 2001, the proposals in Making Scotland Safer will make up a Criminal Justice Bill which we intend to introduce in early 2002.

    Copies of the White Paper will be made available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18027).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157614,"EventID":"S1W-21017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact for the year 2000 of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact for the year 2000 of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999.","AnswerText":"From 1 January 1999 all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres in length and catching more than two tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries-dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a number of ways, for example by vessels landing at least 50% by weight of their quota catch into the UK or by employing a crew of whom at least 50% are normally resident in a UK coastal area.

    In 2000, 1,627 vessels caught more than two tonnes of quota stocks and in each case achieved a satisfactory economic link, primarily through landings into the UK. The economic link arrangements have maintained the increases in UK landings and expenditure achieved by foreign-owned UK-registered vessels in 1999. In addition, almost 400 tonnes of quota was made available for re-distribution to the UK fleet.

    A full report by the Fisheries Departments in the United Kingdom on the operation of the economic link measures and their impact in 2000 has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157615,"EventID":"S1W-21018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support improvement to the railway infrastructure in West Lothian.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support improvement to the railway infrastructure in West Lothian.","AnswerText":"Railway infrastructure projects may qualify for financial assistance from either the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund (PTF) or Integrated Transport Fund (ITF). Bids under the PTF would have to satisfy eligibility criteria and compete with other bids, and those under the ITF would have to be considered by the Scottish Executive as being regionally or nationally strategic.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157616,"EventID":"S1W-21019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the public transport links between Edinburgh and West Lothian.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the public transport links between Edinburgh and West Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive supports public transport improvements through the Public Transport Fund. To access the fund, local authorities present projects to the Scottish Executive, individually or in partnership with other local authorities, for consideration.

    The provision of local bus services is a matter for individual bus operators and the relevant local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157617,"EventID":"S1W-21020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to create a system of family courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to create a system of family courts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans currently to create a system of family courts although court procedures do make special provision for the management of family actions.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157618,"EventID":"S1W-21021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are given to sheriffs on children's rights in divorce settlements in the context of the Human Rights Act 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are given to sheriffs on children's rights in divorce settlements in the context of the Human Rights Act 1998.","AnswerText":"Sheriffs have a general statutory duty to take decisions in divorce cases which are in the best interests of the children concerned. Training in relevant aspects of the Human Rights Act 1998 has been provided to sheriffs by the independent Judicial Studies Committee.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157619,"EventID":"S1W-21022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether children are given protection under the terms of the Human Rights Act 1998 in court proceedings concerning access and custody arrangements.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether children are given protection under the terms of the Human Rights Act 1998 in court proceedings concerning access and custody arrangements.","AnswerText":"The Human Rights Act 1998 covers all court proceedings in Scotland, and children are therefore protected by the rights it confers. This includes the court procedures involved in actions for residence and contact under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157620,"EventID":"S1W-21023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of (a) sheriffs and (b) judges is and how many of each are women.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of (a) sheriffs and (b) judges is and how many of each are women.","AnswerText":"There are currently 133 sheriffs, of whom 20 are female. Of the 32 Judges of the Supreme Courts, three are female.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157621,"EventID":"S1W-21024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19962 by Allan Wilson on 11 December 2001, how much has been awarded to organisations in (a) Stirling district and (b) Clackmannans","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19962 by Allan Wilson on 11 December 2001, how much has been awarded to organisations in (a) Stirling district and (b) Clackmannanshire in each of the past five years under each of the three elements that make up the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund and how much was applied for in each case.","AnswerText":"Prior to the 2000-01 round, applicants to the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund (SRPF) were not required to provide details of their local authority area to the department. This detail, coupled with the fact that electronic recording of application data was not undertaken, means that the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to give an answer that refers to the successful bids submitted by Stirling and Clackmannanshire districts for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 rounds.

    (a) Stirling District
     

    2000-01

    funding round

    2001-02

    funding round

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £68,750

    £0

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £0

    £0

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £28,000

    £16,750

    (b) Clackmannanshire
     

    2000-01 funding round

    2001-02

    funding round

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £0

    £0

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £0

    £0

    Amount Applied for (£)

    £0

    £100,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157622,"EventID":"S1W-21025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE5013/2001 on 11 December 2001, what financial impact the changes will have on the non-domestic rates burden of (a) Central Scotland Police,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE5013/2001 on 11 December 2001, what financial impact the changes will have on the non-domestic rates burden of (a) Central Scotland Police, (b) NHS Forth Valley, (c) Stirling Council and (d) Clackmannanshire Council. ","AnswerText":"The poundage supplement for ratepayers occupying property with a rateable value in excess of £25,000 will be fixed when the poundage figure is set for 2003-04. A provisional poundage figure for 2003-04 is likely to be announced in December 2003 and confirmed the following February.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157623,"EventID":"S1W-21026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE5013/2001 on 11 December 2001, what financial impact the changes will have on the non-domestic rates burden of (a) Fife Constabulary, (b) N","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SE5013/2001 on 11 December 2001, what financial impact the changes will have on the non-domestic rates burden of (a) Fife Constabulary, (b) NHS Fife and (c) Fife Council.","AnswerText":"The poundage supplement for ratepayers occupying property with a rateable value in excess of £25,000 will be fixed when the poundage figure is set for 2003-04. A provisional poundage figure for 2003-04 is likely to be announced in December 2003 and confirmed the following February.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157624,"EventID":"S1W-21027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20424 by Nicol Stephen on 11 December 2001, what constitutes an understanding of autism on the part of educational psychologists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20424 by Nicol Stephen on 11 December 2001, what constitutes an understanding of autism on the part of educational psychologists.","AnswerText":"Psychologists should be familiar with the concept of the triad of impairments characteristic of autism, the range of autistic spectrum disorders and the most common approaches to teaching autistic children.

    Their understanding should arise from their training - where they are introduced to literature on autism - and through practical experience of working with children with autism during placements. In addition, educational psychologists already in post will have opportunities to update their knowledge of autism through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2001-12-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157625,"EventID":"S1W-21028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20175 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 December 2001, at which of the meetings of the EU Council of Ministers its representatives (a) spoke a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20175 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 December 2001, at which of the meetings of the EU Council of Ministers its representatives (a) spoke and (b) lead on topics, such as fishing, in which Scotland has the major interest in the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"As stated in my answer to question S1W-20175, Scottish ministers attend council meetings as members of the United Kingdom delegation and speak when appropriate. No separate record is kept of occasions when Scottish ministers have spoken. Scottish ministers attend council meetings where there are significant and distinctive Scottish interests at stake.

    Scottish ministers led the UK delegation at the following councils:

    Date

    Council

    Minister

    8 June 2000

    Education

    Nicol Stephen

    12 February 2001

    Education

    Nicol Stephen

    4 June 2001

    Health

    Susan Deacon

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157626,"EventID":"S1W-21029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed as having Amyotorphic Lateral Sclerosis since 1991 to date and what percentage of those who are have been so diagnosed are veterans o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed as having Amyotorphic Lateral Sclerosis since 1991 to date and what percentage of those who are have been so diagnosed are veterans of the Gulf War. ","AnswerText":"Information on the incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neurone Disease, in Scotland from 1991, broken down by age and sex, is given in the following tables.

    Information on veterans of the Gulf War is not held by the Executive.

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Motor Neurone Disease) - number of patients by sex, age and year of admission

    Males

    Age Group

    1991

    1992

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    Total

    0-4

    2

    1

    3

    4

    6

    1

    2

    1

    0

    1

    21

    5-9

    1

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    2

    1

    		Separate arrangements are being made to collect and publish information relating to school year 2000-01.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157629,"EventID":"S1W-21032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued good practice guidance common to all local authorities regarding the criteria for the exercise of local authority discretion over the provision of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued good practice guidance common to all local authorities regarding the criteria for the exercise of local authority discretion over the provision of additional pre-school education for children born between September and December whose parents are considering deferral.","AnswerText":"On 28 November the General Secretary of ADES issued guidance to all Directors of Education on local authorities' use of discretion over the provision of additional pre-school education for children born between September and December whose parents are considering deferral. This is in line with the recommendations of the Working Group on deferrals set up by ministers in July 2000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157630,"EventID":"S1W-21033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to fund the recommendations of the Deferrals Working Group published in December 2000 and the announcement made by the then Deputy Minister for Education,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to fund the recommendations of the Deferrals Working Group published in December 2000 and the announcement made by the then Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 12 June 2001 that children who become four in January or February and who have their entry to primary school deferred by their parents will be able to access an additional year of publicly funded pre-school education, given the subsequent announcement by the Minister for Finance and Public Services on 6 December 2001 that resources allocated to local authorities for pre-school education will no longer be ring-fenced.","AnswerText":"The working group on the re-integration of pre-school education grant considered the recommendations of the Deferrals Working Group as part of their examination of the costs of re-integration. They agreed that the additional costs associated with children who become four in January or February and defer their entry into primary school would be affordable within the £137 million pre-school education grant to be reintegrated from April 2002.

    The reintegrated pre-school education grant forms part of the recently announced Local Government Settlement for 2002-03. Separate spending assessments for individual services are not identified nor subject to \"ring fenced\" conditions of grant.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157631,"EventID":"S1W-21034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answers to questions S1W-20206 and S1W-20210 on 6 December 2001, which of the sub-contractors of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd (a) received pay","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answers to questions S1W-20206 and S1W-20210 on 6 December 2001, which of the sub-contractors of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd (a) received payment of their accounts in full, (b) received part-payment of their accounts and (c) received no payment of their accounts, and whether those who did not receive full payment of their accounts from the official receiver of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will receive payment from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.","AnswerText":"The position of sub-contractors to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd is a matter for the appointed receiver, D J Manning, Bo'ness, West Lothian.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157632,"EventID":"S1W-21035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which business address in the United Kingdom Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd used in their dealings in connection with the MSP building cladding contract and whe","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which business address in the United Kingdom Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd used in their dealings in connection with the MSP building cladding contract and whether they used, indicated that they used or possessed any business address in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The initial business address provided for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was \"29th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London EH14 5DY\". The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has further confirmed that the company informed the Scottish Parliament on 9 May 2001, that its address had changed to \"34 Queen Anne Street, London W1M 9LB\". No indication of any business address in Edinburgh was given by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, other than in connection with the site accommodation at Holyrood.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157633,"EventID":"S1W-21036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, on what date Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was required to submit a performance bond; who was ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, on what date Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was required to submit a performance bond; who was responsible for ensuring that Flour City fulfilled that obligation; what steps were taken to seek performance of that obligation and when any such steps were taken; whether the absence of the performance bond will result in sub-contractors of Flour City not receiving payments of their accounts, and whether the principal contractors have any liability towards these sub-contractors.","AnswerText":"The Project's construction manager, Bovis Lend Lease Ltd, actively pursued a performance bond from Flour City Architectural Metals (FCAM) (UK) Ltd, during the period April-July 2001, in anticipation of the full Trade Contract being concluded. Once in place however, the Trade Contract required submission of an agreed performance bond by 17 August 2001. When this was not provided the relevant \"notice of failure\" was issued on 30 August 2001. Shortly after \"notice of failure\", a meeting was held with FCAM (International) senior management and a further deadline, of 14 September 2001, was set for provision of a performance bond. This deadline was not met and \"notice of intention to terminate contract\" was duly issued to FCAM (UK) Ltd on 26 September 2001. The performance bond was a requirement of the contract between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and FCAM (UK) Ltd, and has no bearing on contracts between FCAM (UK) Ltd and its subcontractors. The SPCB has no contractual liability to FCAM (UK) Ltd's subcontractors.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157634,"EventID":"S1W-21037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether copies of the invoices in respect of each of the five payments will be placed in the Scottish Parl","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether copies of the invoices in respect of each of the five payments will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157635,"EventID":"S1W-21038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether any amounts from the five payments that were made to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether any amounts from the five payments that were made to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were in respect of work carried out by sub-contractors of Flour City and what the nature of any such work was.","AnswerText":"The payments made by the Scottish Parliament to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd related to work performed in compliance with the contract between those two parties. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the Parliament is not responsible for, and therefore holds no details of, payments made by Flour City to its sub-contractors.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157636,"EventID":"S1W-21039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-19992 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001, whether any aspects of the trunk road maintenance contracts have been varied or altere","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-19992 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001, whether any aspects of the trunk road maintenance contracts have been varied or altered since 1 April 2001; if so, what variations have been made; whether the Executive has permitted Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR Scotland Ltd to make direct contact with the media without alteration to their respective contracts, and, if so, who gave authorisation for such direct contact to be made.","AnswerText":"There have been a limited number of relatively minor changes to the trunk road maintenance contracts since 1 April 2001. The one alteration to the specification resulted from a requirement of the Scottish Executive to enhance the quality of driver information feeding into its National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS). In respect of the provisions dealing with media contact, revised procedures were agreed in writing between the Executive's Director of Road Network Management and Maintenance Division, BEAR Scotland Ltd and Amey Highways Ltd and were put in place in October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157637,"EventID":"S1W-21040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19992 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001, whether it will alter the trunk road maintenance contracts to allow Amey Highways Ltd","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19992 by Lewis MacDonald on 11 December 2001, whether it will alter the trunk road maintenance contracts to allow Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR Scotland Ltd to answer enquiries from MSPs and MPs directly and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"There are currently no proposals to alter the trunk road maintenance contacts in this regard. The reason for the Scottish Executive's position on this matter was given in my answer to question S1W-20400 on 10 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157638,"EventID":"S1W-21041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority by-elections can be held within the six-month period leading up to the scheduled local government elections in May 2002, and what implications th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority by-elections can be held within the six-month period leading up to the scheduled local government elections in May 2002, and what implications there may be for the timing of local authority by-elections over the next two years should the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill be enacted.","AnswerText":"The general rule is that local authority by-elections cannot be held within the six-month period leading up to scheduled local government elections. This is in accordance with the current law as provided in section 37 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. In terms of section 37(2), where a vacancy in the office of councillor occurs within six months before the date of the next local government elections, a by-election should not be held but instead the vacancy should be filled at the next elections. This rule is subject to an exception if the total number of vacancies exceeds a third of the number of members. Therefore (subject to this exception) local authority by-elections cannot be held in the six-month period leading up to the local government elections currently scheduled for May 2002.

    On the enactment of the provisions of the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill, the local government elections scheduled for May 2002 will not take place. Section 2A(1) of the bill makes provision for any vacancies which would otherwise have been filled at the May 2002 elections by providing that an election to fill such a vacancy must be held within three months of the date on which the bill's provisions come in to force.

    As regards vacancies occurring after the date on which the act comes in to force, these will be filled in accordance with section 37 of the 1973 Act as amended by the bill. This means that a by election must be held within three months of the vacancy occurring unless it occurs within six months of the date of the next local government elections in which case the vacancy can be filled at those elections.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157639,"EventID":"S1W-21042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20472 by Dr Elaine Murray on 11 December 2001, how much the severance payment made to Tessa Jackson following her departure as Dire","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20472 by Dr Elaine Murray on 11 December 2001, how much the severance payment made to Tessa Jackson following her departure as Director of the Scottish Arts Council was and whether ministerial approval was sought for the sum involved.","AnswerText":"I have nothing further to add to my reply to question S1W-20472 on 11 December 2001 on this subject.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157640,"EventID":"S1W-21043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19962 by Allan Wilson on 11 December 2001, what bids for funding have been made for 2002-03 from organisations or communities in (a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19962 by Allan Wilson on 11 December 2001, what bids for funding have been made for 2002-03 from organisations or communities in (a) Fife, (b) Perth and Kinross and (c) Angus under each of the three elements of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund.","AnswerText":"
     RCF

    RSSF

    LCGS

    Fife

    1 bid

    0 bids

    0 bids

    Angus

    6 bids

    1 bid

    4 bids

    Perth & Kinross

    5 bids

    1 bid

    4 bids

    All bids received are currently being assessed and an announcement will be made early this year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157641,"EventID":"S1W-21044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Housing Improvement Task Force will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Housing Improvement Task Force will be published.","AnswerText":"The work of the Housing Improvement Task Force is in two stages. The first stage is now nearing completion and I expect the task force to publish the \"issues\" report for wider consultation in early 2002. The second stage of the work will be carried on throughout 2002 with the aim of agreeing a final report with conclusions and recommendations in 2003.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157642,"EventID":"S1W-21045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on its discussions with the European Commission regarding the future of grants for owner occupation (gro grants).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on its discussions with the European Commission regarding the future of grants for owner occupation (gro grants).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20386 on 29 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157643,"EventID":"S1W-21046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish Homes invested in (a) urban and (b) rural housing in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01 in real terms and what Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland's","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish Homes invested in (a) urban and (b) rural housing in each year from 1996-97 to 2000-01 in real terms and what Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland's planned investment is in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland's investment in urban and rural areas in the period 1996-97 to 2003-04, in 2000-01 real terms is as follows:

    Scottish Homes Development Programme - Urban & Rural Capital Expenditure

    (1996-97 to 2002-03)

    Rural

    Urban

    Year

    £ million

    £ million

    1996-97

    61.5

    262.6

    1997-98

    43.4

    171.7

    1998-99

    37.9

    162.3

    1999-2000

    42.7

    162.4

    2000-01

    44.4

    163.0

    2001-021

    48.3

    146.9

    2002-03

    tbc

    tbc

    2003-04

    tbc

    tbc

    Note:

    1. Estimate.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157644,"EventID":"S1W-21047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the suspension of new approvals within the grants for owner occupation programme would have on the owner occupied sector. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the suspension of new approvals within the grants for owner occupation programme would have on the owner occupied sector. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20386 on 29 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157645,"EventID":"S1W-21048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland investment on owner occupied properties will fall from #29.571 million in 2001-01 to #16.539 million in 2001-02 as identified in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland investment on owner occupied properties will fall from #29.571 million in 2001-01 to #16.539 million in 2001-02 as identified in Scottish Homes Investment Programme 2001-02 and what impact this reduction will have on the owner occupied sector.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    This reflects increased ministerial priority for the provision of affordable rented housing and the temporary suspension of the Grants for Rent or Owner Occupation programme. There will be around 500 fewer units for owner occupation approved in 2001-02 than in 2000-01, with the expenditure released being redirected to the rented programme.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157646,"EventID":"S1W-21049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Glasgow and North Clyde Region of Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland has reduced its investment from #78.406 million in 2000-01 to #75.115 million in 2001-02 as ide","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why Glasgow and North Clyde Region of Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland has reduced its investment from #78.406 million in 2000-01 to #75.115 million in 2001-02 as identified in Scottish Homes Investment Programme 2001-02 and what impact this reduction will have on the quality of housing provision.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Glasgow and North Clyde Regional programme is developed in close consultation with partners and reflects a broad range of existing partnership arrangements. Programmes are based upon local housing market and needs analysis to identify, consistent with strategy, the demands, needs and opportunities for housing investment and to ensure the continued provision of high quality housing.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157647,"EventID":"S1W-21050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list capital and revenue allocations to each social inclusion partnership area in real terms for each year since the partnerships were established to 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list capital and revenue allocations to each social inclusion partnership area in real terms for each year since the partnerships were established to 2002-03 and how much of the expenditure allocated to each partnership has been spent in each of these years to date.","AnswerText":"Allocations and expenditure for 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 (allocations only), for the 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP), are shown in the tables, all expressed in 2000-01 real terms. From 2001-02 there is no capital/revenue split. Table 1

    Council

    SIP

    1999- 2000

    Capital Allocation

    (£000)

    Expenditure

    (£000)

    Revenue Allocation

    (£000)

    Expenditure

    (£000)

    Aberdeen City

    Great Northern

    0

    0

    824

    618

    Angus

    Arbroath

    0

    0

    143

    107

    Argyll & Bute

    Argyll & Bute

    44

    33

    166

    123

    Clack'shire

    Alloa S & E

    216

    151

    548

    411

    Dundee

    Dundee 1

    178

    131

    2,379

    1,774

    Dundee 2

    0

    0

    806

    611

    Xplore

    76

    53

    229

    86

    Young Carers

    10

    4

    47

    14

    E. Ayrshire

    E. Ayr Coalfields

    259

    192

    496

    338

    E. Lothian

    Tranent

    0

    0

    96

    71

    E. Renfrewshire

    Levern Valley

    102

    67

    339

    255

    Edinburgh

    Craigmillar

    0

    0

    1,754

    1,200

    Strategic Prog.

    25

    19

    1,174

    820

    1996-97

    30,444

    1997-98

    36,201

    1998-99

    40,250

    1999-2000

    35,249

    2000-01

    34,945

    ","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157649,"EventID":"S1W-21052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the people who declined an offer of a fiscal fine under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 were subsequently prosecuted in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the people who declined an offer of a fiscal fine under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 were subsequently prosecuted in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Cases marked for prosecution following the offer of a Procurator Fiscal fine are not separately identified in the records of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the information sought, is, therefore, not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157650,"EventID":"S1W-21053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each of the last five years accepted the offer of a fiscal fine under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and subsequently faile","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each of the last five years accepted the offer of a fiscal fine under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and subsequently failed to make full payment of the fine.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157651,"EventID":"S1W-21054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who failed to (a) pay fiscal fines in full and (b) pay instalments in respect of such fines timeously in each of the last five years have been proceeded ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who failed to (a) pay fiscal fines in full and (b) pay instalments in respect of such fines timeously in each of the last five years have been proceeded against in the district court.","AnswerText":"Cases marked for prosecution following the offer of a Procurator Fiscal fine are not separately identified in the records of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the information sought is, therefore, not available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157652,"EventID":"S1W-21055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each of the last five years, subsequent to any appearance at the District Court in respect of non-payment of fiscal fines, have continued to fail to m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each of the last five years, subsequent to any appearance at the District Court in respect of non-payment of fiscal fines, have continued to fail to meet such obligations.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157653,"EventID":"S1W-21056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to prevent any non-payment of fiscal fines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to prevent any non-payment of fiscal fines.","AnswerText":"At my request the Criminal Justice Forum has recently been considering how fines enforcement generally might be improved. Proposals under discussion include the introduction of Fines Enforcement Officers and more flexible arrangements for payment.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157654,"EventID":"S1W-21057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-19680 and S1W-19681 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will consider relocating civil service jobs to Argyll and But","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-19680 and S1W-19681 by Angus MacKay on 19 November 2001, whether it will consider relocating civil service jobs to Argyll and Bute in the foreseeable future.","AnswerText":"Two objectives govern relocation decisions. First, the location of organisations should promote efficiency and effectiveness. Second, subject to the first objective, the work of the Scottish Executive and related bodies should be close to the communities they serve. When relocation is being considered, no parts of the country are targeted, nor are any ruled out. Each relocation decision is viewed on its own merits and a decision is taken about where each organisation should be situated, based on the relevant factors in each case. Argyll and Bute will continue to be considered as a potential area for relocation.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157655,"EventID":"S1W-21058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make arrangements for payments to farmers in Aberdeenshire under the Integrated Administration and Control System to be made as a matter of urgency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make arrangements for payments to farmers in Aberdeenshire under the Integrated Administration and Control System to be made as a matter of urgency.","AnswerText":"The department gives priority to the payment of subsidies. Figures for specific areas are not readily available. But for Scotland as a whole, payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) started on 16 November 2001, the first possible date under the EU legislation. By Christmas some 80% of AAPS claimants have had over £94 million paid into their bank accounts. The department is confident that it will meet its EU obligations to pay more than 96% of AAPS payments by the end of January 2002.

    In addition, more than £78 million has been paid out under the various livestock schemes since the beginning of November 2001. This covers almost all of the claims eligible for payment.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157656,"EventID":"S1W-21059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the paediatric services operated by Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust are adequate and whether it has any plans to improve these services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the paediatric services operated by Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust are adequate and whether it has any plans to improve these services.","AnswerText":"Provision of paediatric services at local level is a matter for the local NHS board in light of local priorities and needs. However, the Child Health Support Group (CHSG) visited the Grampian area in January to review health services for children, and to offer advice and support to the NHS board on developing child health services locally. In addition the CHSG Conference \"Making Services Work for Children\" was held on 27 February and highlighted areas of good practice in health services across the country.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157657,"EventID":"S1W-21060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any development of tourism associated with family history and genealogy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any development of tourism associated with family history and genealogy.","AnswerText":"VisitScotland will launch a Genealogy Tourism Strategy and dedicated website in January. The strategy will be launched in Glasgow, and also in America, Canada and Australia.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mike Watson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157658,"EventID":"S1W-21061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to remove the toll charges from the Erskine Bridge while the Clyde Tunnel is being repaired in January 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to remove the toll charges from the Erskine Bridge while the Clyde Tunnel is being repaired in January 2002.","AnswerText":"None. A contraflow system will operate on the northbound Clyde tunnel during repairs to the south bound tunnel.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157659,"EventID":"S1W-21062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals who participated in the self-employment route of the New Deal have gone back to claiming benefit since the New Deal's inception.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals who participated in the self-employment route of the New Deal have gone back to claiming benefit since the New Deal's inception.","AnswerText":"A distinct self-employment route has been available through New Deal 18-24 since its inception and through New Deal 25 plus since April 2001. The route consists of three stages with Stages 1 & 2 delivered in the Gateway and Stage 3 as part of the Employment Option or Intensive Activity Period (IAP) respectively. Prior to April individuals joining New Deal 25 plus and seeking to be self-employed could be referred to Training for Work (TfW). Clients participating in other New Deal programmes are also supported in moving into self-employment.

    Data is not available across all New Deals detailing the total number of individuals who have received New Deal self-employment support and returned to benefits. The information below may be helpful in giving an indication of outcomes.

    Three hundred and sixty six young people had followed the self-employment route through New Deal 18-24 up to the end of September 2001. Of these, 145 (45%) had returned to claiming JSA within 18 months.

    Published figures for the enhanced New Deal 25 plus are available from April 2001 - September 2001. Fourteen New Deal 25 plus clients have started mainstream self-employment provision and 20 clients have started New Deal for Musicians IAP self-employment provision. Data is not yet available regarding New Deal 25 plus clients returning to benefits from self-employment provision.

    Nine per cent of New Deal 50 plus clients, 557 individuals, claiming the employment credit on the basis of being of being self-employed (end September).

    One hundred and ninety three self-employed job entries in TfW in 2000-01. (96 to end September 2001).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157660,"EventID":"S1W-21063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which prisons prisoners are still slopping out each morning and how many prisoners are slopping out in each such prison.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which prisons prisoners are still slopping out each morning and how many prisoners are slopping out in each such prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    The total number of prisoner places in the SPS estate which do not have access to proper night time sanitation is 1,905, distributed as follows:

    Establishment

    Number of places without night time sanitation*

    Barlinnie

    833

    Edinburgh

    292

    Glenochil

    174

    Perth

    146

    Peterhead

    296

    Polmont

    164

    Total

    1,905

    Note:

    * Not all prisoner places are in use e.g. during refurbishment or repair and some places have porta-potties that do not require daily slopping out.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157661,"EventID":"S1W-21064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what different options are available for local authority tenants having central heating installed under its central heating installation programme and whether tenants ca","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what different options are available for local authority tenants having central heating installed under its central heating installation programme and whether tenants can have central heating installed other than through a programme of works organised by their local authority.","AnswerText":"Local authorities run the Central Heating Programme for their tenants. They have been asked to offer a choice of heating system where it is reasonable and practicable to do so. Local authority tenants can only access the Central Heating Programme through their landlord. Local authorities also invest in central heating and other energy efficiency measures through their HRA capital programmes and so tenants can also benefit in this way.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157662,"EventID":"S1W-21065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19641 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 16 November 2001, when the research which it commissioned to help maximise employment opportunitie","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19641 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 16 November 2001, when the research which it commissioned to help maximise employment opportunities from the housing stock transfer will be published.","AnswerText":"The research commissioned by the Scottish Executive into construction skills gaps, designed to help maximise employment opportunities from housing stock transfer, will be published early in the new year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157663,"EventID":"S1W-21066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18980 by Jackie Baillie on 23 November 2001, what the current estimate is of the number of local authority houses in Glasgow which ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18980 by Jackie Baillie on 23 November 2001, what the current estimate is of the number of local authority houses in Glasgow which will have central heating installed in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05.","AnswerText":"This depends on the outcome of the ballot on stock transfer. Regardless of the outcome of the ballot, we have said consistently that all local authority houses in Glasgow will receive central heating.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157664,"EventID":"S1W-21067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19911 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 December 2001, what its future targets are for yearly reductions in hospital acquired infections in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19911 by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 December 2001, what its future targets are for yearly reductions in hospital acquired infections in the NHS.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change makes clear that every NHS Trust is expected to have in place an infection control policy. In addition, the NHS will adhere to infection control standards established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS). The board will arrange regular reviews of performance against these standards, and the results will be published. It is the responsibility of NHS Boards and trusts to ensure that action is taken to address any deficiencies identified. Follow-up reviews of performance will be arranged by CSBS.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157665,"EventID":"S1W-21068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) deaf, (b) blind and (c) deafblind persons are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) deaf, (b) blind and (c) deafblind persons are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive employs:

    (a) 74 persons (0.5% of staff) with a self-declared hearing disability,

    (b) 90 persons (0.6% of staff) with a self-declared visual disability and

    (c) No figures are available on the number of deafblind staff employed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157666,"EventID":"S1W-21069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many women are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many women are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive core departments employ 2,187 women, which represents 50% of the core workforce.

    The Scottish Executive as a whole, including agencies and associated departments, employs 6,168 women. This represents 41% of the total workforce.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157667,"EventID":"S1W-21070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons from ethnic minorities are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons from ethnic minorities are employed by it and what percentage of its workforce they represent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently involved in the development and implementation of improved ethnicity monitoring of staff. A comprehensive survey of ethnicity information for all staff has recently been undertaken, and information from that will be available within the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157668,"EventID":"S1W-21071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much employment has risen since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive by how much employment has risen since 1997.","AnswerText":"The latest figures (August to October 2001) show the employment level for all people over 16 in Scotland to be 2,382,000. The equivalent figure in 1997 was 2,317,000. This is an increase of 65,000.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157669,"EventID":"S1W-21072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons are currently classified as rough sleepers in (a) Scotland and (b) East Dunbartonshire and what steps are being taken to reduce these figures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons are currently classified as rough sleepers in (a) Scotland and (b) East Dunbartonshire and what steps are being taken to reduce these figures.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the reply given to question S1W-18044 on 11 September 2001. The Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) has made £42 million available to local authorities over five years, 1997-98 to 2001-02 to tackle rough sleeping. Further funding has been made available in 2002-03 and 2003-04 linked to Local Outcome Agreements, which will ensure the continued focus on the overarching target to end the need to sleep rough by 2003. East and West Dunbartonshire first bid for RSI funding in 1998-99 and received joint funding of £45,500 from 1998-99 to 1999-2000. They bid separately in 2000-01 and in the last two years East Dunbartonshire has received total funding of £75,675. The council will receive £29,675 in each of the next two years, which will continue support for its outreach work and rent deposit scheme.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157670,"EventID":"S1W-21073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number and percentage of secondary school pupils who continued their education in state schools beyond the age of 16, broken down by educa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number and percentage of secondary school pupils who continued their education in state schools beyond the age of 16, broken down by education authority, in each year from 1994 to date.","AnswerText":"The numbers and percentages of pupils staying on at school in S5 above school leaving age are given in the following tables.

    Voluntary S5 roll

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000p

    Aberdeen City

    1,267

    1,405

    1,300

    1,438

    1,357

    1,300

    1,356

    Aberdeenshire

    1,938

    2,136

    2,017

    2,043

    1,977

    1,965

    1,912

    Angus

    855

    880

    950

    934

    872

    896

    967

    Argyll & Bute

    766

    834

    769

    809

    		The success of the campaign in meeting its objectives will be judged firstly by monitoring the numbers of applicants for the 2002-03 academic session and secondly by monitoring changes in public perception, through a System 3 survey completed in November 2001 and currently under analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157672,"EventID":"S1W-21075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract mature new entrants to teaching as a career.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract mature new entrants to teaching as a career.","AnswerText":"The recent teacher recruitment advertising campaign had the twin objectives of improving the perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession.

    All of the Scottish Executive's teacher recruitment activity is designed to appeal to the widest possible range of potential teachers including mature new entrants. It should be noted that 70% of callers responding to the most recent campaign in October this year were in the 25 to 44 age group.

    The success of the campaign in meeting its objectives will be judged, firstly by monitoring the numbers of applicants for the 2002-03 academic session and secondly by monitoring changes in public perception, through a System 3 survey completed in November 2001 and currently under analysis.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157673,"EventID":"S1W-21076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract former teachers to return to teaching as a career.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract former teachers to return to teaching as a career.","AnswerText":"The recent teacher recruitment advertising campaign had the twin objectives of improving the perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession.

    All of the Scottish Executive's teacher recruitment activity is designed to appeal to the widest possible range of potential teachers and this includes former teachers whose return to the profession would be welcomed.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157674,"EventID":"S1W-21077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the (a) amount in real terms and (b) percentage of research and development budgets funded from public sources which has been allocated to ren","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the (a) amount in real terms and (b) percentage of research and development budgets funded from public sources which has been allocated to renewable energy projects.","AnswerText":"The research and development (R&D) funding programme for renewable energy is reserved; the budget is held by DTI and has been increased recently. Over this and the next two years there is £55 million available for renewable R&D projects across the UK. Scottish developers and Scottish projects have received around £10 million in funding from this source over the last 10 years. We work to ensure that Scottish projects continue to benefit from the increased funding available.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157675,"EventID":"S1W-21078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1928,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":73,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences have been reported which occurred in the vicinity of live railway lines in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences have been reported which occurred in the vicinity of live railway lines in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive. The following information has been supplied by the British Transport Police in respect of crimes and offences occurring on or near railway lines.

    Crimes and Offences occurring on or near railway lines reported and recorded by the British Transport Police

    Crime/Offence

    1997-98

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    Reported

    Detected

    Reported

    Detected

    Reported

    Detected

    Reported

    Detected

    Endangering Safety

    21

    14

    21

    12

    28

    10

    42

    8

    Obstruction

    84

    10

    82

    4

    67

    3

    63

    4

    Throwing Missile

    0

    0

    0

    		Scottish Executive action in a number of areas includes improving access to specialist legal advice and assistance, provision of additional funding for English language support, community development and integration in Glasgow.

    We are also establishing the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum to take forward the devolved interests in refugee integration in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157687,"EventID":"S1W-21090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown by agricultural sector and land category of the payments to farmers and crofters in 2001 under the less favoured area scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown by agricultural sector and land category of the payments to farmers and crofters in 2001 under the less favoured area scheme.","AnswerText":"The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) is not sector specific. It involves, in the main, area payments to different land categories within the less favoured area in Scotland. Details of the distribution of payments by land category under LFASS 2001 are set out in the table.

    Land Category

    LFASS 2001

    £ million

    %

    Moorland

    17.99

    29.7

    Northern Upland/Moorland

    3.66

    6.0

    Northern Upland

    7.86

    13.0

    Southern Upland /Moorland

    7.02

    11.6

    Southern Upland

    23.60

    38.9

    Others 1

    0.47

    0.8

    Scotland

    60.6

    100.0

    Although there are only three land classes, some farm businesses encompass a mix of land classes, hence Northern Upland/Moorland and Southern Upland/Moorland appear in the table above. Values for Southern Upland/Northern Upland and Southern Upland/Northern Upland/Moorland farms are not shown separately because of the small number of farms in these mixed land class categories.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157688,"EventID":"S1W-21091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7052 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000, what the (a) net revenue expenditure on roads maintenance and (b) gross capital expenditure o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7052 by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000, what the (a) net revenue expenditure on roads maintenance and (b) gross capital expenditure on the structural maintenance of roads has been in respect of each local authority in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The following table shows provisional figures provided by each local authority for the net revenue expenditure on roads and winter maintenance. However, although the Executive collects forecasts of capital expenditure on the structural maintenance of roads in the current year, we cannot at present provide this information in the detail requested.

    Roads & Road Lighting Budget Estimate 2001-02

    Road Maintenance

    (£0)

    Winter Maintenance

    (£0)

    Aberdeen, City

    3,105

    1,561

    Aberdeenshire

    7,114

    3,835

    Angus

    2,528

    1,280

    Argyll and Bute

    6,615

    1,698

    Clackmannanshire

    678

    375

    Dumfries and Galloway

    6,170

    1,033

    Dundee

    2,425

    673

    East Ayrshire

    2,828

    1,089

    East Dunbartonshire

    2,625

    698

    East Lothian

    1,832

    720

    <","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157689,"EventID":"S1W-21092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average weekly traffic flow has been on the A8000 annually since January 1997 and what the estimated average weekly traffic flows are annually until December 200","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average weekly traffic flow has been on the A8000 annually since January 1997 and what the estimated average weekly traffic flows are annually until December 2006.","AnswerText":"The A8000 is classified as a local road. This is therefore a matter for City of Edinburgh Council to address.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157690,"EventID":"S1W-21093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who attended the aviation summit on 3 December 2001 on its behalf and what action it intends to take in light of this summit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who attended the aviation summit on 3 December 2001 on its behalf and what action it intends to take in light of this summit.","AnswerText":"I attended the summit. The discussion was useful in inputting views to the forthcoming Air Transport Consultation Document to be published in 2002. This will address the policy responses which the Executive will wish to consider to meet the aviation challenges of the next 30 years.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157691,"EventID":"S1W-21094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has commissioned, received or is aware of having been carried out on the economic benefits of Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the local and national economi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has commissioned, received or is aware of having been carried out on the economic benefits of Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the local and national economies and whether it will publish any of these reports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned any such reports, nor has it received any. Officials are aware of a study by Airports Council International, Creating Employment and Prosperity in Europe, published in September 1998, and a Scottish Enterprise study into the economic impact of direct air services in Scotland of the same year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157692,"EventID":"S1W-21095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":56,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how hospital managers' salaries at the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust are structured and whether those salaries and any bonuses are dependent on throughput ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how hospital managers' salaries at the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust are structured and whether those salaries and any bonuses are dependent on throughput targets being met by the hospitals.","AnswerText":"Chief executives, executive directors and senior management in NHSScotland are subject to the Executive Pay arrangements. Under these arrangements management posts are job evaluated and the integrity of the job evaluation process is maintained by a central evaluation committee. Individuals are appointed to a grade and are able to progress through the pay range, subject to fully acceptable performance. Managers' performance is assessed on the basis of achievement of aims and objectives set by the employer, taking account of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157693,"EventID":"S1W-21096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been received by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been received by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The public funding received by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000 is as follows:

    Year

    Public funding (£ million)

    1999-2000

    275.5

    2000-01

    315.4

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157694,"EventID":"S1W-21097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many performance audits were conducted by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many performance audits were conducted by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The number of performance audits carried out by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000 is shown in the table:

    Year

    Number of performance audits

    1999-2000

    79

    2000-01

    70

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157695,"EventID":"S1W-21098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2090,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many statutory inquiries have been conducted by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many statutory inquiries have been conducted by Scottish Homes in each year since 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157696,"EventID":"S1W-21099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in resolving any concerns expressed by parents and teachers about the Higher Still English exam.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in resolving any concerns expressed by parents and teachers about the Higher Still English exam.","AnswerText":"The National Qualifications Task Group established a sub-group last year to review the design of National Courses in English and Communication. The sub-group reported in November 2001 and a copy of its report has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18412). I endorsed the report on 15 November and asked Scottish Qualifications Authority to implement the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157697,"EventID":"S1W-21100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes will be made to the Higher Still English exam syllabus following consultations with parents and teachers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what changes will be made to the Higher Still English exam syllabus following consultations with parents and teachers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21099 on 7 January 2002. I asked Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to implement the proposals in the NQTG review of this subject and SQA have now written to centres advising them of the changes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157698,"EventID":"S1W-21101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the British Airports Authority and Scottish Airports Ltd regarding the economic impact of the level of landing cha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the British Airports Authority and Scottish Airports Ltd regarding the economic impact of the level of landing charges at Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow Airports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its agencies, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, are in regular contact with Scottish Airports Ltd about a wide range of matters on the importance of transport for economic development.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157699,"EventID":"S1W-21102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it and VisitScotland have given to the effect on tourism and the economy of the level of landing charges on air links to and from Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it and VisitScotland have given to the effect on tourism and the economy of the level of landing charges on air links to and from Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with VisitScotland about a wide range of matters including the effect of air transport on tourism and the economy.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157700,"EventID":"S1W-21103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children left school in the City of Edinburgh area with no qualifications in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children left school in the City of Edinburgh area with no qualifications in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table.

     

    Leavers from Publicly Funded Schools

    Leavers from Independent Schools

    All School Leavers

    1997-98

    132

    12

    144

    1998-99

    151

    19

    170

    It should be noted that included within these figures are any pupils who leave school with only GCSE and/or A level qualifications. Statistics on the attainment in these examinations is not held by the Scottish Executive. Data relating to 1999-2000 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157701,"EventID":"S1W-21104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children left school in the City of Edinburgh area with literacy or numeracy problems in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children left school in the City of Edinburgh area with literacy or numeracy problems in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"There is no standard definition of \"literacy and numeracy problems\". Information on those leaving publicly funded schools in the City of Edinburgh who had not attained Standard Grade Mathematics and Standard Grade English in academic sessions 1997-98 and 1998-99 is set out in the following table. Data relating to 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are not yet available.

    Year

    Total number of leavers

    Percentage not attaining Standard Grade Mathematics

    Percentage not attaining Standard Grade English

    1997-98

    3,388

    10%

    10%

    1998-99

    3,408

    11%

    10%

    Note: These figures do not include pupils who left school with only GCSE and/or A level qualifications, as attainment data from these examinations are not held by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157702,"EventID":"S1W-21105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct or indirect financial assistance it has given to the Glasgow Piping Centre in the last two years and what the purpose of the assistance was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct or indirect financial assistance it has given to the Glasgow Piping Centre in the last two years and what the purpose of the assistance was.","AnswerText":"In September 2000, the Piping Centre in Glasgow received a grant of £250,000 from the Scottish Executive. In November 2001 they were granted £300,000. Both grants were offered to reduce the debt of the centre and thus help it continue to provide tuition for musicians.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157703,"EventID":"S1W-21106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct or indirect financial assistance it has given to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the last two years and what the purpose of the assistance was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direct or indirect financial assistance it has given to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the last two years and what the purpose of the assistance was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Arts Council has provided funding to the the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) in the last two years as follows:

    2000-01

    £2,428,522 core revenue funding

    2001-02 (to date)

    £2,590,613 core revenue funding

    Plus £3,500 towards the cost of composing a major work for the orchestra and £1,000 towards attendance at the National Arts Fundraising School.

    In addition, following council approval of the RSNO application for entry to the Lottery Advancement Scheme, a sum of £775,000 has been reserved for the company's planned process of change.

    The company has also accessed from the council a £500,000 advance of their 2002 to 2003 core revenue funding grant in order to assist in its management of cash flow.

    The Executive has given no direct financial assistance to the company.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157704,"EventID":"S1W-21107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments it has made to assist arts organisations with the reduction of deficits, broken down by amount and organisation, in the last two years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what payments it has made to assist arts organisations with the reduction of deficits, broken down by amount and organisation, in the last two years. ","AnswerText":"The Executive has awarded the Piping Centre £550,000 in this period for this purpose (I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21105). No other award has been made by the Executive directly, although Scottish Opera received £1.9 million in 2000-01 through the Scottish Arts Council in respect of its deficit.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157705,"EventID":"S1W-21108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce harassment of people with mental health problems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce harassment of people with mental health problems.","AnswerText":"Part of the solution must lie in addressing people's attitudes to mental health and to those with mental health problems. We need to tackle the stigma which many associate with mental illness. The Scottish Executive is already committed to this.

    I announced in October 2001 that I am establishing a National Advisory Group, consisting of a range of stakeholders from health, education, social justice, business and other areas, to be responsible for developing a national programme to promote mental health and well-being and to address stigma. The Executive will invest over £4 million over three years in this programme.

    Behaviour which might be described as harassment can be prosecuted as a breach of the peace (which can cover all behaviour which causes or is likely to cause, fear, alarm, upset or annoyance). The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 provides further protection to victims of harassment. Under the act victims can take action in the civil courts to obtain damages for the harassment and can also obtain a non-harassment order (NHO) to prevent further harassment. This year's criminal justice legislation will provide for the introduction of a specific power of arrest for breach of an NHO.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157706,"EventID":"S1W-21109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of the administration budgets of all non-departmental public bodies for each of the last two years and any such draft budgets available for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of the administration budgets of all non-departmental public bodies for each of the last two years and any such draft budgets available for each of the next two years, including outturn figures where these are available. ","AnswerText":"Annual Reports and Accounts of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) contain detailed financial information including references to administration budgets, and are the main vehicles by which NDPBs regularly inform Parliament and the public about their activities and expenditure. Corporate Plans contain information on budget proposals. All of these documents can be obtained from individual bodies. In addition, a compilation of financial information can be found in the annual publication Public Bodies. Copies are available from the Cabinet Office website at:

    www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157707,"EventID":"S1W-21110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide level 3 figures for the administration budgets for all its departments in each of the last two years and the draft figures for each of the next t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide level 3 figures for the administration budgets for all its departments in each of the last two years and the draft figures for each of the next two years.","AnswerText":"The table sets out the level 3 figures, based on original published plans, for the Scottish Executive's administration budget, which covers the whole costs of running the Executive, disaggregated where appropriate between departments. Only the administration costs element of the budget, which includes expenditure on pay, office overhead costs, ministers and special advisors is allocated to departments, the remainder of the budget is managed centrally.

    2000-01

    Original Plans

    (£ million)

    2001-02

    Original Plans

    (£ million)

    2002-03

    Original Plans

    (£ million)

    2003-04

    Original Plans

    (£ million1)

    Total Administration costs

    199.8

    211.9

    214.2

    218.0

    % change year on year (real terms)

    3.5%

    -1.4%

    -0.7%

    Admin costs as a % of Total Managed Expenditure

    1.11

    1.07

    1.01

    0.98

    Scottish Executive Administration Budget by Department (Level 3)

    SE Administration Costs:

    Development

    16.2

    18.7

    16.9

    Education

    14.5

    12.9

    I have asked the unit to assess existing capacity in NHSScotland and spare capacity in the independent healthcare sector. It will then work with NHSScotland and independent providers to ensure that better and more efficient use is made of these resources for the benefit of NHS patients across Scotland, ensuring that the utilisation of private hospitals does not adversely impact on the provision of NHS care.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157711,"EventID":"S1W-21114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit will be set up and how much the unit will cost to (a) set up and (b) run.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit will be set up and how much the unit will cost to (a) set up and (b) run.","AnswerText":"I announced details of the National Waiting Times Unit on 8 January 2002.

    The unit will be an integral part of the Scottish Executive Health Department rather than an external body, and its staff will be drawn from NHSScotland and the Health Department. Set up and running costs will be met from existing resources.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157712,"EventID":"S1W-21115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit is a short-term measure or will remain a functional part of long-term patient care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit is a short-term measure or will remain a functional part of long-term patient care.","AnswerText":"On 8 January 2002 I announced details of the new National Waiting Times Unit, which has been established to work with NHSScotland to reduce delays by ensuring better and more efficient use of capacity and co-ordinating a regional or national response to local bottlenecks or pressures.

    The unit has a wide-ranging remit and will remain in place until it has been discharged.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157713,"EventID":"S1W-21116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients will benefit from the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients will benefit from the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit.","AnswerText":"On 8 January 2002, I announced details of the new National Waiting Times Unit, which has been established to reduce delays for patients by ensuring better and more efficient use of capacity and by co-ordinating a regional or national response to local bottlenecks or pressures. Initially it will focus its efforts on tackling delays in the clinical priorities of cancer and heart disease, as well as working to reduce the longest waits experienced by patients.

    The unit will seek to ensure that the most effective use is made of Scotland's collective health resources, and its work will be of significant benefit to a substantial number of patients across the country.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157714,"EventID":"S1W-21117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will manage and direct the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who will manage and direct the National Waiting Times Co-ordination Unit.","AnswerText":"I announced details of the National Waiting Times Unit, including the appointment of John Connaghan, Chief Executive, Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as Director, on 8 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157715,"EventID":"S1W-21118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a formal relationship with the private health care sector by signing a concordat on procedure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a formal relationship with the private health care sector by signing a concordat on procedure.","AnswerText":"On 8 January 2002, I announced details of the new National Waiting Times Unit.

    I have asked the unit to assess existing capacity in NHSScotland and spare capacity in the independent healthcare sector. It will then work with NHSScotland and independent providers to ensure that better and more efficient use is made of these resources for the benefit of NHS patients across Scotland, ensuring that the utilisation of private hospitals does not adversely impact on the provision of NHS care.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157716,"EventID":"S1W-21119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of setting up the new Scottish Health Council will be, whether the costs of running it will be greater than those for the existing system and what benefit i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of setting up the new Scottish Health Council will be, whether the costs of running it will be greater than those for the existing system and what benefit it will have for patients.","AnswerText":"As indicated in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change and the recent publication Patient Focus and Public Involvement, we will work with Health Councils, the Scottish Consumer Council and other key stakeholders to develop proposals for a national body with a local presence - the Scottish Health Council. It will not be possible to estimate the cost of setting up the new arrangements until the development work has been completed. However, we do not expect the cost of running it to be greater than that of the existing system.

    We plan to consult widely on the role of the new Scotland Health Council, which we see as having three main functions:

    to ensure that the voices of patients and the public are heard by NHSScotland bodies and that these services respond to these views;

    to develop good practice so that the public, patients and local communities are fully involved in all decisions affecting the delivery of health services, and

    to support patients, carers and the public develop the capacity to make their views known.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157717,"EventID":"S1W-21120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether one of the genetically modified oil-seed rape plants being grown in the field trial at Roskil Farm on the Black Isle has flowered seve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether one of the genetically modified oil-seed rape plants being grown in the field trial at Roskil Farm on the Black Isle has flowered several months ahead of the normal flowering time and, if this has happened, whether it was the result of genetically instability in the plant caused by genetic engineering.","AnswerText":"Following a site visit, the Scottish Executive can confirm that a plant within the GM oil-seed rape crop growing at Tullich field has flowered, as has an oilseed rape plant among the non-GM control crop. On the GM side of the field, this represents one plant amidst an estimated 6.7 million GM oil-seed rape plants and does not enable definitive conclusions to be drawn. Although it is premature for rape plants to flower at this time of year, this phenomenon has been experienced in many plants this winter following a period of uncharacteristically mild weather. The GM Inspectorate monitor all of the release sites in Scotland to ensure that the terms of each consent are complied with and that any developments which may pose a threat to the environment are identified.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157718,"EventID":"S1W-21121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2044,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is to be made available to Scottish Borders Council for expenditure incurred by the council following the snowfalls which occurred in February 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is to be made available to Scottish Borders Council for expenditure incurred by the council following the snowfalls which occurred in February 2001.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that Scottish Borders Council is eligible for a payment of £291,134 under the Bellwin Scheme. The scheme was activated on 29 August 2001 following representation from the council on costs directly associated with the immediate aftermath of the heavy snowfalls in February 2001.

    Scottish Borders Council's costs were primarily revenue costs for clearing roads, supplying food to stranded passengers and hire of additional vehicles.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157719,"EventID":"S1W-21122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training in dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorder is given to police officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training in dealing with people with autistic spectrum disorder is given to police officers.","AnswerText":"Training dealing specifically with autistic spectrum disorder is not provided for police officers. General awareness of the need to deal sensitively with people who may have special needs will, however, be addressed through the new National Equal Opportunity Training Strategy which is presently being rolled out at the Scottish Police College.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157720,"EventID":"S1W-21123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training in dealing with young people with autistic spectrum disorder is given to members of Children's Panels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training in dealing with young people with autistic spectrum disorder is given to members of Children's Panels.","AnswerText":"During pre-service training panel members receive general information on child development and special needs, including reference to autistic spectrum disorder. Recent in-service training and locally organised training events have also addressed autistic spectrum disorder.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157721,"EventID":"S1W-21124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been of people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder in each of the last five years. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been of people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157722,"EventID":"S1W-21125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #500,000 funding for community pharmacies announced in its news release SE4085/2001 on 1 October 2001 will be distributed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the #500,000 funding for community pharmacies announced in its news release SE4085/2001 on 1 October 2001 will be distributed.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the Annex to NHS Circular PCA(P)(2001)6 issued by the department on 27 September 2001, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18190).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157723,"EventID":"S1W-21126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for match funding have been made by Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board to it, Scottish Enterprise and other agencies; how many applications were s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for match funding have been made by Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board to it, Scottish Enterprise and other agencies; how many applications were successful; how many applications were unsuccessful, and whether it will detail the reasons why applications were unsuccessful.","AnswerText":"Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board (DGTB) have, to date, put forward five applications for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the South of Scotland Objective 2 2000-06 Programme.

    Of the five applications, three were submitted to the first round call for applications, at a time when the Area Tourism Strategy had not been finalised. members of the Advisory Group, who make recommendations on whether projects should receive ERDF support, highlighted a number of areas where the projects could be strengthened, including the importance of having the Area Tourism Strategy in place before awarding the projects support. Therefore, the projects were not approved for support during the first round. However, it was made clear to Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board that strengthened, more strategic applications, based on those put forward to the first round, would be welcomed in the second round, to fit with the Area Tourism Strategy .

    Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board accordingly resubmitted two applications to the second round, which were strategic in nature. These projects were approved for ERDF support totalling £1.24 million.

    No applications were received from DGTB in the third round.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157724,"EventID":"S1W-21127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police hours have been spent on secondment from the Dumfries and Galloway Police to the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many police hours have been spent on secondment from the Dumfries and Galloway Police to the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency to date.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157725,"EventID":"S1W-21128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency to date.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency to date.","AnswerText":"Since the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency was formally launched on 1 June 2000, it has been involved in five joint operations relating to serious crime with Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157726,"EventID":"S1W-21129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of sei'ures made by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in Dumfries and Galloway was at 30 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of sei'ures made by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in Dumfries and Galloway was at 30 November 2001.","AnswerText":"Operations undertaken by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency in the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary area have resulted in the seizure of controlled drugs with an estimated street value of just over £860,000.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157727,"EventID":"S1W-21130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many search warrants were issued to Dumfries and Galloway Police in each month from 1 January 2000 to 30 November 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many search warrants were issued to Dumfries and Galloway Police in each month from 1 January 2000 to 30 November 2001.","AnswerText":"The following table gives details of search warrants issued to Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary during the period July 2000 to November 2001. Figures prior to July 2000 are not available as they were not held centrally.

    Month

    Number of Warrants Issued

    2000

    July

    7

    August

    7

    September

    8

    October

    8

    November

    19

    December

    16

    2001

    January

    17

    February

    17

    March

    17

    April

    28

    May

    6

    June

    18

    July

    6

    August

    6

    September

    7

    October

    13

    November

    11

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157728,"EventID":"S1W-21131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available to psychiatrists in respect of autism and Asperger's Syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is available to psychiatrists in respect of autism and Asperger's Syndrome.","AnswerText":"A theoretical knowledge of autistic spectrum disorder is required for all candidates sitting the examination for membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is the first level qualification for all those aspiring to become consultant psychiatrists. In the second phase of training, as specialist registrars, candidates for child and adolescent psychiatry posts will all be trained in the assessment, management, and collaborative approach to the problems experienced by people with autistic spectrum disorder, and those who care for them.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157729,"EventID":"S1W-21132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatrists currently deal only with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in each health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatrists currently deal only with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in each health board area.","AnswerText":"While a number of psychiatrists specialise in the treatment of specific conditions, they will treat patients with a wide range of psychiatric needs. Information is not collected on those who deal only with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, as staff data is classified by main specialty only and does not identify sub-categories of specialty or special interest.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157730,"EventID":"S1W-21133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training specific to autism and Asperger's syndrome is currently available in the teacher training curriculum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training specific to autism and Asperger's syndrome is currently available in the teacher training curriculum.","AnswerText":"Guidelines for initial teacher education courses in Scotland, which are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18071), require that courses prepare teachers entering the profession to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well-being. The guidelines are not prescriptive and each training institution develops their own programme.

    Good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools, which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 15847), recommends that school staff should have general awareness training for a number of medical conditions.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157731,"EventID":"S1W-21134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training specific to autism and Asperger's syndrome is currently offered by health boards in Scotland to all staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training specific to autism and Asperger's syndrome is currently offered by health boards in Scotland to all staff.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of each trust, as the employer, to ensure that individuals have the training required to provide effective patient care. The amount of additional training provided locally by trusts for the treatment of specific conditions will differ according to local needs. Information on such training is not available centrally but will be held by local NHS management. Contact details for NHS management personnel are available on www.show.scot.nhs.uk, should the member wish information for particular employers.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157732,"EventID":"S1W-21135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are currently available for clinical psychologists, teachers, GPs and psychiatrists to specialise and train in autism and Asperger's syndrome.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are currently available for clinical psychologists, teachers, GPs and psychiatrists to specialise and train in autism and Asperger's syndrome.","AnswerText":"There are currently no specific incentives for clinical psychologists to train in autistic spectrum disorders. However, the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) is considering a number of initiatives to ensure that the training strategy for clinical psychology remains responsive to changing service needs.

    There are also no specific incentives available for teachers to specialise and train in autism and Asperger's syndrome. Teachers are expected to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) as part of their work, and will be expected to fulfil an additional 35 hours CPD from August 2003. The Chartered Teacher programme, to be available from August 2003, is likely to include a module on Special Educational Needs which may cover these syndromes. An additional pay increment is available with every two modules passed.

    General practitioners, like other professionals, are encouraged to look at their own personal learning needs and the health needs of their patients and to seek training in specific areas accordingly. Guidance and assistance is available from SCPMDE via the postgraduate Directors of General Practice Education. Each GP already receives an annual Postgraduate Education Allowance to support an agreed amount of training.

    A theoretical knowledge of autistic spectrum disorder is required for all candidates sitting the examination for membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is the first-level qualification for all those aspiring to become consultant psychiatrists. In the second phase of training, as specialist registrars, candidates for child and adolescent psychiatry posts will all be trained in the assessment, management and collaborative approach to the problems experienced by people with autistic spectrum disorder, and those who care for them.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157733,"EventID":"S1W-21136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects in respect of transition between (a) primary and secondary education and (b) secondary education and further education or employment have been set up since","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what projects in respect of transition between (a) primary and secondary education and (b) secondary education and further education or employment have been set up since 1999 for those diagnosed with autism or Asperger's syndrome in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Details of local authority projects are not held centrally. However, the Scottish Executive's Innovation Grants programme for voluntary and non-statutory organisations has funded several projects on various aspects of transition for young people with special educational needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

    In addition, in response to the Beattie Committee report, the Scottish Executive has made available additional resources of £22.6 million over the period 2001-04 to take forward action on inclusiveness. £15.1 million is available for the development of key worker support, improved identification of learning and support needs and tracking. Careers companies have developed, and are co-ordinating, multi-agency projects to improve transition for Scotland's most vulnerable young people including those with Asperger's Syndrome. In association with Career Development Edinburgh and Lothians, Stevenson College is undertaking a project which will research the needs of young people with Communication Impairment and Asperger's Syndrome.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157734,"EventID":"S1W-21137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research carried out into people over 40 diagnosed with autism in each of the last five years; what the (a) name, (b) date and (c) author ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research carried out into people over 40 diagnosed with autism in each of the last five years; what the (a) name, (b) date and (c) author of any such research was in each case, and whether it will place copies of reports from any such research in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. ","AnswerText":"The National Research Register (NRR) records that there were no research projects carried out in the last five years into people over 40 diagnosed with autism. A copy of the NRR is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157735,"EventID":"S1W-21138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2118,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research carried out on any links between autism and dementia; when and by whom any such research was carried out, and whether it will pla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any research carried out on any links between autism and dementia; when and by whom any such research was carried out, and whether it will place copies of reports from any such research in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The National Research Register (NRR) reports that there are no research projects on links between autism and dementia. A copy of the NRR is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157736,"EventID":"S1W-21139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase family involvement in patient care in the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase family involvement in patient care in the NHS.","AnswerText":"As Patient Focus and Public Involvement requires, patients - and those that care for them - must be involved in decisions about their own care and about the health services they use. The involvement of members of family groups, many of whom play a vital carer role, is a key element of this work.

    In particular, the Executive also supports the development of targeted initiatives, like Partners in Policymaking, specifically designed to enable the families of disabled children to become fully involved in decisions about their care. The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland similarly involves family members in their work on developing standards for care in NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157737,"EventID":"S1W-21140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20329 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2001, what the turnover of (a) uniformed and (b) non-operational staff has been at each Scott","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20329 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2001, what the turnover of (a) uniformed and (b) non-operational staff has been at each Scottish Prison Service prison expressed as (i) number of leavers and (ii) percentage of total staff in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The available information is:

    (a) Operational Staff

    Establishments

    1996

    No. of Leavers

    1997

    No. of Leavers

    1998

    No. of Leavers

    1999

    No. of Leavers

    2000

    No. of Leavers

    Aberdeen

    11

    11

    8

    -

    3

    Barlinnie

    31

    17

    9

    16

    9

    Castle Huntly

    2

    -

    2

    2

    1

    Cornton Vale

    5

    7

    6

    5

    9

    Dumfries

    7

    5

    2

    2

    		The Scottish Executive has, however, provided funding to the Scottish School Board Association (SSBA) to develop training courses for school board members as follows:

    2001

    -

    2000

    £17,925

    1999

    £3,108

    1998

    £5,772

    1997

    £7,336

    The Scottish Executive has also provided the following non-financial support in each of the last five years for the training of school board members:

    Regular telephone advice to school board members and others on school boards legislation.

    Guidance on various aspects of school board legislation and operation in the form of 16 Focus Papers, which are available from the Parent Zone website (www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/parentzone) or from the Scottish Executive free of charge.

    Advice and editorial assistance on the development of the training course materials funded by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157739,"EventID":"S1W-21142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives that encourage people to stand for election to school boards it has supported in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives that encourage people to stand for election to school boards it has supported in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"In 1997, 1999 and 2001 we produced and distributed some 700,000 election publicity leaflets to local authorities for circulation to parents of school pupils in Scotland in order to promote parental involvement in school board elections. These distributions coincided with elections for vacancies for parent members on school boards. In 2001 we produced a poster to accompany the leaflets. In 2000 the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988 was amended to allow for a simpler election process to encourage more people to stand for election.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157740,"EventID":"S1W-21143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce additional charges relating to security for passengers travelling through airports managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce additional charges relating to security for passengers travelling through airports managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.","AnswerText":"Plans to meet the additional costs relating to increased security are under consideration but no final decisions have yet been taken.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157741,"EventID":"S1W-21144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the English High Court judgement of 15 November 2001 that cloned embryos are not subject to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, it has ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the English High Court judgement of 15 November 2001 that cloned embryos are not subject to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, it has any powers or responsibilities in respect of human cloning and, if it does, why a Sewel motion was not lodged before the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 was enacted.","AnswerText":"Human reproductive cloning is a reserved matter by virtue of section J3 of Part II of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157742,"EventID":"S1W-21145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to develop policy on relief from water charges for charitable organisations beyond April 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to develop policy on relief from water charges for charitable organisations beyond April 2002.","AnswerText":"On 15 January the Executive announced an exemption scheme for certain water and sewerage charge payers. Those eligible for the exemption are organisations that have an annual income of less than £10,000 and that occupy premises that receive charitable relief at present. In the first instance, the exemption will last for four years from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2006.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157743,"EventID":"S1W-21146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the improvement of the school experience for pupils is a priority for Scottish ministers and what support it has given to local authorities to safeguard the pay ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the improvement of the school experience for pupils is a priority for Scottish ministers and what support it has given to local authorities to safeguard the pay and working conditions of Education Advisers to achieve this.","AnswerText":"The improvement of the school experience for pupils is a high priority for Scottish ministers. The pay and conditions of service for education advisers is currently under review by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Psychologists and Advisers Working Group. They expect to make recommendations to the full SNCT in the New Year.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157744,"EventID":"S1W-21147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of police officers to special police constables was in each quarter since 1 April 1997, both nationally and broken down by police force area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of police officers to special police constables was in each quarter since 1 April 1997, both nationally and broken down by police force area.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the numbers of police officers and special constables in each force are an operational matter for chief constables.

    Since September 1999 the numbers of special constables in each force have been collected each quarter. Prior to that, numbers were collected on an annual basis at 31 March. The information available is shown in the following tables.

    Ratio of Police Officers to Special Constables

    Force

    31/3/97

    31/3/98

    31/3/99

    30/9/99

    31/12/99

    Central

    9:1

    10:1

    12:1

    12:1

    12:1

    Dumfries & Galloway

    2:1

    2:1

    2:1

    3:1

    3:1

    Fife

    6:1

    7:1

    8:1

    9:1

    9:1

    Grampian

    8:1

    9:1

    10:1

    10:1

    10:1

    Lothian & Borders

    14:1

    14:1

    13:1

    16:1

    19:1

    Northern

    3:1*

    		Since September 1999 the numbers of special constables in each force have been collected each quarter. Prior to that, numbers were collected on an annual basis at 31 March. The information available is shown in the following tables.

    Number of Special Constables per 1,000 Population

    Force

    31/3/97

    31/3/98

    31/3/99

    30/9/99

    31/12/99

    Central

    0.3

    0.3

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    Dumfries & Galloway

    1.3

    1.3

    1.3

    1.1

    1.1

    Fife

    0.4

    0.4

    0.3

    0.3

    0.3

    Grampian

    0.3

    0.3

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    Lothian & Borders

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    0.2

    Northern

    0.8*

    		Grant Aided Expenditure

    Roads Maintenance and Winter Maintenance

    Road

    Maint.

    Winter

    Maint.

    Road

    Maint.

    Winter

    Maint.

    Road

    Maint.

    Winter

    Maint.

    Road

    Maint.

    Winter

    Maint.

    1998-99

    1999-2000

    2000-01

    2001-02

    £000

    £000

    £000

    £000

    £000

    £000

    £000

    £000

    Aberdeen City

    3,786

    938

    3,795

    904

    3,940

    969

    3,909

    936

    Aberdeenshire

    10,396

    4,054

    10,376 literacy and communication skills

    numeracy

    potential to develop and learn within the role

    ability to work with children

    ability to work co-operatively and under the direction of a teacher

    Before starting work in school, the guidance, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 13145), suggests that all Classroom Assistants should receive basic induction training at authority, school and classroom level.

    A comprehensive list of topics for induction training is set out in Annex E of the guidance.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157755,"EventID":"S1W-21158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any guidance issued to local education authorities regarding the use of a Record of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any guidance issued to local education authorities regarding the use of a Record of Needs.","AnswerText":"The Executive issued general guidance to local authorities on Records of Needs legislation and good practice in Circular 4/96 - Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs: Assessment and Recording and the Manual of Good Practice. Further guidance will be produced following completion of the current review of the Records of Needs process.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157756,"EventID":"S1W-21159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any guidance issued to educational psychologists regarding the follow-up action after diagnosis of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity dis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any guidance issued to educational psychologists regarding the follow-up action after diagnosis of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the use of a Record of Needs in this situation.","AnswerText":"Guidance issued by the Scottish Executive refers to the circumstances under which any child with special educational needs (SEN) requires a Record of Needs. It does not refer in detail to any particular disorder such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

    This guidance is contained in the Manual of Good Practice for all staff and professionals involved with children and young people with special educational needs, Effective Provision for Special Educational Needs (EPSEN), Circular 4/96: Children and Young People with SEN - Assessment and Recording, Taking a Closer Look at Promoting Social Competence and Sharing Good Practice. The information in these documents is applicable to educational psychologists considering whether a child with ADHD requires a Record of Needs.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157757,"EventID":"S1W-21160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists have specific training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many educational psychologists have specific training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"Educational psychologists are employed within local authorities.

    Data is not collected centrally on individual educational psychologists' levels of professional training in particular specialist areas of psychology, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, educational psychologists will be introduced to literature on ADHD during their training and will gain experience of working with children with ADHD during placements. In addition, those already in post will have opportunities to update their knowledge in this area through Continuing Professional Development.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157758,"EventID":"S1W-21161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how, and to whom, it promotes the use of Records of Needs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how, and to whom, it promotes the use of Records of Needs.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of education authorities in terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to establish which children in their area have pronounced, specific or complex special educational needs which require continuing review. If a child is assessed as having such needs then the education authority must open and keep a Record of Needs.

    The Executive issues general guidance to local authorities, parents and others on Records of Needs legislation and good practice in Circular 4/96 - Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs: Assessment and Recording and the Manual of Good Practice. Additional information for parents is available in the Parents' Guide to Special Educational Needs and through the Enquire helpline funded by the Scottish Executive. Further guidance will be produced following completion of the current review of the Records of Needs process.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157759,"EventID":"S1W-21162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analyses have been made of the volume of unsolicited faxes sent to schools and any problems which they cause.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analyses have been made of the volume of unsolicited faxes sent to schools and any problems which they cause.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not undertaken any analysis of unsolicited faxes sent to schools.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157760,"EventID":"S1W-21163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of a publicity campaign being conducted to inform people living in poverty, those in debt, pen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of a publicity campaign being conducted to inform people living in poverty, those in debt, pensioners and other vulnerable members of the community of the implications of using premium rate phone calls to respond to unsolicited faxes.","AnswerText":"The regulation of activities relating to the sending of direct marketing faxes and premium rate phone services is reserved to the UK Government.

    Individuals are protected by law from receiving direct marketing faxes, and corporate subscribers can apply for the same protection by registering with the Fax Preference Service (FPS) run by the Direct Marketing Association. The law also requires that direct marketing faxes must include the name and either the address of the sender or a freephone telephone number on which the sender can be contacted. Any individual or FPS subscriber who receives an unsolicited marketing fax may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office, which investigates cases and can fine or bar offending parties where appropriate.

    Premium rate service providers are regulated by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) which requires service providers, among other things, to state the charge for calls to each service clearly in all promotions. Those who breach the Code may be fined or disconnected. Anyone with a query or complaint about a premium rate service may contact ICSTIS directly on their freephone number.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157761,"EventID":"S1W-21164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual estimated cost is to businesses of using premium rate phone calls to respond to unsolicited faxes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual estimated cost is to businesses of using premium rate phone calls to respond to unsolicited faxes.","AnswerText":"The regulation of activities relating to the sending of direct marketing faxes is reserved to the UK Government. The Executive is not aware of any data gathered related to the estimated cost to businesses of using premium rate phone calls to respond to unsolicited faxes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157762,"EventID":"S1W-21165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that it is consulted over those issues that fall within its responsibility which are being consider","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that it is consulted over those issues that fall within its responsibility which are being considered by the European Parliament related to the sending of unsolicited faxes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the regulation of unsolicited faxes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157763,"EventID":"S1W-21166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has made of the volume of unsolicited faxes which it and non-departmental public bodies receive; how many times officials have responded to the premium ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has made of the volume of unsolicited faxes which it and non-departmental public bodies receive; how many times officials have responded to the premium rate phone numbers in such faxes, and what the estimated cost of this has been.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not made an analysis of the volume of unsolicited faxes it receives, nor does it seek this information from non-departmental public bodies. The Scottish Executive does however block outgoing access to premium rate telephone numbers.

    The Scottish Executive also makes monthly telecommunications monitoring reports available to all its budget centre managers, which show the number and cost of calls made from each telephone extension, including those used by fax machines. We also make monthly exception reports available, which identify individual outgoing calls which exceed a set duration or cost. If these reports give cause for concern, they are followed up in more detail.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157764,"EventID":"S1W-21167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the costs to it of unsolicited faxes. ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the costs to it of unsolicited faxes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned research into the costs to it of unsolicited faxes.

    However, the Scottish Executive makes monthly telecommunications monitoring reports available to all its budget centre managers, which show the number and cost of calls made from each telephone extension, including those used by fax machines. We also make monthly exception reports available, which identify individual outgoing calls which exceed a set duration or cost. If these reports give cause for concern, they are followed up in more detail.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157765,"EventID":"S1W-21168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it carries out into the volume of unsolicited faxes it and its non-departmental public bodies receive and any associated costs incurred.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it carries out into the volume of unsolicited faxes it and its non-departmental public bodies receive and any associated costs incurred.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not monitor the volume of unsolicited faxes it receives; nor does it seek information from non-departmental public bodies about this.

    However, the Scottish Executive makes monthly telecommunications monitoring reports available to all its Budget Centre Managers, which show the number and cost of calls made from each telephone extension, including those used by fax machines. We also make monthly exception reports available, which identify individual outgoing calls which exceed a set duration or cost. If these reports give cause for concern, they are followed up in more detail.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157766,"EventID":"S1W-21169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set standards for local authority websites as part of its modernising government agenda.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set standards for local authority websites as part of its modernising government agenda.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no power to compel local authorities in Scotland to comply with any set standards. However, there is published guidance available for the public sector, including the Office of the e-Envoy publication Guidance for UK Government websites","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157767,"EventID":"S1W-21170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to link general practitioners in urban regeneration areas to the new broadband technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to link general practitioners in urban regeneration areas to the new broadband technology.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland planning is directed to achieve consistent access to appropriate telecommunications network services across all general medical practices including those in urban regeneration areas. General medical practices across Scotland are linked to secure, private NHS telecommunications network facilities. Where appropriate these links, which are in the main ISDN links, are upgraded to higher capacity lines, for example in larger Health Centres. Where clinical need justifies it, for example in telemedicine applications, broadband technologies can be made available. It is anticipated that needs will increase and, in keeping with the Executive's broadband strategy, future contracts for telecommunications services will continue to ensure that higher bandwidths are available as necessary.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157768,"EventID":"S1W-21171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to link schools in urban regeneration areas to the new broadband technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to link schools in urban regeneration areas to the new broadband technology.","AnswerText":"A formal designation of urban regeneration areas no longer exists in Scottish Executive policy. Some areas that were previously designated for urban regeneration have been incorporated into Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) programmes.

    Schools currently form a major part of the Digital Scotland Pathfinder projects intended to roll out broadband infrastructure in the first instance to the public sector in the South of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands respectively. The Executive will be discussing with individual education authorities and with groups of authorities outside the Pathfinder areas their needs in relation to broadband in order to determine what levels and kinds of support it can offer in each case.

    Following these discussions, and taking into account progress in the Pathfinder areas, the Executive will be in a position to offer a range of advice and support to those education authorities that are not included in the Pathfinder projects.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157769,"EventID":"S1W-21172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to identify those voluntary sector partners in urban regeneration areas who wish to access cable and satellite broadband technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to identify those voluntary sector partners in urban regeneration areas who wish to access cable and satellite broadband technology.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21173.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157770,"EventID":"S1W-21173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to identify the business needs for new broadband technology in Social Inclusion Partnership areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to identify the business needs for new broadband technology in Social Inclusion Partnership areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive launched a broadband strategy on 31 August 2001 with the aim of promoting affordable pervasive broadband across Scotland. The strategy includes aggregated public sector procurement which will be taken forward initially in two pathfinder areas - the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. We aim to invest in broadband capacity for public services in a way that stimulates providers to supply a wider range of services to businesses and consumers. Depending on market development we will consider how far the zonal approach needs to be extended beyond the pathfinder areas.

    The Executive is also beginning to look at broadband demand stimulation measures. As a first step we are looking at how we can utilise the DTI £30 million broadband fund for this. £4.4 million has been allocated to Scotland for innovative broadband projects. We have worked with the enterprise agencies to develop proposals, including demand stimulation measures and network projects. This approach is intended to complement the work in pathfinder areas. Projects are likely to be spread across Scotland, including areas outwith the pathfinders.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157771,"EventID":"S1W-21174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the chairmen and members of the Studentship Advisory Committee of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland were consulted about the recent decision to transfer the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the chairmen and members of the Studentship Advisory Committee of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland were consulted about the recent decision to transfer the agency's functions to the UK-wide Arts and Humanities Research Board.","AnswerText":"No. I very much regret the omission, and I have arranged for the chairman, who drew the matter to my attention, to receive a full apology.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157772,"EventID":"S1W-21175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a UK body such as the Arts and Humanities Research Board, based outside Scotland, is in a better position to evaluate applications for research funding into topic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a UK body such as the Arts and Humanities Research Board, based outside Scotland, is in a better position to evaluate applications for research funding into topics relating to Scottish culture than the Studentship Advisory Committee of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Arts and Humanities Research Board already has a record of evaluating applications favourably for research funding from academic members of staff in higher education institutions in Scotland, including in the field of Scottish culture and society. The funding due to be transferred is moreover already intended to cover the full range of arts and humanities subjects in which Scottish students may wish to undertake advanced postgraduate research, not only those relating to Scottish culture.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157773,"EventID":"S1W-21176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of the Arts and Humanities Research Board will be required to be experts in the field of Scottish culture and what representations it has made to the boa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of the Arts and Humanities Research Board will be required to be experts in the field of Scottish culture and what representations it has made to the board on this issue.","AnswerText":"Membership of the main board and its supporting panels and committees is a matter for the Arts and Humanities Review Board itself. However, the current review of the Arts and Humanities Research Board provides an opportunity to consider how Scottish interests are best represented. I note that the current Chair of the AHRB's Research Committee is based at a Scottish university.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157774,"EventID":"S1W-21177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assessment of the advice given by the Principals of Scottish universities on the transfer of the functions of the Studentship Advisory Committee of the Studen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the assessment of the advice given by the Principals of Scottish universities on the transfer of the functions of the Studentship Advisory Committee of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to a UK-wide body included an assessment of any consultation carried out by individual Principals and their research staff.","AnswerText":"The Executive's understanding of the views of higher education institutions was based on representations received from Universities Scotland, as the sector's representative body. Internal consultation within institutions is a matter for the members of Universities Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157775,"EventID":"S1W-21178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take in response to the proposed European directive COM (2001) 035 on market access to port services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take in response to the proposed European directive COM (2001) 035 on market access to port services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been liaising closely with the Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), and the ports sector in Scotland about the implications of the proposed directive since its publication on 14 February 2001. The Executive will continue to liaise with DTLR and the ports sector in shaping the UK response to the directive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157776,"EventID":"S1W-21179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a decision on the notified planning application P/PP/75/96/LA/55 referred to it on 16 July 2001 in respect of the sports ground in North Meggetland, Edi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a decision on the notified planning application P/PP/75/96/LA/55 referred to it on 16 July 2001 in respect of the sports ground in North Meggetland, Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"This notified planning application was called in for determination by Scottish ministers on 26 October 2001. Arrangements are currently in hand to set up a public local inquiry. Ministers will make a decision once they have had the opportunity to consider the Inquiry Reporter's findings and recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157777,"EventID":"S1W-21180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs of providing information under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information have been in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs of providing information under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information have been in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.

    All requests for information received by the Scottish Executive and other public authorities covered by the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information must be considered under the terms of the code. As the number of requests for information run into many thousands it is not practicable to provide detailed information on the associated costs. For monitoring purposes, statistics are collected on those requests where the applicant specifically mentions the code, or where the request is refused or where charges are made. During the calendar year 2000 there were 44 such requests.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157778,"EventID":"S1W-21181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per hour of retrieving information under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information has been in respect of each body named in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per hour of retrieving information under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information has been in respect of each body named in Schedule 1 of the code in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 to date.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.

    All requests for information received by the Executive and other public authorities covered by the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information must be considered under the terms of this code (whether or not the code is cited). For monitoring purposes, requests for information are recorded as \"formal\" requests under the code if the applicant specifically mentions the code, or where the information is refused or where a charge is to be made.

    Under the code, charges may be made - on the basis of actual staff costs to search for and retrieve information and, where appropriate, photocopy it - if the cost to the public authority of providing the requested information is above £100. During the period 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2000, 27 requests for information (of many thousands) were recorded as having incurred charges.

    Details of formal code requests for the calendar year 2001 will be available early this year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157779,"EventID":"S1W-21182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what persons that do not fall within the definition of Scottish public authority in section 3(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill as introduced it intends to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what persons that do not fall within the definition of Scottish public authority in section 3(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill as introduced it intends to designate as Scottish public authorities by order under section 5(1) of the bill as introduced. ","AnswerText":"The powers at section 5(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill are included to ensure that ministers can respond to changes in the pattern of public service delivery, bringing public authorities within the coverage of the legislation as appropriate. If the legislation is enacted, consideration will be given in due course as to which bodies will be appropriate for designation for the purposes of the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157780,"EventID":"S1W-21183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19197 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, what the total cost was to it of the tender process in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19197 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, what the total cost was to it of the tender process in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS did not collect tender cost data in respect of the contract for HM Prison Kilmarnock. Tender costs are not separately identified in any Scottish Prison Service contract.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157781,"EventID":"S1W-21184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19196 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, what the cost to it has been of the office of the Scottish Prison Service Controller at HM ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19196 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, what the cost to it has been of the office of the Scottish Prison Service Controller at HM Prison Kilmarnock in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000, (d) 2000-01 and (e) 2001-02 to date in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms at current prices.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The cost of the Controller's function at HMP Kilmarnock has been:

    at Current Prices

    Cash Terms

    (£000)

    Real Terms

    (£000)

    1997-98

    Nil

    Nil

    1998-99

    Nil

    Nil

    1999-2000

    £140

    £146

    2000-01

    £132

    £135

    2001 to date

    £103

    £103

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157782,"EventID":"S1W-21185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of staff the Scottish Prison Service Controller at HM Prison Kilmarnock has and what the role is of each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of staff the Scottish Prison Service Controller at HM Prison Kilmarnock has and what the role is of each","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    In addition to the Controller there are two members of staff. A Deputy Controller and an administrative officer. There is also a part time relief controller to provide cover for further absences.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157783,"EventID":"S1W-21186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to it of ensuring contract compliance at HM Prison Kilmarnock has been in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01 and (f) 2001-02 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to it of ensuring contract compliance at HM Prison Kilmarnock has been in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01 and (f) 2001-02 to date in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms at current prices.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Controller and his staff are responsible for certain statutory functions as well as for contract monitoring. It is not possible to separately identify the costs associated with ensuring contract compliance. The cost of the Controller's function at HMP Kilmarnock has been:

    at Current Prices

    Cash Terms

    (£000)

    Real Terms

    (£000)

    1997-98

    Nil

    Nil

    1998-99

    Nil

    Nil

    1999-2000

    £140

    £146

    2000-01

    £132

    £135

    2001 to date

    £103

    £103

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157784,"EventID":"S1W-21187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the contract for the provision of general practitioner services subject to the deletion of matters that are commercially confidential.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the contract for the provision of general practitioner services subject to the deletion of matters that are commercially confidential.","AnswerText":"General practitioners (GPs) do not hold individual contracts. GPs who wish to provide General Medical Services (GMS) under the national GMS contract must gain admission to the medical list. While practising a GP must comply with the terms of service set out in The National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995. Payments to GPs are as allowable under the \"Statement of Fees and Allowances payable to General Medical Practitioners in Scotland\". Both documents are available on line on the Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) website.

    Personal Medical Services (PMS) schemes allow for different contractual arrangements than those possible under GMS. There has to be a contractual change from the national GMS contract to a local PMS contract. The same services which are provided under GMS have to be provided under PMS including 24-hour cover to a registered population. An outline PMS contract is available on the SHOW website.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157785,"EventID":"S1W-21188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers provided social work services at (i) HM Prison Edinburgh, (ii) HM Young Offenders Institution Glenochil, (iii) HM Young Offenders Institution Dumf","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers provided social work services at (i) HM Prison Edinburgh, (ii) HM Young Offenders Institution Glenochil, (iii) HM Young Offenders Institution Dumfries and (iv) HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) 2001-02 and what the ratio of social workers to prisoners has been in each case.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows.

    The available information is as follows.

    The number of social workers providing social work service at Edinburgh Prison is currently five and the number of social workers providing social work service at Dumfries is currently 1.5.

    Glenochil and Polmont have social work service delivered through a contract and the service is therefore based on outputs rather then staff numbers.

    The information in previous years is not readily available and could not be collected except at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157786,"EventID":"S1W-21189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of social work services in (a) HM Prison Edinburgh, (b) HM Young Offenders Institution Glenochil, (c) HM Young Offenders Institution Dumfries and (d) HM You","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of social work services in (a) HM Prison Edinburgh, (b) HM Young Offenders Institution Glenochil, (c) HM Young Offenders Institution Dumfries and (d) HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont has been in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) 2001-02 to date in (1) cash terms and (2) real terms at current prices.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The information requested is as follows:

    (i) (£000s)

    (ii) (£000s)

    (iii) (£000s)

    (iv) (£000s)

    Cash

    Real

    Cash

    Real

    Cash

    Real

    Cash

    Real

    (a)

    264

    282

    281

    293

    247

    253

    77

    77

    (b)

    219

    234

    208

    217

    236

    242

    141

    141

    (c)

    32

    34

    42

    44

    40

    		The expected cost of social work services for 2001-02 is as follows.

    (a) HMP Edinburgh

    £300,000

    (b) HMP & YOI Glenochil

    £260,000

    (c) HMP Dumfries

    £67,000

    (d) HMP Polmont

    £190,000

    ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157788,"EventID":"S1W-21191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20324 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2001, what outputs are specified in the Medacs contracts with the Scottish Prison Service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20324 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 December 2001, what outputs are specified in the Medacs contracts with the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

    SPS' contract for the provision of primary care medical services is to deliver services in accordance with our Standards for the Health Care of Prisoners published in 1998.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157789,"EventID":"S1W-21192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of subsidy it allocates to Caledonian MacBrayne and what percentage this figure is of Caledonian MacBrayne's annual turnover.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of subsidy it allocates to Caledonian MacBrayne and what percentage this figure is of Caledonian MacBrayne's annual turnover.","AnswerText":"In the financial year ending 31 March 2001, Caledonian MacBrayne received Revenue Deficit Grant of £19 million. Turnover during that year was £57.765 million. The subsidy was therefore equivalent to 32.9% of turnover.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157790,"EventID":"S1W-21193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the reports and recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the reports and recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Bodies.","AnswerText":"The Pay Review Body for Doctors and Dentists (DDRB) has recommended a general pay increase of 3.6% for all doctors and dentists, with the exception of General Medical Practitioners, for whom the recommendation is 4.6%.

    The Pay Review Body for Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and the Professions Allied to Medicine (NPRB) has recommended a general pay increase of 3.6% for nurses, midwives, health visitors and the professions allied to medicine. In addition, the NPRB has recommended targeted increases for the lowest paid grade A and B nurses and equivalent PAMs - a minimum lump sum payment of £400 and extra progression for staff developing their skills through Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

    These increases are double the rate of inflation and ahead of pay settlements in the economy generally. They reward those who are at the heart of rebuilding our NHS and who deliver patient care day in, day out. The increases should also help with our plans for recruitment and retention generally - more nurses and more doctors for NHSScotland. I am therefore pleased to confirm that the Scottish Executive has accepted the recommendations of both the DDRB and NPRB for 2002-03 in full and that once again we will implement them without staging.

    The awards will be met from the resources available to health boards in 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157791,"EventID":"S1W-21194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to verify that outline business plans for Public/Private Partnership projects submitted by local authorities have in each case been discussed fully an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to verify that outline business plans for Public/Private Partnership projects submitted by local authorities have in each case been discussed fully and approved by the members of the local authority.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for approval within local authorities are a matter of local accountability.

    Scottish Executive approval processes relate to the award of financial support and so are primarily concerned with ascertaining that the conditions for support have been met. One of the criteria against which outline business received in relation to Revenue Support for Public/Private Partnership Schools will be assessed is deliverability of the project. It encompasses, amongst other things, support for the project within the authority and approval by the members would be one such indication of support.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157792,"EventID":"S1W-21195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to verify that financial information supporting outline business plans for Public/Private Partnership projects submitted by local authorities has in e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to verify that financial information supporting outline business plans for Public/Private Partnership projects submitted by local authorities has in each case been seen and approved by the members of the local authority.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for approval within local authorities are a matter for the local authority.

    Scottish Executive approval processes relate to the award of financial support and so are primarily concerned with ascertaining that the conditions for support have been met. The Executive requires the Director of Finance for the local authority to certify the costs that are input to the calculation of revenue support in relation to the project. In addition, regardless of whether they are formal conditions of support, the Executive checks that the project is affordable and will deliver value for money.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157793,"EventID":"S1W-21196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that commercial confidentiality issues do not impede full democratic discussion of proposed Public/Private Partnership business plans when t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it takes to ensure that commercial confidentiality issues do not impede full democratic discussion of proposed Public/Private Partnership business plans when they are discussed by local authority members prior to being submitted to the Executive.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for approval within local authorities are a matter for local authorities.

    Scottish Executive approval processes relate to the award of financial support and so are primarily concerned with ascertaining that the conditions for support have been met. Guidance on the disclosure of information is given in Treasury Task Force Policy Statement No 4 which sets out general principles on the matter. Although primarily for central government departments, the document is publicly available on the Internet and in hard copy from the Scottish Executive. A copy is also available from the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18318).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157794,"EventID":"S1W-21197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position would be with regard to any plan for a Public/Private Partnership project submitted by a local authority that permitted departments of the authority to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position would be with regard to any plan for a Public/Private Partnership project submitted by a local authority that permitted departments of the authority to bid for part or all of the contract.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for local authorities to decide whether such a plan complied with its current legal powers and obligations, such as those provided by Local Authorities (Goods & Services) Act 1970, although we would also expect it to take Best Value into account.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157795,"EventID":"S1W-21198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a \"winding down\" scheme that allows mature teachers to reduce hours whilst continuing to base pensions on the final full-time salary, as outline","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a \"winding down\" scheme that allows mature teachers to reduce hours whilst continuing to base pensions on the final full-time salary, as outlined in Section 3 of the report A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is taking forward work on a winding down scheme as outlined in Section 3 of the report A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century in partnership with the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. Discussions are taking place with the Inland Revenue and Treasury on the final detail of the scheme which will then be considered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157796,"EventID":"S1W-21199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what document sets out the public comparator for the Skye Bridge bidding process and whether it will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what document sets out the public comparator for the Skye Bridge bidding process and whether it will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"In 1990, the then Government decided not to make a comparison with a publicly funded bridge on the basis that it had already ruled out any such option.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157797,"EventID":"S1W-21200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing broadband technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing broadband technology.","AnswerText":"Development of broadband technology is largely a matter for the suppliers. However, the Executive is beginning to look at broadband demand stimulation measures as we are keen to see higher bandwidth services deployed as widely as possible in Scotland. As a first step, we are proposing a programme of measures which will support trials and pilot projects of the new technologies which are becoming available. These will utilise the DTI £30 million fund for innovative projects to extend broadband networks, £4.4 million of which has been allocated to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157798,"EventID":"S1W-21201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answer to question S1W-20307 on 12 December 2001, when, or within what timescale, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd should have provided a Performa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answer to question S1W-20307 on 12 December 2001, when, or within what timescale, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd should have provided a Performance Bond; what specific obligations the bond was to cover; what attempts were made to secure compliance with the contractual requirement to provide a bond, and when, and by whom, any such attempts were made.","AnswerText":"The contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd specified that a Performance Bond should be provided within 10 working days of the contract being completed as a deed. The contract was signed on 1 August 2001 and the Performance Bond was therefore requested by 15 August 2001.

    The Performance Bond should have covered 10% of the full contract value in the event that Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were unable to fulfil their contract obligations.

    Verbal requests to the contractor for provision of a Performance Bond were made, initially, by the Construction Managers, Bovis Lend Lease (Scotland) Limited, by telephone and at package meetings. This was followed by the issue of a Notice Of Failure, specifically referring to the failure to provide a Performance Bond, on 30 August 2001 by the Holyrood Project Team. Ultimately, stipulations were also made at meetings with the President and Chairman of Flour City International Inc. by the Holyrood Project Team. This activity all took place between June and October 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157799,"EventID":"S1W-21202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer on what dates it has had meetings with P&O Scottish Ferries to discuss (a) extending the Northern Isles ferry contract and (b) any staffing issues relating to the transfer","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer on what dates it has had meetings with P&O Scottish Ferries to discuss (a) extending the Northern Isles ferry contract and (b) any staffing issues relating to the transfer of the contract to Northlink Orkney & Shetland Ferries Ltd.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials have had a number of meetings and other exchanges by letter and telephone with P&O Scottish Ferries about a range of issues related to the Northern Isles ferry contract, including staffing matters related to the transfer of the contract to NorthLink. Further discussions with P&O Scottish Ferries will take place in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157800,"EventID":"S1W-21203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with taking forward the work of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with taking forward the work of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group.","AnswerText":"We have today agreed a timetable for the next steps in taking forward the work of the working group. Copies of the timetable are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157801,"EventID":"S1W-21204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the downsi'ing of acute bed capacity in the NHS currently plays in its health care delivery strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the downsi'ing of acute bed capacity in the NHS currently plays in its health care delivery strategy.","AnswerText":"Acute bed numbers must reflect patients' health care needs. Over time, patterns of care in acute hospitals have changed, with shorter lengths of stay and much greater use of day surgery. As a result, fewer acute beds have been necessary to support treatment of patients.

    Detailed decisions about bed numbers in the light of these service developments are most appropriately carried out at NHS board level, where local needs and priorities are best understood, and where decisions can best be made about meeting the health needs of the local population safely and sustainably.

    The Scottish Executive continues to monitor carefully trends in the level and pattern of care to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner to meet patients' needs.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157802,"EventID":"S1W-21205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether in 1999 staffed bed rates in (a) all acute specialities and (b) acute surgical specialities in Lothian Health Board hospitals were below the national averages an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether in 1999 staffed bed rates in (a) all acute specialities and (b) acute surgical specialities in Lothian Health Board hospitals were below the national averages and, if so, by how much expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of beds per 1,000 population in each health board area in 1999. It is not meaningful to make comparisons between individual boards, because these figures do not take account of differences in the underlying healthcare needs of the population living in different health board areas, nor do they take account of the extent to which hospitals in one area may treat patients from neighbouring health board areas.

    Table 1

    NHSiS - Average available staffed beds1; by health board of treatment; Year ending 31 December 1999, rate per 1,000 population<","AnswerDate":"2002-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157803,"EventID":"S1W-21206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any reduction in staffed bed rates in (a) all acute specialities and (b) acute specialities in Lothian Health Board hospitals arising from the move to the ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any reduction in staffed bed rates in (a) all acute specialities and (b) acute specialities in Lothian Health Board hospitals arising from the move to the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will have on (i) the number of in-patient admissions from the accident and emergency department, (ii) average waiting times, (iii) the number of postponed or cancelled elective admissions and (iv) the morale of hospital staff.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian successfully commissioned the first phase of the new Royal Infirmary on 27 January, and phase 2 will follow in early 2003. The new hospital will offer first class surroundings and state of the art equipment to match the excellent clinical care already delivered by health professionals in Lothian.

    Overall bed numbers are planned on a cross-Lothian basis. A review was undertaken in 1999 by Lothian Health Board of planned acute bed numbers for the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. This confirmed that the proposed numbers were adequate in the context of the board's plans for developing community and primary care services. The balance between hospital and community services, and therefore the requirement for acute beds, is kept under regular review.

    NHSScotland will continue to respond to the needs of patients within the policy framework provided by the Scottish Executive, which emphasises the importance of patient-centred services and reductions in waiting to meet key targets.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157804,"EventID":"S1W-21207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1911,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the recent consultation on the report of the working group on a replacement for poinding and warrant sale, Striking the Balance: A Ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the recent consultation on the report of the working group on a replacement for poinding and warrant sale, Striking the Balance: A New Approach to Debt Management, and how it intends to proceed.","AnswerText":"I have today placed a summary analysis of the results of the consultation process on the Scottish Executive website. Copies have also been sent to the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    The consultation revealed very widespread support for the approach recommended by the group. Its main recommendations were ensuring the provision across Scotland of user-friendly advice and information for debtors; creating a statutory debt arrangement scheme; creating new incentives for debtors and creditors to reach negotiated settlements; reforming the enforcement procedure to improve debtor protection where legal action is necessary, but also providing for a final sanction against those who can pay their debts but won't pay.

    In the Executive's view, the group's proposals are balanced and forward-looking, and would bring about a sea-change in the way that debt issues are handled in Scotland. That view was confirmed by the welcome for them expressed in the consultation responses. We therefore propose to implement the group's recommendations. In particular, we will:

    Invest an additional £3 million a year in advice services across the country. This is over and above existing local money advice provision

    Produce a new information and advice pack to be issued by the courts whenever legal action for debt is proposed

    Consult on proposals for a debt arrangement scheme to allow people to pay debts in a managed way, without the threat of enforcement action, and

    Bring forward legislative proposals for a new, less intrusive court procedure, which will give debtors much greater protection, while still allowing appropriate action to be taken against the few who can but refuse to pay their debts.

    A more detailed announcement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157805,"EventID":"S1W-21208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2105,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of printing, publishing and distributing its document Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of printing, publishing and distributing its document Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The total costs of printing, publishing and distributing the Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1999-2000 report are estimated at £6,200.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157806,"EventID":"S1W-21209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of the new vessel on the Barra-Eriskay ferry route will be met under borrowing consent or funded by the Executive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of the new vessel on the Barra-Eriskay ferry route will be met under borrowing consent or funded by the Executive.","AnswerText":"The two new vessels to be ordered by Caledonian MacBrayne, at an estimated cost of £12.6 million, will be financed under loan arrangements with the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157807,"EventID":"S1W-21210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, whether it will provide an update of its assessment of any impact the changing situation","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, whether it will provide an update of its assessment of any impact the changing situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust will have on patient services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20764 on 4 February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157808,"EventID":"S1W-21211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects on child and adolescent mental health are currently under way in the NHS in Scotland and how much funding it is providing to each project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research projects on child and adolescent mental health are currently under way in the NHS in Scotland and how much funding it is providing to each project.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland.

    CSO directly funds three projects on child and adolescent mental health research. Details are as follows:

    Adolescents with psychosis in Scotland: prevalence, health service use and disabilities. Cost: £116,134.

    A pilot study using fMRI to image imitation in autistic spectrum disorders. Cost: £66,165.

    Prosodic skills in children with autism. Cost: £135,438.

    In addition, information provided to CSO by NHS Trusts suggests that the NHS R & D Support Fund indirectly supported 359 research projects into mental health, at a total cost of £2,729,260 in the last financial year. It is not known what proportion of these projects deal specifically with child and adolescent mental health. Details of all current and recently completed research projects can be found in the National Research Register, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157809,"EventID":"S1W-21212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to initiate rail network schemes in the event of no initiative being taken by the relevant rail authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to initiate rail network schemes in the event of no initiative being taken by the relevant rail authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently has no direct powers to initiate rail network schemes in the event of no initiative being taken by the relevant rail authorities. Work is in hand on an order under section 30 of the Scotland Act to transfer to the Parliament legislative competence over the promotion and construction of railways in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157810,"EventID":"S1W-21213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explanation it has received from Railtrack plc in respect of the decision not to support the proposed rail link from Larkhall to Milngavie.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what explanation it has received from Railtrack plc in respect of the decision not to support the proposed rail link from Larkhall to Milngavie.","AnswerText":"On 4 December 2001, Railtrack Scotland informed the Scottish Executive that Railtrack's priorities were the delivery of its core maintenance and renewal programme, the West Coast Rail Modernisation, and the installation of Train Protection and Warning System across the network. This meant that, for the present, work on these national priorities left no signalling or management resources available for Railtrack to continue to support the proposed Larkhall to Milngavie link, or three other Scottish rail enhancement projects.

    The Scottish Executive regrets Railtrack's decision to withdraw support. The Executive remains keen to see these projects move forward and is continuing discussions to that end.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157811,"EventID":"S1W-21214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any investigations into any alleged irregularities in the use of Social Inclusion Partnership funds in Glasgow are currently being undertaken.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any investigations into any alleged irregularities in the use of Social Inclusion Partnership funds in Glasgow are currently being undertaken.","AnswerText":"There are at present two projects in Glasgow which have received Social Inclusion Partnership funding and which are currently under investigation by Glasgow City Council's Internal Audit Department because of alleged irregularities in the use of Social Inclusion Partnership funds.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157812,"EventID":"S1W-21215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17478 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, what progress is being made with the detailed study it has commissioned into direct air li","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17478 by Sarah Boyack on 28 August 2001, what progress is being made with the detailed study it has commissioned into direct air links to Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and when it expects the final report to be published.","AnswerText":"Sinclair Knight Merz have recently been commissioned to undertake a study into rail links to these airports. It is too early to say what the outcome will be. The final report containing the consultants' conclusions and recommendations is expected in autumn this year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157813,"EventID":"S1W-21216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the event of a project funded by a Social Inclusion Partnership closing down, what would happen to (a) any monies allocated to the project and (b) any equipment purch","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the event of a project funded by a Social Inclusion Partnership closing down, what would happen to (a) any monies allocated to the project and (b) any equipment purchased by the project using public funds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive's Standard Terms and Conditions of Grant for the Social Inclusion Fund sets out our requirements in relation to grants made under this funding package and in particular the obligations of the grant recipient for Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funding.

    Under these conditions all land and buildings and all moveable property with a value of £50,000 or more purchased with the aid of Social Inclusion Partnership Fund funding shall be owned by the grant recipient and shall not be disposed of during the grant funding period without the consent of Scottish ministers.

    In the event of a SIP funded project closing down what would happen to the monies allocated to the project and any equipment purchased by the project using public funds will depend on the specific terms and conditions under which the grant had been allocated by the grant recipient, which at present will be the local authority, to the SIP. The terms and conditions of grant adopted by grant recipients are formulated by themselves, not the Executive and therefore vary across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157814,"EventID":"S1W-21217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money allotted to the Social Inclusion Partnerships in 2000-01 was actually spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money allotted to the Social Inclusion Partnerships in 2000-01 was actually spent.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to Table 2 in the answer given to question S1W-21050 on 10 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157815,"EventID":"S1W-21218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual administrative costs are of Social Inclusion Partnerships currently operating in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual administrative costs are of Social Inclusion Partnerships currently operating in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The administrative costs claimed by Glasgow City Council for the Social Inclusion Partnerships operating in Glasgow in 2000-01 were £392,062.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157816,"EventID":"S1W-21219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any review of the criteria for designation of an area as a Social Inclusion Partnership area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any review of the criteria for designation of an area as a Social Inclusion Partnership area.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to review the criteria for the designation of Social Inclusion Partnerships.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157817,"EventID":"S1W-21220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the coverage of Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the coverage of Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Apart from three Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Glasgow which have made specific representations to the Executive in relation to their boundaries, there are no plans to review the coverage of Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Glasgow.

    In relation to the three areas under review at present, there is of course no guarantee that this review will lead to a change in the position.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157818,"EventID":"S1W-21221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been awarded to Social Inclusion Partnerships in 2001-02 in each parliamentary constituency in Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been awarded to Social Inclusion Partnerships in 2001-02 in each parliamentary constituency in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The boundaries of area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) are not co-terminous with those of parliamentary constituencies in Glasgow and in some cases individual Social Inclusion Partnership areas extend into a number of different constituencies. For this reason it is extremely difficult to attribute a specific amount of SIP spend to individual constituencies. There are also three thematic SIPs in Glasgow, the Big Step, Routes Out of Prostitution, and Glasgow Anti-Racist Alliance whose spend is not attributable to any parliamentary constituency as they serve communities of interest rather than physical communities.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157819,"EventID":"S1W-21222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to alleviate poverty and deprivation in parts of Glasgow not covered by Social Inclusion Partnerships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to alleviate poverty and deprivation in parts of Glasgow not covered by Social Inclusion Partnerships.","AnswerText":"The whole of Glasgow, including SIP areas, benefit from a range of Scottish Executive policies designed to promote social justice by tackling poverty and disadvantage including Sure Start, the childcare strategy and the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund. Glasgow City Council has been allocated £6 million under the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund for 2001-02 which will be used to improve services for children aged 5-18 across the city. We also work with the UK Government to tackle poverty through programmes such as the New Deals and the Tax Credits.

    Communities Scotland is also involved in activities in all parts of Glasgow to provide high quality housing and to support housing associations to develop and deliver services to support disadvantaged communities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157820,"EventID":"S1W-21223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding support it has allocated to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to meet its objectives of promoting access for poorer Scots and those living in rur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding support it has allocated to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to meet its objectives of promoting access for poorer Scots and those living in rural areas identified in the annual guidance letter of 10 December 2001.","AnswerText":"Our overall aim must be that widening access becomes embedded as a mainstream activity for higher education institutions. I am therefore pleased that as part of its consideration of a new condition of grant the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is currently considering how to achieve this, in a way which recognises the specific circumstances of individual institutions. Overall funding for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for the period 2001-02 to 2003-04 was set out in the guidance letter I sent to the council on 23 November 2000. This noted that overall planned funding for 2001-02 was 5.6% higher in real terms than in the previous year, with the value of the settlement maintained in real terms over the following two years.

    Over the period, £18 million was specifically earmarked within the council's financial settlement for widening access. In particular, the council was asked to:

    provide a further 800 fully funded FTE places by academic year 2003, in addition to the 2,000 already allocated in the 1998 review, with these to be targeted in such a way as to maximise their take-up by those from currently under-represented groups;

    devise a mechanism to provide additional support to institutions which reflects the extent to which they provide for students from under-represented groups, and

    devise a scheme to incentivise private sector investment in access initiatives.

    On 11 December 2000, I subsequently announced that an additional £0.5 million would be made available to the council during 2000-01, which it should use to encourage collaborative development projects to increase the uptake of higher education and Continuing Professional Development in the rural south west.

    In addition, funding of £21 million has transferred to the council for over the period 2000-01 and 2001-02 in respect of funding for the higher education in the Highlands and Islands via UHI Millennium Institute, designated as a higher education institution on 1 April 2001, and the Open University in Scotland, which has a strong track-record of providing higher education to those in remote rural areas, and whose funding was transferred during 2000-01 to the council. This figure is largely comprised of funds transferred from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, which previously funded higher education provided by further education colleges in the Highlands, and from the UK Government, which previously funded the Open University in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157821,"EventID":"S1W-21224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations which it, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise have made, or plan to make, to (a) the Department of Trade an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations which it, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise have made, or plan to make, to (a) the Department of Trade and Industry, (b) the Office of Telecommunications, (c) BT Group plc and (d) Scottish Chambers of Commerce on the receivership of Atlantic Telecom and the economic implications of this for businesses and other customers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question on 6 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157822,"EventID":"S1W-21225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise have made, or plan to make, to (a) the Department of Trade and Industry and (b) the Offic","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise have made, or plan to make, to (a) the Department of Trade and Industry and (b) the Office of Telecommunications on increasing choice in the telecommunications sector for Scottish businesses in order to provide more enterprise opportunities and as part of its broadband strategy.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications regulation is reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Department of Trade & Industry and OFTEL regarding the impact of UK policies on Scotland.

    Within the context of its economic development remit, Scottish Enterprise is developing the Accessing Telecoms Links Across Scotland (ATLAS) project which aims to increase choice within the wholesale telecoms market in Scotland. Ultimately this should benefit businesses by increasing choice of suppliers at a local level.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157823,"EventID":"S1W-21226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in its discussions to seek to allow businesses to retain their existing telephone numbers following Atlantic Telecom going into receivership.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in its discussions to seek to allow businesses to retain their existing telephone numbers following Atlantic Telecom going into receivership.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no function in relation to telecommunications regulation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157824,"EventID":"S1W-21227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department of Trade and Industry and the receivers for Atlantic Telecom and what progress has been made on whether any action will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department of Trade and Industry and the receivers for Atlantic Telecom and what progress has been made on whether any action will be taken by any body due to the lack of notice given to customers before the company went into receivership.","AnswerText":"Telecommunications regulation is reserved to the UK government.

    However, we expect to be consulted by DTI on whether further action is needed, in the light of issues raised during the Atlantic Telecom situation, to ensure the regulatory framework meets the challenges of a competitive market.

    We have asked DTI to consider the potential to set up an \"ABTA\" type industry insurance scheme.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157825,"EventID":"S1W-21228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20470 by Peter Peacock on 11 December 2001, whether it has any plans to review current legislation in order to make it compulsory f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20470 by Peter Peacock on 11 December 2001, whether it has any plans to review current legislation in order to make it compulsory for local authorities to consult with community councils over the allocation of Common Good Funds.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to review current legislation in order to make it compulsory for local authorities to consult with community councils over the allocation of Common Good Funds.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157826,"EventID":"S1W-21229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been made about future appointments to the Board of Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been made about future appointments to the Board of Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has conducted a recruitment process for appointments of non-executive members to the Board of Scottish Water, subject to the Parliament's approval of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. This process was conducted according to the guidelines set out by the UK Commissioner for Public Appointments. Ministers intend to appoint the following as non-executive members, if and when the Bill is enacted:

    Bill Cameron, ex-Chief Executive of Mayflower Bus and Coach.

    Graeme Crombie, non-executive Director of Clydeport plc

    David Gray, Executive Chairman of DTZ Pieda Consulting & Board member, West of Scotland Water

    Paul Jowitt, Director of the Scottish Institute of Sustainable Technology; Professor of Civil Engineering Systems at Heriot Watt University; Board member, East of Scotland Water

    Ian McMillan, ex-executive board member, Scottish and Southern Energy

    Rita Theil, Director of the Utility Sector Team, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney.

    The prospective Chair and Chief Executive of Scottish Water have also conducted an open recruitment process for prospective Executive members of the boards, and have recommended that ministers appoint the following:

    Asset Management Director: Geoff Aitkenhead, East of Scotland Water

    Commercial Director: Christopher Banks, Enstone plc

    Customer Service Director: Cheryl Black, NTL

    Finance Director: Douglas Millican, East of Scotland Water

    The prospective Chair and Chief Executive have also recommended that ministers approve the following prospective appointments by Scottish Water, as Directors not serving on the board:

    Business Services Director: Mark Adderley, Royal Bank of Scotland Group

    Human Resources Director: Paul Pagliari, Scottish Power

    Ministers accept these recommendations and the appointments will take place, if and when the Bill is enacted.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157827,"EventID":"S1W-21230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the co-ordination of innovative and exploratory work on information and communications technologies in schools as","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the co-ordination of innovative and exploratory work on information and communications technologies in schools as set out in point 1 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's strategy for developing the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) in Scotland has a range of programmes and projects in place to encourage and co-ordinate innovative and exploratory work on ICT in schools, covering the main themes of training, content and infrastructure.

    We encourage the sharing of innovative practice among the approved training providers for the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT training programme by holding regular co-ordinating meetings between HMIE and the training providers. In addition we have hosted two major conferences to ensure effective links between NOF training initiatives and the rollout of the NGfL. As a result we have established an Innovative Practice Group charged with exploring ways of disseminating good practice.

    Working with Learning and Teaching Scotland, our programme of content and software development includes the co-ordination of innovative activities where schools throughout Scotland and in other countries collaborate in on-line learning.

    We are supporting a number of projects that explore possible future developments in the use of ICT. With Learning and Teaching Scotland we are investigating the requirements for a learning objects repository. We have supported Dundee City Council in a project that will investigate the effective use of laptop computers by teachers and pupils. We are also working with Glasgow City Council to develop innovative approaches to the use of ICT in support of children who cannot attend schools.

    Our ICT innovation awards scheme is specifically designed to co-ordinate and support innovative and exploratory work in the field of ICT across pre-school, primary, secondary and community education. £50,000 has been available for each round of the scheme, offering grants of up to £5000 to support innovative projects.

    This support often helps to draw in money from other partners. Phase two of the scheme is supporting 14 projects, and more information can be found on the internet at http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/innovationawards/.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157828,"EventID":"S1W-21231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning strategy.","AnswerText":"The Executive plans to publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning in 2002 once key data from the latest School Census have been analysed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157829,"EventID":"S1W-21232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the number of information and communications technologies learning centres through Learndirect Scotland as set out in point 2 of i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the number of information and communications technologies learning centres through Learndirect Scotland as set out in point 2 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward, and where these centres are situated.","AnswerText":"As at 30 November 2001, 223 learning centres had gained learndirect scotland branding. Of these, 111 are in areas of social deprivation. A comprehensive list of the learndirect scotland learning centres and their locations has been lodged with the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18426).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157830,"EventID":"S1W-21233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it and Learning and Teaching Scotland ensure that commercial providers are aware of the opportunities for working in collaboration in providing software of education","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it and Learning and Teaching Scotland ensure that commercial providers are aware of the opportunities for working in collaboration in providing software of educational content as set out in point 3 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Building on the experience gained from existing partnerships with commercial providers, the Executive and Learning and Teaching Scotland are developing a procurement strategy covering the financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 that will continue to raise the awareness of all commercial providers of the opportunities afforded by the Executive's extensive investment in educational software and content.

    Learning and Teaching Scotland will continue to engage with trade bodies in the software and multimedia industries, and is represented on the steering group that is guiding the creation of E-learning Alliance Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157831,"EventID":"S1W-21234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agreements it has reached with education authorities on the handling of educational copyright, licensing and intellectual property rights issues as set out in point","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agreements it has reached with education authorities on the handling of educational copyright, licensing and intellectual property rights issues as set out in point 4 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"There is as yet no consensus with education authorities and others on the handling of intellectual property issues. Learning and Teaching Scotland is working closely with all the local authorities, through the Inter-Authority Collaborative Network, to ensure learning materials produced with public funds are used to best effect across Scotland.

    Learning and Teaching Scotland has used the development of the five to 14 online resource www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/5-14/guidelines to explore copyright, licensing and intellectual property issues with schools and local authorities.

    The schools licence recently announced for the SCRAN database gives schools access to an environment in which they can create and share online materials based on items from SCRAN.

    The planned Scottish Schools Digital Network will provide a focus for the exchange of materials, and the development of the specification for the network will provide a further opportunity to examine intellectual property issues with local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157832,"EventID":"S1W-21235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it has been working with the BBC in developing the BBC's digital broadcasting strategy as set out in point 5 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Ta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it has been working with the BBC in developing the BBC's digital broadcasting strategy as set out in point 5 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive continues to work with the BBC to ensure that Scottish interests are represented in policy on production of digital material for schools and more generally. I intend to meet senior BBC representatives shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157833,"EventID":"S1W-21236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail how the Metropolitan Area Networks fit into its plans for digital inclusion as set out in point 6 of its response to the report of the Digital Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail how the Metropolitan Area Networks fit into its plans for digital inclusion as set out in point 6 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Recommendation six of the Digital Scotland Task Force report related to a broadband network for schools. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21268 on 16 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157834,"EventID":"S1W-21237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken or plans to undertake, to promote discussion among education authorities about being providers of information and communications technolo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken or plans to undertake, to promote discussion among education authorities about being providers of information and communications technologies services as set out in point 7 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Since April 2000, the Executive, through the NGfL Scotland programme of seminars and events, has supported seven seminars at which education authorities have been encouraged to meet and discuss their experience of obtaining and delivering a range of ICT services. Most recently, nearly 300 delegates attended the conference \"Connecting Scotland's Schools\", which launched discussion of the services that might be offered over the planned Scottish Schools Digital Network.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157835,"EventID":"S1W-21238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of Learning and Teaching Scotland is in educational technology as set out in point 8 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of Learning and Teaching Scotland is in educational technology as set out in point 8 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in Learning and Teaching Scotland's Aims and Objectives, Strategic Plan 2001-2004 and Annual Plan 2001-2002, all of which can be found on the internet at http://www.ltscotland.com/about/corporate.asp.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157836,"EventID":"S1W-21239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will describe the Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish University for Industry and the National Grid Team as set out in point 9 of its response to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will describe the Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish University for Industry and the National Grid Team as set out in point 9 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Scottish UfI Ltd and the National Grid for Learning team are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). We expect the main elements of the MoU to focus on:

    identifying and pursuing projects and policies that are of mutual interest where joint involvement would produce greater benefits to the public;

    ensuring the respective expertise of the organisations involved are mutually recognised and used in partnership where appropriate;

    sharing expertise in the delivery of online learning;

    avoiding duplication of effort, and

    collaborating in furthering the effective implementation of the Digital Scotland initiative.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157837,"EventID":"S1W-21240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council into what examples of information and communications technologies support for learni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council into what examples of information and communications technologies support for learning work best in a further education context as set out in point 11 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"SFEFC is working to implement this recommendation through a range of initiatives set out in its information and communications technology (ICT) strategy. For example, the council is funding eight strategic projects which are piloting a range of innovative activities relating to the use of ICT in a further education context. The projects were scheduled to conclude in March 2002 but some may now be extended beyond that date, with a focus on dissemination of project outcomes.

    The council has also awarded a contract for ICT advisory services for staff development to the Scottish Further Education Unit and another for content development to Learning and Teaching Scotland. These are both designed to identify and promote good practice in the use of ICT in a further education context.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157838,"EventID":"S1W-21241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council last reported on their progress on working jointly on research into ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council last reported on their progress on working jointly on research into information and communications technologies assisted learning and on learning environments, educational content and teacher/lecturer training as set out in point 12 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils provide six-monthly reports on their progress in implementing relevant recommendations contained in the Digital Scotland Task Force's report. The last such report was received in December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157839,"EventID":"S1W-21242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council have taken to offer the SuperJANET network to all higher educ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council have taken to offer the SuperJANET network to all higher education institutions and further education colleges as set out in point 15 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"All higher education institutions and further education colleges have access to the SuperJANET network. The funding councils' priority continues to be promoting widespread take-up and application of the extensive range of information services available through the network. The councils' policy is to identify new data sources of potential value to the further and higher education sectors and to seek to arrange access to them through the network.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157840,"EventID":"S1W-21243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage is it at with regard to its plans for an e-government framework as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digita","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what stage is it at with regard to its plans for an e-government framework as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Information Age Government in Scotland: A draft common Framework was published in draft in December 2000. The framework is currently being revised following consultation and will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157841,"EventID":"S1W-21244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all basic public services will be online by 2003 as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Wa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all basic public services will be online by 2003 as set out in point 16 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"I am grateful for the opportunity to correct a minor inaccuracy in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, which was repeated in the Executive's response to that report. The agreement reached by the European Council at the Lisbon Summit, and announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair was to provide electronic access to the main basic public services by 2003, not to all basic public services as stated in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force.

    The list of the 20 main basic public services agreed by member states was published as an annex to the communication e-Europe 2002: Impacts and Priorities. Most of that list are reserved matters. We are working on all those which fall within the remit of the Scottish Executive and a number are already available electronically.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157842,"EventID":"S1W-21245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by local authorities to promote the aims of its Modernising Government and Information Age Government agendas as set out in point 17 of its res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by local authorities to promote the aims of its Modernising Government and Information Age Government agendas as set out in point 17 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Local authorities through COSLA, have given an undertaking to match the Executive's commitment to delivering services online by 2005. Each local authority has identified e-advocates at both Senior Officer and Elected Member level who are accountable for the delivery of their Council's 21st Century Government Strategy.

    Eight of these e-advocates, along with the Chief Executive of COSLA, are represented on the Central/Local 21st Century Government Forum which helps to drive the Modernising Government and Information Age Government agendas across all local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157843,"EventID":"S1W-21246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities will be able to make available electronically the public services they deliver as set out in point 18 of its response to the report of the Digital ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities will be able to make available electronically the public services they deliver as set out in point 18 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Local Authorities, through COSLA, have given an undertaking to match the Executive's commitment to online services by 2005.

    The Central Local 21st Century Government Forum agreed that councils should be invited collectively to propose an approach, targets and a timetable for making available electronically the public services they deliver.

    This consultation exercise was carried out in October 2001 and councils have agreed that a standard definition of services and electronic channels should be endorsed and that an online database should be set up to monitor council progress in delivering services electronically. The structure and content of this database is being developed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157844,"EventID":"S1W-21247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to ensure that it and local authorities work together in order to share and exchange information on electronic service delivery as set out i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to ensure that it and local authorities work together in order to share and exchange information on electronic service delivery as set out in point 19 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward, and to what extent the private sector is involved in this delivery.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive working with COSLA has established the Central Local 21st Century Government Forum to promote the sharing of good practice and exchange of information with local authorities.

    The Executive has also provided funding to COSLA to develop a website that will help to promote this activity. The Scottish Executive website also contains details of all of the Modernising Government funded projects that are under way in local authorities; including local authorities working together with both public and private sector partners. Councils are invited and encouraged to submit suitable content and information to the Scottish Executive and to COSLA to help maintain both websites.

    In addition, a Newsletter is published by the Executive highlighting the projects and promoting the sharing and exchange of information relating to the electronic service delivery being promoted via these projects. The Executive website also contains information and links via the E-Envoys office to other UK and international initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157845,"EventID":"S1W-21248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative barriers are in place which create difficulties in delivering public services electronically as set out in point 20 of its response to the report of the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative barriers are in place which create difficulties in delivering public services electronically as set out in point 20 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward, and which barriers have been removed.","AnswerText":"We now have enabling legislation in place in the Electronic Communications Act 2000 to allow us to amend existing legislation where that does not allow for the use of electronic communications or data storage. Some perceived barriers are not barriers after all but are being considered on a case-by-case basis. For instance, the data protection legislation is not generally a barrier to electronic delivery provided that the requirements of the legislation regarding appropriate consents and storage of information are met.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157846,"EventID":"S1W-21249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when publicly funded bodies will adopt a framework to ensure technical and data standards are in line with the UK as a whole as set out in point 21 of its response to the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when publicly funded bodies will adopt a framework to ensure technical and data standards are in line with the UK as a whole as set out in point 21 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive continues to work very closely with the Office of the e-Envoy in developing technical and data standards. The Executive has endorsed the e-Government Interoperability Framework and the e-Government Metadata Framework. The Executive is keen to remain in line as far as possible with both UK and International standards. To date an approach of endorsing and promoting standards has been adopted, however, the soon to be published Information Age Government Framework will contain a number of standards and these will be mandated to the extent of the Executive's authority and which other bodies will be strongly encouraged to adopt.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157847,"EventID":"S1W-21250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it defines as \"good practice\" with regard to achieving 100% electronic service delivery by 2005 as set out in point 22 of its response to the report of the Digital S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it defines as \"good practice\" with regard to achieving 100% electronic service delivery by 2005 as set out in point 22 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Our aim is for public services to meet the needs of the citizen, e.g. by delivering the appropriate answer to the citizen at the first point of contact. This is set out in more detail in the 21st Century Government Vision Statement which is publicly available on the 21st Century Government website.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157848,"EventID":"S1W-21251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the public sector has for achieving 100% electronic service delivery as set out in points 22 and 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the public sector has for achieving 100% electronic service delivery as set out in points 22 and 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not a major service provider, and its main role therefore is to provide encouragement and guidance to service providers. This is being done in a variety of ways; eg through working groups, seminars, published guidance, research and the Modernising Government Fund.

    The first electronic service delivery progress report, published in November 2001, shows that more than 60% of the services provided by the Scottish Executive, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are already available online.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157849,"EventID":"S1W-21252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to deliver 'e-procurement' for public sector bodies as set out in point 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to deliver 'e-procurement' for public sector bodies as set out in point 23 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"E-procurement was addressed by point no 24 of the Digital Scotland Taskforce's report. Since the report's publication the Executive has been working with the wider Scottish public sector, including health and local government, to develop an e-procurement service which will be available to all Scottish public bodies. In November 2001, following an international competition, the Executive announced the selection of Cap Gemini, Ernst and Young and its partner Elcom, to develop and host the web-based service.

    Pre-implementation work has already commenced in the Executive, Highland Council, West Lothian Council, Highland NHS bodies and Scottish Healthcare Supplies. Pre-implementation work is due to commence shortly in a range of other organisations.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157850,"EventID":"S1W-21253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation will be in place as set out in point 25 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digita","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when an Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation will be in place as set out in point 25 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Good progress is being made with the Electronic Clinical Communications Implementation programme. Electronic transmission of laboratory test results is now well established in many parts of the country and a number of locations are beginning to electronically transmit referral and discharge letters. The technical infrastructure will be in place during the first half of this year to enable secure electronic exchange of clinical information between any GP practice and any NHS Trust in Scotland. The target is to achieve widespread implementation by 2003.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157851,"EventID":"S1W-21254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure management level staff have the skills to plan, manage and implement successful electronic service delivery as set o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure management level staff have the skills to plan, manage and implement successful electronic service delivery as set out in point 26 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Management and Leadership skills are a strategic priority for the Scottish Executive and its Corporate Learning Services (CLS). CLS provides a wide range of project management, management and information technology training using a variety of training methods, including e-learning, classroom based and computer based training. All of these develop skills that can be used to take forward electronic service delivery.

    We have introduced a suite of courses with the aim of improving project teams; these include Project Leadership, Project Support, Microsoft Project and Consultancy Skills. The topics covered in these courses include project definition, goal setting, motivating the team, problem solving and negotiation.

    The Scottish Executive 21st Century Government Unit have also arranged a number of seminars and workshops on relevant topics for senior public sector staff outwith the Executive. We will continue to hold such seminars on appropriate topics where there is an identified need.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157852,"EventID":"S1W-21255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on smart cards and to what extent it is implementing the results of any studies and utilising such cards as set out in point 27 of its r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on smart cards and to what extent it is implementing the results of any studies and utilising such cards as set out in point 27 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Smart Card Policy Working Group (chaired by the Office of the e-Envoy) of which the Scottish Executive is a member, is due to publish a draft smart card framework for consultation in early 2002. This group has taken note of the large number of smart card studies and practical implementation carried out world wide, in the compilation of its consultation document. The Scottish Executive has recently supported a smart card pilot project in Aberdeen and is working with Young Scot on a national project involving a young people's smart card. The Scottish Executive, whilst actively considering the use of smart cards in a number of areas, has no immediate implementation plans.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157853,"EventID":"S1W-21256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the public sector has formed partnerships with commercial firms in order to reduce the cost of delivering public services electronically as set out in poi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the public sector has formed partnerships with commercial firms in order to reduce the cost of delivering public services electronically as set out in point 28 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has taken every appropriate opportunity to work with the private sector in delivering projects, including involving the 21st Century Government Reference Group and the wider private sector in discussions about the development of various projects for the second phase of the Modernising Government Fund. Details of those partners already involved in Modernising Government Fund projects can be found on the internet at:

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/c21g/fund.asp.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157854,"EventID":"S1W-21257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role of the Modernising Government Fund as set out in point 29 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the role of the Modernising Government Fund as set out in point 29 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive wrote to Local Authority Chief Executives, copied to Chief Executives and Directors of public sector bodies in Scotland, on 29 November 2001, outlining the key priority areas for developing citizen focussed services which could be supported by the second round of the Modernising Government Fund.

    Bidding Guidance for outline project proposals setting out strategic objectives and 4 key project areas issued on 19 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157855,"EventID":"S1W-21258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure universal access for the public sector as set out in point 31 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure universal access for the public sector as set out in point 31 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has adopted a multi channelled approach to the delivery of public services and information. It has supported and continues to support a number of pilot projects which are exploring different methods of delivery to ensure further widening of access to services and information. Transcoding of individual data sources is enabling these sources of data to be delivered and accessed through a variety of channels.

    Through its 21st Century Government Unit vision statement, the Scottish Executive puts the citizen at the centre of the process in ensuring that he or she is empowered to access information and services in his or her preferred manner.

    The Scottish Executive is also looking at different ways of improving general access to the Internet in Scotland. The Public Internet Access Points Initiative aims to put at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in areas of Scotland where affordable provision is currently poor.

    The Scottish Executive is also running a Digital Communities competition. This initiative will create pilot \"digital communities\", by connecting homes to the internet in two disadvantaged areas of Scotland. The objective is to assess how individual access to the internet can transform opportunities for people living in these communities, by developing new ways of accessing learning, work, shopping and leisure.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157856,"EventID":"S1W-21259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which services it has identified as 'quick win' as set out in point 32 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forwar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which services it has identified as 'quick win' as set out in point 32 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"In our project-based approach, we aim to concentrate our efforts on the highest priority services; i.e. those services which have the maximum impact on the maximum number of people and where an improved service would deliver the greatest benefit to the citizen. The Modernising Government Fund has supported joined up working and funded bids which meet the Scottish Executive's key modernising priorities for the public sector. Where common themes and projects arose, we combined these into natural project groups.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157857,"EventID":"S1W-21260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken or plans to take to ensure the authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 33 of its response ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken or plans to take to ensure the authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 33 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is working within the policy laid out in the UK Government's Authentication framework document in matters relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet. Authentication and security issues are also highlighted in the draft Information Age Government Framework which will set standards and provide guidance for the public sector.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157858,"EventID":"S1W-21261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who ensures that standards of privacy in relation to data interchange on online public services are maintained as set out in point 34 of its response to the report of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who ensures that standards of privacy in relation to data interchange on online public services are maintained as set out in point 34 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"In using the internet for their business dealings, data controllers must take into account the privacy rights of individuals and their own responsibilities under privacy and data protection legislation.

    Under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Information Commissioner is able to serve enforcement notices upon a data controller who the Commissioner is satisfied has contravened or is contravening any of the data protection principles.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157859,"EventID":"S1W-21262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where information is made publicly available about the issues relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 35 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where information is made publicly available about the issues relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the internet as set out in point 35 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Information on issues relating to authentication and security of electronic transactions over the Internet can be found on the Office of the e-Envoy website.

    Information on these issues is also contained in the published draft Information Age Government Framework.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157860,"EventID":"S1W-21263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken since January 2000, and what action it plans to take, to ensure that it and the wider public use online consultation more as set out in point 36 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken since January 2000, and what action it plans to take, to ensure that it and the wider public use online consultation more as set out in point 36 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to the greater use of on-line consultation. In addition to monitoring the level of Scottish Executive e-consultation activity, it is piloting a number of projects using new technology to increase on-line consultation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157861,"EventID":"S1W-21264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the use of electronic voting amongst the electorate as set out in point 37 of its response to the report of the D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the use of electronic voting amongst the electorate as set out in point 37 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill allows for alternative methods of voting to be considered with a view to subsequent implementation. The electoral commission have been consulted about pilot proposals. With the International Teledemocracy Centre, based at Napier University, we are now considering specific proposals to run e-voting pilots in two local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157862,"EventID":"S1W-21265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work it has undertaken to ensure the efficiency of information and communications technologies as set out in point 38 of its response to the report of the Digital Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what work it has undertaken to ensure the efficiency of information and communications technologies as set out in point 38 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's 21st Century Government Vision clearly lays out the desirability of exploiting new technology where it delivers improved services. The Executive has sought to encourage debate on new delivery channels and the streamlining of internal processes. The Executive hosted a seminar in October 2001 on call centre technology specifically to share best practice about this citizen focussed service delivery channel. Promoting the e-Government Interoperability Framework is also important in seeking to maximise efficiencies across public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157863,"EventID":"S1W-21266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it has given in advising public sector bodies on how to streamline internal processes by utilising information and communications technologies as set out ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it has given in advising public sector bodies on how to streamline internal processes by utilising information and communications technologies as set out in points 38 and 39 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21265.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157864,"EventID":"S1W-21267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any public sector sharing of bank offices processing functions as set out in point 40 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any public sector sharing of bank offices processing functions as set out in point 40 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Several projects funded through the first round of the Modernising Government Fund supported the re-engineering of back office systems and details of progress made on individual projects are available on the 21st Century Government website. Discussions involving some public sector service providers and private sector partners are also under way to develop innovative proof of concept projects.

    Bidding Guidance for the second round of the MGF confirmed that Data Sharing, including the integration of front office/back office systems that can facilitate joined up working across organisations, across communities and across the public sector is a key priority to be supported by the fund.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157865,"EventID":"S1W-21268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the further and higher education sectors and local authorities work together to provide network services as set out in point 41 of its response to the report of the D","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the further and higher education sectors and local authorities work together to provide network services as set out in point 41 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's response to point 41 of the task force report has been overtaken by the publication of the Scottish Executive's strategy Connecting Scotland: our broadband future. The aggregated procurement of services for local authorities including schools and the health service is to be tested initially in two pathfinder areas. The further and higher education sectors are currently involved in a separate procurement but have been involved in discussions about future alignment of procurement and drawing on the skills of the further and higher education sector in aggregated procurement.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157866,"EventID":"S1W-21269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken to ensure the provision of affordable internet access in church halls as set out in point 42 of its response to the report of the Digital ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken to ensure the provision of affordable internet access in church halls as set out in point 42 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Public Internet Access Points Initiative will see internet-ready PCs being put in places which people already use - for example shops and banks. This £5 million programme aims to create at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in Scotland, more than doubling the current number.

    The programme will be run on an application basis and church halls will be eligible to apply, as will the other facilities noted in point 42 of the report.

    Venues will be expected to provide the public with access to the Internet at a cost of no more than £1 per hour.

    We expect to start shipping the first PCs in the spring of this year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157867,"EventID":"S1W-21270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what area-based facilities it provides for information and communications technologies initiatives in social inclusion programmes as set out in point 43 of its response t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what area-based facilities it provides for information and communications technologies initiatives in social inclusion programmes as set out in point 43 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's £1.5 million Digital Champion programme is providing a network of eight digital \"champions\" to cover Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas in Scotland. They are working to improve ICT provision in these areas by engaging local people and driving forward local activity. The Digital Champions are building on the Audit of ICT initiatives in SIP areas which was commissioned by the Executive (published June 2000, see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/red/audit01.htm) by mapping ICT initiatives and facilities in detail in SIP areas, and subsequently developing further initiatives where appropriate.

    The earlier audit identified a total of 90 ICT initiatives within the SIPs and Working for Communities Pathfinders (WfCPs), and a further 60 related initiatives, not directly run or financed by the SIPs or WfCPs, but falling within their areas.

    In addition the Executive has mapped facilities in Scotland which provide public access to the web - and around 700 have been identified so far. Members of the public can find the nearest place to get on the web via the UK online call centre and a clickable map on the web (see www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland/webaccess).

    The Executive is also developing proposals to improve the provision of web-based information and exchange of good practice on digital inclusion for practitioners in this field.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157868,"EventID":"S1W-21271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it currently spends on community based provision of information and communications technologies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it currently spends on community based provision of information and communications technologies.","AnswerText":"The Executive's strategy for digital inclusion \"Connecting Scotland's People\" set out a range of actions to raise awareness; improve access; develop skills; and involve communities. These include:

    A £5 million initiative which will create over 1,000 points that provide access to the web in a wide range of different types of venue. The focus will be on areas where access is currently poor.

    A £3.5 million initiative to create pilot "digital communities" in two disadvantaged areas by connecting homes to the Internet.

    The £1.5 million Digital Champion programme which is providing a network of eight digital "champions" to cover Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas in Scotland. They are working to improve ICT provision in these areas by engaging local people and driving forward local activity.

    A £1.6 million initiative to develop community ICT facilities in Gorbals and Pollok. They will be aimed at encouraging people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to take their first steps in experiencing how ICTs and the Internet can have a positive impact on the quality of their lives.

    A number of other initiatives are also promoting ICT in communities. These include:

    The New Opportunities Fund has allocated £23 million through its "Community Access to Lifelong Learning" programme. The money is being used to link every public library to the Internet and to improve access to lifelong learning through the use of information and communications technology across Scotland, with the focus on socially excluded adults and communities.

    £8 million has been made available to the Scottish University for Industry to develop a network of learndirect scotland branded learning centres to enable easier access to ICT learning within communities - 223 learndirect scotland centres have been created so far and the target is to create 300 centres by March 2002.

    £1.5 million has been made available over three years for IT development in the voluntary sector.

    Scottish Executive, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has contributed £150,000 to launch the Uplift project. Uplift is providing initial computer training for 60 to 70 people around the country who will in turn be able to pass on their skills to other members of their communities.

    The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) website has a communities channel which has developed a "Guide to Getting Communities Connected". This provides information to help those who wish to promote the use of ICTs in the community. In addition the Executive is providing £530,000 to the "Connecting Communities" project - an ICT training project for community learning practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157869,"EventID":"S1W-21272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that users of information and communications technologies can access them in places in which people feel comfortable and at ease with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that users of information and communications technologies can access them in places in which people feel comfortable and at ease with the technology as set out in point 45 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy, which was published in September of last year, set out ways in which we will tackle this issue.

    The Public Internet Access Points Initiative, which is currently under development, will see internet-ready PCs being put in places where people actually go - for example shops and banks. This £5 million programme aims to create at least 1,000 extra public internet access points in Scotland, more than doubling the current number. We expect to start shipping the first PCs in the spring of this year.

    The £3.5 million Digital Communities competition will tackle digital inclusion by creating pilot \"digital communities\" to provide home-base internet access in two disadvantaged communities in Scotland. The objective is to assess how individual access to the internet can transform opportunities for people living in these communities, by developing new ways of accessing learning, work, shopping and leisure.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157870,"EventID":"S1W-21273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Information Age Government Framework proposes to promote information and communications technologies usage amongst disabled people, elderly people and ethnic mino","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the Information Age Government Framework proposes to promote information and communications technologies usage amongst disabled people, elderly people and ethnic minority communities as set out in point 46 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's digital inclusion strategy sets out evidence that the digital divide in Scotland is closely correlated to low income levels. Initiatives under the digital inclusion strategy will therefore be targeted primarily on low income individuals and communities - and clearly this will include many disabled and elderly people. We also aim to put some of the new public internet access points into facilities used by elderly people. In addition, later this year we will take forward a study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157871,"EventID":"S1W-21274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for public service providers to make digital television (DTV) and web-enabled phones available as set out in point 47 of its response to the report of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for public service providers to make digital television (DTV) and web-enabled phones available as set out in point 47 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"We have no plans for public service providers to make digital television and web-enabled phones available, but we are actively promoting the development of multiple channels of access to public services through support from the Modernising Government Fund and the development of other projects.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157872,"EventID":"S1W-21275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure the multi-channel delivery of public services as set out in point 48 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure the multi-channel delivery of public services as set out in point 48 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Through the Modernising Government Fund, the Scottish Executive has supported a number of pilot projects which are exploring the different methods of delivery available to provide information and services to Scottish citizens. Projects have involved research into service delivery through iDTV, information kiosks, call centres, one stop shops, e-mail and web sites to give but a few examples. The Scottish Executive is actively involved in encouraging a multi channel access approach, particularly through highlighting examples of best practice to be found across the Scottish public sector and through the promotion of its vision statement. The vision has at its heart, citizen choice, whereby the citizen is empowered to access information and services in his or her preferred manner.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157873,"EventID":"S1W-21276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local champions it currently supports as set out in point 49 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local champions it currently supports as set out in point 49 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's £1.5 million Digital Champions programme is providing a network of eight digital \"champions\" to cover all Social Inclusion Partnership areas in Scotland. Their role is to support and develop local digital inclusion initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157874,"EventID":"S1W-21277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages public agencies to develop user-focused information and communications technologies services as set out in point 50 of its response to the report of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages public agencies to develop user-focused information and communications technologies services as set out in point 50 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive encourages public agencies through the regular and consistent promotion of the 21st Century Government Vision, of a Scotland where the delivery of public services and public information are characterised by their citizen focus and by choice of means of access. Further to this a series of working groups and seminars on topics such as Portals, GIS and Call Centres have been held with plans for future events. The 21st Century Government Unit has recently announced a conference 'Transforming Scotland' to be held on 25 January at the Glasgow SECC, which will further promote the citizen focussed approach.

    The Executive is shortly to commission research into how customer views and reactions are currently used both to improve future service delivery and to resolve any immediate service failure. This research scheduled for publication in May 2002 will be published and results promoted across the wider Public Sector.

    Funding of projects through the Modernising Government Fund and the subsequent sharing of best practice in this area will also have a positive effect.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157875,"EventID":"S1W-21278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how information and communications technologies are being employed to promote local democratic participation, including consultations and opinion polling, as set out in p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how information and communications technologies are being employed to promote local democratic participation, including consultations and opinion polling, as set out in point 51 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-21263 and S1W-21264 answered on 16 January 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157876,"EventID":"S1W-21279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to promote the benefits of information and communications technologies among those who do not understand technology as set out","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to promote the benefits of information and communications technologies among those who do not understand technology as set out in point 52 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's response to point 52 said we would encourage Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP) to make this an integral part of their work. The digital champions are working in SIP areas - engaging local people, local organisations, and driving forward local activity.

    In addition the Executive's public access points initiative will put internet access into places where people already go on a day-to-day basis - such as shops.

    The points set out in my answer to question S1W-21282 on 16 January 2002 are also relevant here.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157877,"EventID":"S1W-21280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what promotional work it has carried out to publicise the benefits which individuals can derive from information and communications technologies as set out in point 53 of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what promotional work it has carried out to publicise the benefits which individuals can derive from information and communications technologies as set out in point 53 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Through the Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy \"Connecting Scotland's People\" we are developing a number of promotional schemes to increase skills and raise awareness of the benefits of using PCs and the internet. This includes the UK Online TV advertising campaign aimed at getting everyone online which started in November 2001, which the Executive worked on with UK government. A number of other schemes to promote awareness of the benefits of the web are also being developed and we expect these to start later in the year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157878,"EventID":"S1W-21281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it promotes social inclusion through information and communications technologies as set out in point 54 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task For","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it promotes social inclusion through information and communications technologies as set out in point 54 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The guidelines for UK Government websites published by the Office of the e-Envoy contain detailed information and set standards for the design and delivery of fully accessible websites and online services. Version 2 of the guidelines is currently going through consultation and the Executive is taking part in that process.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157879,"EventID":"S1W-21282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods it uses to assess demand for information and communications technologies as set out in point 55 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methods it uses to assess demand for information and communications technologies as set out in point 55 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's digital champions initiative is working in Social Inclusion Partnership areas to assess current levels of ICT provision and demand for expert advice, and is already providing advice to practitioners on issues such as good practice and fund raising. The Executive is currently developing proposals on how to improve the exchange of information and good practice on digital inclusion issues.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157880,"EventID":"S1W-21283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the partners are who co-ordinate digital inclusion projects as set out in point 56 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland:","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the partners are who co-ordinate digital inclusion projects as set out in point 56 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's response to point 56 was that it would set up a dedicated digital inclusion unit to co-ordinate work on digital inclusion. Last year this was done, the Executive created a dedicated digital inclusion unit to take forward its objectives for digital inclusion. As a first step, in discussion with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, the digital inclusion team developed the Executive's Digital Inclusion Strategy Connecting Scotland's People which was published in September 2001 (see www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland), which sets out the Executive's framework for developing digital inclusion. The team is now taking forward a range of initiatives to increase awareness of the benefits of the web; increase access to the web; improve skills; and involve communities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157881,"EventID":"S1W-21284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long it takes to train a local champion in relation to utilising information and communications technologies and how much this training costs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how long it takes to train a local champion in relation to utilising information and communications technologies and how much this training costs.","AnswerText":"The length of time taken to train a local champion in the effective use of ICTs depends on a number of factors such as the individual's previous experience. An effective local champion not only has to be confident in the use of ICTs, but also has to be able to realise the potential for ICTs to enhance local activities and learning opportunities.

    The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) is a good indicator of proficiency in the use of ICTs. The study time required will depend on the individual, but typically might be around 40 hours. The fees charged for an ECDL course by a training provider will vary - but might lie between £150 and £250. However additional training in other skills may also be required.

    A further example of a scheme that trains local champions is the National Grid for Learning's "Connecting Communities" programme. This course does not aim to deliver core ICT skills but instead aims to equip local champions with the knowledge, skills and understanding to integrate ICT into everyday work.

    Using the freely available NGfL training materials (http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/communities/training) the successful trainees are expected to cascade their new skills to up to 10 other local community representatives.

    Apart from some equipment costs and the cost of producing the training materials and making them available on-line, typical basic training costs for a group of 12 participants are:

    Acute Specialties2

    Acute Surgical Specialties

    Scotland

    3.3

    1.3

    Argyll & Clyde

    3.1

    1.1

    Ayrshire & Arran

    2.9

    1.1

    Borders

    2.6

    1.0

    Dumfries & Galloway

    2.6

    1.1

    Fife

    2.3

    0.8

    Forth Valley

    2.7

    1.1

    Grampian

    3.2

    1.4

    Greater Glasgow

    4.5

    1.8

    Highland

    3.7

    3 days face-to-face ICT training

    £1,500

    4 days further support

    £2,000

    Some participants will need more support than others to get to the point where these new skills can be effectively and enthusiastically cascaded to other community practitioners but these figures give a reasonable indication of the costs involved.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157882,"EventID":"S1W-21285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits have been gained from information and communications technologies related social inclusion projects as set out in point 58 of its response to the report of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits have been gained from information and communications technologies related social inclusion projects as set out in point 58 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Digital inclusion projects have helped increase individual skills; increase individual opportunities; increase social interaction; improve confidence, and improve community working. The Executive is developing proposals to improve sharing of information and good practice between practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157883,"EventID":"S1W-21286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its good practice guidelines are for the use of information and communications technologies as set out in point 59 of its response to the report of the Digital Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its good practice guidelines are for the use of information and communications technologies as set out in point 59 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Executive's Digital Inclusion strategy Connecting Scotland's people, which was published in September 2001, set out the key themes that we believe are important for Digital Inclusion. They are raising awareness, increasing access, developing support, building skills, developing content and involving communities.

    The development of good practice is an on-going process. The Executive's Digital Champions initiative and the National Grid for Learning communities channel are capturing and sharing good practice. The Executive is also developing proposals to improve the provision of web-based information and the exchange of good practice on digital inclusion for practitioners in this field.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157884,"EventID":"S1W-21287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure an efficient and competitive telecommunications infrastructure as set out in point 60 of its response to the report ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure an efficient and competitive telecommunications infrastructure as set out in point 60 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Telecoms regulation is reserved to the UK Government. However, the Scottish Executive recognises the importance of an efficient and competitive telecoms infrastructure to economic development. Within the context of its economic development remit, Scottish Enterprise is working on the Accessing Telecoms Links Across Scotland (ATLAS) project which aims to increase choice within the wholesale telecoms market in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157885,"EventID":"S1W-21288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to extend broadband access to rural areas as set out in point 61 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotla","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to extend broadband access to rural areas as set out in point 61 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive launched a broadband strategy last August with the aim of promoting affordable pervasive broadband across Scotland. The strategy includes aggregated public sector procurement which will be taken forward initially in two pathfinder rural areas - the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. We aim to invest in broadband capacity for public services in a way that stimulates providers to supply a wider range of services to businesses and consumers in those areas.

    The Executive also recognises the importance of both testing and increasing demand for broadband, in order to encourage wider roll-out of commercial services, including within rural areas. As a first step, we are proposing a programme of network trials and awareness-raising measures under the DTI fund for innovative projects to extend broadband networks.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157886,"EventID":"S1W-21289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what system it uses to signpost and accredit its websites as set out in point 62 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The W","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what system it uses to signpost and accredit its websites as set out in point 62 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"Point 62 of the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force referred specifically to Scottish education-related websites. However, the Scottish Executive has a Web Editorial Board which is overseeing a programme of work to improve the signposting, accessibility and quality of content on the Scottish Executive Website. One aspect of this work programme is ensuring compliance with published guidelines and technical standards including the Framework for Information Age Government Websites and the e-Government Metadata Framework.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157887,"EventID":"S1W-21290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for metadata standards on publicly funded websites as set out in point 63 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digita","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for metadata standards on publicly funded websites as set out in point 63 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The e-Government Metadata Framework (e-GMF) published in June 2001, sets out the UK Government's policies for establishing and implementing metadata standards across the public sector.

    The Scottish Executive website is overseen by a Web Editorial Board which has responsibility for ensuring compliance with published guidelines including the e-GMF.

    The Scottish Executive actively supports and promotes the e-government interoperability framework and e-GMF across the wider Scottish public sector.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157888,"EventID":"S1W-21291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has implemented all the recommendations that it agreed to in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has implemented all the recommendations that it agreed to in the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"A number of the recommendations have been implemented and action completed. Others have been taken forward through the development and implementation of various related initiatives including the Digital Inclusion Strategy, the Broadband Strategy, the Information Age Government Strategy and the 21st Century Government Action Plan.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157889,"EventID":"S1W-21292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the next progress report on the transition to an information society will be published as set out in point 66 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the next progress report on the transition to an information society will be published as set out in point 66 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"The Joint Performance Team is monitoring progress in information and communications technologies.

    The Joint Performance Team was established by the Scottish Executive and comprises representatives of the Scottish Executive and Enterprise Networks. It is developing indicators that will allow the regular benchmarking of Scotland's progress against international performance in the areas outlined in Smart, Successful Scotland. The monitoring of the Executive's own electronic service delivery targets also provide useful benchmarking information.

    The indicators suggested in the Joint Performance Team's measurement framework relevant to monitoring progress in information and communication technologies fall under two categories, more e-business and digital connectivity. Within these categories, the following measures have been adopted.

    Proportion of business and activity transacted through e-business

    Number of companies trading online

    Share of businesses using broadband

    Cost and geographic coverage of broadband

    Share of population online

    Share of population in Social Inclusion Partnerships and other fragile areas with internet access

    After a public consultation process the Joint Performance Team is due to publish its final indicator set by 28 January.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157890,"EventID":"S1W-21293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring progress in information and communications technologies provision with the rest of the UK as set out in point 67 of its response to the report of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring progress in information and communications technologies provision with the rest of the UK as set out in point 67 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21292.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157891,"EventID":"S1W-21294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the current 'E-Minister' is and what his or her duties are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who the current 'E-Minister' is and what his or her duties are.","AnswerText":"Peter Peacock, as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services, is designated e-Minister with day-to-day responsibility for e-government matters including electronic service delivery. Within the Cabinet, I take overall responsibility for e-government and broadband procurement; the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning is responsible for e-business; and the Minister for Social Justice is responsible for digital inclusion. Each of the Ministers of the Executive is also responsible for oversight of modernisation and digital issues within his or her own portfolios.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157892,"EventID":"S1W-21295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be possible for complaints made against local registrars of births, deaths and marriages to be investigated by the proposed Scottish Public Sector Ombudsm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be possible for complaints made against local registrars of births, deaths and marriages to be investigated by the proposed Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman.","AnswerText":"Yes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157893,"EventID":"S1W-21296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to support soft fruit breeding programmes following its commitment in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to support soft fruit breeding programmes following its commitment in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive continues to fund a number of research projects into soft fruit, much of this directly underpinning raspberry and blackcurrant breeding. Funding in the current financial year amounts to over £935,000. In addition, since the end of EU funding of the special scheme for raspberries intended for processing, the Scottish Executive has been engaged in discussions with stakeholders within the industry on the prospects for a replacement raspberry breeding programme.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157894,"EventID":"S1W-21297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage multiple retailers and others in the private sector to invest in new varieties of soft fruits.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage multiple retailers and others in the private sector to invest in new varieties of soft fruits.","AnswerText":"This is ultimately a matter for the multiple retailers and others in the private sector. The Scottish Executive's role is to facilitate discussions amongst industry stakeholders. A representative member of the multiple retailers, along with other stakeholders, was asked to comment on the DTZ Pieda report into the future of raspberry breeding in Scotland published early in 2001. Their view was that investment in new varieties was not a matter for them. The Scottish Executive is continuing discussions with other stakeholders within the industry.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157895,"EventID":"S1W-21298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to maintain and develop the innovative plant breeding research programmes at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to maintain and develop the innovative plant breeding research programmes at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive continues to fund the maintenance and genetical characterisation of potato and soft fruit germplasm collections at the Scottish Crop Research Institute, and continues to support the development and application of innovative, molecular plant breeding research at the Institute, including the expansion of genomics research in support of that.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157896,"EventID":"S1W-21299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has with the Department for International Development in respect of plant breeding programmes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has with the Department for International Development in respect of plant breeding programmes.","AnswerText":"We have had no contact with the Department for International Development on the matter of plant breeding programmes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157897,"EventID":"S1W-21300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms exist to review the performance of tenderers for contracts that it awards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms exist to review the performance of tenderers for contracts that it awards.","AnswerText":"Potential tenderers are generally required to submit, with their bid, or application to bid, details of relevant previous experience and references. Before any major contract is awarded, enquiries are made as to the tenderers' ability to perform the contract, including consideration of relevant past performance. Also, performance by the Executive's contractors is required to be kept under continuous review by contract managers. In respect of works and works related services contracts, the Executive also makes use of information on past performance available through the \"Constructionline\" database.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157898,"EventID":"S1W-21301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether potential tenderers can be deemed to be ineligible to tender for contracts and, if so, on what grounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether potential tenderers can be deemed to be ineligible to tender for contracts and, if so, on what grounds.","AnswerText":"There are a number of grounds on which potential tenderers can be deemed ineligible to bid. These may include, for example, whether or not the tenderer has been convicted of an offence or committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of its business, whether the tenderer is considered to have sufficient economic and financial standing to fulfil the contract and whether the potential tenderer is considered to have the necessary technical capacity and ability to meet the requirements of the particular contract.

    The extent to which potential tenderers' eligibility is tested varies according to the value, importance and complexity of the contract in question.

    In certain contract award procedures, full tenders may be invited only from a short list consisting of those potential tenderers considered best placed to meet the Executive's requirements. Such short lists generally include at least three potential bidders (to ensure genuine competition). Limiting the number of full tenders in this way is normal commercial practice and helps minimise the burden of tendering costs for both suppliers and the purchaser. The fact that a potential tenderer has not been invited to bid may, in these circumstances, simply reflect the fact that it was not considered to be one of the strongest applicants.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157899,"EventID":"S1W-21302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any EU regulations governing the eligibility of potential tenderers to bid for government contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any EU regulations governing the eligibility of potential tenderers to bid for government contracts.","AnswerText":"European law places certain obligations on public purchasers when considering potential tenderers' eligibility to bid or when selecting a short list of bidders. The Treaty of Amsterdam requires that purchasers do not discriminate on grounds of nationality and, in effect, that potential bidders are treated equally. European public procurement directives (Services Directive 92/50/EEC, Supplies Directive, 93/36/EEC and Works Directive, 93/37/EEC as amended) where they apply, place detailed obligations on public purchasers in respect of the exclusion or selection of bidders. The directives place certain limitations on the information which may be sought from potential tenderers and which may be used to exclude (or select) bidders. The directives also require that decisions on eligibility are based on objective criteria.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157900,"EventID":"S1W-21303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has excluded any bidders from any tendering processes and, if so, who and on what grounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has excluded any bidders from any tendering processes and, if so, who and on what grounds.","AnswerText":"The Executive routinely excludes bidders or potential bidders, either because they are not considered capable of fulfilling the requirements of the contract or because, following a selection process, they have not been short-listed to tender. Records of bidders excluded in this way, and the grounds on which the decision was taken, are not held centrally and the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Also, details of particular decisions to exclude bidders will, in general, be commercially sensitive, since publication could be expected to have an adverse impact on the bidder's commercial standing.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157901,"EventID":"S1W-21304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has to review the performance of tenderers for Parliament contracts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has to review the performance of tenderers for Parliament contracts.","AnswerText":"The tendering procedures followed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body are documented in the Parliament's Procurement Procedures Manual. The performance of tenderers is routinely evaluated, as part of the selection process, following receipt of completed tender documentation, and may involve taking up references and other reports, site visits and financial viability checks. The extent of this evaluation will be dependent on the nature, value and risk of the contract.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157902,"EventID":"S1W-21305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether potential tenderers for Parliament contracts can be deemed to be ineligible to tender and, if so, on what grounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether potential tenderers for Parliament contracts can be deemed to be ineligible to tender and, if so, on what grounds.","AnswerText":"In certain circumstances potential tenderers for Parliament contracts might be asked to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire, which requests information on a wide range of a company's operations, including their financial and technical capability. Companies may be excluded from the bidding process after evaluation of the results. Applications that do not reach the minimum acceptable score set, or not received before pre-set deadlines, are automatically deemed to be ineligible to tender.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157903,"EventID":"S1W-21306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has excluded any bidders from any tendering processes and, if so, who and on what grounds.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has excluded any bidders from any tendering processes and, if so, who and on what grounds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body routinely excludes bidders from the tendering process to ensure that the quality of prospective contractors fully meets the requirements of the Parliament. Grounds for exclusion vary according to the nature and value of each particular contract; examples are inadequate management structures, staffing levels, financial and technical capabilities or quality of systems in place. A lack of similar previous experience or the capacity required to carry out the terms of the contract generally, would also be grounds for exclusion. The Parliament would not normally identify individual companies and release the specific reasons for their exclusion, for reasons of commercial confidentiality.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157904,"EventID":"S1W-21307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local government councillors' seats are currently vacant and for how long these vacancies have existed, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many local government councillors' seats are currently vacant and for how long these vacancies have existed, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157905,"EventID":"S1W-21308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcomes were of the review of the proposals from local authorities to the Better Neighbourhood Service Fund, announced in January 2001, and what allocations are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcomes were of the review of the proposals from local authorities to the Better Neighbourhood Service Fund, announced in January 2001, and what allocations are being made to local authorities this year.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Finance and Public Services and I have reviewed the Local Outcome Agreements (LOAs) submitted by the 12 local authorities selected to benefit from the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund (BNSF).

    Uppermost in our minds was the Executive's commitment to improving the delivery of public services to the people of Scotland. We were also guided by the principles underpinning the BNSF: the need for local authorities to deliver clear and demonstrable outcomes for people in deprived neighbourhoods or deprived social groups and the need to involve these people in defining and monitoring these outcomes.

    The following LOAs have been approved and first year funding confirmed:

    (£ million)

    Glasgow

    6

    West Dunbartonshire

    2

    Dundee

    2

    East Ayrshire

    1.5

    North Lanarkshire

    1.5

    Renfrewshire

    1

    South Lanarkshire

    1

    Glasgow City Council's LOA covered plans for use of the BNSF for the first year of the Fund only. A further LOA covering the second and third years is required to be submitted and approved by 1 July 2002.

    Two local authorities submitted LOAs which fell short of fully meeting the requirements of the fund - Inverclyde and Dumfries and Galloway - but, after consideration, we agreed to provide first year funding (£2 million and £0.6 million respectively), on condition that revised LOAs were approved by 1 April 2002.

    We were unable to confirm the allocations for North Ayrshire (£1.5 million), Argyll and Bute (£0.6 million), and Eilean Siar (£0.3 million), because the LOAs they submitted do not yet meet the requirements of the fund. However, the door remains open to these authorities; we will be prepared to provide funding from next year, if satisfactory LOAs are produced and approved by 1 July 2002.

    Confirmation of funding to all 12 local authorities for the further two years of the fund will be dependent on satisfactory progress being made against the outcome targets for each pathfinder.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157906,"EventID":"S1W-21309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure that disputes between the staff and management of Caledonian MacBrayne are resolved in such a way that they do not ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure that disputes between the staff and management of Caledonian MacBrayne are resolved in such a way that they do not disrupt the services available to the public.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials kept in close touch with the company throughout the recent industrial dispute on the Clyde with the objective of ensuring that adequate lifeline ferry services were maintained. We also funded connecting bus services to help foot passengers use the sailings that the company continued to provide to Arran and Bute.

    We also encouraged continued dialogue between the company and the union concerned to try to resolve the dispute as soon as possible, while recognising that responsibility for resolving disputes with staff lay with the board and management of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. We have made clear our view that the company and trade unions should work together to seek ways in which this type of disruption can be avoided in future.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157907,"EventID":"S1W-21310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when it was informed of the decision to give the Scottish Parliament legislative comp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when it was informed of the decision to give the Scottish Parliament legislative competence over the approval of the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The transfer to the Scottish Parliament of legislative competence for the promotion and construction of new railways in Scotland formed part of a package of measures for railways devolution announced on 31 March 1998 by Henry McLeish, the then Scottish Transport Minister, in the House of Commons.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157908,"EventID":"S1W-21311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when the Order in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to provide legisl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20444 by Lewis Macdonald on 11 December 2001, when the Order in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to provide legislative competence to the Scottish Parliament in respect of the promotion and construction of railways will be laid and brought into force.","AnswerText":"I anticipate that the Order in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, to provide legislative competence to the Scottish Parliament in respect of the promotion and construction of railways, will be laid and brought into force during the first half of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157909,"EventID":"S1W-21312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of rateable values for non domestic properties in each local authority area for the bands of rateable value (a) #0 to #2,999, (b) #3,000 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of rateable values for non domestic properties in each local authority area for the bands of rateable value (a) #0 to #2,999, (b) #3,000 to #3,999, (c) #4,000 to #4,999, (d) #5,000 to #5,999, (e) #6,000 to #6,999, (f) #7,000 to #9,999, (g) #10,000 to #24,999 and (h) over #25,000 and in respect of each band (i) how many entries there are on the non domestic property valuation roll and (ii) what the total rateable value of properties is (1) in cash terms and (2) as a percentage of the total of all rateable values for the local authority.","AnswerText":"The information held centrally on rateable values for non-domestic subjects in each local authority area for a range of rateable values is given in the following tables. The rateable value bandings in the tables correspond to the rateable value bandings that will be used in the small business rate relief scheme.

    Number of non-domestic subjects on the valuation roll.1 by rateable value

    Rateable Value of subject as at April 2000

    Number of subjects

    £1 to £2,999

    £3,000 to £3,999

    £4,000 to £4,999

    £5,000 to £5,999

    £6,000 to £6,999

    £7,000 to £10,000

    £10,001 to £25,000

    greater than £25,000

    Aberdeen

    1,648

    550

    518

    415

    344

    904

    1,833

    2,099

    8,311

    Aberdeenshire

    4,592

    646

    461

    367

    297

    677

    999

    694

    8,733

    Angus

    2,043

    		<","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157910,"EventID":"S1W-21313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2038,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":44,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of rateable values for hotels and guest houses in each local authority area for the bands of rateable value (a) #0 to #2,999, (b) #3,000 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of rateable values for hotels and guest houses in each local authority area for the bands of rateable value (a) #0 to #2,999, (b) #3,000 to #3,999, (c) #4,000 to #4,999, (d) #5,000 to #5,999, (e) #6,000 to #6,999, (f) #7,000 to #9,999, (g) #10,000 to #24,999 and (h) over #25,000 and in respect of each band (i) how many entries there are on the non-domestic property valuation roll and (ii) what the total rateable value of properties is (1) in cash terms and (2) as a percentage of the total of all rateable values for the local authority.","AnswerText":"The information held centrally on rateable values for hotels and guesthouses in each local authority area for a range of rateable values is given in the following tables. The rateable value bandings in the tables correspond to the rateable value bandings that will be used in the small business rate relief scheme.

    Number of non-domestic subjects on the valuation roll1 by rateable value: hotels, guesthouses etc

    Rateable Value of subject as at April 2000 (£)

    Number of subjects

    £1 to £2,999

    £3,000 to £3,999

    £4,000 to £4,999

    £5,000 to £5,999

    £6,000 to £6,999

    £7,000 to £10,000

    £10,001 to £25,000

    greater than £25,000

    Aberdeen

    53

    31

    17

    4

    2

    6

    7

    49

    169

    Aberdeenshire

    42

    12

    13

    9

    6

    29

    78

    51

    240

    Angus ","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157911,"EventID":"S1W-21314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which towns with populations over 1,000 further housing development is prohibited because of any inadequacy of the current sewage system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which towns with populations over 1,000 further housing development is prohibited because of any inadequacy of the current sewage system.","AnswerText":"We are aware of concerns that new housing development is unable to take place in some areas because the sewerage system is already operating at or near capacity. Scottish Executive officials will be meeting both local authority and house-building industry representatives shortly to discuss the matter.

    The Scottish water authorities have been asked to provide further detailed information and this will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157912,"EventID":"S1W-21315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications to join the Rural Stewardship Scheme this year will be approved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications to join the Rural Stewardship Scheme this year will be approved.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce today that I am able to approve the management actions and associated capital works proposed in 380 applications. This represents 80% of the 476 applications submitted and involves a financial commitment by the Executive of £18 million. No funding is being provided for stand-alone capital items or for hedgerow management.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157913,"EventID":"S1W-21316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rates relief is available for licensed premises that are the sole such premises in a rural village.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what rates relief is available for licensed premises that are the sole such premises in a rural village.","AnswerText":"Local authorities currently have discretionary powers to provide up to 100% rate relief for properties beneficial to the local community, in settlements of less than 3,000 people in areas of Scotland designated as rural areas by the Scottish ministers.

    All properties with a rateable value of less than £10,000 qualify for a two pence reduction in the poundage rate.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157914,"EventID":"S1W-21317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a national standard method for recording crime statistics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a national standard method for recording crime statistics.","AnswerText":"We seek to promote consistency in the way that police forces record crime through guidelines and audits.

    We issue guidance through the Criminal Statistics Handbook. The guidance is discussed with police representatives through the Scottish Criminal Statistics Committee and is ratified by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

    The Justice Department Justice Statistics Unit also visits police forces to monitor police recording practice and confirm that the guidance is being followed. In its regular programme of primary inspections, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary also audits processes and procedures used within forces to record crime.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157915,"EventID":"S1W-21318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18817 by Angus MacKay on 16 October 2001, whether the programme of Urban 2 funding to Port Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire has now ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18817 by Angus MacKay on 16 October 2001, whether the programme of Urban 2 funding to Port Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire has now been approved and when implementation will commence.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to confirm that the programme was approved by the European Commission on 11 December 2001. Preparatory work by the Scottish Executive and local partners continues. I expect to appoint the Programme Monitoring Committee soon so that implementation can begin around Easter.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157916,"EventID":"S1W-21319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representative is on the Meat and Livestock Commission and which members of the Commission it nominated or over whose appointment it was consulted.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representative is on the Meat and Livestock Commission and which members of the Commission it nominated or over whose appointment it was consulted.","AnswerText":"The Meat and Livestock Commission is an industry body constituted under the Agriculture Act 1967 and the Scottish Executive does not have a representative on it. There are 15 Commissioners, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and all these appointments are made jointly by Scottish ministers, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Assembly Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development of the National Assembly for Wales. There are two Commissioners nominated by the Scottish Executive and these are currently John Ross and Ralph Green.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157917,"EventID":"S1W-21320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has given to the Meat and Livestock Commission in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has given to the Meat and Livestock Commission in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"The Meat and Livestock Commission receives most of its funds from levies raised from the cattle, sheep and pig industries, and is not given any direct funding by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157918,"EventID":"S1W-21321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the Meat and Livestock Commission in 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the Meat and Livestock Commission in 2001.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has periodic discussions with the Meat and Livestock Commission at official and ministerial level about a wide range of issues relating to the meat and livestock industries.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157919,"EventID":"S1W-21322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, what its definition is of an \"entitlement\" to learn a fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, what its definition is of an \"entitlement\" to learn a foreign language and whether it will ensure that this definition is publicised among all stakeholders.","AnswerText":"I will announce arrangements for the funding and support of foreign language education, including guidance on pupil's entitlement to language learning, in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157920,"EventID":"S1W-21323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised 5-14 curriculum guidelines on modern languages as referred to in its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised 5-14 curriculum guidelines on modern languages as referred to in its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, were made available to schools, teachers and parents.","AnswerText":"The distribution of 5-14 guidelines for modern languages began on 18 October 2001 and was completed by Learning and Teaching Scotland on 15 November 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157921,"EventID":"S1W-21324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, what extra resources will be allocated to assist with th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, what extra resources will be allocated to assist with the implementation, including further teacher training, of the 5-14 guidelines on modern languages.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21322.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157922,"EventID":"S1W-21325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a strategic implementation plan will be in place to take forward the recommendations of the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a strategic implementation plan will be in place to take forward the recommendations of the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citi'ens of a Multilingual World, in order to secure the place of languages in the school curriculum.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21322.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157923,"EventID":"S1W-21326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), what efforts","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), what efforts are being made to provide a definition of \"collective advocacy\" and how collective advocacy will \"develop through local negotiation and discussion\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to the provision of advocacy services for those suffering from mental disorder. Discussions continue with advocacy groups in the Mental Health Legislation Reference Group and in other ways to develop legislation which best meets the needs of service users, while recognising that statutory definition of collective advocacy might restrict growth and innovation in service provision and that the nature of local services should properly reflect local needs.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157924,"EventID":"S1W-21327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), whether bodies such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), whether bodies such as Patients' Councils will be without collective advocacy services until a legislative requirement is introduced to make such services available.","AnswerText":"A number of Patients' Councils are in existence, with support from the relevant NHS Boards. The precise support provided to collective advocacy, at a local level, is a matter for the relevant local agencies.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157925,"EventID":"S1W-21328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), whether local autho","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), whether local authorities and NHS boards will be more likely to resist requests for collective advocacy services to be made available if there is no legislative requirement or additional resources to provide these.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21326.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157926,"EventID":"S1W-21329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), what support will b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 (Official Report, Col.3821), what support will be given to local authorities and NHS boards for them to make advocacy services available for all mental health service users.","AnswerText":"As stated in Our National Health, the Scottish Executive is committed to the development of advocacy services for those who most need them. The Executive's policy statement, Renewing Mental Health Law, says that the new mental health legislation will impose a duty on NHS Boards and local authorities to ensure that a range of advocacy services is provided for mental health service users.

    The resource implications of the new legislation will be set out in the accompanying Financial Memorandum.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157927,"EventID":"S1W-21330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of the Individual Learning Account scheme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of the Individual Learning Account scheme","AnswerText":"Following the announcement by the Department for Employment and Skills (DfES) on 23 November to suspend the Individual Learning Account (ILA) scheme in England, the Executive undertook a further review of the scheme in Scotland. Since then, extra validation checks have been implemented by Scottish Enterprise for all current claims, as a precautionary measure to protect public funds.

    Both the review and the validation exercise have highlighted a number of actions which need to be taken urgently to address some of the deficiencies in the system. I have therefore decided to close the Individual Learning Account scheme with immediate effect. Consideration is being given to what future arrangements might be put in place to support individual learning.

    I will be writing to all MSPs with more information shortly, and every ILA holder and Learning Provider will also be written to individually.","AnswerDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157928,"EventID":"S1W-21331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the recent meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the recent meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.","AnswerText":"We achieved a very good outcome for Scotland from the recent EU Fisheries Council. Faced with an initial proposal which was far from favourable to Scottish and UK interests, the UK delegation took a robust approach to ensure the best possible available deal for our fishermen. This agreement, which is consistent with scientific advice, includes increases in quotas of key Scottish stocks.

    A full table of the UK quotas for 2002 has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18398).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157929,"EventID":"S1W-21332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom Social Inclusion Partnership Boards are accountable.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to whom Social Inclusion Partnership Boards are accountable.","AnswerText":"Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Boards are accountable to the SIP partners including the community, to the local authority (as grant recipient), to Communities Scotland and to Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157930,"EventID":"S1W-21333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of Social Inclusion Partnership Boards is monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of Social Inclusion Partnership Boards is monitored.","AnswerText":"The performance of Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Boards is monitored as part of the overall Scottish Executive Monitoring Framework for Social Inclusion Partnerships. This includes a requirement on SIPs to produce Annual Reports for the Executive on their progress against objectives, to produce information in relation to their area in terms of compulsory indicators of performance specified by the Executive, and formal appraisal visits carried out at least once every two years by Communities Scotland officials.

    SIPs are also subject to an evaluation programme conducted by independent consultants either towards the end of their designation, or in the case of some SIPs, both in the middle and towards the end of their designation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157931,"EventID":"S1W-21334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals mechanism exists for organisations whose funding has been terminated by Social Inclusion Partnership Boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals mechanism exists for organisations whose funding has been terminated by Social Inclusion Partnership Boards.","AnswerText":"The question of which projects to fund, either initially or on a continued basis is one which is very much for Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) boards, who make these decisions in light of their own locally agreed strategy. Equally, decisions in relation to appeals against decisions made by SIP Boards on either initial funding of projects or continuation of project funding will be made locally by SIP Boards.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157932,"EventID":"S1W-21335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1950,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all current Social Inclusion Partnership Boards, giving the names of all board members and the sphere of interest of each member, for example, counc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all current Social Inclusion Partnership Boards, giving the names of all board members and the sphere of interest of each member, for example, councillor or tenants' association representative.","AnswerText":"Please see attached list of board members and sphere of interest of each member.

    SIP Board Members

    Alloa South & East

    Cllr Billy Douglas

    Clackmannanshire Council

    Cllr Craig Holden

    Clackmannanshire Council

    Cllr William Wallace

    Clackmannanshire Council

    Alan Candlish

    Community Rep

    David Boreta

    Alloa South & East Community Group

    David Lyon

    Alloa South & East Community Group

    Eddie MacDonald

    Forth Valley Primary Care Trust

    Gerry McKeown

    Social Services

    Mike Thomson

    Clackmannanshire Council

    Murray Allan

    Scottish Enterprise

    Norman Shackleton

    Clackmannanshire Volunteering Development

    Gillian Irvine

    Community Rep

    Joyce Talbolt

    Gaberston Residents Association

    Yvonne Wright

    Head teacher Secondary School

    Claire Rock

    Community Rep

    Elaine McPherson

    Services to People

    Josephine Jack

    Community Rep

    Julie JohnstoneThe bill will not diminish any existing rights nor will the fact that an activity is not included within the new access rights mean that it cannot continue as at present. In principle we do not consider it appropriate to provide commercial businesses with a statutory right to use another persons land for their own profit. It is for that reason that we have included section 9 (2)(a) in the bill. The effect of this provision is that the position of commercial businesses in relation to access is unchanged by the bill. In other words, they can continue to have access to land for the purpose of their business, as now, with the consent of the landowner (whether express or implied).

    Guidance on access by commercial businesses will be set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code following consultation with all interested parties.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157934,"EventID":"S1W-21337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of section 9 (2) (a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill; what consultation there has been with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Network, the Ramblers A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of section 9 (2) (a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill; what consultation there has been with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Network, the Ramblers Association and any other interested groups in connection with this provision; whether there was adequate consultation in respect of the provision, and whether it will delete or amend the provision in order to allow access rights for instructors and guides for rambling, mountaineering or other outdoor pursuits and to ensure that there is access to their classes and other services that they provide in respect of such activities.","AnswerText":"The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was the subject of extensive consultation with a wide range of interests in the course of 2001.

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21336 on 17 January 2002, concerning the purpose of Section 9 (2)(a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157935,"EventID":"S1W-21338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce statutory obligations for the NHS in Scotland in respect of guidance issued by the Health Technology Board for Scotland following t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce statutory obligations for the NHS in Scotland in respect of guidance issued by the Health Technology Board for Scotland following the recently announced introduction of such obligations for the NHS in England in respect of guidance issued by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland should take account of advice and evidence from the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) and ensure that recommended drugs or treatments are made available to meet clinical need. The Executive will monitor NHS boards' adherence to HTBS advice and will follow up any non-adherence.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157936,"EventID":"S1W-21339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1781,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer when Scots language translations of the Parliament's information leaflets will be available.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer when Scots language translations of the Parliament's information leaflets will be available.","AnswerText":"The Parliament's Factfiles are available in Gaelic, and a Welcome Guide is available in French, German, Italian and Spanish. We are currently developing our policy on translations of public information material into other languages, and a decision will be taken by the SPCB in due course.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157937,"EventID":"S1W-21340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to fully fund recommendations from the Health Technology Board for Scotland in respect of drug prescribing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to fully fund recommendations from the Health Technology Board for Scotland in respect of drug prescribing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21338.","AnswerDate":"2002-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157938,"EventID":"S1W-21341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has made to ensure that there is no adverse social or economic impact in Scotland as a result of any alterations to the provision of postal","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has made to ensure that there is no adverse social or economic impact in Scotland as a result of any alterations to the provision of postal services following the proposals recently announced by Consignia.","AnswerText":"The Post Office and postal services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government and Consignia on a wide range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157939,"EventID":"S1W-21342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that there is no disparity between any commercial information which it makes available to the Scottish Parliament and the commercial information which Whi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that there is no disparity between any commercial information which it makes available to the Scottish Parliament and the commercial information which Whitehall departments make available to the UK Parliament.","AnswerText":"Whether or not commercial information can be disclosed is considered on a case by case basis, under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information. UK Government departments, when considering whether to release commercial information, do so under the terms of the similar Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157940,"EventID":"S1W-21343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1558 by Donald Dewar on 28 September 1999, what definition of \"Edinburgh\" it uses for the purposes of its policy on the location an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1558 by Donald Dewar on 28 September 1999, what definition of \"Edinburgh\" it uses for the purposes of its policy on the location and relocation of public service jobs in Scotland.","AnswerText":"For the purposes of the relocation policy, Edinburgh is defined as the area within the Edinburgh City Council boundary.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157941,"EventID":"S1W-21344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has examined the benefits of Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area in relation to its policy of relocating public service jobs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has examined the benefits of Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area in relation to its policy of relocating public service jobs.","AnswerText":"In December 2000 the Executive wrote to all Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Councils asking for information on potential relocation and development opportunities in their areas. The responses we received, including one from Fife Council, have helped inform relocation decisions.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157942,"EventID":"S1W-21345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding applications submitted to the Chief Scientist Office can only propose using researchers who are based in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding applications submitted to the Chief Scientist Office can only propose using researchers who are based in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Funding applications submitted to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) can propose using researchers based outside Scotland but the principal research grant holder must be a permanent salaried member of staff in a Scottish Institution and the administering body must be based in Scotland.

    Further information on CSO grant conditions is available on the CSO website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso/.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157943,"EventID":"S1W-21346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its consultation paper on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its consultation paper on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.","AnswerText":"There has been no public commitment made by the Scottish Executive to consult on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157944,"EventID":"S1W-21347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":26,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific guidance it will give to local economic forums in their second year of operation with regard to their areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific guidance it will give to local economic forums in their second year of operation with regard to their areas.","AnswerText":"The two Ministerial Taskforces for Forums are currently considering the tasks for forums in year two of their operation. A decision will be made in February 2002 and guidance as required will be issued thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157945,"EventID":"S1W-21348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it intends to make to the report funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Paths to Justice Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what response it intends to make to the report funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Paths to Justice Scotland.","AnswerText":"Paths to Justice Scotland raises a number of important issues both in terms of how people try to resolve their legal problems and their perceptions of the legal system. I intend to bear the report findings in mind, in addition to the Microcosm study The Public Perspective on accessing Legal Advice and Information recently carried out by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit, as we continue to look at developing a community legal service for Scotland and for civil justice more generally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157946,"EventID":"S1W-21349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met Supporters Direct and what the outcome of any such meeting was.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met Supporters Direct and what the outcome of any such meeting was.","AnswerText":"My officials met Supporters Direct last September to discuss the possibility and practicalities of Supporters Direct extending the service they provide in England and Wales to Scotland. Supporters Direct were asked to submit a written proposal on how this could be achieved together with costings.

    Following the setting up of the Scottish Football Partnership (SFP) in November 2001, Supporters Direct were encouraged to apply to the SFP for funding and I understand that initial contact has been made. My colleague, Mike Watson has written to the Chairman of the Partnership asking that his board consider sympathetically any subsequent application received from Supporters Direct for funding. It is, however, a matter entirely for the board of the SFP. We remain committed to examining all possible means of encouraging responsible groups of supporters to become more involved in their football club.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157947,"EventID":"S1W-21350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to help establish Supporters Direct in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to help establish Supporters Direct in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21349.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157948,"EventID":"S1W-21351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 30 September 2001 show that the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant in ophthalmology, following referral by a general medical practitioner, was 64 days.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157949,"EventID":"S1W-21352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in the NHS Lanarkshire area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in the NHS Lanarkshire area.","AnswerText":"Provisional figures for the year ending 30 September 2001 show that, in the Lanarkshire NHS Board area, the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant in ophthalmology, following referral by a general medical practitioner, was 92 days.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157950,"EventID":"S1W-21353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19840 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the success of the first month of the Glasgow Drugs Court pilot.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19840 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the success of the first month of the Glasgow Drugs Court pilot.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow pilot Drug Court commenced sitting on 12 November 2001. So far it has imposed 10 Orders, an encouraging start and on course to meet the target of between 150 and 200 orders a year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157951,"EventID":"S1W-21354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19094 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Women's Offending.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19094 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Women's Offending.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Women's Offending intends to publish its report within the next two months.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157952,"EventID":"S1W-21355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19095 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, what targets it has set in relation to increasing the use of alternatives to prison and div","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19095 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, what targets it has set in relation to increasing the use of alternatives to prison and diversion from prosecution for women.","AnswerText":"The role of the Scottish Executive is to ensure that courts have access to a wide range of community sentencing options which can secure the confidence of sentencers. Similar considerations govern the relationship with procurators fiscal in the operation of diversion from prosecution. Whilst the relationship between the Executive and the courts precludes the setting of specific targets, figures setting out progress in the use of community disposals are published on an annual basis.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Simpson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157953,"EventID":"S1W-21356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19478 by Iain Gray on 13 November 2001, whether the appointments of the chairman and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19478 by Iain Gray on 13 November 2001, whether the appointments of the chairman and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board reflect its targets on appointing more people from under-represented sections of society to public office.","AnswerText":"The appointment process for the chair and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board is currently taking place. I shall write to the member once the chair and lay members have been appointed.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157954,"EventID":"S1W-21357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19131 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether any meetings are scheduled with Glasgow City Council in order to discuss plans f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19131 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether any meetings are scheduled with Glasgow City Council in order to discuss plans for the future of museums in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture is to visit Glasgow museums on 11 February at the invitation of Glasgow City Council.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157955,"EventID":"S1W-21358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19521 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19521 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space applies to sports centres and sports facilities in former school premises.","AnswerText":"Yes. National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space does apply to sports centres and sports facilities in former school premises.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elaine Murray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157956,"EventID":"S1W-21359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19520 by Jackie Baillie on 13 November 2001, what target percentage it has set for participation in the Warm Deal initiative by ten","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19520 by Jackie Baillie on 13 November 2001, what target percentage it has set for participation in the Warm Deal initiative by tenants in the private rented sector.","AnswerText":"No target has been set for the private rented sector.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Iain Gray","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157957,"EventID":"S1W-21360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19597 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, what funding has been allocated to infrastructural improvements, working in partne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19597 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, what funding has been allocated to infrastructural improvements, working in partnership with the private sector and marketing and promotion for the retail industry in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"A £25 million programme has been undertaken to upgrade the main shopping streets in the city centre of Glasgow. This was undertaken by Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and with European funding.

    In partnership with the council a range of events are supported throughout the year which promote Glasgow as a vibrant city. Events supported include Glasgow Air Fair and summer in the city events.

    Over the last three years, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has provided funding of £225,000, to the City Centre Partnership, for a range projects in the city centre, including the retail sector.

    Over the last two years Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has funded £20,000 each year for a television advertising campaign to promote Glasgow as the place to shop at Christmas.

    Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, with support of £125,000 from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, have secured 237 conferences in the last two years.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157958,"EventID":"S1W-21361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19627 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 November 2001, when it will make an announcement in respect of any impact on the treatment of peopl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19627 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 November 2001, when it will make an announcement in respect of any impact on the treatment of people with ME in Scotland of the findings of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME in England.","AnswerText":"The Chief Medical Officer published the report on 11 January and we will respond to it as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157959,"EventID":"S1W-21362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4068 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, whether there are any plans to bring funding allocated to institutional access and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4068 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, whether there are any plans to bring funding allocated to institutional access and hardship funds back within the control of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to bring this funding further within the control of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. The Agency already issues guidance to institutions on the use of these funds. Individual institutions are better placed to assess the hardship needs of individual students, given the range of circumstances they may face and to issue funds quickly to those students judged most in need.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157960,"EventID":"S1W-21363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19977 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 November 2001, whether any other student awards are to be transferred from the Students Awards Ag","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19977 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 November 2001, whether any other student awards are to be transferred from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157961,"EventID":"S1W-21364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to small businesses to help them comply with any order served upon them to curtail noise levels.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to small businesses to help them comply with any order served upon them to curtail noise levels.","AnswerText":"Individuals and businesses are required to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which prohibits statutory nuisances, including the emission of noise, that are prejudicial to health or a nuisance. Where a business is found to be in breach of the legislation, a notice requiring them to abate or cease such a nuisance can be served. The costs, if any, of complying with any such notice are normally a matter for the business concerned although the business, in negotiation with the enforcement officer, can negotiate a suitable timetable for the completion of the work required.

    However, if the costs are part of a wider business development proposal there may be local sources of funding available. It would be in the interests of small businesses to make contact with the Small Business Gateway in the Scottish Enterprise area or the Local Enterprise Company in the Highlands and Islands to investigate what assistance is available in their individual circumstances. Assistance can be provided in a number of ways but it is not automatic and will depend on the specific support criteria and whether the project is commercially viable.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157962,"EventID":"S1W-21365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19934 by Lewis MacDonald on 19 December 2001, whether any default notices have been issued to BEAR (Scotland) Ltd; if so, whether i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19934 by Lewis MacDonald on 19 December 2001, whether any default notices have been issued to BEAR (Scotland) Ltd; if so, whether it will give details of each such notice and place copies of them in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and whether any default notices have been or will be issued in respect of any failure of BEAR (Scotland) Ltd to maintain the A9 in a safe condition on the evening of 4 December and early morning of 5 December 2001.","AnswerText":"Default notices have been issued to BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of management and operational issues relating to trunk roads. Default notices may impinge on contractual and commercial obligations. Consequently it would not be appropriate to place them in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

    BEAR's winter maintenance operations on the A9 on the evening of 4 December and early morning of 5 December 2001 have been investigated. There is nothing to suggest that the Operating Company did not meet its contractual obligations and consequently there are no plans to issue a default notice in this regard.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157963,"EventID":"S1W-21366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider fully lighting the stretch of the A85 through Dalmally which is subject to a 40 mph speed restriction.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider fully lighting the stretch of the A85 through Dalmally which is subject to a 40 mph speed restriction.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has considered providing street lighting on the A85 trunk road at Dalmally. There is no trend in night-time accidents which would justify lighting this stretch of road.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157964,"EventID":"S1W-21367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any people with drug and alcohol problems who cannot access care and treatment provided by the NHS will be eligible for treatment under the NHS in the private sec","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any people with drug and alcohol problems who cannot access care and treatment provided by the NHS will be eligible for treatment under the NHS in the private sector.","AnswerText":"People with drug and alcohol problems have access to a wide range of treatment and care provided by NHSScotland. In addition, it is well established practice for NHS Boards and local authorities to refer patients to services provided by independent and voluntary organisations, on the basis of assessment of individuals' needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157965,"EventID":"S1W-21368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14451 by Mr Tom McCabe on 6 April 2001, on how many occasions since then it has asked MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in orde","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14451 by Mr Tom McCabe on 6 April 2001, on how many occasions since then it has asked MSPs to lodge parliamentary questions in order to enable it to make an announcement and whether it will provide a list of such questions, giving the date on which they were lodged and the names of the MSPs who lodged them.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20923.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157966,"EventID":"S1W-21369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce open learning initiatives for ICT training in Peterhead.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce open learning initiatives for ICT training in Peterhead.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive established the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), in 2000, to simplify access to all types of learning for everyone in Scotland through its learndirect scotland services. Through learndirect scotland people can now access learning in the way, place and time which suits them best. Where ICT training in particular is concerned a growing number of people are choosing to learn through local learning centres and SUfI has administered £8 million in Scottish Executive Capital Modernisation Fund support for development of modern, flexible learning centre provision throughout the country.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157967,"EventID":"S1W-21370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20611 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20611 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20611 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20611 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157968,"EventID":"S1W-21371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20614 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20614 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20614 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20614 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157969,"EventID":"S1W-21372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20610 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20610 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20610 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20610 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157970,"EventID":"S1W-21373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20615 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20615 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20615 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20615 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157971,"EventID":"S1W-21374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20515 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20515 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20515 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20515 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157972,"EventID":"S1W-21375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20514 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20514 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20514 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20514 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157973,"EventID":"S1W-21376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20513 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20513 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.","AnswerText":"The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20513 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

    I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General's Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

    The estimated cost of answering S1W-20513 is £50.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157974,"EventID":"S1W-21377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a guarantee that the Rankin Maternity Unit will not be removed from Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a guarantee that the Rankin Maternity Unit will not be removed from Inverclyde Royal Hospital.","AnswerText":"Planning and providing maternity services in Argyll and Clyde is in the first place a matter for NHS Argyll and Clyde. They are responsible for ensuring that services are safe, of high quality, and meet the needs of users. Any proposals to change significantly the current pattern of services would be subject to comprehensive public consultation, and would ultimately require the approval of the Health Department.

    In addition, NHS boards are required to demonstrate to the department that their maternity services follow the Scottish Framework for Maternity Services, published in February 2001. The framework set out clear action points and recommendations intended to ensure that NHSScotland continues to provide modern, safe maternity services that are appropriate to the needs of women in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157975,"EventID":"S1W-21378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be required to cover the cost of purchasing materials for the new Parliament building in light of the aggregates tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding will be required to cover the cost of purchasing materials for the new Parliament building in light of the aggregates tax.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of aggregate required for the Holyrood Project has already been supplied. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the effect of the tax on the remainder is likely to be minimal, and will not require additional funding.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Steel","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157976,"EventID":"S1W-21379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what plans it has to allocate the Learning Disability Services Change Fund in the financial year 2002-03, and whether this allocation will be dependent on the use local au","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what plans it has to allocate the Learning Disability Services Change Fund in the financial year 2002-03, and whether this allocation will be dependent on the use local authorities made of their allocation from the fund in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"The additional change funds of £12 million for 2002-03 are included within unhypothecated general local government Grant Aided Expenditure for that year.

    Partnership in Practice agreements have been monitored for the extent to which they make use of new and existing resources to implement the recommendations of The same as you?","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157977,"EventID":"S1W-21380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the allocation of the Learning Disability Services Change Fund to local authorities in the financial year 2002-03 will be part of their Grant Aided Expenditure or","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the allocation of the Learning Disability Services Change Fund to local authorities in the financial year 2002-03 will be part of their Grant Aided Expenditure or whether the allocation will be hypothecated for learning disability services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21379.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157978,"EventID":"S1W-21381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the procedures for dealing with student complaints, grievances, academic assessments and appeals in respect of each of these categories in all universities and fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the procedures for dealing with student complaints, grievances, academic assessments and appeals in respect of each of these categories in all universities and further education colleges are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and whether it will detail any action it has undertaken to ensure that this is the case and the reasons for any such action.","AnswerText":"Higher education institutions and further education colleges are autonomous bodies under the terms of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 and are therefore responsible themselves for ensuring that their procedures comply with all relevant legislation. Institutions and colleges have been advised to review their practices and procedures to ensure that they do comply with the convention.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157979,"EventID":"S1W-21382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment and assessment processes for external academic assessors in all universities and further education colleges are compliant with the European Conven","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment and assessment processes for external academic assessors in all universities and further education colleges are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and whether it will detail any action it has undertaken to ensure that this is the case and the reasons for any such action.","AnswerText":"Higher education institutions and further education colleges are autonomous bodies under the terms of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 and are therefore responsible themselves for ensuring that their procedures comply with all relevant legislation. Institutions and colleges have been advised to review their practices and procedures to ensure that they do comply with the convention.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157980,"EventID":"S1W-21383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student complaints, grievances and academic appeals were lodged at each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five years, broken d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student complaints, grievances and academic appeals were lodged at each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157981,"EventID":"S1W-21384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to students or internal welfare organisations who contact it directly requesting its intervention in concerns, complaints, alleged malprac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to students or internal welfare organisations who contact it directly requesting its intervention in concerns, complaints, alleged malpractices or grievances associated with courses or administration at any university or further education college.","AnswerText":"All higher education institutions and further education colleges have complaints procedures in place, details of which are available to students and staff. Institutions and colleges are autonomous bodies and ministers have no locus to intervene in such matters.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157982,"EventID":"S1W-21385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided to ensure that welfare services were available to students at each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided to ensure that welfare services were available to students at each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five years and how much this funding was as a percentage of the overall funding of each institution in each year.","AnswerText":"The funding for individual institutions is a matter for the Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education. Funds are not specifically distributed for welfare services, the funding of which is a matter for individual institutions.

    The Executive does not earmark a particular proportion of the funding which it makes available to the Funding Councils for student welfare purposes.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157983,"EventID":"S1W-21386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students have undertaken study at each (i) university and (ii) further education college in each of the past five years, broken d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students have undertaken study at each (i) university and (ii) further education college in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type.","AnswerText":"Information on student numbers by institution and by subject in further and higher education over the last five years can be found in the Standard Tables on Higher Education and Further Education in Scotland, published by the Scottish Executive under National Statistics in June 2001.

    Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18496) or on the Scottish Executive website at:

    www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00086-00.asp","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157984,"EventID":"S1W-21387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time students who have undertaken a course of study at each (a) university and (b) further education college have been direct entrants from the state school","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time students who have undertaken a course of study at each (a) university and (b) further education college have been direct entrants from the state school sector in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type and shown as a percentage of first year students at that institution in that year.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally in the format requested, and is not available for further education colleges.

    Information on entrants to higher education institutions from state schools can be found in the Performance Indicators on Higher Education in the UK, published by the Higher Education Funding Councils in December 2001.

    Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18498) or on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's website at:

    www.shefc.ac.uk/content/library/press/2001/prhe2701.htm","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157985,"EventID":"S1W-21388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students of each (i) university and (ii) further education college were designated as having a physical disability in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students of each (i) university and (ii) further education college were designated as having a physical disability in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type and shown as a percentage of the overall student population at each institution and on each course. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally for further education colleges.

    Tables answering this question for higher education institutions, named \"Students and disabled students in HE\", have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No.18526)

    More detailed breakdown could only be achieved at disproportionate cost and would raise difficulties in terms of the potential identification of individuals and thus, data protection.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157986,"EventID":"S1W-21389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students at each (i) university and (ii) further education college failed to complete their course of study in each of the past f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time students at each (i) university and (ii) further education college failed to complete their course of study in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type and shown as a percentage of the overall student population at each institution and on each course. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally in the format requested, and is not available for further education colleges.

    Information on course completion in higher education institutions can be found in the Performance Indicators on Higher Education in the UK, published by the Higher Education Funding Councils in December 2001.

    Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18498) or on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's website at:

    www.shefc.ac.uk/content/library/press/2001/prhe2701.htm","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157987,"EventID":"S1W-21390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all university and further education college buildings provide access and egress for physically disabled people and whether it will detail any institution and cam","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether all university and further education college buildings provide access and egress for physically disabled people and whether it will detail any institution and campus building where this is not the case and the proposed date for rectifying the position in each case.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157988,"EventID":"S1W-21391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether every lecture hall in each university and further education college building has a loop system to assist students with hearing difficulties and whether it will de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether every lecture hall in each university and further education college building has a loop system to assist students with hearing difficulties and whether it will detail any institution and lecture hall where this is not the case and the proposed date for rectififying the situation in each case.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157989,"EventID":"S1W-21392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff were employed at each (i) university and (ii) further education college in each of the past five years, also shown","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff were employed at each (i) university and (ii) further education college in each of the past five years, also shown as a percentage of the gross national employment figure.","AnswerText":"Tables relating to these questions, named \"Teaching Staff in FE and HE\", have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18527)

    The Gross National Employment figure for the last six years has been:

    Aug 2000-Oct 2001

    2,382,000

    Aug 1999-Oct 2000

    2,377,000

    Aug 1998-Oct 1999

    2,332,000

    Aug 1997-Oct 1998

    2,302,000

    Aug 1996-Oct 1997

    2,317,000

    Aug 1995-Oct 1996\t

    2,267,000

    Source: the Labour Force Survey (LFS).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157990,"EventID":"S1W-21393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five years, also shown as a percentage of the gross national fu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to each (a) university and (b) further education college in each of the past five years, also shown as a percentage of the gross national funding figure. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Funding Councils for Higher Education and Further Education. The Information requested is not held centrally.

    For further education colleges, funding allocations for the current academic year can be found on the Scottish Further Education Funding Council's website at www.sfefc.ac.uk. Allocations for the previous two years are published in the council's 2000-01 and 1999-2000 annual report and accounts. Copies of these are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No's 18518 and 18517) or on the council's website. Prior to these dates, the information about allocations can be found in the Secretary of State's annual published reports, Further Education in Scotland, 1998 and 1997. Copies of these are also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No's 18520 and 18521).

    For higher education institutions, this information can be found in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's annual report and accounts. These can be found on SHEFC's website at www.shefc.ac.uk/content/library/others/annrep/intro.htm. Copies of the three most recent years plans are also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No's 2000-01-18497, 1999-00-18525, 1998-99-18524). The latest information on the grant allocation to institutions for 2001-02 can be found in the council's grant letter, again published on the SHEFC website at:

    http://www.shefc.ac.uk/content/library/circs/01/he0901/Mainltr/contents.html

    This provides the initial allocations to institutions for the year, but will not take account of further allocations made subsequently during the current year.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157991,"EventID":"S1W-21394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college were (1) newly employed, (2) took early retirement, (3) ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college were (1) newly employed, (2) took early retirement, (3) were required to take compulsory retirement and (4) did not have their contracts renewed in each of the past five years, broken down by occupational category and shown as a percentage of all academic employees in each category at each institution.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected in this format for further education colleges.

    For higher education institutions, information for point 3 is not collected and that for points 2 and 4 could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.

    Tables relating to point 1 for HEIs, named \"Newly employed staff in HEIs\", have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No.18528).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157992,"EventID":"S1W-21395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college possessed a recognised teaching qualification in each of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college possessed a recognised teaching qualification in each of the past five years, broken down by subject category and shown as a percentage of all academic employees in each category at each institution.","AnswerText":"The information in respect of academic staff at further education colleges is only available for the academic year 1999-2000, when 4,036 full-time and 3,617 part-time staff possessed a recognised teaching qualification. These figures represent 58% of all academic staff in colleges. A breakdown of these figures on a per college and subject category basis is not held centrally.

    Information on full-time and part-time academic staff in universities with recognised teaching qualifications is not collected.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157993,"EventID":"S1W-21396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college were designated as having a physical disability in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time academic staff at each (i) university and (ii) further education college were designated as having a physical disability in each of the past five years, broken down by subject category and shown as a percentage of all academic employees in each category at each institution.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally for further education colleges.

    Tables answering this question for higher education institutions, named \"staff and disabled staff in HEIs\", have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18529).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157994,"EventID":"S1W-21397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students attending university or further education college (a) applied for and (b) received a student loan in each of the past five years, showing the average am","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students attending university or further education college (a) applied for and (b) received a student loan in each of the past five years, showing the average amount borrowed and expressed as a percentage of all Scottish students for that year.","AnswerText":"Comprehensive figures in the form requested on the total numbers applying for a student loan, either through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) or direct to the Student Loans Company (SLC), could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

    Students apply for support to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), which assesses whether applicants are eligible for a student loan and the maximum amount of loan to which they would be entitled, based on the information provided in the application. This information is then sent to the Student Loans Company (SLC).

    Where a student does not apply for a loan as part of their original application for support, SAAS nevertheless assesses entitlement and provides information on the amount the student would be entitled to borrow. The student may then apply for a loan later in the academic year, by applying directly to SLC, without requiring to inform SAAS.

    The figures can be provided for the number of students assessed by SAAS as eligible for a loan. These will be higher than the number of students who applied for a loan.

    Academic Year

    Number of Students Assessed by SAAS as Eligible for Loan

    Number of Loans Paid

    Amount of Loans Paid

    Average of Loans Paid

    1996-97

    110,587

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    1997-98

    115,143

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    1998-99

    107,542

    54,746

    86,483,261

    1,579.72

    1999-2000

    100,972

    84,515

    200,292,385

    2,369.90

    2000-01

    107,246

    88,786

    210,067,180

    2,365.99

    These figures include loans paid under the \"mortgage-style\" scheme and the income contingent loan scheme. (Source: Student Loans Company). Separate data on Scot","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157995,"EventID":"S1W-21398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former student loan-holders have incurred financial penalties for defaulting on their loans in each of the past five years, showing the average period of default","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many former student loan-holders have incurred financial penalties for defaulting on their loans in each of the past five years, showing the average period of default and penalty imposed and expressed as a percentage of the total number of loan-holders in each year.","AnswerText":"At 31 March 2001, the most recent date for which figures are available, 14,537 student loan accounts held by Scottish domiciled students were subject to a financial penalty. This represents 7% of the total number of loans held by such students.

    Information on the average period which each students spends in default, the average charge applied or the comparable position in previous years is not available or could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157996,"EventID":"S1W-21399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students accepted for full time (a) diplomate, (b) undergraduate and (c) postgraduate study at each (i) university and (ii) further education college applied for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students accepted for full time (a) diplomate, (b) undergraduate and (c) postgraduate study at each (i) university and (ii) further education college applied for full financial support from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) in each of the past five years and how many received this, broken down by academic category and shown as a percentage of the overall number of applicants in each category.","AnswerText":"The information cannot be provided in the format requested.

    As well as means-tested loans and bursaries, the full financial support to which a full-time higher education student is entitled may include supplementary grants, such as Disabled Students' Allowance, Lone Parent's Grant and travel grants. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) cannot know whether any particular applicant has applied for all the supplementary support to which they may be entitled. In addition, some students may only apply for tuition fee support and the minimum student loan and therefore are not required to provide any income details. In these cases, the agency in unable to judge whether or not the loan applied for is the maximum to which the student is entitled.

    Data on the number of applicants in each category and for each year, who applied for the maximum value of general living cost support to which they were entitled, on the basis of details provided and income declared on their application forms, could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

    Information on student awards issued, by place of study and level of course, is available in the SAAS Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the agency's website (www.saas.gov.uk).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157997,"EventID":"S1W-21400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time students at each (a) university and (b) further education college were over (i) thirty, (ii) forty, (iii) fifty and (iv) sixty years of age in each of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time students at each (a) university and (b) further education college were over (i) thirty, (ii) forty, (iii) fifty and (iv) sixty years of age in each of the past five years, broken down by student population at each institution in each year.","AnswerText":"Information on student numbers by institution and by age in further and higher education over the last five years can be found in the Standard Tables on Higher Education and Further Education in Scotland, published by the Scottish Executive under National Statistics in June 2001.

    Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18496) or on the Scottish Executive website at:

    www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00086-00.asp","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157998,"EventID":"S1W-21401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students from each (a) university and (b) further education college found employment within an industry directly associated with their specific area of study upo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students from each (a) university and (b) further education college found employment within an industry directly associated with their specific area of study upon graduation in each of the past five years, broken down by course classification type and shown as a percentage of the total student population studying in each subject category.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available in respect of further education students.

    Information on First Destinations of Graduates and Diplomates in Scotland is published annually by the Scottish Executive under National Statistics, the most recent data was produced in December 2001. This provides information on graduates going into employment, by industry and type of employer.

    Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18155)

    The more detailed information requested could only be produced at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":157999,"EventID":"S1W-21402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18999 by Allan Wilson on 17 December 2001, what research has been commissioned into the likely impact on traffic flows which the cr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18999 by Allan Wilson on 17 December 2001, what research has been commissioned into the likely impact on traffic flows which the creation of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will have on (a) the A82 between Balloch and Crianlarich, (b) the A811 between Drymen and Balloch and (c) local authority maintained roads within the proposed park boundaries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18999. The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research on the possible impact of the National Park on traffic flows.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158000,"EventID":"S1W-21403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been commissioned into the likely impact which the creation of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will have on tourist visitor numbers to the a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been commissioned into the likely impact which the creation of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will have on tourist visitor numbers to the area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research on the possible impact of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park on tourist visitor numbers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158001,"EventID":"S1W-21404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the rail operating and infrastructure companies regarding the promotion of railway stations at Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Balloch as gatew","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the rail operating and infrastructure companies regarding the promotion of railway stations at Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Balloch as gateways to the proposed Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.","AnswerText":"This is not a matter in which the Scottish Executive has any locus or direct powers to intervene. Any such discussions with the rail industry will be a matter for the National Park Authority, once that has been established.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158002,"EventID":"S1W-21405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate hepatitis C as a notifiable illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate hepatitis C as a notifiable illness.","AnswerText":"The Public Health (Notification of Infectious Diseases) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 require medical practitioners to notify viral hepatitis as an infectious disease.

    In addition, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health operates an enhanced hepatitis C infection database, developed in collaboration with the key hepatitis testing laboratories, which is believed to have an under-reporting rate of less than 1%.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158003,"EventID":"S1W-21406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Treasury regarding a derogation for Scotland from the aggregates tax .","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Treasury regarding a derogation for Scotland from the aggregates tax .","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with HM Treasury on a wide range of issues, including the aggregates tax.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158004,"EventID":"S1W-21407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessments of the impact of the aggregates tax on the Scottish economy it has undertaken and what conclusions have been reached.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessments of the impact of the aggregates tax on the Scottish economy it has undertaken and what conclusions have been reached.","AnswerText":"Assessment of economic impacts of UK taxation measures is the responsibility of HM Treasury. No separate assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Executive.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158005,"EventID":"S1W-21408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome in pigs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken into Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome in pigs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not commissioned nor undertaken research into Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome or Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome. Research to investigate the role of candidate viruses in both diseases is being undertaken by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158006,"EventID":"S1W-21409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken regarding any potential threat to the pig industry posed by Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken regarding any potential threat to the pig industry posed by Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome.","AnswerText":"Veterinary Officers from Animal Health Offices in Scotland have informed local vets about the recent case of Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome in the North East of Scotland. In addition, professional staff from the State Veterinary Service (SVS) in Scotland have attended a training course on the diseases and their symptoms. This information has been cascaded to other Scottish SVS staff. Thus the awareness of the disease has been increased within the profession.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158007,"EventID":"S1W-21410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of the pig industry regarding Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of the pig industry regarding Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome and Post-weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome in pigs.","AnswerText":"There has been on-going dialogue between the members of State Veterinary Service (SVS) based in the Animal Health offices in Scotland with local pig breeders. No formal discussions have been held with representatives of the pig industry but nearly all pig farmers are aware of the disease and its symptoms.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158008,"EventID":"S1W-21411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies it has in respect of making photo-dynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer widely available throughout Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies it has in respect of making photo-dynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer widely available throughout Scotland","AnswerText":"The clinical effectiveness of photo-dynamic therapy is the subject of on-going research and, pending the availability of evidence to support its safety and efficacy as a treatment option it would not therefore be expected to be widely available throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158009,"EventID":"S1W-21412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of advances made in developing the techniques of photo-dynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer, what plans it has to fund clinical and scientific research in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of advances made in developing the techniques of photo-dynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer, what plans it has to fund clinical and scientific research in order to provide authoritative guidelines on the use of this treatment.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within NHSScotland. This role is well advertised throughout the healthcare and academic community. CSO is always happy to consider robust proposals for research projects, which would be assessed against the normal peer review and committee procedures and criteria.

    The CSO portfolio includes more than 30 cancer related projects with an annual spend of approximately £1.4 million, the findings of which will be relevant to all tumour types. The CSO also funds the indirect costs of cancer research. In 2000-01 approximately £7.1 million of the general funding allocated to the NHSScotland for research was used in support of cancer studies.

    Further information on CSO funding is available at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158010,"EventID":"S1W-21413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the work of the Photo-dynamic Cancer Therapy Unit in Dundee and any finance or staffing limitations faced by the unit, whether it will provide additional fun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the work of the Photo-dynamic Cancer Therapy Unit in Dundee and any finance or staffing limitations faced by the unit, whether it will provide additional funding to ensure that photo-dynamic therapy treatment is made widely available to the Scottish public.","AnswerText":"My answer to the member's earlier question (S1W-21411) sets out the position regarding clinical effectiveness and availability of photodynamic therapy for cancer.

    Service development is subject to the normal NHS Board local health planning processes, based on assessed needs of resident patient populations.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158011,"EventID":"S1W-21414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, given the successful use of photo-dynamic therapy in many parts of the developed world in the management of a wide variety of cancers, what its position is on the availa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, given the successful use of photo-dynamic therapy in many parts of the developed world in the management of a wide variety of cancers, what its position is on the availability of this treatment in Scotland and whether it has any plans to provide funding in order to develop the use of the treatment for a wider range of cancers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-21411 and S1W-21413.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158012,"EventID":"S1W-21415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5076/2001 of 19 December 2001, whether the waiting lists review will include an examination of the time taken from consultation to diagnos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5076/2001 of 19 December 2001, whether the waiting lists review will include an examination of the time taken from consultation to diagnosis.","AnswerText":"The timetable and terms of reference for the review of the management of waiting lists in NHSScotland is currently being discussed with the Auditor General for Scotland. Details will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158013,"EventID":"S1W-21416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5076/2001 of 19 December 2001, whether the waiting list review will examine the transfer of day patients to out-patients made in order to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5076/2001 of 19 December 2001, whether the waiting list review will examine the transfer of day patients to out-patients made in order to reduce the si'e of the waiting list.","AnswerText":"The timetable and terms of reference for the review of the management of waiting lists in NHSScotland is currently being discussed with the Auditor General for Scotland. Details will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158014,"EventID":"S1W-21417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5006/2001 on 10 December 2001, (a) whether it will outline a timetable for the creation of a Human Rights Commission for Scotland, (b) how","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release SE5006/2001 on 10 December 2001, (a) whether it will outline a timetable for the creation of a Human Rights Commission for Scotland, (b) how many commissioners will be appointed to the commission, (c) what its relationship will be with the existing bodies (i) the Equal Opportunities Commission, (ii) the Commission for Racial Equality and (iii) the Disability Rights Commission, (d) how many posts are to be created under the new commission and (e) where it will be located.","AnswerText":"The Executive has decided in principle to establish a Scottish Human Rights Commission. No decision has yet been taken on the timetable or on the detailed structure and membership of such a body. I intend to put forward proposals on those issues for consultation during the course of this year. No decision has been taken on the location of a commission.

    The Executive is clear that a Scottish Human Rights Commission should not in any way cut across the remits of the existing statutory equality bodies. The detailed proposals for the establishment of the commission will be drawn up with that firmly in mind. However, we anticipate that a Scottish commission will want to work closely with these bodies on matters of mutual interest, and we envisage that the new body, once established, will wish to draw up a memorandum of understanding to facilitate this working relationship.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158015,"EventID":"S1W-21418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1985,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money would be raised in each local authority area by discontinuing the 50% council tax discount in respect of second homes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money would be raised in each local authority area by discontinuing the 50% council tax discount in respect of second homes.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of second homes in each local authority area is not held centrally. The existing arrangements for the distribution of government grants take account of a council's local tax raising ability, including the incidence of council tax exemptions and discounts. Any change in the projected levels of such exemptions and discounts would be reflected in the levels of grant support.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158016,"EventID":"S1W-21419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for any inconsistencies in the approach in the annual reports of local enterprise companies (LECs) to indicating actual performance attainment agains","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for any inconsistencies in the approach in the annual reports of local enterprise companies (LECs) to indicating actual performance attainment against projected targets.","AnswerText":"LECs do report their performance against network priority targets to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise in a consistent manner, for internal management purposes, and these figures are reflected in network-wide performance measures when they are published. Until recently, the presentation and format of LEC Annual Reports was determined by the requirements of local stakeholders, and specific local conditions. The change in the status of LECs to become wholly owned subsidiaries of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands Islands Enterprise will be accompanied by greater consistency in reporting arrangements at local level.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158017,"EventID":"S1W-21420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19250 by Susan Deacon on 16 November 2001, under what circumstances digital hearing aids are made available free from the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19250 by Susan Deacon on 16 November 2001, under what circumstances digital hearing aids are made available free from the NHS.","AnswerText":"Good practice guidance issued to NHSScotland in March last year recommends that when a patient requires, and can benefit from a feature which is only available in digital instruments, these should be made available to meet clinical needs.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158018,"EventID":"S1W-21421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of provision is of NHS (a) analogue and (b) digital hearing aids, broken down by health board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of provision is of NHS (a) analogue and (b) digital hearing aids, broken down by health board area.","AnswerText":"The following table shows (a) analogue and (b) digital hearing aids as a percentage of the total of analogue and digital hearing aids drawn off the central Scottish Healthcare Supplies contract by each NHS board area between January and September 2001.

    Health Board

    Analogue aids %

    Digital aids %

    Argyll and Clyde

    99.8

    0.2

    Ayrshire and Arran

    98.6

    1.4

    Borders

    100

    0

    Dumfries and Galloway

    98.4

    1.6

    Fife

    99.8

    0.2

    Forth Valley

    100

    0

    Grampian

    99.0

    1.0

    Greater Glasgow

    97.4

    2.6

    Highland

    96.1

    3.9

    Lanarkshire

    96.7

    3.3

    Lothian

    94.6

    5.4

    Tayside

    91.8

    8.2

    Note: Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles NHS Boards are included within the percentages for Grampian and Highland.

    In addition, over 10,000 digitally programmable analogue aids have been drawn off the contract during the same period. This represents 31% of the total number of hearing aids issued by NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158019,"EventID":"S1W-21422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19550 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 November 2001, whether it will give a breakdown by local authority of the #5 million allocation to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19550 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 November 2001, whether it will give a breakdown by local authority of the #5 million allocation to assist with any delays in making alterations to the homes of people with disabilities who wish to continue living in their own homes as an alternative to institutional care.","AnswerText":"The £5 million was allocated as follows:

    COUNCIL

    £

    Aberdeen City

    206,432

    Aberdeenshire

    189,432

    Angus

    116,399

    Argyll & Bute

    101,777

    Clackmannanshire

    48,096

    Dumfries & Galloway

    149,528

    Dundee City

    162,288

    East Ayrshire

    121,463

    East Dunbartonshire

    82,890

    East Lothian

    88,432

    East Renfrewshire

    71,958

    Edinburgh, City of

    446,650

    Eilean Siar

    35,155

    Falkirk

    134,814

    Fife

    348,698

    Glasgow City

    683,640

    Highland

    193,883

    Inverclyde

    89,757

    Midlothian

    67,877

    Moray

    76,966

    Equipment and Adaptation Services in Scotland: A Survey of Waiting Times for Social Work Provision was written by Dr Edward Hall with the Scottish Executive Social Work Services Inspectorate and published by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit on 21 December 2001. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. No. 18416).","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158022,"EventID":"S1W-21425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19263 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 November 2001, under what circumstances it is empowered to intervene in any proposed demolitions ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19263 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 November 2001, under what circumstances it is empowered to intervene in any proposed demolitions of local authority housing stock.","AnswerText":"Decisions regarding the demolition of local authority housing stock are a matter for individual councils. The Executive has no powers to intervene in these decisions.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158023,"EventID":"S1W-21426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19274 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 November 2001, how many part-time jobs would be created if the proposed Glasgow housing stock tra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19274 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 November 2001, how many part-time jobs would be created if the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer were to proceed.","AnswerText":"The feasibility study into the Glasgow housing transfer estimated that over 3,000 full time equivalent jobs would be created. No analysis has been undertaken on how many of these jobs would be part-time.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158024,"EventID":"S1W-21427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19788 by Ross Finnie on 21 November 2001, why details relating to the gate fees negotiated with companies under the Over Thirty Mon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19788 by Ross Finnie on 21 November 2001, why details relating to the gate fees negotiated with companies under the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme are a matter of commercial confidentiality and whether this information has been made available in the House of Commons.","AnswerText":"Gate fees are negotiated between individual companies and the Rural Payments Agency for work relating to the operation of the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS). These fees are agreed following negotiations based on bids submitted to the agency through competitive tendering procedures. At no time are these fees publicly released as to do so would breach these procedures, could jeopardise current contracts and might prejudice future tendering exercises relating to the scheme. The Rural Payments Agency has confirmed that OTMS gate fees have not been disclosed in the House of Commons.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158025,"EventID":"S1W-21428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19641 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 16 November 2001, when it will publish the research it has commissioned on maximising employment o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19641 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 16 November 2001, when it will publish the research it has commissioned on maximising employment opportunities from the proposed housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"The research commissioned by the Scottish Executive into construction skills gaps, designed to help maximise employment opportunities from housing stock transfer, is in the final stages of editing. It will be published as a joint report by Communities Scotland shortly and I will ensure that the member sees a copy.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158026,"EventID":"S1W-21429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1762,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid to each Independent Tenant Advisor assisting with the proposed housing stock transfers since 16 June 2001 and who the sub-contractors employed by e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid to each Independent Tenant Advisor assisting with the proposed housing stock transfers since 16 June 2001 and who the sub-contractors employed by each advisor are.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made resources available to councils for independent advice to tenants. The amounts paid to each Independent Tenant advisor are a matter for individual councils. No information is held centrally on sub-contractors employed by tenant advisors.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158027,"EventID":"S1W-21430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2172,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1F-1501 by Mr Jack McConnell on 20 December 2001, what the names are of the learning providers who will be paid before the end of this","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1F-1501 by Mr Jack McConnell on 20 December 2001, what the names are of the learning providers who will be paid before the end of this month.","AnswerText":"The names of the learning providers are as follows (in alphabetical order):

    2020 Training

    A D Services (Scotland) Ltd

    ABC Training Ltd

    Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce

    Aberdeenshire Training Group

    Aberfeldy Learning Centre

    Abertay Training Ltd

    Aesthetique Beauty Training Centre

    Age Concern Training

    Alex McAra HGV Training

    Alford IT Centre (Aberdeenshire Council)

    Alliance Francaise de Glasgow

    AMPC PC Training

    AMT International

    Ancrum Centre

    Angus Association of Voluntary Organisations

    Animal Care College

    Argyll College

    Arrowpoint Training

    Asset-IT

    Ayr Driver Training

    Ayrshire Management

    BASP (British Association of Ski Patrollers)

    BBKS & Co

    BCTC (Borders Counselling & Training Consortium)

    Bell Innovations Ltd

    Blairgowrie Learning Centre

    Bon-Accord Training Services

    BPP Glasgow

    BPP Hyperion Training

    Bracken Training

    British Red Cross

    BS Secretarial & Computer Training Centre

    Business Works

    C I A Training Ltd

    The membership of the Charity Law Advisory Forum which I announced on 23 October will be published shortly. The Advisory Forum will provide an opportunity for the voluntary sector and key agencies to contribute to the analysis of issues and options for implementation, which will need to be addressed in and beyond the legislative process. This will add value to the recent wider consultations, enabling ministers to decide how precisely to take forward the commission's recommendations.

    The Executive will publish its full response to the commission's report later this year but there is no room in the legislative timetable for a Bill before the next Scottish parliamentary elections.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158045,"EventID":"S1W-21448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation following the report of the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation following the report of the Scottish Charity Law Review Commission.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21447.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158046,"EventID":"S1W-21449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it proposes to create a Scotland-wide learning net","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it proposes to create a Scotland-wide learning network for the national health demonstration projects. ","AnswerText":"Following detailed discussion, the National Demonstration Projects Steering Group has agreed proposals for Scotland-wide Learning Networks. These will be implemented by the Public Health Institute of Scotland. Project manager posts will be advertised shortly.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158047,"EventID":"S1W-21450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19469 by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001, why the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service did not provide information at that ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19469 by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001, why the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service did not provide information at that time on the provision of mandate forms under the Data Protection Act in prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

    The Scottish Prison Service keeps its policy and procedures on data protection under review. As part of that process, and following a suggestion from an MP, we decided in December to make data protection mandate forms available in prisons, as well as sending them to all MSPs and MPs. This amendment to our procedures was made after the answer to which the member refers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158048,"EventID":"S1W-21451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the normal travel time is between Victoria Quay and Meridian Court, Glasgow and how many civil servants currently travel between these offices on a daily basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the normal travel time is between Victoria Quay and Meridian Court, Glasgow and how many civil servants currently travel between these offices on a daily basis.","AnswerText":"The normal travelling time between Victoria Quay, Edinburgh and Meridian Court, Glasgow depends on the method of transport used and the time during the day when travel is undertaken. By public transport or car at peak times it may take up to one and a half hours. Information about the number of civil servants who currently travel on a daily basis between these two offices is not held in the form requested and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158049,"EventID":"S1W-21452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to relocate departments or civil servants following the creation of a Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning and, if so, what plans ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to relocate departments or civil servants following the creation of a Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning and, if so, what plans it has for such relocation.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to relocate departments or civil servants within the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.

    Responsibility for tourism transferred to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. In the longer term six posts will transfer from Glasgow to Edinburgh.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158050,"EventID":"S1W-21453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many studies it has commissioned or carried out since 1997 into (a) the Stirling to Alloa rail link and (b) the proposed Larkhall to Milngavie rail link and how much","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many studies it has commissioned or carried out since 1997 into (a) the Stirling to Alloa rail link and (b) the proposed Larkhall to Milngavie rail link and how much each study cost.","AnswerText":"None. However, the Scottish Executive is one of a number of organisations that is contributing to a study on the Stirling to Alloa rail link commissioned by Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158051,"EventID":"S1W-21454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new rail stations it anticipates opening between now and 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what new rail stations it anticipates opening between now and 2003.","AnswerText":"The opening of railway stations is a matter for the railway industry in partnership with local authorities and, in the Strathclyde area, with the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive.

    Railway projects such as the opening of railway stations may be eligible for support from either the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund (PFT) or Integrated Transport Fund (ITF). Bids under the PTF would have to satisfy eligibility criteria and compete with other bids, and those under the ITF would have to be considered by the Scottish Executive as being regionally or nationally strategic.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158052,"EventID":"S1W-21455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which railway stations have closed circuit television (CCTV) installed and what proposals there are to install CCTV in stations which are currently not covered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which railway stations have closed circuit television (CCTV) installed and what proposals there are to install CCTV in stations which are currently not covered.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The installation of CCTV at railway stations is a matter for Railtrack, the train operating companies which lease the stations from Railtrack and, where relevant, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive.

    The installation of CCTV at railway stations, however, may be eligible for support under the Public Transport Fund (PTF). Bids under the PTF would have to satisfy eligibility criteria and compete with other bids for public transport projects.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158053,"EventID":"S1W-21456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports relating to the railway network it has commissioned since 1999 and on what subjects, how much each such report cost and when each such report was finalised ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what reports relating to the railway network it has commissioned since 1999 and on what subjects, how much each such report cost and when each such report was finalised or is due to be finalised.","AnswerText":"The studies relating to the railway network in Scotland are as follows:

    Study

    Subject Matter

    Date Commissioned

    Date Finalised/to be Finalised

    Scottish Borders Railway Study

    Re-instatement of the railway between Edinburgh and the Central Borders

    April 1999

    February 2000

    Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies

    The Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies (CSTCS) will investigate the problems along the A8, A80 and M74 trunk road corridors and will identify options for intervention across all modes of transport for the short (2005), medium (2010), and long term (2020).

    December 2000

    Spring 2002

    Scottish Strategic Rail Study

    Strategic study into the likely costs and benefits of potential improvements to passenger railway services operating in Scotland

    July 2001

    End of July 2002

    Freight Study

    Strategic view of the potential for developing sustainable freight movements across the whole of Scotland, including rail freight operations.

    April 2001

    Early 2002

    Glasgow/Edinburgh Airport Link Studies

    Railway Links to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports

    December 2001

    September 2002

    The cost of the studies is commercially confidential information.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158054,"EventID":"S1W-21457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on rail transport in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) recipient of funding and (b) budget heading.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on rail transport in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) recipient of funding and (b) budget heading.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows:

    Recipient

    Budget Heading

    1999-2000

    outturn

    (£ million)

    2000-01

    outturn

    (£ million)

    2001-02

    outturn to 31 December 2001

    (£ million)

    Strategic Rail Authority (SRA)

    Grants for rail services in Scotland*

    Not applicable

    Not applicable

    £55.9

    Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT)

    Other local authority grants for transport

    £86.3

    £76.6

    £53.6

    * Prior to 2001-02, payments to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) for grants for rail services in Scotland were made by DTLR. Responsibility for paying the SRA was one of the functions transferred to Scottish ministers as a result of the railways devolution settlement.","AnswerDate":"2002-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158055,"EventID":"S1W-21458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the appropriateness of a Scottish Area representative being located in London and what the rea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the appropriateness of a Scottish Area representative being located in London and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a variety of issues, including the location of authority staff dealing with issues of importance to the rail industry in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158056,"EventID":"S1W-21459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the assessment of Scotland's relative economic position in the UK Competitive Index 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the assessment of Scotland's relative economic position in the UK Competitive Index 2001.","AnswerText":"The UK Competitive Index 2001 shows Scotland retaining its competitive position over the year based on a wide range of indicators. However it is difficult to make an accurate evaluation of an economic consultancy survey compared to official data from the Office for National Statistics.

    Official data shows Scotland performing robustly in terms of regional GDP, with only the East, the South East and London having a higher GDP per head in the UK. The labour market continued to perform strongly in 2001, with the rate of claimant count unemployment at around its lowest for a generation.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Wendy Alexander","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158057,"EventID":"S1W-21460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office has any special procedures in place for any prosecution of (a) the First Minister, (b) a Scottish minister and (c) an MSP of a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office has any special procedures in place for any prosecution of (a) the First Minister, (b) a Scottish minister and (c) an MSP of a governing party.","AnswerText":"By convention such cases would be dealt with by Procurators Fiscal and Crown Counsel without reference to the Law Officers.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158058,"EventID":"S1W-21461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new offences have been created in Scots law since 1 July 1999 to date (a) by Westminster legislation under reserved powers, (b) by Westminster legislation with c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new offences have been created in Scots law since 1 July 1999 to date (a) by Westminster legislation under reserved powers, (b) by Westminster legislation with consent of the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas and (c) by Acts of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not keep a record of Westminster legislation creating UK or GB offences. Since 1 July 1999, 16 Acts have been passed at Westminster with the consent of the Scottish Parliament in respect of devolved areas. In the same time there have been 28 Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Much, but not all, of this legislation created new offences under Scots law.

    The Scottish Executive maintains a database of new legislation that allocates codes to the breach of legislative provisions to enable prosecution statistics to be collected. In some instances one code covers a number of separate offences contained within an Act of Parliament. It is not possible therefore to use the database to quantify the number of new offences created since July 1999.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158059,"EventID":"S1W-21462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners on average provided a medical service in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general practitioners on average provided a medical service in each prison in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

    I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20320 answered on 18 December 2001.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158060,"EventID":"S1W-21463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when the Health Promoting Schools Unit was established","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when the Health Promoting Schools Unit was established","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit has not yet been formally established. The Scottish Executive Health and Education Departments are working with the Health Education Board for Scotland, COSLA, and Learning and Teaching Scotland to establish the Unit within the first half of 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158061,"EventID":"S1W-21464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what funding Scotland's Health at Work Scheme received","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what funding Scotland's Health at Work Scheme received, or will receive, in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02 and (c) 2002-03.","AnswerText":"In 2000-01, Scotland's Health at Work scheme received resources from health boards of around £1 million. Following the commitment in the Scottish Health Plan, additional funding from the Scottish Executive of £0.450 million in 2001-02 and £0.750 million in 2002-03 was approved.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158062,"EventID":"S1W-21465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what funding the Scottish Community Diet Project recei","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what funding the Scottish Community Diet Project received, or will receive, in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02 and (c) 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Community Diet Project received £197,843 and £294,615 in 2000-01 and 2001-02 respectively, and is due to receive £381,350 in 2002-03. As specified in the Our National Health commitment, the grant provided in 2000-01 included an increase to allow the project to support over 50% more projects than previously budgeted for.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158063,"EventID":"S1W-21466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what barriers have been identified and/or removed to a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what barriers have been identified and/or removed to allow closer working between NHS Boards and local authorities to improve public health.","AnswerText":"The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Bill, introduced on 24 September 2001, Part 2, Section 12 allows NHS bodies and local authorities to work together in different ways by removing some of the legal barriers to joint working which currently exist.

    A consultation paper on the Executive's proposals for a Local Government Bill issued in early December 2001 with a closing date for responses on 6 February 2002. One of the proposals in the Bill is a general power for councils to promote the well-being of their area. This power will remove any constraints on councils from developing a broader and more innovative role. The legislation will introduce a duty on other bodies such as NHS Boards to engage in the Community Planning process. The Bill will be introduced in spring this year.

    The Executive is providing support for two posts based in COSLA which will further enhance local authorities' public health capacity. Funding of £1.5 million over three years has also been made available to support joint funded health improvement posts in every local authority.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158064,"EventID":"S1W-21467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it is encouraging the consistent development of cl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it is encouraging the consistent development of clinical information systems across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The consistent development of clinical information systems across Scotland is being supported by the work of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, ISD and Audit Scotland. During 2001 they held two national meetings to review national databases in order to identify information sources suitable for monitoring the quality of direct patient care. A further meeting is planned with wider participation in spring 2002.

    In addition improving the quality of clinical information was a key strand of the recent CRAG Symposium, Improving Quality of Care for Patients: Sharing Principles and Practice. This showcased examples of good practice in developing consistent information systems to support direct patient care and to bring about improvements in patient management. CRAG has also supported the development of the Strategy Programme for Information & Management which sets out national and local programmes and targets for establishing greater collaboration and consistency of approach to the development of information management and technology (IM&T) across NHS Scotland. As part of this wider work CRAG will support a conference on IM&T systems in April.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158065,"EventID":"S1W-21468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when it will establish an expert group to support and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when it will establish an expert group to support and advise local NHS Boards in managing changes.","AnswerText":"Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, set out the Executive's intention to establish an expert group to support and advise local NHS Boards in managing changes in the configuration of services and to advise the Health Department on the appropriateness of local reconfiguration.

    I expect to make an announcement about this in the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158066,"EventID":"S1W-21469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when its recruitment campaign to encourage people to b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when its recruitment campaign to encourage people to be part of local decision-making in the NHS was launched and what effect that campaign has had to date.","AnswerText":"In September 2001, we established 15 new NHS boards to enhance local decision making in NHSScotland. The membership of the new boards - which now includes elected local councillors, NHS staff and clinicians - has been specifically designed to provide a better reflection of the communities they serve.

    Putting in place the new, unified local NHS systems has involved more than 100 new non-executive appointments to NHS boards and trusts since January 2001, each of which has been made in line with guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This process has included local and national advertising campaigns, most notably for the Chairpersons of 13 NHS boards and five trusts, which have attracted a wide range of applicants from diverse backgrounds.

    Additionally, Patient Focus and Public Involvement, published in December 2001, requires each new NHS Board to work closely with its community planning partners and voluntary organisations to develop a sustainable framework to support local public involvement.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158067,"EventID":"S1W-21470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what action it is taking to ensure that the work of th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what action it is taking to ensure that the work of the Special Health Boards and other national bodies is properly co-ordinated and aligned to national policies and priorities.","AnswerText":"Our work to improve governance and accountability of NHSScotland has not been confined to the establishment of 15 new NHS boards across Scotland. We have also been concerned to ensure that the spirit of these changes is reflected in improvements in the governance of the Special Health Boards and other national bodies, whilst recognising their distinctive nature and activities.

    A number of initiatives, many of which were announced in Public bodies: Proposals for change (June 2001), are currently under way to ensure that national NHS bodies are fit for purpose and efficiently structured. These include:

    work to establish a new Special Health Board for education, training and lifelong learning for all NHSScotland staff in April 2002;

    an examination of the structure and relationships of all national bodies with an interest in clinical quality, such as the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland and the Health Technology Board for Scotland; and

    a review of the future governance of the State Hospitals Board for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158068,"EventID":"S1W-21471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what the current stage of development is of the commun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what the current stage of development is of the communications programme for the Health Department and the NHS in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Since the publication of Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change, a number of steps have been taken to improve communications with and by NHSScotland. For example, ministers meet regularly with NHS Board Chairs, the Chief Executive of NHSScotland holds regular meetings with NHS Chief Executives and senior officials have regular dialogue with key stakeholder groups. The importance of effective two-way communication features highly in these discussions.

    Effective communication with patients and the public is a key theme of the plans outlined in Patient Focus and Public Involvement published in December 2001.

    Additionally, the Health Department has introduced a web-based Weekly Bulletin aimed at alerting the NHS, local authorities and other key stakeholders to publications, guidance and other papers issued by the department. The department has recently appointed a Corporate Communications Manager who will have a key role in working with NHSScotland to develop a structured programme to further improve communications.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158069,"EventID":"S1W-21472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what changes it has made in 2001 to its strategic prog","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what changes it has made in 2001 to its strategic programme for modernising information management and technology in the NHS.","AnswerText":"During 2001 the Strategic Programme for Information & Management has been rewritten; a final draft version is on SHOW (www.show.scot.nhs.uk/imt) to allow for any final comments from the NHS. The draft strategy sets out national and local programmes and targets and is intended to establish greater collaboration and consistency of approach to the development of information management and technology across NHSScotland. It is likely to be published in February 2002.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158070,"EventID":"S1W-21473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to ensure that the NHS and local authorit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to ensure that the NHS and local authorities identify improved processes and share good practice across Scotland to reduce unacceptable delays in discharging patients from hospital to more appropriate care and what action it has taken to achieve this to date.","AnswerText":"An expert group, led by NHS Chief Executive Trevor Jones, has been looking in detail at delayed discharge and the reasons for it. Next month I will announce an Action Plan based on the work of this group, and including the sharing of good practice, to help drive down the delayed discharge figures.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158071,"EventID":"S1W-21474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, on what projects it plans to spend the #14 million inv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, on what projects it plans to spend the #14 million invested in the NHS in Scotland to build the capacity of the NHS to communicate with, listen to and work in partnership with individuals and communities.","AnswerText":"Patient Focus and Public Involvement, published in December of last year, set out plans for developing the actions identified in the Involving People section of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. It also identified how the earmarked £14 million investment would be allocated across four complementary strands of building capacity and communications, patient information, involvement, and responsiveness to develop a patient-focused health service.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158072,"EventID":"S1W-21475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what steps to develop the Patients Project have been t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, what steps to develop the Patients Project have been taken in 2001 and what further steps are planned for 2002.","AnswerText":"Patient Focus and Public Involvement, published in December of last year, reported on steps taken to develop the actions identified in the Involving People section of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. It also set out detailed proposals for work over the coming three years on building capacity and communications, patient information, involvement, and responsiveness to equip the NHS to communicate with, listen to and work in partnership with individuals and communities.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158073,"EventID":"S1W-21476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to establish a network of information acc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to establish a network of information access points to help people find the information they need about their care, treatment options and services available to them.","AnswerText":"Patient Focus and Public Involvement, published in December of last year, reported on steps taken to develop the actions identified in the Involving People section of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. It also set out more detailed proposals for work over the coming three years to develop the capacity of the NHS to provide patients and the public with information about their health, their treatment, the options for care, and the availability of health services.

    The Patient Information Initiative will:

    assure the quality of patient information, based on evidence;

    involve and engage with other sources of expertise such as expert patients;

    make information accessible and available in a variety of formats, and

    link to future developments, for example NHS24 online.

    The initiative will develop proposals for establishing a network that will ensure that relevant high quality information is available where and when needed in a suitable format.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158074,"EventID":"S1W-21477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to raise the profile of the NHS complaint","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to raise the profile of the NHS complaints system. ","AnswerText":"Our National Health; A plan for action, a plan for change, commits the Scottish Executive to developing a complaints process which is \"credible, easy to use, demonstrably independent and effective.\"

    A working group, which includes patient representatives and NHS staff, has been established to develop proposals for inclusion in a public consultation on a revised NHS complaints procedure. The group is currently considering responses to a pre-consultation exercise on the report of the independent evaluation of the NHS complaints procedure. The group's advice will inform the development of a formal consultation document to be issued in the spring.

    The consultation process will seek views on how to raise the profile of the NHS complaints procedure and make it more accessible to patients and the public including the use of a telephone and internet-based feedback system.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158075,"EventID":"S1W-21478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when it will set up a telephone and internet-based pos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, when it will set up a telephone and internet-based positive feedback system. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21477.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":158076,"EventID":"S1W-21479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2001-12-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to involve the public effectively in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, how it plans to involve the public effectively in the management of changes to local NHS services.","AnswerText":"Patient Focus and Public Involvement, published in December of last year, reported on steps taken to develop the actions identified in the Involving People section of Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. It also indicated that NHS boards will be expected to take a pro-active and positive approach to public involvement on issues of potential service change. It stressed that involving the public should not be seen as something that has to be done at the end of a process, but something that is part of an integrated process of communication and discussion; where communities, patients, public and NHS staff have opportunities to influence decision making. The NHS must be able to demonstrate through this inclusive process that it listens to, is supportive of, and takes account of views and suggestions.

    Revised guidance on public involvement in service change will be issued in March.","AnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2002-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null}]